Un joven errante

Capítulo 9

"This... hey, be careful, my antique..."

"Pfft," Yunying couldn't help but grin, "Young Master, you don't have to do this, do you? I've served some iced red bean soup, would you like some to quench your thirst?"

Exhausted from a long day, I accepted the drink without hesitation and gulped it down. That's the advantage of being a man—no need to worry about being ladylike or what others think. The more natural and bold you are, the more charming you become to women. I gave them a flirtatious wink, and all the maids in the shop blushed and avoided my gaze.

Yunying silently covered her mouth and laughed. This girl is increasingly disregarding me, her master.

"Xiao Qi, come here," I waved to Mai Qi, who was supervising the work not far away, and the boy quickly ran over to me.

"Young Master," he said breathlessly. After spending more than a year together, this kid has become more and more devoted to me, practically treating me like a god.

"Just let me know if you need anything."

I smiled faintly. "I'll leave everything here to you, Xiao Qi. It's getting late, I should head back. Oh, and remember to have the workers plant purple roses all over the backyard, and various varieties of lotus in the lotus pond. As for the house renovations, we'll start once I've finalized the design. Remember, this will be our home from now on, so there's no room for carelessness. Understand?"

"Young Master, don't worry, Xiao Qi will do everything you say. Please take care."

"Hehe, Xiaoqi is so nice." I walked over and ruffled Xiaoqi's hair, which was a little messy from running around all morning.

Xiaoqi smiled shyly.

"This is what Xiao Qi should do. If it weren't for Young Master..."

"I'm leaving." This timely interruption cut off Xiaoqi's outpouring of gratitude.

I returned to the Qulan Garden from the back wall. I took a comfortable bath and changed back into the clothes a young lady of high birth should wear. Today, the Madam asked me to see her. Normally, once I leave this gate, I can't wear my own designs; instead, I always wear the shabby clothes I've been given to me by the steward, to avoid arousing suspicion.

As I passed by the Maple Tail Pavilion, I inadvertently saw my second sister sitting alone by the railing, gazing blankly at the lake. She was holding a piece of ancient-style Xuan paper in her hand, her face flushed, looking rather lovesick. Was she thinking about someone?

I made a "shh" gesture to Yunying, quietly walked behind her, and unexpectedly snatched the paper from her hand. Perhaps she was too engrossed, or perhaps I was too quick to strike. In any case, I succeeded easily.

My second sister snapped out of her daze, exclaimed in surprise, and rushed over to snatch it from me. I laughed and dodged while reciting the love poem on it:

“Like a flower, yet not quite a flower… Hmm, fallen petals yearn to find a pitiful soul…” I struggled to avoid my second sister’s encirclement and continued reciting: “Sometimes I see a recluse wandering alone… A solitary wild goose’s shadow drifts by…” Another difficult dodge, “Where is he?” I took a deep breath and loudly recited the last line, “The osmanthus shadow is naturally beautiful.”

I stopped struggling, and as expected, my second sister snatched it away. "Oh no, I forgot to check the signature," I muttered to myself. I tried to grab it again, but my second sister had already carefully put it away.

I smiled wickedly, "Second sister, tell me honestly, who has won your heart?"

The second sister's face flushed red to her ears, and she was too shy to speak. Finally, she stamped her foot in a very feminine way, and like a woman in an ancient drama, she covered her face and walked away.

Yunying and I stood there, looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.

Over the past few years, apart from our initial meeting which wasn't very pleasant, my second sister and I have gotten along very well since then. Deep down, she's just a traditional woman who hopes to marry a good husband, have children, and be a good wife. And so on.

I've heard some rumors circulating in the manor lately. Some details about my second sister's love story with that country doctor… But could that doctor named Chen Ningyuan really write such sentimental poems?

Well, I've actually met Chen Ningyuan once before. On my way to the shop, I saw him dressed simply, with a handsome face, carrying a bamboo basket, treating sick beggars who couldn't afford medical care in a dirty, dark alley. To some extent, I had a good impression of him. If my second sister and he were to be together, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Such a kind man; I believe he will bring my second sister happiness.

Besides, I am deeply grateful to him for saving my life that time, and I naturally hope that he and my second sister can become a couple.

However, my second sister still has some use. I reckon the patriarch would absolutely not allow such a scandal to happen.

I shook my head and dismissed these trivial matters that were none of my business.

Take a deep breath.

Then I went with Yunying to the First Madam's Orchid Garden. I had no idea why this matriarch, whom I had only met once, wanted to see a nobody like me.

"Wei Ying greets you, Auntie." She then bowed slightly.

"You've arrived."

"yes."

She finally put down the teacup she had been holding and playing with in her hands, and glanced at me indifferently.

I kept my head down, but glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. I was too far away from her at that family dinner to really get a good look at her. But seeing her up close today, she truly had the air of a matriarch, elegant and dignified, adorned with jewels from head to toe, exuding the aura of a noblewoman.

As I was lost in thought, she suddenly stared at me intently, her gaze sharp as if she had spotted prey, and began to speak…

He returned to Qulan Garden in a daze, and then, still confused, climbed over the wall from the backyard. His mind was blank, still echoing with the First Madam's inexplicable words—

I noticed that she was looking at me with a complicated gaze, so I lowered my head even further and my expression became respectful and humble.

She said to me in an incredibly authoritative yet incredibly casual tone, "You will be leaving soon too."

"Huh?!" I looked up at her in surprise, meeting her gaze directly into her unfathomable eyes. I was momentarily stunned. Leaving?! Strange! Where could I go? Besides, I didn't even know I was leaving, how did she know beforehand...? Puzzled...

Suddenly, she murmured, "What's meant to happen will happen, karma..."

Seeing my strange look, she snapped out of her reverie, beckoned to a maid beside her, took a beautiful white jade hairpin from a tray, and said to me solemnly, "This hairpin is your mother's keepsake. Now it's time to give it to you. Keep it safe, and I'll have fulfilled a wish. Alas..."

Her expression turned somewhat mournful, forcing me to swallow my question. I had originally wanted to ask her why my mother's belongings were in her possession and why she was giving them to me now. However, seeing her weary appearance, I suppressed my curiosity and respectfully took the hairpin from her hand.

With the help of her maid, she got up, waved to me, and went into the inner room. I also wisely took my leave.

As I stepped out of the house, a sigh came from behind me, "Fate is hard to defy..."

I shivered and quickened my pace with Yunying as we left. But the chill lingered. Was this the power of resentment from a woman confined to her chambers?

Shaking his head vigorously, he tried to forget what had happened at Lan Garden not long ago. He strode towards Yichun Garden. Three days ago, he had arranged with his elder brother and beautiful sister to go on a spring outing to Yuhan Temple in the suburbs today. Just thinking of them made his melancholy melt away.

For the past two years, I've seen them almost every day. We'd drink and chat in the beautiful sister's room, or go boating on the lake, hiking, or eating delicious food at restaurants. In short, I was very happy with them. This is the only comforting thing in my absurd experience.

I didn't bring Yunying today, and that girl complained for quite a while. I just felt inexplicably uneasy, like something was wrong. I kept worrying that some lady would come looking for trouble with me again, so I had to leave Yunying there to cover for me.

The little girl was unwilling, her cherry lips pouting high.

So fast, the owner of this body is already fifteen years old. Realizing I was being a bit melancholic, I quickly threw it away.

When I arrived at Yichun Garden, I could see the auntie waiting at the entrance from afar. When she saw me, she smiled so much that her chubby old face wrinkled up like a chrysanthemum.

"Oh?! Young Master An has arrived! My daughter, Danyi, has been waiting for you for quite some time. Please come in, please come in—"

I nonchalantly imitated the dashing young men on TV, swishing open my folding fan with a slight smile. I took a silver ingot from my pocket and stuffed it into her hand, saying with a roguish grin, "Mom, you look even younger than I did in the last few days, just like a sixteen-year-old girl."

I saw her happily put the silver into her inner pocket, and her face turned red with joy at my words.

While they were engrossed in their conversation, I quickly slipped through the inner hall and calmly made my way up to the third floor amidst their envious gazes.

"Beautiful sister, Xiao Jin is here! Have you missed me these past few days?" I heard my voice before I saw her.

After spending so much time together, all the ladies at Yichun Garden have gotten used to my reckless ways. In their eyes, I'm the dashing and debonair Young Master Jin. Besides, I'm always generous with the servants' rewards; money is another advantage I have in attracting these beauties. Anyway, why not spend money if it's free? I have a free money-making machine at home.

Before I could even step inside, I bumped into Shen Qing coming out. I nodded dismissively in response to his greeting and walked straight in, completely ignoring the bitter smile on his lips. These past few years, he and my elder brother had come to see us every day, so he naturally knew how important I was to my brother, and he was much more polite to me than before. But I've always been aloof; aside from those feigned gestures, I wouldn't waste a single ounce of energy on someone who isn't important to me.

The beautiful woman looked like she had just woken up; her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her long hair was loose, making her incredibly alluring. *Drip! Drip—* What was that sound? Reflexively, I wiped my chin. Oops, sorry, my drool is coming out again. I blinked, quickly snapping back to reality, and leaned closer, looking rather lecherous.

She seemed unfazed, smiled slightly, and her voice, as melodious as a nightingale's, rang out: "Little Jin is here."

“Oh, right,” she said, turning to me as she combed her hair, “Brother Shen just came to tell us that he can’t come today. He said he’ll come to apologize to us next time.”

"Hmph," I muttered, "It's not the first time, beautiful sister. How about we don't go and wait until brother has time? How about we go shopping instead?" Such is a woman's nature!

"Okay." Danyi's gaze was complicated, and she felt a pang of heartache.

Dan Yi looked at the boy with the innocent smile in front of him and felt a little dizzy. That bright smile made his peerless face even clearer, but behind that smile, who knew what kind of strong and fearless heart was hidden.

I still remember a recent outing to the countryside. My older brother couldn't go with me that day because of something else. So Xiao Jin went with me instead.

That day was a beautiful sunny day, and Xiao Jin and I had a lot of fun. But on the way back, an accident happened.

It was a group of men in black. Judging from their attacks, which were aimed at his vital points, they were there to assassinate him. I believe Xiao Jin could tell that too.

They were no ordinary assassins; my martial arts skills were barely enough to handle them, let alone endanger Xiao Jin. They rarely had such opportunities, as their elder brother always ensured all dangers were eliminated. Today's assassination attempt must have been premeditated.

Before I knew it, a bloody welt appeared on my arm.

Xiao Jin looked over with worry, and my heart skipped a beat. I quickly composed myself to deal with the situation. But in the end, I was no match for her strength. I stumbled, my back foot slipped, and I almost fell off the cliff. It was Xiao Jin who caught me as I fell. But this gave the man in black an opportunity. He swung his sword straight at Xiao Jin's chest. Xiao Jin thought of me and slightly turned her body, dodging the fatal blow, but she could not dodge the next palm strike.

Xiao Jin's face was slightly pale, but she didn't cry out in pain. The two of them, with their slender bodies, tumbled down the cliff. She herself then fainted.

I remember dreaming of a warm embrace that held me tightly. Then I knew nothing more.

When she woke up, she was already lying on Xiao Jin's back. Looking at Xiao Jin's tattered clothes and bloodstains, her nose stung, and tears streamed down her face. Never before had anyone been so kind to her, never before had anyone treated her like a delicate woman. Because of her status, many things were beyond her control, but at that moment, she truly wanted to be with Xiao Jin forever, with him carrying her, walking on and on forever.

He seemed to sense something was wrong and quickly comforted her, "Beautiful sister, don't cry. Does your wound hurt? It's okay, just bear with it, we'll be there soon."

It turned out he had misunderstood her meaning. The wound itself didn't hurt; it hurt because of him. He had been bruised and battered, covered in cuts and bruises, when he shielded her as they rolled down the hillside. He must have been in excruciating pain. Yet he pretended nothing was wrong and comforted himself instead. What incredible resilience! So strong at such a young age.

Choking back tears, she told him what she meant, but he just smiled slightly and said calmly, "Sister is a beauty, she can't get hurt, you'll be sad if she looks bad. I'm different, I'm just a stinky man, my injuries don't matter, don't be sad..." Xiao Jin, aren't you the same way...?

He walked a difficult path, but his steps were firm. I still remember him panting and laughing, "Beautiful sister, I know you and my brother are not simple people. I'm quite stupid, and I'm not interested in these extra details. To me, you are you, and that will never change. We are brothers and sisters for life..."

It sounded like a joke, yet it brought tears to Dan Yi's eyes again, even though she was usually indifferent to everyone.

Just then, Xiao Jin's voice came again: "Sister, just a little longer, we'll be there soon..."

Chapter 16 of Volume 1 is the prelude.

Danyi recalled it long, long afterward. It was from that day on that she willingly descended into hell. Even knowing that the feelings she gave would never be reciprocated, she still didn't regret it, she wouldn't regret it—

Even after so many years, I still remember the boy's cautious words: "Sister, just bear with it a little longer, we'll be there soon..."

Her heart was captivated, and she only hoped that he would carry her on his back for the rest of her life, never stopping.

On the way back, I encountered Chen Ningyuan again in that dark alley, treating the beggars. I stood in the shadows, and he didn't see me. His face maintained a rare, radiant smile the entire time. Was it because my second sister had reciprocated his feelings? Does such beautiful love truly exist in this world, beautiful enough to change a person's character?

Haha. Good people will eventually be rewarded. But not long after, my naive thoughts today have all become a joke.

Looking at him, I recalled his extraordinary medical skills, comparable to those of Hua Tuo. I remember not long ago, just like today, I was supposed to go on a spring outing with my elder brother and my beautiful sister, but my brother had something to do, so my sister and I went instead. I wonder who my sister offended, that she almost faced a fatal disaster.

I still remember my beautiful sister shouting in my arms, "Xiao Jin, be careful!" I turned around, and Mom, I was almost scared to death! A flash of silver light, and the man in black thrust his sword towards my heart. Luckily, my martial arts skills hadn't been wasted; I barely dodged the fatal blow, but I took a blow to the chest. To avoid worrying my beautiful sister, I forced back the taste of blood rising in my throat. Unable to maintain our balance any longer, we inevitably fell off the cliff. Fortunately, those people thought we were doomed and didn't chase after us. Otherwise, my broken body simply wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

I stumbled and struggled my way back, barely surviving, and escorted the beautiful woman back to Yichun Garden. Before anyone could react, I struggled back alone. My steps were unsteady, my head spun, and everything went blurry. But the instinct for survival kept me going. Finally, I couldn't go on any longer. I gave a bitter laugh. Was today my death day? I thought, "Maybe it's for the best. Maybe if I die, I can go back home..." Blood welled up in my chest, and gradually, I knew nothing more...

When I woke up, I was lying on a dilapidated bed in what was now a makeshift thatched hut in this alley, a makeshift shelter they had built themselves so he could administer medicine and save lives. Amidst the rising steam of the herbs, I saw the earnest expression of a healer on Chen Ningyuan's handsome face. At that moment, I was truly moved by his kindness. In this ancient era, a time of severe feudal class divisions, it was a miracle that such a kind and pure person still existed.

In my memory, he was just a country doctor with some medical skills who often gathered precious medicinal herbs from the mountains to sell to the Xie family to make a living. However, I guess most of the money he earned went to these poor people… Actually, I had never paid any attention to him before, but since that day, with such rudimentary medical conditions, he actually managed to heal my internal injuries. I know my own body well; although I never showed it, the palm strike had injured my internal organs—in layman's terms, I suffered very serious internal injuries. I originally thought I was going to die…

He saved me with his superhuman medical skills...

I'm sure my eyes were gleaming with a devilish light, like I wanted to devour him. He was terrified, thinking I was feverish and dizzy, and rushed over to touch my forehead. I cooperated by fainting, but this time, it was from hunger. Anyway, I owe him, and I'll repay him with enough someday.

Back in the courtyard, I informed Yunying. I ate too much while shopping with my beautiful sister today. So tired!

The demon child hasn't appeared for several days; I wonder where he went...

After taking a hot bath, I fell asleep happily.

In my sweet dreams, I always feel someone gently stroking my face. It's so warm and comfortable, and I can't help but snuggle closer.

The next day, after getting up and paying my respects to the ladies (I usually don't get to see the matriarch), I took Yunying for a walk and morning exercise.

I met my third brother on the way. He said he would take me somewhere and pulled me away without saying a word.

Later I learned that the place was called "Red Flower Garden." It sounded like a place for women, but when I got there I realized I was so wrong; it was full of handsome men.