Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Lian Xiusheng bit back, but this time on the third brother's neck, and harder than the third brother had bitten him, forcing the third brother to let go first, the third brother's eyes brimming with tears.

Lian Cheng was jolted out of his drowsiness by the bite, covering his neck, "How dare you attack your superior? Insolent!"

The taste of third brother's fragrant neck still lingered between Lian Xiusheng's lips and teeth. He pursed his lips, said nothing, and merely pulled the third brother up from the plank. Over there, a square table for eight had been set up, laden with goose, wine, and fruit. Both were young and hungry, so they ate the entire spread until almost nothing was left. Later, Song Fangyu came to see them out. At the gate, she bowed three times and thanked them repeatedly.

Once home, Huqiu and Qiong Hua were both startled by the teeth marks on the two young masters. Huqiu joked that the mosquitoes had a real good set of teeth.

Lian Cheng shot a look at Lian Xiusheng, "This mosquito is probably the sixth in line at home."

That made it clear—they knew it was just a playful bite. Qiong Hua, still uneasy, fetched some medicine from Tong Xue and applied it to both of them.

"Young master, really, why did you bite Sixth Brother on the face? How will he face his colleagues and superiors at the yamen later?" Qiong Hua said with a laugh.

"I'm the one who got bitten where I can't show my face."

Qiong Hua laughed twice, then stopped, asking if the Song family's daughter had been very sad today, and whether she had obtained the title of Commandery Lady, securing her livelihood from now on, so that Lord Song and his wife could rest in peace.

"She is indeed saddened," Lian Cheng said, changing out of his mourning clothes and grabbing a rose-flavored cake to eat. He noticed the rose filling tasted lighter, not as sweet and cloying as before. He asked if this was the snack sent by Fourth Madam via Jin Chai.

After Qiong Hua confirmed it, Lian Cheng continued eating, sighing, "Fourth Madam has a clever and delicate heart, skilled in all four arts. I didn't expect she could also make tea snacks."

"Indeed," Qiong Hua agreed. "Even now, many scholars still write poems and books about the Fourth Madam from back then."

"Today's east wind still blows as before, but no one asks about the old flowers anymore. If they saw the Fourth Madam now, they'd probably be scared out of their wits and run away."

"Young master is right. If they truly loved her, when Fourth Madam's face was disfigured by the great fire back then, why would her business fail? Only Lord Lian was willing to take her in."

Hearing this, Lian Cheng fell silent. He thought that Lian Pu might have taken Zhou Yaniang in mostly because of Lian Xiusheng.

But enough of this chatter. The next day, after breakfast at the Song residence, a servant reported that the two Ministers—of Revenue and of Rites—along with four Vice Ministers, had arrived. All those responsible for receiving guests hurriedly dressed and prepared to greet them. The arriving officials brought a total of forty-six loads of gifts. Song Censor's two nephews and Lady Song's nephew joined the mourners in offering incense and wailing. After the rituals were completed, they led the guests to the back for food and drink.

Soon after, a servant reported that Censor Song's colleagues and superiors had also arrived, with twenty-six loads of gifts. As the crowd of officials came to offer condolences, another line of sedan chairs appeared around the corner. This time it was the Minister of Justice and his entourage. Once they were all welcomed inside, they joined the earlier guests at tables for a meal.

Before they had even finished two cups of wine, more people arrived at the mourning hall, including Ye Xin, who came with a group to offer incense and pay respects to Censor Song. Zhang Ailian sent Lian Xiusheng, who was on leave to help, to receive them. The two were close friends. Lian Xiusheng went over, exchanged a few words, and then Ye Xin left as was appropriate.

Lian Cheng's status didn't allow him to approach these high-ranking officials, so he took it easy, sitting on a pile of spare bamboo and observing them. It was rare to see such a group in person.

He saw Xie Lanjin, the Minister of Revenue, who appeared to be no more than forty. His face was as white as snow, his eyes as black as ink, but his lips were as thin as paper and his ears as big as a Buddha statue's. He wore a Tang cap, a green robe, and straw sandals, looking quite unconventional and simple, back to basics. Lian Cheng remembered his fate in the book—retiring early and returning to his hometown, planting beans under the southern mountain. That suited his attire.

Then he looked at Han Guilin, the Minister of Personnel, on his left. A tall, thin figure, with eyebrows flying up to his temples, and temples streaked with white hair. He looked fierce even when not smiling, and dignified when he did. His attire was quite different from Xie Lanjin's—though also in mourning clothes, he wore a dark-patterned straight robe with a green jade belt. The Ministry of Personnel was often considered the head of the six ministries, overseeing the selection, appointment, honors, and evaluations of officials throughout the empire. This man's power was probably second only to Grand Secretary Ye, but later, Lian Xiusheng would oust him from his position and send him to a barren land as a governor. Your good days are numbered, old man.

Finally, he saw the Minister of Justice for the first time. His surname was Chen, his given name Lu. He was tall and imposing, with an extraordinary bearing. Among this crowd of scheming paper tigers, Chen Lu stood upright, not flattering, not toasting, standing out like a crane among chickens. Lian Cheng remembered that this man was well-versed in laws and regulations, discerning in every detail, and had a kind, Confucian heart. So in the book, he had exchanged sharp words and even physical blows with the endless stream of madmen in the Dayao court for years. In the end, he didn't fall victim to his colleagues or Lian Xiusheng, but to the increasingly brutal emperor. After one morning court session, he returned home and refused food and drink for several days, thus dying.

The governance of the empire was centralized in the six ministries. Although not all were present today, these few collectively controlled the livelihoods of most of the empire's people. Lian Cheng watched them for a long time, feeling a sense of confusion and illusion. He felt that the people were precious, yet also worthless.

"Is that your third son?" someone at the table said to Lian Pu. It was the Left Vice Minister of Revenue. "He's been in charge of arrest duties recently, promoted quickly. I saw him at a tavern a few years ago—a real dashing young man. Now he looks much more proper and spirited. Lord Lian, you've raised your son well."

"Send him over to meet us uncles, and have a few cups of wine."

Lian Pu quickly stood up, bowed, and refused. "My son can't handle much wine. One cup and he'll definitely make a fool of himself. Gentlemen, better not let him come."

Lian Cheng didn't hear clearly, but he knew these people were bored and looking for amusement, wanting to summon him. What did a Commissioner matter to these top officials? Probably just dog shit. So he stood up and walked away.

Before he had even turned out of the mourning shed, a figure that had been standing nearby for who knows how long suddenly flashed out and blocked his path.

Lian Cheng was startled. Looking up, he saw Lian Xiusheng. He punched him, "What are you doing, playing at being a ghost in broad daylight?"

Lian Xiusheng replied instead of answering, "The old gentleman from the Ministry of Revenue said he saw Third Brother in his dashing days at a tavern. Brother, please explain that to me."

Lian Cheng couldn't remember how dashing his former self had been. But if he could bring a male prostitute into the house, then the degree of dashing must be beyond description. So Lian Cheng crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow lightly, "Sixth Brother, are you envious?"

Seeing his third brother's flirtatious look, Lian Xiusheng felt a stirring in his heart again.

But he also grew more displeased, though he didn't show it. Instead, he pretended to be considerate and virtuous. "The Dayao law stipulates that any official caught consorting with prostitutes shall be punished with sixty strokes of the cane, and the matchmaker shall be reduced by one degree. For the sons or grandsons of officials, the punishment is the same. Third Brother, you should watch yourself and behave."

Lian Cheng was taken aback, then cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for the reminder, Sixth Brother. I have indeed reformed. Rest assured!" With that, he patted Lian Xiusheng's shoulder and ran off. Zhang Xian and the others had come to help.

Lian Xiusheng recalled the nonchalant expression and tone of his third brother just now. He thought that if his third brother strayed again, for every offense, he would burn down a brothel. Over time, he could burn them all.

-

That day, the various Ministers and Vice Ministers took their leave one after another, with horses and sedan chairs coming and going in an endless stream. By evening, the mourners had cried their eyes red and their voices hoarse. The one managing the mourning accounts had written his hand off. The relatives and idle guests who had hosted the visitors were exhausted. The rituals were to last a full ten days. At daybreak, Zhang Ailian sent everyone to rest. Seeing that she was already unable to hide her fatigue, Song Fangyu hurriedly invited her, along with the nanny, to rest in her own room.

Zhang Ailian couldn't hold out any longer and didn't refuse. She only instructed Song Fangyu to remember to tell Lian Cheng to go home quickly and rest, and not to stay up drinking and playing with his gang of friends.

The room's lamp was extinguished, the door closed. The nanny walked respectfully behind Song Fangyu, hands folded. "Elder sister, how can we manage without a man in the house? In my opinion, Lian Family's third son is really good. You two aren't without fate. Why not ask a matchmaker to see what's possible?"

Song Fangyu was not without feelings; otherwise, she wouldn't have attended that flower-viewing banquet. But you can't force these things. She said, "I only wish him to soar and achieve great things, so I won't entertain any thoughts of him. Mother, please don't mention marriage again, lest it harm our two families' relations."

It was already at daybreak. Lian Xiusheng was leaning in a corner on a couch, reading a book. A few steps away was an eight-immortal table, cluttered with cups, plates, bowls, tea, wine, and snacks. When Song Fangyu arrived, Li Wan was half-dressed, playing drinking games. Seeing a young lady approach, he quickly straightened his clothes and pulled up the rowdy ones. They all greeted Song Fangyu. Song Fangyu said, "The Princess sent me to tell you all that it's late, and you should go home. Little Prince, you came on horseback. I can prepare a sedan chair for you. You..."

"No need," Li Wan said, draping an arm over Lian Cheng's shoulder. "We're all going to spend the night at Minzi's courtyard tonight. You don't need to bother."

Lian Cheng was still wondering when they had arranged that, when Lian Xiusheng in the corner stood up with his book and said flatly, "Penglai Pavilion's guest rooms can't fit all of you."

Zhang Xian said, "Hey, I heard that the bed Minzi sleeps on is a large bed with a gold-beaded curtain and mother-of-pearl-inlaid railings, specially made by a craftsman hired by Lord Lian. Not just the four of us, but even eight of us could fit. Young Lord Lian, don't worry about us. You don't drink, so you should go home early."

Lian Xiusheng, hearing that Zhang Xian was going to sleep on the same bed as his third brother—the very bed he and his third brother had shared—stormed out in a huff.

Lu Zhen, holding a tea bowl, blinked, "I feel like Young Lord Lian is sulking at us?"

Lian Cheng scratched his head, "He's quick-tempered. I'll go check on him later. Let's go first."

So the group quickly grabbed pastries and snacks from the table, stuffed them in their pockets, and bid farewell to Song Fangyu one by one.

At the door, Lu Zhen kept looking back. Zhang Xian asked what he was looking at, but he was looking at Lian Cheng. "Minzi, I think Miss Song likes you."

Lian Cheng threw a melon seed at him, "You've had too much to drink! She's just grateful to me."

Penglai Pavilion welcomed rare guests, keeping the servants and maids busy. Fortunately, the young masters were not picky or troublesome. As long as there was hot water, clean clothes, and a place to sleep, they were fine.

Huqiu brought the nightclothes that Lian Cheng usually wore when sleeping, handing them to the three young masters. Each took the clothes—the top and pants were light, soft, and smooth, with a slit in the front secured by buttons and buttonholes, which could be opened for urination. Zhang Xian couldn't let go. "This style of nightclothes looks new. Is it specifically for sleeping? I'll have my mother make me two sets."

Li Wan didn't care about that. He picked up the clothes, buried his face in them, and took a deep breath. "Minzi, your clothes smell so good!"

Lian Cheng, sitting on the arhat bed and eating melon seeds, said, "The housekeeper in my courtyard has already taken people to clean up the guest rooms for you. I'll have someone show you there later."

Li Wan looked up sharply, "Can't we brothers stay together?"

"I'm not used to it."

Li Wan said no more.

The four of them rushed into the bathhouse. Even Li Wan, a little prince, was startled by the large pool in Penglai Pavilion's bathhouse. It wasn't so much the precious materials as the spaciousness and elegance—hanging screens and rolled curtains on all sides, a tea table and chessboard on the floor. Lian Cheng took off his clothes and stepped into the steaming pool, not forgetting to remind them, "The things up there belong to my sixth brother. Don't touch them."

Li Wan knew they were Lian Xiusheng's, so he deliberately reached out and pulled at the hanging screens, scrambled a few pieces on the unfinished chessboard, and only then entered the bath.

But just as Li Wan stepped into the pool, Lian Cheng got out of the water. The steam was too thick, and he didn't see clearly, only heard Lian Cheng's voice.

My servant Huqiu will attend to you; treat him well, I treat him like a brother. You may also sleep in the bed in my room, but do not touch the books and paintings on the table—they are also like brothers to me. I am going to sleep now.

Lu Zhen asked him where he would sleep if not in his own room.

"Don't worry about that."

Lian Cheng walked away quickly, his body still dripping wet, without even drying himself off. As the wind blew, he felt both cold and hot.

By now, most of the rooms were connected. Leaving the bathhouse, there was no need to go outside; passing through a few covered corridors, he could reach Yiqiu's courtyard. He went straight to Lian Xiusheng's room, where it was dark and desolate, as if the season were already three months ahead of the outdoors.

Lian Cheng shivered, stepped around the screen, and in two steps climbed onto Lian Xiusheng's bed. He swung one leg over to the inner side, lifted the covers, and burrowed in, his face flushed like peach blossoms, his eyes like rippling waves. "Sixth brother, a surprise, isn't it?"