Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Chapter 20

"Brother—brother—"

On the stone bench in the courtyard sat a basin of clear water. Fang Zhihe was pouring the yellow peas from the winnowing basket in his hand into it when the voice behind him seemed to drift nearer.

Fang Zhiyuan came running over with a bamboo flute, his footsteps thumping. Fang Zhihe set the basin containing the peas and water onto the stone table before responding to Fang Zhiyuan. He turned and ruffled his younger brother's hair, frowning. "Yuanyuan, you can't run while holding a flute. Be careful not to fall."

"Oh." Fang Zhiyuan nodded, then said excitedly, "Brother! Mother said she's taking me to visit Second Uncle's house!"

Fang Zhihe smoothed out the wrinkled hem of his clothes. "What's so fun about Second Uncle's house?"

Fang Zhiyuan grinned. "You only know how to study, brother. How would you know what fun things Cousin Minxuan has brought back this time?"

Fang Zhihe pinched his cheek. "What fun things? Fang Minxuan idles around all day doing nothing useful. Don't let him lead you astray."

"Not at all." Fang Zhiyuan pouted, scuffing his toes on the ground a couple of times before saying hesitantly, "I came to find you, brother, because I want you to do me a favor..."

Fang Zhihe was reaching out to wash the pea skins when he heard this and let out a questioning "Hmm?". "What is it? Short on pocket money?"

Fang Zhiyuan sighed dramatically, putting on a very dejected look. "Wuyou asked me yesterday to meet him at Little Peach Grove today. He said he had something to discuss. I really don't get why we can't talk at home."

Fang Zhihe paused in washing the peas, then said casually, "Maybe it's something important."

"That's just it. So, brother, could you go and tell him for me? I have to go to Second Uncle's house with Mother this afternoon. Can't he just tell me after I get back?" Fang Zhiyuan tugged at Fang Zhihe's sleeve, whining softly.

Fang Zhihe glanced at him. "Why not go and tell him now?"

Fang Zhiyuan shook his head. "I've been looking for him all morning. He's probably gone out of town on business again."

Fang Zhihe looked down at the peas settling in the clear water. A gentle current stirred them, and the peas drifted along.

He nodded slightly. Fang Zhiyuan asked quietly, "Brother, will you do it?"

Fang Zhihe glared at him. "Fine. Go on and play. You never think to come to me when there's something good!"

Fang Zhiyuan laughed heartily, stuffed a pastry wrapped in oil paper into Fang Zhihe's hand, and scampered off.

Fang Zhihe looked at the item in his hand, then at his brother's retreating figure, and let out a soft sigh. He reached out to stir the clear water in the basin, a faint smile appearing on his face.

...

Fang Zhihe pressed his hand to his forehead, with a pounding headache. The hot soup beside his hand had long gone cold. Xiao Yun had heated it once, and it had cooled again.

"Your Majesty, shall I summon Lord Qi?" Xiao Yun asked anxiously by his side.

Fang Zhihe opened his eyes slightly. "What's the matter?"

Seeing that he was muddled from the pain, Xiao Yun's eyes instantly filled with tears. "Your Majesty, I'll go get Lord Qi at once!" He made to run, but Fang Zhihe had to call him back and sighed helplessly. "Come back. I'm fine... I slept too late last night. I'm just a bit tired."

"Then you should rest, Your Majesty. I'll warm your bedding for you right away." Xiao Yun wiped his tears and went to get the hot water bottle. Fang Zhihe couldn't stop him, so he gave up. He felt weary, unwilling to move.

He had been pondering since yesterday—this flood control matter in Fuzhou... whether he could go himself.

If he went, he supposed it would be best to travel incognito, he thought, and picked up paper and pen to jot down some random notes.

...

"...Yuntai."

April was in full bloom, the sky a sea of deep red.

Lu Wuyou turned to look at him, a smile instantly spreading across his face.

"Changlin!"

Fang Zhihe froze for half a second, then reached up to touch his face. The human-skin mask was really good—this guy really couldn't tell he wasn't Fang Zhanglin.

Imitating his younger brother, he flashed a smile at Lu Wuyou. "...Yuntai, you called me here today... is something the matter?"

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow slightly, then grinning, picked up a square wooden box from the grass behind him. "This—I learned the craft from Wang the Blacksmith in the west of town. Didn't you say you liked your eldest brother's blue-inlaid stone dagger? I specially went to Yufeng City to buy a piece of amethyst and made you a short sword!"

Fang Zhihe looked down at the box placed in his hands, stared at it blankly for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's wonderful... Surely it's a thousand times better than my brother's." He gently unfastened the clasp of the box and carefully lifted the lid, revealing the beautiful, flawless short sword inlaid with crystal. The amethyst gleamed warmly, its luster soft and radiant. Fang Zhihe reached out and touched it, his heart inexplicably softened.

"I knew you'd like it. You're always happy with whatever I give you, unlike your eldest brother—whatever I give him, he always has that sour look on his face. It's annoying." Lu Wuyou happily took Fang Zhihe's hand and led him under the tree, vaguely sensing the slight stiffness in the hand within his own. He assumed it was Fang Zhiyuan's nervousness, but didn't turn to look at how his eyes were shimmering with tears. Fang Zhihe lowered his head, his heart aching. He really didn't know how to express liking the gift... so every time his face went stiff. So this was what he had taken it as—deliberately annoying him?

Lu Wuyou took his hand and led him, then pulled a big packet of fruit candies wrapped in oil paper from his pouch and handed it to him. "I remember you really like these."

Fang Zhihe took it and tucked it into his robe. "...Thank you, Yuntai."

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow at this and deliberately teased, "Why just 'Yuntai'? Call me Brother Yuntai, and I'll buy you candy every single day from now on."

Fang Zhihe felt his ears instantly burn red. He pinched his earlobe with his free hand. "...That doesn't feel right."

Lu Wuyou also pinched his earlobe. "How can there be such adorable earlobes? So plump."

This time, Fang Zhihe's entire face flushed hot. He mumbled something vague, pulled his hand free from Lu Wuyou's, thought for a moment, then pulled out a jade pendant from his robe.

The jade pendant was carved into a pear blossom shape with the characters 'Wuyou' engraved in the middle. The dangling tassel was light blue, giving it an elegant and refined look.

Lu Wuyou looked at him, his eyes and brows full of a gentle charm and warmth Fang Zhihe had never seen before.

Fang Zhihe froze for a moment, then quickly handed the jade pendant to him, whispering, "Yuntai... brother."

"Here, this is for you."

...

Xiao Yun had heated the bedding until it was scalding hot before Fang Zhihe finally wrote up the notes on the paper into a memorial, and had a secret guard deliver it to Lu Wuyou. He stood up and called for Xiao Yun, saying he wanted to rest.

Xiao Yun hurriedly helped him change clothes, then helped him into bed and tucked the covers around him. Thinking for a moment, he stuffed two hot water bottles in, making Fang Zhihe let out a small yelp and laugh. "Xiao Yun, you're trying to cook me alive."

Xiao Yun fumbled to take them out again. "Your Majesty..."

When he saw that Xiao Yun was about to kneel, Fang Zhihe reached out to hold him back and shook his head. "It's okay. I'm tired. You can go too."

"Yes."

After the door closed, Fang Zhihe stared at the gauze canopy above the bed, remembering that the short sword had the characters for 'Changlin' carved into it.

He pouted and turned over.

He hoped that letting Lu Wuyou go deal with the flood control this time would make him happy. If he wasn't happy... then forget it.