Chapter Five: Setting Sail Southward

Wuxian, the seat of Wu Commandery, was the very place that would become Suzhou in later generations. Its territory was crisscrossed by rivers and harbors, lakes and marshes densely scattered, and its natural scenery boasted a momentary brilliance, long enjoying the reputation of being a paradise on earth.

In his previous life, Xu You had visited Wuxian many times. Yet, seeing the original, untouched ancient Suzhou with his own eyes, he still felt that even the most exquisite words could barely capture its wonder. Rows of white walls and blue tiles stretched out along winding streams, scattering into the distance in the shape of jade sashes. Every few meters stood an arched stone bridge; boats passed beneath them, as if heavenly maidens were weaving splendid brocades from mortal things. From time to time, clusters of finely dressed men and women walked by, each graceful and delicate, faces powdered and lightly scented, so much so that it was hard to tell women from men. The busy shipping trade gave rise to an even busier morning market—cries of hawkers, haggling, shouts, and the rhythmic chants of workers loading and unloading cargo all blended into a long, resplendent scroll of a flourishing age.

They moored the light boat at one of the twenty-eight docks of Wuxian. Ding Ji paid the dock official the required levy, known as the “landing fee,” and, being a regular in Wuxian, led Zuo Wen ashore to fetch a doctor from the nearby area, while Qiu Fen and Ding Kuer busied themselves preparing a meal. Soon, smoke curled from the stove, and the fragrance of cooked rice began to fill the air. Qiu Fen carried in a bowl of steamed rice, smiling, “Young master, time to eat!”

Except for admiring the scenery upon entering the city, Xu You had spent all his time in the cabin. He took the bowl, brought it to his nose, and said, “Drawing water from afar, scooping here, pouring there, the rice thus steamed is delicious indeed… Little girl, you have quite the talent for cooking!”

This was a line from the Book of Songs, meaning that fresh water fetched from afar, poured from here to there, made for truly superb steamed rice. It sounded boastful, and rightly so—for in the old days, steamed rice was considered a delicacy, much like bird's nest or shark fin today, not the fare of ordinary households. Qiu Fen, brought up by Xu You to be a tomboy, recognized many characters but hadn’t read many books, and so couldn’t make sense of his recitation. She stuck out her tongue, saying, “Young master, you’re starting to sound more and more like the Yuan family…”

Was that a veiled jab at him for being a pretentious scholar? Xu You shot her a sidelong glance. “Where’s your rice? Bring it over and eat with me.”

“Oh, no, this isn’t my doing! Ku’er just bought the finest Lin Yi rice from Ningzhou at the grain dock next door and made this steamed rice especially for you.”

Of the twenty-eight docks at Wuxian, each had its specialization: the silver dock for transporting money and silk, the grain dock for rice, wheat, and other foodstuffs, and even a dock solely for manure.

“Especially for me?”

Xu You knew Lin Yi referred to a place in central Vietnam, though during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties it had always been part of China. In this world too, it fell under the jurisdiction of Ningzhou in the state of Chu.

He tasted the rice; it was fragrant, smooth, and sweet, with a texture entirely different from the rice of the Three Wu region. “Why go to the trouble of making this just for me?”

Steamed rice was prepared in a special way: the rice was first half-boiled in a pot, then scooped up and placed in a basket for steaming. The grains would swell, separate, and remain distinct—each one a singular pearl. The character for “fen” in the Book of Songs referred to this very method.

Qiu Fen pursed her lips in a smile but said nothing. Xu You pointed at her, “This must be your idea, right? Don’t do this in the future. Whatever you all eat, I’ll eat the same. Don’t worry, your young master isn’t so delicate.”

“You’ve wronged me, young master. I truly had nothing to do with it.”

“Then tell me, why would Ku’er give me such special treatment?”

If he’d said that to Ding Ku’er directly, it would have sounded like teasing, but with Qiu Fen, it was but a jest between master and servant.

Qiu Fen burst out laughing. “Young master, what are you imagining? She’s not treating you any differently. She told me, our young master may look gentle and frail, but when he puts on a cold face, he’s truly frightening, like a general commanding a thousand troops. One glare, one huff, and it’s as if he’s ready to kill. She’s not wrong—aren’t all the men of the Xu family famed generals? It’s just a pity…”

Her expression dimmed, fearful of upsetting Xu You. She hurriedly lowered her head and changed the subject. “Young master, eat your rice. I’ll go check on Lushuang.”

Watching her retreating figure, Xu You shook his head and smiled. Though he bore the deep grudge of the Xu clan, anyone truly bent on vengeance would have to suppress that bloody urge deep in their heart. Not only would a passing mention from others fail to stir his emotions, but even if one day he stood before the Shen clan or the Crown Prince himself, he would still have to act as if nothing was amiss. How could he be unsettled by Qiu Fen’s unintentional words?

After finishing his bowl of rice, Qiu Fen hurried in. “Young master, why isn’t Lord Zuo back yet? Lushuang... she’s coughing so badly she can hardly breathe…”

Xu You’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. He calmly set down his bowl and chopsticks. “Let’s wait patiently for Feng Hu to return. There’s nothing we can do by worrying. Still, don’t fret too much; a cold is not an urgent illness. Wuxian is the heart of the Three Wu, and even an average doctor here is far better than any in Jinling. She’ll be cured in no time.”

“Yes, you’re right, young master.” Qiu Fen nodded vigorously.

Half an hour later, Zuo Wen returned to the boat with the doctor in tow. The doctor was white-faced with a long beard, his eyes bright and penetrating, followed by two attendants carrying medicine chests. His bearing alone was enough to inspire confidence, whatever his skill.

A while later, Xu You heard Zuo Wen’s voice bidding the doctor farewell, knowing the examination was done. Soon after, Zuo Wen lifted the curtain and entered.

“How is she?” Xu You asked.

“The doctor says cold evil has bound the exterior and constricted the defensive yang, hence the chills…”

“Is it serious?”

Zuo Wen replied solemnly, “Very serious. The illness comes on fast and lasts long. Even after recovery, she’ll need careful nursing. Right now she only feels cold and breathless, but if the chill worsens, she’ll start vomiting and bloating. If it lingers, it will block her meridians, leading to paralysis or convulsions. If it strikes deeper, it could cause collapse and threaten her life!”

Xu You had expected it wouldn’t be trivial, but not this troublesome. “Has the doctor prescribed anything?”

“Yes—ephedra, ziziphus, apricot kernel, mulberry bark, poria, licorice, seven qian each, and…”

“You know medicine. Is this prescription sound?”

Not daring to be careless, Zuo Wen examined the prescription again. “The doctor diagnosed internal cold, so he’s using the formula for Dispersing the Canopy. It should be correct… But as you know, young master, I’ve only picked up a smattering of battlefield first aid. I’m not confident with such a serious illness.”

“Let’s use the medicine! Since we don’t know better, we might as well trust the doctor’s judgment.”

While the medicine was brewing, Xu You went to see Lushuang. “The doctor said it’s a minor illness. A few doses and you’ll be much better. Don’t worry.”

Lushuang’s lips, usually rosy, were now cracked with cold, her brows weak and pallid. Yet even in her frailty, the slightest movement was as delicate as Xi Shi holding her heart, stirring a natural pity in the beholder.

“You’ve troubled yourself for my sake, young master…” Lushuang coughed softly, pausing between words. “Once I’ve taken the medicine, if I can stand, I must trouble you to send me to an inn in the city…”

Inns had a long history. In Han times they were called guest lodges; by the Wei and Jin dynasties, they were known as “traveler’s inns.” Xu You frowned. “An inn? Aren’t you returning to Qingle Tower?”

Lushuang reached from beneath the covers, gripping his wrist tightly, her fingertips pale from the effort, her face upturned in supplication. “Young master… cough, cough… What I said before was only to keep Qiu Fen from worrying, and not to distract you further… In truth, anyone able to leave that place would rather die outside than return… Please, young master, just let me go anywhere in the city—just don’t, don’t…”

So it was to be expected. Unless one was born to lowly status, no one who had managed to escape a place like Qingle Tower would ever wish to return. Lushuang was no longer in the first bloom of girlhood; even if she could return to that day, and even if she could entrust her life to someone as kind as the second son of the Yuan family, what would it matter?

You may know a face but not a heart; a woman’s fate—especially that of a beautiful woman—was never truly in her own hands.

Seeing that Xu You remained silent, Lushuang’s face grew even paler. “Young master, I’ll be fine at an inn. As long as I pay enough for the room, there will be people to help with meals and medicine. After a while, I’ll recover. Then I can find an honest man to marry, or seek another path—whatever happens, it won’t be so hard.”

“Room money” was simply the cost of lodging. At last, Xu You made up his mind. He took her slender hand, tucked it back under the covers, straightened the bedding, and walked out. At the door to the cabin, he stopped, without turning his head. “Qiu Fen will help you take your medicine. Afterward, get a good sleep. In two days, when we reach Qiantang, I’ll find a renowned physician to see you.”

Lushuang was stunned, gazing at his retreating figure in silence. After a long time, she suddenly pulled the blanket over her face, her body trembling, and soon a muffled sob burst out, mingled with joy and deep repression.

At the prow, Zuo Wen came to meet him and asked quietly, “Shall I hire an ox cart?”

“That won’t be necessary. Tell Ding Ji to prepare food and water, and don’t waste time. We must leave as soon as possible.”

Zuo Wen agreed without protest. Xu You glanced at him. “Aren’t you going to ask why I changed my mind?”

“You, young master, are no ordinary man. You do what others would not. Where others choose the best or the second-best option, you take the least obvious one—for reasons no one else could fathom.”

Xu You laughed heartily. “Feng Hu, you always said you weren’t cut out for flattery, but that was a fine bit of flattery just now. You’re improving!”

Zuo Wen smiled as well, glancing back at Lushuang’s cabin. There was a trace of worry in his eyes, but even more, a deep and sincere admiration for Xu You.

In this world, there were many who could kill, but those who could kill yet restrain the urge were rare, exceedingly rare.

For the sake of this rarest sort of man, he was willing to follow him to the death, and have no regrets.