Chapter 7 – Dreaming of You

Qiu Hu led him downstairs to the flower hall, “The food has been laid out below. Please follow me, esteemed guests, to have some hot soup and warm your bodies.”

Xie Yi got up and went downstairs, glancing at Donghai, the servant boy who was waiting nearby. This child was about the same age as Qiu Hu, yet he remained silent, an interesting contrast to the talkative and clever Qiu Hu.

The flower hall was very open, and it still featured large green glass windows and a set of black lacquer furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A green vase with flowers stood on a table. Xu Chun stood by the door of the flower hall, personally held the curtain for him, his face still somewhat stiff. “Lord Helan, please take the seat of honor. There are just a few simple dishes; I wonder if they suit your taste.”

A round table was set with many dishes, all steaming and plentiful, which indicated a wealthy household. Xie Yi usually didn’t place much importance on the pleasures of eating, but now, as he smelled the aroma, he actually felt a bit hungry. He calmly walked over and sat at the head of the table, while Xu Chun accompanied him at the lower end. The two guards didn’t dare sit, but Xie Yi ordered them, “Sit. It would be impolite to refuse. Don’t let the host’s efforts go to waste.”

Xu Chun knew he had a point. His face was slightly red as he poured tea for Xie Yi, and he didn’t dare to say a word.

Then, the previous old woman came in with her sleeves rolled up and carried a shallow earthenware jar, which she placed in the center. She lifted the lid, and the fragrance filled the air. It was a large pot of abalone, the tender golden grains of corn submerged in the broth like full pearls, bright and rich. The broth was thick, and each abalone inside was huge, even better quality than an imperial tribute.

The old woman smiled as she introduced it, “It’s made with chicken broth and sweet corn. The corn is so fresh, we spent quite some time picking it, and it tastes very sweet! There’s also salted stir-fried broad beans, crabs roasted with coarse salt, pea shoots and thousand-layer tofu simmered in chicken broth, grilled bamboo shoots, river shrimp stir-fried with leeks, and braised ox tails, all carefully prepared by this old woman, very clean. Guests, please eat slowly. If there’s anything you need, just tell this old woman. I’ll be waiting in the kitchen.”

Another young servant in blue clothes whom they hadn’t seen before came in with a wine jug and cups. Xu Chun asked Xie Yi, “You were caught in the rain earlier, so there might be a chill. I’ve had someone warm the wine. It’s wolfberry mulberry wine, rather sweet, brewed this year. Would you like a drink?”

Xie Yi nodded slightly, “I can have three cups.”

The boy then came to pour the wine. The wine appeared deep red in the white jade wine cup, crystal clear and thick, with a rich aroma, indeed not ordinary. Xie Yi took a sip, then looked at the boy and asked, “Is this boy called Chunxi?” Xu Chun was startled, the blue-clothed boy grinned. “My lord, my name is Xia Chao.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly, “Qiu Hu takes care of clothes, Donghai takes care of pens and ink. So, you must be in charge of meals?”

Xia Chao laughed, “Yes.”

Xie Yi asked him with interest, “Since you’re in charge of meals, I suppose you’re young but have some special skills in cooking?”

Xia Chao’s eyes sparkled as he glanced at Xu Chun, who said quietly, “He has a sensitive tongue.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly, as if he was just asking casually. He smiled and looked down at the four plump translucent wontons in the deep bowl in front of him. He scooped them up with a spoon and ate them slowly before asking Xu Chun, “Are these meat dumplings?”

“Yes,” Xu Chun replied.

Xie Yi picked up an abalone to taste, and it was indeed rich and tender, with a delicate and fresh broth. He started eating slowly, his movements graceful and his posture relaxed. Xu Chun found it pleasing to watch, barely tasted his own food, and occasionally stole a glance at Xie Yi.

Xie Yi was truly impressed by those cat-like eyes. Since he was constantly looking at himself, he didn’t mind. He finished eating and put down his chopsticks. Xu Chun hurriedly poured him a cup of tea. Xie Yi took a sip and found it sweet and rich. He asked, “What kind of tea is this?”

“It’s Golden Thread Orchid tea,” Xu Chun replied.

Xie Yi wasn’t very familiar with it, so he glanced at Xia Chao. Xia Chao was quick-witted and hurriedly explained, “This Golden Thread Orchid is a rare medicinal tea from the Fujian region. It only grows in the deep forests, very precious. It’s highly nourishing and beneficial for health, cooling heat, clearing blood, dispelling wind and dampness, relieving pain and cough…it can cure many diseases!”

Xie Yi nodded slightly because he knew that this was a tribute from the previous dynasty. Although he wasn’t enthusiastic about such things, he knew that the Empress Dowager loved this Golden Thread Orchid. Every year, the Golden Thread Orchid tributes were sent to the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Xu Chun said softly, “I added a few drops of locust honey, in case you don’t like it.” After drinking another cup of wine, emboldened by the alcohol, he continued, “My mother’s title, did Lord Helan help arrange it? I haven’t thanked you yet…”

Looking at him, Xie Yi asked, “How do you plan to thank me?”

Xu Chun was swept away by his eyes, like the autumn waters of a cold pond, his mouth dry. “If there’s anything I can do for you, my lord, please don’t hesitate to command me…”

Xie Yi chuckled, “No need. I’ve already received my payment, and it’s not low. Ten thousand taels of silver, enough to reach the gods. How much more could it be for a title your mother should have had in the first place?”

Xu Chun’s face flushed. “It’s my filial failure. At home… no one asked for a title for my mother. My mother comes from a merchant family, with no old acquaintances in court, and no one to mediate on her behalf. This time, I’m grateful for your assistance. I listened to what you taught me last time, and I haven’t been to those places of pleasure again…”

He stammered, unaware of what he was saying, and just babbled on. Fortunately, Xie Yi didn’t reject him as he did last time, but just took the cup of tea and drank it slowly.

Because Xu Chun had only drunk one cup of wine, and his starry eyes were slightly drowsy and his cheeks flushed, Xie Yi knew that the youth was not good at drinking. But he didn’t reveal it, just put down his teacup and looked out the window. The rain had stopped.

When Xu Chun saw him look out the window, he knew the rain had stopped and couldn’t retain the distinguished guest anymore. He felt even more reluctant to part, and said softly, “I assume Lord Helan has matters to attend to. I’ve had people prepare amber oil robes for you and your two escorts, just in case.”

Xie Yi nodded slightly, “Thank you.” Then he got up, and sure enough, the two boys, Chun and Xia, came with yellow amber raincoats. These were made from silk fabric brushed with tung oil multiple times and resembled cloaks in the shape of bells, with a surface like the luster of amber, extremely light and expensive raincoats. Because he knew that Xu Chun was rich, he didn’t refuse and just put on the raincoat. When he saw that the horses had been carefully fed and groomed, he silently acknowledged that the servants of this family were indeed very capable. He mounted his horse and nodded goodbye to Xu Chun.

Xu Chun was very reluctant to let him go, and his heart replayed their brief encounter. This farewell, when would they meet again? He repeatedly savored every gesture and expression of the other party as he tossed and turned, dreaming of him.

The aftereffects were like a drunken stupor, which lasted for days. Even when Liu Sheng asked him out to play again, he was unhappy. Liu Sheng recommended several older, considerate men who knew how to take care of others, but Xu Chun declined. Liu Sheng was secretly amazed and laughed, “I didn’t expect the young master to reform. Since you don’t want to mix around in those places anymore, why don’t I find you a few cultured and handsome young men who also like men. Both sides willing, with the young master’s appearance and family background, no one would refuse.”

Xu Chun still shook his head and chose to watch some new plays. In his heart, he thought: “Before, when reading poetry, I didn’t understand the phrase ‘having seen the vast ocean, other waters seem insignificant.'” It turns out I was ignorant. Since meeting that person, when he saw others, no matter how well they fared, compared to him, they really were like dust.