Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 113 : Reunion

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Ding Tao sat cross-legged on the veranda, moving aside the fruits on the silver plate as he counted them over and over again. He stood guard here, preventing anyone from coming near. It was getting late, with a few rays of the evening sun still adorning the courtyard walls as bits and pieces of the setting sun peeked through the leaves of the Chinese scholar trees. 

Shen Zechuan had just awoken. He had slept for too long and too soundly, so his back and waist were sore and aching. He felt exceptionally tired. He opened the door, blanking out for a moment when he saw Ding Tao. 

Ding Tao scratched his cheek, feeling uncomfortable with the way Shen Zechuan was staring at him. He put the hand that was still grasping the fruit behind his back and asked with apprehension, “Young Master, d-dinner?”  

Shen Zechuan held onto the door and stood there for a little while, before asking in a hoarse voice, “… What time is it?” 

“It’s the hour of you.” Ding Tao was surprisingly aware today, and he quickly followed up with, “Young Master has slept for the entire day! Master left the city at the hour of mao earlier. His Excellency Zhou and Mister Chengfeng went to send him off together.” 

The corners of Shen Zechuan’s eyes were still a little red, and under the lingering reddish-orange glow of the evening sun, he looked as if he was drunk. He was pale to begin with, and Ding Tao found the way he looked when he lowered his eyes to slip on his shoes really handsome.   

“Still no word from Juexi?” Shen Zechuan went down the steps, but he was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he stood under the Chinese scholar tree and tilted his head up slightly to look at the sky as he slowly recovered from the lingering effects of last night’s exertion. 

“No.” Ding Tao followed behind Shen Zechuan. Seeing as Shen Zechuan did not look back, he seized the opportunity to hastily stuff the other uneaten half of his fruit into his mouth and gobbled it down ravenously. 

Shen Zechuan did not see any sign of Meng, and knew that Xiao Chiye had brought it along with him. He turned back, startling Ding Tao so much that the latter choked and coughed. Shen Zechuan paused for a moment, then said, “No one is going to snatch it away from you. Take your time.” 

Ding Tao was choking so much his eyes teared up. As he waved his hand, he tugged at the front of his clothes and said with difficulty, “Y-young Master, cough! Are we going to look for His Excellency Zhou? His Excellency and Mister Chengfeng had taken their dinner in the front hall and are presently discussing matters.”   

Shen Zechuan nodded and said, “Let’s go.”  

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Zhou Gui had just finished his meal. At present, he was having a discussion in the study with Kong Ling and the various Cizhou officials of differing ranks. When he heard that Shen Zechuan had come, he immediately got up and dismissed the others. 

“His Lordship has told us that the Vice Commander is feeling unwell today, so we thought that we would only be able to discuss military affairs tomorrow. We didn’t expect the Vice Commander to come over today still.” Kong Ling showed Shen Zechuan a seat, then sat down after him so that he would not feel awkward. He faced them slightly and continued, “Although it’s still the sixth month, the trees we have planted in the residence are all tall, lush trees; it’s often cold at night. The Vice Commander is used to Qudu after staying there year in year out. Now that you’re here, you have to take care of your health.” 

Shen Zechuan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, easing up the dryness and hoarseness a little until it was not as obvious. Only then he said, “Mister Chengfeng is right. Mister said that we would be able to discuss military affairs tomorrow. Have both of you already drawn up a charter today?”