Chapter 85

Lin Qingyu changed his clothes and took a carriage to Jinxiu Pavilion.

As the finest dining establishment in the capital, Jinxiu Pavilion was always full of people and very lively save for special periods such as times of  national mourning. Even though Lin Qingyu thought that Shen Huaishi would be in the capital, he had not expected that he would invite him to meet at Jinxiu Pavilion. Although he had already ordered the Tianji Camp to stop their pursuit of Shen Huaishi, Shen Huaishi himself should not know about it yet and yet he dared to appear within the capital. Was this due to his confidence in his own skills?

The edict stripping Xiao Cheng of his position as crown prince has already been publicized. It was very likely that Shen Huaishi was looking for himf at this time because of Xiao Cheng. Needless to say, he was looking forward to it.

Lin Qingyu asked the pavilion’s manager for a private room on the second floor and a pot of tea. He sat by the window, drinking tea and watching people come and go. Yongxing Street was as bustling as ever, with the clamoring of shopkeepers and hawkers and pedestrians hurriedly passing by. The emperor was seriously ill, the position of heir has changed hands; all these seemed to have no effect on these ordinary people. If things were like this in capital, what more in other places?

No matter who the crown prince was, who it was sitting on the dragon chair, or who was holding the royal brush to rule the lands under heaven, the life of the common people will go on.

After some time, the door shut softly. Lin Qingyu said “come in” and a man wearing a veiled hat walked in. The black gauze hung down, blocking the man’s features. Lin Qingyu asked Huan Tong to go outside and stand watch. The man took off his hat, revealing an ordinary face, forgettable in the  blink of an eye.

Lin Qingyu said, “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

Shen Huaishi showed a faint smile. “Doctor Lin.”

Shen Huaishi could still smile. It seemed he didn’t come to him criticize him. Lin Qingyu pushed back his sleeve and pointed to seat across the tea table. “Sit.”

Shen Huaishi sat down in front of Lin Qingyu, a hint of unease on his face but calm overall. Lin Qingyu asked him, “Why did you ask me to meet here? Didn’t we always meet Changsheng Temple?”

“I’m leaving the capital. I don’t know when I’ll see you again.” Shen Huaishi lowered his eyes and said, “Before I leave, I want to have a drink with you.”

Lin Qingyu looked at the man’s honest appearance and felt a twinge of discomfort in his chest. He and Shen Huaishi have known each other for a long time. Every time they met, it was either at the Imperial Medical Office or at Changsheng Temple. Never have to two of them sat together like this, across each other, over a pot of good tea.

In the past, he had used Shen Huaishi as a chess piece and there was no need for the chess player and the chess piece to drink together. Now that Xiao Cheng had fallen, Shen Huaishi was no longer even qualified to be a chess piece in his hand. Why had he chosen to come here instead of keeping his husband company?

Lin Qingyu asked, “Why do you want to drink with me?”

Shen Huaishi looked up and said, “Because, I regard Doctor Lin as a friend.”

Lin Qingyu couldn’t help but smile. His smile momentarily stunned Shen Huaishi and he couldn’t help but say, “Also, your eyes really look like Jingchun’s.”

Lin Qingyu said jokingly, “So, you too take me as a substitute for Princess Jingchun?”

Shen Huaishi sternly denied, “I don’t. You’re good-looking, even… better looking than Jingchun. And your personalities are completely different. I would never confuse the two of you. But you healed my wounds and you found Brother Zhu for me and allowed me to discover the truth of that time. I am very grateful to you.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Let me ask you. Did you stay in the capital because you didn’t believe me? Did you think I would harm Jingchun?”

“I believed you.” Shen Huaishi defended with difficulty, “I just…”

“If you care so much about Jingchun, why don’t you go to the north to see him?”

Shen Huaishi shook his head. “He should be doing well in the North, I don’t want to trouble him.”

Lin Qingyu looked at him for a while and asked, “What kind of wine would you like to drink?”

There was a hint of joy on Shen Huaizhi’s face. His lifeless face finally had a bit of spirit. “Whatever you’d like.”

Shen Huaishi mentioned nothing about Xiao Cheng; as though he really just wanted to drink with Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu ordered a pot of Jinxiu Pavilion’s signature bamboo leaf wine and ordered a few dishes that he thought were good. Shen Huaishi wasn’t good with words and spoke little unless it was necessary. Lin Qingyu too wasn’t someone who talked a lot and most of his words, he spoke to Gu Fuzhou. The two spent the meal in silence. In the end, Shen Huaishi picked up the wine and said, “Let’s say bid each other goodbye today. Hence forth, we shall be worlds apart and meeting will be difficult. Doctor Lin, take care.”

Lin Qingyu also raised his cup in a toast. He took a sip and said, “Where are you going back to the fishing village in the Southern Border?”

Shen Huaishi laughed at himself. “I haven’t thought about it yet. The world is so big. Someday, there will be a place for me.”

“It’s a pity that you’d be wasting your martial arts skills. You probably won’t be able to rejoin the Tianji Camp.” Lin Qingyu said after a pause, “Perhaps, you’d be willing to stay with me and the general?”

Lin Qingyu’s invitation was far beyond Shen Huaishi’s expectations. “You mean… General Gu?”

Lin Qingyu nodded. “The General is now in charge of the imperial guards and the capital’s cavalry battalion. It would not be difficult to find a position for you – Haven’t you always admired the General?”

After getting over the shock, Shen Huaishi smiled, “Thank you, Doctor Lin, for your kindness. I do admire the General, but unfortunately, I do not wish to remain in the capital.”

Lin Qingyu pondered: “So, you still want to escape.”

“No, I just want to have a peaceful life.”

Lin Qingyu smiled coldly. “If you truly had let go of everything, you wouldn’t be here now.”

Shen Huaizhi pursed his lips and fell into silence.

After a while, Lin Qingyu said, “Huaishi, the ‘truth’ that Zhu Yongxin told you that day was not entirely true.”

Shen Huaishi’s pupils suddenly shrank. “What?”

“It is true that Xiao Cheng bears responsibility for the destruction of the Heavenly Prison Sect. But at the last moment, he pulled back. It was the Emperor who had a backup plan. Under the guise of the Red Fang Sect, he ordered the Tianji Camp to slaughter every last member of the Heavenly Prison Sect. Xiao Cheng expended a lot of effort to save your life.” Lin Qingyu said, “But Xiao Cheng’s scheming against the Heavenly Prison Sect and his deception of you all these years, makes him, In my opinion, no different from the culprit, the Emperor. However, you might think otherwise.”

Shen Huaishi’s face paled. “Why are you suddenly telling me the truth?”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “Don’t you think of me as a friend? I don’t usually lie to my friends.”

Of course, he was willing to tell Shen Huaishi the actual truth. The most important point was that Xiao Cheng had already suffered a crushing defeat; no knows how long he had left to live. There was no possibility he would ever return to power. Under the circumstances, the “truth” was not so important.

Shen Huaishi was silent, only that his breathing became heavier.

Lin Qingyu scrutinized his expression and said, “Why? Do you now regret slashing him?”

When Shen Huaishi spoke again, his voice was hoarse. “Why did you lie to me?”

Lin Qingyu said bluntly, “I was afraid you would grow soft-hearted.”

A strange laugh came out of Shen Huaishi’s throat. “In your eyes, I’m just… so cheap?”

Lin Qingyu asked back, “Aren’t you?”

Shen Huaishi choked on his breath.  He suddenly stood up and clenched his hands into fists. “I-I’m leaving.”

Lin Qingyu said behind him, “I lied to you, I’m sorry, but I don’t regret it. Even given the circumstances at that time, you still chose to spare Xiao Cheng’s life. If you’d known that Xiao Cheng grew soft-hearted in the end, I was afraid that not only would you not strike him but you might even forgive him generously and continue on warming his bed and throwing your life away for him…”

The undisguised contempt in Lin Qingyu’s tone was like a knife stabbing at Shen Huaishi’s heart. His eyes were red-rimmed and he blurted out, “I wouldn’t!”

Lin Qingyu put down his drink. “Then show me.”

Shen Huaishi said, almost like a growl, “What do you want me to do?”

“Xiao Cheng is recuperating in Jinyang Garden. I can let you see him again.”

Shen Huaishi said hoarsely, “See him…?”

“After you see him again, whether you wish to take his life to avenge the Heavenly Prison Sect, or save him so that you can continue your relationship in the future or let him live as he is, half-dead and watching helplessly as you build a life of love and happiness with someone else, murmuring endearments yet powerless, him your captive for the rest of his life — simply tell me and I shall grant it to you.” Lin Qingyu raised the corner of his lips and there was irresistible bewitchment in his cold voice, ” But I will not force you, the right to choose is in your own hands.”

Shen Huaishi was stunned for a long time and sat down slowly. On the other hand, Lin Qingyu stood up. “When you’ve thought about it, come find me again.”

Now past the Dragon Boat Festival, the days were getting hotter. The capital has not had a drop of rain for two months. The fields were cracked and the streams had dried up. Seeing the severe drought in the capital, the new crown prince, Xiao Jie, went to Tiantai Mountain together with the National Teacher to ask for rain. He has yet to returned.

The sun’s rays were scorching and cicadas cried out loudly. Lin Qingyu has been in the Imperial Medical Office’s library for most of the the day. he was half through “The Dayu’s Medical Compendium”. Suddenly, someone touched his right shoulder, he looked automatically to his right. There was no one there. When he looked back, he saw a thirty-year-old man sitting to his left.

Lin Qingyu wondered, “Why are you here?”

The hotter the weather, the more salted was Gu Fuzhou. Throughout the midsummer, he barely seen Gu Fuzhou go out. It must be some big matter to force Gu Fuzhou to brave the scorching sun to go to the Imperial Medical Office to come looking for him.

There was a thin layer of sweat on Gu Fuzhou’s forehead. One hand behind his back, he closed Lin Qingyu’s book with the other. He pushed it aside, and said with a smile, “I have something for you.”

“What?”

Gu Fuzhou took out his hand from behind his back. He was holding a porcelain jar. He said with an old spirit: “Ever since our darling little Gu died beneath Huan Tong’s foot, you have been depressed, your face awash with tears. As your husband, I simply can’t stand it, so… …”

Lin Qingyu’s heartbeat began to race. “You didn’t…”

“That’s right. I present to you a nest of little Gu insects.” Gu Fuzhou opened the lid, “I sent people to request these from the Southern Border’s Gu King. They should meet your requirements.”

Lin Qingyu took a closer look at the Gu insects that Gu Fuzhou gave him. A quick look showed that they were indeed the kind he wanted. As for whether they would produce the desired effect, that may only be known after raising them. But this has already saved him more than half the time and effort already.

Lin Qingyu smiled. “This is the best gift I have ever received.”

Gu Fuzhou’s mood turned subtle. “En…do you like it more than the engagement ring I gave you?”

To be honest, a nest of little Gu insects was much more useful to him than a ring. Because he often had to concoct medicines, it was inconvenient to wear things on his hands. The ring that Gu Fuzhou gave him, he had stored away together with other important objects. But at this moment, Lin Qingyu felt that he could tell a harmless little lie. He wiped the sweat from Gu Fuzhou’s forehead with his sleeve. “I still prefer the ring.”

Gu Fuzhou relaxed and he sat, half leaning against the table; even so, he was still much taller than Lin Qingyu who was standing upright. Gu Fuzhou grabbed him casually and Lin Qingyu was taken a step forward, bracketed between a pair of long legs.

Gu Fuzhou looked at Lin Qingyu’s expression and said, “You lied, Doctor Lin. You clearly prefer the little Gu insects. Sigh, you almost had me fooled again.”

There was a smile in Lin Qingyu’s eyes. “Both these things, you gave to me. So what’s the difference?”

Gu Fuzhou raised his eyebrows. “Then what about my return gift?”

Lin Qingyu lightly touched his cheek. “I’ll give it to you when we return to the Mansion.”

Gu Fuzhou seemed to be dissatisfied. He held onyo Lin Qingyu, not letting him go. “…Hm? That’s like saying you’ll give it to me in a year.”

Lin Qingyu warned, “This is the library. There may be students from the Imperial Medical Office later.”

Gu Fuzhou smiled and let go of him. “So that’s it.”

Before leaving, Lin Qingyu had to return the medical books on the table. Gu Fuzhou followed behind him, carrying the books. Gu Fuzhou handed the books and Lin Qingyu put them away. Before the last book, Gu Fuzhou suddenly called out to him. “Qingyu.”

As soon as Lin Qingyu turned around, he was gently pushed; his back directly against the bookshelf. Before he could react, Gu Fuzhou bent down and kissed his lips.

In an instant, Lin Qingyu was so panicked that he froze in place. This wasn’t the General’s Mansion; they weren’t in their bedroom. They were in the library and there are two guards posted at the door. Even they won’t be spotted, this was where he usually studied medicine. How could Gu Fuzhou… how could he kiss him here!

It wasn’t until his lips were bitten that Lin Qingyu barely managed to come back to his senses. He heard Gu Fuzhou say, “Qingyu, open your mouth.”

Lin Qingyu held the last medical book in his arms. His cheeks red, he called out subconsciously, “Jiang…”

His lips parted and Young Master Jiang’s tongue came just as expected and coaxing this little inexplicable sound from him.

They had no idea when the weather turn a took outside. A flash of lightning streaked through the air. Then thunder, then wind; a rainstorm came suddenly pouring down. The rain pounded the window casement and the library was as dark as night.

Lin Qingyu leaned back against the bookshelf. He closed his eyes, long lashes trembling slightly, he allowed Gu Fuzhou to kiss him.

Gentle, warm and ardent.

This was the first and last rain of this summer.

In August, the former crown prince Xiao Cheng died in Jinyang Garden. In October, the Emperor died of illness and the crown prince, Xiao Jie ascended to the throne with a reigning title of Chuxi; Empress Feng Wen, the only empress dowager of Dayu, held court behind a curtain.

The author has something to say: Mini Theater: The Daily Life of Classmate Jiang and the Great Beauty

After a period of time, classmate Jiang procured an ID card and household registration for the Great Beauty. Finally, the Great Beauty was no longer some unregistered resident.

Then Jiang, who was still under the age of 18, bound a game account with his wife's ID card——

Classmate Jiang: Qingyu, Qingyu, help me do an anti-addiction face recognition. I love you!

Translator’s note: My workload is still pretty heavy so releases might be inconsistent for a while longer but please rest assured that I’m not dropping either of my current projects and I promise that there will be releases every week (just that sometimes it will only be once instead of twice a week). orz