Chapter 21 Part 2

Ge Dongchen laughed and offered more apologies, then shifted the topic back to Gu Xiaodeng. “Still, his origins are odd. I looked into his background before he entered the Gu family. That commoner father of his wasn’t just some common drifter from the jianghu. He has a real background. I wonder what rare thing is stashed away on him.”

“Stashed away some mud, to grab and throw in your face.”

Ge Dongchen laughed, then leaned back and let the shadows half-cover him. “Yunji, tell me: why is he always so happy? I hate that silly blissful attitude of his, like nothing in the world can faze him. He’s just a stone polished up by the Gu family for someone else’s hands to throw around and play with. Not a shred of guile, and still that radiant after over half a year here… It’s infuriating to look at.”

Guan Yunji sneered. “I knew you hated him too. Earlier, you were pretending otherwise. Well, not enjoying it anymore? Stay clear of that farmhand slave sooner rather than later. Playing with him lowers your status and could stir up who knows what trouble. If he ever really squirms his way under the heavens’ notice, you’ll find yourself drenched in the stink.”

He paused, then added, “If you’re idle and need an outlet, gather a few servant concubines early on. Home will be easier to bear, and your bed a bit warmer. Trust me, I can recommend a few from the Guan family for you.”

Ge Dongchen was momentarily speechless. “I’m talking about Gu Xiaodeng, and you’re telling me this? Brat, are you truly thinking for me, or deliberately trying to make my life harder?”

Guan Yunji took a sip of tea, his expression resigned. “Isn’t it because your home is cold and empty, and you’re short on people to attend to you? Too much boredom makes you set your sights on Gu Xiaodeng. Look around all of Changluo: which family heir has sunk to such a pathetic state as you?”

“I don’t need it.” Ge Dongchen straightened up, grabbed the teapot and drank straight from it. After setting it down, he was his hearty self again. “This Vast Marsh Academy is good, and Gu Xiaodeng is good too. I haven’t even started to play yet. Keep your hands out of it. If you want to play, join me. If not, go play with your bird.”

Guan Yunji clicked his tongue. “Fine. May you die early and reincarnate quickly—just not into a Southern Border womb.”

Ge Dongchen swore with a laugh, then hauled him up. “Come on, walk a round with me. Why are you holed up in your turtle shell? Trying to hatch into a second Su Mingya? Let’s go, Young Master Guan. Get out, get to know people, find some amusement.”

Guan Yunji had no choice but to follow. It was already past noon, and aside from servants, most of the young masters were likely napping. The paths were sparsely peopled. Ge Dongchen dragged him to the door of the son of a third-rank military officer nearby. As soon as names were announced, the page immediately knocked, and the young master inside hurried to greet them.

“I came to find you for a bit of fun, nothing more. Just say a few words.” Ge Dongchen smiled and patted the young master’s shoulder. He was taller than his peers, and his bearing always dominated. With his family’s high rank, he was clearly a leading figure among the military officer sons of this generation. “You met Gu Shanqing of the Gu family this morning, didn’t you?”

The young master hastily nodded. “Yes, Gu Shanqing is passionate and treats people warmly.”

Ge Dongchen let out an “Oh,” his expression meaningful. “Young Master Guan and I both find him deeply distasteful. Tell me, what should be done about it?”

The young master and Guan Yunji both froze for a moment. Before Guan Yunji could open his mouth, the young master nodded. “What Brother Ge has said, I’ll remember. Not only I, but the other classmates around will remember too.”

Ge Dongchen laughed softly and traced a finger across his own lips, signaling silence. “Ah, did I just instruct you to do something?”

The young master bowed again, utterly deferential. “Brother instructed nothing. It is we ourselves who find Gu Shanqing unlikable.”

Ge Dongchen was satisfied. After chatting and laughing a while, he pulled Guan Yunji away.

“Aside from that drug jar Su Mingya, everyone else is settled.” Ge Dongchen threw an arm around Guan Yunji’s shoulders. “I want to see just how long that little fool can keep laughing.”

Guan Yunji’s brow furrowed, then relaxed. After a moment, he grunted. “Who cares.”

~

Gu Xiaodeng woke from his afternoon nap and went out again excitedly to meet new friends. But for some unknown reason, the young noblemen who had been so amiable that morning now ignored him. One by one, they turned aloof. Even a few soft, adorable youths living next door to him shut their doors and refused to acknowledge him, despite having been warmly close just that morning.

This was Gu Xiaodeng’s first experience with group living, and he hadn’t yet figured things out. After being turned away a few times, he asked Feng’en, “Why are they ignoring me?”

Feng’en still only offered a light smile. “Your approach to dealing with the young masters is not something us servants can meddle in. Why not make another effort and see?”

“Fine.” Gu Xiaodeng smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Anyway, there’s plenty of time ahead.”

He walked on, light-footed. Since others were snubbing him, he decided to go find Su Mingya. Just as he was getting close, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure ahead. Rubbing his eyes for a clearer look, tears sprung forth. He almost called out “Door God Zhu,” but suddenly remembered the day he’d raised the ferule and struck that man’s back. Cautiously, he called instead, “Steward Zhu!”

The figure turned. It was indeed the stone-faced Zhu Mi.

Gu Xiaodeng hurried forward, his eyes rimmed red. “Steward Zhu! Long time no see. Are you well?”

Zhu Mi, as impeccably dressed and stiffly solemn as ever, gave Gu Xiaodeng a proper salute. His voice was flat as a loom’s shuttle. “Young Master Cousin is well. Thank you for your concern. I am fine in every respect. I am now in general charge of all miscellaneous affairs at Vast Marsh Academy. Should you have any daily needs, simply send a page for me.”

Gu Xiaodeng scrutinized his complexion and posture. He looked perfectly healthy, as though he’d never suffered the staff punishment at Gu Yan’s hand. Relieved, Gu Xiaodeng asked, “So you’re the head of the academy now? Is this a promotion?”

Zhu Mi paused, then nodded.

Gu Xiaodeng smiled and cupped his hands in a salute. “Then congratulations!”

Zhu Mi’s expression softened a fraction. He bowed in respect. “Take care. I’ll take my leave first.”

“All right! When you’ve got time, can I come find you?”

“Naturally, I would be entirely at your disposal.”

Gu Xiaodeng waved as Zhu Mi departed. Then he rubbed his eyes and turned to speak to Feng’en. “Feng’en, do you know Zhu Mi?”

“Only as a nodding acquaintance.” Feng’en was honest. “All I know is that Steward Zhu is a house-born servant. He and his younger brother are both well-regarded. His brother is currently First-Class Guard to Fourth Young Master.”

“Back when I first came to the Gu family, he looked after me for a while. I always felt he was more like a neighborly older brother. But later, because of some strange events, I went against my heart and struck him with the ferule. The first time I ever hit someone.” Gu Xiaodeng bowed his head and rubbed his neck. “Feng’en, I hope I never have to hit anyone again. You and Feng Huan are both so good.”

Feng’en was silent for a beat, then gave a soft laugh and said nothing.

Having vented his small sorrow, Gu Xiaodeng proceeded, smile restored, to call on Su Mingya at Bamboo Courtyard. The page, seeing him approach, wore a complicated expression but still let him in.

Upon entering the main hall, he found Su Mingya standing before a fairly large crystal tank, gazing into it with a listless air.

“Young Master Su!”

Su Mingya’s back stiffened, and he slowly turned sideways, the word “libertine” almost tumbling from his lips. “…Xiaodeng.”

Gu Xiaodeng skipped over, his eyes sparkling as he looked at him first. “Young Master Su, you look much better.”

“Hm.”

Su Mingya averted his face. Gu Xiaodeng then turned his attention to the new crystal tank, tilting his head around in curiosity. “Wow, what’s this? I saw Zhu Mi earlier; did he bring this?”

“A Su family item.” Su Mingya gazed seriously at Gu Xiaodeng’s reflection on the glass. “Moon jellyfish, tribute from East River. They’re nothing much to see in the daytime, but at night, they glow.”

“Jellyfish!”

Su Mingya listened to him marvel, then heard the utterly prosaic conclusion: “Jellyfish are edible!”

Su Mingya stayed silent.

“I once heard an old fisherman uncle who works the sea say, when you catch a big jellyfish, you wash it with wood ash and raw oil, then cook it with pepper, cassia, and shrimp vinegar, or maybe mix up some spicy meat vinegar. Dip slices of the big jellyfish in the vinegar sauce… fragrant and fresh!”

Su Mingya listened quietly. He actually felt a desire to taste it.

“But these are little jellyfish.” Gu Xiaodeng pressed close to the tank to peer at the drifting creatures in their clear, water-filled enclosure. “Will they grow bigger?”

Su Mingya looked down at his long lashes nearly touching the crystal and couldn’t help a soft laugh. “They won’t grow. No such luck for your appetite.”

“No matter, I can feast my eyes!” Gu Xiaodeng laughed and turned to him, his eyes as bright as morning stars. “It’s daytime now and they’re transparent. Can I come see the glowing jellyfish at night?”

What he really wanted was more time here—to gaze at the curious jellyfish, and at the rare beauty before him.

Su Mingya wasn’t blind to this. But truly, he couldn’t bear to chase away such a person.

“Fine.”

Gu Xiaodeng was so delighted he felt like sprinting laps around him. Unable to do that, he clasped his hands together and beamed. “Young Master Su, you’re so kind.”

Su Mingya turned and walked toward his desk. The little puppy-like creature tagged stickily along behind. “Young Master Su, so many new friends moved into the academy today. Do you want to go out and visit them?”

Su Mingya gave a soft laugh. “Classes start tomorrow. Won’t I meet them then?”

He thought to himself: those coming to this academy were from families below his own. He had no need to go visiting. On the contrary, those people should be coming to pay respects to him.

Just like Gu Xiaodeng had.

They chatted idly through the afternoon. When dusk fell, the lamps remained unlit. Slowly, the jellyfish began to glow. The crystal tank became a dreamscape, the jellyfish like night-blooming cereus that never withered.

Su Mingya sat to one side, watching the light sources in the water. Gu Xiaodeng watched him through the faint shimmer, losing count of how many times he spaced out and grinned foolishly.

Little flirt.

Little pervert.

~

The next day, the fifteenth of February, Gu Xiaodeng rose early. The first day of lessons didn’t require bone stretching or body forging. Dressed in his plain white student robe, he followed his page out, brimming with excitement, hoping to greet his young neighbors and walk together. To his surprise, everyone gave him a wide berth, acting as though he were a sack of pestilence.

The more baffled Gu Xiaodeng grew, but his excitement over the first day of class still swept it all away.

The Academy hall wasn’t far from the Student Courtyard. It had a north and south section, separated by a tall wall into two halls for male and female students. The young noble ladies, few in number, were housed in the gardens south of Vast Marsh Academy, their accommodations a notch nicer than the Student Courtyard and far more scenic.

The south hall was the female hall, the north the male hall. On this first day of teaching, the female instructor, quite uniquely, was Gu Ruhui, the Gu family’s second daughter. Over in the male hall was An Zhenwen. Likely, the Su family worried that Su Mingya might struggle on the first day, so they’d specifically arranged for An Zhenwen to set his heart at ease.

This was the first year of the Gu Family Private School. The academy was vast, but not many had come: twenty-five young men and seventeen young women, all enjoying unmatched conditions.

Gu Xiaodeng entered the north hall. Inside were twenty-five seats arranged in five rows of five. The seating was fraught with significance: the leftmost and frontmost seats belonged to the noblest families, while those to the right and rear were for the humbler ones.