TL: Hua
The next morning, shortly after Xu Yanqing finished breakfast, Qi Chen arrived with his small satchel.
“Come, drink your porridge,” Xu Yanqing beckoned to Qi Chen.
Yin Yanjun wasn’t in the Hanliang Palace, so Qi Chen sat down freely, took a bowl of porridge, and gulped it down.
Although Qi Chen usually lived in the palace to specifically care for the young master’s health, Aunt Zhao was also a full-time caretaker for the young master, so Qi Chen hadn’t had Aunt Zhao’s porridge for quite some time.
Drinking a bowl of hot porridge in winter felt like warmth spreading all the way to his heart. After finishing the bowl, Qi Chen exhaled, “I feel alive again.”
“Why are you so tired this early in the morning?” The salted fish was living a very comfortable life.
Qi Chen sighed, “I asked for leave from the Imperial Hospital, but they have a lot of work, so I had to rush to finish everything early this morning before they’d let me go.”
The salted fish young master, having eaten his fill, pushed a steaming hot bun towards Qi Chen. “Eat quickly. Once you’re done, we can go out and have some fun.”
“Come on, with the emperor watching, you still want to have fun?” Qi Chen didn’t believe a word the young master said, especially since the awakened young master was vastly different from his formerly clueless self.
Xu Yanqing rested his chin in his hand, watching Qi Chen eat, and casually chuckled, “What, jealous again?” This was a tease, referring to a previous time when Qi Chen had made a similar remark.
Qi Chen indeed remembered the young master’s previous attempt to set him up and immediately, very wisely, closed his mouth.
Qi Chen was afraid the emperor would suddenly appear, so he hurriedly ate two large buns. Just then, footsteps echoed from outside. Before long, the emperor walked into Hanliang Palace.
“This humble servant greets Your Majesty.” Qi Chen bowed.
Yin Yanjun waved his hand, and Qi Chen, understanding the hint, retreated two steps.
Three large chests of luggage had already been loaded onto the carriage by the palace attendants. Xu Yanqing blinked at Yin Yanjun, who was walking towards him. “Taoist master, you left court earlier today than usual.”
“Mm, there were fewer matters today, so I left court earlier,” Yin Yanjun said indifferently as he approached, taking the young master’s hand.
Xu Yanqing found it somewhat amusing. It was clear the Taoist master was trying to hide his reluctance to part, but he didn’t expose him, merely curving his lips into a smile. “Mm-hmm, I understand.”
The young master’s peculiar expression was full of teasing. Yin Yanjun couldn’t help but feel his ear tips grow warm. He couldn’t resist raising a hand to touch the young master’s chubby cheek. “When are you planning to leave?”
“I’ve already finished breakfast, so we can leave anytime,” Xu Yanqing said, smiling at the Taoist master’s slightly reddened ear tips.
Yin Yanjun’s eyes were gentle. “Good.”
—
Carriages were rarely driven within the palace. This privilege was only granted after the young master entered the imperial palace. Mu Yu helped his young master onto the carriage, with a palace guard driving in front.
Mu Yu and Qi Chen sat on either side of Xu Yanqing. Qi Chen secretly lifted the curtain and peeked out. “The emperor didn’t even come out to see you off.”
Xu Yanqing looked up and peered out, and indeed, the Hanliang Palace entrance was empty, with no sign of the Taoist master.
“Perhaps His Majesty has government affairs to attend to,” Mu Yu said, glaring at Qi Chen, rushing to comfort his young master lest he overthink.
Xu Yanqing didn’t overthink it. He naturally understood how busy Yin Yanjun usually was. He simply said to Qi Chen, “I think Young Medical Officer Qi has spent too little time in the palace and hasn’t been exploited enough by those old masters in the Imperial Hospital, which is why you have time to think about such idle things.”
Unable to provoke Young Master Xu and instead being outwitted by him, Qi Chen pouted and looked around outside, deliberately avoiding eye contact with the young master, fearing he’d lose face again.
Victorious, the salted fish young master smugly glanced at Qi Chen, then secretly hummed a little tune. The carriage swayed gently forward, eventually coming to a stop at the entrance of Marquis Wu’an’s mansion.
Upon seeing Mu Yu alight from the carriage, the servants of Marquis Wu’an’s mansion immediately ran off to inform the marquis and madam.
Before the Marquis and Madame Wu’an could make any noise from inside, Xu Xianzhi had already walked to the door of the carriage with big strides.
“Why are you back now?” Xu Xianzhi reached out to help his brother from the carriage, still craning his neck to look inside.
Xu Yanqing unceremoniously pulled him over. “No need to look anymore; it’s just me returning alone.” Qi Chen had already gotten off earlier to return to the medical clinic.
Seeing that the young master had been safely delivered to Marquis Wu’an’s mansion, the guard bowed to the two brothers beside the carriage, then cupped his hands in farewell and left.
“Why didn’t you bring the little prince along?” Xu Xianzhi still wouldn’t give up. The last time they entered the palace, only his father and mother got to hold the little prince. Poor him, he only managed to take two glimpses and didn’t even get to touch his chubby little hands.
Xu Yanqing shrugged. “I really didn’t bring him. The little cub isn’t even a month old yet, and he’s quite delicate. How could Taoist master let me take him out of the palace at a time like this?”
“You’re right. Just like when you were little. I remember Father and Mother saying you were particularly delicate when you were a child.” Xu Xianzhi seemed to suddenly realize something, and without a hint of awareness, he instantly jabbed his brother.
Xu Yanqing didn’t care. If he was a little delicate in his family’s eyes, then so be it. After all, it was a testament to his parents’ love for him. The salted fish young master just considered his brother to be envious.
Xu Xianzhi naturally didn’t know his younger brother’s little thoughts. For a while, he had been visiting Doctor Qi’s clinic every few days to inquire about male childbirth.
So, ever since the little prince was born, Xu Xianzhi had always felt that his younger brother was especially fragile, even more so than a woman after childbirth. Thus, Xu Xianzhi reached out and directly helped his brother into the manor. Xu Yanqing was utterly bewildered, wondering what serious illness he must have contracted for his brother to be so cautious.
Alright, even though his brother’s love was a bit overwhelming, Xu Yanqing, seeing the deep concern in his brother’s eyes, could only obediently accept it.
Marquis Wu’an’s mansion never bothered with elaborate formalities. So, not long after Xu Xianzhi helped the young master into the manor, they saw their father and mother approaching from afar.
“Why are you home at this hour? You didn’t bring the little prince?” Lady Su, just like Xu Xianzhi, glanced behind him.
Xu Yanqing’s eyes were full of helplessness. He could only wave his hand. “Mother, the little cub isn’t even a month old yet!”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Lady Su realized, pushed her elder son aside, and reached out to support her youngest son. “Although you’re a man and don’t need to go through a confinement period like a woman, you shouldn’t endure such a long and exhausting journey.”
Marquis Wu’an said nothing, only nodded, clearly sharing Lady Su’s sentiments.
Xu Yanqing once again expressed that parental love was too heavy. The journey from Hanliang Palace to Marquis Wu’an’s mansion was at most a quarter of an hour, so how could it be considered exhausting?
However, the salted fish young master always understood his mother’s care for him, so he didn’t argue further on the topic. He leaned in and, as before, charmingly coaxed Lady Su into beaming with joy.
Upon entering his parents’ room, Xu Yanqing was immediately pulled down to sit. “I never asked you, but it’s almost been a month now. Have your wounds healed?”
After all, he was her son. Lady Su had been worried sick for a long time. After visiting the palace and seeing her youngest son safe and sound, she felt some relief but couldn’t help worrying.
Xu Yanqing had specifically used the palace’s secret scar-removing medicine, not because the scars were too ugly, but because he had long anticipated his mother’s concern. So, he boldly stated, “Mother, if you are still worried, why not take a look at my wounds yourself?”
Lady Su wouldn’t be so reserved. Since her son had said so, why should she be polite? She genuinely reached out towards her son’s abdomen.
Although Xu Yanqing could sometimes be quite brazen, exposing his belly in front of his parents, as a grown man, was still a bit embarrassing.
“Mother, Mother, please don’t!” Xu Yanqing quickly covered his stomach. “Mu Yu is with me every day. If you’re not reassured, just ask Mu Yu directly. He’s an honest person and would never lie.”
“You’re right.” After all, her son had grown up. Lady Su reluctantly withdrew her hand. Mu Yu had served in Marquis Wu’an’s mansion since childhood, so Lady Su trusted him completely. She repeatedly beckoned him over.
Sure enough, Mu Yu was the type to answer whatever he was asked. Upon learning of Lady Su’s concern for his young master’s health, Mu Yu immediately reported, “Empress Dowager used a secret palace medicine on Young master. While it couldn’t remove all traces, it’s not as severe as before.”
Lady Su was still terribly distressed upon hearing this. According to Mu Yu, it meant that her youngest son’s delivery had indeed been painful, but he had recovered relatively well afterwards.
But since things had already happened, Lady Su didn’t say any more disheartening words. Instead, she simply instructed the household cook to prepare many of Xu Yanqing’s favorite dishes for lunch.
With the taste he had grown up with, Xu Yanqing ate until he was quite full, then chatted with his parents for a while before returning to his room to rest.
—
Waking up, the salted fish young master felt a bit disoriented. This was the first time since sharing a bed with the Taoist master that he woke up in a different place.
It was the room he had grown up in, but because he had been living in Hanliang Palace recently, a certain unfamiliar feeling arose.
After coiling on the bed for a while, Xu Yanqing slowly sat up, only to hear Mu Yu knocking on the door from outside. “Young Master, Young Master.”
Xu Yanqing went and opened the door. Seeing Mu Yu outside, who appeared a bit anxious, he casually asked, “What’s wrong?”
“It seems the emperor has sent something for you. The person is already waiting outside the door,” Mu Yu said. Seeing his young master’s dazed look, he wasn’t particularly anxious anymore.
Anyway, his young master usually behaves like this in Hanliang Palace, and the emperor never says anything.
After helping his young master change clothes and re-tie his hair, Mu Yu got up with his young master.
However, before they could even leave the courtyard, the person sent by the emperor to deliver the items was already walking towards the courtyard.
Xu Yanqing stared at the person supposedly sent by the emperor and blinked. He suddenly understood why the Taoist master hadn’t come to see him off when he left Hanliang Palace today. So, this was where he was waiting!
So Xu Yanqing stood still, with no intention of moving further forward, quietly waiting for the person to walk closer step by step.
The person sent by the emperor had clear features, a cold expression, and a faint smile visible at the corners of his eyes.
“Young Master,” Yin Yanjun walked up to the young master, raising a finger to point at the boxes being carried in by two servants behind him. “These are rewards specially sent by the emperor for you.”
The Taoist master in front of him had an impeccable, handsome face and an air of noble dignity. He looked nothing like a servant only responsible for escorting gifts.
Xu Yanqing stared at Yin Yanjun but did not speak, his eyes filled with strong amusement as he watched the Taoist master’s fair ears gradually flush red.
Not wanting to tease him too much, Xu Yanqing finally couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. “I appreciate this lord’s trouble in coming all this way. Why not come in for a cup of tea and rest a while?”
Stepping aside, Xu Yanqing extended a hand to the Taoist master. Yin Yanjun also stepped forward, took the young master’s hand, and together they walked towards the room.
This was Yin Yanjun’s first time entering the young master’s room in Marquis Wu’an’s mansion. The young master’s room was naturally not very nice. Even if the servants cleaned it from time to time, it would be reverted back as long as the young master stayed there for a few days. In other words, the young master had just returned to the mansion today, so the room still looked like it had been cleaned by the servants. Everything was relatively simple, except for the closet, which was stuffed to the brim.
“Is Madam Wu’an particularly fond of making clothes for Qingqing?” Because Mu Yu hadn’t closed the wardrobe door when he got clothes for his young master earlier, it allowed Yin Yanjun to see a pile of brightly colored brocade garments as soon as he entered.
Xu Yanqing stared at the wardrobe full of clothes and sighed helplessly. “Mother has always wanted a daughter, but unfortunately, after having my elder brother, I came along and was also a boy. My elder brother hasn’t managed to find me a sister-in-law, so I’ve been ‘suffering’ like this for so many years.”
So, every time the season changed, Lady Su would pull Xu Xianzhi and Xu Yanqing, the two brothers, to have new clothes made. Xu Xianzhi, after all, was a military man.
Even when making new clothes, they couldn’t be too flamboyant. So, Lady Su’s entire focus shifted to Xu Yanqing. Even if Xu Yanqing hid in the manor before the season change, Lady Su would send someone to drag him back.
The weight of maternal love wasn’t something everyone could bear. After all, too much sweetness could also be a burden. Please allow young Master Xu a moment of humble-bragging.
Yin Yanjun raised his hand and stroked the young master’s head, chuckling softly. “These clothes suit you very well.”
The young man was spirited and unbridled, often with a bright and wild smile in his eyes. Wearing those brightly colored clothes wouldn’t seem too out of place.
“Qi Chen teased me today, saying that the emperor was probably tired of me, so when I left Hanliang Palace, the emperor didn’t even see me off.” Xu Yanqing pulled Yin Yanjun to sit on the arhat bed. Mu Yu brought hot tea and placed it on the small tea table, then quietly withdrew.
Raising a hand to pour a cup of hot water for the Taoist master, the salted fish young master lazily rested his chin in his hand, staring at him. “Taoist master, why aren’t you speaking?”
“Qingqing is going to bully me again,” Yin Yanjun said somewhat helplessly, raising his hand to pinch the young master’s chubby palm.
Xu Yanqing laughed heartily. “Alright, alright, I won’t bully you, Taoist master.” He said he wouldn’t bully him, but the full smile on his face didn’t look like he would let Yin Yanjun off easily.
Yin Yanjun, helpless, indulged the young master, letting him continue to laugh, but his gaze remained fixed on him, fearing that the young master would laugh so hard he’d lose his balance and fall to the ground.
The salted fish young master still had a conscience. When his laughter subsided, he finally changed the subject. “I wonder what kind of gifts the emperor bestowed that could make such a distinguished person deliver them?”
Yin Yanjun’s gaze was calm, with a hint of indulgence. The servants had already carried the boxes into the room, so he raised his hand, pulled the young master up, and walked to the large cabinet.
He opened the box, revealing precious gold, silver, and jade artifacts. Yin Yanjun’s tone was as cool and detached as ever. “These are all things from my private treasury. They’ve been sitting there untouched. I think you will like them.”
Xu Yanqing picked up a jade pendant. It was incredibly smooth to the touch, with a faint, subtle warmth. It felt very comfortable against the body in winter. “Is this the legendary warm jade?”
Yin Yanjun shook his head, took the jade pendant from the young master’s hand, and then placed it around the young master’s neck. “This type of jade is called Heying Jade. It’s warm in winter and cool in summer, and it’s more nourishing. Its value is higher, and it’s harder to find than Hetian Jade. This Heying Jade of mine was given to me by my imperial grandfather on my eighth birthday.”
“So it’s a jade that Taoist master wore when you were little!” Instantly, Xu Yanqing’s eyes sparkled even more, his gaze following the Taoist master’s hand to the lustrous jade.
Yin Yanjun nodded. “My elder sister also has one, but it’s much smaller than the one I have. I heard she recently had it made into two small peace buckles, probably for Yuancheng and Miss Chu.”
“So are you giving this Heying Jade to me?” Xu Yanqing couldn’t be blamed for loving to tease Yin Yanjun. In Xu Yanqing’s eyes, the Taoist master was perhaps too adorable.
As expected, Yin Yanjun’s ear tips flushed slightly red again. Under the young master’s teasing gaze, he still nodded very solemnly. “Yes.”
This was the only item Yin Yanjun had kept for so many years. When he was the Crown Prince, his life had been difficult.
Although he had never been outwardly slighted by anyone, the palace servants were skilled at knowing who to cater to.
A crown prince who was not favored by the emperor was not even as important as an infant just born to a concubine. So, to protect those behind him and to protect himself, Yin Yanjun almost gave away everything usable in the East Palace. In the end, only that one piece of Heying Jade remained with him.
Xu Yanqing held the warm, radiant Heying Jade and slowly said, “Now that I think about it, I’ve never given Taoist master anything.”
“You have,” Yin Yanjun said with a gentle gaze. “The mechanical clock and calendar in the Imperial Study were made by your own hands.”
“Those few things can’t compare to Taoist master’s jade,” Xu Yanqing said, his gaze drifting to the wooden hairpin in Yin Yanjun’s hair. “How about I make a hairpin for you another day!”
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Now I’m thinking about the real Yanqing… what if he’s in MC’s body in modern times? After living his whole life in luxury and with doting parents and brother who spoiled him so much, just to face a reality where he’s poor, needs to study his @ss out and having such abusive parents and not even a single friend to rely on… 🥺