Chapter 68: Jinling City (37)
Amid the pounding of gongs and drums, Zhuangyuan rode through the streets on horseback. Crowds pressed in from all sides, flowers carpeting the road before him. The constables of the Shuntian Prefecture struck their gongs and shouted to clear the way, struggling to maintain order. The noise of the crowd surged like waves, and there were even piercing screams mixed in.
“Zhuangyuan, marry me!”
“Ahhh! Zhuangyuan Lin! You’re so handsome!”
The people of Jinling were bold by nature. This young Zhuangyuan’s appearance drove the young ladies of every household nearly mad. Where else could one find such a perfect husband—gifted in both talent and looks? Why search far and wide? There he was, alive and riding right down the street.
In all his life, this was the first time Lin Zikui had ever been so high-profile, the first time he had lived under so many admiring gazes. Not a single person lining the road failed to look up at him. It was truly a scene of throngs gathering and streets emptied for him alone. Yet when Lin Zikui suddenly turned his head, at the far end of his vision he saw only Xiao Fu, dressed in a blazing red robe, standing beneath the willows by the riverbank. A gentle breeze stirred the branches. He looked breathtaking, smiling softly.
Flower petals drifted down before his eyes. In that instant, flowers seemed to bloom in Lin Zikui’s heart as well.
The long street stretched for miles, packed so tightly that not even water could pass through. If the constables of the Shuntian Prefecture had not all been deployed, Lin Zikui feared he might truly have been devoured alive by the crowd.
While Lin Zikui paraded through the streets, the three members of the Xiao household sighed in regret.
When the Xiao family’s Second Young Miss heard that Lin Zikui’s eyesight had been restored and that he had earned the title of Zhuangyuan, she was deeply shocked. She could not help lowering her head to glance at the infant cradled in her arms.
Lord Xiao sighed. “Back then… ah, I truly should never have done that!”
Madam Xiao clutched her handkerchief and sobbed. “Back then, when Wen Shengli became a Grand Academician, I even marveled at how quickly he rose through the ranks and how favored he was by the imperial family. Who would have known he could be so muddleheaded! Lin Zikui… that Lin Zikui… My lord, do you think… someone as devoted and sentimental as he is, would he possibly…”
Second Young Miss merely shook her head. “Mother, please stop. I already have a child now. Fortunately, we didn’t drive things to the point of no return back then. He has just become a Zhuangyuan and is already a Grand Academician of the Inner Cabinet. With his fame now shaking Jinling, his official career will only continue to rise. Father has now become an Assistant Minister as well. Since they serve in the same court, it is best to maintain good relations rather than make an enemy.”
When she heard that the young Zhuangyuan was riding through the streets, Second Miss Xiao still could not resist. Holding her child, she went out to take a look. Before her eyes were fine horses and ornate carriages, petals filling the sky, and the Zhuangyuan himself—red lips, white teeth, breathtakingly talented and stunningly handsome.
Back then, her father had taken a liking to Lin Zikui’s talent and looks when he was fourteen, arranging this marriage for her. Looking at him now, her father’s judgment had indeed been good.
By the time Lin Zikui returned to the residence, his scholar’s hat had been knocked askew, his clothes torn by someone in the crowd, and a few flower petals clung to his hair. Along the way, people had showered him with blossoms. Later, some had even pressed flowers directly into his arms. He could hardly hold them all and could only smile in thanks. Yet some young women chased after him, refusing to let him go, calling out “Zhuangyuan!”
Inside the room, Mo Liu was in a daze while packing up belongings. All the servants of the estate were bustling about.
Seeing Lin Zikui dismount and enter, Mo Liu ran out. “Young Master, you’re back?”
Lin Zikui: “What’s going on? What are you packing?”
“An imperial decree just arrived from the palace. His Majesty has bestowed upon you an imperial residence and ordered us to hurry and move.”
“It was quite comfortable living here.”
Although it had been his wife’s property, moving somewhere else… that would be a gift from the court. Lin Zikui read through the decree. Sure enough, it bore the seal of the Prince Regent. It also granted him two months’ leave to return home in glory.
Lin Zikui let out a sigh.
Mo Liu was puzzled. “Are you unhappy? Isn’t this good?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s move,” Lin Zikui said, placing the decree into a box. He knew that if he dwelled on everything, he would only make himself miserable. The salary from the court and the imperial gifts—there would be more in the future.
So he simply stopped thinking about it and asked, “Has Madam returned?”
“Madam hasn’t come back yet. Young Master, our Madam… her status isn’t ordinary, is it?” Even after two or three days, Mo Liu was still shaken by the revelation that Chen Yuanqing was actually the Commander of the Imperial Guards.
If Yuanqing was the Commander, then what about Madam Xiao? Wouldn’t that make her a member of the imperial clan?
Lin Zikui responded with a soft “Mm,” but did not explain further. “We’ll talk about it later. Don’t mention this to anyone. If word gets out that Commander Chen worked in my household, it could bring disaster.”
“Yes, yes! I won’t say a word—absolutely not! I swear!”
Though the estate did not seem large, there was quite a lot to pack. Fortunately, the servants worked quickly, loading all of Lin Zikui’s trunks and belongings onto the carriage. By then, dusk was already approaching.
Following the address given by the Imperial Household Department, Lin Zikui handed it to the coachman, who drove them there. Jinzun jumped down first and, clenching his fists, extended his armored arm to help Lin Zikui dismount.
His master had instructed him not to touch Young Master Lin with his hands, so he used only his arm.
Leaning on his armored arm, Lin Zikui lifted his head slightly and saw the plaque reading “Lin Residence,” illuminated by the warm orange glow of lantern light.
The dark, fine-grained red sandalwood plaque with its gilded bronze characters could not possibly have been completed in a single day.
Had Xiao Fu prepared all of this in advance?
The Zhuangyuan’s robes… and now the Zhuangyuan’s residence as well…
While he stood there in thought, Mo Liu suddenly exclaimed, “Young Master, next door is the Residence of the Marquis Dingbei! Marquis Dingbei—that’s the current Prince Regent, isn’t it?!” He gasped and lowered his voice. “The Prince Regent doesn’t still live there now, does he? Our Madam’s surname is Xiao. Could it be…”
Lin Zikui glanced to the side and saw only the tall walls of the neighboring estate rising in rows.
So that was it. His new residence was adjacent to Marquis Dingbei’s estate. One entrance faced northeast, the other southwest. Since their gates did not open onto the same side, the area outside the top scholar’s residence was much quieter. Osmanthus flowers along the street were in bloom, their petals carpeting the ground.
The gate was not particularly imposing; it was rather understated. When he entered, the courtyard was surprisingly spacious and hushed. Wisteria vines wound thickly along the corridors, and from deep within the residence drifted the fragrance of prepared dishes.
Since dinner was ready, Lin Zikui knew someone must already be inside. That could only be Xiao Fu.
He followed the central path inward. As he neared the main hall, he vaguely saw a tall figure leaning leisurely against the lattice gate, lowering his head to look out through the covered walkway.
It had been a long time since Lin Zikui had seen him dressed in such vivid red. He stared for a moment before turning to Mo Liu and Jinzun. “The residence is so large—go choose whichever courtyard you like. Live wherever you prefer. Once you’ve chosen, come eat.”
“Alright!” Mo Liu happily ran off. Jinzun glanced at the marquis before turning and leaving as well.
Lin Zikui adjusted his clothing and walked toward Xiao Fu. “When did you arrive?”
Xiao Fu took his hand. “A little earlier than you. I went to watch your parade this afternoon, then returned to the palace for a while. Do you like this residence?”
It had been renovated two months ago, all in preparation for this very day.
Lin Zikui nodded. His crimson cross-collared robe was neatly arranged, revealing the slender line of his pale neck. “I liked it. It was just a bit too large.”
“It wasn’t considered large. That Minister Pang who was executed—his residence was twice the size of this one. But we didn’t need something that big. There were no children in the household, no concubines either—what would we do with so much space?”
Xiao Fu lowered his head, searching for the expression on Lin Zikui’s face until he found his clear eyes. His voice softened. “You were a fourth-rank official. This residence was granted according to the standards for a fourth-rank post. No one would say a word.”
Lin Zikui nodded slowly and met his gaze. “I understood. Was your carriage at Marquis Dingbei’s residence? Did anyone see you when you came over?”
“No one saw me. I came over by jumping the wall. Enough about that—let’s eat first.”
On his first day as an official at court, Lin Zikui had received two months’ leave.
That evening, Xiao Fu explained to him, “Once you passed the metropolitan examination and became a Jinshi, you were granted leave to return home in glory. If you didn’t want it, you could attend court tomorrow. It would just be tiring.”
Lin Zikui shook his head lightly. “It wouldn’t be tiring. But I did need to return to Fengtai County once. I wouldn’t need two months—just enough time to visit my parents’ graves.”
Xiao Fu asked, “When would you leave?”
“After the fifteenth.”
“Then go back with Elder Xue. He had stayed in Jinling long enough. It was time for him to return to Huainan.”
Now that Lin Zikui had his own residence, his main courtyard was separate. He could no longer hear the voice of his attendant. Everything felt unfamiliar. Along the courtyard wall grew a row of climbing sweet-scented vines, pressed close against dozens of peach trees. The bedroom, study, and bathing room were all fully furnished, resting quietly beneath the night sky.
Hot water had just been poured into the bathing pool, and three screens had been set up for privacy. As Lin Zikui prepared to bathe, he noticed sachets of medicinal herbs placed in the pool. Steam rose, carrying a faint herbal fragrance.
He asked Xiao Fu, “What were these herbs for?”
Xiao Fu was undressing. Through the screen, his figure was indistinct, his voice hazy. “Third Brother had already adjusted your constitution. In theory, you shouldn’t have been as frail as before—yet you still fainted after the palace examination?”
That day, Lin Zikui had fainted because he hadn’t eaten. “Was this prescription written by Mr. Xie?” he asked.
“It was prescribed by the imperial physician. Third Brother went traveling. ”
Xiao Fu had nearly finished undressing and stepped out from behind the screen. Lin Zikui caught sight of him and instinctively turned his eyes away. “If… the medicine bath was meant for me, were you bathing in it too?”
“It was a tonic for your health. Why couldn’t I bathe in it?”
Xiao Fu noticed that Lin Zikui was still wrapped up tightly and couldn’t help finding it both amusing and pitiful. The two of them were undressing behind separate screens. He himself was already completely bare, yet Lin Zikui was still clothed. They were husband and wife, yet they had never once bathed together. Every time, Lin Zikui avoided it.
Every time, Xiao Fu had to tease and push him forward. Lin Zikui endured again and again, his boundaries retreating until there were hardly any left.
“Then… you go ahead,” Lin Zikui said awkwardly. Who had ever seen such a white jade bathing pool? It was larger than a cypress wood tub by a full circle. Lantern light flickered dimly all around. On the nearby table were fruits, pastries, tea, and wine. Incense had been lit. When had he ever enjoyed something like this?
Part of him felt it was extravagant. Another part felt… it was inconvenient….
He gathered his robe to leave, but Xiao Fu called out, “Come back. Tell me—today, I told you not to look for me during the parade. Why did you still turn around?”
Lin Zikui stood with his back to him on one side of the screen, recalling how he had felt at that moment.
“People wearing red were rare…” The carriage had already passed, yet Lin Zikui had caught a glimpse. His heart had been tugged, and he couldn’t help turning back. Sure enough, it had been Zhao Ling.
Xiao Fu rested his arms on the edge of the pool. “Then why weren’t you turning around now?”
Lin Zikui didn’t know how to explain.
Xiao Fu, “Let me think. Were you still bothered that I made you Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall?”
Lin Zikui fell silent for a moment, then answered honestly, “A little. You shouldn’t misuse your imperial authority.” The supreme imperial power—Yuwen Duo had abused it, bringing suffering to the people. He would not allow Xiao Fu to do the same.
Xiao Fu, “Come here, and I’ll tell you why I didn’t let you enter the Hanlin Academy.”
Lin Zikui, “Why?”
Xiao Fu shook his head. “Come into the bath and I’ll tell you. Soak in the medicine. You were afraid of bitter remedies, so I specifically had the imperial physician prepare a medicinal bath for you.”
He didn’t force him, nor did he reach out to drag him. He simply waited quietly for Lin Zikui to decide. After a long pause, Lin Zikui spoke. “Then extinguish the candles. It was too bright.”
Xiao Fu flicked a few droplets of water, snuffing out half the lights in the narrow bathing chamber. The room immediately dimmed. With his back turned, Lin Zikui undressed. The rustling of fabric came from behind the screen. Xiao Fu leaned back against the edge of the white jade pool, eyes half-open, watching as Lin Zikui stepped out cautiously and slipped into the water. His expression was shy. He sat properly on the opposite side of the pool.
The autumn night in August wasn’t cold, yet Lin Zikui sank so low into the water that even his neck was nearly submerged. In the faint candlelight, he saw Xiao Zhaoling’s expression shifting between shadow and glow.
In the past, he had often wondered—couldn’t they simply live their lives properly? Why did they have to do such things, making him feel as though he were somehow neither fully man nor woman, his masculine pride compromised?
Yet he wasn’t without feeling. He understood why. When affection deepened, such things happened naturally. He wasn’t as resistant as before, nor was he so afraid of pain.
“Can you tell me now?” he asked from a slight distance. “Why wouldn’t you let me enter the Hanlin?”
Xiao Fu: “The Hanlin would have buried your talent. Would you rather work with those old men—or with me?”
Lin Zikui thought for a moment. “The old men.”
Xiao Fu: “……”
Xiao Fu bristled. “Say that again. The old men, or me?”
“The old men,” Lin Zikui answered firmly.
Xiao Fu: “……”
He couldn’t hold back any longer. From beneath the water, he grabbed Lin Zikui’s leg and pulled him over into his arms. His large hand gripped Lin Zikui’s waist, squeezing until he grew ticklish and leaned against him, shaking his head.
“You liked working with old men that much? Then I’ll summon all the old Hanlin scholars to the Wuying Hall. Let’s see whether you preferred staring at wrinkled old peels all day—or at me.”
Lin Zikui couldn’t help laughing, shaking his head. “You couldn’t. You weren’t following the rules. You promised me you wouldn’t misuse your power.”
“I wouldn’t misuse it. You could supervise me in person. If I did misuse it, you could discipline me at home. I wouldn’t misuse it… When you topped the list and became Zhuangyuan, shouldn’t there have been a wedding night?”
Leaning against him, Lin Zikui seemed to nod faintly.
Xiao Fu knew his temperament well. He dared to speak rebellious words in court, but not in bed. He held Lin Zikui in place, lifting his face from the water and pressing a damp kiss to his cheek and lips. His strong arms wrapped around him, drawing him down slightly.
Gradually, Lin Zikui sank into it. His pride flared up briefly, and he almost pulled away. Xiao Fu stopped, instead leaning close to kiss his eyelids, the tip of his nose, and his lips lightly, saying nothing. His actions replaced words entirely.
Lin Zikui’s pride ebbed away again. If Zhao Ling wanted it, then he would give it. At worst, it would hurt for a moment—how painful could it be? Could it be worse than the pain from when he had gone blind years ago, stumbling and falling, crying bitterly outside the examination hall after finishing his exam?
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