Chapter 19#
Reunion (III)#
The two men were locked in a dispute, and Le Wuyai could not simply walk away.
He stopped in his tracks and turned to look back.
The little phoenix hadn’t aged much; his waist was still slender and supple, easy to grasp with one hand.
He remembered how the two of them used to lie side by side on the rooftop as children, discussing the future—how if they became generals, would a general’s belly make them more imposing?
Le Wuyai voiced his opinion: “Not good-looking.”
Pei Mingqi retorted, “My father has one. So do several of the deputy commanders. They really do cut a figure when they walk.”
Le Wuyai insisted, “You’re not allowed to have one either.”
Pei Mingqi lifted the hem of his tunic and earnestly gestured at his waist and abdomen. “Cavalry relies most on waist strength. A sturdier waist is naturally better.”
Le Wuyai threatened, “If you get ugly, I won’t play with you anymore.”
Pei Mingqi was both amused and exasperated. “Try it.”
Le Wuyai grew bolder. “I’ll pretend I don’t know you even if we pass on the street.”
Pei Mingqi rolled over, straddling him and tickling him. “Go ahead and try!”
Le Wuyai wrapped his legs around Pei Mingqi’s waist, trying to reverse their positions.
Pei Mingqi wouldn’t have it. They wrestled back and forth, evenly matched, their laughter drifting over the willow branches and the swing ropes.
Suddenly, a call came from below. “Ali!”
Le Wuyai and Pei Mingqi immediately fell silent.
Le Wuyai glared at him with his moist, violet eyes: All your fault.
Pei Mingqi reached out to pluck at his eyelashes.
The voice of his second brother, Le Jue, came from diagonally below. “Ali? I just heard him laughing.”
Hands on his hips, he called out, “Ali! Eldest brother is back from his lessons and bought hot milk cakes. They’ll get cold if you don’t come now!”
Le Wuyai’s eyes lit up. He reached out and pinched Pei Mingqi’s baby-fat-softened cheek. “Wait for me.”
In a flash, he slid down the tree, darting and weaving until he reached his two brothers, where he bowed politely. “Greetings, eldest brother. Greetings, second brother.”
Le Jue asked, “What about the little phoenix from the Pei family?”
Le Wuyai declared loudly, “He didn’t come!”
“Then who were you playing with?”
“A bird!”
Eldest brother Le Heng, dressed in a simple cyan robe and not much for talking, picked him up with one arm. He plucked a stray leaf from his hair and carried him back to the main house.
“Has he gained weight? Has he?” Le Jue followed eagerly behind. “He looks taller. Let me hold him.”
Le Wuyai wrapped his arms around Le Heng’s neck and tilted his head up toward the bird on the roof.
Pei Mingqi was lying there, waiting obediently for him.
Before long, Le Wuyai slipped back and handed him a bulging handkerchief.
Pei Mingqi unfolded it to reveal a milk cake with its edges bitten off, looking for all the world like two little flowers.
Used to this, Pei Mingqi picked it up and ate it, though he couldn’t help complaining, “If you can’t handle sweets, why do you still eat them?”
Le Wuyai retorted unabashedly, “I just love the edges. The middle is too sweet. Besides, isn’t this good for feeding the birds?”
“What kind of bird am I?”
“You’re a little phoenix.”
Pei Mingqi shot back, “And you’re a little crow.”
Then he muttered under his breath, “Your generation of the Le family all have the generation character ‘yu,’ don’t they? When they were naming you, I thought they’d call you Le Ya.”
Le Wuyai shrugged indifferently. “I’m only a concubine’s son. My mother was a foreign woman from the borderlands. Even when she died, she wasn’t worthy of being recorded in the family jade register.”
Pei Mingqi blinked, realizing he’d said something wrong. He reached out and pulled Le Wuyai close, trying to comfort him. “Le Ya’s not a good name either. Crescent moon, crescent moon—hanging alone in the sky, cold and lonely. What fun is that? Better to fly with me.”
Le Wuyai pressed his advantage, immediately starting to fake cry. “It’s all your fault. I’m heartbroken. From now on, I’m not acknowledging you if I see you on the street.”
Pei Mingqi panicked and tried to soothe him. “…If I’m this good-looking, you’d still ignore me?”
…
Now, as Le Wuyai gazed at him, he was still as handsome as ever. For a man of his age, it was the fashion among military officers to have a magnificent beard, yet he had chosen not to grow one.
Pei Mingqi, in turn, saw a beautiful, bedraggled porcelain doll in him.
After two sleepless nights, Le Wuyai’s eyes were rimmed with an unhealthy redness, making his cheeks seem even paler. His black clothes were stamped with several messy dog-paw prints.
Pei Mingqi reached back and grabbed Wenren Yue’s hand, trying to push him away.
But Wenren Yue had a stubborn streak. He reached up and pressed down on Pei Mingqi’s shoulder. “General, please show some restraint.”
Seeing the two men’s movements grow increasingly aggressive, Le Wuyai patted Wenren Yue on the shoulder from behind. “It’s all right, now.”
He stepped past Wenren Yue and stood in front of Pei Mingqi, hands clasped behind his back. “You…”
Before he could finish, his chin was seized by Pei Mingqi.
Le Wuyai: “?” Have you lost your mind?
It had been so long since he’d last seen Pei Mingqi that only his memories of the boy remained vivid—the way he laughed and joked, his temper as fiery as a true phoenix, yet blessed with a romantic visage while being clumsy with words, both awkward and sweet.
The man before him now was covered in the dust of battle. His hands were rough as sandpaper. Though he wasn’t using much force, the two fingers gripping his chin were coarse enough to make him uncomfortable.
Er Ya circled around the two of them, all traces of her earlier ferocity gone, whimpering softly and coquettishly.
Pei Mingqi hadn’t closed his eyes in twenty-four hours. A fire burned in his heart. First, he saw that this man was just as picky about food as the person he remembered, even sharing the same bad habit. Then, upon meeting him head-on, the first thing he noticed was the small mole on his lip, which made his heart burn with anxiety. He had reached out without thinking, needing to look at him closely in the light.
How could there be a mole on the lip in exactly the same place?
Le Wuyai asked, “General Pei, what do you think you’re doing?”
Gazing at this figure as delicate as a painting, Pei Mingqi’s heart ached and softened. Delusions and restless thoughts surged within him: “…You recognize me? Who are you?”
“I’m Wenren Yue, the magistrate of Nanting County, courtesy name Mingke. I’m afraid it doesn’t look good for you to be harassing an official on the street like this.”
Pei Mingqi: “…”
Only then did Pei Mingqi snap out of his daze and release his grip.
He lowered his head and cupped his hands. “My apologies.”
Le Wuyai waited for a long time, but when no follow-up came, he prompted, “General Pei, is there nothing more?”
Pei Mingqi was startled. His gaze fell on the sugar cake lying on the ground, and he understood. He waved his horsewhip. “Men, bundle up all the sugar cakes from this stall and compensate him.”
The vendor, who had been watching the spectacle with wide eyes, brightened at the prospect of business. Delighted, he quickly began wrapping the cakes, even wondering if he should fry a fresh batch.
Le Wuyai smiled faintly. “That would be terribly kind.”
Pei Mingqi bowed his head. “I was rude.”
Le Wuyai knew Pei Mingqi well. When his face went cold, it meant he was embarrassed.
He hadn’t invited him here, but he understood perfectly well why he had suddenly arrived.
He looked up and asked, “Is General Pei here on official business in Nanting?”
At this moment, the advantage of Pei Mingqi not having a beard became apparent.
With nothing to obscure it, one could easily see his cheeks flush. “…There’s a coal mine in this area. I’ve heard there’s an issue with local tyrants oppressing the people and trafficking innocent souls. Is that true?”
Le Wuyai nodded slightly.
It wasn’t he who had summoned Pei Mingqi, so it must have been the two young imperial envoys.
Given Pei Mingqi’s status, he wouldn’t normally need to come in person. But with imperial envoys stationed here and a matter requiring his presence, he had no choice but to come.
Le Wuyai should have anticipated this. But last night, his attempt to return his body to Wenren Yue had failed, and he had spent the whole night cramming with him, leaving him no time to consider this.
Still, Qingyuan and Nanting were so close; sooner or later, they were bound to meet.
Le Wuyai said, “Then please, General Pei, come to the county office for a brief rest. Have something to eat? There are so many sweet cakes; I can’t possibly finish them all myself.”
Pei Mingqi replied, “…Magistrate Wenren, I have other matters to attend to. Afterward, someone will come to the office to liaise with you.”
“Very well. General Pei, as you wish.” Le Wuyai cupped his hands. “Also, my surname is Wenren—a compound surname.”
Pei Mingqi: “…Magistrate Wenren, I bid you farewell.”
His fingertips were flushed red.
After the two exchanged polite farewells on the street, Er Ya whined and tried to chase after them, but Pei Mingqi grabbed her by the collar and dragged her back.
As he put her leash back on, the dog still gazed longingly in the direction Le Wuyai had gone.
Pei Mingqi, his mind unsettled, mounted his horse. As he took the reins, the realization struck him.
“‘Wenren’… that’s a Jing clan surname?”
——
Once his back was turned, Le Wuyai’s smile vanished completely.
He walked ahead, with Wenren Yue following silently behind, carrying a large bag of sugar cakes.
Le Wuyai walked faster and faster. At a corner in a deserted alley, he reached out and pulled Wenren Yue in.
He pressed him against the wall, leaning in close, and pointed at his own lips. “Look closely. Did you have this mole before?”
Wenren Yue opened his mouth, tempted to lie and say yes.
After dealing with him for two days, he knew Le Wuyai’s temperament. If he told the truth, there would likely be another scene.
But his inherent gentlemanly nature made him confess, “No.”
He added, “My hair wasn’t like yours either… all curly like a little lamb’s…”
Le Wuyai: “…”
…Maybe he should just kill himself after all.
If he gradually transformed this skin into his former self, and when he went to the capital for evaluation and reporting using Wenren Yue’s identity, the people he knew would see him…
Le Wuyai paused.
…Actually, that might be rather interesting.
Wenren Yue had no idea that this man was cooking up mischief again. Afraid he might be harboring thoughts of death, and unsure how to dissuade him, he simply grabbed a sugar cake. “Have another one.”
Le Wuyai took it. “You’ve got quite a grip. It’s not bad having you around wherever I go.”
Seeing him relaxed, not at all like he was about to do something drastic, Wenren Yue also loosened up a bit.
The alley was narrow, and they were standing too close together, breathing the same air.
For no reason, Wenren Yue felt a little tense. He clutched the edge of the paper bag. “You know that military officer?”
Le Wuyai turned his head and answered simply, “An old acquaintance.”
“You two…”
Le Wuyai said, “It’s all in the past.”
Wenren Yue said bluntly, “But he’s back.”
“Are you worried he’ll bully me? He’s not a bad person.”
Wenren Yue found the credibility of this statement rather low.
His first impression of Pei Mingqi was terrible: letting a dog roam free to injure people, then reaching out and groping someone at will.
What did it matter if he had the face of a dashing young master? At heart, he was just a rough, hot-tempered soldier.
Le Wuyai lightly patted him on the chest. “If you’re worried, then protect me.”
Then he gave Wenren Yue a once-over. “But you’re no good right now. What use is brute strength? You’re not a laborer. Tomorrow, I’ll teach you a few moves. Practice them slowly.”
Wenren Yue: “Mm.”
Le Wuyai opened the paper bag. “I’m not done here. You go home first. Here, take a few for Auntie Ming. I can’t finish all of these anyway.”
Wenren Yue: “Will you be all right alone?”
Le Wuyai replied, “I’m used to being alone.”
Having sent Wenren Yue off, Le Wuyai took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the marks from his clothes.
But halfway through, a selfish impulse made him keep one clear dog paw print on his sleeve.
The girl has grown so big.
But how did she end up with Pei Mingqi?
Didn’t I entrust her to Sister Qi back then?
…Speaking of which, what is Sister Qi doing now?
Thinking as he walked and ate, Le Wuyai once again bit the edges of the sugar cake into a flower shape.
When he returned to the county office, someone was already waiting for him in the snow.
In just one night, Chen Yuanwei, Squire Chen, had aged as if touched by frost and snow—pale with a hint of green, clearly having had a sleepless night.
Chief Clerk Sun had arrived early today and had been cornered by Squire Chen.
Knowing that Squire Chen was now a delicate matter to handle, he dared not act on his own or let him into the office, so he simply stood at the entrance negotiating with him.
The gate guard who had started his morning shift joined Clerk Sun in blocking Squire Chen. With a forthright temperament, he stood a little straighter when he saw Le Wuyai return. “Squire Chen, it’s not that I was lying to you, is it? The magistrate really wasn’t in the office.”
Squire Chen, a man of self-cultivation who generally kept early hours unless entertaining guests, had left Magistrate Wenren’s place last night feeling thoroughly humiliated. He’d even been splashed with wine by the drunk magistrate. Morose for a while, he’d gone home and performed the Five Animals Exercise twice before feeling somewhat better.
If the magistrate wouldn’t accept gifts, it must be because the gift wasn’t large enough.
He was holding Ge Er hostage simply to drive up the price.
If the offer were generous enough, everything would be fine.
Having been shut out, Squire Chen knew it was no longer convenient to visit today, but he wasn’t discouraged. He prepared an even more lavish gift, intending to call again tomorrow.
But before he could fall asleep, he was awakened by his steward.
When he heard that the magistrate had opened court in the dead of night, Squire Chen didn’t quite understand. “Who is he trying?”
“He started with the Su woman, then moved on to Chang Xiaohu’s case…” The steward’s face was deeply worried. “It seems he’s found some leads. He’s taken Manager Lu and Chen Fu’er into custody. One clever fellow slipped out and came to our estate with the news. I’ve sent him back to the mine to keep gathering information.”
Squire Chen froze.
His eyes fixed on the steward, waiting for him to make a decision.
After some deliberation, Squire Chen said, “Wait for news first.”
But waiting only brought trouble.
The first person sent to gather information never came back.
Growing anxious, Squire Chen sent a second group—two to the mine, two to the county office to listen to the trial.
Those sent to the mine vanished into thin air, never to be heard from again.
One of those listening to the trial did manage to return, his face slick with sweat despite the winter cold. “Squire, Manager Lu and Uncle Fu have both been interrogated.”
“Were they tortured?”
“No, no. I saw that the magistrate treated our people with courtesy.”
Squire Chen’s heart settled a little. “What did he ask about?”
“Just things about the mine. Nothing serious—like making small talk.”
This was clearly good news, but for some reason, Squire Chen couldn’t shake his unease. “Send another person to check.”
His premonition proved correct.
The next man came crawling back—it had snowed, and the ground was slippery.
His voice trembling, he said, “The magistrate has seized five black donkeys and brought them to the office!”
Squire Chen’s face changed dramatically. “What?!”
He looked at the steward. “Have any of the men sent to the mine come back? Why hasn’t there been any word?!”
The steward struggled to hide his panic. “I’ve sent a third group, and not one has returned…”
Squire Chen collapsed into his chair, realizing that Xiaofu Coal Mine was probably finished.
But after a night of bitter torment, like being slowly sliced with a dull knife, he still couldn’t bear to let go of his assets.
He had cast aside the dignity of a scholar and invested countless sums of real gold and silver to obtain that endless stream of black gold.
He couldn’t just let it go like this!
He had arrived at the county office first thing in the morning seeking an audience with the magistrate, only to find himself negotiating with Chief Clerk Sun when the magistrate returned from buying breakfast.
Le Wuyai smiled brightly and greeted him proactively, “Squire Chen, good morning.”
Reading the situation, Squire Chen stepped forward politely. “Magistrate, I’m sorry to bother you so early. Please forgive my poor hospitality last night.”
“Oh.” Le Wuyai said cheerfully, “No matter. It was me being stubborn and refusing to play along.”
These joking words made Chen Yuanwei’s heart skip a beat. “Magistrate, would you do me the honor of allowing me to make amends and come to my humble home for a chat?”
“Unfortunately,” Le Wuyai replied, “I have another guest today. Perhaps another time, Squire Chen.”
Squire Chen thought this was an excuse and was about to press further when the solemn sound of ceremonial music slowly filled the street.
Le Wuyai looked up, his expression brightening with a raised brow. In a seemingly friendly gesture, he reached out and clasped Squire Chen’s wrist. “My guest has arrived, Squire Chen. Would you care to join me?”
Before Squire Chen could respond, Le Wuyai smoothed his robes and dropped to his knees. “This humble official, Wenren Yue, Magistrate of Nanting County, pays his respects to the imperial envoy! Greetings, General Pei!”
Squire Chen had no time to flee and was forced to kneel alongside Le Wuyai.
At the words “imperial envoy,” he was so horrified his blood seemed to freeze.
What was an imperial envoy doing in a small place like Nanting?
Before his thoughts could settle, a pleasant, cool voice came from above. “Rise.”
Le Wuyai stood up. He had intended to check on Pei Mingqi or Xiang Zhishi—those two troublesome old enemies—but his eyes uncontrollably fell first on the Sixth Prince, Xiang Zhijie.
Today, the Sixth Prince was dressed far more formally than yesterday. His magnificent black robe was emblazoned with subtle dark-gold python patterns, and the waist was cinched so perfectly that it made his bearing exceptionally elegant and dignified.
But it was his winter hat that truly stood out. At its crown was set a beautiful piece of malachite, and at the back hung a single peacock feather reaching down to his waist.
A man in black looked dashing.
Le Wuyai had never seen the usually low-key Xiang Zhijie dressed so strikingly. He felt an urge, an impulse to tug on that peacock feather.
Their eyes met, and Xiang Zhijie smiled softly, giving him a slight nod.
Xiang Zhishi glanced at his elder brother: “…”
His Sixth Brother had risen at the Yin hour of the tiger, dressed and made himself up, fussing over his appearance for ages—surely not just for the sake of being looked at a few more times?