Early Spring Journey

When Chu Xia woke, she felt something was seriously wrong. If her oversleeping delayed their journey, what would she do? She hurriedly got up to freshen up, only to encounter Bai Xue at the door, who greeted her with, “Good morning, miss.” Bai Xue looked her over with a half-smile, “Chu Xia, did you hear anything last night?” Chu Xia’s heart skipped a beat, “What did you hear, miss?” Bai Xue tidied her eyebrows, “Perhaps the sound of bells… or maybe a wild cat on the roof…” Chu Xia couldn’t understand why she brought this up, just staring blankly at her radiant face. “I mean, if it weren’t for these disturbances, how could you sleep so late?” Bai Xue smiled slightly, turned to leave for her room, but then as if remembering something, “Oh, Chu Xia, my cloak was torn yesterday, could you mend it for me?” Chu Xia responded with an “Ah,” “Miss, please wait a moment, I’ll go into town to buy some needles and thread.” Downstairs, she saw the young master drinking tea. Qing Long, upon seeing Chu Xia, remarked, “I’ve never seen such a lazy maid.” Chu Xia grabbed a steamed bun from the waiter, ate it hastily, and mumbled, “Aren’t we leaving now?” “The young master says this town has a fine scenery, and we’ll stay a few more days,” Qing Long said. “Chu Xia, what’s wrong with your throat? There’s some wax stuck on it.” Chu Xia touched her throat, indeed there was wax. She peeled it off and threw it on the ground, glaring at the young master, then said to Qing Long, “I need to buy some needles and thread; Bai Xue’s clothes are torn.” Without further ado, she borrowed a bamboo hat and raincoat from the waiter and left.