Chapter 67 — Instruction
From the room next door came the sound of cups clattering to the floor.
Master Bai Jiu, hearing it, called out Xie Jing’s name.
This time the response was muffled, a vague murmur that couldn’t be clearly heard through the wall.
Frowning, Lord Bai Jiu rose, donned his outer robe, and went straight to the next room. Pushing open the paper door, he saw Xie Jing leaning over the edge of the pool, holding a bottle of yellow wine. His upper body was resting on the bank while his lower body was submerged. Mist hovered over the water. His clothes were soaked, water dripping from the tips of his black hair, and his face carried a faint, tipsy flush.
Fearing something had gone wrong, Lord Bai Jiu hurried forward, lifted him to the shore, wrapped him in dry clothes, and asked, “Do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Xie Jing shook his head, clutching the bottle and burying himself in Lord Bai Jiu’s arms.
Lord Bai Jiu took the bottle from him. Xie Jing made a soft “Mm” as if reaching for it again, but Lord Bai Jiu pressed firmly, saying, “You can’t handle much alcohol. Don’t be greedy, especially in the hot spring. If you get drunk in there and something happens…”
Xie Jing buried his head further into him, lightly arching twice, and bit at the mother-of-pearl button on his collar.
Lord Bai Jiu inhaled sharply.
He tightened his hold on Xie Jing’s arms, leaned down, and whispered hoarsely, “Jing’er, don’t misbehave.”
Xie Jing’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes slightly unfocused, still biting the button, his head tilted slightly with an unspoken grievance, humming nasally, “Master… I feel unwell.”
Lord Bai Jiu reached out to touch his cheek, testing his temperature. Something felt off. Just as he was about to call a doctor, Xie Jing wrapped his arms around him and pushed against him. A drunken person was unreasonable, but had a surprising strength. Lord Bai Jiu struggled to restrain him—but soon noticed something unusual. The area pressed against his leg was hot and rubbing against him, which was not to be ignored.
“Master… I feel unwell.”
He murmured again, rubbing lightly, instinctive but uncoordinated.
Xie Jing’s ears were red, his lips bitten to a deep red, the button wet and unusable.
Hearing him repeat “I feel unwell, I’m sick,” Lord Bai Jiu tried to soothe him to let go, but the boy clung like a fledgling seeking the nearest protection.
Lord Bai Jiu had no choice but to wrap him in a dry blanket and carry him to the bedroom.
Along the way, someone delivered fruit, standing nearby with the tray, heads down, saying nothing, not daring to ask a word.
Most of the household on the mountain were still former servants of Cao Yunzhao. Although Cao Yunzhao had some fame outside, he had never forcibly taken someone, nor carried anyone wrapped in blankets to a bedroom in broad daylight.
Lord Bai Jiu entered the bedroom but soon called for someone in a low voice, scolding: “Blind fools! Go get a doctor quickly!”
Someone outside ran off to fetch a doctor.
From the mountain to the foot took only about an hour; with fast horses it could be halved. When the guards heard the news, they assumed Lord Bai Jiu had suffered a grave mishap. Zhang Huwei prepared to go personally, but before he could mount, someone ran in, gasping: “Master, you’re called. The courtyard is to be sealed; no one is to leave!”
Zhang Huwei ordered a subordinate to fetch a doctor, urging the horse with a whip while asking, “Why seal the courtyard? What happened?”
The man shook his head: “I don’t know. He was fine a moment ago, then suddenly angry. The Cao household staff knelt throughout the courtyard and haven’t been allowed to rise.”
Zhang Huwei complied, commanding the courtyard to be sealed, expression grave.
The small mountain residence had a doctor knowledgeable about injuries. Hearing a doctor was needed, the servants promptly sent him over. However, he hadn’t even seen inside when Lord Bai Jiu threw a paperweight at him, shooing him back.
The room was dark with curtains drawn, shadows obscuring everything.
Outside, about ten people knelt—the Cao family servants.
The bedroom had two basins of cold water and some cloths prepared.
After a while, silence returned.
Over half an hour later, Lord Bai Jiu emerged. His face remained stern, expression calm but unyielding. Hands clasped behind his back, he scanned the courtyard before asking, “Who delivered the tea and yellow wine to the pool today?”
Most shook their heads. The Cao household, new to prestige, was less disciplined than the Bai family, so some confusion was expected. After a while, a person was pushed forward—the kitchen steward. Paler than usual, hands trembling, he bowed and stammered, “Reporting to Master Bai, I was responsible, but the items were prepared by a kitchen maid…”
When the maid was brought in, she didn’t deny it, only stared ahead, asking with hope, “Did Master Cao come today? I saw people in the carriage—was it him?”
Lord Bai Jiu closed his eyes, cursing Cao Yunzhao internally.
The girl refused to believe Cao Yunzhao would go abroad and was in a slight hysteria, insisting she was to make tea and embroider pillows for him, as if promised before.
The guards reprimanded her: “Stop lying! Master Cao never promised any of this. He hasn’t seen you twice, doesn’t even know your name!”
The girl froze, then cried while tugging at him: “You’re lying! All of you are lying!”
During the struggle, guards on horseback rushed into the inner courtyard, dismounted, and brought a gray-bearded doctor, almost carrying him to Lord Bai Jiu: “Master, the doctor has arrived!”
Lord Bai Jiu dealt with the Cao household, taking only the doctor into the bedroom.
The room was dim, faintly scented with dwarf pine flowers.
The doctor, older and inexperienced with such matters, approached the bed and saw the boy wrapped in a thin blanket.
Looking about fifteen or sixteen, breathing heavily, pale with red marks on the exposed arms—possibly scratches—he seemed seriously affected.
The doctor peeked through the curtain, then quickly looked away, voice barely audible: “I am just a regular doctor… not skilled in… such matters.”
Lord Bai Jiu frowned: “I only want you to check if his body is alright. He ate something bad before. He is extremely important to me—not what you imagine.”
The doctor wiped sweat from his brow and began examining Xie Jing.
There were only minor red marks, slight abrasions from rubbing. His body was slightly feverish, consciousness faint, lips bitten red.
After feeling the pulse, the doctor said: “The young master is fine. He drank some stimulating medicinal wine, which is strong but not harmful. He’ll recover soon.”
Lord Bai Jiu asked, “Just let him lie like this?”
The doctor: “If convenient, get someone to assist.”
He spoke delicately. In the provincial capital, many boys were betrothed in their early teens; some became fathers before twenty. At this age, they were aware of such matters. The doctor was used to it. In wealthy families, a girl climbing into bed, or a young master being amorous, was not unusual at fifteen or sixteen.
The boy groaned, seeming in mild discomfort.
Lord Bai Jiu looked at the doctor: “If we don’t get someone, any other way?”
“Cold water, more fluids to induce vomiting, or a decoction. He’ll get through it.”
“Please prepare the medicine.”
The doctor agreed, about to leave with his kit, when Lord Bai Jiu added: “Payment will be sent later. Today’s matter, please keep confidential.”
The doctor, a temporary hire from the nearby town, immediately agreed.
Footsteps faded, the door closed with a “creak,” leaving only the two of them.
The boy had already vented once.
Lord Bai Jiu stood by the bed, thumb rubbing his other fingers.
His hand bore Xie Jing’s frantic bite marks—a circle of teeth, like a little dog.
Sensing the room was private, Xie Jing’s muffled whimpers carried a nasal tone, sounding aggrieved, softly calling “Master.”
Lord Bai Jiu lifted the thin curtain, bent down, and called his name. Recognizing the voice, Xie Jing turned, eyes misty, lashes wet. Whether from sweat or tears, he reached to touch the sleeve. Lord Bai Jiu extended a finger for him to hold, whispering, “Feeling better?”
Xie Jing made a soft “Mm.”
Lord Bai Jiu studied him, eyes slightly dark, touched his lips with a finger. Xie Jing held it gently, not biting, just keeping it in his mouth.
“Jing’er, do you know who I am?”
Xie Jing nodded slightly, reaching out, hoarse voice: “Master… I feel unwell… I don’t know.”
Lord Bai Jiu stroked his head, pausing briefly near the ear. “You did very well just now.”
“It’s only comfortable when master touches me; I can’t do it myself.”
“You can. I’ve taught you once. You’ll do it yourself next time. Do you expect me every time?” Lord Bai Jiu pinched his ear, tone firm. “If no one else teaches you, I will. But later, others will share such pleasures with you.”
Xie Jing shook his head, mumbling incoherently.
Lord Bai Jiu lifted his chin, looking down at the blushing boy, whose body also reddened as the medicine took effect.
“Jing’er, you do it yourself.”
“Master…”
“No more fussing. Do as I taught, repeat it yourself.”
Xie Jing bit his lip, slowly letting go, retreating under the blanket.
Rustling came from beneath the covers; the figure inside shivered slightly, throat making a soft growling sound, small but stirring.
Lord Bai Jiu stood by the bed, watching the boy.
A pale sheet of a boy gradually colored with blush.
Though ignorant, he instinctively sought to please, awkward yet endearing.
The noises under the blanket ceased.
Lord Bai Jiu’s voice, hoarse without realizing, asked, “Done?”
Xie Jing peeked out, not much improved, corners of his eyes red, looking like a small dog scolded by its master.
He watched eagerly, lashes wet, one tear on the verge, stubborn expression silent.
Only when Lord Bai Jiu sighed and sat by the bed did Xie Jing whimper and reach to embrace him.
Lord Bai Jiu’s hand met his, slowly and carefully guiding him.
Teaching him.
Teaching him how to act.
Teaching him to grow up.
