Chapter 10: Little Bird Dumpling

Pei Du was a scholar from a noble family, so his residence was naturally quite refined.

In the garden of the inner courtyard, a rockery had been built from Taihu stones, with fresh water channeled from the summit to cascade down, sending up a mist that drifted through the air and shimmered against the jade-green lotus leaves in the pond. This was the “Little Penglai Scene.”

In summer, it offered tranquil waters to soothe the mind; in winter, sparkling ice and snow for quiet admiration. It held an air of elegant charm.

But now…

Pei Du’s gaze lifted temporarily from the Little Bird Dumpling, traveling upward to the cluster of lotus leaves above its head.

Somehow propped in place, the leaves channeled water from the nearby rockery fountain. Clear streams pattered into the center of the leaf before trickling along the veins, dripping steadily onto the Little Bird, who stood earnestly atop a rockery stone, bathing with utmost seriousness.

Pei Du slowed his steps as he drew near.

Only up close did he see that the Little Bird Dumpling had used the White Jade Lotus Root—specially placed in the pond by a feng shui master back in the day—to support the lotus leaf, secured with several loops of rope for stability.

This was clearly beyond what the Little Bird’s claws could accomplish. There had to be a helper involved.

Pei Du’s eyes flicked to Zhong Bo, standing right by the pond’s edge.

The old steward—whom the Little Bird had coquettishly chirped into setting up this lotus leaf shower—was watching the Little Bird Dumpling with a beaming smile, his eyes overflowing with undisguised affection and fondness.

Pei Du had already witnessed the full extent of the Little Bird Dumpling’s coquettish wiles firsthand, so he wasn’t remotely surprised that Zhong Bo, the Pei Mansion’s steward renowned for his stern and serious face, had melted into such warmth.

The grayish-white Little Bird hadn’t had a proper bath since arriving at the Pei Mansion, only being wiped down a few times with Pei Du’s handkerchiefs.

Pei Du had assumed it must be quite filthy by now, but after the rinse, he could clearly see that its back feathers weren’t solid deep brown. Instead, the brown was interwoven with delicate strands of goose yellow and pale green.

In truth, if not for his plan to sneak into Pei Du’s bed that night—out of basic politeness, one had to wash up before bed—Shen Jiujiu hadn’t even realized that, since turning into a bird, he hadn’t bathed once!

At first, he’d thought to splash around in a basin of water. But after tentatively dipping his claws in several times from the edge, he still couldn’t bring himself to jump. He concluded he was probably one of those hopeless land ducks who couldn’t swim, human or bird.

Not bathing simply wouldn’t do, though. A polite Little Bird had to clean itself thoroughly before climbing into bed.

So Shen Jiujiu circled the courtyard round and round before finally fixing his sights on Pei Du’s painstakingly crafted Penglai Scene.

If a soak was out of the question, a shower would do just fine!

With Zhong Bo’s assistance, Shen Jiujiu hijacked Pei Du’s lotus leaf and achieved his dream of a reusable Little Bird lotus shower.

The water temperature and flow were perfect. Worked into a frenzy, Shen Jiujiu twisted and preened while belting out tune after tune. Chirps rose and fell in waves, every note pitch-perfect, with the occasional long trill for dramatic flair.

As Pei Du listened to the chirping, the melody tugged at his memory. He paused in place, focusing intently until, amid the repeating patterns, he recognized it: the Little Bird Dumpling was singing “Plum Blossom Three Modes.”

Pei Du, who had once played the qin frequently in this very garden, fell silent for a moment. Then he stepped closer to the pond’s edge, bent at the waist, crooked a finger, and rapped lightly on the stone rim.

…He decided then and there that he wouldn’t play the qin in this garden for at least the next two years.

He feared that the sight of the rockery, flowing water, and lotus leaves would stir not a scholar’s lofty sentiments, but an endless echo of chirps swirling in his ears.

Lost in the throes of his bath, Shen Jiujiu twisted his head at the sound. Spotting Pei Du, he fell instantly silent.

Suddenly aware that he must look utterly un-cute all drenched, Shen Jiujiu fussed over his image. He tugged the lotus leaf with his wings to shield himself a bit, then shyly flicked his tail feathers. With a little hop, he turned his back and resumed washing, hiding from Pei Du.

Pei Du: “…”

Truth be told, Lord Pei couldn’t quite make sense of the Little Bird’s baffling shyness.

If his suspicions were correct, then naturally the Little Bird wouldn’t want an audience for his bath. Yet if privacy was the goal, why not fetch a basin and hide somewhere secluded instead of…

Picking this spot?

Pei Du surveyed the open garden—no cover in sight, maids and servants passing to and fro—then glanced at the Little Bird, back turned, its shy humming silenced. He felt a touch of bewilderment.

“What is he doing?” he asked Zhong Bo.

Zhong Bo chuckled warmly. “Jiujiu’s still so young, scared of the water and all, but clever as can be. Don’t know where he picked up the trick, but he figured out how to channel it with the lotus leaf and wash standing up.”

“Just like you as a boy, my lord. Sharp and full of smarts.”

A trace of helplessness crossed Pei Du’s face.

Zhong Bo’s smile only deepened.

At his age, he’d seen his share of little birds and puppies. Sure, his heart softened for them, and he took a liking, but truth be told, it was mostly seeing how Pei Du had changed since the Little Bird arrived—love the master, love the pet.

The Little Bird Dumpling was still scrubbing away. Goodness knew if wings could properly clean a belly.

Pei Du spoke up. “The name he told you?”

Zhong Bo blinked, then caught on that Pei Du meant the Little Bird. He shot Pei Du a surprised look. “How would that be, my lord? We’re raising him now, so he needed a name. You hadn’t given one yet, so I figured a simple placeholder for a few days.”

“‘Jiujiu’ started because he chirped so merrily—cheep-cheep-cheep-cheep. But then he started responding when I called him that, so it stuck.”

“Mm.” Pei Du offered no explanation for his earlier slip, merely acknowledging with a faint sound.

A short while later, Zhong Bo left to prepare dinner, leaving Pei Du alone by the pond.

Shen Jiujiu had washed himself squeaky clean and poked his head out.

“Cheep.”

The Little Bird cheeped but didn’t emerge.

Pei Du paused, then drew a handkerchief from his sleeve and extended it toward the Little Bird.

Ever since this Little Bird had entered his life, Pei Du’s handkerchiefs had seen heavy use.

But this time, Shen Jiujiu didn’t reach out with a claw. Instead, he cheeped hesitantly, eyes fixed on Pei Du.

Pei Du gazed down at the Little Bird Dumpling, reading its intent with practiced ease. He squatted slightly, bringing himself level with the sodden creature—who, with every feather plastered flat, looked several sizes smaller and far less adorable.

Unfurling the handkerchief, he said evenly, “Come here.”

Shen Jiujiu let out a joyful chirp and launched himself in a feathery blur straight into the waiting cloth, rubbing with abandon.

Pei Du held the handkerchief taut between both hands to cradle him. When the Little Bird finally tired and flopped limp across it, Pei Du’s fingers converged gently, wrapping the drenched bundle snugly inside.

Shen Jiujiu had been bundled up like a little bird dumpling, his slightly bald little head sticking out. A breeze chilled his scalp, so he twisted around and shoved his bird head straight into the crook of Pei Du’s hand.

A small damp patch bloomed on Pei Du’s sleeve cuff, but he allowed Shen Jiujiu to nuzzle against him. Cradling the handkerchief-wrapped bird, he carried him into the Inner Courtyard.

The maids had already prepared soft cloths for drying the bird. Shen Jiujiu stood on the table, obediently lifting his wings when Pei Du told him to and stretching out his claws on command. But when it came time to wipe his belly with the cloth, he balked. Clutching the handkerchief, he scurried to one side and fussed with it while turning his back to Pei Du.

Pei Du let the little bird have his way and reached for the copper basin nearby to wash his hands.

As he washed, he gazed down at his reflection shimmering on the water’s surface.

This little bird was nothing like he’d first imagined—not in cleverness, nor in origins. Keeping him close was a gamble with unknown risks and rewards.

True, being near him inexplicably eased Pei Du’s mind. But leaning too heavily on that comfort could spell utter disaster.

By the time Pei Du finished washing his hands, the urge to send the Little Bird Dumpling on his way had taken root. Before that, though, he wanted to see the policy essay the bird owed him.

After all, he’d paid fifty taels for it—from one of his own shops, no less.

Oblivious to Pei Du’s scheming, Shen Jiujiu had puffed himself into a bristling ball of feathers. He tilted his head up to meet the gaze of Pei Du, who had turned back after drying his hands.

“Cheep!”

Pei Du couldn’t bear to look at the little bird’s disheveled state—once so sleek and fluffy. He sat down at the table’s edge and beckoned with a raised hand for the bird to come closer.

Shen Jiujiu hopped over and plopped down in front of Pei Du, legs splayed wide and tail feathers pinned beneath him in a brazen sprawl.

Pei Du let out a soft sigh.

No one seeing that posture would mistake him for an ordinary bird.

With the tip of his finger, Pei Du gently combed through the little bird’s half-dry down. Patiently smoothing the feathers on his head and back, he then parted the wings.

Yes! Right there!

Shen Jiujiu squirmed in bliss, chasing after Pei Du’s fingertip with his body.

Yes!

Over there too!

So good~

Unable to hold back, he cheeped twice and flopped backward. Sprawled in Pei Du’s palm like a little bird pancake, he looked utterly blissed out, as if ascending to the heavens.

Pei Du hefted the bird pancake in his hand.

It wobbled along with the motion.

Pei Du: “…”

Moments like these always sowed fresh doubts in Pei Du’s mind about his own conclusions.

Pei Du’s evening meal was light and austere—no braised pork or drumsticks in sight. The dishes were a wholesome array of greens, whites, yellows, and pale hues.

Shen Jiujiu had already filled up on snacks earlier that day. Now he perched on the windowsill, preening his feathers in the breeze.

By the time Pei Du finished dinner, the little bald patch had vanished, and Shen Jiujiu was a fluffy ball once more.

Pei Du was a man of iron discipline. Once he left the study for the Inner Courtyard, it was time for rest—no official business intruded.

Trouble falling asleep had long been his curse, so he made a habit of lying flat on the bed with eyes closed, gathering his thoughts.

But tonight…

A faint rustling caught Pei Du’s ear. He opened his eyes and turned his head, his gaze calm as it settled on the long-tailed little bird clambering up the edge of the bed.

Shen Jiujiu tucked his wings close, his claws fidgeting awkwardly against the bedding. Then, with a tiny step, he edged toward Pei Du.

Truth be told, he’d tried sneaking into Pei Du’s bed once before, back when he’d first schemed to stay by his side. That time, he’d caught Pei Du off guard, darting under his arm as he lay down and cheeping loudly to claim he’d nearly been squashed.

That night, Shen Jiujiu hadn’t been booted out, but he’d been relegated to the table—no sharing the bed.

So this was his first real attempt at being a bed-climbing bird.

Every sneaky movement screamed guilt.

Pei Du sat up, the bedding sliding down to reveal his snow-white inner robe.

Shen Jiujiu sheepishly retracted the claw he’d extended and stood there on the bed’s edge. For reasons known only to himself, he gave a little wiggle of his backside toward Pei Du.

Pei Du: “…”

The Chief Minister raised a hand to his temple, fresh doubts assailing the convictions he’d once held so firmly.

Man and bird held a silent standoff for a moment before Pei Du spoke. “The maids have prepared a place for you to sleep.”

Mindful of the little bird’s status, Pei Du had done away with the cage. Instead, they’d lined a redwood box with soft padding and silk.

Shen Jiujiu nodded to show he understood.

But the bird didn’t budge.

Pei Du leaned back against the headboard, eyes lowered on the little bird.

Gathering his courage, Shen Jiujiu took another tentative step with one claw.

Then, before Pei Du could refuse, he launched into a sprint from the foot of the bed, scampering up Pei Du’s quilt-covered legs in a flash.