On the third day after the Yan Army’s great victory, the displaced and homeless people of the four provinces of the capital region did nothing to disturb the song and dance flourishing on Bailing Plain. If anything, with the appearance of the Yuanlong Emperor, an even more magnificent victory banquet opened at the encampment.
News of the banquet’s lavishness, the splendor of its song and dance, the war spoils distributed like flowing water, and who had been promoted and ennobled that very day — all of it spread continuously from Bailing Plain to the neighboring Xiangyang County.
Every day Shen Zhuxi waited for the court to finally end its victory celebrations and direct its attention to the flooding that had followed the collapse of the Shang River Dam, and every day she met only fresh disappointment.
If someone was deliberately obstructing things — keeping the Yuanlong Emperor ignorant of the situation’s present urgency — it would be one thing. But Li Wu was leading the surviving soldiers of the Qingfeng Army out day and night in disaster relief; there was no reason the Yuanlong Emperor, stationed at the very same encampment, could be entirely unaware.
Why… what reason could there possibly be for the Yuanlong Emperor to have still not issued any instructions for resettling the disaster victims or repairing the damaged dike?
Could it be that His Majesty had some other plan in mind?
“How do you walk around in a daze even while eating?”
Someone suddenly flicked her on the forehead.
Li Wu looked at her with displeasure. “Am I not handsome enough to look at, or is what I cooked not good enough to eat?”
“Handsome, delicious…” Shen Zhuxi rubbed her forehead — the sensation more itchy than painful — and said helplessly, “We only have five people; cooking a whole table of dishes is too wasteful.”
Li Wu stared at her with wide eyes.
“…What is it?”
“You actually have moments when you think something is wasteful?” Li Wu said in disbelief.
Shen Zhuxi couldn’t help but flush, and put on a show of bravado: “Even a person changes after three days — I’m no longer the same person I used to be!”
“Then why do we still have cart after cart of bottom-wiping paper being pulled home?”
“This is different!” Shen Zhuxi said. “Bot… toilet paper is a necessity!”
“Use as much as you like — it costs nothing, after all.” Li Wu said.
“What’s left over can be resold —” Li Que, sitting across from Li Wu, added, “After all, it costs nothing.”
Li Kun had no interest in their exchange and was, like a whirlwind, solely focused on sweeping the food and dishes in front of him into his mouth.
“Nonsense — am I that kind of person?” Li Wu raised an eyebrow.
Li Que immediately reversed course and said decisively: “Of course not!”
“Remember this — always leave some room, so you can keep swindling in the long run. I’m not a shortsighted person.” As he spoke, Li Wu picked up a pair of chopsticks to fish a piece of braised, tender, tendon-threaded beef out of the turnip and beef soup and placed it in her bowl. “Autumn is here — eat more beef and mutton so the cold doesn’t get into your body.”
“Brother’s every word is a gem of wisdom — I’ll engrave it on my heart!”
Li Que enthusiastically slapped the table — giving Shen Zhuxi such a fright that the beef she had just lifted with her chopsticks fell back into her bowl — and earning from Xiao Hu, who was sharing their meal, an expression that could not quite find the words.
And that wasn’t the end of it.
Li Que, with a face full of sincerity and admiration, spoke with all the conviction his heart could muster:
“Having composed verses before, brother has now wielded proverbs with equal mastery! And look at this younger brother by contrast — still unable to recognize all the characters in the Thousand Character Classic to this day — alas! Born of the same root, yet brother alone stands apart! I am overcome with shame — shame!”
Li Kun, while Li Que was not looking, stole the chicken leg from his bowl that had not yet been touched, and hid it under the rice in his own bowl — taking care to prudently cover it with grains of rice.
Li Que finished his flattery, and his chopsticks jabbed into his bowl — and jabbed air.
“…Where did my leg go?”
Shen Zhuxi neither could say nor could not say anything — both brothers were her brothers, her hands were full on both sides — and could only feign ignorance and bury herself in her meal. When she raised her head, cheeks puffed out from chewing, she happened to meet Xiao Hu’s gaze right beside her.
Xiao Hu blinked, and smiled with a mischievous glint.
Li Que caught Xiao Hu’s smile, and his expression instantly changed: “Was it you who stole my chicken leg?”
Xiao Hu was getting blamed for nothing and said in surprise: “What does that have to do with me?”
These two together — there was never a moment of civil conversation.
And Xiao Hu, still wearing women’s clothing and already using that sort of language — Shen Zhuxi gave a light cough and bumped her leg under the table.
Utterly ordinary days, yet utterly joyful.
Such quiet and warm moments as these had not come for a very long time. This time, it was only because the general sent by the court had taken ill and closed his doors to guests that Li Wu had the chance to slip away from the encampment and come home to see everyone.
Looking at this noisy yet warm scene, Shen Zhuxi felt something bittersweet in her heart. To chase away that touch of melancholy, she picked up the beef, blew on it, and carefully placed it in her mouth.
Shen Zhuxi no longer said anything about the court prohibition on slaughtering oxen — there were quite a few things the court prohibited that she and her husband had already done, and what were one or two more.
Her teeth gently chewed the slow-braised chunk of beef, and the warm turnip soup burst in her mouth. Her taste buds were flooded with the clean, sweet aftertaste of the turnip, and the distinctive flavor of the beef spread through her mouth, sliding down her throat together with the meat and broth.
The warmth of the food spread gradually from her stomach throughout her whole body, and Shen Zhuxi felt even the tips of her fingers ease and relax.
Food often signifies a place to call home. The satisfaction of enjoying a meal with family is something no fine clothing or great wealth can compare to.
At this moment, for her, it was a rare and treasured happiness.
After everyone had finished the midday meal, Shen Zhuxi still instinctively moved to help Li Wu clear the table — whereupon several thoroughly panicked serving maids rushed over and snatched back their duties.
Li Wu had to go in the afternoon to inspect the flooding at the border between Xiang and Fang Provinces. Li Kun and Li Que naturally went without saying; even Xiao Hu had changed back into men’s clothing to set out with them.
Shen Zhuxi stood under the covered walkway watching them discuss how to manage the flooding, and could not help but reveal an envious look.
Li Wu turned and saw her, and said: “Why haven’t you changed clothes?”
Shen Zhuxi blanked, then came to her senses — and with a delighted start: “Can I go too?!”
“If you want to go, you can go. Do you want to go?” Li Wu looked at her.
“I want to go!” Shen Zhuxi said without a moment’s hesitation.
She turned and flew back to her room, washing up with unprecedented speed, then called Mei Niang to bring out travel-appropriate clothes for her to change into. Mei Niang heard she was going with Li Wu to inspect the flooding, and the frown on her face never eased.
“The riverbanks are damp and very cold — Madam should wear this brocade fur coat… no, no, what if you all need to take a wooden raft, what if you fall into the water again… pfft, pfft, pfft, listen to this mouth of mine. What would be something that’s both warm and light…”
Mei Niang stared at the few garments that remained after so many had been sold off, and fell into deep thought.
Shen Zhuxi could only laugh and cry at the same time, and after persuading Mei Niang that she would not be going anywhere dangerous, she draped on the green fur coat that Mei Niang had first dismissed.
After quickly getting herself ready, she walked back to the front courtyard with a veiled hat in hand. Li Wu and the others were still waiting for her in the same spot; seeing her emerge, Li Wu naturally extended his hand to her, and Shen Zhuxi, without a second thought, naturally took it.
Before walking out the gate, Shen Zhuxi put on her veiled hat.
Once everyone had boarded, the carriage interior was packed full, and the carriage slowly moved forward and set off.
Li Kun, a tall and large person, was left with only half of his rear on the bench from the crowding. He shifted his body uncomfortably and said to Li Que beside him with displeasure: “Crowding me… stop it…”
Li Que hunched his shoulders and directed a cold stare at Xiao Hu beside him: “Move over.”
Xiao Hu turned to look at the person next to her, meeting the sight of Li Wu sitting with both long legs wide open, occupying two seats all by himself.
After their eyes met, Xiao Hu turned back decisively and looked at the relatively more manageable Li Que: “You little sparrow-head — what seat do you need? Can’t you just hang off the roof?”
Shen Zhuxi, before the war could break out, scooted herself to one side of the bench out of goodwill and said: “Xiao Hu, why don’t you come sit with me…”
The words were barely out of her mouth when the space she had freed was immediately filled by Li Wu.
Li Wu, abandoning his earlier posture of nearly lounging across the entire bench, now pulled her tightly under his arm, and with great righteousness declared: “What’s all the bickering about? Squeeze together and you’ll stay warm, no need to burn charcoal — isn’t this wonderful!”
Li Que raised his thumb at once: “Words of genuine wisdom! Only brother could say this!”
The five of them crammed together in one carriage interior, and by the time they finally arrived at their destination after much difficulty, they tumbled out one by one like dumplings being dropped into a pot.
Shen Zhuxi was the last to alight. Stepping back into the open sky, she could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.
A slightly cool breeze blew up from below the embankment. The murky river water, carrying silt and sand, rolled onward in turbulent waves toward the lower reaches.
Shen Zhuxi’s mood grew heavy amidst the vast and desolate scene before her.
The Xiangzhou water management official had arrived in advance to wait before the embankment; upon seeing Li Wu and Shen Zhuxi climb down from the carriage, he hurried forward and bowed a greeting.
Li Wu waved a hand; the playful and carefree look on his face turned grave. “How is the water level?”
“At present it has stabilized, but if there are a few heavy rains, I’m afraid…” The official’s face was deeply troubled.
Xiao Hu crouched at the edge of the embankment, tilting his head back to look at the overcast sky.
“Autumn rain — it can start without warning. And I’d say today looks pretty much like rain is coming.”
“Is there any way?” Li Wu asked.
The official’s expression was one of difficulty.
Li Wu showed signs of anger and spoke sternly: “Three days have passed and you haven’t thought of a single solution? If you can’t do your share of the work properly, why should I pay your salary?!”
“Please do not be angry, sir…” The official bowed and apologized with a pale face. “This humble official has already gathered craftsmen to urgently heighten the embankment… but with matters of the waterway, there truly is no seeing results without a year and a half of work.”
“Repairing the embankment is a major undertaking — it does indeed take a great deal of time.” Seeing Li Wu’s expression grow increasingly grim, Shen Zhuxi quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Before the Shang River Dam is repaired, Xiangzhou suffered flooding disasters frequently as well. Why not instruct the county offices throughout the region to look through local historical records and go out to consult families with experience in water control? Perhaps there may be some improvised and expedient methods to be found?”
Li Wu glanced at the small official.
“It can be done! It can be done! That’s no problem at all!” The official lifted his robe to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, nodding over and over. “After this humble official returns to the administrative office, I will immediately pass the order down!”
Shen Zhuxi had spent the past several days cooped up at home doing nothing else, and had read a great many books on waterway management — today she finally had a chance to put that to use. Li Wu had no background in waterway-related matters; beyond asking a few questions about water levels and management, he put his hands behind his back and walked away. Shen Zhuxi was left behind, discussing things seriously with the small official. Li Que and Xiao Hu stood to one side, each looking at the other with disdain, exchanging sidelong glances.
“…I can see you’re well enough to hop around, so you’re not about to die. Can’t you show some sense and disappear?” Li Que said.
Xiao Hu said in surprise: “The master and mistress of the house haven’t said anything — what are you yapping about?”
“My brother’s home is half my home too — of course I have the right to ask you to leave.”
“I did nothing but stab you once — didn’t you also have someone slash me once? Just counting scars, mine is much bigger than yours!” Xiao Hu said. “Da Hu and Er’hu calculated against you as well — why do you only keep pecking at me?!”
Li Que gave a cold laugh: “Da Hu and Er’hu didn’t shamelessly show up at my brother’s and sister-in-law’s side day after day.”
Xiao Hu was silent for a moment, then, when she spoke again, looked at Li Que with suspicion: “…Are you jealous? Of whom? Your brother, or your sister-in-law?”
Li Que’s expression changed color immediately, and he went straight for her physically.
Xiao Hu dodged to one side, nearly stumbling in the process. She fled quickly ahead along the embankment and yelled back furiously: “You’re taking advantage of the fact that I don’t have my blade today!”
“If you stand still, this one in my hand is yours,” Li Que called, chasing after her.
“You think I’m stupid?!” Xiao Hu ran even faster.
Shen Zhuxi noticed the commotion, and looked with a worried expression at the two retreating figures running farther and farther away. “…How are they at it again.”
In the opposite direction, Li Wu stood with his hands behind his back at the embankment’s edge, looking at the turbulently rolling murky river with a complex expression. After a long while, he let out a sigh.
Li Kun, who was crouching on the ground playing with a foxtail grass, looked up at him with blank bewilderment.
Li Wu thought for a moment and opened his mouth to compose a verse:
“Earth shook, mountains trembled, the dam has gone — Poor yellow ducks now float the river on. Speak again of the Shang, that mother river dear — Whose brain is small as a melon seed, I fear. What mother acts like a wicked stepmother’s hand, And raises it to snuff out lives across the land? Without Great Yu the ancestor blazing the trail, A certain duck would bear this beam without fail.”
When Li Wu had finished reciting, he said:
“Let this poem be named ‘Taming the Waters’ — what do you think?”
Out of habit, he looked to his side — and was answered only by a pair of wide, blank, and bewildered eyes.
“…It is difficult to find a kindred spirit. Loneliness is such.”