Chapter 17

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Xiao-Rong rides a donkey

“Du Zhong?” Rong Luoyun stopped, his tone surprised and unhappy.

Huo Linfeng stood impressively in front of the house. The moon hung above his head, giving the gravel at his feet a light glow. He moved slightly to the side to reveal the wooden tub and took the initiative to explain: “Palace Lord, I came here to deliver these red carp.”

Rong Luoyun squinted at the surroundings. The veranda, ginkgo trees, the few praying mats. Nothing seemed to be out of place. He slowly walked in, his eyes swept to the pigeon cage in the corner. He only spoke up after a good while: “Next time, if I’m not here, you are not allowed to trespass.”

Huo Linfeng answered: “This subordinate will bear it in mind.” His tone turned warmer, “I had come in the afternoon. I reckoned Palace Lord would come back at dusk, so I waited.”

Rong Luoyun asked: “And if I stayed at Dusk-till-Dawn all night? Would you be waiting here until morning?”

“That’ll be fine too,” Huo Linfeng answered, “but I’m just worried that if Palace Lord were to get muscle cramps while spending the night out, there would be no one to massage it for him.”

Crystalline water, a little carriage with its curtains down. Moist skin, the tight embrace in which he slept in…… Rong Luoyun recalled yesterday’s events. His heart felt warm, yet he gave him a sharp, cold look: “I’ve always lived here alone, so there is no difference.”

Huo Linfeng seemed to be waiting for him to say that: “If you get it massaged before you sleep, you won’t have any muscle cramps.”

The night sky was as dark as ink. Rong Luoyun quietly sat down on a praying mat under the eaves, like a disciple waiting to receive instruction from their teacher. Huo Linfeng squatted outside. They sat opposite of each other, their positions similar to when he had bandaged his wound.

Rong Luoyun pretended to be reserved, concealing the faintly nervous heart beneath his skin. The big hand caught the corner of his robes, lightly lifting it, and propped up his ankle.

Huo Linfeng removed that white silk shoe and socks and rolled up the two layers of soft trousers. The bare foot in his palm was thin and dainty, the toes were smooth and round, the delicate lower leg was slender and toned, and that ankle was well-defined.

He asked: “Are you cold?” The other shook his head no, yet his toe slightly curled up.

The palm made its way up from the ankle. The thick calluses felt ticklish yet slightly painful. After reaching the calf, the hand stopped to massage. The five fingers spread apart, applying more force. He rubbed Rong Luoyun’s leg until it turned pink, until it was warm, and until that foot unconsciously found its way to rest on his knee, as if telling him he was pleased.

“Du Zhong,” Rong Luoyun called.

He hummed without lifting his eyes.

Rong Luoyun continued: “A little lighter.” This is good enough, you can stop. These phrases he had prepared were piled up in his throat. He ended up muttering them incoherently. His expression was like an inexperienced child. He clung onto the heat that those palms gave him, that numbing heat, traveling through his meridians, up his bones to his heart.

He couldn’t even sit still any longer. With two hands supporting the floor, he pulled himself backward, sending the jade crown behind his head tottering. Suddenly, Huo Linfeng’s large hands caught his leg and gave it another hard session of rubbing. With his hun scattered and po lost [1], his elbow lost all strength and sent him collapsing to the ground.

Huo Linfeng stared blankly when he saw this scene and wasn’t able to contain his laughter.

Rong Luoyun stayed staring at the roof beams as if knocked silly. He spotted the lumpy bottom of the magpie nest. A shadow shaped like a person flashed by and he found himself staring at Huo Linfeng. Huo Linfeng leaned over, blocking his view, and offered his hand.

He turned his face away. The floor his cheek touched was cold, causing him to shiver. Without taking that hand, he crawled up sideways. Those bare feet made their way, one after the other, into the hall. “Your work here is done. There is nothing else for you to do.” Destroying the bridge after crossing the river, killing the donkey after it had done its task [2], this was exactly what he was doing right now.

Huo Linfeng said: “Then I’ll go transfer the fish into a tank for you.”

The wooden tub was narrow, leaving the fish bumping into one another. They had exhausted themselves until they were barely swimming. Rong Luoyun observed them and said quite shamelessly: “I don’t have a tank.”

Huo Linfeng couldn’t help but laugh: “I have to pick up my elder brother tomorrow, so would you like to come with me to go shopping?”

Rong Luoyun gave it some thought: “It’s just a tank. You can just help me buy one.”

“Alright,” Huo Linfeng lowered his head to roll down the cuffs and hem, “Then I’ll pick one that suits your tastes. One with drawings of the joys done in a lady’s chambers with a touch of the skirts of beauties, ornaments, and delicate jade. Palace Lord would surely like that.” He finished unrolling the trousers and lifted his head. Under the hazy lights in the hall, Rong Luoyun flushed red from his teasing remarks.

Thus, he asked once more: “Would you like to come with me?”

Rong Luoyun resigned to fate. He nodded his head unwillingly as if he was herding ducks onto a perch [3]. Huo Linfeng cheerfully withdrew. He turned around and left with the stars as a cloak and the moon as a hat. His clothing scattered in the wind, leaving behind his handsome presence.

Once the person left, the Nameless Abode became quiet again.

The surroundings were quiet, the whole world was quiet.

Rong Luoyun entered his room, undressed, and climbed on the couch. He twisted his body and took a look at his calf. Red, with fingerprints spotted here and there. He reached out his hand to touch it. It was scalding hot. As if possessed, he reached to touch his face. It was also scalding hot.

No wonder it was so cold when his cheek touched the floor. It turns out his face was too warm.

Rong Luoyun laid down with a bang, wanting to punch a hole into the bed. He grabbed the brocade blanket and rolled himself into what seemed like a half-moon, seething with anger in the darkness. Without apparent reason, he inexplicably mumbled: “—Du. Zhong.”

That Du Zhong had already arrived at the Thousand Opportunities Hall. Only after reaching his bamboo garden did he finally let out a relieved sigh.

Within the house was a flight of old bamboo stairs. Even the lightest steps would cause it to groan and creak nonstop. Huo Linfeng came up to the second floor and made his way to his bedroom. He didn’t bother to undress and laid down with his arm pillowed behind his head, allowing his body to relax inch by inch.

If he hadn’t been quick and sharp-witted tonight, he’s afraid he would have been caught red-handed by Rong Luoyun. Just to cover it up, he even said some caring and sugarcoated words, and just to own up to his words, he even had to crouch under the eaves to massage the other’s leg.

Huo Linfeng pinched the space between his brows. He had done these actions to divert attention or perhaps to win favor, but, anyhow, it was not sincere. But last time, when he had done it out of worry…… his heart did not hold any unwillingness nor was he reluctant. Although his words were sarcastic, he was only teasing.

In his state of confusion, he punched his bed.

He closed his eyes. Everything emerged in his head. The letter the pigeon carried had several rugged small letters — The ill tiger is recuperating, temporarily unable to act.

Tiger, meaning him, Huo Linfeng. Sick and yet to recover, this was identical to what he had sent to the imperial court. The Extraordinary Palace and Chang’an are indeed in contact with one another. Are they colluding with an official or do they have a spy planted somewhere? He lifted his hand to lower the curtains. Since there was still a long time ahead, he’ll just figure it out as he goes.

After the night passed, the ginkgo trees in the Nameless Abode collected a layer of morning dew. A cement-gray pigeon flew out of its cage and perched at the lattice window under the veranda. A hand rested at the bedside in the room. The slender index finger lifted up slightly, letting the pigeon fly over and land. The pair of bean-like eyes swirled and turned.

Rong Luoyun removed the slip of paper. After he finished reading, he sneered. No wonder Huo Linfeng had yet to show his face. It turns out the tiger arrived at Jianghu and became a sick cat.

He got out of bed to bathe and change. He donned a casual narrow sleeved robe and tied his hair high behind his head. Feeling lively, he was just about to head out when he spotted the pigeon latched to the lattice window, yet to return to its cage, staring at him.

He was baffled: “You’ve worked hard flying back all those nights. Go eat some food.”

The pigeon hopped once but refused to leave. Rong Luoyun quickly made his way out the door. He opened his mouth, narrowed his eyes, and mimicked a cat: “— Meow!” The pigeon thought its predator had come to catch it and immediately unfolded its wing to fly away.

Huo Linfeng had already arrived behind the gates and had even gotten freshly made steamed cakes [4] from the kitchen. While eating his second one, his eye caught something in the distance. He stared. A hundred steps away, Rong Luoyun was riding on a small donkey, leisurely approaching, with his ponytail swinging.

And quietly, he was even humming a small tune.

Once the other was in front of him, Huo Linfeng said joyously: “Good morning, Palace Lord.” He took a look at the donkey’s face, then faced Rong Luoyun again, “You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? Would you like some steamed cake?”

Rong Luoyun nodded. He knew what this servant was laughing about, but there will be a lot of people on the streets later. A big horse would be more inconvenient than a donkey. After Huo Linfeng finished laughing, he held out the oil paper: “Do you want one with meat or vegetables?”

Rong Luoyun: “Both.”

Huo Linfeng thought he might as well offer all of it: “Then I’ll give all of these to you. I’ll lead the donkey.”

The two people left the palace at the beginning of this clear day. Their shadows appeared to be faint. One had his head lowered to eat and, fortunately, the other who was leading the donkey by the reins was walking steadily.

They arrived at the western market of the city. The streets were packed enough to make people dizzy and confused. Rong Luoyun looked around with great interest. He dismounted the donkey and walked side-by-side with Huo Linfeng. As they walked and talked, they stopped at the stand.

The vendor was an old lady. The stand was not big and was actually full of handmade items: thin handkerchiefs, silk hairpins, embroidered shoes, and such. Rong Luoyun pointed to an embroidered white fan and suggested: “You can buy one to give to your sweetheart.”

Huo Linfeng pondered, his sweetheart…… Excuse me, but who is that again? Rong Luoyun continued talking: “Yesterday, I found out that Bao Luo is always covering her face with a fan. So, if you buy her a fan, she would definitely be pleased.”

Huo Linfeng finally recalled. So, it turns out catering to his preferences was really effective. Rong Luoyun had even given him advice like a friend. “Thanking Palace Lord for his advice.” He lowered his head to choose one, but he was more experienced in choosing weapons than these. He couldn’t help but ask: “Palace Lord, which one do you like?”

Rong Luoyun responded vaguely: “That yellow one.”

Huo Linfeng picked it out. White silk surface, peach-colored handle, with a ginkgo tree embroidered on it. The old lady said: “This fan is a little more expensive. The embroidery on both sides took quite some time to sew.” He flipped the fan over. On the back, the fan was goose yellow and had the embroidery of a magnolia tree.

Two grown men, one who liked the white flowers of magnolia and the other the yellow leaves of ginkgo, were both captivated by this fan. Huo Linfeng bought it and packaged it. He stuffed it into the bag resting on the donkey’s back and continued on their way shopping.

As they passed Analects Teahouse, they heard sounds of applause and the expressive voice of the storyteller. As Huo Linfeng listened, he wondered: why was that voice so familiar? He stared at the person wrapped in an azure robe standing on the stage. It was actually Du Zheng.

He halted. What is that dimwit doing?!

But one truly cannot blame Du Zheng. The moment his master entered the Palace, he had been forgotten, so he could only go find something to do. Telling stories didn’t require much effort. With the random funny tales from the north he told, he was able to draw the customers’ attention and earned quite the money.

Rong Luoyun asked: “Is that someone you know?”

Huo Linfeng was embarrassed: “That’s my elder brother……”

They entered the teahouse and sat down near the windows. Rong Luoyun observed Du Zheng carefully. Slim shoulders, narrow eyes, lacking in qi. He was an ordinary person who did not practice martial arts. He then looked at Huo Linfeng. The other’s qi was concentrated in his dantian, profound and steady like pine. There was not a part of him that was not handsome.

“Your gege [5] doesn’t look that similar to you.” He said, “Seems like one took after the father and one after the mother.”

Huo Linfeng hid his guilty conscience and poured Rong Luoyun a full cup of tea. Perfectly, Du Zheng’s story had reached its climax. All the customers in the teahouse started sobbing one after another. After listening closely, he was narrating a story of a big family from a rich clan in the north, a forbidden love story between a manservant and a servant girl.

Someone wept: “If that manservant leaves to join the army, then the servant girl has no other choice but to marry someone else.”

Du Zheng wiped his tears with his sleeve. The manservant joins the army, the servant girl waits for his return, but the heavens do not work the way one wishes. The servant girl was married off to the young master of the household, and seven years later, when the manservant returned as a general, everything remained the same, but the people had changed.

Huo Linfeng nearly spouted out a mouthful of hot tea. What is this dimwit blabbering about? Yet, when he turned over, he saw Rong Luoyun with his chin in his hand, seeming to be earnestly listening. Even after the story was finished, the long sighs and sobs were still present.

The applause was thunderous. Du Zheng held a small bowl to collect rewards. After circling around, he arrived at the window. Young Master! He caught sight of Huo Linfeng and his eyes immediately started tearing up. Then, he saw Rong Luoyun and thus sent his tears flowing back where they came from.

Huo Linfeng clenched his teeth: “Gege.”

Du Zheng shuddered: “…… Didi [6].”

Rong Luoyun watched this “deep brotherly affection”. After their exchange, he remembered that they still hadn’t bought the fish tank yet, thus paying for the tea and leaving. Huo Linfeng followed behind and left Du Zheng to lead the donkey. The three continued to explore the streets.

They stopped at a stall. Rong Luoyun had yet to make his choice, so the master and servant pair stood there waiting. Du Zheng whispered: “Young Master, why do you have to accompany him in shopping as a Great Disciple?”

Huo Linfeng: “I even massaged his shoulders and legs.”

Du Zheng felt hateful and aggrieved. Huo Linfeng didn’t want to pay attention to him, so he stepped forward to help Rong Luoyun choose.

There were a dozen or so jars and tanks. Rong Luoyun wanted to buy a plain one, but the plain ones were a little too big. Just as he was starting to feel lost, Huo Linfeng walked up beside him nimbly and said: “There’s no harm in it being too big. I’ll just catch a few more fish for you.”

Rong Luoyun nodded, his appearance as if he was being coaxed. He fetched his money pouch to pay, but at that very moment, someone bumped into him and seized the embroidered pouch before fleeing.

“Du Zhong!” He blurted…… just like a young child whining.

Huo Linfeng said: “Wait here.” As he said this, he chased after.

Within the bustling street, Rong Luoyun stood alone in the spring breeze. His gaze followed along, but he did not budge a single inch.

The author has something to say:

Xiao-Rong’s Diary:

Beginning of spring, clear day.

Last night, Du Zhong provided me with health care, it hurt a little. Today, Du Zhong brought me to go shopping and I met his gege. His gege and him are really different, unlike Sister and I, who both have faces so beautiful they can topple cities. The tune I was humming was I have a small donkey, I never tried to ride it ~~~

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