Chapter 24

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Bringing up the handkerchief

Dawn was the coldest time of the day, so the dogs outside snuggled together to stay warm.

Huo Linfeng dreamt of the great deserts during winter, where the white snow blanketed the golden sand. He was traveling in the snow, leaving a trail of steady footprints behind him. There was nothing but snow as far as eye can see.

There were no barracks, no stationed soldiers. He was alone in this vast snowy realm. The snowfall grew heavier, so he tugged his lapels together against the wind, causing his usually straightened back to curve.

Suddenly, a white shadow flashed by.

Huo Linfeng was doubtful. It couldn’t be that the snow came alive? He chased after, following that white shadow up and down, left and right. When the sky had turned wholly white with the falling snow, he leaped forward and trapped that white shadow in his arms. It was alive, fluffy, and warm; it was a white fox.

At that moment, he did not want to let it go. Huo Linfeng pulled it up and hugged it tightly, holding onto this warmth in the snowfield.

In the praying hall, Rong Luoyun was sound asleep bundled in the warm blankets when a large hand reached over and abruptly pulled him over. Rong Luoyun felt pressure behind his head and was pressed against a sturdy chest. His bun unraveled in this scruffle, scattering his hair.

He squinted drowsily. The robes in front of him had their lapels slightly opened, revealing half of Huo Linfeng’s collarbone and pectoral muscles. Rong Luoyun moved to pull Huo Linfeng’s robes together, but the muscular arms around him tightened.

What’s he hugging me for? He wondered.

Probably cold, he thought, feeling enlightened.

Rong Luoyun sleepily shut his eyes and fell asleep in the other party’s arms. He gradually loosened up and relaxed, eventually forgetting all boundaries and hugging Huo Linfeng’s waist.

The two slept soundly like this, staying warm and cozy on this old bed.

At dawn, the dogs in the yard woke up and scuttled to the bucket to drink water. The splashing of tongues lapping water woke Huo Linfeng up. When he lifted his head, the mottle walls entered his view; when lowering his head, a particular fragrance entered his nose.

He froze. This was the scent of Rong Luoyun’s hair. It turns out he was actually hugging that person tightly.

Huo Linfeng loosened his arms a little. He lowered to examine Rong Luoyun’s peaceful expression. The cheek pressed upon his chest was a little pink. Since the bun had come undone, Rong Luoyun’s hair cascaded onto the pillow. He reached a hand to comb the hair at Rong Luoyun’s temples and carefully and cautiously tucked the tuft of hair behind the other party’s ear.

He was very nervous. His hands were used to wield swords, hold reins, to lift a brush. When was it ever used to do something as gentle as tucking hair?

He gulped inside. Did he just do maid work again?

Huo Linfeng studied Rong Luoyun’s sleeping appearance all over. He remembered what was important and turned to examine Rong Luoyun’s recently healed left hand. He gently held it up, first checking the pulse at the wrist, then to the five fingers, and lastly, he untied the bandage to examine the wound.

The back of the hand and the palm both had a dot of blood, red like a cinnabar mark.

Huo Linfeng used his fingers to prod the drop of blood to draw, swirling from a big circle to a small one. He played around joyfully. Without warning, a faint voice said: “Having fun?”

Huo Linfeng suffered a fright. He said provocatively: “A lot of fun.”

He had just spoken when his ears caught movement down the mountain. He abruptly sat up. “Palace Lord, there’s a group of people coming.” He quickly got dressed and grabbed Rong Luoyun’s sword, “Stay in here. I will go out to see.”

Rong Luoyun struggled to sit up: “Be careful!”

Huo Linfeng gave a sound of affirmation and closed the door behind him. He guarded outside like a door god [1]. Footsteps grew closer, now roughly twenty steps away, hurrying in their direction.

When the group arrived at the hall, he drew his sword. The people in the lead charged in. It was unexpectedly Duan Huaike and Lu Zhun.

Lu Zhun shouted: “Du Zhong, where’s my brother?!”

Huo Linfeng had yet to answer when Duan Huaike pushed him aside, urgently pressing into the room. Lu Zhun followed closely behind with Diao Yuliang in tow. The three brothers rushed in to search for Rong Luoyun.

They finally found their second brother inside, and now all that was left for them was their emotional talk.

Huo Linfeng sheathed the sword and tactfully left.

Inside, Rong Luoyun was being crowded around. He asked in surprise: “How did you guys know we were here?”

Duan Huaike watched him: “You still have the nerve to ask?” After being notified by Rong Duanyu, he hurried over, only to spend a day searching all over Han Prefecture but not find even a hint of Rong Luoyun’s shadow. They decided to rest up at the Buddhist temple and ended up finding them in a stroke of luck.

“Second Brother, you’re too reckless.” Lu Zhun leaned on the bed, “You coming here alone, do you not see us as your brothers?”

Rong Luoyun smiled. He was getting revenge for a personal issue and it was not something he should be dragging someone else into. Duan Huaike took his pulse and found something odd: “The qi in your body is in disorder. Some are weak, some are strong, and they’re trying to mix together right now.”

Rong Luoyun said: “I got hit by a Heart Tempering Palm. Fortunately, Du Zhong transferred me some qi to recover.” He couldn’t help but look outside. That person had left with his sword. Is he really not coming in?

Rong Luoyun was then meticulously cared for. Third Bro and Fourth Bro went to fetch water to help him freshen up while Duan Huaike kept him up to date on Han Prefecture’s occurrences. Since the day Rong Luoyun wreaked havoc in the granary, the commoners came together to raid the grains to survive. The governor’s soldiers couldn’t hold them back at all.

And the Han Prefecture Governor Manor seemed peaceful on the outside, but only if one stepped inside would the chaos reveal itself. In the western courtyard forest, Chen Mian and Chen Xiao’s bodies had already been eaten away by animals. After recalling everything for him, Duan Huaike whispered in Rong Luoyun’s ear: “A letter came from Chang’an. Han Prefecture’s affair couldn’t be covered up and has already been brought up in the imperial court.”

As Rong Luoyun listened carefully, he looked up and saw Huo Linfeng had finally returned.

General Huo was pretty idle. After playing with the wild dogs and picking some wild berries to eat, he suddenly remembered his purpose in joining the Extraordinary Palace. He decided to eavesdrop only to see Rong Luoyun and Duan Huaike sticking close together.

He thought of how Rong Luoyun kept calling out “Big Brother” when he was heavily injured. He must miss him so much, huh! Right now, that “big brother” of his came in a hurry, full of worry and care. Even when talking, this grown man has to whisper in his ears.

He leaned against the door frame. He was like the God of Death of the six realms and watched them coldly.

When the two finally finished talking, only then did he replace his face with a calm expression before pushing the door open. Diao Yuliang ran up to him: “Du Zhong, you did a great deed this time. I’ll reward you with five hundred taels. My third brother would provide them!”

Lu Zhun walked to the table and opened the front lapels of his robes. A pile of silver came tumbling out, all taken from Jia Yanxi’s manor. That pavilion at the lake’s center was like a wonderland for Lu Zhun. The moment he walked in, he became wild with joy.

“Second Brother,” he said greedily, “I still want to get some more.”

Seeing they had enough people, Rong Luoyun said: “Big Brother, go divide our forces up and bring a group to distribute disaster relief to the people. Third Bro, bring people to count the money and compensate those who were affected. Fourth Bro, you’re the most important. Jia Yanxi’s ledger is hidden in a compartment at the bottom of the lake, so you need to go fetch it.”

Everyone had a task except Huo Linfeng. He raised his hand: “Then I’ll go rest?”

Rong Luoyun mumbled unclearly: “……. You come with me and drive the carriage.”

Everyone set out. Huo Linfeng drove the carriage while Rong Luoyun and Diao Yuliang sat inside, similar to when they went to Spirit Jade Stream. When they arrived at Han Prefecture, everyone split into groups to do their task. Rong Luoyun and co headed toward Jia Yanxi’s manor.

A fishy scent permeated through the manor. Numerous corpses floated in the lake, contaminating the water. Diao Yuliang stripped naked, stuffed a leaf in each nostril, and leaped into the water with a splash.

Rong Luoyun stood at the bank. The handkerchief he pulled out to cover his nose was filled with the smell of honey locust. “Palace Lord?” Huo Linfeng suddenly called, staring at the handkerchief. “I lost my handkerchief when we met that time in Dusk-till-Dawn. Why are you not returning it to me?”

Rong Luoyun’s voice was muffled under the cloth: “How presumptuous of you, is this handkerchief really yours?”

Huo Linfeng retorted: “Of course it is. What, are you trying to say it is supposed to be yours?”

Rong Luoyun’s eyes curved as he smiled, feeling quite pleased with himself. “This was mine to begin with. I had lost it one night when I was staying at Dusk-till-Dawn. Fell out the window.” As he went on and on, he saw the other party furrow his eyebrows and felt it was a little odd.

Huo Linfeng was alarmed. Since the handkerchief was originally Rong Luoyun’s, then what were its origins? Was it given to him by a prostitute as a token of love, or was it picked up after he plucked a flower*?

*plucking a flower – r*pe

Rong Luoyun asked: “What’s the matter?”

Huo Linfeng took a step back and said coldly: “Since that’s so, then Palace Lord can keep it.”

Rong Luoyun felt something was off. He took a step forward, staring straight at the other party, his eyes silently inquiring. When the other party retreated, he advanced. Chasing each other around, the two eventually drew closer to the water. Huo Linfeng felt ill at ease and raised his hand without thinking to protect Rong Luoyun, fearing the water would splatter on him.

After this unsuccessful confrontation between the two, Diao Yuliang soon climbed onto the wood pathway with a splash, carrying an object in his arms. He shook his braid out like a dog and picked the item up to present it. It was the size of a makeup box, wrapped in multiple layers of oil paper. Inside, there were five account books.

They had not gotten the chance to flip through the ledgers when a disciple came to report: “Palace Lords, the newly appointed Han Prefecture governor and his people have arrived in the city.”

At this, Rong Luoyun wrapped the ledgers up properly and ordered everyone to leave at once. Leaving in horse carriages, they watched the streets roll by as they galloped towards the city gates. When they arrived on the main street, they coincidentally bumped into the new governor’s group.

Huo Linfeng had sharp eyes and saw the person in the lead. The closer they got, the more familiar he seemed. That person had a refined temperament, a thin yet tall stature, and was full of scholarly air. Just then, a guard said: “Sir Shen, the manor is just around the corner.”

Sir Shen……. He suddenly realized that this newly appointed governor was Shen Wendao’s oldest son, Shen Zhou.

Behind Huo Linfeng, Rong Luoyun lifted the curtain a crack, secretly watching Shen Zhou get farther away. He sat there quietly for a while, lost in thought, before saying: “Let’s go. There’s no need to worry about this city any longer.”

Huo Linfeng caught this sentence. Now that Shen Zhou took office, there is no need to worry anymore. Can it be that Rong Luoyun recognized Shen Zhou? He wordlessly drove the carriage out the city gates and back to the temple.

Before the sky turned dark, the Extraordinary Palace’s people returned one by one, all staying at the praying hall.

Huo Linfeng hated crowds, so he sat in a tree with his eyes closed, seeming to be dozing off. However, he was really thinking about Rong Luoyun’s recent deeds. Besides getting revenge, Rong Luoyun had caught a dog official, found the ledger, and ordered people to issue compensation and relief. These were tasks an official would do. Now that an actual official came, Rong Luoyun started to back off.

As he was pondering, Rong Luoyun called for him from the room.

He jumped down the tree and entered. Lu Zhun and Diao Yuliang were sitting on the bed. Bored to the bones, they were currently arm wrestling. Rong Luoyun and Duan Huaike were by the table, flipping through the ledgers. Seeing him enter, Rong Luoyun pushed over two of the books: “Du Zhong, send Jia Yanxi along with these two account books to the Governor’s Manor. But be careful, don’t let anyone see you.”

Caught, investigated, and then sent right to him. This newly appointed governor really has it easy. Huo Linfeng received the order and immediately set off.

Once the person left, Rong Luoyun felt a bit tired. He rubbed his eyes and stretched a little. His wounds had yet to fully recover, so it drew Duan Huaike’s concern: “Go sleep, I’ll look through the rest.”

Rong Luoyun glanced at the bed that Third and Fourth Bro occupied like doves occupying a magpie’s nest. He strolled over and laid down on the outside of the bed. His head had just touched the pillow when he felt an extra weight. Lu Zhun latched onto him from behind and clucked his tongue.

Rong Luoyun elbowed him, nearly causing Lu Zhun to spit blood: “Second Brother, you and I are so estranged……”

Diao Yuliang squeezed over too, reaching his hand toward Rong Luoyun’s face: “Second Brother, that secret compartment was all rotten. Do my hands stink?”

Rong Luoyun was unbearably vexed by these two and pulled the covers up, ignoring them. Third and Fourth Bro could only hold each other for warmth instead. When the night deepened, the room was silent, and so was the outside.

When he was drowsily on the verge of falling asleep, he detected a person coming up the mountain. Huo Linfeng has returned.

The footsteps came closer and closer, into the praying hall, stopped outside the door, waited for a moment, then left and did not come back again.

Rong Luoyun lifted his blanket and quietly got off the bed. He grabbed that red candle and went outside, where the disciples were all huddled together, fast asleep. He walked around them and stepped out of the hall. In the darkness, he could discern Huo Linfeng sitting on the steps.

“Du Zhong.” He called.

Huo Linfeng looked back but did not rise: “Palace Lord, it’s been done.” He had thought Rong Luoyun was waiting for him to report and urged him, “It’s late. You should go to sleep.”

But Rong Luoyun walked over and sat down on the steps next to him.

Their surroundings were pitch black, with only this meager light from the candle. But it was enough for them to see each other. The wind suddenly blew. Huo Linfeng lifted one hand to block the candle and used his other hand to hold the other party steady. Sitting shoulder to shoulder, it was hard to avoid each other’s eyes.

In their interactions the past few days, Rong Luoyun had already gotten used to this kind of attentiveness, so he didn’t dodge or hide. He let the other party block the wind for him. He suddenly asked: “When we were at the lake before, why were you giving me a cold shoulder over the handkerchief?”

Huo Linfeng didn’t want to pursue this topic: “It was this subordinate being impudent.”

Rong Luoyun guessed: “You thought it belonged to a beauty and felt disappointed?” The other party shook his head. He guessed again. “You like this one so much that you don’t want to return it to me?” The other party still shook his head. Rong Luoyun was stumped and went to tug at Huo Linfeng’s chin, trying to pry his mouth open, “Are you mute or something?”

Huo Linfeng asked: “How did Palace Lord get that handkerchief?”

Rong Luoyun answered: “Jiejie* sewed it and gave it to me for a birthday gift.”

*jiejie – sister

Huo Linfeng stared blankly: “…….” Staring was not enough, even his jaws dropped in surprise. He did not think of such a possibility at all. Sewed by Rong Duanyu, yes, of course it was. It can be seen that Rong Luoyun liked ginkgo trees since he had a few planted in his Nameless Abode. Birthday gift, no wonder Rong Luoyun cherished that handkerchief so much. So it turns out it was a birthday gift.

He rarely showed such a stupid look. He suddenly felt happy, along with an emotion he couldn’t describe.

Even more unexpectedly, Rong Luoyun pulled out the handkerchief: “This item is fated to be yours. I originally wanted to give it to you as a thank you gift for saving me.”

Huo Linfeng reached to seize the handkerchief and pulled Rong Luoyun in his arms. Rong Luoyun loosened his grip, allowing the candleholder to slip from his hand. It tumbled down the stairs and let out crisp clinks similar to the tinkling of windchimes upon impact with the stone steps.

“Palace Lord, you guessed something right.”

“What?”

In the windchime-like melody, Huo Linfeng whispered: “I like it very, very much.”

……And I’m also very, very happy. He held back and did not say the last part of the sentence.

The author has something to say:

General Huo has finally gotten his hands on a little handkerchief he can call his own, yet the first thing Rong Luoyun does when he returns to Xiqian Ridge: Sis, make me another handkerchief, please!

If you enjoy reading Riling Up the Jianghu and would like to support the author (please do if you can!!), please consider purchasing the raws here (guide on JJWXC here). Thanks for reading!

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Notes

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