TL: Hua
“Tsk tsk, whose little maid is this? Quickly put down the handkerchief and let Madam have a good look.” Saying this, Xu Yanqing reached out to pull the handkerchief from Qi Chen’s hand.
Qi Chen clutched the handkerchief tightly, not wanting to show his face. But seeing the young master so into the act, he got into it too, awkwardly loosening the handkerchief, finally revealing a made-up face.
“Pfft.” Xu Yanqing couldn’t help but laugh: “Sorry, I haven’t had special training, so when I want to laugh, I really can’t help it.”
He didn’t know who Qi Chen found to do his makeup, but it had somehow transformed his originally handsome and delicate young face into something unpresentable; it was truly unbearable to look at.
Qi Chen glared at Mu Yu, huffing, “It’s all because of good old Mu Yu behind you. Not only can’t he do makeup, but he also made me look like this!”
Mu Yu felt guilty and dared not speak.
“Mu Yu has been serving me since he was little. He’s never done makeup for a lady before, and you actually dared to let him mess with your face. You truly have a wonderfully generous heart.” He quickly pushed Mu Yu, telling him to wash off all the messy makeup on Qi Chen’s face.
Yin Yanjun’s hand remained consistently at the young master’s waist. After the young master finished speaking, he very naturally took the young master’s hand, and they got into the carriage together.
Yuncheng was different from the bustling capital. The carriage swayed leisurely through the marketplace, with the soft, flowing sounds of Wu dialects rising and falling. Xu Yanqing lifted the carriage curtain to look out.
“Young Master, have you thought about where you’d like to go?” Yin Yanjun gently squeezed the young master’s fingertips.
Xu Yanqing turned to look at the Taoist, a hint of teasing in his eyes: “Can I go anywhere I want?”
“Today I’m here to accompany Young Master to relax, so of course I will listen to your ideas.” Yin Yanjun said softly.
“Then, can I go to Yunxiang Tower?” Yunxiang Tower was the largest entertainment establishment in Yuncheng; saying it was full of beauties was no exaggeration.
Yin Yanjun looked up at the young master, his clear eyes rippling faintly: “Yunxiang Tower…”
“Taoist Master doesn’t allow it?” The young master tugged at the Taoist’s sleeve, his exquisite and beautiful little face looking indescribably pitiful.
Sighing helplessly, Yin Yanjun faintly said to Wen Jing outside the carriage, “To Yunxiang Tower.”
Although he said they were going to Yunxiang Tower, Xu Yanqing actually just wanted to watch the lively scene. Yunxiang Tower was an entertainment hall, not a brothel. Sitting in the private room and looking outside, there was a beautiful girl dancing the enchanting and gorgeous Hu Xuan dance[mfn]A popular “whirling dance” from Central Asia that became a sensational performance in Tang Dynasty China (618–907 AD). It was introduced to China via the Silk Road and was associated with the Sogdians (an Iranian people from modern-day Uzbekistan/Tajikistan), who were known in Chinese as “Hu” (胡)—a term for northern/western foreigners. 
[/mfn] on the high platform in the center.
Among those appreciating the dance were various gentlemen and officials, as well as many ladies and madams. Xu Yanqing held a cup filled with sweet syrup. He took a sip, then placed the cup on the table and rested his chin, watching the performance. This feeling was just like watching a dance performance in his previous life, so Xu Yanqing’s eyes held only appreciation, naturally nothing else.
Inside the room, separated by a screen, musicians played the konghou [mfn] Ancient Chinese string instrument that looks similar to a harp. [/mfn], the music drifting ethereal and enchanting, like a fairyland.
Yin Yanjun sat at the table, his posture upright, his expression cool. Through the thin screen, the courtesan saw the gentleman at the table take a sip of tea, his gaze then falling entirely on his pregnant wife. The courtesan missed a beat on her konghou, but no one in the room noticed.
Qi Chen, having seen the beauties of Yuncheng, pulled Mu Yu aside for a quiet chat, though it seemed mostly to be Qi Chen’s lonely monologue. Mu Yu, like his young master, was entirely an appreciative observer.
The Hu Xuan dance on the stage gradually escalated into an intense dance battle, yet Xu Yanqing still lazily leaned by the window. Yin Yanjun slowly rose and stood beside the young master, gently playing with his fingertips. The young master, however, remained oblivious, as if unaware.
“Young Master.” The dance battle on the stage grew more intense, but the young master’s round eyes were half-closed, as if he could drift into slumber at any moment. Yin Yanjun softly called his name by his ear, his long, fair fingers gently pinching the young master’s cheek.
His cheek tingled. The dejected salted fish vaguely opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the Taoist’s ethereal and serene face. The salted fish, thinking he was dreaming, slowly sat up, lazily tugging at the Taoist’s clothes. The thin summer garments allowed the young master’s fumbling hands to unknowingly pass over the fabric and reach into the Taoist’s sleeve.
Yin Yanjun lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes trembling slightly. The young master’s warm hand rested on his wrist, slowly moving upward, causing a ticklish, numb sensation on his sensitive wrist, as if the itch spread from his wrist to his heart. This made him softly call out again: “Young Master.”
If it were during the salted fish’s lazy moments, once Taoist Xuanchen looked up and called him, the salted fish would have already let go. But now, the young master was wearing women’s clothing and had a woman’s bun. The young master, acting as the Taoist’s “wife,” not only didn’t stop but grew bolder, gently scratching the Taoist’s warm, smooth arm.
Yin Yanjun’s body trembled almost imperceptibly, his clear eyes gradually deepening with a hint of profoundness. The young master’s face was unblemished, his bright eyes holding a touch of youthful mischief. He reached out and placed his hand below the young master’s eyelashes, his voice, as he looked down, gentle with a trace of an indescribable hoarseness: “Young Master, no mischief.”
Taoist Xuanchen’s slightly hoarse voice echoed in his ear, and Xu Yanqing instinctively looked up. At that moment, he felt as if he was drowning in the Taoist’s overwhelming tenderness, and an unfamiliar flutter went through his heart.
As if burned, Xu Yanqing instinctively withdrew his “rogue” hand from the Taoist’s sleeve, trembling as he shifted his gaze to the dancing beauties downstairs. In his heart, he couldn’t help but despise himself, feeling like a scumbag who would flirt around but never commit himself.
A lingering tingling sensation remained on his arm. Yin Yanjun’s gaze deepened, falling on the young master’s slightly flushed neck. He sighed with a hint of helplessness and indulgence; he was becoming increasingly unable to deal with the young master.
The music and dance downstairs paused, and everyone sat down at the tables. The courtesan playing the konghou behind the screen stopped. She gracefully rose, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured tea for everyone. The courtesan wore a thin veil over her face, which added a sense of mysterious allure, like a pipa[mfn]
[/mfn] player half-hidden by her instrument, to her already captivating charm.
Young Master Xu, having just done something mischievous, felt somewhat restless and so fixed his gaze on the courtesan’s veiled face.
“Sir, please have some tea.” The courtesan circled around, finally stopping beside Yin Yanjun. She bent slightly, revealing a section of her fair, delicate neck as she offered the tea.
Yin Yanjun was not wearing his Taoist robe today but a light-colored scholar’s gown, which made him seem less ethereal and aloof, emphasizing his noble and refined temperament instead. The courtesan’s eyes, as she offered the tea, were alluringly seductive, clearly showing great interest in Yin Yanjun. “Little Maid Qi,” who was serving behind them, couldn’t help but discreetly poke Young Master Xu, who was staring intently at the courtesan.
“What, are you thirsty?” Xu Yanqing vaguely came back to his senses, pulling “Little Maid Qi” to sit beside him. He pushed his untouched teacup towards Qi Chen. Qi Chen’s eyes were filled with disappointment; he clearly signaled toward the courtesan who had designs on Taoist Xuanchen, hoping that this foolish young master in front of him would be more alert.
The courtesan’s soft hand still held the teacup steadily. Even though the man in front of her didn’t reach for it, her eyes still held strands of deep affection, as if she had some extraordinary past with this noble and aloof man.
Yin Yanjun’s expression cooled slightly. Wen Jing, who was serving by his side, was about to take the cup from the courtesan’s hand, but someone was quicker than him.
“Young lady, looking at my husband like that, do you perhaps know him from before?” The young master’s slightly plump hands fiddled with the teacup, turning it back and forth.
Yin Yanjun reached out and took the teacup, placing it on the table, fearing that the young master might accidentally drink the strong tea inside if he wasn’t paying attention. With nothing in his hands, Xu Yanqing decided to be utterly shameless, pulling Taoist Xuanchen’s large sleeve to rub between his fingertips. There was no special meaning; it was purely the salted fish’s paws itching.
A hint of an unreadable light flickered in the courtesan’s beautiful eyes as she smiled at the salted fish young master: “Madam jokes. This servant has lived in Yuncheng her whole life, so naturally, I haven’t seen this gentleman before…”
Xu Yanqing raised an eyebrow: “So, are you falling in love with my husband at first sight, or are you just interested in his looks?”
“Madam’s words are becoming more and more interesting.” Outside, a maid delivered snacks. The courtesan took them, gracefully walked to Xu Yanqing’s side, and gently placed the snacks down: “The snacks in our establishment are quite good. Madam can try some.”
How could the foodie salted fish resist? Of course, he couldn’t. So, he let go of the Taoist’s somewhat wrinkled sleeve, reached for a lotus-shaped snack, and took a bite.
The courtesan’s eyes curved into a smile: “Madam, how do you find the taste?”
“Mhm, mhm, delicious.” The foodie salted fish nodded repeatedly, expressing his appreciation for the snacks.
“There are no ingredients harmful to the fetus in the snacks. If Madam likes them, you can have more.” Saying this, the courtesan took another peony-shaped snack for Xu Yanqing.
The proper “Little Maid Qi” was about to be pushed aside. He glared at Young Master Xu with a look of exasperation, feeling that his young master had been seduced by this courtesan, completely forgetting what he was supposed to be doing.
When Qi Chen turned his head again to complain to Mu Yu, he saw that Mu Yu, just like his master, was only focused on eating.
Qi Chen sighed: I can’t lead them, truly can’t. Both master and servant are thoughtless simpletons.
—
Their group had lunch at Yunxiang Tower. In a short while, Xu Yanqing learned the courtesan’s given name from her, cheerfully calling her “Sister Zhi’er.”
Song Zhi’er’s slightly seductive eyes occasionally fell on Yin Yanjun. Originally, this group of guests wasn’t hers to serve, yet she kept bustling around the couple.
Before leaving, Xu Yanqing received a scroll from Song Zhi’er: “That gentleman in your family has a face that attracts flirtations. Madam, you are in a crucial period; you must keep a close eye on him; otherwise, with your innocent nature, you might be sold and even count the money for them!”
Xu Yanqing blinked his round, big eyes, his lips curving slightly: “I know Sister Zhi’er’s good intentions. Thank you, Sister, for treating me so well upon our first meeting.”
“It’s just that I found you pleasing to my eye.” Song Zhi’er’s gaze fell on the slightly childish face of the young ‘madam’ in front of her. She blinked gently and then saw the group off from Yunxiang Tower.
“Sister Zhi’er, why are you so kind to that little madam?” The young maid serving behind Song Zhi’er was a bit puzzled. She had never seen the usually proud Sister Zhi’er show such kindness to anyone.
“It’s rare to meet someone pleasing to the eye. Her eyes are bright and clear, just like…” Song Zhi’er sighed, slowly ascending the stairs, her figure graceful and full of charm.
Inside the carriage, Qi Chen was dizzy with gossip. He sat next to Xu Yanqing, pulling at him for clarification: “Young Master, what did that courtesan just tell you?” The salted fish young master, full and sleepy, had no desire to answer. He glanced at Qi Chen: “If you want to know, why don’t you change into men’s clothes and go ask her in Yunxiang Tower?”
“Oh, come on, I want to know!” Stealing a glance at Taoist Xuanchen, who sat upright like a pine with his clear, handsome features, Qi Chen wisely got up and sat outside the carriage curtain.
The dejected salted fish shuffled closer to Taoist Xuanchen, a hint of playfulness in his eyes: “Miss Zhi’er is as beautiful as a flower, and her konghou playing is exquisitely brilliant. Didn’t the Taoist Master feel even a tiny bit moved?”
A trace of sleepiness was visible in the corners of the young master’s eyes, yet he was still restless, asking all sorts of questions. Yin Yanjun slowly reached out and rubbed the young master’s brow: “Young Master, what do you mean by asking that?”
Xu Yanqing’s heart subtly trembled. He looked up, feeling as though he could see his own reflection in Taoist Xuanchen’s clear, cold eyes. That inexplicable flutter once again seized his body.
The salted fish didn’t want to ask anymore. The salted fish just felt that male pregnancy might have side effects that even Qi Chen hadn’t fully grasped, like… heart palpitations?
The ostrich salted fish declared he shall take a nap. Perhaps a nap would make this inexplicable flutter disappear. He nestled against the Taoist, pulling the Taoist’s wide sleeve to cover his face. The ostrich was now asleep.
Yin Yanjun had no intention of pressing the issue. He was always incredibly patient. Now, with the young master tied to him due to the pregnancy, their encounter wasn’t a normal one.
He already felt he had wronged the young master, so even if it was like boiling a frog in warm water, there was no need to rush.
Yin Yanjun silently held the young master’s hand, with a bottomless obscurity in his eyes.
The carriage swayed to a stop in front of the Ye Manor. Yin Yanjun looked down at the young master feigning sleep on his lap, a gentle, indulgent smile on his lips: “We’ve arrived. If Madam is awake, please get up. If not, I will carry Madam into the residence.”
Yin Yanjun used the same teasing address the young master had used before, calling him “Madam.” Only when the ostrich salted fish slowly sat up from his lap did he reach out and gently rub the faint creases left on the young master’s face by his clothes.
The servants outside had already set up the mounting block. Yin Yanjun reached out and helped the young master, still in women’s clothing, out of the carriage. Before the servants could look up to see the young master’s appearance, they saw Yin Yanjun already escorting the young master into the Ye Manor.
After strolling for most of the day, the salted fish was completely exhausted. He lay straight on the bed, and the book Song Zhi’er had given him slipped out of his clothes. Fumbling to pick up the book, the salted fish young master aimlessly opened the first page, then instantly closed it again.
His fair cheeks immediately flushed bright red. Xu Yanqing finally remembered what Song Zhi’er had told him before they left: “Madam, this is a crucial time; you must keep a close eye on him!” Is this how one keeps a close eye? The salted fish’s face was shocked, his eyes full of disbelief.
This picture book that Song Zhi’er gave him was far more stimulating than all the storybooks he had read before. The salted fish young master’s face was flushed, his eyes sparkling with a hint of bitterness. He hesitated for a moment, then opened the picture book again.
His mouth opened wide. It turned out that people in ancient times also knew how to have fun. Even at such an inappropriate time, they had so many… ways to win over their husbands.
So, upon recalling Song Zhi’er’s words, the salted fish couldn’t help but picture the scenes from the book involving himself and the ethereal, untainted Taoist Xuanchen. He felt a sense of sacrilege, mingled with an indescribable agitation.
Pressing his wildly beating chest, as if trying to forcibly suppress that inexplicable agitation, the salted fish young master, blushing, shoved the picture book under his pillow, feeling that spot was a bit unsafe.
So he, barefoot, stepped onto the floor, found his private small bundle, and haphazardly stuffed the very “spicy” picture book inside.
Throwing it away was impossible. The salted fish lay back down on the bed. The little bean in his belly kicked him twice. The salted fish suddenly snapped back to attention, reaching out to pat his belly.
The little bean moved again under his father’s hand. His father unceremoniously patted him twice again, and the big and small figures played happily.
—
The autumn sky seemed even more unpredictable than in summer. It was sunny in the morning, but by afternoon, rain began to drizzle.
The Ye Manor had many green bamboo trees. Raindrops hitting the bamboo leaves created a unique and interesting ambiance. After his nap, the young master was pulled by Taoist Xuanchen to sit by the window and play chess.
Since he was in his own room, the dejected salted fish felt no shame even if his clothes were disheveled. He held a chess piece in his hand. After the Taoist made his move, he anxiously placed his piece on the spot he had long chosen.
Yin Yanjun looked up at the spirited young master, a faint smile on his lips: “Young Master, are you truly going to place it here?”
As expected, as soon as he said this, the young master’s plump face instantly crumpled, and he began a new round of hesitation and struggle. The piece was shamelessly taken back by the young master. He didn’t care about the concept of “no regrets after a move,” and in a moment, he quickly found a new spot for his piece.
Taoist Xuanchen, still graceful, placed a piece on the board. The young master then began a new round of rapid chess playing, followed by rapid regrets…
After losing another game, the dejected salted fish lazily sprawled by the window, his gaze on the green bamboo in the courtyard.
“Prefect Ye is quite a refined person,” the young master remarked, smacking his lips. Yin Yanjun initially thought he was going to praise Ye Qin, but then the young master’s tone shifted, his eyes twinkling: “Both bamboo core and bamboo leaves have cooling properties. Prefect Ye must be afraid of getting too much internal heat, planting so many bamboo trees in his courtyard at once.”
Yin Yanjun chuckled softly: “Then why did Young Master plant so many peach trees in Yunshui Courtyard?” Yunshui Courtyard? It had been a long time since he had stayed there. Xu Yanqing raised an eyebrow, his whole demeanor carefree and spirited: “Well, that’s because peach blossoms can be used to brew wine and make pastries!”
The foodie salted fish would never admit defeat: “But bamboo is also very good. You can boil tea with it and make bamboo tube rice. Thinking about it, it feels pretty good. When I return to the capital, I’ll have to tell the servants to plant some bamboo in Yunshui Courtyard.”
Indeed, in the young master’s world, besides lazily lounging around, there was only eating, drinking, and having fun. He was still a young master who hadn’t quite shed his childishness.
Yin Yanjun chuckled. He reached out and gently rubbed the young master’s fluffy head, muttering softly, “If we return to the capital, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask Wen Jing to find a set of soft body armor first.”
The young master looked bewildered: “Why? Is Taoist Master going to fight someone?” He realized he had never seen Taoist Xuanchen in combat. After all, the Taoist usually maintained an ethereal, dignified posture, seated high, making people feel a chill at his sight. Who would dare to make any disrespectful moves?
“Young Master, have you forgotten the existence of your father and brother?” Yin Yanjun chuckled. He had long heard that people of Marquis Wu’an’s residence usually doted on the youngest master the most. If Marquis Wu’an, that brute of a warrior, knew his youngest son was carrying his child, he might even regret his past act of shielding him from a sword.
Xu Yanqing suddenly understood what Taoist Xuanchen was thinking. He casually patted the little bean in his belly and said to the Taoist, “Once we reach the capital, I will explain everything clearly to my father and mother.”
Some things, the longer they are hidden, the more likely they are to go wrong. Xu Yanqing had long wanted to explain the details to his parents. Thinking this, he couldn’t help but tease, “Taoist Master, don’t worry. Although my father is a bit simple and rough, Taoist Master is our Daliang’s monarch. He certainly wouldn’t dare to use swords or spears against you. At most, he’d just use his fists and feet.”
Yin Yanjun wasn’t annoyed. Instead, a smile touched his lips as he looked at the young master: “If Marquis Wu’an truly resorted to physical force against me, what would Young Master do?”
“Tsk tsk, Taoist Master, such a beauty, if you were really beaten by my father, that would be a true waste of heavenly resources. A kind gentleman like me would certainly protect you, Taoist Master.” When teasing others, the dejected salted fish never lacked such sweet words.
At this moment, Yin Yanjun was in high spirits. The smile in his gentle eyes deepened: “Then, at that time, I will rely entirely on Young Master’s protection.”
“No problem, no problem,” Xu Yanqing waved his hand indifferently. After speaking, he propped his chin up, looking at Taoist Xuanchen, who was playing along with his teasing, his eyes curved like crescent moons.
After resting for two days in Yuncheng, the convoy set off again. Ye Qin, riding alone on horseback, escorted the emperor for three li[mfn]One li is 500 meters.[/mfn] before finally stopping his horse at Yin Yanjun’s command, watching the convoy slowly drive away.
Ye Qin sat on horseback, holding the reins. He thought that in a while, he might also request to go to the capital. After all, by the looks of it, the little prince in the young ‘madam’s’ belly would be born in another three or four months.
It truly was something to look forward to!
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