LC chapter 3

 

Lin Ruan had the weekend off and spent two days resting at home.

After Zhan Xi returned, Tong Bo’s attention was focused entirely on him. He no longer criticized Lin Ruan’s manners. Lin Ruan was happy to have free time to help with cleaning or assist Aunt Cao in the kitchen.

Aunt Cao had been a palace maid and was skilled in all courtly arts, including cooking soups and pastries. Consequently, she spent nearly all her time in the kitchen.

Her daughter, A Yue, didn’t want to learn Aunt Cao’s crafts. Instead, she learned to make Western pastries at a bakery. The two constantly clashed, and Lin Ruan mediated between them.

The weather was pleasant, so the front and back doors were open for ventilation. Sunlight streamed in, illuminating the living room.

Lin Ruan sat on the doorstep, munching on a crisp pear. He faced the back garden. The tall trees were mostly leafless. However, clusters of red hibiscus flowers lined the path beneath them, their vibrant blossoms brightening this cold, dry winter.

Lin Ruan squinted slightly in the sun, its rays warming him completely through his dark clothes.

Zhan Xi stood on the stairs, watching Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan looked so relaxed and at ease that Zhan Xi called out to him.

Lin Ruan stood up and walked down the stairs. “Young Master.”

“We’re going to the palace today. You’re coming with me.” Zhan Xi put one hand in his pocket while holding a cup of coffee in the other.

Upon hearing that they were going to the palace, Lin Ruan hesitated.

“Don’t want to go?”

Lin Ruan didn’t lie to Zhan Xi and nodded.

Zhan Xi looked at him for a moment. “If you don’t want to go, forget it.”

Lin Ruan breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Young Master.”

Zhan Xi seemed easier to talk to than Uncle Tong in this family. If Uncle Tong had heard what Lin Ruan said, he definitely would have scolded him. For some reason, though, Lin Ruan was always reluctant to face Zhan Xi. He feared Zhan Xi more than anyone else.

When Uncle Tong learned that Lin Ruan was unwilling to go to the palace, he scolded him. Lin Ruan stood before him obediently, his eyes as innocent as could be.

Zhan Xi, who was watching from the second floor, knew that Lin Ruan had stopped listening a long time ago.

“All right, Uncle Tong,” Zhan Xi said. “It’s getting late. We should leave.”

Uncle Tong paused and looked at Lin Ruan. “Hurry and help Master change clothes.”

Lin Ruan nodded and headed upstairs.

Zhan Xi changed into a dark, floral-patterned, long robe with a standing collar. He wore a Hangzhou silk jacket with a crossed front over it, and golden silk knots twisted around the white jade buttons, which were cold to the touch.

Lin Ruan stood before Zhan Xi and gave him a string of exquisite pearl and agate beads. Zhan Xi looked at the two of them in the dressing mirror. They were very close, with a certain lingering air.

Lin Ruan reached for the remaining accessories on the tray, but Zhan Xi waved his hand. “No, carrying so many is tiring.”

Lin Ruan stopped and went to the closet to get a sable-lined, dark blue silk cloak. Then, he followed Zhan Xi downstairs.

Shi Ning was waiting for them downstairs. Tong Bo gave him some instructions, to which Shi Ning responded repeatedly. Seeing Zhan Xi come down, they both stopped talking. Shi Ning stepped forward, took the cloak from Lin Ruan’s hand, and followed Tong Bo, Zhan Xi, and the others out.

Zhan Xi returned just after noon. Perhaps the palace had invited him to dinner, but he hadn’t gone. Lin Ruan could imagine what it was like for Zhan Xi there. The young prince was neither considerate nor sensible; his words were more embarrassing than a slap in the face. His visit would make everyone uncomfortable for days.

Lin Ruan disliked the palace, but that didn’t stop him from listening to Shi Ning’s stories about life there, which were even more dramatic than the operas. Ah Yue came over to listen, too.

She was a young girl who loved wearing fashionable dresses. In winter, she wore a long coat over her dresses, like a modern woman in a magazine. However, she wouldn’t dress like that at home because Cao Ma and Tong Bo would scold her for being frivolous.

As they were talking, Uncle Tong approached, and Shi Ning immediately fell silent. Lin Ruan and Ah Yue pretended to polish a pair of smoky quartz vases from the Ming Dynasty.

“Lin Ruan,” Uncle Tong called. “Your brother is here to see you.”

Under Uncle Tong’s guidance, Lin Ruan finally saw Lin Man standing behind him. He was barely taller than Ah Yue and was wearing a puffy gray cotton jacket while clutching a blue floral bundle.

Uncle Tong furrowed his brow as if he were about to reprimand him. Lin Ruan quickly pulled Lin Man over, thanked Uncle Tong, and led him to the backyard.

Uncle Tong disliked the Lin family and wouldn’t let them into Lin Ruan’s house. In his view, since the Lin family had sold Lin Ruan, they shouldn’t have anything to do with him. Like many others, he harbored prejudice against impoverished families outside the South Barracks.

Lin Ruan led Lin Man to the corridor outside the back door. There were stairs leading down to the back garden.

Lin Ruan rubbed Lin Man’s hands and asked, “Are you cold?”

Lin Man looked somewhat like Lin Ruan, but his temperament was completely different. His brow was furrowed, giving off a formidable air.

Uncle Tong disliked him, and he disliked Uncle Tong just as much. He believed that Uncle Tong was aggressive and had bullied Lin Ruan.

“Mom asked me to bring you something.” Lin Man shoved the package toward Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan opened the package and found a cotton jacket, a bag of walnuts, and a bag of persimmon cakes inside.

Lin Ruan said nothing, carefully putting away his things. He asked, “Are you hungry now?”

Lin Man said nothing. Of course he was. In this day and age, many people spent most of their days feeling hungry.

After a moment, Lin Ruan said, “Wait here for a while. I’ll get you something to eat.”

“No thanks,” Lin Man said. He knew the rules of the Lan Mansion and that he wasn’t welcome there.

“No problem.” Lin Ruan walked in, put his things away, and ran to the kitchen. Aunt Cao was busy, but Ah Yue was there, bringing a plate of freshly made chocolate chip cookies and a glass of hot milk.

Lin Ruan whispered, “Thank you.”

Ah Yue said, “These are the cookies I learned how to make. Let your brother try one. They’re really delicious.”

Aunt Cao scoffed. “It’s neither fragrant nor colorful. How can it be good?”

A Yue said nothing but shrugged at Lin Ruan.

Lin Ruan left with the food. He asked Lin Man to warm his hands with the milk and drink it to warm up once it was no longer too hot.

The milk was sweetened with sugar, a treat that Lin Man didn’t get to enjoy often.

The two brothers chatted for a while, but as it grew dark, Lin Ruan couldn’t keep Lin Man there any longer. He took out all the money he had and gave it to Lin Man.

Lin Man refused. “We’ve been doing relatively well lately, and Dad’s injury hasn’t recurred.”

Lin Ruan pressed the gift into Lin Man’s hands anyway. “Take it.”

Since Lin Ruan couldn’t visit the Lin family often, Lin Man usually came to see him, bringing things his parents had prepared.

The lights in the living room were already on. Lin Ruan led Lin Man into the room and told Tong Bo, “My brother is leaving now.”

Tong Bo glanced at Lin Man and called Yuanzi the driver. “Go fetch a rickshaw and take this boy home.”

Yuanzi acknowledged him. Lin Ruan thanked Tong Bo and accompanied Lin Man to the gate.

Lin Man whispered to Lin Ruan, “I can run back by myself. No need to be escorted.”

“It’s dark and cold, and it’s not safe.” Lin Ruan said. “Listen to brother Yuanzi.”

Yuanzi laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll get you home safely.”

“Thank you,” said Lin Ruan.

Zhan Xi went downstairs to finish his meal. Not seeing Lin Ruan, he asked, “Where is he?”

“His brother is here. I just sent him out. He hasn’t come back yet,” replied Tong Bo as he placed the dishes on the table.

Zhan Xi managed to carry a whole table of dishes by himself, which seemed impressive to Tong Bo. However, Lin Ruan felt a little sorry for him. The table was enormous, and some of the dishes were placed too far away to reach.

When Zhan Xi returned, he said calmly, “Sit down and eat.”

Lin Ruan agreed, washed his hands, and sat down to eat.

Tong Bo’s expression remained calm. To him, Lin Ruan was still half his master, no matter what. Besides, it was Zhan Xi who had suggested he sit down and eat, so there was nothing to criticize.

Lin Ruan was confused. In his opinion, Tong Bo had been with Zhan Xi for over a decade. Wasn’t he more qualified than Lin Ruan to sit down and eat? Or was there some hidden secret he didn’t know about?

“Don’t let your imagination run wild while you’re eating.”

Zhan Xi suddenly interrupted Lin Ruan’s thoughts, and Lin Ruan almost thought Zhan Xi had read his mind.

Lin Ruan secretly glanced at Zhan Xi. He looked normal, eating his meal at a leisurely pace with gentle, graceful movements.

Lin Ruan pursed his lips, then stood up to serve Zhan Xi a bowl of soup. The restaurant was so quiet that Lin Ruan didn’t dare make a sound.

After dinner, Shi Ning arrived to meet Zhan Xi on time. The two of them went upstairs to the study. Lin Ruan helped clear the table and then ran back inside.

His mother had made him a black, silk cotton jacket with fine stitching and a thick cotton lining. It didn’t feel bulky, but rather made him look taller. Lin Ruan examined the jacket again and again before carefully putting it away in the closet.

Late at night, Lin Ruan went upstairs to help Zhan Xi get ready for bed.

Zhan Xi had just finished discussing something with Shi Ning. Having drunk several cups of coffee, he was resting with his eyes closed.

Lin Ruan moved quietly and stood beside Zhan Xi, leaning over to tidy up the documents on his desk. He whispered, “Master, it’s time to rest.”

Zhan Xi opened his eyes but didn’t move. Lin Ruan had no choice but to step over Zhan Xi to tidy up the desk, inevitably making contact with him. Each contact was brief and light, almost nonexistent.

“Let’s call each other by different names at home from now on.” Zhan Xi’s gaze fell on Lin Ruan’s narrow waist.

Lin Ruan was stunned. “What’s wrong with that?”

“The emperor is long gone, so these titles should be changed.”

Lin Ruan asked, “Then what should I call you?”

“Call me sir,” Zhan Xi replied, looking at Lin Ruan.

Lin Ruan lowered his head and looked at Zhan Xi. Zhan Xi was clearly looking down on him, but when Lin Ruan met his eyes, he stuttered uncontrollably. “Sir…”

“Call me ‘sir’ again,” Zhan Xi said.

This time, Lin Ruan said it fluently: “Sir.”

Zhan Xi’s eyes showed a hint of pleasure, and he waved to Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan leaned down and placed his hand on Zhan Xi’s leg.

Zhan Xi stroked his hair and said, “It’s almost the New Year. I’ll have Uncle Tong prepare some things for you tomorrow. You can go home and take a look.”

Lin Ruan’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Zhan Xi nodded and added, “But you can’t stay out overnight.”

“Okay!” Lin Ruan agreed, his eyes sparkling with joy.