Xiao Chiye had ridden hard to get back. After resting one night, he would have to mount up again after midnight and return. His schedule was tight—he had squeezed these two days out with great effort. In order not to delay the supply transport to the front, he had ridden for eight or nine days straight, all just to see Shen Zechuan.
But who would have thought he’d end up this angry?
Xiao Chiye stood with Meng, removing and reattaching its leg chain, irritating the bird until it flapped its wings in protest. Xiao Chiye was in a foul mood himself—irritated, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Ji Gang strolled back carrying a birdcage. He was startled when he saw Xiao Chiye. After a moment’s hesitation, he still stepped inside. Xiao Chiye saluted his master. Being so tall, he made Ji Gang tilt his head to look up at him.
“The northern front is tense,” Ji Gang said, handing over the birdcage. “Your master must be having a hard fight.”
Xiao Chiye hung the cage up and replied, “It is hard. He thinks of you often and brings you up from time to time.”
Ji Gang clasped his hands behind his back. “I’ve never fought in war—of no use. You rushed back like this, is it for something important?”
Xiao Chiye thought, not yet done, but answered, “The land at the Beiyuan hunting grounds has been given to me. The Imperial Army plans to station troops there. I came back to ask Lanzhou about the progress. Once the timing’s right, I’ll arrange for someone to come over.”
Ji Gang knew these were matters for them to discuss in detail, so he simply nodded and did not pry.
Taking the chance, Xiao Chiye said, “Was Lanzhou sick on the way to Chazhou? Master, he’s picky. At home, with you watching, he’ll at least eat a bit of everything and take medicine when he’s ill. But once he’s out handling affairs, everyone listens to him. No one keeps an eye on him, so he dares to be fussy.”
Ji Gang immediately remembered. “I was just thinking of bringing it up yesterday!”
“He dodged it with you,” Xiao Chiye finally stopped fussing with Meng and let it go. “He felt guilty—he wouldn’t dare mention it.”
Ji Gang nodded, then suddenly felt something was off. “Guilty of what? Is Chuan’er hiding something from me?”
“He is,” Xiao Chiye frowned slightly. “He cut his left hand badly. The return trip was long, and he didn’t change the medicine often. When I looked last night, the palm was nearly soaked and ruined by sweat.”
Ji Gang’s expression changed. “Where is he?”
“Asleep,” Xiao Chiye paused, then continued, “He slept late last night and was exhausted. He’s been fatigued since morning. In the future, you’ll have to keep an eye on him, Master, so he doesn’t treat his body carelessly. I’m far away in Libei—many things I can only hear from his letters. If he wants to hide something, I won’t know anything at all.”
Ji Gang straightened. “I’ll watch him change his medicine.” Then he sighed. “He wasn’t well raised in the temple before. The doctors we hired weren’t capable—they couldn’t figure things out. His body is not like others’. The longer it goes, the more careful we must be. You know too—when he entered the capital, he first suffered torture in the imperial prison, then endured caning, and then your kick…” Ji Gang glared. “That kick was ruthless! If not for old acquaintances in the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly helping, Chuan’er would not have survived. His body was already badly damaged then, and he even took medicine to conceal things. I worry day and night now, fearing…”
Xiao Chiye fell silent for a moment. Then he suddenly lifted his robe and knelt down, bracing himself properly on the ground, and kowtowed to Ji Gang.
Ji Gang was startled. “What are you doing?”
Still in that position, Xiao Chiye said, “Six years ago, when I passed through Zhongbo on horseback, I hated Shen Wei the most. I despised him for abandoning the city and fleeing, and I feared the Empress Dowager’s puppet. So in Qu Du, I kicked Lanzhou. Master, you’re right—I kicked him hard. I intended to take his life.”
Ji Gang was speechless for a moment, then turned his head aside, sighing heavily, worried the words might be overheard inside.
After a pause, Xiao Chiye continued, “Lanzhou’s current condition is my fault. Doctors in Zhongbo are not good enough—I’ve already invited Master Yideng. After the fighting eases this autumn, my own master will come to examine him as well. No matter how hard he is to care for, I will take care of him. But I am stationed far away in Libei. I cannot delay troop movements or supply transport. Not seeing him, I can’t be at ease. Matters like Chazhou—too many of them won’t do. I have no relatives or friends in Zhongbo. Only you can be entrusted. Master, Lanzhou suffered calamity in his youth. He hides his thoughts and won’t speak of pain or injury. But he regards you as a father—so long as you’re by his side, he will restrain himself somewhat. I have no other request. Just scold him a few times, let him know pain and consequence—if he dares do this again, you punish me instead!”
Ji Gang stood there, stunned, feeling something about these words was off, yet unable to pinpoint it. He glanced toward the window. Inside the bamboo curtain, there was the faint clink of a teacup—just once—then silence.
After dinner, the courtyard was quiet.
Xiao Chiye went to bathe. Langtao Xuejin and Meng had both been fed. Shen Zechuan stood under the eaves, picking a sprig of newly planted osmanthus. There was no one else in the courtyard. In the fading glow of sunset, tea and snacks were set on a small table beneath the eaves. Shen Zechuan sat down, gazing into the distance at the setting sun.
Xiao Chiye came out still damp, wiping his hair as he crouched behind Shen Zechuan. Shen Zechuan plucked at the osmanthus and turned his head. Xiao Chiye leaned down, and they kissed like that. The sunset burned orange-red, the world was still—even the wind seemed considerate, leaving this small courtyard to just the two of them.
Suddenly, Shen Zechuan turned and pushed Xiao Chiye down beneath the eaves. Xiao Chiye leaned half against the doorframe, pulling him close, pressing his nose to Shen Zechuan’s cheek, and said gruffly, “You’re pressing on my injury.”
Shen Zechuan murmured, “Let me check.”
Xiao Chiye didn’t allow it. He caught Shen Zechuan’s wrists and pulled him closer. His body was strong, bearing Shen Zechuan’s weight effortlessly. Even sitting, he looked carefree and unrestrained. The two stayed like that, from dusk until nightfall.
In truth, Xiao Chiye had been in a bad mood for half a month.
The Sand Third Camp taken by the Imperial Army had been handed to Guo Weili. When Guo Weili came to take over, he clashed with Gujin, and their soldiers had friction as well. Xiao Chiye swallowed that frustration, took over Wu Ziyu’s position in the Bianbo Camp, but transporting supplies proved far more difficult than expected. Commanders from various camps ordered him around. Returning to the border, he had to report every detail to Xiao Jiming. Outside the command tent, he had to deal with merchants from Luoxia Pass and Huaizhou—often drinking all night, then mounting up before dawn to ride to the next camp.
But he didn’t intend to tell Shen Zechuan any of this.
He thought of the long songs of Hongyan Mountain. He didn’t know how to sing them, so he just hummed. Shen Zechuan rested against him, clutching his clothing, falling asleep in the fragrance. Xiao Chiye held him, and when the time felt right, he lifted him up and carried him back inside.
Shen Zechuan’s fingers didn’t loosen. Xiao Chiye leaned down, blew lightly on his palm, then crouched to look for a moment and said, “I’m still angry.”
Shen Zechuan half-opened his eyes, poked Xiao Chiye’s cheek, and said softly, “Don’t be.”
“You just know how to trick me—you…” Xiao Chiye faltered, then said, “Second young master is easy to fool? Bullying a pure young master suits you, huh?”
Shen Zechuan rolled over to face him, head to head.
Damn that look.
Xiao Chiye could only swallow his frustration. He pinched Shen Zechuan’s cheek and said hoarsely, “You keep pushing it with your coquettishness—it won’t work, Shen Lanzhou. If you stab yourself again like this, I’ll just be gone in Libei. There’ll be no me anymore. Do you hear me?”
Shen Zechuan nodded obediently.
Xiao Chiye leaned closer, bumped his forehead lightly against Shen Zechuan’s, and said, “I have to go.”
Shen Zechuan didn’t let go. “When will you come back next time?”
Xiao Chiye couldn’t answer. He brushed Shen Zechuan’s cheek with his fingers. “As soon as I can. There’s a lot to do. After autumn, it should ease up.”
Midnight had already arrived. Shen Zechuan released his grip, watching Xiao Chiye.
Xiao Chiye had never found it so hard to stand up. He quickly tied his arm guard, lowered the bed curtains, then finally scraped Shen Zechuan’s nose lightly and said, “Sleep well, Lanzhou.”
Langtao Xuejin slipped out of the city under the cover of night. Meng soared north with Xiao Chiye.
Chen Yang was already waiting to receive him halfway. Xiao Chiye would rest a few hours at Bianbo Camp, then continue north to the battlefield.
And just as Xiao Chiye left Cizhou, a donkey entered Zhongbo.
On its back lay a person, slumped forward, life or death unclear. From within his sleeve came the weak cries of a starving kitten. The man struggled to open his eyes, looked at the pitch-black road ahead, and closed them again.