Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Fourteenth Tale

Lian Cheng wore an expression that screamed "As the eldest brother, I'm the father figure," and said, "How could I refuse him? Take me to him right now."

Qiong Hua held the umbrella, following behind, her voice crisp and clear. "Sixth Brother sure knows how to pick a time to fall ill. In this bitter cold, he gets sick and still insists on having our master accompany him. If he passes the illness on to our master, what does he plan to offer in compensation?"

Jin Cai didn't say much and unwilling to argue, simply kept his head down and walked. His task was to scrub Third Brother clean and tuck him into his own master's bed; whatever others said, he acted like he didn't hear a word.

Huqiu, hearing Qiong Hua's words, grew worried as well. Though his own master was as sturdy as an ox, he couldn't risk someone hurting themselves just to harm his master.

"Master, perhaps we shouldn't go," Huqiu muttered softly.

Lian Cheng let out a dismissive "eh" and waved his hand, said loudly, "They are my own brothers—how can I share their joy but not their hardship?"

Jin Cai walked ahead, eyes downcast, his face covered with snow. He brushed it off, recalling what he and his master had speculated that evening. Now, it seemed the only possibility was that some mountain spirit or wild demon had possessed Third Brother.

But even if it were a mountain spirit or a wandering ghost, Jin Cai thought it would still be better than the Third Brother of before. What he feared most was that Third Brother remained the same, only better at hiding, more cunning.

Halfway there, they happened upon Lian Biyun coming out of the courtyard. Her maid performed a deep bow, and Lian Cheng returned the greeting with a bow of his own, addressing her as "Miss," saying nothing more.

Lian Biyun initially had nothing to say, but then she caught sight of the icicle in her nephew's hand. She snorted, "The whole family's children have no lessons because of you, and now Sheng Geer has fallen ill. You're quite carefree."

Lian Cheng, completely unfazed, replied, "Yep."

"..." Lian Biyun was left speechless for a long while. After a moment, she jabbed her nephew's forehead in frustration, "Just keep fooling around. I'll be watching with my eyes open to see if the Lian family is ruined because of you!"

Lian Cheng, hurt by the jab, covered his forehead, tears welling up. "I'll tell my mother you hit me."

"You dimwit, go ahead and tell. When an elder tells you off, you ought to know better than to be ungrateful." Lian Biyun was truly unafraid—unlike some concubines who made a grand show of banging their heads against pillars or wailing at the gates of their husband's mansion, she sat there like the noblewoman and warrior she was.

Lian Cheng dropped the threat and asked in a low voice, "Miss, are you going out to find me another uncle?"

Lian Biyun deflated a little. "You child, stop talking nonsense!"

This time Lian Cheng wasn't trying to provoke her but giving her a friendly heads-up. Seeing her calm down, he continued, "I came across a vernacular novel this morning. It told of a wealthy widow who had an affair with her male servant. She used him to satisfy her desires, but the servant turned around and threatened to expose her if she didn't marry him, bringing her dowry. He said he'd ruin her reputation with both her husband's family and her own family..."

Before he could finish, Lian Biyun pressed urgently, "Did she marry him in the end?"

"No. The widow untied her foot bindings and hanged herself by the bedpost."

With that, Jin Cai had heard enough and urged, "Third Brother, let's go. If we delay any longer, our master will die of illness."

Remembering someone was waiting for him, Lian Cheng gave a perfunctory bow to Lian Biyun and hurried away under the eaves with Huqiu and Qiong Hua.

Puffs of white breath swirled between master and servants.

"Master, why did you tell Aunt Lian that story? And you didn't read any vulgar trash this morning," Qiong Hua asked.

Lian Cheng put on airs. "How could you fathom my grand master plan? Don't ask."

They naturally couldn't understand, because like Lian Biyun and everyone else here, they were just paper figures—but Lian Cheng wasn't. He knew that Lian Biyun had taken a kept man as a lover outside, and later that man would come knocking, demanding to marry her. A wealthy widow was always prey in this era—not just outsiders, but even relatives from her own family or her husband's might try to seize her property under the guise of caring for the bereaved.

Lian Biyun naturally refused, and the scandal blew up. Her daughter, disgraced by her mother's actions, shaved her head and took vows as a nun. Her son was stripped of his provincial degree and banned from taking the imperial exam, eliminating any chance of an official career.

In the book, the author had guessed that this was a trap set by the Lian family's rivals to cut Lian Xiusheng off at the knees. The spring exam was a few months away, and with her son's talent, he would at least place in the second rank; with luck, he might even enter the palace examination and achieve first rank.

The Lian family seemed poised to rise again.

Sigh, Lian Cheng was exhausted from worrying about Lian Xiusheng and the whole family.

When they reached a mound, Qiong Hua closed her umbrella. Lian Cheng told her to return to Penglai Pavilion and not wait there.

-

Qiong Hua was uneasy. "Huqiu is all thumbs. Let me take his place; he can go back."

"Why are you cursing me again?" Huqiu asked.

Lian Cheng wouldn't have it and insisted Qiong Hua go back first.

"Huqiu can go have some tea and snacks with Man Cai. I'll attend to your master," Jin Cai said, standing at the steaming doorway.

"Absolutely not. My master cannot leave my sight," Huqiu refused outright. "Do you think I don't have tea in your place?"

So Lian Cheng took Huqiu into the bathhouse.

Behind the screen, steam rose thickly. The bath was much larger than the one in Lian Cheng's courtyard—big enough to breed fish in. Lian Cheng took off his clothes, astonished. "Does your master bathe in something this giant?"

Jin Cai replied, "The master likes it spacious; it feels comfortable. Too small and it's stifling."

Lian Cheng thought about it. "True, he's taller than me."

With Huqiu's help, Lian Cheng quickly undressed. The room wasn't as warm as his Penglai Pavilion, and he shivered as he hurried into the tub. The water was hot—a luxury only the wealthy could afford in ancient times, with a built-in heating system for the bath.

When Jin Cai brought a cloth, Huqiu snatched it. "I'll do it!"

Huqiu wouldn't let anyone else handle his master's affairs. Jin Cai could only stand by until Lian Cheng was clean, then brought out clothes—a thin, sea-mist-red plain silk robe.

Several adjoining rooms connected. After dressing, Jin Cai said, "The master doesn't like being disturbed. Third Brother, go on in."

Huqiu wanted to accompany him, but Jin Cai grabbed his arm, frowning. "In broad daylight, do you think my master will gobble yours up? Even a young lady wouldn't be this overly cautious."

"It's fine. I'll go myself. Huqiu, go have some tea and don't worry." Lian Cheng shook his sleeves (a bit too long), guessing these were Lian Xiusheng's clothes—a bit large on him.

The rooms all had closed doors and bamboo blinds. The furnishings were simple and stark, desolate. Lian Cheng wrapped his arms around himself and dashed into the dim room. Reaching the bed, he didn't hesitate to lift the blanket, rubbing his hands. "Xiu Sheng, your brother's here to spoil you. Do I sleep on the outside or the inside?"

But the bed was empty.

Lian Xiusheng came from behind him, holding a candle. Lian Cheng turned at the flickering light. The other wore a blue robe, hair tied with a bamboo pin, his face showing illness as if he were about to ascend to heaven. Lian Cheng frowned, said honestly, "You look terrible."

"Third Brother looks," Lian Xiusheng's voice was hoarse, "very good."

"Of course I'm good. I'm not sick." Lian Cheng turned and climbed onto the bed. "First come, first served. I'll take the inside."

Lian Xiusheng didn't mean Lian Cheng's physical health but something else—something he didn't know if it was right or wrong. He had been in the room, in the shadows, watching Lian Cheng run toward him like a little pink bird. The sheer white-pink robe shimmered like pearls here and there, dark hair winding around his arms and waist. Up close, beneath the robe, after a hot bath, the pink flesh, the willow-thin waist, could be faintly seen. Third Brother was slender, but with soft, curvy buttocks and small, soft mounds. When he moved, they trembled. Only then did Lian Xiusheng's gaze rise to that face—more seductive and wanton than the body: straight peach-blossom eyes, pink cheeks, cherry lips.

He didn't like the Lian family, and naturally didn't like Third Brother. But if he regarded Third Brother as a beautiful bird or a cat, he would find it hard to let go. So he convinced himself: just treat it as an elegant pleasure.

He extinguished the candle, made sure the window blinds were closed tight, and only then climbed onto the bed. This was the first time since returning to the Lian manor that he had shared a bed with anyone.

A warm, soft body pressed against him without reservation, radiating heat and fragrance.

"Xiu Sheng, why are you so cold? Jin Cai told me you didn't sleep all night, just practicing swordsmanship. Why didn't you tell me you practice sword... and why didn't you tell me you couldn't sleep?"

"Are these clothes of yours ones you've worn before? They're pretty flamboyant."

"Xiu Sheng, have you heard of the poem: 'The cherry-plum blossoms, how they shine! Among all people, none are like brothers.' From now on, you and I will be like a flower and its petals, shining together. If anything troubles you, tell your brother, and I'll do whatever I can to help."

Lian Xiusheng closed his eyes. "What if I wanted your life?"

Lian Cheng propped himself up upon hearing this. "That's where you're wrong."

Lian Xiusheng let out a laugh.

In broad daylight, Lian Cheng couldn't sleep. He actually had a lot to say and many questions that needed answers. He considered himself smart, though not a genius, and hoped to chat with Lian Xiusheng while he was about to fall asleep, possibly getting some useful information.

"Why do you want my life?" Lian Cheng asked. "I am your elder brother."

"Just a joke."

"Your elder brother doesn't think it's funny," Lian Cheng said sternly. "Don't say such things again."

"Third Brother, don't blame me. It was my fault."

Lian Cheng lay back down, his fingers fumbling under the blanket until he found Lian Xiusheng's cold ones. He grasped them tightly. "Xiu Sheng, do you feel warm?"

Lian Xiusheng didn't pull his hand away, nor did he answer.

Asleep?

Lian Cheng turned his head to sneak a look at him. It seemed so, so he asked again, "Xiu Sheng, do you remember when we were kids? When the Embroidered Uniform Guard tried to take us away on the pretext of arresting remnants of the Former Crown Prince's faction? Why did they think we were them?"

According to movies or novels, when a character is asked a critical question, they would stiffen, raise an eyebrow, darken their expression, tense up, or clench their fists. Lian Cheng watched Lian Xiusheng closely for any of these signs—there were none.

"Asleep? Xiu Sheng?" Lian Cheng sat up and rubbed Lian Xiusheng's face hard.

No response.

"Asleep, then I'll be off." Lian Cheng lay back down, sliding his body downward, planning to crawl out the side and slip around the bed so as not to wake him.

But the moment he made a move to leave, before even extending his leg out of the blanket, his wrist was grabbed by the person next to him. Before Lian Cheng could react, an arm snaked around his waist, pulling him back into a cold, hard, and tight embrace.

Only now did Lian Cheng realize the gap in strength and size between him and Lian Xiusheng. They looked similar in clothes!

Lian Xiusheng turned sideways and hugged Lian Cheng tightly, his frost-like lips pressed against the back of Lian Cheng's neck, his breath hot.

"Third Brother, don't go."

Lian Cheng didn't leave. Even ignoring the heat spreading through him from Lian Xiusheng's touch, he turned around and hugged him back. "Xiu Sheng, don't be afraid. Your elder brother won't leave. I'll stay right here with you."

After saying this, Lian Cheng felt a secret joy, thinking that after today, Lian Xiusheng's affection for him as an elder brother would surely deepen.

"Will Third Brother come to rest in my courtyard from now on?" Lian Xiusheng's large, cold hand roamed over the waist beneath his palm, so slender and soft. How had he never noticed Third Brother had such a fine body?

He could, but Lian Cheng felt it was inconvenient, as their schedules clearly didn't align.

His hesitation was taken as refusal by Lian Xiusheng, who then pinched his buttock.

Lian Cheng yelped, his face flushing red. He covered his bottom and glared at Lian Xiusheng. "I am your Third Brother. If you want to talk, talk. Why resort to violence against your elder brother?"

Lian Xiusheng said nothing, simply rubbing the sore spot he had just pinched.

"That's more like it," Lian Cheng said. "I'll think about resting in your courtyard. I might need to inform Mother and Fourth Madam; they probably won't agree, afraid I'll disturb you."

"I'll handle it."

Lian Cheng agreed. "Then you talk to them. I can't be bothered—it's too much trouble."

Lian Xiusheng closed his eyes. He was truly ready to sleep now, so, as if afraid his brother would run away, he tightened his hold. This brother, pampered and delicate, had a long body full of soft flesh, as if he would melt in his arms.

Four hours later, Fourth Madam came with a maid. At the entrance sat Jin Cai and Huqiu, who stood and bowed, saying that Sixth Brother and Third Brother were sleeping inside.

Zhou Yaniang frowned. "They slept together?"

"Yes."

Zhou Yaniang said no more. "When the young masters wake, have them come to my room. Their uncle and aunt have prepared some medicinal soup to help regulate sleep."

"Yes."

After Zhou Yaniang left, the corridor fell silent. Huqiu asked in confusion, "Why didn't you tell Fourth Madam that as long as our young master is nearby, Sixth Brother can sleep peacefully?"

Jin Cai replied flatly, "If my young master hasn't told me to reveal something, I won't, not even to the master of the house. So I'd appreciate it if you also kept your mouth shut and didn't share our young masters' affairs with other masters. If you cause trouble, it won't matter for you, but if it implicates the two young masters, ten lives won't be enough to pay for it."

Huqiu fell silent.

-

It wasn't until the hour of the monkey (3-5 PM) that Lian Cheng woke up. Only he was left in bed.

He got up, his clothes half-fallen off, not thinking much of it. He fixed them, got out of bed, and called, "Huqiu!"

Huqiu pushed the door open, carrying clothes. "Young master, we should return to our own courtyard. Shall I dress you?"

"Where's Lian Xiusheng?"

"He went to the Hanlin Academy two hours ago, said he had work to do, and told us not to disturb you."

Lian Cheng stripped off the gaudy clothes he was wearing, tossing them on the bed without a second thought. He put on his own clothes and left with Huqiu.

"Huqiu, I'm a bit hungry."

"You've slept all day, so you must be. But we can eat as soon as we get back. Sister Tong Xue came by several times and said if you didn't wake up soon, she'd have me drag you up—no sleeping on an empty stomach."

The meals at Penglai Pavilion were also delivered from the kitchen, though sometimes Tong Xue would cook a few dishes herself. Occasionally, Zhang from the Orchid Garden would send food. Recently, their meals had visibly improved. Before, the neighboring courtyard always got the finer dishes, while they received standard fare—more vegetables, simple meat dishes, nothing elaborate. Now, they had two or three delicate dishes every day.

Today's main dishes were apricot blossom goose and finely minced raw fish with pickled vegetables. There were many vegetable dishes, simple but tasty. Starving, Lian Cheng wolfed down two large bowls of rice and finished with a big bowl of health tea.

After the meal, Qiong Hua was ironing clothes to be folded, saying, "Young master, don't go to the neighboring courtyard anymore. They're not good people, using your status to raise their own standing."

Lian Cheng sprawled on the daybed. "We're all one family. Don't talk like we're not family."

"You treat them as family, but they might not treat you the same. You'd be sold and still be counting the money."

Lian Cheng added, "You have your own ideas, but I'm just average and can't do much. In the future, the Lian family's success will depend on them. I can't do it alone."

"Then that's their duty. There's no need for you to give them any face."

"Beans are simmered on beanstalks, beans weep in the pot. Born of the same root, why hasten to burn each other?" Lian Cheng recited the verse lazily. Qiong Hua didn't understand, so she didn't respond.

After a while, Lian Cheng sat up and leaned on the wooden railing. "Dear sister, have someone heat up a hot bath for me. I want to soak."

Qiong Hua was puzzled. "Didn't you bathe at the neighboring courtyard during the day?"

Lian Cheng loosened his clothes. "I feel itchy all over."

Hearing that her young master felt unwell, Qiong Hua quickly stopped her work and called Tong Xue and Huqiu in. The three surrounded Lian Cheng, stripped him to his underclothes. At first glance, it didn't seem like much, but upon closer inspection, they were all shocked.

"Oh dear, what happened?" Qiong Hua cried out, tears streaming down her face.

Lian Cheng's body was covered in red marks. His chest and back had only a few, but there were many between his thighs, and even more on his waist, abdomen, and buttocks. Some spots were bruised, bluish-purple, a shocking sight against his fair skin.

Qiong Hua intended to burn Huqiu with a flatiron filled with red charcoal, cursing, "You deaf servant! I told you to keep a good eye on the young master, but your ears are stuffed with food, and you've always let the young master catch an illness!"

Huqiu was terrified. "He was fine during the day."

Tong Xue dressed Lian Cheng again, her face grim. "First go report to the Madam, and then..."

"I'm fine," Lian Cheng said hastily, seeing that the situation seemed serious. "I think it's nothing. It's nighttime now; let's not wake everyone up. I think perhaps I'm not used to Xiusheng's bed, and I've caught a red rash. It will go away on its own after a while."

"Huqiu, go heat some water first. I'll find some ointment," Tong Xue said, then looked at Qiong Hua. "Don't always scare Huqiu. He doesn't know any better; you need to be patient and teach him."

Lian Cheng looked at Qiong Hua, who was crying nonstop, and tugged at her sleeve. "Dear sister, don't cry. I'll take good care of myself from now on, alright?"

"You're always all talk, young master. When will you actually do it?"

Penglai Pavilion was in an uproar until midnight, and the master of Yiqiu also returned at midnight.

In the evening, Man Cai tidied up his young master's bed and picked up the silk robe that Third Brother had changed out of. He went to the study and said, "Master, should I return Third Brother's changed clothes to Penglai Pavilion, or wait until tomorrow morning to send them to the maid for washing?"

Lian Xiusheng had slept well during the day and was not tired at night. He was leaning on the wall couch, holding a book scroll. When he saw the garment in the servant's hand, he paused and said, "It hasn't been worn for long. No need to send it for washing. Just put it on my bed first."