Chapter Seven: Provocation?

To the north of the city, nestled against the mountains and overlooking the water, there was a plum forest with scenery particularly unique. Yu Hualiang sat inside the carriage, jostled to the point of nausea.

“Young master, perhaps you should get out and rest for a bit,” said Mo Cai, patting his back and pouring him a cup of water.

Yu Ming had specially hired the most comfortable carriage for his sake, but Yu Hualiang doubted he was truly so fortunate.

“Let’s get out,” he managed.

Yu Hualiang almost dashed out, and after catching his breath, he felt a little better. Ahead of him, a blaze of red greeted his eyes. He decided he’d rather walk than ride.

“Young master, we’re almost there,” Mo Cai reminded him.

After walking for quite a while, Yu Hualiang’s legs were nearly buckling. He braced his hands against his waist, trying to catch his breath—he had clearly overestimated his physical strength.

“Huff… there’s still more?” he muttered.

Behind him came the sound of hooves and wheels; Yu Hualiang glanced back and saw Lian Sheng’s carriage approaching, its lantern emblazoned with the character for “Meng.”

The carriage stopped as it reached them. Lian Sheng stepped down, his figure as slight as A’Liu’s, his face exquisitely delicate. Yet when he looked up at Yu Hualiang, his eyes were filled with undisguised disdain.

What had he done wrong this time? Yu Hualiang wondered.

Lian Sheng, hands tucked into his cloak, walked over.

“Well, all better?” he asked.

“Uh, yes,” Yu Hualiang replied, puzzled why this youth seemed to dislike him so much.

“Get in,” Lian Sheng said impatiently.

Was he worried Yu Hualiang would tire himself out? Yu Hualiang was baffled.

“No, there’s no need. Riding in the carriage is exhausting,” Yu Hualiang explained.

“Tch.” Lian Sheng rolled his eyes and instructed the driver to move on.

Yu Hualiang felt thoroughly scorned and was in no mood for it.

They walked a few steps in silence, the awkwardness between them palpable—Yu Hualiang was helpless; every time they were together, the atmosphere was unbearably stiff.

He was about to speak when Lian Sheng beat him to it. “Senior brother, you must have been quite comfortable these past days.”

There was something in his tone that gave Yu Hualiang a bad feeling.

“What do you mean?” Yu Hualiang asked with a forced smile.

Lian Sheng shot him a glance. “Hmm, perhaps I’m overthinking. With A’Liu by your side, how could you be uncomfortable?”

Yu Hualiang laughed awkwardly and clapped him on the back. “What are you talking about! Honestly.”

Rubbing his own shoulder, Lian Sheng’s expression darkened. “You said before you weren’t that way…”

“I really am not!” Yu Hualiang protested.

“Then what’s going on with A’Liu? You two live together!”

The accusation left Yu Hualiang stunned. Was Lian Sheng really so afraid he was interested in men?

Yu Hualiang’s face turned serious. “Trust me, if I ever fancy men, I’ll eat dirt!”

“Huh?” Lian Sheng looked at him as if he were an idiot, but his anger seemed to have faded.

Yu Hualiang thought, after such a vow, surely Lian Sheng would believe him now.

Since his failed suicide, Lian Sheng felt Yu Hualiang’s mind had become sharper, and yet here he was, still wasting words on him.

With that thought, Lian Sheng quickened his pace, leaving Yu Hualiang far behind.

Yu Hualiang jogged after him into the plum forest, exhausted to the point of breathlessness. Finding a snow-cleared plum tree, he promptly lay down to sleep.

Mo Cai could only stand guard as his young master napped, though the warm sunshine soon had him nodding off as well.

Yu Hualiang lay on the dry grass, a few plum petals drifting onto him now and again, peaceful as a corpse.

His complexion was pale from poor health, which only made the sight more pitiable.

Lian Sheng brought a wine flask, intending to talk, but found Yu Hualiang asleep instead. Just as before, his heart began to race.

With a sigh, he placed the flask in Mo Cai’s drowsy hands, then draped his own cloak over Yu Hualiang.

Feeling the warmth, Yu Hualiang smiled and rolled over, murmuring a name in his sleep that made Lian Sheng pause.

Who was Qianqian?

Lian Sheng’s mood darkened. Seeing Yu Hualiang’s blissful, almost indecent smile, he kicked him in the leg, waking him abruptly.

“Damn!” Yu Hualiang cursed, glaring at the smug Lian Sheng.

“You’re the eldest son of the Yu family. Don’t disgrace your household,” Lian Sheng intoned righteously.

Yu Hualiang had no retort. Head bowed, he glanced at the familiar cloak on his shoulders.

Mo Cai helped him up, and Yu Hualiang irritably threw the cloak back at Lian Sheng—he was notoriously grumpy upon waking.

Mo Cai was startled; it was the first time he’d seen Yu Hualiang lose his temper, especially at Lian Sheng.

Lian Sheng, too, was stunned. He hadn’t expected such a reaction.

Yu Hualiang’s face was cold as he exhaled heavily and walked away, back turned.

Mo Cai glanced at Lian Sheng, murmured a farewell, and hurried after his master.

Watching Yu Hualiang’s retreating figure, Lian Sheng felt his eyes sting—whether from the chill wind or a pang in his heart, he did not know.

Yu Hualiang walked on, head down and spirits low—he had just dreamed of his girlfriend.

In the dream, after class, she waited for him at the door. Teased by other students, she laughed and willfully took his arm.

“I’m your girlfriend! What are you blushing for?”

What was he blushing for?

Yu Hualiang’s eyes grew red. He regretted so many things he had done, yet now he didn’t know how to atone.

Mo Cai dared not speak; was his master weeping over Lian Sheng? He had long suspected there was more to their relationship.

“Young master,” Mo Cai called.

Yu Hualiang turned, his devastated expression deeply affecting Mo Cai.

“What is it?” Yu Hualiang’s tone was indifferent.

“Young master, you should go back and find Master Meng.”

“Huh?”

Yu Hualiang wondered if Mo Cai had taken leave of his senses.

“He doesn’t like me. Can’t you tell?”

Mo Cai replied, “Young master, what do you mean? Master Meng has always been that way. Look, he even brought you wine.”

He shook the flask for emphasis.

Yu Hualiang thought, “Perhaps drinking will help dispel my sorrow.”

He reached for the wine, uncorked it, and took a gulp—only to cough it all over Mo Cai.

“What is this stuff?” He hadn’t expected the wine to be so strong.

He couldn’t handle it, but after swallowing a little, his cheeks flushed, making him look all the more fragile.

Mo Cai’s heart skipped a beat—his young master truly was a rare beauty.

The thought startled Mo Cai. Oh no, perhaps attraction to men really is contagious.

Yu Hualiang, still in a mood, tossed the wine back to Mo Cai and said, “If you want to apologize, go. I’m not going.”

Mo Cai hesitated, then murmured, “I’d better stay with you, young master.”

“Hey, have you heard about the Yu family’s ‘peculiar one’?”

“What about him?”

“Did you attend the recent flower festival? Clearly not—he was remarkable.”

“What happened? I thought he couldn’t paint.”

Mo Cai, standing nearby, was about to call Yu Hualiang over, but Yu Hualiang waved at him to stay quiet—he seldom had the chance to hear others praise him.

“You all know?” Yu Hualiang asked.

The silver-clad youth who started the conversation replied, “Tch, who doesn’t? Because of the Yu family’s failed suicide—Yu Hualiang.”

So that’s how he’d become famous?

“Heh, it was quite the scandal,” Yu Hualiang laughed dryly.

The silver-robed youth ignored him, continuing to his companions, “But lately I’ve heard he made a splash at the Yu family’s painting gathering and even won the Seventh Prince’s favor.”

“Wow, what a stroke of luck!” the green-robed youth chimed in.

“Do you think Old Man Yu taught him some secret technique?”

“I think it’s possible—how else could he improve so quickly?”

“I’m not so sure,” Yu Hualiang interjected.

The silver-robed youth asked, “Why do you say that, brother?”

Yu Hualiang glanced up with a mischievous look. “Those who survive calamity are bound for good fortune.”

The youth’s eyes widened in agreement.

“Fortune, huh? He thinks showing off a bit in front of the Seventh Prince will win him rank and security? So arrogant,” a voice sneered.

Yu Hualiang grimaced—he recognized the tone. It was Mu Qi, the blue-robed youth who followed his third junior brother.

That junior brother, Chang Zihao, had been the one to challenge him at the painting gathering, the yellow-robed youth who always acted superior behind Mu Qi, thoroughly infuriating.

Mu Qi sidled through the group and stood before Yu Hualiang, dripping sarcasm. “Don’t you agree?”

Yu Hualiang merely smiled and ignored him, heading straight for Chang Zihao. With a gentlemanly air, he greeted him, “Ah, Third Brother, here for a stroll as well?”

“You seem to have plenty of leisure, Senior Brother,” Chang Zihao sneered. “Aren’t you supposed to be reporting to the Seventh Prince? You must truly be at ease.”

Clearly, he was implying something. Yu Hualiang glanced at him coldly. “Painting is, by nature, a pursuit of leisure and elegance. As a loyal subject, I must hone my skills to serve the Prince.”

That left Chang Zihao speechless, his face darkening further.

The silver-robed youth beside Yu Hualiang stared in disbelief. “So you’re Yu Hualiang? I’m Ji Yuzhe, a pleasure to meet you.”

Yu Hualiang offered his hand. “Likewise.”

Chang Zihao, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up. “Yu Hualiang, do you dare compete with me?”

Challenging him? Challenging the top painter in the kingdom? Yu Hualiang smiled and agreed offhand.

“Mu Qi, fetch brush and ink!” Chang Zihao ordered, impatient.

Yu Hualiang, unwilling to let things escalate too quickly, said, “Wait.”

“What is it now?” Chang Zihao snapped.

Leisurely, Yu Hualiang seated himself in the stone pavilion. “As I’ve said, painting is about leisure and grace. Right now, I have neither. I wouldn’t do my best.”

“What do you want, then?” Chang Zihao demanded, irritated.

“What do I want? The beauty of this plum forest hasn’t yet satisfied me. Why not enjoy the scenery a while, then compete?”

Mu Qi fumed, “You’re stalling! You know you’re no match for Senior Brother Chang and want to run. I advise you to go plead your case before the Seventh Prince instead.”

Yu Hualiang could only sigh inwardly. If only he could resign—let someone else take on such a thankless task. He had no desire for it.