HXC Chapter13

The effects of the Hibiscus Fragrance were not to be underestimated, and Ji Zhen had to endure the bitter consequences of his own actions.

 

Shen Yanqing came from an upright family, had a clean reputation for twenty years, and this was his first time engaging in such an act. Initially, he was inevitably a bit clumsy, but fortunately, he was an exceptionally intelligent person and could grasp the key points after just one attempt.

 

At first, Ji Zhen still had a sliver of clarity, but the further it went, the more his consciousness faded. His body was so exhausted that it was already a struggle just to lift a hand, yet the raging fire within him showed no signs of stopping. He fainted but was then forcibly woken up, looking pitiful and crying with his face turned up.

 

But it was far from over.

 

There were no women’s boudoir items in the east wing, so during that time, Shen Yanqing rummaged through boxes and cabinets and found a jar of winter hand cream to use as a substitute, which relieved most of Ji Zhen’s pain. By the time the room quieted down, it was already dawning outside, and the jar of hand cream on the floor was empty.

 

The chaos of that night was indescribable. Ji Zhen came down with a fever the next day and was bedridden for two days and two nights before he could get up. Thinking about it now still fills him with lingering fear.

 

Ji Zhen had thought that after their night together, he and Shen Yanqing would become a loving couple, but unfortunately, once he had fully recovered, Shen Yanqing, although he didn’t pursue the matter of the drug, was still lukewarm towards him. However, having consummated his relationship with Shen Yanqing, Ji Zhen couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased.

 

After that, in order to get close to Shen Yanqing, he threw himself at him repeatedly. Without the effect of the Hibiscus Fragrance, he couldn’t endure so many times and would always beg for mercy in a soft voice. Shen Yanqing was also pure-hearted and had little desire; he wasn’t keen on the pleasures of the bed, never took the initiative, and never forced him either. In this regard, the two were very harmonious.

 

“Does Lord Shen know you’re here?” Xiao Moli’s soft voice interrupted Ji Zhen’s reminiscence.

 

He let out a light snort. “I can go wherever I want; he can’t control me.”

 

Xiao Moli let out a giggle and teased, “Don’t get me into trouble again. The last time you came here to listen to me sing, Lord Shen caught you red-handed. The look on his face seemed as if he wanted to devour me alive. It scared me so much I had nightmares all night.”

 

Ji Zhen pouted.

 

After Shen Yanqing found out that Xiao Moli had given him the Hibiscus Fragrance, he explicitly forbade him from going to Huangyin Tower, simply worried that being seen in such a place would bring shame upon their family.

 

But he was upright and well-behaved. When he came to Huangyin Tower, he neither had those performers accompany him nor drank alcohol. He just listened to Xiao Moli sing a few tunes. If others want to gossip, let them. It wasn’t the only thing people gossiped about him, so what if there was one more?

 

But Shen Yanqing didn’t see it that way. One time, he passed by Huangyin Tower, he heard that Ji Zhen was inside and went into the building to personally lead him home.

 

Xiao Moli had just finished a song and was resting. Ji Zhen was of similar age to him, and they had known each other for over five years, so there were not many formalities between them.

 

The two were sitting on meditation cushions. Ji Zhen was half-lying in Xiao Moli’s arms, feeding him water, and even imitated the guests he had seen downstairs, hooking Xiao Moli’s chin and smiling, “This young master will make sure you have a good time tonight…”

 

It was at that moment that Shen Yanqing pushed open the door to the private room, his gaze sweeping heavily over the two youths in an intimate posture. Ji Zhen’s hand trembled, and a few drops of water spilled out, but he didn’t seem to notice anything was wrong. He half-propped himself up and said in surprise, “Why are you here?”

 

Xiao Moli, however, looked as if a great disaster was imminent and rose in a panic to bow to Shen Yanqing.

 

Shen Yanqing glanced at Xiao Moli indifferently and then said to Ji Zhen, “There’s an urgent matter at home. Come back with me.”

 

Ji Zhen believed him and quickly scrambled up from the meditation cushion, trotting toward Shen Yanqing. At the door, he turned back to Xiao Moli and said, “When I come back next time, you can finish the song from earlier.”

 

Xiao Moli peeked at the somber-looking Shen Yanqing and didn’t dare to respond, but Ji Zhen didn’t seem to mind either.

 

Once they were in the carriage, Ji Zhen took the initiative to ask, “What’s the matter at home?”

 

Shen Yanqing remained silent.

 

Ji Zhen looked bewildered, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

 

When they returned to the courtyard, Shen Yanqing first dismissed all the servants in the room. Ji An originally didn’t want to leave, but Ji Zhen waved his hand. “You go too.”

 

He thought Shen Yanqing had something private to tell him and closed the door tightly. When he turned around, he saw that Shen Yanqing was holding a thin but resilient rattan cane. Before he could even ask, Shen Yanqing sat down in the main seat and coldly told him to come over.

 

Ji Zhen walked in front of him, confused. “What is it, ah—”

 

The cane fell without warning, hitting him squarely on his calf and making him cry out in a short, sharp yelp of pain.

 

Ji Zhen bent over to clutch his calf while stepping back, looking at Shen Yanqing with a mix of anger and shock. “What are you doing?”

 

Shen Yanqing’s face was cold. “You have broken the family rules, and you should be punished accordingly.”

 

Ji Zhen rubbed his calf. “When did I ever break the rules…” He then understood what Shen Yanqing meant and defiantly raised his face. “I’ve known Xiao Moli for years. What’s wrong with me going to play with him?”

 

Shen Yanqing said impassively, “I warned you a long time ago not to go to Huangyin Tower again. Only all sorts of shady characters frequent that place. If you pick up any improper habits, don’t even think about stepping through the Shen family’s gate again.”

 

Ji Zhen stood up straight and replied frankly, “I didn’t do anything but listen to a song.”

 

“Is that so?” Shen Yanqing looked up. “Then what about the Hibiscus Fragrance?”

 

Ji Zhen’s spirit immediately faltered, and he was left speechless.

 

“I’ll let you off easy since it’s your first offense. I will only hit you ten times today,” Shen Yanqing said. “Come over here and roll up your pants yourself.”

 

Ji Zhen’s heart sank when he saw the cane, and he said in a weak voice, “What right do you have to hit me?” He had never been disciplined with family punishment, no matter how big a mistake he made.

 

Shen Yanqing struck at his weak point. “Because you’ve entered the Shen family’s door.” He paused, placing the cane on the table. “You don’t have to accept the punishment if you don’t want to. I’ll just assume you have nothing to do with the Shen family, and you naturally won’t be bound by our family rules.”

 

Ji Zhen had worked so hard to marry Shen Yanqing, and he couldn’t let him get away with severing their relationship. He fell for the bait. “I never said I wouldn’t accept the punishment.”

 

Shen Yanqing watched him silently, waiting for his next move.

 

He reluctantly stepped forward, hesitating as he took off his shoes, leaving only the loose white socks that went up to his calves. He then slowly rolled his pants up to his knees, lifting his clothes to expose the soft flesh to Shen Yanqing.

 

Only then did Shen Yanqing pick up the cane again. He didn’t strike immediately but instead pressed the cane against the white sock, slowly dragging it down inch by inch. The rough cane scraped against his tender calf, and Ji Zhen felt an itching sensation, instinctively squeezing his legs together.

 

Suddenly, the rattan cane swished through the air and struck his pale calf. Ji Zhen’s leg went numb, and he let out a stifled cry through gritted teeth.

 

Shen Yanqing swung the cane three more times. The force was moderate, leaving only a few shallow red marks. It wasn’t excruciating, but the pampered Ji Zhen clearly couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t help but retreat, trying to dodge, but Shen Yanqing grabbed his wrist.

 

Seeing that Shen Yanqing was about to strike again, Ji Zhen begged for mercy. “Enough, that’s enough.”

 

Shen Yanqing was a man of his word and showed no leniency, paying no attention to Ji Zhen’s attempts to evade him. The cane struck his calf with precision, ten times—not one more, nor one less.

 

Ji Zhen sat down on the floor, feeling wronged, his eyes glistening with tears. He hugged his legs and sobbed. Seeing that Shen Yanqing had not put down the cane and was about to touch him, he shivered in fear.

 

Shen Yanqing lifted him up and placed him on his lap. Seeing the red crisscross marks on his smooth calves, he said, “Next time I catch you there, it’ll be twenty strikes. After that, thirty, then forty. Is that clear?”

 

Ji Zhen was still a bit defiant, but he was truly terrified of Shen Yanqing’s methods. He sullenly mumbled, “Clear.”

 

His response was good, but unfortunately, he only remembered the beating, not the pain, and he secretly went to Huangyin Tower several more times.

 

Shen Yanqing was well-informed and no longer went to Huangyin Tower to catch him. However, as soon as he returned to the mansion, he would inevitably be disciplined with the cane. The total had accumulated to sixty strikes.

 

Ji Zhen touched his faintly aching calves, somewhat regretting that he had been so impulsive after seeing Yi Zhi that he completely forgot about the punishment. But he was already here. Besides, maybe Shen Yanqing and Yi Zhi were having a “tender moment” and would be too busy to deal with him.

 

He bit his lip. “Don’t say such disheartening things. He won’t do anything to you.”

 

“Alright, I won’t bring that up anymore.” Xiao Moli noticed that Ji Zhen was in a bad mood and changed the subject. “I heard you had a fight with the Young Marquis and his friends at the Ziyun Lou the other day, right?”

 

The matter had spread widely. Ji Zhen propped his chin with his hand and said, “It wasn’t all Jiang Yunyu’s fault. It was mainly Zhang Zhen and the others who were stirring up trouble.”

 

“The Young Marquis has always protected you,” Xiao Moli agreed. “How is he doing lately?”

 

Before Ji Zhen and Jiang Yunyu broke up, he had taken him to Huangyin Tower a few times, so Xiao Moli also knew Jiang Yunyu.

 

He answered casually, “I haven’t been in touch with him for a long time, but given his status, he must be doing very well.”

 

The brothels are the best places to gather information. Xiao Moli lowered his voice. “But I heard that the Crown Prince’s faction has been repeatedly impeached recently, and the Young Marquis was also named in the memorial.”

 

Ji Zhen immediately grew serious. “Impeached for what?”

 

“They said he was arrogant because of his status as a royal relative…”

 

Ji Zhen only had a vague understanding of court affairs, but he knew they were mainly divided into two political parties: the Crown Prince’s and the Third Prince’s. His father and elder brother had been assisting the Crown Prince for years, and Jiang Yunyu, being the Crown Prince’s cousin, was in the same faction. If Jiang Yunyu was impeached, wouldn’t his father and elder brother also be implicated?

 

Ji Zhen couldn’t sit still anymore. He called out, “Ji An, go find out where my elder brother is now.”

 

Xiao Moli grabbed a handful of almonds and placed them in the small porcelain basin in front of Ji Zhen. “You don’t need to worry too much. I just heard people in the building mention it. It’s normal for things to get distorted as they’re passed around. I’m just not sure how the Young Marquis is doing.”

 

Ji Zhen looked at Xiao Moli suspiciously. “Why are you so concerned about Jiang Yunyu?”

 

Xiao Moli paused and blinked. “Besides you, he’s the only other important person I know. It’s only right for me to care a little.”

 

Ji Zhen didn’t doubt him and put the almonds in his mouth. In truth, he felt a bit of pity. Jiang Yunyu was such a prideful person; being publicly impeached must have been hard for him. Ji Zhen figured he’d probably have to ride his horse, Chi Jin, around the back hills a few times to feel better.

 

He then thought of Shen Yanqing. Father Shen was a member of the imperial court’s “pure faction,” dedicated to serving the emperor and never taking a side. Shen Yanqing had followed in his father’s footsteps; in recent years, no one had heard of him getting close to any of the princes, sparing him a great deal of trouble. Ji Zhen never doubted his father’s and elder brother’s judgment. Thus, if the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne one day, Shen Yanqing would never be caught in the ensuing storm. He exhaled lightly, his tense heart easing as he swallowed the chewed almonds.

 

—

 

When Ji Zhen found out that his elder brother, Ji Jue, was dining at the Fulu Tower, he immediately rushed over.

 

The attendant, who usually greeted Ji Zhen with a smile, didn’t lead him upstairs immediately. “Lord Ji is in a meeting. Young Master Xiao Ji, please wait. Allow me to go and announce you.”

 

Ji Zhen didn’t care. “What’s the need for an announcement when I’m seeing my elder brother? Just get out of the way.”

 

Ji Jue had a private room reserved year-round at the Fulu Tower, and Ji Zhen had always had free access. With his heart set on his father and elder brother, he ignored the attendant’s obstruction and ran up the stairs. When he reached the private room, he found two armed guards standing outside the door. Ji Zhen had seen one of them a few times at the Ji family mansion; it was none other than the Crown Prince Li Muwei’s personal bodyguard.

 

Upon seeing Ji Zhen rushing up, the guards’ faces grew serious, and they tightened their grip on the long swords at their waists.

 

Ji Zhen’s shoulders sank, and his footsteps slowed. The attendant who had been chasing after him quickly grabbed his arm. “Young Master Xiao Ji, now you know why I need to announce about your presence? Please, come downstairs and wait with me.”

 

In that brief moment, the two people talking inside the private room heard the commotion.

 

Ji Zhen heard his elder brother’s clear voice. “Who is making a scene?”

 

The guard replied, “It’s Young Master Xiao Ji.”

 

There was a moment of silence inside, and then someone opened the door. A figure in a green robe slowly emerged. It was Ji Jue. His build was tall and straight like a bamboo pole, his ink-black hair was tied up with a jade coronet, and his watery, willow-leaf eyes and scholarly aura made him appear like a gentle spring breeze that instantly calmed the commotion outside.

 

Ji Zhen said joyfully, “Gege!”

 

Upon seeing his elder brother, even the grim-looking, armed guards seemed to look kinder.

 

Before he could even step forward, another voice inside spoke with a laugh. “Since Lord Ji is catching up with his family, Bengong[mfn]Bengong is actually a self-address meaning ‘I’. And based on my research, it is usually only used by women such as imperial consorts or empresses. But the author used Bengong here.[/mfn] won’t disturb you any longer.”

 

As the voice drew nearer, Li Muwei, the Crown Prince, clad in a smoky-chestnut python robe, emerged from the private room. The Crown Prince Li Muwei had a heroic and dignified look. He was graceful and elegant and had the most approachable temperament of all the princes, which made him deeply loved by the people.

 

It was privately rumored among the common folk that Li Muwei was born with the look of a future emperor, and Ji Zhen believed this as well. Such a majestic and towering prince would surely make the Great Heng Empire even more prosperous.

 

Ji Zhen didn’t dare to be rude in front of the Crown Prince and bowed obediently. “Your Royal Highness.”

 

“It’s been a while since Bengong saw your younger brother,” Li Muwei said to Ji Jue with a smile. “He’s tamed his temper quite a bit. Bengong remembered when we were little, he’d dare to even climb mountains and swim in the streams at your home, more lively than a mountain pony.”

 

Ji Jue shook his head helplessly. “Zhen Zhen’s nature is mischievous. Your Royal Highness, please don’t take him seriously.”

 

Both were nearly ten years older than Ji Zhen, so they treated him like a child. Ji Zhen felt embarrassed. But because of Li Muwei’s status, he couldn’t talk back, so he just puffed out his cheeks a little.

 

After Ji Jue saw Li Muwei off, Ji Zhen waited until the guards were out of sight before happily sidling up to his elder brother. “Gege, I want to eat Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and Kung Pao Rabbit.”

 

These two dishes were the Fulu Tower specialties and were always in high demand. They couldn’t be served without a prior reservation. But all Ji Jue had to do was say the word, and any delicacy would be served right away.

 

In just a quarter of an hour, the table was filled with food. Ji Jue sterilized a pair of special silver chopsticks in boiling water and handed them to Ji Zhen. He then placed some Maojian tea leaves into a zisha teapot. The Maojian tea was a tribute gifted by the Crown Prince, consisting only of the most tender tea leaves. Its taste was refreshing, and its aftertaste was rich and sweet. Even someone like Ji Zhen, who wasn’t a connoisseur, could appreciate its wonder.

 

He picked up a piece of perch and put it in his mouth. The fish had been caught from the river that very morning and was still alive and thrashing before being cooked, ensuring its freshness. Ji Zhen smacked his lips in satisfaction. Seeing his elder brother watching him, he proactively picked up a plump piece of fish belly and offered it to him.

 

Ji Zhen had used the silver chopsticks, but since the two had been accustomed to sharing food from a young age, it didn’t feel unusual at all. Ji Jue parted his lips and ate the fish, then wiped his mouth with a damp cloth before asking, “How did you find me here?”

 

With the delicious food in front of him, Ji Zhen almost forgot about the important matter. He put down his chopsticks and said, “I heard that someone in court impeached Jiang Yunyu. How are Father and you doing?”

 

Ji Jue said gently, “Father and I are both fine. You don’t have to worry.”

 

A weight was lifted off Ji Zhen’s mind. After thinking for a moment, he said in a low voice, “Jiang Yunyu…”

 

“It’s just a small skirmish. It’s nothing to worry about.”

 

The court was a battlefield without blood, yet even the most intense conflicts could be tempered by Ji Jue’s words. Ji Zhen trusted his elder brother above all others. As long as his elder brother was there, he had nothing to worry about. All the storms had nothing to do with him; he just needed to hide in his elder brother’s arms and wait for the clouds to clear and the sun to shine.

 

Ji Zhen completely dismissed his worries and asked curiously, “What were you and His Royal Highness talking about?”

 

“His Little Highness’s tenth birthday is approaching. His Majesty plans to host a banquet at the Southern Garden to celebrate with all the officials and their families.”

 

Li Muwei was twenty-nine this year. He married the Crown Princess at eighteen, and their love was great. The imperial eldest grandson was born in the second year of their marriage. The emperor doted on this grandson, even granting a general amnesty across the land on his one-month birthday and hosting a feast for three days and three nights. Such generous treatment was a testament to the emperor’s regard for the crown prince.

 

It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but Ji Zhen suddenly found it hard to swallow his food. Officials with a rank of fifth grade or higher could attend the palace banquet. Shen Yanqing belonged to the Hanlin Academy, so he must have received an invitation as well. Yet he never mentioned a word of it to him. Was it simply that he didn’t want to bring him to the banquet, or was he also secretly blaming him for making it difficult for the Shen family’s bloodline to continue?

 

Ji Zhen didn’t want to reveal his sadness in front of his elder brother, so he laughed and said, “Then I’ll drink to my heart’s content with you at the banquet.”

 

Ji Jue ladled out half a bowl of lotus seed soup and pushed it toward Ji Zhen. The two brothers chatted about everyday things, and Ji Zhen’s gloom from earlier completely vanished. He leaned against his elder brother, rubbing his face against his shoulder and mumbling, “It’s been so long since I’ve talked with you like this, Gege.”

 

Ji Jue lightly flicked his forehead. “You’re a grown man, why are you still acting so spoiled?”

 

Though he said this, but he didn’t stop Ji Zhen from doing so.

 

Ji Zhen looked up a little and wrapped his arms around his elder brother’s forearm. “I’ll be like this even when I’m seventy or eighty.”

 

Ji Jue chuckled. Seeing that it was getting late, he stood up to see Ji Zhen back to the Shen family’s mansion. The two brothers tacitly agreed to not mention Shen Yanqing, as if they had both forgotten the conflict that arose when Ji Zhen insisted on marrying Shen Yanqing.

 

If there was one person who most opposed Ji Zhen and Shen Yanqing’s union, it was Ji Jue. Since childhood, whatever Ji Zhen desired or wished to do, all he had to do was mention it to his elder brother, and it would be granted. Only three years ago, when he knelt before his elder brother and said he loved Shen Yanqing and needed his help, did Ji Jue object so resolutely for the first time.

 

“Everyone in the capital knows that Old General Wang Meng intends to marry his great-granddaughter to Shen Yanqing. If you get in the way, what will people think of you?”

 

“You’ve only met that Shen Yanqing a few times. Why must it be him?”

 

“Zhen Zhen, I’ve agreed to everything you’ve ever wanted since you were a child. Don’t ever bring this one thing up again.”

 

Ji Jue had advised and gotten angry, but Ji Zhen wouldn’t back down one bit. The next day, he went on a hunger strike.

 

Ji Jue personally brought food to his bedside, but Ji Zhen had his back to him and refused to eat a single bite.

 

“I’ve spoiled you too much,” Ji Jue sighed. “Do you really like him that much?”

 

Ji Zhen had been on a hunger strike for a full day and night, leaving him light-headed from hunger. Upon hearing this, he turned around and looked at his helpless elder brother with tear-filled eyes. He choked out, “I feel antsy and uneasy if I don’t see him for a day. When I think of him marrying someone else, I feel like my life is meaningless. Gege, you don’t know what it’s like to be in love. You wouldn’t understand me.”

 

Ji Jue was silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on him. “How do you know I don’t…” He closed his eyes and murmured softly, “Zhen Zhen, you shouldn’t be so willful.”

 

Ji Zhen threw himself into his elder brother’s arms like he did when he was a child and said mournfully, “Gege, you’re the person in this world who loves me the most. Just help me this one time.”

 

In the end, Ji Jue couldn’t bear to see Ji Zhen not eating or drinking and finally gave in. The rest of the story needs no further telling.

 

After Ji Zhen married Shen Yanqing, whenever Ji Jue found out that his younger brother had been wronged at the Shen family’s mansion, he would find ways to cause trouble for Shen Yanqing in court. This situation had only eased somewhat in the past year, after Ji Zhen stopped instructing Ji An to report everything to Ji Jue.

 

The two brothers got into the carriage. It had been a while since Ji Zhen had been so close to his elder brother, and he chattered nonstop on the way, losing all sense of time. When the carriage stopped in front of the Shen family’s mansion, Ji Jue got out first. Ji Zhen even made a fuss and insisted that his elder brother carry him on his back.

 

He lightly hopped onto his elder brother’s back, wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders and neck, and leaned his head against Ji Jue’s face with a smile. “Gege, come in and sit for a while.”

 

The sky was already dark, and the lanterns at the Shen family’s mansion were lit. A carriage rumbled along the dim street.

 

Ji Jue shifted his grip on Ji Zhen’s legs, adjusting his hold to carry him more securely on his back. He shook his head. “I have official business to attend to.”

 

Ji Zhen knew that his elder brother didn’t want to step foot inside the Shen family’s gate, so he didn’t press the matter. “Then just carry me to the entrance before you leave.”

 

This time, Ji Jue didn’t refuse. He steadily carried Ji Zhen forward. The carriage stopped. Shen Yanqing emerged from behind the curtain with his body half-bent, and saw the Ji brothers in the faint light of the lanterns. The candlelight intertwined their silhouettes, looking quite intimate.

 

Ji Jue’s gaze met Shen Yanqing’s first. His gentle expression instantly sobered, and the hand gripping Ji Zhen’s thigh tightened slightly. Ji Zhen also noticed the newcomer. Still remembering the pleasant conversation between Shen Yanqing and Yi Zhi from midday, his smile faded a little.

 

All three of them had their own thoughts. After a moment, Shen Yanqing stepped forward with a composed expression. “Lord Ji.”

 

Although they were related by marriage, they had always referred to each other by their official titles.

 

Ji Jue acknowledged him with a nod, which counted as a greeting. He carried Ji Zhen up the steps before letting go, then tidied Ji Zhen’s collar. He said in a clear voice, “No need to see me off. Go on inside.”

 

Ji Zhen said, “Gege, be careful on your way.”

 

He watched his elder brother walk back. The bright moonlight shone on both Shen Yanqing and his elder brother. They were both clean and pure-hearted men, and it was impossible to compare their outstanding qualities.

 

Ji Jue’s footsteps paused slightly as he passed Shen Yanqing. He turned his head and gave him a look full of warning.

 

Shen Yanqing remained calm and collected until Ji Jue’s carriage vanished around the corner before he walked up the steps. Ji Zhen opened his mouth. “Shen Yanqing, you…”

 

However, Shen Yanqing completely ignored him and entered the mansion. Ji Zhen followed him in a huff. “Stop.”

 

Shen Yanqing turned to look at him, his eyes calm and untroubled, as if silently accusing Ji Zhen of making a fuss over nothing.

 

Ji Zhen’s anger immediately deflated. “I just wanted you to wait for me.”

 

Shen Yanqing watched him silently. After a moment, as if he hadn’t heard what Ji Zhen said, he strolled into the main hall, leaving Ji Zhen far behind.

 

The author has something to say:

Lord Shen, who looks proper but is actually quite wild in private (gritting his teeth): Other people count sheep when they have insomnia, but I count love rivals. Is this reasonable?