Chapter 54 — Are We Still Giving This Gift?
Edited by DancingDolphinsYo
These days, it was as though Guan Shanjin ate nothing but gunpowder, ready to explode with the flick of a spark. Although he would not vent his anger on others, none of the people close to him were able to spend these days comfortably.
It was about another two weeks to Mr. Lu’s marriage. No one could fathom what Guan Shanjin was thinking. After going to the Yue’s manor to see Mr. Lu, he expressed that it would still be the General’s Estate in charge of managing the marriage, then brought Mr. Lu back home.
Wangshu Residence became lively once again, as though everything had returned to their original status. The one Guan Shanjin was longing for was still Mr. Lu, and the Mr. Wu in Shuanghe Yard was once again tossed to the back of his mind.
As expected, a substitute could never compare to the original. Having stolen a few days of cherishing and pampering, at the end of the day, they all had to be returned.
In this entire matter, it was Miss Yue who was the most unhappy. However, she understood that although she liked Mr. Lu, for her father and brother, Mr. Lu without the support of the general was basically a fish eye pretending to be a pearl.
To let Mr. Lu not feel as bad, Miss Yue could only swallow her upset down by herself. Bitterly, she sent her fiancé away, and spent every day anticipating the day of her wedding.
When Wu Xingzi learnt about Mr. Lu’s return to the General’s estate from the two maidservants, he only smiled placidly.
Even if his heart was filled with agony, what could he do about it? It was him who had mentioned to Guan Shanjin about bringing Mr. Lu back. No matter whether he sincerely meant it, or if he only wanted to test him, Guan Shanjin had given him a response.
With Mr. Lu back in the household, a mere substitute like him was hardly necessary anymore.
Indeed, this time, Guan Shanjin had taken away all the attention that he once lavished on Wu Xingzi with him, and never visited him daily again. Although he was not barred from having his own little stove, the vegetables, meat, rice and noodles distributed to him were a lot lesser than before. The intention was to make Wu Xingzi go to collect his portion of food straight from the main kitchen itself.
This should be how it was originally. In the entire General’s estate, food had always been prepared in the main kitchen directly. Even Mr. Lu himself had never been allowed to have his own kitchen.
Hei’er did not appear again either. However, Wu Xingzi did manage to catch sight of him following Man Yue, hurrying and rushing past him on horseback along the main road of the city.
As for how Wu Xingzi managed to see him? That was simple. Guan Shanjin no longer bothered about him, and Wu Xingzi was free to do whatever he wanted. As such, these days, he had often dropped by the Peng Society, seeking Rancui out for tea. After all, in Bastion City, it was only Rancui whom he was familiar with.
Today, Wu Xingzi once again visited the Peng Society. Rancui was dressed in an elegant robe, and was seated within a pavilion made of bamboo. In front of him was a qin, and he was plucking a melody from it.
This pavilion was simple, yet exquisite, like something out of a dream.
A low table by the side had a lit incense burner, its scent faint yet lovely. Wu Xingzi did not know what scent it was, but he liked it very much. It was very well matched with Rancui’s playing of the qin.
Wu Xingzi dared not disturb Rancui, and he tiptoed over to a putuan 1 placed slightly further away and took a seat. Only when the melody faded away did he wake up from his intoxication. Exhaling gently, he gave Rancui a small smile.
“Manager Rancui is surprisingly talented. Even your skill at the qin is very good.”
“Adviser Wu is praising me too highly.” Rancui cupped his hands towards Wu Xingzi. Pushing the qin slightly away, he waved at one of his employees to bring over the tea and snacks.
“No no no, I’m entirely sincere. Manager Rancui is too modest.” Wu Xingzi looked at the qin, and the desire and fondness in his eyes could not be ignored.
Rancui did not point it out bluntly. He had long investigated all eighteen generations of Wu Xingzi and his family. He could be considered to have a decent understanding of Wu Xingzi’s father, and naturally knew why Wu Xingzi loved the qin. However, it was sometimes enough to know, and there was no need to spell everything out loud.
Smiling, Rancui accepted the compliment, and started chit chatting with Wu Xingzi.
“Ai.”
However, Wu Xingzi today seemed rather absent-minded. Ever so often, he would release a quiet sigh, and after a few times of that happening, Rancui could not help but ask.
“Adviser Wu, is something troubling you?” Rancui had a guess, but he hoped that he was wrong.
“Ahh… I’m sorry, I’ve seemed to be rude.” Wu Xingzi too noticed how absent-minded he was today. Looking embarrassed, he covered his mouth, bowing his head and apologising to Rancui.
“You haven’t been. I’m only worried that you’re feeling upset. After all, we’re considered friends. You can tell me anything, there’s no need to worry about any offense.” Rancui refilled Wu Xingzi’s teacup, his gentle smile so very genial that it could make anyone’s defences lower.
Wu Xingzi struggled for a bare moment, and finally sighed heavily. With a rare deep crease on his face, he asked Rancui, “In another three days, Mr. Lu would be married.”
“Yes, it’s quite a big event in Bastion City. I heard that Old Master Yue has decided to hold a banquet in the square in front of the magistrate’s office for three days and nights. The general has also approved of it, and will be temporarily withdrawing the curfew for three days. Mr. Lu sure has some very great backing.” Rancui laughed lightly, his charming pair of eyes watching Wu Xingzi unblinkingly.
He witnessed the corner of Wu Xingzi’s lips curl up in distress. It seemed as though he wanted to say something, only for him to swallow the words down when they were at the tip of his tongue. Wu Xingzi picked up a piece of pastry and shoved it in his mouth, uncaring if he would choke on it.
This time, things did not seem to be easily resolved. Rancui sighed internally.
The day after Mr. Lu had been resplendently escorted back to the General’s estate, when Wu Xingzi had come by to read the Pengornisseur, Rancui already noticed that Wu Xingzi had discovered his own feelings. He feared that Wu Xingzi’s feelings had already run deeply, and faint sadness could be seen suffusing his brows. It was only Wu Xingzi himself who still thought that he was concealing it very well.
Although Rancui had seen through many people, he could not guess exactly what was truly in the heart of this honest, frank adviser. Since he liked Guan Shanjin, why did he want to deliberately distance himself from him? If Wu Xingzi was worried about his social status and position, Rancui would like to tell Wu Xingzi to put his mind at ease. Guan Shanjin was too proud a person, and a person’s status had nothing to do with him liking them or not. He just did whatever he liked.
However, Rancui then thought, if he said things too directly, and Wu Xingzi actually changed his mind, it would be too easy a coup for Guan Shanjin. No matter what, Rancui did not want Guan Shanjin to gain anything good.
For Wu Xingzi, this was a choice between a long bout of suffering, or a short one. If he chose Guan Shanjin, it would be choosing the long suffering. After all, who knew when the great general would replace him with another in his heart? To draw a distance now, although it also hurt, once the hurt was over, it would be fine.
As such, these days, Rancui had spent quite some time accompanying Wu Xingzi in looking through the Pengornisseur. They even mailed out a few letters, and received about eight or nine pengornis drawings in return. Each different and unique in their own way, Wu Xingzi was delighted for many days.
The only issue was that such a method was unable to resolve the root cause.
Sipping at his tea, Rancui watched Wu Xingzi demolish the snacks and drink up half a kettle of tea, before covering his mouth and giving a burp. Feeling apologetic, Wu Xingzi cupped his hands towards Rancui.
“Adviser, would you like more snacks?” Rancui knew very well that Wu Xingzi relied on eating to steady his emotions. The Peng Society had no lack of such snacks, and he waved at his employee to bring up more. This time, it was freshly fried sesame balls, their aroma tantalizing. When the wind breezed by, it was almost as if they could hear the crispiness of the glutinous skin.
Wu Xingzi had wanted to speak. However, he was inadvertently distracted by that little sesame devil. With no time to care about whether it was too hot for his mouth, he grabbed a ball and shoved it in. The taste was so heavenly that it could make one cry.
Eating and eating, after the third round of snacks, Wu Xingzi felt a lot more relaxed. Only when the smile curling around his lips was genuine, did Rancui then relax.
“I’ve been too rude, only paying attention to eating and ignoring you.” Wu Xingzi wiped his hands and mouth clean, returning to his cautious and bashful manner.
“How is it so? Watching you eat, the kitchen would be very happy too.” Rancui covered his mouth and laughed. “Do you plan on giving a gift?”
“A gift?” Wu Xingzi paused, before understanding what Rancui meant. Inexplicably, he felt rather complicated, but still replied, “Yes. I’ve been living so long in the General’s estate, and I’ve also met Mr. Lu a few times. It seems proper to congratulate him with a gift.”
After all, they lived in the same residence. To not express any congratulations, it would be very rude.
“Adviser Wu is very considerate.” Rancui tapped his fingers on the table, pondering for a moment. “However, in my opinion, it’s better that you don’t prepare a gift.”
“Eh? Why is that so?” In Qingcheng County, even if it was the most ordinary family, once they knew that a marriage was happening in another household, they would all prepare a gift. Qingcheng County was after all a small place, and most people crossed each other’s paths all the time. As such, they would always display some courtesy, as well as share the joyous atmosphere.
Did Bastion City not have such customs?
Rancui immediately saw through Wu Xingzi’s doubts, and could not help but chuckle quietly.
“No, it’s proper that you prepare a gift. It is a joyous occasion, and it’s good to share the atmosphere. However, I’m only afraid that Mr. Lu might not be happy to receive your gift.”
“What do you mean?” Confusion sat upon Wu Xingzi’s face. There was no conflict between him and Mr. Lu, and Mr. Lu had even invited him to share a meal before.
They were now at the crux of the issue. Rancui deliberated over it and decided to speak frankly. “Adviser Wu, in your opinion, between Mr. Lu and General Guan, do you think it’s a one-sided longing, or is there a mutual affection?”
With this question, Wu Xingzi’s face paled slightly. Lowering his eyes, he answered. “It’s probably mutual affection.”
“I think, whether it’s a one-sided longing, or mutual affection, Mr. Lu certainly likes the general.” This sentence was very clever, and the only thing was whether Wu Xingzi could hear the meaning implied in it, or not. Rancui laughed and continued, “As Mr. Lu likes the general, and over here, you have a little dalliance with the general as well, your gift would seem like showing off your relationship. I am not bothered if he feels embarrassed, but if you were to be targeted by someone petty because of this, I’ll be very unhappy.”
“Huh?” Wu Xingzi lifted his face, blinking foolishly. He clearly did not think that so many twists and turns would be contained within such a matter, and his brain was about to explode. “But… It’s completely not my intention. Isn’t the one in Haiwang’s heart Mr. Lu? W-who am I showing off to?”
Even if he thought about doing so, Wu Xingzi did not have the confidence to pull it off! With Rancui’s enlightenment, Wu Xingzi very quickly understood the matter. However, he still could not help but feel a little depressed.
“Also, it’s yet to be determined if this marriage would conclude successfully.” Rancui opened the lid of the incense burner that had burnt out, shifting the ashes within, and traces of ridicule hung around his lips.
The Peng Society was once in the business of information exchange, and now, they had yet to give up on their old profession. The turbulence underground in Bastion City, Rancui was very aware of it. It was linked directly to the power struggle in the capital. This whole show of Mr. Lu leaving, then being escorted back to the General’s estate, was well known and mentioned loudly throughout Bastion City. If it was said that Guan Shanjin had no plans on stirring up trouble, Rancui would eat all the past copies of the Pengornisseur stored in the warehouse!
It was also no wonder that Guan Shanjin would distance himself from Wu Xingzi. Although it was unclear if it was because he did not want to involve Wu Xingzi, this was still an opportunity for him. Rancui could take advantage of the situation, and egg Wu Xingzi on to leave Bastion City and return to the quiet, peaceful life in Qingcheng County.
“Is there something to worry about in this marriage?” Wu Xingzi could not help but feel anxious. Although it was him who took the initiative in distancing himself from Guan Shanjin, he still was unable to let go, and was worried that an accident would befall him.
“The general himself is probably the greatest worry,” Rancui replied, feigning casualness. He gave a faint sigh, “Think about it, is the general the type who would be willing to share his beloved with anyone? He can even get jealous over your pengornis drawings.”
This reminder made Wu Xingzi nod his head, convinced.
Exactly! Towards a substitute like him, Guan Shanjin already could not accept those dead objects. Mr. Lu was Guan Shanjin’s beloved, how could he share him with others? Also, Mr. Lu would be marrying into the Yue family, could Guan Shanjin actually be willing to let that happen?
Wu Xingzi could not help but rub his chest again. Recently, a faint aching kept happening around that area. When thinking about Guan Shanjin, it ached especially fiercely.
“Ai, it’s time to return to Qingcheng County…” Since those two people shared mutual affection, why should he remain here and be an eyesore? Wu Xingzi looked up to the sky. Although that was the same sky, it just looked different to how it was at home!
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