Chapter 35

Chapter 35: The Thirty-Fifth Episode

So it wasn't bribery after all.

Lian Cheng let go without a trace of hesitation and turned to check on Huqiu, still lying in the snow. Huqiu was a big man, and Lian Cheng struggled to help him up, asking if he was hurt and where it hurt.

Huqiu winced, "My back hurts terribly."

Lian Cheng offered to call a doctor for him, but Huqiu said he was just a worthless body and would be fine soon, no need for a doctor or wasting money.

Lian Xiusheng had already fetched the medicine on his own. He placed the jar in front of Huqiu and said, "Jin Cai knows a thing or two about sprains and bruises. When he gets home, he'll take a look at you."

Huqiu nodded then, grinning, "Sixth Brother really has a strong kick."

Lian Xiusheng said nothing, then after a long moment, said he would be more careful in the future.

Huqiu's smile faded, "Don't let there be a next time."

After this commotion, Lian Xiusheng asked Lian Cheng why he hadn't gone inside. Lian Cheng invited Lian Xiusheng to join him by the brazier to roast sweet potatoes, saying, "I searched everywhere for you tonight and didn't find you. I didn't know you'd gone out. I waited in vain."

"Third Brother sat out here in the bitter cold just waiting for me to return?"

Lian Cheng: "It's not that cold—there's a charcoal brazier. Sit down, and I'll let you try something new."

Lian Xiusheng sat on a round stool across from Lian Cheng. After a moment, he handed over the packages of snacks he'd been carrying. "Then I have something for Third Brother too."

Lian Cheng could tell at a glance that it was food. He took it and glanced at Lian Xiusheng. "You've got a strange look on your face. Reluctant to part with it?"

Lian Xiusheng shook his head, saying no. He just lowered his head, searching in the snow for the fire tongs that had fallen during the scuffle. He set the collapsed silver-filament charcoal upright again, and the flames blazed higher. But the warmth on his body slowly settled. Third Brother was so slow on the uptake—he had no idea that the snacks he was stuffing into his mouth carried someone else's feelings.

"Is this a sweet potato?" Lian Xiusheng recognized the lumps huddled by the brazier, nudging them with the tongs. "Third Brother finally decided to bring it out?"

"..." What "finally decided"? Lian Cheng had no idea—that must have been something the original body had done. Probably hoarding them to keep from sharing with his younger siblings. Lian Cheng could only play dumb, saying, "These candied plums really suit my taste. I spoil you—let me feed you one."

Lian Xiusheng looked up, and before he could open his mouth, a candied plum was popped in. He mumbled a thank you to Third Brother, his heart sweetened through.

Lian Cheng was fair to everyone—he turned to feed Huqiu next. Huqiu opened his mouth wide, waiting for the offering. But Lian Cheng was called back by Lian Xiusheng's voice.

"Third Brother, you haven't told me yet—is this a sweet potato?"

Lian Cheng had no choice but to hand the whole bag of paper-wrapped plums to Huqiu and tell him to eat by himself.

"Yes, it's a sweet potato. Have you ever tried it?"

Lian Xiusheng said he hadn't, "But I heard Lord Zeng mention it. It's a specialty from Min Prefecture."

Lian Cheng rolled up his sleeves. "Since you haven't, let me give you a taste."

After roasting for a while, it should be ready. Lian Cheng picked the smallest one, poked it into the snow with his finger, and buried it in the surrounding snow. "Cooling it down." He looked up and smiled at Lian Xiusheng.

Lian Xiusheng watched his Third Brother crouching in the snow. Despite being dressed in stark crow-blue, when he smiled, his teeth were like glutinous rice, stirring pity in one's heart.

He wanted to pull Third Brother into his arms and hold him close, but he knew it was against propriety. Without parental consent, a matchmaker's word, or Third Brother's own approval, he merely steadied him when he wobbled standing up. Third Brother's waist was very slender and soft.

Lian Cheng focused on peeling the sweet potato. It was hot at first, so he rubbed it with snow until it cooled, then deftly peeled it and handed it to Lian Xiusheng.

Lian Xiusheng said another thank you, took the golden sweet potato, and asked, "When did Third Brother become so skilled at this?"

Lian Cheng was taken aback. Eating is eating—why doubt my identity? Could my identity possibly be false?

No, it wasn't false. But could I possibly tell you?

So Lian Cheng gave a scornful laugh, sat back on the round stool, and spread his legs wide. "What's so hard about that? I'm naturally gifted. I learn anything in one try."

Lian Xiusheng then glanced coolly at Huqiu. "From now on, don't let your master do these things himself."

Huqiu fidgeted. "The young master insisted on peeling them for Sixth Brother. If I took over, that would be improper, wouldn't it?"

Lian Xiusheng's lashes fluttered. "As you wish."

Lian Cheng, completely oblivious to Lian Xiusheng's change in expression, urged him to take a bite. Lian Cheng himself ate everything with relish—his tongue was utterly unreliable. He needed to hear someone else's opinion.

Under Lian Cheng's expectant gaze, Lian Xiusheng took a bite, savored it, and said it was good.

"Ah!" Lian Cheng slapped his thigh in exasperation, grabbed another sweet potato, and threw it into the snow, summoning Huqiu. "Huqiu, you taste this too!"

Huqiu poured the last few candied plums into his mouth and ran over to join his master in retrieving the sweet potato. Both of them were burned and cried out, making a ruckus. After a long while, Huqiu finally took a bite. His eyes lit up, but he was scalded by the sweet potato stuck to his palate, so he panted heavily. Once he swallowed, his eyes were watery. "Master, it's really sweet!"

That was the reaction Lian Cheng wanted. He slapped Huqiu's shoulder hard. "If it's good, eat more."

Huqiu found his master's words sometimes divine and sometimes odd, but that was how he'd always been, so he understood and nodded vigorously.

Only after receiving this affirmation did Lian Cheng eat his own portion. While peeling it, he was scalded again and stomped his feet. A hand reached out and took the burning hot sweet potato from him.

Lian Cheng looked up at Lian Xiusheng, startled. In that moment, the little traitor's face, lit by the red charcoal fire, shone with a cool luster. Lian Cheng cleared his throat and looked away awkwardly. He was handsome enough, but his heart was wicked. Yet when he looked back and saw the reddened tips of the other's fingers from the heat, Lian Cheng reconsidered—perhaps his heart wasn't all that bad.

Brothers together, harmonious and joyful—was this what it felt like to have a family?

Lian Cheng thought he was still too easily moved. If this continued, would he end up colluding with Lian Xiusheng?

"Doesn't it burn?" Lian Cheng asked softly.

"Years of writing and sword practice have built up calluses. Third Brother needn't worry." With that, Lian Xiusheng handed the peeled sweet potato back to Lian Cheng.

Lian Cheng thanked him, took the sweet potato, and Lian Xiusheng looked at the remaining ones and asked, "Who are these for?"

"Tutor Guan, Xia Shutong, the two older sisters, and Man Cai and Jin Cai in your courtyard."

Lian Xiusheng smiled. "They're lucky."

Lian Cheng: "Naturally."

Huqiu, hearing that everyone in the courtyard was getting a share, asked Lian Cheng's permission and ran off to call the others. Soon they all came out. As soon as Qiong Hua saw Lian Cheng in the snow, she cried out "Ah!" and turned to scold Huqiu, the rascal, for letting the young master freeze outside, threatening to skin him. After hearing he was injured, she immediately tried to drag him inside to examine him, and only desisted when told he was fine. Tong Xue went to tend to the sweet potatoes. Old Master Guan asked Huqiu to fetch a jar of wine and a plate of donkey meat. Only Xia Shutong had gone to sleep and couldn't be roused.

Man Cai appeared later, saying he hadn't seen Jin Cai. Lian Cheng was curious, and everyone looked at Lian Xiusheng. Lian Xiusheng said, "On the way, he said he wanted to buy some cloth to make clothes for you. He should be home soon."

Lian Cheng was still thinking that Jin Cai was a decent fellow, when Qiong Hua giggled, "You little minx, your father sure spoils you—going out this late in this cold to get cloth for clothes."

Man Cai protested, "Sister, stop teasing me!"

Lian Cheng's eyes darted between them, feeling something odd but unable to pinpoint it. He lowered his head and bit into the sweet potato. Sweet.

Before he could swallow, fleet-footed Jin Cai returned. Man Cai snatched the cloth without a care for him, saying "I like this ingot pattern," and ran off with it. Lian Xiusheng looked up and noticed his empty hands. "Why didn't you buy some for yourself?" he asked. Jin Cai said, "I'm out running around all day, no need for fancy patterns. Man Cai moves about the house; his clothes are the family's face, can't slack." Lian Xiusheng smiled and said nothing.

Everyone sat down to eat sweet potatoes. Huqiu had not only brought wine and meat from the kitchen but also a jar of carp soup. He took out bowls and poured it for the two masters. Lian Cheng ate whatever was given to him. Lian Xiusheng declined, saying he didn't want any, and busied himself adding charcoal to the brazier.

Later, Man Cai, now wearing his new clothes, came out with a pipa. Before plucking the strings, he said, "Third Brother, I'm not very good at the pipa. But our brother's qin playing is truly unmatched."

Lian Cheng: "Huh?"

Seeing Lian Cheng's surprise, Lian Xiusheng said, "I occasionally pluck the strings, not worth listening to."

Lian Cheng said nothing more, overwhelmed by the sheer power of his rival—it was like bullying by sending a minion to take down a tower.

Man Cai played "Drunk in the Midst of Heaven," his voice pinched just right as he sang, fresh and pleasing.

"Breaking through Zhuangzi's dream, two wings riding the east wind. Plundering three hundred famous gardens, one after another, leaving them empty. Who says it's a romantic breed? It frightens the honey-seeking bees. With a light flutter, it sweeps the flower seller east of the bridge."

Lian Cheng listened intently, eyes lowered, pondering whether the butterfly in the song or the Kun and Peng in Zhuangzi's book were bigger.

Lian Cheng found no answer. Embroidered silk robes rustled in the deep alley, and snow fell in clusters once more. When he raised his eyes to look around, everything seemed dreamlike and illusory—he felt like an empty boat adrift, a carefree wanderer in his heart.

-

That night, Lian Cheng stayed in Lian Xiusheng's room, as previously agreed.

Lian Xiusheng's room was not as warm as Penglai Pavilion. Penglai Pavilion had walls coated with Sichuan pepper and a hidden passage between the walls for burning charcoal to heat the room. Compared to Penglai Pavilion, Yiqiu was rather spartan. Though Lian Cheng said it didn't matter, Tong Xue felt sorry for him and placed several hot-water bottles under the covers for both of them.

Despite the hot-water bottles, Lian Cheng still felt quite cold. So as soon as the lamp was extinguished, he hugged Lian Xiusheng. "Xiu Sheng, are you cold? Let your elder brother warm you with his body."

The third brother's body was warm and soft. Lian Xiusheng pulled the corner of the quilt up to cover his shoulder and closed his eyes.

Lian Cheng was also extremely sleepy, too tired for the moment to scheme further, and was about to fall asleep.

"Third Brother."

"Hmm?" Not yet fully asleep, Lian Cheng answered.

But there was no follow-up.

"Third Brother."

After receiving no response, Lian Xiusheng gently placed his arm around his third brother's waist, pulling him a little closer. As long as his third brother didn't have nightmares, he slept very soundly. He had sent someone to inquire about what nightmares his third brother had and whether he was in them, but got no answer. The people in the next courtyard were masters of discretion—if they didn't want to say something, no one could pry it out.

But that was fine; he was always too lazy to listen to irrelevant people anyway. In the future, his third brother would tell him himself. He brushed aside a few strands of hair that had fallen by his brother's ear, his fingers sliding down his cheek, pressing his thumb against his lower lip—even softer than his waist.

Only for a moment did he withdraw his hand, but he didn't immediately put it back under the quilt. After a short while, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he placed the fingers that had touched his brother's lips against his own.

Emotion arises, but stops at propriety; he dared not presume to defile or blaspheme against his third brother.

Lian Cheng slept well through the night. When he woke, the person beside him was already up. He had the bed all to himself, rolling all over it, feeling on top of the world.

After lounging in bed for a while, Qiong Hua came to urge him to get up. He grabbed his clothes, threw them on haphazardly, and returned to Penglai Pavilion.

After finishing his sword practice and changing clothes, Lian Xiusheng returned to his room to find his third brother gone and the bedding neatly folded. He knew his brother had gone back.

Penglai Pavilion.

That morning's breakfast was chicken soup with bamboo shoot noodles, twice-cooked fresh fish, and seven or eight plates of fresh stir-fried vegetables—crisp and refreshing on the palate, perfect for cutting through grease.

Xia Shutong and Lian Cheng ate at the same table. Xia Shutong said, "Huqiu woke me up last night, and I was annoyed at first. But then I smelled the fragrance wafting from the courtyard into my room, and I drooled all over my pillow. Tonight, make it for me again! If I don't get to eat it, I'd rather die!"

Lian Cheng was still thinking about how long that basket of sweet potatoes would last. Just consuming without replenishing wasn't a solution; he needed to turn one into two, two into four, four into infinity—if they just ate what was there, how many days could it last?

So his response to Xia Shutong was a bit slow. Normally, slowness wouldn't matter, but today was different. Footsteps approached from outside. Lian Cheng leaned back to look and saw Lian Pu walking in hurriedly, followed by a squad of embroidered-uniform guards in square hats and green robes, with gilded copper belts and double-fish copper medals, wearing black boots. As they stepped into the courtyard, it was like dark clouds pressing down.

Lian Cheng quickly wiped his mouth, pulled Xia Shutong up, and went out to greet them.

With Lian Pu present, the younger generation didn't need to step forward. Lian Pu behaved with utter loss of dignity and cowardice so exaggerated that Lian Cheng couldn't bear to watch. A fourth-rank official bowed respectfully to a guard who didn't even rank high enough to wear a proper official robe, asking which person the esteemed officer had come to arrest.

"The fifth son of the Xia family."

Lian Pu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "For what reason?"

"The Northern Court handles its own affairs; there's no need to explain everything to Lord Lian," the towering centurion said coldly. Without another word, he moved directly to make the arrest. Lian Pu reacted quickly, pulling Lian Cheng to his side, exposing Xia Shutong.

Xia Shutong stumbled backward in panic, but the guards who had already reached him grabbed his arm. He shouted in alarm, demanding to know why they were arresting him. His two servants behind him went pale with fear.

"Your question is strange, young sir. When has the Northern Court ever had to explain itself to anyone?"

"If you can't explain to everyone, then explain to me—would that be acceptable?"

"..." Li Zhong looked down at the person who had rushed forward. After a momentary pause, he glanced at Lian Pu. "Third Lang of the Lian family certainly has courage."

But Li Zhong didn't direct his fierce anger at Lian Cheng. "I can't say much more. Just know that the batch of imperial wood that was supposed to arrive in the second month didn't arrive on time. And His Majesty happened to receive an account book, which recorded exactly how the imperial wood was secretly diverted, swapped, and sold."

Xia Shutong's eyes widened. "What does that have to do with me?"

"The account book has your Xia family's business name on it."

"So what? It's probably my good-for-nothing brothers back home who did it. I'm not even in the capital—I've been in the secondary capital all these years. I..."

"Young sir," Li Zhong cut him off impatiently, "the account book came from the secondary capital. This morning, Lord Xia submitted a confession to the palace. Eunuch Wu personally received it and read it to His Majesty. The confession said many things I don't know entirely, only that Lord Xia claimed he had failed to teach his sons, that his official conduct was muddled, that he couldn't manage his family, let alone govern the state, and he wished to retire to the secondary capital. His Majesty, considering that talent can come from anywhere and pitying Lord Xia's deep love for his son, was unwilling to let him retire. Instead, he ordered him to serve as governor in the secondary capital for two years. With Lord Xia playing the doting old ox, you, young sir, will come with us. The punishment won't be too harsh."

Lian Cheng was completely bewildered. Could this fool Xia Shutong really have stolen imperial wood? Or was he just faking being dumb? Lian Cheng thought he must remain vigilant—what if Xia Shutong was playing dumb to hide his true colors?

So Lian Cheng said nothing. Beside him, Xia Shutong's face and neck were reddening. He shouted, "When did I ever use the family business name on any ledger? When did I steal imperial wood? All these years in the secondary capital, I only ate, drank, and amused myself. How would I know anything about your business? I've been back in the capital less than a month, and you scoundrels are already setting me up like this!"

Li Zhong said sternly, "Young sir, there's no point arguing with us. Your guilt—Lord Xia himself wrote it."

With that, two guards behind Li Zhong stepped forward, one on each side of Xia Shutong, clamping his arms. Panicking, Xia Shutong tried to pull back, but the guard on the right drew his waist knife and struck hard at Xia Shutong's calf with the hilt. A howl of pain followed. Any attempt by Xia Shutong to struggle or escape was now impossible.

He could only beg Lian Cheng for help. Lian Cheng tried to step forward, but Lian Pu blocked him. "Don't be rash. Without evidence, how could the guards arrest someone randomly? Xia Shutong looked like a jade-faced, elegant young man, but who would have thought he could be such a pest? Why would you still take his side?"

How could the guards arrest someone randomly? Lian Cheng didn't believe it. The guards' job was to arrest people randomly.

But Lian Cheng had no power or influence, and indeed there was nothing he could do. He stood in the courtyard watching Xia Shutong being dragged away, wanting to shout, "Is there no law?" but knew it was pointless.

"Father is at the Court of Judicial Review—has he heard anything?" Lian Cheng had to ask.

Lian Pu said he hadn't.

Lian Cheng started thinking. Yesterday the Xia family was still calm; Xia Shutong had said his family would check on the imperial wood the next day. He couldn't tell when the trouble started, but it must have exploded before the emperor last night. For Xia Dan to write a confession that very night, and for the emperor to dispatch the guards at dawn—swift, clean, with no room for negotiation—this kind of speed meant that a group of people had colluded in tacit understanding. The ruler and his ministers loved each other, and Xia Shutong was likely just a pawn in their game.

But Lian Cheng was only speculating. He knew too little about the outside world. He realized Lian Pu was useless, so he went to find Lian Xiusheng.

"What does Third Brother want to know?"

Lian Cheng asked, "Xia Shutong was taken away by the guards for stealing imperial wood. Don't you think that's absurd?"

Lian Xiusheng paused his brush, looked up from behind the desk. "Are you very familiar with him?"

"... If I'm not familiar, can I not ask? When something is unjust, can I not ask?"

To hell with this feudal society!

Lian Xiusheng didn't want to anger his third brother. He put down his brush and said, "Lord Xia is old. Taking the blame and suffering punishment in his son's place—it's nothing to make a fuss about."

Hearing this, Lian Cheng gasped. "Does His Majesty know too?"

"That's not something we can speculate on," Lian Xiusheng said.

Bullshit! Lian Cheng cursed in his heart. A man who would hunt down his own elder brother's former officials—how could he possibly understand a minister's failure to educate his son? Ridiculous! This was clearly about protecting Xia Dan. To what extent? It all depended on how much loyalty Xia Dan could offer the emperor. And sure enough, Xia Dan had directly handed over his legitimate son.

When first entering the yamen, one's face is like a lotus; three years turn them into a Xiezhi (a mythical beast of justice), five years into a Bi'an (a fierce guardian). That's how it's always been.

Lian Cheng was not surprised; he only asked if there was a way to rescue him.

Lian Xiusheng said, "The current emperor will always give Xia Dan some face. After all, he has studied under Grand Secretary Ye."

So it was about giving face to Grand Secretary Ye. Lian Cheng leaned over Lian Xiusheng's desk and asked, "That face wouldn't be to grant Xia Shutong a whole corpse, would it?"

Lian Xiusheng’s mind was already growing troubled. He frowned slightly. His third elder brother had already asked so much about Xia Shutong—why did he keep asking, over and over? Even if he died, so what? It isn't that he's cold-hearted, but when the nest is overturned, no egg survives.

"The Brocade Guard wouldn't dare take his life."

Lian Cheng felt relieved. He turned to leave, but Lian Xiusheng caught his wrist. "Third elder brother, where are you going?"

"I must go inform Du Heng and the others. It's only been a month since we last dined together. I have to try—if we can manage to get him out, it wouldn't be..."

"Xia Shutong is definitely going to be punished. He is being punished for his father's sake. Even if you go to the emperor himself, it's useless."

Lian Cheng understood. He removed Lian Xiusheng's hand. "Even so, I cannot sit idly at home."

His third elder brother, a true scholar, a man of righteousness that reaches the clouds, loyalty that shines like the sun and moon—he simply left him behind and took off.