Unbearable Joy Author: Pian Erdai
Sleeping Through
The silhouette of a youth appeared in the courtyard, stepping over the stairs, glancing at the scorching sun outside, and gently pushing open the door. The room’s windows and doors were tightly closed, exuding an indescribable heaviness. Looking into the inner chamber, white gauze blurred the view, and the person on the bed lay facing away, without the slightest movement, seemingly having no intention of getting up.
Qi’er murmured silently, walked into the inner chamber, and stood quietly a few steps from the carved rosewood summer bed. Qi’er swept a glance over the still-quiet inner chamber, lightly coughed, and lowered his head to softly say: “Master, it’s time to wake up.”
The person on the bed seemed to make a vague sound but still made no movement.
Qi’er’s face looked somewhat sad, biting his lip and lowering his eyes. The master had ordered not to disturb him, not to enter his bedroom casually, and not to serve him in dressing or washing. Except for three meals a day, the master wouldn’t even let him, who had served him since childhood, come close or see him.
However, this melancholic state of mind had no effect on the “man” on the bed, who seemed like the god of sleep, sleeping deeply despite being silently observed by this delicate youth.
Qi’er thought: The master is becoming increasingly strange.
Gritting his teeth as if deciding something, he turned and left, making noise as he walked, and soon brought a basin of clean water, holding a white silk handkerchief, approaching the bed, lifting the gauze curtain, and kneeling down heavily.
A “thud” sound.
The master on the bed—Xu Wanzhi—had long been awake, just unwilling to get up. “Put it on the table. I’ll do it myself.” Accompanied by the sound of getting up, the voice slowly rose, the tone low and clear, without a hint of morning drowsiness.
“Yes.”
Qi’er trembled slightly, carefully placing the copper basin and retreating. When he returned with light porridge and small dishes, this master had already changed into a dark-colored simple robe, her hair styled like a woman’s, tied neatly with a matching-colored ribbon, wearing no hairpins. Elegant and serene, vastly different from her previous gentle and soft demeanor.
She ate her not-so-early breakfast silently, then looked at the boy who had been standing motionless. “Is there anything else?”
The hand hidden in the sleeve, holding the handkerchief, moved slightly. He wanted to point out that his young master’s clothing and hairstyle were not appropriate for a married man, but facing that indifferent and slightly impatient expression… he would surely only receive a cold glance and dared not speak.
“Please give your orders, master.”
Qi’er lowered his head, his voice slightly trembling. Xu Wanzhi thought this youth was far too cautious, lacking the lively spirit a boy his age should have.
“I’ll call you if I need something. Go do your own work now.”
Suddenly, urgent footsteps approached from the courtyard. Qi’er bowed and retreated, then returned, lowering his head: “Master, someone from Hanzhang Court says the young master is ill and requests you to come and see.”
“Hmm?” Xu Wanzhi’s brow slightly furrowed, remembering that this “young master” was “her” son.
Tapping the table’s edge, she paused and then nodded: “Okay.”
Qi’er followed closely behind, looking at the dark, serene figure ahead. This master, who didn’t usually care much, still cared about the young master, occasionally sitting in his courtyard. Recently, however, her behavior had been strange and unpredictable, lacking not just the bearing of a male master, but barely recognizing people.
If she refused to go today, how long could he use her “indisposition” as an excuse? While thinking this, they had already arrived at Hanzhang Court. The leading servant stopped and gave a signal.
Looking up, Xu Wanzhi had already entered the room supposedly belonging to her son. Several men stood in the room, with a middle-aged woman leaning over the bed. The woman examining the patient was presumably the doctor.
“Master.” Everyone was startled by her silent entrance. The male servants held their items and performed an odd salute.
As always, Xu Wanzhi pretended not to see. She walked directly past them, moving forward curiously to see the child—after all, this was “her” first son.
The young boy noticed the change in atmosphere and nudged his doctor. The woman turned and was about to scold her when she heard a low, clear voice: “How is the child? Nothing serious?”
Yue Siqing turned at the sound, seeing a young man dressed as a woman, standing confidently three steps away. She was slightly surprised—how could a man from the inner court stare so directly at another woman?
She cleared her throat: “It’s nothing. The child has a fever. A few doses of medicine will help. However, the young master is delicate and needs careful nurturing.”
She then tapped the small child who was staring directly at Xu Wanzhi.
The child pouted, following her mentor to the outer room to open the medicine box, preparing her usual writing materials. After the doctor wrote the prescription, she would take it to a steward. As they walked out, the child couldn’t help looking back, her young heart still churning: That older brother wearing black clothes looked so beautiful.
The child indeed had no serious illness, but for a wealthy young master’s minor ailment, careful attention to diet and clothing would suffice. Touching his forehead, he had a slight fever. This child who hadn’t seen his father for several days immediately climbed into her arms when touched, sweetly saying, “Daddy, you haven’t come to see An’er for so long!”
Xu Wanzhi subconsciously wanted to avoid such unfamiliar contact but was startled by the word “Daddy,” her movement pausing as the child hugged her. A small head rubbed against her chest without reservation, so she could only raise her hand, gently stroking his head and responding with a “Hmm.”
Perhaps because he was sick and wanted his dearest father’s care, An’er continued to cling, reluctant to let go.
The men serving nearby noticed the young master’s intimacy. Though the master’s face showed no impatience, his expression was somewhat uncomfortable.
Although he usually cared for the young master, the rules of a noble household meant the child was not raised by his side, making him unaccustomed to such intimacy. The young master, not having seen his father for days, momentarily forgot himself – a child’s nature would not notice such nuances.
“My lord, the doctor said it would be better for the young master to lie in bed and sweat. Please sit and have some tea before talking to the young master,” Xu Wanzhi nodded, gently pushing him away.
A clever young servant brought a tray with tea and fruits. The middle-aged man, known as the “guardian father”, seeing An’er had let go, hurried to comfort him. An’er stared with round eyes, feeling a bit aggrieved – he loved his daddy’s soft smell!
The little fellow was unhappy. Xu Wanzhi glanced at the man speaking softly, suppressing the discomfort rising in her body. An’er kept turning to look at her, his eyes pitiful like a small deer. She couldn’t help but smile slightly, leaning forward past the man, lifting An’er and placing him back on the bed. She pulled up the small blanket, covering him thoroughly, wrapping his neck and shoulders.
Her movements were crisp and clean.
The men, whose hands were frozen mid-air, had never seen such actions and were stunned, turning to look at their master by the bed, each with different thoughts.
Xu Wanzhi at the bedside paid no attention to their thoughts, instead turning to the child wrapped like a dumpling and smiling softly.
