Chapter 49: The Knot in the Heart

The audience beneath the stage could not help but stare in blank astonishment, followed by a collective gasp of awe. As it turned out, Lu Shiliu had never shown her true face to the public. Seeing this, Lu Shiliu slowly rose to her feet and said, "Our Great Ming has engaged in a protracted and arduous war against the Japanese invaders on the Korean battlefield, and our frontier soldiers have fought with their blood..." The audience was once again stunned, unable to understand why she brought up this matter. Lu Shiliu's eyes searched the crowd, gradually locking onto Qian Gui and his companions. "How fortunate it is today that the heroes of the battlefield are also present among us. This humble maid has nothing to offer in return, but dedicates a song to all you heroes, praying for the eternal victory of Great Ming and hoping for the swift return of our heroes."

The gongs and drums struck up their instruments once again, but unlike the previous soft and decadent tunes, this melody was stirring and resolute. With her hands caressing the *yangqin*, Lu Shiliu sang of the Hu Family Generals shattering the Flesh Mound Tomb. Her singing was powerful and forceful, sending a shock through everyone's hearts. Yao Feng and Qian Gui stood up involuntarily, followed by the few soldiers behind them. Fang Wei and Gu Yu exchanged glances and stood up simultaneously. The surrounding audience, who had originally appeared lazy and indifferent, also stood up one after another, turning to face Yao Feng and the others with solemn expressions, paying their respects in a silent gaze.

Yao Feng felt a trace of absurdity; he knew this was a pleasure quarter, a place for ordinary people to seek amusement, and receiving a song of tribute from a courtesan felt exceedingly bizarre. Yet, he could not stop his nose from stinging and his chest from heaving violently. With the music, his thoughts drifted far away—to the earth-shattering cries of battle, the fluttering banners, the scorching smoke and fire, and the brothers who had fought side by side.

Until the evening banquet, none of them had fully shaken off their emotions. Wu Haiqiao had chosen the renowned Dongfu Building in the capital for the dinner. From the third floor, one could even overlook the magnificent scenery of most of the capital. A table was laden with fine wine and delicious dishes, exhausting practically all the money Dong Xinwu had given them. Yao Feng, Qian Gui, and the others were drinking until their faces were flushed red. Soldiers drank with absolute honesty, and even Fang Wei and the others dared not resort to tricks. Amidst the passing of cups and goblets, their cheeks burned with a rosy hue, their eyes glazed with wine-drunkenness.

Yao Feng sighed, "Lady Lu is truly an extraordinary woman. Those bold and unrestrained remarks I made earlier were far too presumptuous."

Qian Gui slurred his words, "It matters not. Another day, we brothers shall host a banquet for Lady Lu to apologize in person."

Wu Haiqiao let out a chuckle. He was also hopelessly drunk, draping an arm over Qian Gui's shoulder and speaking without a trace of deference, "Old Qian, Lady Lu is the hottest top-tier star in the entire capital. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles wish to see her in vain; how could a common frontline soldier like you ever hope to meet her?"

Qian Gui did not mind at all. He scratched his head and asked, "What's to be done then?"

Wu Haiqiao grinned mischievously, "Why don't you snatch Lady Lu away under the cover of night? With your martial prowess, wouldn't that be as easy as taking something from your own pocket?"

Qian Gui slapped him on the back of the head. "Go on with you. You're leading me straight into a ditch."

Gu Yu had also failed to gauge his limit. Filled to dizziness by Qian Gui's subordinates, he retreated to the balcony to sober up. Hearing footsteps behind him, Yao Feng walked over and placed both hands on the railing, gazing out at the brilliantly illuminated capital. The night breeze brushed his face, instantly refreshing his spirit. Neither of them spoke for a long time, until Yao Feng finally asked, "Troubled by something?"

Gu Yu was startled, then shook his head. "It's just that there are some matters I haven't quite figured out. My mind is slow, so I have to think it through gradually."

Yao Feng did not press further. His gaze wandered among the lights as he remarked with emotion, "Before coming here, I had heard the imperial capital was prosperous, but I never imagined it could be this prosperous—as if all the beauty and bustle of the world were concentrated right here."

Gu Yu said softly, "If not for you fighting bloody battles on the front lines, the capital would never enjoy such fair scenery."

Yao Feng patted the railing twice. "For rough soldiers like us, even catching a glimpse of this is a blessing. We must look our fill, because once we return, we shall never see it again."

An inexplicable ache pricked Gu Yu's heart. Yao Feng threw an arm around his shoulder and said, "Come, let's keep drinking!"

Under the dark moonlight, Gu Yu staggered along the street until the patrolling soldiers of the garrison command raised their windproof lanterns and shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?!"

Gu Yu's vision was already blurred. He drew his token from his bosom, and the soldier inspected it, recognizing one of their own. "How did you get this drunk? Do you need us to escort you?"

Gu Yu waved a hand, stumbling all the way to his front door, when suddenly a tempest churned in his stomach. Sensing disaster, he hurriedly clamped a hand over his mouth and dashed to the corner of the wall, vomiting with a loud retch. This vomit poured forth like the overflowing waters of the Yellow River, unstoppable until a bitter taste flooded his mouth, at which point it finally subsided.

The courtyard gate next door opened at some unknown moment. Old man Guan stood in the doorway, pinching his nose and frowning. "How did you manage to drink yourself into such a state?"

Gu Yu lifted his hazy eyes, preparing to say something, when his stomach churned once more, causing him to retch dryly on the ground. Old man Guan patted his back until there was nothing left to expel, then caught him by the arm and hauled him into his own house. The place was bare of furnishings, save for books and poetry scrolls piled everywhere, scattered haphazardly near the walls, desks, and bedside. Old man Guan kindled the stove fire, heated some water to brew a pot of hot tea, and thrust it into Gu Yu's hands. "Drink this."

Gu Yu cradled the teacup in his hands without rushing to drink. Old man Guan sat down opposite him. "Troubled by something?"

This was the second person to ask him that today. Gu Yu lowered his head in silence. Old man Guan snorted, "You've had this temper since you were a child—you couldn't squeeze a single fart out of you even with three beatings!" Ignoring Gu Yu further, he picked up a book from the desk and sipped his tea with a slurping sound.

"Old man Guan, tell me—is it true that as a bailiff in the capital, there is simply no way to uphold justice?" Gu Yu still kept his head lowered, his voice muffled.

Old man Guan put down his book. "No matter where a bailiff is, he must uphold justice. But I ask you, what is justice?"

Gu Yu was taken aback. After a moment's thought, he replied, "To aid the weak and crush the strong."

Old man Guan shook his head. "That is not justice; that is fairness." Seeing Gu Yu stare at him blankly, Old man Guan continued, "If a child holds an apple and another child snatches it away, and you go and help him snatch it back, that is justice. But if the child belongs to a poor family and the one who snatched his apple is the son of a wealthy household, and you go and help him snatch it back, that is fairness."

Gu Yu chewed on the meaning of Old man Guan's words. Old man Guan went on, "Aiding the weak and crushing the strong is merely dragging two unequal forces onto the same level—ensuring those with authority may not bully the powerless, the wealthy may not oppress the poor, and the noble may not trample the commoner." He spoke like an earnest, guiding tutor, "What is it that you want?"

Gu Yu answered without hesitation, "I want both. Anyone who violates the Great Ming Code, anyone who uses might to bully the weak, should be corrected and reformed."

Old man Guan chuckled. "What a greedy little rascal."

A troubled look crossed Gu Yu's face. "Yet right now, there is a matter stuck in my throat like a fishbone. I want to exert myself, but alas, the opposing party holds too much power. To cast it aside and ignore it feels shameful. Tell me, what should I do?"

Old man Guan picked up his book. "You should not ask me about this." He rolled the book into a cylinder and poked Gu Yu in the chest with it. "Ask this." Subconsciously, Gu Yu reached out to touch his own heart.