TSLSILMH Ch 24

Chapter 24

A second time?

When Yu Chuxi heard the low laughter by his ear, the tips of his ears unconsciously heated up, and he suddenly recalled that he had, in fact, seen Xie Shu once before.

That day, after Yu Wanchun had left Jinling and he had arranged all the personnel properly, someone came to report that Xie Shu was dying.

Yu Chuxi had not seen Xie Shu for a period of time back then, and he did not know his recent condition. On hearing this news, he was inevitably shocked.

In addition, that day happened to be the very day of their agreed three-year period for separation. Yu Chuxi could not help wondering at that time: why, of all times, did he fall ill at such a moment?

But since it was a matter of life and death, Yu Chuxi still went at once, and even called for the best physician in the city.

Now, thinking back, Yu Chuxi suddenly felt a bit fortunate—fortunate that he had not ignored it at the time, otherwise how could he have gained such a good Xie Shu?

Yu Chuxi remembered when he had come into Xie Shu’s sickroom; the gravely ill man’s face was deathly pale, his body frail and broken, looking naturally unattractive. Yet when he unexpectedly opened his eyes from unconsciousness, those azure eyes looked toward him, and Yu Chuxi could not help but find him somewhat pitiable.

So, at that time… had “he” already come?

At that thought, Yu Chuxi could not help stealing another glance at him.

Just then, when Xie Shu saw that Yu Chuxi was reminiscing about that day, he, too, opened his mouth to answer the young lord’s question. “That day, when I first opened my eyes, the person I saw was you, my lord. Though I did not see your face clearly, I merely remembered that beneath the corner of your eye there was a beauty mark—a tear mole—that was hard for one to forget once seen.”

A tear mole?

Yu Chuxi subconsciously touched the red mole at the corner of his eye. Was the “tear mole” he referred to this?

But Yu Chuxi had never heard such a strange name before. That mole was a mark of the shuang’er¹. Ordinary people either called it a red mole, or else… a “pregnancy mole,” though Yu Chuxi disliked both terms. He usually hated others mentioning it, and even more hated others looking at his red mole.

Yet Xie Shu’s tone carried none of the vulgar teasing that people often used when speaking of a shuang’er’s red mole. His words were as mild and even as flowing water.

Therefore the feeling of rejection in Yu Chuxi’s heart subsided greatly, and he could not help but look at him with some inexplicable wonder. “What is this ‘tear mole’ supposed to mean?”

Looking at Yu Chuxi’s puzzled expression, Xie Shu quickly understood. In this era, people did not really have many such sayings about moles. Perhaps, for a shuang’er, this mole was indeed considered something special.

Xie Shu had originally been about to explain directly, but he recalled once seeing some casual remarks in his previous world, saying that those with a tear mole were destined to suffer for love, to be trapped by emotions, and prone to tears. But such words, Xie Shu did not wish to speak aloud.

The young lord should live his whole life in peace and happiness, not… like that.

So Xie Shu smiled lightly and said instead: “I once heard it said that the mole beneath the corner of the eye is the form of condensed tears. Perhaps, in a past life, there was someone who shed tears for you and prayed that you might live happily. Thus, in this lifetime, you will always be happy, and you will never need to shed tears again.”

Yu Chuxi listened dazedly to these words. He had never known there could be such an interpretation—that his red mole at the corner of his eye could also be called a tear mole.

But the way he spoke it was so gentle, so persuasive, that even if it were an impromptu fabrication, Yu Chuxi still wanted to believe it.

And when Xie Shu had mentioned “someone had once wept for him,” Yu Chuxi’s heart stirred slightly. Could it be, aside from merely making him happy, this also carried some other hidden meaning…?

Yu Chuxi had once heard the maids around him say that men outside, when coaxing people, spouted sweet words one after another without cost. Many well-bred girls and shuang’er who did not know how things were really done were often tricked and deceived by such words.

But looking into Xie Shu’s eyes—even now—those eyes were still as clear and gentle as ever, without even a trace that could be called “flirtatious.”

No different than before.

For a moment, Yu Chuxi could not even name the emotion in his chest. From beginning to end, this person… had always been this way.

Yu Chuxi suddenly stared fixedly into Xie Shu’s eyes and asked, “Then who was that person who shed tears for me in a past life?”

Xie Shu paused slightly, not knowing how he ought to answer. The young lord’s gaze was too bright, as though he truly longed for some kind of answer.

At such a moment Xie Shu could easily have taken the most clichéd excuse, such as saying it was a former lover in a past life.

Yet when the thought arose, he found himself frowning ever so faintly.

At that moment, Yu Chuxi narrowed his eyes at him and asked with a slight smile, “So you were deceiving me?”

Xie Shu showed a helpless smile, then deliberately deflected, replying lightly, “How could I know who exactly your past-life benefactor was? But you need not worry, my lord. I heard another saying: that the tear mole is the mark of recognition between two predestined souls. So, one day, my lord will surely find that person.”

Hearing this, the arc of Yu Chuxi’s lips did not fade but instead deepened slightly. Gazing silently at the man before him, he thought inwardly—he had already been found.

Seeing that his young lord was finally gladdened, Xie Shu also breathed out in relief. To spin an invention and still speak it with coherence was no small difficulty.

Afterward, the two continued walking along the riverbank. Xie Shu casually picked a willow branch to sweep aside the path for the young lord, lest the grass and plants scratch at his spring robe.

By now it was nearing noon. The sunshine was gentle without being harsh. A delicate spring breeze came blowing, stirring up the river’s surface in glittering ripples. All around was brilliant blossom and lush spring grass.

Such a scene was even more beautiful than the deliberately arranged gardens of the Western Park that day.

At this time, Xie Shu seemed to recall something. With the willow branch, he idly drew a light mark in the damp riverbank soil and said, “My lord, there is still one matter I wish to discuss with you.”

Yu Chuxi turned his head to look at him, quietly attentive.

Xie Shu could not help but smile faintly and said, “My lord, all this time I have been thinking about my plans for the future.”

He paused and then continued, “I, now, neither know worldly affairs, nor am I versed in social conventions. I am capable of nothing, and must ask my lord’s indulgence again and again. Moreover, I see that the empire now chooses its talents through the imperial civil examinations², caring not for ancestry, giving opportunity alike to noble clans and poor scholars. This may be my chance to try. In the coming two years, I will devote myself to the examinations. But if I do so, I cannot share your burdens, and may have to rely more upon your forbearance.”

As he said this, his words inevitably carried a trace of shame.

Before now, Xie Shu had never thought he, as a man, would have to be supported by another… and that the person supporting him was the young lord himself.

Yet it was precisely because it was this young lord that Xie Shu could bring himself to confess openly.

The young lord, as lofty as the clear sky and pure moon, flawless as fine jade—telling such plans to him, Xie Shu could trust that the young lord would respond candidly no matter what he thought. In such a way, without need for guessing at each other’s intentions, was precisely the manner of companionship that Xie Shu cherished.

At this moment, Yu Chuxi’s eyes glimmered with a peculiar light. He had never expected to hear such words.

Xie Shu was not merely discussing plans for the future, but also expressing gratitude for his tolerance and understanding. Not many men in this world could do so—especially in matters of feelings and dependence.

Yu Chuxi actually did not feel that he had helped Xie Shu that much. The man was his husband-in-law, after all—what did it matter that he ate and used what was his? Even if he lived here forever, what of it?

Yet now, more and more, Yu Chuxi simply wanted to be good to him.

So Yu Chuxi lowered his voice and said, “Be at ease. I understand. From now, you need only tend to your own concerns in peace. Do not worry about me—I have little here that can trouble the mind.”

Currently, most of the Yu family’s industries were already in his hands. Even his father had come gradually to recognize and trust him. Only his second uncle, Yu Wanchun, still watched with hungry eyes from the side.

But Yu Chuxi was not afraid. Should his uncle harbor further schemes, he would not hesitate to cast aside familial sentiment.

Meanwhile, the serving girls, seeing their masters still not returning, could not resist standing up to peek. Only then did they spot the two of them chatting by the river.

The young lord was clad in pure white, while Gentleman Xie wore blue. They looked perfectly harmonious together. The two even drew casually on the stones and earth, as though no different from those youthful couples seen in pairs by the roadside.

The maids could not hold back giggling.

“Nowadays, Young Master Xie and our lord get along better and better.”

“Yes indeed. The young lord is beautiful, but Young Master Xie is no less fine. Together they look like a pair of matched jade.”

“When do you think our lord and Master Xie will truly come together as a couple?”

Speaking of this, a few little maids blushed. They had overheard others saying that married couples were meant to share one bed, yet now the young lord and Master Xie still did not dwell in the same room, so that could not yet count as a true marriage.

Hearing such words, Fenghe chided them softly, “The affairs of the young lord must not be spoken of.”

Seeing that, though her tone was stern, her face showed no true anger, the little maids stuck out their tongues and hurriedly ran off.

By the side, however, Ximo thought silently to herself: The young master must truly strive for it!

By afternoon, the sunlight grew warmer and stronger. Though shaded by trees, after walking for long they inevitably grew tired.

So the two ate a little food, lay down upon mats for a brief nap, and only then decided to return.

On the way, the horses’ hooves fell with unhurried rhythm. The spring breeze was pleasant. Neither spoke much, only quietly savoring the rare peace together.

When their carriage entered Jinling’s city gates, a man dressed as a steward was anxiously looking around, as though he had been waiting long.

Seeing the Yu family carriage, his eyes lit up and he quickly rushed over.

The guards recognized him as one of the trading company men. After obtaining Yu Chuxi’s leave, they permitted him to board.

Once aboard, the man glanced once at Xie Shu, then bent his head to report: “Young master, trouble has arisen with the Mingchuan Shipping Company. They say that a batch of goods delivered by our firm has an issue. The shopkeeper is handling it already, but it may still require your personal involvement.”

At these words, Yu Chuxi frowned slightly. The Mingchuan Shipping Company was the largest shipping business in the region and had always been on good terms with the Yu family. If it were not serious, they would certainly not have made such a commotion.

Well enough—it was best to go quickly. He could question the details on the way.

But since the Mingchuan offices were by the riverside wharf, and entirely the opposite direction from the Yu estate, Yu Chuxi could not bring Xie Shu along. After all, who knew how long such matters might take to settle?

Just as he was about to explain, Xie Shu himself suggested that he and Ximo alight first. From that steward’s glance at him earlier, Xie Shu guessed there must be matters unsuited for his ears. Besides, he himself knew little of trade, so why hinder his lord’s urgent business?

Conveniently, he also wished to stroll with Ximo and buy some books.

Seeing him so inclined, Yu Chuxi, who had originally intended to send another carriage to deliver him back, did not press the point further.

And when Xie Shu stepped down from the carriage, he even glanced back, nodding softly toward the young lord.

At this hour, the day was not yet late. The city gates thronged with crowds, carriages and horses passing endlessly, voices of peddlers and cries of vendors rising without cease. Xie Shu, with Ximo by his side, headed for one of the side streets.

Just then, a man dressed and styled with nothing remarkable brushed past him exactly at the shoulder. In that instant, he shoved a crumpled ball of paper into his hand.

Author’s note:

In classical usage, to call someone “pitiful” (可憐) often meant not pathetic, but rather “endearingly lovable, evoking tenderness.”

Footnotes

1. Imperial civil examinations (科舉) – The official system by which talents were selected for government service in imperial China. It theoretically disregarded family lineage, allowing both aristocrats and commoners to compete.