After Rescuing The Sickly White Moonlight - Chapter 19

Chapter 19

July 13th was Zheng Qingyun’s birthday.

The weather that day was beautiful, with a hint of dry heat in the air. The Zheng family didn’t care much for elaborate birthday celebrations; back in Pingjing City, it was mostly a matter of social etiquette, with other officials sending gifts as a courtesy.

Today happened to fall on a day when Zheng Qingyun didn’t have his medicinal bath, and he was currently pestering Lin Yu to let him taste the fruit wine Lin Yu had brewed.

Having some free time and a fresh delivery of fruit from the manor, Lin Yu had decided to brew some fruit wine. Adding ice to it when it was hot made for a perfect way to beat the summer heat. Everyone in the household loved it. In the Kingdom of Rong, private brewing wasn’t strictly regulated as long as it wasn’t sold commercially.

Due to his health, Zheng Qingyun had been forbidden from touching alcohol by Lin Yu. He had been eyeing that deep purple liquid for a long time and decided that tonight, no matter what, he would pester Lin Yu into pouring him a drop. Lin Yu had seen through his little scheme long ago but didn’t call him out.

The Old Madam went to bed early; after having dinner with the younger generation, she retired to her room. Yuan Xiu also left, saying she needed to go back and check her account books. Because it was Qingyun’s birthday, Fang Wenqiu had given them all a day off, meaning no classes tomorrow.

Guan Yi and Guan Yue set out several small plates of grilled meat and side dishes on the stone table. They poured Lin Yu’s fruit wine into a flask and then dragged A-Cheng Yu away with them.

The four of them sat around the stone table. Zheng Mingtang looked at the cushion on Zheng Qingyun’s stool and chuckled. She said, “I remember when we first came back, Brother Lin was so nervous about Third Cousin. He was afraid of the cold, so he’d put cushions on the stools and wrap him in cloaks.”

Lin Yu smiled. “It became a habit. Qingyun’s health has improved a lot lately, so I can finally relax a bit.”

Zheng Zhili picked up a small piece of jerky, tossed it into his mouth, and said while chewing, “Didn’t Physician Chen say he was coming? No news for so long—did he run off somewhere else again?”

Lin Yu thought for a moment. “Maybe he was delayed on the road—Qingyun! You can’t drink too much!”

While Lin Yu was talking to Zheng Zhili, he turned his head only to see that Zheng Qingyun had already sneakily poured a cup and seemingly finished it; now, he was quietly tilting the flask to pour another. Caught in the act, Qingyun didn’t panic at all. Instead, he unhurriedly filled everyone’s cups at the table.

He smiled and said, “It’s my birthday today. A little bit won’t hurt. Brother Yu, you promised me this morning that you’d fulfill my wishes.”

Lin Yu was rendered speechless by this remark and could only sit beside him to keep a strict watch over the wine flask.

Zheng Mingtang took a sip. A sweetness spread through her mouth, followed by a slight spiciness. She said in surprise, “This is sweeter than the last batch.”

Lin Yu nodded. “This is brewed with mulberries, so the flavor is sweeter. Drinking a little won’t be too hard on the body.”

Zheng Zhili huffed twice and teased, “You kids shouldn’t drink excessively. Just watch me drink.” Since Zheng Zhili was sixteen this year, he was indeed the oldest among them.

Lin Yu added dryly, “Second Brother, if you drink too much, your hands tend to get shaky.”

Zheng Zhili’s smile froze on his face. After a moment of hesitation, he put down his wine cup.

In the end, they didn’t even finish the last flask. Zheng Mingtang’s face was slightly flushed. She said to Lin Yu, “Brother Lin, thank you for the method you suggested last time. My mother did find the right person; things are much safer now.”

Lin Yu smiled. “Why thank me? Aren’t we all family?”

Zheng Qingyun and Zheng Zhili looked on with question marks on their faces. Zheng Mingtang explained, “The account books at my mother’s shop used to go missing frequently or get shredded—specifically the records regarding medicinal herbs. Brother Lin told my mother and me to ‘wait for the rabbit by the tree’ and ‘lure the snake out of its hole.’ Sure enough, we caught the person and sent them to the authorities.”

Zheng Qingyun understood; that was what they had discussed that night.

Under the bright moonlight, the youths played and joked together. Before they knew it, the moon was high in the sky, and it was getting late. They each headed back to their rooms.

Lin Yu supported the slightly unsteady Zheng Qingyun back to his room, feeling a bit helpless. “I told you not to drink too much. You don’t even know your own tolerance. What if you’d gotten drunk?”

Zheng Qingyun gave an unconscious mumble as he was helped onto the bed. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he grabbed Lin Yu’s hand and asked, “Where’s my gift? Brother Yu?”

Lin Yu was startled. He thought Qingyun had forgotten, but he remembered quite clearly. He said, “Let go of me first so I can go get it for you, alright?”

Zheng Qingyun dazed for a moment as if processing the words. Once he finished thinking, he let go.

Lin Yu brought out a tightly wrapped box. He sat on the edge of the bed and handed it to Zheng Qingyun. “Open it and see if you like it.”

Zheng Qingyun rolled over, scrambled up nimbly, and impatiently opened the box.

Underneath the top layer of cloth was a dagger. He picked it up and inspected it closely. The moonlight hit the blade, reflecting a luster like liquid mercury. However, the spine of the blade bore several hammer marks of varying depths. The brass guard was carved with auspicious cloud patterns, and the handle was wrapped in leather with a few stubborn threads sticking out. The slightly raw curve at the tip of the blade looked like a new bud emerging in early spring. The length of the dagger was just right; even when Zheng Qingyun grew up, it would still fit his grip.

Suddenly, Zheng Qingyun’s nose felt a bit prickly. He put the dagger away and asked Lin Yu, “This is what you’ve been busy with lately?”

Lin Yu was a bit nervous. “Don’t like it? Although… although it’s a bit ugly, it’s very functional…”

“I like it. I like it very much. Brother Yu, thank you.” Zheng Qingyun interrupted Lin Yu and threw himself into his arms, giving him a big hug.

Lin Yu caught him by reflex, terrified they might roll onto the floor.

“As long as you like it. Qingyun, happy birthday!” Lin Yu whispered into his ear.

Zheng Qingyun shrank his neck as if it tickled. The dagger he had set aside lay quietly on the quilt, shimmering coldly in the moonlight.

The wind blew the leaves of the pear tree outside the window with a rustling sound. Unknowingly, the tree had grown taller than the eaves. The swallows came and went; three years passed in the blink of an eye.

Zheng Zhili had already returned to the capital two years ago to prepare for the martial arts examinations. Not long after Zheng Qingyun’s birthday back then, Physician Chen finally arrived at the Zheng Manor. After his assessment, he confirmed that as long as Zheng Qingyun recuperated for another two years, he would be essentially fully recovered.

The news thrilled the Zheng family. Physician Chen took the opportunity to say to Lin Yu, “Would you like to take me as your master and devote yourself to studying medicine?”

Lin Yu said he needed to think about it. He wrote to ask Zheng Heng’s opinion, and Zheng Heng thought it was a great idea. Thus, Physician Chen settled at the ancestral home, conditioning Zheng Qingyun’s body while teaching his new apprentice everything he knew.

Spring, the 15th Year of Yongqing.

The Emperor implemented reforms in the Six Ministries: every official would undergo an annual evaluation—the capable would advance, and the mediocre would be demoted. He introduced the “Triple Mutual Supervision” for local officials—if one was guilty, three would be held responsible. He also established the Candidate Department as a logistical branch where officials could study and wait for permanent positions.

None of this was the most important thing. The most important thing was that the Emperor added a new department to the Ministry of War called the “Maritime Surveillance Guards” and decreed that coastal officials would rotate every two years and must be stationed at least 800 li away from their ancestral homes. Coastal officials would hold a rank of Secondary Fourth Class.

Lin Yu felt his head ache as he read the letter sent by Zheng Heng. Zheng Heng vaguely mentioned in the letter that other officials had pointed out flaws in the general supervision of the bureaucracy. The Emperor had happened to remember Suo Lou’s old memorials, spent nearly a year revising them, and then officially implemented the changes.

When Zheng Yanzhang returned to the capital to serve in the Ministry of Personnel, he had reported the discovery of suspected Chiying spies in the south, leading to a sweep of the region. What new trick was Suo Lou trying to pull?

Lin Yu thought for a long time but couldn’t figure it out, so he temporarily set it aside to review that evening. It was truly difficult to play when the “script” had changed; the big villain was quite adaptable. It seems his homework is still too little, Lin Yu thought.

Suo Manor.

Qi Jiu knelt on one knee and reported to Suo Lou, “My Lord, everything is prepared.”

Suo Lou pulled him up, patted his shoulder, and instructed, “Proceed according to plan. Do nothing more.”

Qi Jiu’s body trembled slightly with excitement. “Understood!”

A new Prefect named Qi Songzhuo had been transferred to Yangquan City. He was young and looked quite amiable. A new official usually starts with a splash, and his “first fire” was directed at the local pirates who engaged in illegal maritime trade. After a grand and noisy campaign, a whole string of people was captured and sentenced according to the law.

The Emperor praised this “first fire.” But then, there was no news of a “second fire,” as if things had fallen silent.

However, no matter how many fires were lit, they didn’t reach Lin Yu and the others. Fang Wenqiu was currently watching them take mock exam papers. After Zheng Qingyun’s recovery was confirmed, Fang Wenqiu decided he should take the Tongsheng (entry-level) examination next spring.

Zheng Mingtang watched Zheng Qingyun with envy, feeling a bit of regret that she couldn’t take the exams because she was a girl. Lin Yu noticed her expression and sighed in his heart. A thought circled his mind several times but eventually dissipated.

Late Night.

Lin Yu sat up abruptly. He understood. He finally understood.

Suo Lou’s faction had an ulterior motive. This Qi Songzhuo business with the pirates—he wanted to test how profitable maritime transport was so he could profit from it himself.

Lin Yu grit his teeth. His movement made Zheng Qingyun beside him stir restlessly in his sleep. Lin Yu immediately calmed down and lay back. Listening to the rhythmic breathing beside him, drowsiness washed over him. Whatever it was, it could wait until morning.

Besides, he had no status right now. How could he possibly fight Suo Lou? These peaceful years had been “stolen” time, likely because the enemy was too busy to deal with them. Lin Yu didn’t think he was wise enough to go head-to-head with a Third-Rank official. It would be like striking a stone with an egg.

His previous successes were only because Suo Lou hadn’t intended to use those methods to crush the Zheng family yet. Therefore, to strike the iron, one must first be strong oneself.

Chen’an Hall.

“Father, maritime transport involves a wide range of issues. How can it be opened just like that? This person’s thinking is far too shallow,” Liang Yi’an said to Liang Jin.

Liang Jin sighed. “Though the words are ignorant, there is some truth to them. If we allow local pirates to flourish, how will the people in coastal areas make a living? If these people collude with pirates from other regions, the stability of the South cannot be guaranteed.”

Liang Yi’an took a few steps forward, his voice showing concern. “Father, you must take care of your health.”

Liang Jin smiled and said he would. The matter was temporarily shelved. Then Liang Jin asked, “An’er, I know about that business with the Gu family daughter… but man proposes, God disposes. It’s already…”

Liang Yi’an froze. Dammit, I forgot about that.