The Innocent Heart - Chapter 56

The streets of Chang’an remained as bustling and grand as ever, a sight that naturally stirred a sense of boldness in anyone walking through them.

“I haven’t been to Chang’an since I was ten. I never imagined that after so many years, upon seeing it again, it would be even more prosperous than before!” Li Gan said, looking around in wonder.

As the three talked, two rows of disciplined, stern-faced soldiers carrying spears ran past them. “The Garrison Commander is patrolling; make way!” Following a low command, the surrounding passersby retreated to the sides. The three youths stood by the road, watching as the soldiers marched past, dozens of feet striking the ground in perfect unison with a dull, rhythmic thud.

“Even the Garrison Commander’s patrols in Chang’an have such a different aura compared to the North. So dignified! If one day I could gain the Emperor’s favor and become a Garrison Commander, it would be a great joy in life!” Li Gan sighed.

Huo Qubing didn’t respond immediately. He watched the backs of the soldiers for a long moment before saying, “One day? I, too, shall lead an army with such strict discipline, entering and exiting the Xiongnu royal court as if it were an empty land. That would be the true joy of a life!”

“Indeed. Racing horses in Chang’an is not satisfying at all. One has to go to the great grasslands to really run to one’s heart’s content!” Guan Yueyao agreed.

Such is the way of the world: Li Gan envied the prosperity and treasures gathered in the capital, while Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao envied the carefree freedom of the North.

“Alright, alright, let’s go. I’m so hungry my stomach is flattening!” Huo Qubing was still lost in thought, staring at the distant soldiers, but Guan Yueyao could wait no longer. She grabbed both their arms and pulled them toward the Sheep Market. The grand plans for their future were distant, but the task of filling their empty bellies was pressing.

It was late autumn; the weather was turning cold, and the sun set early. Before the curfew, the sky was already growing dim. Every breath exhaled formed a light, gauze-like mist in the sunset’s glow before quickly dissipating. The biting cold caused the pedestrians to thin out rapidly, but when the trio reached the Sheep Market, their favorite mutton stall was exceptionally busy. Many livestock merchants enjoyed a bowl of piping hot mutton soup here before heading home.

The three found the last remaining table. The elderly stall owner, seeing a new youth sitting with Guan Yueyao and Huo Qubing, looked a bit surprised. He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Guests, what would you like to eat today?”

Guan Yueyao skillfully ordered for herself and Huo Qubing, then turned to Li Gan: “Ah Gan, what would you like? This place’s mutton is the best in Chang’an!”

Li Gan smiled. “In that case, give me the same as Ah Yao and Qubing.” The old man repeated the order, received confirmation, and bustled off. While waiting for the food, the trio resumed their earlier, unfinished debate.

“Eh? Why is there such a crowd around that old person? Is there something interesting to see?” Before long, three steaming bowls of mutton soup were served, but Guan Yueyao took the opportunity to ask about something that had caught her eye since they sat down.

The old man looked in the direction she pointed. After a long moment, a look of unbearable pity crossed his face. “If I may tell you, guests: those people are an old woman and a pair of twin sisters. They are lingering here to sell those two poor girls.” The old man sighed.

“The world is at peace; how can such things as selling children still happen?!” Huo Qubing frowned, looking over. Unfortunately, the crowd was thick, and he couldn’t see the situation clearly.

“Sigh, they have been here for days with the ‘grass tag’ (a sign of being for sale) on them. I know some of their background. They are originally from Shanggu Commandery. Last year, the Xiongnu invaded, kidnapping their eldest son and the mother of the house, and taking all their money; their farmstead was destroyed in the war. The master had no choice but to bring his family to Chang’an to seek out old friends for help. Who would have guessed he wouldn’t find his friends, but instead be swindled out of his remaining money? In the end, out of grief and anger, he fell ill and died, unable to pay for his medicine.”

As the old man spoke, his expression grew pained. The reason the sisters were being sold had become painfully obvious.

“So… are they selling themselves to bury their father?” Guan Yueyao asked softly.

“Sigh, it is more than that…” The old man sighed, looking toward the crowd. “If it were just to buy a thin coffin for their father, I have some small savings I could use to help them. But the family owes a significant debt to the medical shop. Furthermore, besides the sisters and the old woman, there is a younger brother not yet three years old who needs to be fed. Thus, they are asking for ten pieces of gold for the two sisters. Many have looked, but no one has bought them.”

Speaking of the hardships of the people, the old man sighed again. Huo Qubing and Li Gan had been born into wealthy families; they had never tasted the suffering of the common folk and were accustomed to the sight of refugees selling themselves to noble houses. But this was the first time Guan Yueyao had heard of such a tragedy—something she had only seen in dramas, now unfolding before her eyes.

She wanted to help, but realized her own pockets were shallow. If not for the support of Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, surviving in Chang’an on her meager salary of 200 dan was already difficult. She looked at her friend, only to see him acting completely unperturbed, sipping his soup and chatting with Li Gan. Clearly, he didn’t take the old man’s words to heart and didn’t feel it was his duty to save such a poor family.

Seeing the three richly dressed youths unmoved, the old man realized they had no intention of buying the girls. He left them, feeling a bit disappointed, and went to serve other customers.

Guan Yueyao sat at the table, quietly drinking her soup in a rare moment of silence. Her eyes remained fixed on the house under the eaves where the crowd gathered. Huo Qubing was discussing his archery insights with Li Gan. He had noticed Guan Yueyao’s unusual silence from the beginning and knew exactly what was distracting his friend.

However, he had no interest in such trivialities and could not empathize. Furthermore, he believed he could not let his friend’s sympathy run wild—if they saved this family today, what about the next one? He could not save the whole world. Even if Ah Yao had the wealth and the heart, Huo Qubing would stop her. Engaging in such public displays of charity was easily viewed with suspicion by the Emperor. He didn’t want his friend to provoke the dragon’s wrath for the sake of commoners and ruin her own career.

If there was anything that touched him, it was the annual Xiongnu raids on the Han frontier. That fool, Ah Yao, didn’t even think about who the real culprit was; she was only focused on saving this one family. To truly give the frontier people peace, one had to drive out these barbarians.

Knowing there was nothing to be done, Huo Qubing didn’t want to give his friend false hope. He acted as if he hadn’t noticed her distress, continuing to chat with Li Gan.

Li Gan, too, sensed the strange atmosphere. Among the three, he was the eldest. Because he had been away from Chang’an for so long and wasn’t raised by Liu Che’s side like Huo Qubing, he knew little of imperial machinations. He was brave, but his mind was simpler. He followed Guan Yueyao’s gaze, understood, and asked tentatively: “It’s quite lively over there. Why don’t we go take a look? Even if we don’t buy, we can still watch.”

Guan Yueyao’s eyes lit up, and she looked expectantly at Huo Qubing. Huo Qubing pursed his lips, looking reluctant, but he couldn’t help but look at his friend. Her bright, shining eyes reminded him of his dog, ‘Old Three,’ whenever it wanted to be taken out to play.

Pfft… He couldn’t help but laugh as he associated his friend with his pet, losing his stern composure. Was this what they meant by “a pet reflects its owner”? He thought with a hint of amusement.

“Fine, we’ll go look, but let’s be clear: we aren’t buying. Ten pieces of gold is no small sum, and I don’t have it,” Huo Qubing said, trying to suppress his smile.

Guan Yueyao didn’t doubt him. After all, compared to her, Qubing was even worse off—he didn’t even have a salary yet.

They stood up and squeezed into the crowd. Seeing them dressed in fine clothes, the onlookers assumed they were young masters from a wealthy house out for an excursion and began to whisper.

“These three young masters are young, but each is handsome and carries an extraordinary air, and their clothes are very exquisite. If they are willing to buy these sisters, it might be their great fortune.”

The crowd parted. They reached the innermost circle without much effort. Guan Yueyao caught a glimpse of Huo Qubing’s unpleasant expression. She didn’t have the mental energy to care why he was unhappy; she curiously examined the sisters kneeling under the eaves, their faces dejected, with straw tags stuck in their hair.

They were only thirteen or fourteen years old, twins, both quite delicate. Dressed in coarse linen, their eyes were red from crying, making them look all the more pitiable. Beside them, an old woman knelt in sorrow, clutching a malnourished, ragged child.

“Young masters, young masters, please have mercy! Buy them! They can do all sorts of chores. As long as you give them a bite to eat and a roof over their heads, that will be enough.” The old woman, sensing their high status and unwilling to let this chance pass, suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Huo Qubing’s feet.

Huo Qubing was standing closest and couldn’t dodge in time; he was frozen in place.