BMN : Chapter 22

As the carriage stopped outside the mansion, Jin Yi and Fu Ming stepped down. A small figure darted toward them like an arrow. Fu Ming knelt and caught Xiao Yan in his arms.

 

With tears in his eyes, Xiao Yan both laughed and cried, saying, “Dad, you’re finally back! Why did it take you so long to come home?”

 

Fu Ming held him, soothing him with gentle words, while Jin Yi took Xiao Yan from Fu Ming’s arms, set him down, but kept holding his hand. The three of them, followed by their attendants, walked into the mansion together.

 

Fu Ming headed to Fangmanting to bathe and change clothes.

 

These days, summer had deepened, and the lotus flowers in Fangmanting were in full bloom. Wanlan was just picking a few branches to put in a vase for Renlan when she saw Fu Ming and the others return. She quickly put down the vase and began fussing over them, helping to unpack and serving tea, her mouth and hands never stopping.

 

Lu Fei laughed, “You must have been bored without us. Look at you, fluttering about like a little bird!”

 

Wanlan laughed too, “You know me well! But you seem happier than when you left. Was it too boring in Cuiwei Mountain, and now you’re glad to be back, or did something good happen to make you so happy?”

 

Lu Fei pulled Wanlan aside and whispered in her ear. Wanlan’s face lit up with a smile that she couldn’t hide. Seeing this, Fu Ming pretended not to notice and, after finishing his cooling tea, stepped out of the courtyard.

 

Lu Fei nudged Wanlan, “You go with him. I’m tired and need a break.”

 

“Then go inside and rest. If you’re hungry or thirsty, just tell the maids. We’ll talk more tonight.” With that, she hurried to catch up with Fu Ming.

 

Just outside the courtyard gate, they saw Jin Yi approaching Fangmanting. Today, the family was dining at the Old Lady’s quarters, and Jin Yi had come to escort Fu Ming. Wanlan couldn’t help but believe what Lu Feii had said. A month in the mountains, and everything had changed.

 

At the Old Lady’s house, Renlan, Xiao Yan, and Xinyue were there, but Lady Wang was absent. Fu Ming looked at Jin Yi, who returned his gaze, and Fu Ming felt a quiet joy blossom in his heart.

 

Jin Yi handed out the small gifts they had brought back for everyone. Though simple, they were thoughtful. The Old Lady smiled and said, “Amitabha, it must have been Ming’s idea. Changjie can’t think of things like that.”

 

Jin Yi, smiling slightly, replied, “Grandmother sees clearly. It was indeed Ming’s idea.” He recalled Fu Ming kneeling devoutly in prayer at the Liuli Temple, his side profile serene, his expression sincere, making Jin Yi almost believe in the presence of divine spirits.

 

Xiao Yan was thrilled with his gift, swinging his wooden sword around. He asked Fu Ming, “What do the words on it say?” He couldn’t read much yet and didn’t recognize all the characters on the sword.

 

Fu Ming pointed to the words and read them aloud: “It says, ‘Like autumn water, this sword is given to you. Do not use it for petty grievances.'” He explained, “The ancients compared a good sword to autumn water. This sword is for you, Yan’er, and you should act like a gentleman, never using it for minor personal grudges.”

 

Jin Yi added, “A warrior has a code. A weapon should not be used lightly and only for the most worthy causes.”

 

Xiao Yan nodded, repeating the phrases several times with Fu Ming before happily swinging the sword around again.

 

Renlan, holding the sachet, sniffed it lightly and smiled, “This fragrance is so fresh. I’ve never smelled anything like it before. Ming, what’s inside?”

 

Xinyue agreed, “I’ve never smelled anything like it either. I can only identify one or two of the ingredients.”

 

Fu Ming listed the herbs and flowers in the sachet, adding, “These plants were well-known to the ancients and often used in poetry. Though not commonly known now, their fragrance is just as delightful. Scented herbs are perfect for gifting beautiful women. I’m glad you both like them.”

 

Renlan and Xinyue both expressed their appreciation.

 

A servant came in to announce that the food was ready and asked if they should start. The Old Lady said, “You must be hungry and tired from the long journey. Let’s eat early and rest afterward.”

 

After the meal, everyone dispersed. Xiao Yan pleaded to sleep with Fu Ming and Jin Yi again.

 

Holding Xiao Yan’s hand, Fu Ming smiled, “Alright, let’s go back to Fangmanting together.” He turned to Jin Yi and asked, “Will you join us?”

 

Jin Yi stepped closer and whispered in his ear, “Of course. You already know the answer.”

 

Fu Ming blushed but replied, “How could I know? Perhaps you want to see old friends after being away for so long.”

 

“If you say that, it seems my previous efforts were in vain.” Jin Yi couldn’t help but laugh, “How can you, a dignified gentleman, speak like this?”

 

Still blushing, Fu Ming chuckled, “What did I say? If you don’t like it, I won’t say it anymore.”

 

Jin Yi shook his head and smiled, “You can say whatever you want. I don’t dislike it. Just don’t overthink it. You know what I mean.”

 

“How would I know if you don’t say it?” Fu Ming teased.

 

“Do you really want me to say it in front of Yan’er?”

 

Fu Ming quickly shook his head, but Xiao Yan looked up and asked, “What do you want to say? Why can’t you say it in front of Yan’er?”

 

Embarrassed, Fu Ming hurriedly pulled Xiao Yan along, changing the subject, “Yan’er, what have you been learning these days?”

 

Yan’er obediently recounted everything he had learned over the past month. Jin Yi followed behind them, a warm, unguarded smile on his face.

 

The next morning, Jin Yi went to court early, and Xiao Yan went to clan school. Fu Ming, with nothing urgent to do, stayed at Fangmanting, recording his experiences in Cuiwei Mountain and planning to draw some illustrations while his memory was fresh.

 

A servant came to inform him that Master Zhou was visiting.

 

When they met, before they could even sit down, Zhou Chengyan said, “Finally, you’re back! I was worried I’d be intruding on your rest.”

 

Fu Ming smiled, “Not at all. You’re here early, showing how much you value our friendship.”

 

“Indeed,” Zhou Chengyan said, “So, how was your time with the Third Prince at Cuiwei Palace? Any interesting stories?”

 

Fu Ming shared a few highlights. Hearing about Fu Ming’s orchestration of the Tang Grand Dance, Zhou Chengyan was surprised and suggested, “We should gather everyone and perform it!”

 

“It’s hard to assemble over a hundred skilled musicians and dancers,” Fu Ming noted.

 

“We can get Yan Le and Qing Sun to help. With them, it won’t be difficult.”

 

But Fu Ming shook his head, “This grand dance is a courtly tradition. It’s not appropriate for us to perform it privately. Let’s not.”

 

Understanding, Zhou Chengyan looked disappointed, “What a shame. It would have been amazing to see. I’ll have to keep it from Qing Sun; he would be devastated.”

 

Fu Ming laughed, “You can tease him all you want since he’s not here. But it’s better not to mention it.”

 

Zhou Chengyan agreed and, after a long look at Fu Ming, remarked, “You seem different.”

 

“Different? How?” Fu Ming asked.

 

After studying him for a while, Zhou Chengyan replied, “I can’t quite say, but you look even more charming.”

 

Fu Ming chuckled, “You’re just teasing me.”

 

“I’m not,” Zhou Chengyan insisted, then changed the subject. He invited Fu Ming to a future gathering, which Fu Ming accepted.

 

As Zhou Chengyan had other matters to attend to, he didn’t stay long. After enjoying a cup of tea prepared by Fu Ming, he reluctantly took his leave.

 

In the evening, Jin Yi returned from his office. Instead of going to his courtyard, he went straight to Fangmanting.

 

Fu Ming had the kitchen prepare fresh food, shared a meal with him, and helped him undress and comb his hair. They sat on the bamboo couch outside, enjoying the cool evening air, while a few fireflies danced around, undisturbed by the faint smoke of insect-repellent herbs, mirroring the scattered stars above.

 

Fu Ming asked about Jin Yi’s workload, given the time spent away from the capital, while Jin Yi inquired about Fu Ming’s day. After some intimate conversation, Jin Yi shared, “Xiang Xian has requested to be stationed in Liangzhou. The court has approved it, and he’ll be leaving in a few days.”

 

Fu Ming was surprised, “Why so suddenly?”

 

“Liangzhou’s border has been relatively peaceful in recent years but still turbulent beneath the surface. Xiang Xian is ambitious and sees this as a chance to prove himself. Staying in the capital offers little opportunity for someone like him,” Jin Yi explained.

 

“Then we should give him a proper farewell,” Fu Ming suggested.

 

Jin Yi nodded, “Don’t be too sad. Partings are a part of life.”

 

Fu Ming smiled wistfully, “I know. It’s just that we barely had time together, and now we part so quickly. Short is the time we spend together; long are the separations.”

 

Jin Yi reassured him, “Everyone has their own path. We can’t always be together, but you and I will be.”

 

With a soft smile, Fu Ming replied, “You’re right.”

 

As they looked up, the stars gradually filled the sky, some coming closer, others drifting apart, while others, like Orion and Aldebaran, never met. Some even disappeared in a flash, leaving only darkness.

 

As they leaned into each other, Fu Ming asked, “Some say the dead become stars, while others believe every living person is represented by a star, extinguishing upon their death. What do you think?”

 

Jin Yi lowered his head slightly, looked at Fu Ming, and smiled, “I don’t believe in those theories. I only know you’re the star in my eyes.”

 

This sudden declaration from a hardened warrior echoed in Fu Ming’s heart, leaving him speechless despite his usual eloquence.

 

No amount of poetic verses could match the impact of this one sentence. Love’s true essence is only known through personal experience.

 

Lost in Jin Yi’s arms, Fu Ming was silent for a long time. A droplet of water slipped off a lotus leaf, landing in the pond with a clear sound. Fu Ming looked up again, noticing that the stars had shifted in the sky, and realized how late it had become.

 

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