Chapter 179: Extra (9)
Xie Jing finished eating the chicken wings and, his tone softening a little, looked up and asked, “When did you recognize me?”
Bai Jiu replied, “On the mountain. I recognized you the moment I saw you.”
Xie Jing didn’t seem too happy about that. “Well, that’s only natural. I sent you so many photos in my letters — every year! But you never sent me any!”
He had always treated Bai Jiu well, keeping this elder brother from the Northern Region close in his heart. His way of expressing affection was simple and straightforward — he wanted to share everything with him.
Bai Jiu looked up at him, about to say something, but stopped.
“If you hadn’t come, I might’ve forgotten you,” Xie Jing said, full of grievance. Having been spoiled since childhood, and with Bai Jiu being like family to him, even after so many years apart, he still regarded him as kin.
Bai Jiu smiled faintly, his gaze drifting from Xie Jing’s face to the jade pendant at his waist — the one Xie Jing had taken from him earlier that day.
After finishing his meal, Xie Jing stood up. He took a few steps, then turned back and asked, “Since you can’t find another place to stay around here, why don’t you come live with me?”
Bai Jiu smiled and shook his head. “No need. I’ll come visit again tomorrow.”
Xie Jing didn’t quite understand. Within dozens of miles, this Zhandou Town was the only post station around. He couldn’t imagine where else Bai Jiu could possibly stay.
But then he thought again and relaxed. After all, this was Xie family territory — sooner or later, Bai Jiu would have to come over.
The next morning, Xie Jing came downstairs early but didn’t see Bai Jiu anywhere. After asking several people, no one had heard of any visiting card being delivered. He was just about to go out to look when someone rushed in saying that there was trouble outside.
Xie Jing perked up immediately, ready to rush out, but was stopped by Xie Siquan.
The Xie family head threw on his outer robe and asked while walking, “Who’s making trouble?”
The servant hesitated. “I… I don’t know exactly, sir. Just that a large group of people and horses arrived outside. I’m not sure which family they belong to.”
Xie Siquan’s face darkened. He motioned for Xie Jing to follow and personally led a group out to take a look.
Outside Zhandou Town, an encampment had sprung up overnight.
It looked as if a small white “town” had appeared out of nowhere — every building a tent made of thick felt, no fewer than fifty in all. The group had blocked the main road leading to Sichuan City. Any carriage passing through would have to go between their tents.
Curious, Xie Jing wanted to ride up and ask, but Xie Siquan stopped him, ordering Hu Da to take a few men ahead to scout first.
Before long, the owner of the camp came out in person.
Xie Siquan took the visiting card handed to him, looked up, and felt his teeth ache with suppressed anger. Forcing a smile, he stepped forward and greeted, “Little Brother Bai, such a grand display!”
Bai Jiu gave a light cough and nodded slightly. “It’s truly a last resort. I didn’t know this post station doesn’t host outsiders. I must have caused disturbance — please forgive me, Master Xie.”
Xie Jing blinked. “Uncle, what’s this about not hosting outsiders? How come I’ve never heard of it?”
Xie Siquan didn’t dare explain. He brushed it off vaguely, “There have been bandits in the mountains lately. The city officials ordered more questioning of strangers — nothing serious.” Then he turned back to Bai Jiu. “Little Brother Bai, you’ve come a long way, you must not have eaten yet. Zhandou Town may be simple, but we still have hot food and tea. Why not join us for a meal?”
Bai Jiu nodded. “In that case, I’ll trouble you.”
He brought a few bodyguards with him while the rest stayed at the camp. One look from Xie Siquan told him the group numbered over a hundred men. Testing the waters, he said, “Quite the force the Bai family brought this time. Is this your Northern Region’s usual style, or does Brother Bai have some other plans? How long will you be staying in Sichuan?”
Bai Jiu replied evenly, “There have been bandits on the roads recently — robbers blocking the way. It’s been rather unsafe, so I brought extra men. Don’t laugh at me, Master Xie.” Then, casually, he asked, “Has Master Xie heard that the road from Yunmeng to Sichuan has been sealed off?”
Xie Siquan froze. “…No. I’ve been busy outside these two days and haven’t heard of it yet.”
Bai Jiu nodded. “Then you should be cautious when you travel, Master Xie. Best to be careful.”
Something about that sentence grated on Xie Siquan’s ears — it sounded like an insult. But he couldn’t find any proof.
The Zhandou post station, often used by merchants (half of them the Xie family’s salt traders), was clean and tidy. The hall downstairs had a dozen long wooden tables with benches, like a city tavern. The food was just as good.
As soon as Bai Jiu sat down, people from the Northern Bai family brought in a half-man-tall food chest filled with steaming breakfast. The first tier held all sorts of pastries, the second and third were full of small dishes — nearly twenty varieties — and the last had seven or eight kinds of hot porridge plus a snow-white porcelain bowl of sweet rice dumplings, tightly wrapped for warmth.
Bai Jiu picked up the bowl of dumplings and placed it by Xie Jing’s hand.
Xie Jing looked up at him, eyes bright. He was just about to speak when Xie Siquan frowned and cut in, “Little Brother Bai, what’s the meaning of this? Do you think the Xie family is short of food?”
Bai Jiu said calmly, “Of course not. But these are things Jing’er used to love eating. I don’t know if his tastes have changed, so I had the kitchen make them just the same.” When he spoke to Xie Jing, his tone softened. “Try it — does it still suit your taste? If you like anything else, I’ll have them prepare it next time.”
Xie Siquan wanted to retort, but his nephew was already eating.
He ladled a bowl of fish noodle soup and put it in front of Xie Jing. “Jing’er, have this — wasn’t fish your favorite?”
Xie Jing shook his head. “Later.”
Xie Siquan “…”
The little bowl of sweet dumplings was eaten clean. With that sweetness still on his tongue, Xie Jing’s attitude toward Bai Jiu grew warmer, and by the end of the meal, he was already calling him brother again.
Xie Siquan objected. “He’s almost my age. Jing’er, don’t call him that.”
Bai Jiu smiled. “It’s fine. I rather like the sound of it.”
The two men exchanged glances — neither yielding an inch — sparks flying silently between them. Only Xie Jing, blissfully unaware, happily enjoyed being fussed over from both sides.
After resting briefly in Zhandou, the group traveled together back to Sichuan City.
When Xie Siquan left the city, he had only one squad of riders. When he returned, his entourage was far larger — the Bai family alone brought dozens of carriages and two teams of mounted guards, front and back, their formation tight and disciplined. The sound of hooves and wheels rolling over the road echoed steadily; no other noise could be heard.
The spectacle drew many townsfolk out to watch. Someone recognized the Bai family crest and cried, “That’s the Bai family from the Northern Region!”
“Which Bai family?”
“What other one could it be? Haven’t you read the papers? The one that made a fortune trading with the foreigners!”
“What are they doing in Sichuan? Opening new business, maybe? I heard they own a lot of ships!”
“More than the Xies?”
“Different sort! The Bai fleet’s all foreign-made steamships! Don’t you know that saying — ‘The Northern Bai family’s wealth counts by the hundred millions, their ships by the hundreds’? They’re grand beyond compare! Look at that convoy — eh? Are they heading to the Xie estate in Upper City?”
People chattered in excitement — some guessing the two families were forming an alliance, others saying, “Two dragons can’t share one pool.” Speculation filled the air.
At the Xie estate in Upper City.
Xie Yuanyuan and He Dongting, having received advance word, opened the gates personally to welcome them.
The couple hadn’t changed much in the past few years — especially Xie Yuanyuan. She had a few faint smile lines at the corners of her eyes, but her bright, easy manner was the same as ever. She warmly received the Bai entourage, personally leading Bai Jiu inside, asking after the family’s well-being.
When she heard that Old Lord Bai and Mr. Huang were both in good health, she smiled. “That’s wonderful! We’ve been thinking of them here in Sichuan. If they ever have time, they should come stay awhile — the scenery here’s lovely. We even have a few acres of tea fields; the tea’s not bad. I’d love for Mr. Huang to come taste it himself.”
Bai Jiu responded politely, “Mr. Huang often speaks of you. He mentioned that Jing’er sent letters several times — he praised his thoughtfulness.”
Xie Jing’s ears twitched. He quickly glanced toward Bai Jiu, then pretended nothing happened.
Bai Jiu, meeting his elders for the first time, brought generous gifts — exquisite jewelry boxes filled with gold, gems, and jade sets for Xie Yuanyuan, and fine items for He Dongting as well.
Xie Yuanyuan was startled. “These are far too expensive! We’re all family — there’s no need for this.”
Bai Jiu smiled. “Precisely because we’re family, it’s only right. It’s been years since I last saw Auntie Xie, and I wasn’t sure what’s fashionable here, so I prepared several options. If Auntie doesn’t accept them, I’ll just have to bring more next time.”
Xie Yuanyuan couldn’t help laughing. “All right, all right — I’ll take them then.”
She studied Bai Jiu — no longer the youthful boy she remembered, but a poised, handsome man — so much like someone from the past that her eyes grew moist. Forcing a smile, she said, “I appreciate the thought. It’s been so long since we met; you mustn’t leave too soon this time. I’ll have a courtyard prepared. Stay a few days, all right?”
Bai Jiu bowed. “I’ll follow Auntie’s arrangement.”
That evening, Xie Yuanyuan hosted a banquet at home. In Sichuan, customs were relaxed — men and women dined together. The hall was lively and cheerful.
Mid-meal, firecrackers suddenly sounded outside, followed by drums and gongs. A troupe of lion dancers burst in, performing right at the entrance in front of the guests.
Seeing this, Xie Jing quickly stood up, shooed them away, then returned to his seat, blushing and silent.
Bai Jiu, puzzled, leaned over to ask, but Xie Jing just focused on eating.
Xie Yuanyuan chuckled. “All Jing’er’s nonsense. He bought a restaurant recently — it opened not long ago. He saw a lion dance there and said they were great. His uncle overheard and went and bought the whole troupe! Now whenever we host guests, they perform again. I told him it’s ridiculous, but he wouldn’t listen.” She tapped her son’s forehead playfully. “Imagine you, of all people, feeling embarrassed for once.”
Xie Jing’s ears turned red. Bai Jiu, however, smiled.
After dinner, Xie Jing slipped away quickly.
Bai Jiu was stopped by Xie Siquan, who eyed the arriving carriages and men from the Bai family and raised an eyebrow. “Brother Bai, you came well prepared, didn’t you?”
Bai Jiu replied mildly, “Visiting elders — it’s only proper.”
“Oh?” Xie Siquan said. “You’re not planning to stay long-term, are you?”
“I’ll follow Auntie’s arrangement.”
No matter how he probed, Bai Jiu’s answers were watertight, revealing nothing. In the end, even Xie Yuanyuan noticed and called her younger brother over.
Xie Siquan didn’t dare delay. He had been raised by his older sister — the one person in the world he truly feared.
In the backyard, Xie Yuanyuan gave him a good scolding first thing. “Just look at the mess you’ve made!”
“What did I do this time? Sister, you always accuse me unjustly!”
“It’s your bad influence on Jing’er! I heard from his attendants that you took him up the mountain — and that’s where he met Bai Jiu! And Jing’er even told him his name was Xie San! What kind of name is that? After all his years of study, he doesn’t even know how to introduce himself properly!”
Xie Siquan took the blow wordlessly. He opened his mouth to defend himself — but couldn’t say a word.
The truth was, the whole thing had a long story behind it. He hadn’t taken his nephew up the mountain to meet Bai Jiu at all. On the contrary — he had heard news that Bai Jiu was coming and deliberately took Jing’er up the mountain to hide! He’d even arranged for the Yunmeng road to be blocked… yet somehow, Bai Jiu still managed to arrive first and bump into Jing’er.
