Chapter 16

Chapter 16

"Ruzhuo, my cousin," Lian Cheng replied, "The wind and snow are fierce; would you like to come in and sit?"

Lian Cheng thought Lian Xiusheng would refuse, as he had only been making a casual offer.

Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, Lian Xiusheng said, "Very well." He handed his umbrella to Man Cai behind him to keep.

Seeing that Man Cai was about to wait outside, Lian Cheng also invited him in.

Lian Cheng closed the window and said, "Huqiu, fetch two stools and brew a pot of hot tea. Tong Xue, do we have any pastries or snacks?"

"We do." Tong Xue got down from the couch, tidied up the miscellaneous items into a box beside her, and turned to curtsy to the Sixth Brother who was stepping over the threshold. "Sixth Brother, is there anything you fancy? I’ll bring it all at once."

"Prepare whatever is convenient; no need to trouble yourself." Lian Xiusheng unfastened his fur-lined overcoat, which Man Cai took and draped over his arm, then pulled over a small stool and sat down.

Lian Cheng's side chambers had been a considerable investment of thought by Lord Lian; it was the only courtyard for which he had personally drawn the blueprints and overseen construction, striving to ensure flowers and trees could be enjoyed in every season, warm in winter and cool in summer. Fortunately, at that time, the household did not have too many concubines and children; now, it would surely cause a commotion and be hard to please everyone.

In the depths of this bitter winter night, a single stove in the room provided ample warmth.

Tong Xue quickly set up a table of snacks and treats to while away the time, and also made three bowls of salted cherry tea.

Man Cai was pleasantly surprised: "I get some too?"

Huqiu: "You're benefiting from your master's good fortune; if you came alone, you'd rarely get such treatment."

"One time is better than none," Man Cai said contentedly.

"It's stifling hot inside; I'm going out for some air." Qiong Hua dropped what she was holding, lifted the door curtain, and went out.

Qiong Hua wore her disgust for Yi Qiu and his people on her face, and she wasn't afraid of being caught out and having it used against her, because she wasn't someone who bullies others by using authority—she just wasn't afraid of getting killed. After she left, Lian Cheng smiled at Lian Xiusheng and then said, "Sister Qiong Hua is just plain-spoken; Xiusheng, please don't take offense."

Lian Xiusheng traced the rim of the white porcelain tea bowl with his fingertip. "It's fine. Master and servant are usually united in purpose; she is loyal to you."

Lian Cheng clicked his tongue to himself—sarcastically noting that he and Qiong Hua both oppose Yi Qiu? That was all in the past, so why hold a grudge?

But Lian Cheng wisely chose not to linger on topics of bringing up the past, as everyone knows that among siblings, revisiting the past is the quickest way to start a fire and even come to blows. He said, "What have you been up to at the Hanlin Academy lately?"

"His Majesty will hold a Confucian Classics lecture on the day before New Year's Eve, and I have been chosen to be the lecturer."

After Lian Xiusheng finished, Lian Cheng let out a "wow."

Lian Cheng's reaction seemed exaggerated, but he was genuinely shocked. The Confucian Classics lecture referred to the emperor's periodic sessions for expounding on Confucian classics. Many emperors saw the Classics lectures as nothing more than empty formalities, and even those who followed ancestral traditions only allowed lecturers to speak on topics the emperor liked, and many Hanlin scholars would start flattering the emperor mid-lecture.

There has always been a saying in the Hanlin Academy: "Being a Classics lecturer gets you promoted fastest; compiling books is the slow road," meaning that serving as a Classics lecturer is the fastest route to promotion, while those responsible for compiling histories can only hope for slow, patient progress.

Lian Xiusheng was still so young, only seventeen. His pace was even faster than what Lian Cheng had seen in the book; in the book, he never became a lecturer.

Why wasn't he following the book's promotion path? Lian Cheng sipped his tea, confused.

Could it be that because he had slept well recently, his work performance had improved?

That would be awful.

This wasn't part of Lian Cheng's original plan. His original plan was that once he and Lian Xiusheng had developed a bond as strong as the bond between Su Shi and Su Zhe, or as deep as that between Wang Xianzhi and Wang Huizhi, then even if Lian Xiusheng made it into the cabinet, he wouldn't forget his brother in his prosperity.

Though the plot was similar to the book, the order had changed, which would turn the fate of the Lian family upside down. In the future, Lian Cheng could brazenly tug his younger brother's sleeve and say, "For your third brother's sake..."

Lian Cheng decided to ask, "Xiusheng, what do you think of me, your elder brother?"

"Why does Third Brother ask that?"

Lian Cheng put on a sorrowful face, "You know I've been staying indoors lately, but do you have any idea what I've been thinking?"

Lian Xiusheng watched his third brother, who sat on the couch far from the candlelight, wearing a light green robe and putting on an affected air, and a flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. "If Third Brother has any doubts, he can tell me, his sixth brother, all about it."

Lian Cheng said, pretending to be upset, "A month ago, I told Mother about a dream I had. In the dream, the entire Lian family was raided and executed, but the reason was unclear. I thought it was a sign from the Duke of Zhou to remind us to reflect on ourselves to avoid such a catastrophe."

Midway, Lian Cheng glanced at the celestial being under the lamplight a few steps away, and seeing that he was listening earnestly, he continued, "So, these past days, I have been reflecting on my faults. I realized that I have been unkind to my parents, disrespectful to my elder brothers, and not even friendly to my younger siblings. Now I have seen the light, and I am telling you this."

After a long pause, Lian Xiusheng spoke, "Matters of ghosts and gods are not to be taken seriously. Third Brother, you are merely thinking about it during the day and dreaming of it at night."

"What do I think about during the day? Nothing but eating and drinking. Why would I dwell on such unlucky matters?" Lian Cheng waved his sleeve. "You don't believe me? You don't want to mend ties with me?"

Lian Xiusheng lowered his eyes and said, "If Third Brother wishes to build a bond of deep friendship with this sixth brother, just say so directly."

Lian Cheng propped his hands on the couch and leaned toward Lian Xiusheng, his robe and hair falling over his shoulder, revealing a patch of snow-white skin at his neck. Unaware of this, he pressed on, "If I say so directly, will you agree?"

Lian Xiusheng slightly lifted his eyes, merely scanning his disheveled third brother, then calmly looked away.

He did not answer immediately, but recalled a curious yet uninteresting incident that had occurred in the back courtyard of a minor seventh-rank official. At that time, prostitutes and male prostitutes were both in business. It was said that this minor official did not like prostitutes but preferred male prostitutes. He did not marry but built several rooms in his backyard and kept seven or eight male prostitutes. After two years, he fell in love with one called Xianggu, and decided to marry him. This enraged the elders of his family, who found an excuse and beat the male prostitute to death. Unexpectedly, the minor official did not let it go; he filed a lawsuit against the elders in the capital, and the case was still ongoing.

A month ago, the Hanlin Academy had discussed this dispatch, laughing and also sympathizing with the lovers. Then they became curious about the male prostitute's appearance—what beauty could make a man disregard even his elders?

Lian Xiusheng was not fond of women or men. The city was rife with the practice of keeping prostitutes and male prostitutes; even his third brother kept two handsome male prostitutes, but he had never entertained the thought.

Previously, he thought this was because a gentleman was cautious in solitude. Now he seemed to understand—perhaps it was because he had not lowered his standards; his requirements were too high.

If his third brother were a male prostitute in the Lianzi Alley, he might not be averse to spending some silver on him.

"Alas, I won't trouble you. I'll just say it directly." Lian Cheng, seeing that Lian Xiusheng was silent, waved his sleeve and picked up his tea bowl. "Today, let us brothers not dwell on what is done, nor regret what is past. Let tea be our wine, and let bygones be bygones!"

Lian Xiusheng clinked bowls with Lian Cheng but did not drink the tea. "Third Brother, there are too many things that cannot be settled just because you or I say they are settled."

Lian Cheng was taken aback. This was the first time Lian Xiusheng had refused so bluntly. And where did that faint but clear resentment in his words come from?

"It's late. Sixth Brother thanks Third Brother for his hospitality." Lian Xiusheng stood up, blocking the lamplight. "I will take my leave now."

But as he turned, a soft, pliant body crashed into him. The man, as thin as a bamboo pole, with hair unbound and no cap, stumbled and fell at Lian Xiusheng's feet, cupping his hands around Lian Xiusheng's black boots. "Sixth Lang, I am blind and accidentally bumped into you. Please forgive me this once."

Man Cai, seeing this shameless creature clinging to his master, frowned and was about to curse. But Lian Xiusheng raised a hand to stop him.

Lian Xiusheng looked down at the other for a moment, then bent down and reached out his hand. "Get up."

The male prostitute coyly placed his hand on the Sixth Master's, his legs trembling as if soft and weak. Seeing that the Third Master behind remained unmoved, he bit his tongue, then threw himself into the man's arms, muttering, "Won't Sixth Master have me?"

Before the other could even match the slightest bit of his third brother's earlier affectation, Lian Xiusheng was already thoroughly disgusted. Coupled with his bad mood from the previous conversation, he raised his hand, grabbed the male prostitute by the scruff of the neck, and slammed him against a nearby marble screen. The screen wobbled, and the male prostitute collapsed to the ground, barely breathing.

"Drag him out. Don't disturb the others in the courtyard." He withdrew his hand, wiped it meticulously several times with the handkerchief Man Cai handed him, then paused, turned, and saw his third brother's pale face.

Lian Cheng scrambled off the couch and stood on the ground, at a loss.

Lian Xiusheng then transformed from the demon he had just been into a bodhisattva, bowing respectfully. "Third Brother, don't be afraid. This act will not cost him his life. If you are truly worried, I will call for a physician to examine him."

Then he said, "Huqiu, brew a cup of calming tea for your master."

Huqiu, also frightened into a daze, only reacted after a while, then ran out, just in time to see Man Cai dragging the male prostitute like a dead dog into the side room and tossing him in.

In this chamber, Lian Cheng watched Lian Xiusheng leave. He stood there for a long while before moving to look closely at the screen, where a vertical crack had appeared, along with faint traces of blood, revealing how heavy-handed the other had been.

In a modern setting, that blow would have left the male prostitute sprawled on the ground faking an accident.

But here, even getting to see a doctor was a privilege.

Lian Cheng wrapped himself in a blanket and sat cross-legged on the couch.

-

After downing a large bowl of calming tea, Lian Cheng still had a night of nightmares—not about the family's downfall, but about many people kneeling before him. He told them to get up, everyone, but they refused, insisting they had to pay their respects.

When he woke, Lian Cheng asked Huqiu if he had called a doctor for the male prostitute. Huqiu said that Sixth Brother had already summoned a doctor the previous night, and while it looked bad, there was no real harm done. Lian Cheng finally felt relieved.

Just then, Tong Xue quietly entered and sat beside him.

"Last night's events were told to me by Huqiu," Tong Xue said, adjusting Lian Cheng's blanket in a low voice. "I told you before, that Sixth Brother is unfathomable. On the surface, he's like an immortal, but think about it—which deity ascended without stepping over countless bones? Even if you do good deeds, saving one person might harm another. Remember, you must not get close to those in the neighboring courtyard again. They are no good."

Then she asked, "Are the rashes on your body better?"

"Yes," Lian Cheng said.

"Then get up and pay respects to Madam."

Lian Cheng went, paid his respects, had breakfast, and returned to his courtyard to read for most of the day. He had thought about competing with Lian Xiusheng in the imperial examinations, but if he failed, it would be like stepping on the gas and driving the whole family straight off a cliff—not ideal.

If the literary path was blocked, there was another way: the military examination. But as soon as the idea came up, Lian Cheng dismissed it. It was worse than the civil exams.

Even if he wanted to whisper advice in the emperor's ear, he'd have to castrate himself first.

Alas, all roads lead to Rome, but none of them are passable.

By the day of the banquet, Lian Cheng stopped worrying. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it.

He stood behind a screen while Qiong Hua dressed him. Tong Xue stood nearby, saying, "Don't be too flashy, or the other young masters will feel slighted."

"Just because you were born plain, does that mean our master has to dress like a pauper?" Qiong Hua grumbled, but she put away the flashy clothes and chose a plain azure silk round-collar robe, paired with a smoke-pink cape, and added a wind collar around his neck.

Since the wind was strong outside, Qiong Hua insisted on a jade-topped hat decorated with a string of agate beads. Lian Cheng looked in the mirror and thought it was a bit excessive.

Tong Xue said, "Since it's a banquet, you can't be too casual, or you'll breach etiquette."

After changing, he took a hand warmer and set out with Huqiu. Just then, Lian Xiusheng emerged from the newly built half-moon gate, head lowered. Against the icy snow, Lian Cheng appeared pure and solitary, like a lightly made-up Xishi.

"Third Brother," Lian Xiusheng said, bowing first.

Lian Cheng returned the bow. "Xiusheng, shall we go together?"

They left the estate together. A carriage was waiting outside, and a sedan chair had just arrived. Second Madam Wu Shi descended from it, cursing her maid for being too slow with the umbrella, letting her catch a chill. Then she saw the two brothers on the steps. The Lian family's most handsome were these two. Though each had his merits, Wu Shi still disliked Sixth Brother the most, feeling he made her son look like mud underfoot.

"So, you're off to Young Master Ye's banquet?" she said, leaning on her maid's arm as she walked slowly, already panting after a few steps. After a moment, she added, "Outside, be careful with your words and actions. Don't shame the Lian family."

After bowing to Second Madam, they boarded the carriage. But just as Lian Cheng got in, Huqiu, who had disappeared earlier, shouted from behind, "Master, you've gotten into the wrong carriage! Ours is this one!"

Wrong carriage? Lian Cheng lifted the curtain and stepped out, descending to the ground. Turning around, his heart grew colder in the biting wind. His original carriage was a flimsy sheep-drawn cart with white curtains!

The sheep stamped and bleated, as if urging him to get on.

Lian Cheng shivered and walked over. "I'll go with Sixth Brother today. Take the cart back and wait for me."

"We have our own carriage—why go with him?"

"No more nonsense. Quickly." Lian Cheng ran back to the front carriage and climbed in. Lian Xiusheng looked up. "I thought Third Brother wouldn't return."

"I told you, I'm coming with you." Lian Cheng warmed his hands with the hand warmer and studied Lian Xiusheng. "You don't have a hand warmer?"

Lian Xiusheng said indifferently, "One thrives in adversity, perishes in ease."

"..."

Lian Cheng had a sudden idea and extended a hand.

"What does Third Brother mean?"

Lian Cheng said, "Don't go to extremes—a bit of hardship, a bit of comfort."

Lian Xiusheng hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand in Lian Cheng's. It was as warm and soft as he'd expected.

Lian Cheng lowered his head. The icy hat beads dangled, brushing against Lian Xiusheng's wrist. Lian Cheng examined it and said, "Your hands are bigger than mine, and you're taller. What do you eat?"

"Just the usual food from the kitchen," Lian Xiusheng said. He sensed Lian Cheng's mind wandering and his hand starting to slip, so he instinctively squeezed tighter.

Lian Cheng winced, "Xiusheng, that hurts."

Lian Xiusheng loosened his grip a little.

"I'm here! Masters, sorry to keep you waiting!" Huqiu climbed in breathlessly, pushing aside the curtain with his arm. What he saw made him yelp—the two masters were holding hands.

Lian Cheng said, "Xiu Sheng didn't bring a hand warmer, so I'm warming his hands."

Huqiu's face flickered, and he reluctantly extended his hands. "Let me do that, young master." He reached out to take Lian Xiusheng's hand.

Lian Xiusheng blocked Huqiu's hand with the book in his other hand. "No need."

So Huqiu spent the whole ride wondering why his big hands weren't warmer than his master's slender little paws.

Lian Cheng didn't dwell on it. He lifted the curtain a crack and marveled at the sights: bustling streets, drums and flutes, lantern light and shadows, colorful crowds, noblemen and ladies in swirling skirts. Their carriage passed a lantern frame that craftsmen were building, likely for the upcoming Lantern Festival. On both sides, tall buildings buzzed with dice games, riddle contests, music, and zither playing. Rich young men and beauties, hangers-on and idlers—all gathered like clouds. Lian Cheng saw things he had and hadn't seen before, all in that one moment.

His restless, anxious heart suddenly calmed as the street scenes rolled past.

The carriage stopped in front of a quiet tavern lit by lanterns. Lian Xiusheng got off first and naturally reached a hand back toward the carriage.

Huqiu reached out, but Lian Xiusheng withdrew his hand.

-

Huqiu jumped down by himself. Lian Cheng placed his hand in Lian Xiusheng's, gathered his cape, and stepped down, hand warmer in hand. He looked around: white snow, layers of red plum blossoms. Two lines of verse were posted at the tavern door: "Fear not the bright moon's end; the night pearls will come."

Lian Cheng walked ahead, and Lian Xiusheng deliberately slowed his pace by a step or two out of respect for his elder brother.

Lian Cheng walked slowly, his mind already running through several books he'd read in recent days. He entered the door and was startled by the noise and energy inside. His ornate clothes and striking looks drew admiring glances from many in the main hall, but one look told them he was of high birth, and they sighed regretfully.

The waiter, sharp-eyed, bowed to the guests, and said cheerfully, "Long time no see, Third Master. Been busy lately?"

*I know this guy*, Lian Cheng thought, gripping his hand warmer. "Just lazy because of the cold."

The waiter added, "This must be Sixth Master of the Lian family. I've never met him in person, but today I see—truly a jade tree in the courtyard, a paragon among men!"

Lian Xiusheng had no interest in small talk. "Can you take us to Young Master Ye's private room?"

"Right away!" the waiter agreed readily. "Please follow me."

The waiter led them up the stairs, chattering incessantly as he went, "Third master, you haven't been here in so long — I've been watching the door for you so long my eyes are about to fall out. I can't even muster the energy to eat properly; I've been wasting away, dropping two ounces a day. If you hadn't shown up, I'd have just disappeared."

Before Lian Cheng could respond, Huqiu snapped in a low voice, "You rascal! You've got no shame at all — are you asking for a beating?"

The waiter chuckled. "Brother Huqiu is still as fierce as ever. Oh, I'm so scared!"

He kept talking all the way until they reached the top floor. Lian Cheng, hands on his hips, leaned against the unruffled Lian Xiusheng. "Finally made it."

The waiter pushed open the door to the private room and announced that the two young masters Lian had arrived. Then he turned back to them with a beaming smile. "Master Ye has rented out the entire top floor. Inside, you can enjoy music and song; outside, you can admire the snow and recite poetry. However, the higher-ups were worried about you young gentlemen — they feared you might drink too much and cause trouble — so they specifically assigned two officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to look after you. Third master, you should also drink lightly, so you don't make those two officers have to deal with you. Whatever you wish to eat or drink, there are attendants in the room; just give them a word. I'll be going downstairs now."

The waiter, nimble as a monkey, disappeared in a flash. But Lian Cheng stood lost in thought, his head lowered. The Embroidered Uniform Guard — the hunting dogs of a wise ruler, the claws and fangs of a tyrant. There was no way they'd be acting like nursemaids looking after a bunch of young masters. Most likely, the emperor didn't trust these rich-kid aristocrats and had specifically sent them to keep watch.

"Third brother, what's wrong?" Seeing Lian Cheng hesitate, Lian Xiusheng asked quietly.

Lian Cheng snapped out of it and was about to speak when a man with a wine cup in hand, Li Wan, rushed out from inside the room. He looked around, spotted Lian Cheng, and ran over in great delight, hooking his arm around Lian Cheng's neck and dragging him away from Lian Xiusheng.

"Minzi, oh Minzi, how I've missed you! I sent you an invitation the day before yesterday to come play with me, but your mother told me you were busy catching up on your studies and couldn't go out. Ah, Minzi, how could you secretly do such a shameless and despicable thing behind my back?!"

"Today, I must punish you with three cups — no, ten cups!"

It seems the ancients also resented their friends secretly out-studying them.

"Everyone, stop — let's see who's arrived!" Li Wan, arm around Lian Cheng, walked to the center of the room and even turned him around.

Lian Cheng took the opportunity to glance around. Damn, what a huge private room. Damn, so many rich brats from ancient official families.

Among these young gentlemen, this body's original owner had always been popular. Genuine or not, his looks never failed to make these romantic types — who would write poems for any beauty — bow in admiration. As long as matters didn't touch on court politics, he was fine with drinking and merrymaking. But ugly faces were always a pain to look at.

"Third Lang, haven't seen you in a while! What have you been up to, holed up in your mansion?"

"Young Master Ye has invited Ming Shu to sing opera for us. Third Lang, guess which opera Ming Shu will sing for us?"

"Not seen you for a month, Third Lang — your charm is even more stunning than before!"

Lian Cheng was dizzied by the barrage of flattery, but a hand reached out and rescued him from the noisy crowd. As soon as Lian Xiusheng appeared, they all fell silent — because they were all the black sheep of their families.

Lian Xiusheng's calm and distant manner kept people at a distance, making them dare not say another word, let alone try to pull Lian Minzi away from him.

"Let me first take Third brother to pay respects to Young Master Ye. After that, you may pester my third brother all you like."

A bold one asked: "Sixth Lang, do you mean that?"

Lian Xiusheng smiled faintly, ambiguous. "Perhaps not."