Imperial Guard Office.
At dusk, Lu Bing personally came to call his daughter for dinner. "It's time to eat. Official business piled on the desk won't fly away."
Recently, Lu Bing had been paying attention to health preservation, reminding his daughter to eat all three meals on time and forbidding her from staying up late, fearing she might ruin her health and follow in his footsteps.
"I'll be right there." Lu Ying set her brush on the brush rest. In the corner of Lu Bing's office was a paddle, clearly belonging to Wang Daxia. "That guy always leaves things lying around. He forgot to take his paddle when he went out this morning. I bet he'll forget again tomorrow. Who knows when he'll ever improve."
After all, Wang Daxia was her subordinate, and Lu Ying tended to be protective. Though she often lectured him, reducing the bold Daxia to a meek grandson, when her father criticized him, she felt compelled to defend him. She said:
"He saw Ding Wu reunite with his father Ding Rukui and got homesick. After rowing practice, he tossed his paddle aside and went home to see his father."
Lu Bing recalled the various scenes of "fatherly affection and filial piety" between Wang Commander and Wang Daxia, laughing, "If he never went home, I think Wang Commander might live a few more years."
Lu Ying defended him again, "How long a father lives isn't directly related to his children. It's determined by heaven. I'm filial enough, aren't I? Yet you still had a stroke."
Lu Bing's smile faded: That seemed to make sense. His own children were relatively well-behaved and never caused trouble, yet he had suffered a stroke. Wang Daxia had earned the notorious reputation of being one of the "Four Pests of the North City," yet Wang Commander remained in good health, never angered into illness, still leading night patrols at his age. Truly, it was heaven's will.
North City, Sweetwater Lane.
Wang Daxia rushed here anxiously. Summer days were long, and though it was evening, the sky hadn't yet darkened.
Having been away for over ten days, he found all the windows and doors of the Wei residence wide open, airing out the place. Mugwort and atractylodes were burning to dispel dampness and mildew, with two bundles of mugwort placed at the entrance in preparation for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Wang Dxia entered uninvited, not even bothering to knock. Dismounting his horse, he rushed straight into the house. The Arhat bed in the main hall was gone—it had been moved to the east wing. Wei Caiwei was standing on a chair, hanging a new, cloud-white mosquito net over the bed.
The Arhat bed was spread with a new cool mat, still damp with moisture, as if freshly wiped. Besides the mat, there was a rattan-woven cool pillow.
It was clearly prepared for Ding Wu to stay over—all brand new.
Wang Daxia's jealousy could have soured the entire ocean: That night I stayed here, I slept in the main hall without a mosquito net, without a cool mat, using a leftover pillow from Wei Caiwei, without even bedding—just a mosquito coil to get through the night.
"You startled me. So it's you." Wei Caiwei jumped down from the chair, adjusted the mosquito net, and secured it tightly to keep mosquitoes out.
Wang Daxia asked, "Why hasn't Ding Wu left yet? A lone man and a lone woman—are you really going to let him stay overnight?"
"Lord Lu said he'll leave the day after tomorrow, after the Dragon Boat Festival. It's a long journey; the escort needs a couple of days to rest." Wei Caiwei explained, "He's family. We lived together and grew up together in Tieling. I spent so much silver renting this house and have barely lived here myself. There are several rooms upstairs and downstairs—should I make him stay at an inn? Wouldn't that be a waste of my rent? You're being completely unreasonable."Wang Daxia held his breath and plopped down on the new reed mat of the Arhat bed. "Haven't we been getting along fine lately? Eating together, chatting well, no arguments. Why is it that the moment Ding Wu shows up, you start picking on me, finding fault with everything I do?"
Wei Caiwei was taken aback. Indeed, ever since she had placated Wang Daxia with a plate of grapes and a meal, they had been harmonious. Sometimes the atmosphere between them resembled that of their previous life as a Eunuch and Maid Pairing, yet it was entirely different. Without having undergone castration, Wang Daxia was lively and cheerful, his smile bright and sunny. After castration, he rarely smiled, and when he occasionally did, there was always a shadow in his eyes.
The whole purpose of this second chance at life was to protect this sunshine—once lost, it could never return.
Remembering this, Wei Caiwei didn't chase Wang Daxia off the reed mat. Instead, she said, "It's you who changed when Ding Wu arrived—becoming sarcastic and mean, bullying him because he's an exile. His father is a condemned prisoner locked in a dungeon, facing potential death every year. He's finally come to the capital, and you're in such a hurry to send him away. If your loved one were in his position, and I spoke to him like that, you'd surely be angry with me too."
Wang Daxia shook his head like a rattle-drum. "How could that be? I'd never be angry with you, no matter what you did."
No one knew better than an old married couple how to bring up past grievances. Wei Caiwei retorted, "Who was it that said I hurt you and would never speak to me again? And that was only a few days ago."
Fortunately, Wang Daxia was born thick-skinned. "Just that one time, absolutely no next time."
Faced with such sincere attitude, Wei Caiwei found it hard to press further. "Fine, I believe you (not). He and I are family who've shared hardships. His father was once the Minister of War, and I'm too embarrassed to claim kinship by calling him brother or anything, so we have a familial bond but address each other as friends. I'm not asking you to treat him as a friend, just please stop always putting him down."
Wei Caiwei was straightforward by nature—what could be said clearly would never be left ambiguous. She made it plain to Wang Daxia that her relationship with Ding Wu was that of family and friends, with no romantic involvement.
"Will he really leave after the Dragon Boat Festival?" Wang Daxia asked.
"Of course. Who would dare disobey Lord Lu?" Wei Caiwei said. "Besides, he's an exile. If he refuses to return to his place of exile, he'll be treated as a fugitive and can be executed on the spot. For the sake of his life, he wouldn't dare linger in the capital."
The day after tomorrow was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the day after that, Ding Wu would leave.
Meaning Ding Wu would only stay here for two days and three nights.
Endure these two days and three nights, and Ding Wu would disappear.
I'll endure it then. A little impatience would lead to a big argument with Doctor Wei.
Wang Daxia said, "Am I the kind of person who bullies the weak? The reason I'm anxious for him to leave is because... well."
Wang Daxia struggled to find a reason. "It's because his father Ding Rukui has many political enemies in court. He's been sentenced to death for ten years but still hasn't been executed—probably many people want him dead. You saw how eagerly Yan Shifan was hoping for his death that night. I'm afraid news of Ding Wu's arrival might make these people restless and uneasy."
"The Imperial Guard Office is Lord Lu's territory, impenetrable as water. But Ding Wu is outside. What if someone uses Ding Wu to make trouble? Wouldn't that implicate you, an innocent bystander? I fear complications may arise, and Ding Wu's presence in the capital might bring you trouble. That's why I'm anxious for him to return to Tieling."
Perfect! Wang Daxia secretly applauded his own quick wit."You—" Wei Caiwei didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "You're like a radish seller following a salt carrier—fussing over unnecessary worries (a play on 'salt' and 'fuss' in Chinese), always letting your imagination run wild. It was Lord Lu who brought him to the capital—who would dare lay a finger on him?"
Wei Caiwei hadn't considered this possibility because in her previous life, both Ding Rukui and Ding Wu had remained perfectly safe, outlasting all their rivals until the clouds finally parted to reveal the moon.
"Because I... care about you," Wang Daxia said. "Ding Wu is your friend, and you're my friend. Between us... we've shared life-and-death experiences, haven't we? It's only natural for me to care about you and overcomplicate things."
Wang Daxia added, "The day after tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. I'll be racing dragon boats on the moat. You should all come watch. Don't leave afterward—I'll take you around the capital. Who knows this city better than I do? I guarantee you'll have a wonderful time and send Ding Wu off with joy."
Though Wei Caiwei firmly insisted Ding Wu was family and a friend, Wang Daxia remained uneasy: I may call you a friend with my words, but in my heart... it's unspeakable. If I voiced it, you'd be shocked.
Wang Daxia couldn't bear the thought of them being alone together and was determined to insert himself between them.
Just then, a draft swept through the hallway, carrying the scent of smoke and the aroma of food.
Wang Daxia sniffed the air, capturing the fragrance. "So fragrant! Whose cooking is this?"
Following the scent, he arrived at the backyard. A small red clay stove held a large iron pot, where chicken stewed with mushrooms simmered. Ding Wu, wearing an apron with his sleeves rolled up and tied, was kneading dough. He flattened each piece and pressed them in a circle along the edge of the pot before covering it with a lid.
Truly, he was as capable in the hall as in the kitchen!
While Ding Wu was placing the flatbreads, Wei Caiwei sat on a small stool, fanning the flames with a palm-leaf fan, continuously adding firewood to keep the stove burning vigorously.
Their seamless coordination suggested they had cooked this homely dish together countless times back in Tieling.
At this moment, Wang Daxia's jealousy burned hotter than the stove fire. Unable to control his tongue, he cast aside his earlier promises and began taunting Ding Wu again, saying, "They say a gentleman stays away from the kitchen. It seems you're no ordinary man, Master Ding—your culinary skills are exceptional."
Implying that Ding Wu was no gentleman.
Handsome looks are one thing—I can match him in that regard. But cooking? That's beyond me.
Ding Wu placed the last flatbread along the pot's edge and dusted the flour off his hands. "I'm but a commoner—unworthy of the title 'Master.' Just call me by my name. If gentlemen had no cooks and had to prepare three meals a day themselves, they probably wouldn't say such things."
Wei Caiwei shot Wang Daxia frantic looks: What happened to your promise just now? Why are you being so sarcastic and critical again?
Wang Daxia pretended not to see, feigning ignorance of her signals.
Ding Wu untied his apron and politely said, "The meal is almost ready. If Second Young Master Wang doesn't mind our humble dinner, please stay and eat with us."
Wei Caiwei, annoyed by Wang Daxia's flip-flopping, didn't want him to stay and endure more of his barbs at the table. She said, "Second Young Master Wang has finally returned home—he must go back to greet his parents and dine with his family."
Seeing that Wei Caiwei was urging him to leave, Wang Daxia felt a pang of resentment. His rebellious streak flared up: I'm not going anywhere!Wang Daxia also pulled over a small stool and sat right beside Wei Caiwei, taking (snatching) the fan from her hand and vigorously fanning the flames. "When I go home, my dad will definitely say, 'Hmph, so you still remember you have a home! Not even a single message sent back these days—do you think just because you've joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard you're something special? That you've soared to the heavens in one step?'"
Waving the palm-leaf fan, Wang Daxia imitated his father's tone vividly. "Then he'll lecture me thoroughly. So, only here can I have a peaceful meal and some quiet. I'll trouble you to set an extra pair of chopsticks for me tonight."
So what if it's a Hongmen Feast? I'll eat it all the same.
Author's Note: Some people eat rice but squeeze out vinegar.
Good morning! Many readers said yesterday they came too late and missed the red envelopes. Today, let's simply give out 200 red envelopes in this chapter—early birds get the red envelopes!
From The Plum in the Golden Vase, Chapter 30: Jinlian said, "This little darling of mine, when given proper tasks, acts as lazy as if dead; but when it comes to sneaky business, she'll worm her way through any crack to get it done, and how quickly she goes! With her two maids right there, why should you run errands for her? What's it to do with your legs? A radish seller following a salt carrier—what a meddlesome little busybody!"
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