Chapter 10 – Silver Ring Snake

After leaving the house with a full stomach, He Zhiqiu headed straight to his creditor’s home without stopping. He paid back the fifty taels of silver, reclaimed the mortgaged deed, then exchanged the remaining ten taels into small change. Taking advantage of the New Year, he visited each creditor’s home to repay the debts he owed, presented gifts to his teacher, bought medicine for his mother along with some meat, chicken, and rice. After completing these tasks in one go, he returned home, only to hear his gambling father cursing from bed: “Where have you been all day? I’m starving, my legs hurt like hell, ungrateful son, I’ll report you to the government for disobedience!”

He Zhiqiu ignored him, merely pulling out two cold zongzi from the basket and tossing them onto his father’s body. His father, regardless of the cold, greedily tore open the bamboo leaves with both hands while mumbling curses—primarily about He Zhiqiu not finding a doctor for his leg and deliberately not feeding him.

With an indifferent expression, He Zhiqiu left and fetched the medicine that the pharmacy had helped to brew, bringing it inside for his mother to drink.

His mother was on the bed, tears falling as she saw him enter. “Why did you buy more medicine? Others are about to seize our house. Although this house is poor and old, it could still fetch a hundred taels on a good day. Now it’s been maliciously undervalued; it’s hateful that no one is helping. Your maternal uncle came over today and gave me three hundred coins. You should take them and rent a room, settle down first, so you don’t miss the Spring Imperial Examination.”

Seeing his mother’s loving admonishments, He Zhiqiu’s eyes reddened. “Mother, there’s no need to worry. I’ve found a way out. I sold some of my poetry manuscripts for money, and I’ve redeemed the deed. Mother, please focus on recovering from your illness.” He then placed steamed white sugar longevity cakes and five-spice eggs he had just bought beside her. “Mother, please eat. Get well soon, so your child can concentrate on preparing for the exams. Don’t tell Father about this. Just say I found someone to delay things temporarily, so Father doesn’t know about repaying the gambling debt and cause trouble again.”

His mother choked up, sobbing uncontrollably. “My child…you’ve suffered…it’s our fault…your father is a scoundrel, but fortunately, now that his leg is broken, he shouldn’t be able to go out and gamble anymore. Study hard for the exam. Eventually, you’ll make something of yourself and show those who look down on others how outstanding my child is! Then, we’ll find you a good marriage…”

She had been bedridden due to anxiety. Seeing her son solve the biggest problem—the house was saved—her heart eased. After taking the medicine and having a full meal, her illness improved significantly. She could even get up to cook chicken soup herself. She also made arrangements to send a bowl to her husband lying in bed, finally stopping his cursing.

He Zhiqiu felt a pang of sympathy but was relieved. With a book to purchase and the Spring Imperial Examination revision looming, time was short. He comforted his mother, then returned to his room. Lighting a lamp, he took out paper, beginning to think about how to write the Southern Wind Book.

After a hectic day, He Zhiqiu felt hungry when he calmed down. He couldn’t help recalling the taste of the flatbread he had eaten at the bookstore earlier. Worried that they wouldn’t sell, he had tucked a roll of flatbread into his sleeve, planning to give it to his mother upon returning home to ease her hunger. Later, after receiving money, he bought freshly steamed longevity cakes outside, forgetting about the flatbread. Though cold, it was genuine flatbread with real pepper. He fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out a thin red envelope alongside the thin pancake.

It took him a moment to remember that it was the “lubrication fee” given by Xu Chun earlier. He estimated that it probably contained some copper coins for good luck. Opening the red envelope, he shook it out, revealing a hollow golden leaf—a pure gold ginkgo note, shiny and dazzling, adorned with fine silk tassels. This was a golden bookmark, used to mark pages in books.

He Zhiqiu recalled seeing similar elegant and exquisite bookmarks for sale in the Xianyun Bookstore. This pure gold one had some thickness, likely several grams. Especially with its exquisite craftsmanship, it could fetch several taels of silver. The young rich man was indeed generous, casually giving out gold in a red envelope.

He Zhiqiu played with it in his hand for a while, then casually inserted the golden ginkgo bookmark into a book. Deciding that since his financial situation had improved, there was no need to sell the bookmark yet. Keeping it would serve as a memento. If he ever succeeded in passing the imperial examinations and was marked by the red robe examiner, he would repay the young owner of the bookstore.

==

Xu Chun had long forgotten about his impromptu act of generosity. That night, he went to the Thousand Autumns Pavilion to watch a play, but it wasn’t very interesting alone. After the play, seeing that it was late and not wanting to return to the Duke’s Mansion, he leisurely rode his horse back to his small residence in Bamboo Branch Lane.

Recently, he loved Bamboo Branch Lane but also feared returning to it, as every visit reminded him of Prince Helan, making him feel even worse.

The night was deep, the dew heavy, and everything was quiet, nearing curfew time. Xu Chun stood upstairs, looking down at the silent winter night. He thought about seeing Prince Helan braving the sudden rain, walking against the wind and rain, like a dragon amidst clouds. Having had a few cups of fruit wine that evening, he let himself indulge in memories and imagination, seemingly hearing the faint sound of hooves.

Surprised, he momentarily couldn’t distinguish whether it was his imagination or if someone was really riding through the cold night during curfew.

He looked down toward the sound of the hooves. Indeed, a magnificent horse was galloping through the heavy dew in the thick darkness. The horse was entirely black, except for a silver crest on its forehead and silver-white hooves, similar to the horse he had seen Prince Helan riding. The rider’s shoulders were straight, his posture like a spear. His heart pounded, and he almost leaned over the railing of the small building, stretching his neck to tightly focus on the man on the horse. As he approached, the wine he drank earlier seemed to surge to his head with his racing blood. He excitedly shouted, “Prince Helan!”

The horse galloped closer. The man pulled on the reins and looked up at him. In the dark night, his facial features were indistinguishable, but his eyes were sharp. Xu Chun, after his initial excitement and slight regret, didn’t know what to say. However, he noticed the rider’s body sway, and he actually fell off the horse!

Xu Chun was shocked, nearly sprinting down the stairs, opening the back door, and rushing out. Xia Chao and Donghai, the servants waiting in the room, saw him running downstairs without knowing why, but hurriedly followed.

Outside the courtyard wall, the horse was circling the man, whinnying uneasily. Xu Chun practically pounced next to Xie Yi, kneeling beside him without caring about the icy frost on the ground. Lowering his head to support Xie Yi, he felt the man’s body burning hot, breathing rapidly. He asked anxiously, “Prince Helan, did you fall? Can you stand?”

Xie Yi’s voice was weak. “Help me inside, bring the horse in too. Someone is chasing me. Don’t leave any traces to invite trouble.”

Xu Chun hurriedly reached out to help Xie Yi up. The two book boys rushed forward to assist. However, Xie Yi was completely limp, unable to stand. Seeing Xu Chun struggling, suddenly, two more servants emerged from the gate. One of them said, “Young Master, let me handle it.”

Xu Chun was delighted to see Chunxi. “Chunxi, quickly carry him inside. Donghai, fetch the medical kit; he might have fallen somewhere.”

Dizzy and disoriented, Xie Yi saw Chunxi approach, effortlessly lifting him into his arms. The others supported his legs, carrying him into the courtyard in a few steps. Chunxi, clearly incredibly strong, lifted Xie Yi onto the second floor bedroom and gently laid him down. Donghai, another servant, ran over with a medical kit. Xu Chun repeatedly urged, “Quickly fetch the bruise ointment!”

Xie Yi placed a hand on him, his voice low but calm. “It’s not a fall injury; it’s a venomous snake. Find some antidote. The snake I killed is in the saddlebag; take it down and see what kind of snake it is.”

Xu Chun was alarmed, and Donghai’s face changed as he rushed over. “Where did it bite? How long ago?”

Xie Yi felt waves of darkness clouding his vision, his eyelids heavy, wanting to sleep. “Inner right thigh, fifteen minutes ago. I tied my belt around it to prevent the poison from spreading.”

Xu Chun immediately lifted his robe, seeing the belt wrapped around the right leg, with bloodstains on the trousers below. Donghai rushed over, cutting open the robe and pants, gasping. Xia Chao, meanwhile, had already run back up with the severed snake in three pieces. All the lights in the room were lit, illuminating the scene brightly. Donghai glanced at the snake. “Silver Ring Snake. Not good, we need to quickly squeeze out all the venom—don’t let him sleep.”

Xu Chun was on the verge of tears, lowering his head to suck the venom from Xie Yi’s leg. Xie Yi stopped him with a hand. The servants, now in a panic, rushed over. “Young Master!” “Prince!” “Don’t do anything rash!” “Let us handle it!” They yelled in chaos.

Their loyalty was touching, and Xie Yi couldn’t help but want to smile. Donghai said, “Don’t panic! Listen to me. Brother Chunxi, go downstairs and find Lao Liu for his leeches to treat rheumatism. Bring the whole jar up!” “Young Master, bring the medicine pouch Grandpa gave you. I remember there’s an antidote inside, made from seven-leaf and one-flower. Mix it with yellow rice wine and have him take it.”

Xu Chun remembered that his grandfather had indeed given him emergency pills for personal use, which did contain an antidote. His hands shaking, he untied it from his waist, pouring it out. Donghai picked up the yellow wax pill, crushed it, took out the pill inside, and held it to Xie Yi’s mouth. Xia Chao brought over the yellow rice wine, and Xu Chun hurriedly took it, watching Xie Yi.

Xie Yi opened his mouth, took a few sips of yellow rice wine, chewed the pill, and swallowed it. Then, Chunxi carried the leech jar up, panting heavily. “Move aside, the leeches are here.”

Donghai reached out with chopsticks to pick up the leeches and place them on the wound. After attaching four or five, they began sucking blood. Xu Chun held Xie Yi’s body, his head lowered, watching the wound. Xie Yi felt Xu Chun’s arm trembling as he held him. He patted him. “Don’t be nervous. Life and death are fate.”

Xu Chun said tremulously, “Don’t talk nonsense, you’ll be alright. Don’t sleep.” Tears fell from his lowered lashes.

Xie Yi watched the leeches on his leg sucking blood, their bodies curling into a ball as they fell to the ground one by one. Donghai quickly picked up a few more and attached them to the wound. The leeches began to suck again. Xie Yi thought that the group of imperial doctors in the palace probably wouldn’t have imagined such a folk remedy for extracting venom. During the New Year, court sessions had been suspended, and there were few on-duty imperial doctors. Tonight, they were all summoned by the Empress Dowager, claiming she was unwell.

Riding a horse alone in the imperial garden at night wasn’t much of a secret; a little inquiry would reveal it. Putting a hibernating venomous snake inside the saddle and summoning all the imperial doctors to the Shoukang Palace…if he returned now to call for the imperial doctors, by the time they arrived, diagnosed him, and found the antidote for snake venom, he would likely be dead.

Xie Yi closed his eyes, wanting to rest a bit, but was shaken by Xu Chun. “Don’t sleep! Prince Helan…”

Slightly helpless, Xie Yi opened his eyes, looking at the spoiled son with tear-filled cat-like eyes, staring at him anxiously. He said, “No problem, the medicine has taken effect. I’m feeling better. Let me lie down.”

Xu Chun clung tightly to him, refusing to let go, then looked at Donghai, who was holding a silver needle. “How is it?”

Donghai observed Xie Yi’s pupils, lip color, and opened his mouth to check his tongue. He said, “Timely treatment prevented the venom from spreading. Don’t panic. I’ll give him a few acupuncture needles to protect his heart meridian. I’ll also ask my master to come over and take a look. Young Master, don’t worry. There’s hope.”