Chapter 39:
Meeting Beneath the Moonlight
IT HAD BEEN HUNDREDS OF YEARS since Eastern Wu had established their capital in Jiankang. During that time, Eastern Jin had migrated south and used the Yangtze River as a barrier to isolate themselves from the military chaos of the north. And so Jiankang became the most prosperous city, not only in the Central Plains but in all the land. Merchants from all over gathered there, while travelers and wanderers came and went like weaving shuttles. In the daytime, horses flooded the streets in endless streams, and when night fell, the city transformed into a sea of lanterns that shone all through to the dawn. The brothels were even livelier—their incense cages and gilded rooms were sleepless all night long.
Cities like Chang’an and Yecheng were also capitals, but the toll they’d taken suffering through extensive warfare was evident. Everyone favored the comparatively peaceful Jiangnan, which saw little fighting. It was seen as such a paradise that there was even a saying that “all the land’s flowers gather in Jiankang.” The officials of Northern Zhou, such as Yuwen Qing, might not say so out loud, but in their hearts, they all greatly admired Jiankang. The attendants accompanying them had no need to hide their feelings—they were already gasping in awe. This greatly flattered the officials of Chen who’d come out to receive them, and who couldn’t resist pointing out the city’s various vistas along the way.
Once inside the city, Yuwen Qing’s party naturally stayed at the guest complex Chen provided for them. Yan Wushi was put up there as well, on the basis of his official position and because he’d been their savior. Yuwen Qing willingly ceded the main courtyard, moving into the side yard to fret over his concubine, Yu Zi. Since the scare that night, she’d fallen ill and become bedridden, then remained that way. Only after they’d settled themselves in the city did she begin to recover.
After the failed assassination, Hehuan Sect had showed no signs of movement. At first, Yuwen Qing was still in a state of apprehension, but then he considered Yan Wushi. If the assassins succeeded while Yan Wushi was around, his reputation as the Huanyue Sect Leader would be in ruins. And in the jianghu, one’s pride was worth more than their life. With this in mind, Yuwen Qing gradually relaxed and took his beloved concubine to tour Jiankang while he waited for the summons from the Emperor of Chen.
One day, while Shen Qiao was listening to the maid read a book to him in his room, someone came to report that Yuwen Qing was there to visit.
At Shen Qiao’s nod, Ruru put down the book and opened the door.
Yuwen Qing entered and looked around. “Oh? Junior Preceptor Yan isn’t here?”
Shen Qiao laughed. “The two of us have always roomed separately. If Senior Official Yuwen wishes to see him, you’ve come to the wrong room. However, I’ve heard that Sect Leader Yan has business today—he left early this morning.”
Yuwen Qing chuckled dryly. “Excellent, excellent. His esteemed self is too frightening. Every time I talk to him, I’m more nervous than I am with His Majesty!”
Ruru couldn’t keep a giggle from escaping.
Yuwen Qing had always been the type to indulge beauties. When he heard her laugh, he didn’t grow angry but smiled at her instead.
This made Ruru feel a little embarrassed.
Yuwen Qing turned his smile to Shen Qiao. “With the weather so fine, would Shen-gongzi like to go for a stroll outside? Jiankang sits on the banks of the Huai River, and I heard that many ferry crossings dot it, each with its own market. Why not go out for a look around and purchase some fresh river delicacies along the way? Then we can have the complex prepare a feast for us tonight!”
After this, he seemed to think of something else. “But then, you do come from a Daoist background. Might you be required to abstain from meat and eat only vegetarian foods?”
“No, no such thing,” said Shen Qiao. “I only fear that my poor eyesight might be a burden on your outing.”
Yuwen Qing laughed. “Shen-gongzi saved my life! I was a burden to you then, so there’s no need to be so modest.”
Shen Qiao didn’t refuse him a second time. “Then I shall be so rude as to accept.”
The guest complex wasn’t far from one of the crossings, so Yuwen Qing declined to take a carriage. Instead, he brought Yu Zi and the others along for an outing on foot. At first, he was even worried that it might be inconvenient for Shen Qiao, but although Shen Qiao had to use a bamboo cane for support, he was no slower than the rest of them and didn’t require anyone’s assistance. He walked abreast with Yuwen Qing, no different from anyone else.
Yuwen Qing realized that Shen Qiao carried no sword. “Shen-gongzi, where is your sword?”
As if deducing the source of his concern, Shen Qiao smiled and said, “Senior Official Yuwen need not worry. If we encounter the enemy, my bamboo cane will serve well enough to fend off a few of them. Furthermore, this is still Jiankang. With the Linchuan Academy keeping watch, Hehuan Sect won’t be so reckless and overconfident as to attack us here!”
Shen Qiao had seen right through his anxieties. Yuwen Qing’s face went red, embarrassed. “No wonder I felt that everything has been much more peaceful since we entered the city. The Junior Preceptor was even confident enough to leave and take care of business. And that is why.”
“Chen and Zhou are allied to each other now,” Shen Qiao explained. “If you fell to assassins inside Jiankang, then forget discussing the alliance, Chen wouldn’t even be able to explain themselves to the Emperor of Zhou. So they will do their absolute best to ensure your safety. There are martial artists guarding the complex at all times—you just haven’t noticed.”
Yuwen Qing crept closer to him and whispered, “Shen-gongzi, I know you’re not the type to be a kept man, and I’d never dare to look down on you. The Junior Preceptor isn’t around today, so I’m taking a chance and telling you the truth: do you know how those in Chang’an see you?”
Shen Qiao smiled but didn’t speak.
Yuwen Qing thought that meant he didn’t know and so tactfully told him, “They call you a dragon trapped in the shallows, forced to depend on Sect Leader Yan. They think that to protect yourself, you…ahem, that you cast aside your morals and integrity. But I’ve traveled with you and you saved my life, so of course I know the truth is nothing of the sort. But it’s like how the saying goes, ‘Rumors can twist even metal!’ If you’re able, I suggest you stay away from Junior Preceptor Yan. Why let others smear and humiliate you for no reason? Even I grow angry hearing what they say!”
Shen Qiao knew Yuwen Qing was telling him this because of the scene he’d witnessed on the carriage the other day, but it wasn’t something Shen Qiao could succinctly explain. He could only say, “I’m deeply grateful for your kindness, but you’re mistaken. I don’t have that kind of relationship with Sect Leader Yan, but because he is a little…erratic, his actions often surpass all expectations.”
“I know, I know!” said Yuwen Qing. “Of course you’re not a kept man who depends on Sect Leader Yan. I also hold no prejudice toward homosexuals, but given your circumstances now, if you and Junior Preceptor Yan, um, are in love with each other, I fear that the rumors and slander you encounter will only hurt you, not Junior Preceptor Yan!”
Shen Qiao was at a loss. “…We’re not in love with each other, and I’m not a homosexual either.”
“I know, I know!” said Yuwen Qing. “It’s not something you can say out loud. We share a silent understanding, so it’s fine!”
Shen Qiao lost the will to speak. Whatever Yuwen Qing said after that, he let it flow in one ear and out the other.
The ferry crossing was a hubbub of shouting and chatter. A great variety of goods were scattered about, and there were quite a few people like Yuwen Qing—those on foot who’d come to browse and shop. Others were in carriages or on horseback, and yet more were calling out farewells to family from the riverbank or from docking ships. Quite suddenly, everyone was shoulder to shoulder as carriages and horses streamed like the river itself, on the verge of trampling each other.
Then a horse charged toward them from behind—perhaps it had been spooked or its owner had driven it poorly. In a bid to dodge, their party was forced to scatter in different directions, and Shen Qiao became separated from the others. However, he wasn’t worried, as Yuwen Qing had multiple men around to protect him. Slowly, he walked back toward the market, following the riverside stalls. Now and then he heard the peddlers hawking things he was interested in, and he stopped to inspect their wares. Though his poor eyesight was obvious to the peddlers, his clothing and bearing were completely unlike those of a beggar, so they didn’t dare treat him with contempt. Rather, they enthusiastically talked up their merchandise to him.
“Sir, please take a look at what I have. These are all woven from the finest bamboo strips. Baskets, chairs, I have it all! And here are some little knick-knacks—you can bring them home for your daughter or son to play with!” When he saw Shen Qiao crouch, he picked up a bamboo ball and thrust it into his hands. “Here, feel one. It’s very smooth, no splinters at all!”
“It is indeed very smooth.” Shen Qiao stroked it while smiling. “I’ll take one, then.”
From beside him came the sweet voice of a child. “Uncle, Uncle, my brother broke my little bamboo chick, so Father told me to come and buy another!”
The peddler must have known the girl’s parents. “Your little brother was being naughty again? But I don’t have any bamboo chicks left. The one you bought before was the last. It takes a long time to weave one, and Uncle is busy right now, so I’ll weave one for you in a couple of days!”
“Then I’ll help Uncle out here!” said the little girl. “That way, Uncle can finish selling faster. Could you weave me a chick sooner, then?”
The peddler burst out laughing. “What can you help me with? Hurry on home, or your parents will worry when they can’t find you!”
“Oh.” Filled with disappointment, the little girl seemed to be on the verge of tears.