Chapter 29

Chapter 29: A Cup of Tea to Settle Old Grudges

Su Yun Yan carried Su Yun Ting on her back as they ran. Between breaths she blurted, “Mother, who is Li Qing He? Why are we running?”

Gu Nan Xi was panting too, but she didn’t slow. “If we don’t hurry back, the night market will close. Aren’t you hungry?”

Li Ming De popped out at once, eager as a puppy. “Marchioness, don’t worry! What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it first!”

“Ming De,” Gu Nan Xi said, “go to that Sichuan restaurant in Qiao Dong Zi and book a few large private rooms. Everyone worked hard tonight—we’ll rest properly in a bit.”

She added, “And bring me one portion each of the southern fish pouch and fried fish rice.”

“You got it!”

Li Ming De tucked the money pouch away and sprinted off.

Young Lord Li watched his cheerful back and felt sour. “Usually, if I tell him to run an errand, he dodges and complains. Tonight he can’t wait to work for someone else.”

Chen Yi Xuan shoved past him and flashed Gu Nan Xi a bright grin. “Godmother, if you have any orders, send me. I’ll be faster than Li Ming De!”

Godmother?

Gu Nan Xi glanced at him. He looked thirteen or fourteen, fair-faced, with deep dimples that made him look harmlessly festive.

“Find a teahouse and book it,” Gu Nan Xi said. “Any commoners who came with us—if they want to go in for a cup of tea, put it on my tab.”

She pulled out a purse and pressed several banknotes into his hand.

Chen Yi Xuan waved frantically and ran off like his feet were greased. “How can I let Godmother spend money? Leave it to me!”

Once the arrangements were made, Gu Nan Xi finally slowed, catching her breath. “Li Qing He is Headmaster Wu’s right-hand man. But he’s also the brother of Grand Tutor Tong’s thirteenth concubine.”

Young Lord Li glanced at Gu Nan Xi, then turned and looked at Censor Jiang.

Censor Jiang’s expression didn’t change—still that dead, unreadable calm.

Young Lord Li finally understood.

He’d been a warm-up act from the start.

He muttered under his breath, “Marquis Yong Chang really has no luck. Keeping a steward lady this capable in the capital and wasting her like that… what a loss.”

Su Yun Yan still looked bewildered, eyes drifting around as if the answers might be written on the street.

Gu Nan Xi gently patted her head. “You haven’t eaten enough tofu pudding. Eat more tomorrow. I put Headmaster Wu over a fire. If he wants to save Song Shan Academy’s name, he has to cut down Li Qing He—and that means offending Grand Tutor Tong and losing his strongest support. If he refuses to offend Grand Tutor Tong, then he has to carry the blame himself.”

Either way, he would swallow a painful loss.

Gu Nan Xi didn’t spell out the rest. How could Li Qing He dare go to a noble’s home and demand money so boldly?

He was only a hall instructor. How could he swallow that much silver alone?

Su Yun Yan nodded slowly. “Mother… I don’t really understand, but I memorized it. When we get back, I’ll think it through.”

Talking as they walked, they soon arrived at the Sichuan restaurant in Qiao Dong Zi.

Li Ming De was already waiting at the entrance. He led everyone inside, proud as if he owned the place. “I booked three private rooms. Two are connected, so we can all sit together. The third is in reserve. And I booked ten tables in the main hall so the servants can rest their feet.”

Gu Nan Xi gave him a big thumbs-up. “Good. You planned thoroughly.”

Li Ming De pressed his lips together to hide his grin and opened a wooden portable food box on the table himself. “Marchioness, you must be hungry. This is the southern fish pouch and fried fish rice. Try it—does it suit your taste?”

Young Lord Li finally snapped. “Why don’t you ask your own father if he’s hungry? What does he want to eat?”

Li Ming De stiffened and rolled his eyes. “You’ve got money. Hire an errand man.”

Not long after, the noise of grateful shouts rose outside the window.

“Thank you, Marchioness, for treating us to tea!”

“Marchioness, you’re too polite! We just couldn’t stand watching people bully others with power in the capital—don’t let it ruin the spirit of our Imperial City!”

“Exactly! Great tea! The Marchioness is generous!”

Gu Nan Xi walked to the window, pushed it open, and smiled down at them. “There is righteous spirit in this world, and fairness lives in people’s hearts. Because you spoke up with justice, the capital has peace and harmony. I’ll use tea in place of wine and toast you all!”

“Raise your cups!”

After they drank, Gu Nan Xi spoke again, voice clear. “A youth without a little wildness is no youth at all. My son Su Xuan Ming crossed fists with Young Lord Li, Young Master Chen, and the other boys tonight—and from that, we’ve come to know each other. Xuan Ming, Ming De, Yi Xuan, Guang Hai… come here.”

She waved them to the window.

Chen Yi Xuan was still downstairs directing people. Hearing her call, he bounced on his toes. “Godmother, I’m here! Wait for me!”

“Make way for Young Master Chen!”

The crowd instinctively squeezed to both sides, opening a narrow path.

Chen Yi Xuan pushed through sweating and finally reached the window.

The restaurant sat just across a road from the river. To give guests a view of the water, the second-floor windows were cut wide—wide enough for nine boys to stand shoulder to shoulder.

The bright moon hung high, its pale light spilling across the world.

The stone road below was packed with people. They lifted their heads toward the window—toward nine boys with bruised faces and swollen eyes, yet a fierce, bright life still burning in them.

Lanterns hung from the eaves, casting warm light that softened the night’s chill.

Gu Nan Xi stood there in splendid robes. In the moonlight she looked like a celestial maiden stepping down from the sky—yet her presence carried the weight of something older and more commanding, enough to make people hesitate to look at her directly.

The crowd gradually fell silent. Only the river’s insects and distant birds remained.

Gu Nan Xi poured tea for Su Xuan Ming and the others, then stepped forward and raised her voice.

“With the bright moon as witness, and all of you as proof—Xuan Ming, Ming De, Yi Xuan, Guang Hai… you nine. Will you use this cup to turn weapons into peace, and let all that came before fade into smoke and cloud?”

Su Xuan Ming and the others exchanged looks.

Su Xuan Ming stepped forward first. “I will. Brothers—I’m not good with people. If I offended you before, I apologize here.”

He tilted his head back and drained the bitter tea in one gulp.

Li Ming De was next. “Brother Xuan Ming—no matter what reasons I had, laying hands on you was wrong. I’ll use tea in place of wine to apologize!”

Then Chen Yi Xuan stepped out, cheeks flushed, eyes shining with tears. “Brother… I’m not good with words. But I’m sorry. I really am.”

Jiang Guang Hai wiped at the corner of his eye and raised his cup. “Everything is said without words. If I ever hit you again—may lightning strike me!”

Under countless eyes, the nine boys drank that cup with boldness that made their bruises look like medals.

“Good!” someone shouted. “Those are the fine young men of our capital!”

“To correct your mistakes is the greatest good—well done, young masters!”

“When brothers are of one mind, they can cut through metal! The world is vast—spread your wings and soar!”

Applause crashed like waves. Praise rained down so freely it felt endless, and the boys’ faces burned red—cheeks and eyes alike.