Chapter 65 — Measuring Clothes
Xie Jing didn’t move his gaze, waiting for a reply.
Lord Bai Jiu said, “The pipa was not played particularly well.”
Xie Jing asked again, “And the person?”
Lord Bai Jiu’s expression turned cold. “Not particularly either.”
Xie Jing nodded, lowered his eyes, and resumed his service. He placed the tea and snacks on the side, added some hot water to the tea he had just sipped, and stood there with his hands clasped in front of him, just as usual.
Lord Bai Jiu waited for him to submit and apologize, but after half a day, not a single word came.
During the night watch, Xie Jing didn’t go to accompany him; he just wrapped himself in a thin blanket and slept at the foot of Lord Bai Jiu’s bed.
Lord Bai Jiu lay on the bed, unable to focus on reading. He had intended to ignore the boy for a while, but when he glanced down and saw Xie Jing curled up in the blanket, his heart tugged sharply. He didn’t know whether to be angry at the boy or at himself.
The two of them didn’t speak a word the entire night.
When Lord Bai Jiu got up, his expression revealed nothing unusual, though he seemed slightly colder. Xie Jing helped him change clothes, moving around to fasten the buttons of his robe, one by one, fingers lingering at the collar.
Lord Bai Jiu lowered his gaze slightly, observing the boy’s serious expression.
At fifteen or sixteen, he was no longer a child.
Previously, Mr. Huang had mentioned that a nephew of his hometown, around Xie Jing’s age, was at the peak of rebellion—quick to argue, growing more distant with stricter discipline.
Today, fastening the two buttons at the collar took particularly long. Xie Jing finished and smoothed the fabric before stepping back.
Lord Bai Jiu stood watching, frowning slightly. “These days have been busy; the Governor’s Office is drafting new regulations. I can’t free myself for now. In a few days, when things ease, I’ll take you to the mountains to stay for two days.” After yesterday’s reprimand, today he softened and offered a small reward first.
Xie Jing nodded, responding quietly.
Lord Bai Jiu pinched his chin, lifted it, and examined his expression carefully. Seeing nothing unusual, he relaxed slightly, rubbing his fingers gently and coaxing, “Don’t be stubborn with me. You’re young and don’t always know your limits. What I say is for your own good.” He paused, then smiled. “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not tricking you.”
Xie Jing slowly asked, “Master, do you intend to keep Liu Ruyi?”
Lord Bai Jiu winced at hearing those three words. He recently couldn’t bear them—they gave him a headache—but having just coaxed him twice, he didn’t want to quarrel with Xie Jing again. After thinking for a moment, he said, “She belongs to Cao Yunzhao.”
Xie Jing nodded, remembering that she had been sent by Cao Yunzhao originally.
Lord Bai Jiu had intended to keep Xie Jing close, but so many visitors had come this morning. News of the Governor’s Office drafting new regulations had leaked. Not only merchants from the three northern provinces but also from Beiping had come to consult. In addition, merchants from Qingdao, introduced by the Governor’s Office, arrived. Among daily necessities, food and clothing always took priority. General Bai valued them highly, and naturally Lord Bai Jiu could not neglect them, politely inviting them into the study for discussions.
Xie Jing was low on energy today. When Zhang Huwei called him to the mountains for shooting practice, he didn’t have much spirit. His aim was still accurate, but his vigor was much less than usual. He lifted his gun slowly and only managed to hunt a rabbit after some time.
Zhang Huwei reined in, concerned. “Little Xie, what’s wrong today? Not feeling well?”
Xie Jing picked up the rabbit, paused, then said, “A bit under the weather.”
“Why?”
“Perhaps from the night watch yesterday; I caught a slight chill.”
Zhang Huwei had known Xie Jing for a long time and had never seen him sick. He knew Xie Jing wouldn’t feign illness to slack off. Treating it as genuine, he hurriedly escorted him back, chiding gently on the way: “Silly child, if you feel unwell, just say so. I’m not forcing you to learn all this. We have many days ahead serving Lord Bai Jiu; take your time. No need to rush.”
Xie Jing smiled faintly and nodded. “Mm, no rush.”
He rode back slowly while Zhang Huwei headed to the East Courtyard. Xie Jing changed direction midway to find Bai Mingyu.
Bai Mingyu now managed a pawnshop and was busy inside. Upon seeing Xie Jing, he cheerfully invited him in, showed him around, and then they went to the inner parlor to drink tea.
Xie Jing had been running around the mountain all morning and was thirsty, drinking most of a cup of tea.
Before he could reach for more, Bai Mingyu insisted, “I’ll serve you today! Usually, you serve tea and snacks, but today the young master serves you!”
Xie Jing looked up at him. “I usually don’t serve others either.”
Bai Mingyu, thinking it was just a matter of face, didn’t catch the deeper meaning. He happily urged him to drink more tea, then proudly said, “How about it?”
Xie Jing replied, “The tea’s good.”
Bai Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “Who asked about the tea? Look here!” He gestured around, losing the authoritative air of a head merchant, bumped Xie Jing lightly with his arm, and said proudly, “How’s it? I’ve cleaned up the shop well. Previously, some staff had small schemes; I dismissed them. Now, everyone inside and outside belongs to us.”
Xie Jing blinked. “Us?”
Bai Mingyu: “Yes, our East Courtyard.” He tossed a couple of pine nuts into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “Don’t think the Governor’s Office family is rock-solid. Inside, there are plenty of schemers.”
Xie Jing was alert. He leaned aside and whispered, “Did you hear something?”
Bai Mingyu also leaned in, lowering his voice: “You only stay in the East Courtyard, so you wouldn’t have heard. Rumors are plenty. For instance, do you know how many can rank by seniority with me? The Bai family is large, the porridge isn’t enough, and outsiders meddle too.”
“Who?”
“Bai Hongqi!”
“…“
“Really! Don’t doubt me. Though she calls our master ‘Uncle Jiu,’ I inquired. She’s actually a child adopted by an old lady over there, picked up from the roadside. That’s not all—her ambition is huge. Last time Cao Yunzhao invited us to the mountains for summer, many had intentions, but she was the only one who succeeded!”
Xie Jing said, “She is indeed capable.”
Bai Mingyu: “Yes, capable and hot-tempered. She scolded me last time. Not that our family forbids striking women; I wanted to drag her to the training ground to spar.”
Xie Jing: “By seniority, shouldn’t you call her ‘aunt’?”
Bai Mingyu choked slightly, eyes wide, and said angrily, “Little Xie, which side are you on, always defending her? She’s from the Governor’s Bai family. We in Qinghe Bai don’t recognize her kinship.”
Xie Jing: “Why?”
Bai Mingyu sighed and sipped tea. “She and I aren’t on the same side. Internal strife, you know? Bai Hongqi was Lord Bai Jiu’s student. Before I came, she studied with him. When I arrived, I pushed her aside. Many reasons, Lord Bai Jiu picks the best students; she can’t blame me. Lots of matters you don’t understand yet.”
Xie Jing said nothing.
Bai Mingyu continued, “Enough of meaningless talk. Little Xie, I’ve coordinated with my family. In a few days, I’ll return to Heihe and directly meet my elder brother.” He paused. “My brother thinks like you—Father is too meticulous. This deal can’t be delayed.”
Xie Jing nodded. “Old Master Bai is far-sighted; Second Young Master surpasses.”
Bai Mingyu tossed him a pine nut and chuckled. “Don’t give me that. You didn’t learn much in the East Courtyard study, except your tai chi skills.”
During the day, the pawnshop wasn’t crowded. Today, someone brought an old ginseng root. The clerk wiped his glasses, examined it, and appraised it at 3,000 silver.
The seller had visited several pawnshops, judged Bai’s to be fair, and returned with three more ginseng roots, each larger and older.
The seller explained, “To be honest, my family was well-off for a few years. I managed hunters harvesting ginseng in Liaodong. Now we’re impoverished. Even the finest ginseng doesn’t feed us; the family still waits for rice to cook.”
The clerk was now Bai Mingyu’s man, more knowledgeable, polite, and careful. He invited the seller in to discuss with Bai Mingyu.
Bai Mingyu was chatting with Xie Jing. Hearing footsteps outside, his ears twitched; he immediately adjusted his posture, reverting to the authoritative shopkeeper.
Xie Jing hadn’t yet realized why. Soon, someone knocked lightly, bringing business.
With business to attend, Xie Jing left without causing a disturbance.
He wandered outside, delivered the rabbit to Grandma Kou’s small restaurant, bought snacks, and returned to the East Courtyard.
Usually, he wanted to stay near Lord Bai Jiu, but today he felt oddly conflicted. He wanted to see him but also wanted to look away.
Visitors were still present in the East Courtyard. Xie Jing didn’t go to the study, instead tidying his own room, which Lord Bai Jiu’s daily quarters had been maintaining.
After tidying, Steward Sun Fu came to take him for measurements for new clothes.
Xie Jing followed him to the adjacent room, spread out his arms for the tailor to take measurements, puzzled: “Uncle Sun, didn’t the guards get new clothes a few days ago?”
Sun Fu smiled: “Not the same. These are personally ordered by Lord Bai Jiu, just for you.”
The tailor asked Xie Jing to turn around. Obediently, he complied, then asked again: “What kind of clothes? Why didn’t I know?”
The tailor smiled: “Young Master, you don’t know? Master Bai instructed three sets of autumn-winter clothes for you: two thin jackets and a new-style school uniform.”
Xie Jing: “School uniform?”
Tailor: “Yes, like what students wear everywhere nowadays. Similar to Western-style clothes but more upright and proper. Also includes three to four white cotton-linen shirts—comfortable and handsome. Your legs are long; I added a little extra length so they can grow with you.”
Sun Fu nodded, smiling: “Little Xie has grown fast lately!”
Xie Jing, hearing only that, feigned indifference: “Uncle Sun, why would Master make me a school uniform?”
Sun Fu: “I don’t know. Master just said it should be made in the next few days. Perhaps it’s good; Master must think you efficient and capable, planning to send you to study. Recently, some students were sent to Beiping; maybe it’s your turn.”
Xie Jing finished his measurements and returned to his room.
He had a small room in the East Courtyard, next to Lord Bai Jiu’s bedroom. It was separate but connected through a small door.
The small room had a bed, a western-style mirror, and a large wooden chest with a lock used as a desk.
Xie Jing stood in front of the mirror, examining himself.
Lord Bai Jiu had praised his appearance before.
But he hadn’t yet reached his most attractive stage; he looked slightly immature. He studied his reflection, frowned slightly.
He thought the pipa girl was truly beautiful.
