Governor's Illness - Chapter 5

Title: Governor’s Illness
Author: Yang Su
Translated by Xueling
Edited by Starlord & Asaki
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“Of course it is!”

A voice clearing reminded everyone they were outside the pavilion. They raised their heads to see two teenagers in shabby robes walk in. Xie Jinglan, leading them is neither humble nor excited, with an outstanding demeanor. He has a gentle and graceful aura about him. From behind, he illuminates a magnificent and is gleaming with a brilliant confidence.

Unfortunately, their shabby wardrobes didn’t do them justice. Everyone seated whispered and cast their contemptuous eyes upon the two teenagers. Xiahou Lian caught some of their whispers, “Who are those pretty boys?”, “What’s their intention coming here?”, or “Could it be that they are one of ours? Why haven’t I seen them before?”

Xie Jinglan gave them a glare and proudly said, “Xie Jinglan greeting Mr. Dai. What my big brother just proclaimed about me was not true. Please reserve all judgment on me until you hear my side.”

“Do you still believe, I, your Young Master discriminate against you with prejudice? Xie Jinglan, you obviously stole my items. There are lots of witnesses who saw you. Do you want me to call all of them over to examine their statements?” Xie Jingtao slammed his hand on the table and stood up all flustered. He is a combatant.

Xie Jinglan smiled slightly, and said politely, “When did Jinglan steal my brother’s properties? I just went to the warehouse and borrowed the used textbooks that brother had discarded, that’s all.”

“And those books are not properties? Those books are engraved by our Family’s, Xiu Wentang. Each one of them is worth several copper plates. Besides, I stored them in the warehouse, not discarded them as you claim. If you don’t ask, you are stealing!”

“Big brother, please calm down. This is all a misunderstanding. Jinglan is fragile. The Lady is very kind therefore permits me not to go to the clan’s school to listen to the lectures. But Jinglan desires to learn Shengxian (the Sage)* for a long time. My House is poor and has no contribution to the Family. I had no choice but to go to the warehouse and borrow the scrolls and textbooks that are used by big brother. Jinglan obtained the permission of the warehouse manager before taking them. It could be that my big brother didn’t inquire about this matter with the warehouse manager. That’s why big brother misunderstood Jinglan had stolen from you. Today is a good day, let’s clear this up.”

After hearing that statement, everyone knew it very well. It was obvious that the Lady, mistress of the house resented the bastard child. Refused to let him attend school, therefore he had no choice but to collect the Young Master’s tarnished books. Books that are passable for usage, in order for him to study. As a result, the Young Master is reluctant and falsely accuses him of stealing his properties.

Xie Jingtao knew he had him trapped. His mouth opened, but he didn’t have anything to say to refute. At that point, Xie Bingfeng’s voice came and said, “Tao’er, now you know you have misjudged him. Why don’t you apologize to him?”

Xie Jingtao had no choice but to submit to a defeat. He smiled and said dryly, “Yes, yes, Big brother didn’t ask, and wrongly misjudged my little brother.” The two of them held a big grin, but neither of them was truly smiling. Putting out a pretentious loving brotherly appearance, Xiahou Lian felt pain watching them.

It wasn’t the intention of Xie Jinglan to let Xie Jingtao off the hook so easily, it’s more of a helpless strategical play. He couldn’t let the fatso scandal tarnish the Family’s reputation, especially in front of Dai Shengyan. After all, if he can’t obtain Mr. Dai as his teacher today, he would have to deal with the fatso afterward. If the fatso wants to pulverize him afterward, it’s as easy as squashing a bug.

Xie Bingfeng turned his head, put on a kind and amiable expression, and said to Xie Jinglan, “I must be old, I have never seen you before. You are a descendant of the Xie family? Who are your parents? If the family is going through hardship, you can go to the Family accountant and borrow money. You can subsidize your Household. Take better care of your body, then you can go to the clan’s school. You don’t need to repay anything.”

As soon as Xie Bingfeng said those words, the room became silent. Even the birds chirping from the rooftop couldn’t be heard. What kind of joke is this? Xie Bingfeng doesn’t recognize his own son? Xiahou Lian looked at the middle-aged man from head to toes in surprise. He wore his Guan (Official hat. Every royal official is given a hat and uniform to distinguish their position and ranking) and has this serious expression. His two hands firmly lay on his knees, sitting up straight and meticulously. The only thing missing is the four characters of the words “True Gentleman” imprinted on his forehead.

As soon as Xiahou Lian saw him, he remembered the “Swallow Sleeping Yiran Picture” pornography. Maybe he also hid other pornographies such as the “Secrets of the Jade House” and “The Secret Plays of the Spring Festival”. Therefore with a turn of the head those four words “True Gentleman” should be changed to “Taking a good look.” All color seems to drain from Xie Jinglan’s face, his fists clenched tightly under his sleeves.

The Xie Family had lots of members. Xie Jinglan lives at the Autumn Wu Courtyard year-round. There are only a few that recognize him. Once there was an ignorant helper who said, “Yes, our family is kind and does lots of charity. You are a bystander, you should also help.” Those words are worse than rubbing salt on a wound. Xie Jinglan almost couldn’t stand firm. He could only stare at Xie Bingfeng in a daze. There were numerous times on holiday celebrations or at family memorial events that he followed along as one of the Xie family’s children to salute him. Numerous times as his father rode on his horseback to Beijing, while the family huddled around, he would stand at the end of the line to wave farewell to his father.

He had forgotten himself that he had not stood close to this man enough for him to know who he is. So it’s natural this man doesn’t recognize him. Xie Jingtao was stunned too, said blankly, “What other Family descendants, dad? He is Xie Jinglan, your third son!”

Xie Bingfeng’s mouth opened with a gap. Looking at Xie Jinglan, unable to speak a word for a long time. Luckily he was able to get his manner under control so he doesn’t appear to be too flustered. His facial expressions are surprised, embarrassed, even shocked but no guilt. Xiahou Lian’s heart feels bitter. Unconsciously he approached Xie Jinglan, gently and submissively holding Xie Jinglan’s cold hand.

Xie Bingfeng smiled stiffly, “Haha, Jinglan has all grown up. Your father has been away from home for too long. I have forgotten what you look like. Jinglan wouldn’t blame dad, right?”

Xiahou Lian thought to himself, ‘It’s fine if you can’t recognize his appearance. There’s no excuse for not remembering his name too, right?’ Could it be? “Jinglan”, his name was not named by him?

Xie Jinglan’s voice was a bit erratic, almost off-tune, “Father worked hard into the night, busy with the affairs of the country, Jinglan… understand.”

“Two little friends, hurry up and take your seats”, Dai Shengyan interrupted them, “By the way, our little friends next to Xie Jinglan, you still have not given us your name. Earlier, when this old man saw you from a distance as you were rowing the boat on the pond. I wanted to meet you.”

Xiahou Lian stood for a long time, only now he realized everyone sitting were all Xie’s children, no book-boy, nor any servant serving. He raised his hand and bow to pay respect, “I am Xiahou Lian. I am my master Jinglan’s book-boy. In the midst of confusion, I didn’t realize there is no need for book-boy service.” After speaking in awkwardness, he glanced over at Xie Jinglan. Who seems to be distracted and in a trance. He felt uneasy if he was to leave him at the moment. “When my young master recites Confucianism, I normally stand by his side and listen to him. I admire his teaching extremely. Please Mr. Make an exception and allow me to stay.”

“Naturally, yes.” Dai Shengyan nodded and smiled, “Our little friend has the heart to learn, how can this old man stop him?”

After drinking tea, the drama that had unfolded ended like the tea in the pot, empty to the bottom. Everyone forgot the commotion the two teenagers had caused prior without coincidence. Dai Shengyan stroked his upturned mustache tips on his mouth proudly. Clearing his throat. He tapped a pointer (a ruler could be used) on his palm as a storyteller would do. The audience was suddenly quiet. Everyone’s attention is on Mr. Dai as he speaks.

“Can I ask, my dear little friends, what is the purpose of Hanchuang (bitter cold or hardship) studying the sage books? What is the purpose?

Everyone looked at each other. What’s the purpose? Isn’t it just for getting a high-ranking official position and wealth? If it weren’t for the imperial examination, why would anyone be beating their brain trying to memorize all the sage books and poems?

To be nobler? Sure, but it repeatedly says, “self-cultivation and self-governance, rule the country and peace to the world”. The great principles, stabilize the country, and peace to the people is habitual. Fighting chaos and mourning can easily be said with the mouth or be written by just picking up a pen. But to carry it out and act on it is hard. Those phrases have been thrown around by scholars’ mouths for the past dynasties. It already lost its meaning. However, those reasons are not what Xie Jinglan is thinking right now. Xie Jinglan clearly understands and knows what he wishes.

He was obviously never going to save the world or be concerned about what’s happening in the world. He never cared about the street vendors or how much dim-sum they are selling, or how many people were buried in mass graves? Let alone care about where there is a severe drought or big flooding. So what if the world is burning in flames, as long as he can sit at home safely and steadily, what does it matter to him?

All he wanted was the Xie family who had forgotten him, insulted him, and the people that resented him one day, crying at his feet, regretting everything they did to him from birth! He only needs to imagine the scene a little bit, and he will be excited and happy, extremely thrilled. The kind of happiness that leaves you lifted in the air and spinning in dizziness. No matter how unbearable it is, he has to force himself to memorize the sage’s mumble-jumble bull crap. He will let those words rot in his stomach. He must first pretend to be an upright gentleman who is concerned about the country and the people and carefully hide those dark and unethical thoughts in his heart, never revealing his dark intention.

Xie Jinglan, who was so traumatized by his own father, walked farther and farther on the long and crooked road. Unconsciously, the vines of resentment took root in his heart, entangled into a knot of dead knots that is unable to be untangled or cut. it’s all hidden under the appearance of a frail and feeble young master appearance, by the habitual meaningless smile on his face.

Xiahou Lian gives Xie Jinglan a little tug. He in return held onto Xiahou Lian’s hand, and said softly, “Don’t worry.”

Not sure where Xie Jingtao got the confidence, he was the first to speak, “As students, what we can do is self-cultivation and self-governance as the scholar recited.”

Dai Shengyan didn’t say good or bad and only shook the bony head on his stubble neck to signal the next person to speak. Xie Jingtan, the second young master behind Xie Jingtao, replied next, “I have no ambitions in the affairs of the world. I only wish to travel thousands of miles. Live freely with no regrets.”

Dai Shengyan smiled and said, “Although this doesn’t concern the world, it is still a bit difficult subject.” Everyone in the room took their turn to reply. Only Xie Jinglan was left, his eyes fell on Xie Jinglan, and nodded lightly.

Xie Jinglan made a long pause and replied, “I am quite dumb. As long as there is no guilt in my heart, no regrets in the things I do, and no complaints to others.” His expression is plain as if the drama displayed before were nonexistent.

Dai Shengyan looked into his eyes and sighed. Indeed the Xie family is not as good as each generation passed. At first indeed his head was getting dizzy from all those replies. How can he accept this ineffective bunch as his disciple? He can’t defer Xie Bingfeng’s repeated invitations to be a guest in the Xie Manor. His only intention was just to show up and do a courtesy run and leave. As expected the children of the Xie family are incompetent, they look so bad, and their educated minds have reached their limits.

‘I didn’t expect that there was a white crane in a house full of colorful roosters, but this white crane is too stubborn and he sat too righteously straight, I was afraid it would break sooner or later.

Dai Shengyan lived long into his dying age, what kind of people he hasn’t seen before? Xie Jinglan, the pompous little rabbit, naturally had nowhere to hide in front of him. Clenching his fists tightly, the red corners of his eyes, and the excessively stretched of his back all show that this teenager is far less calm than he appears. He tries his best to display a nonchalant and gentlemanly look.

After all the turns are taken, Dai Shengyan only nodded to Xie Jinglan. Everyone knew the answer. Xiahou Lian let out a long sigh of relief. Their efforts are not in vain. Xie Jinglan performed Baisi Li (The apprenticeship ceremony where one kneel and bow to the teacher as respect) in public at that moment. As accepting him as his apprentice, Dai Shengyan bent down and helped Xie Jinglan up from the ground. His cock-like hands grasped Xie Jinglan’s arm. In the cold of winter, Xie Jinglan wore a lot of layers, but he still felt the heat from his hand, like a hot iron about to burn through the jacket.

“Jinglan, you still haven’t taken Zi (character aka Title. It represents the person and his goal and achievement as they head toward adulthood).”

“Your disciples are not of the age yet, therefore the elders have not given me a Character yet.”

“No worries,” Dai Shengyan looked at his little apprentice, moved his eyelids a few times, and his turbid eyes shot out clarity. “You have experienced hardships, unfortunately, your heart has hardened as stones. Your will and ambition are strong. Still, your personality is inflexible, too rigid. Your heart has gone cold. If you proceed in the future as is, you will not be charitable and will do great evil. Your teacher will assign the word “Yi’an” (easily content) for you. Hopefully, you can live in peace, do as your heart desired, and live freely with no regrets.” “Remember the world is full of difficulties. The heart should remain in kindness.”

Xie Jinglan felt as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over him. From head to toe completely drenched in cold water. He tries so very hard to conceal his ill intention but Dai Shengyan has completely exposed it in the open for everyone to see.

Whatever bull crap he spit out as he replied ‘No shame’ in one’s heart. All those years of humiliation the Xie family inflicted on him. Of course, it’s no shame if they know and pay respect to him in return. So call ‘No regrets’ as long as he holds the power in his hand to determine life and death as he desires, then there are no regrets. So call ‘No complaint to others’. All those people to blame if they fall into the quagmire and cannot extricate themselves are no complaints on his part. It’s just before he didn’t get the chance to finish his wholehearted speech.

Yet Dai Shengyan could see through him clearly. Xie Jinglan felt complacent and subconsciously wanted to escape. He can’t understand, for people like him, why Dia Shengyan still selects him as his disciple? He bowed and thanked him with difficulty, “Your disciple will remember.”

Xiahou Lian listened in confusion to the conversation exchanged for a long time. He still doesn’t understand whether the bony old man is praising Xie Jinglan or disparaging him. Forget it, forget it, it doesn’t matter if he praises or derogatory him, as long as Xie Jinglan got accepted. It’s mission accomplished.

Even Though he didn’t understand the conversation just conspired, he did understand as he looked around and saw jealous eyes beaming at them. Although it is not his own apprenticeship, the feeling of triumph carries him to the sky. As he proudly follows Xie Jinglan out, as swaying eyes of envy follow them till they exit the Wangqing Pavilion.

Along the way, Xie Jinglan remains very quiet. His face is more pale and sickly looking. Xiahou Lian’s triumphantly tailing behind suddenly stopped. He walked beside him feeling loss and unease. He likes lively and noisy surroundings, as the surroundings become subdued to silent and cold. He felt disturbed. Xie Jinglan first suffered a blow from his father, and then succeeded in entering the threshold of Dai Shengyan. He must be experiencing sadness and happiness. He doesn’t know whether to comfort him or tell him congratulations. He felt no matter what he said it wouldn’t help with the situation.

He suddenly thought of something and quickly walked around to Xie Jinglan, opened his arms, and hugged Xie Jinglan tightly in his arms. Xie Jinglan was shocked and struggling, and said, “What are you doing?!”

Xiahou Lian kept pressing Xie Jinglan onto him. He is much stronger. Xie Jinglan had already experienced that before it was obvious he couldn’t struggle his way out of his grip.

“My mother said, when you are sad, a hug can make you feel better. Master Jinglan, except for my mother, I have never hugged anyone. It’s your lucky day.”

Xie Jinglan stopped struggling, buried his face on Xiahou Lian’s shoulders, and was silent for a long time. His face suddenly became cold and his mouth tasted salty. He was afraid that Xiahou Lian would find out he was crying, so he deliberately said coldly, “I don’t need your pity!” Unfortunately, his concealing skills are lacking, the bitterness of his tone betrays him. Xiahou Lian let go of Xie Jinglan, took his wrist, and started to gallop up.

“Hey, what are you doing!” Xie Jinglan shouted in shock.

Xiahou Lian didn’t say anything. He just dragged him as they ran. Not knowing how many servants he knocked down along the way, causing them to yell at them. The cold wind cutting into his face hurt him. Xie Jinglan felt like someone had stretched his lungs to the point of it being unbearable. He inhaled cold air and exhaled hot steaming breath, dissipating into white smoke, and all the tears on his face dried.

He was taken to the outside wall of the kitchen. Xiahou Lian let him stay where he was. He stepped on the wall, put his hands on the wall, and kicked his feet hard, and he was up. He climbed the wall until he was inside the courtyard. Xie Jinglan was still panting, ran too fast, his lungs were about to explode, and he couldn’t stop that bastard from his brave act.

He was so angry. He looked around to confirm that there was no one around and tried all his might to climb the wall. All he could achieve was pop his head up enough to look inside. It was fine when he didn’t know what’s happening on the other side, once his curiosity got to him and he looked. It almost frightened the living daylight out of him. The bastard actually entered the kitchen through the window. There were many busy servants and chefs in the kitchen, and no one noticed their unexpected guest. Xiahou Lian hunched over, walked on tiptoes like a cat, under the cover of the stove, took a flask of wine, and came back out through the window.

Waiting for Xiahou Lian to jump off the wall and release his heart that was hanging in his throat. He angrily pulled at Xiahou Lian’s collar and cursed, “What the hell were you thinking!?”

“Calm down, calm down,” Xiahou Lian said in a gentle voice to soothe Xie Jinglan’s flare, “Wine does not only relieve one’s sorrows but also celebrates happy events. It’s a perfect time for this. Let’s go. Let’s go drink this!”

Xiahou Lian pulling Xie Jinglan along, to a secluded place. Knowing that Xie Jinglan loved to be clean. He wiped the stone back and forth with his sleeve seven-eight times before letting him sit.

Xiahou Lian took a sip of the wine. It’s so strong, tears stream down his eyes. He handed the flask to Xie Jinglan. Xie Jinglan refused to accept the wine. He doesn’t drink, let alone drink from the same flask others had drunk from. Xiahou Lian pestered him for a long time before Xie Jinglan reluctantly looked up at him and took a sip from the flask. As soon as the alcohol touches his tongue, he regrets it. He can’t catch his breath as he coughs from the burn of the alcohol.

Xiahou Lian blasts out laughing. Pauses before continuing, “Master, I don’t feel pity for you. I just can’t stand seeing others being sad. If you were to feel sad for yourself, I will also feel sad with you. Furthermore, what’s so pitiful about your life? You don’t have any missing limbs nor are you starving from hunger. Every day there is food and drinks available for you. You can also read and study for the imperial examination. Your future is limitless. What’s so pitiful about that?

“There is an ocean of misfortuned people in this world that are worse than you. I used to follow my mother wandering from north to south. I have seen so many pitiful people. There are people with deadly infectious diseases lying around oozing pus. There are masters that beat their servants to an inch of life and throw them into massive graves for them to survive there. There are young soldiers who died on the battlefield and left behind a young wife, a baby, and his elder parents waiting for him to come home. As for you, no parents and no love, compared to those misfortunate people. You are living in a fairytale.”

Xie Jinglan opened his mouth, but couldn’t utter a word.
“What title did that old man give you? ‘Yi’an’? I think you live an easy and comfortable life. You don’t have to carry any burden or do any work. There was a time we suffered from a depression in the mountains, we can’t make ends meet, yet we struggle through it.

It was lucky Xie Jinglan was gracious enough to try to understand what kind of hardship Xiahou Lian went through. In Xiahou Lian’s point of view, if one can eat, it’s not necessarily a good thing. If one has clothing, it does not necessarily mean they are warm. If one is dying, it does not necessarily mean they are dead. That is considered a misfortune. Xiahou Lian’s heart is so big that there is no limit to it. How can the pain of the body and the soul be compared? After that is said, he couldn’t help but wonder what Xiahou Lian’s life was like before. He got a feeling it was not pleasant.

“You just mentioned your mother took you from north to south. Could it be that your mother is the director of the Traveling Opera?”

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TRANSLATOR’S NOTE:
*The Sage is writing development from ancient wisdom literature in which the writer chastises and instructs the reader about contemporary social issues, often utilizing discourses of philosophy, history, politics, and economics in non-technical ways.