CH 90

Cui Xie rubbed his eyes furiously, and then rubbed them again. Nevertheless, the splendid color of red remained. The material had been decorated with one of the motifs he had personally picked out that day. Golden flowers had been weaved into the satin, the fabric delicate and smooth as water. With the sun beaming down, the fabric burned radiantly.

This really was not a dream and his current flustered state was not because he had been thrown around till he was silly. Colonel Xie had come out to receive him wearing the clothes he had made for him. Cui Xie gripped the door frame, staring at the robes again and then remembered he had to alight from the carriage. But, with Colonel Xie standing outside the carriage door, the other was extremely close. If Cui Xie wanted to alight the carriage, he was afraid of bumping into the other. He lifted a hand and emptily saluted, raising his eyes to gaze at Xie Ying, saying, “Xie-xiong, I want to get off.”

When he lifted his head, he happened to see Xie Ying’s visage facing him, the corners of the man’s mouth were slightly upturned, and his gaze was gentle, lacking the swift and fierce feeling Cui Xie had encountered in his dream. But Cui Xie still subconsciously lowered his eyes to avoid that gaze and lowered his head as he moved to alight the carriage.

Even though Xie Ying had left Cui Xie some space to jump off, he took another step closer towards the carriage, reaching out a palm to feel Cui Xie’s forehead.

Cui Xie involuntarily shrunk his neck and raised his hands suddenly, hurriedly calling out, “Xie-xiong——”

Before he finished speaking, a hand landed on the brim of his hat, straightened it for him and then retracted. Xie Ying looked at the part above Cui Xie’s eyes, smiling with satisfaction and said, “The hat was about to fall off, help you straighten it out. No need to be in a hurry to get off, adjust your robes first and I will ask someone to bring a footstool over. Stepping down will be better.”

Cui Xie blushed slightly. Only now did he realize that Colonel Xie had been afraid his robes would be messed up and that having other people see his appearance could cause a loss of face. Everything else had been his careless imaginations. He bowed his head in embarrassment to adjust his clothes. Colonel Xie stepped back and ordered a tenant farmer to bring a low stool and put it underneath the carriage. After Cui Xie was done arranging his robes, he grabbed the door frame with one hand and stepped out of the carriage.

The stool was a little high and he jumped down from it, the hem of the yesa fluttering in the air. The lantern motifs woven with golden threads on the skirt reflected the sunlight, the splendor flowing forth. The light green robes glowing like a piece of fine, lustrous jade sun-basking under the light.

Xie Ying suddenly recalled the first time he had met Cui Xie. He had also alighted from a carriage then, wearing shiny satin robes——he could not remember exactly what the other was wearing at the time. Xie Ying only remembered that the other’s cheeks were a rosy red, as if smeared with rouge and when that pair of eyes looked up, they glittered as if there was a blaze dancing within its depths.

When they met again later, Cui Xie had changed into a plain scholar’s uniform which was made out of ordinary materials and his expression was much more restrained. But in the last two meetings, Cui Xie had worn the robes Xie Ying had given him. The brilliance of the brocaded garments made Cui Xie’s complexion appear radiant, his eyes bright and scorching. It was as if he had returned to the scene of meeting the dazzling youth for the first time.

To dress shabbily in order to hide one’s real worth….was such an idiom talking about someone like Cui Xie?

Memory and reality superimposed before his eyes. Xie Ying could not help but extend a hand to support Cui Xie and sighed, “Grew taller.”

Cui Xie was fond of hearing such comments and immediately, he felt his dizziness go away and his waist no longer ached painfully. He quietly straightened his back, stood on tiptoe and feigned ignorance, “Xie-xiong really thinks so? I have not really noticed. Perhaps it is due to practicing the sword at home these days, which stretched out my muscles and bones.”

Xie Ying replied in surprise, “You know swordsmanship? I only knew of your horse riding skills. Who taught you the way of the sword?”

Without reservation, Cui Xie clarified, “It was when I was in Qian’an. Xingzhou Station’s Right Commander Wang da-ren called for someone to give a few pointers. At that time, I learned to wield a spear, the club and the podao [1]. However, it is not convenient to practice with elders at home so I have only practiced some swordsmanship after returning.”

Xie Ying beheld Cui Xie’s figure and muttered to himself irresolutely, “That kind of swordsmanship used in the military is not very formidable when used alone…I will take a look at your foundations. If there is something that is not suitable, I will give you some pointers, so as to save you from practicing so hard for nothing so that when the time comes, it will not be inferior to others.

Cui Xie was pleasantly surprised, “Xie-xiong asked me to come here, is it to give advice on my martial arts? In that case, many thanks. I have yet to formally practice since the county examinations. Now that I am practicing swordsmanship again these days, I am worried that there are some parts that have been omitted.”

Xie Ying laughed, “There is no rush. Go ahead and sit down, I will take you to see something later.” 

Xie Ying’s farmstead was a residence with a hall consisting of five jian and seven jia[2]. On the roof-ridges, ridge beasts had been adorned and the eaves, rafters and beams had been painted a blue jade-like color. Since the master had not been present for a long time, the color was somewhat archaic-looking, but this kind of dark and profound green gave people a sense of abundant, ancient tranquility. The furnishings in the residence were also simple, nothing more than a few tables and chairs, a few ancient vases, flower goblets which had a handful of show-white cape jasmines inserted inside.

A small red lacquer case rested on top of the main hall’s Eight Immortals table. Xie Ying picked it up ino one hand and stuffed it into Cui Xie’s arms, grinning, “A gift for the Dragon Boat Festival. It is not anything valuable, just think of it as a small item that will welcome the holiday for you.”

Cui Xie hurriedly went to support it, weighing the box in his hands. It was extremely light and there was also a wonderful trembling feeling accompanying it. It did not seem to be a valuable item made of gold and silver. Gifts gifted during the Dragon Boat Festival were usually nothing more than colorful thread, a a dragon and tiger banner driving away evil spirits, small glutinous rice desserts wrapped in leaves and thread, or gold and silver amulets of the Five Noxious Creatures[3] and other similar gifts. The materials used to make such gifts were  not very expensive, so Cui Xie expressed his thanks and opened the box to have a look.

A khaki color with a triangular front suddenly protruded from inside the box and Cui Xie’s heart skipped a beat twice.  He lost control of his strength and nearly crushed the box. But, looking closely, what was sticking out was not a snake’s head, but a Tokay gecko the length of a palm, nodding one’s head and wagging one’s tail, looking very pleased with itself. It lifted up its legs, unhurriedly crawling forwards.

Cui Xie was pleasantly surprised, but recalling how geckos could sever their tails as a means of survival if someone tried to touch it, he did not dare to pet the reptile, just looking into the box. They used to have such reptiles in their residence at Qian’an, but upon returning to the Cui Residence, because they had many servants and the courtyards were well cleaned, he had not seen any since.

Xie Ying continued, “Asked servants to find it. I think this little thing is much more effective than any hanging tiger charm and any mosquitos and pests will be kept at bay. No need to feed it when you bring it home, just open the lid and throw it onto the table. It will go out and eat the bugs on its own accord.”

He then told Cui Xie to close the lid of the box, covering the Tokay gecko that desired to crawl out. He took out a handful of multicolored thread tied with a ribbon from within his sleeves and said, “Brought you one to ward off evil spirits. Although it is a little early, we will not have a chance to meet during the Dragon Boat Festival, so let’s fast (retrans) for now.”

Cui Xie raised his hand and weakly blocked, laughing, “I have already come of age and entered College. How can I wear things intended for children?”

But Xie Ying easily fastened the ribbon around his wrist, hooking his finger around the end of the thread bundle and pulled, telling Cui Xie to take a look. He solemnly said, “It wards off evil spirits and is also coiled within your sleeves, no one will be able to see it. Why can’t you wear it? I’m afraid you will forget to bring it back so I tied it up first. Later, save it for use during the Dragon Boat Festival.”

Since it had already been put on and it was not appropriate to take off in front of the other, Cui Xie rolled the multicolored thread into his sleeve and sat down to drink tea as if nothing had happened.

Xie Ying asked Cui Xie how he was faring in the Imperial College. He did not have much to say since these past few days had been nothing more than studying, reciting and taking examinations….after exchanging a few words, he remembered the scene of people visiting his house to find the tailor that made his yesas as well as the hot-blooded youths who had went to the Imperial College to show off their clothes to him, and he could not help but burst into laughter, “Just looking at the way those people are vying to make new clothes, I can imagine Xie-xiong’s svelte and grace in those white robes.”

Xie Ying sighed, “When I had worn that set out that day, I did not expect to run into so many of my acquaintances and colleagues, which attracted them to take a fancy to those robes. It has caused you a lot of trouble.”

No no, it had given him a lot of income. Now that the streets were full of white yesa, the genuine ones were all made of satin from his family’s fabric shop.

However, Colonel Xie was rich and the person was also refined, and he must be the type of person who did not like talking about money. Mentioning such things would only diminish his own impression in the other’s heart. Since Cui Xie could not talk about this, he changed the subject, “Xie-xiong associates with distinguished and accomplished characters, they handle matters in a frank and straightforward manner, how could there be any trouble? If there comes a day where Xie-xiong can use me, I will feel happy in my heart.”

Xie Ying’s eyelids fluttered downward and he smiled slightly, “I am also looking forward to the day when you will become a minister and cabinet elder of the court. I will be counting on your support. But, let’s not talk about court affairs at home. Since we have already had tea, let me show you something.”

He beckoned to Cui Xie and led him from the back of the main hall, traversing through several courtyards before arriving in front of a stable. Inside, rows of short horses commonly seen in North Zhili were tied up. The outermost one was a tall sorrel horse with strong legs and long neck, its waistline slender. It had already been equipped with a bridle and saddle; it was precisely Xie Ying’s steed.

Xie Ying called for someone to bring the horse out and flipped onto the horse, stretching out a hand towards Cui Xie on top: “Come up! The roads in the farmstead are not easy to travel on, I will take you to a place.”

Cui Xie retreated a step back and awkwardly broke out into a smile, “Actually, I can ride a horse….”

Xie Ying’s legs clamped firmly on the horse’s belly and he bent down, picking up Cui Xie gently using the other’s garments and set him in front of him. He smirked, “I know you can ride, but there is no other horse that can be ridden. It can’t be me riding this good horse and you riding q  pack horse that cannot keep up even with its gallop, right.”

Telling Cui Xie to sit still, Xie Ying reached from behind to grab the reins, lightly clamped his feet on the horse’s stomach and urged it out of the courtyard gates, galloping away to the northwest.

After riding for a few miles, a plain and simple agricultural courtyard came into view. Vapor densely hung in the air above the courtyard and the fragrance of alcohol lingering filled one’s nose from a distance.

Cui Xie immediately understood why Xie Ying had asked him to come out with him. He asked elatedly, “Xie-xiong has already instructed someone to distill the alcohol?” 

“Alcohol?” Xie Ying dismounted the horse, took the reins and said, “Steaming the wine to obtain its essence, it is called alcohol? You scholars are really interesting, having to give everything a name.”

Cui Xie also moved to dismount and Xie Ying supported him by the waist, letting him drop smoothly and steadily to the ground. He then threw the reins into the hands of a servant who had come to lead the horse away.

Several large rooms in the courtyard were dedicated to stoking a fire to steam the wine. It was steamed together with grain dregs, the smell extremely irritating, the alcohol’s dense fragrance pungent as it hit one’s nose. Xie Ying cherished his newly made garments and did not go near the rooms, resting instead outside the courtyard far away.

Not long after, the servants of the Xie Clan rushed over, hanging up a veil around the doors and helped the two switch into plain cotton clothing and face shrouds. With this, they entered the winery.

Xie Ying led Cui Xie to the room where the wine was being steamed and pointed to large clay-cask wine cauldron and a set of pottery jars used to store wine: “This is the kind of cauldron that can withstand continuous heat and steam the wine and its dregs. It is much more handy than the previous one that could only steam wine. I did not have a chance to invite you before and this thing is much too big to move. Now, I can finally let you take a look today.

What Cui Xie had seen in the book was just a small cross sectional diagram of the distiller and the drawing had been as simple as an experimental diagram in the chemistry book. To see a distiller taller than a person before him, it was indeed quite shocking.

A servant noticed his surprise and thinking that the youth had never seen such a thing before, he explained to him the process of brewing wine and the quality of the wine that had been steamed in the wine cauldrons…Xie Ying waved his hand and said, “Cease your display, there is no one better at making wine than Cui anshou and this steamer had been made based off the designs he had come up with. Have you finished preparing the essence of the steamed wine? Take Cui anshou to look at the cauldron and bring him some wine jars for him to bring home later.”

The servant responded, but Cui Xie felt a little embarrassed and softly said, “I am ashamed to be receiving Xie-xiong’s gifts again.”

Xie Ying laughed, “Ashamed of what? This is what I am willing to give you, no need to think too much and just accept it, unless it is something I am not willing to give,” he shook his head and peeked at Cui Xie, “Have you seen anyone who had the ability to demand things from the Jinyiwei? But, I will not give you such a large wine jar and give you a small one so you can take it back easily.”

As he spoke, he dragged Cui Xie into a steaming room deeper in the recesses of the residence and pushed open the door, pointing to a small steamer that was only a little bigger than a pressure cooker, “This kind of wine steamer was made to be small on purpose, so it only steams enough wine to drink. Put it in the carriage and take it home. When we return to the city later, just ask Xie Shan to deliver it.”

The wine dripped from the slender burette of the steam distiller. Xie Ying rubbed against the tip with his finger, leaving a drop on his finger. He lifted his shroud away from his face, and wiped the drop into his mouth, shut his eyes and unhurriedly mulled over the taste, “This should have been steamed four or five times, the flavor so fierce it burns the tongue. You can take it back to use as medicine, mix it up and drink it, but do not taste it directly like I just did.”

“Ah….” Cui Xie looked at Xie Ying, his eyebrows wrinkled and his eyelashes trembled finely, looking as if he had swallowed down the wrong pipe. His expression seemed to be one of reminiscence and suddenly thinking about what the purity percent of this unknown alcohol was, maybe….it should be still quite tasty.

Footnotes:

TN: Hope everyone is doing well! It’s been raining super hard all week where I live, I have literally been a drowned rat the entire week XD