Tuqiu Jiu hesitated for a moment before putting on the Ku. In truth, the prison uniform he had worn earlier was even worse—just a single outer robe with nothing underneath.
After all, he had been a prisoner, and with his life hanging by a thread at any moment, he hadn’t dwelled on such matters.
Now, dressed in a dark purple quju with a pouch-like accessory hanging at his waist, he looked every bit the young master from an official’s family—except for the open-crotch trousers underneath.
It gave him the distinct feeling that he wasn’t exactly a proper person.
Fortunately, in this era, the quju was still a garment worn by both men and women. If it were like later generations, with only simple hems below… he would have insisted on figuring out how to make trousers!
But for now, he had to adapt to local customs and try to overcome the awkwardness. At the same time, he felt grateful it was early summer and not cold. If it were winter… well, it seemed that for warmth’s sake, he’d have to find a way to get a pair of trousers.
Lost in these random thoughts, Tuqiu Jiu was led by Shuisheng to the dining hall.
By the time he finished bathing, it was already time for the evening meal. Lady Fan had already ordered the food to be laid out. Seeing him approach from afar, her eyes lit up: “Erlang’s fair skin suits this color perfectly.”
Purple was a color that could easily go wrong—those with darker skin might appear even darker, while fair skin would be accentuated.
Although Tuqiu Jiu’s body had endured hardship since childhood, it hadn’t reached the point of laboring in the fields, so his skin remained relatively fair. Now, set against the dark purple, it seemed even fairer.
As the saying goes, fair skin covers a multitude of flaws, and he wasn’t unattractive to begin with.
Lady Fan looked at him and said with some regret, “It was my oversight. The clothes I prepared are a bit too large.”
She had prepared the garments based on her son’s size at thirteen or fourteen, but she hadn’t expected them to be so loose on Tuqiu Jiu. At the same time, her heart ached.
Her son had been of average height for his age, a normal child’s size. Tuqiu Jiu’s noticeably smaller frame was clearly not right.
Tuqiu Jiu immediately replied, “It’s fine if they’re a bit large. I’ve been growing recently and will soon fill them out.”
Tuqiu Yue glanced at his younger son. He hadn’t noticed any growth in Tuqiu Jiu’s stature; instead, the boy had grown even thinner after spending more time in prison.
He didn’t press the matter, simply saying, “Let’s eat first.”
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “What about Dalang…”
Lady Fan’s expression stiffened. It was clear she was trying hard to control her emotions, but her eyes still reddened, and her voice grew slightly hoarse as she said, “Dalang hasn’t regained consciousness yet. There’s no need to wait for him.”
Tuqiu Jiu stood to the side, feeling somewhat at a loss. Though he knew many things, his life experience was limited, and he had never encountered such a situation. He truly didn’t know how to offer comfort.
Moreover, how could one easily console someone facing the impending loss of a child? Words felt particularly hollow at a time like this.
Tuqiu Yue paused before saying, “Then we won’t wait for him. Let’s eat first.”
Only after the family of three entered the dining hall and took their seats did the slave-concubines begin serving the dishes.
In this era, separate-table dining was the norm. Everyone had their own individual dining table, eating separately. There was also no situation where Tuqiu Yue or Lady Fan would serve him food, which made Tuqiu Jiu feel much more at ease.
After enduring prison food for so long, he felt for the first time that delicious food truly could soothe the soul.
The cuisine of this era lacked many of the spices and seasonings found in later times, so it could hardly be called gourmet. Yet for Tuqiu Jiu, it truly felt like a taste of another world.
After all, he had almost forgotten what food without bran tasted like.
It was no exaggeration to say he felt as though he had been transported across lifetimes.
However, he dared not eat too much, as his current body’s digestive system was not in the best condition. Overeating could easily harm his health.
Tuqiu Yue and Lady Fan seemed somewhat aware of his situation. When they saw him stop eating, they asked a few questions but did not press further, allowing Tuqiu Jiu to feel more at ease.
After the family finished their meal, Yu Jing hurried in and said, “Lord, the physician has come to examine Dalang.”
Tuqiu Yue and Lady Fan immediately stood up and said, “Please invite him in quickly.”
Tuqiu Jiu also hurriedly rose to follow, but Tuqiu Yue stopped him, saying, “There’s no need for you to go. Don’t risk catching his illness. Wait until your elder brother is feeling better, and then you two can meet. Shuisheng, take the second young master to his courtyard first.”
Tuqiu Jiu had no choice but to stop. He didn’t know what illness his elder brother had, but if it was contagious, his current physical condition would indeed put him at risk.
Shuisheng quickly came over and said, “Second young master, this way.”
Tuqiu Jiu followed him toward the rear courtyard. His new home was a typical courtyard-style layout, with the entire residence surrounded by corridors and walls, forming a series of interconnected courtyards.
Along the way, Shuisheng explained the layout of the house. The main courtyard was naturally where Tuqiu Yue and his wife resided. Behind it were several smaller courtyards, and Tuqiu Jiu was assigned the second small courtyard on the right.
Tuqiu Jiu noticed that there were no courtyards on the left side—it was simply designed as a garden. Considering that the Qin state regarded the right side as superior, and even the royal palace did not strictly require symmetry at this time, such a layout seemed perfectly reasonable.
On the right side were several small courtyards. The first courtyard reportedly belonged to his elder brother, but after his brother fell ill, the physician said the courtyard was incompatible with his illness, so he was moved elsewhere to recuperate.
When Tuqiu Jiu heard this from Shuisheng, he couldn’t help but feel that physicians in this era had it tough—they even had to understand feng shui when diagnosing illnesses. It seemed this profession had never been easy, regardless of the era.
While silently complaining to himself, Tuqiu Jiu followed Shuisheng into the small courtyard that now belonged to him.
It was early summer, and the courtyard was filled with blooming flowers of various colors, vibrant and lively without appearing chaotic. At a glance, it was a scene of flourishing vitality.
Tuqiu Jiu didn’t recognize these flowers, but seeing them lifted his spirits considerably.
What surprised him most was the sight of a swing in the courtyard. Made of wood, its fresh varnish still reflected the light, making it look as though it had just been crafted.
Shuisheng smiled and said, “The Lord didn’t know what the second young master enjoyed playing, so he made this swing for you to pass the time in your leisure. If there’s anything else you like, just let the Lady know.”
Tuqiu Jiu’s eyes grew slightly warm as he looked at the swing. His throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton. Being cared for in such a way always stirred deep emotions, and for a moment, he could only nod repeatedly.
In truth, Tuqiu Yue had prepared more than just a swing for him. Inside the room were many small clay figurines of various shapes, and even spinning tops had been provided.
Almost every toy suitable for young men of this era had been prepared for him.
Fortunately, he had a room specifically for storing various toys; otherwise, there would likely be no place to put all these things.
In addition, Tuqiu Yue and his wife had also prepared a study for him. Wooden boards, bamboo slips, knife-pens, and brushes were neatly arranged, and several scrolls of bamboo slips were placed on the bookshelf, presumably intended for his use as well.
In short, every aspect had been considered, and the preparations were exceptionally thorough.
As for clothing and accessories… he even had a dedicated room for storing these items. Upon entering, every wardrobe was filled to the brim, with every color imaginable.
There were everyday clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, formal attire for banquets, and even accessories arranged in piles according to their functions.
For Tuqiu Jiu, who had just arrived in this world and spent a long time in prison, it felt as though he were Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden.
These items might not necessarily be exquisitely crafted or luxurious, but the meticulousness of their categorization made him deeply aware of his own rustic simplicity.
After touring the entire place and looking around his small courtyard, he momentarily felt as though he were in a dream.
Originally, according to his expectations, if he could successfully overturn the case and then deal with Tuqiu Dun’s family, he would be fortunate to lead an ordinary life. If given the opportunity, he might slowly build his fortune, at best achieving a middle-class status.
Advancing further would be a difficult task, especially in ancient times. Even if a time traveler possessed vast knowledge, they could still be constrained here. The simplest example was that if they failed to encounter someone who appreciated their talents or understood their expertise, all that knowledge would remain locked in their mind, unable to be realized.
He never imagined that before he even began to strive, he would already have a starting point he had never dared to dream of.
His eyes bright with novelty and restraint, he gazed around his room. Shuisheng, standing nearby, couldn’t help but feel moved upon seeing his expression and demeanor.
Such a handsome young man—how could his parents have treated him so neglectfully?
Snapping out of his reverie, Tuqiu Jiu smiled somewhat sheepishly and said, “I lost my composure for a moment. If you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. I’ll be fine on my own.”
Shuisheng, of course, was uneasy about leaving him alone, but he also worried that his presence might make the young master uncomfortable. After a moment’s thought, he said, “The Lord and Lady have assigned me to serve the Second Young Master. If you need anything, just call out. I’ll be in the side room nearby.”
Tuqiu Jiu was slightly taken aback. Assigned to him? So Shuisheng was specifically here to take care of him?
Though he felt somewhat unaccustomed to it, he did not refuse.
At this point, he truly needed someone to help him gradually integrate into this era.
Knowing history was one thing, but truly living in this era was another. History only provided a general outline of events; it did not teach the practicalities of daily life.
He needed to learn step by step while carefully gauging his actions, ensuring he didn’t come across as an idiot rather than just an illiterate person.
After speaking, Shuisheng quietly withdrew. Once he left, Tuqiu Jiu wandered around the room, growing happier with each passing moment. Even though the lighting in the house was insufficient and the large interior remained dim, it couldn’t dampen his good mood.
He even went to the study to fiddle with the knife-pens and brushes.
These items were quite precious in this era. Perhaps Tuqiu Yue hadn’t realized he was illiterate when preparing them.
Well, until he shed the label of illiteracy, Tuqiu Jiu had no intention of wasting such valuable materials. As for writing, couldn’t he use anything? Even sand and soil could be used to practice characters.
Ah, it’s all Shang Yang’s fault. If he hadn’t established laws that assigned everyone specific duties, he could have improved the entire set of writing tools—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. As long as the production costs could be lowered, wouldn’t that solve the problem?
Just as Tuqiu Jiu was carefully examining the knife-pen, he heard someone approaching quickly. Turning his head, he saw Shuisheng standing at the study door, saying, “Second Young Master, the Lord and Lady are coming with a physician.”
Tuqiu Jiu paused, putting down the knife-pen. “With a physician? What for?”
Shuisheng smiled. “The Lord wants the physician to examine you, Second Young Master.”
Tuqiu Jiu understood—oh, they were worried about his health.
Well, let them examine him. He also wanted to know the condition of this body, as it would directly affect his future plans.
Tuqiu Jiu stood up and walked out. Before he had taken two steps, he saw Tuqiu Yue and Lady Fan approaching with the physician.
Although the couple tried their best to remain calm, their slightly reddened eyes suggested the outcome was likely not good.
Tuqiu Jiu suddenly grew concerned about his own health. It wasn’t that he feared death—he even wondered if dying might allow him to return. But he was afraid that if the results were unfavorable, the couple, already suffering a double blow in a single day, might not be able to endure it.
After the physician examined his pulse, Tuqiu Jiu wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt the physician seemed to sigh in relief.
The physician said, “The young master’s body has been depleted for a long time. In the future, careful nurturing will be required. I will write a prescription now. Take it for a month, and after that, I will prescribe another for you.”
This outcome was neither good nor bad. Tuqiu Jiu’s physical depletion was obvious, but there were no other internal or external injuries. Compared to Tuqiu Dun’s family, the original owner’s silent nature had been somewhat helpful—at least he hadn’t been tortured in prison. Tuqiu Dun and those two little brats had endured several rounds of whipping.
While writing the prescription, the physician explained many details meticulously, covering every aspect of daily life and diet. Tuqiu Jiu listened in a daze.
Honestly, the level of care and detail was so excessive that even he found it troublesome. But Tuqiu Yue and Lady Fan carefully noted everything down, asking detailed questions about anything they didn’t fully understand.
When seeing the physician off, Lady Fan couldn’t help but lean forward slightly and ask, “Physician, what about Dalang…”
The physician sighed and said, “He… is now beyond the reach of medicine. Even the most precious herbs cannot save him. You… should not waste your money.”
Hearing this, Tuqiu Jiu felt a pang in his heart. Turning to look, he saw Lady Fan’s eyes already glistening with tears.
Noticing Tuqiu Jiu’s gaze, Lady Fan turned her head away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. She then turned back and bowed to the physician, saying, “Take care on your way.”
Afterward, she instructed the slave-concubine beside her to fetch the medicine.
Tuqiu Jiu wanted to ask but hesitated. Tuqiu Yue gently patted his head and said, “Go and rest for the afternoon.”
He seemed too exhausted to say more. Tuqiu Jiu obediently returned to his courtyard with Shuisheng.
Once inside, he couldn’t help but ask, “Shuisheng, what exactly is wrong with my brother?”
He knew Tuqiu Yan had suffered from heatstroke, but heatstroke could cause many symptoms, and different symptoms required different prescriptions.
He certainly lacked the experience of a true physician, but back in his university days living in a dorm without air conditioning, he had encountered many cases of heatstroke during unusually hot weather. He had learned quite a bit about both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, though he wasn’t sure if any of it would be useful now.
After hearing this, Shuisheng whispered, “Since Dalang suffered heatstroke, he hasn’t been feeling well. As the weather gradually turned hotter, he developed fever, excessive sweating, shortness of breath, fatigue, occasional chest discomfort, and nausea. He’s taken many medicines, but none worked. Today, the physician outright said prescribing more medicine would be useless.”
As he spoke, Shuisheng wiped his tears with his sleeve. These slave-officials had served the Fan family for generations, having followed Lady Fan when she married into the family. Their loyalty was unquestionable. Lady Fan had endured great hardship giving birth to this son, and seeing the young master in such a state naturally pained them deeply.
After listening, Tuqiu Jiu suddenly understood—this was a classic case of residual heat from summer illness, with both qi and fluids depleted.
Both traditional Chinese and Western medicine had remedies for this condition, and there were even many traditional Chinese formulas tailored to it. The only problem was that the discovery of herbal properties had been a gradual process, built on the trial and error of countless physicians over time. In this era, many herbs had yet to be identified.
If he had books, he might have been able to look it up—oh, wait, even if he had books, he couldn’t read them.
He was illiterate!
With a heavy heart, Tuqiu Jiu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, running through countless formulas in his mind.
Finally, he recalled one formula whose ingredients should be available in this era.
That was the Bamboo Leaf, Ginseng, and Gypsum Decoction!
Author’s Note:
Tuqiu Jiu: Little Rabbit’s Mini-Lesson: Ku (Ancient Trousers) were originally designed for warmth, but the ancients only kept their legs warm, leaving the buttocks above the thighs exposed. Maybe they thought thicker flesh didn’t mind the cold? Rabbit is puzzled.jpg