Chapter 68 — Tooth Marks
Xie Jing, young and hot-blooded, had spent the night tossing and turning after a jug of wine.
The medicine the doctor had prepared had already been brought to the bedroom door. Master Bai dismissed everyone else, forbidding anyone from attending to him. Even when the doctor brought in a bowl, he couldn’t get Xie Jing to drink even a few sips of the medicinal broth.
The medicine bowl sat on the table, already cold.
The room had no lights; only the dark bed curtains concealed the two figures on the bed.
Master Bai’s clothing was still mostly intact, only one button at the collar bitten off. He reclined slightly, holding Xie Jing in his arms, pressing Xie Jing’s head gently with large hands as if to soothe him.
Xie Jing straddled him like he had no bones, sliding downwards.
Master Bai had to lift him twice before Xie Jing could sit relatively still.
Xie Jing endured discomfort, but Master Bai, worried that his youthful vigor might harm his body, forbade him from trying too much. He even restrained Xie Jing’s hands, not allowing him to act on his own.
Xie Jing whispered pleas, one after another, eventually only calling out “Master.”
Like a trapped beast seeking help, yet even so, he knew to withdraw his claws, careful not to hurt his master.
Master Bai Jiu drew close, nose to nose, their breaths mingling. In the most intimate posture, he kissed the place closest to Xie Jing’s lips—but not the soft lips themselves.
Just as he was about to pull away, Xie Jing tugged him back, tilting slightly to press a kiss.
He did not understand kissing, nor what to do, just kissed clumsily, making soft gurgling sounds in his throat.
Master Bai held the back of his neck gently, comforting him for a while. When Xie Jing released him, he kissed his forehead and held him close: “It’ll be fine after a while.”
The boy in his arms resumed biting at his buttons—half in discontent, half as a plea for mercy.
…
Master Bai exercised the last bit of restraint he could.
But he still failed.
He could have stopped midway, or at least risen and left, but he couldn’t. He could only succumb to the indulgence pulled by the boy in his arms.
Aside from the very last step, he had done everything possible.
Bai Rongjiu had never imagined that such pleasure existed in the world. He didn’t need to do anything extravagant—just holding fingertips, brushing lips over a cheek—his heart pounded like a drum. His age was not much older than Xie Jing’s; normally, he had no interest in such things, but after this shallow taste, it was like planting a seed in his heart, breaking through the hard shell of flesh, sprouting a tender shoot at the tip of his heart.
A night of chaos ended as dawn crept in.
When Master Bai Jiu awoke, he instinctively reached out, only to touch a slightly cool pillow. His eyes, just opening, gradually regained clarity.
He had not drunk a drop last night; his memory was clear.
Everything Xie Jing did, everything he himself did, he remembered vividly.
It was like walking into morning fog, like falling into evening clouds.
At the happiest moment, he had seen the boy in his arms, eyes full of only him.
He bent down and kissed Xie Jing—not just the forehead or the tip of the nose, but the soft lips.
He still remembered his little steward Xie, pure as blank paper, knowing nothing but seeking his help, clinging no matter what—a fledgling so devoted.
Master Bai Jiu sat up, fingertips lightly touching his own lips. After a long while, he hoarsely called someone in.
People from the East Courtyard entered quietly, greeting him softly: “Master, shall we prepare for bath and breakfast?”
Master Bai Jiu did not answer, only asked: “Where has Jing’er gone?”
The servant bowed: “Little Steward Xie left early this morning, leaving a letter.” He took a thin letter from his sleeve and handed it over, eyes lowered, not daring to look.
Master Bai Jiu took it, opened it, and learned that Xie Jing had already left the mountain. He only said he was visiting Aunt Kou back in Qinghe County, planning to return in a few days.
Master Bai Jiu closed his eyes. The words “I want to go get him” hovered on his lips several times before he swallowed them down, unspoken.
The bedroom was in disarray; Master Bai Jiu’s clothes were disordered. The attendant beside him kept his head bowed, barely daring to breathe.
Outside, the wind blew, rattling the window, creaking.
The servant turned his head and glanced at the window, which was wide open. He instinctively reached out to close it.
“Don’t touch it,” Master Bai Jiu said.
“Ah, yes.” The servant’s hand stopped halfway, then withdrew. The morning mountain wind was a little chilly. He hesitated, then asked softly: “Master, aren’t you cold…”
Master Bai Jiu looked at the half-open window.
Xie Jing had opened the window before leaving, letting the scent disperse—it was faint now, undetectable.
Even though he had been shy and ran away early, he had made an effort to tidy up: opening half a window, rolling the soiled sheets to the side.
His Jing’er, from the very beginning, had thought only of him.
Master Bai Jiu swept his gaze over the room and asked: “When did Jing’er leave?”
“Little Steward Xie left early, went to the stables to get Bai Shisi, and rode out of the city. Master, shall I fetch him back?”
Master Bai closed his eyes, silent for a long while.
Meanwhile, on the roads to Qinghe County:
Autumn rain misted the mountains; foliage glistened with green.
A light fall refreshed the trees and shrubs. A young man rode past, flicking his whip in the air, creating a sharp snap. The white horse ran with effort, its long mane flowing in the wind.
Xie Jing wore a neat dark blue outfit, eyes clear and alert, showing no confusion.
He felt exhilarated, exhaling all the pent-up frustrations in his lungs. A small cut marked his lip, but it could not suppress the upward curve of a smile.
Master Bai Jiu had struggled a little last night. If Xie Jing stayed, it would have been awkward. It was better to run out for a few days, avoid the stir, and return later.
He could feel it.
Master Bai Jiu still adored him as ever. Those hands last night, so passionate as before—after a few more playful encounters, everything would settle.
Though slightly earlier than before, every time Xie Jing thought of him, a smile tugged at the corners of his eyes and lips. The name lingered on his tongue, heart sweet.
Xie Jing rode fast, shortening the journey.
He deliberately took the route past the Bai family’s trading offices, staying at inns along the way with the East Courtyard guards’ name left for records—intentionally for Master Bai Jiu to see, giving him peace of mind.
When Xie Jing reached Qinghe County, Bai Mingyu was already at the city gate. Seeing him, he rushed forward.
Xie Jing, dusty from travel, dismounted without even drinking, instructing someone to feed Bai Shisi. He then boarded Bai Mingyu’s carriage and headed to Heihe.
Bai Mingyu had prepared food for him on the carriage, updating him on recent developments excitedly:
“Little Xie, as you predicted, several foreign merchants have arrived in Heihe. They want to rent ships, but my brother refused. Now, small boats upstream don’t count—half the cargo ships are ours.”
Xie Jing nodded: “This is enough.” He ate quickly, having been focused on travel and truly hungry.
Bai Mingyu continued, discussing the situation: “I think this business is too large—our family’s ships alone aren’t enough. Little Xie, what if we include the Chamber of Commerce?”
“The Chamber of Commerce?”
Bai Mingyu considered, then said: “Yes, the Chamber of Commerce of the three northern provinces, under Lord Bai Jiu’s name, now managed by my brother. Half of the Bai family’s ships, but if the association joins, all ships in Heihe belong to us. Lord Bai Jiu said before—the money never ends, especially foreign money. Better we secure a big profit—” He paused suddenly, noticing Xie Jing’s lip: “Why is your lip cut?”
A faint bite mark. Xie Jing paid no mind, licked it, and said: “Bit it by accident, no problem. Continue.”
Bai Mingyu believed him and quietly continued: “I plan to personally go across the river. My brother gave me two capable men. We have dealings with merchants in Russia; prices vary city to city, higher in the north—sometimes ten times more.”
Xie Jing had never heard this; previously, he only knew Japanese merchants in Heihe bought sake cheaply and sold it across the river. Bai Mingyu’s plan was far deeper.
Bai Mingyu intended to go to Russia himself for a large deal. Having been by Master Bai Jiu’s side for almost three years, he had grown perceptive.
Courageous, yet now bolstered by Master Bai Jiu’s backing, Bai Mingyu’s audacity in Heihe swelled. His eyes shone with excitement as he spoke.
Xie Jing chewed a bun slowly, looking at Bai Mingyu, understanding why Master Bai Jiu chose him: Master Bai Jiu managed the big picture, while Bai Mingyu was bold—a person to make waves.
Only such audacious people could carve a new world amid chaos.
Master Bai’s choice wasn’t to control him, only to give him more courage.
After Bai Mingyu finished, Xie Jing nodded: “Second Young Master is far-sighted. I’ll follow your plan. I don’t speak Russian, so I’ll wait in Heihe for news.” He could not mention the Japanese merchant issue, needing caution.
Bai Mingyu: “Good, stay with my brother. I’ll know where to find you.”
Xie Jing: “How?”
Bai Mingyu: “I scouted ahead—downstream in Heihe is a narrow bend. Without fog, you can see people on both sides. It’s usually deserted. I have someone skilled in flag signaling there; when I signal, wait for my message.”
Xie Jing: “Understood.”
Bai Mingyu smiled. Seeing Xie Jing nod, he instinctively felt the matter halfway secured.
Upon arriving in Heihe, Bai Mingyu took Xie Jing to his elder brother Bai Mingzhe. He vaguely said he was sent by Master Bai Jiu.
Bai Mingyu dared to deceive his brother; Xie Jing dared to stand with his hands behind his back, calmly asserting his identity.
One had a brother who pampered him, the other relied on Master Bai Jiu’s favor—both unrestrained.
Bai Mingzhe believed it and arranged lodging for Xie Jing.
At night, Bai Mingyu even gave Xie Jing a tube of ointment for his lips. Xie Jing glanced at it, placed it aside, unused.
East Courtyard, Bai Family Mansion
Master Bai received updates along the way. A thought turned over in his throat several times before he changed his mind: “Let him go out for a few days. Once he has thought it through, he’ll come back.”
Someone reported outside: “Lord Bai Jiu, an incident at Jingshui Alley.”
Annoyed, Master Bai snapped: “What now?”
“Liu Ruyi ran away—”
Master Bai lifted his eyes, anger flashing. He slammed the table: “Cao Yunzhao, leaving these people behind—when will it end? Send everyone from Jingshui Alley here! Today, none are to remain—send them all!”
