Chapter 58: Sowing Discord Among the Troops?

"Uh..." Yu Hualiang slowly turned around.

"It really is you..." Lian Sheng's tone carried little surprise; instead, the contempt was as familiar as ever.

"Come with me!" Lian Sheng said.

He strode out, with Yu Hualiang following, and led him to a quiet spot. Staring at Ye Hao, who followed closely behind, Lian Sheng said, "So? You chased Mo Cai away just for him? Senior brother, you change favorites fast enough."

Ye Hao frowned at these words, but Yu Hualiang explained, "No, let me explain. He's a bodyguard sent by the Fourth Prince to protect me. As for Mo Cai, I'll tell you about him later."

Lian Sheng flung his sleeves. "Fourth Prince? Why would the Fourth Prince want to protect you?"

Detecting the displeasure in his tone, Yu Hualiang smiled, "Well, the Fourth Prince is selecting painters at the Qionglin Painting Assembly and wants me there as an advisor."

Lian Sheng looked at him. "I heard that senior brother made quite the impression at Qionglin, holding his own in debates and protecting Third Junior Brother. What a hero, huh?"

His words were sarcastic, making Yu Hualiang uncomfortable, but he blinked and explained, "No matter what, Chang Zihao is still one of our Yu family."

Lian Sheng turned, poking Yu Hualiang's chest with his finger. "You remember you're the eldest son of the Yu family? Wearing the robes of a third-rank painter from Qionglin? Trying to make the Yu family look good?"

"No... The clothes were an accident..." Yu Hualiang was at a loss for words.

Lian Sheng continued, "Do you realize you just disrupted the troops? Li Bingwei was about to arrest you and execute you on the spot! Fortunately, Zhou Yibai stopped him. Otherwise, when I arrived, I'd have seen your corpse!"

Yu Hualiang, like a child caught in wrongdoing, lowered his head and glanced at the bracelet on Lian Sheng's hand, shimmering with light.

Wasn't this the bracelet he had given Lian Sheng to keep for his future wife the day he left?

Seeing Yu Hualiang silent, Lian Sheng's anger eased a little. "Senior brother, what's wrong? Why aren't you speaking?"

Yu Hualiang replied devoutly, "If you're not angry... I'll speak."

Lian Sheng's cheeks reddened; he replied nonchalantly, "When have I ever been angry with you?"

"By the way, senior brother, shouldn't you be at Qionglin? What are you doing here?" Lian Sheng asked.

"Don't ask. My clothes got wet, so I found something else to wear. Then Zhou Yibai pointed at me, put me on a carriage, and brought me here to help paint."

When Lian Sheng heard Zhou Yibai's name, his face darkened. "Him?"

"Yeah... Why? I heard he said you two get along well?" Yu Hualiang asked, smiling.

"We have no relationship. His rank is just higher than mine, that's all. Besides, one day I'll replace him."

"Lian Sheng, is my position as Minister still not to your liking?" Zhou Yibai suddenly appeared.

Lian Sheng sneered, "Minister."

Zhou Yibai stepped over. "Don't be so formal. Call me Zihan."

"I wouldn't dare," Lian Sheng replied.

"Come now, Lian Sheng, you know I dislike all this etiquette. Relax, there are no outsiders here," Zhou Yibai said, placing his arm around Yu Hualiang's shoulders. "Right, Brother Ri Tian?"

"Uh?" Yu Hualiang was startled, glancing at Lian Sheng's stormy expression and swallowing nervously.

"Let him go," Lian Sheng's response was unexpectedly fierce, warning Zhou Yibai.

Even Yu Hualiang was surprised—Lian Sheng had never shown such anger toward anyone but him.

He pulled Yu Hualiang to his side, glaring at Zhou Yibai with hostility. Yu Hualiang, bewildered, lowered his gaze to Lian Sheng's vexed face.

Zhou Yibai, looking innocent, waved his hands as if to say he had done nothing. Perhaps the atmosphere was too awkward, so Lian Sheng tugged Yu Hualiang's sleeve. "Come with me."

"Where to?" Yu Hualiang asked.

Zhou Yibai smiled at him. "Lian Sheng? Remember! Tomorrow you must paint for Lady Lian Jin!"

Lian Sheng retorted, "Didn't Lady Lian Jin specifically request you?"

Zhou Yibai had nothing to say, only watching the two leave and murmuring, "Is he angry?"

Pulled onto the carriage by Lian Sheng, Yu Hualiang was still dazed. Lian Sheng frowned. "Senior brother, you must be more careful in the future."

"Huh? Careful about what?"

Lian Sheng, impatient at his stupidity, said, "The whole city knows you're a cut-sleeve. Some people with ulterior motives have indecent ideas about you."

"What? Hahaha? What? Ulterior motives?" Yu Hualiang nearly laughed his teeth out—he was a man, after all; who could have indecent ideas about him?

Seeing his reaction, Lian Sheng grew serious. "The Seventh Prince... has he ever done anything to you?"

Lian Sheng was blunt; Yu Hualiang stopped laughing and admitted, "The Seventh Prince is indeed a cut-sleeve."

"Don't worry," Yu Hualiang smiled.

"Senior brother, your attitude makes people worry," Lian Sheng said, brow furrowed.

Yu Hualiang comforted him, "Ah, how can a senior brother let his junior worry?"

Lian Sheng replied, "Hualiang, how can I not worry?"

"Haha, Qingli, don't worry about me. My affairs are my own to settle."

Called "Qingli," Lian Sheng's cheeks flushed. "Don't call me by my courtesy name so casually."

"Mm? I heard people who are close call each other by their courtesy names. Aren't we close?" Yu Hualiang asked, smiling.

Lian Sheng looked shy. "Senior brother is right."

"Qingli! Qingli, Qingli—it sounds better every time," Yu Hualiang was truly enamored of his own literary talent. How gifted he must be to come up with such a lovely name!

Annoyed by his repeated calling, Lian Sheng said, "Enough, senior brother. You're not embarrassed, but I am."

Yu Hualiang stopped teasing and asked, "Why are you here today? I heard the palace is busy?"

"The Emperor wants to wage war against Fanhe, and it just so happens our Minister's friend is a guard here, so he dragged me over to paint. The fellow neglects his duties... All the affairs of the palace fall to me, and yet he insists on involving me..."

From Lian Sheng's torrent of complaints, Yu Hualiang only picked up three words: "Wage war against Fanhe."

Wasn't that the hometown of Cao Zhileng? Why would the Emperor attack Fanhe?

If war broke out, what would happen to Cao Zhileng?

After a brief farewell with Lian Sheng, Yu Hualiang hurried back to the Qionglin Painting Assembly.

Watching the carriage fade into the distance, Lian Sheng touched the bracelet on his hand, a hint of disappointment on his face.

"Qingli?" That familiar name sounded, and Lian Sheng looked up to see Zhou Yibai in white.

His disappointment was obvious, and his face looked terrible.

"Isn't that your courtesy name? Qingli—such a pleasant name. Why have you never told me?" Zhou Yibai joked.

Zhou Yibai was the type to seek attention even when ignored.

Lian Sheng masked his distaste and said, "Minister, eavesdropping on others is hardly a good habit."

Zhou Yibai responded, "Little Qingli, don't be so distant. You can call me Zihan, and we'll be even, alright?"

"Please, Minister, refrain from calling me Qingli. You may not mind, but I find it grating."

Despite the warning, Zhou Yibai feigned hurt. "Fine, I won't call you that. Don't be so fierce. That person just now—what is he to you?"

At the mention of Yu Hualiang, Lian Sheng's expression softened slightly. He considered and replied, "Just fellow disciples, that's all."

"Mm? If he's your junior brother, why is he wearing the Qionglin Assembly's robes? Is he Yu Hualiang?"

Zhou Yibai was delighted and went over to look at the half-finished portrait Yu Hualiang had left behind. Indeed, the brushwork was sharp and powerful—a masterpiece.

Zhou Yibai's admiration for Yu Hualiang grew.

He chatted with Lian Sheng, who was packing up. "Your senior brother is truly a genius."

Lian Sheng scoffed, "What's the use? Besides painting, he's good for nothing."

"Hey, that's not fair. I find your senior brother quite interesting."

Lian Sheng threw his things. "Minister, if you don't hurry and pack, we'll be spending the night in the barracks."

Zhou Yibai, unable to hide his joy, cheerfully went over to help Lian Sheng. Seeing the bracelet on his hand, he remarked, "Hmm? So Lian Sheng likes women's jewelry."

"Minister, you must be very idle."

"Little Lian Sheng, don't be angry. If you like, I'll give you one someday."

Lian Sheng refused at once, "Minister, better save it for the ladies of Lingxuan Tower. I prefer peace and quiet, so please keep your distance."

Zhou Yibai was like an annoying fly, impossible to swat away. After a brief moment of silence, he circled back again. "Lian Sheng, your carriage was taken by your senior brother. You'll have to ride with me."

"No need, Minister. I'll walk back."

Zhou Yibai panicked, "That won't do. If you walk, I'll walk with you."

Lian Sheng looked at him in surprise and said loudly, "Thank you, Minister, for giving up your beloved carriage. I'm truly grateful."

Before Zhou Yibai could react, Lian Sheng pulled Mo Cheng onto his carriage and left, forcing Zhou Yibai to squeeze in with his own disciples.

Returning to the Qionglin Painting Assembly, Yu Hualiang tried every trick to shake off Ye Hao, but the man was "impervious to poison," clinging like a plaster that couldn't be peeled off.

Even when Yu Hualiang went to the restroom, Ye Hao waited outside.

Left with no choice, he sought help from Ji Yuzhe and the others.

"Why not play dead, so he'll go get Doctor Wang?" Ji Yuzhe suggested, laughing.

Hearing the name "Doctor Wang," Ji Yuyun, who felt uncomfortable, said, "Brother, Doctor Wang still has patients to care for. It's not right to trouble him."

"Ah... little brother always thinks things through," Ji Yuzhe sighed.

"Shh! He's back," Yu Hualiang warned.

Ye Hao entered carrying a plate of fruit. Yu Hualiang casually picked up a plum and tasted it. "Wow... so sour."

Ji Yuzhe tried one too. "Hmm, definitely sour. Brother, have one."

Ji Yuyun ate the plum his brother had bitten, rare for Ji Yuzhe to remember his fondness for sour plums.

Watching him eat, Yu Hualiang felt his own mouth pucker. He handed his half-eaten plum to Ji Yuyun. "Here, have this too!"

Ji Yuyun looked at it with distaste, which Yu Hualiang noticed, so he quietly withdrew his hand.

"Sorry, Brother Yu, I've spoiled my little brother. By the way, these plums are so sour they're hard to eat. I know there's an apricot grove here at Qionglin, with young apricots just ripe and tender. How about we go pick some together?"