Chapter 28: Showing Off Affection? Not a Chance

Yu Hualiang was puzzled—since when had he become a little enchantress, monopolizing the Seventh Prince every day? Wasn't it the Seventh Prince who refused to let him leave?

The woman outside was approaching with overwhelming momentum. After Yu Hualiang finished his medicine, he lay calmly in bed, though even the maidservants were anxious on his behalf.

This Princess Xuan was betrothed to the Seventh Prince by imperial decree. Her personality was fiery, and only the Seventh Prince could keep her in check. He was not one for indulging in amorous affairs, but many women had been presented to him from various states as tribute. Those rare few that found favor and spent the night in his quarters all had to pass her scrutiny.

If she approved, they were given abortifacients; if not, their beauty was ruined—such cases were numerous. The Seventh Prince simply turned a blind eye and let her have her way.

Now, upon hearing that the Seventh Prince had brought back a painter, and that he was staying in a side chamber even the princess herself was unqualified to reside in, she was furious. Since his arrival, the Seventh Prince had not touched any other woman, and now, showing him such favor, he’d even allowed him to stay in his own bedroom.

An uncle may endure, but an aunt cannot! This was an open affront! In her eyes, Yu Hualiang was no mere painter, but a cherished lover hidden away by the Seventh Prince.

Today, she was determined to drag him out and teach him a lesson.

The delicate girls at the door were no match for a brash, forceful woman like her. Princess Xuan stormed straight towards the Seventh Prince's bed.

Seeing someone lying there, she felt a surge of triumph—finally, she’d caught him in the act. But as she pulled back the covers, Yu Hualiang met her gaze with a blank expression. Realizing it was a man, Princess Xuan hastily threw the quilt back over him and shrieked, “Ah! A man!”

Her maid reminded her, “Princess, that painter Yu is indeed a man!”

“What! Are you saying the Prince sleeps with a man every night... ugh...”

“Princess, why are you retching?”

Yu Hualiang turned slightly and listened to the commotion outside. Was it really such a scandal for two men to share a bed? Besides, he and the Seventh Prince had never done anything indecent.

He had a clear conscience and was unafraid of ghosts knocking at midnight!

The woman, feeling wronged, stomped back and glared at Yu Hualiang. She gave him a swift once-over—delicate brows, almond-shaped eyes, a fine nose, a small mouth, and a pointed little face. A beauty, with a curvaceous figure, though her temperament left much to be desired.

She pointed at Yu Hualiang and scolded, “Shameless! Are you not called a gentleman? How can you do such things? What difference is there between you and a beast?”

Yu Hualiang lay on his side, propping his head up, looking at her unflinchingly.

Seeing his thick skin and lack of response, she was about to get physical. Yu Hualiang, unable to move much, panicked as she tried to grab him. “Hey! Calm down, I’m a patient!”

She blushed and accused, “It’s clear you and the Seventh Prince were up to something last night... and you still deny it!”

Yu Hualiang was mortified by her misunderstanding. With no other choice, he lifted his quilt, intending to show her his wound. Just then, the Seventh Prince returned.

He cleared his throat, and the noisy room fell silent. Seeing Yu Hualiang half-clad in bed, he hurried over and tucked him in.

“Ziliang, rest well. Why are you getting up again?”

Hearing this, Princess Xuan’s tears fell—he had never spoken to her in such a gentle tone, not even in their most intimate moments.

“Your Highness...” she said, looking at him with aggrieved eyes.

“If you have something to say, save it for another day. Go back now,” the Seventh Prince replied coldly.

Yu Hualiang could not remain lying down. He sat up slightly and said, “Your Highness, I should go. You two should handle your marital matters.”

The Seventh Prince pressed him back down. “Ziliang, with such a serious injury, where do you think you’re going?”

Yu Hualiang glanced at Princess Xuan’s resentful gaze, intending to speak on her behalf, but the Seventh Prince cut in.

“Xuan Siren, don’t think that just because my royal brother favors you, you can make a scene in my residence,” he said sternly.

Princess Xuan bit her lip, clung to the Seventh Prince’s leg, and pleaded, “Your Highness, I only have your best interests at heart. How can a prince share his bed with a catamite...”

“Enough!” the Seventh Prince snapped. “Escort the princess back and confine her to her quarters for half a month.”

“What! Your Highness, how can you treat me so? Are you truly punishing me for the sake of a man?” Princess Xuan cried out.

Watching them argue, Yu Hualiang interjected, “Honestly, you’re mistaken. We are not lovers.”

Princess Xuan, emboldened, pointed at Yu Hualiang and argued, “Not lovers? Then why do you share a bed every night? Why does a mere painter get a private chamber? Why is he so cold to me yet treats you so well?”

After listening for a while, Yu Hualiang realized she was simply jealous. He looked at her tear-streaked face, while the Seventh Prince watched him, waiting to see how he’d respond.

Unexpectedly, Yu Hualiang simply threw off the covers. “Fine, fine, I’ll go and stop disturbing you two!”

Before he could get out of bed, the Seventh Prince scooped him up in his arms. “Ziliang, where do you want to go? I’ll go with you.”

Once again, he’d displayed open affection before Princess Xuan, and Yu Hualiang could hardly clear his name. Overwhelmed, Princess Xuan fled the scene in tears.

When she was finally gone, the Seventh Prince tucked Yu Hualiang back into bed, covering him with the quilt as if tending to a cherished lover.

But who would have imagined such treatment for a man?

Yu Hualiang said, “Your Highness...”

“What is it, Ziliang?” the Seventh Prince replied.

“Your wife ran off!”

“Hm?” The prince was taken aback.

Yu Hualiang licked his lips. “Your... your lady has left. Shouldn’t you go after her?”

The Seventh Prince looked aggrieved as he set aside his robe and glanced at two glaring memorials. “I’ve been swamped with work today and worried about your illness. Even my fourth brother invited me to Lingxuan Pavilion, and I didn’t go. So who will come and comfort me…”

“Lingxuan Pavilion?” That name triggered a memory in Yu Hualiang.

The Seventh Prince, seeing his interest, continued, “You don’t know? Lingxuan Pavilion has the most beautiful ladies.”

“Ladies... Oh, I see.” Yu Hualiang forced a mischievous smile.

The Seventh Prince reassured him, “Once you’re well, I’ll take you to see it.”

“Oh... well... how can I accept such kindness?” Yu Hualiang laughed awkwardly, not entirely sure what to say.

The Seventh Prince seemed in good spirits that day, working late into the night before finally going to sleep. Yu Hualiang, however, was kept awake by the itching of his healing wound. Every time he tried to scratch, the Seventh Prince’s large hand would stop him.

And so, in recent days, Yu Hualiang and the Seventh Prince would often wake up with their fingers intertwined.

After being bedridden for over half a month, Yu Hualiang could finally get up and walk about. It was still spring; beneath the scattered fallen leaves, new blades of grass were sprouting.

He looked around the Seventh Prince’s courtyard, only now realizing that he’d been living there for half a month. He wondered how his own courtyard, with its many plants, had fared in his absence.

He only saw Alyu during the daily soup deliveries, and hadn’t seen Motai for half a month.

Today, after sending away the two clingy maids, he went back on his own.

The weather was bright and sunny, but Yu Hualiang, still dressed in winter clothes, was sweating profusely after just a short walk.

Motai, who was probably bringing chicken from the kitchen, opened the door to find a handsome young man with jade-like features. Overcome with emotion, he gave Yu Hualiang a big hug.

Yu Hualiang patted his back. “Why are you crying like a child?”

“Hualiang!” Alyu sobbed even harder, biting his lip. Yu Hualiang let go of Motai and pulled Alyu into his arms, patting his back. He felt thin.

“Why are you crying? I’m all better now. Why are you both acting like children?” Yu Hualiang comforted them.

Alyu’s sorrow turned to joy. He looked up at Yu Hualiang, his eyes filled with sunlight, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

Yu Hualiang was caught off guard and froze after being kissed. Alyu pressed his face against Yu Hualiang’s chest and said, “I miss you, Hualiang. I think of you every moment.”

Yu Hualiang licked his lips. “That’s not quite proper… out here in broad daylight, with people around.”

Both turned to look at Motai, who, realizing he was in the way, glanced around and said, “The chicken’s still cooking. I’ll go check on it.”

Once Motai left, Alyu bounced in Yu Hualiang’s arms and kissed him again. Yu Hualiang couldn’t describe what he felt—no pain, no itch, just... nothing. It would be more accurate to say he felt nothing at all.

Alyu gently pushed him onto the bed, showering him with kisses. Yu Hualiang didn’t resist; he let Alyu kiss him, even returning the kisses, but still felt nothing. He knew there was no love between them.

When Alyu began to unfasten his trousers and saw the gruesome wound on his abdomen, he lightly brushed it with his fingertips. “Does it still hurt, Hualiang?”

Yu Hualiang came to his senses, realizing his clothes were nearly off, and hurriedly dressed again.

Alyu sat stunned on the bed, realizing Yu Hualiang had changed—he was no longer the same as before, as if he had become a different person.

“Where are you going, Hualiang?”

As he tied his waistband, Yu Hualiang replied, “I told those two girls I was just going to the privy. If I don’t return soon, they’ll be worried.”

Alyu burst into tears. “I haven’t held you for half a month, and now all you care about are others!”

Yu Hualiang was at a loss. “No, no, don’t cry.” Suddenly, he remembered something and pulled out the jade pendant and a slip of paper the Seventh Prince had given him.

“Here, take these. Go with Motai to Changji Street, find a jade shop, and there’s a gift waiting for you.”

Alyu looked at the jade. “Isn’t this the Seventh Prince’s pendant?”

“Mm. With this, you can leave the prince’s residence freely.”

After a few more instructions, Yu Hualiang finally managed to calm him down, and he left with Motai.

On his way back, he suddenly heard someone calling for Physician Wang. He thought, since he’d troubled him with his illness so many times, he should at least thank him this time.

Following the voice, he reached the lakeside, where the ice had melted and sunlight danced on the ripples. At the center of the lake, in a white pavilion, sat a gentle, refined youth.