Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Under Madam Shen's strict watch these days, Shen Qinglan hadn't been able to meet Han Zhang, not even to exchange a single letter, which had him suffocating.

Now that he finally had news of Han Zhang and had received the jade bi from him, the young man was revitalized, tugging on his elder brother's sleeve and firing off endless questions.

"Second Brother, it's been so long since we last met—how is Brother Han now?"

"Does he look haggard? Surely he must! I've been pining for him so much I've lost weight. Brother Han loves me so much; he must be pining for me too, losing sleep over me!"

"This jade bi is warm and smooth, exquisitely crafted—and it's rare yellow jade... I knew Brother Han was brilliant—once he showed his talent, he'd amaze everyone. And now he's caught a noble's eye! Brother Han is truly amazing."

"Second Brother, besides this jade bi, did Brother Han entrust any message to you for me?"

"Second Brother, on the day you met Brother Han, what clothes was he wearing? What color scholar's headwrap? I once gave him two blue headwraps, and he loved them—said he'd wear them on alternate days..."

Shen Qinglan chattered on, asking every little detail about his beloved's recent life.

He only wished he'd been the one to meet Han Zhang that day!

He questioned Shen Huaizhi so relentlessly that Shen Huaizhi's temples started pounding with annoyance, and his heart was completely sour...

How could he possibly remember what color headwrap Brother Han had been wearing? When two grown men meet, who pays such close attention to the other's attire? That'd be pretty weird.

But unfortunately, his younger brother was both fierce and a bit of a crybaby.

Shen Huaizhi couldn't bear to see his brother in tears, so he had to rack his brains and dig into his memory:

"Brother Han... that day, he was probably wearing a blue headwrap, since he had on a blue scholar's robe—the colors had to match... Brother Han didn't ask me to pass on any verbal message, maybe afraid that saying too much would upset Mother. But when he mentioned you, his brow softened tenderly..."

"Brother Han did look a bit gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes—probably from missing you every day... Brother Han also kept sending letters to your study, but Mother confiscated them all..."

Shen Huaizhi went on and on until his throat went dry.

Only then did Shen Qinglan reluctantly let him go, hurriedly bringing tea to soothe his brother while sighing in frustration, "If only I could meet Brother Han."

His second brother was too unobservant—his brother didn't know the answers to many of the questions he asked!

Seeing his younger brother looking so dejected, on the verge of tears, Shen Huaizhi immediately set aside his sour feelings and gently advised:

"Don't be too disheartened. Mother has softened her stance. As long as nothing goes wrong, your marriage to Brother Han should go through."

"For now, the most important thing is for you to behave, stay properly in the mansion, and not anger Mother anymore..."

As for meeting, better not even think about it.

People in love always have trouble controlling themselves, and secret exchanges were something his younger brother absolutely must not do again.

These days, Madam Shen had been constantly lecturing him, and Shen Qinglan understood the gravity of the situation, but his longing was simply uncontrollable.

Shen Qinglan could only plead pitifully, "If I can't meet him, can I at least write a letter? Second Brother, I really miss him—could you deliver a reply for me?"

"No. How could the handwriting of an unmarried young man be casually sent out? If discovered, it would be solid proof of improper communication. As for the previous ones, Mother will find a way to have Brother Han burn them. You must not make such a mistake again..."

Shen Huaizhi refused outright.

Shen Qinglan was greatly disappointed but still unwilling to give up contact with Han Zhang. After thinking hard, he proposed:

"Then I won't write a letter. How about you take down what I want to say and relay it to Brother Han verbally?"

His younger brother was tearful and pleading, his pitiful appearance tugging at the heartstrings.

Shen Huaizhi couldn't bear it and finally nodded: "Alright."

And then...

Then Shen Huaizhi regretted it.

Because Shen Qinglan chattered on for a full half-hour. "That's all, Second Brother—did you remember everything? Quick, recite it back for me so I can check for any mistakes. You know a small slip can lead to a big mistake!"

Shen Huaizhi: "..."

Shen Huaizhi surrendered: "Forget it, little brother—just write a letter. I'll have Brother Han read it and then burn it on the spot."

That was even more content than several copies of the *Thousand Character Classic*; it was simply too much for him.

When Madam Shen got wind of it, she understood the principle that going too far is as bad as falling short.

So she turned a blind eye and allowed Shen Huaizhi to act as a go-between for the two, fearing that excessive pressure would make her son rebellious.

...

Knowing Shen Qinglan's temperament, Han Zhang was not at all surprised when Shen Huaizhi came to deliver a letter.

And upon seeing the thick stack of letter paper, he was not shocked either—only a face full of smiles.

He unfolded the paper and read carefully, finding it filled with:

Shen Qinglan pouring out how much he missed him, that he had grown thin from longing;

How worried he was about him, and how overjoyed he had been to receive the jade bi;

Also asking how he was doing, urging him to focus on his studies, and insisting that he come to marry him next year...

Although it was all repetitive ramblings, the passion and expectation between the lines made Han Zhang equally delighted, a smile curling uncontrollably at the corners of his lips.

At the very end, the young man, perhaps realizing that his love letter lacked literary flair, copied several poems to embellish his feelings.

"Red berries grow in southern lands, in spring they send forth tender shoots. Gather them—this fruit reminds you of love, and that's what it stands for..."

"I live at the head of the Yangtze, you at its tail. Day and night I think of you, though we drink from the same river..."

"Once inside a marquis's deep mansion, my dear Han becomes a stranger... If one day we share the snow and our heads turn white together, that will count as a lifetime of growing old side by side..."

"Your bones rot beneath the mud; I, still above ground, have hair white as snow. Qinglan wishes to ride the clear wind away—does my dear Han know in the dark night?"

Never mind whether the poems were appropriate—he just piled them up messily, thinking it looked good enough.

Han Zhang: "..."

Copied quite well, but maybe don't do it again next time.

He was still alive—"bones rot beneath the mud" and "hair white as snow" were hardly suitable.

"Many thanks, Second Brother, for delivering the letter. Please tell Lan Geer to rest assured. My longing for him is just as deep. I will focus on my studies, awaiting next year's imperial exams before I come to ask for his hand. I will never betray him in this life."

Having finished reading the letter, Han Zhang made no further demands. He simply clasped his hands and made a solemn vow.

He looked every bit the upright gentleman, determined to follow the rules.

But the moment he turned around,

he began plotting how to find a chance to continue dating his handsome fiancé!

As the saying goes, "The night is long and full of worries"—there was still a whole year until next year's imperial exams.

Who knew what unexpected events might occur during that time? Had Madam Shen truly softened and given in?

And what about Shen Qinglan's feelings for him? Would they fade with the distance and time apart?

He had invested so much thought and genuine emotion into this little drama queen—he absolutely couldn't afford any mishaps.

So, obediently following Madam Shen's arrangements and refraining from meeting Shen Qinglan before passing the exams was simply impossible.

Lan Geer's heart was his greatest leverage.

Making sure his future patron-husband was happy was his top priority.

But now, Madam Shen was guarding against him like a thief. He couldn't even exchange a word with Qinglan without relying on Shen Huaizhi to pass messages. What the hell was he supposed to do about this...

After mulling it over and rubbing his chin, Han Zhang finally decided to sneak into the Shen residence by climbing over the wall at night!

Yes, literally "scale the wall."

As they say, "bad boys get the love."

Human nature craves the unknown and seeks adventure—the more thrilling and outrageous, the more irresistible.

Shen Qinglan wasn't like the usual sheltered young gentlemen. This Ge'er had a lively, daring nature, loathed stifling rules and etiquette, and loved wild, rule-breaking antics.

Otherwise, why would he have taken the initiative to kiss him back when his identity was revealed?

Surely, something as exhilarating as sneaking over walls for a moonlit tryst would make his heart race.

He knew his man!

So,

after two days of careful reconnaissance,

Han Zhang spruced himself up, checked his reflection in the bronze mirror to make sure he still looked smoking hot, and set off to sneak into the fragrant bedchamber—climbing walls and sneaking over rooftops to surprise his future husband.

And it was certainly a "surprise."

That night, Shen Qinglan had just changed into his nightclothes, blown out the lamp, and was lying in bed, not yet asleep. He was drowsily aware of a rustling sound.

When he saw a figure quickly climb through the window, knock out his attendant on night duty, and approach his bedside, he nearly fainted from sheer fright.

"Qinglan, it's me..."

Han Zhang swiftly covered Shen Qinglan's mouth just as he was about to scream.

Brother Han?!

Recognizing the familiar voice and the sharp scent of snow pine, Shen Qinglan's eyes widened in shock.

Seeing that he'd been recognized, Han Zhang released his hand, letting him speak.

Shen Qinglan never imagined he would come to him like this—and in the dead of night at that. His mind went blank—he felt both embarrassed and terrified.

"Brother Han, you... how could you do this in the middle of the night? Two men alone in the same room—what if someone finds out? How could I go on living?"

The young man pounded his chest in frustration, tears welling in his eyes.

Though he was bold and had even initiated a kiss before, he wasn't without shame. A man breaking into his bedroom at night—how could he not be scared stiff?

But the next moment, Han Zhang's words dispelled his anger, leaving him only touched—and mortified.

"I'm sorry, Qinglan. I know this is improper, but in your letter, you said you missed me so much you couldn't eat, gotten sick from missing me, and cried day and night, unable to sleep."

"You even wrote: 'Your bones rot in the spring earth, while I live on with snow-covered hair; if we're ever caught in the same snow, this life counts as growing old together.' Words dripping with blood, like a farewell between the living and the dead."

"I thought your mother was determined to tear us apart, that you might end up like that character Le Geer in the storybooks—fighting to the death, thinking of suicide, sending this letter as a last farewell... Panicked, I risked everything to break into your home tonight..."

"Thank God... you're okay..."

Moonlight filtered in, illuminating Han Zhang's face, which was still drop-dead gorgeous.

But on that handsome face, his eyes were bloodshot, his jaw covered in stubble, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.

He looked exhausted and broken, as if he had just endured a tremendous shock.