In the middle of the night, Dr. Lu came knocking. I was still in a daze, but Ye Tan had already risen to answer. I heard the doctor say that the heavily injured man’s life was hanging by a thread; he needed several precious medicinal ingredients to sustain him. They weren't exactly legendary elixirs, and could be obtained with enough silver, but Yangxi wasn't a major city. The local pharmacies likely wouldn't have them in stock, and we couldn't afford the time it would take to travel to a larger prefecture.
I grew anxious. Dr. Lu added, "It’s possible some of the prominent families in Yangxi have them in their private stores."
Among the local elite, the only person I knew was Yang Qingzhou. Judging our friendship to be—perhaps, roughly, possibly—decent enough, I figured borrowing a few ingredients should be fine, provided I replaced them later. I hurriedly had Dr. Lu write a prescription and dragged Ye Tan toward Yang Lake.
Before leaving, I glanced at Ye Lan’s room. The light was on, but no one was speaking. I wondered if they hadn't slept all night.
We stole a boat and rowed to the island in the center of the lake. The main gates of the Yang estate had long been locked. I knocked and asked the night watchman to announce us; a moment later, we were welcomed into the villa.
When we entered, Yang Qingzhou had only just hurriedly risen. Dressed in a loose robe with a simple sash, his eyes were still slightly bleary with sleep. He showed no irritation at being disturbed in the dead of night, even smiling as he apologized for his "disheveled appearance." His upbringing was truly excellent. From the inner room, however, came a few dissatisfied grumbles from Yang Su, likely complaining that we were being too noisy.
Yang Qingzhou lowered his voice. "My younger brother is a bit cranky when woken up. Let us speak elsewhere."
Once we left the courtyard, I told him everything—how others had tried to steal the sword, how we had accidentally injured someone, and how the patient was now in critical condition and required his help.
Yang Qingzhou looked down at the prescription. He didn't immediately agree as I had expected. Instead, he asked, "Is he a man who must be saved?"
I asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"
Yang Qingzhou casually adjusted his untidy collar and said slowly, "These petty criminals have repeatedly trespassed and placed Young Master Jun in danger. Their intentions are malicious; one could say their deaths would not be a loss. Why should such thugs of unknown origin and ill intent trouble Young Master Jun to visit personally in the middle of the night and owe Yang a favor?"
He was being too roundabout for me to follow. I asked, "Are you unwilling?"
"Since Young Master Jun has asked, there is no reason for this humble student to refuse." His tone shifted. "It is simply that I do not understand why you must go to such lengths."
If he was going to agree anyway, why take such a long detour?
"If we give them a lesson, these rats who stir up trouble will naturally stop. Wouldn't things be much quieter in the future?"
I hurriedly said, "It is a human life, after all. How can it be used as a mere warning to scare others? If I truly want peace and quiet, there are other ways."
Sigh, I had to admit, watching Ye Xiao bicker and fight with them every day was actually quite entertaining. If it hadn't been for Ye Lan’s mishap today, I would have thought the liveliness was rather nice.
Yang Qingzhou remained silent but didn't move. I added, "I only know you as a friend here, so I can only trouble you. These medicines are for an emergency; I will certainly compensate you twofold another day."
At these words, Yang Qingzhou’s expression changed slightly. "Young Master Jun... considers this humble student a friend?"
I nodded. "Brother Yang is gentle and modest. I like you very much."
Yang Qingzhou’s eyes immediately darted around, looking at the door and then at Ye Tan. He hurriedly took a step back. "Young Master Jun, cough, such words cannot be spoken lightly."
I said despondently, "Does Brother Yang not want to be my friend?"
"That is not what I meant... It is the honor of three lifetimes for me to be friends with Young Master Jun." He gave a gentle smile and bowed his head. "In that case, let us not be so formal. Just call me Qingzhou."
I nodded. "Qingzhou. Then don't call me Young Master Jun either. Just call me Xuanheng." So making friends required mutual confirmation to count; I had thought a unilateral decision was enough. It seemed I would have to confirm with everyone one by one from now on.
"These medicinal ingredients are indeed in my humble home. It is no great matter; consider it a token of my regard." He folded the prescription and handed it to a servant, instructing him that it was urgent and to fetch the items from the storehouse quickly.
We stood waiting in the courtyard, which was open to the wind on all sides.
The weather had turned very cold. The night was deep and the dew heavy; the shadows of the branches looked desolate. I was shivering like a sieve in the night wind and couldn't help but lean into Ye Tan’s arms. We had left in such a hurry that neither of us wore an outer coat. Ye Tan wanted to take off his inner robe for me, and I had to desperately stop him.
Seeing this, Yang Qingzhou quietly brought out two cloaks from the room and handed them to us. He said apologetically, "I shouldn't have let honored guests wait in the garden, but the guest rooms have been full these past few days. There truly isn't a spare place. Please don't take offense."
"Oh, it doesn't matter. We're in a rush anyway." Just then, the servant came running back and pressed the medicine into my hands. Eager to return, I didn't bother with much etiquette. As I walked, I said, "I'm heading back now. I'll have someone bring the replacements to you in a couple of days."
Yang Qingzhou waved his hand. "There is no rush. Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, and everyone at Yang Lake will be very busy; I fear we won't be able to host you properly. Come back when you have time, and you can stay longer."
"Oh? It's almost the Winter Solstice?" I knew this was a major festival that would surely involve many activities. My eyes lit up.
Yang Qingzhou said, "Indeed. Yangxi places great importance on the Winter Solstice. The temple fair by the lake is famous far and wide. The guests at my estate have stayed specifically to see the lanterns. Since Xuanheng is here for it, it would be a pity not to go see it."
I agreed repeatedly and took my leave.
Back at Jun Garden, I handed all the ingredients to Dr. Lu to brew. Once they closed the door, I wrapped my cloak tight and leaned against Ye Tan, yawning incessantly. Ye Tan naturally put an arm around me to keep me from sliding off his shoulder. He said softly, "I will wait here. You should go back to your room and rest."
True. I'd need to play tomorrow after dawn, so I had to save my energy. At this thought, I asked, "Tan, how should we spend the Winter Solstice? What do we need to prepare?"
Ye Tan lowered his head apologetically. "I do not know."
"Have you never celebrated a festival before?" I asked.
Ye Tan said softly, "No."
Thinking about how he grew up in the Yexing training grounds and then followed two masters without ever having a break—always busy taking the blame for things—he really was pitiful. I tugged at my cloak and patted his back, saying seriously, "That’s so lonely. From now on, I’ll make them all up to you."
Ye Tan glanced at me, his thin lips pressed into a line, and he nodded solemnly.
I looked back and saw the light was still on in Ye Xiao’s room. Thinking that among these few, only Ye Xiao was dedicated to pleasure-seeking, he might know something. I said, "I’ll go ask Ye Xiao."
I slipped into their room; the door wasn't locked. A few streaks of red had seeped through the bandage on Ye Lan’s forehead. He was sitting upright on the edge of the bed, staring blankly into space. Ye Xiao was lying sideways on the edge of the bed with his head pillowed on Ye Lan’s knees, already fast asleep.
Seeing me, Ye Lan made a shushing gesture, signaling me not to wake him.
Hah! He breaks someone else and then sleeps so soundly. Not punching him was an act of mercy.
I went over, grabbed Ye Xiao, and gave him a vigorous shake. "Wake up, you scumbag!"
"Ow, ow! Enough, Boss, stop shaking, stop shaking!" Ye Xiao broke free from my clutches with bleary eyes and asked with a yawn, "What is it in the middle of the night?"
"Ye Lan is still injured! How can you treat a disabled person like this? Why must one dimwit make life hard for another?" Ever since I learned Ye Lan’s mind wasn't quite right, I had been protective of him. Every time I found Ye Xiao bullying him, I really wanted to hit someone.
"Yes, yes, fine, fine. If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to sleep." Ye Xiao hummed dismissively and hid behind Ye Lan to block my line of sight as he lay back down.
I remembered my purpose. "Oh, right. Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice. Do you know what people do for it? Do we need to prepare anything beforehand?"
Ye Xiao: "What’s the Winter Solstice?"
Me: "..."
Sigh. Useless. What good are you?
I had no choice but to return empty-handed. "Forget it if you don't know. I heard there’s a temple fair tomorrow night; we’ll go check it out together."
At this, Ye Xiao bounced up on the bed. "Wow! A temple fair! I’ve never been to one!" Then he collapsed back down, shouting, "Argh, I can't do it, I'm too sleepy, we'll talk after I wake up..." He was asleep again before he finished the sentence.
I looked at Ye Lan again and asked, "Does it still hurt?"
Ye Lan shook his head.
I added, "Then you should rest well. We’re going out tomorrow."
Ye Lan remained sitting upright, looking at me earnestly, though I didn't know if he understood.
I had to repeat myself: "Ye Lan. Lie down. Sleep."
Ye Lan remained as immovable as a mountain.
I reached out and smacked Ye Xiao on the head. "You deal with it."
Ye Xiao gave a cry of pain, wrapped an arm around Ye Lan’s waist, pulled him down, and pressed him into the bed. He mumbled, "Sleep." Only then did Ye Lan close his eyes.
I finally felt relieved enough to leave the room. I was mentally and physically exhausted, feeling like a kindergarten nanny.
As soon as I stepped out, I saw Ye Tan still waiting for me quietly under the moonlight, his features appearing even softer and more submissive in the clear glow. For some reason, I suddenly felt like crying and couldn't help but sniffle.
It felt like the whole world was trying to block my path and cause trouble, with that trash Ye Xiao being the worst of all.
Only my Tan was always well-behaved and obedient. I was truly lucky to have found him.
Ye Tan asked in surprise, "Master?"
"Ah, it’s nothing. I didn't get an answer. Never mind, I'll ask Qiqi when it’s light out." I was so tired I was losing my mind, so I hurriedly dragged Ye Tan off to sleep.
Our garden was full of fine young men, yet we relied on a little girl to feed us, a little girl to wash our clothes, and now we didn't even know how to spend a holiday and had to rely on a little girl to teach us. Shameful, truly shameful.
The "Association for the Disabled"—the name was well-earned.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 杨溯 | Yang Su | Yang Qingzhou's younger brother. |
| 冬至 | Winter Solstice | A traditional Chinese festival (Dongzhi). |
| 璇衡 | Xuanheng | Jun Xuanheng's given name. |
| 残联协会 | Association for the Disabled | Short for 残疾人联合会; used humorously by the protagonist to describe his eccentric household. |
