Chapter 140: Osmanthus Sachet
While at the salt fields, Xie Jing didn’t avoid using familiar terms of address. He called everyone as he normally did in the East Courtyard.
Xie Jing found one of the salt fields workers and asked him to accompany Mr. Huang to take a look around. “If Mr. Huang needs anything, you give it to him on my behalf. Do not neglect him.”
The worker nodded and led Mr. Huang to the outer grounds.
Xie Jing then said to Lord Bai Jiu, “Master, the Second Young Master is here. Perhaps I should take you somewhere else to look around.”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded and followed him. The weather was slightly cool. The stone-paved ground, worn smooth by years of saltworkers’ footsteps, still had scattered grains of salt. Xie Jing reached out to steady him, whispering, “Be careful.”
Lord Bai Jiu walked steadily. When Xie Jing reached out, he grasped his wrist, not letting go.
Xie Jing led Lord Bai Jiu to the reception room. There, a water feature had been set up: a large two-tiered stone pool with lotus bowls, water flowing from top to bottom, the sound crisp. Droplets splashed onto the lotus leaves, and within swam nine-tailed, multicolored koi, lively and energetic.
Perhaps because of this water feature, the room felt warmer than the earlier misty steaminess.
Xie Jing poured tea and placed it beside Lord Bai Jiu. “Master, this isn’t the usual tea you drink, just this year’s new batch. Please try it.”
Lord Bai Jiu took a sip, praising, “It’s fragrant.”
Xie Jing said, “Do you like it? It’s from a nearby tea garden. In a couple of days, there will be a new batch. I’ll have them prepare some good ones for you…”
Lord Bai Jiu reached out, holding Xie Jing’s wrist and pulling him closer. He lightly sniffed at the sleeve near his nose: “You smell good. What did you use?”
Xie Jing was puzzled. He lifted his own hand to sniff, then found a few grains of osmanthus the size of cereal kernels sewn into the seam. Smiling, he said, “Not me—it’s them. Must have brushed against me on the way here.”
As they talked, footsteps were suddenly heard outside. The salt field steward accompanied He Dongting in.
Xie Siquan had designed the doors and windows large for ventilation. In summer, the wooden windows were even removed for airflow. Though intact now, a layer of glass still allowed clear sight into the room. Seeing them, He Dongting noticed their close intimacy and felt an indescribable sensation.
The salt field steward loudly reported at the door: “Young Master, Boss He has arrived!”
Xie Jing said, “Please come in!”
The steward then pushed open the wooden door, respectfully invited He Dongting in, clasped his hands, and left.
He Dongting entered, first noticing the water feature and complimenting, “This is exquisite. Someone put thought into it.”
Xie Jing poured tea for him. “Father, in all the days you’ve been here, hasn’t uncle brought you to the salt fields?”
He Dongting chuckled at being addressed this way, taking the tea: “I accompanied Mr. Huang once, but we didn’t come in here. Your uncle said only Xie family members could enter—thanks to you, I could see it today.” The last words were said with a smile. This reception room was for business meetings; Xie Siquan disliked him, deliberately making things difficult.
Xie Jing said, “Next time, find the Second Master. Uncle, as head of the house, can be a bit willful.”
He Dongting waved it off, unfazed, even saying some kind words for Xie Siquan to prevent friction between uncle and nephew.
He Dongting wasn’t particularly interested in the salt fields business, only here to accompany his son. His gaze on Xie Jing was full of affection. He listened seriously to everything Xie Jing said and eagerly helped wherever he could.
Xie Jing said, “Father, you sit. I can manage myself.”
He Dongting stepped a few paces aside and quietly asked, “So much work… shall I find a secretary for you? I have a few capable young people, thorough, efficient, and fluent in foreign languages.”
Xie Jing replied, “I can handle these myself.”
He Dongting: “I don’t mean that… I mean—”
Xie Jing put down a prepared book and interrupted, “I know what you mean. But this isn’t difficult enough to require someone else. When I was with Lord Bai Jiu, I did this work too. I can manage.”
He Dongting looked at Lord Bai Jiu, then back at Xie Jing. “Oh, Jing’er, were you Lord Bai’s secretary before?”
Lord Bai Jiu chuckled lightly and nodded. “In a sense.”
“In a sense?”
“Yes. Jing’er did many other things as well. Very capable.”
“Even in the North, was it clerical work?”
“Not always. Sometimes I traveled with him. What he did depended on the situation.”
…
He Dongting was equally interested in Northern affairs and asked many questions. Since Xie Jing’s return, Xie Siquan had almost monopolized him, so opportunities to meet were rare. Today, they had ample time, and the conversation was enjoyable.
After a while, a wooden tray was delivered with an empty sachet and a handful of dried osmanthus.
Although He Dongting was speaking with Bai Jiu, his gaze stayed on Xie Jing. Seeing him busy, he asked, “Jing’er, what are you making? Shall I help?”
Xie Jing waved him off. “No need.”
He filled a small sachet with dried osmanthus, tied it with red string, and handed it to Lord Bai Jiu.
When Lord Bai Jiu reached to take it, Xie Jing slightly raised his hand: “Master, let me switch with you.”
Lord Bai Jiu gave him a sachet embroidered with white pear flowers, exchanging it for the osmanthus sachet.
Xie Jing confidently tied it on himself. Today, he wore a dark teal outfit; the white sachet with the jade lion pendant was tied together, conspicuous when it swung.
He Dongting’s eyes followed Xie Jing’s hand, pausing on the white jade lion pendant. Looking up, he saw Bai Jiu had an identical one on his clothes.
He Dongting momentarily forgot to drink his tea.
The Bai family was to discuss salt trade and stay at the salt fields for a while.
He Dongting returned early to the Xie residence, straight to Xie Siquan’s courtyard.
Xie Siquan was no longer “sick,” sitting with legs crossed, teasing a caged myna bird, watching the person panting as he ran in: “Why not stay at the salt fields with Jing’er? It’s his first time handling business himself. A father should give more guidance.”
Seeing this, He Dongting understood: “You did it on purpose today!”
Xie Siquan raised an eyebrow. “What on purpose?”
“You intentionally sent me to the salt fields to see them… That’s not right; you should intervene. Jing’er is still young. If he follows Bai Jiu, what if he wants a family later? Ah, I shouldn’t have let you bring him to Sichuan.”
Xie Siquan sneered, “And what of my Sichuan?”
He Dongting had some old-fashioned thoughts but didn’t dare say anything in front of Xie Jing. He whispered to Xie Siquan: “I think your teaching isn’t right. Now he’s like you.”
Xie Siquan, already skeptical about Xie Jing and Bai Jiu, squinted his eyes upon hearing that.
He Dongting looked anxious: “Back then, you and Xu Jun caused a stir across the city. That was already rebellious enough. Now you’ve raised the child like this…”
Xie Siquan wanted to argue, but suddenly didn’t get angry. He clapped his hands and laughed: “He’s like you because I taught him like me. How is that wrong?”
He Dongting pursed his lips silently.
Xie Siquan mocked: “Give you ten years, and you’d only raise one He Shuwei! Jing’er, with me, lives freely. This is how we do things in Sichuan. If you don’t like it, take the boat back early.”
Xie Siquan’s words were sharp—cutting without blood, leaving He Dongting pale and hurrying away.
Yet after scolding him off, Xie Siquan didn’t feel satisfied either.
Xu Jun, waiting quietly in the side room, stepped out after He Dongting left. Seeing Xie Siquan’s expression, he hesitated: “What now? You just won the argument.”
Xie Siquan: “…I feel like I scolded myself. It’s frustrating.”
Xu Jun sighed. “Just let them be together.”
Xie Siquan muttered: “I’m worried Bai Jiu might trick Jing’er because he’s older.”
Xu Jun: “Age isn’t much of a difference. I think it’s fine.”
Xie Siquan: “He’s not like us.”
Xu Jun: “Even younger, he understands human hearts. Your nephew is capable. You can’t control him. If he didn’t want to, he wouldn’t submit. Besides, you can’t control it either.”
Xie Siquan: “…”
He muttered: “Let me think for a few days. For now, Jing’er is with me. I can observe Bai Jiu closely. Can’t hand him over carelessly.”
In the next few days, Lord Bai Jiu was busy and didn’t stay long at the Xie residence. Apart from the Bai family’s Sichuan business, Cao Yunzhao came twice to discuss building a newspaper office and bookstore.
Xie Jing stayed home, taking care of the “sick” person for two days.
Xie Siquan experienced his nephew’s filial piety firsthand—daily companionship, chess games, homemade meals, and light evening snacks.
The Xie family head was a bit proud.
On the third day, seeing Xie Jing change clothes to go out, he asked, “Jing’er, where are you going? Not eating lunch at home?”
Xie Jing: “I have an appointment. I won’t return tonight.”
Xie Siquan held his hand, pretending illness, pressing his temple with a frown, feigning pain.
Xie Jing gently pulled away and stood nearby, staying but not leaving.
Xie Siquan knew his nephew was soft-hearted. Quietly, he muttered, “Not sure why… woke up with a headache this morning. Tsk.”
Xie Jing: “Uncle, I asked the doctor. Your condition should improve in three days.”
Xie Siquan: “No, the headache is still bad…”
Xie Jing glanced at Xu Jun and suddenly asked, “Has the Second Master ever been to Shanghai? Heard of ‘Xianlesi’?”
Xie Siquan: “…”
He cleared his throat: “Seems the headache’s gone a bit.”
Xu Jun, seeing clearly, coldly said: “Though never been there, I’ve heard of it. But what happened when you were in Shanghai?”
Xie Jing: “Uncle took me to see for myself. It was grand.”
Xie Siquan could no longer pretend. Standing: “Nonsense! Didn’t even enter the main gate!”
Xie Jing looked at his uncle, then nodded after a moment: “Right.”
Xu Jun’s expression changed.
Xie Siquan, unusually tense, forced a smile: “Xu Jun, don’t listen to Jing’er. He’s teasing you. I was joking about Xianlesi, Dilesi—I haven’t even heard of them!”
Xu Jun took a breath, eyes fixed on Xie Siquan, suppressing his emotions. “Jing’er, you go out first. I need to speak to your uncle.”
Xie Jing agreed and closed the wooden door behind them.
Today, uncle would be busy and unlikely to manage him.
Author’s Note – Small Scenes:
About Lord Bai Jiu and He Dongting, these two Central Plains men:
Uncle, eyes closed: Damn, I hate bookworms.
About the phrase “mature beyond years”:
Uncle: My Jing’er’s words are simply adorable.
Uncle: Tsk, Old Bai Jiu’s pretentious and old-fashioned, so annoying.
Is Jing’er adorable today?
Uncle: Sore from chatting with the Second Master: …Not adorable today.
Old Bai Jiu must’ve corrupted him =o=!!
