Title: Governor’s Illness
Author: Yang Su
Translated by Xueling
Edited by Mantou & Asaki
Xiahou Lian woke up early in the morning. He got dressed and was about to brush his teeth and wash his face. As he walked towards the door, he heard Lianxiang talking to Xie Jinglan. He wanted to give them privacy, but he heard that his name was mentioned. So he stopped at where he stood.
“Young master, that rascal Xiahou Lian is unreliable. Most of the day, he doesn’t do his work and he would roam around in the manor. Roaming around is not a big deal, but he would often sneak around and steal, and his hands and feet are always dirty. How can we tolerate such a person in the house? He said that he is going to get you to see Mr. Dai? More like looking for trouble! Furthermore, when Mr. Dai is selecting his disciples, the master and the lady surely will be there too! If you go there, the lady will definitely won’t let you off easily!”
Xie Jinglan remained silent for a while without saying a word. “Lianxing is not completely wrong about Xiahou Lian. Before he came to the manor, he must have been wandering around the town thieving. He must be dirty and covered with a disgusting odor.” If it was someone else, Xie Jinglan would be very contemptuous and disdainful to be friends with them. Not understanding why, when it comes to Xiahou Lain, he is not displeased with him at all. “Maybe because Xiahou Lian is an honorable person.”
Xie Jinglan made up his mind. The facts are, in the eyes of others, Xiahou Lian has poor manners, a sloppy eater, doesn’t sit properly, slacking, shaking his legs while sitting and it annoys many people. But Xiahou Lian is clever. He has a carefree nature and free spirit. He is loyal and openly speaks his mind and is an unbridled ranger. “Even if Little Lian doesn’t take me there, I’ll go myself.” Xie Jinglan said without hesitation.
“Young master! You will get in trouble because of that rascal!”
“He might still have little thievery traits. But since he arrived at the manor, he steals because of me. I will discipline him strictly in the future and order him to not to do those things again. He doesn’t have a bad heart, don’t be overly concerned about this.” said Xie Jinglan, “Don’t you agree, auntie?”
“Yeah, Little Lian is still young, and didn’t make any major mistakes. Apart from helping the young master steal some books, snacks, and treats from the courtyards. He hasn’t done anything bad. All children love to eat treats. Lianxing, just bear with it.”
Xie Jinglan and Auntie Lan defended Xiahou Lian with every word they spoke. Lianxiang had to give up. Xiahou Lian listened for a long time, speechless. “Women are such menaces. When have I slacked off? I did wander around, just to get information and listen to the news. If I was to stay put in the courtyard all day long, how can I get information that Dai Shengyan is accepting disciples? As for the treats, it was left on the table in the pavilion, unwanted. Not as if anyone is going to eat it, so I just ate a few, not all of it.”
That girl, Lianxiang, is a snaky fox. She sure knows some foxy tricks of getting favoritism. She is afraid Xiahou Lian might surpass her and be more favorable, and become Xie Jinglan’s number one confidant. Her working routines are making meals and washing dishes, and she thinks that she earns favoritism. When she gets a cut, such as a small needle prick, she would cry “it’s so painful!!” loudly. She wants everyone in the manor to know that she has gotten injured at work.
Even though Xiahou Lian cherishes young girls, girls that are beautiful are known as “Bella” and “Jade”, at-least-as beautiful as Xie Jinglan. In his opinion, Lianxiang seems trashy and bitchy. Unfortunately, Auntie Lan is a good old, senile person. As for Xie Jinglan, an unworldly teenager. Even though he is a hard-ass, he’s still a rigid and inflexible teenager. He won’t understand the bitterness and cunning of a female’s heart. He thinks Lianxiang is hardworking and loyal. “Forget it.” thought Xiahou Lian. Xiahou Lian is a good guy. He’s not going to hold a grudge on pity little girls like her.
Fortunately, even when the truth was said, Xie Jinglan still defended him. Xiahou Lian felt overwhelmed with joy. He deliberately made a noise, so the people outside would know that he is awake. Then he went out to where they were. After he finished washing up, out came a sound of chains and lock jingling. Lianxiang ran over and took a look, and exclaimed, “Young master, they locked our courtyard!”
Then, a voice came from outside the courtyard and proclaimed, “The lady has ordered. A noble guest is coming to the manor. To prevent any of your clumsy riff-raff from disturbing our distinguished guest, none of you are allowed to step one foot out of the courtyard.”
Xie Jinglan has no expression. Auntie Lan looked worried, “What are we going to do? They locked the door. How are you going to see Mr. Dai?”
Lianxiang still pursues her cause, “Let’s just forget it then.”
Xiahou Lian looked over at Xie Jinglan and they shared a glance. Both teenagers had the same thought. “If the door is locked, then climb the wall.”
The four of them moved the tables and chairs in the room to the wall and stacked them on top of each other. Xiahou Lian climbed up first, followed by Xie Jinglan. Auntie Lan and Lianxiang stood guard below as they looked up at them with concern. Lianxiang called out a last warning, “Young master, you have to be careful! Little Lian, if the lady gets angry, you have to protect our young master. If anything happens to our young master, I will not spare you!”
“I know, I’ll protect him. I won’t let a single hair of his be harmed.” Xiahou Lian said perfunctorily, waiting for Xie Jinglan to climb the wall. With one leap, Xiahou Lian jumps off the wall. Xie Jinglan hesitated a bit. The wall is very high, he is a bit scared. But he doesn’t want Xiahou Lian to see his fear. Shutting his eyes, Xie Jinglan jumped down from the wall. He didn’t land on the ground as he predicted. Instead, he landed on someone’s warm embrace. Xie Jinglan opened his eyes and saw Xiahou Lian’s face close to his. He was shocked and jumped off from his arms.
“If you jump like that, you surely are going to break your legs. When you jump off a wall, you have to spread your legs, and before landing you have to brace your jump by bending your knees, almost like squatting. If I were not here to catch you, you would be cripple before you start your quest.” Xiahou Lian looked serious as he gave pointers.
Xie Jinglan went silent, “…”
“Brother Lian!”
Both of them stood frozen. They saw a young girl, panting as she ran towards them, and said, “Mr. Dai has changed the examination location to the Wangqi Pavilion by the Yingbo Pond. He demanded all changes to be ready in an hour.”
“Brother Lian?” Xie Jinglan looked at the girl suspiciously.
Xiahou Lian smiled and said embarrassedly, “This little girl is Lanxiang, a servant that served in the study. We met a few days ago. Thank you, Lanxiang. I promise to treat you some osmanthus cake tomorrow.”
Lanxiang stuck out her tongue and said, “You better remember! I snuck out here to warn you. Now I have to rush back.” After finishing speaking, she salutes them goodbye and rushes off.
“You are quite capable. You have only been in this manor just for a few days, and you have coerced Lanxiang. It’s a big crime for a secretive relationship among servants, privately giving and receiving favorites. Even I can barely survive here by keeping myself undetected. I won’t be able to save you if you get caught.” Xie Jinglan snorted.
Xiahou Lian’s ability in courtship is astonishing. The young girl that just left is surely not his only victim. The way she called his name is very affectionate. Xie Jinglan glared at Xiahou Lian with jealousy and snorted again.
Xiahou Lian cried out, “Secretive relationship, private giving and receiving? I have only secretly given to you. Like the objects that are collecting dust under your cabinet.”
Xie Jinglan snorted, “What are you talking about? We both are males, how could you call that ‘secretly giving or receiving’?”
Xiahou Lian stuck out his tongue and made a ghost-face. Before they left the courtyard, Xiahou Lian gave Xie Jinglan his clothes to wear and his coarse headscarf. If one did not look closely, Xie Jinglan would look like one of the low-born servants. Xiahou Lian took out two trays that he had hidden in the grass, holding it, bowing their heads, as they made their way to the edge of the Yanbo Pond unimpeded.
Wangqing Pavilion is built on Yanbo Pond. Underneath is a sparkling pool of water. In the front, there are railings. On the second level, you can overlook the entire premises, it’s an elegant view. After all, the Xie family foundation is based on harmony and tranquility. The pavilions have vibes of literati and elegance.
It is still early, and the two of them hid behind an artificial rock mountain and waited for the audience to arrive. Xie Jinglan took off Xiahou Lian’s clothes and head-scarf, and changed back into his clothing. Xiahou Lian helped to re-tie his hair and address it with a headband. After reorganizing his clothes, he became a beautiful and literati young man again.
You can’t blame Xiahou Lian for using “beautiful” to describe Xie Jinglan. He does have this girly and fragile appearance, but he carries this righteous and confident aura. With full of arrogance, he looks like he is untouchable. This arrogance could either be describe as dignified, if they were being kind, or pretentious, if they were less so. Xiahou Lian reluctantly understood this meaning as he stood looking at Xie Jinglan.
The servant stood as the master sat. Xiahou Lian took out his snacks to eat, as Xie Jinglan took out a scroll to study. By the artificial mountain, stood a blossom plum tree. The branches are stretching diagonally over their heads. The petals of the flowers fell from the tree. Xiahou Lian held his arms and thought in a daze, these days are leisurely, just a bit cold.
As the noise gathered outside, Xiahou Lian estimated that the time was approaching. From the crevices of the rocks looking outward, the Xie family’s children led with their book-boy entered the Wangqing Pavilion in threes and fives. Everyone dressed fashionably and radiant. On their left side, hung a fragranced pouch. On their right wore a jade jue, and some even have a jade flute secured on their belt.
The scene is like a battlefield, as they marched in propaganda (described in Taoism). A ceremony of apprenticeship receiving their teacher. Not too far off resembling the emperor’s imperial examination scene.
In contrast, Xie Jinglan’s robe and cloak are desolate. If he stood among them, no one could guess that he is also a child of the Xie family. They would think that he is a low-level servant that is not even suitable to wait at the table. Barely passable to carry their shoes.
It’s just that Xie Jinglan has the face of a goddess. Xiahou Lian thought to himself, “If I were the one choosing apprentice, I would have chosen Xie Jinglan. So what if they wore the best outfit? A good-looking face is more comforting. Looking on their faces, some are crooked, some even look old and wrinkled.” Xiahou Lian became more confident in Xie Jinglan.
Xie Jinglan’s heart did not fluctuate. In his eyes, the Xie family’s children are groups that are going to be a stumbling block that was bound to be kicked to the side of the road by him or a stepping stone to help him to get to the next level. The better they dress, the more they can bring out Xie Jinglan’s independence. Although he may not be the best, he might be the most special.
Furthermore, Mr. Dai is the same as him. He was born to a mistress, grew up in a poor family, and he struggles as a young man. Illness must be treated with the right medicine. When you are seeking an apprenticeship, you can’t do as you please. When Mr. Dai sees him like this, he will surely think of his hardships studying years and feel pity for him.
Xie Jinglan glanced at Wangqing Pavilion and said, “We can’t enter through the main entrance.” Indeed, several servants are guarding the main entrance. If you walk through the main entrance, you will be stopped. Xiahou Lian looked around the pond and saw a small boat parked on the other side. He said with joy, “Let’s row over to the pavilion. Everyone is on the second floor. Rowing over there can easily be noticed by Mr. Dai. As long as he notices us, even if the lady wants to stop us, she can’t.”
Right as he finished his statement, Xie Jingtao appeared at the pavilion. After being whipped, the fat boy was struggling to walk, helped by his book-boy. He limps, followed by his staggering pace. His whole body is full of fat, bounces like the waves as he staggers up the stairs. An epiphany hits Xiahou Lian. He suddenly understands why he is called “Xie Jingtao” (“Jingtao” means stormy waves). He staggers up to the second floor and sits down at the very front row, on the first seat. The pavilion quakes under him as if it might collapse the entire Wangqing Pavilion. Even from a distance, Xiahou Lian felt that the ground was shaking. The last to arrive is the elders.
Lanxiang describes Mr. Dai as a fire-rod in the kitchen, and is skinny enough that all you see is chatting-teeth and old fragile bones, which definitely is a good and honest official, otherwise, he won’t starve himself like this. Xiahou Lian recognized at once that the skinny old man is Mr. Dai. Indeed, as Lanxiang described, He is very skinny. He has a thin neck and a well maintained long white beard. It is the same as a painting of an old spiritual man.
There is no time to look for Xie Jinglan’s hypocrite-of-a-gentleman father, Xiahou Lian gave a command and they both ran toward the bank on the opposite side of the pond as quickly as possible. Not long after, someone saw them. At first they were stunned. After they took a second look, they discovered that it was the third young master of Autumn Wu Courtyard, then they started to chase after them.
“Everyone, Hurry and block the third young master!”
“Block them!”
While Xiahou Lian was running, he drawed out a slingshot. Pak, pak, pak, aiming the sling and shooting backwards with pebbles. He has excellent marksmanship. He didn’t miss a target, some people even fell into the pool. The stone was used up quickly, and Xiahou Lian kept up the pretense he was still shooting at them. Some thought that he was still shooting stones and took cover.
The gravel road by the side of the pond is narrow. If the people in front stop in an emergency, the people that followed behind wouldn’t be able to stop in time. They will immediately collide, like a domino, and fall to the ground.
Xie Jinglan is both scared and excited. He had never run like this before. He had never been so unscrupulous. He should have rejected Xiahou Lian’s instructions, but when Xiahou Lian yelled “run” he didn’t know why his body reacted faster than his brain. Like a sharp arrow shot from a bow, without a thought in his head, dived into the cold wind and raced in desperation.
The two teenagers are vigorous, they zig-zac through the forest by the pond, like two fluttering birds. Gradually adding a great distance from their pursuer. Seeing that they were almost there, Xiahou Lian raised his right hand, and lightly clasped the spring at the right wrist with his left hand. Just as he stepped on the bank, out came something that flew out and pierced through the rope tie in the water. Xie Jinglan was stunned by what he saw, then he heard Xiahou Lian shouted, “Jump!”
Both of them jumped into the boat together. The boat rocks violently. Xie Jinglan couldn’t grip his bearing, and almost fell over. Xiahou Lian grabs his collar and pulls him back on the boat. Xiahou Lian quickly picks up the oar and pushes it into the water with all his might. The small boat went sailing like a fallen leaf that is floating on the water. As he pedals, the ripples form, swaying as they sail towards the pavilion. The servants who came after them could only stop on the shore, helpless. Watching Xiahou Lian and Xie Jinglan as they got further and further away, disappearing into the slow gathering fog.
Xie Jinglan resisted the urge to push Xiahou Lian’s sleeves up to take a look. Instead, against the shadow of the sun, he straightened his clothes. Standing on the side of the boat with his hands behind his back. They have made such ruckus back at the shoreline, Mr. Dai must have noticed them. He must maintain a proper manner.
The people at Wangqing Pavilion can’t understand what happened, and in that distance, they can’t see their faces. They could only see two teenagers being chased by a group of servants. In the end, they jumped into the boat and sailed to the observation deck. The teenager that is standing on the side of the ship, standing against the cold wind, looking out into the waves from afar, has a bit of distinct graciousness.
Dai Shengyan laughed and said, “Is he one of Xie’s children? Amusing indeed. Hurry up and escort them up here.”
Xie Binfeng was ashamed and apologized, “The nature of a juvenile child’s behavior, acting unruly. Your disciple is fully responsible for not properly educating those boys. Teacher, please don’t be offended.”
“Not so. Teenagers at their age, constantly studying and staying locked up is a waste of their youth. With such beautiful scenery, if you don’t go for a walk, then it’s a waste of living.” Dai Shengyan laughed, his pleats were blooming, revealing a mouthful of rotting yellow teeth.
Xie Jingtao’s eyes are sharp. He recognized Xie Jinglan with first glance. Hearing Dai Shengyan’s defending words, his heart bitter. He bowed and played respect, and said, “Mister, you are mistaken. I recognize those two boys. They are unlearned and delinquents. They are notoriously unfilial descendants of the Xie’s family. Especially that Xie Jinglan. It was just a few days ago he stole my belongings. It’s disgraceful. Because of the brotherhood, I never confront him.”
Dai Shengyan stroked his beard and paused, said, “Oh… Is that the fact?”
* Book-boy is a boy that accompanies his master to school. Who carry books, supplies and serve their master while they study. Some even help tutor their master.
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thank you so much for the chapter!! by the way, is there a chapter release schedule? ^^
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