Chapter 79 — Rubbing the Belly

Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

Wu Xingzi slept all the way until past noon. Only when he woke up, did Ping Yifan ask someone to bring the food in.

Sure enough, the vegetarian dishes of Chongxu Guan were worthy of their reputation. Altogether, there were three dishes, one soup, as well as a basket of steamed dumplings. The food was fried with canola oil, the taste crisp and not the slightest bit heavy. On the table were stir-fried tomatoes, tofu meatballs, fried bean sprouts, and a bowl of lotus leaf soup. It was unknown what sort of stock was used to prepare the soup, its flavour rich yet refreshing. There was no bitter taste of vegetables within, and the fragrance of lotus flowers lingered after drinking it.

Wu Xingzi had long been famished. His head was buried in his bowl, as he shovelled his food into his mouth, and his chopsticks did not stop picking up food for even a single moment. Well prepared vegetarian dishes would not leave an oily, greasy feeling around the mouth when done with the meal. One would only feel comfortable and pleased, satiated without feeling full to the point of discomfort. Wu Xingzi’s appetite had always been huge, and this time, he enjoyed himself to the fullest.

Ping Yifan did not have as good an appetite as him, but looking at how much the person in front of him was enjoying his food, he could not help having an extra bowl of rice. Finally, there was not even gravy left on the plates, as it had been poured all over Wu Xingzi’s rice to be eaten up.

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“Shall I help you rub your belly?” Ping Yifan’s smiling face glowed. He had already placed his hand on the belly of the old fellow who was sprawling lazily across the bamboo mat, gently rubbing at it.

“Thank you, thank you…” Wu Xingzi’s eyes were half-lidded. Because of this intimate action, the tips of his ears were tinged with a slight pink. However, he did not stop Ping Yifan.

Naturally, rubbing the belly alone was not enough to help in digestion, and so Ping Yifan suggested that he bring Wu Xingzi on a stroll around the temple. At this timing, most of the priests and other devotees would be resting in their rooms. The sun was beating down so heavily that their skin felt as though it was being scorched, but Wu Xingzi did not pay any attention to the heat at all, following Ping Yifan excitedly as they explored the whole of the temple.

Chongxu Guan covered a broad expanse of area. Despite there being some wings and ritual areas where guests were not allowed to go near, they still needed nearly two hours to finish walking through the grounds.

Back in the guest room, a large bowl of icy sour plum soup was already prepared on the table. After drinking a bowl, coolness washed down their bodies from head to toe, and Wu Xingzi shuddered, exclaiming over how good it felt.

“Let’s return to the capital.” Ping Yifan still looked very refined when drinking the sour plum soup, taking a quarter of an hour to finish it. He then took his handkerchief out, wiping his mouth with it. Wu Xingzi was completely captivated by this good looking man in front of him, and no matter what Ping Yifan said, he would smile and nod along.

When they left, Ping Yifan did not take him down Qianyun Stairs. Instead, his carriage had taken the private path up the back of the mountain, and was waiting at the back door. Before leaving the temple, a little disciple ran up to them, carrying a food basket as he called out, “This is a small gift from my shifu, may you accept it.”

“We’ve troubled the little Daozhang. May the little Daozhang please help us convey our thanks to your shifu.” Wu Xingzi accepted the basket with reverence and awe. Ping Yifan immediately helped him up the carriage, but he himself did not get in, turning to exchange a few words with the disciple. In the carriage, Wu Xingzi was unable to make out their conversation, and instead, he speculated curiously over what sort of a good thing was inside the food basket.

When Ping Yifan got into the carriage, Wu Xingzi had already sniffed out that the basket contained vegetarian dumplings. Midway through the journey, Ping Yifan asked Wu Xingzi to go ahead and open the basket, and to eat the items within. However, Wu Xingzi thought that he ought to bring back such good things for Mint, Osmanthus and Hei’er to try, so he held himself back from eating the dumplings.

Chongxu Guan’s vegetarian dumplings were famous throughout the land, and one could not easily get their hands on them as and when they like. It was unclear what method Ping Yifan used, to be able to convince Chongxu Guan into letting them take some away.

When Wu Xingzi asked, Ping Yifan’s lips quirked up. “It’s not me, but Lord Yan, Yan Wenxin, who has such a great ability in doing so.”

He sighed. “I don’t know what Lord Yan is planning. I’m only just a commoner, and Mr. Wu is not one from the capital. This show of courtesy certainly makes one tremble a little in fright.”

Hearing Yan Wenxin’s name, Wu Xingzi lowered his head, mumbling a few sounds of agreement. Naturally, he did not notice the gloom flashing through Ping Yifan’s eyes.

Back in the capital, the evening lanterns were already lit. Ping Yifan sent Wu Xingzi back to Rancui’s residence. He first got off the carriage, then helped Wu Xingzi out. Walking him all the way to the door, he seemed a little reluctant to part.

“Mr. Wu, I don’t know if you’d be willing to go listen to the playing of a qin with me seven days later?” Ping Yifan finally decided to ask this question when Wu Xingzi took a step into the door.

“A qin?” Wu Xingzi’s eyes brightened, nodding enthusiastically. “Of course I’m willing. May I know which musician Ping-gongzi is planning on taking me to see?”

“Qingzhu Lane’s Bai-gongzi.”

Hearing the answer, Wu Xingzi could not help exclaiming, and his entire being seemed rejuvenated. “Bai-gongzi’s qin! Aiyah, aiyah, I’ll definitely attend, I’ll definitely attend!”

During the gathering of the Peng Society at Lianxiang Residences, Young Master Bai’s The Tree of Jianmu had truly left Wu Xingzi intoxicated. He had thought that he would never be fortunate enough to get another chance again, but the heavens had actually given him such a good opportunity.

“However, I heard that Bai-gongzi doesn’t play his qin for everyone.” Comparable to Young Master Bai’s skills was his temper. It was not that Bai Shaochang had a bad temper, but he was haughty and conceited. As a qin player, he had been immersed in the art of qin since he was young. He did act a little lofty, but he was not completely blind to worldly desires. Even though he was hailed as Great Xia’s chief qin player, he would still play his qin in all sorts of places. He did not care about the status or position the people listening held, but he only played his qin for people who appreciated the music.

It was rumoured that the son of the current Defender Duke wanted to invite Bai Shaochang to come to his residence and play a song for him. The Defender Duke and the Protector General could be claimed as Great Xia’s two sharp blades, or the two war gods of the country. Although the Defender Duke was slightly suppressed by the Protector General’s position, his one step in the capital was still enough to leave strong aftershocks in his wake.

As for the son of the Defender Duke, in comparison with Guan Shanjin, the son of the Protector General, other than being a prodigal son, there was nothing much else to describe him with. He was not a bad person, and he did have a sense of propriety. However, his shortcoming was that he tended to indulge in debauchery, and towards the six arts of rites, music, archery, charioteering, reading and writing, he showed no interest. Inviting Bai Shaochang to play the qin for him, it was evident to everyone that the qin was not the focus of the invitation, rather it was the person playing the qin.

And how could Bai Shaochang not realise that? He of course sternly rejected him on the spot, and this refusal ended up bringing trouble upon himself. The son of the Defender Duke was born with a silver spoon. No matter how big a reputation Bai Shaochang had, and how the emperor had bestowed upon his father a plaque with the inscription “Number One Qin Player” and his father now only played for the emperor, the Bai family was only one of the common folks. With no money nor power, and only some skills, Bai Shaochang had the guts to embarrass the Defender Duke’s household. How could this be tolerated?

He naturally could not. The son of the Defender Duke had originally not been so obsessed with a Musician, but now, he was consumed by an obstinacy that demanded he get this person.

At first, his invitations had been polite and courteous, accompanied by gifts. However, when the steward, bearing gifts, had been rejected twice at the door, fury suffused the man. Never in his life had he ever met someone who did not know what was good for himself. Born in an aristocratic, powerful family, he had always received whatever he demanded as a child. Among his peers, other than Guan Shanjin, no one dared ignore or disrespect him. Who else had ever embarrassed him like this before? As rage consumed him, the Defender Duke’s son then dragged Bai Shaochang away in broad daylight, on the streets of the capital.

It had to be said that this Bai Shaochang was truly stubborn. After being dragged to the residence of the Defender Duke, he was not afraid, nor did he give in. He would never play the qin there, but the Defender Duke’s son completely had no intentions to listen to him play the qin either. He only wanted to have his fun with this aloof, cold beauty. Who would have guessed that in the end, he was not able to get his way, and in a cloud of shame, he sent Bai Shaochang back home.

The common folk all speculated over what exactly had happened in the middle, and the most commonly agreed upon hypothesis was that Bai Shaochang, about to be taken advantage of by the Defender Duke’s son, had whipped out his personal dagger, holding it to his own throat and threatening to kill himself. The Defender Duke’s son was a bit of a dandy, but he had never taken anyone’s life before. In that instant, he had been scared sober, and he dared not push himself onto Bai Shaochang anymore, instead letting the man go just like that.

From that moment on, Bai Shaochang pretty much never played the qin in public again, and he had also stayed at home for quite some time, closing the doors to all visitors.

Rancui had also mentioned before that he had been fortunate enough to have Young Master Bai agree to attend the gathering of the Peng Society. He had also never expected that he would actually be willing to play the qin at the gathering.

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Ping Yifan naturally was aware of the rumours surrounding Bai Shaochang, and he could not help laughing. “After being forcefully abducted by the Defender Duke’s son, Bai-gongzi did seclude himself at home for some time. In the past two years, he would send out three invitations every ten days, inviting those who keenly appreciate music to listen to him play. With so many rich people in the capital, who wouldn’t like an invitation?”

“Then, how did you end up getting invited?” Wu Xingzi only realised that he sounded rude after asking the question. His ears red, he stammered an explanation, “I know that you’re a good person, and also someone who appreciates music. I didn’t…”

Ping Yifan was not bothered. Smiling, he tweaked Wu Xingzi’s fleshy nose. “This is all thanks to the connection made at the Peng Society’s gathering, when I played the flute. My skill is truly too lacking to be shown in public like this, but unexpectedly, Bai-gongzi has some appreciation for it, and he has actually sent an invitation to me.”

“Ai, your flute-playing is excellent! I like listening to you on the flute.” Wu Xingzi did not understand how he could be so daring to the point of rashness when facing Ping Yifan. No matter what Ping Yifan did, he liked it all, and he only wished that he could dig out his heart and present it to the man.

“I’m honoured that you’re not disdainful of it.” Ping Yifan hooked his little finger around Wu Xingzi’s little finger.

Although this action was minuscule, Wu Xingzi had never ever done something so affectionate with Guan Shanjin before. He nodded slightly, originally wanting to take his hand back, but in the end, as though possessed, he curled his finger around the other’s as well.

“I’ll come and pick you up at 9am seven days later.” Looking at the time, it was already quite late. Although they had a late lunch, vegetarian food tended to get digested faster, and one would become hungry quicker. Ping Yifan did not want to delay Wu Xingzi’s dinner, and so he took his leave.

Feeling reluctant, Wu Xingzi could not help but speak. “The thing is, I did not receive Bai-gongzi’s invitation. Wouldn’t it be too rude if I were to just accompany you like that?”

“You don’t have to worry about this. In Bai-gongzi’s invitation, it’s mentioned that I can bring along a plus-one. In the past, Bai-gongzi did like making friends through music. If not because of the scare from the Defender Duke’s son, it actually was not difficult to get a chance to listen to him play.” Ping Yifan patted the back of Wu Xingzi’s hand, before pinching at his palm. “Go on in, you should be eating at this time. Mint and Osmanthus must be waiting for you already. You shouldn’t let the young girls go hungry, am I right?”

“Ah, yes, yes…” Wu Xingzi nodded continuously, but his feet never moved. His hand was tucked into Ping Yifan’s palm, which felt coarse and dry, with a warmth exuding from it. Despite there being a thin layer of sweat from the heat of the day, Wu Xingzi was still reluctant to let go.

Ping Yifan laughed lightly as he pinched Wu Xingzi’s hand again. “It’s merely seven days, it’ll pass in the blink of an eye.”

Even if I take it as sleeping, I would still need to blink seven times before the day would arrive. Wu Xingzi nodded glumly. He released his hand from Ping Yifan’s hold, watching the man get back onto the carriage and leaving.

Ah, what’s wrong with me! We’ve clearly spent the entire day together, and he’s only just left, but I’m starting to miss him already.

Wu Xingzi stood by the door for quite some time before closing the door while turning his head back frequently, then returned to his temporary place of residence.

“Oh? You’re back?” In the house, Rancui was dressed in a gauzy crimson robe over an ivory coloured robe with embroidery on its edges. He was lying on his side on a daybed, looking through an accounts book in his hand. Under the candlelight, his eyelashes were sharp and distinct, casting a light shadow over his eyes.

Wu Xingzi was no longer surprised by how Rancui would lounge about lazily, considering how they were such close friends now. In the past, Rancui would still try his best to portray an image of what a manager should be like. However, recently, as long as he was at home, as though boneless, he would never sit when he could lie down. Even the room Wu Xingzi was temporarily staying in had a daybed just for Rancui to lounge in.

“Ai.” Wu Xingzi nodded, handing the basket in his hand to the girls. “These are the vegetarian dumplings from Chongxu Guan. Share them amongst yourself, Manager Rancui and Hei’er.”

“Chongxu Guan’s vegetarian dumplings?” Rancui was evidently surprised. Using his accounts book to block his vague smile, he said, “Ping-gongzi is truly very resourceful. Today is neither the first or the fifteenth of the month, yet he is able to get a basket of dumplings from Chongxu Guan.”

It had to be known that Chongxu Guan’s most noble devotee was the emperor himself. As such, the temple had no need to do anyone a favour, and no one would dare insist on their way in front of them too. Doing so, would they not be disrespecting the emperor? One truly had to be tired of their life to be so impudent.

“No, it’s not Ping-gongzi.” Wu Xingzi’s smile was a little bitter. Sitting down by the table, he poured himself a cup of tea. After wetting his throat, he finally said, “It was a gift from Lord Yan.”

“Lord Yan?” Rancui lifted a brow, glancing over to Hei’er expressionlessly. The man standing silently in a corner of the room shook his head slightly, signalling that this was not a deliberate plan of his master. “You met Yan Wenxin today?”

Hearing that name, Wu Xingzi’s expression immediately dimmed. His back, which had started becoming straighter and more upright recently, now hunched over again. He curled up into a ball, and he seemed to have returned to becoming that Qingcheng County’s adviser who had yet to start collecting the Pengornisseur, and instead had been counting down the days to his death.

Seeing him like this, Rancui kept his accounting book aside. Moving from the daybed over to Wu Xingzi, he patted his back consolingly.

Not too long ago, Wu Xingzi had personally told Rancui about the matter between Yan Wenxin and him. Rancui was a very smart person, and he had seen too much of such love and romance, so he naturally understood what sort of position Yan Wenxin held in Wu Xingzi’s heart. It was a wound that seemed to have healed on the surface, but underneath it, the wound was still fresh and bleeding. If the necrotic flesh was never sliced away, the wound would never heal.

This was also why later, Rancui was willing to cooperate with Guan Shanjin’s nonsense. Although with regards to the matters of love, this general was even more foolish than a three year old child. He was very bold and resolute, his possessiveness so strong that one could not stand against it. He would definitely be able to completely clear up the wound in Wu Xingzi’s heart, making it such that no one would be able to even cast a shadow upon it in the future.

It was just that this Great Southern Garrison General seemed to have gone crazy, insisting on pretending to be Ping Yifan to get close to Wu Xingzi. However, when he thought about how much trouble Guan Shanjin would be in when the deception was revealed, Rancui was secretly delighted, and he immediately instructed the Peng Society to give him their fullest support.

Rancui again patted Wu Xingzi’s hunched shoulders, speaking comfortingly, “At least Ping Yifan was with you the entire time, right? Did he not persuade you to eat these dumplings?”

“Ai, he did. But I thought that these are some really good things, so I should bring them back to let everyone taste them.” Speaking about Ping Yifan and food, the gloom on Wu Xingzi’s face receded a fair bit. With a light blush on his face, he quietly told Rancui, “Ping Yifan has invited me to listen to Bai-gongzi play the qin seven days later. What do you think I should wear? What about the outfit I wore to the Peng Society gathering? Ah, right, that set of clothes wasn’t cheap, right? I have to pay you back.”

“There’s no need for that. That set of clothes was only something I could not fit into. If you like it, just keep it. If not, it’ll just be feeding insects at the bottom of my trunk.”

In reality, that set of clothes had been sent over by Guan Shanjin’s man, and the material and sewing were the best in the capital. However, why would Rancui ever tell Wu Xingzi that? He had no intention of even hinting about it to Wu Xingzi, as he liked being an obstruction for Guan Shanjin.

“No, no, that’s too much? It’s supposed to belong to you after all…” Wu Xingzi frowned uneasily, silently counting how much he could take out from that tiny little money pouch of his.

“There’s really no need. We are friends, and as friends, would you pay for a gift from your friend?” Rancui waved him off generously, then revealed a small, wicked smile. “However, if you really mind it, then just do me a favour.”

“Of course, just tell me.”

“I’ll hold you to it first. When the day comes and I need your help, you only just have to give me a helping hand.” Smiling, Rancui’s fox-like eyes curved like crescents. Not too far away, Hei’er shuddered fiercely.

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