Peerless Dancer

Chapter 11: Night Market Rescue

We looked at each other, hardly able to believe it: this was no different from us wearing ancient costumes for artistic photoshoots back in the 21st century!

Such beautiful women! It felt like we were back in the 21st century again.

For a moment, my nose tingled as if I smelled the familiar aroma of my mother’s cooking, as if I were strolling in high heels, as if I were sitting in front of my computer chatting with my boyfriends, as if I saw the friendly old professor lecturing…

My 21st century! My feminine self!

Mei Jin and the others were full of praise for our attire. Yan Ling’er said, “Master Wu, you look so delicate and elegant dressed as a woman; there's an indescribable aura about you. And Master Long, you are even more magnificent, elegant, and stunningly beautiful!”

I smiled bitterly to myself: who wouldn't agree? Otherwise, how could Ben Ben and those women call me the mischievous spirit and Long Dan the elegant peerless beauty!

If they lived in the 21st century and saw Long Dan’s figure, they would surely be envious to death!

Long Dan’s hair was tied in a shiny black bun, with silver and green adornments. She wore a green shoulder-length blouse and a light yellow cotton skirt. Her lips were naturally red, her eyebrows naturally dark, exuding gentleness and serenity. Her glances were lively and elegant, embodying the grace and grandeur of a wealthy young lady!

I had two small buns tied up, dressed in green, looking even more petite and playful. The perfect image of a maid!

The night market of Shen Chasing Kingdom was very bustling. From afar, the ancient stone bridge looked graceful, the wide streets had a vintage charm, with stone lions standing guard at the gates. Children played noisily, young men and women exchanged glances, bold men drank heartily, carriages and horses clattered, and street performers sang melodiously. It was truly a lively scene!

The market was full of a wide variety of goods. Clothes, hats, fans, plants, flowers, fresh fish, pork, mutton, pastries, sweets, seasonal fruits, you name it.

Women lingered at stalls selling jade ornaments, rouge, and peace charms. Adults, urged by their children, bought seasonal foods. There were vendors selling wonton rolls, rice with sides, and more. They had stalls or pushed carts, selling golden, hot steamed buns and crispy sesame cakes. The fragrance of tea filled the teahouses.

Mei Jin said the street had temples, matchmaker stands, and trees for tying love tokens. During festivals, there were temple fairs and flower fairs, making the place even more bustling. I listened with longing.

I wandered around excitedly, touching this and that, stopping and walking again. Long Dan, however, maintained her dignified young lady demeanor, showing the reserved and graceful bearing of a noblewoman. She didn’t grab things like I did, just watched me. Long Dan’s beauty caught many passersby’s eyes, some even stopped walking, staring in awe.

But seeing the two burly men behind us, no one dared to cause trouble.

One of the men following us, named Xin Zhu, seemed impatient but had to be polite: “Master Wu, this is all women’s stuff. How about I take you to a more interesting place?”

I knew what he meant. Based on my research on Shen Chasing Kingdom, the p**********n business was thriving. Xin Zhu probably wanted to lure us to a brothel. I looked at Long Dan and asked, “Miss, what do you think?”

Long Dan responded quickly, “We dressed as women today, so of course, we should do things women enjoy. Let’s go another day!”

Xin Zhu seemed to respect Long Dan a lot, immediately replying, “Yes, Miss.”

I felt frustrated. Did I lack authority? Even a follower would suggest inappropriate things to me, knowing I wouldn’t be as stern as Long Dan!

One day, I’ll make sure to give this guy a good lesson!

Mei Jin suddenly tugged at my sleeve, saying, “Master Wu, step aside!”

At the same time, Xin Zhu and another man named Xin Zhui pulled Long Dan away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Long Dan deftly avoid Xin Zhui’s hand, step to the side, and brush off the spot where Xin Zhui touched her.

I couldn’t help but laugh: Long Dan’s aversion to men had been triggered!

Long Dan believed men were dirty. If she had to touch something a man used, she would be extremely repulsed. If a man touched her, it would be even worse; she would wash repeatedly.

Wearing the performance clothes used by other men, she had already felt nauseous several times. It wasn’t until we changed into the new clothes the madam made for us that she felt a bit better.

We had just settled when we heard the sound of approaching hooves. The bustling street suddenly quieted, and a chill crept over me in the night air.

I held Long Dan’s hand. She focused on the now-empty road that had been crowded just moments ago, her tall figure allowing her to see the approaching riders clearly.

I jumped but couldn’t see anything, even on tiptoes. Frustrated, I let go of Long Dan’s hand and pushed forward. Mei Jin held my hand, saying, “Wu Lan, don’t go over there!”

I ignored her, moving to the front. The crowd quickly moved aside, an old peddler selling cakes couldn’t get away in time, stumbled, and fell, spilling fragrant cakes everywhere.

The old peddler, seemingly poor, didn’t want to waste the cakes, kneeling to pick them up with his hands.

I saw a horse approaching him fast. Alarmed, I shouted, “Quick! Move!” Using my scant martial arts skills, I pulled the peddler away just in time.

The horse’s hoof landed right where he had been. Pale with fright, I pushed the peddler into the crowd and stood aside.