Chapter Eight: Attend Me While I Bathe

Father and son chatted all the way home, discussing family affairs and matters of state, and soon returned to their residence. Yang Xi's mother, Pei Rou, had already heard from the servants that Yang Xi was back from Tongguan. Despite her illness, she insisted on being helped to the entrance to greet him. The moment she saw Yang Xi, she broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably, which left Yang Xi feeling awkward and at a loss.

Yang Guozhong was little better off; faced with his wife's emotional outburst, he had no solution but to put on a smiling face alongside his son, soothing Pei Rou and urging her not to dwell on it. Yang Xuan, Yang Po, and Yang Xiao, who had returned home earlier upon hearing the news, also joined in to comfort her.

Finally, under the anxious gazes of the servants, Pei Rou managed to compose herself, her tears giving way to laughter. She took Yang Xi’s hand and looked him over from head to toe, making absolutely sure he had not suffered any harm. Only then did she lead him into her own quarters, where she scolded and doted on him in gentle whispers.

Pei Rou’s authority within the Marquis of Wei’s household was truly formidable, as just demonstrated.

Yet Yang Xi found it all rather strange, as if things were not as they should be.

He had a vague sense of certain matters—for example, that his mother’s origins were perhaps not so illustrious, and that there were alarming rumors concerning his own birth. But as he could not grasp the truth, he had no choice but to accept everything as it appeared.

In the end, after Yang Guozhong's earnest entreaties, Yang Xi’s repeated explanations and assurances, and the harmonious chorus of his three brothers, Pei Rou reluctantly agreed to let Yang Xi return to Tongguan to lead the troops. She admonished Yang Guozhong and Yang Xi again and again not to allow any mishap, to strengthen the guards around Yang Xi, or else she would march straight to the palace to appeal to the emperor and have Yang Xi recalled to Chang’an.

Yang Guozhong and Yang Xi could only promise repeatedly. In front of his parents and three brothers, Yang Xi vowed that he would return without so much as a scratch and would not risk his life. Only then did Pei Rou cease her reproaches, instead holding Yang Xi’s hand and asking him at length about his days in Tongguan. Yang Xi spoke only of the good, making it sound as if he had gone traveling rather than fighting a war.

At last, all of Pei Rou’s lingering worries melted away, and her face was alight with joy.

His three brothers, Yang Xuan, Yang Po, and Yang Xiao, acted affectionately toward Yang Xi in front of their parents, expressing sincere admiration for his abilities. Yet Yang Xi could sense the insincerity in their words and gestures; everything they said was mere formality. Especially his eldest brother Yang Xuan and second brother Yang Po—whether intentionally or not, they betrayed a hint of jealousy that made Yang Xi uncomfortable.

He felt increasingly that there was something unnatural about this family, suspecting that some hidden secret lay beneath the surface.

He did not resemble his three brothers, nor did he look much like Yang Guozhong, but he dared not speculate further.

Eventually, Pei Rou, citing Yang Xi’s recent hardships, ordered Yang Guozhong and the three brothers to stop pestering him and let her youngest son rest, promising to prepare a delicious meal that evening for a lively family gathering to welcome him home.

As Yang Xi took his leave and prepared to rest in his room, Yang Guozhong quietly advised him not to worry about anything, nor to mind his mother's complaints, but to get a good sleep first. Anything else could wait until he was well rested.

Of course, Yang Xi did not object. He truly was exhausted and longed to cast aside all worries and sleep soundly.

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"You’re finally back, Fourth Young Master!" Perched at the entrance of the small courtyard, the little maid Ping’er, who had been anxiously awaiting Yang Xi’s return, ran up to him as soon as she saw him, taking his arm with concern. "Fourth Young Master, I’ve been so worried these past days with you at the front in Tongguan, afraid something terrible might happen. Now that you’re home safe, I can’t tell you how happy I am!"

"I’m fine, Ping’er!" Her intimacy made Yang Xi slightly uncomfortable at first, but as they entered his own courtyard, away from prying eyes, he relaxed. A sense of familiarity and affection for Ping’er arose naturally, allowing him to enjoy the subtle pleasure of her touch. Truly, it was a blessing to be a young noble in ancient times, with such pretty attendants at one’s side.

Ping’er was tall and lovely, reminding Yang Xi faintly of a certain beautiful actress from the modern world, though Ping’er was much more innocent and pure. Sweet and charming girls like her always captured a man’s heart.

She was, he reckoned, about fourteen, already well developed for her age. In summer’s lighter clothing, her figure was shapely, though still lacking the rounded fullness of maturity—a year or two more and she would surely become even more enchanting.

"Fourth Young Master, you’ve grown so thin," Ping’er said with deep concern once they were inside. "It must have been so hard for you at Tongguan, with no one to look after you. Why not take me with you next time, so I can care for you? Please?"

Yang Xi’s mysterious disappearance had ended with the news that he had gone to Tongguan to command troops.

This had terrified Ping’er, plunging her into despair. Yang Xi was her hope in life—if something happened to him, what would she do?

She had barely slept a single night these past days, haunted by nightmares of Yang Xi wounded and bloody before her.

When she learned of his safe return today, her delight was indescribable. She had watched from a distance as Pei Rou drew Yang Xi away, longing to rush into his arms and weep, but fear of the mistress’s reproach held her back. She could only wait by the courtyard gate.

Yang Xi spent a long while in Pei Rou’s chambers; Ping’er waited just as long outside, not daring to leave. Only when she saw him appear did her heart finally settle, and she could not help but make her request.

"How could that be!" Yang Xi naturally reached out to pinch Ping’er’s delicate nose. "There can be no women in the army. If I took you with me, everyone would laugh, and even as commander, I’d be punished by His Majesty! Don’t worry, I will be perfectly safe. When the war is over, I promise to return home unharmed!"

In just these few moments with Ping’er, Yang Xi rediscovered an old feeling—an intimacy between them that came so easily. Pinching her nose felt utterly natural, and images of his predecessor’s playful teasing of Ping’er surfaced in his mind, making him sigh inwardly.

Having "traveled through time" and "taken the place" of the former Yang Xi, he had to accept all that came with this life—including old habits and those around him. Whatever the era, one must adapt, whether or not it felt natural.

Ping’er knew he was only trying to comfort her, and she understood she could not really go with him to Tongguan, yet his words still left her crestfallen, tears slipping down her cheeks. She knew Yang Xi would have to return to the front and had no idea when he would come home again.

During his days commanding troops, she could not imagine how she would endure.

Seeing Ping’er cry, Yang Xi’s heart softened. He reached out to gently wipe away her tears and smiled, "Silly girl, I told you I’ll be fine. Why are you still crying? I’m tired—after a bath, I’d like to sleep for a while. Come help me with my bath, will you?"