“Don’t look so grim. I’m here to apologize for what happened last time,” Mu Gesheng said as he flipped into the room. “I was a bit abrupt. Don’t hold a grudge, Little Doctor.”
“An apology?” Chai Shuxin’s face remained cold. “Trespassing into a private residence and eavesdropping on family matters—this is how the young master of the Mu Estate apologizes? The Mu family truly has ‘excellent’ breeding.”
“Hey now, my old man is a rough sort. If you can’t beat him in a fight, he’d never even think of such formalities…”
“Then forget it. The Chai family wouldn’t dare trouble the illustrious Mu Estate.” Chai Shuxin pointed toward the door. “Get out.”
“Oho, the Little Doctor actually knows how to curse?” Mu Gesheng chuckled, looking delighted. “Do you like me that much?”
Chai Shuxin stared at him in disbelief, as if unable to comprehend how someone could be so thick-skinned.
“Look at you. Just now, when the room was full of those loathsome characters, you were the picture of politeness. Now that someone who actually cares about you is here, you’re spitting insults.” Mu Gesheng poured himself a cup of tea, speaking with utter conviction. “As they say, intimacy breeds a lack of ceremony. If this isn’t you liking me, what is it?”
An Ping felt that Chai Shuxin looked ready to beat Mu Gesheng to a pulp. Sure enough, the youth spoke: “Master Mu, I am very busy tonight. If you have business, we can choose another time and place. Whether you want to spar or fight to the death, I will see it through to the end.”
“I do have business tonight, but as I said, I only came to apologize. Nothing more.” Mu Gesheng sat down without being invited and took a sip of tea. “Don’t be so tense. The man-eaters are gone. There’s no one here to hurt you now. Relax.”
“What you heard just now were the private affairs of the Chai family!”
“So what? I don’t even want the Mu Commander’s Estate; do you really think anyone craves your thankless position as family head?” Seeing Chai Shuxin on the verge of an outburst, Mu Gesheng quickly added, “Wait, wait. From what I heard, that person in Beiping waiting for medicine isn’t exactly an ordinary citizen, is he?”
Chai Shuxin’s hand, which had been reaching to remove his gloves, paused.
“I thought so.” Mu Gesheng nodded knowingly. “Doctors aren’t gods; there are countless incurable patients. If merely lacking a few herbs could ruin the Chai family’s reputation, then the patient must be someone with immense power… someone capable of tearing down the Chai family’s foundation. They certainly aren’t a common noble. And you mentioned ‘urgently diverting medicine from the Northeast.’ Under the shadow of the old Imperial City, yet connected to the Northeast… could the sick individual have some tie to the former dynasty?”
As he unraveled the threads of the situation, An Ping listened, stunned by the deduction.
Chai Shuxin’s expression flickered with surprise before he snapped, “It has nothing to do with you.”
“Hold on, I’m not finished,” Mu Gesheng continued. “The Medical House of Chai is one of the Seven Houses, after all. Even if people try to bully you for your youth, you still have generations of foundation. But those poor relatives of yours were so aggressive today—do they have some kind of leverage over you?”
Chai Shuxin glanced up at him.
“No.” Mu Gesheng waved a hand, muttering to himself. “Those old fogies are all bark and no bite. On the surface, they were scolding you for your mistakes, but they were actually just riding the momentum of the shipping crisis… In that case, is the leverage held by the person in Beiping?”
Chai Shuxin: “…”
“But what leverage could they have on you? You seem more ascetic than a monk. Or did someone else in the Chai family commit a crime?” Mu Gesheng pondered for a moment, then slapped his thigh. “I’ve got it! Are you in love with their daughter?!”
Chai Shuxin remained silent for a long moment, looking Mu Gesheng up and down. Finally, he spoke: “Prying into the private affairs of others is not the conduct of a gentleman.”
“Me? A gentleman?” Mu Gesheng reacted as if he’d heard a joke. “Are you complimenting me or insulting me?”
“You should leave.”
“Don’t be so quick to change the subject, Little Doctor. You haven’t answered me yet. What exactly did you do?” Mu Gesheng seemed determined to be tactless, pulling out a handful of Mountain Ghost flower coins. “Are you going to tell me? If not, I’ll calculate it myself.”
“Mu Gesheng!”
“Aye, I’m listening.” Mu Gesheng flicked his wrist, and the coins scattered, forming a hexagram on the table. Just as he reached out to flip one, a teacup came flying toward him.
“Do not push your luck!”
“Want to fight? I’ll accompany you to the end.” Mu Gesheng arched an eyebrow. “Did you make sure your new house was built a bit sturdier this time?” Before he could finish, silver needles whistled through the air. Mu Gesheng kicked a stool up to intercept them, the impact smashing the stool right through the carved window opposite them.
An Ping was speechless. Put these two together, and they could start a demolition company.
Chai Shuxin seemed truly enraged, his every move ruthless—even more so than their previous encounter. This time, however, Mu Gesheng didn’t use his god-tier escape skills or his dirty veteran tricks. They traded blows, move for move, the flower coins clashing against the silver needles with sharp, metallic rings.
Watching from the sidelines, An Ping realized Mu Gesheng had likely been telling the truth that day: his martial skills were indeed on par with Chai Shuxin’s.
However, Mu Gesheng had also mentioned he couldn’t handle a war of attrition. An Ping vaguely guessed the reason behind Mu Gesheng’s behavior tonight and wondered if he would try to end the fight quickly.
As it turned out, he was wrong. The fight lasted for over an hour. Yet, their techniques were so precise that, aside from the window broken at the start, not a single part of the villa was damaged.
They fought from the interior all the way up to the roof. Mu Gesheng turned sideways, leaving an opening that his opponent seized. Chai Shuxin struck out with a palm, and Mu Gesheng took the hit squarely. He crashed through the roof with a thunderous splintering of wood, finally landing amidst a heap of shattered tables and chairs.
“What a pity. I was so careful to be mindful, and this house is made of old boxwood, too. You really don’t hold back.” Mu Gesheng exhaled sharply. “The Little Doctor is indeed wealthy and overbearing. You win.”
“You still had one coin left, while my silver needles were exhausted.” Chai Shuxin leaped down, his voice cold. “You did that on purpose.”
Mu Gesheng smiled but didn’t answer. He looked up at the hole in the roof. “This spot is good for stargazing.”
An Ping finally understood why Mu Gesheng had been so provocative. After the fight, Chai Shuxin was visibly much calmer.
Young men were full of vigor; when they bottled things up, it led to stagnation and resentment. A fight was indeed the fastest way to vent.
“Don’t be so stiff. You act like a seventy-year-old man every day; it’s a waste of such a handsome face.” Mu Gesheng climbed to his feet. “Alright, the apology is made, the fight is over. I need to find somewhere to eat dinner. Oh, and don’t send the bill for the repairs to the Ginkgo Study. I haven’t got a cent.”
Instead of letting him leave, Chai Shuxin walked ahead of him and pushed open the door. He dropped a single command: “Follow me.”
Mu Gesheng followed Chai Shuxin through a series of winding paths until they stopped before a pavilion. Chai Shuxin knocked on the door. “Sister.”
The door opened, and a woman’s voice drifted out. “Shuxin, you’ve come.”
Behind a bead curtain stood a woman dressed in a raven-grey qipao, a white magnolia hairpin tucked into her hair. Her long brows were elegant, and her eyes held a misty, ethereal beauty. “And this is?”
Mu Gesheng bowed. “Mu Gesheng, of the Lineage of Heavenly Calculation.”
Chai Shuxin turned to him and introduced her. “This is my elder sister.”
An Ping looked at the classical beauty at the door—so this was Chai Rendong.
Mu Gesheng had done quite a bit of homework on the Chai Estate recently and knew a little about this eldest miss who lived in seclusion. The previous Lingshuzi of the Medical House had died young, leaving behind a son and a daughter. Chai Rendong suffered from a chronic, stubborn illness and had always been frail. She was famous for her beauty, but she rarely left the estate to see anyone.
“So it is the young master of the Mu family.” Chai Rendong returned the greeting with a smile. “It’s rare to see Shuxin bring a guest. It’s quite a coincidence; the small kitchen is just warming up some dishes.”
Mu Gesheng blinked. “Dishes?”
“Just some home-cooked stir-fry. I don’t know if it will suit your palate, Young Master Mu.” Chai Rendong smiled softly. “Come in quickly; the wind is cold outside.”
On an octagonal table sat a small stove supporting an iron pot, which was steaming and emitting a mouth-watering aroma.
“So you were planning to treat me to a midnight snack.” Mu Gesheng picked up a pair of chopsticks and laughed. “How rare.”
Chai Shuxin swallowed a mouthful of rice and said flatly, “No talking while eating.”
Mu Gesheng ignored him, smiling at Chai Rendong. “As expected, a beautiful woman has skillful hands. Your cooking is excellent, Sister. If this pot of food were in a military camp, people would probably start a war just for a taste.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Mu Gesheng’s tongue was sweet, and within moments, he had Chai Rendong laughing. “Shuxin is always silent when he eats. It’s rare to have such a lively atmosphere today. Eat as much as you like; the stove is still hot, and there’s more if it’s not enough.”
Chai Shuxin looked somewhat helpless. “Sister.”
“I wasn’t talking to you.” Chai Rendong tapped his head. “Eat your rice.”
It was the first time Mu Gesheng had seen Chai Shuxin lose an argument. Suppressing a laugh, he asked, “This dish is quite unique. What is it called?”
“It’s a specialty from Jixi. I often make it at home; my skills are quite simple.” Chai Rendong added a morsel to his bowl. “It is called the First-Rank Pot.”
The iron pot held a layered medley of meat and vegetables. The first layer was bamboo shoot skins, the second was pan-fried duck, the third was stir-fried chicken, the fourth was fried tofu, and the fifth was meatballs. The edges of the pot were garnished with egg dumplings and prawns, while the very bottom was lined with ham and flower mushrooms. Simmered over a low flame, the flavor was rich and savory. An Ping watched, salivating, cursing the fact that he couldn't order delivery in a dream.
In terms of cooking, Song Wentong was also very skilled, and An Ping was frequently driven to tears by the delicious smells from the Ginkgo Study’s kitchen. But even though this First-Rank Pot looked small, even the picky Mu Gesheng praised it, proving it was a supreme delicacy.
Since Mu Gesheng and Chai Shuxin were of similar age, Chai Rendong treated him like a younger brother, her eyes full of warmth. When Mu Gesheng wanted to be, he was very good at winning people over. In no time, the two were chatting happily, while Chai Shuxin ate in silence, looking like a handsome but mute background prop.
“The Shuli brand of hair-smoothing wood shavings has changed its formula; they’ve added a hint of fragrant angelica…”
“I’ve been to that pastry shop you mentioned, Sister. It’s the best one around. Their new persimmon cakes are a masterpiece. I’ll bring some for you to try when I get the chance…”
“The new song ‘Moon over the Mountain Pass’! You haven’t heard it yet? They say it’s the soundtrack for a new movie, and they’re going to press records…”
“Another bowl?” “Thank you, Sister!”
“I’m finished.” Chai Shuxin set down his bowl and chopsticks. “Goodnight, Sister.”
Mu Gesheng clearly wasn't full yet, his eyes still fixed on the iron pot. Chai Shuxin looked at him expressionlessly. “It’s late. You should leave.”
Chai Rendong was in poor health, and it was indeed improper to disturb her late at night. Mu Gesheng had no choice but to stand up and bow. “Goodnight, Sister.”
“No rush. I’ll pack some for you to take back.” Chai Rendong stood up with a smile. “Come visit often when you have time. You can play dominoes with me.”
“Sister!”
“What? Do you have the time to keep me company? Even when you come, you’re like a sawed-off gourd.”
Chai Shuxin looked like he was struggling to suppress his indignation.
Mu Gesheng nearly suffered internal injuries from holding back his laughter as he took the food box from Chai Rendong. “Then I shall thank you, Sister. I certainly won’t let your kindness go to waste.”
Chai Shuxin slammed the door as he walked out.
Chai Rendong looked at her brother’s retreating back and sighed softly. “It’s rare for Shuxin to bring a friend. He’s usually so busy and rarely attends the lectures at the Study. I was worried he didn’t have any peers he could talk to.”
“You worry too much, Sister.” Mu Gesheng smiled, clutching the food box. “Brother Chai is truly a fascinating person. I’ll look after him when we play; you can rest easy.”
Chai Shuxin wasn't walking very fast, and Mu Gesheng soon caught up. “Little Doctor, how are you going to thank me?”
Chai Shuxin glanced at him with a look that seemed to ask why he was so narcissistic.
“Sister Chai was worried that you act like a little old man every day with no one to play with.” Mu Gesheng said, “I took it all upon myself and said all sorts of good things for you. Isn’t that worth a ‘thank you’?”
“Glib-tongued dandy tactics.”
“That is a blatant injustice! I don’t squander money, I don’t chase women, and I don’t bully the market—how am I a dandy?” Mu Gesheng bumped his shoulder against Chai Shuxin’s. “Besides, everything I said just now counts. You’re welcome to come to the Study and play with me anytime. I’m always available. Old Second is raising two big roosters that annoy everyone with their crowing; we could slaughter them and make soup.”
Chai Shuxin stepped aside to avoid him, appearing completely unwilling to engage.
They walked all the way to the main gate of the Chai Estate before Chai Shuxin finally spoke: “Safe travels. I won’t see you out.”
The gate opened. Mu Gesheng walked to the threshold, thought for a moment, and turned back.
“Hey, Little Doctor, let me ask you something.” He rubbed his nose, choosing his words carefully. “Is your leverage… or rather, your weakness… Sister Chai’s illness?”
Upon hearing this, Chai Shuxin moved to shut the door immediately.
“Wait, wait!” Mu Gesheng blocked it. “There are few illnesses in this world the Medical House cannot treat. Those people were using the medicine supply to pressure you today—is Sister Chai’s illness lacking some critical ingredient?”
Chai Shuxin’s face remained cold. “Don’t trouble yourself.” He then looked Mu Gesheng up and down. “Do you find those elders who came today very annoying?”
“You could say that.”
“I think so too.” Chai Shuxin actually nodded. “So, I put laxatives in their tea. I formulated them myself; no one could taste a thing. Calculating the time, they should be taking effect right about now.”
Mu Gesheng’s expression became instantly magnificent.
Chai Shuxin added: “Does your stomach feel particularly painful?”
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 诸子七家 | Seven Houses | The seven prominent families/sects based on the Hundred Schools of Thought. |
| 灵枢子 | Lingshuzi | The title for the head of the Medical House (Chai family). |
| 天算门下 | Lineage of Heavenly Calculation | The lineage/sect Mu Gesheng belongs to. |
| 山鬼花钱 | Mountain Ghost flower coins | Numismatic charms used for protection or divination. |
| 一品锅 | First-Rank Pot | A famous layered hot pot dish from the Huizhou region. |
| 锯嘴葫芦 | Sawed-off gourd | A Chinese idiom for someone who is tight-lipped or uncommunicative. |
| 骨牌 | Dominoes | Specifically refers to Chinese dominoes (Pai Gow tiles). |
| 纨绔 | Dandy / Play boy | A term for a spoiled son of a wealthy family. |
