A Ming Dynasty Adventure

Wang Daxia had eaten a full bowl of mushrooms and decided he wouldn't touch mushrooms for the rest of the month.

Finally, he could have some chicken.

Wang Daxia picked up the serving chopsticks and timidly reached toward the iron pot, like a shy young bride.

Fortunately, there was no Ding Wu force-feeding him chicken soup with an iron ladle, nor Wei Caiwei insisting on more mushrooms.

His chopsticks successfully reached their target, but Wang Daxia discovered a problem: it was originally a pot of young chicken stewed with mushrooms, but the two chicken legs had been taken by Ding Wu and Wei Caiwei. Being a young chicken, it was small to begin with, and the legs were the only substantial parts.

While he had been drinking the soup and eating mushrooms earlier, Ding Wu and Wei Caiwei had basically finished all the remaining chicken meat, leaving only a few bare breast bones with barely enough meat to fill the gaps between teeth.

Wang Daxia picked up a piece of chicken neck and ate it. Luckily, the marinated pig's face brought by Chen Jingji tasted quite good, and Wang Daxia managed to fill himself up, almost single-handedly eating the entire "Second Brother's face" (the pig's head).

After the meal, Wei Caiwei collected the dishes into a basket and went to the well to wash them. This was their habit from their time in Tieling - Ding Wu cooked, and she washed dishes.

Ding Wu poked the stove fire to boil water for tea. Smiling, he said to Wang Daxia, "Young Master Wang, have a cup of tea before you leave."

Though phrased as an invitation, the emphasis was clearly on the word "leave." Superficially inviting, he was actually giving him the hint to depart.

This smiling tiger, this hypocrite!

Normally, for every word someone like Ding Wu said, Wang Daxia would have ten retorts ready. If words failed, he could even resort to fists, but Wei Caiwei would cut ties with him if he did.

Since he couldn't win in an argument, it was better to avoid one. Wang Daxia didn't want to stay with Ding Wu for even a moment longer. He picked up the basket for Wei Caiwei, "I'll help you fetch water."

Ding Wu smiled without saying anything, adding another piece of firewood to the stove.

The two reached the sweet water well at the end of the alley. Wang Daxia threw the bucket into the well and drew up bucket after bucket of water to rinse the dishes.

Seeing that he knew his mistakes and could correct them, Wei Caiwei didn't say anything.

Wang Daxia struck up a conversation with her, "Your friend is quite skilled at cooking."

Wei Caiwei couldn't help but find it amusing and asked teasingly, "Was the chicken soup delicious?"

Wang Daxia pretended not to understand her sarcasm and said, "The mushrooms were delicious too. I wonder if I'll have the chance to get a Korean ginseng - even Chen Jingji and Li Jiubao have received some, only I haven't. Our friendship has survived life and death situations."

Wei Caiwei wasn't stingy and said, "Alright, I'll give you one when we return. You can offer it to Commander Wang. When one receives gifts, their hands feel shortened; when one eats others' food, their mouth softens. After receiving your gift, he won't have the face to lecture you."

Hearing this, warmth surged in Wang Daxia's heart. So Wei Caiwei had taken to heart what he said about how his father would find fault and lecture him when he returned home, and was using the Korean ginseng to solve his father's nagging.

She's so good to me... though still not as good as Ding Wu. Ding Wu would be staying under the same roof with her tonight.

Wang Daxia tentatively said, "How about I just stay tonight—"

"Don't push your luck," Wei Caiwei immediately saw through his intention. "No."

Wang Daxia said, "I can just sleep on the floor. Besides, I'm not afraid of ghosts anymore - the spirit tablet on the incense altar is fake anyway. It's not like I haven't stayed before."

"Don't mention that night you stayed at my place to anyone," Wei Caiwei warned. "Alright, the dishes are all rinsed clean. You can go home now."Wang Daxia had no choice but to leave. After taking a few steps, he turned back and extended his right hand. "The ginseng. You said you'd give it to me."

Even Ding Wu got some, and even Chen the Agent received one—why shouldn't he?

Wei Caiwei looked at her occasionally childish and stubborn dead husband, feeling a headache coming on. If any other man acted like this, she would have chased him off with a door bolt long ago. But this was the man she had loved for over thirty years.

She couldn't bring herself to do it. Just as her dead husband had been incredibly good to her in their past life, he was equally capable of causing trouble in this one.

Fine. Consider it repaying a debt from a past life.

Wei Caiwei picked up the bamboo basket. "Come with me to get it."

"Let me carry it for you." Wang Daxia took the basket, still making excuses. "It's not just about the ginseng. It's just... well, if others have it, I should too. And if they don't, I still want it. What's our relationship... right?"

Wei Caiwei snorted. "What relationship?"

Wang Daxia declared, "Life-and-death comrades! Isn't that worth a ginseng?"

Hearing this, Wei Caiwei thought: This kid still doesn't get it. Well, he's only fourteen—I can't exactly make a move on him yet.

When they returned, Ding Wu had already boiled water and prepared tea, but he was nowhere to be found. He left a note: "Gone to bathe."

Seeing Ding Wu absent, Wang Daxia was in high spirits and decided to stay for tea. Wei Caiwei took a ginseng root, wrapped it in cloth, and shoved it at him. "Here. Now go back."

Wang Daxia tried to linger, but Wei Caiwei forcibly pushed him out. "Go home, life-and-death comrade."

After closing the door, though she reminded herself he was still young, Wei Caiwei felt somewhat aggrieved: I treat you like a husband, spoiling you, indulging you, tolerating you, yielding to you. And you see me as a life-and-death comrade? Hah.

Alone at home, Wei Caiwei bathed in the courtyard. By the time she finished tidying up, Ding Wu had returned. To avoid losing sleep at night, they drank light bamboo leaf tea. Ding Wu pointed at the neighbor's high wall. "That Young Master Wang went home?"

Hearing the nickname "Young Master Wang," Wei Caiwei knew Ding Wu hadn't just gone to the bathhouse to bathe. She smiled. "Went to chat with people at the baths again?"

Ding Wu nodded. "For gathering information, bathhouses are faster than teahouses. Everyone strips down, frank with each other. That Young Master Wang is already famous in North City—one of the Four Pests of the North City. When I brought him up, everyone had stories. How at five he set off firecrackers in a latrine and blew up a manure pit. How at ten he drove away ten tutors—no matter how much Commander Wang offered, no one dared teach him."

"Then there's selling his mother's dowry fields in Sanlitun to redeem the Top Courtesan of Red Sleeve Brothel. They say he fought Chen Dalao over this courtesan. What a leader in charming women, a chief in beating fops..."

Ding Wu had nearly uncovered how many times Wang Daxia wet the bed as a child just from one bathhouse visit.

Wei Caiwei couldn't help defending her dead husband. "He's not as bad as the rumors say. It wasn't redemption—it was a loan. Miss Jin Ying signed an IOU. He's just too naive, trying to save a fallen woman. He's not a lecher."Ding Wu said seriously, "I think this young master Wang has ulterior motives toward you. He's putting on a good front to win your favor—tonight's dinner proves he's smooth-tongued and highly observant of others' moods. Naive? I doubt it. Be careful not to be fooled. Given the disparity in your statuses now, getting too close could damage your reputation."

It wasn't that Ding Wu held prejudice against Wang Daxia; rather, Wang's notorious reputation preceded him. Ding Wu's relationship with Wei Caiwei was like that of an elder brother and friend. He would return to Tieling in two days—who would protect her then?

Wei Caiwei nodded, "Alright, I understand. I'll be mindful to keep my distance." Since Ding Wu would leave in two days, she agreed for now to ease his worries.

Ding Wu asked, "Really?"

Wei Caiwei nodded earnestly, "He's my neighbor, and we've survived life-and-death situations together. As a lone physician in the capital, I need influential backing to establish myself. Look how opportunities have arisen—in less than a month here, I've connected with Lu Bing and met Uncle Ding. In the future... I believe there's hope ahead."

Her implication was clear: her kindness toward Wang Daxia was utilitarian, devoid of romantic feelings.

Ding Wu asked, "While roaming the capital's streets, have you recalled childhood memories or found traces of your lost family?"

Wei Caiwei shook her head, "They must all be dead." She looked up at Ding Wu, "You are my family. Return with peace of mind—I will protect Uncle Ding without fail, and I'll persist in building ties with Lu Bing."

In truth, Wei Caiwei's hopes lay with Li Jiubao—the future Consort Li and Empress Dowager Li, whose mere word could someday free Ding Rukui from the death row prison.

Ding Wu raised his bamboo leaf tea, "When we meet again, you'll surely be the capital's most renowned female physician."

"May your auspicious words come true."

Their teacups clinked. Ding Wu said, "I grew up in the capital until age twelve. Returning now, everything has changed but the scenery. Tomorrow I'll stay home to prepare medicinal pills for you instead of sightseeing.The fall from noble scion to exiled convict was a gap few could endure. In Tieling, Ding Wu managed well among fellow exiles sharing similar fates, but in the capital, his outwardly calm demeanor masked inner despondency.

Wei Caiwei said, "Alright, rest early. Tomorrow will be busy."

Next door, at the Wang residence.

Wang Commander had indeed prepared a lengthy lecture for Wang Daxia. But before he could speak, Wang Daxia produced a ginseng root, "A tribute for you, Father. I must rise early tomorrow to cross the capital for roll call at the Imperial Guard Office and dragon boat training—may I retire to bed now?The ginseng effectively blocked Wang Commander's throat. Well now, having a proper job has changed him. The boy is truly improving—perhaps this rogue is turning over a new leaf.

The night passed without incident.

At dawn the next day, Wang Daxia rose early and rode to the Imperial Guard Office, deliberately detouring past his neighbor's house. Wei Caiwei was already up, sitting at her dressing table by the upstairs window.

Wang Daxia whistled.

Wei Caiwei glanced out the window to see him waving from horseback, "Morning! Thanks for the ginseng—my father miraculously didn't scold me last night."On a summer morning, the morning glow cast a golden halo around the young man on horseback, his heroic bearing and vibrant vitality making him strikingly handsome.

Wei Caiwei found herself unable to look away. Upstairs by the dressing mirror, downstairs in the alley - a handsome youth in the lane, a fair maiden smiling from above. She completely forgot yesterday's promise to Ding Wu.

Just then, Ding Wu also woke up and opened the main door to fetch water from the Sweetwater Well.

Seeing Ding Wu emerge from her house, Wang Daxia quickly withdrew his waving hands and smile, offered a greeting, then spurred his horse and galloped away.

When Wang Daxia reached the alley entrance, he noticed a newly erected tea stall that had surprisingly opened so early in the morning, with two customers already seated, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds.

Wang Daxia felt suspicious: Idle people wouldn't wake up this early. Diligent folks would just grab some steamed buns and soybean milk to fill their stomachs before starting work - who would have leisure time for tea and melon seeds?

Something felt contradictory. Keeping his wits about him, Wang Daxia asked the patrolling Northern City Military Command officers, "When did this tea stall open?"

"Just yesterday."

What a coincidence. Anything related to Wei Caiwei caught Wang Daxia's attention. He told the Northern City Military Command officers: "Keep an eye on it. Report anything unusual to me at the Imperial Guard Office. Also keep good watch over my neighbor's house. If anyone causes trouble there, arrest them immediately."

They must not repeat the Zhou Xiaoqi incident.

Wang Daxia urged his horse forward, rushing to the Imperial Guard Office for roll call. Lu Ying had expected Wang Daxia to be late, but surprisingly he appeared right on time!

After signing the roster, Wang Daxia shouldered his oar and told Lu Ying: "I found a suspicious tea stall at the entrance of Sweetwater Lane..."

Wang Daxia explained his arrangements to Lu Ying. "The Northern City Military Command is helping investigate its background. This tea stall is full of loopholes - obviously suspicious. I wonder which fool arranged this."

"Ahem." After a moment's silence, Lu Ying said: "Tell the Northern City Military Command to stand down. I arranged that tea stall yesterday on short notice. The Ding family has enemies in the capital, so I sent people to secretly protect Ding Wu."

Wang Daxia immediately put on an ingratiating smile. "Commander Lu's foresight to prepare for rain before it falls - to devise such an excellent plan on such short notice! Truly brilliant! Your subordinate is utterly impressed!"

Author's note: College student Brother Ding warns high school student Banxia not to date junior high schooler Daxia.