Chapter 13

The fifteenth day of the twelfth month, the Winter Solstice.

Mu Geshen carried a food box. As usual, he didn’t enter through the main gate of the Chai residence. Instead, he made his way along the eaves and walls, leaping up to the warm pavilion. He knocked on the window.

“Deep Winter, are you there?”

The window opened, and Chai Shuxin looked at him with a frown.

“What are you doing here?”

Snowflakes fluttered through the air. Mu Geshen held up a red umbrella and smiled as he raised the food box in his hand.

“It’s the Winter Solstice today. Second Brother took Fifth Brother to Guanshanyue for fun, and the study isn’t providing meals. I’ve come to freeload a bowl of dumplings.”

“Go down.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. I didn’t come empty-handed. I brought some food with me. It’s a new creation Second Brother just came up with, and I went to a great deal of trouble to snatch this little bit from Fifth Brother’s mouth. Considering how much I’ve been thinking of you, let me freeload a meal, will you?”

“Go down. Use the main entrance.” Chai Shuxin turned and walked back into the room. “Before coming in, brush the snow off your shoulders.”

Although Chai Shuxin lived in the warm pavilion, there was very little warmth inside. The four walls were plain and simple. In front of a white paper screen stood a small table, on which rested a basin of clear water and a vase containing plum branches that had been only half-trimmed.

“Not to criticize you, Deep Winter, but your room is even more desolate than the monks’ quarters at White Water Temple.” Mu Geshen looked around. “Judging by the layout, you should have underfloor heating installed. Why don’t you turn it on?”

“The plum blossoms are at their best right now.” Chai Shuxin held a pair of pruning shears. “If the temperature were any higher, the flowers would fall more quickly.”

“Are these the Eightfold Cold Crimson plums from your family?” Mu Geshen’s eyes lit up. “I heard Master talk about them. The Chai family has always loved plum blossoms, and the ones in the Chai residence can proudly withstand snow and frost in the depths of winter. No wonder there was a faint fragrance drifting through your garden today. So it’s the season for them to bloom.”

Unlike wintersweet, red plum blossoms were not particularly resistant to the cold. The Eightfold Cold Crimson plums in the Chai residence were a superior variety cultivated carefully over several generations, capable of blooming magnificently even in the snow.

The Chai family had always loved plum blossoms, regarding their noble character as a reflection of their own. It was said that the plum trees in the Chai residence were fertilized with precious medicinal materials, giving them medicinal properties of their own. Once pounded and refined, they became rare medicinal ingredients with extraordinary effects.

“It’s rare to see you take a liking to anything,” Mu Geshen said cheerfully. “No wonder the study received several potted plum arrangements a few days ago. Were those from you?”

“Those were the best-growing plants of this year.” Chai Shuxin sat down at the table and snipped off a branch with a sharp click. “The Eightfold Cold Crimson plum is a precious variety worth a fortune. Those pots were gifts for Teacher. Don’t take them to sell for money.”

“You’re too late. Second Brother already stripped all of them bare to make plum blossom cakes.”

Mu Geshen sat opposite him and opened the food box he had brought.

“Here, your money.”

Chai Shuxin’s pruning shears slipped, and the plum branch that had originally stood tall and graceful now looked as though it had been hanged by the neck.

“Don’t glare at me. I haven’t done anything this time!” Mu Geshen hurriedly defended himself. “Fifth Brother has been teething lately. He nearly gnawed those plum trees raw. Now there are drool marks all over the study, and even Third Brother’s account books are covered in his saliva.”

After a long silence, Chai Shuxin finally said, “It’s like a cow chewing on a peony.”

“What can you do about it? We can’t exactly hold it against a little child.”

“Vermilion Bird hatchlings take fifty years to transform into human form. If we’re talking about age, even Teacher may not be older than him.”

“It’s rare to see you take something so seriously.” Mu Geshen found this rather amusing. “What, are you thinking of beating him up?”

“I wouldn’t do such a thing. But you would.”

“…Fine, I did beat him up. Then Second Brother stopped giving me food. He’s acting like Fifth Brother’s biological mother now, while I’m just some kid he picked up off the street.”

Mu Geshen looked helpless.

“Fifth Brother has become a picky eater lately. No matter what we make, he finds fault with it. Every day, I have to eat his leftovers.”

Chai Shuxin seemed skeptical.

“You would eat someone else’s leftovers?”

“We can’t just throw the food away. Besides, Second Brother made it, so it won’t taste bad.” Mu Geshen sighed. “Second Brother and Fifth Brother have been at odds lately. No matter what he cooks, Fifth Brother refuses to eat it. Every day, Second Brother lays out a whole table of dishes, and I’m responsible for cleaning up the aftermath. I’ve even gained quite a bit of weight because of it…”

He waved the subject away.

“Enough about that. Try the plum blossom cakes I brought. Second Brother steamed them this afternoon, so they’re still warm.”

Inside the food box sat a basket of white pastries shaped like plum blossoms. Their outer layers were paper-thin, with the rosy color of the filling faintly showing through. They were indeed delicate and enticing.

Chai Shuxin glanced at them, then put down his pruning shears.

“Wait a moment.”

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’ll brew tea first.”

A small red clay stove burned with a gentle flame, heating snow water to brew clear tea.

“At last, it’s a little warmer in here.” Mu Geshen picked up the teapot and poured in the boiling water. “Your room finally feels a little lived-in now. It doesn’t look so much like a cultivation retreat anymore.”

Chai Shuxin sat opposite him, grinding medicinal ingredients. A white stone mortar sat on the table. He had removed the plum blossoms from the branch he had ruined, added them to the medicinal ingredients, and was pounding everything together.

Mu Geshen watched him work.

“What are you doing?”

“In a little while, it will be a quarter past the hour of Wei. According to the Medicine House’s daily routine, this is the time to soak my hands and calm my mind.”

A basin of clear water sat on the table. Chai Shuxin poured the ground medicinal ingredients into it, and the water gradually darkened.

Mu Geshen had heard about this before. The Chai family of the Medicine House treasured their hands above all else. Not only did they wear gloves every day, but they also soaked their hands daily. Today, he was finally seeing it with his own eyes.

“You’re soaking them in cold water? In the middle of winter? Wouldn’t that damage your hands even more?”

“The Medicine House has different prescriptions and uses different water and medicinal ingredients for each of the four seasons.”

After finishing his work with the mortar, Chai Shuxin glanced at Mu Geshen. He seemed somewhat hesitant.

“If you’ve finished eating, you should leave first.”

“Leave? Where am I supposed to go?”

“My Elder Sister is making Yipin Pot today. You can go and watch.”

“That’s unusual. Deep Winter, are you actually going to chase me into your family’s garden to run wild today?” Mu Geshen raised an eyebrow. “I’m staying right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’ve just eaten too many plum blossom cakes. You need to walk slowly to help with digestion…”

“You ate them too, didn’t you? If you’re going, then we’ll go together.”

When it came to verbal sparring, Chai Shuxin was clearly no match for Mu Geshen. After going around in circles with the same arguments, Chai Shuxin finally had no choice but to give up. He raised his hand and pushed the window open.

“Suit yourself.”

Before Mu Geshen could say anything, a gust of snow blew straight into his face, covering his head and cheeks.

“Deep Winter, I’ve discovered that you can be quite malicious sometimes.” Mu Geshen hurriedly shut the window, looking thoroughly disheveled. “You’re like a child, suddenly tripping people up when they least expect it… Pfft!”

An earth-shaking burst of laughter erupted from the warm pavilion.

“I was wrong, I was wrong! Don’t be mad, hahaha—” Mu Geshen admitted defeat while laughing. Having learned his lesson, he ran to the opposite side of the room and pounded on the wall as he laughed. “Is this also a custom of the Yao family in the dead of winter?—Does everyone have to paint their nails?”

Just now, when Chai Shuxin had taken off his gloves, Mu Geshen had nearly spat out his tea. The previous few times they had fought, it had been late at night, and he hadn’t been able to see the colors clearly. Only now had he gotten a proper look. The other boy’s hands had distinct knuckles, and all ten fingernails were painted red.

No wonder Chai Shuxin had wanted to get him out of the way!

“Actually, it’s not that big a deal.” Mu Geshen caught his breath and laughed. “Second Brother is also quite knowledgeable about fragrances, powders, and things like that. You two should have plenty in common.”

Chai Shuxin remained cold-faced and silent. Watching Mu Geshen laugh so hard he nearly collapsed, he looked very much like he intended to soak his hands and then pick up a knife to chop the man to pieces.

A cold fury floated in the young man’s eyes. Both his hands were submerged in the porcelain basin, his knuckles red as though flames were licking his fingertips. Plum blossoms drifted up and down in the water, reflecting against his snow-white robes and lending him an almost dazzling touch of color.

“Young Master Mu may not know this, but Shuxin uses an ancient prescription from the Yao family, not ordinary nail polish. The Chai clan has always cherished their hands, and nail care is no exception. Those in the family who practice medicine have always done the same.”

A soft, unhurried voice drifted over, and a graceful figure came upstairs.

“I was wondering why the heated pavilion was so warm today. So it turns out Young Master Mu is here.”

Mu Geshen immediately stopped laughing and stood up straight. “Elder Sister Chai.”

Chai Shuxin was soaking his hands and could not conveniently rise, so he lowered his head in greeting. “Elder Sister.”

“Take your time chatting. There aren’t many people in the residence today, so there’s no need to be formal.” Chai Rendong smiled with her lips pressed together. “I only came to ask one thing: What would you like for dinner?”

“Yipin Hot Pot,” Mu Geshen answered immediately.

“Of course, of course. We’ll have both dumplings and Yipin Hot Pot.” Chai Rendong smiled. “And you, Shuxin?”

“Anything Elder Sister makes will be good.” Chai Shuxin said, “Standing in the kitchen for too long is bad for your health. Elder Sister, don’t overwork yourself.”

“How has your health been lately, Elder Sister Chai?” Mu Geshen asked upon hearing this. “Why don’t I help you in the kitchen?”

“I only cook once in a while. It’s no trouble.” Chai Rendong gently waved her hand, then teased him, “As for cooking… I’ve also heard about Young Master Mu’s red-date and onion koi soup.”

Chai Shuxin let out a quiet snort.

“Not at all, not at all.” Mu Geshen’s shamelessness was truly something else. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Elder Sister Chai.”

The Chai residence occupied an enormous area. At the center of its gardens, a nine-turn covered corridor enclosed a quiet section. Although the Yao family had many clansmen, the only people living within the corridor were the direct descendants of the Chai clan—in other words, the two siblings who currently headed the family.

The heated pavilions where Chai Shuxin and Chai Rendong lived were not far apart. After night fell, lanterns were lit along the corridor. Outside, white snow fell in soft flurries, and a plum branch reached beneath the eaves, its sparse shadows crisscrossing in the light.

Mu Geshen and Chai Shuxin walked one after the other. Mu Geshen acted as though he were the host, striding brazenly ahead. The covered corridor twisted and turned seven times, yet he walked through it with practiced ease.

Chai Shuxin asked, “You know the way?”

“No.” Mu Geshen plucked a lantern down and carried it in his hand. “But the smell of the food has been drifting over from a long way off. At the study, I rely on the smell to figure out where Second Brother is serving dinner that day. Just follow your nose, and you can’t go wrong.”

As expected, the two soon emerged from the covered corridor and arrived at the heated pavilion where Chai Rendong lived. Although the two pavilions had similar layouts, Chai Rendong’s room was filled with warmth. The round table with a narrow waist was covered with dishes, and in the center sat a delicate brass stove. The dish simmering on top was none other than the Yipin Hot Pot Mu Geshen had been dreaming about.

Chai Rendong was arranging the dishes. When she saw the two enter, she first placed a mandarin orange in each of their hands.

“The dumplings will be ready in a moment. Have some snacks to tide you over first. There are red persimmons in the bamboo basket, too. The chestnuts are warming inside the stove. Be careful when you take them out, and don’t burn yourself.”

As she spoke, she grew concerned about the stove fire and hurried back to the kitchen.

Chai Shuxin handed his own mandarin orange to Mu Geshen. “There are pine nuts in the candy box. Help yourself, but don’t eat too much. Dinner will be served soon.”

With that, he also went to the kitchen.

“I’m going to help Elder Sister. Don’t follow me.”

Holding the mandarin oranges, candy box, and a basket of red persimmons, Mu Geshen blinked. For the first time, he felt he understood the kind of treatment Zhu Yinxiao received at mealtimes.

He might be young in appearance, but being an overgrown child was fucking great.

Mu Geshen had never known the meaning of shame. He happily leaned back against the soft couch, warming himself by the fire and drinking tea as he peeled the mandarin orange skin into the shape of a flower.

However, before he had even eaten more than a couple of bites, the telephone on the tea table rang. It was inconvenient for him to answer it, so he waited for Chai Rendong to come out of the kitchen and pick up the receiver. He was just about to get up and leave when she stopped him.

“It’s Young Master Song.” Chai Rendong covered the receiver and spoke softly. “He’s looking for you.”

“Second Brother?” They had only been apart for half a day. What did Song Wentong want with him?

Mu Geshen took the receiver.

“Hello? If you have business, present your petition. If not, kneel and take your leave.”

Song Wentong seemed to be calling from Guanshanyue. The background noise was a mixture of pipa music and the sound of tiles being shuffled.

“Fourth Brother, have you seen Fifth Brother?”

“Preparing a midnight snack? Didn’t he go with you to experience the tender charms of a pleasure house?”

“I only went to get a plate of dumplings, and that brat disappeared!” Song Wentong said irritably. “Today happens to be the day he takes human form. I’m worried that this unlucky little thing will get kidnapped again. Has he run over to your place?”

“The Chai residence is half a city away from Guanshanyue. If someone were going to kidnap him, they’d have done it already.” Mu Geshen was the sort who enjoyed watching a good show, especially when someone else was suffering. “I told you that you shouldn’t have taken him there. He’s still so young. In his heart, a pair of lovers in red silk is nothing compared to a chicken coop.”

“I’m talking to you about something serious!” Song Wentong’s voice rose an octave. “Hurry over here and help me find him!”

“I refuse.” Mu Geshen answered decisively.

He stuffed an entire mandarin orange into his mouth, making his cheeks bulge. Speaking unclearly, he mumbled, “You can’t refuse to give me food to eat, but you can’t stop me from eating, either.”

“Mu Geshen! Fifth Brother is missing!”

“You buh give me food.”

“Fifth Brother is a Star Lodge Child!”

“You said Fifth Brother was better than me, didn’t you?”

“Do you ever fucking stop?!”

“You’re the one who’s fucking scolding me.”

“……”

A tremendous crash came from the other end of the phone, followed by complete silence. Mu Geshen guessed that Song Wentong had become so furious he was smashing things to vent his anger.

He swallowed the mandarin orange unhurriedly. At last, his speech returned to normal, and he drawled, “Fifth Brother hasn’t even learned to walk yet, has he? Don’t worry. He can’t crawl very far. Look under the beds. There are so many beds at Guanshanyue—take your time.”