TSLSILMH Ch 45

by berry

Chapter 45

How could this be?

Xie Shu remembered sending Xi Mo back with a message—it had already been two shichen (about four hours). Even if the boy was delayed on errands, he could not have taken so long.

Unless…

A sudden flash struck his mind. If someone had been watching them, Xi Mo—his close servant—slipping out of Jiang’s residence alone would have been the perfect chance to strike.

His eyes darkened instantly.

These past months, Xi Mo had always accompanied him. At first, the boy’s lively, cheerful nature had helped Xie Shu feel less lost in this alien world. Though Xie Shu himself was reserved, he had come to appreciate Xi Mo’s energy. Nominally master and servant, yet Xie Shu bore him more as elder brother and guide.

If Xi Mo lost his life for his sake—how could he rest easy?

Yu Chuxi had never seen him like this—face pale, gaze sharp. Yu guessed at once.

He tightened his hold on Xie Shu’s hand. With a soft voice he asked: “Xi Mo—something’s happened? Tell me.”

He then added gently, to soothe him: “Xi Mo is clever. He’ll be fine.”

Xie Shu turned back to see those clear eyes glowing with concern, and his heart softened. He patted Yu’s hand, and briefly recounted the situation.

Yu thought deeply: “From Wenqi Ward back to here there are two streets he must pass. Both are busy with people—hardly deserted. If he was attacked, there are only a few likely spots. I’ll send Yu family’s men to search at once, and notify the constables. We will have answers.”

Xie Shu nodded. “Thank you, Young Lord. I’ll sketch Xi Mo’s likeness for them—it may help.”

So the two divided tasks. Xie Shu set off for the constables.

It was Head Constable Wang who received him. Somewhat surprised—the young scholar again? But Wang respected him. Last time, with Xie Shu’s aid, he had solved a tricky case, gained reward and favor. He viewed him now as a helpful ally.

But still—losing a servant for only a couple hours—was that cause for alarm? Unusual. But he could not refuse.

Together, they retraced Xi Mo’s route. Soon, Wang realized this was no mere runaway. The boy had been taken.

A witness was found. Showing them Xie Shu’s portrait sketch of Xi Mo, sharper and truer than any official likeness, a tea-seller recalled:

“Yes—an hour ago, a youth like this ran right into my stall. Knocked over drinks. Apologized. Said he was in a rush—to leave the city.”

Wang blinked. Not home? Out of the city?

Xie Shu’s eyes narrowed. That explained it. When Xi Mo noticed himself being tailed, he dared not head home—lest he bring danger to Yu’s house. So he fled toward the city gate instead. Amid bustling crowds, he could perhaps shake pursuit.

Clever boy.

But why not cry out for help? Likely the stalker had been too near—no chance. Or he wished to avoid panic.

Just in case, Xie Shu inspected the drink cart. “Permit me to examine your stand. Might he have left something hidden?”

Beneath twin layers—herb water above, ice beneath—they found a damp letter, blurred but still recognizable. It was the very message Xie Shu had entrusted to Xi Mo.

So—Xi Mo, fearing capture, had hidden it there to prevent discovery.

Xie Shu took it back, relief flooding him. Yet he pressed further: “And afterward—did anyone check here?”

The tea-seller thought hard. “No one searched. But later, a man bought this drink. Not local. He frowned at the taste, stood long, added ice, but hardly drank.”

Not local. Suspicious.

They drew his likeness from the seller’s description. Xie Shu sketched just as before, summoning the stranger’s form in strokes precise and clear. Even Constable Wang was impressed at such lifelike artistry.

At last, Xie Shu returned to Yu Chuxi.

There, the Young Lord had tidings of his own.

“Xi Mo left the city an hour ago,” he reported. “But not alone. He was aboard a wagon—one that carries refuse each day beyond the gates.”

Xie Shu froze. Then his lips curved faint, relief clear.

“Yes,” Yu continued, “Our men learned it was driven by a harmless old farmer, not a thief. Likely Xi Mo clambered aboard in panic, escaping pursuit. We’ve dispatched riders to bring him back. He will be safe.”

Joy warmed Xie Shu’s heart. So the boy had managed.

He turned and looked at Yu Chuxi—lashes like ink, eyes like shining water. Unable to resist, Xie Shu playfully brushed a finger against the pale bridge of his nose. “And what thoughts amuse you so?”

Caught off guard at such sudden closeness, Yu blinked, face flushing. But those gentle eyes—smiling down, so fond—they left him trembling.

After a moment, Yu half-turned away, coughing lightly. Then, with lips sharp but voice low, he said: “If you must know—it was the waste-collector’s wagon.”

Xie Shu laughed softly, heart finally eased.

Footnotes

時辰 (Shichen) – Ancient Chinese units of time, each lasting two modern hours. Two shichen thus equals about 4 hours.
文啓坊 (Wenqi Ward) – Prestigious eastern district of Jinling, home to wealthy/gentry families.
香薷飲 (Xiangru Yin) – A seasonal herbal cooling drink, brewed from Elsholtzia herb, unique to the Jiangnan region, believed to dispel heat and toxins. Popular among commoners in summer.
畫像傳神 (Portrait likeness) – Qing officials often used crude witness sketches. Here Xie Shu’s drawing surpasses artisans, showing his modern ability influencing investigation.
夜香 (Ye Xiang / Night Soil) – Polite term for human waste. Collected daily in many old cities by wagons, then carted outside the city for farming use. A common sight in traditional life.