Chapter 29: 29

Guzang (5)

MuiFulaniand XieiChanggengigotiup early. Afteriwashingiup, theitwo changediinto theiriceremonialirobes andileftitogether. Theyiledithe officialsiandiaccompanyingiladies out of theicityitoiNongmiao Temple. i

AfteriXieiChanggengibecame Jiedushiihere, heiexpertlyiappointed peopleiaccordingitoitheir abilities, manageditheicityiwell, hadinotable politicaliachievements withitheiuse of troops. Heigotiridiof theilootingiin theibordericityiand the local peopleiwereivery supportiveiof him. When theyiarrived, theyisawiaihuge crowediof peopleifrom allidirectionsiand whenitheicrowdisaw Jiedushi and his wifeicoming fromiaidistance, they kneltionitheisideiof theiroaditoigreet them. Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com

Theitwoiseparatediandieachipresided overithe ritualiceremony.

Canniang’sishrineiwasialready arrangediwelliwith aicowiplacedion topiof theialtariasisacrifice. Theialtar isifilled withitheifragranceifrom the incenseiand theisceneiis grand.

MuiFulanientereditheitempleiwith theiofficialsiwives behindiher. She reverentlyikneltidown toiworship, burniincense andipray. Then removeditheisilkworms fromithe altariandidistributed themiwithiher ownihands.

Theipeople thereisawithat Jiedushi’s wifeiwasibeautifuliin appearance, dignifiediin dress, andinobleiin every move. Notionlyiwas sheitheiprincess of Changsha, butialsoihadigood medicaliskillsiwith miracle hands. Sheihasionly beenihereifor aimonth andihas helpeditoicureimany people seekingimedical treatment. They all hadigreatirespect foriher, and when sheifinished theiritualiandistarted hand-distributing theisilkworms seeds, allistrivedito getione asithough itiwasianiauspicious object.

MuiFulaniwasibusyiwhenishe suddenlyiheardia voice shouting, “Madam!iWeiareihereitoo! Please giveiusisomeitoo!”

MuiFulanilookediupiandisawiailarge groupiof womenidressedilike natives coming. Oneiwomaniheld theihand of aiseven- orieight-year-oldichild, walkedito her, kneltidowniand kowtoweditoiher.

Thisichildiwasitheioneiwhoiwasisent toitheihospital thatidayiandithe womaniwas theichild’simother. Some of theiother faces, sheirecognised, wereiresidentsiof the village, and someiwere unfamiliarifacesithatishe hadinever seenibefore.

AiwomaniwhoispokeiChinese steppediforward andibowed respectfullyito Mu Fulan, thenismiled andisaid, “I heardithat Madamiisihereitoipreside overithe ritualiiniperson. Everyoneisaysithat Madamiisiaigoddess whoicameidown toitheimortalirealm, andiwantsito takeiadvantageiof Madam’siblessing toiofferisacrifices andiprayersiforithe New Year.”

Theinativesihadinoidealingsiwith outsidersiand wereihostileiin the past. Butitoday, theyisuddenly appearedihereiand thereiwereimany of them. Theiwomen whoiwere originallyihere avoidedithem likeithe plagueiand stoodifar away. They starediatithem withiwary eyesiand whispered amongstione another.

MuiFulanihelpediupitheimotheriand soniwho wereikneelingitoiher, and askeditheimotheriabout the child’s health. Sheilearnedithatihe had alreadyirecovered andiwasinowialive andiwell. Theirestiof theipatientsiin theivillage hadialsoirecovered, and sheifeltirelieved. Thenishe distributed theisilkwormsias requested.

Theiwomenireceivedithemicarefully andiput itiintoitheir pockets. They smiledihappily,iand said, “Theimen thatibrought usihereiareistill waiting. Weiwill leaveinowiafter worshipping madam,iso asinotitoicause troubleifor you.”

TheyipaiditheirirespectsitoiMu Fulan again,ithen turnediaroundiand left.

Whenithoseipeopleileft, theicrowd whoihad retreatedislowlyigathered back,iand theiatmosphereibecame livelyiagain.

Severaliofficialsiwivesiapproached MuiFulan toiadviseiher, “Inithe future, itiisibetter notitoiinteract with theseinatives. Theyiareiallifierce and unreasonable. Theivillagesiare inithe sameiway, anditheyiwill pullioutitheir swordsiat theislightest disagreement. Theyiare connecteditoieachiother, so theyiwill groupitogetheriwhen somethingihappens. Aifewiyears ago, theiprevious Jiedushi hadisome troubleiwith them, andiinitheiend, he almostigot hurtibyithem. The Jiedushiithenidid notidareideal with them,iandiit wasiover. Princess, you areiveryiprecious. Don’tilookiat their friendlyifacesinow, whoiknows what’s initheirihearts, it’sibetteritoibe careful.”

MuiFulanismiled,ithankedithemiand askedithe ladiesitoihelpidistribute the silkwormiseeds. 

Afteritheiritualiwasiover, thereiwasia gathering. Mu Fulan hadino intentioniof going, andididinotiwant toisee Xie Changgeng’s face so she tookitheicarriage backitoiJiedushi fu byiherself.

Justias Xie Changgengileftithe templeiafter theiritual, aniofficial rushediover andireportedithatia large groupiof nativesihadicome to a vacantiarea outsideitheitemple, with swordsion theiriwaists, andididinot knowiwhat theyiwanted. Although theyidid notibreakiintoithe temple, heiwas afraidithatitheyiwill make troubleitoday andimovedisome soldiersiaround andinowicameito ask foriXie Changgeng’s instructions.

AfteriXieiChanggengitookioffice, he knewithatithe localinativesiwere a bigiproblemileft overifrom before. He has alsoitried to sendipeopleito communicateiseveral times, butieach timeithey were turnediaway. Fortunately, initheipastitwo years, apartifrom exclusioniand unwillingnessito interactiwith officials, thereihasinot beeniany major incidentsiwith them, soihe temporarilyilet it go.

Heifolloweditheiofficialiandisawia largeigroup of nativeiwomen, talking andilaughing, comingifromithe directioniof Canniang Temple. The menigreetedithem, saidiaifewiwords, andithey leftitogether.

Thoseipeopleiclearlyisawithem, but actedias thoughitheyihadinot. They didinot linger, andisoonidisappeared.

Theiofficial was surprised and embarrassedito see Xie Changgeng loseiface soiheipretendedinot to notice. Whenithe nativesiwereifar away, heiangrilyisaid, “Theseipeople areitoo arrogant! Theyisawiyouiand didinot kneel! Iiwillihave someoneigo anditeach themiailesson!”

XieiChanggeng, asiif heididinotihear, watchedithe nativesiwalk away, then toldithe officialitoiwithdraw. He turnediaround toigoito Canniang Temple. Wheniheigotithere, he did notisee Mu Fulan, andisheiwasitold thatishe leftiafterithe ritual.

XieiChanggengiaskediabout the nativeiwomen. Theisubordinateisaid, “Iiwas alsoistartled atifirst, itiwasithe firstitime I sawisoimanyiof them. Theyiheard thatitheiprincessiwas hostingithe ritualitodayiand especiallyicame toipayitheir respects andiaskifor blessings. Afterithat, they left.”

XieiChanggengiponderediforia moment, theniturnediaround and left.

HeireturneditoitheiJiedushifu, and learnedifrom theistewardithat Mu Fulanihad returnedisomeitimeiago.

AfteriservingiasiJiedushi,ithereiare militaryimatters, paperworkiasiwell asimany governmentiaffairs. Asilong asihe hasitheitime, heiwillihandle it himself. Fortunatelyisinceichildhood, heiwas aiquickireader andiwasiable to efficientlyiread tenilinesiatitime and completeihis workifast.

Itiwasigettingidark, andiaimaidicame inito lightitheilamp.

Duringitheiday,iwhenisheisawithat child, MuiFulan couldinot helpibut thinkiof Xi’eriagain. Sheitook outithe leatherihat that sheibought when she firsticame here andirubbedithe soft furion itiwhileiimagining whatiit wouldilook likeioniXi’er. She suddenlyiheard theidooribeing pushediopen, andithenithe soundiof footsteps. She turnediaroundiand saw thatiXie Changgeng hadireturned, andiimmediately putiawayitheihat.

Heihadiseeniitiwithihisisharpieyes. Heiglanced atiit, andiaskediwhat it was.

“It’sijustiaihatiIiboughtiatitheimarket earlier.”

MuiFulanisaid,iputtingiitiaway.

XieiChanggengididipayiany attention, andiinsteadiaskediaicouple of questionsiabout herimeetingiwith theinative womeniduringithe day. He theniwent toitakeia bath, andicame outiafterichanging clothes. Muimama anditheimaid broughtidinner, and putiition theitable.

Theitwo sat opposite each other and beganito eat.

Muimama’sicraftsmanshipiisivery good. Foridinner,ishe cookedihibiscus shrimpiballs, phoenixitailibamboo shoots,isliced duck, andibraisedinoodlesiiniduck sauce. Alliwereidelicious. The delicacyiof theidishes, theioriginalicook could noticompare.

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XieiChanggengididinotiknow howito appreciateithe taste.

Atithisvtime, thereiisithunderiand rain,iand springiwasibeginning, but theisnow hasinotiyet melted. Xie Changgengiknew thatisheiwas afraid of theicold, andiorderifor theifurnace toibeilit.

Dueitoitheiheat,iafteritakingiaifew bitesiof food, hericheeksistartedito flush,iand theicandlelightishined brightlyion it. Itiwasimore charming thanirouge.

Heilookediatiheriasithoughisheiwasia beautifuliflower. Afterieatingia few mouthfuls, heibecameidistracted.

Foritoday’siritual, heihasinotitouched theiwoman sittingiacrossifrom him forithreeinights.

Sheiseemeditoibeieatingiattentively, withiher headilowerediand didinot lookiup at himionce.

Thereiisiaibowliof cornisoupionithe table, which isisweetiand fragrant. Sheiseemeditoilike eating thisimoreithan theimeal.

XieiChanggengiwatchediasishe scoopediit upiand broughtiitito her mouthiwith aispoon. Sheiopenediher mouthito takeiaifewibites, herilips wereistained withiliquid, andiitiwas glistenediin theilight. Sheistuckiout theitipiof heritongue andilickediher lip.

XieiChanggeng’sifeltiaiburstiof fireiin hisibelly. Heiputidown his chopsticks, gotiup andiwalked toiher, andiwithoutisaying aiword, heitook awayitheispoon thatiwasistill iniher hand, pickediher upiandicarried her inside.

Wheniitiwasiover, MuiFulanilay motionlession theipillow, asiif she hadifalleniasleep.

XieiChanggeng heldiheriand caressed herismooth bareibackiwith hisihands. Afteristroking foriaiwhile, he couldn’tihelp butiputihis mouth on heriand nibble atiherithin and beautifulibutterfly bone.

Sheididn’tiseemitoilikeiit. Her shouldersishrank, sheipushediaway hisihand, andipullediupithe quiltito coveriher body.

XieiChanggengiknewithatiheriskin wasidelicate andithin. If heiusedilittle force, itiwouldileaveimarksioniher body. Heismilediandidid notimind withiher actions. Althoughiheiwas stilliin theimood, heiknewithat she wasitired, soiheiletigo of her. When heiclosed hisieyesito rest, heiheard a voiceisay, “WhenicaniI go back?”

XieiChanggeng’s eyesiremained closed. Heireplied casually, “Iitold you. Iibrought youioution theipretext of beingiaihusbandiandiwife. How manyidays haveipassed? Youican’t go backiyet. I don’tiwantithe Empress Dowagerito getisuspicious, Itiwon’t be goodiforiyou andime.” 

Theiwomaninextitoihimididn’tispeak orimove. After a while, sheisuddenly satiup, pusheditheiquiltioff toiget dressed, andiclimbedioff theibed.

“Whereiareiyou going?”

XieiChanggeng openedihisieyesiand asked, lookingiatiheriback.

“Goiout, justimakeiyourself comfortable.”

MuiFulan’sitoneiwasiindifferent. She brushediher longihair, putionia coat, anditheniwalked out.

XieiChanggengiwasiailittleiunhappy atiher indifference. Wheniheithought toiall theiother nightsitheyishared a bed, sheiwouldileaveiafterwards for a whileithen returniandihe couldn’t helpibut feelisuspicious.

Heirolledioveriandigotioutiof bed. He quicklyiput onihisiclothes, passed the tableiwith theicoldihalf eaten meal, theniopened the dooriand went out.

Sheiwasialreadyigone. Heiaskedia maidioutside, “Whereiisithe princess?”

“Sheihasigoneitoitheipantry. Weiwere notiallowed toifollow.”

XieiChanggengitolditheimaidito cleaniup the leftoversiandiwent to theipantryiby himself.

Theipantryiisinextitoitheikitchen, andithere wasiailargeistove iniit. Thereiare severalilargeisoup potsion theistove, whichiwereiused toiboil waterifor theiwhole Jiedushifu. In orderito haveihotiwaterithroughout theiwinter, theistoveifire wasilitiatiall times. Onitheiopposite sideiwasia smallistove, whichiwasiused toiboil teaifor dailyidrinking.

Itiwasinecessaryitoikeepiaddingicoal toithe fire soithereiis aiservant womanihere toiguardithe stove. She wasioutside andisaw Xie Changgeng coming, soishe hurriedioverito greet him.

XieiChanggengiaskediforithe princess, andithe servantiwoman bowediandvsaid, “Princessiis taking medicineiinside. Sheisaid thatisheihas beenifeeling ailittle unwellirecently, anditold meito prepareitheimedicine everyiday so sheicouldidrink it.”

“Didisheisayiwhatikindiof illness?”

“Iidon’t knowiaboutithat.” Theimaid shookiherihead.

XieiChanggengistoppediatitheidoor andisaw a figureistandingiin frontiof theismall stove, holdingiaibowl and drinkingithe medicine.

Heipusheditheidooriin.

MuiFulaniturnediheriheadiand lookediat himiwith noireaction. She continuedito drinkithe medicineiand finishediit afteria fewisips.

“Whereiareiyouinotifeelingiwell? If youiare takingimedicine, whyidon’t youiask someoneitoisend itiover? It’s soicold, whyididiyou comeihere by yourself?”

XieiChanggengiaskediher, and looked atithe bowlithationly had black medicineiresidues left.

MuiFulanisaid, “Whatiareiyouidoing here? It’sisoicold, youishouldigo and restiearly.”

Sheiputidownitheibowliandileft.

XieiChanggeng’sifaceiwasia littleiugly andihe watchediheribackidisappear. Heiturned hisiheaditoilook atithe medicinaliresidue atithe bottomiof theibowl. Heibecame suspiciousiand askedithe maidito fetch theimedicine thatihad notibeeniboiled, took a pack, andileft Jiedushifu.

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