Chapter 87 — Twenty Silver Dollars
After the epidemic, the provincial capital gradually returned to normal.
The people of the Eastern Courtyard came back one after another, each resuming their usual duties.
But not long after Steward Sun Fu returned, he quietly called Xie Jing aside and asked in a roundabout way, “While I was away… did the master’s room perhaps receive someone new?”
Xie Jing’s face flushed red. He stood there unsure how to respond, and could only nod stiffly.
“Yes.”
Steward Sun frowned.
“Must be quite an impressive person, eh?”
Xie Jing blinked.
“How can you tell?”
The steward sighed.
“The moment I stepped into the study, I caught a strong scent of rouge and powder. You’re still young—you don’t know this—but the fragrance of gardenia lasts for days once it gets on anything. Isn’t that as good as openly telling everyone what’s been going on? I wanted to ask around discreetly, but every one of those little brats guarding the courtyard ran faster than rabbits! Finally I caught one and hadn’t asked two questions before his head was shaking like a rattle drum—wouldn’t say a single word! When I pressed further, they all pointed toward you. I know them well enough—they only dare push me to you because you’re too honest to refuse answering.”
The steward tucked his hands into his sleeves, face full of concern.
“Little Xie, this new mistress must be quite something. And to act so boldly… I’d wager it’s because our master dotes on her. It’s the first time he’s ever kept someone by his side. Who knows what storms the Eastern Courtyard will face now.”
Xie Jing’s ears were burning as he muttered softly, “There’s no storm, really. I think things are quite good right now.”
The steward patted his shoulder, sighing at the naivety of youth. He didn’t press further and let the boy go.
Since he had returned to the Eastern Courtyard, it was inevitable that he’d run into the “new mistress” sooner or later—why make things hard for an honest child?
When Xie Jing turned to leave, Steward Sun’s nose twitched. For some reason, he too caught a whiff of that same gardenia scent. He didn’t think much of it—only sighed inwardly that this new mistress truly had skill, even making the person who served the master carry her fragrance. Clearly, she visited quite often!
By dusk, Lord Bai Jiu invited Xie Jing to dine with him.
That in itself wasn’t strange—Xie Jing had grown up at his side, and Lord Bai Jiu had always treated him differently from the rest, with particular fondness.
Steward Sun personally brought the dishes in, arranging them neatly on the table. When he looked up, he froze—he must be seeing things.
Was Lord Bai Jiu… feeding Xie Jing?
Lord Bai Jiu held up his chopsticks to Xie Jing’s lips, saying lightly, “Open up.”
Xie Jing sat stiffly, unable to move. After biting the chopsticks, he hesitated a long moment before letting go.
Lord Bai Jiu then picked up some greens and placed them in Xie Jing’s bowl.
“If you keep being picky, I’ll feed you the whole plate like this—understood?”
Xie Jing nodded quickly, ears bright red, and lowered his head to shovel rice into his mouth, not daring to look up.
Lord Bai Jiu glanced at Steward Sun.
“Why are you the one bringing the dishes?”
Steward Sun hadn’t yet recovered from his shock, but his body moved faster than his mind—he bowed deeply.
“It’s my duty to serve, Master. Besides, this used to be my job. But now there’s so much to handle, I rarely get to stay close and attend to you myself.”
Lord Bai Jiu said, “Your position is different now—you needn’t do such tasks.”
Sun Fu nodded obediently, but still ladled soup for the master—and, quietly, another bowl for Xie Jing—sneaking a glance his way.
Xie Jing murmured thanks and took the bowl, drinking half of it in one go.
Lord Bai Jiu calmly ate a few bites of steamed fish, then picked the softest meat from the belly, dipping it in sauce.
“Jing’er, try this. It tastes good.”
Xie Jing lifted his bowl to take it, but the master didn’t move to set it down. After a slight hesitation, Xie Jing leaned forward and ate straight from the chopsticks.
Inside, Steward Sun’s heart was thundering like a storm. He almost lost control of his expression. He stared at the fish, then at Xie Jing—the steamed fish in front of Lord Bai Jiu really was missing a big piece from the belly.
He really fed it to Little Xie by hand?!
Lord Bai Jiu turned to him.
“Anything else?”
“Ah—no, nothing, Master,” Sun Fu stammered. He had originally come to deliver dishes and catch a glimpse of the so-called new mistress, but now that he’d seen, he didn’t dare say a word. The scene was far too familiar—he didn’t even know how to flatter properly anymore.
After fumbling for an excuse, he blurted out, “The clerk managing the shop’s accounts embezzled funds—it’s my oversight. I came to admit fault…”
Lord Bai Jiu said evenly, “I already had Jing’er check the ledgers. The profits were high—that’s likely what tempted him. Let it go this time, but make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Steward Sun bowed repeatedly in thanks and withdrew, walking unsteadily out into the courtyard before he realized what he’d just witnessed.
Come to think of it—having Little Xie by the master’s side wasn’t such a bad thing. He was one of their own, after all, and might even put in a good word for them someday.
––
That night, Xie Jing had eaten too much from nerves.
Lying in bed later, Lord Bai Jiu massaged his stomach.
His hand, cool at first, soon grew warm against Xie Jing’s abdomen, rubbing gently.
“I told you not to keep your head down and shovel food,” he said with a quiet laugh. “You wouldn’t listen. Now look. If you still feel unwell later, I’ll have the doctor brew you some digestive herbs.”
Xie Jing gazed up at the bed canopy, face still hot, saying nothing.
“What, sulking at me now?” the master asked.
Xie Jing lowered his eyes.
“No.”
Lord Bai Jiu’s hand drifted upward—Xie Jing instinctively caught it and looked up.
The master’s fingers brushed his chest, pausing where the golden chain hung. The bead was gone.
“Where’s the luminous pearl your aunt gave you?”
“It’s too valuable,” Xie Jing answered honestly. “I was afraid I’d lose it if I wore it, so I put it in a sachet.”
He pulled out a small embroidered pouch from under his pillow and opened it. The pearl inside had caught some sunlight during the day, and now glowed faintly, filling the canopy with its soft, watery light.
Lord Bai Jiu glanced at it, then casually tossed it aside onto the pillow.
Xie Jing reached to retrieve it—but was pulled into the master’s arms instead. A low voice brushed his ear:
“Let’s do something else to make you feel better.”
“Wait—the pearl… we should put it away…”
“Leave it. It’s perfect like this.”
That night, he moved without rest. At first it was pleasant—later he couldn’t endure.
His last coherent thought was: Tomorrow, no more tonics from the kitchen. Even if they make some, I’ll drink them myself.
—
Lord Bai Jiu didn’t hide his affection for Xie Jing.
At first, Xie Jing had been uneasy. In the past, Steward Sun had always been the one most opposed—each time Xie Jing ran off, the man was half-glad, half-sorrowful. Glad the boy was gone; sorrowful that it left the master heartsick. Every time he was sent to fetch Xie Jing back, he looked more grief-stricken than the runaway himself.
But this time was different.
Sun Fu treated him as kindly as ever. Xie Jing still stammered when speaking with him, but the steward reassured him gently:
“Don’t feel pressured. The master treats you well—that’s your blessing. You’ll understand one day there’s truly no one better than him. Little Xie, we’re not asking anything else—since you’re by his side, please help look after him for all of us. I thank you in advance.”
He bowed deeply.
Xie Jing, embarrassed, hurried to bow back.
That made the steward chuckle.
—
Xie Jing’s favorite places in the Eastern Courtyard were the master’s study—and the stables.
The gardenia balm given by Shang Yulou was mostly gone; Xie Jing had used it to mask the scent left after their nights together. But ironically, that made the fragrance even stronger.
After being questioned once by Steward Sun, he no longer dared use it, and avoided lingering in the study whenever possible.
Lord Bai Jiu didn’t restrain him during the day. Unless there was work or travel, Xie Jing was free to roam—hunting in the hills with the guards, or visiting Grandma Kou’s small eatery. He agreed to everything except one rule: by nightfall, Xie Jing must return to the residence.
If darkness fell and he wasn’t home, someone would wait by the gate. Later, they’d go out with lanterns to find him—never scolding, just lighting the way back.
After a few such nights, Xie Jing always hurried home before sunset.
—
One day, he went to visit Grandma Kou.
He rode his white horse, Fourteen, back into town, carrying several hares and pheasants tied together with twisted grass rope.
Li Yuan came forward to take the reins. Seeing the catch, he laughed,
“You hunted all this? Went up the mountain with Uncle Zhang again?”
“Mm,” Xie Jing replied, dismounting and untying the rope. “Where’s Grandma?”
“Inside,” Li Yuan said. “Doctor Lin came by today. Zhifei and Zhiyi are talking with her. These hares are nice and fat—it’s a pity the hides are torn, or we could’ve made her a scarf. How about we stew them for lunch?”
Xie Jing nodded. He drew a basin of well water for Bai Shisi, who shook free from Li Yuan’s hand and followed Xie Jing closely, tail flicking gently.
Knowing the horse’s loyalty, Li Yuan took the game to the kitchen, leaving the courtyard to them.
Inside the main hall, Doctor Lin was thanking Grandma Kou.
During the epidemic, he had been so busy saving lives he couldn’t care for his two daughters. It was thanks to Grandma Kou that the girls had been taken in and cared for. Now the Lin family had come to express their gratitude in person.
The sisters were now around ten, bright and charming—like flower buds ready to bloom. Dressed in the blue school uniforms of the girls’ academy—modified qipao tops with pleated skirts and matching braids—they spoke sweetly, soon making Grandma Kou laugh aloud.
“Grandma, these are the tassels we made ourselves, just like you taught us. Do we pass?”
“Silly girls, I’m not your schoolteacher. How is this ‘homework’? Just some trinkets to pass the time.”
“It’s the same! At school they teach us words; you teach us life.”
“Oh, heavens, don’t call me teacher!”
As they laughed, Xie Jing entered, greeting Doctor Lin first.
Doctor Lin smiled warmly, “Little Xie, I must thank you again for those medical supplies—especially the alcohol—”
Xie Jing interrupted, “It was all Lord Bai Jiu’s idea. I just followed orders. Besides, the merchants’ guild was glad to help. As long as it did some good, that’s enough. Please, Doctor Lin, no need for thanks.”
Just then, there was a knock at the courtyard gate.
Grandma Kou said, “Now that’s rare! Jing’er, go see who it is.”
Xie Jing went out and opened the door.
Standing there was a young man of eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a clean though slightly worn long robe. He looked tidy and pleasant, holding a small package of pastries and smiling.
He bowed slightly.
“Little Xie, long time no see.”
Xie Jing studied him for a moment before recognition dawned.
“Fang Jiwu?”
The young man nodded.
“Yes—since we parted at Heihe, it’s been a while.”
Xie Jing remembered him. A few years ago at the Bai family clan school, there had been several outstanding students. Aside from the top scholar Wang Jingqiu, the one who’d impressed him most was Fang Jiwu—steady, hardworking, and thoughtful.
Fang Jiwu smiled.
“I came looking for you last year, but you weren’t here. I wanted to leave the money with Grandma Kou, but she refused without a promissory note. She said she’d wait for you to return. Then the epidemic hit, and I was helping Doctor Lin in the quarantine zone. Now that I finally have a break, I came to find you.”
“Money?” Xie Jing asked, puzzled.
Fang Jiwu laughed.
“I knew you’d forgotten. Back in Heihe, I borrowed twenty silver from you.”
He took out a small cloth bundle from his robe and handed it over with a gentle smile.
“Now I’ve managed to save it all back, and I’m here to repay you in full. Thank you again—for that loan saved my family’s lives back then.”
