Chapter Six: The Plum Blossom Viewing Gathering

When he was a child, Yu Mingliang did everything he could to save him. When Lian Sheng came to the Yu family, Yu Hualiang doted on him endlessly, giving him all the best things. As they grew older, though not as inseparable as before, Yu Hualiang still thought of him constantly, though Lian Sheng no longer clung to him as he once did.

Later, when Lian Sheng became an official, he rarely returned home, but Yu Hualiang still brought him meals every day when he slept at the Painting Society. It wasn’t until Ah Liu appeared that their relationship began to cool.

Yu Ming looked at his son, lost in grim thought.

“Your Highness, the Seventh Prince.”

The guard at the door announced, and Yu Ming suddenly remembered, in his haste to hear of his son’s accident, he’d forgotten to notify the Seventh Prince.

Yu Ming and the others knelt in greeting, but with a wave of his hand, the Seventh Prince excused them. Ignoring everyone else, he strode straight to the bedside, his eyes full of worry, his tone calm but stern: “Who did this?”

Yu Ming and Lian Sheng exchanged glances, at a loss for how to answer. Lian Sheng knew that if he said it was Ah Liu’s doing, the Seventh Prince would never let him off.

Yu Hualiang definitely wouldn’t want Ah Liu to be harmed, so Lian Sheng replied, “Your Highness, my senior brother was found unconscious at the door of the Painting Society. We truly do not know who was responsible.”

The Seventh Prince, ever short-tempered, barked, “Investigate!”

The sudden outburst startled even the sleeping Yu Hualiang awake. He opened his eyes, still muddled, and his fevered mind wandered to Ah Liu. In a daze, he grabbed the Seventh Prince’s sleeve and murmured with a forced smile, “Ah Liu.”

Seeing him awake, the Seventh Prince’s anger subsided a little. He took Yu Hualiang’s hand and asked, “Ziliang, who hurt you?”

The royal physician stepped forward, reassuring, “Your Highness need not worry. Young Master Yu is unharmed—he’s merely caught a chill.”

The Seventh Prince relaxed, and seeing Yu Hualiang drift back to sleep, he felt an unexpected warmth in his heart.

He said, “You may all withdraw. I will care for Ziliang myself.”

Lian Sheng objected at once, “Your Highness, you are not meant to tend to the sick. It is better I serve instead.”

“Minister Hua, I said you may go.”

Lian Sheng swallowed and replied, “Yes.”

No one remained in the room but the Seventh Prince. Though he had never tended to anyone before, he managed to give medicine and water with care.

He had never seen that man sleep so peacefully before. Mu Zicheng had always fancied women, and this was the first time he’d been the object of a man’s affections. He found himself curious.

Yet Yu Hualiang was precisely the sort of man he found satisfactory. He wanted to know what love between men was like.

Yu Hualiang, burning with fever, opened his eyes slowly. The room was dim—had he slept another day? Where was he? This didn’t look like his small room. He tried to get up for some water but was too weak. Staring thirstily at the distant teapot, he swallowed his saliva.

Suddenly, the Seventh Prince entered with a bowl of medicine. Yu Hualiang wanted to ask for water, but his throat was so parched he could barely speak.

Seeing him awake, the Seventh Prince helped him sit up, and Yu Hualiang, weak as he was, couldn’t help but slump into the prince’s arms.

Mu Zicheng clearly felt his heart race as Yu Hualiang lay in his arms. He almost wanted to hold him there forever.

Yu Hualiang found the pose mortifying and mustered all his strength to push him away.

The Seventh Prince laughed, “Ziliang, what’s this? Are you shy?”

Shy, my foot. My face is burning from the fever, that’s all.

I’m a real man, through and through.

The Seventh Prince brought the medicine to his lips, and as soon as Yu Hualiang tasted it, he spat it out.

What on earth—so bitter it was unbearable!

He croaked, frowning, “Please, water.”

The Seventh Prince, equally troubled, quickly fetched him a cup of tea. After a sip, Yu Hualiang felt a little better.

“Your Highness, I can drink the medicine myself.”

The Seventh Prince replied gently, “How could I not care for you? I stayed behind just for this.”

Yu Hualiang eyed the medicine with dread—it was so bitter. Last time, he’d managed with dried fruit to chase it down, but now, though the service had improved, the medicine hadn’t.

Since it was the prince, Yu Hualiang forced himself to drink it, one mouthful at a time.

He had just lain down to rest when the Seventh Prince spoke again.

“Ziliang, I saw the paintings in your room.”

Yu Hualiang’s head shot up. “You saw them?”

The prince replied, “Yes. I know you favor men, Ziliang, but I never thought you’d pine for me. I can’t tell if I should be flattered or not.”

Pine for you? Favor men? If self-confidence could truly put someone shoulder to shoulder with the sun...

Yu Hualiang forced a dry laugh and said nothing.

The Seventh Prince continued, “Actually, I think you’re quite a fine man, Ziliang. Why not come to the palace with me? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live together, day and night?”

At the words “day and night,” Yu Hualiang’s skin crawled. I have no intention of turning you, why can’t you just be a good straight man? Why must you insist on being like those who favor men?

The Seventh Prince added, “Though I still prefer the beauty of women, I assure you, I will never wrong you.”

Yu Hualiang tensed in alarm. If he didn’t say something now, the prince would misunderstand him completely.

In any case, the prince would drag him to the palace sooner or later, so Yu Hualiang thought quickly. “Your Highness.”

“Yes?” The Seventh Prince smiled gently at him.

“You misunderstand. That painting was always meant for you. If I am to enter the royal residence, I must present something worthy, don’t you think? That’s why I painted it—not out of longing.”

The Seventh Prince’s gaze turned cold. “So your heart still belongs to Ah Liu?”

Why are you so sure I favor men?

Yu Hualiang nearly wept with frustration. “Your Highness, I am not inclined that way. What I feel for Ah Liu is only guilt.”

“Why guilt?”

Yu Hualiang couldn’t explain. He could only bow his head and feign immense pain.

The Seventh Prince found it inconvenient to press further. Now, he realized what it felt like to be spurned—so this was rejection.

Yu Hualiang, you are a man who stirs the heart so.

The prince turned away with a smile, thinking, “Yu Hualiang, you will be mine sooner or later.”

“If you are willing to come to the royal residence, I am pleased. Let us not speak of today again. Once you recover, come to the palace. I have matters to attend to and must leave you now.”

Yu Hualiang was glad and said, “I respectfully see Your Highness off.”

No sooner had he lain down to rest than the door burst open. Before he could see who it was, someone was on top of him, nearly making him spit up the medicine he’d just swallowed.

“Hualiang, wuwuwu...” came the sobs.

Yu Hualiang roused himself, “Ah Liu, what are you doing here?”

Ah Liu clung to him, crying, “It’s all my fault—I’m the one who hurt you.”

Yu Hualiang stroked his head as if soothing a child. “It’s all right, stop crying. I’m fine. How did you get here?”

Ah Liu hiccuped, “Master Yu bought my contract and told me to stay by your side and serve you.”

Yu Hualiang felt as though he’d swallowed dirt. His father was always “thinking of him.”

Ah Liu was a jealous sort. How was he ever going to visit a brothel again? How would he ever marry? He still dreamed of marrying a dainty, traditional wife!

And how could he face his girlfriend? If he died now, how heartbroken would she be? Yu Hualiang dared not imagine, only hoping she would find someone better.

He sighed and accepted his fate. Glancing at the door, he caught sight of Lian Sheng peeking in, tears brimming in his eyes. When Lian Sheng noticed Yu Hualiang looking, he fled, but Yu Hualiang didn’t dwell on it.

Ah Liu hugged him so tightly he could hardly breathe. He pushed him away, but Ah Liu just hugged him again, more persistent than sticky rice.

“All right, all right, I’m sick—if you keep this up, you’ll catch it too.”

“I’m not afraid. If you’re sick, I’ll be sick with you.”

Yu Hualiang smiled, “If you fall ill too, who will take care of you? Stay healthy, for my sake.”

Ah Liu smiled, Yu Hualiang worried. Why did this conversation sound so much like a couple’s?

Could Ah Liu be trying to turn him? I’m a straight man!

When Yu Hualiang was well enough, he started studying playing cards back at the Yu family. Ah Liu helped quietly by his side, stealing affectionate glances now and then. Though Yu Hualiang found it odd, he returned a few looks.

Only Mo Cai, helping on the side, shuddered in discomfort. The two exchanged glances, tormenting the lone bachelor.

Yu Hualiang finally finished his work, ink smudging his face and clothes. Ah Liu leaned in to wipe him clean, making Mo Cai want to flee the room.

Yu Hualiang snatched the cloth from Ah Liu and wiped himself.

When the cards were dry, Yu Hualiang called Ah Liu onto the bed. Before he could say anything, Ah Liu pounced on him. Mo Cai, seeing this, felt sickened and turned to leave.

Yu Hualiang stopped him. Mo Cai hesitated, eyeing Ah Liu clinging to Yu Hualiang, but thought leaving was best.

Yu Hualiang gently pushed Ah Liu aside. “Xiao Hei, come here.”

“Ah? Young Master, is this really appropriate?” He was terrified. He’d read in illustrated stories about three people together—surely the young master didn’t want him too...

Yu Hualiang, puzzled by his reluctance, urged him again, and Mo Cai finally shuffled over to the foot of the bed.

“Come up, Xiao Hei. Ah Liu, move over a bit.”

Ah Liu obediently shifted to the center, the perfect spot.

Yu Hualiang took up the deck. “Now, I’ll teach you both how to play cards.”

At the mention of cards, Mo Cai perked up. “Young Master, if you want to play, I’ll get the pai gow.”

Yu Hualiang said, “No, we’re playing this.”

Mo Cai eyed the paper cards, unable to imagine how they could be used.

“Teach us, Hualiang. I’ll listen carefully,” Ah Liu said.

Yu Hualiang spread the cards on the bed, pointing at the numbers. “Do you recognize these?”

Both shook their heads. Yu Hualiang realized it would take time before they could really play.

“Come on, get to know them. This is 2—the highest, except for the Joker. Next is A, the third highest…”

“We’ll play ‘Landlord’ with three people. I’ll deal and teach you as we go.”

After dealing, both mimicked Yu Hualiang’s way of holding the cards. Yu Hualiang had a headache: a weak hand, missing fives, no Jokers or twos, just an A—hopeless.

He glanced at Ah Liu’s cards and was startled—four twos, two Jokers, and a straight from three to seven.

“Here, Ah Liu, group these together.”

Ah Liu arranged his cards for Yu Hualiang to see, who nodded.

He checked Mo Cai’s hand: pairs from three to nine, three Aces with King and Queen—almost ready to go out.

These two must be blessed by the gods.

“Who has the three of hearts?”

Both looked for it. Ah Liu smiled, “Hualiang, it’s with me.”

Yu Hualiang said, “Good, you’re the landlord.”

“Landlord?”

Yu Hualiang explained, “It means Xiao Hei and I are on a team against you.”

Ah Liu pouted, “I don’t want to be against Hualiang.” He looked at Mo Cai’s cards, “Let’s trade one.”

Under the pressure, Mo Cai reluctantly exchanged a card.

Ah Liu scooted closer to Yu Hualiang. Mo Cai panicked, “Young Master, what should I do?”

Yu Hualiang replied, “Play your smallest card first.”

Mo Cai played a three. Yu Hualiang rubbed his forehead, pointing out, “You have a pair—play those instead.”

Mo Cai laid them down, leaving just three Aces, King, and Queen. Yu Hualiang glanced at Ah Liu, “Now, when you see he’s almost out of cards, you need to block him. Your pairs of Jokers and four twos are the highest—you can play those anytime.”

Ah Liu played the pair of Jokers. Mo Cai looked at Yu Hualiang. Yu Hualiang said, “If you can’t beat it, pass. Ah Liu, go again.”

Ah Liu, sensing his chance, played a three.

Yu Hualiang sighed, “You have a straight from three to seven—play them all.”

Ah Liu did so. Mo Cai looked to Yu Hualiang, who told him, “Unless you have a bomb—a set of four—you can’t beat that.”

“Then Ah Liu goes again.”

Ah Liu, careful, played four twos. Yu Hualiang beamed, hugged Ah Liu in delight, and cried, “We won!”

Though Ah Liu didn’t fully understand, he celebrated. Mo Cai, even more clueless, smiled along.

Yu Hualiang doused their joy, “You lost. You were the landlord.”

Mo Cai sulked, “Oh.”

After a few rounds, they began to get the hang of it, though Yu Hualiang kept getting terrible hands. Once the other two learned the ropes, they started going all out against each other, having a blast.

“Bomb three!”

“Bomb two!”

“Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine!”

“Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, Jack, Queen, King!”

“Joker bomb!”

After a while, Yu Hualiang, still in a daze, was seized by Ah Liu—“We won, we won!”

“Oh, we won.” But I was the landlord… the two farmers bombed each other and still won.

The game left Yu Hualiang with a shadow on his heart. He swore never to play with them again, not that he’d have much chance.

The Seventh Prince came daily to urge him to the palace. Yu Hualiang, loath to go, found an excuse as the season for plum blossom painting arrived, buying himself some time.

The Yu family’s Painting Society chose the plum grove at the foot of North Mountain as their venue—a privilege only a court painter like Yu Ming could secure.

All members of the Yu Painting Society attended, as did the previous contest’s champion, Yu Hualiang.

There was also Meng Lian Sheng, a young scholar of some repute.