The Unmoving Bride

“Please, kind sirs, do you have any water to spare? I haven’t had a drink in half a day!” Yan Xin Meng pleaded as soon as they stopped in front of her, only then noticing the strikingly handsome man among them. “Wow, so handsome!”
The men depicted in ancient novels as outstanding figures indeed look like this: sword-shaped eyebrows that slant into the temples, eyes as clear and bright as a sunny sky, a straight nose bridge, lips well-shaped but neither too thin nor too thick—this is exactly the look! He’s so handsome that I wouldn’t mind skipping meals just to look at him. Yan Xinmeng stared blankly at him, drool almost dripping from her mouth, completely forgetting that she had a large piece of dogskin plaster on her face. Her gaze was like that of a rogue seeing a beautiful woman on the street, except now she was ogling a grown man. Shang Bieye was used to people being captivated by his appearance, but he hadn’t expected that even in this desolate wilderness, a young lad would look at him with such an expression, as if he were a delectable dish to be devoured. Just as he was about to snap Yan Xinmeng out of her stupor, Shang Bieye seemed to notice something and stared at her thoughtfully. Moments later, he tossed her a water pouch from his belt. Yan Xinmeng was already too exhausted to have much strength left, having used the last of her energy to call for help. She clumsily managed to catch the water pouch after several attempts. Once she had it, she picked a piece of grass from the roadside, examined its stem, then opened the water pouch, inserted the grass stem, and started to suck. Shang Bieye and his companions exchanged puzzled looks at her strange behavior. “Kid, what are you doing? If you’re going to drink, drink. Why are you chewing on grass?” Bu Yuchen asked, baffled. After drinking, Yan Xinmeng rested for a moment before replying, “I am drinking water.” “Drinking water?” Bu Yuchen first widened his eyes, then burst into laughter. “You’re clearly eating grass stems and you call that drinking water? If grass could quench thirst, we wouldn’t need to give you water.” Knowing they were teasing her, Yan Xinmeng didn’t mind. They were kind enough to give her water; how could she be impolite? Besides, people of this era wouldn’t know about straws, so she didn’t bother explaining. Yan Xinmeng shrugged and smiled, then walked over to Shang Bieye, looked up, handed him back the water pouch, and thanked him, “Thank you, sir, oh no, young master, for the water.” Shang Bieye didn’t take the water pouch but said, “Keep it. I think you need it more than I do.” “What about you?” “I have two more water pouches, and even if they’re empty, my friends have some.” Shang Bieye nodded towards Wu Yangfeng and Bu Yuchen. Wow! What a good person, not only handsome but also kind. It seems my luck isn’t so bad after all. Yan Xinmeng was secretly delighted and made a decision on the spot. “Thank you, young master.” Yan Xinmeng’s eyes sparkled as she schemed, “Since you’re so kind, could I ask you for a favor?” Here she comes, pushing her luck. Let’s see what trick she’s up to. Shang Bieye chuckled lightly, not minding. “What is it? Tell me.” “Huh? Has this old man changed his ways? When did he become so kind?” Bu Yuchen looked at Shang Bieye in slight surprise. Wu Yangfeng and Bu Yuchen exchanged amused glances between Shang Bieye and Yan Xinmeng. “It’s like this, I’m heading to that Black and White Gate thing…” Yan Xinmeng began. “Black and White Gate?” Shang Bieye thought for a moment and then said, “You mean Black Stockade Gate, right?” “Yes, that’s it! Black Stockade Gate, I always forget the name.” Yan Xinmeng stuck out her tongue playfully. “But I’ve been walking all day, and there’s not a soul on this path. I know it leads straight to that Black and White Gate, and I assume you’re headed there too. Now that I don’t have any means of transportation, I was wondering if I could hitch a ride with you.” “Hitch a ride?” Shang Bieye raised his eyebrows, puzzled. They were riding horses, not driving a car. “Oh! I mean, can I borrow your horse, or travel with you?” Yan Xinmeng quickly clarified, “Don’t worry, I have my own money; I won’t spend yours.” “What business do you have at Black Stockade Gate?” “Nothing much, just that a friend told me his mirror was picked up by someone from that Black and White Gate, and he wants me to get it back for him.” A mirror? Maybe he’s after the martial arts manual. But why would he need it? Shang Bieye scrutinized Yan Xinmeng with a probing look. “Are you sure it’s just a mirror and not something else?” “Yes, just a mirror. What else would it be?” Yan Xinmeng was confused by his question. “It’s just that his mirror has the twelve hours of the day painted on it. He said it was given to him by his master, and it’s the only one in the world.” That should be right; no one knows about the Time Mirror anyway. Yan Xinmeng thought, unaware that everyone knew Black Stockade Gate had announced finding a mirror, mistakenly thought to be a martial arts manual, which had already attracted many covetous eyes. Shang Bieye said nothing, just extended his hand. “Then come up.” Yan Xinmeng was thrilled and reached out to let Shang Bieye pull her onto the horse’s back, sitting behind him. “What’s your name?” “Shang Bieye.” Hmm, that name sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it somewhere… Yan Xinmeng rummaged through her memory, but though the name seemed familiar, she couldn’t recall any connection. “What’s your name, kid?” “Yan Xinmeng,” she said loudly. Shang Bieye suddenly burst into laughter as if remembering something. “Why are you laughing?” “Nothing. We’re off. Hold on tight, go!” Before she could ask further, the horse surged forward, forcing Yan Xinmeng to cling tightly to Shang Bieye, not daring to open her mouth for fear of dust flying in.