Chapter 47

I have to admit, Shi Xuedong's move is indeed brilliant; he used this method to tell Hu Xiaotian that he not only bears no grudge, but is magnanimously making peace with him.

Hu Xiaotian really didn't want to become sworn brothers with this guy, but given the situation, if he refused it would be denying Shi Xuedong face; denying Shi Xuedong face means refusing the Shi family. If Shi Xuedong's father were merely a fifth-rank official, that would be fine, but his father is actually a third-rank official, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, his political standing in Dakang is no lower than Hu Xiaotian's own father. After thinking it over, Hu Xiaotian realized he really couldn't refuse, and immediately put on a bright smile: "Shi big brother, I'm worried I'm not worthy enough!"

Shi Xuedong laughed: "What do you mean you're not worthy? Unless you still hold a grudge against me!"

Hu Xiaotian quickly shook his head and said: "It's nothing; actually, the moment I saw Shi big brother, I felt we had good chemistry. Shi big brother is tall and mighty, graceful as a tree in the wind, suave and debonair—truly a dragon among men. How could I not want to befriend him?" In his heart he cursed, "He's just a good-looking skin bag, a belly full of nasty water, no principles, no character, lowly, petty, base, shameless."

Shi Xuedong took Hu Xiaotian's hand, looking as if they'd met too late: "Hu junior, you're frank and upright, cheerful, quick to repay kindness and vengeance—I most admire your genuine, unpretentious manliness!" In his heart he itched with hatred: "Damn you, you dared slap my face; I won't let you kneel and beg for mercy, I'll make you call me grandfather a thousand times and take my surname!"

On the surface they flattered each other, but in their hearts each was scheming; neither truly wanted to become sworn brothers, each wishing he could devour the other alive.

Shi Jingde was old and crafty; he certainly didn't believe these two would truly become sworn brothers, but since grudges should be resolved not perpetuated, if these two could make peace here it would be a good thing. Shi Jingde smiled: "It's rare that you both have such intentions; I'll act as your witness."

Hu Xiaotian understood: today he was riding a tiger, hard to dismount—whether he rode or not, he had to go along. Shi Xuedong took his hand and knelt down, immediately piling earth for a stove and inserting grass as incense. Shi Xuedong's drinking buddies filled the capital; who knows how many sworn brotherhoods they've performed, so he was well-versed in the ritual. Together with Hu Xiaotian they performed the eight bows, and he said: "I, Shi Xuedong, and Hu Xiaotian become sworn brothers today; we weren't born on the same year, month, and day, but may we die on the same year, month, and day." As he chanted, he glanced at Hu Xiaotian with a half-smile, thinking inwardly: "If anyone dies first, it'll be you. Sworn brothers? I'm just messing with you."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "May we die on the same year, month, and day—bah! You scoundrel, your evil deeds will bring your own downfall; sooner or later you'll die a violent death—what's it to me whether you live or die? I'm being forced into this brotherhood, oh heaven and earth!" He continued, "This doesn't count; I'm not his brother!" Hu Xiaotian said: "I, Hu Xiaotian, become sworn brothers with Shi big brother today; from now on we'll be of one heart, I'll treat my elder brother well, and I believe he'll treat me doubly well; if not, may heaven strike me with lightning, five thunders smash my crown, ten thousand arrows pierce my heart—may I not die a good death!"

Shi Xuedong heard every word clearly: "What do you mean by treating me well? I'll surely treat you doubly well? On what basis? This poison oath sounds like it's about me—no matter how I hear it, it seems I'm the one losing out, you little brat are so scheming." He thought Hu Xiaotian was scheming, but he himself was no better; the original intention of the sworn brotherhood was merely to deceive Hu Xiaotian, not genuine admiration. Shi Xuedong was no saint; he continued: "I will surely treat my brother doubly well, and I believe my brother will surely treat me doubly well; if not, may my intestines rupture and my gut rot, may sores form in my mouth, may pus cover my body—may I be worse off dead!"

Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, "Shi Xuedong, I really want to damn your grandfather fiercely—fierce and poisonous! A hundred times more vicious than me." Thinking of Shi Xuedong's second uncle standing nearby, even if Shi Jingde agreed, he himself wouldn't; today he's suffered a great loss.

Both Shi Xuedong and Hu Xiaotian were people who couldn't suffer a loss; they exchanged poison oaths, actually cursing each other, their mouths spewing venom while their faces feigned extreme friendliness, their hands tightly clasped—this role reversal wasn't ordinary speed; suddenly they went from enemies to brothers.

Even Shi Jingde was somewhat unable to accept it, sighing inwardly: after all, they're both sons of high officials, their political genes are extraordinary. The two of them combined are still younger than he is, yet they play at double-dealing, two-facedness, and honeyed words with hidden knives with consummate skill—why waste such talent drifting through life? They should obviously be officials.

Shi Xuedong was determined to carry out deceit to the end, warmly inviting Hu Xiaotian to drink together; indeed, it's only natural that sworn brothers share a few cups to celebrate.

Hu Xiaotian only said he had affairs at home and must return; another day he'd host and invite his elder brother for drinks. He refused because he simply didn't trust Shi Xuedong—who knows if he'd poison the wine? Even if he didn't dare poison it, they haven't even drunk blood wine yet; if he suggested drinking blood, what then? Look at that face, ruined by drink—he might even have syphilis or AIDS; I wouldn't drink his blood even if he gave it to me for free!

Hu Xiaotian finally managed to decline Shi Xuedong's enthusiastic invitation, leaving the Wind and Rain Pavilion with his eight attendants.

Shi Xuedong waved his arms and said: "Brother, don't forget to come find me for a drink!"

Hu Xiaotian put on a reluctant expression: "Big brother, don't worry; as soon as I'm free I'll call you right away!"

Shi Xuedong was bewildered: "Make a phone call? What's a phone call?"

Hu Xiaotian also realized he'd let slip; he curled the three middle fingers of his right hand, extended his thumb and little finger to his ear, mimicking making a phone call.

Shi Xuedong thought it was some kind of farewell ritual and copied his gesture. Seeing Hu Xiaotian off, his smile instantly faded, his eyes flashing with a gloomy killing intent; facing his second uncle Shi Jingde, he gritted his teeth and swore: "If I don't avenge this, I'm not human!" A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a roll of low thunder; Shi Xuedong startled, shrinking his neck—"No way? I just swore heaven would strike me with lightning, and here it comes—great luck, some things really shouldn't be said carelessly."

Hu Xiaotian also shrank his neck; he didn't go straight home but first went to the Easy Origin Hall, where Yuan ShiQing had already taken the Fang father and daughter to rest temporarily. Fang Zhitang's condition had stabilized, the bleeding had completely stopped, though the wound still hurt. Yuan ShiQing had prescribed him pain medicine, already having his apprentice decoct it.

Fang Zhitang, through Yuan ShiQing, knew that today he'd escaped this disaster entirely thanks to Hu Xiaotian; seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, he struggled to get out of bed to kowtow to his benefactor, but Hu Xiaotian hurried forward to stop him from getting up: "Your wound isn't healed yet; you need to stay in bed and rest."

Fang Zhitang said: "Fang'er, hurry and help me kowtow to our benefactor."

The blind girl Fang Fang was about to kneel again; Hu Xiaotian said: "No need, no need, I've already thanked you—I really didn't do much." Seeing Fang Zhitang's consciousness had returned to clarity, Hu Xiaotian also relaxed.

Yuan Shiqing stood aside watching, thinking that outside rumors said Hu Xiaotian was a wicked Government Office scion, but from what he had seen a few times, Hu Xiaotian, though born into an official family, had little pretension, and his attitude toward common folk was quite generous; today when Shi Xuedong bullied the Fang father and daughter, it was he who stepped forward to relieve them, showing the rumors are largely unreliable.

When Hu Xiaotian was leaving, Yuan Shiqing saw him all the way to the outer gate. Hu Xiaotian said, "I may have to go out soon, so I won't be able to come personally to remove the stitches; then I'll trouble Mr. Yuan to do it himself." Just now he had taken a moment to point out the correct method of stitch removal to Yuan Shiqing.

Yuan Shiqing nodded and said, "Young Master Hu, rest assured, I have firmly memorized the steps you taught me." Actually, the stitch‑removal technique is inherently simple; after seeing it once he had pretty much mastered it.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Just remember it." He recalled his promise to give Fang Zhitang and his daughter five taels of gold, and in a low voice said, "Later I will have the gold prepared and sent over; please hand it to them for me."

Yuan Shiqing sighed, "Young Master, you are truly kind‑hearted."

Hu Xiaotian said, "It's not exactly kind‑hearted; I just have to keep my word. I know little about ophthalmology, but I see that Fang Fang's blindness has lasted too long, so the hope of recovery is slim."

Yuan Shiqing nodded in deep agreement and said, "I feel the same way, but Fang Zhitang is stubborn; he has only this one daughter, and unless he finds the head of Xuantian Guan to diagnose her, he will not leave the capital."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Parental love is as weighty as a mountain—only natural! I will have the money sent over as soon as possible; please tell them that regardless of the outcome of going to Xuantian Guan for treatment, they must not continue busking."

Yuan Shiqing understood Hu Xiaotian's meaning—he was worried that Shi Xuedong would bear a grudge against the Fang father and daughter because of today's incident and come looking for trouble later. His opinion of Hu Xiaotian rose considerably; though Hu Xiaotian is so young, his consideration is truly thorough. Yuan Shiqing thought he himself should bear some responsibility for today's affair, after all he had set up this banquet; he hadn't expected it to end unhappily. He wanted to apologize to Hu Xiaotian but didn't know where to start, and while he hesitated, Hu Xiaotian had already drifted away.

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