Vol 1 Chapter 1.23 (1/2)

Jiang Jiu actually has quite a number of appearances in the story which I have removed in order to keep my recap ‘short’. He is an enigma who seems totally loyal to Xu Zhi until we find out that he reports to the Emperor. He looks after Xu Zhi very well but yet he has no qualms trying to kill her when he is under the spell of the Soul s.n.a.t.c.hing Bell.

This put him in a really bad light compared to Zhou Wen Wu when caught in a similar situation and I was ready to write him off as a likeable character until I learn more about him in this epilogue. I like this epilogue because it is finally answers the question that has appeared on-and-off the story – is Xu Zhi a cold and heartless person? I also like this epilogue because we finally see the bottom-most layer of the plot. Xu Zhi could have ended up romantically with Zai Lin or Jiang Jiu, had not been for Gong Sun Ling. Zhou Wen Wu’s luck is truly amazing that he managed to get his woman with so many outstanding men surrounding her but I am glad, that he is the one.

Epilogue 2: The Aftereffects of being Xu Zhi’s a.s.sistant

As Zhou Wen Wu leaps off the stage, a man blocks his path and he yells for the man to get out of his way. Adjusting the grip of his broad sword, he is about to join in a fight between 2 bloodied men when his blocker grabs his hand. “Stop it! He is Jiang Jiu! He cannot die in peace if he dead by the hands of someone from the royal family!”

Zhou Wen Zhou eyes the man and recognizes him as the musician who used to play in Xu Zhi’s residence. Looking behind him at the entrance, there is no sight of Xu Zhi or horse carriages so it seems like she has been lead away to safety. His heart finally settles and he turns his cold eyes to Jiang Jiu, who is currently fighting with Zhi Jin Wu.

Jiang Jiu’s movements are smooth and fluid while Zhi Jin Wu is obviously having a hard time holding him back. The Soul s.n.a.t.c.hing Bell is really powerful to be able to command his latent capabilities and indeed, Jiang Jiu has been such a meek presence besides Xu Zhi for so long that it is easy to forget that he has once trained under the best martial arts teacher. What was the late emperor thinking to place such a highly-skilled warrior to serve beside Xu Zhi? Has he hoped that she can absolve all his arrogance until he can willingly serve the Emperor?

Still, no matter how good at fighting Jiang Jiu is, he is still human and from the way Zhi Jin Wu is giving his all, he would have depleted most of his strength by the time Zhi Jin Wu is down which will be his opportunity to strike. “He has to die because he is under the spell of the Soul s.n.a.t.c.hing Bell. So long as he is alive, he will carry out its order to kill Xu Zhi and what do you think – is it better that he dies, or Xu Zhi dies?”

Yun Qing hangs his head in sadness as he knows that Xu Zhi’s life is more important than Jiang Jiu’s if they are weigh on the same scale. “Your Second Highness, Zhi Jin Wu cannot hold him back much longer and I will help you. But please, let me be the person to deliver the last blow if it comes the crux.”

Zhou Wen Zhou did not reply which Yun Qing takes it that he is agreeable to his suggestion and lets out a sigh of relief. Looking at the bloodshed around him, he comforts himself that both Jiang Jiu and himself will die without having to go through old age, which may not be such a bad thing. His mind travels back a long time ago, to carefree days when he only plays music for the sake of enjoyment. He is an only child and his family has scoff at his pa.s.sion and when that happens, Jiang Jiu would pat his shoulder in a.s.surance. “Don’t worry, I am still around.”

“Don’t worry, I am still around and in the worst case, we can be companions in death.” And with Zhou Wen Cheng to accompany them, their deaths would not be in vain. But as Yun Qing follows Zhou Wen Wu to the fight, he spots the Emperor on the stage and turns pale. “Wait, wait! Did you not kill His Majesty? Zhou Wen Wu, did you get him out of his spell? How did you do it? Please hold back! Hold back! Jiang Jiu is Xu Zhi’s a.s.sistant and she will be saddened to learn that he has died. Even a man who keeps a pet dog will be saddened at the death of his pet dog much less a human being! Do you want her to be sad?“

Yun Qing tries to stop Zhou Wen Wu from joining forces with Zhi Jin Wu but his struggles are ineffective. During his struggle he, is caught by Jiang Jiu’s blade accidentally and fell to the floor. “Xu Zhi suffers from headache! If she has another headache attack after learning about Jiang Jiu’s death and collapse, it will all be your fault!”

Zhou Wen Wu did not hesitate and brings his sword down on Jiang Jiu with all his might. Jiang Jiu lifts his own heavy sword to block the blow but when he did so, Zhou Wen Wu made an unexpected kick at his hand and heard a loud crack as the bone break. The sword fell from Jiang Jiu’s limp hand and Zhou Wen Wu uses the opportunity to grab him by his collar and push the latter backwards until he hits his back on a tree. “Jiang Jiu, how dare you try to harm Xu Zhi when you have sworn to serve her! How dare you be ungrateful to the person has sheltered you for the last 7 years! Do you know how much I envy you, to be able to look after her all these years? And yet now someone is actually asking me to spare your life now in order not to upset her? What do you take me for!?”

Jiang Jiu continues to look vacant and pounds at his attacker’s chest with his bare fists. However, both men are covered in blood and most of his slippery punches skid off their equally slippery target. Zhou Wen Wu can still feel his punches all the way to his bones when they land, but he merely grunts and leans in closer to use his body weight to restrain him while he asks Yun Qing. “I am only giving you one chance to save him. Tell me his weakness! Tell me what are his deepest fears!”

He sears him with his murderous eyes, as if some of his frustration acc.u.mulated over the years can be relieved through this route and in the distance, Yun Qing answers. “Jiang Jiu values relations.h.i.+ps above all else. He was devastated when his family was killed and he hated the royals to his bones!”

Pus.h.i.+ng himself forward, Yun Qing shouts in front of Jiang Jiu. “Jiang Jiu, Yun Qing is dead, Xu Zhi is dead! All whom you hold dear are dead. When you open your eyes, never will you see them ever again.”

Yun Qing is dead? Xu Zhi, his whole family is dead? Jiang Jiu struggles violently and opens his eyes.

“Good to see that you are awake. You are just in time to take your medicine.”

Jiang Jiu eyes the cheerful youth who has appeared at his bedside, and reminds himself that yes, he is still alive. Yun Qing is still alive. Xu Zhi is still alive. Severely weaken, he has to wait for Jiu Xing to help him to sit up and as he scans the room as if looking for someone, Jiu Xing supplies helpfully. “Are you looking for Miss Bai Hua? She has something else to do today which is why I am here to give you your medicine. I will let her know that you are looking for her when I see her later.”

“Who says I am looking for her? I am just wondering why she has suddenly become so hardworking.” He firmly believes that Bai Hua should not be allowed to stay but even if he feels this way, such matters must be first approved by Da Gu Niang. Of all the people working or her,only Bai Hua is hired by her directly while the rest are all appointed to serve Xu Zhi by orders of His Majesty.

He tried to feed himself but his muscles screamed in protest and Jiu Xing has to feed him. Jiang Jiu warns Jiu Xing to watch out for Bai Hua and not let her have the chance to harm Da Gu Niang which makes the latter pause. “Jiang Jiu, can you really not see through her? Bai Hua likes you and is trying…. aiya, why did you cough out your medicine?”

Jiang Jiu expression looks even worse than when he first woke up, all broken and bruised. He has learn to conceal his emotions in the last few years and he can only say that his violent expression now means that he is finally becoming human again. No wonder Bai Hua has been talking weirdly these few days! “I refuse to accept her!”

“Miss Bai Hua is pretty and has a heart of gold….”

“You can marry her if you like her.”

“Jiang Jiu, don’t you think that the people working around Da Gu Niang has special affinity? First there is Zai Lin and Miss Tong Mo. Now there is you and Bai Hua….”

“Ha. We have been co-workers for so long and you actually believe she could have suddenly discovered a liking for me? Even if you believe it, I don’t.” He pauses to catch his breath and ponders on the situation. “I think she is trying to stay.”

“Stay?”

“His Majesty has decreed a term of 10 years for that all the men a.s.signed to serve Xu Zhi. Da Gu Niang has told His Majesty too that all her female attendants shall abide by the same term for they need to marry one day. Years ago, Tong Mo is supposed to leave after completing her term but she wants to stay on and declares herself to be Zai Lin’s widow. Da Gu Niang has turned a blind eye to her then and kept her around. It is likely that Bai Hua hopes to follow her footsteps and thinks that she can continue to stay here if she becomes my wife. And with her dumb brain, she may even pray for my early demise… Jiu Xing, why are you looking like a dazed duck?”

“I am sorry! I mean…. you mean, Miss Tong Mo is only pretending to be a widow? She and Zai Lin are never really married?”

Jiang Jiu eyes him blandly. “Tong Mo is a few years older than you.”

“A few years older is a good thing.” Although she can be rather violent at times.

“She is a mute.”

“I am learning to sign…. wait, wait. I do not mean anything by that.” A suspicious flush spread across Jiu Xing’s cheeks.

“Really? Well, Brother Zai Lin is an easy-going guy. Just look at how casually he can fake his own death and I doubt he takes his supposed marriage seriously. I do not think he intends to be “resurrected” and will most likely let Tong Mo remain his wife in name forever.”

Jiang Jiu watches in amus.e.m.e.nt as the color fades from Jiu Xing’s face. For himself, he has been emotionally numb for so long that he can no longer see any women in any romantic light. Jiu Xing probably has his youth to thank, for being able to open up his heart again so soon after his family’s tragedy. After a while, Jiu Xing pa.s.ses him a music score. “Master Yun Qing wrote this.”

Jiang Jiu combs through the piece and recognizes the melody that Yun Qing has composed in their early teens. Since he woke up, Jiang Jiu has been bedridden and is unable to meet Yun Qing, but that chap has found ways to let him know that he is alive which greatly rea.s.sures him. Speaking of alive…

“How is Da Gu Niang?”

“She is fine. At least, she seldom has headaches after her operation. However….”

“Yes?”

“However, I think there is something wrong with my eyes, or maybe not since Master Zhou has not said a word. But I really think that she has aged.”

“Aged?”

“Yes, like she has put on 10 years in the last few days. Does Da Gu Niang take any special tonics which you have forgotten to instruct me to brew for her?”

“Perhaps she is just recovering from her major illness.” Jiang Jiu takes another parchment from Jiu Xing and this time, it is a paper which Xu Zhi has scribbled on earlier during the day. As he studies the contents and try to guess thoughts, he distractedly marvels once more at Jiu Xing’s youth. Beauty is a word that has long faded from his vocabulary only someone Jiu Xing can still be bothered about looks. “Any news on his Majesty?”

“His Majesty would send someone over every few days to visit Da Gu Niang.”

Send someone? Jiang Jiu seems to recall that Ting Wei has visited him personally when he was slipping in and out of consciousness some time back to pa.s.s him a special message from his Majesty. Then, Ting Wei has whispered in his years. “You are doing fine. Rest well and be a.s.sured that I (His Majesty) will not ill treat you.”

Despite the message, there was something wrong about it. Ting Wei has looked too cold, sounded too cold, for the a.s.surance to mean anything. Even though Jiang Jiu is under the spell of the Soul s.n.a.t.c.hing Bell, the fact that he has tried to kill Xu Zhi must have convinced His Majesty that Jiang Jiu true loyalties do not lie with Xu Zhi. Still he cannot get over Ting We’s hostility even till today.

He finishes his medicine and Jiu Xing helps him to lie down. “Rest early and rest well. The early you recover, the earlier we can let Da Gu Niang know the good news that you are still alive.”

“Good news?” Jiang Jiu is skeptical that Xu Zhi is even bothered to know. “Is Da Gu Niang still intent on visiting the hometown of the Tu Yue Troupe people?”

“Yes. She is waiting for her hair to grow beyond her shoulders, for her strength to recover, before making the trip.”

“I understand.” Indeed, Da Gu Niang is singularly focused on testing out her theories, headache or no. “Has Da Gu Niang asked about me?”

Jiu Xing gives an embarra.s.sed smile. “I think she may have asked in her heart.”

Jiang Jiu smiles too. “I am tired. Indeed I must be very sick to be drained by the simple act of drinking a bowl of medicine. You did well by concealing my situation from her. She should not be unduly distracted and she to rest too after her operation. Rest a.s.sured that I will try to recover soon. Afterall, there is still much for you to learn and I am interested to follow you guys to see the hometown of the Tu Yue group.”

“I am sure there is no hurry….” Jiu Xing trails off at the sharp look that Jiang Jiu shoots him. It could be his imagination but Jiu Xing often feels that Jiang Jiu do not really like him ever since he has come to work for Xu Zhi.

Jiang Jiu closes his eyes. “Ah Jiu (Jiang Jiu)… Ah Jiu (Jiu Xing).. perhaps, we are all the same person to her.”