Encountering a Snake - Chapter 4

V2C4

When the person disappeared, the air seemed to relax, creating a wave of currents.

Ji Jiu knew he had left, and he felt neither relieved nor relaxed; instead, he was tense and helpless. It was a kind of helplessness in the face of a situation he could not control. Having been in a high position for a long time, he was accustomed to wielding power, and what he dreaded most was not understanding the current state of affairs. This sudden disaster was a torment for both his heart and body.

Ji Jiu stood stiffly for a while, confirming that the person had completely left, before finally standing up. He wobbled a bit, as if he were unsteady. Once he steadied himself, his face remained expressionless as he lowered his gaze to the pool of fresh blood on the ground. The dark red stain was a color of disgrace; his eyes were sharp and fierce, like a blade. Not a king, not a relative, yet kneeling and bowing his head, he was reduced to begging. For Ji Jiu, this was an unprecedented occurrence; he never imagined he would experience such a humble day in his lifetime.

The hatred in his heart surged like a torrential flood, but it was always mixed with a sense of powerlessness. What else could he do? Against such a monstrous being, he had no choice; the only option was to take the easiest path to resolve it.

Now that the person had left, he was gone, but he had not promised Ji Jiu anything. Ji Jiu turned around, his face smeared with blood as he looked out at the bright sun outside the house, unsure if this matter had truly come to an end. He hoped it was over.

But if it wasn’t over, what should he do? Ji Jiu couldn’t avoid thinking about this, yet he could come up with no strategy, only staring at the dazzling sunshine outside the door, feeling a chill all over.

After continuous humiliation and battling with his pride, Ji Jiu fell ill that night. Lying on the bed, he was drenched in cold sweat, beads of sweat trickling out; he was wrapped in a quilt, completely soaked, yet his teeth were chattering, and he was shaking uncontrollably.

Several doctors came but could find no illness; they only prescribed calming medicines, but the soups and medicines had no effect. Ji Jiu was very clear-headed; the sedatives were useless to him, his dark eyes remained wide open, staring at the ceiling. His family was frantic, not knowing the cause of his illness; when they asked him, he seemed to hear nothing and was lost in thought. The monks they had invited saw the white cloth on his forehead and guessed a bit, but they promised not to leak any news. So they remained silent, regardless of how Ji Jiu’s family pressured them, only chanting quietly. Finally, the lady of the house came in holding their two-year-old daughter, placing the soft and tender little girl onto Ji Jiu, and then stepping aside to watch her crawl over her father, without saying a word to stop her.

The little girl had drool at the corner of her mouth and looked curiously at her mother and then at her father for a moment before reaching out her small chubby hands to grab Ji Jiu’s face, babbling something unintelligible. She grabbed the white silk on Ji Jiu’s forehead, then tugged at his nose, and after a few pulls, Ji Jiu, drenched in sweat, finally came back to himself, staring blankly at his daughter. The little girl also looked at him and suddenly broke into a smile, drool dripping onto Ji Jiu’s face. Ji Jiu finally managed to pull out a smile.

This sudden illness just as suddenly recovered.

The lady of the house breathed a sigh of relief; thereafter, she served tea and water but did not bring up her husband’s illness, although she knew that he must have something on his mind that could not be mentioned. Since it could not be mentioned, it was better to lock it away.

A brass lock thoroughly sealed the door, and the windows were boarded up. There was quite a commotion, but since Ji Jiu was the head of the family, no one dared to come and inquire. Furthermore, they were an official family, and even the servants were well trained, knowing what to say and what not to say, their hearts as clear as mirrors; the dozens of mouths in the family were all tightly shut, not daring to discuss things even privately.

Ji Jiu rested for two days and regained his energy; his complexion returned to rosy. One day, with nothing to do, he sat in the courtyard holding his little girl while reciting a book. He sat on a stone bench, holding the book in one hand while cradling his little girl in the other. He was reciting “The Memorial on Expelling Guests”: “Mount Tai does not refuse soil, hence it can become great; rivers and seas do not select small streams, hence they can become deep; a king does not reject the common people, hence he can demonstrate his virtue…” The little girl lay in his arms, obediently listening, although she did not understand, she felt that her father’s voice was pleasant. His voice was soft, and his demeanor was gentle, as if he were whispering softly, yet every word was clear. The calm and relaxed recitation sounded like a gentle breeze on a sunny day, coming from the riverside, carrying with it the misty water and the fragrance of the grass and trees, seeping into the heart.

He was so absorbed in his recitation that he did not notice that under the shade of the tree, there was always someone watching him intently, as if time were rewinding, going back more than one hundred and fifty years. At that time, Shen Qingxuan was holding a little treasure in his arms, leaning against the pavilion, reciting a book; he was enjoying passing the time in the sound of that recitation. Perhaps it was only after losing that he realized the beauty of those once cherished moments. If only life were as it was at first sight, back then it seemed so ordinary.

Yi Mo lowered his eyes, sitting cross-legged against the trunk of the tree, leaning against that hundred-year-old locust tree, just listening to the familiar voice reciting, not daring to look at him again. He could not look, could not.

Ji Jiu read for a while, then noticed there was no movement in his arms. He looked down and saw that his little girl had closed her eyelids and fallen asleep, her nostrils slightly flaring, sleeping exceptionally sweetly, with her thumb in her mouth, occasionally sucking on it, her childish appearance making Ji Jiu smile. He put down the book and gently took her thumb out of her mouth. The little girl, feeling something was missing in her dream, frowned unhappily, and the corners of her mouth drooped as if she were about to cry. Ji Jiu was about to comfort her, but she ultimately could not resist the temptation of sleep and fell back asleep.

The father and daughter were in a peaceful moment when a servant rushed in to report that Master Zhang from the palace had arrived.

Ji Jiu called over a maid to hand the child to, and hurried out of the inner courtyard. On this trip home, besides reporting his duties, he was also visiting family. However, in just a month’s time, he would return to the military and be with the soldiers day and night. After returning, he had been to the palace several times, always going quickly and coming back just as fast. In the past two years, there had been no major incidents on the border; the southern tribes had been completely subdued five years ago, leaving only the northern Huns. The Huns were brave and good at riding and shooting, their skills quick, fierce, and accurate, which posed a major threat to the central government. However, three years ago, northern merchants had reported that internal strife had broken out among the Huns, with two major families fighting among themselves, leaving them unable to invade the borders. Ji Jiu had sent spies to investigate and confirmed the information was true, so the northern frontier had remained peaceful for several years.

This peace was merely temporary; Ji Jiu knew it, the soldiers in the army knew it, the ministers in the court knew it, and the emperor knew it even more.

Ji Jiu changed into his official robes and entered the palace with Master Zhang. In the imperial study, there were only two people: one dressed in a bright yellow robe, facing a map of the northern border, and the other in a blue scholar’s robe, holding a folding fan, turned sideways to Ji Jiu. When Ji Jiu arrived, they were engaged in quiet conversation.

Ji Jiu knelt and bowed, saying, “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

The emperor nodded with a smile and walked to him, saying, “Ji Jiu.” His voice was warm yet carried authority. Ji Jiu lowered his head and replied, “Yes.”

The emperor allowed him to rise and asked, “How is General Ji’s health recently?”

Ji Jiu answered, “My father is in good health. Before I returned home, he had a drink with his old friends, and during the meal, he only had two pieces of flatbread.”

The emperor chuckled, saying it was good.

Ji Jiu knew this was merely a prelude to formal matters, so he stood to the side, waiting for the emperor to speak.

Unexpectedly, the emperor lingered without bringing up the main topic, instead engaging in small talk, asking about family matters, military affairs, recruitment, and training. He suddenly changed the subject back to his family, such as the studies of Ji Jiu’s eldest son. Ji Jiu answered one by one but felt uncertain in his heart.

After a while, the emperor finally picked up a memorial from the table and handed it over: “This is an urgent military report; take a look.”

Ji Jiu was taken aback for a moment, took it with both hands, opened it, and read carefully. The more he read, the more serious his expression became, and the atmosphere around them seemed to solidify with the unfolding of this report. The emperor continued to observe his expression, while the man in the blue robe stood by, seemingly indifferent but actually taking in every subtle detail of the room.

Finally, Ji Jiu closed the memorial, took a deep breath, and said, “The Ji family has been loyal for three generations, with descendants serving in the military. There has never been any incident of embezzlement of military supplies; I ask your majesty to investigate.”

The emperor smiled inscrutably, taking the memorial from Ji Jiu’s hands and placing it aside as if discarding it casually, saying, “How could I doubt you?” This remark truly transcended their current relationship.

Ji Jiu was taken aback, instinctively glancing at the man in the blue robe beside him, who appeared calm and seemingly had heard nothing. Ji Jiu’s heart tightened, and he remained silent.

The emperor looked at his childhood companion, still wearing a mysterious expression, paused for a moment, and said, “Do not linger in the capital; return to the military tomorrow.”

Since Ji Jiu entered the room, it was the first time he raised his eyes to face the emperor. The emperor had matured further, his brows and eyes darkened significantly, no longer the melancholic but approachable prince of his youth, but a true sovereign of the realm. Ji Jiu knew that since they had supported this inconspicuous prince to ascend to the throne, he had returned from being a companion to his subject.

Ji Jiu knelt again and said softly, “I take my leave, Your Majesty.”

As he looked up, he caught sight of a jade pendant swaying from the emperor’s dragon robe— a vermilion nine-headed turtle pendant. Five years ago, when he first became a general, he led twenty thousand troops south to pacify the southern barbarians. Upon returning to the capital, in this very imperial study, the emperor had smiled sincerely, casually handing him a lion-head paperweight from the dragon table. At that time, he was still young and impetuous; he knew it was inappropriate, yet he took off the jade pendant from his waist, which was carved from crimson jade in the shape of a nine-headed turtle, and gave it to the emperor.

Ji Jiu didn’t know if the emperor had intentionally worn it today or if it was something else. However, he preferred to believe that the increasingly imposing emperor had whimsically adorned himself with that jade ornament.

As Ji Jiu departed, the emperor continued to watch his figure disappear from sight. After a pause, he turned back to the military map, studied it for a moment, and suddenly spoke, “What do you think of this person?”

The man in the blue robe smiled and replied, “Your Majesty, a gentleman is like a lotus.” He is admirable from a distance but should not be approached carelessly.

The emperor fell silent again. “If I were to use him to sweep away the Xiongnu, how would that be?”

“Your Majesty,” the man hesitated for a moment before saying, “General Ji has a natural talent for military affairs.”

“Oh?”

“Five years ago, he led twenty thousand soldiers into the wild, traversing mountains and rivers, directly confronting the enemy’s heart. He became famous in a single battle. However, no one has considered how northern soldiers could overcome the southern climate, nor how they could trace the enemy’s tracks without being misled by traps set by enemy generals. This battle relied entirely on the general’s decisiveness; every move had to be calculated perfectly to achieve such remarkable success. If a single step went wrong, both the twenty thousand soldiers and their leader would face ruin. General Ji demonstrated his talent as a military commander in his first battle. If sent to face the Xiongnu, he would not disappoint.”

The emperor continued to gaze at the terrain map before turning his face. “Since that is the case, why did you hesitate earlier?”

“Your Majesty,” the man said with a wry smile, “I was merely considering whether Your Majesty wishes for him to be a renowned general with great military achievements… or to keep him by your side.”

The emperor’s thoughts were laid bare by the words, yet he did not show any joy or anger. He regarded the man for a moment, still composed, and asked, “What if I want him to pacify the world for me and also remain by my side?”

“A gentleman is like a lotus.” The man knelt down and said softly, “He could be cut off and discarded once wilted, or allowed to reveal its splendor.”

The emperor was silent for a moment. “You may leave.”

Ji Jiu rode away hastily from the palace. Upon reaching the marketplace, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of someone emerging from a corner—dressed as a Taoist, with white hair but a youthful face, exuding an air of ethereal charm. His heart stirred, and Ji Jiu tightened the reins; his horse let out a soft neigh and stopped. The horse’s whinny caught the Taoist’s attention. He had originally come out to buy something and had not noticed the passerby. Upon raising his head, he made eye contact with Ji Jiu, and both were startled.

The Taoist exclaimed in surprise, “Shen Qingxuan!”

Ji Jiu was shocked by the astonishment and joy in his eyes, a look that one might have upon seeing an old friend after a long separation. Ji Jiu was certain he had never met this Taoist before, yet the name he called out was unfamiliar, and his gaze fixed directly on Ji Jiu, showing no sign of mistaken identity.

Ji Jiu quickly turned his thoughts, glancing at his wrist, where the snake-like birthmark now bore a ring of bite marks. His heart skipped a beat, and he was unwilling to recall that incident. When he looked up again to speak with the Taoist, he discovered there was no one before him.

Ji Jiu looked into the distance from atop his horse, seeing the Taoist’s frantic figure sprinting down the alley. He no longer resembled the ethereal figure from moments ago. After running a few steps, he swiftly disappeared into the distance, and Ji Jiu realized that this Taoist indeed possessed some form of magical ability. Unfortunately, the person had vanished.

Ji Jiu sighed to himself and rode back to his residence.

The Taoist was Xu Mingshi. He had used his magical abilities to run wildly, reaching a tavern where he burst into a guest room and shouted at the young man sitting by the window looking out, “I found your father!”

The young man immediately stood up, “Is it true?”

“Absolutely! His brows and eyes are identical; there’s no way to be mistaken. Hurry, hurry! He rides faster than us. We can still catch up if we hurry,” said Xu Mingshi, preparing to leave. He stepped out onto the balcony, only to find the person behind him hadn’t moved at all, standing still as if lost in thought.

“Why aren’t you chasing after him?” he asked suspiciously.

“Go find out who he is now, how old he is, whether he has a family or an official position, and come back to report to me once you know,” Shen Zhe said quietly. “Hurry up!”

Xu Mingshi paused for a moment and immediately complied, disappearing in an instant. He couldn’t help but lament that when he was young and brimming with energy, he had killed the man’s parents. Now, here was this wolf cub, learning to be just like Shen Qingxuan, full of schemes, without knowing what he was really planning. When would this enmity come to an end? Now, he was completely treating him like a servant.

He couldn’t help but also blame Yi Mo for leaving the little wolf cub to find Shen Qingxuan, which had caused him to suffer.

Xu Mingshi’s grievances remained unspoken, yet he had no choice but to run errands for others.

It was indeed difficult for him. Yi Mo went to find Shen Qingxuan, but Shen Zhe insisted on following. Yi Mo had always been headstrong, and it was already a challenge to have him around for a hundred years. Besides, they weren’t related by blood, so what exactly was he doing following him? Shen Qingxuan hoped that the little treasure could become independent, so one night, Yi Mo left on his own. Alone, Shen Zhe inevitably got into trouble and fought with an old ghost on a lonely mountain. That ghost had also practiced for a thousand years, while the little wolf had only a hundred years of experience. The difference was clear, and the little wolf was severely injured, nearly dying. Fortunately, Yi Mo heard the news and came to save him, but even though he lived, he remained in a coma. Yi Mo then spent another twenty years guarding a celestial flower on Ling Mountain in the South Sea, harvesting it when it bloomed and feeding it to him. After a few days, he realized that the little wolf was about to wake up, and he also knew he had delayed Shen Qingxuan’s reincarnation. He called for Xu Mingshi to look after the little treasure, and only then did he leave the mountain to continue searching for Shen Qingxuan.

The father and son thus became separated. After Shen Zhe woke up, he realized he had made a mistake but felt too embarrassed to look for Yi Mo, so he dragged Xu Mingshi along to search for his father’s reincarnation.

Now that he had found his father, he believed his father must also be nearby. Shen Zhe felt a deep sense of shame, thinking that if the twenty years lost because of healing him caused them to miss their opportunity in this life, what could he do to make it up?

If he couldn’t make it up, how could he face his father?

Shen Zhe could only silently pray that this opportunity still existed, yet he understood all too well; after twenty years, how many ordinary families had not married and had children? Moreover, his father in this life was a person of great nobility; it was likely too late. He looked out the window; the sunlight was just right, with a gentle breeze brushing against him. The clouds in Shen Zhe’s heart dissipated somewhat, and no matter what, he had found his father.

Thinking this way, a faint smile appeared on his face. The smile was innocent and pure, reminiscent of the child who used to snuggle in his father’s arms.