“Those who knew, I was serving time in prison; those who did not, thought I was bearing a child.”
Unknowingly, the summer heat receded quietly like that. There was still some sun during the day, but the evening coolness was just right. It was precisely the season for the young ladies of each household to compare skirts and attire. Outside Kangnan City, there was a river course slanting toward the southeast, not wide and not very deep. Along its banks stretched a vast expanse of red smartweed and reeds.
At night, when the wind passed, it rustled, toppling a swath of them, all crimson, like a sea of blood.
A little girl of about seven or eight carried a basket, weaving back and forth in there. The reeds were taller than she was, so she parted them as she went, picking the red smartweed that was in full bloom. There was a folk remedy in the countryside, saying that if one plucked the red smartweed’s blossoms and boiled them for drinking, it would treat stomach pains—everyone, both young and old, knew this.
She had gone out to pick medicine for her sick father.
In the distance, a youth of eighteen or nineteen shouted at the top of his lungs, “Xiao Mei! Xiao Mei! Where are you?”
She jumped up and waved. “Hey! Brother, I’m here!”
The young man took three steps in two strides, bent forward, and jogged over. Xiao Mei was about to jump out to find him, but he shoved her back into the flowers. “Get down!”
A rapid string of hoofbeats came from afar. At first, it sounded like just one or two travelers on the road. After a moment, Xiao Mei felt as if even the earth was humming and vibrating, as though some colossal creature was rolling across the land. Frightened, she buried her head in her brother’s arms.
She asked tremblingly, “W-what is it?”
The youth held her. “They were soldiers crossing the river here. Hide and do not move.”
The horses’ hooves stepped into the river, splashing for a while, yet it was all very orderly—these were not ordinary soldiers. Cloth was wrapped around the horses’ hooves, making them seem like ghost troops passing by. Once they were out of the river, they vanished in silence. The sound continued for a good while before slowly dying down. The siblings’ legs had gone numb from crouching. They stood up and blinked, seeing that a large patch of the red smartweed by the river had been trampled flat. Far in the distance, they could glimpse the dark mass of the army’s rear.
The youth scooped his sister up and entered their home. Father and Mother also stood up anxiously, asking what happened. He bolted the wooden door from inside, sat down, and took a sip of water. “They were from the mountains. Do not wander around for now—trouble is coming.”
……
Generals from various places came, gathering in Chunan City.
That evening, the small kitchen prepared some wine and dishes, ostensibly to welcome the supervisory officials and the generals, and also to serve as a war mobilization gathering. After this meal, the next day would be a matter of life and death—whether one returned wrapped in a horse’s hide or rose in rank would be up to fate.
In reality, both sides ate absentmindedly.
Vice General Wei, eyes like bronze bells, glared daggers at Lian Zhi at the main seat, fearing that if he looked away for a moment, Lian Zhi would slip poison into Min Zhi’s cup. The little eunuchs under Lian Zhi’s command were likewise on guard, ready at any time in case those rough men upended the table and caused trouble.
General Min and Supervisor Lian were at arm’s length, exchanging cups.
They thought back to the afternoon. The two had sneaked away from their subordinates to a prepared room to change clothes and rest. Though both remembered that they still had a welcome banquet to attend that night, with the other right in front of them, they could not resist doing something, so they fooled around a bit. Actually, they did nothing too improper—first, Lian Zhi had thin skin, and at just a touch he would blush red in the face; second, Min Xuefei still had some gentlemanly restraint, unwilling to do anything wanton in broad daylight.
So all he did was pull him into his arms, kiss and hug, pressing nose to nose and eye to eye for some affectionate closeness. Min Xuefei was not as naive as Ji Hong. He had once skimmed a couple of risque books with the noble youths in the capital. Though he had no practical experience, he was not entirely ignorant. Holding Lian Zhi in his arms then, catching the strong whiff of sandalwood on his official robes, he could not help himself and slipped his hand inside.
He only rubbed a place that was not crucial, but it brought tears to Lian Zhi’s eyes. He looked at Min Xuefei, trembling, too afraid to speak.
Min Xuefei thought that meant he was unwilling and tried to withdraw his hand. Yet Lian Zhi grew anxious, wrapping both arms around Min Xuefei’s neck, seizing his wrist, and pressing it back. He still said nothing, only lay on Min Xuefei’s shoulder, humming softly.
Seeing him keep his lips stubbornly sealed, refusing to speak, Min Xuefei sighed in mock frustration, “Since you remain silent, then you must be uncomfortable, and I have offended you.”
Lian Zhi lifted his head and blinked anxiously. After much internal struggle, he finally murmured in a voice soft as a mosquito’s buzz, “It felt good, it felt good…” He watched the man in front of him with care, afraid he was angry, then rubbed against his ear, whispering, “Xuefei…”
Actually, as a eunuch, he did not really know how to define pleasure. But as long as Min Xuefei got close, touching here, rubbing there, he felt it was comfortable.
He was so soft that Min Xuefei could no longer fake composure and could not help but laugh. “That’s all it took to feel good? Such a delicate one.”
……
Snapping back to the present, the kitchen brought out a dish of Purple Magnolia Cake, said to be from the young master’s pastry notes: using eggs, purple taro, sugar, and glutinous rice kneaded into dough, shaped into a budding purple magnolia. Inside the “bud” was a pre-made milk pudding, and for the “stamen,” they sprinkled some finely cut rose petals. When eating, one first scooped out the milk pudding with a spoon and then ate the outer glutinous layer, which was fragrant and sweet.
“This one was indeed quite dainty. Supervisor, try it.” Min Xuefei took one and placed it on Lian Zhi’s table. Lian Zhi had removed his official robes and changed into his little embroidered shirt, appearing younger and more fetching. Though he was talking about the Purple Magnolia Cake, he truly meant the person in front of him. As he left, he discreetly pinched him under his sleeve, “I heard that magnolias also sometimes bloom as twin flowers on one stem, but I fear the season might be too late now—those blossoms must have already fallen.”
Lian Zhi’s eyes turned slightly red. He knew that he was using that “delicate” remark to tease him, yet with so many people around, Lian Zhi could not say anything, so he had to accept it and return another toast. “General Min, taste this wine; it also had a unique flavor.”
He was only worried that Min Xuefei’s little actions would be noticed by others and did not notice his own sleeve dipping into the wine cup. Min Xuefei did not remind him. He naturally accepted Lian Zhi’s toast and lightly placed it to his lips to drink. “Indeed, it was good, with a gentle sandalwood aroma.”
Below, everyone was gnashing their teeth. Wei He and the others lowered their heads, muttering resentfully. That eunuch had such a filthy reputation. Back in the capital, they did not know what trick he had used, nearly ruining the reputation of the young master of the Min family! And now, he even made the commander of the entire army drink that dirty wine soaked in the corner of his sleeve. He was using such vile methods to humiliate others—how arrogant that eunuch was!
It was lamentable that their own general, forced by overall circumstances, could only swallow it in silence. Had these adjutants not been so useless all along, they might have found a chance on the way to dispose of that eunuch. Otherwise, how could they have allowed him to arrive in Chunan City alive?
Meanwhile, the little eunuchs who had come along to serve Lian Zhi were even more observant. They were all cunning at heart and immediately felt that this son of the Min family was deeply scheming. Listen to what he said—everyone knew that the name of the young supervisor Lian originated from the auspicious phrase “two blossoms on one lotus branch,” yet he had mentioned something about “the flowers should have already fallen.” Perhaps he was hinting that the young supervisor should “fall” as well?
In one room, all seemed cordial on the surface with the clinking of cups, but secretly everyone competed, as though a silent power struggle had begun. Only the two at the main seat were truly dining, yet they were fully aware of what was going on below: who truly protected their master and who was stirring muddy waters. They saw it all clearly.
Min Xuefei raised a cup, inviting Lian Zhi to drink with him. In truth, he was speaking softly in his sleeve, “Why did I not see Fusheng come with you?” Fusheng was Lian Zhi’s close confidant who stayed by his side and best understood his thoughts. If Fusheng had been here today, at least Lian Zhi would have had someone to help him.
Lian Zhi spoke in a low voice, “There had to be eyes and ears left in the palace. If I brought all my capable people here, would the palace not become blind and deaf?”
That made sense.
Min Xuefei smiled slightly. “Young Supervisor Lian, please.”
Lian Zhi also said, “General Min, please.”
Lian Zhi glanced around, as if mentioning casually, “Why do I not see Lord Ji?”
Finally, he had touched on business! Below, Wei He and the others immediately perked up their ears, listening carefully. The capital was already in chaos because of rumors of heavenly wrath. The palace was even more anxious. Earlier, it had been said that the imperial concubine who had long enjoyed favor was sent to the cold palace. The Li Guogong Residence was guarded by multiple layers of soldiers. There were also rumors of an imperial decree that would imprison the heir of the Ji family to appease heaven’s anger.
Judging from this, that decree was likely with Lian Zhi! Tonight would not be peaceful!
Min Xuefei remained unflinching, even the curve of his lips unchanged. “Shuluan was always weak in health. He felt that he had not carried out his epidemic control duties properly, so he had spent the last few days shut away to reflect. If the young supervisor wishes to see him, wait until he wakes tomorrow and summon him.”
“I was only asking.” Lian Zhi had just eaten a Purple Magnolia Cake. He reached out to take another one, but for some reason, his brows knit slightly, and he withdrew his hand, picking up the wine instead. “General Min, please drink again.”
Min Xuefei said, “Young Supervisor Lian, you please drink as well.”
Seeing Min Xuefei’s smile looking so insincere, and that the eunuch merely raised the wine cup to his lips before placing it down (truly not drinking it), the adjutants were all the more furious in their hearts. They felt it would only be harder now to act against him later. They secretly cursed why that eunuch had not choked to death after one sip!
Thus, you invited me, and I invited you. By the end of the banquet, the two lords were merely slightly tipsy, while those below were so drunk that they were stumbling about. A bunch of military men, once drunk, almost rushed to the hall to point at Lian Zhi’s nose and curse, if not for the soldiers blocking them.
Lian Zhi and Min Xuefei both calmly rose and led their people back to their respective courtyards.
Late into the night, even the gatekeepers were drowsy. Lian Zhi dismissed all the serving eunuchs and prepared hot water by himself. As soon as he pulled his socks off, he heard the back window squeak, and a black shadow flipped inside. Startled, Lian Zhi’s hand instantly went to the dagger beneath his pillow, but before he could draw it, he was grabbed.
A soft laugh came from the intruder. “Do not be afraid.”
Lian Zhi recognized the voice and let the strength in his hand go slack. “You came here in the middle of the night for what?”
“If you do not want me here, I will go back.”
Saying this, he really started to leave. Lian Zhi hastily tugged his sleeve and mumbled in a low voice, “Now that you have come, you may stay.”
Only then was Min Xuefei delighted. He turned and retrieved a food box from beneath the window, taking out several small dishes and placing them on the low table before Lian Zhi’s bed. “You did not eat much this evening. Was the food here not to your liking? I asked the kitchen to make a few Summer-Capital dishes and also got a plate of Purple Magnolia Cakes, all brought here for you.” He lifted those delicate flower-bud-like pastries and placed them in front of Lian Zhi. “I saw that you liked them—why did you not eat a few more at the banquet?”
Holding the plate, Lian Zhi gazed at them with delight in his eyes, though he muttered, “I did not especially like them.”
“Then just treat them as a casual late-night snack.” Min Xuefei saw the copper basin on the footrest still steaming. His feet were bare, so Min Xuefei rolled up his sleeves and pulled Lian Zhi’s feet into the basin, scooping water onto his insteps.
“What are you doing!” Lian Zhi was caught off guard by such favor. He felt both shame and that this was a humiliation. “With your status, how could you do these things? Get up.”
Min Xuefei grasped his foot, which he tried to withdraw, holding it in his hand. “What status do I have? Even someone like Ji Shuluan, a young master of a noble titled family, had to serve the little divine physician by washing his face before bed.”
Lian Zhi instinctively curled his toes. “That was different…” he muttered, “I am a eunuch.”
Min Xuefei did not mind. “I am merely a part of the eunuch faction.”
“…Xuefei!” Lian Zhi hurriedly covered his mouth and glanced around. “Walls had ears.”
Min Xuefei lifted his eyes to look at him, then stuck out his tongue to lick his palm, startling Lian Zhi into a cry. His ankle jerked and kicked straight into the man’s chest. Min Xuefei went along with it, gathering up the water Lian Zhi had splashed, then bent his knee onto the couch, pressing Lian Zhi into the corner. Once there was truly no way out, he lazily teased those thin lips.
The young eunuch’s ears burned red at his teasing. With both hands clutching the front of his robe, his clam-like lips stayed tightly pursed yet slowly opened and closed.
He had little experience. This alone already satisfied him, leaving him dazed enough to nearly forget the important matter at hand.
Lian Zhi pushed him and asked softly, “I carried the decree to send someone to prison. When should we announce it?”
Min Xuefei said, “Let’s wait until after tomorrow. The little divine physician loved those festival days. Let them make a commotion.”
Lian Zhi counted the days and came to a realization. “Indeed, it had to be after tomorrow.” Lowering his head, he noticed his own robe was wide open and sobered a bit. He jerked himself out from under Min Xuefei’s arm and hurriedly shooed him away, “You should leave now. If the servants come in later and see you, that wouldn’t be good.”
Just then, a little eunuch outside heard the commotion and knocked on the door. “Young Supervisor, what happened? Did something go wrong? This courtyard is strange, so you must be careful, Young Supervisor.”
“It’s nothing—just a rat that scurried by. It’s dealt with. You may all go and rest now; no need to keep watch here.” Lian Zhi tucked Min Xuefei under the bedding. Only when he heard no more sounds outside for a good while did he finally pull him out again. “Hurry and leave, and take the food box with you.”
Min Xuefei went out the same way he came in. Forced out by Lian Zhi, he reluctantly carried the now-empty container back to his own courtyard. Halfway there, he suddenly halted and muttered in annoyance, “Why did this feel like an illicit affair…”
——
By early morning the next day, there were more travelers passing through Chunan City. Children also came out to play. Yu Jinnian lounged listlessly in bed and heard someone outside the back window hawking carved flower melons. People carved all sorts of auspicious patterns onto melons and fruits, then sold them. It was the ‘flower melon’ of the seventh day of the seventh month, well loved by women and children alike.
Only then did he suddenly remember that it was already the seventh day of the month.
Because rumors had been rampant recently, and Chunan had just undergone a catastrophe and was in the process of recovery, the Qiqiao Festival this year was much more subdued. In past years, the Qiqiao market would open on the first day, but now it was only when the sun was high that some people pushed their stalls out. If not for the peddlers calling their wares through the streets, Yu Jinnian might have slept until evening before realizing.
Lian Zhi and others went to the yamen to discuss military affairs, and Ji Hong was also summoned, so Yu Jinnian did not want to disturb them. He got out of bed and strolled to the clinic to check Jing Zhong’s wound, kept busy for a while, and then returned to the kitchen to make some Xiaoyaner and sweet fried dough fruit. It was a pity that this year, Sui Sui, Qing Huan and the others were not with him. Qiqiao Festival was originally beloved by young girls, and without them, much of the fun was missing.
He used honey, oil, flour, milk, and sesame, kneaded them into dough, then placed it near the stove to let it rise a bit in the warmth. With a mold, he pressed out patterns of tuan-hua, brocade carp, golden lotus, and concentric diamonds, all auspicious shapes. Then he fried them in oil until golden. Arranged on a plate, these various shaped pastries were called Xiaoyaner or Qiao-bo-bo.
Alternatively, he kneaded sugar-oil dough, pinched it into something about the size of a round dumpling, and dipped it once in hot sugar syrup. He then skewered them on a bamboo stick, like candied hawthorn, and they became children’s favorite sugar fried dough fruit.
He made many Qiqiao pastries and asked for them to be distributed among the soldiers, hoping to add a bit of joy—this was their last lively festival before marching to war, and everyone should enjoy it happily.
Once those in the yamen finished talking, the group loyal to Min Xuefei all wore sullen expressions, while the eunuchs who came with Lian Zhi looked refreshed. The moment they stepped outside, they saw Yu Jinnian and some junior adjutants squatting by the door, eating pastries.
They had just been arguing heatedly inside, yet those people had already been won over by a few pastries from that youth. On the battlefield, who knew how many times one could have been poisoned like this! Min Xuefei was filled with anger but had nowhere to vent it, so he had to keep smiling. “Right before a major battle, how could you be this idle? Hurry and get back to your drills!”
“Len—” Yu Jinnian got up, a basket of Xiaoyaner hanging from the crook of his elbow. Seeing Lian Zhi in his crimson and purple official robes, he hurriedly changed how he addressed him and smiled as he held out a skewer of sugar fried dough fruit. “Lord Lian, you taste one too? Xiaoyaner and sugar fried dough fruit, they are sweet.”
The eunuchs snorted through their noses at the items in Yu Jinnian’s basket and sneered, “What sort of shabby thing is this, bringing it before our young supervisor?” Lian Zhi looked slightly apologetic, but because every movement was being watched, he could not say anything. He flicked his sleeve and left with his people.
Yu Jinnian paid them no mind and glanced at those who came out, noticing Ji Hong was absent. “Where is Ah Hong?”
Min Xuefei said, “I’m sorry, little divine physician. We originally planned to wait until after today, but someone suddenly forced our hand…” He turned slightly to reveal a half-open door behind him. A little eunuch stood there with his head lowered. Seeing Yu Jinnian look over, he bowed his head even further.
Inside the dimly lit room, a tall man in white robes held a thin yellow decree, turned, and smiled at him. The early autumn breeze stirred his snow-white garment, lifting its hem and revealing the dark, bruised chain around his ankle. When the wind died, that vicious chain was hidden again.
Yu Jinnian’s heart sank. He ran in and tugged up the hem of Ji Hong’s robe for a look, crouched down and touched it, asking with concern, “Is it heavy?”
Ji Hong replied, “It’s not heavy.”
“How about your hands?” He lifted Ji Hong’s sleeve to check.
“There are none,” Ji Hong moved his undamaged wrist for him to see and said, “They gave me this as a courtesy.”
Min Xuefei came over and said, “No need for a proper prison. We could just keep someone guarding. Only, it was a pity about this Qiqiao Festival—going forward, you might not be able to go out again.” He glanced back at the little eunuch standing by the door, the one responsible for watching Ji Hong, and said to Yu Jinnian in a low voice, “Don’t worry. He’s Lian Zhi’s man.”
“My family’s delicate one—please look after him.” Yu Jinnian pulled out some silver coins from his sleeve and stuffed them into his hand.
“I wouldn’t dare,” the little eunuch lowered his eyes as he took the money, speaking timidly, “My name is Wu Ji. Greetings to the little divine physician.”
Yu Jinnian turned to support Ji Hong and walked away slowly. From the outside, one could hardly tell he wore shackles underneath. Only that chain dragged against the ground, clattering shrilly. The adjutants at the door assumed Ji Hong had been framed, unaware he had volunteered for this. Seeing him in such a state, they could not stomach any more festival pastries and silently watched him leave.
Time in heaven passed in a blink, while the mortal dream lay beyond the west wind.
Remembering this time last year, how lively Xing’an County had been, now he was made a prisoner. Fortunately, Wu Ji, who supervised them, was broad-minded and never made things difficult. He only watched to ensure Ji Hong did not wander off. As for the youth going in and out, Wu Ji merely turned a blind eye.
Since he could not go outside, Yu Jinnian brought all that was fun and tasty inside. The room had a red-clay stove, and they sliced thin meat to roast. He also cooked red-bean dumplings and paired them with the fried Xiaoyaner from before, then warmed a pot of light wine. The two sat close by the table, talking as they ate.
Yu Jinnian fed him slices of meat dipped in sauce, as though Ji Hong’s hands were shackled too.
Ji Hong said with resignation, “Those who knew, I was serving time in prison; those who did not, might have thought I was bearing a child.”
“If you wanted to bear a child, you’d have to have that skill.” Yu Jinnian bent down to touch the heavy lock on his ankle. It was a hefty piece of old iron, the lock mouth rusty. One could only guess how many people it had clapped before. “Is it heavy? Put it on my foot. I’ll find an old cloth to wrap it so it won’t scrape your skin.”
A red homing pigeon rushed into the courtyard and landed on the old locust tree. It cooed. Duan Ming heard it, jumped up the tree to catch it, and took the letter off its leg, scanning the page before burning it at once.
He quickly went to the door and, after greeting the little eunuch standing guard, handed him some coins. Without entering, he stood under the porch, speaking through the half-open window in cryptic words. “Heir, the thing in the mountains has emerged.”
“It’s time,” Ji Hong nodded. “Let Xuefei and the others know as well.”
Duan Ming hurried off.
Snapping back, Ji Hong surveyed the dishes on the table and the endless variety of things Yu Jinnian fished out of his sleeve as though from a bottomless pit, leaving him momentarily speechless. “…You’ve gone to so much trouble.”
Yu Jinnian carefully wrapped his ankle with a thick, soft cloth, padding it between the iron and his skin so that cold, hard metal could not bruise his bones. Only then did he say, “If you really can catch Yan Chang and deliver him to the Summer Capital to admit guilt, I can truly feel at ease.”
“It’s only a matter of time,” Ji Hong said. He paused and added, “We’ll also settle the score for Aunt Lian’s grievance for you.”
Yu Jinnian looked at him. “It’s certain he did it? Do we have evidence?”
Ji Hong said, “Close enough. Once we seize him, a round of questioning will tell.”
Duan Ming ran to find Min Xuefei, only to see that his place was heavily guarded by Wei He and his men. A mouse could not have slipped inside. Duan Ming had no choice but to pass the same words on to Wei He, who was stationed there, asking him to convey them.
Within the bedroom, behind the curtains, Min Xuefei heard and nodded. “Got it. Pass the word: we’ll rest three days, then break camp and set off.”
As the man turned to leave, Min Xuefei gave another command, “Lian Zhi has probably gone to bed by now; don’t bother going. No need to bring him water or food either.”
Wei He assumed he wanted to deal with that eunuch at last. He blurted out passionately, “Exactly! Just drag that eunuch out to teach him a lesson! After we clean out those mud-footed types under him, let’s see what that neither-male-nor-female dog can rely on. Here in Jiangnan, far from the emperor, not even his ancestors could save him. That little castrate would be at your mercy, General! Then we can lock him in a cell…”
Min Xuefei cut him off, “Enough. Tell the kitchen to bring some boiled milk. Then you can all take a rest.”
“Huh? Boiled milk?” Wei He was puzzled. “When did you grow fond of such sweet, gamey stuff?”
Min Xuefei looked at the person under the covers, whose face was red as if painted with rouge, and said impatiently, “Go and do it if I tell you. Why all these questions?”
Wei He withdrew in confusion, then ran to the kitchen to arrange for some milk soup. How could he have known that the eunuch he had just been happily cursing now lay in his own general’s bed? There was no need to wait until later—at present, that famed eunuch was already at Min Zhi’s mercy.
Min Xuefei pinched his cheek. “You heard him—he said he wanted to clip your wings and lock you in prison. Are you afraid? When that time comes, the jail will be pitch-black, no one in sight but me. I’m a man who hides knives behind his smiles and honeyed words. I can torture you as I please, starve you, strip you, and force you to beg me.”
Lian Zhi curled limply into his arms. “What a wonderful thing that would be…”
Right before the army went forth, Min Xuefei was actually amused by his silly remark.