Chapter 7

The three reluctantly bid one another farewell. Just as Hu Yulin and Jiang Weiping were about to board their carriage, a sturdy Hu family servant came running over, drenched in sweat and looking panic-stricken.

"Young master, return at once!"

Hu Yulin's expression turned solemn. "What happened?"

The servant leaned close and spoke in a low voice, yet all three heard him clearly.

"The Emperor has died."

The ruler of Wei had passed away, and storms were rising. The situation in Shengjing was impossible to discern, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.

Far away in Qingzhou, Rong Xi remained wholly untouched by it. He merely needed to wear mourning clothes for a month to show his respect.

In the wards and marketplaces, the music of strings and pipes fell silent. Fine garments and luxurious robes vanished from sight. No one dared sing, dance, brew wine, or discuss the qin.

To avoid trouble, Hu Yulin no longer visited Rong Residence. He only made secret preparations to expand the coal business. Jiang Weiping shut himself away to craft tools, swearing to master the art of iron smelting and not fail Rong Xi's trust.

Linxi Town was as quiet as a mountain forest, and the common people did not dare make a sound.

Rong Residence stood in a secluded spot west of town. Though its courtyard was not small, there were no neighboring homes nearby, only distant mountains and fields. There was but one master and two servants within, and its gates remained shut day and night, unnoticed by anyone.

Rong Xi was quite happy to have the peace.

Liu Zishi had been studying for more than ten days. Though determined and steadfast, his aptitude was limited, and he struggled to understand the meanings within the books. Rong Xi therefore focused on teaching him characters. Each day, the youth copied and learned a hundred characters; when tested the next day, he remembered only eleven or twelve.

Even so, Rong Xi felt gratified.

A few more days passed. On a rainy night, a group of people slipped into Linxi.

They sought lodging and did not wish to attract attention, so they naturally chose a lonely, quiet residence. Thus, Rong Residence caught their eye.

The lamplight flickered while autumn rain fell without end. Rong Xi rested lightly on his bed, his consciousness gradually drifting away. Then he heard a sound from the window lattice, as though someone were knocking, faintly reaching him through the rainy night.

Rong Xi remained still for a moment, but the sound continued. He rose and approached the window, only to see that the paper covering had been torn. A sharp bird's beak poked through the broken window.

A white bird perched imperiously on the windowsill. Its pitch-black eyes suddenly met Rong Xi's.

It seemed to understand human nature. Seeing that Rong Xi had noticed it, it spat out the object in its beak—a crumpled ball of paper.

Rong Xi took it and unfolded it. The handwriting upon it was crooked and uneven.

"Your kindness and generosity are well known. Please permit us to stay the night."

He held up the paper and looked at the white bird. The bird tilted its head slightly, as if trying to ingratiate itself.

Rong Xi considered it. Travelers seeking shelter on a rainy night, unwilling to make a disturbance, had sent a bird with a letter. They must have something to fear.

Should he open the door and welcome them, or coldly ignore them?

Cold rain drifted in through the window, snapping Rong Xi back to himself. He decided to follow his heart. Anyone who used such a method to seek the owner's permission could not be some violent tyrant.

He reached out to stroke the bird's head, then found rain gear and followed the white bird to the side gate.

The bolt was drawn back, and the old wooden door creaked open. Rong Xi's face was hidden beneath his bamboo hat, impossible to make out in the pitch-black night.

He caught a faint smell of blood.

The people outside were overjoyed and were about to offer their thanks when the master of the residence spoke calmly.

"How much rent do the guests intend to pay?"

Author's Note:

Taizhou Salted Fish (xiǎng): a salted dried fish specialty from Taizhou.

An important character has appeared! Please leave lots of comments, everyone~

Chapter 7

Rain poured down in curtains from the eaves.

Liu He carried a tray into the room and set it on the table. With several people gathered inside, the room felt somewhat crowded.

"Young master, the ginger soup is ready."

The travelers had been drenched by the rain. To keep them from catching cold and falling ill, then passing it on to him, Rong Xi had instructed Liu He to prepare ginger soup and bring it over.

Their rent was generous, so Rong Xi decided to treat them well.

There were five travelers. One had injured his leg and could barely walk. He was now lying on the bed, while one of his companions applied medicine and bandaged him.

Judging by his skillful movements, he had surely practiced medicine for many years. The fact that they had a physician traveling with them meant this man's identity could not be underestimated.

Of the remaining three, one was handsome and tall, likely not yet twenty. The other two stayed constantly at his side. Both were tall and broad, imposing and powerfully built.

All of them wore plain mourning clothes.

"The night is cold. Why not drink some ginger soup first, then wash yourselves and change into clean clothes?" Rong Xi suggested gently.

Fortunately, Rong Residence was spacious and had plenty of bedrooms. Otherwise, it might have been difficult to accommodate five people.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, little gentleman." The handsome youth smiled. His black hair was soaked through and plastered messily across his forehead, temples, and cheeks, making him seem rather pitiful.

Though he said so, he did not reach for the soup.

The physician suddenly stood, picked up a bowl, and gulped it all down. He smiled at Rong Xi with curved eyes, looking handsome and open-hearted.

"You are kind, little gentleman. Thank you."

Once he drank, the other three followed suit.

Liu He brought another bowl of sweet water to the bedside. "This gentleman is injured and should not have ginger."

The handsome physician accepted the bowl with a smile. Meeting the man's amber eyes, he said, "Sweet water replenishes the blood."

The man glared back at him.

The young physician did not yield in the slightest.

Only then did Rong Xi clearly see the man's face.

His features were exquisite beyond measure. Though as delicate as those of a beautiful woman, he possessed no trace of weakness. His eyes were striking, his brows finely shaped, his nose proud and straight, and his lips perfectly formed. Pale from blood loss, he looked faintly fragile as he refused the sweet water.

Such a face could be called peerless.

Perhaps because Rong Xi had stared for too long, the man turned his gaze toward him. The white bird resting quietly beside the bed also looked over at Rong Xi.

A pet bird followed its master. That was only natural.

The man's eyes were dark as lacquer, made even more hazy and radiant beneath the flickering candlelight. He gazed at Rong Xi for a long while before finally speaking, his voice as clear as a struck chime.

"We have troubled you by seeking shelter late at night, little gentleman. Your hospitality leaves me deeply grateful." His tone was gentle, yet every word rang firm. "I was traveling for trade with my younger brother when we encountered bandits. We were fortunate to escape with our lives. Thanks to your care, little gentleman, we can finally rest easy."

Rong Xi did not believe a single word.

If they had encountered bandits, where had their rent come from? This man was clearly making things up. If Rong Xi had any sense, he would recognize the suspicious circumstances and refrain from asking further questions.

There was only one master and two servants in the residence. They would be easy to control, and there would be no fear of word getting out.

"Hot water has been prepared. If there is not enough, the kitchen is less than a hundred paces away. You may prepare more yourselves. It is late. Please retire early." With that, Rong Xi left.

The five people in the room remained silent for some time.

After a while, the handsome youth walked to the bedside. His eyes were red and his nose stung as he said in a muffled voice, "Brother, it was my fault. I made you suffer this."