Chapter 134: Old Wounds
Zhuandou Township had originally been a courier station. After autumn arrived, merchants came and went frequently. There were plenty of rooms for lodging, and the food was reasonably decent.
Many tables were set up in the main hall for guests to have tea and breakfast.
By last night, several merchant companies had already departed with their torches, leaving only a few behind. The hall wasn’t crowded, and the private rooms were even emptier.
Lord Bai Jiu got up, tidied the room, and left alone.
Since there were elders of the family present, Xie Jing insisted on returning to his own room for the night instead of staying here. Lord Bai Jiu had gone to the hall early in the morning but didn’t see Xie Jing. Instead, he ran into Bai Mingyu, who had come down yawning in search of something to eat. He stopped him and asked, “Why are you in such a sorry state?”
Bai Mingyu’s clothes were neat, but he clearly lacked energy. His face was full of fatigue, and his hair stood up a little. Though he had rinsed it with water, it stubbornly stuck up. He approached Lord Bai Jiu and whispered, “Sir, I kept watch over them all night and only slept a little at dawn.”
Lord Bai Jiu thought for a moment, recalling that Bai Mingyu had stayed up guarding the two drunken men the night before, and smiled as he asked, “How are Mr. Huang and the others?”
Bai Mingyu replied, “Sir, don’t worry. Mr. Huang was too tired last night and just laid his head on the table. I carried him back to his room. He hasn’t woken yet; he’ll probably sleep until noon. Master Cao is similar—he drank a bit too much last night…” After saying this, he glanced around to make sure no one was listening, and then whispered to complain, “Last night, when the gathering was supposed to end, Master Xie’s uncle had three large jars of strong Sichuan wine brought over.”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded, “The head of the Xie family is a hospitable man.”
Bai Mingyu opened his mouth but dared not speak further.
Last night, Mr. Huang and Cao Yunzhao had drunk a few cups of Sichuan wine and were already dazed, only able to sit there with silly smiles. Most of the wine had been poured into their mouths by Xie Siquan. The Xie family head wouldn’t let them go and insisted on playing dice and finger-guessing games in the middle of the night. Initially, they tried to yield, but quickly realized they were outmatched, losing repeatedly and drinking until their eyes rolled. They couldn’t even make out Xie’s hand, and by morning, their heads throbbed unbearably.
Lord Bai Jiu had someone brew a cup of hot tea for Bai Mingyu and sat with him to eat something.
The Sichuan buns were small, more like pastries. The filling was meat, but the dough had a touch of sweetness. Bai Mingyu ate two baskets in one go, which helped settle his stomach a bit.
Xu Jun, who had also risen early, came over. As the head of the Xu family, he joined them for tea and exchanged a few words.
Xu Jun noticed Bai Mingyu and asked the kitchen to prepare a bowl of hangover soup.
Bai Mingyu, after tasting the first spoonful of the sweet soup, felt slightly unaccustomed. Slowly swallowing the small dumplings, he murmured, “Isn’t this what little Xie likes to eat?”
Xu Jun smiled, “Yes, but in Sichuan, it’s customary to have a small bowl in the morning to warm the stomach.”
Lord Bai Jiu also had a small bowl, but since he hadn’t drunk much yesterday and had little interest in sweets, he ate only a couple of bites before putting down the spoon.
Yesterday, Xu Jun had seen Lord Bai Jiu carry Xie Jing down the mountain and wanted to ask about their past in the North, but after a few sentences, the conversation turned into Lord Bai Jiu asking questions and Xu Jun answering.
Lord Bai Jiu: “Is he doing well in Sichuan? Comfortable with the lodging?”
Xu Jun: “All is fine. Jing’er in the North…”
Lord Bai Jiu: “The North is cold, unlike the pleasant climate here. But Jing’er likes riding up the mountains to hunt rabbits. Does he often go up here?”
Xu Jun: “Rarely. The master once took him riding.”
Lord Bai Jiu furrowed his brow slightly and said in a soft voice, “He hates being confined. He can’t thrive indoors. He needs to go out frequently for fresh air.”
Xu Jun instinctively wanted to agree, but paused mid-sentence, then pursed his lips and stayed silent.
He couldn’t help feeling that Lord Bai Jiu was more like a guardian to Xie Jing, and he himself seemed merely a supporting character, as if the little nephew had come to Sichuan to be looked after by Lord Bai Jiu.
Bai Mingyu ate quickly, and being polite, he didn’t linger too close to Lord Bai Jiu. After whispering something, he went outside to attend to other matters.
Xu Jun watched him for a moment and nodded, “Your little one at home is quite capable.”
Lord Bai Jiu sipped his tea and smiled lightly, “Not as good as the Xie family, so many talents and blessings.”
His praise was sincere, and Xu Jun felt relieved.
Bai Mingyu walked quickly outside, almost colliding with Xie Siquan in the courtyard. Having been forced to drink too much last night, he instinctively turned to avoid him.
Xie Siquan, puzzled, called out, “Stop right there.”
Bai Mingyu stopped.
Xie Siquan asked, “Where’s Jing’er?”
Bai Mingyu froze for a moment. “I don’t know… maybe in the room?”
Xie Siquan snorted. “Where do you usually put your eyes? You know nothing.” He had wanted to warn the Bai family about this foolish boy but, noticing Bai Mingyu’s slightly swollen, reddened lips, his expression soured further. “Eating secretly and didn’t even wipe your mouth!”
With that, he turned and left the courtyard.
Bai Mingyu stood there, dumbfounded, wiping the corner of his mouth. He had eaten the dumplings too quickly and burned himself slightly, but did that really warrant a scolding? It was just a bowl of Sichuan dumplings!
In the morning, Lord Bai Jiu knocked on Xie Jing’s door. Normally, Xie Jing would have already been up, but today was unusual.
Lord Bai Jiu entered and sat by the bed. He heard Xie Jing cough and reached to touch his forehead, but Xie Jing slightly avoided his hand.
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “Why are you avoiding me?”
Xie Jing shook his head, “I’m not… just a bit warm. I’m afraid of passing on my illness to you.”
Lord Bai Jiu touched him again. Sure enough, he had a slight fever. He covered Xie Jing with a blanket and called Fang Jiwu to give an injection.
Lord Bai Jiu had brought a doctor along, and he himself knew a bit about medicine. Fang Jiwu examined him quietly and said, “It’s nothing serious. The wound is healing. The recent fright caused a mild fever. Bed rest for a couple of days and it will be fine.”
Fang Jiwu prepared the injection. Lord Bai Jiu said, “I’ll do it.”
Fang Jiwu handed him the syringe. Lord Bai Jiu gave him a glance. He paused for a moment, stepped back two paces, and lowered his head without asking a word.
Xie Jing, still drowsy, instinctively held Lord Bai Jiu’s hand when he was turned over. Lord Bai Jiu gently soothed him, “It’s okay. I’ll be gentle.”
After the injection, Xie Siquan and He Dongting came over.
He Dongting, anxious, asked, “He seemed fine yesterday. How did he fall ill so quickly?”
Fang Jiwu explained, “His arm wound is healing. To prevent infection, he needed the injection.”
Lord Bai Jiu introduced, “This is Dr. Fang, a top student of Dr. Lin from the medical college. He specializes in Western medicine.”
He Dongting relaxed a little.
Xie Siquan, worried, suggested, “There’s nothing here in Zhuandou. Maybe we should take Jing’er back to Sichuan city to recuperate.”
Fang Jiwu said, “Traveling may worsen his condition. It’s better to observe him here for a couple of days.”
Lord Bai Jiu said, “I just gave him an injection. I’ll stay with him tonight and have the medicine ready. By tomorrow, he should improve.” He paused, then added, “He was also sick twice in the North. It was the same situation.”
Xie Siquan had never cared for him this long, and He Dongting even less. Even if they worried, they could only entrust Lord Bai Jiu with Xie Jing’s care.
Sichuan city still had matters to attend. Xie Siquan decided to return, leaving Xie Jing in Lord Bai Jiu’s care.
He Dongting wanted to stay, but Xie Siquan, still holding a grudge, wouldn’t let him be alone with his nephew and took him back to Sichuan. Along with them, Mr. Huang and Bai Mingyu also went—Mr. Huang, being old, found it inconvenient to stay, while Bai Mingyu was specifically requested by Xie Siquan.
Riding on horseback, Xie Siquan twirled his colorful whip in his hand and said to Bai Mingyu, “Lord Bai Jiu has plenty of attendants. You can’t help much by staying there. Why don’t you come with me to Sichuan city? Mr. Huang is alone and could use your care, right?”
Bai Mingyu looked back at Lord Bai Jiu. Seeing him nod slightly, he reluctantly followed.
Xu Jun remained, watching over Xie Jing while managing rice and grain arrangements with Luo Nianqiu near Yunmeng Mountain. Hundreds of soldiers and horses had to be properly supplied for half a month.
At Zhuandou Township, Lord Bai Jiu sat by Xie Jing’s bed, reading aloud.
Fang Jiwu’s medicine kit was on the table. The room held only the two of them; everyone else had left. The entire building was quiet.
Outside, birds chirped, and bamboo leaves rustled in the mountain breeze.
Xie Jing listened for a while, becoming distracted.
Lord Bai Jiu closed the book and asked, “Are you sleepy?”
Xie Jing shook his head and smiled, “When I first arrived, I didn’t know there was bamboo outside. I kept thinking it was raining and went to close the windows several times.” He reached for Lord Bai Jiu’s hand, which was caught and placed back under the blanket. This time, Lord Bai Jiu’s hand stayed there, holding his under the thin blanket, and he chuckled softly, “This place is different from the North.”
“There are many places in the world, different from the North or Sichuan.”
“Mm.”
“Sir, let’s both take care of ourselves and not get sick. I want to see more.”
“All right.”
At night, Lord Bai Jiu held Xie Jing as they slept together.
Xie Jing, having received the injection, slept deeply but occasionally twitched, like a frightened young animal’s limbs involuntarily moving at night. Lord Bai Jiu sighed and drew him close, kissed him, and ran his thumb along the exposed skin of his arm, softly soothing him: “It’s okay now. It’s over.”
He had been careless. The battle on Yunmeng Mountain was intense, and even Xie Jing, capable as he was, was afraid the first time he saw blood.
Lord Bai Jiu kissed his forehead, unsure if he could feel it, using the lightest touch to comfort him.
Xie Jing clutched his clothes, sweat dampening his hair and making him look disheveled, still immersed in his dream.
He dreamed of long ago.
The North had been defeated. Cities fell one after another. Lives were lost.
The Bai family’s 300+ shops were destroyed. Half of the family died on the battlefield. General Bai’s lineage was wiped out. Bombings in the southern district continued…
Lord Bai Jiu had sent ships to Yu Port to save lives but couldn’t take all the refugees. Even if they left, they had nowhere to go.
The Bai family went south in secret, splitting into groups.
Lord Bai Jiu’s health deteriorated from early autumn, coughing severely, so they traveled by boat. Xie Jing followed to care for him.
The roads into Shu were treacherous. They joined several merchant caravans but still ran into mountain bandits.
The caravan had hired bodyguards, unlike Bai family’s guards. All sorts of people were present, some deliberately teasing Xie Jing.
An old escort master laughed, “You can’t charge straight in. These bandits are skilled and have many guns. In the mountains, to hunt wolves, we usually lure a female first.”
A man cursed, “There are no women here, so why bother?”
Someone made a crude joke, and everyone laughed.
The old master grinned, taking a sideways glance at the Bai carriage, his eyes sticking to Xie Jing on horseback. “This one doesn’t like females, only males.”
People looked, chuckling quietly.
The old master called out, “Let’s see if this gentleman will give it up!”
The crowd fell silent for a moment.
A hand lifted the carriage curtain, a faint cough came from inside but quickly suppressed. Lord Bai Jiu ordered the guards calmly, “Cut out his tongue.”
Author’s notes: small scenes:
About the detective—
Xie Uncle: “I have experience. No one can hide anything from my eyes!”
Bai Mingyu: “??”
Bai Mingyu: “What? Eating dumplings in Sichuan is illegal?”
About running off after sleeping at night—
Xie Jing: “My fault. I couldn’t restrain myself, got carried away.”
