TRT – Extra Story 1

A Day at Cangchun Tower – Boys’ Diary *

— Xiao Shou

Yin Hour (3–5 a.m.)

Got up, went to the courtyard to practice swordsmanship.

In the past, pampered and spoiled, I never practiced seriously. Even though Father hired a famous master for me, my sword skills only reached third-rate level… when the time comes to use it, that’s when one truly regrets the lack of effort! If I could get another chance, I’d pour in a hundred, a thousand times the effort to study and train!

Mao Hour (5–7 a.m.)

The woman comes out for morning exercise.

She wears these tight, strange clothes, calls them “sportswear.” Wearing something like that is already bad enough, but she insists on running laps around the entire Cangchun Tower, saying it’s called “morning jog.” Runs so ridiculously slow, as if afraid no one would see her?! After I scolded her, she switched to running small circles inside her own courtyard.

After running, she starts skipping with a hemp rope, telling me that in her country it’s a common sport. Once warmed up, she shamelessly strips off layers of clothing! Exposing arms and legs—what kind of propriety is that! No matter how many times I correct her, she doesn’t change. I can only perch in the treetops to keep watch, in case anyone passes by…

When done skipping, she punches at the sandbag hanging in the courtyard. Her moves are messy, her motions not fast, but simple and straightforward—enough against ordinary people, though to me, it’s just flowery nonsense.

That sandbag is useful though, just too fragile. I borrowed it once, used it for a day, and it broke.

After her workout, she goes to bathe. Who bathes first thing in the morning? Truly troublesome.

And she doesn’t even lock the doors or windows properly… forcing me to keep guard outside her room…

Chen Hour (7–9 a.m.)

Breakfast. The woman proudly presents a new dish:

Perfectly good steamed buns, yet she insists on shaping them into squares, slicing them, and calling it “bread.” Hmph. Today she added raisins inside… tastes pretty good though…

After that, she runs off to mingle with those craftsmen, tinkering with all kinds of bizarre things. Since ancient times, women were not meant to be artisans—where on earth did she even learn these skills? Granted, the gadgets are indeed useful, but the process looks terrible! A woman leading a group of men, hauling earth and stone, climbing up and down, pulling and tugging, holding onto each other…

And what’s with that expression of hers? If I don’t keep an eye on her, who knows what’ll happen? What woman acts so wild?

Which means I have to stand guard again… Hm? Why do those bastard men keep looking at me?

Wu Hour (11 a.m.–1 p.m.)

Lunch. Again, she brings out some “new dish,” proudly showing it off… To be fair, this might be her only quality befitting a proper household woman.

After the meal, she obediently goes for a walk, then naps. In the afternoon she usually spends time with the Cangchun Tower girls, so at least for a while, I don’t have to worry…

I tidy up briefly, then set out to track news of the Fourth Prince. I’ve heard lately His Highness has arrived in the West—sooner or later, he’ll come to Autumn Leaf City. I’m ready to pledge myself under his banner at any time. Father, the day our Xiao family avenges its grudges is close at hand.

On my way back, I stopped by that local tyrant’s house and casually took a bolt of Da Luo ice silk. I recall the woman mentioning this morning she couldn’t buy any… That wretch surnamed Jin once actually used knockout drugs—such lowly tricks—against me. At the time, I wanted to kill him with one stroke! But since he runs Cangchun Tower, killing him would’ve only brought trouble to Minmin. Forget it. Castration will do.

You Hour (5–7 p.m.)

Dinner. The woman refuses to eat properly, just gnaws on an apple, claiming it’s called “losing weight.”

Then she nervously prepares for her performance. These women actually treat me like a little maidservant (—because you are one). Even scarier, under their threats and bribes, I—a dignified man—have ended up helping them draw eyebrows and apply makeup… and I’m getting better at it. Father, your unworthy son feels he’s straying further and further from the goal of reviving the Xiao family legacy… (utter despair).

But… women truly are mysterious beings. Normally she dresses short and plain like a boy, her face not particularly cute at a glance (—so you mean if you look carefully, Minmin is actually very cute, hm?)… Yet once makeup is done and she wears a wig, she looks like a different person entirely! Add those strange, revealing costumes—sarongs, gauzy dresses—and on her, they somehow hold a faint beauty enough to topple kingdoms… (If you want to praise her, just say it. Will it kill you to be honest?)

Xu Hour (7–9 p.m.)

The performance begins on time. I think back to the first time I ever saw her sing and dance—that shock, truly beyond words. Like a blooming epiphyllum, bursting forth all its brilliance in one instant! Beauty at its peak… But too beautiful, dangerously so. Since then, I never dared to watch Minmin’s performances again, because I fear I won’t be able to control myself… won’t be able to stop myself from killing all those men in the audience, their eyes filled with desire and longing…

Instead, I practice my sword under the moonlight. My moves are light, but my blade intent is not. I know—within those sword flashes, the killing intent runs too heavy.

Hai Hour (9–11 p.m.)

Deep night. Within Cangchun Tower, business flourishes, spring colors boundless.

I sheath my sword, and go searching.

Sometimes she’s on the garden lawn, sometimes atop the highest roof of Cangchun Tower. Her habits truly resemble a cat.

I leap onto a tree, scan the surroundings. There—under the moonlight, a figure lazily sprawls atop the Summer Pavilion roof, hands pillowed behind her head, short hair swaying gently in the breeze, as restless as the girl herself…

I land silently beside her and sit down.

Why do you always come out so late?

Couldn’t sleep. Back then I used to surf the internet every night till midnight. My biological clock still hasn’t adjusted…

…There she goes again with her strange words.

She widened her eyes and gazed seriously at the night sky, from top to bottom, left to right.

I lifted my head too. The moonlight was faint, only the stars shone.

The stars are so beautiful, so many… You ancients are really blessed. In modern times it’s hard to see a sky full of stars like this…

…By now, I’m already used to her constant nonsense.

I’m a Pisces, she suddenly blurted out, and then tugged at my sleeve, chattering about everything under the sun. “Let me tell you about a way we divide constellations in my world~ We split the year into twelve constellations… there’s the Zodiac… and the Bronze Saints…”

In the night, her eyes sparkled with pure happiness. Her soft, gentle voice lingered around me. Lying side by side with her on the rooftop, I soon lost track of what she was saying. All that remained was this fleeting tenderness, this faint moonlight, this intimate moment that left me utterly bewildered…

A Day in Cangchun Pavilion – Girls’ Version

—Minmin

6 a.m.

Wake up, morning exercise.

Bamboo salt toothpaste, homemade toothbrush. Quick and convenient, guaranteed fresh breath. A must-have whether at home, traveling, or working the stage as a courtesan! Now promoted throughout the entire Cangchun Pavilion!

Open the wardrobe—piled high with all sorts of sportswear. 100% cotton, guaranteed quality! Back then I could only look at but not buy Nike and Adidas, but now I own the latest styles, one set each! Xiao Tao is basically a walking Chinese knockoff factory! With so many pretty clothes, I wanted to flaunt them everywhere, but that brat Shou keeps pulling a donkey face! Kids—always jealous when someone else dresses nicely! Forget it, I’ll spare his feelings and won’t show off outside…

Who wouldn’t feel hot after a thousand skips of the rope?! I only took off my jacket, and Shou’s face turned darker than the bottom of a pot! Look, I’m still wearing a sports bra, okay!

Here in the ancient era, surrounded by delicate, fragile women, I asked Shou to practice some taekwondo with me, but that brat gave me a look of pure disdain! Left me to practice alone, had to settle with a sandbag… and he even mocked me for it! Fine, laugh all you want! But if you’re going to use it, then don’t break it in just one morning!!

Worked up a sweat—time for a bath~

Golden Rule of Time Travel No. 4: Whenever the heroine bathes, there’s usually a romantic encounter.

So I even upped my daily baths from once to twice, even three times. Of course, I never lock doors or windows… I wait… I hope… but why hasn’t even an ant come in?! (Because a certain jinx is guarding the door outside…)

8 a.m.

Breakfast. Tired of Chinese food, I’ve started experimenting with Western cuisine with the head chef. Even with simple tools, persistence pays off—bread, sandwiches, hamburgers, all successfully made! Inspired by these great achievements, the chef keeps innovating, and lately has become obsessed with baking cookies…

After eating, it’s time to work.

Stage setup is a delicate business—you can’t manage without being on-site. Besides, showing care for laborers is in line with the Party’s call~ The working people are the greatest, so of course I should treat them warmly. And Shou! Wipe that iron face of yours! Saying “women shouldn’t do manual labor”! Without me digging pits with sweat and toil, would Cangchun Pavilion have its complete water system? Without me mixing cement under the blazing sun, would we have such a grand central fountain?!

If I want to cross a wooden beam, of course I need to lift my skirt! Why did you tear down the railing I just nailed up?!

When I climbed up high to hammer nails, Little Tiger kindly gave me a hand. Why did you slap him across the face?!

And besides—dressed as a little geisha beauty, on a worksite full of lusty men, don’t you know how dangerous that is?!

…

You say I’m giving you attitude? How could I not?! A construction site is already chaotic enough, can’t you just stay out of the way?! (Furious)

Lunch. As the saying goes: “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Judging by Shou’s expression, I’m pretty successful. Hmm… though he’s not really a man yet, it’s still somewhat applicable, right?

After lunch, I go chat with the girls~ arranging programs, practicing singing, rehearsing dances, stage walkthroughs, makeup, and gossiping… A girl’s thoughts aren’t for you to guess~ and even if you try, you’ll never understand~

That evening Shou brought back a bolt of the Da Luo ice silk I had been searching for. This kind of fabric costs three taels of gold per bolt! Where did he even get it? Don’t tell me he robbed some rich family? (Unfortunately, spot on.)

And I only wanted to make a few ribbons… but he brought me an entire bolt… I give up!

6 p.m.

Dinner. No way! These days, testing the chef’s cookies has already added inches to my waistline! Being a taste tester is definitely not for women! With a performance coming up, I’ll just nibble an apple tonight… better something than nothing.

After dinner, backstage preparations begin! I have to admit, under all the sisters’ careful training, Shou’s makeup skills have improved greatly. Just look at how skilled he is at painting eyebrows! Even if he can’t revive his family name, he could definitely work as a top-tier makeup artist~ Hey! Why the long face?

8 p.m.

Performance begins. As always, packed to the brim. In a daze, I seemed to see lots of big gold coins with legs swaying in the audience… happily drowning in money-grabbing bliss…

Shou only watched my performance once, then never came again. Honestly, kids—just can’t stand others stealing the spotlight!

—

Late at night, when Cangchun Pavilion is thriving with endless spring charm…

The long night, sleepless~

What better to do than stargazing~ and catching handsome men~

But… why is it only Shou who shows up…? Though, fine, he does count as a handsome boy… but still…

He carried his sword, sweat still glistening on his brow…

Without a sound, he landed beside me and sat down.

Bringing with him a breeze full of sunshine and fresh grass—the scent unique to youth.

Why do you always come out so late?

Couldn’t sleep. Back then I used to surf the internet every night till midnight. My biological clock hasn’t adjusted…

…This brat stayed silent, probably just trying to act cool.

I couldn’t be bothered, so I widened my eyes and carefully gazed at the night sky, from top to bottom, left to right.

Shou kept staring coolly at the sky…

The stars are so beautiful, so many… You ancients are really lucky. In modern times it’s so hard to see a sky full of stars… I tried to open a new topic.

…Shou continued his “cool mode”…

According to the usual rules of transmigration, a man and a woman under the starry sky should be talking about the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, or the twelve constellations, until the heroine overwhelms the hero with modern astrology theories. Then their feelings deepen, and love blossoms… Even though Shou’s still just a brat, as Grandpa Deng said, “start with the children!” So, think of it as a rehearsal… With this in mind, I abruptly made my opening:

I’m a Pisces.

Then I tugged his sleeve and launched into chatter about everything—

“Let me tell you about how we divide constellations in my world~ We split the year into twelve signs… the Zodiac… the Bronze Saints…”

And before I knew it, I was already off-topic… sob… Truly, there’s no way to be romantic with a kid. Might as well just talk about cartoons instead…

Shou, though, kept on with his absolute cool—without a single word. His eyes refused to stay on the blackboard (the sky) and kept sneaking glances at my face instead… his gaze growing softer and hazier, drowning me in it. The scenery before my eyes grew blurrier and blurrier, more abstract… until finally, I fainted into sleep, completely overwhelmed…

So eye-killing really does exist… That brat’s got potential…