I just went to have some tea.
Yu Jinnian held his wine cup, then turned his head to look at these two people.
Yu Xu showed an embarrassed expression, and for a long time could not utter a single word. After Min Mao used the tip of his fan to jab Yu Xu’s back a few times, urging him to confess quickly, he then stammered and said, “They harmed me. I—I did not want to go by myself. They tricked me and said it was a fun place to go…”
He sobbed and raised his head to look. Seeing that Yu Jinnian did not respond either warmly or coldly, he then crawled sideways a bit, grabbed a piece of snowy-white clothing at the side, and cried in a low voice, “Shizi, it really was not that I wanted to go. Please believe me…”
Ji Hong took a half step back and pulled the hem of his garment out of Yu Xu’s hand.
Min Mao plopped down onto the stool opposite Yu Jinnian, reached out to grab the colorful pine cake on the table to eat, and got his hand slapped loudly on the back by Yu Jinnian, who scolded him for not washing his hands before picking up food. He asked if Min Mao was not afraid of having worms grow in his stomach. Min Mao grinned, took the wet towel the young attendant presented, hurriedly wiped his hands, and then obediently picked up his chopsticks to take some food. He said “mm, mm” through his mouth as he spoke, “Now you think of looking for someone to rescue you, yet earlier you were still so arrogant, mm!”
Yu Jinnian rubbed his temples, took a small sip of his wine, and asked, “What exactly happened? Could it be explained clearly?” He looked at Yu Xu and tapped his fingertip on the tabletop, “Yu Xu, you tell me yourself.”
Yu Xu drooped his head, weeping continuously as though he had suffered enormous injustice. This set of clothing he wore was also something Yu Jinnian had never seen before. Judging by the material, it was not inferior to what Min Mao wore. Only now did Yu Jinnian recall that this lad had previously mentioned that his clothes did not fit, wanting to make a new set. At that time, Yu Jinnian had been busy running east and west, having no time to bother about Yu Xu, and just waved his hand casually to let him go and draw from the storehouse.
That storehouse was Yu Jinnian’s personal small treasury. Now, he indeed had a stable income. For these daily small expenses, he never reached out to Ji Hong for money. But ever since he came to Xiajing fooling around with Ji Hong, he spent money rather wantonly, so he had not asked recently how much he had earned or spent. It all depended on Qing Huan to manage it. Now, upon seeing the fabric on Yu Xu’s body, he suddenly remembered this matter.
He sized Yu Xu up and said, “What happened to your face? Were you beaten?”
Yu Xu kept his head down, not looking at him, mumbling something indistinct. Min Mao, having eaten his fill, picked up the conversation and sneered “tsk, tsk” with a sour laugh, “Is that not so? Just ask around in those alleys of East City and West Lane, who did not know about our Second Master Yu? He was the new favorite in Doujin Tower.”
Yu Jinnian frowned slightly: “Doujin Tower?”
Min Mao lay prone on the table, still recalling that sip of cherry sweet wine just now. Its taste was not at all inferior to the ones in the grand taverns. As he was about to reach for it, the wine pot was pressed down by a hand: “If he does not speak, you speak. Otherwise, do not think about drinking even one mouthful of my wine. Which Doujin Tower?” Only then did he sigh and secretly roll his eyes at Yu Xu. Crossing one leg over the other, he said, “What other place? The Doujin Tower on General Street! If it were not for me being dragged over to play by that group of aristocratic young masters and just happening to run into him, then today, your little cousin’s hand would have been chopped off by someone as an appetizer!”
The two great money-burning pits of Xiajing—Honglou Lüguan in East Third Alley, and Doujin Tower on General Street. The former had singing and dancing prosperously, and the latter was lavishly decorated with gold and silver. Both were equally blind to how they swallowed money. Especially Doujin Tower, which was like a Pi Xiu, only taking in and never letting out. Doujin Tower claimed outwardly to be a chess and tea house, but it was merely a gambling den decorated with chess and tea as a façade. Once such a vice became entangled with great noble families, it turned into refined gambling. Pampered offspring gathered in groups for fun and mischief, enjoying it endlessly.
It was said that General Street dated back to the old affairs of the former dynasty. It was said that after a certain general returned victorious, he received a noble title and established a new residence here, thus giving the place the name General Street. At that time, it still carried an air of righteousness. Yet as years passed, the general’s residence vanished, and this General Street gradually declined and turned into a gathering place of the lowest of the low. No matter how gorgeously it was decorated, in the end, it was still something that could not be presented in polite society. Countless people had lost their families and suffered separated wives and children there, yet they still remained stubbornly obsessed.
Min Mao had no lofty ambitions and frolicked through life, so naturally, he had a few disreputable friends who liked this pastime and regularly mingled in Doujin Tower. However, by reason, such a matter should have had nothing to do with anyone from the Yu household. First, Yu Jinnian did not allow the people of the household to get involved in these messy affairs. If they felt life was dull, he had thousands of kinds of games in his belly. Any one of them could entertain everyone for a month or two. Secondly, there were not many people in the residence, so during festivals, they were frequently given bonus money, each person having their share. There was no need to get involved with the bad luck of Doujin Tower.
Yu Jinnian felt his heart sink. He lowered his head to look at Yu Xu and said, “You went to gamble? Where did you get the money?”
Min Mao stepped aside gleefully, not fearing the commotion getting bigger. He did not feel that he was extra here anyway since Yu Xu had been caught by him. The fact that this lad could still stand safe and sound in front of Yu Jinnian now was all due to Min Mao’s big face that allowed him to speak a few words with Doujin Tower’s manager.
Yu Xu, dressed in fine clothes, all wrinkled, with swollen corners of his mouth, obviously had suffered some hardships. Even so, he did not feel he was at fault. Seeing his gambling exposed, he immediately put on a pitiful look and avoided the main point while crying miserably, “I was idle and bored, so I went out for a walk. Those noble young masters said they would take me to have some fun, so I went… I thought it was just watching chess…”
Min Mao, being no help at all, chimed in again, “Exactly, just watching chess! But your betting hand was more nimble than that melon head on your neck!”
“Melon head” was slang referring to the head. Min Mao was a small-time hedonist, but he also served as the eyes and ears for the Min family mingling among the common populace. Rumors in the capital always started among such people first. It was perfectly normal for him to know some lowbrow jargon. Yu Xu obviously understood and knew that he was being insulted, secretly glaring at him.
Noticing Ji Hong’s gaze, Yu Xu immediately cried, “I saw them all giving money. I thought it was a custom for having tea, so I also gave a little. Who knew those people would hold me down and want to chop off my finger. I—I did not know anything…”
These few sentences were disconnected nonsense, and no ordinary person would believe them. However, if Yu Xu’s own parents were here, they would probably have softened their hearts right after his first few sobbing pleas.
Yu Jinnian already felt some unresolved confusion in his heart. At this moment, he pressed his forehead in distress. Meanwhile, Qing Huan, having good sense, had already brought the ledger of his small treasury over and handed it to him for review. He took it and flipped through a few pages. In the beginning, the expenditures were just a few taels here and there. Later, perhaps because Yu Xu saw that no one questioned him, he became more and more daring, spending more and more, until two days ago, there suddenly appeared a large expense.
Qing Huan apologized softly, “I intended to tell you, Young Master Nian, but seeing you so busy, I delayed it for two days.”
Indeed, Yu Jinnian had been so busy that he regarded Yu Xu as a destitute little cousin. Even if his temperament was not that good, at most it would just be small antics. He never expected that by neglecting him like this, Yu Xu would create such a big mess. Yu Jinnian suddenly flung the ledger onto Yu Xu, “See for yourself!”
Yu Xu picked it up and flipped through it, speaking incoherently, “This is not…”
He was just speaking when the doorman led in another middle-aged man, whose figure was thin and long like a bamboo pole, yet whose face was extremely round. When he opened his mouth, both eyeballs spun around swiftly—a truly shrewd appearance. After entering Tingyue Residence, he first swept his gaze over everyone, spotted Yu Xu sitting on the floor, and then fixed his sight on the Shizi’s feet and gave a deep bow, saying respectfully, “Young Masters.”
Yu Jinnian frowned, “You are…”
The middle-aged man rubbed his hands and said with a cheerful smile, “I am from Doujin Tower. For the past few days, your family’s Master Yu had been having fun in our building. Perhaps he left in a hurry and did not settle some accounts.” He narrowed his eyes and glanced at Yu Jinnian. “I run a small business and never give credit, but it is said everywhere that Young Master Yu is today’s divine doctor and bodhisattva. A relative of mine had also asked you to see a patient. This young Master Yu said he was your own younger brother and that he lived in Jinyouting. We thought that since he belonged to Young Divine Doctor Yu’s household, he was an honored person, so we gave him credit. Now, even though Master Min took him away, as for the account…”
Alright then, after all that talking, this was someone coming to the door to press for a debt.
Yu Jinnian picked up the plate that had been emptied by Min Mao and threw it into Yu Xu’s arms, angrily saying, “Such a good thing you did!” It would have been fine if he only gambled, but he even gambled under Jinyouting’s name!
Yu Xu was caught off guard and got hit in the chest by the plate, but he did not dare to lash out. He only lowered his head and dodged to one side, trembling as he looked at the two of them, still struggling weakly, “I did not know what you were talking about. I just went to have some tea!”
That middle-aged man was also very perceptive. He immediately smiled and said, “Yes, yes, yes, Young Master Yu only came to have some tea at our place. Then regarding this tea money……” As he spoke, he took out a ledger page from his bosom and handed it to the young attendant at his side, who then passed it to Ji Hong to read. Yu Jinnian glanced askance at the characters on it and instantly became furious. If not for the presence of outsiders, he would have already grabbed Yu Xu and given him a good beating.
Jinyouting was under Ji Hong’s name. There was absolutely no reason to renege on a debt. Otherwise, the gossip would be unpleasant. Yu Jinnian had just planned to admit defeat, settle the gambling debt first, and then properly deal with this little gambler later. His hand had only just reached into his silver pouch when he heard that Doujin Tower man chuckle and say, “The Shizi truly cared for both young masters. These two brothers were originally of one branch, and now they still served the same master. The young masters were truly fortunate.”
At first glance, these words seemed harmless, but the more one savored them, the more they sounded sarcastic. Yu Jinnian’s hand shrank back. He suddenly changed his mind, stood up, put his arm around that middle-aged man’s shoulders, and strolled to one side, avoiding the others. He said softly with a smile, “This…… steward, to be honest, I currently did not have enough silver on hand. However, since you knew the Shizi cared for me, then please grant me a few days’ grace. Once I have gathered enough, I will certainly deliver it to Doujin Tower within seven days.”
The middle-aged man gave a hollow laugh and said, “Young Master Yu, this would not be according to the rules!”
“What rules or no rules, no matter how urgently you collect this debt, you still have to turn it in above. How much of a cut could you get for yourself?” Yu Jinnian fished a few small gold beads out of his money pouch and stuffed them into his hand. Then, with meaningful intent, he glanced toward Ji Hong’s direction, “It was hard work for the steward to come all this way today. Take these to have a drink. After seven days, the account would naturally be delivered in full to you.”
That steward saw him and the Ji family’s young master exchanging glances, and he immediately understood. He secretly thought that the rumors in the streets were indeed true. Those young masters all said that the Guogong household’s Shizi was bewitched, his soul hooked by a young doctor. Before, he had not believed it, because what kind of place was the Guogong Manor? They wore gold and purple, rang bells, and feasted on delicacies. Their nobility was so exalted that it was as though they wished to eat pearls and swallow jade.
Until that Yu Xu claimed to be a person from Jinyouting, hinting at a deep relationship with the master of Jinyouting, and squandered money lavishly in Doujin Tower, he then became slightly swayed. He took advantage of the errand of demanding payment to probe the truth.
The master of Jinyouting—was that not indeed someone from the Guogong household? It was said that the Ji family was currently in a formidable position. Although they were only a gambling house, they had managed to operate safely all these years, entirely relying on the protection of the prominent officials and noble families who came and went. If they could gain another backer with the surname Ji, would that not be even better! Even if they had to waive this account this time, it would still be worth it, treating it as paying protection money.
As the steward’s eyes rolled, he immediately had an idea. He accepted the gold beads Yu Jinnian gave him with an embarrassed smile, tucked them into his collar, bowed and offered a few flattering words, insincerely made a seven-day agreement with him, then turned around and bowed to Ji Hong, “Then, seven days later, this humble one would prepare tea at Doujin Tower and await the arrival of you young masters.” After that, he glanced at Yu Xu and followed the doorman out.
Yu Jinnian turned around and saw Yu Xu becoming terrified upon hearing that he would be tormented for “seven days.” Yu Xu was now hugging Ji Hong’s calf and crying, trembling with fear. Anger rose in Yu Jinnian’s heart. He walked over and kicked him hard on the back. Although he actually did not use much strength, the intimidation was substantial. That boy curled up like a chick, crawling on his knees to hide behind Ji Hong, his eyes full of tears, pitiful.
However, Yu Jinnian did not fall for that trick. He immediately dragged him out and angrily questioned, “Who allowed you to go out and swagger under Jinyouting’s name?”
“I did not……” Yu Xu shrank his neck, seeming still fearful, his small face turning pale with fright, “It was them. They asked me where I lived, and I just casually said it was here. I never said it was Jinyouting, truly I did not! Brother Nian, Shizi, please believe me, believe me.”
Yu Jinnian threw him aside. Yu Xu clung on again, “Brother Nian, what is ‘seven days’? I already knew I was wrong, help me, please!”
Previously, when he struggled and wrestled with others in Doujin Tower, the thin silk clothing he wore had already been torn. Now, after this round of rolling on the ground, the thin silk clothes could not withstand it and split apart. Yu Jinnian lowered his head and looked at him, noticing that his back was also covered in bruises of blue and red. A thought came to Yu Jinnian’s mind. He used his sleeve to wipe the tears off Yu Xu’s chin and turned around to instruct the young attendants in Yu Xu’s courtyard, “What are you standing there for, help your master back and apply some medicine.”
Yu Xu’s eyes suddenly gleamed brightly, calling Brother Nian sweetly at every word.
Everyone had long been fed up with Yu Xu’s torment these days. Now that someone from Doujin Tower had come to stir trouble, they were happy to watch Yu Xu get disciplined. Who would have thought Yu Jinnian would still let someone serve him well. The two attendants secretly curled their lips but could only unwillingly each hold one of Yu Xu’s arms and carry him back. As soon as they entered the room, they threw him onto the couch, then disdainfully rubbed their hands on their clothes and spat softly, “Hmph, a small man intoxicated by success.”
Yu Xu had just been in so much pain that he grimaced, but now he could actually fight back. Hearing this, he suddenly sprang up and grabbed at the attendant’s face, speaking insolently, “Are you cursing your father! I am the master, you are the grandson. If you have the ability, you should become someone’s own younger brother! You are just a servant, still not crawling out on your belly!”
That attendant dodged nimbly, narrowly avoiding having his face scratched, though his neck suffered, leaving a shallow red mark. Jinyouting had always been harmonious. He had been thankful that he served a kind-hearted master. Now, he was so angered by this inexplicable brat that he wanted to hit him. Yet, because Yu Jinnian protected Yu Xu, he could only endure it. Still, he could not help but complain softly, “He really was like a dog, biting anyone he met.”
“Ptui! Why talk so much with a dog, if he is vile, do you have to be vile too?” Another attendant snorted coldly, spat twice in self-mockery, and ignored Yu Xu’s rolling and whining on the couch. They turned around and walked out. They did not even intend to pour him a pot of water.
As the two walked, they muttered, “Tell me, our young master lacked nothing. Why did he have to keep such a thankless wretch?”
“Sigh.” One of them whispered in the other’s ear, gossiping, “I heard that the young master had lost his family early and lived a very bitter life before. It was not easy to finally have a relative come looking for him, so he probably cherished it very much.”
That was true. After all, he was his only kin. Wanting to be more tolerant was understandable.
After the two finished talking, they sighed in unison, feeling that Yu Xu’s arrogant days were far from over, and that they were in for more hardship. As they said this, they pushed the door open and unexpectedly saw Yu Jinnian outside with an unpleasant expression. The two were so startled that they both jumped. Their tongues were tied as they called out “Young Master” and hurriedly retreated to the side, guilty and avoiding eye contact, worried that Yu Jinnian had heard them scolding Yu Xu and would blame them.
Yu Jinnian held a bottle of medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing stasis in his hand, said nothing, and brushed past them.
When Yu Xu heard the door sound, he immediately became alert. He flipped over and lay down on the bed, tears welling up in his eyes instantly. In the short time it took for Yu Jinnian to walk from the outer room to the inner room, Yu Xu was already weeping like pear blossoms in the rain. His shoulders shook slightly, holding the pillow pitifully. When Yu Jinnian approached the bed, Yu Xu then raised his tearful eyes, sobbing and calling out, “Brother Nian……”
This obedient appearance, if Yu Jinnian had not already had doubts in his heart and just overheard their conversation outside the door, he might have been deceived by Yu Xu once again. Yu Jinnian sat on the bedside, lifted Yu Xu’s clothes, and saw those bruises as if caused by clubs. He then sprinkled the medicinal powder from the small bottle onto the bruises on his back and rubbed it. Following the marks downward, he lifted the already torn trouser leg.
Sure enough, at the hollow of his left leg, there was a small soybean-sized mole, precisely located in the soft center of the leg’s hollow.
That day in front of the Sanyu Building, the old vegetable seller had said that the one who robbed them of their hard-earned vegetable-selling money was a boy with a small mole in the hollow of his leg.