Chapter Forty-Two: Departure

Yu Hualiang felt that sooner or later, he would be devoured, body and soul, by the Seventh Prince.

The Seventh Prince had drunk too much that night, and it was Yu Hualiang who helped him back. He truly hadn’t expected that the prince would be such a lightweight.

“Ziliang… Ziliang…”

“I’m here, I’m here. Are you alright? Don’t worry, we’re almost there.”

The Seventh Prince’s cheeks were flushed as he leaned heavily on Yu Hualiang, never taking his eyes off him. Just supporting him was already exhausting for Yu Hualiang.

Their gazes met as he turned, and Yu Hualiang muttered irritably, “Watch where you’re going…”

The Seventh Prince was in good spirits tonight and obediently heeded Yu Hualiang’s words. Yu Hualiang thought to himself, if only the prince were always so easy to handle.

When he finally managed to lay him down on the bed, Yu Hualiang felt as though his whole body was about to fall apart. The Seventh Prince, perhaps worn out, fell asleep almost instantly.

Yu Hualiang sat by his bedside, unfastening his coiffure. The prince turned slightly, his profile a flawless silhouette.

“Sigh… Such a handsome face, what a pity if he’s only interested in men,” Yu Hualiang whispered softly.

Having said that, he felt a little rested. He covered the prince with his quilt and, as he gazed at that countenance, suddenly recalled the prince’s playful suggestion that he take the initiative to kiss him once.

Yu Hualiang stood by the bed, pondering for a long while. Since the prince insisted on turning him, why not give it a try?

He hesitated, slowly crouched down by the bedside, inching closer to the prince’s handsome face. Though he said he’d try, his body was honest in its resistance.

Yu Hualiang took a breath and sat back down on the floor. No, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it with a man.

Catching his breath, his gaze fell upon the secret chamber the Seventh Prince had shown him earlier that day.

The antidote to the Grass Thorn was probably inside. Now that the prince was asleep, this was the perfect opportunity.

He started toward the lamp rack, but then recalled how the prince had entrusted him as someone he could bare his heart to. If he too plotted against him, wouldn’t the prince be too pitiful?

Never mind, he decided, he’d wait until the prince went to court.

After Yu Hualiang left, Ye Fang dropped down from the beams. He had come to summon the prince to a meeting at the Fourth Prince’s, but even after kneeling for ages, the Seventh Prince did not wake.

Only then, drawing close, did Ye Fang see that he really was asleep. In truth, the prince had barely rested these days.

Ye Fang’s heart grew cold. The prince had truly given his heart to Yu Hualiang, yet Yu seemed to have his own designs.

Yu Hualiang returned to his small courtyard. As soon as he entered, A-Liu rushed into his arms, clinging to him before Yu Hualiang could even make sense of what was happening, leaving his clothes smeared with tears and snot.

“What’s the matter, A-Liu?” Yu Hualiang asked, patting his head.

A-Liu only clung to him without a word, while Mo Cai emerged and said, “Master, the Seventh Prince is forcing A-Liu to leave.”

“Forcing you to leave?” Yu Hualiang realized at once that A-Liu was crying over this.

A-Liu sobbed, “A-Liu won’t be by your side anymore. You must take good care of yourself.”

“Where does he want you to go?” Yu Hualiang inquired.

“A-Liu fears I may never see you again in this life,” he replied, breaking down once more.

Yu Hualiang was beginning to find A-Liu’s tearfulness somewhat tiresome. Once gone, with no one to rely on, how would he manage?

Though troubled by this, Yu Hualiang also felt relieved. A-Liu’s departure would ensure his safety.

At least the prince was merely sending him away.

Yu Hualiang patted him on the shoulder. “There, there, A-Liu. As long as we’re alive, we’ll meet again someday.”

“But… but I don’t want to be apart from you,” A-Liu whimpered.

“No matter where you go, to the ends of the earth, I’ll come find you,” Yu Hualiang comforted him.

A-Liu’s expression brightened, and he smiled. “I’m sorry, Hualiang.”

“What for? What are you apologizing for?”

“You don’t even know my real name,” A-Liu said.

“Hm?” Wasn’t A-Liu his real name?

“My true name is Ding Anchen.”

“Ding Anchen—it’s a lovely name,” Yu Hualiang praised.

A-Liu lowered his head shyly. “As long as you like it.”

“How wonderful that the prince is letting you go,” Yu Hualiang sighed.

Hearing this, A-Liu paused, then asked, “Do you want to leave too? Then let’s elope together.”

Yu Hualiang flicked him lightly on the forehead. “If I left too, there’d truly be no way out for you. No, staying here is too dangerous. Leaving is for the best.”

“Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know where the prince will send you…” Yu Hualiang replied evasively.

A-Liu smiled. “Wherever I go, I’ll wait for you to find me.”

Yu Hualiang patted his head. “Mm…”

The next morning, before dawn, A-Liu boarded a carriage. Yu Hualiang hadn’t slept all night, watching A-Liu leave with his own eyes.

Back in his room, he felt as though A-Liu’s presence lingered everywhere. Thinking of his absence left Yu Hualiang feeling hollow inside.

He sighed and sat on the bed, murmuring, “Grass Thorn, can I ask you a favor?”

To the west of the southern city gate lay a river, the route of choice for those traveling by water. A-Liu’s carriage bumped along the road until it reached a wooded area by the river.

He ought to have been taken to the docks to board a boat, but his unease only grew. He asked the driver, “Brother, where are we going?”

The driver sneered. “The road to the Yellow Springs.”

It was all too clear. The prince didn’t just want him gone from Yu Hualiang’s side—he wanted him gone from the world.

A-Liu had always been timid; now, faced with death, he was all the more terrified. Tears welled in his eyes as he shouted at the driver.

“Why? I already promised the prince I’d leave Hualiang! Why does he want my life?”

The driver scoffed, “What do you think it means to be sent away? Let me tell you, every soul the prince secretly sends off ends up on this very road!”

At death’s door, A-Liu collapsed in the carriage. He remembered Yu Hualiang’s promise to find him. If he died, how would Yu Hualiang ever find him?

He didn’t want to die. Suddenly, wiping his tears, A-Liu steeled himself and gripped his bundle. “Brother, please, I beg you. Here are ten taels of gold—take it all, just spare my life.”

Hearing the mention of gold, the driver stopped the carriage, his greed kindled.

“Ten taels of gold?”

A-Liu nodded desperately. “Yes, yes, it’s all yours, just let me go.”

The driver took the bundle and counted—exactly ten taels. He flashed a sinister grin; the prince had told him to make the deed clean.

Hope flickered in A-Liu’s eyes. The driver stowed the bundle, then said, “Alright, get out.”

A-Liu thought he was being released, but as soon as he stepped out, he saw that he stood in the midst of a vast forest, likely home to wild beasts.

Fresh from the gates of death, A-Liu’s legs were still weak. Forcing himself upright, he asked, “Brother… where is this?”

The driver’s laugh was dark. “I told you, didn’t I? This is the road to the Yellow Springs.”

A-Liu’s eyes widened as he turned to see the driver approaching with a knife.

“Brother, didn’t you promise not to kill me?”

The driver advanced, step by step. “If you want revenge, look for the prince. He wants you dead, not me. I just do as I’m paid!”

A-Liu shut his eyes, bracing for the pain of the blade. But after a long moment, he felt nothing.

Opening his eyes, he saw the driver standing rigid, eyes bulging, his face drained of life, blood blooming on his chest.

The driver collapsed before him, lifeless.

Only then did A-Liu see the man behind him, wiping down his sword—a figure clad in black, his features cold and handsome.

Seeing he meant no harm, A-Liu bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, sir, for saving my life.”

Grass Thorn cleaned his blade and glanced at him. “Let’s go.”

He helped A-Liu back into the carriage. “To the east is the dock, to the west is Brocade City,” he said.

Before departing, A-Liu took out a gold piece from his bundle. “Thank you for saving my life. I will never forget your kindness. This is but a small token; please accept it.”

Grass Thorn’s eyes showed only disdain. A-Liu could only put the gold away, then asked with a smile, “May I ask your name, sir?”

“Enough. Get in,” Grass Thorn replied impatiently.

He never revealed his name, and A-Liu, still dazed, left for Brocade City.

Yu Hualiang had wanted Grass Thorn to see where the prince would send A-Liu, so he could be at ease, but he hadn’t expected him to actually save A-Liu’s life.

When Grass Thorn returned and told him, Yu Hualiang was utterly shocked. He’d thought the prince would truly let A-Liu go, never expecting he truly wanted him dead.

Why was the prince so ruthless? From that moment, Yu Hualiang saw him in a new, darker light.

He sat at the table, staring blankly at a cup of tea for a long time.

Grass Thorn said, “Good thing I came in time. I told you—the prince is a treacherous man.”

Yu Hualiang said nothing, but his eyes filled with tears.

Mo Cai knocked on the door, snapping Yu Hualiang from his daze. Once Grass Thorn was hidden, he opened the door to find Mo Cai smiling brightly, holding a fine garment.

“Master, this is a reward from the prince.”

Yu Hualiang’s mood was foul. He snatched the garment and threw it aside, smashing the brazier onto it, watching as a fire devoured the precious silk worth a fortune.

Mo Cai, heartbroken, hurried to douse the flames. When he picked up the garment and saw it ruined, he asked, “Master, what’s wrong?”

“If anyone asks, tell them I accidentally burned it.”

Mo Cai understood his sorrow at A-Liu’s departure and didn’t press further. As he left, he heard Yu Hualiang call after him, “Mo Cai, do you have family?”

Mo Cai turned and smiled. “I have an elderly mother.”

“Do you miss home?”

Mo Cai scratched his head. “Master Yu brought my mother to the Yu estate. The Yu estate is my home.”

Yu Hualiang smiled sadly. “You should go.”