Recently, the atmosphere in the Blue Wind Pavilion was different from usual. The Hwamei no longer sang. The Mynah no longer called out âDoctor Linâ and Young Master HouâŚwithered.
His wilting was not only physical, but also emotional. There was no more bird walking, no flower viewing, no arrow throwing. His eyes were closed; his body, paralyzed. He was cut off from all worldly desires.
All the remaining servants of the Blue Wind Pavilion liked their master very much. Young Master Hou was charming and generous. He often found fun things which he enjoyed with the servants. With his wilting, the courtyard became gloomier and gloomier, and not the slightest cheer could be heard.
Hua Lu and Huan Tong were the closest to the masters and they felt the changes most acutely. They all agreed that Young Master Hou and Shaojun seemed to be quarreling. And now, they were both ignoring each other.
Huan Tong was certain. âYoung Master Hou must have provoked our familyâs Young Master.â Based on his observation, Young Master Hou was unable to control his tongue in front of his familyâs Young Master, causing his Young Master to frown. He would then pull at his sleeve with a smile and apologize. Huan Tong couldnât understand what was with that.
Hua Lu sighed, âThey say husband and wife quarrel at the head of bed and make peace at the foot. I hope they reconcile soon.â
Huan Tong bared the truth with one remark. âThough theyâve never slept on the same bed.â
Lin Qingyu knew that Lu Wancheng was depressed, but he really didnât understand why. That he hadnât given advance notice to Lu Wancheng about the side effects of the medicine was his slip, but if he didnât use this medicine and instead, used the one originally written on his fatherâs prescription, Lu Wancheng would have to suffer unbearable pain after taking the medicine. Compared to that, what was a little erectile dysfunction? The most important point was, even if Lu Wancheng could get it up, he was in no position to make use of it â He himself said that he was too lazy to move.
If only Lu Wancheng could quickly realize it and cheer up.
After raining for almost half a month, a musty smell appeared in the study, affecting peopleâs mood to read. Lin Qingyu prepared some incense which had the effect of removing dampness. He asked the servants to light them in each room. He then ordered several servants to take out the moldy books from the bookcases and spread them out in front of the fire to dry.
The study was bustling with activity. Lin Qingyu was in no mood to read and simply joined the servants in cleaning. He casually opened a copy of âLinâan Travel Notesâ and saw comments written in ink in the margins. He asked, âThis is Young Master Houâs book?â
Hua Lu looked over and said, âYes, Young Master Hou read this book all the time last year. He even told me he wanted to go to Linâan to see the scenery south of the Yangtze River.â
Lin Qingyu frowned, âWas he also the one who wrote these notes?â
âMost certainly.â
Lin Qingyu took a closer look at that line of characters. The more he looked at it, the more he felt that something was wrong.
The characters in Lu Wanchengâs earlier letter to Wen Guogong were similar in shape and appearance to his calligraphy last year. But it didnât look at all alike in spirit. It looked likeâŚlike he was deliberately imitating it. Of course, the shape of the characters could be imitated, but a characterâs grace and charm reflected a personâs mood and character. No matter how similar the âshapeâ there would always be a difference in âspiritâ.
Lin Qingyu pondered for a long time and asked, âIs Young Master Hou up yet?â
Hua Lu said, âHe got up half an hour ago. Master Guo Gong has ordered for a few maids and stewards to be sent over here. The Eldest Young Master is talking with them in the main room.â
Lin Qingyu walked to the door and was about to enter when he heard Lu Wanchengâs voice. âYou are the people sent by my maternal grandparents. I can trust you. I think thereâs no need for me to say it. You should know what to do.â
An unfamiliar voice said, âYoung Master Hou need not worry. We will do our very best to share Young Master Houâs worries and tribulations.â
âWrong. Itâs not my worries youâll be sharing, itâs the Shaojunâs.â Lu Wancheng said lightly, âI wonât be able to last until next winter anyway. When I go, Shaojun will go back to the Lin Residence. It is my wish that when he leaves, he be able to bring most of the Hou Mansionâs family property with him without the Hou Master and Madam making things difficult for him â Do you understand what I mean?â
After a short silence, several people said in unison, âYoung Master Hou and Shaojun serve as our sole guide.â
Lu Wancheng was quite satisfied. âAfter the matter is done, you will be handsomely rewarded.â
Lin Qingyu felt his heart constrict somewhat. He couldnât help closing his eyes and sighing.
Lu Wancheng sent the people off. He picked up the tea cup from off the table and had just taken a sip of when he heard, âGreetings, Shaojunâ coming from outside. His hand paused. Pretending not to hear, he went on drinking his tea.
Lin Qingyu walked in and said, âYoung Master Hou.â
Lu Wancheng gave a reserved âenâ. After Lin Qingyu called out to him, he said nothing more, as though he were considering his words.
Lu Wancheng had no intention of compromising so quickly about this matter concerning his dignity as a man. It was embarrassing enough that he wasnât able to carry this great beauty and now, the great beauty has directly taken away his dignity as a man. How could he possibly tolerate this?
He didnât blame Lin Qingyu. How could he not know that Lin Qingyu did this to save him? But couldnât he have warned him about it in advance? Itâs scary, alright? He admitted that he was lazy, but he was still a man, after all. How could he be indifferent to this kind of thing?
Hehe, heâs wilted anyway. What was he doing coaxing some great beauty? Great beauties should be left to the male protagonists who go seven times a night to coax. He should just lie down and wait to die.
Lu Wancheng put down the tea cup and said, âIf youâre here to apologize, you donât have to.â
Lin Qingyu said, âYouâre thinking too much. Iâm not here to apologize.â
Lu Wancheng: ââŚâ Yes. How very strong.
Lin Qingyu muttured to himself irresolutely, âHow about we make a bond as sworn brothers?â
Lu Wancheng was startled. He then laughed out of anger. âYouâve already castrated me and now Iâm going to be sworn brothers with you? You must think Iâm cheap.â
Lin Qingyu said, restraining his temper, âI didnât castrate you. Your inability was only caused by the drug. A few acupuncture needles and youâll be fine.â
Lu Wancheng was a little comforted. However, he still showed a sneer on his face. âNo need to change it. I think this prescription is good. I canât use that anyway so I shouldnât care about it.â
âStop being difficult.â Lin Qingyu leaned in close. Voice light and slow, he said, âDidnât you always want us to call each other 'brothers'? â
The word âbrotherâ made Lu Wancheng raise his eyes and look at the beauty standing in front of him, like a plum blossom unyieldingly defying the snow.
If he could get Lin Qingyu to call him âGegeâ then selling himself cheap didnât seem so out of the question.
Lu Wancheng raised his eyebrows. âAre you serious?â
Lin Qingyu nodded. âYou have my word as a gentleman.â
Lu Wancheng covered his lips and coughed. He said, âThen⌠Letâs make another bond.â
Neither of them had ever experienced becoming sworn brothers, so Lu Wancheng just did it according to how it was portrayed in the books he read. He asked Huan Tong to prepare an incense burner, a dagger, apricot wine, and praying mats. He also ordered for a small table to be placed under the eaves. The rest of the things were then symmetrically laid out.
Hua Lu had never seen such a situation before. She asked curiously, âWhat are Young Master and Shaojun up to?â
Huan Tong was delighted. âCanât you see? Theyâre going to be sworn brothers.â
Hua Luâs eyes widened and she suddenly said in alarm, âBecome what?â
âBecome sworn brother â âWith this cup of wine, we brothers go togetherâ. That kind.â
Hua Luâs big eyes were filled with even greater confusion. âBut, theyâre already married!â
Lu Wancheng picked up the dagger and said hesitantly. âThe book says that when swearing brotherhood, it should be done by taking an oath with your lips smeared with bloodâŚâŚâ
Lin Qingyu took on the mentality of someone accompanying their younger brother to play house. He said, â One's body, hair and skin are all received from one's parents. So long as it is done with sincerity, smearing or not smearing oneâs lips with blood isnât important.â
âYouâre right.â Lu Wancheng lit three incense sticks and inserted them into the incense burner, âLetâs just swear the oath.â
The two clasped the cup of wine in their hands and they both knelt down on the praying mats. Lu Wancheng said ceremoniously, âWith the gods of Heaven and Earth as our witness. Today, we, Lu Wancheng and Lin Qingyu, although of different surnames, come together as brothers. We seek not to be born on the same day, in the same month and in the same year, butâŚâ Lu Wancheng paused. He changed his words with a smile, âFor the long future ahead, we will share the same boat; even stones will be steamed buns to eat. We will work as one without heed for riches; even plain boiled water will be taken with gladness.â
Lin Qingyu: ââŚâŚâ
The two of them together drank the wine for the ritual and Lin Qingyu called Huan Tong to help Lu Wancheng get up. Seeing Lu Wanchengâs smiling, Lin Qingyu said coolly, âAre you happy now?â
The corners of Lu Wanchengâs lips ticked up into a smirk. âI just got myself a good brother. Of course, Iâm happy. What about you, Qingyu Didi?â After saying so, he looked expectantly at Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu said lightly, âIâm fine, Wancheng Xiong.â
Lu Wanchengâs smile froze on his face. âNo, no, no, I called you âQingyu Didiâ, so you should call me âWancheng Gegeâ. Thatâs only fair.â
ââTo call each other brothersâ, if not âXiongâ then what?â
Lu Wancheng suddenly felt like heâd been hit by a bolt from the blue. ââŚLin Qingyu, you have no heart.â
Lin Qingyu laughed and said, âYouâve been making such a fuss for so long. Just stop already. Letâs go back. You have to drink your medicine. After you drink it, Iâll perform acupuncture for you and bring back your dignity as a man.â
It was the middle third of April, the rain finally stopped. The horizon cleared up. There was no cloud in the sky. A warm breeze blew into their sleeves. It was a good day to travel. Lin Qingyu no longer delayed. He prepared to set out for Changsheng Temple.
Before leaving, he went to see Lu Wancheng. Lu Wancheng had actually already woken up but he still remained lying on the bed, thinking of who knows what. He seemed to be in a good mood and he gave him a lazy greeting.
Lin Qingyu immediately understood and he said with a smile that was yet not a smile, âAs they say, âjoy puts heart into a manâ. It seems that the acupuncture treatment worked.â
Lu Wancheng: ââŚEh.â
âPerfect timing. Let me have a look.â
Lu Wancheng was stricken with panic and he wrapped the quilt tightly around him. âHave a look at what?â
âYouâre asking what?â Lin Qingyu said lightly, âThereâs nothing people whoâve been studying medicine hasnât seen. You donât have to be shy.â
Lu Wancheng said quietly, âQingyu, I find that youâre getting worse and worse.â
Lin Qingyuâs lips curled up. âDidnât Young Master Hou say that he liked it best when I do bad things?â
Lu Wanchengâs eyes darkened and he chuckled softly. âIndeed. If Doctor Lin wants to see it, of course, I have to acquiesce. But I donât feel like moving, so Iâll have to trouble you to take a look at it yourself.â
Lin Qingyu then joked, âThen, just forget it. Thereâs nothing to see anyway.â
Lu Wancheng still wanted to retort but was interrupted by Huan Tong, âYoung Master, the carriage is ready.â
Lin Qingyu looked out the window. Spring was in full bloom, the sunshine was just right. He asked, âYoung Master Hou, would you like to go out to relieve your boredom?â
âGo where?â
âChangsheng Temple.â
Lu Wancheng thought for a while. He then smiled and said, âAlright.â It just so happened that there was someone he wanted to see.
And so, Lin Qingyu together with Lu Wancheng and Huan Tong rode the carriage to Changsheng Temple in the suburbs of the capital.
Changsheng Temple was the foremost temple in the Empire. Its interior was tranquil and solemn, thoughtful and contemplative. There was an endless stream of pilgrims. Ordinary people could only burn incense and worship in the front hall. The rear courtyard was reserved for receiving high-ranking officials or members of influential families. It was exactly here that one of Lin Qingyuâs sworn enemies, the Dayuâs National Teacher, who wrote his Eight Characters for the Nanâan Houâs Mansion, resided and cultivated.
Lin Qingyu has always wanted to ask how the National Teacher calculated his Eight Characters to be beneficial to Lu Wancheng. Was it actually the Will of Heaven of was it done deliberately? Did the National Teacher know that this line of characters he had written almost ruined an innocent personâs life?
It was a pity that the National Teacher was in constant closed-door retreat. Apart from the Emperor, it wasnât easy even for the Empress or the Crown Prince to see him, let alone others; let alone him who was nothing more than the male wife of a Houâs Mansion.
After the monk who greeted them found out their identity, he respectfully said, âItâs Young Master Hou and Shaojun. Please come with me. Master Houâs ever-burning altar lamps are in the side hall.â
Lin Qingyu said, âIt will suffice for just Young Master Hou to see the ever-burning altar lamps. I will stay here in the front hall to burn incense and pray for blessings.â
Lu Wancheng said indifferently, âAlright.â
Lu Wanchengâs illness was temporarily suppressed but when all was said and done, he was still a debilitated person and couldnât be left without someone beside him. Lin Qingyu asked Huan Tong to accompany him.
Lin Qingyu walked to the Buddha statue and asked the monk for three incense sticks. After lighting the incense, he knelt on the prayer mat, closed his eyes, cleared away all thoughts and brought his family to mind.
Then, when he inserted the incense into the burner, he suddenly remembered that farce of becoming sworn brothers from a few days ago. For some reason, he wanted to laugh.
Lu Wancheng seemed to be taking a long time. There were many people coming in and out of the front hall. The monk then asked him to go to the rear courtyard to wait. Lin Qingyu followed a little monk to the back wing. Compared to the front, there were a lot less people here. A winding path led to quiet seclusion. It was elegant, suitable, quiet and delicate.
Lin Qingyu has always been fond of quiet. At this time, he couldnât help but wish to walk by himself, to calm his mind. He asked the little monk to go on ahead and leave first. He then took an aimless stroll along narrow the path by himself. Unexpectedly, the end of the path actually led a blooming peach grove.
Amidst the fragrance and dappled shadows was a stone table. Two men sat opposite each other with the table between them. One was a handsome young man dressed in crimson, Lu Wancheng. The other was clothed in blue, with a temperament as though he were apart from the world, pure and fresh, handsome and light-hearted. Lin Qingyu had a feeling that this person should be the Dayuâs National Teacher, Xu Junyuan.
Xu Junyuan was admittedly a rarely-seen handsome man, but not only was Lu Wancheng not the least bit inferior, he even somewhat had the upper hand.
Seeing his languid and carefree posture, sitting under the peach blossom tree with flowers falling behind him like rain, he was the very picture of a graceful son of nobility, as clear and bright as a jade tree before the wind.
And he had obviously been like a stranded salted fish in bed just a couple of hours ago.
This person was simply too good at pretending. As long as there were outsiders present, Lu Wancheng always appeared to be the most dazzling one, like a brilliant gem, reflecting all the light.
It was only in front of him that he lost all decency.
Lin Qingyu couldnât help thinking, if only Lu Wancheng usually had even a tenth of his manner now, just how much weight could be taken off his mind?
Xu Junyuan lifted up his sleeve and personally help Lu Wancheng steep a cup of tea. âAnd what brings Young Master Hou here despite being in poor health?â
Lu Wancheng nodded lightly. He smiled, polite but disaffected, âI have a matter that I wish to have the National Teacherâs wise opinion on.â
Xu Junyuan smiled and said, âYoung Master Hou may as well ask.â
Lu Wancheng said slowly, âIn this world, is there a resurrection from the dead, or⌠A transferring of the soul to another body?â