Chapter 18 Mutual Help: Do You Want This Blessing?
"I believe in you, young master." Guan Ye forced a smile. "She has simply left. She will return to your side one day."
"Guan Ye!" Feng Shisan roared, and A Jiu's sword hilt lightly touched his back. A sharp look from her made him swallow his words.
“I also believe in the young master,” Ajiu echoed. “She’s just gone.”
"They're gone, they're really gone." Little Ma realized, "Look at my brain."
"You lot..." Feng Shisan turned away with his sword, ignoring them completely.
Pei Chu's body began to tremble uncontrollably, and horrifying blood oozed from his mouth, dripping onto his thin shirt and staining it in large patches. The air was instantly filled with the stench of blood. Ajiu jumped up suddenly, "Quickly, go and call Manager Pei! Go now!"
In the Lou family courtyard, Lou Cangyu had felt that something was not quite right these past few days. Ajiu and the other two were appearing and disappearing mysteriously, only glancing at him every few days before rushing off to who-knows-where. And his eldest brother, Lou Shitou, who usually called him "brother, brother" incessantly and stuffed him with fruit and food like a pig, had barely seen him these past two days when he came home. When he did see him, he was climbing a tree picking fruit, and when he saw him looking at him, he didn't even greet him, looking resentful as if he were carrying a grudge.
Was it because he had captured Jiang Muyun? Lou Cangyu thought about it and realized that this was the only reason. Speaking of Jiang Muyun, Lou Cangyu felt regretful again, blaming himself for guarding the furnace for a whole day and night. He had overslept and hadn't been able to go see the sacrificial furnace. Everyone present had seen the legendary white flames, and even the sword slave had vividly described the heroic sacrifice to the furnace. They said that Jiang Muyun was an extraordinary woman who had walked up to the furnace with her head held high and chest out. Not only did she not cry out, but she even smiled at everyone before she died. After all, they had known each other for a while, and she didn't waile or howl to scare everyone before she died.
How could I not have seen it? Lou Cangyu grew angrier the more she thought about it, and later, when others talked about it, she couldn't even get a word in edgewise.
Aunt Lou was too busy to greet her youngest son, who was rarely home. The young master was ill and had even vomited blood. Pei Bi had someone catch some squid, as ancient methods say that squid meat has the effect of restoring blood. He asked her to cook it for the young master according to the recipe. Lou Cangyu disliked the fishy smell and couldn't stand it after being fuming for half a day, so she got up to leave.
"—It'll be ready soon. Take the squid meat to the young master in a bit." Aunt Lou shook her head as she watched her son's retreating figure. As experienced as she was, she knew that these youngsters hadn't been behaving quite well lately. As astute as she was, she also knew that many things couldn't be changed. Aunt Lou understood perfectly well, but she didn't want to hint at it indirectly or try to persuade him. She believed that one had to learn to accept one's fate after suffering the consequences. As a person, one must accept one's fate. Just like herself, an old woman who had lived a peaceful and stable life on the island and had managed to stay upright even after her husband's death, it was because she had accepted her fate as a slave, maintained a good heart, and served as a good slave.
"This smell is too strong, it makes me want to vomit," Lou Cangyu said with a disgusted expression.
"My legs are numb from squatting for so long, you can take over for me." Aunt Lou ladled out a pot of well-cooked meat soup, using the best earthenware pot in the house. "I cooked a lot, cuttlefish meat is very nourishing, and the young master eats like a little chicken, he definitely won't be able to finish it. Take the rest to Steward Pei, he's been busy at the workshop lately and has lost weight. Keep the earthenware pot for him, he can bring it over when he has time."
"This was left by Father," Lou Cangyu said, his face showing displeasure. "Squid meat? Does he even deserve it?"
"What's wrong with your brain?" If her legs hadn't gone numb, Aunt Lou would have already given him a flick on the forehead. "Over the years, we, a widow and her child, have relied on him so much. Now that you're back, we'll still need his help."
Lou Cangyu understood somewhat, and with a sullen face, went to find the bamboo basket hidden by the stone. He picked out a few large, red fruits from it. When he turned around, Aunt Lou was already behind him, her old face showing a satisfied smile. "Add a few more. Everyone knows that the fruits from our tree are the best. Giving gifts is also a matter of etiquette. Good things come in pairs, peace and prosperity in all seasons, good fortune in all directions, and wealth from all directions. Don't let others look down on our family."
Seeing her son carrying a jar in one hand and a bag in the other, Aunt Lou's face beamed with joy. She said that no one was as good as her little stone, who understood things so quickly. She heard that the meteorite was about to be forged. After eating the fruits of her own land, and with the little stone getting a meteor sword to play with, life would be even better.
Inside Tingzhu Pavilion, Pei Chu was still unconscious, mumbling Jiang Muyun's name. One could vaguely hear the words "Don't go, don't go." Pei Yuan stayed for less than half an hour. After hearing from the doctor that there was nothing seriously wrong, he got up and left. The sword forging had reached its most crucial moment, and he didn't want to miss any details.
"Find someone to look after Chu'er for now," Pei Yuan instructed. "Once we've finished dealing with the meteorite incident, we'll find him someone he likes."
"Understood, subordinate." Pei Bi saw Pei Yuan off, and seeing that several teenagers were still waiting behind the artificial rockery, he sighed and beckoned them over. After looking at their worried faces, he stopped on Guan Ye and said, "For the time being, you will stay at Tingzhu Pavilion to take care of the young master."
"Me?" Guan Ye thought she had misheard. "I've never taken care of anyone before."
“Someone will do the rough work, you don’t need to worry about it.” Pei Bi’s tone left no room for doubt. “You just stay by the young master’s side, and if he’s hungry or thirsty, persuade him to eat something. If he likes to talk, listen patiently, just like Jiang Muyun…” Pei Bi bit his tongue, and a bloody taste seeped into his mouth. “When the squid meat arrives, you must feed it to the young master. It will be good for his health.”
"How long are we going to have to stay here?" Guan Ye pressed. "I still have work to do."
Pei Bi chuckled inwardly at her stupidity, "A blessing that others can only dream of, you've got it and you're still thinking about doing chores?"
"This blessing?" Guan Ye vomited blood. Whoever wanted the blessing of being burned to death could take it. She didn't care. "Guan Ye can't accept this blessing."
"You lot," Pei Bi said, looking at A Jiu, "come with me to the neighborhood. Don't sneak into Tingzhu Pavilion unless you have to. Xingguo Ward is about to be completed, and you still have a lot to do."
Pei Bi and his swordsmen walked in silence, trying to break the silence several times but swallowing their words back. At the other end of the bluestone road, Lou Cangyu, carrying a jar and a bag, was walking briskly when he bumped into Pei Bi with Ajiu and the others. Lou Cangyu almost slipped and dropped his ancestral earthenware jar.
"Mu Yun..." Pei Chu called softly again, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead, "Mu Yun."
Guan Ye rinsed the towel, wrung it out, and wiped his forehead and palms. Pei Chu was the most honored young master of Xingguo Ward, yet there were still too many things he couldn't do. He couldn't even protect the woman he loved. Honored? Guan Ye smiled self-deprecatingly. What difference was there between honor and rank? The ward master could command the wind and rain on the island, but when he saw the Imperial Advisor, he was still so scared that he didn't dare to breathe. They were all in the same boat. Who was more noble than whom?
Pei Bi felt that being able to serve his master closely was a blessing, and Guan Ye didn't want this blessing.
She didn't want the good fortune, but Guan Ye still had loyalty. Pei Chu was disabled in both legs, and Guan Ye didn't know how long he would have to stay in bed. Lying still would cause bedsores. Guan Ye tried to turn him over, but the movement startled Pei Chu, causing him to twitch. Pei Chu suddenly opened his eyes, staring blankly at Guan Ye, and hoarsely squeezed out, "You're back." The girl's face gradually became clear before him, and Pei Chu's eyes darkened. "You're not her."
Guan Ye picked up the bowl of water, but Pei Chu turned his head away weakly to refuse. Guan Ye was a little thirsty, so she swallowed and took a sip. Before she could swallow, Pei Chu turned his head again and stared at the water stains around her mouth. "Is it good?"
Guan Ye hurriedly wiped her mouth and tucked the blanket around Pei Chu, saying, "Young Master, please don't be offended."
"It's just a sip of water, why are you blaming me?" Pei Chu gestured for Guan Ye to help her sit up. "Jiang Muyun is not dead."
He had just woken up and was acting strangely again. Guan Ye didn't dare to provoke him any further, so she lowered her head and didn't say anything. Pei Chu glanced at the tightly closed door and said, "Lou Shitou saw it too."
Lou Shitou? Guan Ye hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. Who said that everyone who saw Guan Ye would be skeptical? Lou Shitou… He’s the epitome of a child’s innocent words. Doesn’t the young master know that he’s not very bright?
"Guan Ye, tell me, why didn't she come to see me if she wasn't dead?" Pei Chu asked wistfully. "Is she blaming me?"
“You have a deep affection for Jiang Muyun, but things are tense in the neighborhood right now, so it’s inconvenient for her to see you even if she’s out. She’ll be back soon.” Guan Ye carefully observed Pei Chu’s expression. If anything seemed off, she would shout for help. If Pei Chu fainted again, Pei Yuan would definitely chop her up.
"Everyone in the neighborhood calls her Miss Muyun, yet you address her by her given name directly," Pei Chu added. "Are you acquainted with her?"
“You don’t need to know each other well to hit it off immediately.” Guan Ye said straightforwardly, “She’s loyal to people; she helps others, and others help her in return.”
Pei Chu's expression changed slightly. "You actually use the word 'loyalty' to describe her? I've been with her day and night for over ten years, and all I've seen is her living cautiously."
"No matter how well you treat her, she is still her young master, and with the shop owner and Steward Pei watching over her, she naturally has to walk on thin ice."
“We’re all just islanders, what’s the difference between master and servant?” Pei Chu shook his head with a mocking expression. “Going back to Rongdu would just mean being used by others, unable to control anything. It’s better to stay on the island.”
"Young Master doesn't want to leave?" Guan Ye asked in a low voice. "The six-month term is about to expire. Steward Pei said that the Xingguo Ward project is about to be completed, and there will be many things to do."
Pei Chu sneered disdainfully, "After all these years, did you think Pei Bi's temperament had long since faded, only to be stirred up by a few words and rekindled with great ambition? You have something to do? Xingguo Fang has been trapped on the island for nearly a hundred years, and the Pei family, who have been forgotten for a century, suddenly have something important to do? Guan Ye, you are quite clever, what do you think?"
“I…” Guan Ye had been wandering with her father since childhood, so of course she knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
“You came to the island a few years ago and have seen the outside world. Tell me, what is the outside world like now?”
"Not so good." This question hit Guan Ye's sore spot. Her father had told her that her family used to be considered well-off in Rongdu, with no worries about food or drink, and even a nice little courtyard. But somehow, disaster struck, and they left in such a hurry that they didn't even lock the door properly. Her father often said that he was afraid he would never be able to go back in this lifetime, and that if he went back, his house would surely be ransacked.
"Why are you raiding our house?" Guan Ye asked rhetorically. Even though she was young and inexperienced, she knew the seriousness of the word "raid." Her father spat and stopped talking.
"Because of the Blood Crossbow Case." Pei Chu's voice, like a thunderclap, interrupted Guan Ye's thoughts. Seeing that Guan Ye's expression remained unchanged, Pei Chu's voice turned sinister, "You know about the Blood Crossbow Case."
Although her father had never seriously told her about it, Guan Ye already knew that her family had fled to Rongdu because of the Blood Crossbow Case and had been wandering for more than ten years without being able to return to their homeland. Even she herself was born outside of Rongdu. Her mother had to leave again before she could finish her postpartum confinement, and she developed a chronic illness due to lack of medical care and medicine. She passed away when she was ten years old in a foreign land where she didn't even know her own name.
Before she died, my mother said: It's good that you're dead. Now that you're dead, you don't have to run around anymore.
On the night of Mother's burial, Father got completely drunk and started talking incoherently to Guan Ye.
A note from the author:
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