Chapter 52 — The Luminous Pearl
The Bai Mansion in Qinghe held a feast early in the twelfth lunar month because Master Bai Jiu was leaving Qinghe County to return to the provincial capital for the New Year.
This gathering was especially lively. Chai Xuehe, brought all the way from Beiping by Cao Yunzhao, presided over the performance. The renowned actor’s voice rang out, truly extraordinary, earning rounds of applause from the guests.
The weather was cold, with light snow drifting down. Sipping warm wine while watching the performance in the fine snow was an unparalleled pleasure.
Master Bai Jiu sat on the second floor, only opening two windows. A small stove sat beside him, warming his hands. He played with it briefly before lifting his gaze to watch the stage outside.
The Bai family’s stage was spacious. From the second-floor windows directly opposite, one could see everything clearly. On stage, actors performed energetically with acrobatics and singing. Seventeen or eighteen tables were set in front of the stage, and many guests moved about, offering early New Year greetings. These were friends and relatives of the Bai family who visited regularly. Many had children; older ones could sit still, while younger ones ran around, mischievously gathering near the stage to crane their necks and watch.
The servants would carry a few back, but as soon as they left, others would run off again.
When firecrackers went off, the children’s shrieks and laughter blended into one joyful sound.
Snow reflected the red lanterns.
It was New Year.
When Master Bai Jiu first led a convoy from the provincial capital to Qinghe, three extra carriages were added for the return journey.
One carriage had been specially prepared for Grandma Kou, modest on the outside but with insulated layers inside for warmth. Grandma Kou traveled with Li Yuan, who sat beside her. On the way, Xie Jing carefully reined the horses twice to check on them. Seeing everything in order, he finally drove forward.
Li Yuan lowered the carriage curtain to shield them from wind and snow.
Inside the carriage, small stoves were placed—one in Grandma’s hands and another at her feet. Still, Li Yuan carefully tucked the blanket around her.
Grandma Kou said, “No need to fuss. My hands aren’t cold. You take one stove for yourself.”
Li Yuan refused. “Grandma, I’m not afraid of the cold. Touch it—you’ll see my palms are sweaty.”
She checked, and though Li Yuan looked frail, his palms were indeed warm. Satisfied, she let it go.
Li Yuan smiled shyly and hugged his knees, feeling the warmth of being cared for.
Over the past two years, he had already regarded Grandma Kou and Xie Jing as family. He felt no anxiety about moving; wherever his family was, he dared to go.
The other two carriages were for Second Young Master Bai Mingyu of Qinghe Bai House.
Bai Mingyu now sat curled up in one carriage, arms around his knees, feeling very sad.
Though his father and elder brother reluctantly let him go, they had left behind his “Great General” and “Bai Yaqing” toys. Even the gourd he liked could not be taken.
Bai Mingzhe first stopped their father from wielding a stick, then turned to persuade his unruly younger brother: “Hurry up! You’re almost as tall as the doorframe and still know nothing! Lord Bai Jiu is taking you to the provincial capital to learn and grow. Why bring those useless things? Now go!”
Despite this, Bai Mingyu still carried two large carts of belongings. His mother and sister-in-law had packed carefully, fearing he would be unaccustomed to things outside Qinghe. Clothes were prepared in seven or eight sets.
The carriage jolted, numbing Bai Mingyu’s legs. He gritted his teeth, bracing himself to adjust his position.
Xie Jing rode past. Bai Mingyu called out, too loudly to ignore.
Xie Jing reined his horse alongside and asked, “Second Young Master, something wrong?”
“You also brought Bai Shisi? Shisi’s stride is so steady,” Bai Mingyu said, peering enviously at the horse, then looked up at Xie Jing expectantly. “Can I ride it for a bit?”
Xie Jing nodded.
Before the driver could stop, Bai Mingyu jumped down, stretched, and wanted to switch with Xie Jing. “I’ve been cooped up all the way here. I wanted to bring a horse, but couldn’t find a good one.”
Xie Jing glanced at him but didn’t correct him.
Second Young Master Bai had wanted to bring gourd crickets to the provincial capital. In the morning, when Bai’s father heard the noise, he became furious, throwing several oil gourds and confiscating the horse.
The other horses in the convoy were spirited, and no one dared let him ride. Only Bai Shisi, calm in temperament, could be entrusted to him occasionally.
Xie Jing handed the reins to Bai Mingyu. After he mounted, Xie Jing gave Shisi a piece of candy and stroked its nose. “Steady now, bring the young master back safely.”
Bai Mingyu finally got to ride and enjoyed it for at least half an hour. Xie Jing returned to Lord Bai Jiu’s carriage.
After a round of riding, Bai Mingyu’s face was red from the cold, but his spirits were high. Not finding Xie Jing outside, he rode toward Lord Bai Jiu’s carriage, cautiously following. He called softly: “Little Xie? Hey, Little Xie?”
No answer.
He noticed a pale hand lifting the thick carriage curtain. Inside, Master Bai Jiu looked toward him and asked lightly, “What is it?”
Bai Mingyu asked politely and quietly, “I came to return Little Xie’s horse.”
Master Bai Jiu spoke to someone inside, and Bai Mingyu, curious, peeked in. The carriage was enormous, like a mini bedroom inside, with a bed, a small bookshelf, and a chessboard. On a thick blanket in the corner, he could just see Little Xie and another person sitting and speaking softly. He couldn’t hear the conversation.
Before he could look further, Master Bai Jiu turned and instructed, “Give Shisi to Zhang Huwei in the back. Little Xie has other matters to attend to.” Then the curtain was let down.
Bai Mingyu couldn’t understand what Little Xie could still be busy with inside, but he dared not ask further. He agreed and went to the back.
Inside the carriage, Little Xie was setting up a chessboard.
Cao Yunzhao, hands in his warm sleeves, peered at the carriage window and said, “Bai Rongjiu, no excuses today. You won’t leave until we finish three games.”
Master Bai Jiu glanced at him, then at Little Xie’s hands tidying the chess pieces, and said faintly, “Your moves are wrong.”
“Wrong how?”
“All wrong. Heading straight to defeat.”
Cao Yunzhao forced a smile. “Really? Perhaps my skills have improved. When I played with Mr. Huang that day, he moved just like this.”
Master Bai Jiu remained silent.
Little Xie also set aside a plate of hawthorn fruit and a small dish of sugar powder.
Master Bai Jiu glanced at him. Cao Yunzhao, impatient, seized the chance. When Bai Rongjiu made a move, he immediately moved two pieces, saying, “Just placed wrongly.”
Bai Rongjiu held the black pieces between his fingers, pausing for a moment. “You’re cheating.”
Cao Yunzhao replied, “Not really. Just pretend I’m the teacher.”
“But you’re not.”
“You…when you pushed me out to play with the teacher, how…”
Before he could finish, Bai Rongjiu flipped the board.
Pieces clattered onto Cao Yunzhao’s clothes. The young master jumped up, bumping his head on the carriage, wincing in pain. “Bai Rongjiu, you’re grown up—still doing this? Back in school, you always did…ugh, this cursed carriage! My head hurts!”
Master Bai Jiu said calmly, “Change cars. You’re giving me a headache.”
“Playing unfair and still right? I shouldn’t have traveled with you. If we took the train, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Go now, I’ll have someone ride you there.”
“….”
Cao Yunzhao had no argument and angrily changed carriages.
Little Xie cleaned up the pieces. The board was easy to tidy, but the hawthorn fruit nearby had scattered sugar powder.
He wiped it up, then sneaked a glance at Master Bai Jiu.
Bai Rongjiu returned the look. After their eyes met, Xie Jing looked away, but curiosity made him glance back. “Master, were you like this in school?”
“Like what?”
Xie Jing hesitated, scratching his cheek.
Master Bai Jiu pulled him close, asking, “Think I have a bad temper?”
Xie Jing mumbled, “Not exactly…just never imagined you could be like this…so…human.”
Bai Rongjiu pinched his cheek and laughed softly. “You haven’t seen half of it. I’m no immortal—just an ordinary person with an ordinary temper.”
The warmth of his voice through his chest made Xie Jing feel an inexplicable flutter.
After teasing him, Bai Rongjiu let go, taking a book to read during a rare quiet moment.
Xie Jing also wanted to read, but his mind wandered repeatedly.
The three-day journey back to the provincial capital included two overnight stops.
Both inns belonged to the Cao family. Upon arrival, servants greeted them, leading the guests to the back courtyard and feeding the horses quality fodder.
Cao Yunzhao did not take the train but returned by carriage with them. He remembered, belatedly, that the family still had this property. Generous, he treated everyone with fine wine and food, quickly forgetting the chessboard incident. “Seeing this, I thought it was just the Bai family property, like me visiting to worship the God of Wealth.”
Master Bai Jiu drank a little with him, sharing two cups with Xie Jing.
Cao Yunzhao, knowing Bai Rongjiu would not lend him Xie Jing, teased, “Little Xie, how’s this wine compared to your Heihe winery? Not as good? Come back with me—good wine daily, new clothes.”
Xie Jing shook his head; he was already flushed from the small amount he drank.
Master Bai Jiu, noticing his tipsiness, told him to rest. Xie Jing obeyed.
Cao Yunzhao laughed, “How did you raise him to be so obedient?”
Bai Rongjiu smirked slightly, swirling his cup. “Perhaps fate.”
“Hm?”
“Two years ago, I encountered bandits in Heihe. The one who saved me was him.”
Cao Yunzhao was astonished. “Bandits? I’ve never heard of this!”
Bai Rongjiu recounted the ordeal. Cao Yunzhao, who had only read about such things in illustrations, was shocked, wiping his cold sweat and repeatedly calling it fortunate.
“Xie Jing is a life-bonded comrade. He’s very important to me,” Bai Rongjiu said.
Cao Yunzhao nodded slowly, poured him wine, and smiled. “No wonder I couldn’t borrow him. My fault for asking without knowing. I won’t mention it again.”
They clinked cups and drank hot wine together.
Old friends reunited, they drank a little more than usual. Cao Yunzhao, who drank well, and Bai Rongjiu, immune to wine, drank freely before leaving. Cao Yunzhao was assisted back to his room, Bai Rongjiu walked steadily back himself.
The guest room lacked the underfloor heating of the Bai Mansion. Upon entering, Bai Rongjiu felt cold after removing his coat, though the residual warmth from the wine kept him comfortable enough.
After washing up, he noticed someone was already asleep on the bed.
Though tipsy, he was alert, and when he recognized the sleeper, he couldn’t help but smile, stroking the soft black hair. “Jing’er, move in a bit, I can’t sleep.”
Xie Jing murmured, face in the pillow.
Bai Rongjiu lifted him gently into the bed, but soon Xie Jing snuggled close, wrapping his arms around Bai Rongjiu’s waist, murmuring that he wanted to warm the bed.
The boy’s body was warm like a small stove, enough to dispel the winter chill.
Bai Rongjiu pinched his earlobe; Xie Jing only hummed softly, holding on tighter. The warmth lingered, subtle like tiny currents of emotion—something like love, but a bit more.
A few days later, they arrived at the provincial capital.
Cao Yunzhao spent the next two days in his carriage, recovering from the wine. Upon arrival, he was escorted to the Cao mansion. The Bai convoy returned to the old Bai estate.
The old Bai mansion was modest compared to other wealthy families: high walls, red iron gates with bronze lion knockers, reflecting past glory.
The convoy stopped at the main gate, dropping off Master Bai Jiu, while others entered through a side gate.
Xie Jing didn’t go in with Grandma Kou but, with Zhang Huwei, went to a nearby alley, turning to a private courtyard.
Zhang Huwei handed the carriage to him. “Lord Bai Jiu said this courtyard is unused. You and Grandma manage it for now. There’s a small street-facing entrance. You can slightly modify it for a shop, depending on what business you want to do. We didn’t touch anything; it’s up to you.”
Xie Jing agreed.
Zhang Huwei helped move some furniture down. Seeing Li Yuan, now tall and sturdy, carrying a box on his own, he noted how much he had grown.
Zhang Huwei had other duties and left after helping.
Xie Jing set up a chair for Grandma Kou in the main hall and, with Li Yuan, arranged the house, not letting her lift a finger.
Grandma Kou protested, “I’m not made of paper! Why can’t I work?”
“You’ll cook tonight. Cooking is tiring enough,” Xie Jing replied.
Li Yuan nodded, then added, “Grandma, I’ll go buy groceries later. I saw some stalls along the way.”
Reluctantly, she agreed.
By the time they finished cleaning and ate, it was nearly nine in the evening.
Grandma Kou lit candles to eat by. Xie Jing said, “There’s electricity in the provincial capital. I’ll see if we can install a lamp tomorrow.”
Grandma Kou shook her head. “Electric lights are expensive. Why bother?”
Li Yuan asked curiously, “Are electric lights really expensive? Grandma, have you used one before?”
She fumbled, pretending to sip soup. Finally, she said, “It’s just…you press it and it lights up. Lots of tiny bulbs to clean, delicate and troublesome, hung very high. I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Xie Jing glanced at her by candlelight.
Li Yuan, never having seen one, imagined it marvelously: “So many? If it lights up, people would think it’s a string of luminous pearls!”
Grandma Kou said, “We don’t do needlework at night; no need for bright light.” She passed Xie Jing some fish, warning, “Eat slowly, don’t choke on bones.”
Xie Jing ate slowly, looking down silently.
Author’s Note:
Ordinary Bai Rongjiu: I am just an ordinary man with millions in family wealth.
Ordinary Grandma Kou: Poor old lady, never seen much of the world. Electric lights? That’s how they are. If broken, hard to repair. One has to climb a ladder to check each bulb. Seven or eight people needed to clean them all. Too troublesome!
