Da Mo Yao Chapter 3: Reunion

One of things I love the most about Jin Yu (formerly known as Yu Jin, but henceforth I’ll be using her new name) is how adaptable she is. There is a sense of the fantastical in how she can be reared by wolves and learn to be a human relatively quickly once adopted by her Papa. But she was just 6 years ago and a child learns quickly. Her open personality is attractive because she doesn’t let anything bring her down, always facing each challenge looking for the way to solve it. Chapter 3 of Da Mo Yao takes our intrepid heroine onward to Chang An, capital city of the Han Dynasty. Will she run into Xiao Huo? Or Jiu Ye? Or both? And how the heck is she planning to survive there? Read on and you shall see.

Chapter 3: Reunion

I paid money in Dun Huang city to travel with a caravan of merchants going to Chang An. With everything I own in hand, I got on a carriage. Though the only thing worth anything is my Luo Lan outfit. Papa told me a lot about Chang An, and I imagined it often, but I was still stunned by its majesty and grandeur. With tree-lined wide-streets and grand homes, the city was beautiful. I held my bag and wandered the streets, so thrilled that every corner and bridge would get me excited. I finally started to understand Papa’s feelings. Seeing such rich surroundings from childhood makes it hard to fall in love with the simplicity of the tents, where everywhere you look there is only sheep or cows.

It was dusk before I realized I needed to find a place to rest. Counting my coins, I had enough for at most ten days at the cheapest inn where I was staying. I missed the days of not needing money in Xi Yu. Laying in the bed in the darkness, I was worried for a bit before laughing. Chang An is such a vast city, with so much to do that can sustain a livelihood. Am I any worse than anyone else? I have hands and feet, would I starve? I decided to stop lamenting the Heavens!

After walking through the city a total of three times, I started to doubt if I could earn a living. Maid or dancing girl, these require selling myself and I refuse to live a life controlled by others. I don’t know embroidering or sewing, or any of the female skills. The worst is that I don’t have a guarantor. A store almost hired me to do their books but once I couldn’t produce a guarantor they didn’t want to take the chance on me. I tried looking for Xiao Huo and his people, to be my guarantor. But everyone I asked, no one had heard of such spice merchants. I muttered a curse to Xiao Huo, who clearly lied to me.

A holiday is approaching and the stores are fragrantly decorated. I’ve used up all my coin and haven’t eaten anything since yesterday, with nowhere to go tonight. I grab my things and head out of the city, to a nearby forest to bed down for the night. If I can start a fire, as least I’ll be warm. If I’m lucky I can snare a rabbit and get some dinner. Being hungry feels terrible.

When I’m feeling down, I wonder if it was the right decision to come here. Should I sell my Luo Lan outfit and get enough money to return to the Xi Yu? But then I feel like I gave up. Papa wouldn’t believe that the daughter he raised like a Han couldn’t survive in Chang An. When I reached the forest, I discovered lots of people were thinking the same thing as me, with the ground crowded with beggars. I saw a tree and was about to settle in when a beggar yelled “You damn girl! Do you know any manners? That’s your grandpa, my spot.”

I glared at him. He didn’t pee on the spot like a wolf, so how should I know. It was a mistake only, but I didn’t want to make a scene. As I turned to leave, another beggar gave me a dark look, asking me to sing for him and he’ll offer me a place to sleep next to him. I turn and am ready to pull out my dagger when suddenly another young beggar arrives bearing a jug of good fragrant wine. All the attention of the beggars turn to him and start drinking, forgetting about me.

An old beggar walks up “Little girl, in this lifetime, there are no pits you can’t cross, and nothing you can’t endure. They don’t mean anything, so just let it go. If you don’t mind, want to go warm yourself by the fire with an old beggar like me?” He takes out two buns and starts to warm it by the fire, and hands me a pot of wine to drink. I hesitate, explaining that we are strangers, so why he is so nice to me. That young beggar helping me back there, I was already so grateful.

His eyes twinkle and he explains that even the Emperor needs a Prime Minister to assist, and people endure situations and need help. I thank him and accept the wine and bun. Later than night, the young beggar tells me that if I go knock on doors asking to wash clothing, perhaps I can find work. I have the strength so I decide to try my luck tomorrow. I rush into the city at dawn, in such a hurry that it was late when I realized I left my bag at the beggar camp. But I figured it was safe with the old beggar and his grandson, and I had promised them I would go back tonight. The most important thing is finding a job.

Every door rejects me, until a nice lady explains that the houses all give their wash to familiar people. A burly man waves me away, explaining someone is already washing clothes for this house. I ask if they need other work done, and a seductively made up woman walks out of that residence and overhears me. She looks me up and down and confirms that I am not a local. She compliments me on speaking the Chang An dialect with no accent. I truthfully reveal that I’ve been here almost half a month now, and I’m a fast learner.

She asks if I have relatives here and I shake my head. She invites me in to sweep the courtyard in exchange for some steamed buns. I happily accept, thanking the mistress. She tells me to call her Hong Gu, promising that if I did a good job, we might see each other more in the future. After I finish my chores, she compliments me on my quick hands. She brings out hot tea and steamed buns, which I shovel down since I’ve not eaten all morning. Hong Gu smiles and watches me. When I’m half full, I remember the old and young beggar. I ask Hong Gu if I can take the rest of the buns with me.

Hong Gu looked shocked and asked why? I explain that I wanted to save it to eat later. She smiled and offered me more tea as she has the buns packed up. I take a few sips of tea and suddenly don’t feel right. My head starts spinning and my legs grow weak. I knew what had  happened but acted like nothing was wrong. I got up “My grandpa is waiting for me to return. If the buns are ready, I’ll be going now.”

As I rushed out, two burly men stood at the front door. I pulled out my dagger but my body is already falling forward. Hong Gu stands by the door and smiles “If you’re tired you can rest here. I’m sure there is no grandpa waiting for you, so why rush?”

The two men walk over and I try to stab them but they take away my dagger. I collapse on the ground, with the last thing I hear being Hong Gu “What a sharp little gal! After drinking the drug, it took her that long to collapse. Feed her more of it and make sure she’s secured or else I’ll have your hide!”

I don’t know how long I’ve been unconscious, waking up to find myself not alone. Another girl is locked in the same room as me. She has a pretty face and an elegant demeanor. She hurries to bring me water now that I am awake. I observe her but don’t accept the water. Her eyes grow red rimmed “This water doesn’t have any drug in it. It’s not necessary anyways. It’s well secured here, you can’t escape.”

I reply “I’m not thirsty”, so she puts the water down and huddle against the other wall again. I move my limbs, which are all intact, but has no strength in them. Clearly they gave me yet another drug. After I clear my mind, I tell the girl “My name is Jin Yu, I was drugged by a woman named Hong Gu. What about you?” She replies “I am Fang Ru, my stepmother sold me here” and then starts crying. I have no patience to comfort her, only asking “Do you know where this place is? Why do they want me?” Fang Ru explains that this place is called Luo Yu Fang (Luo Yu House), one of more famous dancing parlors in Chang An city. I was captured probably because I am pretty.,

I don’t know whether to be happy or sad. From a hairy wolf girl into a lovely young woman under Papa’s tutelage, I’ve finally been acknowledged by outsiders, especially someone as seductive as Hong Gu. So it turns out that my beauty is enough to become a problem. But I never used my looks to harm anyone before, and it turns around and harms me first. I ask “Do they want me to prostitute myself?” Fang Ru shakes her head “This place is a house of dancing and performance, not a brothel. The girls here sell their talents, not their body. But even then, if there is someone very rich or powerful, you might not be able to refuse. You can only hope someone buys your freedom, or if you are so talented at dancing and performing, you’ll have special status and can even enter the Palace.”

I want to ask more when the door suddenly opens and the two burly men walk in. Fang Yu cries that she won’t go. Hong Gu enters, muttering that Fang Ru has already tried many times to kill herself and been punished, she ought to just behave and get dressed to go learn song and dance with the other girls. She’s dragged out, despite her frantically reaching for anything to grab onto. I watch this scene without blinking an eye. Hong Gu watches me and appears impressed “You ought to know where this place is by now. And yet you don’t seem scared or shocked, you don’t cry or make a scene. Have you given up, or planning something else?”

I remain silent for a moment before responding “Is being scared of any use? Is crying of any use? Will fear and tears cause you to release me? It’ll just earn me whipping or other punishments. The end result is the same. I’ll pick the less painful route and do as you want.”

Hong Gu is stunned for a moment, before sharing the anecdote about how people who drown really are close to shore and can even float if they stopped struggling, but they are so scared that their struggles end up dooming them. I look at Hong Gu and we reach a mutual understanding. She asks for my name. I tell her that I am Jin Yu. Hong Gu will prepare my own room, but before leaving, she states that it was my luck to run into her. If I became a beggar, with my looks, I would never escape the dangers on the street.

I learn to dance, sing, play the flute, embroider. The dancing is the easiest for me, since the Xiong Mu are passionate and love to dance. I’ve danced around the fire since I was a child thousands of times, and been taught by the Xiong Nu’s most esteemed court dance instructor. It’s the flute playing and embroidering that gives me a headache.

Not sure what other girls are thinking, but I’m really getting into this. I often practice when I’m alone, especially under the moonlight. Too bad I can’t even play a single tune completely, sounding more like a ghost wailing. But I’m pretty stoked, always thinking about how Brother Wolf might like this, and how I plan to play for him when there is a full moon.

The girls in the house complain often to Hong Gu, but she always takes my side. She even berates those who tattle on me, telling them to work even half as hard as me, they’d be famous all over Chang An. To be honest, I ought to despise Hong Gu, but I can’t seem to. She’s seductive and smart without being petty, and when she talks it’s clear she thinks deeply about things.

The days slip by until I can somewhat play the tune Bai To Ying. A new year is arriving, which means gathering with relatives. Even the most flirty man has to go home, so the usually busy dancing house becomes empty. In a house where no one has relatives, the girls decide to celebrate the holidays with as much energy as possible. Even Hong Gu is the same, willing to spend hard earned money to decorate the house inside out with red. Even if it’s garish, at least it’s colorful and cheerful.

New Year’s Eve, Hong Gu orders the house securely locked and summons all twenty some of us girls to the hall. She prepared food and wine and wants us all the eat, drink, and be merry. Whether out of sadness or joy, it doesn’t matter, as everyone celebrates with gusto, drinking shot after shot proffered. I never had any tolerance, so after a few cups of gao liang wine, I was already dizzy and crawled over to the side to plop down. When I regained some sense, I felt like I couldn’t breath. Turned out Fang Ru was so drunk she mistook my chest for a pillow and was sleeping on it.

Looking around, everyone was collapsed all over the place, draped and propped on others. The room was warm and felt peaceful. I gently moved Fang Ru’s head aside and gave her a pillow. I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

As I was fixing my skirt, I looked out the window and saw Hong Gu bowing before two men, one older and one younger. They were asking her rapid fire questions, and I can hear bits and pieces “…..girl……looks……three months ago……Boss……” I can’t see Hong Gu’s face but I can sense her shock. The two men walk in my direction and Hong Gu runs after then, yelling at us to all get up. The girls all start to get up, and I nudge the really drunk ones awake. The men enter and start surveying us.

The best singer in the house, Shuang Shuang, clearly recognizes them and gives a smiling bow “The first day of the new year and we have honored visitors. This means the house will surely have a smooth year. Shaung Er wishes Wu Ye a happy new year and good health.”

Wu Ye’s tight expression relaxes a bit, then tightens again as he nods at Shuang Shuang. I was hiding behind a beam, so when he finally spotts me, his face changes and he quickly asks Hong Gu who I was and how long I had been here. Hong Gu turns white and doesn’t answer, so Wu Ye demands the truth now. Hong Gu lowers her head and explains that I am from out of town and came to this house three months ago. Wu Ye asked me if this is true and I confirm it is.

Wu Ye mutters that this ought to be correct – looks, timing, background, it all fits. He explains to Hong Gu that the Big Boss has been looking for me for the past two weeks. Because Wu Ye doesn’t work directly for the Big Boss, he doesn’t know why he’s looking for me. He tells Hong Gu that whatever trouble she created, she’ll have to deal with the consequences herself.

Hong Gu tells all the girls to leave except for me, and then she gets on her knees. I hurry to help her up “Hong Gu, please don’t be afraid. I don’t know that Wu Ye person, or the Big Boss he speaks of. But you just relax. There is no animosity between us. All I know is that you’ve fed, clothed, and housed me for the past few months, and taught me lots of fun new things.” I thought to myself, being new to Chang An, it’s better to have one less enemy. Plus Hong Gu didn’t actually cause me any hard. It’s better to let it go in this case.

Hong Gu’s eyes fill with tears and her voice becomes hard “Xiao Yu, thank you for having such a big heart. I won’t say any useless crap now. I owe you one, and I will always remember it.” She takes out a pill and gave it to me. I swallow it and she explains that my strength will slowly return. But because I’ve been drugged for so long, it’ll take a few days. I smile, willing to wait. She gratefully nods and takes out a cloth to wipe my face and fix my hair and skirt. She takes my hand and leads me outside. Wu Ye sees our joined hands and looks less stern, taking me away.

I ride in the same carriage as Hong Gu, still not sure what is happening, only knowing we are headed to meet someone who is looking for a person like me. This person appeared to be a very revered person in Chang An, because even one of his subordinates who is not close to him could get Shuang Shuang bowing in earnest and Hong Gu shaking in fear. “Hong Gu, who is this Big Boss that Wu Ye speaks of?” Hong Gu is shocked “You don’t know the Big Boss of the Shi Enterprises?”

I shake my head and Hong Gu is even more confused. “It’s been years since the Big Boss asked about the little business dealings going on in Chang An. The dancing house I run is owned by Shi Enterprises. Every year I have to remit my earnings to Shi Enterprises. In the past they used to micro-manage, but these last few years they’ve been hands off as long as we follow the rules.” I ask what rules, and she sheepishly replies “Quite a few rules, such as, not to abduct or swindle an honest girl into this profession.”

I laugh, knowing now why she’s so scared, because she broke one of the rules. I assure her that I’m not going to say anything. Hong Gu quickly tries to explain “Once is enough, I’ll never do it again. I was just impatient, wanting to become the most famous dancing house in Chang An, and needing talent to do it. Normally the girls have the looks but the not the smarts, or vice versa, so when I saw you, I got greedy and did something wrong, Afterwards I’ve been afraid of the Big Boss hearing about it, but it was already too late.”

I can see that she is sincere and quickly change the topic, asking her to tell me more about this Shi Enterprises. Hong Gu explains “I don’t know much because they are low key. I’ve lived in Chang An since I was a child, and have met plenty of people, but I’ve never met the Big Boss. Heard from elders that the enterprise started generations ago selling rock and stone, growing bigger and bigger until they owned almost half the businesses in this city. One day they suddenly stopped expanding the enterprise, letting go of some businesses and becoming more withdrawn. The past few years one rarely hears about them. If I didn’t have to pay money to them every year, I would almost forget that the dance house belonged to the Shi Enterprises. Even if they are not as big as they once were, still no one in Chang An would dare cross them.”

I thought – a mysterious merchant in Chang An who knows what I look like? My mind flashed to riding the horse with Xiao Huo. Could it be him? The carriage stopped outside a residence and we got out. An old man opened the door and welcomed us in, with Wu Ye and Hong Gu bowing respectfully to him. He checks me out and Wu Ye confirms that he believes I’m the one, and this entire time I’ve been right under their nose. The man doesn’t know if I’m the one, but the two earlier were sent away moments after entering.

We sit in a small waiting room, and Wu Ye is even politely bowing to the little boy who brings us tea. The old man returns beaming, confirming that this time it’s the right girl. He sends the other two away to await either reward or punishment from the Big Boss and gestures for me to follow him. Hong Gu indicates that I should go, plus I’m curious if this Big Boss is Xiao Huo or not, so I quickly follow.

After walking for awhile, suddenly the hallway fills with light and beyond the distance is a lake and a copse of trees, giving off a sense of energy and life. This house looks ordinary from the front, but surprisingly has such grandeur inside. Past the lake the scenery is so lively, even in this dead of Winter the trees still feel vibrant, causing my mood to lift.

The old man turns and notices me “If you like, come back and play next time. I also love this bamboo forest, cool in the Summer and lively in the Winter. This here is the Bamboo Residence, beyond the lake there is the Plum Blossom Garden, the Orchid Pavilion, and the Crysanthemum Suite.” I nodded and ran to catch up to him.

At the end of the Bamboo Forest is a small courtyard and the old man indicates for me to enter alone. Inside are more bamboos with some pigeons resting on it. A blue-robed man is sitting there facing the sun, with a pigeon on his knee, a warming pot next to him. Seeing the steam from the pot surrounding him, it feels slightly like a dream. Whether in the desert or here in Chang An, wherever he is at, even the most ordinary of surroundings becomes something unforgettable.

Watching this scene, I don’t dare make a sound, only turning my eyes to follow his gaze towards the sun. The Winter sun blinds me slightly so I squint, and when I look back at him, he’s looking directly at me. He points to the chair next to him and smilingly asks “Is Chang An fun?”

One simple yet familiar question causes my heart to warm immediately, and all my bellyful of questions fall by the wayside. Those questions aren’t important, what’s important is that I’ve reunited with him here.

I easily sit down next to him “First thing I did was fill my stomach, and then later I just lolled about in Hong Gu’s house. I haven’t played anywhere yet!”

He gives a small crooked smile “I see you’re doing fine. Hong Gu has taught you well. If you walk out now, you actually have a few shades resembling a quality gently bred young lady.”

I remember how haggard I looked when I met him at the Yue Ya Spring, leaving me slightly angry and embarrassed “I’ve always been quality, it’s just that people need clothes like a horse needs a bridle.”

A little boy brought out a table and tea, and I notice it’s the young beggar from the forest, Go Wa Zi (Little Puppy). I’m happy to see him but he’s serious towards me “Call me Shi Feng, not Little Puppy. That was a name used when I was in dire straits.” I agreed and he explained that he was here because Jiu Ye brought him back. He left and Jiu Ye explained “Because Shi Feng’s grandpa fell ill, he had no choice but to sell the outfit you left with them. Luckily the owner of the pawn store was with me on that trip to Xi Yu and recognized it, conveying this to me. I saw how filial Xiao Feng was, and also bright, so kept him by my side.”

I nod, realizing this was how my situation in Chang An was discovered. I asked about his grandpa and was told age and weather laid him low, but with rest and medicine he will recover. When Jiu Ye asked if Hong Gu harmed me, I quickly said no. He laughed at my nervousness, and I explained that who knows what the punishment is like in Chang An. If people get arms cut off as punishment, it will be a waste of pretty Hong Gu.

Jiu Ye thought “This isn’t just between you and Hong Gu. If it’s not handled, who knows if other girls will suffer in the future.” I counter “Hong Gu has already promised me never to do it again. Is there a mutually beneficial solution?” Jiu Ye decides to let Wu Ye handle it since it’s under his purview, rather than waste time thinking about it now.

The Winter sun sets early and it’s starting to get cold. I look at his legs and say “I’m feeling cold.” He lets the pigeon fly off before turning his wheelchair around, gesturing for me to go first. I want to assist but remember what happened in the desert so I quickly withdraw my hand. As we approach the door, it opens by itself, startling me. Jiu Ye explains there is a mechanism triggered by his wheelchair reaching the door which allows it to open.

Inside the residence, it’s exquisitely appointed, with everything at the perfect height for someone in a wheelchair to access. He invites me to sit at the table with a snack on it, which reminds me that I haven’t eaten all day, and my grumbling stomach gives my hunger away. He’s making tea and turns to look at me, and I say in embarrassment “You never heard someone’s stomach growl before? I’m hungry, can I eat the snack?” He instead orders dinner prepared, asking what I want.

I don’t know how to order, but I want meat. Lots and lots of meat, and not diced into tiny little cubes or slivers like at Hong Gu’s. He pulls a knob and Xiao Feng comes running in, getting the order for dinner. He put the tea pot on his thighs and wheels it over, not spilling anything. He pours me a cup and I take a sip while nibbling on a snack. He seemed happy, explaining he rarely has visitors, and this is the first time he’s made tea for someone.

I nod “You must have a lot of siblings, right? Is there a Shi (10) Ye behind you?” [Jiu is the number 9] He softly answered “It’s just me, even though father wanted a large family. Since I was small everyone called me Jiu Ye for luck, so it’s stuck.”

I swallow my bite “My family is me and a pack of wolves. The one you saw that day is just my younger brother (wolf).”

He smiled “I heard your name is Jin Yu?” I nod “And you?”

“Meng Xi Mo.” I was shocked “Your last name is not Shi? But you are the Big Boss of the Shi Enterprises?” He asked “Who told you the owner of the Shi Enterprises has the last name Shi?”

I stuck my tongue out “I saw the residence here is called Shi Estate, that’s why. Xi Mo. Xi (West) Mo (Desert), the Western part of the desert. You name doesn’t sound like a Central Plains name.”

He counters “Your name is Jin (Gold) Yu (Jade). I don’t see you draped in jewels and riches.”

I smile “Not now, but someday I will be.”

Xiao Feng brings in a platter of food and seeing how excited I am, he tells me to dig in first since he’s not hungry. I devour just the meat and ignore the vegetables, so he comes over and pushes it back towards me. “Eat some vegetables.” I ignore the veggies still. He said again “Girls need to eat more vegetables to be pretty.” I looked alarmed, was he joking or telling the truth? He looked serious, so wavering between delicious food and beauty, I finally picked up the vegetables. He smiled and looked out the window.

Eating is always a happy thing, and I hold my full stomach and feel like life is but as happy as now.

I decide to be ballsy and tell Jiu Ye to take responsibility for me since he’s caused so much commotion Hong Gu will surely not take me back anymore. He just smiles at me but doesn’t respond. I explain I can write, count, is strong and not stupid. Surely he can use me at one of the businesses to help in a shop. He asks if I want to stay in Chang An? For now I do, not sure when I’ll leave one day.

He lets me stay here while deciding what suits me to do. He tells me to think about what I like to do. I won’t stay here without earning it, promising to do whatever Xiao Feng does to earn my keep. He shakes his head, calling me his guest….a reunited old friend.

In a few days I’ve learned my way around the Shi Residence, seeing the black-robed and purple-robed man from the Yue Ya Spring. One is called Shi Jing Yen (Careful Words) and one is called Shi Sheng Xing (Cautious Actions). I smile at how apropos one name is, and how not suitable the other name is.

Hearing I’m staying in the Bamboo Residence, Jing Yen is shocked since Jiu Ye loves his solitude and even Xiao Feng and those folks don’t spend the night there. Those two, plus the Shi Enterprises Manager Shi Tian Cao, together oversee all the Shi businesses. They come every morning to report to Jiu Ye, and the little porter boys all eavesdrop. It’s cute their names are Feng (Wind), Yu (Rain), Lei (Thunder), and Dian (Lightning), which is easy to remember. I always leave to avoid hearing anything. Today I decide to visit Hong Gu because I miss her.

Shi Buo (the old man butler) worries I’m wearing too little on a snowy day, and I tell him I’m afraid of only being hungry, this cold doesn’t faze me. The snow has stopped but the wind and the carriage wheels whips the fallen snow all around, with most people walking huddling to stay warm. I order the carriage to slow and not throw more snow on people.

I return to the Luo Yu House and find the red lanterns are gone, hearing people exclaim that the House hasn’t opened for business in days. Hong Gu welcomes me, explaining that her mistake is leaving Wu Ye deciding what to do. She’s so worried and has decided not to open for business in the meantime. I explain that Wu Ye wants to help her, which is why he’s racking his brains for a good solution. Hong Gu thanks me for protecting her.

She’s curious about the Big Boss but I tell her to worry about her situation and stop asking about non pertinent matters. She smiles, knowing I don’t want to answer, so she doesn’t push. But she wants to know why the Big Boss was looking for me. I explain we’ve met before, thought I didn’t know that he was in Chang An. Hong Gu says “People can’t avoid fate.”

A maid comes and informs us that Shuang Shuang, the number one singer, has decided to jump ship and go work for Tian Xian House since this place isn’t doing business. Hong Gu explains that Tian Xian House used to also be owned by Shi Enterprises, but not anymore. And recently it keeps growing bigger and more well known. Perhaps soon Chang An’s dancing houses will all be consolidated into one.

She doesn’t want to talk about these business worries now. Since the business is shuttered, she takes all the girls out to go flower watching. Everyone bundles up in layers except for me, leaving Hong Gu admiring not my fortitude, but how it allows me to still look feminine when they are all wrapped into bundles.

As the carriage nears the city gates, suddenly everyone parts and our carriage also pulls over. I stick my head out, curious. Hong Gu says this is nothing compared to when the Emperor passes through. I look and from far away, a few young men in horses are riding down the lane. All are strapping, dressed in fine clothes, dashing on the horse – clearly young men with bright futures and riches, having been given the largesse of the world.

My heart is suddenly in shock. That…..that stone-faced, handsome man….isn’t that Xiao Huo? Even though his attire and demeanor is vastly different from back in the desert, I’m sure that I didn’t make a mistake. The other young men are all happily chatting on their horses, while his lips are tightly closed and his eyes stare into the distance. It’s clear that while he’s physically here, his heart isn’t here.

Hong Gu notices my expression and worriedly asks what’s wrong. I point to Xiao Huo “Who is that?”

She smiles at me “Yu Er, you sure don’t have ordinary taste (in men). All these young men are high born, but he’s the most extraordinary amongst them. Plus he still hasn’t married yet, and hasn’t gotten engaged.”

I glare at her “Hong Gu, you entered the wrong profession, you ought to have been a matchmaker.” She smiles and explains “His aunt is the current Empress, his uncle is the officially titled Great General, with a reputation that thunders through Xiong Nu and Xi Yu, with wealth to equal 8,000 homes. His name is Huo Qu Bing and he is Chang An’s most famous young Lord. To others he’s taciturn and rarely has any emotion, but supposedly he’s got quite a temper and is exceedingly proud. He even dares to talk back to his uncle in public. But somehow the Emperor totally gets along with him, and cuts him quite a lot of slack. This means not a single person in Chang An dares to piss him off.”

I stare at him on the horse and I can’t describe the feeling in my heart. In Chang An, when I was at my most down, I wanted to find him. But I didn’t find him. When I entered the Shi Estate and was walking through the long corridors, I thought the person on the other side would be him, but it wasn’t. Just when I was least expecting it, he appeared. I already suspected he was not someone common, but I never could have imagined that he would be the nephew to both the current Han Emperor and the Great General’.

He seemed to sense something and turned in my direction, so I quickly released the blinds in the carriage. Hong Gu just smiled at me and didn’t press on. But later she quietly said “Don’t underestimate yourself. You are young, and are so pretty, if you have the heart, there is nothing you can’t get in Chang An. Take the current Empress Wei, she wasn’t born much higher in status than we were. Her mom was a maid serving the princess, and had her out of wedlock. She didn’t have a father, and when she grew up became a dancing girl in the household of the princess. Based on her extraordinary looks, she landed the Emperor and become the Mother to the Han people. Take also the Great General Wei. He was also a bastard born, with a hungry childhood. He only earned this position by conquering the Xiong Nu.”

I cuddle next to her, assuring her that I was just thinking through some things, though I understand her point. I give her a proverb that causes her to stop and think, wishing she understood this concept when she was young and didn’t have to end up here. Even though Hong Gu is pretty, she is past her prime. The scenery outside is pretty but we are both not fully appreciating it. The trip ends and I return to the Shi Estate.

I walk into the Bamboo Residence to find Jiu Ye reading alone under the flickering oil light. Seeing this, my eyes suddenly feel teary, remembering how Papa would wait for me late into the night, for me to return after a crazy day of playing outside. He would read a book and sit there to wait for me. One lamp, one person, and that was what warmth was.

I stood at the door in silence, letting the warmth of the room flow into my heart. My heart, which had been uncomfortable all afternoon, gradually became at ease. He sensed me and smiled to welcome me back. I told him I went to visit Hong Gu and then we took a short day trip out.

He gently asks if I’ve eaten and I confirm Hong Gu brought snacks and I ate along the way. I ask him directly why he lets the dancing houses owned by the Shi Enterprises compete with each other rather than letting them collaborate. People will think he has no ability to manage. Jiu Ye responds that he doesn’t have the ability to manage. I think for a moment and ask him “Didn’t you tell me to do what I wanted? I want to keep learning at the dancing house. Whether as a maid or keep the accounts.” He smiles and agrees. I bow and thank him.

He turns his wheelchair and then hands me a package “Returning this to its rightful owner.”

The package contains the Luo Lan outfit. As my hand grazes over it, I don’t know what to say. This is not something a simple thank you can convey.


Comments

Da Mo Yao Chapter 3: Reunion — 72 Comments

  1. Captain Koala, how is it that you are so fast with translating?! Especially with your new job, family, and everything else … I am in complete awe, and really, really, really thankful at the same time. Books will always be my favorite medium of entertainment, so I am really happy that we have such an enthusiastic book club going on here!

    Question: Will we get to see Yu Dan one more time, or at least get a confirmation of what ultimately happened to him, after he parted from Jin Yu? He made a promise … So I cling to hope yet that he’ll keep some part of it.

    A question to those who have read the book: I have read some complaints that Jin Yu seemed to become accustomed to and even adept at political intrigue too quickly, for someone who spent the better part of her formative years living as a wolf. True, her father did make her memorize books on politics and strategy, but does learning from books (and unwillingly at that) really a person make/change? Would love to hear the opinions of other people!

    Thanks once again to Captain Koala for her magnanimous gift to us! I delight in refreshing the Playground page and being greeted with awesome surprises each and every time!

    • i think she also learnt political intrigue through Yi Zhi Xie, and with what happened to her father and Yu Dan. while i do found her being knowledgeable about political intrigue a bit fast, it’s not totally unbelievable. after all, she witnessed how YZX gained power.

      and since you asked, we won’t really see much of YD anymore unfortunately, but we will get a confirmation of his fate later in the novel.

      • Hi, anne, and thank you for the commentary! Yeah, I forgot to mention that one of the reasons most likely contributing to Jin Yu learning political intrigue so quickly was Yi Zhi Xie’s betrayal. I myself haven’t actually formed an opinion either way, not having read the book. But I can understand where other people’s misgivings are coming from, in that book learning is one thing, but to take that learning and almost immediately apply it to real life requires an uncommonly intelligent/sly brain. Not saying that Jin Yu isn’t smart, but living with wolves doesn’t exactly lead one to think in dark, twisty ways. Quite the opposite, actually. But again, I’ll reserve my own opinion for when we get closer to the end of the book. 🙂

        If it’s not too much to ask, would you mind spoiling me as to Yu Dan’s fate? Naturally, you don’t have to, if you’re worried that it might spoil other people’s fun/enjoyment. I just love spoilers myself but understand that other people would prefer to avoid them at all costs.

    • Thanks Miss Koala for spoiling us with your translation.

      I think she is very adaptable because she is naturally smart and very perceptive. Living in the desert does need strong survival skills. Besides she is not really living alone in the desert. She lives with pack of wolves. I guess it’s just a change of stage. Now the wolves are talking n_n

      Reading books doesn’t make her change. Those are mere tools for hers to survive.

  2. my heart sank the second time when she discovered who was waiting for her in the garden, and when she was saw HQB on the way….

    she wants to see him first, he’s the one she’s pinning for. 🙁 alas it’s not meant to be.

    • Taking into consideration of how each character was described and reading three chapters, I sense that Jiu Ye is more husband material where her heart could settle where as with HQB she could be more adventurous, and feel more amorous. Personally, being with HQB, is a recipe for trouble. Guess it’s making stories more interesting.

      • yes, i do feel that way. especially at the end of chapter 3 when she was looking at Jiu Ye from the door.

        i suppose girls tend to marry someone like their dad?

  3. gosh…she’s got some wit and intelligence on her shoulders. am also surprised that she can adapt so well and am sure it all from the training her papa taught or made her read it. she is growing more interesting now and that she is older and the meeting the possible OTPs again… I am also getting a feel that she have a more romantic vibe towards the general and a long father figure/family vibe towards MXM.

  4. My impression of this chapter ‘this girl is smart’ ! I guess being growing up as a wolf, gave her an intuition how to treat other beings, either animal or people.

  5. I don’t know…it’s pretty obvious to me that HQB is the one that makes her heart beat faster…too bad she didn’t let him see her in the carriage, so they can reunite sooner!

  6. Koala, are you planning to give us daily crack? You are working so hard! Thank you very much!!
    I am addicted to this novel. I wish I knew Chinese. I am very impressed how Tong Hua’s language is so different in Da Mo Yao. Bu Bu Jing Xin was more… subtle.
    Good luck at your new job!
    Fighting!

  7. EEEPPPPSS! CHAPTER 3 ALREADY?!/ Mz. Koala…you are too kind and amazing. I’ve been slurping your translations up like a caffeine addict and this is just the beginning chapters!! i don’t know how to handle it once the story progresses and they start interacting….maybe kidnap one of my chinese-speaking friends and make them translate for me…*mwahahaha*

    Thank you so much <3

  8. Miss Koala, you’re a saviour to us non-Chinese speakers/writers. Since you first wrote about DMY and having learned that there’s no English version of the book, I thought I would have to wait a year or more to see the drama, also having to wait for subs for quite some time too. Now, thanks to your kindness and sheer translation ability, I’m now enjoying myself tremendously reading each chapter by chapter. I only found out today that you’ve been posting your translated chapters. I hope and pray that you would have the stamina and time to translate right till the end of Vol. 2. Again, thanks a million for being so generous with your time.

  9. this is amazing! Thank you so much! I ship HuoYu, all the WAY!!! can’t wait for you to get to them, it’s such chemistry from the start, I loved HuoYu from the start, not really a fan of Jiu Ye, he’s too wishy washy for me.

  10. Thank u, Koala for translating chapter 3. I feel like I’m actually reading the book and enjoy participating in this “club” with other fans of the *playground*.

    I was wondering how HQB was gonna return to JY’s notice. Again, it is he who stirs the greater reaction in her. Meeting Jiu Ye again was pleasant and comfortable, (and recalled memories of Papa reading by the lamp) but HQB’s presence piqued her interest and had her heart all mixed up.

    I’m glad the dancing house wasn’t expressly used as a brothel. That would have been too makjang – a girl raised by wolves, continually drugged and forced into a life of prostitution.

    AND…I appreciate the way she was reunited with Jie Yu by means of her Luo Lan dress. It was coincidental yet not too far fetched.

    Thanks again for chapter 3. Looking forward to the next installment & discussion! 🙂

  11. Okay this funny, but I NEED more HQB!! I can’t wait to see a full on interaction between the Jin Yu and HQB, it is going to be so amazing!!

    So far I am really liking Jin Yu as our heroine, but one she gets straight to the point & she is not mopey. She is definitely not meek, but she still has enough.

    I may be weird by I am still obsessing a little over Yi Zhi, he excites much me more than Meng Xi Mo. I feel like he would have made a much more compelling part of the lurve triangle. Of course we are only in Chap 3 and we hardly know anything about him yet.

    In any case HQB is driving me a little crazy with anticipation haha!! I absolutely cannot wait to hear more about him. He has the most amazing character description ever (especially in the personality department).

    Finally, Koala if I was a man.. I would marry you!! I still don’t know how you are churning out quality translations in such a short of amount of time.. WITH family & work, you truly are amazing!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

    I can’t wait till get to meatier part, this will be a hoot to discuss!!

    • Sorry, corrections here… Clearly I was not thinking coherently haha.. Far too excited!

      What I meant was:

      So far I am really liking Jin Yu as our heroine. *FOR* one she gets straight to the point & she is not mopey. She is definitely not meek, but she still has enough *SUBTLETY*

      and

      I can’t wait till *WE* get to meatier *parts*, this will be a hoot to discuss!!

    • I agree, I’m totally anticipating more Xiao Huo and Jin Yu together.
      While I was reading this, I got so excited when she saw him on the horse and just let the chance slip away and not have him see her although I guess him being in the procession would be a little hard for him to see him.

      I also think Yi Zhi Xie would’ve made a more compelling love interest but i guess we haven’t gotten to the meatier part of the story as you mentioned.

      I feel like our heroine is very unique and she is wise for her age, having been living the life that she has. I like her, I feel that she has the backbone to stand up for what she wants and she knows when she can’t argue any further. Honestly I commend her for being able to fend for herself in such a big city and surviving. I probably would be pretty paranoid and scared, I mean she left everything behind (not that it was much) but nonetheless it was comfort to venture to a new city.

      Lastly, THANK YOU!!!! this is soo awesome Koala~ jia you~

      • Agreed Leena!

        My insides we going: NO Jin Yu!!! Don’t drop the blinds, HQB must see you!!!

        But, we have nothing to worry about :)… Jin Yu is clearly affected by HQB. He already has the ability to mess with her entire day by showing up for a few minutes. As someone mentioned above, Meng Jiu Ye makes her feel comfortable and calm whereas HQB takes her straight to chemistry, nothing comfortable or calming there haha

        Can’t wait for chap 4!

  12. hahaha thank you!! also, I’m a Chinese singaporean and yet I totally prefer reading your recaps to reading the book itself >< so just to let you know that you are also helping some Chinese speakers/writers!

  13. Thank you thank you thank you!!! Your translating is very appreciated!!! This is the one thing I look forward after a long day at work 😀 You are awesome!!

  14. Wow!! I totally love e story!!! Thx much Koala!!!

    I like this heroine, think her life experience so far makes her very strong and fast in choosing her path with the highest possible survival ratio LOL
    Like how she now friends w Hong gu.

    I liked her relationship w both OTP so far. But guess he longs for Xiao Huo more.
    Makes me wonder whether she will choose a warm home for life or amazing adventures, just like e 2 guys represent ^_^

  15. Miss Koala after reading your translation I can’t wait to watch the drama and it is not even been filmed yet!

    Thank you n good work.

  16. Koala,

    I finally finished the novel today. I stayed up until 3 am last night to read it and skipped lunch today to finish the last couple chapters. I have to say that this novel is less depressing than BBJX. The characters are more straight forward in their thoughts and actions.

    And I must commend you for your hard work of translating the novel to English!!!

    Spoiler Alert !!! Don’t read if you don’t want to know the ending…

    I was told that HQB is the main character and I must learn to like him more than 9 Ye. But by the end of Book 1, I already felt so much for 9 Ye that it’s hard to root for Yu Er and HQB.

    End of Spoiler Alert !!!

  17. Jin Yu is such a clever girl very much like Ruo Xi was in Bu Bu jing xin. She has tenacity, has wit and has a kind heart. Jiu Ye by far is the most self-sacrificial 2nd lead I have ever known. I feel for Jin Yu cos she is torn between the 2 men (very much like Ruo Xi in Bu Bu Jing Xin). Both could offer her so much, she just needs to choose. Tong Hua writes such beautiful scenes. You can feel the atmosphere, the mood and you can imagine the music. Thank you Koala for sharing this with us. : )

  18. koala, thank you so much for this! I’ve been in the mood for period pieces lately and devoured your chapter 1-3 summaries just now. Totally loving it so far! I can already picture it in drama form, ahhhh..it will be epic.

    And yes, her initial meeting with HQB feels more real and compelling to me. Plus, he’s the one that she was actually hoping to see in Chang An. I can’t wait to read what their reunion is like. So far, her relationship with Jiu Ye seems uneven, he’s more like a benefactor and a father figure to her.

    By the way, what’s the reason why Jiu Ye is in a wheelchair? Was he born paraplegic or did he get into an accident? Will we learn this in the later chapters?

    Thanks again! I don’t know how you do it, balancing family and work life..and fangirling, blogging, etc. 🙂

  19. Can’t thank u enough Mrs K!!!
    I hv been sooo looking forward to read this as oppose to TMTETS – wow just realized how long dat was – Moon embrace d sun I mean ^_^
    Anyhow – this book has me so hooked – I’ve never been a book person but … Goodness you have changed me!! Koala unnie – hwaiting from d land of down under ^_^

  20. Thank you, thank you x100 for the translations! and so fast too O_O gosh, it is like daily crack to me now! I have fallen in love with this story/book since you wrote that introduction post. I hope they will film this drama ASAP! Really really want to watch this.

  21. Thank you again. I really don’t have much more to say Ms. K. You started these posts on my birthday and every new one feels like a very special gift.

  22. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I read “chapter 3”. I thought it was too much to hope for.. an update this fast? Looks like I underestimated your awesome-ness! Thanks so much, Ms Koala!! I wish I (or all we readers) could give something back for everything you do for us! Much appreciated!

    I agree with everyone else. We need HQB to make a longer appearence! 😀 Looks like there will be sparkles in their encounter.
    And I have the suspicion that his uncle is that guy from the past (forgot his name) who liked her when she was little and then tried to kill her and her Papa.

  23. somehow I could smell the idea of being a wolf and the instict since childhood should have stayed…somehow I’m still hoping wolf girl still exist behind the lady polished girl that she was trained to be….or else I’m figuring out how living with the pack of wolves be so distinct…there’s a conflice of being fierce and still naive….anyway I love the story thanks KOALA BEAR 😉

  24. Anyway I’m curios who the stone faced guy is….enjoying this electronic cyber book 😉 I like longing to be or not be characters intriguing :- P

  25. Thank you so much for your hard work Ms Koala! I’m loving this story so much. If not for you, us non-Chinese readers would never have the chance to appreciate such a beautiful piece of work! Thank you! Thank you!

  26. I’m always looking something new at your playground and now it’s time for Da Mo Yao. Though i’m unfamiliar with chinese novel, because of you(and your ability to choose such beautiful and rich story)…i’m gonna try to enjoy it. Thank you so much ms.koala for your translation and i’ll wait for next chapter.

  27. Your translations are amazing, thank you so much for sharing this for those of us that can’t read chinese. I am completely in love with the characters and the story. Can’t wait for the next chapter!!!

  28. You are getting me hooooked! Just a few weeks ago, you were writing about your new job and how you may not be posting as much, and here you are translating a novel and choose such beautiful words and expressions to convey the story. I have a huge girl-crush on Jin Yu now.

  29. Thank you so much for chapter 3! The stage is set! I can’t wait for Jin Yu to reunite with Huo Qu Bing and I like that both male leads are getting equal “screen time” so to speak 🙂

  30. Ahhh! I haven’t read this yet, but this is the best gift after a morning of working out and running errands. I login to my comp and voila, I see the wondrous gift given from Ms. Koala. Thank you, thank you! Off to read now :P…

  31. Wow, thank you for your herculean effort in translating these six chapters. The cold and dreary winter months are more bearable thanks to your work. I just “marathoned” the Bu Bu Jing Xin drama (per your recommendation), unreal and so saaad! It just makes you wonder more about the author and her life. Please get some much needed rest and take care.

  32. Okay, I finally read the chapter and am beyond thrilled to have completed chapter 3. Gosh, Jiu Ye is so hard to resist as well, but he leaves me with a warm, fuzzy feeling whereas Xiao Huo leaves flames in his wake. Our girl is going to have a hard time juggling such paragons of perfection. Can’t wait to read more. Have I told you yet that I loveee you mucho! Gosh, how do you do it? To not only translate beautifully, but to also do it with such fascinating speed? You are lubbed!

  33. Rereading DMY via your translations made it clear that the first person YR had in mind looking for help (hoping to see implicitly) and coming to Chang An was actually HQB and not JY. HQB did leave a strong and lasting impression on YR. It seemed that they connected on a mental level even in that short encounter and she had already intuitively, instinctively trusted HQB to be a dependable friend. Likewise for HQB, who anticipated that YR will come to Chang An but had no means to find her, since she was staying hidden in JY’s residence.

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