LC chapter 14

 

Zhan Xi, Lin Ruan, and the Gu family had dinner together. Afterwards, Lin Ruan took sisters Liufeng and Huixue, as well as Gu Ming, outside to set off fireworks. Meanwhile, Zhan Xi played mahjong with Gu Ji, Madam Gu, and General Gu. Small items, such as silver dollars and rings, lay scattered beside each player’s tiles.

The mahjong tiles shuffled chaotically beneath their hands as they listened to Madam Gu speak. Whenever women were present, men inevitably tuned into their conversations. Madam Gu avoided state affairs, instead discussing daily necessities, socializing with prominent ladies, and sharing updates about her children.

General Gu played along, responding to every sentence she uttered. Before long, she grew weary of his incessant chatter.

“Speaking of which,” Madam Gu remarked, “the eldest daughter of the Finance Bureau chief recently returned from abroad. I met her once—her manners and bearing are far superior to those of our two girls at home.”

Gu Ji raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zhan Xi, whose slender fingers idly fiddled with mahjong tiles. “I’ve heard about her, too. She’s apparently returned from England and is about the same age as you.”

“Indeed,” Madam Gu agreed. “She’s a year younger than Gu Ji and quite beautiful.”

Zhan Xi’s lips curved into a smile. “Since you like her so much, Auntie, why not invite her over? Gu Ji is around her age, so it wouldn’t hurt for him to make some friends.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” Madam Gu’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at Gu Ji.

Gu Ji had assumed this was a matchmaking scheme for Zhan Xi, but now it seemed to be targeting him instead. He cleared his throat. “I don’t have time for that. Besides, my cousin isn’t even married yet. Why should I be in such a hurry?”

Madam Gu realized he had a point. She turned to Zhan Xi, about to say something, when he slammed down his tiles. “I win!”

Madam Gu’s attention was instantly drawn to the tiles. “How did you win? I haven’t even started yet…”

Gu Ji glanced at Zhan Xi and pursed his lips.

Outside, the snow continued to fall. It had been snowing all day, and by evening, the yard was covered in four inches of snow.

Lin Ruan led several children to set off fireworks under the eaves. Gu Liufeng, bold as ever, ran into the snow wearing a fitted, red dress. She lit the fuse, took a few steps back, and the firework shot into the night sky with a whoosh. It burst instantly into a dazzling display of multicolored sparks.

Seeing how excited she was, Gu Huaixue wanted to join in too. Lin Ruan had buried many fireworks in the snow. He and Gu Ming each held a lit fuse and ignited them one by one. The fireworks burst instantly in the snow, sending sparks flying everywhere. Against the backdrop of the night sky and the white snow, they resembled a dazzling display of fiery trees and silver flowers.

Gu Liufeng and Gu Huaixue flitted among the fireworks like beautiful, vibrant butterflies.

Zhan Xi heard the laughter and turned to look. Lin Ruan and Gu Ming sat on the porch. Fireworks bloomed before him, briefly illuminating his face before plunging him back into darkness. That single instant was a fleeting, artificially created glimpse of beauty.

Gu Ji patted Zhan Xi on the shoulder as if about to say something.

Zhan Xi called out to the courtyard, “Lin Ruan.”

Hearing his name, Lin Ruan entered the room, followed by the Gu siblings.

“Take my place for a couple of rounds,” Zhan Xi said, rising to let Lin Ruan sit down. Meanwhile, over there, Gu Ji switched places with Gu Huixue while Gu Liufeng pulled over a stool to sit beside her. “I’ll help you watch the cards.”

Gu Ji followed Zhan Xi over to the window. Madam Gu beckoned to Lin Ruan. “Ignore him. We’ll play our own game. The wins are yours, and the losses are his. Make Zhan Xi pay up.”

Lin Ruan nodded, but his gaze drifted toward Zhan Xi. He poured himself a glass of red wine and swirled it leisurely.

Gu Ji was telling him something. Mid-sentence, a carefree smile touched his lips.

Zhan Xi settled onto the single goose-down sofa. “So you’re saying the South wants to buy Mr. Wu back?”

Gu Ji nodded. “The situation has finally stabilized. It’s not wise to reignite conflict. That Wu fellow is one of their most trusted men. They’re willing to pay to get him back.”

Zhan Xi stroked the rim of his wine glass. “I don’t get involved in these matters.”

“Don’t be like that,” Gu Ji said. “That Wu guy offended you. It’s only right that he makes amends.”

Zhan Xi glanced at Gu Ji. “How much are they offering?”

“Fifty thousand silver dollars. I won’t take a cent. Just give me my share of the military supplies—synthetic clothing, canned goods, and so on.” Gu Ji clinked glasses with Zhan Xi. The brandy swirled in the crystal glasses.

Zhan Xi regarded Gu Ji with a half-smile. “I’d say you’re better suited to being a merchant than I am.”

Gu Ji chuckled twice before adding, “I ran into Shi Ning on the way. The car he was driving was pretty sleek—a new model, I’d say. I haven’t seen anyone else with one yet. Since I bought so much from you, maybe…”

Gu Ji nudged Zhan Xi’s shoulder. Zhan Xi finished his drink and said, “Go pick it up from the Lan Mansion later.”

“Got it!”

While the two brothers chatted, the mahjong table was equally lively.

“Two dots,” said Madam Gu as she discarded a tile and looked at Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan kept his head down, studying his tiles. Madam Gu asked, “Young Ruan, aren’t you twenty this year?”

Lin Ruan nodded. “Yes.”

“I recall you attend Yan University,” Madam Gu remarked. “Is there a girl at school you like?”

Lin Ruan froze, then smiled awkwardly. “No.”

“Why be shy about it?” Madam Gu said. “Gu Ji had a girlfriend when he was fifteen.”

Lin Ruan merely smiled. Meanwhile, Gu Liufeng chattered away beside him, directing Gu Huaixue on her moves. Gu Huaixue, being more perceptive, glanced between Mrs. Gu and Lin Ruan before asking, “Does my cousin like anyone?”

Madam Gu also lifted her gaze to Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan replied, “I don’t know. Master never mentioned it.”

“Then no girls have come to visit at home?” Madam Gu pressed.

Lin Ruan shook his head again.

Gu Liufeng blurted out, “That won’t do! Brother Ruan is young and has time. But Cousin is already this age—he doesn’t have many years left to dawdle!”

Gu Huaixue covered her mouth and giggled. “Saying that might upset my cousin.”

Suddenly, the phone rang—someone was looking for General Gu. General Gu went to answer it, and Gu Liufeng took his place. “Time for me to show off my skills!”

Gu Ji and Zhan Xi finished their discussion and walked back. Lin Ruan stood to make room, but Zhan Xi pushed his shoulder, forcing him to sit down. Zhan Xi leaned against Lin Ruan’s chair and watched him play cards.

With Zhan Xi present, Lin Ruan seemed to lose his card-playing rhythm. He glanced at Zhan Xi after every move, as if afraid of making a mistake.

Zhan Xi remained silent, merely observing. Occasionally, when Madam Gu addressed him, he offered a brief reply.

Late into the night, the servants brought in yuanxiao[mfn]元宵 (yuánxiāo) are glutinous rice balls, usually with sweet fillings like sesame paste, red bean paste, peanut paste, etc.[/mfn]. They placed small, jade-colored bowls on the table. Each bowl held several perfectly round glutinous rice balls. Some were filled with red bean paste, some with sesame or peanut filling, and some with osmanthus and sugar. They were sweet and fragrant.

Outside, fireworks began. Launched likely from the city gate tower, they were visible across all of Beijing. They merged into a continuous blanket of light, illuminating the night as brightly as day. Everyone inside the house stepped out onto the corridor to watch, filling the air with laughter and chatter.

As night fell, a chill crept in, prompting even Gu Liufeng to fetch extra layers. Gu Ming had long since grown drowsy. Being young, he couldn’t endure staying up late. After chatting for a while longer, the group gradually dispersed.

Zhan Xi led Lin Ruan back to their quarters. As Gu Huaixue watched them enter the same room, she asked the attendant, “Wasn’t a separate room prepared for Brother Ruan?”

The servant replied, “Young Master instructed that they share a room.”

Gu Huaixue was about to ask more when Madam Gu approached. She quickly stopped and entered her own room.

Madam Gu walked to Zhan Xi’s door and knocked. It opened to reveal Lin Ruan. She paused in the doorway, peering inside. Zhan Xi had taken off his coat and was sitting on the sofa. He and Gu Ji had both drunk quite a bit.

“I remembered something and came to tell Zhan Xi.”

Lin Ruan acknowledged her and turned to call, “Sir.”

Zhan Xi approached. Madam Gu led him to the small balcony at the end of the second-floor corridor.

“What is it?”

Madam Gu glanced back and said, “It concerns Lin Ruan. I came to ask your opinion.”

Zhan Xi’s eyes flickered slightly. Madam Gu continued, “Back when you were gravely ill, the Master summoned him, and your illness was healed. By that reckoning, he saved your life. But now that the emperor is gone, hardly anyone takes the child bride arrangement seriously anymore. Lin Ruan has grown up. He’s not quite a servant, yet he has no proper status either.”

Zhan Xi fell silent for a moment before asking, “What do you think, Auntie?”

Madam Gu pondered briefly before replying, “Your illness was strange in its onset and cure. What if he isn’t by your side when it strikes again? To guard against such a possibility, letting him leave is simply out of the question.”

Zhan Xi’s expression remained unchanged. Madam Gu continued, “It all depends on your wishes now. If you care for him, you could take him into your household as a formal retainer, giving him status and recognition. If you don’t, then there’s no need to discuss this further. Lin Ruan is a good lad. In my opinion, you should adopt him as your godson and make him the second young master of the Lan residence. You could oversee his marriage and career, thus repaying the debt for saving your life.”

Zhan Xi gazed into the night, his tone inscrutable. “What title do you think would be appropriate, Auntie?”

Upon hearing this, Lady Gu knew Zhan Xi had feelings for Lin Ruan. After pondering, she replied, “It’s not uncommon for a man to become a concubine. Lin Ruan has a gentle nature, and she has been thoroughly vetted. According to the rules of the royal household, appointing him as a secondary consort wouldn’t be excessive.”

Madam Gu finished speaking in a serious tone and glanced at Zhan Xi. After pausing for a moment, she finally said, “It’s not that your aunt doesn’t believe in your charm. From what I see, though, Xiao Ruan just isn’t interested. When I asked him today if he liked any girl, he actually blushed.”

Zhan Xi paused. Madam Gu continued, “That’s why I came to ask your opinion. If you don’t feel the same way, don’t lead him on.”

Zhan Xi offered a forced smile. “Auntie, you’re so thoughtful.”

Madam Gu immediately sensed Zhan Xi’s displeasure and dismissed him. As Zhan Xi left, Madam Gu muttered, “All these years of being so close, and he hasn’t managed to snag anyone. Now he has the nerve to be upset.”

Zhan Xi: What a sourpuss.