Fish Meat – Chapter 236
by Little PandaThe Eighth Year of Shunde
Like Snapping Dried Twigs and Pulling Up Rotten Wood (3)
There was no sign of General Zhen’s people. Flowers littered the ground, her clothes were soiled, her clean shoes were trampled black, and a corner of her sleeve was torn. Yao Maolin’s heart felt as if swept by an autumn wind—desolate and cold.
Back at Dewang Tower, while bathing, she discovered several bruises on her body, only noticing them now. Yao Maolin felt this must be a bad omen, predicting that this year’s official selection would involve tricky questions, and she probably wouldn’t be chosen.
Having failed to see the General Zhen she admired in her heart and ending up covered in injuries, Yao Maolin drifted off to sleep in a miserable state, unaware that her destiny was about to undergo an earth-shattering change. She didn’t know she was no longer the sheltered young daughter of the Nanya Yao family, uninvolved in worldly affairs. While still caught up in the throes of girlish sentiment, she had, in fact, already been seized simultaneously by the two most powerful hands in the entire Da Yu, waiting only to be dismantled.
At this moment, Yao Maolin could still sleep soundly, but many people in Runing City could not.
From the moment Zhen Wenjun entered the city, she was engulfed by a surging tide of people. She had heard her mother tell many stories of victorious returns welcomed by crowds lining the streets, and she herself had received the people’s adoration before, but she never expected it to be so tumultuous that moving forward became difficult.
The widest avenue leading from Runing’s main gate towards the Forbidden Garden was packed solid1, filled with people from the street level to the rooftops. Gazing out at the dense mass of heads made her feel as if she had returned to the most brutal battlefield. When she entered the city, screams pierced her eardrums, more terrifying2 than the enemy’s war drums. Her horse had to step forward cautiously, fearing one hoof might stomp down on three people. By the end, she couldn’t tell if the people of Runing loved her or hated her; all the flowers were thrown at her face, knocking her hairpins askew. Even her accompanying officers and soldiers received numerous floral bombardments, making the scene chaotic.
She finally made it back to the Zhuo Jun Manor alive.
After going to the Forbidden Garden for an audience with the Son of Heaven, she returned to the Zhuo Jun Manor. All the household servants were waiting at the entrance to greet her. Wei Tingxu stood among them, bowing to her. “General, you have returned.”
Zhen Wenjun’s eyes couldn’t move away from Wei Tingxu, whom she hadn’t seen in so long. A surge of hot blood churned restlessly within her heart. She wanted to step forward and embrace her, but besides the servants, many city residents had followed her all the way home, packing Wanquan Ward solid. She felt too embarrassed to be overly affectionate in front of thousands of people, which would be improper. So, she merely nodded politely at Wei Tingxu, anxious to quickly close the gate and go inside.
Unexpectedly, Wei Tingxu stopped her, preventing her from entering immediately.
Zhen Wenjun lowered her head, puzzled. Wei Tingxu’s soft arms circled around her. Looking up at Zhen Wenjun, her eyes filled with deep affection:
“Furen3, do you know how I’ve thought of you day and night? Always fearing you weren’t eating well or dressed warmly, unable even to have a sip of hot soup in such a cold place. Even more, I feared you getting hurt. Thankfully, Heaven protected you and let you return unharmed. Furen, did you miss me?”
Thousands of eyes stared intently, making Zhen Wenjun feel like her back was about to catch fire.
“What are you doing…” Zhen Wenjun’s voice was like a mosquito’s buzz, audible only to Wei Tingxu. “Can’t we talk when we get inside?”
“No.” Wei Tingxu continued to hold her tightly. “I’m afraid you’ve been away too long, and the people of Runing have forgotten that we are partners of convenience. Since everyone is here anyway, it saves me the time of going door-to-door shouting about it.”
“This isn’t acting, this is clearly a show of force! An overly forceful one at that!”
“Isn’t this perfect? It lets them know you are my wife while also making it clear at a glance that we’re just acting. Kills two birds with one stone.”
Zhen Wenjun paused, frozen on the spot.
“Do you feel embarrassed?” Wei Tingxu sighed softly and was about to let go when her body suddenly lifted off the ground. She quickly wrapped her arms around Zhen Wenjun’s neck.
Zhen Wenjun had swept her up into a princess carry, just like when her legs had been injured before.
Amidst a wave of low gasps, the two entered the house. Ah Zhu, looking awkward, closed the main gate, cutting off all the fervent gazes.
But it couldn’t block out the idle gossip4 of the busybodies.
“General Zhen must be blind. How can she be so intimate with Wei the traitor.”
“Exactly! General Zhen pacified the four seas and slew the Hu bandits, yet she’s fallen into the clutches of that demoness. What a pity.”
“Didn’t they say the two of them are just pretending? Affectionate in public, scheming in private.”
“True. Look at this fake affection, it’s really sickening.”
“General Zhen is utterly loyal5 and possesses great talent and bold vision6. How could she collude with that demoness for personal gain7? That demoness must have used some witchcraft to bewitch General Zhen! I heard dog’s blood can dispel witchcraft…”
The buzzing outside the residence continued. Ah Zhu stood by the gate listening for a while, growing increasingly angry. She had Wang Sao8 fetch several buckets of laundry water from the washing room and splashed them out with a whoosh. Only then did the crowd of onlookers finally disperse completely.
When Zhen Wenjun had left, the Zhuo Jun Manor hadn’t finished its renovations. Wei Tingxu had said that when she returned, she would see a home identical to the Zhuo Jun Manor of the past. As she took her first step inside, she indeed felt like she had returned to the Zhuo Jun Manor she once knew.
The identical spirit screen wall9 and floating bridge, the completely restored tea study and garden—this was indeed the familiar Zhuo Jun Manor. Wei Tingxu had been remarkably attentive.
“Do you like it?” Even after entering the room, Wei Tingxu lingered in her arms, unwilling to get down.
“I like it, very much. Thank you for your hard work, Zizhuo.”
“I prefer it when you call me Furen.”
Zhen Wenjun immediately and obediently switched to calling her Furen. Wei Tingxu hooked her neck, pulling her face down slightly, and planted a kiss—smack—leaving a red lipstick mark on her cheek. Having not smelled Wei Tingxu’s pleasant woody fragrance for so long, Zhen Wenjun’s heart fluttered. Both were excited by their long-awaited reunion. Wei Tingxu started leading her further into the room, but Zhen Wenjun suddenly regained some sense.
“Let me bathe first. I rushed back and haven’t bathed in days. I smell.”
Wei Tingxu didn’t mind at all. “I don’t care. Any scent on you smells good.”
Zhen Wenjun couldn’t stand it herself. “No, no, wait for me!”
Wei Tingxu absolutely refused to get out of her arms. Zhen Wenjun was helpless. “Then do you want to wash with me?”
Wei Tingxu bit her lip, nearly making Zhen Wenjun’s heart leap out of her chest.
The grounds of the Zhuo Jun Manor were more than twice as large as before. Even the bathing pool was very spacious, something Zhen Wenjun had once dreamed of—even more comfortable than her dreams, large enough to swim several body lengths across.
Wei Tingxu had long since filled the pool with hot spring water10, waiting only for Zhen Wenjun’s return so she could bathe in it, washing away the dust and fatigue of her journey.
Dense bamboo groves completely enclosed the pool area. Coupled with the lingering steam, it was very private, yet Zhen Wenjun still hesitated slightly as she undressed.
Wei Tingxu had already disrobed and entered the pool, her lower body submerged as she carefully walked towards the deeper center.
“We’ve only been apart for just over seven months, and you’ve become shy? Afraid to undress in front of me?” Wei Tingxu gently paddled forward twice. In the quiet courtyard, only the sound of splashing water could be heard.
Zhen Wenjun thought about it; there seemed to be nothing to be embarrassed about. So she removed the clothes that had followed her through life and death, now almost faded from washing.
Wei Tingxu stopped paddling, her fervent gaze piercing through the steam, fixed on Zhen Wenjun.
“Come.” She beckoned to Zhen Wenjun.
Zhen Wenjun splashed over to her side.
Wei Tingxu gently gathered her long hair, just as she had done years ago before Zhen Wenjun left for campaigns.
Her gaze traveled down from the nape of her neck, along her spine, down to the firm and beautiful lower body faintly visible beneath the water. Her fingertips traced the scars—deep and shallow, new and old—wanting to count just how many injuries Zhen Wenjun had sustained.
Zhen Wenjun realized what she was doing and turned around, wrapping her arms around Wei Tingxu’s waist. “I am a general. This is my duty.”
“I understand. Understanding is one thing, heartache is another.” Wei Tingxu’s eyes were clearly misted over, as if a single blink would release a string of teardrops.
Zhen Wenjun lifted her hand from the water, transparent hot spring water trickling down her arm. She caressed Wei Tingxu’s face and the corners of her eyes, pulling her warm, soft body into an embrace.
“In the Northern Frontier, I dreamed of you every night.”
Zhen Wenjun’s sweet words carried a hint of coquettishness, instantly transporting them back many years, back when Zhen Wenjun was still a teenager, spiritedly riding Yunzhong Feixue, willing to go anywhere in the world and do anything, just for a word from Wei Tingxu.
Wei Tingxu held her shoulders as their lips and teeth overlapped. The fiery passion ignited instantly, swiftly turning the hot spring into a sea of desire…
Seven months ago, the Yu Army had once had its supply lines cut. The Chongjin people were making their final struggle, and Zhen Wenjun was caught in a bitter battle.
At that time, Wei Jing’an was also locked in conflict with the Yan clan. The Yao clan seized the opportunity to counterattack, aiming to reclaim the Path of Ten Thousand Directions in one fell swoop, and more importantly, to kill Guan and Jiang, as well as that savage Hu tribe girl. Zhangsun Wu and Ah Liao had gone to Huaiyang to support Xiao Xiao. Not long after they left, battle reports arrived from the Northern Frontier stating the Yu Army was surrounded.
Li Feng wanted to send Liu Shao’s faction to reinforce them, but Situ11 Wei gently waved it away.
Li Feng guessed she didn’t want Liu Shao’s faction to gain military merit, but he never anticipated that Situ Wei intended to personally lead an expedition12 to the Northern Frontier.
In recent years, the Wei and Zhangsun families had produced numerous talents, whether from the direct line or collateral branches. Wei Tingxu could pick out a handful of potential commanders13 with her eyes closed. This trip to the Northern Frontier was not just about delivering provisions and fodder14; more importantly, she wanted to train the younger generation, to sculpt and polish usable talents as soon as possible. Ah Liao’s prediction that internal strife would erupt after the external threat was something she had long considered and begun guarding against. How could one remain undefeated? Talent was paramount.
These years, Wei Jing’an had suffered many injuries fighting campaigns south and north, spending little time with his family. His eldest son was already three years old, yet he had probably seen him fewer than three times. It was time to persuade him to retire from military service15 and enjoy domestic bliss16. More importantly, Wei Tingxu hoped her second older brother could have abundant children and grandchildren17, doing what Wei Tingxu could not—continuing the Wei family line18.
To get him to step down, she absolutely had to find someone capable of replacing him. This trip to the Northern Frontier was not merely about transporting supplies. Everyone accompanying the expedition understood that their performance before Situ Wei this time would directly impact their future official career path. Each one was rolling up their sleeves19, eager for a chance to prove themselves.
Wei Tingxu’s journey to the Northern Frontier was highly secret; few knew about it. However, since she was leaving, she naturally had to request leave from the morning court session. When Li Feng heard Wei Tingxu had requested leave, he didn’t know what illness she had, so he had people investigate secretly. He discovered she wasn’t even in the Zhuo Jun Manor, and had actually left Runing!
So she had gone to the Northern Frontier!
Li Feng was happier than anyone about Wei Tingxu’s departure. Liu Shao’s abacus clattered loudly in his mind as he planned to make a move against20 the Wei family in her absence.
How could Wei Tingxu not anticipate what even Liu Shao could think of?
Before leaving, she promoted her third older brother, Wei Jingtai, to Leader of Court Gentlemen21. Wei Jingtai was unlike his two older brothers—extremely stern and cold. Li Feng didn’t even dare to meet his gaze. Having him in charge of the palace guards was Li Feng’s greatest fear. On another front, Wei Tingxu placed the Court of State Ceremonial22 and the Ministry of Works23, established in the early years of Shunde, under the Shanhai Department24, managed by Ah Liao. Ah Liao remained the Commandant of Shanhai25, but this Commandant now held power over diplomacy and internal construction, rivaling that of the Three Ducal Ministers26. And all these reassignments went through the Council; Li Feng knew nothing about them.
With the Head of the Council, Wei He, presiding over the Council, even with Situ Wei absent, all matters had to pass through it, making it difficult for Li Feng and Liu Shao to stir up trouble. Furthermore, with Wei Jingtai watching menacingly27 in the shadows, neither Li Feng nor Liu Shao dared to act rashly.
It was from that time onwards that Li Feng truly felt the Wei clan didn’t regard him at all; he was merely a pathetic emperor.
When Wei Tingxu arrived in the Northern Frontier, it coincided with the major battle where Zhen Wenjun was leading her troops to break through the encirclement.
Reinforcements descended from the heavens. Zhen Wenjun was still puzzled, then received a huge shock when she spotted Wei Tingxu amidst the dense black mass of people.
“What are you doing here!” Zhen Wenjun ran up to Wei Tingxu. The horse halberd28 in her hand still hung with half a length of intestine and some pieces of shredded flesh. Her armor was stained beyond its original color, and her helmet had been knocked off somewhere. She stood in the snow, needing to shout even though she was less than five steps from Wei Tingxu for her voice to penetrate the biting wind and reach the other’s ears.
“Why shouldn’t I be here?” Wei Tingxu had expected this question the moment they met, but facing it directly still stoked her temper. “You’re risking your life on the front lines, and now you’re trapped in difficulty. How could I just watch you face danger and remain comfortably in Runing?”
“You don’t belong here! It’s too dangerous!” Zhen Wenjun’s face, perpetually weathered by the cold wind, was already cracked in many places, not to mention her lips, which were covered in bloody cuts. “You didn’t need to come! I could have overcome this myself!”
“Of course, I know you have the ability, but I still worry.” Wei Tingxu jumped down from her horse and grabbed the thick fur collar protecting Zhen Wenjun’s neck. “Everyone knows you’re formidable and can repel the enemy, but what I care about is that you can also get hurt. If I can share even a fraction of the burden, why shouldn’t I? I learned to ride so diligently precisely so I could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you on the battlefield! Why are you saying useless things now? Tell me you missed me too; nothing else needs to be said!”
Snow and wind howled past them. After Wei Tingxu had vented the questions held back in her heart for so long in one breath, the surprise and doubt in Zhen Wenjun’s eyes vanished like smoke.
“I missed you too,” Zhen Wenjun admitted honestly. “Very, very much.”
Wei Tingxu: “Hold me.”
“I’m filthy.”
“I don’t care.”
They embraced in the knife-like wind of the Northern Frontier, a real embrace. The warmth penetrating the cold armor testified to their heartbeats, proving the other was still truly, vividly alive.
Now, safely back in Runing, recalling this scene from seven months ago still felt thrilling29 and endlessly evocative30.
Footnotes
- 水洩不通 | shuǐ xiè bù tōng | Lit. “water cannot leak through”; Describes something being densely packed or tightly sealed.
- 膽戰心驚 | dǎn zhàn xīn jīng | Lit. “gallbladder trembles and heart fears”; Describes being extremely frightened.
- 夫人 | Fūrén | A respectful term for a married woman, often the wife of an official or nobleman; can also mean ‘wife’ or ‘my lady’.
- 閑言碎語 | xiányán suìyǔ | Lit. “idle words and fragmented speech”; Refers to gossip or casual, often critical, talk.
- 赤膽忠心 | chì dǎn zhōng xīn | Lit. “red gallbladder, loyal heart”; Describes absolute loyalty and sincerity.
- 雄才大略 | xióng cái dà lüè | Lit. “heroic talent, great strategy”; Describes outstanding ability and strategic thinking.
- 結黨營私 | jié dǎng yíng sī | Lit. “form cliques for private gain”; To form factions and pursue selfish interests.
- 王嫂 | Wáng sǎo | Sao means ‘elder brother’s wife’. A common way to address a married woman surnamed Wang, roughly ‘Sister-in-law Wang’ or ‘Auntie Wang’.
- 照壁 | zhàobì | A screen wall typically placed inside the main gate of a traditional Chinese house or compound.
- 熱泉 | rèquán | Lit. “hot spring”; Can refer to actual spring water or simply very hot bath water.
- 司徒 | Sītú | A high official title, one of the Three Ducal Ministers (三公 | Sāngōng). Here refers to Wei Tingxu.
- 親征 | qīnzhēng | When a ruler or high official personally leads a military campaign.
- 将帥之器 | jiàngshuài zhī qì | Lit. “vessel/instrument of a general/commander”; Someone with the talent to be a top military leader.
- 糧草 | liángcǎo | Grain provisions and fodder for horses; military supplies.
- 解甲歸田 | jiě jiǎ guī tián | Lit. “take off armor and return to the fields”; To retire from military life.
- 天倫之樂 | tiānlún zhī lè | Lit. “joy of natural bonds”; The happiness of family life.
- 兒孫滿堂 | ér sūn mǎn táng | Lit. “children and grandchildren fill the hall”; Having a large and prosperous family.
- 延續香火 | yánxù xiānghuǒ | Lit. “continue the incense smoke”; To carry on the family line, ensuring descendants to perform ancestral rites.
- 摩拳擦掌 | mó quán cā zhǎng | Lit. “rub fists and wipe palms”; Getting ready for a fight or to exert effort.
- 開刀 | kāidāo | Lit. “use the knife/scalpel”; To start with, to make the first move against someone, or to perform surgery.
- 中郎将 | Zhōnglángjiàng | A military/court official title, varying in importance depending on the era.
- 鴻胪寺 | Hónglúsì | The government office historically responsible for ceremonies and foreign envoys.
- 工部 | Gōngbù | One of the Six Ministries in traditional Chinese government, responsible for public works.
- 山海司 | Shānhǎi Sī | Likely a specific department name, possibly related to resources or geography (Mountains and Seas).
- 山海都尉 | Shānhǎi Dūwèi | Commandant/Captain of the Shanhai Department.
- 三公 | Sāngōng | The three highest-ranking officials in ancient China, titles varied but often included Chancellor, Grand Commandant, and Censor-in-Chief or Minister over the Masses (Situ).
- 虎視眈眈 | hǔ shì dāndān | Lit. “watch like a tiger eyeing its prey”; To watch menacingly or covetously.
- 馬戟 | mǎjǐ | A type of polearm combining a spear and an axe or crescent blade, used from horseback.
- 驚心動魄 | jīng xīn dòng pò | Lit. “startles the heart and shakes the soul”; Describes something thrilling, breathtaking, or deeply moving.
- 回味無窮 | huí wèi wú qióng | Lit. “endless aftertaste”; Describes something that leaves a lasting impression or is worth savoring.
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