Zhu Zi’an fell silent for a moment. “What happened downstairs?” (T/N: ??/Dian Xia i.e., downstairs is a homonym for ??/Dian Xia i.e., Your Highness)
The burly man was startled. “Downstairs? What…happened downstairs?”
Seeing the cold look in Zhu Zi’an’s eyes, he couldn’t help but shudder. He saluted with clasped hands again. “Downstairs is…leaking water!”
“Then go fix it,” Zhu Zi’an said calmly.
“Yes!” The man saluted with clasped hands again and hurriedly strode away.
Zhu Zi’an sighed and turned to Jiang Kui. “That man is called Jiang. He is the first mate. His mind isn’t too bright and he speaks somewhat confusingly. Don’t mind him.”
“Mm,” she nodded.
Then she secretly turned her face to the side, trying hard not to laugh.
Zhu Zi’an led Jiang Kui aboard. He took her around the boat and explained the purpose of each cabin, as this was her first time on such a large boat and she looked around curiously. Finally they stopped under the mast, standing side by side gazing at the cold winter river.
“Sir…”
Jiang the first mate walked over on the deck with loud steps. He saluted Zhu Zi’an and quickly changed his words under his stare. “The leak downstairs is fixed! It’s not leaking anymore!”
He asked loudly, “Sir, shall we set sail?”
Zhu Zi’an nodded slightly. Jiang immediately shouted orders to weigh anchor.
A platform was set up in the middle of the boat with bells hanging from it. The boatman rang the copper bells rhythmically as the trackers shouted and pulled the ropes along shallow water until the boat entered the turbid torrent.
Soon, the sailors in unison unfurled the white sails, creaking as they pulled up the huge iron anchor from the water. The boatman stood at the prow, rotating the rudder energetically.
The flotilla went downstream along the river, flowing east.
Zhu Zi’an went below deck alone on the excuse of business.
A youth dressed in black awaited him quietly in the cabin. Seeing him from afar, the youth saluted with clasped hands. “Your Highness.”
Zhu Zi’an took the documents handed to him by Luo Shiyi and sat under a candle reading them. Luo stood to the side holding tea, watching him slowly finish reading, roll up the papers, take out a sheet of stationery and start writing a letter.
After a few strokes of the brush he seemed to recall something. He turned to Luo Shiyi, “Has Jiang Weishuai been very free recently?”
Luo was startled, unsure of his intention.
“If he is free, then give him more things to do,” his tone was nonchalant. “Tell him if he appears before me again, his salary will be docked for a month.”
Although confused, Luo nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Zhu Zi’an exited the cabin and went above deck. He saluted the girl at the side of the boat. “Lady Jiang.”
“Is he busy with government affairs?” Jiang Kui asked.
“Yes,” Luo replied. “Many documents have accumulated over a day for His Highness to review.”
“This flotilla travels under an imperial edict, doesn’t it?” Jiang Kui continued asking.
“That’s right. His Highness has a secret edict to conceal himself among this flotilla. By imperial order he heads to Huai Xi,” Luo nodded. “The boat seems to be full of merchants but they are actually all His Highness’ people.”
“The first mate Jiang on this boat…” Jiang Kui wondered, “Is he an attendant from the Eastern Palace?”
“Yes,” Luo hesitated. “…He is my colleague.”
He explained, “First mate Jiang’s actual position is Captain of the Eastern Palace Left Guard. His surname is Jiang, first name Zhao, styled Wannian. Among the Left and Right Palace Guards he is the only one from the Huai River region so he was assigned to be first mate since he understands sailing.”
Jiang Kui nodded thoughtfully. “He is refreshingly candid. I rather like him. Have him appear more in the future. This journey must be most tiring for him. Reward him an extra month’s salary.”
Luo was silent for a moment. “His Highness said to dock his salary for a month.”
Jiang Kui laughed. “Don’t believe him. He’s just miffed.”
Luo retreated still confused.
At dusk, the flotilla entered the Yellow River and their view instantly broadened.
The Yellow River originated from Kunlun, meandering through the mountains, surging east into the sea. The long winds above the wide river bellowed as the boats vied. Turbid waves poured east, carrying endless yellow sands through thousands upon thousands of miles.
In the distance a boatman sang to the beat of drums, his voice drifting far into the boundless plains and distant mountains.
In the glow of sunset clouds Zhu Zi’an, dressed in a robe, came to stand by Jiang Kui’s side overlooking the distant waters. In the drifting boat songs they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, the wind snapping their fluttering sleeves.
“My first time seeing such a big river,” she exclaimed. “I’ve only heard people describe it as the Milky Way pouring down.”
“Legend says the Yellow River flows down from the heavens,” he gazed up at the sky. “It flows from the Kunlun Mountains and falls to the Far East at Gui Xu, later turning into the stars that dot the night skies.”
“How magnificent,” she imagined.
“The view in early spring is even more stunning,” he smiled. “Willows on the banks turn green, early wheat rises in waves across the fields, great flocks come and go. In the distance can be heard the songs of cowherd boys.”
He leaned on his chin, eyes downcast smiling faintly. “At dusk the setting sun shines on Zhongnan Mountain, the peaks and valleys glimmering gold, reflecting tens of miles of peach blossoms.”
“I remember you said,” she cradled her chin looking at him, “that when you stop working you want to herd cows under peach trees in the wilderness.”
“That’s right,” he drawled lazily. “The Book of Songs says after King Wu overthrew the tyrant Zhou, he put away weapons and focused on civility to show the world his lack of desire to conquer. With nothing to do, people herded cows bored at the foot of Hua Mountain. That kind of days must be carefree.”
He lifted his face to the winds, gazing afar at the endless plains, snow-capped mountains undulating endlessly as the Yellow River snaked through thousands of miles of sand.
“Jiang Xiaoman, look.” He pointed into the distance. “There lies Huazhou.”
The fiery clouds were boundless as he looked west. “Huazhou to Chang’an west is a hundred and eighty miles.”
He pointed east. “Luoyang lies six hundred and seventy miles east.”
“In between lies thousands of miles of fertile land girdled by mountains and rivers. This is the blessed land.”
His voice was soft. “My wish is for thousands of miles of golden peace for the land.”
The long wind roared, snapping up his billowing white sleeves like clouds.
She turned to see his face in the sharp winds. He smiled gently, eyes brimming with the glow of sunset as if fiery mountains.
“I likely won’t see it.” He gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Perhaps by then I’d be watching snow on Kunlun.”
She shook her head and tiptoed, gently patting his head.
“Hm?” He tilted his head questioningly.
“You’ll see it,” she said earnestly. “When that day comes I’ll find you under Hua Mountain.”
Then she smiled. “Come spring, I can herd cows with you. Would you like that?”
“You’re so strange,” he laughed shaking his head. “The famous wandering swords-woman Jiang Xiaoman actually offering to herd cows with someone?”
She cupped her chin. “You’re strange too. With so much money only thinking of herding cows.”
He gave a soft laugh without replying.
The two chatted lightly until the glow faded and stars trickled across the deck like a thin layer of water.
Having her first long boat ride, Jiang Kui felt dizzy after dinner. She exited the cabin for fresh air, hugging her knees on deck gazing up at the glittering sky.
Zhu Zi’an came over holding a small porcelain jar. He crouched down beside her and peeled off the white cloth around his hand, revealing long slender fingers. He dipped his fingertips into the medicinal paste from the jar and gently dabbed her temples.
The semi-transparent cool gel smelled mildly of mint, instantly overwhelming her nose.
She blinked and heard him ask “Feel better?”
“Mm,” she nodded, touching her temple. “What is this?”
He explained, “It’s medicinal paste often used on boats with a mix of mint and eggplant. Helps with dizziness if applied.”
She closed her eyes feeling the clarity from the balm. Sensing her discomfort, he moved behind her and started massaging her temples with his medicinal scented fingers, spreading the cooling gel evenly with gentle nimble motions like a midsummer night’s breeze.
“I’m fine now,” she pulled his sleeve. “Go back inside. It’s windy out here, don’t catch a cold.”
He shook his head smiling. “We’re disembarking.”
She was surprised as he explained, “We won’t spend the night on the boat. We’ve arrived at Huazhou city. We’ll find an inn for the night and continue tomorrow.”
“Before that…” he added lightly, smiling. “We can take the chance to inspect the cargo on the supply boat.”
Not long after night fell, the flotilla dropped anchor near the port. The trackers shouted, pulling the boats close to shore where planks were laid out connecting them.
Zhu Zi’an and Jiang Kui disembarked into the brightly lit Huazhou City. The bustling streets brimmed with travelers and carriages as colorful banners flapped in the wind. Restaurants busily called for customers.
The two entered a small inn where the front desk clerk had his head bowed over an abacus. Seeing customers, he pushed aside the counting beads amiably. “Are you staying, sirs? How many rooms?”
Zhu Zi’an nodded. “Two—”
Jiang Kui cut him off. “One room.”
He froze as she whispered “It’s cheaper.”
“I have money,” he whispered back.
“Got to save when you have money,” she earnestly spouted nonsense.
Bewildered, he let her pull him into the guest room.
A prosperous place, the inn spared no expense decorating its rooms to please traveling merchants. This tastefully furnished room lacked no comfort. A sandalwood desk held a simple bamboo basket with an early-bloomed white plum branch, petals still dusted with snow, full and plump.
Zhu Zi’an swiftly surveyed the room, somewhat relieved to find a reclining mattress against the wall.
After tidying up the two retired to rest, Zhu Zi’an falling asleep quickly after covering himself with a blanket roll, back towards her.
The hearth radiated warmth as the girl sitting at bedside gazed longingly at him, listening for his breathing to steady before deducing he was asleep.
She extinguished the candlelights, tiptoed barefoot across the heated dark wood floors. Parting the gauze curtains she slipped under his blanket and embraced him from behind, slowly healing his wounds.
In the dark she felt him stiffen briefly before his breaths evened out again.
Long after, the girl released her hold. Leaning her forehead on his back she rested briefly to catch her breath before rising to her own bed where she soon fell asleep.
A firecracker sparked in the hearth as the blanket lump on the recliner stirred slightly.
The person beneath slowly opened his eyes and quietly turned to gaze at the slumbering girl, her outline just visible in the faint starlight seeping through the curtains.
Then noiselessly he got up and approached her bedside. Starlight shone on her face through the gauze, lighting her skin bright as white jade, long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
He silently closed his eyes for a moment, fingertips faintly trembling.
In the hazy glow he slowly bent down, carefully tucking her in, smoothing back her disheveled hair. His gestures were exceedingly gentle, barely touching her as if fearing to disturb her dreams.
Afterwards he donned an overcoat and headed out to the snow covered yard.
Stars danced under the tree where he leaned, head raised towards the heavens quietly drinking alone from a flask.
With a soft thud a youth in black descended from the wall, saluting him. “Your Highness.”
“She knows,” Xie Wuyang said softly.
His tone was calm, not questioning, and Luo Shiyi didn’t know how to respond. Bowing deeply, “Your Highness—”
“You all know about this. Everyone has been hiding it from me.” Xie Wuyang glanced down.
“Lady Jiang said if Your Highness doesn’t wish her to know she will pretend ignorance. If you know she has noticed, it would upset you greatly.” Luo Shiyi murmured.
Xie Wuyang closed his eyes lightly. “I won’t live past twenty. I have no time left for myself… My only selfish wish was to see her happy.”
He gave a self-mocking laugh. “Turns out every time she cried, it was because she grieved for me.”
Luo Shiyi bowed his head. “Your Highness—”
“How much does she know?” Xie Wuyang asked softly.
“…Everything,” Luo deeply lowered his head.
“Don’t let her know I’m aware. My heart is in turmoil… I don’t know how to face her.” Xie Wuyang said under his breath.
He gazed up. “Leave me. I wish to be alone for a while.”
The youth departed over the wall as he slowly drank beneath the tree, alone with the stars.
The next morning when Jiang Kui awoke the recliner was empty.
Her neatly made bed had steaming tea and pastries on a bedside table. Pinned beneath the wooden tray was a note — “Moping in the backyard, don’t mind me.”
In the sunlight she quickly ate the treats, threw on a snowy white inner robe and rushed downstairs to the yard.
She stepped into the snow listening to the birds, eyes searching the plum tree until a loud “Zhu Zian!” escaped her lips.
Atop a snow-laden branch lounged a person cradling a flask, eyes lightly closed as if napping. Showering snow dusted him as wind shook the boughs, silently spilling white petals around his fluttering sleeves.
“Zhu Zi’an!” She called again.
Hearing her voice he opened his eyes, gazing at her silently a moment before lightly leaping down before her.
She started, surprise turning into confusion as he suddenly pulled her into an embrace.
“Feeling unwell,” came the murmured words by her ear.
“…Hug me a bit.”
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