Chapter 25 Part 3

He only wanted to make some small talk to lay the groundwork, but he saw Zhu Mi’s brow briefly furrow. This was very unusual for the perpetually stoic Zhu Mi. Gu Xiaodeng’s gut feeling turned bad, and his heart immediately clenched. “What’s wrong? Has something happened to Jinyu again?”

Zhu Mi was silent for a moment. Seeing he couldn’t hide it, he told him softly, “The Fourth Young Master committed a grave offense in the Outer State and is currently still confined in the punishment room.”

Gu Xiaodeng remembered what Gu Jinyu had told him that noon, saying Gu Yan was looking for him and that he’d be busy for at least half a month… So that busyness was in the confinement room.

“It’s already been half a month.” Gu Xiaodeng froze solid. “The Prince is still… still keeping him locked up?”

Zhu Mi said, “I’m afraid he’ll be locked up for another half month.”

It felt like an invisible bolt of lightning struck Gu Xiaodeng’s spine, blasting his last remaining hopes into charred slag, as black as the high walls now confining Gu Jinyu.

“This has nothing to do with you.” Zhu Mi reminded and also consoled him. “There’s no need to futilely try to help him. No one can help. Within the Gu family, the Prince’s authority is inviolable. The Fourth Young Master cannot escape punishment this time, but he can endure it. He’ll get out eventually.”

Gu Xiaodeng was stunned. Being sacked just now hadn’t made him feel particularly sad, only panicked and absurd. But hearing these few words from Zhu Mi, he suddenly felt so heartbroken that tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.

“Can’t I help Senqing with anything at all?”

Zhu Mi was hearing the name “Senqing” for the first time. It took a moment to realize it was Gu Jinyu’s alias. “The Fourth Young Master only said that you should take good care of yourself, and that is enough. Young Master, you came to see me now—do you have some trouble?”

Gu Xiaodeng no longer had the heart to complain. He waved his hand, shaking his head, and left.

Back at his quarters, he asked Feng’en for the black jade hairpin Gu Jinyu had given him. He looked at it for a long time but ultimately didn’t take it out of its brocade box, carefully putting it back.

Seeing this person, usually so radiant and talkative, suddenly become downcast and silent, even Feng’en felt a twinge of compassion. He walked over and said softly, “If you wish to wear the Fourth Young Master’s hairpin, that is also acceptable.”

“No need.” Gu Xiaodeng patted the brocade box. “Wearing it might bring him trouble if seen. Put it back.”

Feng’en could only take it back. Gu Xiaodeng sat alone, propping his chin in his hand, lost in thought. But Feng Huan quietly came over. He was slightly younger than Feng’en, his features much softer and more delicate, his temperament also quieter and more docile. He always did things silently, speaking little. His taking the initiative now was so rare that Gu Xiaodeng was startled.

“Feng Huan, what’s the matter?”

Feng Huan shushed him and leaned close, whispering, “Young Master, if you don’t like it, let me be your page boy.”

Gu Xiaodeng’s brain couldn’t catch up. “Huh? What do I not like? And why would you be my page boy?”

Feng Huan’s brows and eyes were gentle, his expression somewhat pitiful. “You are not accustomed to clinging to power, nor can you endure such unwanted advances and bullying. I can be your page boy and… endure it in your place.”

Gu Xiaodeng’s eyes slowly widened. He couldn’t utter a single word. Feng Huan, growing anxious, was about to open his mouth again when Feng’en returned from the other side. Clearly realizing something, the gentleness on his face vanished completely for the first time. “Feng Huan!”

Feng Huan hurriedly straightened up, walking awkwardly back to his side, muttering a soft “Brother.”

His face taut, Feng’en pushed him behind his back. Somewhat stiffly, he bowed to Gu Xiaodeng. “Young Master, Feng Huan is just a clumsy servant who attends to your daily needs. He can’t be anything, nor stand in the way of anything.”

Gu Xiaodeng came back to his senses and could only nod repeatedly. “I know, I know. Take your brother and go. I’ll read for a while.”

Feng’en bowed again, then turned, grabbed Feng Huan, and hurried away anxiously.

With wide, round eyes, Gu Xiaodeng watched them leave. He watched them, these two survivors of the An family, rescued from the Official Kiln. Watching them was like reading a book, reading the vast and obscure footnotes of human existence.

Gu Xiaodeng sat like that until the hour of Shen (3-5 PM). Finally, he hopped up on one leg. Taking advantage of this time, when martial arts class wasn’t over yet and the other noble sons hadn’t returned, he bounced out the door in two hops.

Feng’en supported him to the door and said lowly, “Shall I accompany the Young Master?”

“No, no need.” Gu Xiaodeng smiled and told him to go back. “I feel like taro congee tonight. You and Feng Huan make some for me. Peeling taro can easily make your hands itch, so be careful.”

With that, Gu Xiaodeng hopped out the door, still light and swift. But after all, he was on one leg, hopping until he was panting heavily, looking utterly pathetic.

~

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), in the streamside pavilion in the back courtyard of the Bamboo Courtyard, Su Mingya was painting to the sound of flowing water. He painted the peak summer scenery of his location. When finished and dried, it was to be sent into the Imperial Palace for his Noble Consort eldest sister. As his sister couldn’t leave the palace, he often painted pictures to send her. For him, painting was only a matter of physical stamina. He possessed the best talent of his generation: first-rate painting skills, a first-rate life, and an eighteenth-rate body.

As a painting was completed, a servant came from afar to collect the summer landscape and, at the same time, announced a visitor. “Young Master, Gu Shanqing is here.”

Su Mingya paused in the middle of massaging his wrist. “How long has he been waiting?”

Knowing his rule against disturbances while painting, the servant replied, “Four quarters of an hour.”

“He’s been waiting the whole time, without leaving?”

“Yes, and he didn’t speak much.”

Su Mingya coughed lightly. “Bring him over.”

“Yes.”

Su Mingya coughed faintly, looking out towards the bamboo grove. He had spent five quarters of an hour on that painting just now. It would have been nice if Gu Xiaodeng had arrived a quarter-hour earlier. Gu Xiaodeng could have helped mix colors by his side. He could have dotted the remaining cinnabar onto Gu Xiaodeng’s hand, just like painting.

The pitter-patter of footsteps approached. Su Mingya was always somewhat weary after finishing a painting, his coughs unstoppable. The footsteps drew near. The little fellow, who hadn’t been close in days, came behind him and gently, softly helped smooth his breathing. “Young Master Su, are you alright?”

Panting lightly, Su Mingya shook his head. Wearily, he led him to sit down, lowering his gaze to his foot. “I saw you walking oddly this morning. And you, are you alright?”

Gu Xiaodeng tucked his foot in and smiled. “I’m just fine!”

Coughing, Su Mingya said slowly, “Then I am relieved.”

Gu Xiaodeng smoothed his back for a good while, chattering incessantly about trivial daily matters. Su Mingya didn’t expose his nervousness, just responding with a few laughs amidst his coughing fits.

He indulged Gu Xiaodeng—indulged his closeness, indulged his noisiness, indulged his hot-and-cold distance, giving him a full sense of equality.

Gu Xiaodeng rambled on with nonsense for a long time. Su Mingya stopped coughing and looked at him gently.

In this silent tolerance, Gu Xiaodeng gradually relaxed. After a moment, he awkwardly poked his fingers together, seeming embarrassed by what he was about to say.

“Young Master Su, I… I…”

“Mm, I’m here. Whatever you have to say, I’m listening.”

Su Mingya’s tone was so gentle. Gu Xiaodeng’s eyes grew moist as he stammered it out.

“Young Master Su, can… can you be friends with me? The days at the academy are long. If I’m alone, there might be things I’m powerless against… You said before, if I needed a safe harbor, to… to come find you.”

Having said this, his head drooped. He clasped his hands together, awkwardly twiddling his two thumbs.

Su Mingya saw the glint of tears welling in his eyes. This time, he saw a pitifully distressed Gu Xiaodeng. Just as he had imagined, this expression suited him too.

Perhaps even more so.

The rare pain of a bright, healthy person was, for Su Mingya, like a comforting poppy.

Gu Xiaodeng’s tears pleased him. More than his smiles, he preferred this look of tears swimming in his eyes. He liked his unspoken misery.

“Alright.”

Gu Xiaodeng looked up, staring at him blankly.

“We’ve been friends for a long time.” Su Mingya raised his hand and gently wiped the tip of his nose. “But I’ve waited a long time for your invitation.”

Gu Xiaodeng’s lashes fluttered. His tears spun three circles in his eyes, and suddenly, with a loud “wah,” he burst into tears. “I’m sorry… Young Master Su, I didn’t want to trouble you originally… I originally wanted…”

“To find someone else?”

Gu Xiaodeng sobbed, “Will I bring you trouble?”

“It’s fine.”

Su Mingya wiped the corner of his eye, then cupped his face in one hand. Gu Xiaodeng’s face was red from crying, making his hand seem even paler by contrast.

Crying, Gu Xiaodeng grabbed his hand and held it. He was no longer pitiful and distressed, but fiercely scolding as he wept. “Young Master Su, you don’t know, there are actually perverts here! One bit my neck! And at noon, several people surrounded me and groped me wildly! They really are… are scum! I’m sorry, my one arm can’t twist so many thick thighs, so I shamelessly came to find you, Young Master Su…”

His ears aching from the noise, Su Mingya simply reached out and pulled Gu Xiaodeng into his embrace.

The world then became peaceful.

“No need to be afraid anymore. I will be your only friend. From now on, no one will dare bully you.”