Chapter 54: Keeping Watch Part 2

In the inner chamber, an elderly woman sat upright on the couch. She appeared to be in her sixties, surrounded by several girls. Yingqiu opened the door and announced, “Lord Xiao has arrived.”

The old woman rose to greet him, but Xiao Kun quickly said, “Auntie, please sit.”

The girls sat or stood, whispering softly. They looked at Xiao Kun with eyes full of amusement.

“After Xing’er went to the capital, I divined with tortoise shells and knew Feng’er would return home today, along with a noble guest,” Xiang’s Mother said with a smile. “Ask them if I’m right? It came true, didn’t it?”

“So accurate!” The girls laughed in unison.

Xiang Xian’s mother, Xie Yun, had studied under a renowned diviner from the Wu region. In her youth, she occasionally glimpsed flashes of the Heavenly Mandate, but her excessive insight led her to meddle in mortal fates, revealing destinies and bringing illness upon herself. After marrying into the Xiang Family, she achieved enlightenment, rarely interfering thereafter. Her health improved, and she lived harmoniously with Xiang Yu, bearing Xiang Xian only in her thirties.

Thus, when Shen Kuo took Xiang Xian as a direct disciple, Xie Yun understood that one must not defy the Heavenly Mandate. She persuaded her husband at length, and though Xiang Yu was reluctant, he let the boy go.

“Hello, Auntie,” Xiao Kun said with a smile, sitting beside her to chat. A maid served tea.

“You’re Kun’er,” Xie Yun said. Though aged, her eyes sparkled with youthful wit as she gazed at Xiao Kun, full of warmth. “Feng’er sent three letters home this year, mentioning you in every one.”

Only then did Xiao Kun learn Xiang Xian’s childhood name. Fitting as his character, he thought. Raising his brows with a smile, he asked, “What did he say?”

“Just trifles about daily life in the Division,” Xie Yun replied. “Reporting joys, not woes—the way of children. How are your parents?”

“My mother has passed,” Xiao Kun answered. “Father lives, but he rarely speaks. I saw him briefly not long ago.”

Xie Yun nodded. Nearby, the girls exchanged glances, and Xie Yun laughed. “No manners! What are you saying?”

One girl giggled, “Lord Xiao’s eyes are blue, like gems.”

“Those are Nether Eyes, piercing all beings and surveying the great Dao of heaven and earth,” Xie Yun said. “Mr. Xiao’s Cultivation Base is truly formidable.”

Xiao Kun hadn’t expected his identity to be seen through at first sight of Xiang Xian’s mother.

“Is Feng’er alright?” Xie Yun still worried for her son.

“He’s in the mourning hall,” Yingqiu said from the door. “He’ll come after tidying up.”

Xie Yun turned to Xiao Kun. “Feng’er has always been oblivious to propriety—spoiled by Senior Shen. He’s thoughtless like his father, always cracking jokes at the worst times, especially when you have serious matters to discuss…”

Xiao Kun nearly spat out his half-drunk tea. A mother knows her son best, he thought.

“…Mr. Xiao, don’t indulge him,” Xie Yun said with a smile. “Discipline him often. If words fail, give him a beating. A few good thrashings, and he’ll learn.”

“You’re too kind, Auntie,” Xiao Kun hurriedly said. “He… Feng’er is my best brother. We’d face life and death together. Without him, I’d be neither man nor ghost, homeless as a stray dog.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Xiao,” Xie Yun replied. “You have a spirit of noble resolve, unyielding through trials.”

“I dare not! I dare not!” Xiao Kun demurred upon hearing such praise.

“Only one who takes the safety of worldly beings as their duty possesses such bearing,” Xie Yun laughed. “Feng’er couldn’t ask for better guardianship from you. You’re his fated benefactor.”

Xiao Kun grew restless from the compliments. No one had ever praised him so highly; warmth filled his heart.

At that moment, Xiang Xian arrived.

“What are you chatting about?” Xiang Xian asked, noticing Xiao Kun’s flushed face under the lamplight. “Why the red face?”

With Xiang Xian’s arrival, the girls smiled and curtsied. “Greetings, Shixiong.”

Xiao Kun realized these attendants were Xie Yun’s disciples. Xiang Xian returned the courtesy. “Greetings, Shimeis. You’ve seen the man? Off to bed now—no dark circles tomorrow.”

The girls, curious about Xiao Kun’s character and looks, had only wanted a peek. Exposed by Xiang Xian, they laughed and dispersed.

“Your father died at a bad time,” Xie Yun mused, “making such a fuss for you.”

Xiang Xian, steeped in grief, found himself torn between tears and laughter at her words.

“Can the dead pick their time?” He sat beside her. “Next time, I’ll choose a good one.”

Xie Yun faintly said, “You didn’t cause trouble for Mr. Xiao in Kaifeng?”

“No,” Xiang Xian glanced at Xiao Kun with a warning look, cautioning him not to speak rashly before his mother. Xiao Kun found it amusing and avoided his gaze.

“I brought you something good,” Xiang Xian remembered. He pulled a small packet from his Qiankun Bag, unfolded it, and carefully poured out a handful of Pine Nuts onto the table. “These are from the Garden Protecting Divine Beast of Kunlun Mountain—an ancient Pixiu that’s lived thousands of years. Mu Ma, this tree was planted by the Queen Mother of the West herself!”

Xiao Kun recalled the night Xiang Xian received the Pine Nuts: his first act was to share half with him, saving the rest preciously. He hadn’t eaten his share along the way, all for his parents.

Xie Yun smiled as Xiang Xian carefully shelled the nuts. He added, “Eating them will surely extend your life.”

Xie Yun said, “Your father’s gone. What need have I for more years or longevity? Better to join him soon.”

“Don’t say that,” Xiang Xian said angrily. “Isn’t living good?”