Later, the girl was escorted home safely by Lu Tan.
Neither she nor her fruit suffered any harm.
The entire way back, Ye Jinghua remained silent.
The atmosphere around him was unusually heavy.
Yet unlike the anger he had felt when seeing Cheng Wenxiu, this silence carried more disappointment than rage.
It was perfectly natural for Zhao Baozhu to be popular with women. He was handsome, held official rank, possessed a kind and upright character, and was a successful jinshi scholar. The more one counted his qualities, the more he seemed like the ideal husband.
Not only the girls of this small county town, even in the capital, there would surely be many families eager to acquire such an upright and capable son-in-law.
For the first time in his life, Ye Jinghua felt a genuine sense of crisis.
After returning to the yamen, Zhao Baozhu noticed something unusual about Ye Jinghua’s mood and approached him. “Young Master? What’s wrong?”
Seeing Ye Jinghua sitting by the table with his eyes closed and one hand rubbing his forehead, Zhao Baozhu assumed he had a headache.
“Did the cold wind make you ill?”
It was already late autumn. The weather outside had become chilly. Soon enough, snow would probably begin falling in the mountains.
Zhao Baozhu immediately turned and instructed Ah Long: “Hurry and prepare some ginger soup!”
Ye Jinghua opened his eyes and gently stopped him. “No need. I’m fine.”
Zhao Baozhu turned back and looked at him. Seeing the faint crease between Ye Jinghua’s brows and his somewhat gloomy expression, Zhao Baozhu frowned as well. “Do you have something on your mind, Young Master?”
Ye Jinghua lowered his eyes and held Zhao Baozhu’s hand. After a long silence, he asked: “If I remember correctly, you’re an only child?”
Zhao Baozhu blinked. Unsure why the topic had suddenly shifted, he nodded. “Yes.”
Another stretch of silence followed. Ye Jinghua seemed to be contemplating some difficult matter. His expression was unusually solemn. Both hands enclosed Zhao Baozhu’s hand as he slowly rubbed it.
Zhao Baozhu waited in confusion. Only after quite some time did Ye Jinghua finally ask: “In that case… are you already betrothed back in your hometown?”
The moment he spoke those words, his breathing almost imperceptibly halted. His eyes locked onto Zhao Baozhu’s face. It was as though this room had suddenly become a courtroom, and he was awaiting Zhao Baozhu’s verdict.
The moment Zhao Baozhu heard the question, his face turned bright red. “I, I don’t have any betrothal!”
Only then did the tension in Ye Jinghua’s expression ease slightly. He quietly released a breath and pressed further. “You’re your family’s only son. Your father and relatives must surely hope you’ll marry.”
At first, Zhao Baozhu was confused by Ye Jinghua’s use of “your father.” Then he realized Ye Jinghua meant his own father and smiled. “Nothing like that. My father still treats me like a child. And there aren’t really any relatives left in my clan. Who would bother worrying about whether I marry?”
Then he pressed his lips together. A faint watery brightness appeared in his catlike eyes. He glanced shyly at Ye Jinghua before quickly lowering his gaze again. “I… don’t really intend to marry either. My background isn’t good, and I don’t have much family wealth. It would be unfair to drag some poor girl into that.”
Hearing this, Ye Jinghua frowned. “What kind of nonsense is that? You’re an excellent person. You’re not allowed to belittle yourself.”
Zhao Baozhu smiled softly. Looking up at Ye Jinghua, he said: “As long as Young Master doesn’t dislike me, everything is fine.”
Hearing those words, Ye Jinghua concluded that Zhao Baozhu was still young and simply hadn’t given much thought to marriage and that suited him perfectly. His hand slid down Zhao Baozhu’s cheek.
“Dislike you?” His voice was gentle. “I can hardly spoil you enough.”
Zhao Baozhu immediately smiled so sweetly that it looked as though he had drunk honey.
***
The days passed one after another.
Ye Jinghua remained in Wuya County, eating, living, and working alongside him while caring for him with meticulous attention. Under such devoted care, Zhao Baozhu recovered quickly. His chest pains disappeared completely.
As autumn harvest gave way to winter, Zhao Baozhu’s birthday also drew closer day by day.
He began noticing that new items would mysteriously appear around the county yamen. One day there would be a glass lantern. The next day the window paper would be replaced with fine translucent paper. A few days later a beautifully crafted footstool would appear beside the bed. Zhao Baozhu knew perfectly well that Ye Jinghua was behind it. He had asked once or twice. Each time, Ye Jinghua pretended not to hear. Eventually Zhao Baozhu stopped asking. After all, it was Ye family money. By now he had concluded that the Ye family must possess some kind of magical treasure chest that produced endless silver. There was no point worrying about it.
A few days later, however, Ye Jinghua had to return to the prefectural offices. The case involving Chen Si’s corruption, bribery, and collusion between officials and merchants involved extensive evidence stored there. He needed to review it personally.
When he left, Ye Jinghua sat high atop his horse while still holding Zhao Baozhu’s hand. “Even while I’m away, remember to take your medicine properly. Go to bed early at night. Do you understand?”
Zhao Baozhu obediently nodded and agreed to every instruction.
Still reluctant to let go, Ye Jinghua added: “I’ll only be gone one or two days.”
Zhao Baozhu snorted and replied: “It’s not as though I’m a child who can’t survive without Young Master. Prefect Ye should worry about handling official business first.”
Looking at him, Ye Jinghua’s lips curved slightly. This little heartless creature naturally thought everything would be fine. The truth was that he, Ye Jinghua, couldn’t bear being apart from Baozhu, not the other way around. But evening was approaching. At last he released Zhao Baozhu’s hand and turned his horse around.
Before leaving, he said: “I will definitely return in time to celebrate your birthday.”
From afar, Zhao Baozhu waved him off and told him not to worry.
***
Life remained peaceful and comfortable. With Ye Jinghua away, Zhao Baozhu threw himself wholeheartedly into official work. The details of assistance from the neighboring counties had finally been settled. Zhao Baozhu immediately drafted official notices and had them posted throughout Qingzhou. The effects appeared quickly. People from neighboring counties seeking work gradually began gathering in Wuya County. New taverns, tea houses, and other businesses flourished almost overnight, and the county grew increasingly prosperous.
Zhao Baozhu was swamped with official duties, so busy that he wished he could grow four heads and eight legs. Yet despite the workload, everything was proceeding smoothly, and so a smile remained on his face every day.
The only unexpected development came one day when he was about to visit someone in the back hills regarding a case. Shanyi suddenly stopped him.
“My lord.” Shanyi appeared from who knew where, staring at him with burning intensity. “I have something to say to you in private.”
Zhao Baozhu was momentarily surprised, but saw no reason to refuse. Setting down his documents, he followed Shanyi into a nearby room. As they walked, he asked, “Brother Liu, what is it? Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we’ve had a heart-to-heart talk. What have you been busy with lately?”
Behind him, Shanyi shut the door and locked it. Hearing the question, he sneered inwardly.
Of course Zhao Baozhu never saw him anymore. Ever since that Second Young Master Ye had arrived, only that man could stay close to Zhao Baozhu. At most, Ah Long could also count. Everyone else was watched closely behind the scenes. Whether the previous incident had made Ye Jinghua wary, or whether he was simply guarding against Shanyi because of his identity, Shanyi had not been able to find a single chance to speak to Zhao Baozhu alone during this entire period.
Today, he had finally seized an opportunity. He had deliberately kept an eye out for one. Taking advantage of Ye Jinghua’s trip back to the provincial capital on business, he had shaken Lu Qin off in the woods and only then managed to get some time alone with Zhao Baozhu.
His expression darkened as he looked at Zhao Baozhu.
Only then did Zhao Baozhu notice that something was off. Blinking, he grew even more puzzled. “Brother Liu, what’s wrong?”
Shanyi’s handsome face was cold and stern. He stared at him for a long while before finally parting his thin lips.
“I only have one question for you, my lord.” Looking directly into Zhao Baozhu’s eyes, he got straight to the point. “Do you have feelings for Second Young Master Ye?”
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened. His mouth fell open. His entire body jolted.
Then a rosy flush climbed from his neck to his cheeks. Even his catlike eyes became moist with embarrassment.
Seeing this reaction, Shanyi understood immediately. His heart sank to the bottom.
Having his feelings exposed, Zhao Baozhu was so ashamed that he could not speak for quite some time. After a long while, he finally closed his mouth, glanced at Shanyi, paced back and forth twice, glanced at him again, and then sat down by the table.
“I… Brother Liu and I have shared life-and-death experiences together. I cannot lie to you.”
Zhao Baozhu lifted his head. His face, even his forehead, was crimson. Though embarrassed, his gaze did not evade Shanyi’s. “I truly do love Young Master.”
He looked at Shanyi with utmost seriousness as he said those words.
Caught by the sincerity in his eyes, Shanyi was momentarily speechless. Only after a moment did he come back to himself, his expression changing. “Do you know what you’re saying?” His brows knitted tightly together. His face became extremely serious. “This is not something to joke about! You’re still young, my lord. Don’t mistake admiration for something else and end up wandering onto this crooked path, ”
At this, Zhao Baozhu frowned as well. “I’m not joking. I understood my feelings long ago. I already, already loved Young Master long ago. And besides…”
He lowered his eyes. His cheeks turned even redder. Because he regarded Liu Shanyi as a close confidant, he forced himself to voice what was in his heart despite his embarrassment.
“And besides, from what I can tell, Young Master seems… seems not entirely without feelings for me either.”
The moment those words came out, Shanyi’s breathing halted. His chest tightened so badly that he nearly rolled his eyes and fainted.
Of course that Second Ye fellow had feelings for him! The man stared at their magistrate every day like a dog staring at a bone. He practically wanted to keep Zhao Baozhu tucked inside his mouth.
A suffocating pressure filled Shanyi’s chest. Anxiously flinging back his cloak, he began pacing around the room. Only after five or six circuits did he stop and glare resentfully at Zhao Baozhu.
Because Zhao Baozhu was so good-looking, Shanyi had always been wary of other men. He had constantly worried that some blind fool might take advantage of him. Who could have guessed that after all his vigilance, the problem would arise from Zhao Baozhu himself? That Ye fellow was simply detestable. Who knew what heart-bewitching demon had descended from heaven to inhabit him? He used nothing but crafty tricks and deceptive methods to charm Zhao Baozhu away.
Shanyi let out a heavy sigh. Sitting down beside Zhao Baozhu, he pressed a hand to his temple. “This is all my fault. Why did I ever talk to you about those crooked relationships? I never expected it would change your inclinations, ”
Zhao Baozhu hurriedly interrupted. “That’s not the case at all, Brother Liu. Please don’t blame yourself.” He paused. Though embarrassed, he continued for Shanyi’s sake. “I… I loved Young Master long ago. I was simply born foolish and only recently figured out my own feelings.”
His confession was utterly sincere. Yet after saying it aloud, he became embarrassed again and lowered his head, blushing. “Brother Liu, I truly mean it.”
The moment Shanyi saw his expression, he realized that Zhao Baozhu had genuinely fallen in love. His heart immediately turned cold. Then anger surged up. Leaping to his feet with a bang, he shouted: “My lord, say no more!”
His fury startled Zhao Baozhu. Shanyi’s chest heaved violently. Stomping his foot, he gritted his teeth. “You’re still so young! What do you know about true feelings? Those princelings and noble sons, what decent goods are any of them? They’re all flashy on the outside and rotten underneath. Don’t let yourself be fooled!”
Glaring at Zhao Baozhu, he lowered his voice. “I know exactly what happened. That Ye fellow is handsome, and you got dazzled by him. Don’t worry. A three-legged toad may be hard to find, but two-legged men are everywhere, ” Halfway through, he realized how wrong that sounded. “Bah, bah! What nonsense am I saying? My lord is an upright man. Don’t get involved in these disgraceful affairs. Wait a few years until you’re older, let your family find you a proper young lady, marry, have children, and live a respectable life. Wouldn’t that be far better?”
Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu understood that although Shanyi had a fiery temper, his concern came entirely from good intentions. His expression softened. Smiling faintly, he said: “But the one I love is Young Master.”
The moment Shanyi heard that, he nearly fainted from anger. His blood and qi churned violently. The words burst out before he could stop them: “You may love him sincerely, but does he sincerely love you?”
The instant he finished speaking, he felt there was no point arguing with Zhao Baozhu, who had been completely wrapped around the other man’s finger. Snorting coldly, he turned away. “There’s no reasoning with you. I’ll go ask that Ye fellow directly…”
“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Zhao Baozhu jumped up and grabbed him. The memory of Shanyi drawing his sword last time had left him traumatized. “Brother Liu! Brother Liu! Don’t go. Listen to my explanation!”
Trying to dispel Shanyi’s doubts, he explained gently: “Whether his feelings are sincere or not is beside the point. Young Master has shown me enormous kindness… I’m not afraid of being laughed at. When I went to the capital for the imperial examinations, I had only two taels of silver in my pocket. If Young Master had not mistaken me for a wandering beggar and taken me in, I probably would have starved or frozen to death long ago. Just for that reason alone, even if he comes to dislike me one day, I would have no complaints.”
Those words came from Zhao Baozhu’s heart. He felt he owed Ye Jinghua far too much. In family background, learning, and character, he could not compare to him in any regard. Even if Ye Jinghua’s feelings were not genuine, or if he changed his mind someday and no longer wanted to be with him, Zhao Baozhu felt he would still have no regrets.
But hearing this, Shanyi suddenly froze. It was as if he had realized something. Slowly turning his head, he asked: “My lord… did you say you were mistaken for a beggar?”
“Yes.” Zhao Baozhu nodded awkwardly. “It caused quite a few amusing misunderstandings at the time.”
But Shanyi felt as though enlightenment had struck him like a thunderbolt. Everything suddenly made sense.
He finally remembered a day when Cao Lian had returned from the Ye residence. For some reason, the man had been unusually restless, pacing about his room and unable to sit still. For the first time ever, he had even brought up the matter of Ye Family’s Second Young Master.
“I think Second Ye has fallen hard.”
Shanyi still remembered Cao Lian’s grin stretching almost to his ears as he chattered excitedly: “He picked up a little beggar from somewhere. Such a well-behaved child. Judging by how he treats him, he’s absolutely smitten. I reckon before long we’ll be drinking at Second Ye’s wedding banquet!”
At the time, Shanyi had been surprised but had not paid much attention. Instead, he had thought mockingly that Cao Lian’s tongue deserved to be cut out. These people trampled people like them beneath their feet and treated them as playthings, yet still talked about “wedding banquets.”
Whose wedding banquet?
He himself had only recently attended one, the magnificent ten-mile bridal procession when the son of a Minister married the legitimate daughter of a Duke.
His heart had been filled with cold bitterness. Yet he disdained acting like some resentful woman of the inner chambers so he had merely stared at Cao Lian while calculating exactly where to crack open his skull.
Now, hearing Zhao Baozhu’s words, that memory resurfaced in full. Shanyi suddenly understood. Staggering back several steps in shock, he pressed a hand to his forehead. He had never imagined that the legendary beggar whom Second Young Master Ye loved was the very same person who had passed the imperial examinations and become a jinshi while serving the Ye household.
How could such a coincidence exist in the world?
Seeing Shanyi’s pale face and unsteady steps, Zhao Baozhu hurried over in alarm and helped him sit down. “Brother Liu, what’s wrong?”
Shanyi sat down shakily, one hand supporting his forehead. Only then did he believe three-tenths of Ye Jinghua’s sincerity. Though furious, he was not a fool. Before, he had never understood why Ye Jinghua had abandoned the pleasures and splendor of the capital to come to such a godforsaken place. Now, thinking it over, it was obvious. The man had followed the scent all the way here. Men valued power and profit above all else. To… to go this far for someone,
Fine.
That counted as a measure of sincerity.
Yet even so, Shanyi still did not approve of the relationship.
Seeing his troubled expression, Zhao Baozhu personally poured him a cup of tea and handed it over. “Brother Liu, don’t worry. Have some tea first.”
Shanyi accepted the cup but did not lower his hand. Instead, he looked up at Zhao Baozhu. “My lord, you must listen to one piece of advice.”
His phoenix eyes blazed intensely. Looking at Zhao Baozhu with utmost seriousness, he said: “Even if he truly has a little sincerity, even if the two of you can be happy for a while, relationships between men can never last forever. Ordinary men would be one thing, but who is Second Ye? The Ye family has been a noble and illustrious house for generations. His father is the Prime Minister. His elder sister is an imperial consort.”
“He could probably even marry a princess!”
Those words struck Zhao Baozhu like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head in midsummer. At first he was stunned. Then the color slowly drained from his face.
That’s right. How had he forgotten? Young Master would certainly have to marry someday.
It was as though Zhao Baozhu had abruptly awakened from a beautiful dream. A trace of emptiness appeared in his catlike eyes.
Shanyi noticed his expression and knew that Zhao Baozhu understood. Seeing the youth looking so lost and helpless, his heart softened. Unable to help feeling sorry for him, he quickly spoke in a gentler tone: “However, my lord is an official of the court and a man of learning. You are completely different from someone like me, so things are not nearly so hopeless for you. You hold official rank. No matter how much that Ye fellow wants you, he cannot easily control you. If he harbors improper intentions, at worst we can make a scene of it. Then let’s see whether his father, the Prime Minister, can still keep his position.”
Shanyi continued speaking for quite some time, but Zhao Baozhu could not take in a single word. He sat there in a daze. Only after a long while did he come back to himself. Turning his head, he saw Shanyi looking at him with concern. “My lord, are you heartbroken?”
Zhao Baozhu shook his head. Though his face remained pale, he forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
Looking at Shanyi, he said softly, “Brother Liu has said so many kind things to comfort me and treats me like a real brother. I’m very grateful.”
Seeing this, Shanyi remained worried, but he felt somewhat reassured. Zhao Baozhu was not like common folk such as himself. He was educated and understood right from wrong. Surely he knew what he was doing. As long as he did not end up following the same path Shanyi had once walked, everything would be fine.
***
The conversation between Zhao Baozhu and Shanyi remained known to no one else.
This time, when Ye Jinghua returned to the provincial capital, something seemed to have delayed him. He had originally said he would be back within a day or two, but by the third day he still had not returned. Zhao Baozhu was somewhat worried, but he knew Ye Jinghua was occupied with matters concerning the former prefect, Chen Si. Many important documents were kept at the provincial yamen and required Ye Jinghua’s personal attention.
The day before Zhao Baozhu’s birthday happened to coincide with the beginning of winter.
Because of the cold weather, Zhao Baozhu climbed into bed early and wrapped himself tightly in his blankets. The brazier in the room burned warmly, carrying a faint fragrance that drove away the chill in the air.
The calming incense was almost used up.
As he breathed in the faint scent and drifted toward sleep, that was the last thing Zhao Baozhu thought.
Perhaps because there was less calming incense than usual, Zhao Baozhu unexpectedly woke up in the middle of the night. Still half asleep, before he even opened his eyes, he caught the scent of a cool fragrance.
A hand was resting against his cheek. He first raised his own hand and grasped those slightly cool fingers before struggling to open his eyes. Through blurred vision, he saw a figure sitting beside his bed.
“…. Young Master… you’ve come back?”
Recognizing Ye Jinghua, Zhao Baozhu immediately tried to sit up but a gentle hand pressed him back down. That hand withdrew and carefully tucked the blanket around him.
“It’s cold outside. Don’t get up.” Ye Jinghua’s voice, as harmonious as zithers in duet, sounded in the room. As he moved, that cool fragrance spread through the air. To Zhao Baozhu, it seemed colder than usual. Reaching out, he brushed against the embroidered outer robe Ye Jinghua was wearing and found a layer of cold frost on it.
“Is it snowing outside?” Zhao Baozhu frowned and looked toward the window. Sure enough, snowflakes were drifting outside. His drowsiness vanished instantly. “Young Master, why did you travel back overnight? What if your horse slipped in such heavy snow?”
Ye Jinghua immediately grabbed his hand and stuffed it back under the blanket. “Don’t move. The cold is still on me.”
Unable to move because he was being held down, Zhao Baozhu urged him, “Then hurry and take off that outer robe and come warm yourself.”
Since Zhao Baozhu had said so, Ye Jinghua naturally complied. Removing the robe, he climbed into bed wearing only his inner garments. Mindful of the cold still clinging to him, he did not get under Zhao Baozhu’s blanket. Instead, he pulled another quilt over himself. Then he opened his arms and gathered Zhao Baozhu, blanket and all, into his embrace.
The charcoal crackled in the brazier. Held tightly against him, Zhao Baozhu heard Ye Jinghua let out a deeply satisfied sigh. “There’s nowhere more comfortable than here.”
Hearing that, Zhao Baozhu’s ears turned red. He thought to himself that Young Master was saying silly things again. The provincial yamen was enormous and far grander than his shabby little county office.
“Why were you in such a hurry? It was so dark outside at night. What if something had happened?”
Closing his eyes, Ye Jinghua rubbed his cheek lightly against Zhao Baozhu’s dark hair and whispered by his ear, “I came back as soon as the work was finished.”
Then he patted him lightly on the back. “Enough. Go to sleep. Tomorrow we’ll celebrate your birthday.”
Buried beneath the blankets, Zhao Baozhu knew perfectly well that Ye Jinghua had rushed back specifically to celebrate his birthday. A warm current flowed through his chest. Looking up from Ye Jinghua’s embrace at the dark sky outside the window, he almost wished the sun would rise in the east the very next instant.
***
By all logic, with his heart beating so excitedly, he should have had difficulty falling asleep. Yet whether it was because seeing Ye Jinghua put him at ease or because the cold weather made him sleepy, Zhao Baozhu slept like a log in Ye Jinghua’s arms.
By the time he opened his eyes, it was broad daylight.
Blinking, he looked up. Ye Jinghua was lying beside him in white sleeping robes. One arm circled his waist from behind, and the front of his robe hung slightly open. At some point, he must have already washed and freshened up, because now they were sharing the same quilt.
Zhao Baozhu’s face instantly turned scarlet. Just as he tried to sit up, the arm around his waist tightened, pulling him closer. “Awake?”
Ye Jinghua opened his star-bright eyes and looked at him.
“Y-Young Master…” Pressing both hands against Ye Jinghua’s chest, Zhao Baozhu glanced outside. “What time is it? We’ve slept far too late. Why didn’t Ah Long come wake us?”
Hearing this, Ye Jinghua lightly rubbed his hand against the youth’s waist. “Don’t worry. It’s your birthday today. I’ve already informed everyone that the yamen is taking the day off.”
Only then did Zhao Baozhu relax. But when they finally got up and washed, and he sat on the edge of the bed, what truly stunned him was the room itself.
Everything had been redecorated. Not only had various furnishings been replaced with new ones, but every window was decorated with red longevity paper cuttings. Red gauze with golden tassels hung from the bed curtains. Even the oil lamps had not been spared, the candle wicks had been replaced with bright red candles.
At first glance, it looked less like a birthday celebration and more like preparations for a wedding.
