Chapter 31: Xingzhi Temple (21)
Xiao Fu was genuinely pleased when he learned that Lin Zikui planned to continue with the imperial examinations. To nurture talent is to bring joy to the world. With Lin Zikui’s intellect, being merely a schoolteacher would be an injustice to him.
That morning, after eating a few sweet glutinous rice balls, Lin Zikui was preparing to return to Hall of Purifying the Heart to study. Since he had rekindled his aspirations to take the exams, he needed his attendant’s assistance.
But before he could leave the East Guest Hall, he heard Xiao Fu say he wanted to bathe.
Yuanqing said, “Master, I’ll go heat the water right away—it’ll take a while.”
Xiao Fu considered it and said, “Then I’ll go to the hot spring behind the mountain.”
The moment he woke up that morning, he remembered the dream he had had. He had even lingered in it for a while with his eyes closed, savoring the memory.
But not long after waking up, most of it had faded from his mind. Only fragments remained, playing faintly in the back of his head.
Xiao Fu changed into a fresh set of clothes, ready to head out for his bath, when he spotted Lin Zikui standing under the banana tree outside the window, looking as though he had something to say but hesitated.
“Is Lin Lang heading back to Hall of Purifying the Heart to study? I’ll walk you there.”
Lin Zikui’s lips moved slightly. “Zhao Ling, the hot spring up the mountain… it’s not very safe. Let me heat water for you instead, alright?”
Xiao Fu replied, “Hmm? Why is it unsafe?”
Lin Zikui stammered, “There are houses up the mountain… wild boars… small animals… it’s unavoidable that people or animals might disturb you. And with incense pilgrims coming and going today, it’ll be crowded. What if—what if the same thing happens as last time? Wouldn’t someone see you…”
By the time he reached the last sentence, his voice had dropped so low it was barely audible.
Xiao Fu chuckled. “It’s cold up there. You stay in the charcoal-warming room. I’ll take Yuanqing with me.”
“Brother Chen?” Lin Zikui’s expression shifted noticeably, clearly reminded of last night’s deeply embarrassing incident. His brows furrowed. He quickly said, “Better if I go! Let Brother Chen stay behind. Besides… I can’t see, I won’t peek at you. I’ll keep watch.”
Chen Yuanqing looked at him a little longer upon hearing that.
“Alright. Lin Lang can come with me.” Xiao Fu didn’t object. He casually picked a book off the shelf, packed some fruits, planning to read to Lin Zikui later—and maybe give him a snack if he got hungry.
As soon as they started climbing the mountain, Lin Zikui began to regret it a little.
He couldn’t see and had to rely on Miss Zhao Ling to guide him by the hand. Just one misstep would throw him into panic—but he never actually fell.
Because Xiao Zhao Ling always had a firm grip on him.
That’s how they made it to the hot spring at the back of the mountain. Lin Zikui immediately turned his back and sat off to the side.
Xiao Fu set the book and fruit down on a rock and glanced at Lin Zikui. His head was tilted, his face covered by a freshly wrapped white cloth.
He began undressing slowly, the rustle of his robes clearly audible.
Lin Zikui heard everything. Unbidden images popped into his mind. His fingers clenched his sleeves tightly.
Once Xiao Fu had completely undressed, he placed her clothing in Lin Zikui’s arms. “Lin Lang, could you fold these for me?”
“O-Okay…” Lin Zikui heard the sound of her entering the water. The gentle splash was soft, yet it sent ripples through his heart.
He shook his head to clear it, then bowed his head and began folding his clothes. His hands came upon something—it was either a jade pendant or some kind of metal badge. There were intricate carvings on it, perhaps of an animal. He couldn’t quite identify it by touch. Tracing along the tassel, he realized that the safety charm he had once given Xiao Zhaoling was tied to it.
So Miss Zhao Ling had kept the token he’d gifted him close to his body every day.
Besides those two items, there was also a delicate Persian dagger, about the length of a forearm, adorned with dazzling gemstones.
Lin Zikui put it away as well, thinking: So this is the thing Zhao Ling ties to herself each day… With so many jewels, doesn’t it feel uncomfortable?
The thought flitted past, and Lin Zikui continued carefully folding each garment, layer by layer, from outer to inner. When he reached the undergarments, he knew exactly what they were—silky, smooth, and soft. As he folded them, his mood became rather complicated, and his movements grew especially gentle.
He was terrified that as he folded… he might accidentally come across something like a floral-embroidered belly wrap…
By the time he finished folding, there was still no sign of the undergarment he had imagined.
Lin Zikui let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Xiao Fu sat at the edge of the hot spring pool, with everything below his shoulders submerged in the water.
Lin Zikui was not a schemer—whatever he thought or did showed plainly on his face. And because he couldn’t see, he wasn’t aware of where his gaze landed, which made it even more obvious.
Xiao Fu watched him in silence.
Only when he saw Lin Zikui exhale in relief did Xiao Fu speak up: “Are you coming down?”
“Eh?” Lin Zikui flinched and turned his head even further away. “I… no, I’m not coming in. I’ll just keep watch for you.”
Xiao Fu chuckled and, with wet hands, reached out to wipe them twice on Lin Zikui’s robe.
Lin Zikui froze. “Zhao Ling…”
“I’m drying my hands so I can grab the book. Do you want to hear a story?” Xiao Fu dried his hands, picked up the book, and opened it. “Let’s see… ‘The Hairpin and the Cap’? Seems like a vernacular novel.”
Xiao Fu hadn’t read it before, nor had he ever heard of the author. The book was one of many random ones Yuanwu had bought—an entire box of them.
Xiao Fu had only asked him to buy those books to keep up appearances. “He’s a scholar, buy some for him. But also get some for me, or else he’ll think I have no culture at all.”
This was Xiao Fu’s first time reading it. He flipped to the beginning and dramatically read aloud a poem: “From life to death, all stem from love; if the love is true, even death deserves praise…”
Lin Zikui listened and surmised this must be a love story—one about someone lovesick and deeply emotional.
The protagonist’s life was miserable—eerily similar to his own. Orphaned, surrounded by ill-intentioned people, a declining family, and even suffered a broken engagement.
But the main character was devoted to his studies.
Only fourteen, already deeply familiar with the classics, full of talent, and dressed splendidly.
Another poem followed, praising the protagonist’s beauty—not as godly as Mi Zi Xia, but dazzling enough to bring down cities.
Xiao Fu read up to this point without sensing anything odd.
Nor did Lin Zikui.
He felt deeply empathetic, sighing inwardly. The protagonist, Wen Sheng, from a fallen family reduced to becoming an entertainer, abused by men, only to be saved by a chivalrous man named Yun Tianzhang. Wen Sheng then sought to repay the favor.
But soon, Lin Zikui began to sense something strange. Confused, he asked, “Wen Sheng… to repay him, why did he try to seduce Yun Tianzhang?”
He stammered, “Wen Sheng is a man, and so is Yun Tianzhang… So Wen Sheng is a cut sleeve?”
Xiao Fu, leaning on the edge of the pool, now understood.
This was an explicit homoerotic novel written by a cut sleeve author—technically banned. How had Yuanwu gotten it?
Xiao Fu glanced at Lin Zikui. “I actually find it quite interesting. Don’t you want to keep listening?”
“If you think it’s interesting, then… I’ll continue listening.” Lin Zikui wasn’t overly flustered—his confusion passed quickly.
Same-sex relationships had been popular in the previous dynasty. It was common for nobles to keep male companions. Though not mainstream in the Ye dynasty, Lin Zikui didn’t find it disgusting like others might.
Xiao Fu continued reading.
Lin Zikui grew more and more surprised. “Yun Tianzhang didn’t fall for the seduction, he remained chaste… So Wen Sheng dressed as a woman? T-this…”
Even Xiao Fu was a bit surprised now.
Seeing Lin Zikui’s shocked expression, but no repulsion, he decided to keep reading and observe more of his reactions.
But the story only became more and more indecent. It turned into a gay version of an erotic manual, detailing every step of the seduction and bedroom acts in crude, explicit language!
Lin Zikui nearly covered his ears. “Zhao Ling, this book is inappropriate. Maybe… let’s not read it?”
Xiao Fu stopped. “What’s inappropriate about it?”
“It just is. How can we read something like that?” Lin Zikui’s face reddened. “Who even bought this book?”
Xiao Fu answered calmly, “Yuanwu did.”
“Brother Chen? Why would he buy this… Don’t tell me…” Lin Zikui gasped.
Xiao Fu said, “He?”
Lin Zikui whispered, “Could he be… a cut sleeve?”
Xiao Fu laughed. “Does he look like one?”
Lin Zikui shook his head. “I can’t tell. You said Brother Tang was, but I couldn’t tell with him either. I don’t understand this stuff.”
“I know you don’t, silly. Tell me—what do you think of the story so far?”
Lin Zikui thought for a moment. “If Wen Sheng hadn’t gone through all that suffering, with his talent he could’ve passed the imperial exams. It’s just tragic.”
Xiao Fu: “That’s all you took from it? Didn’t you hear the rest?”
“I did…” Lin Zikui murmured, “You were reading aloud, how could I not? But the book… just isn’t decent…” This was the first time in his life hearing such material. The language alone had stunned him—and even more so that Zhao Ling read it so calmly.
Xiao Fu rested his chin on his arm. “Why do you think Wen Sheng dressed as a woman to seduce his savior? Because the world stood between them. He had no choice. He loved Yun Tianzhang—shouldn’t he be forgiven?”
Lin Zikui: “I understand. He went against social norms, and had no other path.”
Xiao Fu: “What if you were Yun Tianzhang? Could you forgive Wen Sheng?”
“Yun Tianzhang knew very well that Wen Sheng was a man. But just because Wen Sheng was beautiful and wore women’s clothing, he was bewitched, and willingly… consummated with him. “If I were Yun Tianzhang,” he paused, “but I’m not Yun Tianzhang, am I?”
Xiao Fu said, “Let’s say you were. I want a serious answer—don’t brush it off.”
Discussing such tawdry novels truly made Lin Zikui uncomfortable.
But since Xiao Fu insisted, he had no choice but to think about it seriously. If he were Yun Tianzhang, a chivalrous man who helped the weak and punished the wicked, and he rescued a pitiful, fallen, but beautiful male entertainer—
Theentertainer, being a man, tried to seduce him.
He, a righteous man, remained composed. But the entertainer dressed as a woman, and he succumbed to temptation and spent a night with him…
After stepping into the role, Lin Zikui quickly came up with an answer: “If I were Yun Tianzhang and was bewitched by Wen Sheng into doing something like that… how could I blame Wen Sheng? Wouldn’t it be my own fault? Yun Tianzhang was the one blinded by lust—Wen Sheng isn’t to blame.”
Xiao Fu had a sudden realization and peeled peanuts in his hand. “So that’s how you see it.”
Lin Zikui figured that answer satisfied him and finally let out a sigh of relief.
Xiao Fu fed him a peanut: “And if you were Wen Sheng? Do you think you’d be in the wrong?”
Lin Zikui bit down on the peanut, scratching his cheek in distress.
Why did he have to answer these kinds of questions?
To please his “wife,” he forced himself to think deeply again.
“If I were Wen Sheng, and my life had been this bleak, and Yun Tianzhang saved me from despair… And if I was a man who loved other men, deeply infatuated with him, unable to restrain myself… Then I—Wen Sheng—wouldn’t be in the wrong either. Nor would he.”
Xiao Fu nodded. “So neither of them were wrong. The fault lies in society.”
“Yes—yes, exactly.”
Xiao Fu nodded again and posed a new scenario: “Suppose Wen Sheng was dressed as a woman from the very beginning. Yun Tianzhang didn’t know he was a man and fell for his beauty. Wen Sheng feared he wouldn’t be accepted and didn’t dare tell the truth. If it were you—could you forgive him?”
“Hmm…” Lin Zikui hesitated, switching perspectives. After a while, he nodded. “If there was no intention to deceive, then there’s no fault. If love blossoms between them, what’s there to condemn?”
That was a true reassurance. Xiao Fu was genuinely afraid that one day Lin Zikui might come to hate him. Perhaps that fear was unfounded, but what if Lin Zikui refused to ever associate with him again?
“My Lin Lang is kind at heart. I knew you’d think this way. This really is a good book.” Once the fifteenth passed, and his emperor nephew died, Xiao Fu planned to strike such books off the banned list.
He closed the book and stood up to wipe the water off himself, then asked Lin Zikui for a change of clothes.
Lin Zikui handed them over one by one. When he reached the dagger, he couldn’t help but say, “This dagger is inlaid with so many gemstones. It must be uncomfortable to keep it so close to your body. Should I find a skilled artisan to make you a lighter, simpler one?”
Xiao Fu glanced at it. “It’s fine. I have plenty of daggers.”
Lin Zikui added, “I think it would fit just right inside your boot.”
“Mhm. Then let’s do that. In the boot it goes.”
After changing, Xiao Fu took him back to Xingzhi Temple. Lin Zikui resumed his studies with the attendant by his side, while Xiao Fu leaned lazily on the soft couch and happily finished reading the remaining chapters of the erotic novel.
It wasn’t a long book, split into several short stories. Xiao Fu read slowly, lingering over the more risqué parts—parts that Lin Zikui found absolutely indecent. He got a bit worked up as he read, and his eyes kept drifting toward Lin Zikui, who was earnestly reciting texts.
He was accompanied by the attendant, who would read out a word, and Lin Zikui would recite the rest of the line fluently.
The red wolf-fur cloak suited him perfectly.
By the time it was nearly dusk, Lin Zikui finished studying and came in. Xiao Fu had just woken from a nap and was now rereading the book for a second time with undiminished enthusiasm. Even Prime Minister Xue would have said, “This kid’s got potential.”
Seeing Lin Zikui, Xiao Fu beckoned. “Come here, Lin Lang—I’ll read to you.”
Lin Zikui had originally been on his way in, but hearing that, he froze at the door, reluctant. “Is it that book again?”
Xiao Fu said, “No, it’s a new one.”
“What is it this time?” Lin Zikui asked instinctively, but immediately regretted it. He suspected Miss Zhao Ling’s tastes weren’t the most proper—what sort of lady enjoyed this stuff? He quickly corrected himself, “Never mind, I won’t ask.”
Xiao Fu sat up. “If you don’t read with me, I’ll be so bored. Just keep me company a little while.” Before Lin Zikui could object, Xiao Fu had already pulled him to sit down. “I’ll read, you just listen. If you don’t like it, cover your ears.”
The book was crude, but Zhao Ling liked it. Lin Zikui couldn’t bring himself to cover his ears, so he had no choice but to listen patiently. The more he listened, the less it seemed to matter… until it got to the bedroom scenes. Then Lin Zikui would immediately stop him: “No—don’t read that part. Skip it.”
Xiao Fu tilted his head, book in hand. “You’re embarrassed?”
Lin Zikui nodded honestly. He truly was embarrassed. It all seemed so vulgar. “These kinds of stories stir up improper thoughts. This is a place of spiritual practice—people shouldn’t be listening to such things.”
“It is a bit inappropriate.” Xiao Fu leaned in and whispered by his ear, “Then I’ll read it very softly. Is this quiet enough?”
…Yes, it was quiet enough.
Lin Zikui thought, No one else but me can probably hear this. Xiao Zhaoling’s breath brushed against his ear as he spoke, making it unbearably ticklish. Lin Zikui could only catch fragments of the story as his mind began to wander.
What sin had he committed in a past life for his “wife” to insist on reading such sultry things to him? Now he knew it all—he’d been filled with distracting thoughts, and his heart couldn’t settle. Lin Zikui couldn’t help but think: Why do the authors write about men in bed like it’s the pinnacle of pleasure? Could it really be that good?
Well, it wasn’t like the matter of “cut sleeves” had anything to do with him.
Luckily, Zhao Ling wasn’t actually a man—otherwise this kind of book would surely have corrupted her (him).
Lin Zikui looked completely troubled.
Zhao Ling, ah—why haven’t you finished reading yet? Why are you enjoying it this much?
Author’s Note:
PS: “Cap and Hairpin” is a real (BL) novel from the Ming dynasty—and yes, that’s really what it’s about.
If you’re loving the tangled fates and slow-burning tension in Peach Blossom Decree, help Ciacia keep the petals falling by buying her a Kofi.
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