After Yang Suguan departed, Wu Dingyuan pondered indecisively about whether to stay or go. Lu Yun, wanting to be a good host, sincerely invited him to remain at the mansion to recover. Seeing Lu Yun’s genuine heart, Wu Dingyuan found it improper to refuse and stayed in Changzhou to heal from his wounds these past days.
Yan Ting, both having received her master’s instructions and remembering Wu Dingyuan’s kindness in saving her, remained to accompany him. Though Wu Dingyuan’s wounds were severe, his constitution was different from ordinary people. After several days of rest, his power had recovered fifty to sixty percent, and his wounds had slowly begun to close. It seemed that in another half month there would be no serious problem.
This day the sun shone brightly. Wu Dingyuan saw the weather was excellent and felt stuffy being confined to his room, so he wanted to go out for a walk. These past days Yan Ting hadn’t heard him mention his future plans, so she simply stopped asking to avoid making him suspicious again of her ulterior motives. Seeing Wu Dingyuan in high spirits and clamoring to go out, not like his fierce and domineering manner of previous days, she was happy to accompany him. The two went out together.
Wu Dingyuan walked out the mansion gate. The doorman recognized him and knew he was a good friend of the prefect. Seeing him about to go out, he quickly asked, “Lord Wu, are you going out? Shall I prepare a carriage for you?” Yan Ting looked sideways at Wu Dingyuan and smiled, “Do you want to take a carriage?”
Wu Dingyuan saw the sun was warm and just wanted to walk more to exercise his muscles and bones. He put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath, not answering. Yan Ting understood his intention and shook her head at the doorman, then took Wu Dingyuan’s hand and walked toward the street.
Since his outburst of anger, Wu Dingyuan no longer harbored any hopes toward Yan Ting. He knew this woman was deeply enamored with Yang Suguan, and they truly had no matrimonial fate. If he were to remain infatuated, it would only invite contempt. Seeing Yan Ting grasp his palm with rather intimate behavior, he couldn’t help but frown, wanting to find an opportunity to withdraw his hand.
The two walked in silence all the way—firstly, Wu Dingyuan was not a talkative person, and secondly, Yan Ting was much younger than him, so Wu Dingyuan didn’t know what to say. He just lowered his head and walked quickly. If not for Yan Ting holding Wu Dingyuan’s hand, the two would have seemed like complete strangers.
After walking for quite a while, they reached a crossroads. Yan Ting looked up and asked, “Lord Wu, which way should we go now?”
Wu Dingyuan, thus questioned, found himself unable to answer. He had been walking with his head down, thinking about his own affairs, not knowing where to go. He smiled bitterly, “Let’s just walk around randomly.”
Yan Ting was about to respond when she suddenly saw a large group of villagers approaching, each pulling handcarts loaded with steel shovels and iron spades, not knowing what purpose they served. Wu Dingyuan was mildly curious and stopped a man to ask. The man smiled, “Our prefect has issued orders saying he needs some farming tools. I don’t know what for either.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Dingyuan immediately exclaimed “Oh!” Yan Ting looked at Wu Dingyuan and asked, “Magistrate Lu is Lord Wu’s good friend—do you know what he wants to do?” Wu Dingyuan laughed, “Brother Lu always acts unexpectedly—no one knows what’s in his mind. Since there’s nothing else to do, we might as well go see.” Yan Ting was quite curious, so the two followed the villagers.
After traveling several li outside the city, they saw vast waters—this place was where the Grand Canal met the Lou River. Amid the boundless blue waves, the river waters meandered toward a lake, which had a broad surface but was unknown whether it was Cheng Lake or Yangcheng Lake.
Yan Ting looked out and saw large groups of villagers gathering, listening to one person giving orders. This person had a square face with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes—it was Lu Yun. Yan Ting was puzzled when she saw Constable Hong approaching from afar. She called to him and asked, “What are you all doing? Why have so many people gathered?”
Constable Hong recognized Yan Ting and knew she was a guest at the prefect’s mansion. Seeing her beauty, he worried she might be another of the prefect’s sweethearts and quickly responded respectfully, “In answer to the young lady, our magistrate came to inspect the canal some days ago. He saw the water was too shallow for boats to navigate and required many trackers to pull them, so he conceived the idea of building a lock to divert the Lou River’s great waters into the canal. This would facilitate boat travel and irrigate farmland—truly many benefits.”
Wu Dingyuan and Yan Ting were both greatly amazed upon hearing this. Wu Dingyuan walked to higher ground and looked out, seeing that the Lou River’s water level was somewhat higher than the canal’s. If the river water could be diverted into the canal and controlled with locks, it could indeed regulate water levels, making future merchant boat travel much more convenient.
Seeing many trackers and laborers in this area, Yan Ting couldn’t help but frown, “Once Prefect Lu begins this project, these trackers who normally make their living pulling boats will lose their livelihood in the future—how will they survive?” Constable Hong smiled, “The young lady worries unnecessarily. That day when Magistrate Lu came to inspect and saw the trackers’ hard lives, he immediately shed tears, saying he must find them good employment. According to the prefect, he wants the trackers to contribute labor digging the canal while the government pays to build the locks—each side contributing half the effort. After completion, these laborers will maintain the locks and collect fees from passing merchant vessels, with half the income going to the court and half to them. They’ll never have to live hard lives again.”
Yan Ting suddenly understood and nodded, “Prefect Lu is truly a good official, so considerate of the people.”
While they were talking, they suddenly heard someone calling from afar, “Dingyuan! Miss Yan Ting! You’ve come too?”
Everyone turned to look and saw Lu Yun with his upper body bare, holding a shovel, walking quickly toward them. Seeing his naked torso, Yan Ting couldn’t help but blush completely and turned her head away, not daring to look much, thinking, “So Scholar Lu’s skin is also so fair—not inferior to Physician Yang’s.” Her face was full of bashful charm, not daring to look at Lu Yun. After a moment, unable to contain her curiosity, she couldn’t help but steal another glance, her face becoming even more flushed.
Seeing Lu Yun approach, Wu Dingyuan immediately smiled broadly and rushed forward to grasp his hands, laughing, “Undertaking such a great enterprise without asking big brother to help—you’re being too formal.” Lu Yun said, “You’re bedridden with illness—how could I ask you to do such rough work? Otherwise, with Brother Wu’s high martial arts, since you’ve rarely come to Changzhou, would I let you go?”
The two looked at each other and laughed heartily. Lu Yun then led everyone toward the riverside. The project had reached a critical stage—large numbers of laborers were working hard to excavate in the canal bed. They just needed to break through both ends connecting the canal and Lou River, and the waters would rush in.
Lu Yun picked up an iron spade and leaped into the canal to inspect conditions at this end. The project was nearly complete—they only needed to break through a wall about one chi thick to open the waterway. Lu Yun instructed Gong Zhi to go check the Lou River end. As long as both sides broke through simultaneously, the magnificent feat of diverting the river into the canal would be accomplished.
Lu Yun stood in the ditch and called out, “How is it? Can you break through?” Gong Zhi’s voice came from afar, “There’s a large stone blocking the way—can’t break through quickly!”
Lu Yun was shocked upon hearing this. These past days all the workers had been excavating the canal bed, but none had reported this problem. He hurried over and saw the massive rock buried deep in the earth, unable to help but sigh in frustration, “This is terrible! A stubborn stone blocks the way—must we dig another channel?” Gong Zhi said, “This rock is so huge it can’t be broken through. It seems we’ll have to take a detour.” Lu Yun sighed. Though he knew this would require great manpower, given the circumstances, this was the only way to proceed.
The two were discussing when they suddenly heard someone laugh, “How can a mere stubborn stone make heroes of the world helpless? Brother Lu, let me handle this.”
Everyone heard this voice full of confidence and quickly turned to look. They saw a large man slowly approaching—tall and broad-shouldered with a face full of righteous spirit. It was Wu Dingyuan. Lu Yun knew he was injured and couldn’t exert force, quickly waving his hands, “That won’t do, Dingyuan! You’ve finally improved—how can you do such rough work…”
Wu Dingyuan ignored him and removed his upper garment himself. His chest muscles bulged and his frame was powerfully built. Though his upper body was wrapped in bandages, it didn’t diminish his masculine appeal at all. The crowd of men saw his broad back and bear-like waist and couldn’t help but admire him in their hearts.
Yan Ting, fearing his wounds hadn’t fully healed, was about to step forward to dissuade him when Wu Dingyuan had already removed his iron gauntlet and leaped into the riverbed. He gestured to Lu Yun and shouted, “Brother Lu, you just go to the canal end—I’ll guard this end. Let’s break through the waterway together!”
Lu Yun saw his confidence and was delighted. He personally took an iron spade and went to the other end of the canal, waiting for both sides to act simultaneously to break the river wall and let the waters rush into the channel.
Lu Yun shouted, “Dingyuan! You can begin!” His roar like thunder carried far. He gathered his internal energy into the iron spade, and with a tremendous crash, he smashed open the mud wall. Water immediately rushed in torrents through the breach.
Lu Yun saw the great waters rushing toward him and immediately touched his feet against the walls on both sides, leaping up like a bird. Gong Zhi, fearing he’d be swept away by the water, quickly reached out to pull him. Their hands grasped each other, drawing an arc through midair, and Lu Yun landed steadily.
The canal’s great waters had entered the waterway, but Wu Dingyuan’s side remained motionless. He stood before the mud wall with his palms forming a circle, seemingly gathering his energy. Seeing the great waters approaching, Lu Yun urgently shouted, “Dingyuan! Act quickly!”
At this moment, if the great waters flooded the canal bed, it would be extremely difficult to break through both sides of the river afterward.
The people on shore were all confused and worried. Yan Ting’s pretty face was pale—seeing the turbulent current, she feared Wu Dingyuan, in his injured state, lacked the strength to escape. Just as she was about to leap down to assist, she suddenly heard Wu Dingyuan roar and strike heavily with one palm. His right arm, relying on its violent toxicity, immediately corroded a deep hole in the large rock. At this moment, with a rushing sound, water surged toward Wu Dingyuan’s back.
Everyone stared in amazement, not knowing what would happen. They saw Wu Dingyuan calm and unhurried, pressing both palms through the corroded spot in the rock. With a sharp shout, his palm force moved, and the corroded area immediately cracked. Water flowed from behind him straight into the fissure. Wu Dingyuan continued his force, and the crack grew larger and larger. With a thunderous sound, the rock actually tumbled backward and rolled into the Lou River. At this moment, the Lou River’s great waters rushed toward Wu Dingyuan from the front, while the canal’s great waters also surged urgently from behind, surrounding Wu Dingyuan.
Yan Ting was both shocked and anxious. She leaped through the air to enter the water to rescue him when suddenly a figure sprang from the river, embraced her waist, and brought her back to shore. Who else could have such swift movement but Wu Dingyuan? Everyone was overjoyed and cheered loudly. Lu Yun and others quickly came forward to greet and thank him. Wu Dingyuan nodded to everyone, indicating no need for ceremony, then smiled at Yan Ting, “Miss Yan Ting, don’t rashly enter the water and take risks. If your master knew, he’d blame me to death.” His manner of speaking was natural, showing none of his former awkwardness.
Yan Ting looked at Wu Dingyuan’s weather-beaten face and suddenly felt something different in her heart. She quickly lowered her head, actually feeling somewhat shy.
At this moment, hundreds of people surrounded Wu Dingyuan, all praising his martial arts and courage. Suddenly a child pushed forward, holding an iron gauntlet and shouting, “Uncle! Your thing!” This iron gauntlet was what Wu Dingyuan had thrown ashore earlier, which this child had picked up. Wu Dingyuan casually took it and put on the gauntlet. Seeing the child looking up at him with eyes full of reverence, he couldn’t help but smile slightly and reach out to stroke the child’s head, “Thank you.” Hearing the thanks, the child became extremely excited, his fingers intertwined as if he’d received an imperial edict, truly showing his joy.
A crowd of villagers surrounded Wu Dingyuan, asking this and that, preventing him from escaping. Lu Yun saw this and hurried over, laughing, “Everyone, don’t surround him! Our hero gets hungry too—let him go eat.” Everyone laughed upon hearing this. Lu Yun pulled Wu Dingyuan toward a shed structure on the shore, where voices were bustling. Many villagers sat on the ground with bowls and plates eating. A beautiful young lady with several servants was managing the food service—it was Gu Qianxi.
Wu Dingyuan was surprised, not expecting this official’s daughter could also cook. He quickly asked Lu Yun, “What? Miss Gu can cook?” Lu Yun leaned over and whispered, “I cooked the noodles—she’s just for show.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Dingyuan actually patted his chest repeatedly as if it had been quite dangerous. Yan Ting, listening from the side, couldn’t help but spit and say, “You’re speaking ill of people behind their backs like this—I’ll tell Miss Gu later and see how you explain yourselves.” Lu and Wu looked at each other with bitter smiles, their expressions quite awkward.
Everyone came to the shed. Constable Hong arranged tables and chairs for everyone. Gu Qianxi took Lu Yun’s hand and smiled, “You’ve worked hard—shall we eat now?” Lu Yun nodded and smiled, “You help our friends sit down first—I’ll serve the noodles.”
Wu Dingyuan heard Lu Yun and Gu Qianxi speaking—though their words were plain, they spoke without distinction between each other, like husband and wife. Seeing their affection so deep, even if others wanted to create trouble, it would be impossible.
Everyone sat down. Yan Ting and Gu Qianxi sat together on one side, both quietly chatting and laughing. Wu Dingyuan heard them discussing household matters—how could he interject? Just as he was feeling bored, he glanced aside and saw a child hiding in the crowd, secretly watching him. This child was about ten years old, dark and thin—the same child who had retrieved his iron gauntlet earlier. When their eyes met, the child’s face reddened and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet his gaze.
Wu Dingyuan smiled slightly and beckoned to the child. The child was stunned, seemingly not knowing he was the one being called. He looked around and, seeing Wu Dingyuan was indeed calling him, was filled with surprise and tiptoed forward to stand before Wu Dingyuan.
Wu Dingyuan saw the child’s clothes were ragged and asked, “Child, what’s your name?” The child lowered his head and said quietly, “I don’t have a name.” The two beautiful women beside them were greatly surprised to see this child approach. Gu Qianxi came over and crouched beside the child, smiling, “Little brother, if you don’t have a name, how do people address you? Tell sister, won’t you?”
The child saw her flower-like beauty and fair skin, and smelling her fragrance, his face reddened even more severely. His black muddy face looked like burning charcoal as he mumbled, “Everyone calls me Little Ghost.” Gu Qianxi laughed with a “puchi” and asked again, “Then how do you come to be by the river? Where are your parents?”
The child was slightly stunned and casually replied, “I don’t have parents. I’ve been pulling boats here since I was small—the uncles give me food to eat.” Everyone heard he was an orphan with a pitiful background, but his tone was calm and smooth, as if he didn’t consider his situation bitter.
Gu Qianxi felt compassion and exchanged a glance with Yan Ting. Yan Ting immediately understood, took out her handkerchief to wipe the black mud from his cheeks, and said gently, “Little brother, ‘Little Ghost’ isn’t a nice name. We’ll give you another one in the future—how about that?”
Before the child could answer, they heard someone shout, and a person approached holding two bowls in each hand, calling loudly, “Honored guests! My authentic Shandong-style noodles with rich broth—you’ll regret not trying them! Quick, taste them while they’re hot!” Everyone didn’t need to turn around to know Lu Yun, this prefect, was once again pursuing his old trade of selling noodles. He whistled once and placed four bowls before everyone, laughing, “Honored guests, please!” With that, he pulled out a bench and sat beside Gu Qianxi.
Seeing a child standing beside Wu Dingyuan, knowing he was a local orphan, he smiled, “Little friend, haven’t eaten yet? Here, take my bowl.” He handed over his own noodle bowl, indicating the child should eat. The child didn’t dare respond until he saw Wu Dingyuan nod and smile at him, then he sat down close beside Wu Dingyuan.
Wu Dingyuan smiled, “Brother Lu, you gave your bowl to this child—now you have nothing to eat yourself.” With that, he pushed his own bowl over, “Come, you eat mine.”
Before Lu Yun could respond, Gu Qianxi and Yan Ting said in unison, “No hurry—eat mine.” With that, they pushed over two more bowls. Lu Yun saw three large bowls placed before him and couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. How could he know that young ladies like Gu Qianxi ate very little? Seeing these bowls as large as washbasins, they were already full before eating. Seeing this opportunity, how could they not take advantage to decline? That’s why they all placed them before him.
Wu Dingyuan saw Lu Yun’s ugly expression and immediately smiled to ease the situation, “Ladies, our Brother Lu’s rich noodle broth is authentic—even if you’re not hungry, you should try a couple of bites to not disappoint his efforts.” With that, he picked up his noodle bowl and slurped the noodles with relish, then smacked his lips while eating, constantly praising how delicious it was. The child beside him watched admiringly and also learned Wu Dingyuan’s manner, picking up his noodle bowl. The sound of chewing immediately rose.
Seeing them eat so contentedly, Gu Qianxi and Yan Ting also picked up their chopsticks and each tasted a bite. Lu Yun asked happily, “How is it? Delicious?” He saw the two young ladies frowning tightly yet nodding repeatedly as if it were quite tasty. Lu Yun was delighted and was about to explain the cooking method when he saw Gu Qianxi push her noodle bowl over, “You’ve worked all day and are tired—eat some first.”
Lu Yun didn’t suspect anything and lowered his head to eat, but then saw Yan Ting picking up large amounts of noodles from her bowl and putting them in Wu Dingyuan’s bowl, saying gently, “Lord Wu is injured and needs to nourish his body—eat more.” Wu Dingyuan held his old face stiffly and waved his hands, “Stop putting more in—you should leave some for yourself.”
Lu Yun asked miserably, “Is it that terrible?” Everyone answered in unison, “Delicious indeed—never had such good noodles!” Lu Yun said “Oh” and felt relieved.
After eating, everyone worked another afternoon before finally arranging the detailed lock works properly. That child stayed close to Wu Dingyuan all afternoon, occasionally touching his iron gauntlet with reverent admiration, as if regarding him as a deity.
At evening time, everyone returned slowly with the setting sun. Wu Dingyuan and Lu Yun walked side by side while Gu Qianxi and Yan Ting walked ahead, the two women holding the child’s hands on left and right. The evening glow shone on the five people, creating an indescribable warmth and tranquility. Wu Dingyuan, having drifted through official seas and experienced vicissitudes over the years, rarely had such a moment of peace. Looking at Yan Ting’s back, he suddenly sighed.
Lu Yun heard his sigh and asked, “Thinking of Zhuo Lingzhao?”
Wu Dingyuan smiled slightly but didn’t speak. Just this smile produced deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. When he first took on the Yanling Escort Agency case from Xiliang, he was only thirty-four years old. Several years had passed, and he was approaching his fortieth year. Time flew like an arrow, but life was still full of doubts—right and wrong, correct and incorrect, nothing was easy to understand.
Now Liu Angtian intended to reconcile with his enemy. Wu Dingyuan, caught in the middle, how should he conduct himself? Naturally, it wasn’t convenient to say much.
Lu Yun knew his concerns and advised, “Years ago when I was down and out in the jianghu, unrecognized despite my talents, Brother Dingyuan advised me to be more patient and learn about human relations and worldly wisdom—there would be a day when suffering would turn to sweetness. Today I boldly want to advise Brother Wu not to be too hard on yourself.”
Wu Dingyuan gazed at the evening clouds on the horizon and said in a daze, “Fighting… killing… struggling… rights and wrongs, loyalty and treachery, black and white—is there nothing else in life worth doing? Brother Lu… do you know how lonely I feel in my heart…” He shook his head, tears glistening in his eyes, his expression extremely desolate. Lu Yun sighed along with him, not knowing how to console him either.
Wu Dingyuan, fearing he’d lose composure, quickly steadied himself. He changed the subject and smiled, “Brother Lu, don’t mention my affairs. But tell me, how is it that Miss Gu is actually living at your mansion on this trip? What exactly is the relationship between you two?”
Gu Qianxi was the daughter of a Minister’s mansion and had been pursued repeatedly by Yang Suguan in the past. Who knew she would quietly come south and stay at Lu Yun’s house? Wu Dingyuan found it amazing and, rarely having the chance to be alone with Lu Yun, took the opportunity to ask, wanting to learn some inside information.
Lu Yun’s face looked uncomfortable, not knowing how to respond. His friendship with Wu Dingyuan was deep—they had once fled together through the jianghu. He couldn’t use vague relationships like “cousin” to evade, so he had to say, “We… we met in Yangzhou…”
Wu Dingyuan knew he found it inconvenient to say more and didn’t want to put him in a difficult position. He laughed heartily and patted Lu Yun’s shoulder, “Rare to have such a beautiful woman’s companionship—get married quickly! Let this big brother drink a cup of celebratory wine too.”
Lu Yun smiled awkwardly, “Qianxi running away from home is somewhat my fault. When I return to the capital in the future, I don’t know how to apologize to Uncle Gu.” Wu Dingyuan laughed heartily, “Quickly propose marriage—that’s the apology. Otherwise, next time you return to Changzhou, would you have Miss Gu follow you down without name or status?” Lu Yun nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Everyone reached the city gate. The child stopped and ran back to Wu Dingyuan’s side, “Uncle, thank you for playing with me today. I’m going back now.” Wu Dingyuan looked at the child and asked, “You’re going back? Back where?”
The child wiped his nose, “I’m going back to the riverside. That’s my home.”
Everyone realized this child had no parents and would return to live that orphan’s bitter life. They all felt reluctant, but the child was completely unaware and asked Wu Dingyuan in return, “Uncle, what about you? Where are you going?”
Wu Dingyuan, hearing this question, suddenly trembled all over and lowered his head. This question had been asked by Yang Suguan, by Lu Yun, and even by Yan Ting, but Wu Dingyuan had ignored them all. Not until this young child asked did a thought arise in his heart: “Yes! I… where am I going?” That feeling of having no relatives to turn to, lonely and desolate, once again struck his heart.
The child saw him staring blankly and pulled his hand, asking again, “Uncle, where do you live? When Little Ghost misses you in the future, how can I find you?”
Wu Dingyuan heard him speak this way and couldn’t help but be moved. He raised his head—Yan Ting, Gu Qianxi, Lu Yun and others were staring intently at him, their caring feelings evident in their expressions. Wu Dingyuan trembled all over and in that instant knew his destination.
Wu Dingyuan crouched down and gazed at the child, “Little friend, have you heard of the capital?”
The child was stunned for a long while and asked foolishly, “The capital? Is it nearby?”
Wu Dingyuan smiled slightly, stroking the child’s head, “The capital is where the Emperor lives—very lively and prosperous. Child, you and I have fate—would you like to go with uncle to the capital to see the world?”
The child heard the question but only looked blank, not knowing how to respond. Yan Ting was overjoyed, knowing Wu Dingyuan intended to adopt him as a foster son. She quickly crouched down and whispered in the child’s ear, “Silly child, uncle wants to take you home—do you want to go?” The child looked at Wu Dingyuan as if not believing him. Wu Dingyuan touched his cheek and nodded, “Good child, follow me from now on!” The child suddenly trembled all over, finally believing. He threw himself into Wu Dingyuan’s arms and screamed with joy.
Lu Yun and Gu Qianxi, listening from the side, both knew Wu Dingyuan intended to return to the capital for office and felt happy for him.
Wu Dingyuan held the child in his arms and gazed toward Yan Ting. When Yan Ting met his eyes, her body couldn’t help but tremble. Wu Dingyuan’s gaze was different from before—there was no trace of lust or desire, only faint loneliness, as if holding the child, he was already her husband of many years, waiting foolishly for his willful self to return home.
Yan Ting felt her heart stir and wanted to speak, but Wu Dingyuan had already stood up, took the child’s hand, and walked past her.
Yan Ting looked back—the setting sun fell on the broad shoulders of this Tianshan descendant like a towering mountain. Yan Ting suddenly had an impulse to go up and embrace Wu Dingyuan’s sturdy arm. Though she had known Wu Dingyuan for a long time, this was the first time she had such thoughts—subtle feelings that even she herself didn’t understand…