Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 144 : Orange Jasmine

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Xiao Chiye, having rushed his way back on his horse at top speed, rested for a night, although he had to get on his horse and head back after the hour of zi tonight. He ran on a tight schedule, and he had gone to great efforts to painstakingly save up these two days of free time. He had been on the move for eight or nine days in a row in order not to delay the transportation of supplies to the site of battle. And he had done it all just to see Shen Zechuan.

But who would have thought that he would end up so angry?

Xiao Chiye held up Meng and removed the anklet on Meng’s leg before putting it back on, causing Meng to flap its wings and throw a tantrum. Xiao Chiye threw a tantrum too. He was vexed, feeling angrier the more he thought about it.

Ji Gang returned from his stroll with his birdcage in hand. He was taken aback to see Xiao Chiye, but after a moment of hesitation, he entered all the same. Xiao Chiye paid his respects to the shifu. Due to Xiao Chiye’s height, Ji Gang had to raise his head to look at him.

“The war in the north is in a critical situation.” Ji Gang handed over the birdcage and said, “Your shifu must have been having a tough time fighting battles.”

Xiao Chiye hung up the birdcage and said, “It has been tough on him. Shifu often thinks of you and mentions you from time to time.”

Ji Gang placed his hands behind his back and said, “I’ve never fought a battle, so I can’t be of help there. You rushed back in such a hurry; is there an important matter you have to attend to?”

Xiao Chiye thought not yet, although the reply from his mouth was, “The Beiyuan Hunting Grounds have been given to me, and the Imperial Army intends to remain stationed there. I came back to ask Lanzhou about the progress. Once it’s almost time, I’ll arrange for someone to come over.”

Ji Gang knew that these were all matters they spoke of in detail and at length, so he nodded and did not probe further.

It was rare for Xiao Chiye to come across Ji Gang, so he seized the opportunity to say, “Did Lanzhou fall ill on the way to Chazhou? Shifu, he’s a picky eater. With you to keep an eye on him back at home, he would still pick a little of each dish to eat a little. Even when he falls ill, he is willing to take his medicine. But once he’s out on business, everyone around him listens to him, and without anyone to keep watch on him, he’d dare to pick and choose his food.”

Ji Gang was reminded of this as soon as he heard Xiao Chiye, “Oh, right! I was going to give him a piece of my mind yesterday!”

“He steered you away from the topic.” Xiao Chiye finally stopped tormenting Meng and lifted his arm to let it go. “He has a guilty conscience. No doubt he wouldn’t dare to mention it to you.”

Ji Gang nodded, but then, sensing something odd, he asked, “Why would he have a guilty conscience? Is Chuan-er hiding something else from me?”

“Yeah.” Xiao Chiye said with a slight furrow of his brows. “There is a large gash on his left hand. The return journey was long, and they didn’t change the dressing meticulously enough on the way back. When I saw it last night, the wound on his palm was almost festering from all the sweating.”

The color drained from Ji Gang’s face. He hurriedly followed up with a question, “Where’s he?”

“Sleeping.” Xiao Chiye paused for a moment before continuing. “He slept late last night, and he was pretty exhausted too. He was all worn out when he woke up this morning. Shifu will have to keep an eye on him in the future, lest he doesn’t take his health seriously. I’m far away in Libei, and plenty of what I know depends on what he shares with me in his letters. If he has the intention to keep it from me, then I would be kept completely in the dark.”