NOVEL NEXT Proofread by Fu Tianying
Ma Tian’en stopped as he was about to enter the banquet hall, “Shun, come here and listen to me.” He called over the servant Shun and whispered to him. Shun stared at Ma, hardly daring to move.
“Hurry up! I need it right now.” Then Ma Tian’en poised himself to kick Shun. Seeing the resolute determination of Ma, Shun dare not say more and ran away immediately.
Tian Fugui knew at a glance that Ma Tian’en got an idea, “What did you ask Shun to do? Just give me a buzz if you need anything. Did you plan to do something against Hu? Come on; let me give you a hand. I cannot wait to give him a lesson.” Tian asked in curiosity.
“Absolutely I need your help. But you do not have what I need now. Well, you need to…” Ma Tian’en signaled for Tian to approach his ear and Tian did so.
“Oh, my god! Will it be life-threatening? Won’t it be poison, right?” A look of terror was on the face of Tian Fugui.
“Take it easy. Nothing fatal. My life’s worth a fortune to me. It is not worth paying for life with life. Just relax. I am sure he will end up thanking me.” Ma Tian’en felt especially pleased with his wonderful plan.
The banquet began and Ma Tian’en sat beside Hu Chunqiu who was full of contempt towards him. Though Hu talked and drank with Tian without even looking at Ma, Ma did not care about Hu’s rudeness. Ma ate and drank by himself and talked to others from time to time. For a moment, he sneaked out by the excuse of going to the toilet as soon as he saw the fleeting figure of Shun outside the door. He knew that Shun came back with what he needed.
Shun delivered a vial to Ma Tian’en with anxiety and nervousness and implored, “Childe, please do not make it out of control. Master Ma will….” Ma Tian’en pushed him out before he finished speaking, “You’d better go back now. You are chased away and it has nothing to do with you.”
How dare Shun go back on his own? He waited for Childe Ma outside the door obediently and quietly. Ma pretended to go to the toilet once before coming back to the banquet hall and sat beside Hu. At that time, all got a little tipsy. Ma Tian’en tipped the wink on Tian Fugui, implying that he had already got the stuff.
Tian Fugui complimented Hu, “I have long heard about your amazing calligraphy attainments. Would you mind writing some for my mother? Not only can it be the celebration of my mother’s birthday, but it will be a precious model for my calligraphy learning as well. Maybe I can write couplets for my mother’s birthday by myself next year.” These simple words flattered Hu as well as expressed his filial piety. Having heard those compliments in tipsiness, Hu Chunqiu agreed without hesitation.
Though he drank a lot, Tian Ronghua felt something wrong. He knew well that his younger brother was not a man who was willing to express outwardly. Besides, his brother got a bad impression of Hu. How could the little guy express admiration outwardly? He was sure that there must be something behind it and could do nothing but warn his brother with his eyes.
Ignoring that glance, Tian Fugui arranged servants to prepare the desk. At the same time, he himself got paper and writing brush as well as grand ink for Hu. While all guests were gathering around Hu, Ma changed his wine cup with that of Hu without being noticed and then joined the assemble.
Hu did have some proficiency in literary accomplishments. He won great acclaims from guests for his writing of a Chinese word “longevity” on the paper, so he felt so delighted and had a few more cups.
Having had a couple drinks, Hu felt the heat inside as if there were fire burning in his stomach and an impulse arose inside him. His instinct told him things just weren’t right and now he found Ma began to toast him with flattery.
“Childe Hu, you are really a genius of calligraphy! Would you come to my house and write some for me? I would keep it as a treasure and handle it down from father to son.” Compliment words were pouring down from Ma Tian’en.
Hu felt very dizzy and began to have an illusion of a beautiful lady standing before him. In the end, desire triumphed over reason and Hu came at the girl. Ma Tian’en leaned forward as if he were going to help Hu up but actually bashed Hu with his knees. There was a loud sound and Hu plumped on the ground suddenly.
However, Hu did not feel the pain for his mind had been blunted by the drug. He felt the urge to tear his clothes apart but his last reason stopped him from ruining his reputation. In that case, Hu decided to lie down on the ground to feign drunkenness, waiting for someone soon to send him to a room. He would find out the truth afterwards.
At that time, people were gathering around. It was not a big deal to find scholars drunk, so someone suggested sending Hu to a room. Tian Ronghua hurried to arrange servants to do so.
And there came a clear voice, “Do not touch him. He was not drunk, but ill.” Ma Tian’en said. Then Ma leaned over and touched Hu’s forehead with his hand. With the gentle touch the flame of desire in Hu’s heart was about to blaze when he smelled the scent of Ma. He struggled to repress his inner desire for fear of losing control, curling up and quivering on the ground.
Ma continued, “His feverish head and quivering body indicated his illness. Better keep where he is. Please give me a basin of cold water.”
“Can you just stop with the nonsense? There is no time to fool around.” Tian Ronghua rushed to stop Ma’s plan. In fact, he did not know what was wrong with Hu but he just followed his instinct to stop Ma. He knew well about food in party and Hu’s drinking capacity, therefore, he was suspicious of Ma.
“I was trying to save his life instead of messing around. His illness was familiar to me and I do know how to cure him. If you do not believe in me, you could call a doctor. But I am afraid that Hu would be delirious when finally the doctor comes here. Believe me; I would cure him effectively. Will you stand here and leave him in the lurch?” Ma Tian’en made himself profound on purpose.
“Childe Hu has already been delirious. Why not give him a chance? We could call a doctor at the same time. Wouldn’t it be safer?” Tian Fugui made some inflammatory remarks. Those guests who did not know the truth all agreed with Tian Fugui.
Tian Ronghua had no choice but to agree with Ma’s try. He thought that may be the trap devised by Ma but it would not be life-threatening from what he knew about Ma. If it was Ma who did it, then only Ma could know how to cure Hu. After all, it would not be late to find out the truth when Hu recovers.
Ma arranged people to bring sliver needles and a basin of water for him. Then pretending to be a highly-skilled doctor, Ma seized the hands of Hu and prodded needles into his hands. A sharp pain from his hands refreshed Hu’s mind as well as his eyes. Hu screamed out and was prodded again before he knew it.
“It’s working! It’s working!” The crowd cheered.
Ma Tian’en shook his hands in modesty. Holding a basin of cold water in hand, Ma poured all the water over Hu. Hu shuddered and released his hold on the chair. Having taken out the silver needle, Ma leaned forward to prod Hu in his face. All fire of desire in Hu’s heart has gone out and Hu jumped back in fear.
“How dare you? I’m gonna kill you!” He pounced on Ma Tian’en but was stopped by the guests, who all convinced him that Ma actually saved him.
Ma Tian’en said in righteousness, “I am a miracle-working doctor. You’d better give up drinking and voluptuousness for your illness was induced by them. And remember to take a cold bath for six hours a day. You will recover a week later.”
“Nonsense! I am not sick at all. It must be your cunning plot!”
“How could you sling mud at me? I am your life saver. At least, you are a famous scholar. That’s how you repay the favor?”
“My wine must have been drugged by you. Come and check the wine up and people who went out just now!” Hu Chunqiu bellowed with rage.