Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 60 : Shackles

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“With early spring approaching, many troublesome matters have cropped up. We have yet to discuss a plan today. It wouldn’t be easy to see each other again if you just leave now.” Xiao Chiye said, “So rest up here tonight.”

Shen Zechuan broke into a smile and said, “No hanky-panky.”

The way he enunciated these words were melodious, with a hint of sensual suggestiveness lingering on the tip of his tongue. His eyes were clearly stirring up the waves of lust; even the fingers he had released from his grip at the drop of his words were plucking away at the strings of desires, rousing it.

This despicable man. 

Xiao Chiye watched Shen Zechuan intently and thought to himself.

This was the real bad egg. He kept pushing against the boundaries of his diminishing limit every given second and trampled all over his endurance with cunningness and naivety, as if he was leaning next to his ear and calling him to “come mess with me”. The tail of the sinner that was this fox tickled its way to his legs, his eyes full of tease. 

“Serious matters.” Xiao Chiye closed the windows. “Must be seriously discussed.”

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“Prepare a memorial tomorrow morning regarding the public ditches, and I’ll bring it up to His Majesty.” Xiao Chiye lay on the rattan chair and picked up the robe that had slipped onto the floor. One by one, he set the items in the sleeve pocket onto a cabinet shelf.

“You can’t.” Shen Zechuan soaked in the bathwater and said after giving it some thought, “You’re the Viceroy of the Imperial Army; you are not in charge of the official proceedings of public works, nor the complaints of the commoners. It does not concern you. You will definitely draw suspicion to yourself if you submit a memorial out of the blue.”

“Then you bring it up. You live there, so it is not strange for you to mention it. I’ll make a note to go along as the accompanying supervisor.” Xiao Chiye fished out an ivory folding fan. He asked, “Why are you carrying an ivory one?”

The literati, who kept items of elegance in their sleeves and were particular about portraying themselves as distinguished and sophisticated, viewed the likes of ivory and ebony as the most unbearably vulgar. Therefore, descendants of the noble clans would never bring with them folding fans made of sandalwood or ivory as they went out, regardless of whether they were well-read in the classics or not. Most used folding fans of moso bamboo, adorned with calligraphy by famous calligraphers. 

Shen Zechuan said, “For fun. Such an uncouth object suits me the best.” 

He had stayed in Zhao Zui Temple for five years, so he could not engage in literary pursuits with the noble descendants. He had to be an uncouth commoner who was a culture snob feigning to be refined. Only this would be right, and only this would be fitting. So besides the ivory folding fan that he always carried with him, he had picked the most expensive-looking kind for his jade pendant that he hung by his waist. 

Having done groping around Shen Zechuan’s sleeve pocket, Xiao Chiye realized that they were truly polar opposites. 

Xiao Chiye’s likes and dislikes seemed to be clearly distinguished on the outside. Yet if one had really dug deeper, they would realize that these distinctions were rather murky. Most of the activities he seemed to indulge in could be forgotten as soon as he closed his eyes; there were none that he truly took to heart. On the contrary, what seemed to be shady deals he engaged in to get by were the results of his own sweat and blood. He did not have a favorite dish, nor did he have a favorite wine. All one could say when the topic was brought up was that “the Second Young Master loves to drink”. But what exactly did the Second Young Master like to drink? No one could really say.