Chapter 68
WHEN THE SECOND merry verse came to an end, all fell silent on the wall. The sound of a tanpura cut through the quiet. Only a few tentative notes were plucked, as though the player was testing the strings, before a rich, melodious voice began to sing.
Duan Ling stood, straightened his robes, and went into the courtyard to receive the young men. This was also part of the serenade tradition: If the bride was too shy to emerge, her brother was allowed to step out in her stead. Since young men within the same tribe generally knew one another, oftentimes the groom was already a good friend of the maiden’s brother or her other relatives. When the brother responded in place of the bride, it signaled his approval of the marriage and allowed the groom to proceed with offering the betrothal gifts. Conveniently in this case, it was quite acceptable for Duan Ling to answer on Yao Jing’s behalf.
He still remembered several Tangut songs he’d learned in the past, albeit only a few short verses; hopefully it was enough for the occasion.
The young man was seated atop the wall with the tanpura cradled in his arms, his voice rising and falling. One leg was drawn up and propped on the wall while the other dangled freely, his face turned to show only his profile. The early afternoon sun spilled into the yard from behind him, obscuring his figure in its dazzling glow. He was wearing Tangut riding robes in a deep navy blue, embroidered with the tribe’s totem, the wild goose. Four precious lapis lazuli rings shone on his fingers as he plucked the strings of his long-necked instrument.
As soon as the young man’s song ended, Duan Ling opened his mouth to respond with his own. His melodious voice was gentle and rich, flowing like the Kherlen River of the steppes.
Wu Du glanced back toward the yard and froze at the sight before him. Duan Ling’s face, bathed in sunlight, wore an easy smile. His fine features and the rosy flush on his fair complexion gave him the appearance of a lush tree in full bloom—brimming with life, scattering its sweet fragrance on the vernal breeze.
Letting himself fall backward, Wu Du lay down on the roof, crossing one dangling leg over the other. He closed his eyes, basking in the sun and listening to Duan Ling’s singing. Moments later, the tanpura joined as accompaniment—the young man, it seemed, also found Duan Ling’s voice pleasing to the ear. As he played, the young man happened to look down into the courtyard and promptly stilled in surprise.
Caught up in the moment, Duan Ling kept on singing his verses despite the music stopping. He hadn’t gotten a good look at the young man earlier and was caught completely off guard when he leapt down from the wall right into the courtyard.
What’re you doing? You aren’t supposed to come in! Duan Ling thought, his song unfinished.
But the young man rushed straight for Duan Ling.
Shocked speechless but still amused by the young man’s display, Duan Ling ducked inside the building to continue his song. But the young man, relentless, stayed right on Duan Ling’s heels.
This drama sparked greater excitement in the other young men of the bridal escort party, and with an uproarious cheer, they too swarmed down into the courtyard, raising a huge ruckus. Up on the roof, a baffled Wu Du heard Duan Ling’s running footsteps heading toward the inner hall, but when he opened his eyes and swept a look down at the courtyard, no one was there. Brows drawn low, he hopped down from the eaves.
“Wait, wait, wait!” cried the young man with the tanpura as he chased Duan Ling through the inner hall and into a room in the side wing. “Wait! Stop!”
At the sound of his voice, a shock so great went through Duan Ling it was as if he’d been struck by lightning. He whirled around and saw Helian Bo.
The sight of his old friend left him wordless.
Helian Bo was in a similar, dumbfounded state, like he was dreaming. With an almighty shout, Duan Ling ran toward Helian Bo and the two locked one another in a tight embrace. Almost instantly, they realized the danger of such familiarity and broke apart. Thankfully no one else was around to witness them.
“Duan…Ling!” Helian Bo’s lips trembled; he stepped forward again, wanting to hug Duan Ling once more.
Tears filled Duan Ling’s eyes—he never thought he’d run into Helian Bo, especially at a time like this. But considering the circumstances, he exclaimed, “Don’t ask! I’ll explain everything later!”
Perplexed, Helian Bo clung tightly to Duan Ling’s hands.
“Quick, go back!” Duan Ling urged. “I’ll come find you later!”
A commotion had erupted outside the room as the rowdy boys gathered around Yao Jing.
Duan Ling shook off Helian Bo’s grasp and said firmly, “Helian! Listen to me!”
Undeterred, Helian Bo tugged on Duan Ling’s sleeve. “W-we’ll t-talk over th-there—”
“No, we can’t, not right now—I promise I’ll come find you later tonight!” Duan Ling exclaimed. He gestured for him to lean closer. Helian Bo, already tall even back at Ming Academy, had grown even more so. Still confused, he obediently bent down, tilting his head for Duan Ling to whisper in his ear, “I’m Zhao Rong right now. Don’t call me Duan—”
“What’re you doing?! Let go of him!” Wu Du’s furious shout interrupted.
He’d caught up to the pair, but the scene he’d stumbled upon looked as if Helian Bo had Duan Ling caught in his arms and was pressing his face close to kiss him. The sight froze Wu Du for a split second before rage engulfed him.
Helian Bo released Duan Ling and spun around to face Wu Du, snapping, “Get lost!”
Before Helian Bo could register what was happening, Wu Du had already darted forward, grabbed him by the collar, and punched him.
Please, let me die, was Duan Ling’s single mortified thought.
At Helian Bo’s pained shout, the rowdy noise outside quieted at once, and his guards rushed in to find Wu Du still punching him. Sabers sprang from sheaths.
“Stop!” Duan Ling roared, throwing himself between the two men and forcing Wu Du to back off.
Helian Bo, though certainly in a sorry state, wasn’t badly hurt. His basic martial arts skills had helped him fend off some of the blows, and Wu Du had clearly held back some of his strength, meaning only to teach him a lesson.
Wu Du jabbed a finger at Helian Bo as Duan Ling pushed him to one side, blocking him with an outstretched hand. “What were you doing, getting handsy with him?! Touch him again and I’ll kill you!”