Chapter 39: Rainbow Robes (6)

In the inner room of the Kelong Tea House in Tongji Fang, red candles flickered, casting a spring-like glow throughout the space.
“Ah, A Tian, be gentle—move a little further in. Ah, gentle! It hurts!”
Li Kuo lay on the bed, allowing Du Jingtian to wipe the wounds on his back. From time to time, he let out a pained cry, drawing the girl’s angry glare.
“Serves you right! You got such serious injuries, yet instead of going home to recover, you went off to such a place to fool around!”
At the thought of her seventh brother ending up in such a place, her cheeks turned red as she spat lightly.
Realizing she was at fault, the young man forced a smile and apologized, “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have made you wait so long…”
“You still know how to apologize? Do you know I prepared my best scrambled eggs and even baked my first steamed cake in life? I waited for you in the shop for so long, but you never showed up. If it weren’t for meeting A Fu by the road, I’m afraid you’d still have spent the night in Fishing Alley.”
Unwilling to back down, the girl threw the cloth dipped in medicinal wine aside and crossed her arms, demanding an answer.
Li Kuo smiled bitterly. “Then tell me what to do. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Seeing her seventh brother yield, the girl felt proud and giggled. “Then you have to promise me that you won’t hide anything from me anymore. And stop saying nonsense like ‘I’m tired of scrambled eggs’!”
“Uh…”
“You refuse?”
“I promise… I’ll do everything you say.”
“Hmph, that’s better.”
The girl picked up the cloth again and carefully cleaned Li Kuo’s wounds.
At first, she was a bit shy, but since there was no one else around besides them, and she and her seventh brother were so close… Well, her seventh brother had a very robust build, not at all like that of a sixteen-year-old boy. His back was slightly tanned, giving him a strong, masculine appearance. His skin was smooth and soft, like butter, making her want to bite it… The girl gazed dreamily at the young man’s strong back, feeling her body melt away.
“A Tian? Don’t apply medicine to my shoulder—it’s not injured.”
“I want to! Stay still!”
She gave his back a light slap and scolded him.
That night, soft murmurs came from the inner room, filled with the warmth of spring.

The early summer dawn came soon, and Li Kuo got up early. After stretching his limbs in the backyard, he had breakfast with A Tian and Old Master Du. Ever since the incident at the pharmacy on the outskirts of the city, Old Master Du’s attitude toward him had changed drastically. Instead of treating him arrogantly, he now deliberately created opportunities for him to be alone with A Tian. Although Li Kuo didn’t like Old Master Du’s character, he didn’t dare say much.

“Nephew Kuo, I’ve seen your behavior in the teahouse over the past few years. I know you’re an honest person, and we’re all aware of your relationship with Tian Er. Though Tian Er can be a bit willful, she truly cares about you. Now that you’ve become successful, some envious people are trying to stir up trouble, saying you’ll abandon her. I scolded them away right away. I’ve watched you grow up—how could I not know your character? You’ve always had a kind and honest nature, and you handle things properly. As the old saying goes, loyalty and filial piety come first. Would a decent person do something despicable? Some people, once they succeed, throw away those who helped them—they’ll surely face retribution. People aren’t animals; they shouldn’t be ungrateful!”

Old Master Du earnestly preached his philosophy of life to Xiao Qi, completely unaware of the boy’s reddening cheeks.

Du Jing Tian could take it no longer and softly scolded, “Dad, what are you talking about?”

Normally gentle, Old Du suddenly changed his tone and snapped, “I’m talking to your brother Xiao Qi. Men talk—girls shouldn’t interrupt. Do you have any sense? Be careful, or I’ll lock you in the room to do housework. I’ve spoiled you too much; you don’t even have any sense of propriety as a girl.”

“Dad, are you scolding me?”

The young girl stared in disbelief at her grandfather, shook her head in defiance, and stormed off.

“You’re almost at marriage age yet still acting so wildly. I should have disciplined you stricter long ago!”

Old Master Du waved his water pipe furiously, shouting after his daughter’s retreating figure.

Seeing this, Li Kuo had no choice but to find an excuse and flee in a hurry. The young man was very troubled; his relationship with A Tian had always been harmonious. It was a kind of unspoken understanding formed through daily interactions, a mutual trust that didn’t need words. Sometimes, he couldn’t tell whether their bond was more like that of siblings or lovers. Yet, the conversation with Old Master Du today had clearly shattered that last layer of secrecy. The young man didn’t know what the consequences would be; he only felt as if there was now a barrier between him and A Tian. With a sigh, Li Kuo decided not to dwell on these troubling thoughts, so as not to bring trouble upon himself!

Li Kuo didn’t know where he was going either. Instinctively, he turned left and right along the path, and after about half an hour, he arrived in front of a large three-section mansion. Looking up, he saw the five characters “Hexi Jinzouyuan” (Note 1) clearly inscribed on a elm wood plaque. The young man smiled bitterly—so he had ended up here after all. He informed the guard that he wanted to see Secretary Gao, then waited quietly outside the door. Upon reflection, Old Master Du’s reasoning wasn’t wrong. It was obvious to everyone their relationship, and continuing to delay things like this wasn’t a solution. In such matters, men could wait, but girls couldn’t. It wasn’t that he didn’t dare take responsibility for A Tian; it was just that the current situation made it difficult for both of them to speak up.

“Esteemed young master, please follow this soldier,” said the guard, bowing to Li Kuo loudly.

Although the Jinzouyuan mansion wasn’t large, it was meticulously organized. At the entrance was a reception and registration room. On both sides of the courtyard were rows of tile-roofed houses where lower-ranking officials stayed. Passing through a moon gate led to the second courtyard. Three-quarters of this courtyard was used as a training ground. Various weapons were arranged around the field—soldiers stationed at the border were always restless. Even when they went to the capital to report to their commanders, they needed to exercise regularly. If left unchecked, they might cause trouble on the streets, which wouldn’t be good. Walking along the corridor along the left wall and turning right led to a small separate courtyard in the third section of the mansion. Three oil-blue wooden screens stood in front of the second gate, blocking external views.

“Young master, Secretary Gao lives in this courtyard. He is currently practicing calligraphy inside. You may go in now. This soldier will take his leave.”

Li Kuo rushed over to the officer, whispered a thank you, and then walked along the path paved with warm goose stones into the main building adorned with the plaque “Ren Guang Ge”. As soon as he entered, he saw a square table designed for receiving guests. Turning to the right, there was a window on the south side. By the window stood an old rosewood table, and on the right side of the table was a faded ink holder that had been in use for a long time, along with several trays of documents of unknown usefulness. Gao Shi, the secretary of the Hexi Army, practiced calligraphy in such an environment. Li Kuo didn’t want to disturb his uncle’s concentration and stood quietly aside. Gao Shi was so focused that he didn’t realize the young man had been there for some time. After finishing the last stroke, Gao Shi blew on the still-dry ink on the high-quality Shu paper with satisfaction and nodded slightly.

“Uncle Gao!”

The young man bowed deeply to Gao Shi as a junior and spoke loudly.

“Kuo, why didn’t you call me when you came in? Look at my temperament—I get so excited that I forget everything else.”

Gao Shi shook his head and smiled wryly.

“How could I dare disturb Uncle Gao’s quiet time? As a junior, it’s only right to wait a little longer.”

“You little rascal!”

Gao Shi pointed to the wicker chair by the window, signaling for Li Kuo to sit down and talk. “You didn’t come to chat this time, did you? Being appointed as a Xuanjie Xiaowei by the emperor is a great honor. I’m sure many of your classmates and old friends have invited you on outings. How do you have time to visit me?”

Li Kuo replied, “Uncle Gao, please stop teasing me. Others may not know my abilities, but surely you do. Getting the title of Xuanjie Xiaowei by chance is already enough to make people envious. If I were to show off recklessly, wouldn’t that only invite more jealousy?”

“You know so much!”

Gao Shi patted the young man affectionately and said gently, “Go ahead, tell me why you really came to see me. There’s no need to hide anything from your uncle.”

“Sigh!”

Touched, Li Kuo bowed to Gao Shi and said, “I hope Uncle Gao will allow me to join the Hexi Army!”