Zisui Zhi Chen

恣睢之臣

zisui-zhi-chen

Turbulence

Bai Jiu's words were cold; a moment ago there was still some warmth, but now they were exceedingly stern. Xin Yi's eyelashes fluttered. "Then he could be considered to have died in a fitting place, at least having a resting place," he said.


 Bai Jiu didn't answer. Instead, he turned over to his side, propping his head up as he looked at the large porcelain vase in the corner of the divan. "This is his fortune," he said.


 Xin Yi quickly smoothed his clothes, his dimples swirling as he acknowledged it. The flush on his face had not yet completely faded. He lay quietly smiling on the soft cushion, a few strands of hair falling to obscure his round, bright eyes, yet unable to hide the innate innocence between his brows.


 He was still young, very green.


 Bai Jiu shifted his long legs, then quietly turned his gaze back to him. "There's a banquet in the palace for the Duan Yang Festival, and His Majesty has specifically named you. Will you come with me?" he asked.


 Xin Yi merely smiled. "I'm afraid I don't have a choice," he said.


 Bai Jiu said indifferently, "Even if you don't go, no one would dare bark. I'm asking you."


 Xin Yi thought of his imperial grandfather's face. The last time they met was probably when he was enfeoffed as the heir. Eight or nine years had passed, and he remembered nothing else except the twelve imperial symbols on the dragon robe he glimpsed when kneeling. 'What does the emperor look like?' Xin Yi didn't care, but there was something he absolutely had to do, so he hesitated for a moment. "I want to go..." he said.


 Bai Jiu looked at the strands of hair in front of his eyes, his fingers itching to move. He had guessed most of Xin Yi's thoughts but didn't press for details. After a while, he suddenly asked, "How did you used to celebrate this festival at home?"


 Xin Yi pulled the soft cushion back into his embrace. "We celebrated it like any ordinary family," he said.


 "How do ordinary families celebrate it?"


 Xin Yi looked up at him, seeing his expression was normal, then recalled, "Mother would take us to hang mugwort and fumigate with angelica, and Father would give the elder brothers realgar wine to drink. Since Beiyang only had dragon boat races in Shangjin, Father didn't bother with that. Every morning we woke up, Mother would gather us and Father together to wrap zongzi. Second Brother was skillful and always wrapped them beautifully, but Father, after wrapping them for several years, was still clumsy." He paused here, his smile softening. "Perhaps he already knew how, but just wanted Mother to keep teaching him hand in hand."


 Bai Jiu listened throughout, his fingers gently tapping on his leg.


 "Mother also personally embroidered the sachets for my brothers. I was too young, so I could only wear five-colored threads. Once the zongzi were steamed, I'd exchange my meat-filled one for a sachet from Eldest Brother. After several years of doing this, I found out that everyone in the family, except Father, preferred the honey-date ones." Xin Yi's tone grew lighter with each word. He rolled over, still holding the soft cushion, his slightly upturned eyes able to see the darkening sky through the window lattice. "When night fell, the lanterns in the manor would light up one by one. We would sit under Mother's favorite grape arbor, watching the stars, chatting, and finding our own joys. It was like this for the Duan Yang Festival, for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and also for ordinary days."


 'Never separated.'


 'Even when we reached a dead end, Father and Mother never abandoned any of their sons.'


 "Just that ordinary," Xin Yi's eyes turned to Bai Jiu beside him, a smile on his face. "It's not very interesting to talk about."


 "You're truly not humble when you say that." Bai Jiu narrowed his eyes as if recalling. "I thought everyone just sat together in a prim and proper manner."


 "That's the custom in the capital," Xin Yi continued to smile. "Lord, you've probably always spent it in the palace, haven't you?"


 Bai Jiu showed a hint of regret. "Prim and proper."


 Xin Yi genuinely laughed aloud this time, relaxing. "It's not that bad."


 "Even if one is called a 'beast in human clothing,' it's thanks to this facade of the human skin. If not for it, one would probably be a 'ghost and demon.' Compared to that, 'prim and proper' is actually more fitting." Bai Jiu pressed his fingertip against the tip of his nose. "Now, vicious dogs are rampant, and even this skin cannot hide the hostility of the surrounding beasts."


 "Lord... that's not you," Xin Yi said gently and softly. "Though rumors say Lord is unkind, you are an honest person."


 Bai Jiu chuckled at his words, then suddenly leaned down, right above Xin Yi's eyes, his narrow gaze cold and still. "What a huge misconception."


 "It's not a misconception," Xin Yi whispered. "At least Lord isn't a hypocrite."


 Bai Jiu watched him for a long time, watching his cheeks flush slightly, watching his earlobes burn again, watching his dimples gradually recede with a hint of awkwardness, watching... his own heart itch. His fingertip finally touched the strands of hair in front of Xin Yi's eyes. He should have brushed them away immediately, but Bai Jiu's fingertip gently caressed the soft strands.


 The atmosphere, which had just barely settled, grew warm again. This time, Xin Yi suddenly sat up. "Oh no," he said.


 Bai Jiu's hand withdrew. He also sat up, his gaze questioning.


 Under Bai Jiu's gaze, Xin Yi slowly covered his clenched hand under his nose. "Did we... forget to eat?" he asked slowly.


 Bai Jiu hummed as usual, not looking at Xin Yi's slightly awkward expression and hot, red earlobes. He got off the divan, called out to Old Qu, then turned back to Xin Yi. "You'll need to apply medicine after dinner. Call someone to notify me after you've bathed," he said, then walked out without looking back.


 Xin Yi felt that Bai Jiu's steps this time were even faster than yesterday. When Old Qu served the meal, Xin Yi's earlobes were still hot. He reached up and touched them, unable to describe the sensation. Just as he was about to get up, his hand brushed against the unpolished jade that Bai Jiu had left on the divan. He flipped it open and took a look.


 His face instantly burned red again.


 After bathing, he didn't find anyone to call Bai Jiu. He applied the medicine haphazardly, then tossed and turned in bed before finally falling into a messy sleep. He woke up the next day with a slight headache, unsure if it was due to overthinking. Xin Yi had someone change the cool water, then wiped his face before finally mustering some spirit.


 Only after learning that Bai Jiu wasn't in the manor did Xin Yi leave his room. The sky was grey today, looking like rain, but the gentle breeze was a rare blessing, making him feel especially comfortable standing under the trees.


 "The Duan Yang Festival is approaching. How did Lord usually celebrate it in the manor?" Xin Yi raised his hand to pluck a leaf from the top of his head, twirling it between his fingers. "I heard that the capital and Beiyang are very different."


 "Lord doesn't celebrate festivals," Old Qu said with his hands behind his back, smiling at Xin Yi, a hint of emotion in his voice. "He didn't have time when he served in the Brocade Uniform Guards, and now, even when the festivals arrive, Lord probably wouldn't even know. There are no female family members in the manor, and no one dares to remind him, so Lord has just drifted through these past few years."


 "These past few years?"


 Old Qu stroked his beard, merely smiling. "The wind is good today. If you were to ride a horse, it would surely be comfortable."


 Xin Yi stopped asking and instead chatted with Old Qu about other things, heading towards the horse track. Perhaps it was the cool wind today, but Chiye seemed very lively. From afar, it saw Xin Yi, lifted its hooves, and grew restless, as if eager to be released from its stable. Xin Yi let it out, and Chiye frolicked on the track, circling once before returning to Xin Yi's side, constantly rubbing its head against him. Xin Yi chuckled, stroking it a few times in return.


 After playing for a short while, someone bowed and reported to Old Qu that an invitation had arrived. Old Qu glanced at the invitation and knew immediately that it wasn't for Lord Bai Jiu, but for Xin Yi.


 Xin Yi took the invitation in his hand, looked at it, and smiled. "I don't recognize this Vice Minister of the Grand Council, Lord He. Does Old Qu know him?"


 "This Lord He's given name is Anchang, courtesy name Ruxu. People in the capital call him 'Pillar of the Pure Stream.' He is upright and unyielding. Although he doesn't serve in the Censorate, he holds supervisory authority personally appointed by His Majesty. He's the 'white-faced executioner' most feared by corrupt officials. Lord He comes from the Hanlin Academy and is also the favored disciple of Left Chancellor Lord Zhang. In this capital, he's also a prominent figure," Old Qu finished, sighing. "He's a good man, but he only defers to Lord Zhang and has never shown a friendly face to our Lord."


 Since he was a student of Left Chancellor Zhang Taiyan, he belonged to the Left Faction, which was most at odds with Bai Jiu. Of course, he wouldn't show Bai Jiu a friendly face.


 Xin Yi looked at the three characters He Anchang again and again. He really couldn't figure out why such an upright and unyielding person would seek him out. His only value now lay in the inheritance of the Beiyang Three Jins' armed forces. What could a court official from the capital, not like Bai Jiu, who rode the winds and waves, say to him?


 Xin Yi deliberated for a moment, then put away the invitation. "No matter what, I'll go take a look," he said.


 He Anchang didn't invite him to his manor for a meeting, but instead arranged it at the Bu'er Teahouse, a picturesque and elegant spot in the capital. This Bu'er Teahouse was no ordinary place; in the capital, it stood in opposition to the Xiaoxiao Restaurant, where Bai Jiu often went, and it was Left Chancellor Zhang Taiyan's favorite place to listen to stories and drink tea. Xin Yi thought the location was chosen perfectly. This way, it not only made it seem like He Anchang had no intention of privately scheming for the Beiyang forces, but also allowed Xin Yi to appear before the Left Faction first, and could even serve as a warning bell for Bai Jiu.


 As for whether this truly served as a warning bell for Bai Jiu, Xin Yi genuinely couldn't guess. One might say Bai Jiu brought him to the capital for the Beiyang forces and to ensure his safety, yet this person had never once mentioned the words 'Beiyang forces' to him. One might say Bai Jiu sought personal connection, but before Posa City, he had never had any dealings with Bai Jiu, nor had the Prince of Yan's Manor had any connection with someone named Bai Jiu.


 The carriage stopped outside the Bu'er Teahouse. Xin Yi lifted the curtain and stepped out, seeing several other carriages scattered around, all simple and ordinary. His dimples swirled, and he smiled gently and warmly.


 In this capital, there were no clean officials. Those who swam in this great dye vat, no matter how simple their outward show, would inevitably have a touch of grey under their hands. In this regard, Bai Jiu had always acted as he pleased; compared to being a hypocrite, he didn't mind being a true villain.


 As he crossed the threshold, Xin Yi felt eyes on him from all directions. He looked up and swept his gaze around. His dimples never faded, making him appear very amiable and docile. On the staircase leading to the second floor, a cool and detached young man stood with his hands behind his back, surprisingly dressed in the attire of a scholar-commoner.


 Xin Yi smiled warmly and nodded, then stepped upstairs. He Anchang didn't stand on ceremony, leading the way. "Please, Heir Yi."


 Even before reaching the second floor, he could hear the storyteller's modulated tones. Xin Yi paid attention and heard the name Wang Zang from the previous dynasty. Wang Zang was an eunuch, the first powerful minister who caused the previous dynasty to decline and fall, forever reviled. However, the mention of his immense power, combined with Bai Jiu, seemed to carry an ulterior motive at this moment.


 Upon reaching the second floor, one could discern the unusual nature of the Bu'er Teahouse. The second-floor railing was wide open; when one sat in the center, a storyteller with a wooden clapper spoke loudly in the front, taking up three parts of the space, while behind a vertical screen, a graceful beauty with jade-like hands brewed tea, taking up seven parts with her elegance. Looking beyond the railing, one could see the capital's orderly, tiered landscape. Most wonderfully, the Imperial Palace was also visible, the Hall of Supreme Harmony's roof shimmering with precious glazed tiles, adding to its majestic righteousness. With a gentle breeze blowing at this time, drinking tea was truly enjoyable.


 A person was already seated in the central position—an elder with snow-white temples and hair, full of vigor. With just this one glance, Xin Yi roughly guessed who he was. It wasn't that Xin Yi had good eyesight, but rather that this person's demeanor was extraordinary; only that position and that reputation could do him justice.


 Left Chancellor Zhang Taiyan.


 He Anchang said to Xin Yi, "Heir, please be seated."


 Xin Yi, however, first cupped his hands in a salute, signaling for He Anchang to sit first. Zhang Taiyan, seated, rotated two thin-shelled walnuts, and upon seeing this, let out a hearty laugh. "Heir Yi, there's no need to be so polite to Ruxu. Just sit. Today, there are only the three of us here; we're not counting official positions, so let's just be tea friends."


 Xin Yi chuckled, a hint of innocence and amiability between his brows. As if dropping his politeness and guard, he took his seat. He Anchang also sat down. From behind the screen, a young attendant served tea. Xin Yi took a small sip, his gentle smile unchanging, but in his heart, he truly couldn't taste anything.


 Zhang Taiyan blew on his tea repeatedly, this affected mannerism performed with the air of a great scholar pacing. Xin Yi felt a pang of emotion, and could only lower his gaze, smiling as he watched the tea leaves rise and fall in his cup, appearing truly naive and engrossed in tasting the tea.


 "Heir, how many days have you been in the capital?" Zhang Taiyan's thin-shelled walnuts began to turn again. He smiled. "It's been over ten years since this old man last departed Beiyang. The vibrancy of the Beiyang Three Jins back then is still fresh in my mind, constantly recurring. At that time, His Highness Prince of Yan was in his prime, and he taught your Eldest Brother to be extremely steady. This old man once thought, 'With such wise royal descendants in Beiyang, why worry about not being prosperous for generations?'" At this point, his gaze grew even more affectionate, looking at Xin Yi as if he were his own young grandson. "Your Second Brother was the junior I most hoped would enter the Censorate back then. I only regretted my low position and obscure reputation at the time, unable to take Young Master Jing as a student. Even now, thinking about it brings a pang of pain. What a pity, what a pity."


 Xin Yi's fingertips, resting on the side of the teacup, trembled slightly. Turbulent waves surged in his lowered eyes.


 'Yes, back then.'


 'Back then, who among the imperial princes could contend with his Beiyang Prince of Yan's Manor? Back then, his father led three campaigns to conquer the King of Great Yuan, securing the border. Back then, his Eldest Brother was young, steady, and a military genius. Back then, his Second Brother was a literary talent in Great Lan, excelling in every conversation. Back then, his Third Brother led surprise attacks, sweeping all before him. So much past glory, now like dust, buried deep in his heart, unfit to be reshaped. All that admiration and reverence couldn't save anyone in the Prince of Yan's Manor who shouldn't have died, leaving only the most useless, incapable mute. And now, no one had the right to speak more of sentimentality to him, because it was precisely this admiration from all under heaven that forged countless sharp blades in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, coming from all directions, to eradicate everyone.'


 'There's truly no need to pretend to reminisce about past glory; he only wished to preserve the ordinary sentiments of his family.'


 Zhang Taiyan took a sip of tea, about to continue, when unexpectedly, the hot tea opposite him slid and overturned, spilling scalding hot tea all over Xin Yi's hand. Xin Yi parted his lips, looking up with a somewhat bewildered helplessness, which softened people's hearts first.


 "Heir, be careful." He Anchang, from the side, quickly pulled out a cotton handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the scalding tea water from Xin Yi's hand, but he couldn't prevent the red burn marks from becoming increasingly obvious.


 Xin Yi immediately waved his hand, indicating he was fine, then offered an apologetic smile to Zhang Taiyan, and a very grateful look to He Anchang. This series of actions left He Anchang unable to discern anything, but Zhang Taiyan, who had been sitting steadily opposite, found his smile fade a little.

Zisui Zhi Chen

Zisui Zhi Chen

Chapter 5 - Turbulence

Chloe