At this moment, his eagerness to learn was obvious. His eyes sparkled, and with his appearance, he looked exactly like a little dog begging its master for food.
Ye Jinghua lowered his gaze to look at him, not answering immediately, only smiling faintly.
Zhao Baozhu was impatient. Seeing no reply, his voice grew more urgent: “My good young master, please teach me, teach me.”
His plea was so earnest that his tone carried a hint of coquettishness. Seeing him like this, Ye Jinghua felt as refreshed as if he had drunk a pot of sweet osmanthus soup on a scorching day, and couldn’t resist teasing him: “I do want to teach you, but I still have to write the preface for the travelogue, I don’t have the time.”
Zhao Baozhu froze, then lowered his head, pressing his lips together. “…Since the young master has matters to attend to, then forget it.”
Seeing his drooping brows and downcast eyes, full of regret, Ye Jinghua quickly coaxed, “I was teasing you. I’ve already sent out the preface, you were writing so intently you didn’t notice.”
Zhao Baozhu suddenly lifted his head, his eyes lighting up. “Really?”
Ye Jinghua curved his lips. “I won’t trick you again.” He pointed to the bookshelf. “Go bring the middle and lower volumes as well.”
Zhao Baozhu hurried over and brought the upper, middle, and lower volumes all together. When he got close, he finally realized that Ye Jinghua had just teased him, and his big eyes snapped up as he glared at Ye Jinghua with some annoyance. Ye Jinghua smiled at him with great indulgence, opened the middle volume, pointed out a passage, and said to Zhao Baozhu: “First annotate this section.”
Once Zhao Baozhu had a book to read, he no longer cared about being tricked just now and plunged headfirst into the sea of learning.
***
After several days in a row, Zhao Baozhu gradually became Ye Jinghua’s study attendant. Though called a study attendant, Ye Jinghua spent his days either reading miscellaneous books, composing poems and letters for friends, or copying obscure travel writings. Aside from grinding ink, there was not much he needed Zhao Baozhu to serve him with. In fact, when it came down to it, Ye Jinghua spent more time teaching him than anything else.
From initial unease, Zhao Baozhu gradually grew accustomed to this kind of life. Whatever Ye Jinghua asked him to use, books or writing materials, he would simply give them all to him. Zhao Baozhu could not refuse and slowly got used to it, only thinking that once he passed the examinations and took office, he would convert everything into silver and repay him.
That day, a flock of magpies flew out from some neighboring courtyard and landed in the front yard, refusing to leave. Deng Yun, Fang Qin, Fang Li, and the others were busy trying to catch them with cages and return them, and they called Zhao Baozhu over to help.
Ye Jinghua still remembered his delicate skin; only after seeing that the sky was overcast did he allow Zhao Baozhu to go out.
In the courtyard, Deng Yun, Fang Qin, and the others were being run ragged by the magpies, unable to catch even one. But as soon as Zhao Baozhu stepped forward, he bent down, curled his back, and silently followed behind the birds. Then he used millet to divert their attention, and when the birds lowered their heads to peck, he pounced and grabbed one by the neck in a single motion.
The entire sequence flowed smoothly like water. Deng Yun and Fang Qin stood behind him, dumbfounded, watching as Zhao Baozhu caught bird after bird without even using a cage. Deng Yun crossed his arms over his chest, turned to Fang Qin, and sighed: “Look at that, truly like a cat in human form.”
Fang Qin let out a soft laugh and shook his head. Zhao Baozhu caught several birds in a row, and hearing them gossiping behind his back, turned around and frowned at Deng Yun: “You’re not even helping, what are you standing there for? Just getting in my way.”
Deng Yun immediately widened his eyes in displeasure: “Hey, Baozhu. You call him ‘Qin Gege’ this and ‘Li Gege’ that every day, why is it that when it comes to me, you don’t have a single nice word?”
He smiled at Zhao Baozhu and pointed at himself: “I’m two years older than you, you can call me Yun Gege too.”
Zhao Baozhu glanced at him, snorted, “I refuse!” and turned his head back. He still remembered that when he fainted that day, Deng Yun had called him dirty and smelly.
Seeing that Zhao Baozhu treated only him with such disdain, Deng Yun was so angry his chest hurt. He rolled up his sleeves and made as if to grab him: “You brat! Let’s see if I don’t teach you a lesson!”
Seeing him getting angry, Fang Qin quickly stepped in to mediate: “Why are you arguing with him? He doesn’t know better, do you not know better either?” As he spoke, he pushed Deng Yun away, saying, “The accounts still aren’t sorted out, let’s go take a look. Let him catch the birds here himself.”
Deng Yun reluctantly followed him away. After they left, Zhao Baozhu was the only one remaining in the front yard. He first caught all the magpies in the courtyard. One particularly lively bird, with especially full plumage, lured Zhao Baozhu all the way into a small alley. After some effort, he finally caught it. After putting the bird into a cage, Zhao Baozhu looked up and suddenly noticed a small window in the wall.
He blinked, realizing that the position of this window should be at the side of the study, with the couch Ye Jinghua often reclined on just below it. His eyes turned, and a mischievous idea immediately surfaced, Ye Jinghua often startled him for amusement; today he would startle him in return.
Zhao Baozhu set down the birdcage, climbed up using both hands and feet, stepping on a lampstand by the wall corner, and held onto the window ledge to peek inside. Sure enough, he saw Ye Jinghua reclining on the couch, reading a miscellany.
Zhao Baozhu curved his eyes mischievously, held his breath, and quietly watched him for a moment. Then, when Ye Jinghua was unguarded, he suddenly called out: “Young master!”
As expected, Ye Jinghua paused in turning the page and then raised his head.
There, by the bedside, the youth revealed only his face, his cat-like eyes full of cunning, smiling as he looked at him, with two small dimples at the corners of his mouth.
Seeing him, Ye Jinghua froze for a moment. Then he watched as the lively and handsome youth’s expression shifted slightly, and he said: “Did I scare you this time, young master?” He huffed proudly, smiling. “You always scare me, today I scared you back.”
Ye Jinghua’s lashes trembled lightly; the momentary daze faded, and the icy composure in his features melted into a smile. “Yes. This time, I was scared by you.”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu’s smile deepened, and he grew somewhat smug.
At the doorway, Steward Li was just about to enter to remind the young master inside that it was time for lunch. Before he could even step over the threshold, he looked up and saw this scene, let out an “oh,” and quickly withdrew with a smile.
Behind him, Deng Yun craned his neck and asked, “Steward Li, where’s the young master? Are we serving it here today or in the main hall?”
“Tch.” Steward Li frowned and scolded him: “Come back later.”
Can’t you see the young master is in a good mood!
Inside, Ye Jinghua set down the book in his hand, stood up from the couch, and said to Zhao Baozhu: “Get down quickly. Where are you climbing? Be careful you don’t fall.”
Zhao Baozhu chuckled. “I won’t fall, young master, don’t worry.” As he spoke, he even released one hand and took out a magpie from his pocket to show him: “Look, young master, I caught all the magpies.”
Seeing this, Ye Jinghua frowned and lightly scolded: “Nonsense. If you really fall, you’ll know pain then.”
Zhao Baozhu pouted slightly. “I won’t fall. Young master, look at the magpie, this one is especially big.”
Left with no choice, Ye Jinghua coaxed him: “I see it. Baozhu is very capable. Alright, get down quickly. It’s time to eat soon.”
At the mention of food, Zhao Baozhu’s eyes lit up. He responded with an “oh” and jumped down from the wall. Just as he was about to carry the birdcage away, he heard Ye Jinghua’s voice from the window behind him: “Don’t touch the birds anymore. Let Deng Yun handle it later. Go wash your hands first.”
Zhao Baozhu paused, thinking that sometimes Ye Jinghua really seemed to have eyes on the back of his head. He responded from afar, set down the birdcage, and went to the spring to wash his hands.
***
A moment later, lunch was laid out in the main hall.
A row of maids in colorful cloud-patterned skirts drifted in like a breeze, their slender hands carrying small plates of exquisite dishes, fragrant, flavorful, and beautifully presented, making Zhao Baozhu’s eyes practically glow green with desire.
Seated at the head, however, Ye Jinghua seemed to have little appetite. He first washed his hands with the water brought by the maids, then lifted his tea and took a couple of unhurried sips before finally beginning to eat. Though every movement was elegant and pleasing to the eye, befitting a noble young master, watching him eat was honestly enough to ruin one’s appetite.
He held chopsticks in one hand while still holding a book in the other, turning three pages before taking a single bite. And his chopsticks never reached far, if Fang Qin did not place dishes before him, he seemed unwilling to pick up anything at all.
No matter how many times Zhao Baozhu saw it, he could not get used to this. Seeing that Ye Jinghua did not even touch the braised lion’s head dish he had been eyeing for so long, his eyes nearly popped out, was this man truly some immortal who lived on dew?
The maids and servants in the room dared not make a sound, all lowering their heads and standing quietly. Only Zhao Baozhu stared wide-eyed at Ye Jinghua, glaring at him in frustration, his peasant instincts taking over as he ground his back teeth.
What a waste of such a big body! Back in his hometown, eating like this would earn you a smack with chopsticks!
Lost in his irritation, Zhao Baozhu did not notice Fang Qin shooting him warning looks several times.
At that moment, perhaps feeling the intensity of his gaze, Ye Jinghua suddenly turned his head and looked at him with star-like eyes. Zhao Baozhu froze, quickly lowering his head and sneaking a glance, had his thoughts been seen through?
The next moment, Ye Jinghua smiled at him, like a gentle breeze, and beckoned him with a raised hand.
Seeing that smile, Zhao Baozhu’s mind instantly turned to mush, forgetting everything. He walked over in a daze, and saw Ye Jinghua switch to a clean pair of chopsticks, pick up a piece from the soft braised lion’s head, and hold it out to his mouth: “Eat.”
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened instantly as he stared at the lion’s head meatballs in front of him, unsure whether to eat them or not. The meatballs, stewed in some kind of broth, smelled incredibly delicious, and Zhao Baozhu, lured by the aroma, couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose.
Seeing his puppy-like reaction, Ye Jinghua chuckled softly. “Eat quickly, or it’ll get cold.”
Under the double assault of beauty and delicious food, Zhao Baozhu grew dizzy and leaned forward to take a bite. Instantly, the taste revived his tongue, braised in rich broth, it melted in his mouth with no trace of gaminess. He looked up, his eyes shining brighter than the sunlight outside: “So good!”
Seeing him speak with food in his mouth, Fang Qin frowned even more. What kind of propriety was this, a master feeding a servant?
Ye Jinghua glanced at him subtly. Though not entirely satisfied, he handed the chopsticks to Zhao Baozhu and casually pushed a small dish of steamed fish slices toward him: “Eat.”
Having already taken a bite, Zhao Baozhu no longer held back. After glancing at Ye Jinghua, he bent his head and began eating heartily. The more he ate, the more he wondered if the inn’s chef had been brought down from the heavens, how could such small dishes taste so incredibly good, enough to make one want to bite off their tongue?
Unlike Ye Jinghua’s slow and measured manner, Zhao Baozhu ate quickly and in large mouthfuls, yet without appearing crude. His fair, soft cheeks were stuffed full, making him look adorably endearing.
Leaning back in his chair, Ye Jinghua watched Zhao Baozhu eat with a faint smile in his eyes, even setting aside the book in his hand. Each time Zhao Baozhu was about to finish a dish, he would quietly push another one toward him at just the right moment.
For a time, one fed and the other ate, and it was unexpectedly very harmonious. Fang Qin, of course, was already so angry his face had turned pale, but at this moment no one paid any mind to his feelings.
However, just then, a stumbling figure suddenly rushed into the room, breaking the calm of the main hall. Steward Li’s brows twitched; seeing a young servant in blue dash in, drenched in sweat, he immediately scolded: “What are you doing, running around in a panic like a headless chicken! Don’t you see the young master is eating?”
The servant lifted his head, too anxious even to wipe the sweat from his brow, and said with a bitter expression, “Steward Li, Madam has arrived!”
Steward Li froze at once. Zhao Baozhu still had his cheeks stuffed full of food; hearing the servant’s alarmed voice, he looked up and saw Deng Yun and Fang Qin standing on either side, both looking stunned. He blinked in confusion.
Where did this “Madam” come from?
Before they could react, Zhao Baozhu saw a gorgeously dressed woman drift in from outside. She wore a long robe of deep kingfisher blue embroidered with gold thread; the ornaments in her hair glittered in the sunlight, making it hard to see her face clearly for a moment.
The woman carried an imposing presence; the moment she entered, she looked straight at Ye Jinghua. Zhao Baozhu, caught by her beautiful gaze, was affected by her aura and didn’t even dare chew the food in his mouth.
Ye Jinghua, however, remained composed. He turned slightly, subtly shielding Zhao Baozhu behind him, and said softly to the woman: “Mother.”
This beautiful woman was actually Ye Jinghua’s mother? Zhao Baozhu was astonished. Sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere, he immediately stepped back and stood by the wall.
Because of the backlight, Zhao Baozhu couldn’t clearly see the woman’s expression, only the faint movement of the elaborate ornaments in her hair.
Then, suddenly, the woman strode quickly into the room and threw her arms around Ye Jinghua: “My son!”
Her soft sleeves fluttered in the air as her delicately painted fingertips cupped Ye Jinghua’s face. She cried sorrowfully: “I had no idea what kind of life you were living here, your mother has been so foolish!”
