Ten Thousand Books, But Only One You

24 Foreknowledge Obtained From Others

Chapter 24: Foreknowledge Obtained From Others[1]

I helped Fu Wanxi to arrange the bowls, chopsticks and spoons around the round mahogany table. A total of five bowls, five pairs of chopsticks, five spoons and five chairs. For a simple reunion between Fu Wanxi and myself, she had invited many guests.

Her quick and light footsteps sounded as she walked briskly down the hallway and entered the dining space with a plate of stir-fry assorted vegetables and meatballs coated with a thick orange sweet-and-sour gravy. Placing down the heavy dishes, she dabbed at her forehead with a handkerchief while smiling. "I'll bring over two more dishes. During this turbulent time of war and conflict, it isn't appropriate to be lavish."

I nodded in understanding and helped to arrange the plates on the table to make space for more. "How many people will be joining us?"

"I've invited our friends! There's me, you, Yi Yan-gege, Ji-gongzi, and Yan-guniang," she said, counting with her fingers.

Question marks floated in my head. "I understand if you've invited General Yi, since you've mentioned that he is your senior brother from Wuchang Manor. But why the other two? Have you already made friends with Ji Kai and Yan Shuzhen?"

"Aren't they your friends?"

"What?" I met Fu Wanxi's gleaming eyes and in my state of fluster I blurted out the first thought that crossed my mind. "Yes, I suppose they are. It's a reunion for us too."

With a smile, she started heading out of the room again. "I'll go get the rest of the food. You can call them over for dinner!"

After adding five bowls of rice, a dish of braised tofu and another dish of steamed chicken to the table, dinner was served. Four heads turned towards General Yi Yan expectantly as if eyeing a prey. He was the owner of the manor and had the highest status amongst us. It was only after he had picked up his chopsticks and invited us to "move our chopsticks" that we unabashedly helped ourselves to the meal.

Yi Yan picked up a meatball with his chopsticks and placed it in Fu Wanxi's bowl. "Did you cook all of this yourself?"

"Of course not," she replied while still chewing a mouthful of rice. "Your cook did all the work. But I was the one who purchased the ingredients with my own money. I'm afraid that if it were up to me to cook this, the food would be inedible. I can't let Ah Yu be disappoint!"

Gazing at Fu Wanxi indulgently, Yi Yan dipped his head slightly before shaking it with a soft laugh. A smile tugged at my lips at this sight before me. Sheng Yi and Fu Wanxi, when seated side-by-side, were the definition of a talented man and a beautiful woman—an ideal couple. At first glance, anyone could tell from his figure and appearance that the handsome young man cladded in dark red robes with gold embroidered birds and clouds was a brave and talented person well-trained in martial arts. However, if one observed his mannerisms and speech more carefully, one would also be able to tell that Sheng Yi was well-versed in the arts and in literature beyond military books. As for Fu Wanxi, enough praises had been given to her in regard to her jade-like beauty and genteel nature—as along as she remained still and did not run around with a mission to uphold justice in jianghu.

"You must be Ah Yu-guniang," said Yi Yan, suddenly looking up at me. "I heard from Xi'er that the both of you travelled together to Guizhong City but were separated due to the influx of displaced villagers. She has repeatedly ordered me to look for you over the past few days. It's a good thing that Ji-xiong managed to find you."

I placed my bowl on the table and rested my chopsticks over its rim. Lifting up my cup with both hands, I proposed a toast. "Many thanks to General Yi for taking me in. If it were not for you, I will never be able to see Ah Xi again."