Chapter 3: Shizi

Posted on 21st Oct 2021 by Yue

Warning: consecutive mentions of death of multiple characters

The whole of Dalan knew that Yan Wang’s Shizi was a mute but the truth was, he actually wasn’t.

Yan Wang and Yan Wangfei held deep affections for each other. They had four sons together with Xin Yi being the youngest. When he was born, his third brother was already 12 years old. Because of Yan Wangfei’s poor health since he was a baby, his older brothers had taken turns to take care of him. It was probably because he was too accustomed to riding on the back of his older brothers since young that Xin Yi did not know how to speak very well. Even when he did speak, his words would only be incomprehensible stuttering. And since his third brother was the least strict, he liked to follow him. Even though he was beaten by Yan Wang and his older brother multiple times, he still could not fix his habit of teasing the youngest one. It went on for some time until Xin Yi came to not like talking anymore. The time came for the New Year’s celebration at the end of the year and the palace was filled with a disarray of guests. When he attended the banquet, he would follow his second brother who did not have much of an expression and become like pillars together. Like this, a few years had passed and as he grew older, slanderous rumors about him being a mute had already been spread outside. At that time, the relationship between the Capital and Bei Yang gradually became tense. Yan Wang had probably sensed that the Capital was eyeing his sons like a tiger so he did not give as much as an explanation to the circulated mute rumors that were being spread outside.

Later, Yan Wangfei would remind him to speak less when he went out and while outside, his older brothers would often look after him so he would not talk. At first, he thought he had embarrassed his family because of his stuttering so for a year, he would practice speaking by himself by reading out a book with a stone in his mouth while facing the wall in his room. When he had practiced until he was articulate enough to make fun of his third brother, his second brother died.

50th Year of Hongxing, Winter, Yan Wang’s second son, Xinjing, had froze to death on the vassal territory of Shanyin belonging to Ping Wang, 400 kilometers outside of Po Suo City. Ping Wang was the one who had dispatched people to send the corpse back to Bei Yang. The body had been covered offhandedly by the flag of Bei Yang Yan Wang. When he reached inside of the manor, the sky was still fluttering with snow. Before anything else, his oldest brother had lifted the flag and stared at that person for a long time without saying a word. Later, on the night before the burial, Xin Yi saw his older brother sleeping in the coffin in the mourning hall, his tears flowing silently the whole night.

Continuing to the 51st Year of Hongxing, Autumn, Dayuan had rekindled a dispute with Dalan due to a pasture that they had taken control of. Yan Wang and Ping Wang set off with their army one after another. When winter came, Yan Wang’s third born, Xin Li, was shot to death on the frontline. One arrow penetrated his heart and four arrows pinned his body on the flag of Bei Yang Yan Wang like an outright provocation. However, among those arrows, three had come from the back.

Winter of the 53rd Year, Yan Wangfei entered the palace in response to the Empress Dowager’s decree and died suddenly on the night at the beginning of the New Year.

Early in the 54th Year, Yan Wang Xin Zhensheng, died in war at the borders of Dayuan.

Spring of the 54th Year, Yan Wang’s eldest son, Xin Jing1 broke through Dayuan and pursued the ministries. In the end, he was caught in an ambush and died in battle.

Winter of the 54th Year, Ping Wang emerged in triumph.

Xin Yi was brought to enter the Capital but when the carriage reached outside of the city, His Majesty’s body had fallen ill from both mental and physical exhaustion. Because of how much the past events had saddened Ping Wang, he had brought Xin Yi into entering his manor instead.

Just like this, 4 years had passed.

Xin Yi woke up.

He felt discomfort from how swollen red his eyes were so he rested the back of his hands against it for a while, feeling that they were hot to the touch. His head was muddled and his stomach was empty.

Heavy curtains had been let down by the side of the bed so he could neither see what time of the day it was nor hear any kind of noise.

Xin Yi turned around and a piece of ice touched the side of his arm. He raised his arm to have a look and it was the mutton fat jade pendant that he saw Bai Jiu holding yesterday. The brilliance of this jade pendant was that while one side had a lifelike carving of a tiger ferociously pouncing on a fierce strike of lightning, there was a drastic deviation in style on the other as it was carved with a lively small rabbit innocently holding a cabbage. A navy blue tassel hung at the bottom, explicating the obvious value of this item.

Xin Yi brought it into his hand to have a look. Bai Jiu’s close face and deep voice from last night eventually appeared in his mind, suddenly making his face the same as his eyes — burning hot to the touch. He rubbed his face and turned around again, thinking about how he should explain that a mute could talk.

Yan Wang’s Shizi is a mute and Yang Wang’s Shizi knows how to speak — these two circumstances are vastly different from one another so it would also be undoubtedly different how the whole of Dalan would react to it. But the question was, how should he continue to hide it?

Just as he was staring at the side of the bed in distress, the heavy curtain was unexpectedly lifted aside. Afternoon sunlight poured in but it was only slightly blinding because when compared with the sunlight, the person who had just come into view was far more blinding.

Bai Jiu was wearing an ivory white lan shan2 today. They were openly loose around his shoulders, showcasing a stark contrast to the asceticism of his narrowly tightened collars when outside. He saw that Xin Yi’s eyes were still swollen, his expression the same as his state after waking up — both in a daze. He could not help but lean inside and ask, “Are you hungry?”

Xin Yi’s stomach immediately growled a few times in response. His expression stiffened at once and he quickly avoided eye contact, his gaze making a round before turning back to Bai Jiu’s face.

Bai Jiu did not laugh but his eyes more or less expressed his amusement. He turned to Old Qu and said, “Prepare to serve the food.”

By the time Xin Yi was done bathing, the food had been served on the table. The rice in his bowl was filled as high as a small mountain. Xin Yi was greatly appreciative towards the food and ate the rice in By the time Xin Yi was done bathing, the food had been served on the table. The rice in his bowl was piled as high as a small mountain. Xin Yi was greatly appreciative towards the food and ate the rice in his bowl up till the last grain. Bai Jiu did not rush him either. He was sitting on the couch by the window with an unpolished jade in his hand, thinking about something. After the meal, a doctor came by and prescribed some medicine for calming the mind and to help with the injuries. However, some of his scars had been left for far too long and would be difficult to get rid of.

Old Qu went to send the doctor off so only the two of them were left in the room. Bai Jiu was heavily engrossed in his jade without saying a single word. Xin Yi was also unsure of what to say, feeling rather nervous in front of Bai Jiu.

“There are no other matters this afternoon. If you are sleepy, you can just sleep.” His sudden voice startled Xin Yi. Bai Jiu then used his fingertips to gently stroke the jade without raising his head.

“Ah,” Xin Yi sounded softly, his throat feeling somewhat dry as he said, “Thank you, my lord.” Bai Jiu did not answer him. Xin Yi eased his throat and said, “Thank you for last night as well, my lord…… I……”

I… What?

I’m not a mute? Or because I was far too overjoyed that Ping Wang died so I’m no longer a mute?

Bai Jiu looked over and Xin Yi suddenly felt nervous that even his palms had become slightly damp. He was not even this nervous when meeting the Emperor. Could this be an after effect from being too close to him last night? Regardless, that pair of eyes that was attentively on him had made him feel somewhat parched to the point that his words had become twisted by the time they reached his lips and instead turned to, “Will my lord be sleeping in the afternoon?”

Between his fingers, the unpolished jade had become a plaything. Bai Jiu leaned against the back pillow and looked directly at him, “Do you want to sleep with me?”

“No……” Xin Yi stuttered, “I would not dare to trouble.”

Bai Jiu stared at him for some time and his gaze could not help but stop at the tips of his ears that had gone red. Even though Xin Yi was conscientiously looking at the teacup on the table, he could still feel that the gaze on him did not once move.

Fortunately, Xie Jingsheng arrived at just the right time and Xin Yi let out a breath in relief. Who would have guessed before this breath could fully be released, Bai Jiu had suddenly turned around just to see his expression of relief clearly. Before Xin Yi had time to recover, this person had already left.

This time, Xin Yi only let out a breath in relief and laid down on the soft couch when he could no longer see Bai Jiu. The cushion was fluffily soft so he rolled around and buried his face against the back pillow. From it, he was able to smell a particularly clear cooling scent…… It was the scent from Bai Jiu’s body. Xin Yi buried himself in that position for half the day before finally turning over to lie on his back. Sunlight scattered all over him and he spread out his arms, his whole body feeling fuzzily warm in comfort. It was only his chest that was feeling cold because nothing was on it. He could not hold it in anymore and pulled the back pillow into his arms. Feeling that this was far more comfortable, he closed his eyes against the sunlight as he laid on the couch until he eventually fell asleep.

Xie Jingsheng could not stay in the Capital for a long time. Today, Bai Jiu had arranged a farewell banquet for him at the best entertainment house in the Capital. Most who had come were their comrades from the Imperial Bodyguards. Xie Jingsheng and the rest of them did not skip making a toast to Bai Jiu. In a banquet, Bai Jiu typically did not have much to say. It was only when everyone was having fun and he was evidently sitting nonchalantly that everyone dared to let loose.

Where there is wine present, there will also be a beauty present. No matter male or female, as long as they are a beauty, they will need to tend to the guests. What’s more, there was something interesting when it came to this Xie Jingsheng. When drunk, he would become someone completely virtuous; his clothes straightened, his sitting posture upright and his eyes resolute, making everyone burst into laughter.

Last night, Bai Jiu did not manage to get any sleep as he had to coax Xin Yi until he fell asleep. Now that he had drunk a little too much wine, it was inevitable that his head was hurting. He had built up a natural habit of touching the jade pendant on his waist but he suddenly recalled that he had left it on Xin Yi’s bed. When he thought about Xin Yi’s bed, he thought about Xin Yi. And when he thought about Xin Yi, the tapping of his fingertips against the table had become chaotic. After being lost in his thoughts for a while, he suddenly felt that the banquet until this point of time had become boring.

Why not just go back?

Why not just… Go back.

When this thought of his became as clear as day, Bai Jiu suddenly became irritated. The person who had been giving him a suggestive look was scared that he was feeling out of place so she immediately poured him some wine. And once she started pouring, it just kept coming.

Xin Yi was woken up by Old Qu. When he woke up, it was already dusk outside. Old Qu ordered people to serve food and accompanied him by standing beside him as he ate. Later, afraid that he would be bored, he had also accompanied him for a stroll around the courtyard.

Xin Yi was happy to be accompanied by him so they walked around the courtyard. Upon reaching an area that was built with the study room, Old Qu pointed out to him, “Lord Shizi, please look. Inside this pond are fishes that have been picked and sent over from the village, all fresh and plump. If someday you are interested, you must come fishing at this pond.”

The other servants were some distance away and Old Qu is a servant that has been prepared by Bai Jiu so Xin Yi was not afraid of being heard and simply let out a laugh, his dimples irresistibly sweet. Xin Yi had never heard of a prominently high-ranking official who raised fishes in a pond right in front of their study room. He thought of Bai Jiu’s smile that was not at all like a smile and laughed, whispering to Old Qu, “Whose idea was it?”

Old Qu followed along and whispered as well, “When his lordship built the courtyard, he had wanted to be able to relax and be comfortable at his own home so isn’t fishing simply the best?”

Xin Yi saw that each and every one of the fishes in the pond was indeed plump. Finding it interesting, he said, “If so, then it is missing something. Otherwise, the fun of it would not truly be complete.”

Old Qu immediately listened closely.

Xin Yi said, “If you add in a raft, then wouldn’t it be just right?”

Old Qu clapped his hands and let out a hearty laugh, “If you add in a few fisher boys3, then it would be just like a peach blossoms forest4 all around, exceptionally beautiful.”

As so, both of them chatted as they walked around. Inevitably, the sky behind the racecourse had darkened so Xin Yi stopped and did not go to have a look. He walked back together with Old Qu. Since there were people lighting the way in front, Old Qu watched Xin Yi by the side. Seeing Xin Yi’s calm face, he knew that there was something on his mind.

“This old servant feels troubled as summer approaches.”

Xin Yi let out an en and looked up curiously, “Why is that?’

Old Qu caressed his beard with an unbearable look on his face and pointed at the grass beside, “An irrevocable time for the grand chirpings5 truly disturbs the dreams of others.”

Xin Yi was amused by the expression of the elderly. He listened to the sound of these lively crickets and laughed, “If you add in the sound of frogs croaking, then it would truly be unbearable.” He tilted his head as he spoke, somewhat reminiscing, “In the past, my third brother liked to fight crickets. Every time he was scared of my oldest brother finding out, he would always come and hide in my room. Once he starts hiding, he would hide for a few nights. At that time, I was still stuttering and on top of being anxious, I could not win over my third brother. When I could not sleep from the crickets chirping, I would look for my second brother. My second brother always had a way. In the middle of the night, he brought me to put the crickets inside my third brother’s blanket. My third brother remembered this very well and was looking for the chance to beat me up. In the end, we caused so much trouble that our oldest brother had found out and beaten the both of us up.” As he spoke up till here, his gaze shifted to the dusk undulating by the eaves and his voice gradually became soft, “For the sake of coaxing me, my mother had asked my father and brothers to let me hang lanterns in the manor. I hung the colorful lanterns up one by one until they filled up the whole manor. At night, it was colorful everywhere I looked.”

Xin Yi’s voice came to a stop. The light of dusk revealed his face that was at a loss. It was only after saying all these that he realized they had all vanished like smoke.

Old Qu listened while he spoke. A kind expression rose on his face as he said softly, “They are all beautiful colors.”

Xin Yi gave a smile and the both of them continued with their walk back. When he returned, Bai Jiu was still not back yet. After Xin Yi finished his bath, he drank his medicine. Old Qu had wanted to help him to apply his ointment but Xin Yi had declined. Old Qu did not insist on it and excused himself without any further mention.

Xin Yi was the same as Bai Jiu in terms of not liking people to serve them at night. After he extinguished the lights in the outer room, he walked to the back of the folding screen in the inner room and took off his clothes to put ointment on his scars in front of the bronze mirror. The most scarring injury he had was on his back. The scar had come from two vicious dogs that Ping Wang had released on him while being leashed on a hitching post because he had stabbed him during the Cold Food Festival6 of the 57th Year.

Xin Yi turned around to look at his back, wondering if the ointment should be applied on this injury. He was deep in his thoughts when he suddenly heard someone knocking against the edge of the folding screen. He raised his eyes to see Bai Jiu leaning against the side of the folding screen. His gaze calmly cascaded down from his face then flow swiftly down to his neck, collarbones, chest and abdomen.

This kind of gaze was far too calm, far too calm to the point that Xin Yi’s lower abdomen had slightly tightened. He pulled on his clothes then felt that they were both men here so what was he being so overly conscious for? He remained still and could not help but look at Bai Jiu in a daze.

Bai Jiu lifted his hand and rubbed his forehead as he said, “Let me do it instead.”

“I would not dare to trouble.” But Bai Jiu was already in front of him. Just like this, the man who was a head taller than him leaned in towards him. In the fire light, this bright pair of remarkably alluring eyes made Xin Yi’s heart pound. Seeing that he was about to lean in, Xin Yi had abruptly taken a step back. It was only when Bai Jiu held onto his receding shoulder that Xin Yi realized Bai Jiu was leaning forward to take the ointment for his injuries.

The scent of alcohol enveloped Xin Yi. Bai Jiu straightened himself and raised his eyebrow slightly, “What are you being afraid for?” After he finished, he lowered his head and leaned forward in front of his eyes, “Don’t you fear neither Heaven nor Earth that you even dared to burn the City of Po Suo?”

Xin Yi became silent, contemplating over what to say. Who would have thought that Bai Jiu would actually caressed his hair like he was coaxing a little puppy and said to him in a soft voice, “It’s alright, it’s alright. It’s merely the City of Po Suo. It wouldn’t be a big matter even if you had burned Ping Wang’s Shanyin. Just turn around, I’ll help you apply ointment.”

The contrast between this soft voice of his now and last night was so striking that when it reached the inside of his ears, it had actually aroused a warm numbing feeling. The tips of Xin Yi’s ears had already started to burn and he felt that this breath of his that was mixed together with the scent of alcohol had made even him feel lightheaded and dizzy.

“Hmm?” Bai Jiu’s fingertips lightly touched his burning ear and with a soft laugh, he said, “What’s this? It’s hot.”

Notes:

1. The two oldest Xin brothers’ names are pronounced the same with different written characters for their Jing. The oldest brother is 辛靖 while the second brother is 辛敬. To avoid confusion, Xin Jing will be used for the oldest brother and Xinjing for the second brother.

2. 襕衫 (lan shan) is a type of traditional attire worn by men since the Tang Dynasty. Its main features are round collars and wide sleeves.
It looks something like this with variation in colors and designs. please click to bless eyes

3. 渔童 (yu tong) also known as fisher boy or fishing child, is the name of a Chinese folklore.
It tells a story of an old and poor fisherman who brought back home a fishbowl with an engravement of a fisher boy which he caught in his net. At night, the fishbowl would be filled with water and the fisher boy would appear. Droplets of water that fell out from the fishbowl would then turn into gold.

4. 桃林 (taolin) is peach blossoms forest. Unsure of how to explain this but it’s known that the scenery of a peach blossoms forest is beautiful hence, the line above.

5. 钟乐鼎鸣 (zhong le ding ming) is a play on words.

6. 寒食节 (han shi jie) also known as the Cold Food Festival is a traditional holiday that is celebrated on the third month of the lunar calendar.