Chapter 2: Mute

Posted on 18th Sep 2021 by Yue

Xie Jingsheng was waiting outside of the palace gate. Even after becoming a pivotal minister elsewhere, when in the Capital however, he still could not get rid of his habit of waiting upon his superior. Beside him, his lord’s Chi Ye grunted as it dug its hoof into the ground. He quickly moved to the side and gave his spot to the carriage driver.

On the other side was another carriage that was quiet without any movement. Although he was not someone worth being afraid of, out of respect for the late Yan Wang, as long as the person inside does not make any movement, Xie Jingsheng would not feel it was appropriate to disturb him by stepping forward and lifting the curtain.

It was not long until he saw Bai Jiu approaching, holding in his hand a mutton fat jade1 pendant. He walked as if he was leisurely taking a stroll in the garden, his steps neither slow nor hurried. Kang Fu was accompanying him by the side with a wide smile on his face, contrary to the usual face he showed as the Chief Eunuch2.

“Since My Lord is one of the very few honorable Kings within the Capital, sitting on the sedan chair from time to time is no big trouble at all. Walking back and forth like this, even His Majesty’s heart would be in pain seeing it.”

Xie Jingsheng could only lower his head with a snicker when he heard this. This castrated thing is never up to anything good. Currently, there is a real Qin Wang3 in the Capital, and his lordship had just been conferred to a Second Rank King4 a few days ago so sitting in a sedan chair within palace grounds would not be deemed appropriate according to the precept. Those words had been said with intentions to push his lord into the center of attention for their own self-interest. Just like his master, both their hearts are only filled with wicked intentions.

Bai Jiu turned the jade pendant in his hand a few times, the smile at the corner of his lips all the while never disappearing. Then, instead of getting on the horse, he had turned his eyes to Kang Fu, patted him on the shoulder warmly and said, “Gonggong5 has been troubled.”

As if a slap had landed on Kang Fu’s pale old face, his waist had bent over first before he let out a laugh, “My Lord, it is not much trouble, not much trouble at all. This lowly slave has been worried since my lord has been buried in so much work that time has become so precious it is simply not worth spending too much on the road.”

Bai Jiu’s smile softened as he said, “I said there is no need for Gonggong to be troubled and yet, Gonggong is still troubled. Sitting in a sedan chair within the palace grounds is not needed, I am not fond of it.”

His simple words of ‘I am not fond of it’ made Kang Fu’s bow even heavier. Fortunately, since the situation did not escalate, Kang Fu had also stopped himself from continuing. He could only plaster a smile on his face and act according to his wishes. And knowing that he did not like people to stay and stare, Kang Fu quickly excused himself and withdrew.

Xie Jingsheng let out a soft sneer. “This old thing has such clouded eyesight that even his heart is clouded black thoroughly.”

Bai Jiu curled the tassel of the jade pendant with his fingertip and turned to lift the carriage’s curtain. From the back, Xie Jingsheng also took a look. He saw that the person inside was still sleeping and was rendered speechless. “This Shizi… is quite amazing.”

From the onset of their return to the Capital until now, most of the time, this Shizi would use sleep to alleviate his boredom.

Bai Jiu entered the carriage directly and said to Xie Jingsheng, “Let Chi Ye run ahead.”

Xie Jingsheng answered in acknowledgement and after getting Chi Ye to run forward, he got into his own carriage and followed behind Bai Jiu’s carriage.

After the curtains were drawn closed, the inside of the carriage got darker.

On top of the sleeping mat lay a curled up youth, his body not fully stretched, looking thin and weak as he nestled on the pillow like a snake. Hair that had been neatly combed in the morning had become disheveled, with few strands covering his eyes as he slept till the day turned dark.

With his interest piqued, Bai Jiu watched him for a long time. He reached out his hand and the ice cold jade pendant that he was holding had slipped down to graze against the youth’s face. The feeling of it was so cold that he let out a soft muffle and gave his own face a few rubs. As Bai Jiu tucked away the few strands of hair that was covering his eyes, the side profile of an innocent face in a deep sleep was revealed.

This child did not look very much like Yan Wang, and he did not possess a heroic spirit much like his older brothers either. He was more like Yan Wangfei6, appearing more or less delicate.

The carriage suddenly shook with a loud sound, most likely running over a rock. With a pillow in his arms, Xin Yi rolled around a little until he bumped against Bai Jiu’s knees. Bai Jiu stared at the face that had turned over to him and seeing that he still did not wake up from this, he lifted his legs, making him roll and turn back to where he was.

Unexpectedly, after putting his legs back, Xin Yi had rolled back again with a grumble, making it clear that he had to sleep lying on his knees. And once he had slept, he slept so soundly that he did not make any movements at all.

Bai Jiu stared at him sleeping for a while. Before he could choose between tossing him out or kicking him out, this child had rubbed his face against his knees and with his carefree and pleased expression of doing so while sleeping had made him seem just like a cat. Bai Jiu’s eyebrows twitched and just as the tips of his fingers were about to touch the back of the youth’s collar, he retracted them.

Xin Yi had slept so peacefully that Bai Jiu stared at him the whole way, feeling oddly fascinated.

Since getting on the carriage in Po Suo City, besides doing the necessary, Xin Yi had slept like the dead. As long as he was left alone in a carriage lying on a pillow, he would become someone who had not sleep for 7 or 8 years. They had already reached the Capital and he still wasn’t afraid. Was it because he was just young and ignorant or was it because he was just confident7?

The carriage entered directly without stopping in front of the Bai Manor’s main gate. When they got inside, Xie Jinsheng first got off the carriage and saw that Old Qu was already there waiting by the side. The two people could not help but to exchange a few words. Old Qu was an old man that Bai Jiu kept by his side so Xie Jingsheng treated him with respect as well. Even after the two people exchanged a few rounds of words, they still did not see Bai Jiu getting off the carriage. Just as both of them were thinking if they should call out to him from the outside, the navy-blue curtains parted and Bai Jiu descended from the carriage.

Right after he got off, the person who had the honor of sleeping so soundly on his knees had rolled around until he bumped onto the side of the carriage, immediately waking himself up. With a crown of messy hair, his eyes looked around in a daze only to collide with an empty and deep narrow pair of eyes that were so cold to the point that it had startled him wide awake.

Xin Yi opened his mouth as if he was about to greet him. It was probably only after opening his mouth that he remembered he was a mute so he closed it back and instead just gave Bai Jiu a smile. Warmth spilled from his eyes and he had smiled in such a way that even dimples had surfaced on his cheeks.

Xie Jingsheng felt that this little Shizi was really not like a son of Yan Wang judging by how impetuous he was without having even the slightest bit of fear.

Against everyone’s expectation of ignoring what had happened and turning to walk away, Bai Jiu had instead extended his hand to straighten Xin Yi’s messy robes and said to him, “You’re home.”

Xin Yi did not have much interest in this word called “home” and simply took the hand that was extended to him, getting down from the carriage.

Old Qu smiled warmly and said, “Greetings to Lord Shizi. This old slave is Bai Qu, a housekeeper of his lordship.”

Xin Yi nodded his head, making Old Qu smile.

Old Qu said with much care and affection, “My Lord, please quickly enter the house, the meal has been ready since early. It must have been difficult for Lord Shizi the whole way here. And seeing how thin Lord Shizi is, now in my lord’s manor, from clothes to food, this old slave will see to the matters of it.”

As he walked ahead inside, Bai Jiu overheard, “Over here in this courtyard, clean it up for Shizi to stay, there is no need for the side courtyard.”

As soon as Old Qu finished speaking, a group of people headed inside. Since arriving, instead of wandering and looking around, Xin Yi had quietly and obediently follow Bai Jiu. Even though Bai Jiu could clearly see what he was doing, he was unsure of what to do or think so he just slowed his footsteps to walk side by side with him.

“This is the main courtyard. Except for me, no one else will be here. In the future, if you come to have the interest, you can ride horses here and no one would bother you. Turning down from the corridor here is the study room and further back is a pine forest with a small pavilion. Over there is connected to the back door of the courtyard and in the middle, there is a racetrack for horses. Chi Ye is over there.” As he finished, the ends of Bai Jiu’s lips curved as he said, “There are also a few Bei Yang horses in the manor, also in the same place.”

All the while he was talking, Xin Yi showed that he was listening attentively with a serious expression. Bai Jiu patted him on the head and said, “Remember it clearly.”

Xin Yi nodded his head, the dimples on his cheeks never once fading.

During the meal, the portion that Xin Yi had eaten was much more than Xie Jingsheng’s. At first, Xie Jingsheng had wanted to teased him a few words but when he thought of the Ping Wang who had died in the City of Po Suo, he thought about Xin Yi who had lived in the hands of Ping Wang these few years and how he even heard that he was living in a horse stable, probably not even having enough to eat to fill his stomach. He swallowed down the teasing that had reached his mouth and even if the words were still there, he still would not be able to get any out.

After finishing his meal, Xin Yi went to the room that had been cleaned for him to take a rest. Xie Jingsheng looked at his meek retreating figure and could not help but say, “Ping Wang was a tyrant. Looking at how Shizi is right now, I am afraid it would be difficult to completely take control of Bei Yang.”

Bai Jiu pushed the teacup lid with the tip of his finger as the corner of his lips curved to ridicule, “Who wants him to go back to Bei Yang?”

Befuddled, Xie Jingsheng said, “My Lord had brought him back to the manor… Is it not to send him back to Bei Yang?”

Xin Yi is a great offering. Bei Yang’s Sanjin only serves Yan Wang. After Yan Wang’s death, the Shizi who was the only one left behind was tortured in every way possible in Ping Wang’s hands. In just 4 years, it was enough for Ping Wang to be hated by the people of Bei Yang for a lifetime. Because Xin Yi is a mute, the people of Bei Yang felt that he could not bear the heavy responsibility of being a Yan Wang. But even so, this was still not a good enough reason for Ping Wang to humiliate him as he pleased. And currently, Bai Jiu’s official rank can no longer be raised any higher, only being able to be conferred to a Second Rank King as the Ping Ding Wang. It can be said that he is basking in infinite glory with the court in the palm of his hands. However in reality, war with the left faction was on the verge of breaking out. Having no army and horses in hand is like a hidden danger. If Bai Jiu sent Xin Yi back to Bei Yang safe and sound, in the future when there is a need, Bei Yang’s Sanjin will definitely do their utmost to repay the favor.

Bai Jiu’s eyes were half raised in a rather lazy manner, “Why would I send him back to Bei Yang? The people of Bei Yang did not request me to do so.”

“If that is not the case, then why?”

Bai Jiu tapped on the lid of the teacup a few times then said, “Because I feel like it.”

Even though Xie Jingsheng was rendered speechless, he still did not dare to ask because he felt like what exactly? If something is not usable, then it is just trouble. If you don’t discard it when you can, sooner or later, your own hand will get burned. Furthermore, just because today he did not see the Emperor, is he also unwilling to spare his face8 a single glance? My Lord, you really are just too recklessly adorable.

Since he still needed to maintain a look of an honorable minister on the surface, he could only force out a laugh and said, “The-Then it would not matter either way to let him stay. I see that the Shizi is well-behaved and also extremely cute…” As soon as he said that, he saw Bai Jiu raise his head, his eyes explicitly showing a feeling of understanding and immediately, he stopped himself. He coughed a few times, “It’s not that… This humble one just felt that the Shizi is quiet… Just quiet.”

He saw Bai Jiu smiling ambiguously, “Hard to say.”

Hard to say?

How could a mute not even be quiet?

At night, at the hour of the ox9.

Bai Jiu was still working on his desk when he suddenly heard Old Qu calling for him outside of the door. He tossed his brush aside, put on his outer robe and opened the door. Seeing Old Qu’s solemn face against the lantern light, his expression tightened.

Even before he could take one step into the room, he had already heard a very brief sound of Xin Yi screaming. That urgent and short-lived sound was then caught inside of his throat, creating an overwhelming sense of distress.

When Bai Jiu went in, he saw that Xin Yi was being pressed down against the bed. A maid who was afraid of alerting Bai Jiu had stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth in a panic. He was still struggling, the black and whites of his clear eyes empty to the point of being lifeless. His hands heedlessly clawed at the bedding until blue veins had protruded at the back as beads of sweat profusely fell from his temple.

Bai Jiu’s face turned cold as Old Qu shouted, “Scoundrel! Take the handkerchief out immediately!”

Bai Jiu had reached the side of the bed and sparing not even a single glance at the maid’s face, “Drag her out!”

The maid was haled out with her mouth covered so quickly that not even a single cry was leaked out. With the stuffed handkerchief gone, Xin Yi opened his mouth and started gasping for air, crying out in short broken sobs.

Bai Jiu abruptly kicked down the folding screen beside the bed and shouted coldly, “Get out!”

The people in the room immediately withdrew without making as much as a sound. One by one, Bai Jiu took Xin Yi’s fingers that were tightly gripping onto the bedding into his own until all ten were firmly enveloped by his hands. Seeing that Xin Yi was still struggling, Bai Jiu proceeded to scoop him onto his lap, holding him securely from the back and closely against his own chest. Xin Yi’s ten fingers clasped Bai Jiu’s hands back in return and as he became aware of the distinctive tremors of his own body, his cries gradually turned into soft sobs.

Bai Jiu heard him say.

“Xin Zhen… Zhenxiao.”

Bai Jiu rested his chin on his trembling shoulder and whispered slowly and clearly beside his ear, “That is a dead man.”

Stifling his sobs, Xin Yi turned his head and Bai Jiu’s alluring yet dangerous eyes were so close to him that their faces were almost touching. He then asked as if he was grasping onto his last saving straw, “Is… Is he really dead?”

Bai Jiu looked at the corners of his reddened eyes and whispered once more, “That is a dead man.”

Droplets of his tears fell and shattered onto Bai Jiu’s hands, causing his eyebrows to furrowed. Then, shallow dimples emerged on his cheeks and he stifled out a sound of laughter. He said slowly, “Deserved.”

Ping Wang deserved to die.

Notes:

1. 羊脂玉 (mutton fat jade) is a type of jade that is translucent white to very light yellow in color.
It looks something like this with variation in designs.

2. 总管 (zongguan) or 总管太监 (zong guan tai jian) is the chief of the eunuchs. Eunuchs handle different daily tasks within the palace depending on the division they are in.

3. 秦王 (qin wang) here is a title belonging to someone from the imperial family. For example, Ping Wang and Yan Wang.
Someone who is not from the imperial bloodline but is granted the title of a King has the name of a territory or place that they rule over at the front. For example, Bai Jiu was conferred to Ping Ding Wang and Ping Ding is the place that he rules over.

4. 二字王 refers to the status of a King. This status is one rank lower than a First Rank King. There are significant differences between the two in terms of power, status and title.

5. 公公 (gong gong) is a honorific title used to address eunuchs of a higher status.

6. 王妃  (wang fei) refers to to the main wife of the King.

7. 骨头硬不怕磕 were the words used. The literal translation of it was because his bones were hard, he isn’t afraid of being hit which means having confidence. I had used “confident” because I thought was a better fit context-wise.

8. The “face” here refers to honor and dignity. When you are not giving someone face, it means you are not respecting them. This sentence is referring to Bai Jiu doing what he wants without taking the Emperor into consideration hence, not giving him face.

9. 丑时 (choushi) was the word used. In the past, 12 Zodiac animals were used in time measurement with each animal representing 2 hours. Choushi is the Hour of the Ox, which is 1-3am at night.