TL: Hua
Chapter 34: Night Walk – Xiao Pei goes to Jiangnan (2)
The word ‘father’ stunned everyone into silence. For a moment, the shop was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Pei Xiting looked at Yuan Fang with some surprise. “Well, look at you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, so young and already with such a big son.”
Yuan Fang’s mouth twitched as he said, “Don’t make me slap you.”
Pei Xiting remained silent.
The shopkeeper’s face went from pale to green. He walked shakily to the young man and said, “Young Master Yunduan, you must have recognized the wrong person. This gentleman and our Second Master don’t just look a little similar; they look completely different! Putting aside everything else, Second Master has a potbelly, but look at this gentleman’s slim waist. How are they alike?”
It turned out the young man was indeed Second Master Bai’s son, Bai Yunduan.
Bai Yunduan was a well-known dandy in Ningzhou. With his skills of playing with cats, dogs, birds, and cards all day long, in contrast to his young, mature, and steady eldest brother Bai Yunlou, made them the two distinct signboards of the Bai family. Everyone in the city knew about the “filial piety” between Second Master Bai and Young Master Yunduan, with the former chasing the latter around with a dog-beating stick every other day. However, few knew that when Second Master Bai was on the verge of death, it was this seemingly useless “little beast” who ran around everywhere, risking his life to find someone from the martial arts world to save his father’s life.
Yuan Fang didn’t know how Bai Yundan recognized him, nor would he actively mention the events of the past. He only said, “You’ve made a mistake,” and then gave him a look.
Fortunately, Bai Yunduan was just a bit rash. Overjoyed at unexpectedly meeting his benefactor again in this vast sea of people, he knelt down in excitement. Seeing the look, he quickly realized his mistake, stood up with a “whoosh,” and pretended to be calm, saying, “Oh, I mistook you.”
The shopkeeper thought, “Your eyes… Sigh! Well, it’s better than getting it right!”
Bai Yunduan quickly composed himself and looked at Pei Xiting, cupping his hands and saying, “Is this young master a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao?”
Pei Xiting returned the courtesy. “Yes.”
“Since you are a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao and a guest of my Hundred Brocades House, I should offer some hospitality as a local host.” Bai Yunduan’s eyes were fixed on him. “I wonder if the young master would do me the honor?”
Pei Xiting could feel the anticipation and eagerness in the young man’s eyes without even looking. He thought for a moment and said, “I appreciate it.”
A moment later, in an elegant private room on the second floor of the restaurant across the street.
Amidst Bai Yunduan’s passionate recitation of “Ode of Gratitude” to Yuan Fang, Pei Xiting flipped through the menu and ordered, “Roast duck, pickled shrimp, sweet glutinous rice lotus root, lotus seed fish parcels, sliced lettuce, pickles, and a plate of soup dumplings.”
Yuan Fang said, “Two plates.”
“Alright, please wait a moment; the dishes will be served soon.” The waiter took the menu and left the room, gently closing the door.
“Stop.” Yuan Fang raised his hand to interrupt Bai Yunduan, who was taking a breath to continue his recitation. He said numbly, “Your sincerity, I have deeply felt it. Stop here, or I can’t guarantee your father won’t be sending off a black-haired man in his aged white hair.”
“My father’s hair isn’t white yet…”
Yuan Fang pulled out his dagger, and Bai Yunduan changed his words, “…but is turning white soon.”
“You can leave after paying the bill.” Yuan Fang sheathed his dagger.
“Father…”
Yuan Fang pulled out his dagger again, and Bai Yunduan quickly said, Back then, you saved my father and showed me the grace of being reborn. What’s wrong with me calling you ‘Father’?”
Pei Xiting sipped the lotus leaf dew and said, “According to this logic, what should your father call him?”
“Oh, right,” Bai Yunduan immediately changed his address, “Grandfather!”
Yuan Fang pushed Pei Xiting’s meddlesome head towards the cup and said, “Since the transaction is settled, it’s just business; there’s no kindness involved. If you call me that again, I’ll cut out your tongue.”
These words didn’t sound like a joke. Bai Yunduan considered it and, fearing to annoy Yuan Fang, changed his words again. “Now that my benefactor has come to Ningzhou, I must serve you personally, before and behind the saddle, to fulfill my duty as a host and express my gratitude.”
“No need,” Yuan Fang pushed away Pei Xiting, who was scratching his hand, and said coldly, “Don’t bother us.”
“”Us”—Bai Yunduan seized the key point and looked at Pei Xiting sitting opposite him. “Young Master, I haven’t asked for your name yet.”
Pei Xiting escaped from the devil’s claws and casually smoothed his hair. “My humble name is not worthy of soiling your honorable ears.”
“Alright, I won’t ask.” Bai Yunduan was a straightforward person. He lightly slapped the table. “Since you are Fourth Young Master Zhao’s friend and also my benefactor’s friend, there’s nothing more to say. Since you’ve come to Ningzhou, I’ll take care of everything for you; please don’t be polite with me!”
Pei Xiting smiled politely and said, “You are very kind, but we are really embarrassed to trouble you at this time. Your good intentions are enough.”
“This time?” Bai Yunduan looked at Pei Xiting, puzzled. “What time? I don’t understand.”
Pei Xiting said, “Just now in the shop, when you came in, your face looked as if you had lost your parents. Something must be troubling you.”
“Young Master, you have keen eyes. I have had a big problem recently, but I still have time to entertain you.” Bai Yunduan said.
“My trip to Ningzhou is just for leisure and painting. There’s nothing that requires your trouble, young master. We appreciate your kindness. We will stay in Ningzhou for a while. Since you are Fourth Young Master Zhao’s cousin, if there’s anything we can help with, feel free to ask.” Pei Xiting said slowly.
Bai Yunduan had already had this thought in mind but hesitated about whether to speak and how to bring it up. Now that Pei Xiting had taken the initiative, he hesitated for a moment and then made up his mind. “Since you put it that way, then I’ll be frank. Recently, a disaster has befallen my family.”
Bai Yunduan quickly explained Third Miss Bai’s matter and looked at Yuan Fang. “Benefactor, you are highly skilled in martial arts. Can you help me find my third sister? Don’t worry, the reward will be generous!”
Yuan Fang nudged Pei Xiting’s arm. “You decide.”
“Alright.” Pei Xiting obediently put down his water cup and looked at Bai Yunduan. “Even if he is highly skilled in martial arts, he may not be able to find your sister. After all, we don’t know who the kidnapper is or where Third Miss Bai is. Where should we start looking?”
“Indeed. My family has reported this to the authorities and asked Prefect He to help find her. But this place is so big, how long will it take to search everywhere? By the time we find her, it will be too late!” Bai Yunduan clenched his fist and slammed it on the table. “My third sister may not have a gentle temperament, but she’s just a girl who just came of age. I don’t know how scared she must be in the hands of those vicious and evil kidnappers!”
There was a knock on the door. Pei Xiting said, “Come in,” and the waiters pushed the door open, came in one after another, placed the dishes on the table, and then left.
Pei Xiting swapped the plate of soup dumplings in front of him with Yuan Fang’s and said, “It’s time-consuming and labor-intensive, and there’s no guarantee of finding her. Since the kidnapper has demands and set a time, it’s better to just wait for him to come for the exchange.”
“But how could my family give the kidnapper what he wanted? He claims he wants my family heirloom, but what he really wants is the ‘Mountains and Rivers Scroll,’ and he forbids us from revealing it; otherwise, he’ll kill my third sister immediately!” Bai Yunduan said. “It’s very strange, as if the kidnapper has a third eye. He knows our family’s every move. Last night, my eldest uncle secretly went to the government office to report to the authorities, but his carriage was overturned on the way there. When the servants helped him up, they found a letter on the ground that said, ‘If you dare to reveal the matter of the Mountains and Rivers Scroll, I will kill your daughter immediately.’ Therefore, my eldest uncle only reported the kidnapping but didn’t mention the Mountains and Rivers Scroll.” It turned out that You Zong’s guess was correct. The kidnapper wanted the Mountains and Rivers Scroll.
Pei Xiting stroked his chopsticks and said, “That’s interesting. The kidnapper actually allows you to report to the authorities. Is he confident that the government can’t find him and feels fearless?”
“I don’t know about that, but the Mountains and Rivers Scroll was presented to the Supreme Emperor long ago,” Bai Yunduan said angrily. “Does he expect us to steal it from the palace?”
The kidnapper certainly didn’t expect the Bai family to steal from the palace because the Bai family wouldn’t dare and couldn’t do such a risky thing. But he still demanded it from the Bai family. Why? The Mountains and Rivers Scroll has been in the palace for so many years, and the Bai family hasn’t suffered any misfortune because of it. But this year, as soon as the rumors of the Four Treasures spread, someone specifically asked for the Mountains and Rivers Scroll. This made Pei Xiting suspect the kidnapper’s true purpose.
He ate a piece of sweet glutinous rice lotus root, nodded to show it tasted good, and then said, “What’s your family elders’ attitude towards this matter?”
Bai Yunduan had no appetite for food and was admiring his benefactor eating a soup dumpling in one bite. Hearing this, he said, “Everyone is very scared, especially my grandfather. He was already in poor health, and this incident has made him completely bedridden. The doctor is basically living in the courtyard.”
Pei Xiting snatched the last soup dumpling. “Has your family discussed any countermeasures?”
Yuan Fang paused his chopsticks with slight regret, made a small turn, and picked up a small piece of roast duck.
“I don’t know the specifics. They don’t let me participate. Whenever there’s a major event, the elders only discuss it with my eldest brother,” Bai Yunduan sighed. “I sneaked out today. After this incident, my eldest brother told me to stay at home for safety, but although my father and eldest uncle are at odds, and I also dislike my eldest uncle, I grew up with my eldest brother and third sister. Now that she’s missing, how can I sit still? I can only come out and look for clues everywhere.”
Pei Xiting thought for a moment and said, “Alright, Yuan Fang won’t promise you on this matter, but we will pay attention to it and help you find your sister if conditions allow.”
“I’m already very grateful that you said that, young master! Come!” Bai Yunduan filled their cups with lotus dew, raised his cup, and said, “Let’s drink this water as a substitute for wine, a toast to you!”
After clinking glasses, Pei Xiting said, “Oh, right, a friendly reminder: be careful recently. That kidnapper knows your family’s movements like the back of his hand. It’s not that he has eyes in the back of his head, but he’s secretly watching your family, or there’s a mole in your family.”
Bai Yunduan was shocked and quickly said, “Thank you for the reminder; I’ll keep that in mind.”
No one spoke anymore. Pei Xiting and Yuan Fang finished eating and drinking, leaving Bai Yunduan, who hadn’t eaten anything, to pay the bill. The three then parted ways.
