Hearing his elder brother’s shout, Song Xuemu immediately rose as well and instinctively reached for a weapon.
Yet while the two of them remained on guard, the sounds outside suddenly fell quiet again.
Song Wushen had just begun to relax, thinking that perhaps the wind had merely grown louder and he had mistaken it for the sound of a person, when a huge black shadow suddenly burst from the grass outside the courtyard. It snorted heavily as it charged forward at astonishing speed.
“My goodness, it’s a wild boar!”
Under the hazy moonlight, Song Xuemu caught sight of two long, sharp tusks protruding beside the raised snout of the rampaging beast. Cold sweat instantly broke out across his back.
Though he had endured plenty of hardship during their exile, this was the first time he had encountered such a wild beast right outside his own home.
He stumbled backward several steps, his foot twisting on the uneven ground, and fell hard onto his backside.
The wild boar seemed to know how to exploit weakness. Seeing this, it charged at Song Xuemu like a massive boulder rolling down a cliff.
Song Wushen swung a hoe with all his strength, striking the boar’s back with a heavy thud. The blow hurt it, but failed to hit anything vital. Instead, it only enraged the beast.
Its snorting grew heavier. Lowering its massive head, it charged indiscriminately into both people and objects. Song Wushen was knocked to the ground several times by the brute force of its attacks.
Two middle-aged men were actually powerless against such a ferocious beast!
Just as its hard tusks were about to plunge into Song Wushen’s flesh once more, a figure suddenly darted forward and shielded him.
In the darkness, all they could see was a tall, agile silhouette. With one hand, the man seized the boar’s tusk and wrenched it downward with tremendous force. The wild boar, unable to halt its momentum, was dragged off balance and slammed heavily into the ground.
At the same time, the figure flipped onto the boar’s back, locking both legs around its body. His hand rose and fell in a single swift motion.
The wild boar let out a shrill, tearing squeal before the sound was cut off in its throat. The smell of blood spread through the courtyard.
Song Wushen and Song Xuemu panted heavily. It took them a long while to recover from the danger. They were just about to ask who the kind-hearted hero concealed in the night was when a familiar, anxious voice rang out first.
“Father, Second Uncle, are you hurt?”
Song Fengsui came running from behind, limping badly. Earlier, when they had been near the storehouse, Duan Yan had noticed the wild boar lurking nearby and had immediately put him down before going ahead to help.
The path from there to the house was only a few steps long, but with his injured foot, it had taken him quite some time to reach the courtyard.
“Sui Sui!”
When Song Wushen and Song Xuemu saw Song Fengsui return, they were both shocked and delighted. They hurried toward him.
“How did you get into the village so late at night? And what happened to your foot?”
“The guards outside were keeping a strict watch, so I could only wait until midnight and find my way back along a small path. I’m all right. I only twisted my foot after falling while walking through the darkness.”
Seeing how disheveled his father and second uncle looked, Song Fengsui quickly asked whether they were injured.
“Fortunately, this young man came to our aid. Otherwise, your second uncle and I would have been in serious trouble tonight.”
As he spoke, Song Wushen asked Song Fengsui, “Did you come into the village with this young man?”
Song Fengsui nodded.
Seeing that the wild boar was dead and could no longer struggle, Duan Yan finally put away the knife he carried.
He had been involved in a fight outside, and then had subdued the boar here. The rush of blood left him momentarily dizzy. Fortunately, he quickly steadied himself and calmed his breathing; otherwise, it truly might have caused trouble.
He walked over at an unhurried pace, courteously greeting the Song family elders before introducing himself.
“Duan Yan.”
“What a capable young man. Come, don’t just stand outside talking. Get inside.”
Under the dim moonlight, Song Wushen could make out little more than Duan Yan’s tall, prominent nose. He called for him to come inside while helping Song Fengsui open the door.
The thatched house was pitch-black, somehow even darker than the courtyard outside.
Song Xuemu went somewhere and brought back an oil lamp. He lit it with a fire striker, and the bleak, chilly room finally brightened.
After helping Song Fengsui sit on a small wooden stool, they could not find another proper chair. In the end, Song Xuemu pulled out one of the long benches used for meals and told Duan Yan to sit there.
Duan Yan cast a discreet glance at Song Fengsui. Only after seeing him nod in permission did he sit down.
Song Wushen and Song Xuemu both took the opportunity to look Duan Yan over. They saw a young man with regular, upright features, a strong and healthy build, and a tall, sturdy frame.
The two men had entered the village together, and Sui Sui had injured his foot. There was no need to ask how they had returned; the answer was already clear in their minds.
At a time like this, Song Wushen could hardly question the young man at length. Instead, he poured two bowls of water and asked them to drink.
Song Fengsui had no mind for water. He asked anxiously, “What about Mother? Is she all right? And how is Grandfather’s illness?”
“Your mother has been worrying about you these past few days. She caught a bit of heatstroke and hasn’t been feeling well, so she went to bed early. As for your grandfather, he contracted the epidemic. The old man was never as strong as a young person to begin with, and his condition isn’t very good now.”
Song Fengsui hurriedly said, “I’m going to see Grandfather!”
Song Wushen said, “I know you’re worried about him, but your own body is weak. Don’t go near him so easily—you might catch the epidemic as well.”
“I know what I’m doing. I specifically brought medicine with me when I slipped past the guards and came into the village tonight. I need to give it to Grandfather as soon as possible and see whether it helps.”
Song Wushen fell silent for a moment. Sui Sui was the only one in the family who understood medicine. If he was not allowed to examine his grandfather, there was no one else who could do it. Though worried, Song Wushen could only agree.
Duan Yan had originally risen to accompany him, but Song Fengsui’s father stopped him. Presumably, it would be inconvenient for him to go, and they might also be afraid that he would contract the epidemic.
Since they would not let him go, Duan Yan did not want to insist. He therefore remained in the room and waited.
The old storehouse had only four rooms in total. Aside from the main room, there were just three others. The members of the Song family who had survived were Song Fengsui’s grandfather, the two Song brothers, Song Fengsui, and his mother.
Song Xuemu’s husband had sensed that something was wrong before trouble befell the Song family. The two of them had divorced, allowing him to escape this calamity. As for Song Fengsui’s grandmother, she had been old and frail. After hearing the disastrous news on the eve of their exile, she had fallen gravely ill and died before the family was confiscated and sent away.
In other words, five people had to squeeze into three rooms. At first, Song Wushen and his wife shared one room, Song Fengsui’s grandfather and Song Xuemu shared another, and Song Fengsui had a room to himself.
After Song Fengsui’s grandfather contracted the illness, and Song Fengsui determined that it was contagious, they quickly cleared out a separate room for the old man.
When Song Fengsui had gone to the farmstead to borrow medicine, his grandfather had only been suffering from dizziness and coughing. After several days, however, his condition had worsened, and he now lay unconscious on the bed.
Song Fengsui looked at his grandfather, who lay motionless on the bed with a sallow complexion and bloodless lips.
Unable to groom himself during his illness, the man who had always valued his appearance above all else now had disheveled hair, with several strands of white showing through. In the space of a single night, he seemed to have aged ten years.
Song Fengsui’s heart felt as though it had been pricked countless times by needles. He drew a slow breath, tilted his head upward, and held back the tears circling in his eyes. Covering his nose and mouth tightly, he went forward and carefully took his grandfather’s pulse.
In the main room, Duan Yan stood waiting at first. After waiting a long while without seeing Song Fengsui come out, he returned to the long bench and sat down to wait.
They waited for nearly another quarter of an hour before Uncle Song finally came out. Duan Yan rose at once and asked, “Is Old Master Song in serious condition?”
“Sui Sui is still administering acupuncture, so we probably won’t know the result for a while. I’ll go simmer the medicine first.”
Song Xuemu started toward the kitchen, and Duan Yan said he would help, but Song Xuemu hurriedly told him not to bother.
The old storage house did not even have a proper kitchen. Cooking meals and boiling medicine could only be done in the room where people slept. If Duan Yan went over to help, he would have to follow him into the inner room.
Knowing that it would be inappropriate, Duan Yan could only return to his stool and sit there waiting.
It was not long before Song Wushen also came back into the room. Presumably, Song Fengsui had not allowed him to remain in Old Master Song’s room for long and had driven him out.
Their eyes met, and they gave each other a slight nod in greeting.
Song Wushen kept looking at Duan Yan. He seemed to have something to say, yet appeared unsure how to begin.
In the end, both of them sat there in silence, neither saying a word as they quietly waited for news of Song Fengsui.
A dim oil lamp cast a faint glow. The room was so quiet that even their breathing could be heard.
Duan Yan scratched the tip of his nose. He had the distinct feeling that Song Wushen, seated across from him, was sizing him up. His gaze was not exactly friendly, but neither was it hostile. It was probably more one of scrutiny.
When Duan Yan looked up, Song Wushen immediately averted his eyes. If he failed to do so in time, he would tug at the corners of his mouth and give Duan Yan a smile—though it did not look much like a smile.
Duan Yan felt awkward, and a little strange too. It was rather like an irresponsible young man with a questionable reputation meeting the father of the rich and beautiful girl he was dating for the first time.
He found the thought absurd, but he supposed it was because he had run off with the little cabbage Song Wushen had painstakingly raised for several days, leaving him to face the girl’s father with a guilty conscience.
Song Wushen was secretly sizing him up, likely pondering the same matter.
Heaven above, Duan Yan truly had not done anything to the young Song. Without his permission, he had not even touched a single finger of his.
Duan Yan wanted to explain, but in the era he had lived in, abducting someone’s child and taking him away for several days without returning home was already a grave offense—let alone in this feudal dynasty.
If he chose his words poorly, he would only make himself look more suspicious.
The two of them sat there stiffly. Duan Yan’s hands and feet felt awkward, and he could not seem to find a comfortable place to put them.
He suddenly stood up.
Song Wushen, who had been silently judging and pondering whether this young man had taken advantage of Sui Sui, was startled. His eyes widened as he stared at Duan Yan.
“Cough… I’m going to boil some water and deal with the wild boar outside. It’s hot, so leaving it in the courtyard isn’t a good idea.”
Song Wushen: “…”
“How could I trouble you any further? We’re already deeply grateful that you brought Sui Sui back.”
“It’s no trouble. I have nothing else to do, anyway.”
With that, Duan Yan fled outside as if escaping for his life.
The wild boar that had died in the courtyard weighed more than two hundred pounds. For a boar, that was not considered especially heavy, but an animal of that weight, its body packed with lean muscle, was far more powerful and dangerous than a domestic pig.
The Song family lived in a remote place near the mountains and forests. Whenever wild animals came down to the village to eat the crops, their household was usually among the first to suffer.
It was painful enough to watch their crops being eaten, but having a wild beast suddenly charge out of the darkness and attack someone was even more terrifying.
The Song family had men in the household, but they had all once been court officials, accustomed to clerical work that taxed the mind rather than the body. None of them had experience wrestling with wild boars at close quarters. If Duan Yan had not happened to arrive that day, they would certainly have suffered badly.
Still, looking on the bright side, it could be considered a blessing in disguise: they had gained over a hundred pounds of meat delivered right to their door.
Given the Song family’s current circumstances, it was truly a stroke of good fortune.
Duan Yan poured boiling water over the black-haired boar, scalded and scraped off the bristles, then butchered the lean meat into sections.
When Song Xuemu heard that he was going to deal with the boar, he immediately helped heat more water. He also held up a torch to illuminate the work, watching with great interest as the black carcass became strips and chunks beneath Duan Yan’s knife.
Duan Yan felt that Uncle Song Xuemu was rather more easygoing. Perhaps he was younger and, as the younger brother rather than the eldest, had been the one more often disciplined and indulged. In any case, he was not as solemn and composed as Song Wushen.
Song Wushen reminded Duan Yan very much of his own grandfather—measured in speech, courteous yet authoritative. After all, he had once been a high-ranking court official; his grave and serious temperament was only natural.
Duan Yan recalled that the book had mentioned Old Master Song serving as a Hanlin Academician, while Song Wushen had been a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, both of them occupying positions of considerable power. Song Xuemu’s post had been somewhat lower; he had held a relatively idle position in the Ministry of Works.
“This pork is being butchered beautifully, Xiao Duan. Let me have a try.”
Song Xuemu’s voice suddenly interrupted Duan Yan’s thoughts.
The bitter, tearful look Song Xuemu had worn when he cried outside the house in the middle of the night had vanished. Now that Song Fengsui had returned safely and was treating their old father, his spirits had lifted again.
Watching Duan Yan butcher the pig, he had been visibly eager to try his hand at it. Once Duan Yan had finished nearly half the carcass and there was not much left, Song Xuemu finally could not restrain himself and asked to take over.
Duan Yan was somewhat surprised that Song Xuemu had volunteered. He thought perhaps the man merely felt bad about making him do all the work, so he told him that he could finish the rest in a few quick strokes and that there was no need to trouble himself.
But Song Xuemu genuinely wanted to try.
So Duan Yan handed him the knife and took over holding the torch.
With Duan Yan’s knife in hand, Song Xuemu imitated the way he had just watched Duan Yan butcher the other half of the carcass and began cutting into it with remarkable ease.
Duan Yan had only brought one knife for self-defense, not a proper butcher’s knife, so it was not particularly convenient for the task.
Duan Yan asked in surprise, “Uncle Song, you know how to do this too?”
“I just learned it from watching you.”
Song Xuemu’s eyes shone with excitement. “Once I learn how to slaughter pigs and grow vegetables, we won’t have to worry about making a living.”
The corners of Duan Yan’s mouth twitched. He could not help admiring the man’s attitude.
“Hey, Xiao Duan, your technique is so practiced. Are you a professional butcher?”
“No.”
Duan Yan answered honestly, “I’m a blacksmith.”
Song Xuemu became even more interested. “When the epidemic has passed, you must let me watch you work the forge if you get the chance.
“I once drew up plans for some farm tools. I thought they could be improved to make farming easier for the villagers, but unfortunately, I could never get them approved. I spent a long time trying without success. I had intended to ask my eldest brother to speak on my behalf, but before I could bring it up, he was dismissed from his post.”
Song Xuemu muttered, “These days, I spend all my time working in the fields, clearing land and digging soil. It’s made me realize even more that the farm tools ought to be improved.”
Hearing this, Duan Yan was delighted. “Of course.”
Just as the two of them were talking animatedly, Song Wushen delivered the medicine into the room. Before long, he came out again with Song Fengsui.
Duan Yan was about to ask how things had gone, but then he saw that Song Fengsui’s phoenix eyes were red, as if he had been crying. Without thinking, Duan Yan softened his urgent tone and lowered his voice.
“Is Old Master Song all right?”
“After the acupuncture, Grandfather woke for a while. I just managed to get the medicine broth into him. We’ll know whether it worked after the medicine has had time to reach his internal organs.”
Duan Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief. The medicine simply had not taken effect yet, which was far better news than hearing that the man was beyond saving. If Old Mr. Song lost his life because the best opportunity for treatment had been delayed, Young Master Song would surely regret it for the rest of his life.
He offered some reassurance. “With your medical skills, I’m sure he’ll be fine. If you’re short of anything else, just let me know.”
Song Fengsui nodded lightly.
Song Wushen, who had remained silent all this time, waited until the two of them had finished speaking before saying, “Sui Sui, you should have that sprained ankle looked at properly too.”
Song Fengsui lowered his head and glanced at his foot, then returned to his room. After removing his shoes and socks, he saw that his fair ankle had reddened and was already slightly swollen.
If Duan Yan had not carried him all the way home, preventing him from injuring the ankle a second time, it was hard to say how badly it might have swollen.
He took some ointment, warmed it between his palms, and gently applied it to the injury. Then he rolled up his sleeve and bandaged the bleeding wound on his arm again.
Once he had more or less finished treating himself, he raised his head and realized that his father was standing by the doorway, brows tightly knit and hands clasped behind his back. It seemed he was guarding the entrance to keep anyone from barging in, yet it also seemed he had something he wanted to say.
Beneath the dim yellow lamplight, the old man looked rather small. Yet the love a father bore for his child was exceptionally steadfast.
His second uncle had no children, and his parents had only ever had him, a ger. The Song family line was exceedingly thin, and the household cherished him dearly, keeping a close eye on him at all times.
This time, he had acted on his own and gone to borrow medicine, only to be drugged by Chen Hu and abducted to the Duan household. He had been away from home for several days; it was not difficult to imagine how frantic his parents and second uncle must have been.
Though he had eventually returned home safe and sound, and had even brought back food and medicine, the worry and fear his family had endured over those days could not be dispelled so easily.
“Father.”
He knew his father was worried about what he might have suffered while away. His father feared that he had paid some terrible price in exchange for food and medicine, and feared that any concerned question he asked might reopen his child’s wounds—while the child would still have to pretend that nothing had happened, simply to set his father’s mind at ease.
Physical wounds could heal with time, but the pain in one’s heart was much harder to cure.
So Song Fengsui took the initiative to explain, “Duan Yan helped me, but I was helping him too. As for the specifics, it isn’t convenient to tell too many people just yet. In short, he needs a physician.”
“He is an upright man and has always treated me with respect. These past few days, he has gone to considerable trouble on my account. In turn, I’ve done my best to resolve his difficulties. Perhaps I haven’t contributed as much as he has, but… we truly are allies.”
None of those words were false. He simply had not mentioned that Duan Yan had feelings for him. If he told his father that as well, it would only make him worry even more.
Song Fengsui’s words had indeed touched upon the very fear in Song Wushen’s heart. What he was afraid of, more than anything, was that Song Fengsui had been forced to give himself to someone else during his time away, trading his body for protection.
Although the ger had taken the initiative to clarify matters, Song Wushen did not entirely believe him. The Duan Yan he had seen did appear honest and dependable, without the slickness or domineering manner of ordinary men—but where in this world was there a truly honest man?
In a place of treacherous mountains and harsh lands, no one who had managed to gain power could be simple.
What was more, during the days he had been there, Song Wushen had heard plenty about the misdeeds committed at the manor. If Duan Yan truly was as good as Sui Sui claimed, how could his reputation be so poor?
Nor was Song Wushen the sort to believe every rumor he heard. When Sui Sui had been taken away to the manor without leaving so much as a message, he and his second son had gone there to look for him. The people on that side had been vicious, hurling all kinds of vile insults aside from even raising their hands against his second son, nearly beating him into serious injury.
Song Wushen understood more than enough. But for the moment, he did not bring any of those matters up to contradict Song Fengsui.
The child had suffered too much along the way. Now that he was injured and ill, he was still being considerate enough not to make his family worry. Even if Song Wushen pressed him until he recounted every detail of what had happened, what good would knowing everything do? Could their powerless family do anything besides cover their faces and weep?
A loving smile touched his face. “As long as you’re all right. You’ve exhausted yourself these past few days and suffered greatly.”
Hearing this, Song Fengsui lifted his eyes to look at his father. He pressed his lips together. “You don’t believe me, Father?”
“How could I not believe my own child?”
“I know you too well, Father.”
Song Fengsui lowered his gaze and murmured, “Throughout this journey into exile, I haven’t met a single good person, and not one thing has gone smoothly. I may not have as much experience as you, after all your years in officialdom, but over the past year I’ve witnessed far too many people and things I had never encountered before. I’m no longer as naïve and ignorant as I once was.”
“You may not believe me, but Duan Yan truly is the only person I’ve met since our family fell who seems to have a decent character.”
He had deliberately said “decent.” He had not known Duan Yan for very long, and if he simply declared him a good man, his father would surely think him naïve once more.
“He sincerely treated me well, and I benefited from his protection. I truly don’t want him to be misunderstood by my family when he has done so much for me. Naturally, I don’t want you to think I’m merely reporting good news and concealing the bad so that everyone at home can feel better.”
After hearing all this, Song Wushen was somewhat more convinced that Sui Sui truly had not been mistreated during his time away. Yet his heart did not feel any lighter for it.
When had this child ever argued so earnestly with him over a man…? For a moment, he could not tell whether he ought to feel pleased or worried.
“Your father is indeed worried about you. You’ve stood out since childhood and have always drawn attention. Now that the Song family has fallen from its former position and no longer commands the same influence, many people feel free to scheme against you. Duan Yan is a young, vigorous man, so it was only natural for me to be concerned. Now that I’ve heard what you had to say, I’m reassured.”
Song Wushen continued, “He went to great lengths to protect you on the way home, and even subdued that wild beast himself. He neither flaunted his achievements nor lost his temper. That does reveal something of his character.”
“Don’t worry. Our family will treat him with the proper courtesy.”
Only then did Song Fengsui feel somewhat relieved.
“All right. You’ve been exhausted for most of the day. You had to avoid the guards on your way back and spend the whole time on tenterhooks. Now that you’ve arrived home safely, get some proper rest.”
Song Fengsui shook his head. “I’m too worried about Grandfather to sleep, even if I lie down now. Besides, staying up to keep watch over him will make me feel more at ease.”
Song Wushen knew his son well, so in the end, he could only let him have his way.
It was already the middle of the night when Song Xuemu, who had gone to Old Mr. Song’s room, suddenly cried out, “Father is vomiting again! Big Brother! Sui Sui!”
