Yan Zijin straightened up, offering a polite smile to Lord Yuchi, but as his gaze shifted slightly, he caught Duan Wu boldly staring at Yuchi. He cleared his throat, and Duan Wu quickly bowed her head to Lord Yuchi, mimicking a chick pecking at grains.
Lord Yuchi's serene and refined features remained as still as a painting, showing no sign of offense.
Yan Zijin spoke, “My Lord…”
“There’s no need for such formalities between us, is there? Before I became the lord of this city, wasn’t I often a guest at the Yan family’s estate? Though your esteemed mother has now ascended to the Buddhist paradise, I can still clearly remember the kind expression she had when she called me 'Wuyi,'” Lord Yuchi said with a gentle smile.
Yan Zijin’s expression remained serious. “These are difficult times, and things are not as they once were. I am not as capable as before, and the Yan family’s fortunes have greatly diminished. I’ve come to see you today, first to obtain a pass to reach Yarkant, and second, to seek your response to my letter.”
Lord Yuchi adjusted his posture, placing a green leaf between the pages of his book before closing it.
“The pass, of course, will be issued. But your letter…” He paused, then poured a cup of pomegranate juice from a jade pitcher. “I don’t know how to respond because I don’t have the ability to fulfill your request. I cannot deceive you, but I also don’t have the heart to refuse you.”
He handed the jade cup to Yan Zijin, apologetically saying, “Here, have some pomegranate juice to refresh yourself.”
Yan Zijin’s face turned pale. “I don’t like sweet things.”
Lord Yuchi flicked the edge of the jade cup with his finger and laughed graciously, “Ah yes, I forgot. You’ve only been gone three years; I shouldn’t have forgotten. It just goes to show how living in the mundane world as an official can cloud one’s memory.” He drank the pomegranate juice himself, his slightly pale lips taking on a soft rosy hue.
At the mention of "three years," Yan Zijin silently clenched his fist.
Duan Wu recalled the conversation Yan Zijin had with his uncle on the ship and guessed that something significant must have happened to him in the Western Regions three years ago.
But from the calm and composed expression of Lord Yuchi, who seemed as serene as a tree in the wind, it was impossible to imagine anything truly terrifying.
Yan Zijin said, “Three years ago, I left without saying goodbye because I didn’t know if I would recover. I didn’t want to face the Western Regions, and even less did I want to die on this land. I was too young then to understand the world. But this time, my resolve is as firm as a rock. If you, my lord, can persuade the Chagatai Khanate to send troops to eradicate the bandits, I will risk my life, forsake my family’s wealth, and follow you without hesitation.”
Lord Yuchi sighed. “Eradicate the bandits? I’ve spent years trying, but we haven’t captured a single bandit leader. The Mongol and Turkic cavalry of the Chagatai Khanate are indeed formidable, but their ferocity is also well-known. If we summon troops from afar, they’ll do more than just deal with the bandits—they’ll plunder Hetian’s people and cities. Do you want me to trade the lives of tens of thousands of citizens to save a few merchants?”
Yan Zijin stepped forward. “My lord, you are compassionate and don’t want to cause widespread suffering. But can you protect your territory by retreating? On the way here, I saw the aftermath of a bandit attack—bodies strewn everywhere. If this continues, your reputation will be tarnished as a 'coward.' Hetian will no longer be a bustling trade center; it will become a deserted city like Loulan. When that happens, will you still be able to meditate peacefully? The Chagatai Khanate has made peace with the Yuan dynasty and is ready to consolidate its territories. Kunlun jade is a rare treasure and a vital source of income for the khanate. If you don’t take action now, will you wait until someone else takes your position as lord? After all, the glory of the Yuchi family’s hereditary rule is a thing of the past. Brother Wuyi, you are merely a local official appointed by the Mongols!”
Lord Yuchi placed a hand on his forehead, laughing softly in resignation. “Zijin, you finally call me Brother Wuyi again. You speak the truth, and I know it all too well. But I have my own difficulties. I can’t help you because two major obstacles stand in our way. First, to capture the bandits, we need to capture their leader, but we don’t know where their lair is. Night Snow and Amber Glow move as swiftly as legendary generals. Without a target, what good are our best archers? Should we send the pursuers into the vast desert or have them cleave through the mighty Kunlun Mountains? Second, a group of dragons needs a leader. To deal with those ruthless bandits, Night Snow and Amber Glow, we need an excellent commander. You can’t do it, and neither can I. As you said, this is no longer the time when the Yuchi family ruled as kings. Last year, the new Khan ascended the throne and granted four oases, including Hetian, to the former Khan’s son, Nomin. Prince Nomin is the true master here. He inherited the qualities of a great leader, but fate hasn’t given him a chance to achieve more. After arriving in Yarkant, he fell ill with a strange disease. His illness is so severe that it has captivated the entire Chagatai royal family’s attention. In this critical moment, can we really persuade the Khan to launch a major campaign on the prince’s lands?”
Yan Zijin’s face darkened. The fire in his eyes, which had been burning brightly, was now dimmed.
The courtyard’s bodhi trees cast elegant shadows over the pool, and behind Yuchi, clusters of pale white mandara flowers bloomed among the green foliage.
Lord Yuchi’s phoenix eyes lifted slightly as he said, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you down like this. You’ve waited a thousand days and traveled such a long way…”
Duan Wu nodded inwardly. Perhaps Yuchi had valid reasons, and if Yan Zijin hadn’t been so forceful, he wouldn’t have said so much. Still, if the bandits aren’t dealt with now, they’ll eventually have to be. The bandits will leave clues sooner or later. And as for Prince Nomin’s illness, whether he lives or dies, there will eventually be an outcome… Of course, it would be better if he died now, sparing the girls from becoming sacrificial ingredients.
She had no intention of being as naive as a lamb, letting Yan Zijin deliver her to be slaughtered by the Mongol prince. She was already plotting her escape, her eyes darting about as she schemed in her mind.
Lord Yuchi, perhaps sensing the tension, poured another cup of pomegranate juice and smiled at Duan Wu. “Would you like a cup to quench your thirst?”
Duan Wu was surprised. Her throat was parched, but… She hurried forward, reaching out as if to take the cup, but then hesitated, glancing timidly at Yan Zijin. Her small hand trembled like a startled insect, and with a playful smile, she said, “I’d better not. If I drink this cup and the master rewards me with a beating, it wouldn’t be worth it! Master, should I drink it or not? I’ll do whatever you say.”
Yan Zijin gritted his teeth and said nothing.
If he said yes, he’d look foolish; if he said no, he’d seem petty. Duan Wu grinned, feeling more pleased than if she had just drunk a whole cup of sweet juice.
Yuchi glanced around, and when his gaze finally settled, there was a warmth and earnestness in it that made it hard for Yan Zijin to maintain his cold demeanor.
“I know your temperament, Zijin. When you don’t speak, it means you agree.”
Duan Wu took the jade cup and gulped down the juice.
Yuchi smiled knowingly at Yan Zijin and said with a hint of deeper meaning, “You’ve been away for three years, and now that you have this child by your side, I’m glad for you.”
Yan Zijin’s expression darkened, his face showing clear discomfort, as if he had been insulted. “She is just a servant, nothing more. I would never...”
Duan Wu raised her head and pouted slightly. Unless I’ve turned into a masochist, there’s no way I’d want someone who despises and mistreats me, she thought to herself.
Avoiding Duan Wu’s dark, defiant eyes, Yan Zijin changed the subject. “Since you are unable to assist, I won’t press the matter. After such a long journey, I need to return to the inn and rest. I’ll visit again another day.”
Before Yuchi could respond, a melodious tune began to play from the courtyard behind them.
A steward bowed and announced, “My lord, dinner is ready. Some fine beef and lamb dishes have been delivered.”
Yuchi raised an eyebrow and smiled at Yan Zijin. “You see, I didn’t plan to keep you, but the meal insists on keeping you. I only eat vegetarian food, so the beef and lamb dishes are all yours.”
Despite Yuchi’s warm invitation, Yan Zijin remained somewhat reserved. However, the generous hospitality left him with little choice, and he finally made his way toward the grape arbor.
Duan Wu dragged her feet, looking for a suitable place to sit. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Yuchi rising from the stone couch with the help of his hand.
He was tall, and his robes were several inches longer than usual. From a distance, it almost looked like he was standing on a lotus pedestal.
Suddenly, Duan Wu’s eyes widened as she saw Yuchi pick up his book and walk toward them with a strange gait.
He stepped forward with one leg, while the other seemed to be “dragged” along by the force of his body.
The words of Lady Ba echoed in her mind: “He has a disability.”
So the Lord of Hetian is a cripple, Duan Wu thought. No wonder his robes were longer… What had initially seemed like a particularly elegant style was actually meant to conceal his physical imperfection.
She quickly realized that among those familiar with Yuchi, she was likely the only one who would notice his unusual gait.
She immediately lowered her gaze, but then she realized this action might seem unnatural too. Deciding to suppress her surprise, she tried to act as normal as possible.
When she looked up, Yuchi was passing by her. His face bore a faint, warm smile, and his gaze casually fell on her.
Duan Wu felt a sudden pang of pity because of the warmth in his eyes.
I love running and jumping, she thought. And this man… No, wait, how did he make it to Lianzhou and Hepu at the age of twelve or thirteen with nothing to his name? He must be a remarkable person.
Yuchi gave a few instructions to his steward, who nodded and withdrew.
On the intricately woven Persian carpet lay a long table. Silver pitchers, gold plates, and enamelware with floral patterns all showcased the wealth of Hetian.
There were tender roast lamb, fragrant flatbreads, and a variety of fruits—all that one could wish for. Handsome young men from various ethnicities, dressed in embroidered short jackets, continually refilled the guests' goblets with fine grape wine.
Under the light of pine resin torches, Yan Zijin ate with restrained elegance, his clear eyes flickering with an icy glint. Yuchi, on the other hand, was lively in conversation, his face almost glowing with a calm and warm radiance.
A boy serving wine handed Duan Wu a hot sesame bun, a plate of lamb with fragrant oil, and a jug of pomegranate juice.
Duan Wu moved to the shade of a tree, away from the light, and indulged herself. She was truly hungry, and such a feast was rare, so she had no hesitation in eating her fill. After finishing, she even licked the sesame seeds from the plate and her fingers that still had traces of the sweet, oily lamb. She returned to the corridor, standing there contentedly, and let out a satisfied burp.
Yan Zijin paused for a moment upon hearing this, but he didn’t look at her. Duan Wu noticed that he was wearing a ring with a stone. She had never seen him wear any jewelry before. He must be adopting local customs, she thought, knowing that merchants in the Western Regions often wore earrings, rings, necklaces, and such.
“Master, the guest has arrived.”
Yan Zijin immediately became serious. Yuchi raised his cup with a smile. “I plan to send this guest to visit Prince Nomin and have prepared a gift.”
“Really? I’ve also prepared a gift.”
Duan Wu felt a surge of anger. When she heard Yuchi mention a gift, she couldn’t help but turn her face slightly.
Yuchi said, “The prince’s illness requires something of pure beauty. I have a treasure chest containing eighty-eight of the most beautiful women. Would you like to see it?”
Yan Zijin’s face showed disbelief, but he said, “I hope to see it soon.”
A limping old man approached, holding a silver box inlaid with precious gems.
To Duan Wu’s surprise, Yan Zijin actually smiled, his pale face lighting up with a youthful radiance that she found utterly perplexing.
He glanced at Yuchi and remarked, "What a beautiful box. I hope people won't just 'buy the case and leave the pearls.'"
Yuchi clapped his hands, smiling. "Zijin, you are indeed clever."
The box was opened, revealing a small, symmetrical pearl necklace inside.
Duan Wu couldn’t see clearly, but she guessed there must be eighty-eight pearls of varying sizes. It had been a long time since she’d handled pearls, and she felt an itch to do so, causing her to stand on tiptoe in curiosity.
Yan Zijin inspected the pearls closely. "Are these from Hepu? I went there this year but didn’t find a single particularly good one..." His gaze wandered into the distance.
Yuchi instructed, "Bring the necklace to Master Yan for a closer look."
The old man obeyed, shakily carrying the pearls over. His body wobbled, and the necklace fell to the ground, scattering across the floor, rolling toward the colonnade. The string broke with a series of pops, and Duan Wu, along with the young attendants, hurriedly scrambled to catch the pearls, finally gathering all eighty-eight.
The young attendants, as if by tacit agreement, handed the pearls to her. Duan Wu, exclaiming "Slow down, slow down," carefully gathered the precious pearls in her lapel and returned them to the old man.
The old man sighed, "Ah, the string broke? My wife spent all night stringing these together..."
Seeing his distress, Duan Wu couldn’t help but offer, "Let me string them again. Just give me a good piece of gold thread."
Yuchi smiled, and Yan Zijin gave a slight shrug; neither objected.
Duan Wu sat cross-legged on the floor, spreading the pearls out in the light, muttering to herself as she delicately handled each one, like someone carefully sorting an abacus. She sometimes closed her eyes to feel the pearls, other times holding them in her palm. In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, she had restored the necklace to its original state.
The onlookers sighed in admiration, leaving Duan Wu both proud and a little bashful.
She scratched her braid, chuckling, "I’ve been practicing this since I was a child... If you were born where I was, this would be nothing for you too."
Yuchi asked Yan Zijin, "Did you bring her from Hepu?"
Yan Zijin gave a noncommittal hum. Duan Wu smirked internally, He can’t possibly admit the disgraceful way he obtained me.
As Yan Zijin drank a few more cups, the alcohol began to take its toll.
He wanted to leave, but Yuchi gently blocked him several times. Finally, when Yan Zijin’s face turned red and he started pouring his own drinks, Yuchi spoke softly, "When I used to visit the capital, your mother always insisted I stay overnight. The inn is rather simple; perhaps you could endure the humble accommodations here as well. Someone, come..."
A few of the young attendants stepped forward to help Yan Zijin.
Duan Wu thought, If this man were sober, he’d never agree to stay. If you can’t hold your liquor, drink less! You’ve brought this on yourself.
Yan Zijin’s money pouch fell during the commotion, and Yuchi picked it up, handing it to Duan Wu. "Take good care of your master."
Duan Wu grabbed the money pouch, reluctantly trailing behind the others. They twisted and turned through the hallways until they reached a room decorated just like those in the Central Plains. The young attendants laid Yan Zijin on the bed and instructed, "Everything your master needs has been brought in by his eight servants. There’s wash water behind the curtain, plum preserves for sobering up on the table, and the bedding has been scented. You take care of him; we won’t interfere."
Having stayed up since the previous night, Duan Wu’s eyelids were heavy, and her ears were ringing. She clasped her hands and said, "No need to see me out."
After everyone had left, she perched on a chair, slowly sipping the sobering plum drink and warm, nourishing soup.
Seeing Yan Zijin passed out, she couldn’t help but chuckle. "Lie there like a corpse. I hope you dream of visiting the underworld and being chosen as a son-in-law!"
She sniffed the lingering scent of lamb on her hands and hurried behind the curtain to use Yan Zijin’s wash water to clean her hands and feet. After tidying up, she dragged the scented bedding into the outer room and took a quick nap on the floor, thinking that the cool night air in Hetian would wake her soon enough.
As she expected, she woke up after only two hours. Checking the hourglass, she discreetly returned the bedding to the drunkard’s bedside.
Yan Zijin’s cherished red orchid was placed at the head of the bed. Duan Wu spat twice at the flower stem, pretending to water it.
The man stirred, and Duan Wu quickly jumped back. However, he only rolled over. She noticed that the stone ring on his hand was missing. Had it fallen off?
Suddenly, something moved in the mirror by the bed. Was there someone at the window?
Duan Wu kept silent, cautiously moving to the window and then suddenly throwing it open. "Who’s there?"
A slender black figure fled into the dark corridor. Duan Wu sprang to her toes and chased after them, but by the time she reached the two gilded iron doors, the figure had vanished.
Peering through the gap in the doors, she could make out some women chatting inside, but the view was too unclear.
The doors were locked from the inside, and Duan Wu didn’t want to risk going in. She could hear laughter, sighs, and the sound of a five-stringed lute being played.
A woman began to sing a melancholic song:
“Don’t expect to find fruit in this world, In those gardens, only the willows weep, The gardener is drawing near, be careful! When the wind blows, all that’s left is ash.”
Duan Wu was perplexed. Are those women slaves too?
She wandered with a sense of melancholy, trying to find her way back to Yan Zijin's quarters. But the Yuchi family's back rooms seemed like a labyrinth. After walking for a while, she realized she was completely lost...
Cold sweat broke out on her back as she cursed herself for being so careless. The faint echoes of the song still lingered in the air. Maybe I should head back to the iron gate and retrace my steps, she thought.
After some time, she found herself back in the garden where she had first seen Yuchi.
The moon, half-hidden behind dark clouds, looked like a jade plate. Under the bodhi tree, something small moved.
Duan Wu bounced over to the tree, only to see a small cat meow and dart into the bushes.
Softly, she called out, "Wait, little cat, I have some fish for you."
But cats are naturally wary, and it seemed to know she was bluffing. It wasn’t fooled and hopped away toward a rectangular pool reflecting the moonlight.
Duan Wu, undeterred, followed. Something about this cat struck her as unusual.
As she chased it along the water’s edge, her foot slipped, and with a splash, she fell into the pool. Luckily, as a slave trained by the pearl harvesting bureau, Duan Wu was an excellent swimmer.
She loved water, especially in this arid region. So, now that she was in, she decided to take advantage and swam a few refreshing laps. The weariness from the desert and the pains of life seemed to wash away.
The cat crouched at the edge of the pool, watching her with one blue and one golden eye.
Duan Wu dove underwater. The cat was distracted, and before it realized what was happening, she leapt out of the water, catching it in both arms.
Dripping wet, she climbed out of the pool, holding the cat. "They say every creature has its master. You’re clever, but I’m even cleverer."
The cat didn’t seem afraid of her, but it was clearly displeased, hissing half-heartedly. Duan Wu laughed and stroked its ears.
Her anxiety about being lost began to melt away. Duan Wu thought, At worst, I’ll just say I was looking for a place to relieve myself. After all, I’m not actually trying to escape; I’m still inside the cage. The only problem was that her clothes were soaking wet, and she had nothing to change into. She needed to find a place to dry them.
An idea sparked in her mind. In the arid lands of the West, houses often had flat rooftops like terraces. Surely, somewhere around Yuchi’s garden, there would be such a place.
She wrung out her clothes, holding the cat, and passed by a small temple where someone was speaking.
The words were soft and steady, almost like chanting, and she thought she recognized Yuchi's voice. But the language was entirely in the local dialect of the Western regions.
In the quiet night, his voice seemed like a sutra echoing in the hall, calming anyone who heard it.
Unfortunately, another person began speaking, interrupting the tranquility.
Duan Wu thought, They’re having a conversation. Why should I butt in? She quickly turned to avoid them.
Finally, she found a ladder in the corner of the garden. She climbed up and found a flat, comfortable spot.
She took off her outer robe and wrung it out forcefully. Then she took a closer look at the cat and gasped.
The cat was a "half-Persian," its bloodline not entirely pure. It was still young, with pure white fur and a cute appearance. However, one of its front paws was missing claws, as if someone had cruelly cut them off.
Duan Wu sighed, If slaves aren’t treated like humans, what chance does a little kitten have? Poor thing. It was just a cat; without someone to care for it, it had no chance of survival. It wasn’t like Yuchi Gongzi, who could still rely on his wisdom to navigate the world despite his crippled leg.
The cat’s fur was sleek and shiny, unlike that of a stray. It must have belonged to the women she heard singing and relaxing behind the iron door.
As she stroked the cat, she gazed at the city of Hetian, lost in thought for a long time. The city’s ancient Buddhist towers appeared even more decrepit in the night.
Although the Mongols were tolerant of all religions, the number of Buddhist followers in the Western regions was dwindling, and the once-flourishing Buddhist faith had fallen into decline. Duan Wu didn’t particularly care about these matters; she was more concerned with her own future. Where is the path to survival? she wondered.
It seemed like fate was determined to oppose her. The rain in the West came suddenly, and soon the drops were falling. Duan Wu snapped out of her reverie and quickly threw her robe back on.
The clothes hadn’t dried yet, but now that they were thoroughly soaked, at least she had an excuse.
Just as she released the cat, it meowed and darted to the edge of the platform.
"Come back, you might be able to jump down, but let me carry you..." She tried to coax it with her wide eyes.
The cat, however, called out toward the ground below, completely ignoring her. Duan Wu said, "Come on, be good, don’t move, I’ll..."
Just as she was about to repeat her earlier tactic and grab the cat, she used too much force and the two of them tumbled off the roof.
She let out a short scream, clutching the cat tightly.
A tall figure extended his arms as if to catch them.
"Idiot, that could kill someone!" she thought in a flash.
She landed heavily on the person. Unsurprisingly, they couldn’t keep their balance and fell backward into the bushes outside the corridor.
Duan Wu, breathing heavily, struggled to get up, relieved to see that the kitten was unharmed and had already scampered off to shelter under the eaves.
It was pitch dark. The person groaned a few times but didn’t cry out in pain. Instead, his hand gripped Duan Wu’s arm, and he asked, "Are you hurt?"
"Are you asking me, or the cat?" Duan Wu paused, then asked, "How about you? Are you alright?"
The man chuckled in the dim light, "I'm fine." He released his grip.
Duan Wu froze. The man sitting in the muddy ground before her was none other than the Jade City Lord, Yuchi Gongzi.
For a moment, she was struck with shock, not knowing what to say as she wiped the rain from her eyes.
Yuchi remained silent. Strange thoughts swirled in Duan Wu's mind, filling her with confusion. She felt that something significant was about to happen.
"You've grown up, and you're heavier than I remember," Yuchi said.
Duan Wu was momentarily stunned, not fully understanding his meaning. What was he trying to say?
"Yuchi Gongzi, I..." she began.
Yuchi gently interrupted her, his tone soft, "Duan Wu, I was just thinking of crossing oceans to find you, and here you are, having crossed mountains to be by my side."
Duan Wu's large eyes filled with surprise and doubt. She let out a small "Hmm?"
The leaves rustled in the cool breeze, the light rain whispered. Yuchi Gongzi, with a slight lift of his phoenix-shaped eyes, smiled silently.
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