Once Zhao Baozhu realized that the person holding him was Ye Jinghua, he finally relaxed. Fortunately, he was still here, he had not actually fallen into the stream.
The moment he relaxed, however, he remembered that he ought to resist. But Ye Jinghua carried him straight out of the dark alley, and by the time Zhao Baozhu realized what was happening, he had already been tossed onto the bed.
“Ah!”
The sudden sensation of falling startled Zhao Baozhu. He landed on the soft mattress. It did not hurt, but it still frightened him.
Zhao Baozhu turned around, but before he could say anything, he was firmly held down against the bed.
Ye Jinghua had not grown up fighting in village lanes and alleys the way Zhao Baozhu had, but his height and build were what they were. With his weight pressing down on Zhao Baozhu, Zhao Baozhu found himself unable to move for the moment.
“Mm!” Zhao Baozhu nearly had the breath knocked out of him. He was completely bewildered. For some reason, the oil lamp in the room had not been lit either. In the darkness, all he could hear was the suppressed breathing of the man beside him. The next moment, a chill brushed against him.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes flew open. Ye Jinghua had actually deftly undone his sash in a single motion!
Zhao Baozhu was startled. He grabbed the offending hand and lowered his voice. “What are you doing?”
Ye Jinghua did not answer. He freed his hand from Zhao Baozhu’s grip, and in the next instant, Zhao Baozhu felt a slightly cool body pressed against his chest.
“!”
In the darkness, Ye Jinghua’s hands moved over him, and the heat in Zhao Baozhu’s face rose steadily.
This…. this was outrageous!
For a moment, Zhao Baozhu felt as though he had become some innocent young maiden being taken advantage of by a villain. Finally, after Ye Jinghua gave him another hard pinch, Zhao Baozhu could take it no longer.
“Thud!”
Ye Jinghua was kicked straight off the bed. He seemed to collide with something, letting out a muffled groan.
Zhao Baozhu immediately scrambled upright and hurriedly lit the oil lamp beside the bed. Warm yellow light instantly flooded the room. Sitting on the bed, Zhao Baozhu pulled open his collar and looked down. He immediately hissed.
It was all red!
Zhao Baozhu pressed his lips together and glared furiously toward the floor beside the bed. But when he looked over, he froze.
Ye Jinghua was sitting on the floor, looking thoroughly disheveled. His jade crown was askew, and a strand of black hair had fallen across his forehead. The front of his moon-white robe had loosened, revealing a small section of his chest at the collar. Perhaps he had hurt himself when he fell. The corners of his star-bright eyes were faintly red, his thick brows slightly furrowed, and his gaze was deep and heavy as he looked at Zhao Baozhu.
A beautiful man looked even more beautiful beneath the lamplight.
As Zhao Baozhu watched the warm light illuminate Ye Jinghua’s face, he somehow managed to detect a hint of grievance in those striking, almost regal features.
He pressed his lips together. The anger in his heart dissipated all at once. Somewhat awkwardly, he coughed. “You… Why did you suddenly do that? You scared me half to death.”
Ye Jinghua sat on the floor without saying anything. Instead, he lowered his eyes and reached up to rub the back of his head.
Seeing the movement, Zhao Baozhu’s heart immediately tightened. “Did you hit your head?”
The words escaped before he could stop them. Ye Jinghua lowered his hand and shook his head. “I’m fine. I only bumped it a little.”
“How can you call that fine?” After hearing that, how could Zhao Baozhu possibly remain seated? He hurried over, helped Ye Jinghua up, and sat him on the edge of the bed. Then he reached out to feel the back of his head. Only after finding no swelling did he finally relax.
“A head injury is no small matter,” Zhao Baozhu muttered. “Who told you to scare me? What if you came all the way here and then couldn’t return to the capital in one piece? Wouldn’t Madam Ye be heartbroken when she saw you? I’d become a sinner for all eternity.”
Ye Jinghua fell silent for a moment after hearing this. Then he said quietly, “You’re not going back with me anyway. Where did all that come from?”
Zhao Baozhu was rendered speechless. The events of the day came flooding back, and he fell silent as well.
After all this commotion, most of his anger had dissipated, but he still could not agree with what Ye Jinghua had done. A few days ago, he had even refused to accept Ye Jinghua’s money. It was only that their relationship had grown increasingly close, and between the two of them, there was no longer any practical way to calculate these worldly possessions. But when it came to serving as an official, if he continued relying on Ye Jinghua’s influence, what would that make him?
Zhao Baozhu remained silent for a long time. Ye Jinghua glanced at his expression, lowered his eyes, and said, “If you truly don’t want to go, I’ll submit a memorial to the Emperor tomorrow. Then neither of us will return.”
His tone was indifferent, as though he were talking about some trivial matter that was hardly worth mentioning.
Zhao Baozhu’s eyes suddenly widened. He shot to his feet. “Young Master, what are you saying? Are you telling me I should let you defy the imperial edict?”
The imperial edict had been personally delivered by an imperial eunuch, who had even braved the snow to come during the court’s winter recess. The Emperor’s regard for them was obvious. Now that the edict had been delivered and accepted, if they submitted a memorial saying they would not return, how was that anything other than defying the imperial command?
No matter how angry Zhao Baozhu was, he would never allow Ye Jinghua to place himself in such danger.
Hearing him, Ye Jinghua lifted his eyes and looked at him. “You don’t need to worry. I have my own way.”
The moment Zhao Baozhu heard that Ye Jinghua genuinely intended to do it, his eyes widened even further and he became even more anxious. “What nonsense are you talking about? The imperial edict has already been issued. What could you possibly do?”
Ye Jinghua remained silent.
Seeing that he refused to answer, Zhao Baozhu became even more uneasy. For anyone else, perhaps it would have been impossible. But Ye Jinghua might actually have a way.
Zhao Baozhu knew very well that Ye Jinghua was exceptionally clever and resourceful. He was afraid that Ye Jinghua might truly resort to some underhanded method, so he hurriedly tried to persuade him. “Don’t start thinking up any crooked schemes. Forget everything else, even if you consider nothing but the Emperor’s intentions, you ought to understand. He sent someone all the way here in the middle of the first month of the lunar year. He went to such lengths for you, so you should show some consideration too.”
Zhao Baozhu earnestly tried to persuade him. “With Young Master’s intelligence and talent, you never should have been sent to a place like this in the first place. Now that you’re being summoned back to the capital, the Emperor must have important matters he wants you to handle. Surely you don’t intend to stay in this remote backwater for the rest of your life?”
Ye Jinghua had originally been listening in silence. Upon hearing the last sentence, he suddenly lifted his eyes. “And what if I stay here for the rest of my life?”
Zhao Baozhu froze. Seeing the light flickering in his eyes, he realized Ye Jinghua was serious.
Zhao Baozhu’s brows trembled. Pressing his lips together, his heart softened. He thought of the Ye residence, with its carved beams and painted rafters, piles of gold and jade, pavilions and towers like a heavenly palace. Even a servant’s room in regular use there was larger than his own bedroom. Yet Ye Jinghua, a young master who had been born with a golden spoon in his mouth, had crowded together with him in this humble dwelling for several months.
The glory, wealth, high office, and generous salaries of the capital were the lifelong aspirations of countless people. Yet in Ye Jinghua’s eyes, they seemed as light as a goose feather, not worth caring about at all.
With such feelings laid bare before him, Zhao Baozhu only felt that his cultivation was insufficient; he could not help being moved.
His gaze flickered slightly. Slowly lowering his head, he sat down beside Ye Jinghua. After a long while, he let out a sigh.
“This time… fine.”
Biting his lower lip, he glanced at Ye Jinghua. “If there’s a next time, I absolutely won’t spare you!”
At those words, Ye Jinghua visibly perked up. Even his back straightened a little. He immediately grabbed Zhao Baozhu’s hand. “You’re agreeing to return to the capital with me?”
Zhao Baozhu irritably shook off his hand. “His Majesty has already issued the decree. I have to go back eventually.” He muttered, “But you’re not allowed to secure an official post for me! After that, wherever I’m supposed to go, that’s where I’ll go.”
At those words, Ye Jinghua’s eyes darkened slightly. After today’s uproar, he truly did not dare make any obvious moves. He did not dare anger Zhao Baozhu again. He loved Zhao Baozhu’s integrity, yet hated how stubborn he was. The man would not even give him the opportunity to attend him from before and behind. Whenever he heard of commoners suffering injustice, Zhao Baozhu looked ready to draw a sword and rush forward himself. How could Ye Jinghua possibly feel at ease?
As for the future, it would have to be planned gradually.
Though his thoughts had already turned several times over, his expression remained completely unchanged. “I know I was wrong.”
As he spoke, he took Zhao Baozhu’s hand and gently pressed a kiss to the fair back of it. “Baozhu is magnanimous enough to forgive me. I won’t dare do it again.”
By now, he had become highly skilled at apologizing. This dignified noble young master, who had never lowered himself before anyone else, was remarkably practiced when it came to humbling himself before Zhao Baozhu.
And Zhao Baozhu was susceptible to this. Every time he saw Ye Jinghua begging forgiveness with that handsome face, he could not help softening. Whenever Ye Jinghua bullied him particularly hard in bed, he would put on an innocent expression and say a few soft words. Zhao Baozhu, who had intended to refuse, would end up yielding anyway.
And sure enough, as they talked, Ye Jinghua removed his shoes and socks, pulled him onto his lap, and began rubbing the top of his foot.
“Did kicking me hurt your foot?” As he asked, he pecked kisses against Zhao Baozhu’s cheek. “Honestly. If you’re angry, then be angry. Why take it out on your own body?”
Curled up in his arms, Zhao Baozhu could not help tilting his head back to create some distance. “Young master, don’t be like this, ” He pressed both hands against Ye Jinghua’s chest and glared at him with wide eyes. “I’m still angry! I… I don’t want to do that.”
Ye Jinghua paused. After a moment of silence, he looked up at him. “Baozhu is becoming distant with me?” The arm around Zhao Baozhu’s shoulders tightened slightly, pulling him closer. “Married couples consummate their marriage every night.”
The moment Zhao Baozhu heard this, he froze then both cheeks immediately turned bright red.
He had grown up in a poor rural village. His mother had died early. Though he understood relations between men and women, no one had ever taught him what married life was actually like after a wedding. Hearing Ye Jinghua’s words, he was half convinced and half doubtful. His eyes glistened faintly with moisture as he looked at him suspiciously.
“Really? Young master, don’t lie to me.”
Ye Jinghua was a master at changing expressions. Naturally, he looked completely sincere. “Of course it’s true.”
Zhao Baozhu immediately believed him. Shyly biting his lip, he glanced at Ye Jinghua. Then lowering his head, he resolved that he should still fulfill his “duties.” Rustling softly, he began removing the robe that had already been loosened.
“Th-then… alright…” Feeling a little cold, Zhao Baozhu shrank his neck and wrapped his arms around himself. His eyes glistened as he looked at Ye Jinghua, pouting slightly. “I’m still angry. Today… today we can only do it once, ”
Ye Jinghua’s brows tightened. He had already reached the limit of his patience. With one motion, he pulled away the arms Zhao Baozhu had crossed over his chest and lunged forward, gathering him tightly into his embrace.
“Alright. Just once.”
Zhao Baozhu fell backward onto the couch, his black hair spreading across the bedding. Unconsciously, he wrapped his arms around Ye Jinghua’s back and allowed him to do as he pleased. Yet somewhere in his heart, he vaguely felt that something was wrong. There seemed to be a faint thread of an idea in his mind, but before he could think it through, it drifted away.
In the end, it vanished.
***
That day brought another heavy snowfall.
Ah Long had suffered a tremendous shock. After leaving the yamen, he wandered around the county town for most of the day. At a bakery, he managed to get two meat-stuffed flatbreads and a sesame cake from the owner’s wife. After eating happily and warming himself by the fire at her home for a while, he finally started making his way back when the snow outside grew heavier.
Braving the snowstorm, Ah Long finally returned to the yamen. The moment he looked up, he saw that the entire compound was dim and dark.
The snowfall had become so heavy that a thick blanket of snow covered the courtyard. Shivering and breathing clouds of white mist, Ah Long hurried toward his room. However, his room was also in the rear courtyard, which meant he had to pass Zhao Baozhu’s bedroom.
The moment one foot stepped into the rear courtyard, he suddenly heard something.
The snowy night was exceptionally quiet. The sound was unmistakable.
Someone let out a soft cry of “Ah,” followed by two aggrieved little sobs.
Ah Long jumped. He immediately recognized Zhao Baozhu’s voice.
But Zhao Baozhu spent every day either getting angry or scolding people. His voice was always loud and vigorous, often frightening others into silence. When had he ever sounded so pitiful and delicate, as though he had been thoroughly bullied?
Standing frozen in the snow, Ah Long stared in shock. Then he suddenly heard Zhao Baozhu raise his voice.
“Young master is lying, ” The youth’s slightly hoarse voice sounded soft and sweet. “You… you clearly said only once.”
Ah Long felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Though he only half understood, he was already too shocked to move.
Inside the room, Zhao Baozhu continued complaining in a low voice. Someone seemed to be patiently coaxing him, but the voice was too quiet for Ah Long to hear clearly. Unable to resist his curiosity, he crept forward through the snow like a little puppy, crawling along until he reached the window.
The room was dark. Nothing could be seen but now he finally heard Ye Jinghua’s voice clearly.
The man’s voice was elegant as an ancient zither. All traces of the earlier coldness were gone, replaced by tenderness. “Baozhu, indulge me one more time.”
Zhao Baozhu seemed unwilling and said something. Ye Jinghua responded with more gentle coaxing. “Wife…”
Ah Long let out a silent gasp. He scrambled backward several steps, staring at the window in disbelief before staggering away.
The young man’s dark face was flushed bright red in the snow. The master and Lord Ye really were husband and wife,
As he ran, he heard a loud crack inside his head. It was the sound of his dream of a love story between a poor scholar and a marquis’s daughter shattering into pieces.
“Ahhhhhhh!”
Ah Long rushed back to his room. The moment he shut the door, he could not help roaring to vent his frustration. He stomped around in anger, then leaped onto his couch and buried his face in a pillow, shouting several muffled cries.
Unfortunately, only Ah Long himself knew of his misery.
The snowy night remained tranquil. A subtle fragrance drifted through the courtyard. Though it was deep winter, faint traces of spring already seemed to permeate the little house.
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