Ch9 - Gifts of Thanks

Hearing his call of “mother”, the tears that Concubine Qiu had just repressed rushed forth again: “It’s because Mom is useless. If I was not a concubine, then you would not have had to suffer so many wrongs.” Over these years, she had to see her own son pay respects and call others ‘young master’.  And, even if her child wanted to call her “Mother”, he’d have to do so making sure that others were not aware first. The pain she felt was one others wouldn’t be able to understand. 

Concubine Qiu was originally the daughter of the first wife of an influential merchant family in Jiangnan. The Qiu family married her to the North Marquis in order to expand their power over the business by borrowing the power of the North Marquis. Originally, she relied on the favor of the North Marchioness she had earned with her own ability of calculating accounts. Hence, she could pass the days peacefully in the mansion. She meticulously served the Marchioness, only asking that her son would be able to live well. But nowadays, the child whom she loved dearly had been forced down from the qualifications for the imperial exam and was married to a ruthless Wang Ye. How did he still called her gently? How did he not complain?

Seeing his own previously bold and cheerful Mother become like this, Mu Hanzhang’s heart felt it extremely hard to take, so he took his mother, who had lost a lot of weight, into his arms: “Perhaps marrying Wang Ye is a good thing. Being able to enter the imperial court as a scholar may not necessarily mean everything will be peaceful and life will be smooth. Mother must cheer up; Otherwise, I will worry.”

On the return trip, Mu Hanzhang was silent. Hiding in his sleeves, his hand grasped a palm-sized purse that was filled with banknotes worth 100,000 silver given to him by Concubine Qiu.

“These are the dividends given every year by the Qiu family. I have saved most of it. It is useless in this household, all of it was saved for you. The depths of the royal family are deep, and, even if that person is pampering you for now, he cannot love you dearly forever. This will also let me be a little more relieved.” 

“Jun Qing?” Jing Shao, who was treated coldly, opened his pair of drunken eyes wide to look at him, “Did you hear what I said?”

“En?” Mu Hanzhang turned his head, and, in the beautiful pupils of his eyes, was a trace of bewilderment. Then, in an instant, he recovered his mind, “This servant failed in his etiquette. Wang Ye, please forgive my crime.”

Jing Shao sighed: “Nothing. I will sleep for a while.” Just then, he had said that he did not agree to the North Marquis’ request for salt trade certifications. Instead, he showed him an alternate route. Saying this a second time made it boring, seeming like one was showing off one’s accomplishments purposefully, so he closed his eyes and did not say more.

Watching him sullenly lean against the corner to sleep, Mu Hanzhang felt a little apologetic, so he reached out and lightly pushed at the back of Jing Shao: “Wang Ye… Lean on this one to sleep. There is no pillow in the carriage.” The carriage ride is very bumpy, if he slept like that, it was very easy to knock against his head.

The person who was pushed did not respond and his back was still turned away from him. Was he really angry? Mu Hanzhang moved closer: “Wang Ye?” No response. He moved a little closer again.

Suddenly, the carriage rolled over a rock and jolted a bit. Mu Hanzhang,  because he was kneeling in the carriage and was not balanced, fell backwards. Who knew the person who was currently sulking would unexpectedly instantly turn around to press him onto the floor of the carriage while one big hand was cushioning the back of his head.

Mu Hanzhang was shocked by this series of unexpected events, so he stared blankly at a loss on what to do.

“Ktlr rfgnjca vfrfgnfr vfjat. Qjcu Tf, qifjrf obgulnf atlr rfgnjca’r mglwf.” Ktf vglnfg gfqfjafvis jqbibulhfv lc qjclm. 

“Pa’r olcf.” Alcu Ljb rjlv, yea tf vlv cba ufa eq lwwfvljafis. Yc atf mbcagjgs, tlr ybvs rboafcfv jcv tf gfrafv tlr tfjv bc atf batfg’r mtfra.

“Qjcu…Qjcu Tf…” Pa kjr bcis atfc atja tf gfjilhfv ktja jc jwylueber qbrlalbc atf akb bo atfw kfgf lc. Ze Ljchtjcu’r ojmf lwwfvljafis gfvvfcfv, jcv tf gfjmtfv bea tlr tjcvr ab qert jkjs atf ylu oieoos tfjv gfralcu bc tlr mtfra.

“Not allowed to call me Wang Ye in private,” Jing Shao said with dissatisfaction. “You see, what is the difference between what you just said and what the coachman said?”

“Etiquette cannot be discarded.” Mu Hanzhang said helplessly. 

“I don’t care,” Jing Shao was most likely a little drunk, and, seeming like a willful child, he got up and said, “Call me Shao.”

“Wang Ye…”

“Call me Shao!” Jing Hao raised his upper body and stared straight at the person under him. His bright eyes were full of a childlike expectation.

Even if that person is pampering you for now, he cannot love you dearly forever. The feelings of this person are actually as pure as a child’s, but, even if it was the like of a child liking a toy for a while, at the very least, for just a moment, Mu Hanzhang felt that Jing Shao did like him. “Shao…” 

Upon hearing this, Jing Hao was satisfied. Clinging to the person in his arms, he narrowed his eyes to rest for a bit. Today’s incident reminded him that he should quickly withdraw from the salt certification business as soon as possible, or, at least, first talk circles around it before sweeping it beneath the table. Thinking like this, he couldn’t help but hold the person in his arms tightly. Sure enough, only by firmly grasping this person could his heart feel secure.

Once they returned to prince’s residence, Jing Shao immediately climbed onto the bed and slept. Visiting the bride’s parents as a son-in-law, although, because of his status, they did not force him to drink too much, but the Mu family had many family elders and younger brother. Drinking one round, he almost couldn’t endure it at all.

“This servant, Yun Zhu, pays respects to Wang Fei.” A 13-year-old boy kneeled in front of Mu Hanzhang to perform his salutations. Duo Fu stood on one side beaming and said that this was the little manservant and two imperial guards he had chosen for him. As he said this, the two men in the Imperial bodyguard uniforms also followed to pay respects.

“Yun Zhu is the nephew of the housekeeper of the outer courtyard, Mr. Yun. Ordinarily, he is quite clever. Wang Fei, first use him and see. If he is not suited, then this servant will switch him for you.” Duo Fu briefly introduced him and then took the two guards to withdraw. 

After a day of tossing around in the carriage, Mu Hanzhang felt tired, so he half leaned on the soft divan’s big welcoming pillow. Yun Zhu immediately moved the small teacup on the table to the small side next to the soft divan. He also carefully removed the small incense burner on the table as well.

Mu Hanzhang smiled and beckoned Yun Zhu to come in front of him: “How old are you?”

“Responding to Wang Fei, this servant’s age is thirteen.” Although young, Yun Zhu was not the least bit timid. The childish voice has not changed yet and sounded crispy and lively. His pair of big eyes were also very quick-witted, very lovable.

“When did you enter the palace? Do you know how to read?” Mu Hanzhang felt that the child was cute. He took off his shoes and moved his legs up, letting him sit on the footstool. 

“This servant from the age of eight followed uncle into the palace. All of the matters in the palace I know of somewhat.” Yun Zhu was not pretentious, neatly sitting cross legged on the foot stool, “This servant, after entering the palace, followed uncle to study. Although I am slow-witted and slow at reading, I can recognize all the words used everyday. Today, the books in the small study were organized by me. If Wang Fei can’t find a book by all means, ask this servant. I can definitely find it for you.”

Entered the palace at eight years old. When Jing Shao exited the imperial palace and had established the prince’s residence, he was basically already there. Mu Hanzhang pondered, this little boy servant is really useful. Wait, the small study? “You mean, my books are in the small study?”

“Yes, Wang Ye ordained it before going out this morning. Many of the managers in charge of this servant have been busily arranging it for the whole day.” Yun Zhu smiled and said that, now, the entire palace knows that Wang Ye cherishes this newly wedded male wife. Following such a well-regarded master perhaps is even more superior than his cousin who follows the Wang Ye.

Although it is called the small study, it is not too small. The two large boxes of books brought from the Marquis’ residence have been arranged, and a bookcase of new books has also been added. The ebony desk, the instruments and chess equipment, and the calligraphy and painting tools were all available. With a glance one could see that many of the things were newly added, all of them in the simple yet elegant light colors that he likes. 

Mu Hanzhang lingered in this elegant and luxurious study, and he couldn’t say what it felt like in his heart. There has never been anyone who has cared about him so attentively.

Jing Shao slept in the house for a while and missed dinner time. Mu Hanzhang had the kitchen make a bowl of millet porridge and two side dishes to bring into the inner room. The interior was dark without lights, and, from the bed, there were slight breathing sounds. Mu Hanzhang had the servants retreat, lit two of the small lamps, then slowly rolled up the curtain.

“Wu…” Jing Shao was slowly awakened by the ray of light, and, only after groaning, did he blink open his eyes.

“Get up and eat something, it is a little late. I had the kitchen cook some millet porridge. Wang Ye should eat a little less to avoid indigestion.” Mu Hanzhang said warmly while draping an outer robe around the Jing Shao who sat up. 

Jing Shao stared blankly, still with a foolish expression on his face, until he was handed the bowl. How did Jun Qing suddenly become so gentle? And he wasn’t putting up defenses anymore?

“The small study, it’s very beautiful, really thank you.” Mu Hanzhang looked down, saying the sentence three words at a time. Usually, if it was just saying a thank you politely, it was very easy, but these words he just said were incomparably awkward when he spoke them.

“Jun Qing?” Jing Shao looked at him with pleasant surprise. He caught the hand that was hiding in his sleeve with one excited movement. “You finally didn’t call me Wang Ye.”

“Wang… Wang Ye…” Mu Hanzhang’s hand trembled, and, getting flustered by him, he forgot to say excuses. 

“Cough,” Realizing that he was losing face again, Jing Shao let go of the other’s hands and picked up the chopsticks again. “It’s finished with only a thank you? I have never heard of anyone else who would give their male wife a study.”

Mu Hanzhang’s already nervous heart sank, and he looked up at him.

Jing Hao, seeing his expression changed, just realized that his consistent cold tone scared him, so he quickly added: “This prince wants a sincere thank you.” Saying this, he pointed at his cheek.

“Wang… Wang Ye…” Mu Hanzhang was really not sure how to respond this time. 

“Or, letting me kiss you once is also fine.” Jing Shao moved close to his ear and said softly with a voice that slightly carried magnetism.

……

After eating that delicate midnight snack, Jing Shao satisfactorily wandered to the small study room to dig out his family’s Wang Fei who had hidden himself. Just now, this person hadn’t waited for him to retrieve his requested sincere thanks before getting up and fleeing.

Looking at the person seriously reading “Da Chen’s Laws” sitting at the table, whose tips of his ears were the color of agate, Jing Shao’s heart squeezed and he couldn’t help but raise a hand to his lips to stifle his laugh. Strolling to the person’s side, he said: “It’s getting late now, isn’t it about time for the Wang Fei to return to our bedroom?”