You’re not allowed to leave without finishing your food!
In ancient times, it was said that during the late afternoon, monkeys on both sides of the river would cry out with long wails.
Dongchong Prefecture was a major northern commercial hub. Although one couldn’t enjoy the rare sight of monkeys crying from both banks, the hubbub of human voices was ever-present. Moreover, the Buddhist festival outside the city lasted ten days to half a month, adding to the usual hustle and bustle. Today also happened to be the full moon day, and gatherings of various sizes were taking place in both the north and south parts of the city. Duan Ming and his men had followed to this point, keeping watch from a hidden spot. The ship was privately owned, and without orders from their master, they dared not act rashly. They simply kept a careful eye on any movement inside the ship.
The city was full of all sorts of people, and the docks were even more chaotic. The dockworkers, with their bare shoulders, sat by the shore gossiping. However, the ship docked there remained unusually quiet. Only a few servants moved in and out in an orderly fashion, carrying food and firewood. Occasionally, a couple of maidservants tending the fire would come out for fresh air — it really did seem like a regular wealthy merchant’s household.
Outside the window, the air was filled with the cries of street vendors, and in the middle of the river, fishermen were calling out as they rowed. Yet none of this disturbed the calm and serene atmosphere inside the ship, which could be considered a peaceful retreat amidst the noise. After a brief chat, Yu Jinnian didn’t forget his duty. After checking the pulse, he said, “Mr. Xia, would you mind removing your upper garment so I can examine the affected area in more detail?”
“Of course.” Yan Chang untied his belt without any hesitation, slowly pulling off both his outer and inner robes, baring his entire shoulder and back.
Yu Jinnian moved behind him and glanced down, momentarily stunned. Several disordered old scars marred his back. It was hard to tell from which year they came, but it was clear they weren’t recent. Perhaps due to his physical constitution, he scarred easily, making the rope-like raised scars on his back particularly gruesome. In comparison, the coin-sized round scar on his right shoulder looked less alarming.
But the smallness of a scar didn’t always mean the injury was light; sometimes, quite the opposite.
Yan Chang waited quietly for a moment, sensing Yu Jinnian’s pause. He turned his gaze slightly, observing Yu Jinnian for a while before asking, “What’s the matter, young master? Are you frightened?”
“Ah. No, I’m just a bit surprised. I didn’t expect someone as distinguished as you, Mr. Xia, to have suffered such severe injuries.” Realizing his lack of manners, Yu Jinnian quickly averted his gaze. Rubbing his fingers together in his sleeves to warm them, he gently placed his hand on Yan Chang’s shoulder, probing the texture of the muscles beneath his fingertips.
Yan Chang, being as sharp as he was, could easily see through Yu Jinnian’s small gestures. Though seemingly natural, they were in fact precise and meticulous — this young man was perhaps far more composed than his initial impression suggested. Yan Chang pondered for a moment before remarking, “The southwest is full of bandits.”
Yu Jinnian was puzzled. “…What?”
Yan Chang touched an old scar on his waist. “The wounds on my body were all sustained in that region, many years ago. As for the one on my shoulder, it was from an arrow fired by a bandit leader. But I’ve since cut off his head and now use it as a lampstand in my home.”
He spoke, then suddenly looked up, catching Yu Jinnian’s gaze. Yu Jinnian, lost in thought about the ailment, was slow to react, appearing a bit dazed. Just as he was about to speak, Yan Chang unexpectedly smiled. “I’m joking.”
Yu Jinnian: “…” Who would believe that, seriously?
Yan Chang dropped the playful tone, his expression turning melancholic. “In truth, it was an assassin hired by a rival family. My wife took the fatal blow meant for me, allowing the arrow to merely wound my shoulder, but she…”
Yu Jinnian stared at him for a long time, his eyes clearly conveying, “If I believe you, I must be crazy.”
Yan Chang neither argued nor defended himself, simply watching with a faint smile.
Yu Jinnian didn’t care how the injury came about, letting him babble on. He knew it was an old arrow wound, and that was enough. He continued examining the man’s arm, muttering to himself, “I’ve seen many types of wounds, and yours… isn’t the worst. The scar is just more pronounced. Had you taken better care of it when it first happened, it wouldn’t be so severe. But for a grown man, a few scars aren’t anything to be afraid of.”
Yan Chang remained silent for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. “True enough.”
Seeing his hesitation, Yu Jinnian didn’t bother asking what he wanted to say, instead focusing on his diagnosis. He held Yan Chang’s arm in one hand while the other pressed on his shoulder, slowly rotating it. Occasionally, he had him exert some strength to grasp items on the table. “Mr. Xia, can you describe the pain? Is it worse when you move or when you rest, in the cold or in the heat? Does it hurt more during the day or at night?”
After thinking for a moment, Yan Chang calmly explained, “At first, it only hurt occasionally when I was tired, so I didn’t pay much attention. But it gradually worsened, and since last year, this arm often feels sore and stiff, making it difficult to hold things for long. It’s like a thin blade is lodged in the bone, and it gets especially bad in winter. I have to warm it by the fire to feel any relief. Young master, do you have any ideas?”
Yu Jinnian patiently replied, “This ailment is due to stagnation between the muscles and tendons, causing blood and qi to become blocked. Over time, this results in pain. Moreover, since you live in the south where the climate is damp and cold, the stagnation worsens, creating a vicious cycle. Mr. Xia, how are you feeling now? Is the pain worse than before?”
Yan Chang looked at him, a barely visible furrow in his brow. “It’s bearable.”
“Since you’re ill, there’s no need to endure it. Otherwise, what use would we healers be?” Yu Jinnian lowered Yan Chang’s arm, glanced around the room, and walked toward the desk inside. From the outside, this boat didn’t appear particularly luxurious, but the interior furnishings clearly showed considerable thought had been put into it. Whether it was the red nanmu desk, the white jade paperweight shaped like a tiger, or the plum-green brush holder with its delicate frost patterns — at first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but upon closer inspection, everything exuded a sense of ancient elegance and grandeur.
Yu Jinnian picked the simplest brush, haphazardly licked the ink, and began writing a prescription, including cinnamon twig, dried ginger, notopterygium root, silkworm, along with poria, white atractylodes, mulberry mistletoe, and muscle-strengthening grass. He added astragalus to boost qi and included coix seed and licorice root. He carefully considered the dosage, making revisions here and there. His expression was so focused, as if in deep meditation, that he seemed to forget the person beside him entirely.
Yan Chang, after tidying his clothes, stood up and noticed how absorbed Yu Jinnian was, battling with a few ink characters. As he watched, a gray hair ribbon slipped from the back of his head onto his shoulder. The sun was already past its peak, and as it slowly moved westward, its slanted rays streamed through the window, casting a golden-red hue on Yu Jinnian’s ear and cheek.
A gentle river breeze unintentionally blew the tip of the ribbon into the inkstone, but Yu Jinnian didn’t notice. Just as he was about to straighten up, he suddenly felt a hand reach toward his ear. Instinctively, his body tensed, and he heard a soft rustling sound as Yan Chang reached out, saying, “Your ribbon got dirty. Take it off; otherwise, you’ll stain your collar too. I don’t have much, but I do have a few spare ribbons.”
“No need…”
“Zhou Si!”
Yu Jinnian frowned slightly.
This reminded Yan Chang of the lost duck egg-green ribbon Yu Jinnian had mentioned yesterday — that smooth eggshell color did indeed suit him well. Unsure if there was anything with such a gentle hue on the boat, Yan Chang called for Zhou Feng and gave him a few quiet instructions.
Upon hearing them, Zhou Feng’s face immediately twisted into a bitter expression, but he dared not speak. He hurried to the back cabin and rummaged through the accessories. His master had never been fond of overly extravagant items, preferring dignity and propriety in his attire. He had certainly never worn any frivolous ornaments, let alone something with so many specific requirements.
After much searching, Zhou Feng finally found a sea-green forehead band that his master had worn when he was a prince. It had snow-white pearls hanging from each end and silver clouds embroidered on the front — he wasn’t sure if it would meet his master’s approval.
“Feng-ge, what are you looking for?” The guard in charge of watching over the ship’s storage was newly promoted and had previously been stationed in Yue. This was his first time being fortunate enough to accompany the master on a journey, so he was excited and eager to help wherever he could. He was especially talkative. Seeing Zhou Feng with his head buried in the accessory box, he glimpsed the large pearls through his fingers and immediately exclaimed in surprise, “The master’s never given anyone such ornaments before. Who’s the lucky lady that’s caught his eye?”
Zhou Feng spat at him. “You idiot! Since when do these look like women’s ornaments to you? Watch your mouth. If I hear any rumors, I’ll throw you in the river to feed the fish!”
The guard muttered under his breath, “So what if it’s a lady? The master’s no longer young. It’s about time he took a wife.”
If only it were that simple. The person wasn’t a lady but a true young man — and he belonged to the Third Prince.
Zhou Feng was tearing his hair out in frustration. He thought to himself: His master, the Prince of Yue, had been a headstrong and competitive youth, only interested in battles and strategy. He was praised by the late emperor as a “wise and courageous” young talent. But after peace had spread throughout the land, he’d been assigned to Yue, and his temperament had become more withdrawn, making it less likely he’d marry or take a concubine.
At this age, a man should be in his prime, yet his master had little interest in such things. For years, his household had been filled with only a few maidservants who had followed him since childhood.
Rumor had it that these maidservants barely saw the master once or twice a month, and none of them had borne children. They were even less valuable than the white porcelain vases in the house.
It’s true, the late emperor had once arranged a marriage for him, but the noble lady had passed away before the wedding. Yan Chang hadn’t even seen the lady’s face, yet for some reason, he’d never shown any interest in taking another wife, as though he were heartbroken over a woman he’d never met.
But Zhou Feng saw all these as excuses.
The current emperor’s orders to marry had become a regular occurrence at the Prince of Yue’s residence, with portraits of noblewomen from the capital piling up in a room. Each one, whether voluptuous or slender, stunning or elegant, went straight to the dust heap after barely a glance. Yan Chang showed no interest whatsoever. Eventually, he even used his shoulder ailment as an excuse to avoid the subject of marriage altogether.
Zhou Feng knew his master had grand ambitions, but even so, nothing should prevent him from taking a wife and having children!
Holding the sea-green forehead band adorned with pearls, Zhou Feng peeked through the crack in the door. He saw his master, standing at a distance, staring intently at the young doctor as if about to peel a layer off his delicate skin. Zhou Feng suddenly realized with horror: Could it be that the master wasn’t interested in the maidservants because he preferred something else?
The master held a high position, so liking something different wasn’t a problem. But still… Zhou Feng knocked on the door and entered, his gaze flickering to Yu Jinnian before Yan Chang shot him a glance, reminding him to present the band.
Yan Chang took the band and personally walked over to the desk. “Use this for now.”
While they had been rummaging through the boxes, Yu Jinnian had already tied his hair roughly with a piece of coarse rope. He thanked Yan Chang, briefly examined the band, and casually placed it back on the table without paying it any further mind. After finishing the prescription, he instructed Zhou Feng to go ashore and fetch ten days’ worth of medicine. He carefully explained how to prepare it before picking up a needle kit, taking out the needles one by one, and sterilizing them over the candle flame. “Mr. Xia, please sit. Merely taking the medicine might not be enough. Today, I will perform acupuncture. Once my surgical tools are ready, I’ll also use other methods to treat you.”
As he spoke, Yu Jinnian found the forehead band adorned with pearls to be in the way, so he pushed the valuable item aside and instead placed his needle kit on the table.
Yan Chang glanced at the neglected forehead band, his eyelid twitching slightly, and he chuckled, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, young master.”
“No trouble at all. I will be using warm needles for Mr. Xia today. This is the first session, so you may feel heightened sensations under the needle. If you experience any pain or discomfort, be sure to tell me promptly.” Once Yu Jinnian focused, he was utterly absorbed, with only the patient and the ailment on his mind. “For the next few days, until I leave Dongchong Prefecture, I will come at this hour each day to administer the needles for half an hour. Is that acceptable, Mr. Xia?”
Yan Chang replied, “Naturally, I will follow your advice.”
Yu Jinnian nodded and selected fine silver needles, inserting them into three key acupuncture points on the shoulder: Jianliao, Jianzhen, and Jianyu. These three points belong to the Hand Three Yang Meridians, which are crucial for treating shoulder and neck pain. He also chose Hegu, the muscle-relaxing point Yanglingquan, and the most painful point, Ashi. After inserting the needles, he lightly twisted them to elicit a response.
“Master Zhou, please bring over the moxa wool you purchased yesterday,” Yu Jinnian instructed.
Zhou Feng quickly fetched a large box filled to the brim.
The moxa wool was made from mugwort leaves that had been picked and dried for more than three years. The leaves were selected for their width and thickness, then crushed and sifted multiple times. Fresh mugwort produces thick smoke and intense heat, which can damage the meridians, but aged mugwort, with its moisture removed and its yang energy restrained, burns much more gently. Hence, old moxa wool is considered superior.
Mugwort is harvested in May and dried for three to five years. Only in the twelfth month of certain years is it processed into wool. The pestles and mortars used for crushing must be thoroughly cleaned, and the water used must be pure. The more the wool is pounded and sifted, the finer it becomes. Top-quality moxa wool feels like soft cotton and is easy to shape. Its color is green with a golden hue, earning it the name “golden moxa.”
Due to the lengthy production process, some unscrupulous merchants mixed yellow clay water with fresh mugwort to make counterfeit moxa, passing it off as the high-quality golden moxa. Though it appeared golden on the surface, it was actually a low-grade product, deceiving many customers.
Yu Jinnian pinched a bit of the moxa wool, confirming it was indeed of rare quality. He quickly instructed Zhou Feng to help him form moxa cones.
After preparing several moxa cones, there was no need for adhesive; they were simply placed on top of the silver needles. Yu Jinnian lit them with a candle, allowing them to burn slowly. The heat generated by the burning moxa, combined with the residual warmth of the needle handles, transmitted through the acupuncture points to the muscles and meridians, providing a gentle warmth to the yang energy.
Zhou Feng, however, seemed overly cautious, fearful that the small moxa cones might crumble and burn his master, who was undoubtedly precious.
Annoyed by Zhou Feng’s constant fretting, Yan Chang told him to go and prepare food for Yu Jinnian, specifically requesting several dishes featuring river fish. He then turned to Yu Jinnian and asked, “Do you have any favorite dishes?”
Yu Jinnian felt Yan Chang’s hospitality was a bit over the top, but he couldn’t quite discern whether it was a natural display of generosity or if Yan Chang had some ulterior motive. After thinking it over, Yu Jinnian realized there wasn’t much about him worth scheming for beyond his medical skills. He replied, “No need to go to any trouble. I don’t have any particular cravings.”
As expected, Yan Chang had already made up his mind. Without waiting for Yu Jinnian to refuse, he confidently ordered several fish dishes.
In the time it took for one incense stick to burn, the moxa cones were completely consumed. Remarkably, the moxa wool retained its original shape even after burning, yet a light tap over an ashtray caused it to crumble instantly, a clear sign of its superior quality.
Since it was the first day of treatment, Yu Jinnian didn’t plan to do too much. Treatment should be gradual. After the warm-needle therapy, he advised Mr. Xia to stay warm, keep the area well covered, and move his arm periodically to prevent the muscles from “rusting.”
The attendants were already busy preparing the meal, and the boat’s owner showed no signs of letting him leave. Yu Jinnian was pondering how to make his exit when he accidentally walked over to the window and heard the faint sound of commotion outside. He looked down and saw a striking figure in a gold crown and black robe, standing tall and graceful — quite the beautiful sight!
At the feet of this beauty lay a bruised and swollen thug, who had been subdued by Duan Ming and was now begging for mercy.
Leaning out over the windowsill, Yu Jinnian admired the scene for a moment before cupping his hands around his mouth and shouting, “Ah Hong!”
Ji Hong looked up and waved him down. “Come down.”
Inside, Yan Chang was changing his clothes in a separate room. Upon hearing the voice, he approached the inner window and stood hidden in the shadows, quietly observing the man on the shore. After not seeing him for several years, he noted that Ji Hong’s appearance hadn’t changed much. However, the old-fashioned and pedantic air of the Ji family still clung to him. Ji Hong was cautious but lacked ambition, unlike his free-spirited and deceased older brother.
— A man like that never impressed Yan Chang.
It seemed Ji Hong sensed something. He suddenly lifted his gaze toward the small window, but all he could see inside was darkness, with only a faint glimpse of a curtain and half a screen.
Yu Jinnian joyfully ran down, only to be intercepted by Ji Hong, who wrapped him in a hug and gently patted his back. The two exchanged a few quiet words before sharing a smile.
Yan Chang picked up the pearl-adorned forehead band from the table and, glancing back at the shore, noticed Ji Hong pulling a fine silver hairpin from his sleeve to secure the smiling young man’s flowing hair atop his head. In that moment, the young man suddenly grasped Ji Hong’s hand, furrowing his brows with concern, blowing on Ji Hong’s hand as if it were hurt, his face filled with genuine worry.
If it weren’t for his keen eyesight, he wouldn’t have noticed the tiny ant-sized injury on the back of Ji Hong’s hand!
Thinking back to what that kid had said on his boat — that a good man isn’t afraid of a few scars — it was clear those words were as empty as air.
With a forceful pull, Yan Chang broke off a piece of the window frame.
Zhou Feng quickly stepped forward, blocking Yan Chang’s path, and reminded him, “Master, master, those are all people from the Ji family below. Although they haven’t realized anything yet, it’s hard to say they won’t become suspicious. That young master is not someone to be trifled with—”
“What do I care about the Ji family?” Yan Chang coldly retorted, his expression darkening. “I can’t touch the people of Ji Shuluan?”
Zhou Feng paused, realizing only then that Yan Chang was referring to the guards of the Ji family hidden among the common folk, worried that any misstep might reveal their identities. Meanwhile, Yan Chang was actually talking about the young man who had hurriedly left the boat. Zhou Feng hesitated for a moment, lowering his head and murmuring, “I wouldn’t dare.”
“Then hurry up and get lost.” Yan Chang abruptly swung his sleeve, sending the pearl-adorned forehead band flying out the window, where it spun in the air before plummeting into the river with a heavy splash.
Such a precious item, and without bringing joy to its owner, it fell with just a “plop.” Zhou Feng couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.
…
“It was just that thug who scratched my purse a moment ago. It’s nothing serious,” Ji Hong reassured the young man, feeling an inkling of concern as he looked up, only to see the window firmly shut. On the deck, there was only the commoner servant who had come to fetch Yu Jinnian, bowing to them from afar, explaining that the master was severely ill and had already rested.
Ji Hong had already checked the boat, confirming that its owner was indeed named Xia Yue, a tea merchant from the south. This man frequently traveled between Yunnan, Sichuan, and the East Sea and had a large family business. Everyone in the region knew about Xia Mingju, but this Mr. Xia had a peculiar temperament and was not easy to see.
“Shall we go?” Yu Jinnian asked.
“Yes, let’s head back,” Ji Hong said, glancing a few more times at the closed window. He then gently lowered his gaze, holding the young man’s hand as they walked back slowly. “Is there anything you want to eat? We can buy it on the way back.”
Yu Jinnian walked in an aimless manner, kicking a small stone by his feet and counting on his fingers, “Date paste pastries, chestnut cakes, apricot yellow cakes… I wonder if the strawberries have come in this spring; let’s buy some! Oh, just now on the boat, I heard someone selling roasted chicken. Where did they go?”
Ji Hong shook his head. “You need to be able to fit it all in your stomach; otherwise, you’ll turn into a little chubby one next year.” After chiding him lightly, he still wore a doting smile as he looked down, calling over Duan Ming to help buy whatever Yu Jinnian wanted.
From a distance, Yan Chang saw the two of them enter a roast chicken shop. Turning back to his own table, he noticed seven or eight dishes, including mountain delicacies and seafood, all cold and neglected, not even as enticing as a chicken leg worth a mere ten coins. He snorted, “Zhou Si!”
Zhou Feng rushed in, “Master, what do you command?”
Yan Chang returned to his desk, picking up the brush, only to find it was the one Yu Jinnian had used. He dejectedly set it down and took another gilded pen, lifting the official document without looking up. “Eat the dishes. Not a single one is to be left over. If you can’t finish, you’re not allowed to leave.”
Zhou Feng: “…”