Chapter 34 – Adolescent Friendship
Shang Yulou finished watching the play, then asked how The White Ape Presents Birthday Wishes had been revised. Xie Jing said, “I only know the rough outline — I can find someone more familiar to explain it to you clearly.”
Shang Yulou smiled, “No need, you can just tell me. I’ve been performing these plays for years — I can follow along.”
So Xie Jing explained briefly. Just hearing his voice lifted Shang Yulou’s spirits, and when he looked at the young man’s fine features, he liked him even more. Whatever Xie Jing said, Shang Yulou nodded along to, agreeing to everything readily.
The changes weren’t overly complicated — two plays had been merged into one act, many of the lengthy arias were cut, leaving only the lively parts. It was just more physically demanding and tested the young actors’ true skills.
Xie Jing looked up and called out, “Little Tang, come here!”
A child immediately jumped down from the stage — quick and clever — and came up to bow to the two of them.
“Greetings, Manager Xie! Greetings, Boss Shang!”
Shang Yulou was surprised and turned to Xie Jing.
“You’re the manager here?”
Xie Jing shook his head.
“They just like calling me that.”
These children had been through much hardship. Having struggled to survive, they were especially good at reading people’s moods and quick with their words.
Xie Jing had told them to call him by name, but none of them dared — they only knew that “manager” was a title for someone powerful in the household.
After two failed attempts to correct them, Xie Jing stopped trying. In the East Courtyard, even the man who fed the horses was called manager. Lord Bai Jiu had brought all the top men from the provincial capital — each one the best of the best. One more “Manager Xie” made little difference.
Only then did Shang Yulou realize he’d spoken too forwardly just now. He said a few polite words, but Xie Jing didn’t seem to care. He merely said, “Boss Shang, take a look at his form. I think this child could be useful in the ‘Eight Immortals Battle of Magic’ scene.”
The boy, Little Tang, was sharp — before Xie Jing even finished speaking, he did two quick somersaults. His landings were light as a cat’s — barely a sound. After a few flips, he hadn’t moved half an inch from his spot, and his breathing was steady. Finally, he scratched his ear, glanced around, and squatted down pretending to eat a big peach, his cheeks puffed out like a little monkey.
Shang Yulou burst out laughing and nodded.
“Good, let’s use him. Have them stay after rehearsal — I’ll go over the scene. If the masters of the household request it tonight, we’ll perform it together.”
Xie Jing thanked him with a slight bow and turned to leave.
As Shang Yulou watched him go, he sighed inwardly — what a fine uncut gem. A pity fate had no room for them but to watch from afar.
*
The East Courtyard
Xie Jing still kept to the routine from when Lord Bai Jiu was home, cleaning and tidying each day. With Shang Yulou busy at the stage, Xie Jing had a few extra quiet hours to himself.
In the study, Mr. Huang Mingyou reclined in a chair, reading a book. Beside him sat a plate of roasted nuts and a small pot of tea. Every few pages, he would sip straight from the teapot, completely relaxed.
After tidying the bedroom, Xie Jing brought in a new set of ledgers and, seeing Mr. Huang there, quietly refilled his tea.
Huang Mingyou sighed contentedly.
“Little Xie, after these few days of your care, I don’t even want to return to my own place. Now I understand why Lord Bai Jiu can’t go a day without you. Meals appear as soon as one’s hungry, clothes appear as soon as one’s cold — everything before one even asks. This is the life of an immortal!”
Xie Jing smiled and replaced the snack plate with one of lotus-flower pastries, adding two sticky rice candies on the side.
He had served Lord Bai Jiu for two generations — he knew the habits of everyone close to him. He didn’t even have to think before doing things just right. Mr. Huang loved those candies, though his teeth weren’t good — two pieces were just enough.
Mr. Huang was deeply moved and showered him with praise.
Xie Jing said, “Sir, if you need any books, just tell me. I’m also in charge of the library.”
Huang Mingyou laughed, “So you even manage that now? Lord Bai Jiu can’t live without two things — tea and books. Seems you handle both! No wonder he can’t live without you.”
He then requested two more volumes, which Xie Jing fetched at once. Mr. Huang, content, buried himself back in reading.
After some time, someone called from outside for Xie Jing. He opened the curtain and saw Kou Pei Feng.
Kou Pei Feng was wearing a new summer apprentice’s robe, clean and crisp, though his honest, clumsy face hadn’t changed. When he saw Xie Jing, he grinned broadly and walked up eagerly.
“Little Xie! I’ve been looking all over for you. This East Courtyard is impossible to enter — I had to report myself three times just to get through!”
Xie Jing asked, “What brings you here? Something from the Second Young Master?”
Kou Pei Feng nodded, “Yes! The Second Young Master went out today, just like you said he would. He’s been visiting several families, inviting a bunch of people over.”
Xie Jing said, “That’s his usual way.”
Kou Pei Feng added, “That’s not all! He brought everyone back — not to the stage to watch the play — but to his own courtyard, had his classmates help him copy lists. Big characters! He’s already pasted them up!”
“Posted what? And where?”
“The playbills — he’s plastered them all over the theaters! Both big theaters in the county have their gates covered, and even the storytellers under the Tianqiao Bridge have them pasted up. Now the whole Qinghe County knows that Shang Yulou is coming and that there’ll be a brand-new play called The White Ape Presents Birthday Wishes!”
“…”
“Let him post them. It’s fine.”
Seeing Xie Jing unbothered, Kou Pei Feng relaxed too. Ever since the Heihe incident, when Xie Jing had saved his life, he admired him utterly and followed whatever he said.
When it was almost time, Xie Jing fetched a basket of fresh peaches from the kitchen and left with Kou Pei Feng, asking as they walked, “How did you find time today? Didn’t the Second Young Master drag you around?”
Kou Pei Feng grimaced.
“He’s been too busy to bother me — that’s the only reason I could sneak out to breathe!”
“Has he been giving you trouble?”
Kou Pei Feng looked around nervously, lowering his voice.
“You don’t know, Little Xie — when the Second Young Master gets excited, he’s terrifying! One moment he’s got me copying texts, the next he wants me drawing diagrams. Remember when it snowed twice in early spring? He even made someone haul in a huge icicle and told me to carve it into an ice lantern! I can barely write, let alone carve ice! I can handle numbers fine — that’s what they teach us apprentices — but copying texts? My writing’s still brand new!”
He looked miserable.
Xie Jing couldn’t help laughing.
Kou Peifeng was a hard worker but hated studying. The Second Young Master never paid him extra, only made him “study together.” He still had unfinished chores in the apprentice quarters! He helped Xie Jing move some things at the stage, then headed back.
Before he left, Xie Jing whispered a few instructions. Kou Peifeng nodded earnestly, saying, “Got it, Little Xie. Don’t worry — if anything happens, I’ll be the first to tell you.”
Xie Jing slipped a folded paper into his pocket. When Kou Peifeng reached to open it, Xie Jing pressed his hand down.
“If the Second Young Master gives you trouble, show him this.”
Kou Peifeng nodded, patted the paper through his pocket for safety, and hurried off.
At the stage, Xie Jing helped with the arrangements. Few people from the East Courtyard came here, and his uniform — from the Provincial Governor’s mansion — was different from the Bai family’s. Standing there, he stood out.
That made people wary of bossing him around.
He found a large rock beside the artificial hill, sat down in the shade, and closed his eyes to rest. Beside him sat the basket of peaches, covered with a red cloth. Through it, one could glimpse the faint blush of a ripe, plump fruit beneath — tender and dewy.
Without realizing, he had adopted the same posture Lord Bai Jiu used whenever he was deep in thought. After years of serving him, Xie Jing had unconsciously taken on his habits.
The summer sun dipped low, painting the rockery with dappled shadows of green and gold.
The youth sat there, serene and clear as spring water, untouched by dust.
When Shang Yulou saw him, the sight was like a painting — so perfect it made his heart tremble.
The urge to “take him home and train him for the stage” rose again, stronger than before. He gathered his courage, ready to approach and speak — but just as he stepped forward, a loud voice rang out, “Xie Jing! Hiding here and slacking off again?!”
Shang Yulou froze mid-step. Seeing it was one of the Bai family’s young masters, he turned smartly in midair and strode away toward the stage without looking back.
Forget it, forget it. The Bai family paid well and fed him fine, but heavens — their tempers were fierce!
Xie Jing opened his eyes, still sitting calmly.
“Good afternoon, Second Young Master.”
Bai Mingyu looked flushed and lively in new clothes. Lifting his chin proudly, he glanced around, frowning.
“What’s this? You’re the only one from the East Courtyard?”
“The other two managers went out with Steward Zhou to buy supplies.”
Bai Mingyu frowned.
“And they left you alone to work? Xie Jing, I’m telling you, don’t stay in that East Courtyard anymore. They’re clearly bullying you!”
Xie Jing only smiled, silent.
Bai Mingyu circled him proudly.
“See my new clothes?”
Xie Jing nodded, seeing the expectant look on his face, and humored him.
“Heaven-scented silk, soft floral brocade — materials once fit for tribute. Truly fine quality. You look very handsome, Second Young Master.”
Bai Mingyu beamed.
“You want one?”
“No, thank you.”
Bai Mingyu eyed his plain servant’s clothes and couldn’t resist a jab.
“What, the East Courtyard didn’t give you new clothes for spring? My yard gets two new sets each season. You should just move back!”
“No need, Second Young Master. I have enough to wear.”
“Fine, fine! Tomorrow I’ll have Kou Peifeng bring you two sets. I won’t even make you copy my lessons — how about that?”
“Second Young Master should do his own studies. Knowledge gained yourself lasts a lifetime.”
“You always talk like Lord Bai Jiu! You even sound just like him.”
The corners of Xie Jing’s lips lifted briefly, then settled again into calm.
Bai Mingyu scowled.
“You’re so fake — all serious on the outside. You used to help me copy all the time, and now you just ignore me! Trying to act righteous in front of Lord Bai Jiu, huh? You wouldn’t even share Mr. Huang’s exam answers!”
“When Lord Bai Jiu was here, I couldn’t.”
“So if he’s not here, you would?”
Xie Jing didn’t nod, but he didn’t deny it either.
“So you’re just trying to look good in front of him?”
“Yes.”
The answer was straightforward.
Bai Mingyu stared at him for a while. His anger slowly faded. After a moment, he asked quietly,
“Hey… If you hadn’t gone to the distillery to report back that time, and the two of us had been trapped in the Heihe Trading House together… would you have stayed and guarded me?”
“Of course.”
“And when my carriage broke on the way back — big hole in it, bumping like mad — I had to abandon it and ride. You’d still protect me, right?”
“Naturally.”
He seemed puzzled by the obviousness of the question. To him, Bai Mingyu was Lord Bai Jiu’s relative — someone he was meant to protect. If Lord Bai Jiu wasn’t there, he would of course stand guard, shielding him from wind and rain.
Bai Mingyu looked at him for a long while, then slowly smiled. His eyes lit up again. Cheerfully, he hooked an arm around Xie Jing’s shoulders.
“I knew it! You’d never leave me behind. Come on — let’s go watch the play. I saved you a good seat in the front row, and there’s your favorite sugar cake — lots of it! Eat all you want!”
Xie Jing barely had time to grab the basket of peaches before being dragged away.
Author’s Note — Mini Theater
Xie Jing: The Second Young Master has a bad memory. I don’t blame him.
Mr. Huang: Why’s that?
Xie Jing: Because his name is Yu (sounds like “fish”). And fish only remember for seven seconds.
Bai Mingyu: …What kind of terrible pun is that?! Dock his pay!
