Waiting For Me
Bai Yi Bo-
It had taken little effort for Yi Bo to uncover how Viper chief Wang Gao had spent the last eleven years after killing his sister. A frustrating fact that brought about a significant burden of guilt to the young commander, who had never considered searching for the dead man who was audaciously living, eating, drinking and fornicating right under his nose.
Wang Gao’s deviant behavior persisted unchanged even during his time in hiding. He was notorious for his chronic gambling habit, which left his family drowning in unpaid debts. The whisperings of neighbors about Wang Gao selling his own children and then stealing them back after repaying debts, though dreadful, weren’t that shocking considering his criminal past. Everyone was aware of his regular visits to the brothels along the canals on the outskirts of town, where he would often seek the company of older prostitutes infamous for spreading gonorrhea.
It was very probable that he also had the disease. Since there wasn’t a corpse to examine and Yi Bo could not find any official records, he couldn’t confirm the true cause of Wang Gao’s wife’s death. However, it was strongly suspected that his sister’s once nanny had succumbed to childbirth complications exacerbated by the disease and it appeared his wife’s death did not deter his ways as he maintained the same habits as when she was alive.
Despite his unpleasant reputation of being lazy and unreliable, he continued to find employment in the canals boldly under his real name. None of his co-workers remembered him, or if they did, they bitterly complained about the money he owed them and asked where they could find him. With no real friends to speak of, Wang Gao’s only companion was Shen Wuying, another long-time canal worker who had the same vulgar penance for drink and women as Wang Gao before saving enough money to open a noodle shop in town called Longevity Noodles.
Like any other noodle shop in the bustling capital, Longevity Noodles was common and indistinguishable as the others on the same street. From the outside looking in, the cozy shop had just five tables. It was far from fancy or upscale, but it was clean and unpretentious. On the walls, unlike the other noodle shops who decorated with common, low-quality copies of famous art found in every marketplace, the plain walls displayed a standard menu neatly written in calligraphy. This subtle touch added a dash of understated refinement to the otherwise typical eatery.
A clean-faced young man with a neat topknot and cotton white apron spotted Yi Bo standing in front of the shop and greeted him warmly at the top step, his chipper voice carrying a hint of eagerness as Yi Bo tapped his boots of loose dust before stepping inside.
“Welcome, Officer. Please follow me to the best seat in the house,” he said, leading Yi Bo to a seat near the window. From there, Yi Bo could observe the bustling street outside. Sitting down at a worn wooden table, Yi Bo casually glanced at a young woman fanning herself behind the counter lazily. She had a noticeable pea-sized mole on her chin and had been curiously watching Yi Bo since he arrived. Their eyes met briefly, creating an awkward moment as she fluttered her lashes, flashing him a cheesy, flirtatious smile.
Yi Bo had always felt uneasy and disliked being the target of women’s affections. He never attributed it to his own charms – being tall, dark, and undeniably handsome in his black leather commander’s attire. So, when women would gaze at him with admiration, he found it especially peculiar. This young lady, who appeared more like a child than a woman, didn’t hesitate to express her admiration for him gawking at him without reservations. He found this kind of behavior crude, and he was secretly relieved when the man returned from the kitchen with a fresh teapot.
The noodle shop attendant carefully poured steaming, rarely served melon seed tea into Yi Bo’s plain but well-made ceramic cup and politely asked, “May I take your order, sir?” The young man’s grin was directed towards Yi Bo, revealing all of his teeth. He enthusiastically recommended their top-selling dish, a delectable bowl of noodle soup filled with preserved vegetables, pork slices, and the enticing aroma of bamboo shoots. He proudly mentioned that he handpicked the bamboo shoots that morning and he felt fortunate to serve an officer from the imperial department of compliance. As a bonus, he offered a double portion of succulent pork on the house. The young man eagerly awaited Yi Bo’s decision, asking, “So, what will it be?”
“I’m actually looking for Shen Wuying,” Yi Bo asked, thinking he should have not sounded as brisk or as official as he did when he noticed the shopkeeper’s friendly demeanor and smile suddenly vanish.
“Aya!” He scrunched up his freckled nose in exasperation and turned to Yi Bo, asking, “What has my father done now? It’s been months since we last saw him. The last we heard, he eloped with his young new mistress half his age.” The woman standing behind the counter chimed in, adding, “Our father-in-law abandoned us, leaving behind a massive pile of debts for us to settle! My father had to sell our other store just to keep this one afloat.”
The young man’s face flushed with obvious embarrassment as he directed his scolding towards his wife, wagging his finger at her. “Silence. Please be quiet, woman. Can’t you see men are speaking and you shouldn’t tell others about our family’s business?” He then turned back to Yi Bo and continued, “If my father owes you money, as you can see,” he gestured towards the empty restaurant and frowned at Yi Bo, “business has been terribly slow. All I have is time on my hands. My wife is expecting a baby. We can barely cover the costs of the ingredients. Soon, we may have no choice but to resort to begging on the streets. There is simply nothing left for us to offer you.”
“I don’t specialize in debt collection,” Yi Bo clarified, observing the man’s visible relief. “Your father, Shen Wuying, used to work in the canal before opening this restaurant. Did he ever mention a coworker named Wang Gao? Or have you ever seen a man with a large scar over his right eye in relation to your father?” Yi Bo asked, closely examining the man’s eyes.
He had come across individuals like this young man many times before – individuals who struggled to lie convincingly. They often resorted to redirecting or evading questions, much like what this man was currently doing.
This time, when the shopkeeper gestured towards his empty restaurant, he contradicted his previous statement about not having any customers. “Sir, as you can see, my popular restaurant is remarkably busy. It requires a lot of work. I still have noodles to prepare, vegetables to chop, and pork to roast. I would love to sit and chat with you, officer, but I’m simply too busy… that is, unless, of course, you’d like to enjoy a few dishes. In that case, I’ll be obliged to converse with you in order to provide the best customer service.”
If Yi Bo had known the young man better, he might have chuckled. Despite not having a single hair on his face, he understood the concept of Jǐyǔ hé jiēshòu, give and take. “Before I make my decision, tell me, were you acquainted with Wang Gao?” The noodle shop keeper smirked, confidently crossed his arms and tapped his feet on the ground, replying with the poise of someone who held an advantage. “The name might ring a bell,” he coolly responded.
Yi Bo reached into his coat and placed the full coin purse onto the table. He took a sip of his tea before speaking. “If I were to purchase everything on your menu and spend every single piece of silver in this bag, how much conversation would that buy me?”
The shopkeeper’s eyes widened with excitement, although he maintained his composure. However, his wife couldn’t contain her excitement and called out from behind the counter, “Shen Ming, tell the officer everything you know. We really need the money!” Despite his wife’s loud outburst, the shopkeeper remained calm and composed, displaying his expertise as a savvy business owner.
“Officer, I can assure you that I, Shen Ming, will serve you a feast fit for the emperor if you order every dish on our menu. And if you decide to empty your entire purse for our homemade plum wine, I will close my shop for the afternoon and devote myself to sharing everything I know about Wang Gao. He was an intimidating man, but he and his wife must have shared a deep affection for each other. They had nine children.”
“Hao, you have a deal.” Both husband and wife yelped in delight when Yi Bo said, “Give me everything.” Retrieving the old drawing from his coat pocket, a strange sensation coursed through him and his body tensed up. “Before the wine, tell me how about this girl? Does she look familiar to you?” Yi Bo asked, observing the man called Ming wipe his clean hands on his apron, despite them being dry and clean.
He gently took the worn poster from Yi Bo’s hands, treating the paper with care and delicacy, as though he comprehended its worth. He smiled fondly at it with familiarity and declared. “This is a beautiful picture of her,” Ming raised it higher in the light in appreciation, “but I never saw her dressed up fancy like this and her hair was very short when we met so she looked like an angry porcupine when she was this young. You see, she had a mishap, an accidental fire in the kitchen. The fire burned off most of her hair and she supposedly lost her memory from the scare so she couldn’t recall her early childhood. I think she’s still afraid of fire.”
Ming chuckled, and there was affection and tenderness in his eyes and voice. ”I thought for sure she was a boy for the longest time, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even without long hair and ribboned braids like the other girls, she was the prettiest of them all.
Ming’s gaze suddenly became suspicious and narrow. “But sir, before I take your money and divulge anything else about my best friend, may I ask why you’re looking for Meihua?”
Jingyuan-
“Have you heard what has happened? Jinghua must leave the capital,” Empress Mother said, her anxious voice filled with a mixture of distress and pain as she dramatically rubbed her temples. It was unusual for her to summon the Crown Prince in the evening, especially when she knew he was with one of his wives. “Crown Prince, once news spreads about Jinghua’s outburst, he will become the laughingstock of the capital. How could he behave in such a manner?”
Empress Mother stood up and began pacing nervously in her receiving room. “He took the side of a servant over Lady Min in front of everyone at the party.” She paused and turned to Jingyuan, her gaze and voice filled with concern. “What was he thinking? Tomorrow is your sister, Princess Fang Jia’s hair combing ceremony. Her mother, Consort Cui, will undoubtedly use this incident to humiliate us in public.”
The Crown Prince stood up and cradled his mother’s small hand in his own gingerly. Not long ago, her hand had been larger than his. His touch was filled with warmth and caring, for his love and concern for his mother were unwavering. She had given birth to him, but she would never understand the deep bond between him and his twin brother, Jinghua. He wondered if anyone could truly comprehend it.
“I have heard nothing. I refuse to be alarmed by idle passing conversations, and royal mother shouldn’t be either,” Jingyuan replied sternly. He didn’t mention that Jinghua had already approached him earlier that evening, with red and swollen eyes pouring out his heart. He didn’t tell his mother that Jinghua had knelt, kowtowed before him, asking for something, or rather, someone. In truth, when he saw his didi crushed and exposed in that moment, Jingyuan would have granted his brother, Hua Hua, anything. So, sacrificing one woman for Jinghua’s happiness wasn’t even a consideration. Even though Jingyuan had chosen the same girl who had intrigued him at first sight, his brother’s peace of mind meant more to him than taking another concubine.
“Royal mother should take some rest. Everything will work out, and who knows about tomorrow? Maybe something of greater interest will sweep over the capital.” Jingyuan respectfully bid his farewell, but before departing, he turned to the Empress. “I have been contemplating that the next addition to my harem should be a daughter of a noble, rather than a servant girl.
Otherwise, people may gossip about favoritism, considering that my last two concubines are of common birth and are already pregnant before my Consorts,” he stated, and then added reassuringly, “I will speak to the Grand Princess to avoid any offense. There is no need to worry.” The Empress, however, was not as composed as her unfazed son. She clutched his hand and pleaded, “Crown Prince, we cannot ignore this matter. We must address the consequences of this incident. Lady Min has been humiliated, and Duke Min will surely petition the Emperor for justice. We must plan and take measures in preparation protecting ourselves, rather than waiting for them to strike.”
Jingyuan let out a bored sigh as he found the conversation to be pointless and a waste of his time considering he had a mountain of petitions on his desk and six wives pressuring him to join them in bed. “Empress mother, if anyone should file a grievance, it should be the Grand Princess. Lady Min attacked the girl without provocation, causing injury to her face. You, more than anyone else, understand the importance of a woman’s appearance and how it determines her fate.”
“Lady Min even broke the girl’s rib. A woman’s body is crucial in bearing children for the future of our dynasty, and Lady Min’s actions have brought shame to the royal family. She must compensate both the servant and the Grand Princess, as the servant cannot carry out her duties, causing inconvenience to the Bai manor. That is all I have to say about this insignificant matter,” Jingyuan stated, struggling to conceal his growing irritation. However, his frustration dissipated when the Empress remarked offhandedly, “The Crown Prince seems to know quite a lot about something he claims to know nothing about.”
Meihua-
The physical pain isn’t the worst. The thing that hurts the most isn’t just my busted lip or the ache from my cracked rib, or even my wounded pride. It’s the deep longing, the overwhelming feeling of having lost something truly precious. And that precious something, for me, is Jinghua.
The unbearable heaviness I feel deep in my chest is indescribable. Jinghua hasn’t just become my lover, but also my friend, confidant, and the newfound source of my happiness. Our shared moments filled with laughter, joy, and intimacy now seem like a distant memory. Regret consumes me, knowing that my actions drove him away. I never intended to hurt him as I did, but in my misguided attempt to protect us and myself, I only pushed him further.
Now, I’m left with an overwhelming sense of loss, as if a part of me is missing and I’m wondering how can I continue living as though nothing has changed, pretending to be the same person I was before I met him? How long will I be able to deceive others when I can’t even deceive myself? What will I do when I come face to face with him again? Will I have the strength to resist running back to him? And how will I endure the pain when he’s moved on to another and doesn’t want me back?
‘Get it together, Meihua! You were aware that this was just a performance. Don’t forget that you still need to find everyone.’
I gently press the cool raw egg against my bruised cheek, reminding myself of what I still must do. An involuntary hiss escapes my lips as the warm tea comes into contact with my split lip, causing me to grimace at my reflection. I am a disheveled mess, and I am not the only one who thinks so. “What a mess you are.” A voice whispers from behind. Startled, I spin around, hoping to see Jinghua standing there. “Jing…” I begin to say, but my voice trails off as I come face to face with a stranger.
This person in my room, I have never encountered this man before. His black hooded attire is unfamiliar to me, and there is something disconcerting about him. I am unsure of how he stumbled into my private servant’s quarters, but he must be one of the esteemed guests of the Grand General and the Princess. “Sir, it appears that you are lost,” I say, respectfully averting my gaze. “Allow me to guide you back to the main hall.” I motion for him to accompany me, but he mocks, “Are you simple? I didn’t sneak in here to have tea with General Bai. Put on proper attire, servant girl. Consort Wan wishes to see you now.”
“Me?” As I mutter the words, “Consort Wan wants to meet me?” I feel confused and disoriented, unable to comprehend why a woman of her station would want to meet me or why she would send someone to slip into my room in the middle of the night. “Do I really have to go?” I inquire, feeling foolish for even questioning it, yet I can’t help but question him.
The situation seems utterly absurd to me. As I glance towards the open window, which I now know he had used to enter my room, I respond, “I’d prefer not to.” Then I suggest, “Sir, you should leave the same way you came. I promise not to breathe a word of this to anyone in order to save you face.” However, before I can finish speaking, I notice his hand retracting, as he sneers. “You insolent brat! How dare you defy the order of my mistress, Consort Wan, the future empress, and show such disrespect? What Lady Min did will feel like a mere touch compared to what I have planned for you.”
I shut my eyes, bracing myself for a slap that never arrives because of another voice calling out from the doorway, “What exactly do you have planned for her?” The Grand General asks, causing both the now terrified eunuch and me to sink to our knees immediately. “Greetings, Grand General.”
The Grand General clears his throat twice lightly and clasps his hands behind his back. “I was having trouble sleeping and thought Meihua could brew her calming tea for me. However, it seems she has company,” he says in his usual relaxed tone. However, beside me, the eunuch trembles and shakes as if caught in a snowstorm.
“How strange for someone to break into my home, where confidential documents are stored? This deed is a severe security breach and carries a punishment of death set by the Emperor. Illegally entering an unmarried girl’s room without consent is considered rape, as it inevitably leads to harm. This crime is punishable by castration, although we may need to consider an alternative method of removing something, perhaps your mean naughty tongue,” the Grand General casually declared, speaking almost as if lost in his own thoughts yet the gravity of his intimidating threats that lingers hanging heavily in the air is undeniable.
“Go back to your mistress and notify her that if she wishes to speak to Meihua, she may request an audience and Meihua will meet her if she so desires. Now, you may leave, but you will ride in my sedan instead of creeping around like a spy. Such behavior could get you killed by one of my guards who informed me you of your presence the moment you stepped foot into my property. You snuck into my home, but you won’t be leaving the same way. I have already informed my coachman about your arrival at the palace after curfew, and he will inform the soldiers and the Crown Prince about your impromptu visit to my home,” he concluded.
“Forgive me, Grand General! Grand General is most benevolent and merciful! I was only following my lady’s orders!” The terrified eunuch groans and scurries with astonishing speed, moving faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. He stumbles and falls over his long robe, desperately trying to avoid the Grand General who is blocking the doorway. In a hurry to save himself, he swiftly rises to his feet and rushes out of my room.
Now that the eunuch has departed, it is only the master of the home and myself remaining. “I beg for your forgiveness, Grand General. I never intended to bring such unpleasant matters into your household,” I say, tears streaming down my face as I kneel before him. My head drooped low in shame. “It would be understandable if you wished for me to leave.” I struggle to compose my voice, determined not to reveal my tears. I do not deserve to use them as a means of manipulating a man whom I have deeply wronged.
“Rise, child,” he replies, extending his hand to wipe away my tears. His touch is so light, it’s difficult to imagine that those hands have endured countless battles. “Jinghua is like a son to me. He has been by my side since he was nine years old, fighting his first battles while his brothers flew kites and played games.”
He takes a seat. Sitting on the edge of my bed, he gestures for me to join him and gently pats my hand, like the caring father I had always dreamt of but never had. “He could have been a remarkable emperor, but fate had different plans for him, being born after Jingyuan. Throughout his life, he has remained in his brother’s shadow, yet he has never harbored resentment towards Jingyuan. He has only love and devotion for Jingyuan. I want Jinghua to find happiness,” the Grand General remarks before asking, “Do you love him?”
Overwhelmed with my raw emotions, all I can do is nod and sob harder. “Then go to him.” Grand General says. “My carriage will take you outside the city gates, where he awaits you. Ride far from here and it will be up to both of you to decide how you want to live. I am sending you to him because it would break Jinghua’s heart if you were to enter the harem as Jingyuan’s concubine. He deserves to win, even if just once.”
As the cool summer night breeze blows, the Grand General gently picks up my folded scarf from beside my bed and delicately wraps it around my head. The flickering candlelight captures the shimmering length of my jade necklace, hidden within the folds of the scarf, as it flies across the room. Yet I don’t retrieve it because I no longer care about discovering the identity of my father. I don’t have a moment to spare. Such trivialities are no longer my concerns. All that matters to me is Jinghua, and I run across the estate to the gates, breathless to the sedan that will take me to Jinghua, who is waiting for me.