Between wakefulness and sleep, I fell once more into that nightmare of drowning, neither sinking nor floating. Ever since my body had been drained of its strength, I often suffered from a loss of balance, unable to discern the weight of my own limbs. After drifting unsteadily for a while, a coolness touched my wrist, and I snapped awake instantly.
I was familiar with this sensation; I knew Ye Tan was secretly transferring his internal energy to me again. I had scolded him before, telling him he should focus on his own cultivation and not waste it recklessly. On the surface, he would agree with practiced obedience, but the moment he turned his back, he would go right back to his surreptitious transfers. Every time I woke up, he would pretend to be looking at the scenery.
His acting was so awkward it was almost impressive. It made me feel truly reluctant to call him out.
An extra person had been squeezed into the carriage—tattered, disheveled, and looking utterly wretched. It was Qin Chenyuan. Yun Jiangli signaled the driver to move forward, then turned to remove the cotton cloth stuffed in the boy’s mouth. He pulled a dagger from his leggings and carefully cut the ropes, leaving him where he lay once the task was done.
I had no desire to sleep, so Ye Tan helped me up. As was my habit, I leaned back comfortably into his embrace. He pulled a blanket around me, tucking in the corners, and finally peeled half an orange, feeding it to me piece by piece.
With four people now crammed inside, the carriage felt much tighter. Yun Jiangli sat directly across from me; the scene was unavoidable, and his expression grew increasingly complex as he watched us.
“What is it?” I asked, perking up, sensing that he might be about to advance the plot.
“The two of you...” Yun Jiangli chose his words carefully before continuing, “are somewhat different from other masters and servants I have seen.”
“Oh, that.” I was quite disappointed, but I explained out of the goodness of my heart anyway. “I can’t sit upright on my own right now; I keep sliding down. Ye Tan tried hauling me back up a few times before, but it was a hassle. It’s better to just lean on him.”
Yun Jiangli gave a meaningful, “Oh.”
Silence fell for a time. Our carriage traveled through the night, cloaked in stars and moon, heading toward an unknown destination.
*I wonder what the moon looks like tonight?*
The thought flashed abruptly through my mind. For some reason, I suddenly missed Ye Tan intensely, as if I were experiencing the heartache of a long-awaited reunion that had failed to happen. My heart fluttered with panic, and I couldn't help but reach through the blanket to grasp his hand. I was bewildered by my own inexplicable thought; I was clearly leaning against his chest, the two of us were inches apart, yet I couldn't fathom what was missing.
Qin Chenyuan, sprawled on the floor, stirred and slowly groaned back to consciousness.
Seeing him wake, Yun Jiangli stood and shifted positions, kneeling on one knee beside him. “Xiao Qin?”
Qin Chenyuan’s vision hadn't cleared yet, but he recognized the voice. “Brother Yun?” he asked tremulously.
Yun Jiangli answered as he helped him up. He had only lifted him halfway when Qin Chenyuan lunged into his arms, wailing, “I knew it! I knew Brother Yun would definitely come to save me!!”
Yun Jiangli offered a string of comforts before pushing him away, grumbling, “How were you so careless as to get caught by Helan Terrace?”
My eyes gleamed at the words. Here it was: the new plot point.
“I found out a huge piece of news!!” Qin Chenyuan turned and paused when he saw Ye Tan and me. “I’ll tell you in private!!”
“These two also risked their lives to save you, you can rest easy,” Yun Jiangli explained. “They are also from Zhongli Manor.”
Qin Chenyuan was indeed of a guileless nature. Without a hint of suspicion, he said bluntly, “I’ve found the whereabouts of my Seventh Brother’s remains!”
Ye Tan’s body gave an almost imperceptible shudder.
“I only just found out. I calculated the dates and knew you’d be traveling near Helan these few days, so I came!”
“But you clearly know that Helan has always been at odds with Zhongli Manor. Why did you fall for such a clumsy provocation?” Yun Jiangli said crossly.
Qin Chenyuan froze for a moment, then opened his throat and wailed again, “Because I knew Brother Yun was clever, wise, and peerlessly brave, and would definitely come to save me!!”
“Be that as it may...” Yun Jiangli sighed, nursing a headache. “Fine, fine, I won’t blame you.”
Qin Chenyuan stopped his noise instantly and fished a thin sheet of paper from his robe. “I’ve mapped out the route; it’s right here. There’s no time to lose, let’s go quickly!” He spread the map and explained the details to Yun Jiangli, then his gaze drifted as he murmured, “Three years... Heaven rewards the diligent. I can finally bring Seventh Brother home...”
His voice grew smaller until it was barely audible. Knowing he was moved by the past, Yun Jiangli sighed softly.
I was watching the map from a distance with curiosity when Ye Tan suddenly asked from behind me, “May I have a look?”
The aura around him was turbulent, and his knuckles were white. I immediately felt something was wrong. “Ye Tan, you aren't thinking of stopping this, are you?”
Ye Tan was silent for a moment before answering candidly, “Yes.”
The moment he spoke, Qin Chenyuan became guarded. He shielded the map, his hand naturally moving toward the hilt of Yun Jiangli’s sword.
I tried to negotiate. “Could you not stop them? It’s not even certain we’ll actually find it...”
Ye Tan replied, “This subordinate obeys your command.”
He agreed so readily that it actually made me feel quite frustrated. I always felt that Ye Tan had a bit of a rogue-like attitude of “Whatever you say, it’s not like I can ask for a tip anyway.”
After that sentence, he didn't speak again. I couldn't help but worry, wondering if he was sulking. But he was usually a man of few words, so it didn't seem particularly unnatural; perhaps I was overthinking it.
While I was lost in my own thoughts, Qin Chenyuan watched us for a long while before suddenly asking:
“Can’t you two sit properly?”
I explained, “I have injuries; my meridians are shattered, so I can’t sit upright.”
Qin Chenyuan looked at us, then at Yun Jiangli, and said indignantly, “Brother Yun! I’m injured too!”
Yun Jiangli looked aghast. He pointed at Ye Tan and me, stammering, “You... you don’t... you don't want to... as well? Do you? Huh?”
Qin Chenyuan huffed, flicked his sleeve, and turned away. “Forget it then! It’s not the first time I’ve slept on the floor anyway.”
Seeing his anger, Yun Jiangli scrambled to coax him. Qin Chenyuan refused to listen, and the two of them bickered and wrestled back and forth for a long time before finally settling down.
Once they were finally quiet, Ye Tan spoke softly. “Master, any command you give is my duty. You may act as you please; there is no need for concern.”
I said, “I can’t bully you just because you’re obedient.”
Ye Tan pursed his lips and sighed, looking rather troubled. The arm around me tightened, and he gently rubbed his head against the top of mine.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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云江离 | Yun Jiangli | A manager of cloth manors for the Second Young Master of Zhongli Manor.
秦沉渊 | Qin Chenyuan | The young man rescued from Helan Terrace; younger brother of Qin Kezou.
秦可奏 | Qin Kezou | Referred to as "Seventh Young Master Qin" (秦七公子); his remains are being sought.
内力 | Internal energy | Also known as Neili; spiritual or martial power cultivated within the body.
筋脉尽损 | Shattered meridians | A severe injury in wuxia/xianxia where the channels for internal energy are destroyed.
