Chapter 19: Jinling City (1)
The servant seemed to know the situation, looking at Lin Zikui with a mix of disdain and pity.
Seeing Lin Zikui with his luggage and attendant, he said, “I came riding fast and can’t take your attendant. Let him walk to Jinling.”
Lin Zikui saw he had only one horse and it wasn’t convenient to bring Mo Liu along. But he couldn’t possibly let Mo Liu walk all the way.
The servant shouted, “Hurry up, or you’ll miss the city gates!”
Mo Liu stood silently at the temple’s threshold: “Young Master, I can walk. You go first! Lord Xiao must be discussing the engagement. Don’t delay.”
Lin Zikui turned to him: “No need, it would take two or three days to walk. Mo Liu, stay at Xingzhi Temple. I’ll be back in a few days.”
Mo Liu nodded: “Yes, Young Master.”
Lin Zikui got on the servant’s horse, and they rode together.
He didn’t carry much, just a signal arrow from Xiao Fu, some calligraphy, a bit of silver, planning to buy gifts for his future father-in-law in Jinling.
But what could he buy with so little money?
He sighed, feeling too poor even to give a decent gift, vowing to honor his father-in-law well in the future.
As night fell, they reached Jinling city just before the gates closed.
Lin Zikui, still on horseback, said, “Brother, can you take me to Grand Academician Tang’s house? It’s late, and I’m not well-prepared. Perhaps it’s better to visit Lord Xiao tomorrow morning.”
The servant shook his head: “No, my master said to bring you to the Xiao residence immediately.”
“This… alright then.”
They arrived at the Xiao residence, and just as the servant was about to lead Lin Zikui inside, a young servant quickly came out, whispered to the servant: “We can’t let Young Master Lin in now. Tell him to come tomorrow. Send him away quickly!”
The servant turned to Lin Zikui: “Uh, my master has finished his meal and is resting. He said for you to come tomorrow.”
Lin Zikui sighed in relief: “Very well, very well.”
The servant added, “I won’t see you off. Safe travels, Young Master Lin.”
Lin Zikui nodded, carrying his bag as he left.
At the Xiao residence, Lord Xiao was dealing with Wen Shengli, who was kneeling and begging.
“Lord Xiao, I sincerely wish to marry Miss Xiao. Please let her marry me!”
“Lord Wen, we are colleagues. If you cherished my daughter, why did you treat her this way…”
“It’s all my fault. I let my feelings get out of control. Once she marries me, I’ll treat her well!”
“Ah… this…. Sigh.” Lord Xiao repeatedly sighed, there was no other choice. “You go back first. I need to speak with Lin Zikui tomorrow. He’s already in Jinling. If he doesn’t agree to annul the engagement, we’ll have to find another way.”
After leaving the Xiao residence, Lin Zikui tried to find his way.
He wasn’t very familiar with Jinling, hadn’t been to Tang’s house more than twice, and now it was dark, making it hard to see. Wandering around, he couldn’t find the way, and there were few people on the streets.
He passed by an imposing mansion where a luxurious carriage had just stopped.
From the carriage stepped a young man, richly dressed and handsome.
Lin Zikui quickly approached and asked the man holding the horse, “Excuse me, sir. Where is this place? Do you know how to get to the residence of Grand Academician Tang Mengyang?”
“This is Duke Chang residence.”
The stable lad replied, “Which street is this Lord Tang you’re looking for?”
Lin Zikui thought for a moment, “It should be on Taiping Street.”
“Then go that way.” The stable lad kindly pointed the direction. The young master who had just alighted from the carriage happened to notice Lin Zikui’s attire.
He couldn’t help but scrutinize him and said, “What kind of person is this, wearing a mink coat like mine?”
The servant beside him remarked, “Young Master, this… seems better than yours!”
“Really?”
However, Lin Zikui did not hear this. He had already thanked them and left.
The young master kept staring at his back and muttered, “Who is he, so arrogant?”
Inside the mansion, a noblewoman with an imposing air came forward to greet him, “Sui’er, your cousin is about to come out of the palace. Today is a rare family dinner. The last time you saw him was seven years ago. Ah, Sui’er, why do you look so unhappy?”
Yan Sui: “Oh, Aunt, it’s nothing. I just saw a scholar wearing the same mink coat as mine, and I was puzzled.”
The noblewoman laughed, “You must be mistaken. There are only two such coats, one for you and one for your cousin.”
Yan Sui:” But, wasn’t my cousin staying at some Taoist temple? When did he return, and why was he in the palace…”
“The Emperor summoned him. Stop asking questions. It’s cold outside; come in quickly.”
As Yan Sui stepped into the hall and saw the dining table, he asked, “Why is there so much meat…”
“Your cousin said he’s been hungry and has lost weight recently. Poor him, he doesn’t even enjoy eating, has no sense of taste, so we made more dishes for him.”
Lin Zikui found the Tang residence and, after identifying himself, was quickly allowed in.
Tang Mengyang seemed to be busy and hurried out in his inner garments, “Brother, why did you suddenly return to the capital without a word? I would have prepared something. Have you eaten? I’ll have the kitchen heat something for you!”
Lin Zikui, indeed hungry, embarrassedly covered his stomach, “Brother Tang, I returned urgently because Lord Xiao suddenly sent a servant to fetch me from Xingzhi Temple.”
“Lord Xiao sent for you? Oh… Lord Xiao was looking for you.” Tang Mengyang understood the situation immediately.
The affair between Lord Wen and Xiao Ting had been exposed!
To host Lin Zikui, Tang Mengyang hastily prepared a room for him.
His male favorite, hearing about this Young Master Lin, already knew who it was.
Whenever Young Master Lin, came, Tang Mengyang would temporarily restrain himself and intensely admonish him, “Don’t speak. When you talk, it sounds vulgar.”
The male favorite would retort, “What’s considered not vulgar? Like your preciousBrother Lin? Just because he can compose a couplet or two…”
“You know nothing. It’s not just poetry! His writings are unparalleled, profound!” Tang Mengyang’s voice was fervent. “Only someone like him is worthy of me.”
Whenever Lin Zikui came, Tang Mengyang would hide his favorite away.
The male favorite could no longer bear it. Late at night, after Lin Zikui had gone to sleep, he sneaked out, carrying a lantern, intending to take a closer look at this Young Master Lin who had captivated Tang Mengyang.
As he sneaked in, lantern in hand, approaching Lin Zikui’s bed to peek at his face, a hand suddenly clamped over his mouth from behind!
“Ah!” He screamed silently, struggling desperately. In the chaos, something seemed to break, making a sharp sound.
The person behind him pressed hard and whispered, “Don’t make a sound, it’s me!”
“Master? Master… why, why is it you?” The male favorite was so scared he almost fainted.
Despite the commotion, Lin Zikui remained fast asleep, clearly having been drugged.
Why did Tang Mengyang appear in Lin Zikui’s room in the middle of the night?
It wasn’t just because he was emotionally drawn to him but also due to a small incident a few days ago.
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