Chapter 17: Midnight Alleyways and the Return to the Shen Residence—A Heart of Ice Invites the Moon

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Previously, we left Master Shen and his servant walking atop the northern embankment of the Inner Canal. At this hour, all was silent and still. They made their way along Huzui Street, the main road of He Xia Town, surrounded by near-total darkness.

After a round of gongs echoed through the night, a familiar voice called from deep within He Xia Street: “The weather is dry, beware of fire!” It was old Qin, the night watchman.

“It’s the third watch, young master.”

“Mm, hurry, my mother will be anxious.”

“Woof, woof woof woof.” Suddenly, a dog barked in a nearby alley, which triggered a chorus of barking that spread rapidly through the night. Xiaolong was so startled he nearly lost his soul.

“Young master, I’m scared!” he cried, throwing himself into Master Shen’s arms.

“Look at you, such a coward. What’s there to fear about dogs?” Master Shen pushed Xiaolong aside but held his hand tightly. “With me here, you’ve nothing to be afraid of.”

“Alright,” Xiaolong replied, though he couldn’t help but tremble.

Seeing his fear, Master Shen quickened his pace. Soon, the barking faded into the night, and Xiaolong finally let go of his master’s hand and returned to his usual self.

Turning right into an alley and heading east, they soon arrived at Zhuxiang Street. Xiaolong, now cheered, hopped along, prompting Master Shen to tease, “And who was it that just leapt onto me?”

“Young master!” Xiaolong replied, embarrassed—thankfully, Master Shen couldn’t see his flushed cheeks. He explained, “You don’t know, young master. When I was five, I was bitten by a rich man’s vicious dog. Look at my calf, the scar’s at least three inches long.”

“So that’s why the mere sound of a dog terrifies you.”

“Exactly.”

As they walked, Master Shen mused that Miss Xu must have drifted into her dreams by now. Did she miss him as he missed her?

Meanwhile, Miss Xu had returned to the Xu residence in her sedan chair. After hastily finishing her dinner, she lay tossing and turning on her bed. Outside, the moon hung low in the west; its pale light gently touched her heart.

Today’s engagement had brought her face to face with the elegant Master Shen. At the tender age of eighteen, what thrilled her most was that her betrothed was both scholarly and strong—a man of both pen and sword. Playing two rounds of chess with him had only deepened her admiration.

Having read widely since childhood, Miss Xu knew she had chosen wisely. With him, her days ahead would never be lonely. At this thought, her cheeks flushed, her face burning with shy delight.

Yet, versed in poetry and books, she knew it was only natural for young men and women to long for love. “When a man comes of age, he must marry; when a woman grows up, she must wed—such is the way of the world.”

“Miss, are you asleep yet?” Xiaoling suddenly asked.

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Lost in her reverie, Miss Xu replied, “You wretched girl, why aren’t you asleep?”

“You’re tossing and turning—you haven’t slept either,” Xiaoling retorted unceremoniously.

“Mind your own business!”

Xiaoling got out of bed and approached her mistress, lifting the bed curtain. “Let me keep you company, miss.”

“Hurry up and get in, you’re just a big mosquito,” Miss Xu joked.

Miss Xu moved inward on the bed to make room. Xiaoling lay down, gently fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, and immediately felt cooler.

“Miss, you’re thinking about Master Shen, aren’t you?” Xiaoling’s mischievous eyes sparkled like a crystal-clear spring as she gazed at Miss Xu.

“What do you think of Master Shen?” Miss Xu didn’t answer, but cut straight to the point.

Xiaoling sat up at once, words tumbling out in excitement. “Miss, isn’t Master Shen just wonderful? So handsome, and so courteous—he’s the very image of a gentleman. Miss, you’re so fortunate!”

“Is that so?”

“Do you remember seeing him practicing martial arts in the garden? So dashing and manly, just like a great general—no, like a marshal!” Xiaoling corrected herself, recalling the memory.

“Is he really that good?”

“Of course!” Xiaoling replied with conviction.

Her maid’s words stirred up ripples of happiness deep in Miss Xu’s tender heart, like a stone cast into a tranquil lake...

Meanwhile, the door creaked open. Under the lamplight, Madam Shen, who had been sewing new clothes for her son, finally let go of her worry. Looking up, she saw her son and Xiaolong, lively and safe, and quickly rose to greet them. “You’re back so late from your outing. Your father got up in the night and asked after you.”

“Ma’am, this is beautiful!” Xiaolong exclaimed in delight at the sight of the bright red wedding robe.

Master Shen stepped forward and supported Madam Xu by the shoulders. “Mother, your unfilial son has made you worry.”

“It’s good you’re back. Thirsty? Have some honey tea, then wash your feet and go to bed.” She put down her needlework and headed to the kitchen.

“Young master, look at how skillful madam is!”

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“Of course—my mother is famed throughout the region for her handiwork,” Shen Wei replied proudly.

“Hurry and come drink; it’s getting late.”

“Coming, mother,” Master Shen called as he hurried over.

With the crowing of the rooster at dawn, a new day began. Mist curled over the Inner Canal; it was hard to tell whether it was smoke from cooking fires or the morning fog. As the ancient town of He Xia awoke, the air filled with the bustle of daily life. Vendors called out their wares on the street corners; the cries from the bun shop and the fried dough stall rose and fell in succession.

As usual, Master Shen’s father sat down to a bowl of plain noodles, ordering two pieces of fried dough as well.

“Master Shen, you’re here early!” a familiar voice sounded at his ear as he ate. Without looking up from his noodles, he replied, “Master Wu, you’re here too?”

“Waiter, the usual.”

“Coming up—plain noodles with a fried egg,” the waiter called toward the kitchen.

Master Wu took a pair of chopsticks from the basket and sat down across from Master Shen. “Brother Shen, I hear your son is engaged. Congratulations!”

“Thank you for your kind words, Brother Wu! I envy you—you’re already a grandfather. Your little grandson must be a handful.”

“Oh, he is—Cheng’en grows a little every day,” Master Wu replied, beaming with happiness.

“Look how pleased you are,” Master Shen said enviously.

“Your plain noodles, Master Wu—enjoy,” the waiter said, his tongue quick as ever.

“Brother, don’t forget to invite me to the wedding feast!”

What will happen next? Stay tuned for the following chapter.