‘Which is more important? You have to think it over yourself.’
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Ch. 11.2
Jingwan still had not regained consciousness the next day and continued to sleep heavily. Fourth Madam came twice a day to check on her and always had a few words of comfort for Xu Jianzhang. One evening, she was handed a box by a servant girl which she proffered to him, saying, ‘There have been visits from some officers’ wives and daughters these past few days but since the doctor said that Jingwan must have bed rest, I didn’t let them come up to see her. These are the presents that they brought for her — do keep them for her first.’
After she left, Xu Jianzhang opened the box and saw a thick gift list enumerating a good number of very expensive and rare medicinal ingredients such as hundred-year-old ginseng, fresh bear bile, tiger bones, and deer antlers. Some had also gifted her numerous jade wares used to suppress evil spirits, antique jade ornaments of every shade and design¹ and the list went on. At the end of the list were the signatures of the womenfolk of prominent military officials in the Cheng army. This thick list felt like a burning coal in his hand, searing his heart.
¹ 形形色色 xíngxíng-sèsè. If you’re not reading this chapter at hiding in plain sight, it has been stolen and reproduced by novelscraping sites.
It was three days later when Jingwan gradually regained consciousness. Despite the painful injury, she had definitely come to and when she opened her eyes, Lan Qin called out joyfully, ‘Miss has come to, Miss has come to.’
The doctors and nurses all gathered round her bedside while Jingwan’s eyes sought Xu Jianzhang among the faces but he was not there. Someone had already rushed off to inform Murong Feng who was sleeping after having chaired an all-night meeting. As soon as he heard the news, he did not even spare the time to change his clothes and merely threw on a coat before hurrying over.
Seeing that she was conscious, a smile broke out on his face and he said frankly, ‘You’re awake at last. This bullet really nearly killed me.’
Lan Qin, standing to one side, also commented laughingly, ‘Everything’s come right at last now that Miss is awake. Sixth Marshal was so worried about you that he kept coming over to see how you were.’
Seeing how his eyes were full of solicitude despite looking quite haggard, Jingwan felt deeply grateful and asked, ‘Sixth Marshal… how is that matter?’
Murong Feng replied, ‘It’s mostly settled.’ He held her hand gently and added, ‘Jingwan, it’s a good thing you’ve pulled through, otherwise I would have been miserable for the rest of my life.’
She forced a smile and asked, ‘I’ve been in and out of consciousness these past few days, but I thought I felt Jianzhang close by. How come he isn’t here?’
Murong Feng replied, ‘I sent someone to invite Master Xu to keep you company and he has been here all this time. However, Division Commander Yu happened to invite him to lunch today so that’s where he’s gone.’
Jingwan felt faintly let down when she heard this.
Xu Jianzhang had not had any appetite² for the last few days and today was no exception. Division Commander Yu was hosting lunch in his own house so the table was laden with all kinds of delicacies. Both men were old friends, thus the commander’s wife was also present. Madam Yu had always been gregarious and as she heaped food onto Xu Jianzhang’s plate, she told him smilingly, ‘Although you had to spend a few days in prison, at least you weren’t in any real danger. Today’s meal is just ordinary food but take it as helping you to get over the shock.’
However, Xu Jianzhang was not in the least tempted by the offerings.
² 茶饭不思 cháfànbùsī. Translation belongs to theresanother(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com.
Division Commander Yu asked, ‘I wonder if Miss Yin’s condition is still serious?’
Xu Jianzhang sighed and replied, ‘She has a few foreign doctors taking turns every day to look after her, but there hasn’t been all that much improvement.’
Madam Yu remarked smilingly, ‘Miss Yin is both wise and blessed so she’ll definitely be able to turn this misfortune into a blessing. Besides, Sixth Marshal has already issued strict orders saying that if Miss Yin doesn’t get well, he’ll hold the doctors responsible.’
Feeling that this remark was highly inappropriate, Commander Yu hastily interrupted her and urged, ‘Let’s drink, let’s drink.’ He personally took up the bottle and poured out a cup for his friend.
Xu Jianzhang slowly swallowed the fiery Western liquor. The urge to get everything off his chest won and he ventured, ‘Commander Yu, seeing that we’re friends, please tell me honestly: what are Sixth Marshal’s feelings towards… towards Jingwan…’ He was unable to finish the rest of his sentence.
Commander Yu told his wife, ‘Go and ask the servants to fetch that bottle of Gaoliang wine which was sent here last time.’
Madam Yu answered affirmatively. Seeing how she was being sent away made Xu Jianzhang even more uneasy and he gazed blankly at his friend. However, Commander Yu only refilled his cup for him to the brim then let out a deep sigh before remarking, ‘You must have seen it too: Sixth Marshal admires Miss Yin greatly. Let me give you a piece of advice: “what care a man if he hath no wife?” A wise man understands and submits to circumstances.’
The thing that had been worrying Xu Jianzhang for days was finally borne out and his heart fell, plummeting into what felt like an abyss, his blood running cold.
Commander Yu then added, ‘I shouldn’t be saying anything really, but we’ve been friends for so long that it would be on my conscience if I don’t tell you. Miss Yin is an outstanding woman indeed, a rare female. Her tremendous courage and foresight in coming to Chengzhou all by herself to save you — that alone merits a thumbs up from me. It’s not surprising that Sixth Marshal has fallen for her. I’m an outsider so don’t get angry at what I’m going to say, but in my opinion I don’t think Miss Yin is entirely indifferent to him either.’
Xu Jianzhang protested automatically, ‘Jingwan wouldn’t.’
Commander Yu sighed deeply before replying, ‘I have no idea whether she would or not, but everyone in the Cheng army knows that she’s Sixth Marshal’s girlfriend. She doesn’t bother to try and avoid suspicion either and appears to be on intimate terms with him. She stayed with Third Mistress — that’s just a stone’s throw away from the commander-in-chief’s residence.’ He lowered his voice and added, ‘There was one night when I went to see Sixth Marshal about a pressing military matter. Shen Jiaping hummed and hawed and I had to wait more than half an hour in the reception room before I saw Sixth Marshal coming in from the back gate. Later on when the weather turned warmer, I played host and got up enough Dutch courage to pester Shen Jiaping about it. Zhang Yigu, Sixth Marshal’s secretary, was quite tipsy by that time and with a thick tongue and cheeky grin, started quoting some line to me: “While early morning visitors were barred entry, You welcomed the embrace of Miss Sans Souci.”³ Not having any book learning, I didn’t understand a word but those secretaries were all laughing their heads off. Shen Jiaping then said that “Miss Yin isn’t to be compared that way. You all keep talking such nonsense here, wait until Sixth Marshal finds out — he’ll give you each a box on the ears”.’
Xu Jianzhang’s heart was in turmoil and as he recalled the various clues⁴ over the last few days, it felt as if a knife were being twisted in his heart. His fists clenched hard and it was some time before he gritted out, ‘Jingwan isn’t that sort of person; I believe that she isn’t.’
Commander Yu exclaimed and said, ‘I don’t think she’s the type either who hankers after wealth and power. But Sixth Marshal is a hero in his prime and even setting aside his status and authority, he’s a comely fellow to boot. Which woman could fail to look upon him with favour? And given how much time they’ve spent together, it’s inevitable that they’ve developed feelings for each other.’
⁴ 蛛絲馬跡 zhūsī-mǎjì. Please consider reading from hiding in plain sight rather than from novelscraping sites.
Xu Jianzhang’s mind was all in a tangle. He sipped his wine slowly as Commander Yu went on, ‘Look, old fellow, because I see you as a close friend, I’m sticking my nose in and going to say a few more things. Even if you don’t care about yourself, you still have to consider your family. Suppose you anger him — how are you going to continue doing business in the future? You must have heard stories about that temper of his: if he really falls out with you, don’t talk about doing business, you may not even be able to survive in the Nine Provinces of the North. You still have an aged mother and younger brothers — if you risk everything, whom are they going to depend on? Which is more important? You have to think it over yourself.’
(Approx. 1507 words)
12’s notes:
³ A line from the late Tang poem ‘The Marquis of Fuping’ by Li Shangyin. English translation by Mark Obama Ndesandjo.
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Translated and edited by 12
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