Zhu Ping arrived at his apartment and sat down heavily in the chair. He couldn't help feeling a bit relieved. Although he didn't approve of Zhao Yuyuan visiting Bai Jing, he was glad that Bai Jing was doing ok. Even though things may differ from Zhao Yuyuan's last visit, it was the only news Zhu Ping had.
Actually, Zhu Ping's fear that Zhao Yuyuan visit could bring Bai Jing trouble, wasn't without reason. A similar situation had also gotten him in trouble.
A week earlier, before Bai Zhenyuan ordered him confined to his courtyard, Zhu Ping left the Bai residence alone and went into Qingzhou's business district area.
After seventeen years as one of Lord Bai's wives, there was little reason for him to personally wander through the markets. Anything he needed could normally be purchased by a servant, and whenever something important happened outside the residence, someone would eventually bring the news back.
This time, however, Zhu Ping wanted to go himself. He'd already obtain three of the four medicinal herbs that Bai Jing told him about in the prescription. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get his hands on the Soul Flower Root, which is commonly known as Soul Grass Root.
Zhu Ping had already sent people to several pharmacies, yet every servant returned with the same answer. There was none available.
Therefore, that morning, he decided to search personally.
"Shopkeeper, do you have Soul Grass Root?"
The elderly shopkeeper behind the counter shook his head: "Not anymore."
"Do you know when you'll have more?"
"Hard to say."
Zhu Ping frowned: "Not even a small piece?"
"Master, if there were even a finger-sized piece left, someone would've bought it already." The shopkeeper sighed before explaining, "Soul Grass itself isn't impossible to find, but harvesting the root without damaging its medicinal properties is troublesome. The last group of gatherers who normally supplies us hasn't returned."
"I see."
"If the Master isn't in a hurry, come back next month."
"Next month..."
Zhu Ping's fingers tightened slightly around his sleeve. He didn't want to wait that long.
Bai Jing had gone through considerable trouble to obtain this prescription for him. More importantly, Zhu Ping wanted to recover.
For many years, he had already accepted that something was wrong with his body. He never expected that there would be a day when someone told him that his condition could actually be cured.
Now that he has hopes, waiting became unexpectedly difficult.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper." Zhu Ping left the pharmacy.
He visited two more medicinal stores afterward. The answer remained the same. He couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.
He sighed: "Well, It can't be helped."
He would simply return another day. Perhaps another merchant caravan would arrive soon.
Zhu Ping adjusted his robe and turned toward the direction of the Bai residence, deciding to go back.
He had barely taken several steps when someone stopped abruptly ahead of him.
"Zhu Ping?" A man's voice calls out uncertainty towards him.
Zhu Ping froze. That voice… It had been many years. Yet he recognized it immediately.
He slowly turned around. A tall man was standing several steps away, looking at him.
The man's appearance had changed considerably from what Zhu Ping remembered. His youthful face had matured, and his dark hair was neatly tied up beneath a simple jade crown.
But Zhu Ping couldn't believe his eyes: "...Gu Wenxian?"
The man stared at him for several seconds before a smile gradually appeared. "It really is you."
Zhu Ping asked: "What are you doing in Qingzhou?"
"My family's business brought me here." Gu Wenxian looked him over, "You haven't changed much."
Zhu Ping looked a bit embarrassed: "That's impossible. It's been seventeen years. I'm sure I've aged by now."
Gu Wenxian titled his head and said after a moment of thought: "Then perhaps my memory has become unreliable."
Zhu Ping laughed softly. He was glad to see that Gu Wenxian was doing well.
Seventeen years ago, Gu Wenxian had been the man Zhu Ping was supposed to marry. They grew up as childhood sweethearts.
Their engagements were arranged with the approval of Zhu Ping's adoptive parents, but unlike many arranged marriages, neither had objected. They loved each other and were willing to spend the rest of their lives together.
The wedding preparations have already begun. But then Bai Zhenyu suddenly appeared, and insisted on marrying Zhu Ping.
The Bai family offered Zhu Ping's adoptive parents far more than the Gu family could at the time. Money, business opportunities, connections and so on…
Promises were forgotten almost overnight and Zhu Ping's engagement to Gu Wenxian was broken.
Not long afterward, he entered the Bai residence as one of Bai Zhenyuan's wives.
There were times when Zhu Ping wanted to escape. He also planned to take revenge on his adoptive parents. But seventeen years was a very long time. He had a child and gave up on those ideas.
Gu Wenxian studied Zhu Ping's face, and his smile slowly faded. "Are you ill?"
Zhu Ping instinctively touched his cheek. "Why would you ask that?"
"You look pale."
"I'm fine."
"Zhu Ping…"
The familiar tone made Zhu Ping pause.
Gu Wenxian frowned: "You were never good at lying about being sick."
Zhu Ping couldn't help smiling: "I'm really fine.
Gu Wenxian didn't press the matter and changed the subject. "By the way, I'm married."
Zhu Ping's expression brightened: "Really? For how long?"
"For six years now. My wife is a ger and he's currently pregnant. At least five months, I think."
A warm smile appears on Zhu Ping's face: "Oh? That's great, congratulations."
"Thank you."
"You must be very happy."
Gu Wenxian sighed: "Terrified, actually."
Zhu Ping laughed.
"He gets angry whenever I follow him around, but if I don't see him for more than half an hour, I start wondering whether he's fallen somewhere."
Zhu Ping rolled his eyes: "Pregnancy isn't an illness."
"That's what he keeps telling me."
"Then listen to your wife."
"I didn't realize you would take his side so quickly."
"Why wouldn't I?"
They both laughed.
Gu Wenxian looked at Zhu Ping again: "What about you? How's your son?"
Zhu Ping's smile faded: "Jing'er, he should be doing ok."
Gu Wenxian hesitated: "Is something wrong?"
Zhu Ping lowered his gaze: "He's the reason I've been worried lately."
Gu Wenxian's expression became serious.
"What happened?"
"There was a scandal. Things became complicated, and Jing'er was forced to marry. He has already left Qingzhou with his husband."
Zhu Ping explains briefly, leaving out the humiliating details.
"What do you mean force? Is he safe?"
"I hope so."
Gu Wenxian watched the sadness in his eyes: "You should find time to see him, instead of worrying yourself like this."
Zhu Ping shook his head: "It's not that simple."
"I'm sorry." Gu Wenxian knows that some things can't be forced.
Zhu Ping shook his head: "There is nothing for you to apologize for. Jing'er is stronger than his looks. He'll manage."
Gu Wenxian saw how sad he was and wisely didn't continue the subject. The other party is already married, it won't be ideal for him to interfere.
He glanced toward the restaurants lining the street and asked: "Have you eaten?"
Zhu Ping blinked: "Not yet."
"Then have lunch with me."
Zhu Ping looked over and hesitated.
Gu Wenxian understood his concern and chuckled: "Just lunch between two old acquaintances."
"I know."
"If you're uncomfortable, we can do another day."
Zhu Ping shook his head: "No. It's fine. It's just a quick lunch."
There's nothing between them anymore. Gu Wenxian has a wife whom he clearly loved and a child on the way. Zhu Ping on the other hand, had been married for seventeen years and had a child of his own.
Just because they were formal lovers doesn't mean they can't become friends. Besides, they were once good friends.
Zhu Ping comforted himself silently and agreed to Gu Wenxian's proposal.
"All right."
Gu Wenxian pointed toward a small roadside restaurant. "The noodles there are good."
...
They chose a table near the open window.
The restaurant wasn't luxurious, but it was very clean, and the aroma coming from the kitchen immediately made Zhu Ping realize how hungry he was.
Two bowls of beef noodles were soon placed before them.
Gu Wenxian picked up his chopsticks: "You still don't eat green onions?"
Zhu Ping looked into his bowl, then glanced at Gu Wenxian. "You told them?"
Gu Wenxian: "I remembered you never used to like it."
Zhu Ping shook his head: "Your wife would probably become jealous if he knew you remembered something like that after seventeen years."
"He already knows."
Zhu Ping nearly choked: "You told him about me?"
Gu Wenxian looked a bit confused: "Why wouldn't I? He knew I was engaged before we met. I know about the person he nearly married too."
Zhu Ping stared at him for a long moment before laughing: "You really did marry someone suitable for you."
Gu Wenxian laughed: "I think so too."
They ate while discussing ordinary matters.
Gu Wenxian spoke about his business and his wife's pregnancy. Zhu Ping avoided discussing the internal affairs of the Bai family, but occasionally mentioned Bai Jing childhood.
"What were you doing here?
"I was trying to buy a herb, unfortunately, it's sold out everywhere."
"What herb is so precious?"
"Soul Grass Root."
Gu Wenxian stopped eating: "Soul Grass Root? How much do you need?"
Zhu Ping looked up at him: "You know where I can find it?"
"I have some here. A merchant from Yunchuan gave me several medicinal ingredients after we completed a transaction. Soul Grass Root was among them."
Zhu Ping's eyes lit up: "Really? That's awesome, please sell some to me."
Gu Wenxian: "Just tell me how much you need, I will give it to you."
"No, I can't take advantage of you. I have money, I will pay for it."
"We've known each other since childhood, no need to be so formal."
"Which is exactly why I'll buy it. It is an expensive medicinal material after all."
The two argued heatedly without coming to a solution, neither wanted to compromise.
"Then I suddenly remembered that I'm not selling it. If the customer refuses the seller's price, there can be no transaction."
"...You became shameless."
"My wife says that too."
Zhu Ping couldn't suppress his laughter. In the end, he paid half price.
Neither of them noticed that a carriage had stopped briefly on the opposite side of the street, facing their direction.
Inside, Xin Ying stared through the partially raised curtain. Her gaze landed first on Zhu Ping, then moved on to Gu Wenxian.
The two were sitting together. Talking, laughing and eating from the same table. They seem very familiar with each other.
Xin Ying's eyes narrowed and she said to the driver: "Return to the residence."
Her servant was startled: "My Lady? Weren't you going to…"
"I said return, do you want to go against my order?"
"I'm sorry, My Lady." The carriage turned around.