Journey to Luoyang

Du Fu felt he had been somewhat impolite, and his face showed an apologetic expression. Chen Yage, however, did not seem angry. She smiled serenely, as if nothing could disturb her. “Even if I am a woman of the dust, so what? Does that mean I cannot go wherever I wish? Must I spend my entire life in a man’s arms, forever offering smiles, living for others? I am Chen Yage. I am myself, and I live for myself.”

Her words left Du Fu speechless. He could only offer an awkward smile and let the moment pass. “It’s late. You should rest,” he said.

Du Fu gave up his room for Chen Yage, keeping watch outside the door and staying awake all night.

The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Yage and Du Fu set out for Luoyang. In truth, neither of them carried much luggage—certainly not Chen Yage. Du Fu had only a small bundle, and they traveled lightly.

Chen Yage had spent a fair amount of time in Tang, though she had never gone out to explore. As they walked, she paused often to gaze about, sometimes picking up jeweled hairpins and tucking them awkwardly into her hair. Whenever a shopkeeper flattered her with honeyed words, she would promptly set the hairpin down and leave.

“If you like them, why not buy one?” Du Fu followed behind, noticing how she admired the hairpins but never bought any. He picked up a blue orchid hairpin and asked the shopkeeper, “How much for this?”

Chen Yage snatched the hairpin from his hand. “It’s pretty, but useless. Better to look than to buy,” she said, returning it to the stall. She truly liked it, but she knew Du Fu was not some wealthy young lord—at least not now. She did not want him to mistake her intentions for following him as being motivated by money.

Du Fu picked up the blue orchid hairpin again. He saw through her words, noticing that her lips denied what her heart desired. A smile played at his mouth. “True, these are things for ladies. You don’t need them, Yage. That’ll help me save some silver.”

Chen Yage grabbed the hairpin, protesting, “Who says I don’t need it? I am a woman too.” She tucked it into her hair, beaming proudly. “With this hairpin, I am just as lovely. Maybe not as beautiful as the moon or flowers, nor as dazzling as a sinking fish or falling bird, but still a beauty who could topple kingdoms and captivate souls. Shopkeeper, am I right?”

The shopkeeper was taken aback, not expecting her to ask him directly. In truth, she was not unattractive, but to call her beautiful was a stretch. To say she could topple kingdoms was blatantly exaggerating. Still, for the sake of business, and for money, what harm was there in a little dishonesty? He grinned obsequiously. “Miss, your beauty is extraordinary. Wearing this hairpin, you are truly stunning. To say you captivate souls is not an exaggeration at all.”

Du Fu sighed. Chen Yage smiled triumphantly. “If you like it, keep it. Let it be a gift from me, but that’s all it means,” Du Fu said, handing a silver tael to the shopkeeper. “Is that enough?”

“More than enough, sir!”

“Keep the change.” Du Fu generously handed over the silver. Suddenly, a little boy bumped into him from behind. Du Fu stumbled, pulling Chen Yage into his arms. Both froze for a moment, embarrassed. Du Fu straightened, and Chen Yage quickly turned away, just as Du Fu exclaimed, “My silver!”

“That child—quick, chase him!” Chen Yage, without a thought for her dignity, ran after the boy. Du Fu followed but could not catch up. In her younger days, few could outrun Chen Yage in either sprints or long-distance races. If she caught the boy today, she planned to teach him a proper lesson. To think that someone would dare to rob in broad daylight in Luoyang, and worse, cause her such embarrassment—she was determined to deal with him.

The boy was not far ahead. Without hesitating, Chen Yage leapt onto a cart, using its momentum to propel herself several meters forward, and grabbed the boy’s collar in one swift motion. He tried to struggle, but Chen Yage subdued him effortlessly with a deft hold.

Without asking him to return the money, Chen Yage simply reached into his pocket and retrieved the silver. “You little rascal, how dare you steal from me?”

“Beautiful sister, spare me! I won’t dare do it again, please let me go!” The boy knelt, begging, and repeatedly banged his head on the ground.

Seeing his tearful face, Chen Yage felt a pang of guilt, as though she were bullying him. She hung the purse at her waist, looking formidable. “Don’t you ever steal again, understand? Go on, now.”

“Thank you, beautiful sister, thank you!” The boy grabbed her legs tightly, hugging them. Chen Yage rolled her eyes. “Let go of me, now.”

The boy finally released her and ran off. Du Fu arrived just then. “You’re amazing,” he said with genuine admiration. “Did you get the money back?”

“Of course,” Chen Yage said, smiling proudly. But as her hand froze in midair, the smile faded from her face. “That little devil! He dared to steal from me again!”

The boy had deliberately hugged her legs, making her drop her guard, and in that moment took her purse from her waist. Chen Yage was furious, gritting her teeth. She would not rest until she caught him.

“Forget it. Consider it an offering to ward off calamity,” Du Fu said, seeing that the boy was long gone and impossible to find. Besides, there wasn’t much silver in the purse. But Chen Yage was unwilling to let it go. She was determined, and before Du Fu could say more, she had already run ten meters ahead. “I must get my purse back and teach that little rascal a lesson,” she called to Du Fu.

Seeing her resolve, Du Fu took another route. The two formed a pincer movement. Unless the boy could fly, he would not escape.

Chen Yage ran into an alley that split into two paths, one left and one right. This time, she hesitated. Influenced by Li Bai for so long, she had always chosen the left path without thinking. But now she chose the right, wanting to break the habit and return to who she used to be. But could she really go back?

Thinking of Li Bai, Chen Yage’s determination to chase the boy weakened. After wandering through two more alleys, she sat down on a step, hugging her knees and staring blankly.

Brother Bai must be married to Ziyan by now. On that day, Ziyan surely looked beautiful. They say a woman is most radiant when she is a bride. Brother Bai must have been handsome and elegant as well. They must be happy now.

Chen Yage patted her cheeks, trying to snap herself out of her reverie. Li Bai belonged to the past. She should look forward. Yet the harder she tried not to think of him, the clearer the memories became. Every word he said, his laughter—Chen Yage suddenly felt a hollow place in her heart, as if something important was missing, making her ache, making her lonely, making her feel utterly alone.