Return to the capital?
In the morning, Yu Jinnian was supervising Ji Hong doing push-ups on the bed while he himself sat at the desk, writing from memory the “Inner Canon of Medicine.” Memorization is a fundamental skill. Whether or not he takes on disciples in the future, whether or not it’s Su Ting, he still needs to write it down. Most of the medical books in the Daxia Dynasty were kept secret by various medical families and passed down from master to disciple. The medical books found in bookstores were mostly superficial and disorganized, incapable of making a real impact.
Moreover, he wanted to open a medical clinic in the future, and it wouldn’t do to have only himself as the sole doctor. He would eventually need to train some capable assistants, preferably a few knowledgeable women as well.
Ji Hong, having completed his push-up quota, was already drenched in sweat. He loosened his inner clothes and turned his head to see the boy earnestly writing something, so he came over to take a look. As someone who had been weak and sick for a long time, Ji Hong had read a considerable number of medical books, even if only superficially. So with just one glance, he was amazed by what Yu Jinnian had written.
In an instant, he forgot what he was supposed to be doing, bent over, and examined the writing closely, exclaiming with a smile, “If this ink becomes a book, you could truly save countless lives.”
“It’s not my credit; I’m merely transcribing the words of the ancestors from memory.” Yu Jinnian finished writing the phrase “Follow the proper path, and heaven’s mandate will be yours,” when a drop of sweat fell onto the paper, soaking it. He stopped writing and looked up at Ji Hong in a daze. Seeing his sweat-soaked temples and his slightly open collar revealing the faint lines of developing muscles, Yu Jinnian used his sleeve to wipe Ji Hong’s sweat and said, “Change your clothes; you don’t want to catch a cold.”
He slipped away like an eel, evading Ji Hong’s grasp, ducking under his arm, and quickly walked over to the wardrobe. As soon as he touched the wardrobe door, Ji Hong silently approached from behind, placing his hand over Yu Jinnian’s fingers that rested on the door ring.
The smell of sweat wasn’t strong, just faint, with a lingering scent of the calming incense burned the previous night. It wasn’t unpleasant but instead stirred an inexplicable, restless feeling within Yu Jinnian, like bubbles rising from the pond of his heart. His back stiffened with a surge of both desire and fear.
Ji Hong tilted his head and bit Yu Jinnian lightly on the side of the neck. His tongue trailed along Yu Jinnian’s jaw, pausing momentarily at his earlobe. “Jinnian.”
“Hmm, hmm…” Yu Jinnian let out a low hum, his fingers gripping the door ring more tightly, but his back unconsciously pressed closer to Ji Hong. Once he felt the firm chest against his back, he suddenly snapped back to reality, amused at the thought that he might have been craving more.
Ji Hong wrapped his arm around Yu Jinnian’s waist and said softly, “I have something I want to discuss with you.”
Yu Jinnian asked, “What is it?”
Ji Hong replied, “We—”
Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps came from the front hall. A commotion broke out among the customers, and amidst the noise, a sharp cry stood out, “Brother Xiao Nian! Brother Xiao Nian!”
Ji Hong’s just-parted lips closed slowly, and his brow furrowed slightly.
Upon hearing the disturbance, Yu Jinnian could no longer focus on Ji Hong. He quickly donned an outer garment and rushed out the door. In the small courtyard, a young boy was pacing frantically. Yu Jinnian was surprised, “Ah Chun?”
Ah Chun ran up, fumbling nervously as he reached into his sleeve. It took him a while to pull out something—a blood-stained cloth, seemingly torn hastily from a garment. Shaking, he thrust the cloth into Yu Jinnian’s hands, stammering, “Brother Xiao Nian, it’s my brother… my brother’s!”
Yu Jinnian unfolded the cloth to reveal two characters written in blood and a hastily drawn symbol resembling a bowl, though it was crudely sketched as if in a rush.
Ah Chun cried, “It’s my brother! The clothes are my brother’s! Is something wrong with him?”
Ji Hong, having changed into fresh clothes, emerged to see the message written on the cloth—“Be careful.”
Everyone in Xinan County knew that the small bowl was the symbol of the “One Bowl Noodle House.” Even the simple-minded Ah Chun knew to bring the cloth to Yu Jinnian. Was Jing Zhong trying to warn them about something? What exactly did they need to be careful of? Yu Jinnian was at a loss, not knowing where to start or who they could have offended at the One Bowl Noodle House for Jing Zhong to send such a dire warning.
Ji Hong, however, instantly grew serious, pocketing the cloth. “I’ll call Duan Ming and Shi Xing back in the next couple of days to help keep an eye on things.” After a pause, he added, “Jing Zhong is likely being watched and injured, making it inconvenient for him to show up. Keep Ah Chun with you and be cautious in everything.”
He immediately went to the Fang Family Inn to find Min Xuefei and instructed Shi Qing and Hua Yi there to stay vigilant.
Min Xuefei brewed tea for them both and said, “There are too many eyes and ears in the capital. Could it be that someone has caught wind of our movements?” He put down his teacup with a troubled expression. “My informants in the capital report that the Twelfth Lord seems to be stirring, and the Lu faction is also restless. Shuluan, although Xinan County is remote, it is not a utopia. I know you don’t want to get involved in the power struggles between the noble families, but with things as they are, and Master Ji claiming illness to avoid seeing anyone, you are now the most prominent figure in the Ji family branch. No matter what, you can’t escape this… Shuluan, you should return to the capital sooner rather than later.”
“That’s true,” Ji Hong said, rubbing the rim of his teacup with his thumb, hesitating. “But…”
Min Xuefei immediately understood, “Is it because that little one doesn’t want to go?”
Ji Hong stopped him. “It’s not that. He’s simple-minded and has no idea how turbulent things are in the capital. Xinan County may not be my retreat from the world, but for him, it’s a place of peace. Once in the capital, one wrong move could ruin everything. As of today, I’m unsure whether taking him to the capital is the right choice. Perhaps this place is the best for him.”
Min Xuefei said, “How do you know what he thinks if you don’t ask him?”
Ji Hong replied, “We’ll see…”
At One Bowl Noodle House, Yu Jinnian first used soy milk and polished rice, adding a little sugar, to make a pot of sweet porridge. This porridge was gentle on the stomach and good for replenishing energy—it was made for the Aunt Xu.
Then he took chicken breast, minced it, and pounded it into a paste. He also hollowed out small round pieces of white radish, about the size of longan fruits, each plump and white, rolling around on the plate. The pot had been simmering with chicken broth the whole time. As he coaxed Ah Chun, assuring him that his brother was just unable to come home, Yu Jinnian used a small spoon to stuff the chicken paste into the hollow radish rounds.
Once the stuffed radishes were prepared, he simmered them slowly in the chicken broth. After the meat was cooked, he added some shredded vegetables and mushroom bits before serving the dish. It was a stuffed tangyuan dish ordered by a customer earlier. He set aside a portion for Ah Chun to eat and left Qing Huan to watch over the porridge while he delivered the food to the front hall. Standing in the courtyard, he looked up at the vines gradually turning green on the west wall, feeling a sense of time slipping away.
A magpie fluttered down, landing on the wall. Yu Jinnian snapped out of his daze and saw Min Mao approaching, eating some pastries as he walked in noisily, exclaiming, “The snacks from the Spring Breeze Pavilion are so delicious, I almost don’t want to share them! Luckily we have Brother Nian. When we get to the capital, I’ll be sure to hang around Brother Ji all day, waiting to eat your cooking!”
“…What?” Yu Jinnian turned to him. “We? Going to the capital?”
Min Mao, munching on a peach crisp, said, “Yeah! Brother Ji is heading back to the capital!”
Yu Jinnian, feeling confused, suddenly recalled the words Ji Hong hadn’t finished saying that morning.
Was he really going back to the capital?
In the front hall sat an old Taoist priest, his beard graying, carrying a patched cloth bundle and holding a divination flag with an iron tip. At his feet lay a small, brownish-yellow stray dog, seemingly quite old but remaining calm amidst the hustle and bustle. The old priest was chatting with the neighboring customers when Yu Jinnian brought over the stuffed tangyuan and handed a small treat to the dog as an afterthought. The priest chuckled and called out to him, “Young owner, how about a divination?”
Yu Jinnian was still thinking about Ji Hong’s return to the capital and wanted to decline, but the old priest had already pulled a bamboo stick holder and moon blocks from his bundle. Finding it somewhat amusing, Yu Jinnian sat down to try it. Before drawing a lot, he had to toss the moon blocks. They were shell-shaped, with one side flat and the other convex, each side carrying its own meaning and determining whether the lot was favorable or not.
“What would the young owner like to divine?” the priest asked.
Not having anything specific in mind, Yu Jinnian casually said, “Then let’s divine for romance.”
The old priest stroked his beard, smiling broadly. “Please toss the moon blocks, young owner.”
When Ji Hong returned to One Bowl Noodle House, he heard the boy’s clear laughter coming from the front hall. He walked in to find Yu Jinnian holding a bamboo stick in his hand, resting his chin on his palm and listening to the priest interpret the lot with a smile. Afterward, he pulled out some money to reward the priest. Ji Hong frowned, but before he could speak, Yu Jinnian noticed him, pulled him over, and seated him on a bench. Yu Jinnian grinned, “Old gentleman, please read a fortune for my brother as well.”
The priest took the money, his eyebrows shaking with delight, and immediately asked Ji Hong to extend his hand for a palm reading.
Yu Jinnian, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, watched as the priest’s expression grew increasingly serious. Suddenly, the priest exclaimed, “Oh no!” Yu Jinnian, growing anxious, asked, “What’s wrong?”
The priest clicked his tongue in amazement, shaking his head. “This young man’s fate is unusual. He has the appearance of one who holds both gold and jade, yet his childhood was full of misfortune and hardship. He is someone with little luck!” Before Yu Jinnian could ask further, the priest suddenly slapped the table, “Oh! But no need to worry too much! Once this young man reaches adulthood, his fate will change. He will meet a fated person, someone with the ability to turn things around, a true lucky star who can help him resolve all disasters and difficulties, ensuring his life is full of blessings!”
Ji Hong, unable to listen any longer, stood up to leave when the priest continued, “Young master, were you recently planning a trip north but are hesitating because of worldly matters?”
Ji Hong froze, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
The priest sneaked a glance at Yu Jinnian, coughed into his fist, and, frowning, added, “You needn’t hesitate. Though the journey north will be bumpy, as long as your lucky star accompanies you, everything will go smoothly, and all your endeavors will succeed.”
Ji Hong chuckled suddenly, tapping the table with his finger. “And when exactly will I meet this fated person?”
“Well…” The priest’s eyes darted around, and after some hemming and hawing, he abruptly pulled out a begging bowl from his bundle, dumping the stuffed tangyuan into it, quickly packed up his things, and called his dog. As he stepped out the door, he said, “I cannot say, I cannot say! That would be revealing the secrets of heaven!”
With that, he quickly vanished.
Yu Jinnian watched the priest flee but didn’t make a fuss. Instead, he collapsed onto the table, laughing. Ji Hong turned back, sighed softly, and sat down next to the boy, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. “Don’t believe him; he’s just a charlatan.”
“I know.” Yu Jinnian smiled, squinting at Ji Hong. “He was asking around the front hall earlier and found out quite a bit. The moon blocks were tampered with too, weighted differently. He observed our clothes, expressions, and actions, made a few guesses, and pieced things together. Besides, Min Mao came over earlier, shouting loudly enough for everyone to hear that you’re returning to the capital. While the fortune-telling may sound shocking at first, if you think about it, it’s just vague talk.”
Ji Hong cursed Min Mao inwardly, shaking his head, “So happy even when being tricked.”
Yu Jinnian’s eyes sparkled with a smile, “Because he said what I wanted to hear! You’re going back to the capital, and he urged you to take your lucky star with you. Why wouldn’t I be happy? I should reward him handsomely.”
Ji Hong was momentarily stunned, watching as Yu Jinnian got up and headed towards the backyard. Ji Hong quickly followed.
In the courtyard, Min Mao was playing with a cat. He looked up and said, “Hey, Brother Nian!”
Then, glancing up again, he added, “Hey, Brother Ji!”
Both of them brushed past him like the wind, heading straight for the kitchen without giving Min Mao a second glance. Feeling frustrated, Min Mao soon spotted Qing Huan being sent out of the kitchen as well. Sharing the sentiment, he pulled Qing Huan over to play with the cat. Qing Huan, not interested in him, turned to play with Ah Chun instead.
Ji Hong lifted the kitchen curtain, blocking Yu Jinnian’s path. When Yu moved left, Ji moved left. When Yu moved right, Ji moved right.
Yu Jinnian whispered, “Move, I need to fetch some water.”
Ji Hong didn’t budge, grabbing his wrist instead. “You know everything?”
Yu Jinnian lowered his head and muttered, “What difference does it make if I know or don’t know? The heavens will rain, and mothers will remarry. These things are destined. If you believe in the fortune, take your lucky star with you to shield you from disasters. If you don’t, then we are simply fated to part ways, and there’s no need for explanations.”
Ji Hong frowned, puzzled. “When did I say we would part ways?”
Yu Jinnian stared at the blue hem of Ji Hong’s robe in front of him, unable to resist stealing a glance at him. After a long pause, he bit his lip and asked, “So, are you taking me with you?”
Ji Hong sighed, “Ah, you are more than my lucky star—you’re a little debt collector who came to ask for trouble.” He gently rubbed away the tension in Yu Jinnian’s mouth with his fingers, a mix of helplessness and affection in his tone. “Jinnian, I was just afraid you wouldn’t want to leave this place, and I worry you might not like the noise and complexity of the capital.”
Yu Jinnian snorted, “How would I know if I like it or not if I’ve never been? Besides, why are you worrying about that? You should be worrying about whether your carriage is big enough to fit me and my family following you.” Then, as if recalling something, he added, “Oh, and don’t forget my Little Dingdang. If your carriage can hold all that, I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.”
He thought to himself, Ji Hong had once said he couldn’t abandon power because of him. If the mountain wouldn’t come to him, he would go to the mountain. It was just a compromise from both sides. He was indifferent—he could live anywhere, be it in peril or in paradise, so long as they were together.
That person was Ji Hong, and with him, everything could be resolved.
Thinking this, Yu Jinnian smiled again.
The problem Ji Hong had wrestled with for days was easily dismissed by the boy’s light-hearted words. Ji Hong didn’t know whether to feel lucky for having such a bright and perceptive youth or to worry that Yu Jinnian was too naive, never taking any difficulties seriously. At this point, suggesting leaving Yu Jinnian behind in Xinan County would just be too hurtful.
Yu Jinnian uncovered a jar and scooped out a spoonful of sweet porridge to taste. Distracted, he scalded his tongue, his eyes welling up with tears. Ji Hong hurriedly fetched cool water for him to rinse his mouth, asking him to stick out his tongue to check for blisters.
With the sunlight streaming in, Ji Hong carefully inspected Yu Jinnian’s reddened tongue. Suddenly, Yu tossed aside the spoon and leaned in to kiss him. It was a painful kiss, with Yu’s sensitive, scalded tongue brushing against Ji’s teeth. Wrapping his arms around Ji Hong’s neck, Yu asked, “Ah Hong, does your courtyard have a kitchen?”
“Why are you asking that now?” Ji Hong supported him, nodding, “There’s a small kitchen. Why?”
Yu Jinnian swung his legs playfully, “No reason. Just thinking, if things don’t go well, you can hide me in the kitchen.”
Ji Hong couldn’t help but laugh at his sudden whimsy, and the idea of hiding him away like some precious treasure stirred a feeling of mischief within him. If it weren’t for the pot bubbling over on the stove, he might have actually been tempted to carry out that playful fantasy. With someone calling for their order from the front hall, they couldn’t continue their banter. Yu Jinnian stuck out his red tongue before quickly frying two dishes and sending Ji Hong off to deliver them to the front.
Yu Jinnian, on the other hand, carried the sweet porridge and a small piece of fermented tofu out of the kitchen.
The clouds shifted, casting patterns of light as sparrows chirped from the treetops.
Yu Jinnian cherished this peaceful moment, knowing that for them, it might be the last bit of tranquility. Aunt Xu’s condition had been stable lately, and if they were going to depart for the capital, now would be the best time. Once in the capital, with the help of another renowned physician, Aunt Xu’s illness would have a better chance of being treated. Even if it only reduced her suffering, it would be worth it.
Carrying the tray, Yu Jinnian pushed open the Aunt Xu’s door and called softly, “Aunt Xu, it’s time to have some porridge.” But before he could finish, a series of crashing sounds came from the inner room. Alarmed, Yu quickly set the tray aside and rushed inside. What he saw caused his face to turn pale instantly.
There was a pool of bright red blood by the bedside. Aunt Xu, her face ashen, was hunched over the bed, tightly clutching half a chestnut in her hand, vomiting mouthfuls of blood.