ROHYX Chapter 633 : Conflict (2)

Winter nights were especially quiet. A few stars shimmered faintly in the sky before gradually disappearing into the night. Suddenly, the vast, deep sky turned black as if smeared with ink.

Xu Daniu was patrolling the courtyard when he casually heard a melodious tune drifting through the air. Er Gouzi, the guard walking beside him, turned pale and said, "I've heard that there are people in the jianghu¹ who kill using musical instruments. Brother Daniu, do you think an assassin might be after the Madam?" If they were going to such lengths, they must be targeting her. 📹

This reminds me of this scene from Kung Fu Hustle.

Once bitten by a snake, for ten years, you'll fear a piece of rope². After Yuxi had twice been injured by assassins, Xu Daniu had been on edge ever since. Upon hearing this, he dashed toward the back courtyard like a flying arrow. When he reached the courtyard gate, he was stopped by an old woman servant. Xu Daniu shouted loudly, "Assassin! There's an assassin hiding in the residence! I must see Madam…"

The old woman servant guarding the gate was extremely frightened, but she knew her duty: letting an outsider man in without informing anyone would be a dereliction of duty. She spoke gently to Xu Daniu, who was standing outside the gate: "Please wait here for a moment. I'll have someone inform Madam right away."

Upon hearing there was an assassin, Yuxi put down her flute and walked out. Hongqi and Hongdou remained close by her side at that moment, preventing anyone from approaching. After Mama Qu led Xu Daniu into the main hall, he told Yuxi, "Madam, I suspect an assassin is targeting you. Please be on guard."

Yuxi thought an assassin had infiltrated the Yun residence, but it turned out to be just Xu Daniu's suspicion. She asked, "What proof do you have?"

Xu Daniu repeated what Er Gouzi had just said and added, "Madam, I suspect the assassin has already infiltrated the residence. Madam, from this point on..." Before he could finish, he saw Yuxi start to laugh.

"Hehe…" Yuxi couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. Noticing the puzzled look on Xu Daniu's face, she explained, "That was me playing the flute just now — it wasn't an assassin attack."

Xu Daniu froze at first, then wished he could dig a hole and hide in it. His face turned red as flaming clouds as he stammered, "Madam, I…" He had truly lost face all the way to his grandmother's house³ for causing such a big blunder.

Yuxi smiled and said, "This is partly my fault, too—I shouldn't have played the flute at night." She had only played the flute on a whim after spotting it by the bedside—how was she to know it would cause such a misunderstanding?

Xu Daniu felt he couldn't face anyone anymore. "Madam, since it's just a misunderstanding, I won't disturb you any further."

At that moment, Xu Wu walked in, saw Xu Daniu, and asked, "Er Gouzi just said you spotted an assassin? When did you see the assassin? Where did you see them?" There was no point in asking about their appearance — it was late at night, how could anyone see what the other person looked like?

Yuxi smiled and said, "There was no assassin—it was just a misunderstanding." She found Xu Daniu rather hilarious—who'd have thought he'd actually believe music could kill?

After leaving the courtyard, Xu Wu was both amused and annoyed by what had happened. He scolded, "Music can kill people? What do you think this is, a storybook?" In storybooks, assassins could kill with music, but that was simply impossible in real life.

Xu Daniu didn't explain. Had he tried to explain at that moment, he would undoubtedly have been scolded until his dog's head was covered in blood⁴. "Boss, how could Madam know how to play the flute?" He had never heard her play any instruments before! A flute, of all things—he had never seen her play one.

Xu Wu chuckled and said, "Just because Madam hasn't played the flute before doesn't mean she can't." Daughters of wealthy families were expected to learn things like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So, it wasn't surprising to Xu Wu that Madam could play the flute.

Xu Daniu had been thrown off earlier by what Er Gouzi said. Now that he had returned to his senses, he realised how foolish he had been. "Boss, why would Madam play the flute so late at night?" Although the flute sounded beautiful, it was creepy to hear it at this time of the night!

Xu Wu snorted coldly. "Madam can play a tune on the flute whenever she pleases. Does she need your permission now?" He guessed she was missing the General and played a tune to express her longing for him.

Xu Daniu behaved obediently in front of Xu Wu, but once he returned to the front courtyard, he went looking for Er Gouzi, ready to beat him up. "It's all your fault, you idiot, spouting nonsense! Otherwise, would I have lost face like this?"

Although Er Gouzi was in the wrong, he wasn't about to stand there and foolishly wait to be beaten up by Xu Daniu, so he quickly ran out. One ran, the other chased, and the commotion lasted nearly fifteen minutes—it was quite a lively scene!

Yuxi returned to her room, looked at the flute on the table, and couldn't help but laugh again at what had just happened. She decided not to play the flute at night anymore—no need to scare other people.

Unaware of what had just happened, Shiliu chirped, "Madam, the Second Young Miss was smiling and seemed very happy while you were playing the flute."

Yuxi's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Really?" When Shiliu nodded affirmatively, Yuxi picked up the flute again and played a familiar tune. Seeing Liu-er smile widely and wave her little hands melted her heart.

After finishing the tune, Yuxi put down the flute, picked up Liu-er, and said with a smile, "So our Liu-er likes music? Then, when you grow up, Mom will get you a teacher." Hmm, not just Liu-er—Zaozao should learn too.

Hearing the new tune, Xu Daniu commented, "This tune is better than the last one." The previous melody was nice, but it felt a bit heavy and unsettling. This one, however, was lively and cheerful.

Xu Wu was a bit puzzled—the change in musical style between the two pieces was way too drastic.

The next morning, after breakfast, Xu Wu came over to report to Yuxi: "Madam, the General has already taken Xicheng. I believe Meicheng will fall into our pouch⁵ soon as well."

Upon hearing the good news, Yuxi's mood immediately brightened.

However, Xu Wu expressed his concern: "Madam, it's only been a month since the General set out. Isn't this pace too fast?" Things were going too smoothly, which made Xu Wu uneasy.

Yuxi wasn't surprised by the outcome. Ji Xuan had already stirred up widespread resentment among the people in the northwest; otherwise, the rebel forces in Nancheng wouldn't have grown so quickly. With the implementation of benevolent policies, how could the common people not support Yun Qing? Yuxi said, "He who walks in the Way gains much support; he who loses the Way finds little help⁶. Things are easy for now, but it won't go so smoothly once we enter Shaanxi." Taking all of Gansu in just over a month could only be attributed to good luck. But Shaanxi wouldn't be so easy to conquer. Yuxi hoped the campaign could be wrapped up by the third lunar month so Yun Qing could send troops to reinforce Yu City. She really didn't trust Fu Tianlei.

Xu Wu spoke to Yuxi about many matters. However, when he mentioned the local officials appointed by Yun Qing, Yuxi's expression grew serious.

After a while, Yuxi said, "Once the situation has stabilised, we must evaluate these people." Yun Qing's approach posed significant hidden dangers, but Yuxi knew it was only a stopgap measure⁷, so she didn't say any more. Nevertheless, once the northwest was stable, a thorough reorganisation would be necessary.

After concluding the official business, Xu Wu said somewhat awkwardly, "Madam, Yifu⁸ asked me to bring Zaozao over." He honestly didn't want to say this in front of Yuxi, but since his Yifu⁸ had given the order, he didn't dare disobey.

Yuxi's expression paused slightly. She always treated those around her with the utmost goodwill. She asked, "Xu Wu, how has Uncle Huo's health been lately?" She wasn't a petty person and had never stopped Zaozao from accompanying Huo Changqing in the front courtyard. However, Huo Changqing had been acting strangely lately, and Yuxi couldn't make sense of it.

Without giving it much thought, Xu Wu answered, "Physician Bai checked on Yifu⁸ a few days ago and said his health is excellent."

Yuxi asked, "But what about his mental state?" Huo Changqing had been acting too out of character lately. If it wasn't a physical issue, it had to be a mental one.

Xu Wu now understood what Yuxi was getting at. "Madam, Yifu⁸ might just be getting old and afraid of being alone. He's so fond of Zaozao and always wants her by his side. Madam, I hope you can understand."

Yuxi felt that Xu Wu had a point. "You know what kind of person I am. I've never stopped Uncle Huo from seeing Zaozao. But she's still young and can't be away from me for too long. Tell Uncle Huo that if she starts crying to see me later, have Old Woman Yu bring her back."

Xu Wu had no reason not to agree.

As soon as Zaozao saw Yuxi, she reached out and cried, "Mom, hug…" Once she was in Yuxi's arms, she clung to her and refused to let go.

Seeing how clingy the child was, Yuxi felt a pang of heartache and told Xu Wu, "I'll ask Old Woman Yu to take her to the front courtyard a little later."

Xu Wu hesitated briefly but still nodded in agreement. Back in the front courtyard, he relayed the message to Huo Changqing. "Yifu⁸, Zaozao is at an age where she's very attached to Madam. Maybe we should wait a couple of days before bringing her over again?"

Huo Changqing said nothing.

Half a shichen⁹ later, Old Woman Yu brought Zaozao to the front courtyard. When Huo Changqing saw her, he smiled and asked, "Zaozao, did you miss Yeye¹⁰?"

Zaozao responded in a soft, childish voice, "Yeye¹⁰…"

At noon, Zaozao stayed in the front courtyard for lunch as usual. But after her nap, she woke up crying for Yuxi. "Mom, Mom…"

Huo Changqing tried to calm her down for quite a while, but he couldn't. Seeing she wouldn't stop crying, he reluctantly allowed Old Woman Yu to take her back to the rear courtyard. After Old Woman Yu left, Huo Changqing stood in the yard for a long time. Only he knew what was going through his mind.

Yuxi took Zaozao into her arms and instinctively felt her forehead. It felt slightly warm. However, she wasn't sure, so she took Zaozao to Mama Lan to have a look.

After touching Zaozao's forehead and examining her carefully, Mama Lan said, "She does have a slight fever." Seeing that Yuxi wanted to summon a physician, Mama Lan continued, "Madam, a mild fever doesn't necessarily require a physician. Start giving her water every half a shichen⁹. If she's no better by tonight, we'll ask Physician Bai to check on her." Physician Bai was right in the residence and readily available, which was very convenient.

When she heard this suggestion, Yuxi asked curiously, "Isn't a fever something a physician should check?"

Mama Lan explained, "The Eldest Young Miss's condition isn't serious. If you give her plenty of water, her fever might go down by this evening." Since all medicine contained three parts poison¹¹, it was better not to give the child any unless necessary. Of course, Mama Lan also knew Zaozao was healthy enough to tough it out, but she wouldn't dare do the same with Liu-er.

Although Yuxi had her doubts, she still followed Mama Lan's instructions. She gave Zaozao water every half a shichen⁹, but after drinking twice, Zaozao stubbornly refused to drink any more. Yuxi, therefore, asked Mama Bai to prepare some pear juice and feed it to Zaozao instead. After drinking water and juice continuously, Zaozao urinated more often. By bedtime, her body temperature had returned to normal.

Yuxi's health wasn't good; after running around all day, her body couldn't take it anymore. She handed Zaozao over to Old Woman Yu and instructed her, "Make sure someone stays up tonight to keep watch. If anything seems wrong with her, wake me immediately." Children's fevers could recur repeatedly, and she was worried Zaozao might have a relapse during the night.

Following this incident, Yuxi didn't allow Zaozao to go to the front courtyard for the next few days. While it was true that Huo Changqing genuinely cared for Zaozao, his failure to notice her fever twice showed unacceptable carelessness. Yuxi would not allow Zaozao to go to the front courtyard until she fully recovered.

Footnotes Full List

lit. rivers and lakes—people who wander from place to place, living by their wits, e.g. fortune-tellers, quack doctors, itinerant entertainers, etc., considered as a social group.
一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳 (yīcháo bèi shé yǎo， shíniánpàjǐngshéng) is a well-known idiom meaning that someone who has been hurt once will be overly cautious in similar situations for a long time.
丢脸丢到姥姥家 (diūliǎn diū dào lǎolaojiā) is an exaggerated way of saying one is extremely embarrassed.
The literal meaning of "骂得狗头淋血 (mà dé gǒutóu lín xuè)" in English is: 'Scolded until the dog's head was dripping with blood'. Figuratively, it means someone was viciously or brutally scolded, often to the point of deep humiliation.
This idiom 收入囊下 (shōurù náng xià) literally translates as 'to take into the pouch/bag/sack/', and means to take possession of something, especially money or gains, often in a way that is quick, easy, or perhaps even slightly underhanded.
得道者多助，失道者寡助 (dédàozhě duō zhù， shī dào zhě guǎzhù) is a famous saying from Mencius, emphasising that moral authority wins allies, while tyranny isolates. Those who act by morality gain much support, while those who act immorally find little support. / The righteous will find abundant support, while the unrighteous will find little.
"权宜之计" ("quányízhījì / stopgap measure" ): a temporary, expedient solution that may not be sustainable
义父(yìfù) adoptive father
时辰 shíchen: 2 hours
爷爷 (yéye) :(coll.) paternal grandfather; grandpa
是药三分毒 (shì yào sānfēn dú) — "All medicine has three parts poison": A traditional saying meaning that even beneficial medicine carries some risk and should be used with caution.