Zhao Baozhu stared at all the red decorations filling the room.
After standing there dumbfounded for a long while, he finally managed to ask: “Young Master… what is all this?”
Getting up behind him, Ye Jinghua rested one hand on Zhao Baozhu’s shoulder and looked around. “It’s your birthday. Shouldn’t there be decorations?”
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes widened.
Decorations? Were wealthy families’ birthday celebrations always decorated like this?
When he stepped outside, he discovered that it was not just the room. The entire yamen had been decorated. The bailiffs and servants were all wearing new clothes. On the way, he encountered Cuiniang and noticed that she had two red flower ornaments in her hair.
“Master!” Ah Long had changed into new clothes as well. He ran over eagerly and bowed. “This humble servant greets Old Master and wishes Old Master a happy birthday!”
“Alright, alright, get up.” Zhao Baozhu hurriedly helped him to his feet. Seeing Ah Long dressed in a bright red padded jacket, looking energetic and spirited, Zhao Baozhu reached out and pinched his cheek fondly. “That outfit suits you well.”
Ah Long grinned. “It’s all thanks to Old Master’s blessings. When Old Master celebrates his birthday, it feels like New Year for all of us!”
Zhao Baozhu smiled. “If you want to thank someone, thank Lord Ye.”
How could he not know? All these extra arrangements had certainly been made by Ye Jinghua.
Standing behind him, Ye Jinghua had been watching with a smile. At those words, however, he turned his head aside and pretended to admire the red lanterns hanging from the eaves. “What is there to thank me for? I know nothing about it.”
Feigning ignorance was one of his specialties. Zhao Baozhu glanced at him with a smile and could not be bothered arguing.
The entire yamen had been transformed into a festive scene. After getting used to it, Zhao Baozhu found that he rather liked it. Breakfast was naturally much more lavish than usual. Delicacies and exquisite pastries filled the table. In the center sat a basket of red-dyed eggs.
The sight delighted Zhao Baozhu. There was so much food that he could hardly keep up with it. Cuiniang and the elderly cook from the Ye household stood nearby. Seeing Zhao Baozhu eating with such enthusiasm, both smiled with satisfaction. Watching him enjoy himself, Ye Jinghua’s eyes and brows were full of amusement. His long fingers rested against the bright red eggshells, making his skin appear even fairer.
While Zhao Baozhu was eating an egg, he suddenly noticed a great deal of noise coming from outside. Even from a distance he could hear voices. Puzzled, he asked: “What’s happening outside? Is there some urgent matter?”
He immediately moved to go investigate. Ye Jinghua stopped him. “Finish eating first. I’ll go with you afterward.”
So Zhao Baozhu sat back down, though now he was even more curious. After breakfast and his medicine, Ye Jinghua indeed accompanied him outside. The moment they left the yamen, Zhao Baozhu was astonished. Throughout Wuya County, every household within five streets of the county office had hung lanterns and decorations. Tents had been set up in courtyards. Banquets had been laid out. People were drinking and feasting.
As soon as Zhao Baozhu appeared, everyone stood up to congratulate him.
“Happy birthday, Lord Zhao!”
“Lord Zhao, you’re another year older!”
“May the County Magistrate enjoy blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountain!”
The last blessing, shouted by someone unknown, made everyone burst into laughter.
“Our magistrate is still young! He’s nowhere near that stage yet!”
Zhao Baozhu hurriedly returned their greetings. All along the way, he bowed and clasped his hands while accepting congratulations. He even drank homemade wine at several households. Soon he was smiling so broadly that the corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears.
The previous night’s first snowfall had blanketed the ground in pale white frost. Slightly tipsy, Zhao Baozhu nearly slipped while walking over it.
Ye Jinghua immediately caught him. “That’s enough. How many cups have you had? No more drinking.”
Zhao Baozhu shook his head. Touching his forehead, he looked up at Ye Jinghua with a smile. “Young Master is right. I won’t drink anymore.”
After the snowfall, the daylight seemed especially bright. It illuminated Zhao Baozhu’s fair face until it glowed. His cheeks were rosy. His slightly drunken eyes shimmered with moisture. He looked exquisitely handsome.
The moment Ye Jinghua wrapped his arms around him, he found himself unwilling to let go. Keeping the youth in his embrace, he reached up and tightened the cloak around Zhao Baozhu’s shoulders. Then he said softly: “Since it’s your birthday, it’s only fitting to let the townspeople enjoy the celebration as well.”
It had to be said that Ye Jinghua understood people extraordinarily well. He had thoroughly grasped Zhao Baozhu’s nature. He knew that Zhao Baozhu possessed a clear and compassionate heart. First he pitied the common people. Second he cared for those around him. Only afterward did he think of himself. If Ye Jinghua wanted to win Zhao Baozhu’s affection, he naturally planned everything accordingly. He knew that nothing would delight Zhao Baozhu more than allowing the entire county to celebrate together.
As expected, Zhao Baozhu was deeply moved. Yet he also became worried. “For everyone to hold banquets because of me… won’t that be too expensive?”
Although this year’s autumn harvest had been abundant, Zhao Baozhu still felt that, compared to his own trivial birthday, the common people would be better off saving their money for the New Year.
Hearing this, Ye Jinghua smiled faintly and lowered his eyes. “I knew you would say that. You don’t need to worry. It isn’t costing them any of their grain or money.”
Zhao Baozhu froze for a moment, then suddenly understood. Ye Jinghua must have secretly paid for everything again. At once he felt both moved and conflicted.
Ye Jinghua had been sent out to serve as an official, yet instead of earning much from his salary, he seemed to have spent cartloads of wealth on Zhao Baozhu. It truly was the behavior of a spoiled young master.
Yet however extravagant it seemed, it would be a lie to say Zhao Baozhu was not touched. Since childhood, aside from his father, no one had ever treasured him so deeply. Turning around, Zhao Baozhu saw warm light shining from the windows of countless homes amid the snowy landscape. Men, women, old people, and children sat together happily, living peaceful and prosperous lives. The sight warmed his heart.
He turned back and glanced at Ye Jinghua with shining eyes. Then he buried himself in the man’s embrace. “Young Master treats me so well.”
With such a beauty throwing himself into his arms, the smile on Ye Jinghua’s face deepened. Lifting his cloak, he wrapped Zhao Baozhu up inside it, clothes and all. His fingers brushed against the youth’s wine-flushed cheeks. “The wind is strong outside. Let’s go back. I still have something good for you.”
His voice was as gentle as water. At this point, Zhao Baozhu was willing to do whatever Ye Jinghua suggested so he obediently allowed himself to be escorted back to the residence. That evening there was another grand feast. The bailiffs and servants of the yamen had their own banquet table. Even Cheng Wenxiu, who was still recuperating, and Tao Rui, who had returned home to run the family butcher shop, came to celebrate. After the longevity noodles had been eaten, everyone continued laughing and making merry. Some played finger-guessing drinking games. Others solved lantern riddles.
Ah Long was by far the most energetic. As the festivities went on, he suddenly jumped onto a table and insisted on performing a lion dance for everyone. In reality, he merely shook his head and wiggled about. Rather than a lion, he looked more like a little puppy.
Everyone burst into laughter. Zhao Baozhu laughed so hard he nearly fell over, tears coming out of his eyes. “Young Master, look at him! Quick, look!”
Ye Jinghua sat beside him. After several cups of wine, a touch of color had appeared on his snow-white cheeks. One hand rested behind Zhao Baozhu’s back, making sure he did not actually topple over while laughing.
The revelry continued for half the night. Outside, darkness settled across the sky. Cuiniang and the other women had already gone home earlier. Ah Long, being young, eventually exhausted himself. He picked a chair, curled up on it, and fell asleep, after which Lu Qin carried him back to his room.
At the banquet table, only the Tao brothers, Shanyi, and the other men who could hold their liquor remained drinking and playing games.
Even Cheng Wenxiu, the scholar, was somehow drinking heavily. His face was bright red, and he stubbornly held out until midnight.
By then, Zhao Baozhu was half drunk as well. Most of his body leaned against Ye Jinghua’s shoulder while he sat there smiling foolishly.
Ye Jinghua reached up and touched his forehead. “It’s getting late. Shall we go rest?”
Half-opening his eyes, Zhao Baozhu nodded. He wrapped an arm around Ye Jinghua’s shoulder and buried half his face in the man’s chest.
Seeing such dependence, a smile appeared on Ye Jinghua’s face. His arm circled the youth’s waist. With one motion he lifted Zhao Baozhu into his embrace and carried him toward the inner room.
At the table, Shanyi held a wine cup in his hand. Watching the intimate interaction between the two, he let out a long sigh. Beside him, Cheng Wenxiu also held a wine cup. His eyes were dark and gloomy. His fingers gripped the cup so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. As he watched the two disappear into the room, he opened his mouth as though wanting to say something. But in the end he said nothing. After hesitating for a long moment, he tilted back his head and drained the wine. Then, with a loud thud, he collapsed face-first onto the table.
Tao Rui glanced over. “Oh? Another one down.”
He paid little attention to it and turned to refill Shanyi’s cup. “Brother Liu, I’ve finally figured it out. You can really drink! Come on, let’s keep going!”
Shanyi’s expression remained blank. He glanced at Cheng Wenxiu and let out a cold snort. Rolling his eyes dramatically, he raised his cup and drank it in one gulp.
One side was a scheming fox with a belly full of tricks. The other was a spineless coward. Neither was worth a damn.
***
Meanwhile, Zhao Baozhu was half-supported, half-carried into the room by Ye Jinghua. As he staggered through the curtain, before he could even sit down, he noticed two large, heavy wooden chests standing in the corner. The lids were not completely closed. Light glimmered faintly through the cracks. One glance told him that ordinary items could not possibly be inside.
“What is in those chests?” His eyes widened slightly.
At his question, Ye Jinghua opened one of them.
Instantly, dazzling light flooded the room.
Zhao Baozhu stared at the treasure chest with his mouth hanging open.
Inside was an entire chest filled with rare and exotic treasures. There were ornaments, bead strings, decorative fans, exquisite toys. Zhao Baozhu even spotted a nine-linked puzzle carved entirely from jade and a gold-inlaid rattle decorated with strings of pearls.
“All of these are for you to play with.” Ye Jinghua bent down, picked up an ornament, and placed it into Zhao Baozhu’s hands.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyebrows nearly shot into the sky. He stared at Ye Jinghua. Was he being treated like a child? And there was far too much! Looking at the chest overflowing with treasures, Zhao Baozhu felt dizzy.
Had Ye Jinghua gone to the Dragon King’s palace in the Eastern Sea and looted his treasury?
Yet the ornament in his hand was extraordinarily exquisite. It was a tiny elephant. Its body was carved from jade. A gauzy cloth woven with gold thread draped its back. Turquoise stones encircled its body. Its trunk curled high into the air, making it look irresistibly adorable. The moment Zhao Baozhu held it, he could not bear to put it down.
Sitting beside him, Ye Jinghua said, “They’re tribute items from Siam. I heard people there raise elephants. The smaller ones are especially cute.”
Stroking the elephant’s trunk lovingly, Zhao Baozhu looked up in delight. “Really?”
“Really.” Ye Jinghua nodded with a smile. Then he took out an ornate embroidered box. “Set that aside for now. You can play with it later. First, let’s look at your birthday gift.”
Zhao Baozhu froze. “What? Then… then those chests aren’t the birthday gift?”
“Those are just things for you to play with.”
Lowering his head, Ye Jinghua handed him the embroidered box and undid the clasp. Immediately, golden light burst forth.
Looking down, Zhao Baozhu saw that inside was a smaller box. The entire thing was crafted from gold. Intricate patterns were engraved across its surface. It was astonishingly beautiful. Ye Jinghua lifted it out. At some unseen touch, beautiful music suddenly began to emerge from within.
Then, as though activated by some hidden mechanism, the lid slowly opened. A dazzling luminous pearl rose gradually from inside.
Zhao Baozhu was dumbstruck. Only then did he truly understand the ancient phrase “bringing brilliance to a humble home.”
“W-What is this?” His eyes were fixed on the luminous pearl slowly rotating atop the box. He could not look away. “Why is there music? How is it moving?”
Sitting beside him, Ye Jinghua smiled. “The Imperial Workshop copied it from a Western curiosity. Back when I served as a study companion in the palace, I wrote a poem His Majesty greatly liked, and he rewarded me with this.”
“The palace craftsmen said foreigners call it a music box.” As he spoke, he gently turned the winding arm on the side. The luminous pearl, which had begun slowing, immediately started rotating again. “See? That’s how it works.”
The two sat shoulder to shoulder, close together. From the side, Ye Jinghua watched the pearl’s soft white glow illuminate Zhao Baozhu’s face. The light made him seem even more delicate and beautiful.
That winter’s auspicious snow promised another year of abundance. Outside, great flakes of snow drifted down through the night.
Snowflakes landed on the ground with faint whispers.
Inside, red candles burned dimly. Warm fragrance drifted through the room. The red gauze hanging from the bed curtains brushed lightly against their heads.
After playing with the music box for a while, Zhao Baozhu’s excitement gradually settled. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at Ye Jinghua.
The yellow glow of candlelight illuminated his face. Those starry eyes were full of tenderness. Within them was reflected nothing but Zhao Baozhu himself.
Suddenly, Zhao Baozhu’s heart stirred. His gaze softened as well. “Why does Young Master treat me so well?”
At those words, something shifted in Ye Jinghua’s expression. He lowered his eyes to meet Zhao Baozhu’s. Their gazes intertwined. Something seemed to change between them.
The expression between Ye Jinghua’s brows gradually tightened. A trace of cold tension seeped into his features. It was as though something made him uneasy. Even the line of his jaw grew taut.
“There is another compartment beneath the box.” He wrapped an arm around Zhao Baozhu and pulled him closer. “Open it and see what’s underneath.”
Following his instructions, Zhao Baozhu lowered his head. His fingers felt along the inside of the box.
Sure enough, he discovered a loose panel at the bottom. Applying a little force, he lifted it. Reaching inside, his fingers touched something.
He pulled it out and held it beneath the candlelight. It was a lover’s knot.
Red silk cords intertwined around a piece of green jade.
The jade itself was not especially valuable. Compared to the treasures before it, it seemed quite ordinary. Yet Zhao Baozhu recognized it immediately. Two characters were carved into the jade:
“Baozhu.”
It was the very waist token he had carried with him during his days at the Ye residence.
Shock filled Zhao Baozhu’s eyes. His heart felt as though an entire snow-covered mountain had collapsed inside him.
A thunderous crash echoed through his mind.
“Do you know what this means?” Ye Jinghua whispered beside his ear.
Gripping the lover’s knot tightly, Zhao Baozhu said nothing. Slowly, he turned to look at Ye Jinghua. His gaze swept over the man’s face. Then, without a word, he suddenly stood up.
The moment he did, Ye Jinghua’s expression changed drastically. He grabbed Zhao Baozhu’s wrist. “Where are you going?”
Seeing Zhao Baozhu rise like that, he thought the youth was rejecting him. His heart immediately sank. Before doing this, he had already resolved that even if Baozhu refused him, he must never force the issue. He would simply proceed slowly and wait for another opportunity.
Yet now that the moment had arrived, he found himself completely unable to remain calm. The instant he grabbed Zhao Baozhu, he could not let go.
Turning back, Zhao Baozhu’s catlike eyes shone brilliantly. There was no anger in them. Instead, they flickered with emotion. “Young Master, don’t be anxious. I’m going to get something for you to see.”
Ye Jinghua froze. A slight frown appeared between his brows. Seeing that Zhao Baozhu’s expression seemed genuine, he finally released him.
Turning away, Zhao Baozhu indeed did not leave the room. Instead, he walked to a cabinet nearby. From it he took out a thick stack of letters. Then he returned and handed them to Ye Jinghua.
“These are all letters I wrote to Young Master.”
After Ah Long had teased him that day, Zhao Baozhu had actually written many letters in private. They were filled with all the intimate things he wanted to say to Ye Jinghua. However, before he had the chance to send them, Ye Jinghua himself had arrived.
Seeing such a thick stack of letters, Ye Jinghua rarely showed surprise. Lowering his eyes, he looked at the first line: “The autumn in Qingzhou arrives late. At midnight, seeing familiar things makes me think of the one I miss. Longing enters my heart like fire. I can no longer sleep…”
The moment he read it, Ye Jinghua was visibly shaken. Line after line, he continued reading. The handwriting was one he had personally taught; it was undoubtedly written by Zhao Baozhu’s own hand.
The more he read, the warmer his heart became. His jade-like face grew increasingly intent. His eyes darkened, his thin lips red as blood. Halfway through the letters, he could no longer continue. Throwing the papers aside, he turned and pulled Zhao Baozhu into his arms.
His arms wrapped tightly around Zhao Baozhu’s shoulders and back like iron chains. Holding him close, Zhao Baozhu could feel how hot Ye Jinghua’s body had become.
“Baozhu…” The man’s voice was low and hoarse. Zhao Baozhu felt Ye Jinghua’s warm cheek rubbing against his ear. Again and again. “Baozhu. Baozhu.”
He said nothing else. He simply kept calling Zhao Baozhu’s name, over and over.
Inside his embrace, Zhao Baozhu opened his eyes. Reaching out, he touched him and found that even through his clothes, heat radiated from Ye Jinghua’s body. Looking up, he saw veins standing out faintly at the man’s temples, as though he were restraining something. Beneath his thick lashes, even his eyelids carried a hint of pink.
Zhao Baozhu’s heartbeat quickened. Holding his breath slightly, he felt warmth rise to his face, his gaze becoming uncertain.
After a long moment, Zhao Baozhu bit his rosy lower lip. Suddenly he wrapped his arms around Ye Jinghua’s waist and leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Young Master… do you want to consummate our marriage with me?”
His voice was very soft. Yet it instantly froze Ye Jinghua in place.
Perhaps only half a breath passed. Perhaps several hours. Slowly, Ye Jinghua lifted his head. His eyes were dark. Pinching lightly at Zhao Baozhu’s lower back, he scolded in a low voice: “Nonsense. Where did you hear something like that?”
After speaking, he gently kissed Zhao Baozhu’s forehead as though reassuring him. “You’re still young.”
“I’m not young anymore.” Zhao Baozhu’s cheeks flushed from the intimacy. Pressing his lips together, he raised his eyes. Affection overflowed from them. “I know now. Men can consummate a marriage too.”
As he spoke, he actually reached up and undid several buttons at the collar of his official robe.
Although Ye Jinghua had often tried to persuade him otherwise, Zhao Baozhu insisted on wearing that somewhat worn official uniform. Usually, Ye Jinghua frowned whenever he saw it. Yet now, with several buttons undone, a glimpse of smooth, pale skin appeared beneath the robe. Under the dim red candlelight, the sight was unexpectedly alluring.
Ye Jinghua’s eyes darkened immediately. The fingers gripping Zhao Baozhu’s arm tightened. Veins throbbed on the back of his hand.
Still unaware of the danger, Zhao Baozhu continued leaning closer. “I… I already know about things between men.”
He moved close to Ye Jinghua and whispered a few things into his ear, repeating what he had learned from Shanyi. Then he lifted his head and looked up with wide, watery eyes. “Young Master, am I right?”
Ye Jinghua had gone rigid as stone. His expression tightened. His starry eyes remained fixed on Zhao Baozhu’s face.
Meeting that gaze, Zhao Baozhu suddenly paused. A sense of foreboding rose within him.
But it was already too late. With a lift of Ye Jinghua’s hand, the red gauze bed curtains drifted softly down behind them.
Zhao Baozhu jumped. “Young Master…”
Before he could finish speaking, Ye Jinghua pushed him down. A hand pulled open his collar. Several fasteners snapped loose. The kiss that had been restrained for so long finally landed upon that pale, provocative stretch of neck.
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