A Different World - Chapter 10: Awkward

Jiang Yunxiu has a nickname Ziyun

Under the dark canopy of the sky, the moon cast a faint, soft bluish glow upon the world. Its light was tinged with a chill by the spring night breeze, carrying the scent of pear blossoms as it rustled the hanging blinds along the corridor.

Jiang Yunxiu hurriedly rushed out of the kitchen, quickly placing the soup pot he was holding onto the table before grabbing his ears to cool them down. “The dishes are ready! Time to eat!”

The rice leftover from the afternoon’s wine brewing was steamed again over hot steam, still fragrant and appetizing.

Inside the house, Zuo Qingchuan was taking Ye Yin’s pulse. After repeatedly deliberating, his brow first smoothed out and then furrowed again. Finally, he said, “The current dosage is indeed strong; a burning sensation is normal. But since you have a martial arts foundation, it seems you can endure it. You shouldn’t just lie down all day—have Chang’an support you and go out for walks more often.”

Ye Yin nodded upon hearing this, his tone calm. “There is a strange sensation, but compared to before, today I managed to have a decent sleep.”

Earlier that afternoon, with the sun high in the sky, he had seen a young man under the tree, his clothes fluttering in the wind like the first rays of a new dawn. Feeling at ease, Ye Yin unknowingly drifted off to sleep.

As he spoke, Ye Yin glanced around the room, noticing Chang’an’s absence and feeling slightly puzzled.

Jiang Yunxiu called for everyone to come eat. “It rained again a few days ago, and plenty of wild vegetables have grown in the hills. Come and have a taste!”

“Coming!” Zuo Qingchuan stepped out of Ye Yin’s room, washed his hands by the water vat, and sat at the table. Taking a deep breath of the food’s aroma, he praised, “Jiang Ziyun, your cooking skills are truly impressive!”

Ye Yin walked over slowly. Seeing the table full of food, he thanked Jiang Yunxiu. “Ziyun, you’ve worked hard.”

Jiang Yunxiu waved his hand dismissively, smiling. “Not hard at all,” he said before serving Ye Yin a bowl of rice. “I also made some chicken soup. After dinner, Master, you should drink a bowl to replenish your strength.”

The master was only eighteen this year, the prime age for growth, but these years of recuperation had left him looking much thinner.

“Alright,” Ye Yin replied with a smile. Noticing Chang’an still hadn’t arrived, he asked, “Where’s Chang’an?”

“After we finished brewing the wine this afternoon, he went to practice swordsmanship by the Cang Lake alone. He should be back by now!” Jiang Yunxiu replied, striding to the courtyard gate and calling out toward the mountain, “Chang’an, come back for dinner!”

Just as Jiang Yunxiu finished speaking, a dark figure leaped over the wall, landing lightly. “I’m here.”

Ye Chang’an returned to the courtyard expressionless, served himself some rice, and sat down. Someone handed him a pair of chopsticks, and as he looked up, he froze, staring at Ye Yin. He seemed to have much to say but, after opening his mouth, said nothing. Bowing his head, he only muttered, “Thank you.”

Ye Yin looked at Chang’an, puzzled. He felt something was off with him today. Glancing at Jiang Yunxiu, he saw that Jiang Yunxiu was equally baffled by the young man’s behavior.

After sitting down, Ye Chang’an quickly finished his bowl of rice, washed the dishes, and then headed to the mountainside with his sword again.

“Is the food bad today?” Jiang Yunxiu hesitantly tasted each dish for seasoning but found no issues.

Ye Yin gazed deeply in the direction where Chang’an had left, thinking about how, at his age, he also had things he kept to himself. But when Chang’an had returned from the mountain earlier, he had seemed fine. Why the sudden change?

“Master, don’t worry. When he returns, I’ll make him a late-night snack,” Jiang Yunxiu said, pouring Ye Yin a bowl of soup. He glanced thoughtfully at the seat Chang’an had occupied.

After dinner, Ye Yin strolled the courtyard a few times, occasionally looking toward the gate, but Chang’an had yet to return. A sudden gust of wind brought sharp pain to his joints, prompting him to wrap his cloak tighter and head back inside to wait.

At Cang Lake, the water’s surface shimmered with layers of clear radiance, casting a cold glow over the young man at the shore. Ye Chang’an looked up at the pavilions atop the mountain and sighed silently before sheathing his sword and heading uphill.

—

A knock sounded at the door. Ye Yin, seated at his desk, looked up. “Come in.” He had thought Chang’an had returned, but it was Jiang Yunxiu carrying a tray.

Jiang Yunxiu sighed helplessly. “Master, Chang’an came back earlier. I made him some late-night food, but he said he wasn’t hungry and went straight to his room. Master, could he be unwell?”

After coming to the mountain, he had guessed Ye Chang’an’s true identity. Since the young master didn’t bring it up, he had also chosen to pretend not to know.

Setting aside past events, Jiang Yunxiu had watched Ye Chang’an grow up. If he were really ill, he would have to call Zuo Qingchuan to take a look.

Ye Yin shook his head. “I’ll go check on him later.”

Jiang Yunxiu nodded. Seeing the invitation Ye Yin had been looking at earlier in the day, he asked, “Master, are we attending this year’s martial arts conference?”

The martial arts conference, organized jointly by the martial world, was held every three years. Three years ago, Qi was still in turmoil, so the event had not been held. This year’s scale was said to be grand. If Zheyue Tower participated, it might gain some recognition and reputation.

Ye Yin shook his head, placing the invitation aside. “At the start of the year, the new emperor launched an aggressive campaign along the southeastern coast, successfully repelling Liu Island. The two nations have since declared a truce. But with Qi now constructing canals, Jian and Yue Prefectures, given their geographical and future prosperity, are bound to attract Liu Island’s attention.”

As he spoke, he unfolded a map of Qi’s borders. He had drawn this himself, relying on memories from his time accompanying his late father in the military.

The Xu River divided Qi’s territory into two. Jian and Yue Prefectures were located in the southeast. If foreign invaders captured the coastal areas, they could follow the Xu River upstream and reach Qingdu. If the canal construction were completed, Jian and Yue would become even more critical to Qi.

Jiang Yunxiu, momentarily confused, asked sincerely, “I don’t understand. What does the martial arts conference have to do with the canal project?”

Ye Yin patiently pointed to key locations along Qi’s border and explained, “Before my father’s death, the northern border was engaged in constant warfare with the Tatvabhu royal clan, while the general of the cavalry was stationed long-term in the western regions, locked in a standoff with the Siti tribe. Qi’s two mountain tigers didn’t fall on the battlefield but instead perished in the military coup four years ago. The foreign enemies aren’t refraining from attacking out of fear but are merely observing the new emperor’s methods. They will undoubtedly return in force. If battles break out in these three locations, Qi will once again be plagued by disaster.”

After speaking, he placed the martial arts conference invitation on the map and continued, “Qi may seem stable now, but the deficits caused by years of war and natural disasters remain unresolved. The court must continue pouring money into border defenses. Where do you think they’ll find the manpower and funds to construct the canal?”

Jiang Yunxiu felt a chill run down his spine as realization dawned. “Master, are you suggesting the court plans to target the martial sects?”

Ye Yin shook his head. “There’s no need for outright suppression. Those who can be persuaded will naturally be promised benefits. The martial sects may lack other resources, but they are never short on manpower. Using them to fill border troop shortages kills multiple birds with one stone.”

“So we must stay out of sight for now,” Jiang Yunxiu immediately understood. “I’ll have someone decline the invitation tomorrow.”

Ye Yin nodded, but in an instant, he noticed someone approaching outside the door. Jiang Yunxiu swiftly moved to stand guard by the door, only to hear a sudden knock followed by Zuo Qingchuan’s voice calling out, “Ye Yin, time for your medicine!”

The two inside immediately let out a sigh of relief. Jiang Yunxiu turned around and opened the door. “Come in.”

Zuo Qingchuan was momentarily stunned. “You opened it so quickly?”

He had expected to wait for Ye Yin, that frail patient, to slowly get out of bed and shuffle over. Unexpectedly, Jiang Ziyun was inside discussing something, saving him from having to stand outside.

Zuo Qingchuan shoved the tray holding the medicine bowl into Jiang Yunxiu’s hands, lazily saying, “You take it to him.”

“You’re so lazy you can’t even carry it a short distance yourself? You might as well just lie down and stay there forever,” Jiang Yunxiu retorted, momentarily at a loss for words.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, Zuo Qingchuan remarked indifferently, “Usually, that kid Ye Chang’an is the most eager to help. I don’t know what’s up with him today—acting all listless and lethargic. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even bothered walking from the medicine room to here.”

Jiang Yunxiu mulled over his words, suddenly understanding. After delivering the medicine to Ye Yin, he reported, “Master, I think I might know what’s wrong with Chang’an…”

As night deepened, pale moonlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, illuminating the tranquil corridor. Ye Yin carried a lamp, walking quietly to Chang’an’s door. Seeing no light inside, he leaned against the door, listening intently. All he could hear was the faint, even sound of sleeping breaths.

It seemed Chang’an had fallen asleep. Ye Yin decided to talk to him properly the next morning. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard someone inside calling his name.

Ye Chang’an, eyes tightly shut, was caught in an impenetrable haze. He faintly heard the clash of weapons, the thundering of horses, the wails of countless voices, and indistinct cries calling out to him.

In the dense fog, his mind searched aimlessly, gradually losing its way. What were those sounds? Where had Ye Yin gone?

Until the sound of his name being called reached his ears. Ye Chang’an abruptly opened his eyes and found himself clutching Ye Yin’s hand tightly.

Ye Yin looked at him with concern, gently asking, “Chang’an, are you alright?”

Author’s Note:

They’re not quite at the “liking each other” stage yet~

Ah Jiu has roughly sketched a fictional map, which I’ve posted on Weibo for reference only.

(Whispering) I’ll write something lighter for now to lower your defenses.

TL – I cant acess weibo😭