Chapter 24 Part 1

Every time Gu Xiaodeng visited Su Mingya’s Bamboo Courtyard, he couldn’t help but make a fuss. No matter how many times he saw it, it always struck him as wondrous—how could a place blend refined elegance with such lavish opulence in perfect harmony? And this was merely a temporary lodging Su Mingya occupied while staying at someone else’s home. He could only imagine the sheer extravagance of Su Mingya’s own residence.

With midsummer in full bloom, a new shaded path of flower trellises had been constructed through the Bamboo Courtyard. Gu Xiaodeng followed behind Su Mingya, watching the thin, fragmented sunlight scatter across him. Though Gu Xiaodeng was not as tall as him, seeing Su Mingya’s pallid, sickly appearance even under the scorching summer heat always stirred a swell of sympathy in his heart.

As they stepped into the main hall, the temperature dropped a notch compared to outside. The jellyfish in the crystal tank occasionally drifted, setting off faint ripples that made Su Mingya appear almost translucent by contrast.

Servants attended Su Mingya as he retired to the inner room to change and wash. Another approached Gu Xiaodeng, inviting him to do the same, explaining that one should avoid having dust soil the meal before dining. It was Gu Xiaodeng’s first time sharing a table with Su Mingya, so he could only follow their rules. His Restraint Pendant was unfastened along with his belt.

For a moment, his thoughts drifted back to the previous night with Ge Dongchen and Guan Yunji. Ge Dongchen, needless to say, was always broad-minded and unconcerned with trifles. Even Guan Yunji—a young master who wore his prejudices against outsiders plainly on his face—had casually boiled wine himself. Compared to him, those two were rough fellows indeed. Su Mingya’s way of living was a hundred times more refined.

The servants not only dressed Gu Xiaodeng in new clothes from the Su household but also proceeded to wash his hands and face. When he tried to do it himself, they looked at him as if they’d seen a ghost. Left with no choice, Gu Xiaodeng obediently extended his hands.

Only after all this fuss did he finally get his lunch. Gu Xiaodeng was so ravenous his eyes were glowing green, so his table manners were a bit bold. He was never a picky eater, and he ate with such fragrant satisfaction. Su Mingya ate very little. When he finished and looked up at him, he soon found himself lost in thought.

He was likely destined to keep company with medicine his whole life. His meals were mostly medicinal cuisine with many dietary restrictions, leaving his desire for food extremely meager. Almost everyone around him was the same. The sudden appearance of Gu Xiaodeng, who was so vastly different, truly drew one’s attention.

Gu Xiaodeng was so utterly worldly. That worldliness always managed to unsettle the others here.

Su Mingya watched him bend his head, focused on finishing his meal. When the servants came forward to help him rinse his mouth and wash his face, Gu Xiaodeng took the handkerchief and pressed it to his lips. Perhaps it was the deep comfort of being thoroughly full, but his eyes curved into crescents as if slightly tipsy. His face was clear, bright, and fair. When his misty gaze drifted over, it was suddenly, startlingly, beautiful beyond words.

Su Mingya had seen beauties of all shapes and sizes. Yet even so, his fingertip twitched. It was the first time he’d noticed that when the little fellow covered that chattering mouth of his, he possessed this kind of allure. Radiant brilliance suited him, but so did delicate, pitiable charm.

It suddenly occurred to him: all this time, he had only ever seen Gu Xiaodeng with a beaming smile. He had never seen him when he was sniffling and crying.

Su Mingya found his own fleeting thought amusing and let out a light laugh.

Gu Xiaodeng, invigorated after wiping his face, saw the brief, dazed look vanish completely. He grinned, cheerful and full of life. “What is Young Master Su so happy about?”

Su Mingya simply smiled gently. “Aren’t you overstuffed?”

“A little bit.” Gu Xiaodeng sheepishly rubbed his nose. “Because it’s my first time eating here with Young Master Su, I was just so happy. Before I knew it, I’d stuffed my belly full. Actually, I don’t usually eat this much.”

“Then shall we get up and walk around a bit to help digest?”

Gu Xiaodeng poked his fingers together. “Does Young Master Su need an afternoon nap? Would I be disturbing your rest by staying here?”

“No.” Su Mingya’s voice was warm. He stood and walked towards the door. “During the midday hours, I prefer to enjoy some leisure. Xiaodeng, would you like to join me?”

Gu Xiaodeng immediately stood up, rubbing his belly as he eagerly followed. “Yes, yes! What does Young Master Su usually like to do for fun?”

A servant who had been prepared for this respectfully brought over a long case. Once opened, Su Mingya took out the jade flute stored within. “Do you know how to play the flute?”

“A little bit. The music master taught me.”

Hearing this, Su Mingya had the servant bring another one, handing a purple bamboo flute with a slightly narrower bore to Gu Xiaodeng.

The two of them left the main hall together. Su Mingya led him to the backyard of the Bamboo Courtyard. It was only then that Gu Xiaodeng realized the backyard was a hidden paradise. Amidst the rustling bamboo grove, a circular stream had been dug, forming a living spring and a small bridge. A sizable pavilion was built right over the living spring.

Gu Xiaodeng followed him step by step, crossing the small bridge to take a seat in the pavilion. It felt like being cradled in the embrace of a bamboo sea. The sounds of water and rustling bamboo leaves mingled in his ears. The shade was cool and refreshing, so comfortable it lifted one’s spirits.

Su Mingya faced the bamboo grove, raised the jade flute horizontally to his lips, and began to play a slow, resonant melody. Gu Xiaodeng was dumbstruck, both by the sound and the sight.

But he quickly felt something was amiss. He drew closer, and when Su Mingya finished the piece, Gu Xiaodeng tilted his head up and studied the other’s expression intently.

Su Mingya took a light breath and lowered his head to let him look. “What’s the matter?”

His voice was slightly deeper now, enough to make the tips of Gu Xiaodeng’s ears flush. Gu Xiaodeng quickly rubbed the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. “Nothing. I was just thinking, Young Master Su, you were born with that asthma affliction… That flute in your hand has a large inner bore and thick walls. The tone it produces is much deeper and richer, and the volume is louder. It sounds beautiful, yes, but it takes a lot of breath. I was afraid if you played too long, your chest might tighten up and feel uncomfortable.”

Su Mingya paused for a moment, then smiled softly. “Xiaodeng, you are always so considerate of others.”

“Not that many people, really.” Gu Xiaodeng looked up, studying him carefully. “Young Master Su is special.”

Su Mingya lowered his eyes to look at him.

“The most special.”

Su Mingya was silent for a beat.

“Oh, I get it. Young Master Su, do you rarely get to play wind instruments like this at home?” Gu Xiaodeng leaned closer to look at him. “Your family loves you so much, they probably restrict you. Now that you’re at the Academy, you’re much freer. You skip the afternoon rest and come out to do things that aren’t quite allowed at home.”

A smile flickered in Su Mingya’s eyes. He answered with a soft, tender “Mm.” “You’re quite perceptive.”

That “Mm” sent Gu Xiaodeng’s heart into a melting mess. He thought, Is that a compliment? The thought in his head quickly tumbled out of his mouth, earning another light laugh from Su Mingya.

“Yes, Xiaodeng is truly remarkable.”

Gu Xiaodeng thought he hadn’t reacted much, but in a few heartbeats, his face was red and his neck was thick. Blankly, he raised the purple bamboo flute in his hand. “I’ll play a piece too! I don’t play nearly as well as Young Master Su. If my playing makes you unhappy, just smack me on the head.”

He took a deep breath, inwardly desperate to earn another word of praise from Su Mingya. The very first note he blew was a cracked squawk. Su Mingya’s expression didn’t change, but Gu Xiaodeng was so amused by himself that he laughed. He put down the flute and waved at Su Mingya. “Young Master Su, how about I play something else for you instead!”

With that, he ran out of the pavilion on his own impulse. He broke off fresh bamboo leaves from the grove, folded them skillfully, and as he played, he jogged back.

Su Mingya watched him tuck the purple bamboo flute into his waistband—white robes, green leaves, red lips. Just walking over was pleasing enough to the eye.

He understood very well why others at Vast Marsh Academy liked to antagonize Gu Xiaodeng. That overt bullying and teasing were akin to the currents of admiration and restless desire surging beneath the surface.

He was different from them. He felt that looking at Gu Xiaodeng was fundamentally no different from watching the moon jellyfish. He appreciated him. From the moment he first met him amidst falling blossoms, he had discovered the rich aesthetic value Gu Xiaodeng possessed.

He didn’t care how Ge Dongchen, Guan Yunji, and the rest viewed this low-born yet innocent creature. He never really paid the Academy’s residents much mind. But today, Gu Jinyu had come.

Gu Jinyu, that standout among their peers. Su Mingya had disliked him ever since he got to know him.

He disliked Gu Jinyu’s cold gaze—that expression of wearing a surface smile while truly regarding everything with utter indifference and contempt.

The privilege of looking down on everything should belong solely to him, Su Mingya.

Moreover, they were born in the same year, living under the subtle, unspoken comparisons of their fathers’ generations since they could remember. The Su family’s status was higher than the Gu family’s. The Su family was the pinnacle the Gu family desperately strived to reach. But Gu Jinyu’s robust health was a pinnacle the sickly Su Mingya could never reach.

Whatever Gu Jinyu wanted, he could obtain. The position of the Crown Princess’s hawk and hound. The privilege of being the Gu family’s heir. The future leader of the new court. An entire future was slowly unfolding before him.

And now, a new object of desire seemed to have appeared in Gu Jinyu’s future—one whose very ears bore the hallmark of royal preference.