Chapter Eleven: Encounter with the Prince Once Again

“Playing finger-guessing games?” Chang Zihao’s gaze was full of disdain as he continued, “Brother, I don’t frequent those pleasure quarters, so I don’t know any drinking games.”

Yu Hualiang was momentarily confused—how did finger-guessing relate to the pleasure districts?

He soon realized that in ancient times, there were indeed drinking games involving gestures, and Chang Zihao, priding himself on his lofty morals, regarded such things as vulgar.

Yu Hualiang said, “Then what do you suggest?”

“You’re the elder brother, so you should go first.”

At that, Yu Hualiang wondered if he’d misheard—was Chang Zihao actually showing humility?

It seemed his confidence in his own work was unshakable. Very well, Yu Hualiang would grant him his wish.

“Fine! Since you know how to show respect, I won’t be shy.”

Chang Zihao hadn’t anticipated this turn, and the words sounded a little strange, but once spoken they could not be taken back. He had no choice but to yield the stone table.

Yu Hualiang sat down, feeling triumphant. He mimicked Chang Zihao’s tone, “Prepare the ink!”

With brush and ink ready, Yu Hualiang adopted a posture and began to scribble at random on the paper. The onlookers were confused, but Chang Zihao watched with satisfaction.

Only Ji Yuzhe praised his work, prompting Yu Hualiang to look up and smile at him, then add a layer of vermilion to the painting.

When the ink dried, Yu Hualiang switched to a fine brush to draw a small bridge, which quickly took shape. The attendant recognized it—it was the bridge Yu Hualiang had glimpsed earlier while relieving himself.

After the bridge, he painted a beautiful woman, and the crowd gasped in awe, marveling at the originality. Was this beauty his Plum Blossom Fairy?

The woman’s face was veiled, evoking a desire to step into the painting and lift the shroud to see her true visage.

The bridge was aged, exuding an antique charm. The river seemed as if it might flow out of the painting at any moment.

With the red plum blossoms and the graceful figure, all was dreamlike, enchanting, distant mountains faintly brushed in ink, hidden amidst clouds.

Though the painting was dominated by red, traces of snow remained visible. The solitary beauty on the bridge evoked a sense of loneliness and unease.

A masterpiece, a peerless masterpiece!

Even Chang Zihao was dumbfounded. He had thought a simple waterscape would suffice to win, but now, he realized how far behind he truly was.

Yu Hualiang finished the final strokes; the crowd was speechless in astonishment. He looked up at their awed faces and smiled, “I’m done, it’s your turn, junior brother.”

The attendant proudly lifted Yu Hualiang’s painting for all to see, and the crowd acclaimed him as a genius, transformed from his former self.

Chang Zihao looked troubled, showing signs of retreat. Ji Yuzhe stoked the flames: “Well, everyone has seen Brother Yu’s work. I wonder what Third Young Master Chang will create?”

All eyes turned to Chang Zihao. He was now cornered, unable to escape, and faced the paper with uncertainty.

After a moment’s struggle, he tossed his brush aside, unwillingly said to Mu Qi, “Let’s go!”

Yu Hualiang laughed and reminded him, “Junior brother, don’t forget our wager!”

Chang Zihao paused, took a jade pendant from his sleeve, and tossed it to Yu Hualiang, saying gruffly, “This is your proof. Return it in three years! Is that enough?”

Yu Hualiang grinned as he rubbed the jade, but his smile froze when he glimpsed a man standing beneath the distant plum tree.

Damn! Why was he here?

“Long live the Seventh Prince!” Yu Hualiang dutifully saluted along with the others.

“Rise,” Zicheng uttered, not sparing another glance for anyone else.

Yu Hualiang felt uneasy under Zicheng’s scrutiny. Zicheng smiled, “Ziliang, are you having a pleasant day?”

“Uh… very pleasant,” Yu Hualiang replied.

The others, recognizing the Seventh Prince, quickly retreated, even Ji Yuzhe disappeared, much to Yu Hualiang’s annoyance.

The pavilion was left with just the two of them, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

Zicheng turned his gaze to Yu Hualiang’s painting. It was excellent, rivaling the works of master painters he had seen, but it brought him no joy.

A hint of a smile froze at the corner of his mouth, then faded, for he recognized the woman in the painting—it was Princess Yongcheng.

Only he knew she had attended the painting gathering today; evidently, Yu Hualiang had encountered her.

He probed, “The woman in your painting, she seems familiar.”

Yu Hualiang perked up and asked eagerly, “Where?” Then, realizing his forwardness, he added more calmly, “Your Highness, where have you seen her? Could you tell me?”

Zicheng smiled, “Perhaps in a dream.”

“Ah…” Yu Hualiang sighed, his expression turning melancholy.

Zicheng watched him, then suddenly changed his tone, “But I advise you, Ziliang, best not to dwell too much on the woman in your painting. Do you understand?”

Yu Hualiang felt uneasy, as if facing not a prince but a snake ready to strike.

“Yes… understood,” he managed to reply.

Zicheng knew he had frightened Yu Hualiang, so his expression softened. Seeing Yu Hualiang’s modest demeanor, his mood lifted.

“Ziliang, you look much better today.”

Yu Hualiang looked up, surprised by the abrupt change in topic, and replied, “Uh, it’s all thanks to Your Highness… no, that’s not…”

Zicheng placed a hand on his shoulder and gazed at him warmly, “Ziliang, I told you before, among friends we’re equals, no need for formality. If you keep speaking this way, I’ll be displeased.”

Yu Hualiang shivered, nodding in agreement, and smiled, “Alright, Zicheng.”

His smile was like a breath of spring, warming the last chill of winter, making even the plum blossoms lose their color.

Zicheng felt a sudden urge to draw Yu Hualiang into his arms. No one, neither beauty nor man, had ever stirred him so.

Yu Hualiang was the first. He could only help Yu Hualiang adjust his cloak, “Ziliang, this plum grove is lovely. Show me around.”

Why does he keep seeking me out? The sun is nearly setting! I just want to go home and sleep! Yu Hualiang inwardly raged, but could only say, “Of course,” for who could refuse a prince?

Truthfully, moments before the plum grove had seemed beautiful, but now it lost all appeal—especially since the Seventh Prince ignored the blossoms and watched him intently.

Yu Hualiang was puzzled but couldn’t voice his discomfort, so he asked, “Your Highness, why did you suddenly come to the painting gathering?”

Zicheng glanced at the grove, “I was going to visit you at your house, but heard you were here, so I came to find you.”

What for? I’m not interested in that sort of thing! Dealing with A-Liu at home is hard enough.

He laughed, “I must be lucky indeed, to have Your Highness think of me so…”

He realized too late his words had taken on another meaning.

Zicheng teased, “I do think of you, Ziliang. If you would come to my estate sooner, I wouldn’t have to trouble myself so.”

Your Highness, please stop! You’re acting entirely too forward! Yu Hualiang inwardly clutched his head and wept.

“Yes, yes, Your Highness is right…”

Yu Hualiang, accustomed to hiding his feelings, wore a faint smile. Suddenly, he spotted a child fishing nearby and became interested.

“Your Highness, why don’t we try fishing as well?” Yu Hualiang suggested.

Zicheng glanced at the child, “Alright, whatever pleases you, Ziliang.”

If nothing else, Yu Hualiang was skilled at fishing. Walking with the prince was awkward, but fishing would be better.

He called across the river to the child, “Young friend! Could I borrow your fishing rod?”

The child ignored him, so Yu Hualiang approached, “Hey, little one?”

“Who’s your friend?” The child scowled, “You’ve scared all the fish away! You rich folks have plenty to eat. What do you expect us poor folks to eat?”

Yu Hualiang was silenced by the retort. Zicheng, standing behind him, said nothing but tossed a piece of gold over.

The child’s eyes lit up; he understood the gesture, took the gold, and gave up fishing. Kneeling, he thanked them, “Thank you, sirs! May you rise in rank and fortune!”

Yu Hualiang realized the child valued money above all else.

The child waded across, handed over the rod and basket, and skipped away.

“Ziliang, what are you thinking? Didn’t you want to fish?” Zicheng asked.

“Yes, yes, once I catch a fish, I’ll roast it for you! I’m pretty good at cooking fish! Ha… ha…” Yu Hualiang’s words became increasingly awkward; he was treating this as if he were still in the modern world.

He used to cook for his colleagues during outings, especially grilled fish.

To his surprise, the prince wasn’t offended, but gazed at him with even more intensity, as if he could devour him whole.

Yu Hualiang swallowed to ease his nerves, sat by the river, and examined the ancient fishing rod.

Zicheng stood behind him and sighed, “Ziliang truly is unlike anyone else.”

Yu Hualiang hesitated—had he done something wrong again? Why did the prince always find fault with him?

He replied cautiously, “Uh… maybe I hit my head when I jumped into the river that time… Don’t worry, Your Highness, I’ll be fine in a few days.”

“Ha ha ha, who admits to being ill? Ziliang, you really are adorable.”

The word “adorable” made Yu Hualiang uneasy. He replied, “Yes, yes, Your Highness is right.”

The Seventh Prince knew Yu Hualiang was being perfunctory, so he deliberately moved closer, “Ziliang, from now on, don’t be so polite. I’ve told you, we’re equals in private.”

Yu Hualiang jolted upright—what kind of equals put their hand on your chest?

The prince leaned in even further, and Yu Hualiang couldn’t stand it. He grabbed the prince’s restless hand, stood up, and said, “Ha ha, I understand! Come on, Your Highness, try fishing—it’s fun!”

“Boring.” The prince declined bluntly, and Yu Hualiang’s awkward smile froze.

“When I have leisure, you want me to do this? Ziliang, all I wish is to chat and enjoy the plum blossoms with you.” The prince gazed at him with deep affection.

Hearing this, Yu Hualiang felt as though he owed the prince something, though in truth he had little desire to spend time with him…

Helplessly, he looked at the river, “Then I must apologize to Your Highness. I’ll catch a fish for you right away!”