Such an easy, leisurely life passed in a flash of over a month. Thanks to Mo Xu’s kindness and trust, she began to introduce me to the various large and small merchants in Deyifu City.
The ancient people’s ways of making money were singular and rigid. Simply put, it was primitive reselling, a simple in-and-out transaction. Their entrenched conservatism meant they had no innovative ideas whatsoever.
Therefore, during meetings, I could always seize opportunities to offer effective operational suggestions to these people, and I gained their recognition and appreciation. Although I didn’t quite understand why Mo Xu introduced me to them, one more connection meant one more lifeline, so it was a good thing.
I had to be grateful that the era in which I was born was so advanced and ahead of its time; at least my mental agility was far superior to that of the people of Xuan Country.
Mo Xu realized that I had great potential and constantly found ways to persuade me to stay. However, people must understand that they are born in hardship and perish in comfort. Being content with what one has is a matter for the latter half of life.
It was time to choose a good day to set off for Shundu.
…
💔 Farewell Looming
…
“Why must you go to Shundu?”
When I brought up the topic again, Mo Xu sounded anxious, slamming the table involuntarily. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an undeniable tone of confrontation.
“Mo Xu, I have more important matters to attend to. I must take this trip.”
I calmly held my cup and sipped my tea, answering Mo Xu’s question truthfully as always.
Whenever the topic of Shundu was brought up, she became abnormally sensitive, unlike her usual understanding self. An increasingly aggressive aura emanated from her.
After a period of silence, she lowered her eyes, shedding the arrogance of a powerful person, and her tone became wistful: “What’s wrong with staying by my side?”
That single, simple sentence instantly awakened my cluelessness. I looked up, staring straight at Mo Xu. Meeting her gaze, I detected a certain inappropriate affection in her eyes. I was troubled.
Unfortunately, the feeling was not mutual. I couldn’t straightforwardly tell her: “Actually, I am also a cute, delicate woman, and we are not going to climb Brokeback Mountain to pick lilies.”
I turned my head away, avoiding Mo Xu’s meaningful gaze. After a long silence, I offered a difficult and cruel refusal: “Sijie bears the trust of a deceased friend and must go to Shundu. Thank you, Miss Mo Xu, for your care during my stay here. All good things must come to an end, but if fate allows, we will meet again.”
“Coming and going is your freedom, and I won’t force you. However, I want to know what makes this trip so necessary? Perhaps I can help you.”
Mo Xu’s hand unconsciously rested on my arm, and a glimmer of hope appeared on her face. She was right; with her wealth and connections, she might actually be able to help me.
I rested my chin on my hand, contemplating for a moment. In the end, I withheld the details of Handan’s death but explained the specific task:
“Xiaozhi’s mother entrusted him to me before she died. I promised her I would help the child find his father. The information I have is that Xiaozhi’s father is in Shundu, and his surname is Tantai. I know nothing else.”
“Tantai?”
Hearing this surname, Mo Xu suddenly stood up, a flicker of disgust rising on her face. Anyone could see that this expression came from a deep-seated hatred within her.
“What’s wrong?”
I asked, puzzled. Mo Xu quickly masked her expression and immediately changed the subject: “Since this is a major issue concerning Xiaozhi, I won’t force you to stay. Please do not hesitate to ask if you need any help from me.”
“I will set off with Xiaozhi three days from now. I have a carriage, so there is no need for you to worry, Miss Mo Xu.”
“I cannot let you travel alone with a child. Even with good weather and fast travel, it will take three or four days to get from Deyifu to Shundu. Furthermore, you are not a native of Xuan Country. The journey is long, and what if you encounter bad people?”
Mo Xu’s concern was valid. Indeed, if Sixiao and I traveled alone, even without malicious intentions from others, my clumsiness would likely lead to some trouble. I nodded, accepting Mo Xu’s arrangement:
“Alright, then I will trouble you to arrange two guards. I don’t know when I will return this time, Miss Mo Xu, please take good care of yourself and don’t get injured again.”
“Sijie is always so gentle; I truly hate to let you go. The journey will be difficult. You must take care of yourself. After your important matter is done, I will wait for your return here.”
Mo Xu’s hand suddenly covered my face. She leaned in close, staring at me intently. For a moment, the room was silent, and the ambiguous atmosphere thickened, but I didn’t know how to react.
I blushed and gave her a shy smile. Finally, I retreated, stood up, and said: “It’s getting late. I should return to my room. You should rest early.”
Without waiting for Mo Xu to try and persuade me to stay, I quickly excused myself and left her room. Walking along the corridor, I looked up at the bright moon hanging high in the sky. People are so strange; no matter where they are, when it’s time to leave, they always feel immense reluctance.
…
🔪 An Evil Plot
…
As soon as I returned to the guest room, Sixiao was leaning on the table, working on the math problems I had assigned him, scratching his head and looking utterly confused: “Big Brother, you’re back! I don’t know how to do this problem. Can you teach me?”
He spread his hands helplessly toward me. I was about to sit down and help him solve the problem when I suddenly remembered something. I slapped my forehead. Look at my memory! I ran to Mo Xu’s room to pick up my new custom-made clothes, but the conversation completely sidetracked me from the main business.
“Aiya, look at my forgetful head! How did I forget to bring back the new clothes? You try to figure it out for a little longer, and be a good boy and wait for me to come back and solve the problem for you.”
I stood up, ready to return to Mo Xu’s main chamber, but Sixiao stopped me by the door: “Big Brother, Big Brother.”
“What is it?”
“You’re so stupid!”
“I just forgot to pick up new clothes. Do you have to attack me like that?”
“I’m not talking about the clothes! You’re really terrifyingly stupid. Big Sister Mo Xu likes you! Are you blind? How can you not tell?”
Oh my goodness! He truly is a child raised in ‘Chunsheng Tower.’ Even at such a young age, he’s surprisingly mature when it comes to love, affection, and all those emotions. I leaned in and pinched his ear, pulling upward: “What do you know! Is this something you should be worrying about? You little rascal, focus on your studies!”
Although I left the room scolding him, I couldn’t help but feel a little secretly pleased in my heart. I didn’t realize my personal charm was quite good… Tsk tsk tsk, I really didn’t expect it! Wah ha ha ha ha.
I skipped and whistled all the way to Mo Xu’s door. Just as I raised my hand to knock, I heard two people talking inside the room.
“I didn’t expect that child brought by Ji Sijie to be a descendant of the Tantai family.”
Mo Xu’s voice was devoid of emotion, so chilling that it sounded unfamiliar to me. I pressed against the door and leaned my ear closer, trying to listen more carefully. Another voice spoke—I didn’t know who it was, but it sounded like a young man.
“Hall Master, what are your plans now?”
“In three days, they will leave Deyifu and set off for Shundu. On one hand, I want to keep Sijie here. On the other hand, not a single seed of the Tantai family can be left alive.”
My eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn’t imagine such cruel words coming from Mo Xu’s mouth. Sixiao was just a child who had just lost his mother, and now, because of my blabbing, he was getting dragged into a feud. He was the most innocent and pitiable one.
Although the time we spent together was short, it still amounted to several weeks. It turned out I had never truly understood Mo Xu’s real thoughts. One must have such a wicked heart to coldly contemplate taking a child’s life.
I covered my mouth, afraid to breathe. The man in the room heard Mo Xu’s words and pressed further:
“As for that child… Hall Master… how do you intend to handle him?”
“I will arrange for you to accompany Ji Sijie on the journey as a guard. You find the right moment to make the child disappear. I don’t need to teach you exactly how to do it, do I?”
“Please rest assured, Hall Master. Wei Huang understands.”
“Remember, it must be done without anyone knowing, and Sijie must not find out. If you mess this up, someone else will bring me your head.”
It seemed the conversation was about to end. I quickly slipped away, tiptoeing toward my room. Only after Mo Xu’s main chamber disappeared from my sight did I finally breathe a sigh of relief.
My mind began to race furiously. First, I only had tomorrow to pretend to be completely unaware and secretly prepare our supplies for leaving. Second, I couldn’t allow anyone in the Hall to suspect anything, nor could I let Sixiao blurt anything out. I had to plan the escape route. Finally, how could I avoid everyone and make a mysterious, untraceable getaway like a chivalrous thief?
Based on Mo Xu’s arrangements, Sixiao was safe for now; she wouldn’t let anyone lay a hand on the child inside the Hall. So, I didn’t return to the room immediately. I slowly walked to the back kitchen and unexpectedly ran into Miss Xin’er.
“Young Master Ji, why did you suddenly come to the kitchen? It’s busy and messy here. Be careful not to dirty your clothes.”
“I wanted to make some late-night dessert for Miss Mo Xu to cheer her up.”
“No wonder the Hall Master always says Young Master Ji is gentle and thoughtful. I didn’t expect your mind to be even more delicate than a woman’s.”
“You flatter me, Miss Xin’er.”
I put on a gentle smile. She nodded knowingly and instructed the kitchen staff to assist me. I quickly mixed glutinous rice flour, rolled it into strips, and kneaded a pile of small tangyuan (sweet rice balls).
The kitchen had everything, even fermented rice wine. I heated water in a pot. As the steam rose and the water boiled, I poured the tangyuan into the pot. Listening to the bubbling of the water, my mind was a blank slate.
Soon, the tangyuan were ready to be scooped out. I didn’t forget to fry an egg to accompany them. I scooped them into a bowl, sprinkled some white sugar, and the Ji Sijie Brand Fermented Rice Wine Tangyuan was complete!
I placed the dessert on a tray and held it. Before leaving, I didn’t forget to instruct the staff: “I made extra; everyone should have a taste.”
With that, I turned and left the kitchen. Why did I suddenly run off to make a late-night dessert?
Perhaps this was the only small gesture I could offer Mo Xu. Consider it the farewell meal I prepared for her. After drinking the last drop of soup, perhaps we would become strangers, separated forever.