UCTOOT CH24

Shi Shu: “What thicker thing?”

Xie Wuchi said nothing, looking away.

Shi Shu bit into the cucumber with a loud crunch, his mouth filling with a fresh fragrance. “What are you talking about? Speak clearly!”

“Are you talking about the cucumber? I’m just filling my stomach a bit. We’re having hot pot tonight, so I’ll eat a little less of this.”

Xie Wuchi: “Mm, that’s fine.”

“?”

Before they could exchange more words, a group of people approached from a distance. They were all dressed in wide robes with large sleeves, high hats, and broad sashes, exuding the refined air of scholars, yet their faces were full of spirit and smiles. As they walked, they gestured politely, “After you!” “No, after you!” “Please!” “You first!”

Liu Rushan: “I say, let’s dispense with the pleasantries. We don’t stand on ceremony here. Let’s all go in together!”

After entering, introductions were made. They were indeed a group of scholars, including a Juren, an Imperial College student, and some who were lodging at the monastery to study. As soon as they entered the courtyard, someone was heard sighing gloomily.

“Alas, the affairs of the state are difficult.”

Shi Shu was chewing on the remaining half of his cucumber. At these words, it was as if a floodgate had opened for the others. Their emotions instantly flared up, losing the gentle refinement from moments before.

“A few days ago, I heard there was an earthquake in Dongping Prefecture, affecting tens of thousands of people. The court allocated silver for disaster relief, to distribute rice porridge and aid the common folk. But I received a letter from a friend in Dongping Prefecture saying that the local people haven’t even seen a mouthful of soup! Large numbers of people are starving to death! All the silver has been skimmed off layer by layer by officials, embezzled completely!”

“The people of Huainan Circuit rebelled, and the court issued military pay. But those undisciplined soldiers are still burning, killing, and looting along their route, plundering the people’s savings to supplement their military funds! Truly, the army has no discipline, and the state has no law!”

“It’s far more than that! ‘Your salary and your stipend are the flesh and blood of the people. It is easy to oppress the common folk below, but difficult to deceive Heaven above!’ A few days ago, at the Longjin night market, an old man came to the capital carrying his son’s head to file an imperial petition. He kowtowed all the way from Dingzhou to the Eastern Capital, a full three thousand li! It’s said his son was murdered, and the local government colluded with the killer, refusing to do anything about it!”

“…”

Shi Shu slowed his chewing, his cheeks aching as he listened to them speak.

The light cast a pale shadow under his eyelashes on his fair face. Suddenly, he felt that the cucumber in his mouth had lost its flavor.

Liu Rushan sighed, “Everyone, sit down, sit down! Let’s eat first, the food is getting cold. We can talk slowly.”

After speaking, Liu Rushan turned solemnly to Xie Wuchi and Shi Shu. “Friends, these two brothers are good men! It was they who obtained millions of silver taels from Xiangnan Temple to solve the urgent need for military funds, without harming the people in the slightest.”

The others cupped their hands in salute one after another. “Brother Xie!”

Shi Shu brought over a few stools for the scholars to sit down. Meanwhile, Liu Rushan went to the kitchen to get the dishes, and Shi Shu washed some cups and poured wine.

The Great Jing, though not his country. But it was the homeland of these scholars before him.

On the table were braised pig ears and snouts, roasted chicken and goose, steamed pork belly with preserved vegetables, smoked goose liver, beef, and mutton. A variety of cold dishes filled the table. In the center, a small stove heated by charcoal held a hot pot, with pieces of white tofu bubbling in the broth.

The scholars, named Miao Guangyuan, Xi Haomiao, Yan Zizhen, Dong Le, and Gong Bi, ate and drank. Amidst the lively atmosphere, their faces were hazy in the white steam, their hearts filled with gloom and indignation.

“What’s the use? It’s useless. Those ministers in the court only have power and wealth in their hearts. Where is there room for the suffering common people of the world?”

“Everyone, if this continues, what are we to do? The public resentment is boiling over! The rebellion in Huainan Circuit is just the beginning. From now on, things will only go downhill. The beacons of rebellion lit by the people will only increase. We don’t have enough soldiers, not enough money and grain, the state treasury is empty. If this goes on, before the Da Min even invade, our Jing Dynasty will collapse on its own!”

Shi Shu caught the key point. “Da Min?”

Xie Wuchi held a wine cup. “The Da Min are a nomadic tribe that has risen to the north of Great Jing. Their cavalry is extremely formidable. They have been eyeing us covetously for years. Nine years ago, they almost conquered the entire northern frontier of Great Jing. It was only by paying them silver and establishing a treaty that we have temporarily maintained peace.”

Shi Shu lowered his eyes. “I see.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to the people being plunged into misery again, with blood flowing for three thousand li, people being replaced, and grass being scorched, leading to decades of turmoil. Ai! I don’t know what the people in the court are doing. At such a critical time, they neither train the army nor rectify the court, just letting the situation continue to worsen!”

“And there are those old pedants. They clearly know there are problems that need reform, yet all they can talk about is ‘tradition’ and ‘loyalty to the sovereign.’ They even think the nation’s fortune is declining because the ministers are disloyal and the common people are not pious…”

“That bunch of vipers!”

The men, their faces full of anguish, drank deeply.

People cannot help but worry for themselves, for the future, for the collective.

Shi Shu couldn’t join the conversation. These young men were too distressed, sighing deeply whenever the topic was raised. While eating, Shi Shu kept refilling their wine cups.

Gong Bi’s cup was empty. As Shi Shu poured, the clear wine rippled. Gong Bi looked at him. “Thank you.”

Shi Shu: “You are guests. Please eat well.”

Gong Bi: “I heard you two were also retaliated against by that eunuch Feng Lu? He’s the one ruining the country! To think he would even harm loyal and good men!”

“Ai, the world is truly in chaos.”

Only now did Shi Shu seem to understand what Xie Wuchi, who always looked so deep in thought, was contemplating every day.

While they spoke of national affairs, ripples stirred in Shi Shu’s heart. Xie Wuchi, however, sat upright in his chair, barely touching his food or chopsticks, his expression indifferent. “There is nothing new under the sun.”

Gong Bi said, “When I get back, I will definitely spread the word of your heroic deeds!”

Xie Wuchi: “This is also my own ambition. There is no need for that.”

“So you also have a heart for the people of Great Jing! Come, come, drink, drink.” With that, the men began to eat and drink heartily again.

The sky gradually darkened, and candles and lanterns illuminated the courtyard. In the lively and hazy atmosphere, Shi Shu, who normally didn’t drink, watched as the group, reaching a fever pitch in their conversation, raised their cups to drink freely and vent the grievances in their chests.

He poured himself a cup and took a small sip.

The wine, a product of the Eastern Capital, was not harsh or fiery, nor was its taste particularly palatable, but Shi Shu finished the cup nonetheless.

After finishing it, his head began to feel dizzy.

“Drunk, one knows not that the sky is in the water; a boatful of clear dreams presses down on the river of stars.” The hazy, tipsy feeling was intoxicating.

Xie Wuchi watched him pour a second cup. Sitting upright, he said coolly, “You haven’t tested the depths of your tolerance yet. Don’t be greedy.”

Shi Shu: “I’m not being greedy. I just feel the atmosphere tonight is great. Everyone has like-minded friends, and we can gather and vent our frustrations openly.”

Xie Wuchi calmly took his cup away. “I have several drunkards to look after. If I add you to the list, I won’t be able to look after the others.”

Shi Shu yawned. Among the group, those with low tolerance were already drunk, while others were playing finger-guessing games. Seeing Pei Wenqing also drinking, Shi Shu quickly snatched his cup. “You’re not in good health, you shouldn’t drink. Otherwise, I’m afraid however much wine goes in, that’s how much blood will come out.”

Pei Wenqing: “The sorrow in my heart is hard to dispel.”

Shi Shu: “Why are you sorrowful?”

“It’s as everyone said. I was already worried about the state of affairs ten years ago. Ten years later, it’s been of no use, and things are only getting worse. Every day, I watch treacherous ministers in power, stirring up trouble from their high positions, enjoying wealth and glory while refusing to see the suffering of the common people. My heart is bitter.”

As he spoke, he was about to take another large drink.

Shi Shu snatched his cup away. “You really shouldn’t drink anymore.”

Not knowing how to comfort people, Shi Shu said, “If you’re unhappy, I’ll drink for you.”

Shi Shu was still young; how could a youth understand the taste of sorrow? He didn’t understand, but he knew Pei Wenqing was sad. After he finished the wine, Pei Wenqing collapsed drunk on the long bench. “When I was young, I passed the imperial examinations with successive victories, nearly achieving the ‘Triple First.’ I fully believed I could enter the court in this life and establish a destiny for the people. I never imagined I would spend my whole life in poverty and hardship. A scholar is useless in a hundred ways.”

Shi Shu: “You are very useful. Don’t be sad. How about I have Laifu count for you?”

“Laifu!”

The next second, Xie Wuchi grabbed his collar, forcing him to fall backward. Shi Shu cried out, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Wuchi’s voice was gloomy. “What’s so funny about Laifu counting?”

Shi Shu: “???”

What’s wrong!

Before they knew it, it was late at night. The hour was late, and Liu Rushan, Yan Zizhen, Gong Bi, and the others bid their farewells. Pei Wenqing was tucked under Liu Rushan’s arm. “I’ll take Wenqing back to sleep first. We’ll meet again another day, another day.”

“Then I’ll be heading back as well. Brother Xie, Brother Liu, thank you for your hospitality today.”

“Next time, I’ll treat everyone to a meal. It might not be this lavish, haha.”

The group prepared to leave, but some were severely drunk. Xie Wuchi stood up. “I’ll see you off.”

Shi Shu climbed up from the long bench, spitting out the blade of grass in his mouth. “I’ll come along too.”

Xie Wuchi saw his face was red from drink and said coolly, “You don’t need to come. Go inside and lie down.”

Shi Shu: “I’m in a good mood right now. I plan to enjoy the beautiful night scenery. It’s on the way.”

“You’re drunk.”

“I’m not drunk.”

“…” Xie Wuchi said nothing more. He turned, lit a lantern, and illuminated the night path for the others as they headed towards the gate of the prince’s estate.

Shi Shu was originally lagging behind, looking this way and that, but Xie Wuchi pulled him to his side. “The light is limited. Don’t run around, or you’ll trip and fall.”

Shi Shu snatched his hand back with a “swish.” “Your hand is very hot. Don’t touch me.”

Xie Wuchi’s hand grasped at empty air. He stopped, a shadow flashing in his eyes. “How much did you drink tonight?”

Shi Shu: “Not much. I’m just a little excited.”

It was about a four or five-minute walk from Liushui Abbey to the gate of the prince’s estate. Once they reached the main street, which had its own candle and lantern lighting, Xie Wuchi no longer escorted them. After bidding farewell at the gate, Xie Wuchi turned around, his robes fluttering in the wind.

“Still alive? Let’s go back.”

Shi Shu’s head felt light. After a few steps, he said, “Xie Wuchi, I want to drink water. My mouth is dry.”

“You’re drunk. The alcohol irritates the mucous membranes and increases the osmotic pressure of your blood, making you feel thirsty. We’ll be home in a few minutes.”

“No, I want water now. Xie Wuchi, do you have money on you? Give me twenty kuai.”

In the middle of the night, the rear courtyard of the prince’s estate was inhabited by advisors, retainers, and their attendants. By the edge of the woods, some melons, fruits, and vegetables were planted on trellises. Among the large, round, fan-like leaves, round fruits could be vaguely seen in the darkness.

“What are you doing?”

“Buying a melon.” When Xie Wuchi heard this, his eyes froze for a moment. Before he could stop him, he saw Shi Shu take a leap, jumping with a ‘plop’ from the small stone path into the dense field.

“—Shi Shu!”

“This field is so deep, f*ck!!!! I almost broke my neck! I pass by here every day, and I’ve had my eye on these watermelons for a while. I know Zeng Xingxiu planted them. He usually carries them to the wellhead to sell. If I buy one now, isn’t it more convenient for him since he won’t have to pick it?”

Xie Wuchi unconsciously ground his teeth, his brow furrowed sharply. “The watermelons aren’t ripe. Come back.”

Shi Shu’s head was spinning. The cool leaves in the field brushed against the back of his hand. “So many watermelons! So many! F*ck, this is awesome!”

Shi Shu groped around in the watermelon patch, delving deeper into the trellises. Xie Wuchi, carrying the lantern, followed him along the ridge of the field and stepped onto the soft soil.

“Shi Shu, come back. The grass is too deep, there could be snakes.”

Shi Shu was squatting in front of a trellis. Xie Wuchi reached out, intending to pull the young man up, but unexpectedly, Shi Shu pulled him instead, causing the lantern to topple. Xie Wuchi extinguished the candle. In the sudden darkness, his Adam’s apple had just bobbed when he noticed the moonlight was just right, faintly illuminating the snowy white skin of Shi Shu’s nape.

Xie Wuchi closed his eyelids, then opened them again.

Shi Shu, squatting on the ground, was staring intently at a cucumber on the trellis. “Oh, I get it now. I get it.”

Xie Wuchi: “What is it?”

Shi Shu: “So that’s what you meant. ‘Want to eat something thicker’.”

Shi Shu plucked the cucumber and placed some money near the vine. “I’m not stealing, I’m not stealing… this is for you, for you.”

Then, he turned and shoved the cucumber towards Xie Wuchi’s face. “You’re thick, huh? Eat this, huh?”

Xie Wuchi lowered his gaze. “I thought you didn’t understand anything.”

Shi Shu: “I understand. You were talking about giving head, right?”

The corner of Xie Wuchi’s lip twitched almost imperceptibly as he stared at Shi Shu.

Shi Shu, completely unfiltered, saw no problem with what he said. When Xie Wuchi didn’t eat the cucumber, he took a bite himself and turned back to look at the other gourds on the trellis.

“Alright, one is enough. There are more in the house.”

Shi Shu: “No, I want to inspect how the people’s harvest is this year.”

“…”

Xie Wuchi: “You’re really drunk.”

Running around someone’s melon patch in the middle of the night, acting sneaky. Xie Wuchi’s patience had always been limited, but now, following behind Shi Shu, listening to the chorus of cicadas and frogs from the field, with the night mist spreading under the moonlight and the youth’s lively spirit, he closed his eyes and, surprisingly, calmed down.

Shi Shu touched the gourds on the trellis with one hand, while holding the piece of cucumber in the other. “Bitter melon, loofah, pumpkin, bottle gourd…”

For some reason, the sight of his fair fingers gripping the cucumber was jarring. Shi Shu’s arm was suddenly pulled. Xie Wuchi: “Are you going to eat the cucumber or not?”

Shi Shu: “You want to eat it?”

“I’ll eat it.”

Xie Wuchi held his hand and took a bite from the same spot Shi Shu had bitten. But then, on the cool flesh of the cucumber, he extended the scarlet tip of his tongue and licked it sensually, as if simulating something.

The force of that lick traveled up from his palm, and Shi Shu’s entire arm went numb.

“…………”

Shi Shu looked at his right arm, which was completely tingling and numb.

Shi Shu: “Xie Wuchi, you’re disgusting.”

Xie Wuchi: “You’re not much different.”

“…”

“I’m not eating it anymore.” He shoved the remaining half into Xie Wuchi’s hand, turned back, squatted down to pat a watermelon, then knelt and pressed his ear to it. “My mom said you have to pat a watermelon to pick one.”

Xie Wuchi: “Haven’t I said it a hundred times? The melons aren’t ripe.”

“No, just wait for me a bit.”

“Woof woof woof!” A dog started barking in a nearby courtyard, startling the night. If they didn’t leave, someone would come out. Xie Wuchi pulled his arm. “Let’s go back.”

Shi Shu: “I’m not going back! I haven’t picked a watermelon yet.”

“Let’s go.” Xie Wuchi bent down and lifted Shi Shu with one hand, only to realize that as soon as Shi Shu stood up, he immediately bent his legs and squatted back down.

Xie Wuchi: “What’s wrong?”

Shi Shu: “Uh! Well… I jumped off my shoe when I jumped down. I don’t know where it is. Actually, I wasn’t looking at watermelons, I was looking for my shoe.”

“…”

A vein throbbed on Xie Wuchi’s forehead. He turned, found a black boot in a pile of grass, and without another word, squatted down and lifted Shi Shu up. Spreading his legs, he supported his bottom and hoisted him to his waist. Xie Wuchi held him with one arm, using the other to pick up the extinguished lantern.

Shi Shu rested against Xie Wuchi’s waist, his long legs dangling like a koala’s. Holding him steady, Xie Wuchi turned and walked away.

“What are you doing? Why are you carrying me!!! Xie Wuchi!”

Shi Shu was suddenly airborne and quite startled, but he subconsciously threw his arms around Xie Wuchi’s shoulders.

Xie Wuchi: “Your feet are dirty. Don’t step into your shoes.”

The distance suddenly closed. Xie Wuchi’s voice, as if with added reverb, brushed past his ear with a low, husky texture. Shi Shu struggled a little. “Let go. Put me down. I can walk.”

“Then we’ll wash your feet at the well up ahead first. In any case, we can’t stay here. If I’m seen stealing watermelons in the middle of the night, I can forget about becoming emperor in this lifetime.”

“…………”

After his bout of madness in the watermelon patch, the effects of the alcohol washed over Shi Shu, and he suddenly felt sleepy. The way Xie Wuchi was holding him was similar to when he was a sick child being carried to the hospital by his father.

Shi Shu wrapped his arms around his shoulder. “Xie Wuchi.”

“Hm?”

“You’re so strong. How did you train? Take me with you next time. I want to build pecs and abs too.”

“Okay, I’ll take you with me next time.”

“Xie Wuchi, it’s so weird for you to carry me like this. It’s like I’ve suddenly become a child. That’s not right. I’m a grown man.”

“Couples also hold each other like this.”

“…Xie Wuchi.”

Shi Shu looked up. The distance was so close that their noses were almost touching. Shi Shu’s skin was so fair it was reflective. His pair of misty peach-blossom eyes, though belonging to a hollow block of wood, met Xie Wuchi’s gaze at close range under the moonlight.

His lips were moist, a sight that made Xie Wuchi’s brow furrow.

Shi Shu could run and jump, but his waist was thin and his ribs slender. He didn’t take up much space in his arms.

“I miss home.”

Xie Wuchi’s eyelashes lowered, the shadow instantly obscuring the moonlight in his eyes.

The youth’s fluffy head rested on his shoulder, revealing a strip of snowy white nape and arm as he buried his head in Xie Wuchi’s neck. Xie Wuchi ruffled his hair with one hand and, stepping on the silver frost covering the ground, carried Shi Shu back to the courtyard of Liushui Abbey.

As Shi Shu drifted in a state between sleep and wakefulness, his feet were placed in hot water. A hand gripped his ankle, seeming to rub it in its palm for a moment, which tickled him.

The foot in Xie Wuchi’s hand was fair, with a long, beautiful arch and slender toes. He washed Shi Shu’s feet clean, dried them with a cloth, and placed them back on the bed.

Shi Shu’s face, deep in sleep, was peaceful and buried in the pillow. Xie Wuchi unfastened his clothes and was just about to lie down to sleep when Laifu suddenly started barking “woof woof woof.”

Outside, a procession of bright lanterns suddenly approached. Someone knocked softly on the door, calling out in a low voice, “Councilor Xie, Councilor Xie! Urgent business!”

Shi Shu heard the voice indistinctly. The hot palm that was caressing his foot left. Xie Wuchi, his face devoid of emotion, draped a crane-feather cloak over his shoulders and went out, his shadowed eyes following the lantern light.

With a “whoosh,” the candle was extinguished.

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