Chapter 80

Chapter 80: The Eightieth Chapter

Lian Xiusheng tried to find sincerity in Third Brother's eyes, but Third Brother's heart held all things in the world except him. So he held Third Brother tighter and said he would not let go.

Hearing this, Lian Cheng's heart swayed like duckweed without roots on water. He looked fearfully at the empty courtyard outside the study, his eyelashes fluttering like autumn cicada wings caught in a net. "I am your third brother, we are brothers, you cannot do this," he said.

Lian Xiusheng said indifferently, "We have no blood relation."

Lian Cheng said, "But we have studied and grown up together since childhood. We call the same man father and the same woman mother. We are two plants of completely different genes, yet we are rooted in the same soil. Our roots, stems, leaves—our blooming and bearing fruit—all come from the same earth. Xiusheng, perhaps we are even closer than blood brothers."

Hearing this three-part sophistry, Lian Xiusheng murmured, "Since we brothers are already a pair of flatfish and twinned branches..."

"Who's a flatfish with you, and who's twinned branches with you?" Lian Cheng said, both ashamed and indignant.

Lian Xiusheng lowered his head and said softly, "Chang'e, moved by love, chose to dwell in the Cold Palace. Third Brother, are you trying to follow in Chang'e's footsteps? But where on earth could you find a Cold Palace?"

"Who's moved?" Lian Cheng shoved Lian Xiusheng, but nearly fell backward off the windowsill himself. Fortunately, Lian Xiusheng caught him with quick eyes and hands, then steadied him back into a seated position.

"Lian Cheng." Lian Xiusheng called out Third Brother's name, and seeing Third Brother's autumn-water eyes, called again, "Lian Cheng." Third Brother immediately became teary-eyed but dared not lower his gaze, fearing tears would fall.

"How—how dare you! How dare you call your elder brother by his name?"

"Minzi, Minzi." Lian Xiusheng pressed his nose against Third Brother's, not only calling his elder brother's given name but even going so far as to use his courtesy name.

Lian Cheng gritted his teeth and said, "I have no feelings for you."

Lian Xiusheng's palm still held Third Brother's waist. After a long silence, a faint, bleak smile rose on his face. "The oriole's too lazy to sing, the golden cicada's got nowhere to land. Since my beauty's got no heart for me, don't call me brother from now on."

Lian Cheng said, "You're not making any sense. When did I ever say I wouldn't be your brother?"

"It is I who no longer wishes it." After saying this, Lian Xiusheng lifted Third Brother down from the windowsill, then pressed the lantern into his hands. Tears glistened in his eyes. He said the moon in the tower's heart, the wind beneath the fan—love's bonds weigh heavy; he lamented that his fate was not like the "Chai Tou Feng" poem—wasting away like the man of Dongyang, ashamed to face the bronze mirror. He said he'd come into this world nursing a grudge, only wanting revenge, but who knew that in this mortal world, personal feelings would churn up his calm waters. He said that from tomorrow onward, not even the isles of the sea or the peaks of Huashan could stand in the way of his revenge and vindication.

Lian Cheng clutched the lantern, ultimately unable to bring himself to stomp it to pieces, but the other's words ignited his anger. "You're threatening me?" he asked.

"How would your little brother dare to threaten his big brother?"

"I'd say you've got plenty of nerve!"

Lian Cheng was really worked up, really hot under the collar. This time the other was far more forceful than before—soft as a fresh willow, yet wrapping him up so tight he was a cocoon on the tree. They were one, inseparable, but Lian Xiusheng was now threatening him with separation, with the life and death of the whole tree. Lian Xiusheng wanted to turn that tree-cocoon into a bud, a flower, a fruit!

Lian Cheng thought of how a month ago, when Lian Pu was severely injured, the entire Lian household had been thrown into turmoil. Though his identity was a fake, his feelings for these people were real, and he had worried along with everyone else. If he had known nothing, it would have been one thing—but it was his fate to have Lian Xiusheng as his tribulation, and he knew everything.

"What do you want?" Lian Cheng's eyes blazed as he asked.

"I want to be with Third Brother in cloud and rain, dawn and dusk, through snow, moon, wind, and flowers." Seeing Third Brother's attitude soften, Lian Xiusheng stepped forward and took his hand. It was cold and damp, and his heart ached. He invited Third Brother to stay the night at his Yiqiu residence.

Lian Cheng looked like he'd been scared out of his wits. He shoved Lian Xiusheng back several steps with one palm. "Your big brother needs some time to get his head around this!" After throwing out these words, Lian Cheng ran from Yiqiu like he'd seen a ghost, abandoning the lantern.

A shortcut now existed between Yiqiu and Penglai Pavilion. Lian Cheng cut straight through the peach blossom grove, like he'd just escaped a tiger's jaws. When he saw the ornate lanterns of Penglai Pavilion, he relaxed slightly and sat down against the railing of a corridor. In the distance, Qiu Mama led two maidservants with brooms over, asking why he was so flustered. Seeing he had come from Yiqiu, she asked if something had happened there.

"Nothing, nothing." Lian Cheng wiped his sweat. "Qiu Mama, what brings you to this out-of-the-way spot?"

The old woman folded her hands and replied, "The maidservant who managed the sweeping went home to get married and hold her wedding banquet, and another reported sick. I had to find two replacements—there's a whole courtyard full of work to do."

Lian Cheng nodded. "Then when you're done with your work, Qiu Mama, rest early. I'll just cool off a bit and head back on my own."

Qiu Mama urged Lian Cheng to return to his room soon, saying there were many mosquitoes outside. When Lian Cheng agreed, she led the maidservants away.

As the corridor ended and they passed through a moon gate in the courtyard, the two maidservants kept glancing back and exchanging looks. Qiu Mama walked leisurely ahead, and a cold voice emerged from her mouth: "Third Brother is the pearl in the mistress's eye and the apple of the master's eye. In all things, don't overstep your bounds with Third Brother. He's good-natured, but not everyone in this house is as easy to deal with as him. There are plenty of slick, sharp cookies around. If you make Third Brother unhappy today, someone will come deal with you later."

The two maidservants acknowledged behind her, exchanged glances, and said no more.

-

Let's not even talk about how scared and worried Lian Cheng was that day. Before long, Lian Xiusheng moved from the Ministry of Works to the Ministry of Rites. Though he was still bouncing around the Six Ministries and still a vice minister, his power had grown a lot. The capital's folks saw it and were drooling over it—people came knocking with congratulations for days on end.

Lian Cheng, meanwhile, had some free time these past few days, since nothing big was bothering him at the office. All the minor affairs he delegated to Ji Xing and the other two. These three had spent years working the system in government offices and were way slicker and more capable than him—there was nothing they couldn't handle. Since Lian Cheng was a rare and excellent superior, they remained fairly loyal. Word around the office was that these three were the hardest to bribe, and that Vice Commander Lian had secretly been feeding them magic potion—three times a day, one bowl each time, never missing a meal—which was how he secured their devoted service.

The fancier Yiqiu got, the more worried Penglai Pavilion became.

Huqiu figured Lian Cheng was upset because the neighbor got promoted again and comforted him: "The flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully this year. Want to go take a look, young master?"

Lian Cheng was sprawled on the couch reading a novel, all listless. "They didn't bloom well before?"

It sounded like he was picking a fight, but Huqiu didn't catch on. He leaned on the armrest nearby and said, "Fifth Miss and the cousin miss are probably getting married this year. A month ago, Fourth Madam and the mistress had the whole garden redone."

"Both married off at once?" Lian Cheng asked.

"The auspicious dates haven't been chosen yet, but a matchmaker came to the door a few days ago," Huqiu said. "Sister Tong Xue said all their birth charts match quite well."

Lian Cheng had also picked up Lian Xiusheng's snarky way of talking: "It's just because they see my old man hasn't kicked the bucket yet and my sixth brother got promoted, so they're here to match charts. These charts—if they want them to match, they'll just change the birth hours."

"You and Sixth Brother's charts truly do match, though," Huqiu said with a grin. "That one isn't fake."

"Why do you suddenly bring up Lian Xiusheng?" Lian Cheng's storybook flew out of his hand. He sprang up and stood on the couch, hair loose and clothes disheveled, looking nothing like a proper adult.

Huqiu: "You brought him up first."

Seeing Lian Cheng deflate and collapse back down, Huqiu poured him a bowl of cold jasmine and honeysuckle tea to quell his fire, while asking in confusion, "You've been harder to serve since returning from Yiqiu that night. Did you run into a ghost over there?"

"Yes, I did." After drinking his fill of the cool tea, even his words came out cold. He picked up his hairnet and put it on casually, tied a dark green woven gold sash around his clothes, grabbed a fan, and invited Huqiu to go admire the flowers in the garden.

The newly built pavilion between the two courtyards sat among flowering trees and terraces. In the distance were several pools of emerald water; up close, clusters of emerald bamboo and pine. Lotus and lotus leaves vied for beauty in the ponds, while lilacs and orchids dotted the groves. The terraces and pavilions connected with the mansion's corridors and courtyards. Moon windows and snow caves hung with pearl curtains, dappled tree shadows shifting—those viewing flowers wandered about until they circled back to the pavilion.

The pavilion was hung on all four sides with Hunan bamboo blinds, half rolled up and half hanging down. Lian Cheng rolled up his sleeves and lifted one blind completely, revealing the winding water and square pond, the fragrant flowers and grass.

Inside the pavilion one could go barefoot. The four pillars were of visibly fine timber, likely nanmu—though Lian Cheng wasn't entirely certain. Above were rows of green tiles. Within sat a square couch he had mentioned before, even wider and larger than the arhat bed. Elsewhere were placed tables and desks, standing vases, and complete sets of teacups and chessboards prepared for use.

Lian Cheng sat cross-legged, lit the stove, and boiled tea. When the water bubbled, he brewed two bowls and had Huqiu sit down to drink as well. As they were drinking, a page boy came to report that the young heir of Prince Hui's household had arrived.

Li Wan came running toward him dressed like a butterfly, looking left and right, touching things. "This pavilion of yours—when did you build it? It wasn't here when I came before."

"It was just completed a few days ago. Why have you come?" Lian Cheng brewed him a cup of tea. This tea was also prepared in advance by Lian Xiusheng, because Lian Cheng didn't like teas with heavy flavor or strong color. This was likely top-grade Luojie tea—light and elegant on entry, just like the pavilion itself: not extravagant, only refined, revealing Lian Cheng's tastes everywhere.

Li Wan took a sip and praised the tea highly, then answered that he simply wanted to come. Anyway, there was nothing to do at home—if he wanted to come, he came.

"Doesn't your father the Prince dislike you associating with me?"

"Why bother caring about that old dead man," Li Wan said, looking Lian Cheng up and down. "Your household has had many troubles lately, and I haven't come to look after you for some time. Have you taken offense?"

Lian Cheng was startled, then shook his head. "You and I are close friends—how could I take offense at you for that? Moreover, the various forces in court are deeply entangled and complex. You are the heir, and we may have personal friendship, but we cannot mix that friendship into official matters, lest we bring fire upon ourselves."

Li Wan's expression grew complicated. "In just a few days apart, Minzi has become even more knowledgeable than me. If the work at the office is too hard, there's no harm in resigning."

"..." Lian Cheng, flattered by these words of praise, felt his head swell slightly. He waved his hand. "In that case, you and I should drink a great toast!" He slapped the table and sent someone to fetch wine.

This was an excellent spot for admiring flowers and composing poetry. If Lian Cheng could find it, so could others. Huqiu had barely carried the ice-cold grape wine along the path when Ye Xin and his companions, who had come to deliver gifts to Yiqiu, caught him. They said the wine smelled wonderful and should be sent to Yiqiu. Huqiu refused, saying it was meant for the garden. Ye Xin nodded and said yes, exactly—the garden at Yiqiu. Huqiu grew anxious and said it was for Third Brother.

Ye Xin and his friends followed close behind Huqiu, found the divine people drinking tea and chatting in that divine place, and immediately went to tattle to Lian Xiusheng. "You rascal, Lian Xiusheng! Your Lian family has such a delightful place, and you didn't bring us—you just made us sit gloomily in your gourd nest."

Lian Xiusheng was puzzled. "What delightful place?"

Ye Xin, with his hands clasped behind his back, strolled leisurely, giving a florid description of where Lian Cheng was staying.

Lian Xiusheng only smiled enigmatically. "He's having tea with Prince Hui's young heir in that pavilion?"

So Lian Xiusheng instructed Jin Cai to escort the gentlemen over to sit there as well—after all, it was the family's own grounds, and Ye Xin and the others were guests of the household. Third Brother could entertain them without any trouble. He also sent Man Cai to fetch a pipa and play for them. Once the group had left completely, Lian Xiusheng tore the calligraphy practice sheet on his desk to shreds. He had thought Third Brother was like himself—lost in misty mountains, veiled in ethereal clouds—but it turned out Third Brother had his own plans.

-

Lian Cheng felt as if Ye Xin and his group had appeared out of nowhere like ghosts. Holding his tea bowl, he watched as a crowd squeezed onto his square couch, reluctantly playing host and asking how they'd gotten there.

Huqiu thought he was the one who had brought them, and shrank into a little ball.

Ye Xin said he had followed the flower path, without identifying Huqiu.

But Lian Cheng wasn't entirely displeased, because he spotted Man Cai. Man Cai played the pipa beautifully, and Lian Cheng could sit quietly and listen for once.

Today, Man Cai sang "Toad Palace Song"—he always favored these mournful, plaintive tunes. As soon as he opened his mouth, out came "Drifting, bobbing, the boat moored at the sandy shore, hushed and shadowy," with several refined gentlemen beside him adding, "Truly a time of desolation, the traveler again at the world's edge," and "Gazing afar, sorrow heaped on the western wind's ancient road." Lian Cheng, reminded of his own thoughts and loved ones, couldn't help but let his eyes redden.

Ye Xin noticed this and clucked his tongue twice, pouring him two cups of wine. "Minzi is quite the tender-hearted young gentleman."

The group hadn't been particularly fond of him before, but now—whether because of Lian Xiusheng's wishes or Lian Cheng's own efforts—and since he and Li Wan were a few years younger, they could overlook the two youths' past rudeness. The tricks they had learned from the old foxes in court to win people over were more than enough to charm two young gentlemen, and a few words soon brought smiles to both their faces.

Li Wan even toasted each of them, saying, "Though I hold the title of heir, I'm far inferior to you elder brothers in dealing with people. In the future, just call me Du Heng—don't stand on ceremony."

The group hurriedly protested, saying no, no—an heir is still an heir.

Lian Cheng, having drunk too much, only giggled off to the side. Later, while Li Wan entertained Lian Xiusheng's friends, Lian Cheng scrambled over to Man Cai's side to learn the pipa.

Man Cai was flattered and nervous, speaking softly and gently, guiding him earnestly, his palms sweating, afraid he'd teach badly.

Lian Cheng wore a peach-pink robe with cloud patterns, tears glistening in his eyes, his slender neck slightly bent, cradling the pipa, singing off-key, "I, the vanguard here, know how to deploy troops! Can handle... fire, fire, fire!"

Man Cai: "...Young master, I don't like hearing that. Let me play and sing instead."

"Plink, plink, plink, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!"

"That sounds awful."

Lian Cheng simply thought no one understood his heart, for the song he sang was "Emperor Gaozu Angers Ying Bu by Washing His Feet."

Just as he was squabbling with Man Cai nonstop, a figure in moon-white robes approached, bringing with it the overwhelming scent of bitter bamboo. Lian Cheng looked up dazedly, saw Lian Xiusheng's jade-like face, and was so startled he scrambled around on the floor in a panic.