Seeing Lu Zheng and Shen Ying, a woman in a white gauze skirt stepped back lightly, hiding behind another tall woman in a purple skirt.
The woman on the far left, dressed in a black pleated skirt with white trim, looked over curiously. The woman on the far right, in a red dress, blinked her charming eyes, sizing up Lu Zheng.
The leading woman, wearing a warm yellow cloud-patterned palace dress, looking dignified and elegant, stepped forward and gave a graceful bow. “We are simple mountain folk, and we were rude just now. Please forgive us.”
“No matter, no matter. We merely stumbled upon this hot spring and were bathing, thinking it was unclaimed land,” Lu Zheng said.
However, he was fully submerged in the water, with his clothes on the bank, so he could not perform a full courtesy. He only rose halfway and cupped his hands in response.
This movement revealed half his upper body, and as his hands broke the water’s surface, the white-skirted woman who had just peeked out shrank back again.
“This place is a natural haven, unowned. Our sisters live in a village about twenty miles away. Since it’s not far, we often come here to bathe,” the yellow-clad woman explained.
“We won’t disturb you further. Our sisters will go to the other side,” the yellow-clad woman said, leading her four companions toward the largest spring inside.
The women followed, unable to resist glancing at the pair, some with bold looks, others with charm or curiosity, each in her own way.
Lu Zheng and Shen Ying paid it no mind, merely waving casually in greeting.
Both sides clearly knew the other was no ordinary person. After all, this was deep in the mountains, with no paths to follow. Who but hunters or herb gatherers would come here?
The five women soon vanished into the mist, followed by rustling sounds and the soft splash of them entering the water.
“Ooh!”
“So comfortable!”
“Hm, what’s that smell? It’s odd. Sometimes it’s in Third Sister’s room too.”
“Ouch, Third Sister, why’d you hit me?”
“Hehe, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. What do you think that smell is?”
“I don’t know. Oh, Second Sister, what are you doing? Stop, don’t, ugh!”
The sounds carried over, and Lu Zheng couldn’t help but swallow hard, causing Shen Ying to float up slightly.
Shen Ying’s face flushed, and she lightly bit Lu Zheng’s shoulder. “Rogue!”
It wasn’t his fault!
Lu Zheng coughed twice. “This hot spring water is a bit warm, isn’t it? Good for circulation and vitality. Very effective.”
“Is it?” Shen Ying’s lips curved. She removed her hairpin, placed it on the bank, shook her head to let her long hair fall, and gave Lu Zheng a charming smile. “Let me see.”
Then she gently sank into the water.
“Hiss!”
…
An hour later, Lu Zheng and Shen Ying finished bathing and got dressed.
By coincidence, the five women had also finished bathing and emerged.
The two groups met face-to-face, and the women got a clear look at Lu Zheng and Shen Ying.
A dashing, refined gentleman and an ethereal, stunning beauty.
They exchanged formal greetings.
Lu Zheng cupped his hands. “Lu Zheng of Tonglin County. Greetings, ladies. This is my wife, Shen Ying.”
The women introduced themselves one by one.
“Meeting is fate. It’s getting late. If you don’t mind, why not join us at our village for lunch?” the yellow-clad woman, Hua Yixing, invited.
Looking up, the sun had indeed passed its zenith.
“Is it convenient?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Quite convenient. Our village is just twenty miles south, not far from a country path,” the red-clad woman, Hu Caina, said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lu Zheng.
The purple-clad woman, Lin Jing’er, gazed at Lu Zheng and Shen Ying with interest, her eyes glinting with a hint of challenge.
Lu Zheng glanced at Shen Ying, who nodded slightly, indicating it was fine.
“Then we’ll trouble you,” Lu Zheng said with a nod.
They were just five spirits, after all. If they dared to invite him, what did he have to fear?
The seven of them set off together, heading south.
…
Twenty miles wasn’t far, and they soon reached a manor.
The manor sat amidst a forested hillside, shaded by green trees, with a small stream flowing nearby.
The manor had grey tiles and white walls, looking quite ordinary. The sign above the gate read “Wuxiu Manor” in plain, unremarkable script.
“There are only the five of us in the manor. Please, make yourselves at home!”
Hua Yixing opened the gate, inviting Lu Zheng and Shen Ying inside, then instructed, “Mingxin, Ting’er, go prepare lunch.”
“Alright!”
“Got it, Big Sister!”
Yu Mingxin, in her black skirt, and Bai Ting’er, in her white dress, headed to the side courtyard kitchen.
Hua Yixing invited Lu Zheng and Shen Ying to sit on the left side of the front hall. She took the main seat, with Lin Jing’er and Hu Caina accompanying them on the right.
“Our sisters live simply and rarely interact with the outside world. You two seem to move in the mortal realm?” Hua Yixing asked.
“How can you tell?” Lu Zheng replied.
Hua Yixing blinked. “Didn’t you just mention Tonglin County?”
“Er, fair enough. That’s true,” Lu Zheng conceded with a nod.
“Indeed, we live in Tonglin County,” Lu Zheng continued, then asked, “Do you never visit the mortal world?”
Hua Yixing shook her head. “Not never. This manor was built by local masons we hired. Occasionally, lost travelers stay the night. But we mostly keep to the countryside, so we don’t interact much with the wider world. That’s why we boldly invited you, hoping you’d share some stories of the outside world.”
“A small matter!” Lu Zheng nodded, thinking they were just curious for news.
At that moment, Yu Mingxin and Bai Ting’er returned with trays, lunch prepared.
They set up tables and chairs, arranging the meal. Lu Zheng noticed the table was filled entirely with vegetables, fruits, and a small bowl of rice for each person.
So, they were vegetarian spirits.
“Please!”
They sat around the round table, and Lu Zheng and Shen Ying began sharing stories.
Lu Zheng often wandered the county and listened to tales at Leping Tower, while Shen Ying, having lived decades in Taohua Ridge, had seen much of human life. They had plenty to share.
As they spoke, Lu Zheng realised that while the five women might not know the specifics of the outside world, they were far from ignorant.
The countryside wasn’t bustling, but it had bookshops and schools. The women occasionally visited towns, buying books to bring back, learning to read and write, studying etiquette.
Beyond that, each had her own talents.
The eldest, Hua Yixing, excelled at embroidery. The second, Lin Jing’er, was skilled in painting and calligraphy. The third, Hu Caina, was a talented dancer. The fourth, Yu Mingxin, was a gifted singer. And though the youngest, Bai Ting’er, was skilled with all sorts of musical instruments.
“Impressive! Truly impressive!”
As Lu Zheng was marvelling, he suddenly felt a delicate foot brush against his calf.
Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)
