Chapter Fifty-One: Jinhe, the Enchantress

Yu Hualiang had been knocked senseless by a blow, and when he awoke, it was already the next day. He rubbed his aching neck, bruised by Jin He’s strike, and found himself lying on the Seventh Prince’s bed. What had happened last night?

He remembered that this demon Jin He had held a piece of human skin, and the face wasn’t Jin He’s, but that of a man—a man with seductive features. This fellow was always knocking him out; surely there was some plot at play. No, he had to inform the Seventh Prince at once.

Just as he was thinking this, the door suddenly opened, and Jin He entered, neither early nor late, just in time.

Yu Hualiang swallowed hard and covered his neck, worried Jin He might knock him out again. “Let’s talk this over calmly,” he pleaded.

Jin He eyed him greedily, her expression soft. “Don’t be nervous. I won’t kill you. It’s just the two of us here. Why don’t we sit and talk?”

Yu Hualiang hopped back onto the bed, still guarding his neck warily. “Sure, we can talk, but let’s keep a safe distance.”

Jin He obliged him, sitting at the guest table and pouring herself a cup of tea with leisurely grace.

“So, who are you really?” Yu Hualiang asked.

“What’s gotten into you? Yu, I am Jin He,” she replied, unconcerned.

“Stop with the nonsense! Believe me, if I scream, you’ll never have a burial!” Yu Hualiang threatened.

“Well, go ahead and scream,” Jin He challenged.

Yu Hualiang looked at her arrogance and felt uneasy. This person wasn’t afraid of threats, and now the Seventh Prince and Cao Zhileng weren’t around. He was no match for Jin He. Weighing his options, Yu Hualiang realized he was at a disadvantage. After a struggle, he calmed himself and sat on the bed. “What is it you want?”

Seeing him so composed, Jin He dropped her playful tone and spoke seriously. “You know now, I’m not Jin He, right?”

“Hm?” Not Jin He? Yu Hualiang hadn’t considered that. Since she admitted it herself, he feigned understanding. “So… can you tell me who you really are?”

“I can’t tell you yet, but I mean you no harm. If you don’t inform the Seventh Prince, perhaps we can negotiate terms.”

“What terms?” Yu Hualiang asked.

Jin He smiled. “If you let me stay by your side, I’ll keep everything I know to myself.”

He didn’t understand, but she was definitely up to something. “You say you mean no harm, so why did you knock me out last night?”

Jin He suddenly acted coy. “I just like your face, that’s all.”

“What!” Yu Hualiang was stunned. What was with her bashful look? Did she want to sleep with him?

He replied earnestly, “I don’t like overly forward women.”

Jin He laughed. “Haha, Yu, you’re reading too much into it. Jin He only wants the skin of your face.”

“What? You want to cut my face off?”

“Have you heard of disguise techniques?” Jin He asked.

Yu Hualiang’s mind cleared. He’d seen it on TV—people using others’ skin to impersonate them. Could such methods really exist in ancient times?

“You? You know disguise techniques?”

Jin He nodded. “Yu, let’s be clear.”

Someone skilled in disguise—why would they willingly stay in the Seventh Prince’s manor as a painter’s maid? Surely, there was another motive.

Yu Hualiang asked cautiously, “You’re not planning to kill the Seventh Prince, are you?”

Jin He burst out laughing. “Do you really think I could kill him single-handedly?”

“Then why are you staying here in the Seventh Prince’s manor?”

***

“I told you, I just like your face,” Jin He insisted.

Yu Hualiang didn’t want to keep talking. This was pointless.

“Whatever you want to do, it’s none of my business, but don’t kill anyone else.”

“Tsk, tsk, Yu, you really are kind-hearted.”

“Did you hear me? If I find out you kill again, I’ll tell the Seventh Prince you’re plotting something in his manor, and you’ll have nowhere to hide!”

Jin He smiled. “Yu, you’re fierce. Jin He wouldn’t dare offend you.”

Yu Hualiang sighed in resignation. “Alright, just leave. I need to change.”

Jin He didn’t leave; instead, she moved closer, making Yu Hualiang jump back onto the bed in alarm. “Hey! What are you doing now?”

“Of course, I’m here to help you change,” Jin He explained.

“No need. Go out. I can do it myself.”

Jin He pouted. “If you don’t need Jin He, then what’s the point of me staying by your side?”

“There’s no point, so go on, leave.”

Jin He replied slyly, “Oh? Yu, you’re tired of Jin He already? When Jin He’s unhappy, she tends to say things she shouldn’t. What if I accidentally let something slip…”

“Enough, enough! All you do is threaten people, right?” Yu Hualiang retorted, jumping from the bed to stand before her. “Didn’t you want to help me change?”

Jin He, satisfied, took his clothes and undressed him completely. While helping him dress, she deliberately caressed his clothes, making Yu Hualiang uneasy. He warned, “If you keep this up and the Seventh Prince sees it, he’ll kick you out, and I won’t stop him.”

Jin He’s movements were alluring, her hand gently resting on Yu Hualiang’s chest. “Always using the Seventh Prince to threaten me.”

“Alright, alright... I told you, stop this. A young lady should be more reserved.”

Jin He watched him with a smile. She’d never met anyone so interesting. She ought to kill him, take his face, and replace him, but keeping him around a few more days might be worthwhile.

“小画师! Are you there?” came a shout from outside.

Yu Hualiang frowned; from the voice, it must be the Fourth Prince.

Jin He’s expression soured. Yu Hualiang went to open the door, and Jin He obediently followed behind him.

She was a completely different person from the threatening Jin He of earlier.

The Fourth Prince saw Yu Hualiang and, holding a folding fan, joked, “Little painter, have you already enjoyed the pleasures of the Seventh Prince’s bed?”

Yu Hualiang blushed and hurried to explain, “No, no, Fourth Prince, you’re mistaken. The Seventh Prince just let me sleep in his bed, nothing more.”

“Oh? Haha, my Seventh Brother really spoils you.”

Yu Hualiang laughed awkwardly. “Did the Fourth Prince come specially to see me?”

The Fourth Prince nodded. “My Seventh Brother must have told you: I want to recruit a painter for the Qionglin Painting Gathering. I heard you’re talented, so I came for your advice.”

Yu Hualiang replied modestly, “I wouldn’t dare claim talent. I’m grateful the Fourth Prince thinks highly of me; it’s my good fortune.”

“Such a sweet talker. No wonder my Seventh Brother likes you so much.”

Yu Hualiang felt awkward. He’d learned all this from the Seventh Prince, really. “I’ll go with you now, Fourth Prince.”

The Fourth Prince nodded, then suddenly stopped, staring at Jin He behind Yu Hualiang.

Yu Hualiang felt a sense of foreboding. The Fourth Prince approached Jin He. “What’s your name?”

***

“I am Jin He, your servant,” she replied.

“A lovely name. Raise your head, let me take a look.”

At his request, Jin He slowly raised her head, her eyes sweeping Yu Hualiang with a plea for help.

Yu Hualiang stepped in, “Fourth Prince, she’s the maid the Seventh Prince assigned to take care of me.”

“My Seventh Brother is truly discerning. This little maid is quite charming. I like her—you’ll come to my manor with me.”

Yu Hualiang realized the Fourth Prince wanted to take Jin He away. In truth, he’d be glad to see her go, but first, Jin He knew his secret, and second, Jin He was crying.

She didn’t want to go, and Yu Hualiang didn’t want to see the Fourth Prince force her. He interceded, “Fourth Prince, she’s crying so much, perhaps it’s better she stays in the Seventh Prince’s manor.”

“Oh, are you feeling sorry for her? Do you have some connection with her?”

“No, not at all. Jin He hasn’t cared for me long... but I’ve always treated her like a younger sister.”

The Fourth Prince looked at him. “Why not give her to me?”

Yu Hualiang dared not meet his gaze and lowered his head in silence. The Fourth Prince laughed, raising his folding fan to lift Yu Hualiang’s chin. “Well then... how about you spend a night with me instead?”

Yu Hualiang was startled, stepping back with a forced laugh. “Haha, Fourth Prince, what are you saying?”

Seeing his reaction, the Fourth Prince smiled smugly. “I’m only joking with you. I don’t want your maid. Let’s go.”

Yu Hualiang was so frightened his face turned pale. Why did the Fourth Prince always make such jokes, scaring him out of his wits every time?

Jin He breathed a sigh of relief. The rumors about the Fourth Prince demanding maids to sleep with were true, but she hadn’t expected he’d even want Yu Hualiang.

She never thought Yu Hualiang would protect her, especially after she’d threatened him so many times. His heart was truly too kind.

Yu Hualiang, still anxious, boarded the Fourth Prince’s carriage. The Fourth Prince’s smile gave him goosebumps. He filled a cup with tea and handed it to Yu Hualiang. “No need to be so formal, little painter. Have some tea.”

Yu Hualiang took the cup with both hands. “Thank you, Fourth Prince.”

“Haha, don’t be so nervous. Though I’m a prince, I’m just a carefree noble with royal blood. I dislike all those formalities.”

Yu Hualiang relaxed a little. “Fourth Prince really is as approachable as the Seventh Prince said.”

“Oh? My Seventh Brother described me that way?”

Yu Hualiang nodded. The Fourth Prince tapped his folding fan and laughed, “That Seventh Brother of mine—he must be mocking me!”

He continued, “I heard you weren’t outstanding at the Yu Family Painting Gathering. How did my Seventh Brother notice you?”

Yu Hualiang paused. “Well... after a serious illness, I suddenly became enlightened. The Seventh Prince happened to be selecting painters at my family’s gathering, and, by chance, he chose me.”

“Is that so?”

“At that time, I was bullied, didn’t even have a place at the gathering. The Seventh Prince took pity on me and let me sit with him.” Yu Hualiang recalled those memories fondly.

The Fourth Prince studied his expression. “Don’t be fooled by how my Seventh Brother treats you now. In my view, he never initiates contact, especially not with strangers. Did you meet him before?”

Yu Hualiang thought carefully. “No... I don’t think so.”

He remembered his first meeting with the Seventh Prince, and it really was just as he’d said. Could it be, as the Fourth Prince suggested, that the Seventh Prince never initiated contact? Did the original Yu Hualiang meet him before?