Chapter 82: Painting Plum Blossoms
After Yu Hualiang was taken away by Qi Feng, he couldn’t shake off a restless feeling in his heart. Once in the carriage, he was suddenly overcome by a wave of regret. Qi Feng was acting oddly as well—whereas he was usually as irritating as a persistent fly, today he hadn’t uttered a word.
The silence unsettled Yu Hualiang. When they arrived at the Wenchuan Painting Society, not a soul was in sight; it was clear an order had been given to keep people from wandering about.
Qi Feng led him into a room filled with a refined scent of orchid incense. The silk canopies and drapes lent the place an air of luxury, making Yu Hualiang suspect that this official was of no ordinary status.
What puzzled him, however, was that although the official had summoned him for a portrait, he himself remained hidden behind a screen, only occasionally letting out a cough or two.
Only one sly-looking servant attended him. Upon entering, Yu Hualiang knelt and bowed, saying, “Commoner Ding Liang pays his respects to the honored lord.”
The servant, looking toward the screen as if awaiting instructions, said, “You may rise. My lord has recently caught a cold and is not receiving guests, but he has heard you are the best painter in Jin City and wishes you to paint something for him.”
Yu Hualiang replied with a smile, “My lord is too kind—this humble one is willing to try.”
The servant continued, “Then first, paint a sprig of yellow plum blossom.”
Yu Hualiang paused, but did as instructed. He recalled the last time he had seen yellow plums was at the Yu family’s painting society, on the very day he first met the Seventh Prince.
As memories surfaced, Yu Hualiang’s thoughts gradually settled. He took up his brush and carefully rendered a branch of yellow plum blossoms. The servant presented the painting to the person behind the screen.
Soon, the sound of paper being turned could be heard, and the servant announced, “My lord is very pleased. Reward him! One tael of gold.”
Yu Hualiang’s eyes widened in astonishment. So this was the generosity of royalty—gold bestowed at a word!
He hastily expressed his gratitude, collected his reward, and departed. Qi Feng sidled up to him and asked, “Well, how did it go?”
Waving the gold proudly, Yu Hualiang replied, “It’s done.”
Only then did Qi Feng relax and smile, “Did he say anything to you?”
“Nothing at all,” Yu Hualiang admitted. “He’s ill; everything was relayed by his servant.”
Qi Feng, slightly embarrassed, said, “Same here, only the servant spoke to me. I thought he might say something special to you.”
Yu Hualiang laughed, “What’s wrong? Want to go for a drink?”
Qi Feng shook his head, “No, I’ll have someone escort you home. You know how it is with royalty—I have to stay here and attend to things. Maybe next time.”
Yu Hualiang nodded, climbed into the carriage, and left. After he departed, the Seventh Prince emerged, gazing thoughtfully at his retreating figure.
Qi Feng bowed, “Your Highness.”
The Seventh Prince nodded, “Well done. In a few days, invite him again. Tell him that I was deeply impressed by his painting and wish to commission another.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Qi Feng replied, but couldn’t contain his curiosity, “Your Highness… who exactly is this Ding Liang to you?”
The Seventh Prince shot him a cold look, “What, you want to know that as well?”
Qi Feng broke out in a cold sweat and immediately knelt, “Your servant deserves death for his loose tongue. Please punish me, Your Highness.”
The Seventh Prince turned away without responding. Qi Feng knew better than to rise without permission—it would be a capital offense. Thus, he remained kneeling until midnight, when the prince finally had him carried away.
Upon returning home, Yu Hualiang handed the gold to Ah Liu, “Take a look at this.”
Ah Liu’s eyes went wide, “A-Liang, who was so generous?”
“A high official. I painted a sprig of yellow plum for him.”
“Yellow plum? Why yellow plum?” Ah Liu asked in surprise.
Yu Hualiang flicked his forehead, “How would I know what goes on in other people’s heads? Stop overthinking and go to sleep.”
Ah Liu carefully stashed away the gold before climbing into bed and cuddling up to Yu Hualiang. Outside, the Seventh Prince waited until the lights had gone out, then ordered his men to release a sleeping incense, ensuring those inside would fall into a deeper slumber.
The first thing he did upon entering was to drag Ah Liu to the floor. With a shadowed expression, he sat by the bed, gazing at the sleeping Yu Hualiang whom he hadn’t seen in so long.
Yu Hualiang still wore a gentle smile in his sleep—surely he was dreaming of something pleasant. The Seventh Prince reached out to caress his cheek, only to find his hand trembling slightly.
It had been too long. Unable to suppress himself any longer, the prince pulled him into a tight embrace, savoring the warmth that felt almost unreal.
He had imagined this countless times in his dreams, but whenever he reached out, Yu Hualiang would vanish before his touch. He had awoken in tears so many times. Now, at last, he could hold him close.
There was so much he wished to say, yet he didn’t know where to begin. As he held him, his hands brushed Yu Hualiang’s arms and waist, and he frowned—he was thinner than before.
He had never been plump, but now he was all skin and bones—he must have suffered much. The prince gently stroked his arm, only to discover old scars.
Alarmed, the Seventh Prince undid his clothes. Where once his skin was flawless, now there were shocking marks.
His voice hoarse, he murmured, “Ziliang, Ziliang, what have you gone through while I was not by your side?”
Tenderly, he traced each scar with his fingertips, careful not to hurt him, even though he knew the wounds had long since healed.
He leaned in, their faces inches apart.
As he kissed his lips, memories flooded the prince’s mind, each scene turning over and over—the realization dawned that he had fallen hopelessly in love.
“But… Yu Hualiang, why can’t you love me?” the Seventh Prince asked bitterly. Looking at his sleeping face, he pressed another fierce kiss to his lips. Yu Hualiang murmured in protest.
The prince’s heart twisted as if a kitten were scratching at it. He pressed down, raining kisses like a storm, but Yu Hualiang seemed uncomfortable, and at last, the prince had to stop.
With a sigh, he covered Yu Hualiang with the clothes he had disarranged, and reluctantly left the room.
Ye Fang met him outside, bowing, “All is done, Your Highness.”
The prince nodded, “Let’s go.”
When Yu Hualiang woke, his head ached terribly. Hearing Ah Liu’s pained groans from the floor, he quickly pulled him back to the bed, laughing, “Is the bed too small? How did you end up on the floor?”
Holding his head, Ah Liu whined, “A-Liang, my head hurts.”
Yu Hualiang massaged him with concern, “Me too. Must’ve caught a chill last night.”
Hearing this, Ah Liu anxiously checked his temperature, “A-Liang, you should see a doctor.”
“It’s nothing—a little hot water will do.”
“But if it still hurts tomorrow, you have to see a doctor.”
Yu Hualiang nodded, “Give me some silver.”
“What for?” Ah Liu asked, ever the housekeeper.
“To buy a bed,” Yu Hualiang explained.
Ah Liu clung to his clothes, aggrieved, “I don’t want to sleep apart from you!”
He threw himself onto Yu Hualiang, who could only smile helplessly. Patting his head, he soothed, “We won’t sleep apart. I’ll just ask the carpenter to widen our bed a bit.”
At this, Ah Liu nodded enthusiastically, finally letting him go.
Stepping outside, Yu Hualiang ran into Wang Erniu, the village chief’s son, hurrying out.
“Erniu, where are you off to?”
Recognizing him, Erniu grinned, “Brother Ding Liang, my father sent me to the city to buy some joss paper.”
“But it’s not Qingming—why buy joss paper?” Yu Hualiang asked.
Erniu sighed, “Brother Ding Liang, you don’t know—my father dreamed of my late grandfather last night. First thing this morning he insisted it was a bad omen, so he’s made me buy joss paper to burn for my granddad.”
“Oh, I see. I need to go to the city too—let’s go together.”
They entered the city, but today things felt different—extra guards, strict inspections.
Yu Hualiang asked, “What’s going on today?”
Erniu shook his head. As the guards searched them, Yu Hualiang tried to make conversation, “Brother, why so many checks today?”
The guard, seeing his friendly smile, explained, “Last night, some villages were raided by bandits!”
“What? Which village?” Yu Hualiang asked, startled.
The guard thought a moment, “Mengjia Village.”
Yu Hualiang froze. Erniu exclaimed, “That’s right next to ours!”
Hearing this, the guard frowned, “You’re from the neighboring village? Those bandits are vicious—be careful.”
Yu Hualiang thanked him, “Thanks for the warning.”
The guard waved them on, “Hurry up, the city gates will close early today.”
Yu Hualiang thanked him again. As Erniu dragged him away, he wore a worried look, “My father’s dream was right after all.”
Yu Hualiang chuckled, “Yes, the village chief is impressive.”
“I hear the dreams of the old are always accurate,” Erniu muttered.
Yu Hualiang nodded perfunctorily, but Erniu wouldn’t let up, “Brother Ding Liang, what if the bandits come to our village?”
Yu Hualiang pried his hand off his arm and, gesturing toward the magistrate’s office, said, “Isn’t that what officials are for? Besides, after this raid, the authorities will probably wipe out the bandits.”
This reassured Erniu, “Alright, I’m off to buy joss paper for my father. Brother Ding Liang, take care.”
Yu Hualiang waved him off and, after finding a carpenter, decided to while away some time at a teahouse.
He had just taken a few sips when a lavishly decorated carriage rolled by, followed by that same sly servant.
Wasn’t this the very noble who had reserved the entire Wenchuan Painting Society?
The servant scanned the street until his eyes landed on Yu Hualiang, staring intently before breaking into a smile and approaching.
Yu Hualiang felt his nerves prickle, but, ever polite, he stood and bowed, “This humble one greets the lord.”
The servant laughed, “Master Ding, what are you saying? I’m no lord. Come, my master wishes to see you in the carriage.”