“Your Majesty, the results of this year’s National Academy’s examination have been released.”
Emperor Cheng An leaned back in his rattan chair, flipping through an old storybook. Upon hearing the news, he placed the hand warmer on his lap. Lü Neishi presented a red booklet, and Emperor Cheng An opened it with a smile, saying, “Someone’s going to be quite proud again.”
“Little Lord Yan is very clever. Anyone who has taught him can’t help but praise him,” Lü Neishi said with a smile. “Earlier, I ran into Commander Yao in the Imperial Garden, and I heard him and Commander Yan praising Little Lord Yan, saying his archery is flawless and his strength is impressive. He’s a sharpshooter, and oh, how Commander Yan laughed!”
Deputy Commander Yao of the Palace Guards, who was originally an archer, now also teaches martial arts at the National Academy. His favorite students are Yan Dong and Hou Yi. He often uses practical exercises as an excuse to spar with these two good students, taking the opportunity to get back at them for past grievances—like when little Yan Dong shot him in the butt with a wooden arrow or when little Hou Yi tripped him with a rope.
“Birds of a feather flock together, as they say. Yan Dong and Yu Zhaoying are ranked first and second overall. Hou Yi, though only in the middle-upper range, consistently ranks first in martial arts. And then there’s He Shen and Li Shuguang,” Emperor Cheng An circled the names at the bottom, almost unable to look. Wait, he noticed something new, “Why is Wu Ying here making a fool of himself?”
“Probably on purpose,” Lü Neishi said. “Young Master Wu is smart; he wouldn’t do this otherwise.”
“Oh, does he think if he doesn’t do well in his studies, his father won’t make him an official?” Emperor Cheng An shook his head and turned to the results of the literary society, where Rong Hua was still ranked first. He smiled, “As usual, distribute the rewards and remind the children not to become complacent. They should study hard.”
Lü Neishi took the booklet, “Yes.”
The rewards for the students naturally included the Four Treasures of the Study and various classics, along with other items, filling an entire box, heavy as lead. He Bao led four attendants to carry the box to the corridor. Just as he was about to enter the room to report, someone on the corridor gestured for silence.
“Little Lord is asleep.”
He fell asleep quite early today, which surprised He Bao a bit. But since Yan Dong and Yan Song returned together without any issues, he didn’t think much of it. He turned and instructed the others to move the box to the storeroom and wait for Yan Dong to wake up.
Just a wall away, Yan Dong was dreaming.
He dreamt of that man again.
He still couldn’t see the man’s face or hear his voice clearly. It was as if there was a misty veil between them, making the man seem both near and far, both hidden and visible. Yan Dong heard a rustling sound, like a hand quickly rubbing against the bedding, accompanied by the man’s low, hoarse breathing:
“Dong Dong.”
“Baby.”
The words seemed to spill out from the base of the tongue, soaked in an ambiguous atmosphere, wet and sticky. They floated onto Yan Dong’s face, like soft, scorching fire snakes, teasing, rubbing, and biting him, making him feel both pain and itch.
“Come with me, will you?”
It was a plea, yet it sounded like a command. The man’s increasingly rapid breathing was like a string, gradually tightening to the extreme, then suddenly breaking.
“Ah!”
Yan Dong’s startled cry overlapped with the man’s suppressed groan. He sat up with a jolt, clutching the bedding to cover his face, not daring to make a sound.
He knew what bad thing the man was doing! It was normal for the man to do such things; he did them too. But how could this man call his name? Why was he having such strange and shameful dreams? What rule had he broken? Who was this man, anyway? Who, who, who! Would he dare to come out and let him stab him to death!
Ahhhhhhhhh!
Anger, confusion, helplessness, panic, and shame intertwined and overflowed. Yan Dong’s mind buzzed, his whole body felt hot and numb. He rolled around on the bed, clutching the quilt, cursing: Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it!
The next day, Yan Song, who rarely took a break on time, got up at dawn to wash up and went to Fengchun Courtyard to have breakfast with Yan Dong. He changed his shoes on the corridor, walked into the room, and saw Yan Dong sitting on the bed with eyes wide open like copper bells. Yan Dong blinked, then suddenly sat up.
“Big brother…” Yan Dong hugged Yan Song’s arm, “I’m done for!”
Yan Song sat on the edge of the bed, using his free hand to tuck the quilt around Yan Dong, “What’s wrong? Tell me.”
“I, I…” Yan Dong avoided Yan Song’s gaze, feeling guilty, “I had a dream.”
The young man’s face was as red as a ruby, dazzlingly beautiful. Yan Song’s gaze slightly focused, and when Yan Dong looked up, he averted his eyes slightly, saying, “A spring dream?”
Yan Dong’s thoughts were scattered, not noticing Yan Song’s momentary discomfort. He asked in confusion, “Am I possessed?”
“It’s normal—”
“Do you have them too?” Yan Dong eagerly sought confirmation.
Yan Song looked at him and said, “Yes.”
“What are yours like? Do you, do you…” Yan Dong lowered his head, his eyes darting around, sneaking a glance at Yan Song, “Dream of someone?”
Yan Song’s eyelids lowered slightly, staring at Yan Dong in silence for two full breaths before saying, “Who did you dream of?”
That gaze was somewhat intimidating. Was it really wrong to have someone else in a spring dream? Yan Dong instinctively shook his head, stammering a lie, “No one! I was just curious if all spring dreams are the same.”
Is that so? Yan Song turned the jade ring on his finger, saying, “Spring dreams aren’t rare, and the person in the dream isn’t important. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll have the doctor prescribe you some calming medicine. Drink it obediently.”
Big brother was unhappy. Yan Dong didn’t dare mention the lecherous demon anymore, feeling both wronged and ashamed, he mumbled an “Mm” and lowered his head.
Seeing Yan Dong’s pitiful appearance, Yan Song paused, then reached out to pat his head, saying, “Get up and wash up. I’ll wait for you to have breakfast.”
常春春 was chatting with his younger brother on the corridor. When he saw Yan Song stepping out with a gloomy expression, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly followed.
Chang Qingqing saw this and ran into the inner room. Yan Dong was sitting on the bed brushing his teeth. He leaned over and whispered, “Why is the heir unhappy?”
Yan Dong told him the truth.
Chang Qingqing scratched his head, “You had a spring dream, why would the heir be unhappy?”
“He probably thinks I’m not calm and not behaving,” Yan Dong said sullenly.
Because of this, all of Yan Dong’s grievances, confusion, and shame turned into anger. He wanted to find that harmful lecherous demon, castrate him piece by piece, and bury him inch by inch!
But!
How to find him?
Yan Dong was very agitated. During breakfast, his mind was racing. He knew very little about the lecherous demon, not even the voice he heard was clear. How could he find a needle in a haystack?
The sound of chopsticks being placed interrupted Yan Dong’s thoughts. He hurriedly returned to his senses, realizing he almost fed the spoon into his nose. When he looked up, he met a pair of pitch-black eyes.
“Still thinking about that person?” Yan Song looked at him, his tone calm.
Yan Dong bit the spoon, “Brother, don’t you like me thinking about this person?”
His tone was soft, and he deliberately called him “brother,” but Yan Song showed no sign of softening, “What do you think? Should I hope you dream of some improper person every day?”
Yan Dong tried to switch perspectives. If Yan Song suddenly said he had a spring dream and dreamed of someone, then he… Yan Dong shivered all over, unable to accept it, so he immediately said, “I don’t have a mind full of nonsense. My heart is as cold as the snow in midwinter! I don’t even know that man!”
Yan Song said, “A man?”
Oh no! Yan Dong quickly covered his mouth, eyes wide open, not daring to nod or shake his head. He stared at Yan Song’s expression, trying to discern his reaction, but it was in vain. The man’s eyelashes were thick and long, but not curled, like the jade flowers by the ancient well. When they drooped, they easily covered the deep pool beneath, dark and bottomless.
“Nothing,” after a long while, Yan Song finally withdrew his gaze, which made Yan Dong’s scalp tingle and feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. He picked up his chopsticks and said calmly, “Let’s eat.”
The food was tasteless.
After breakfast, Yan Song got up to leave. Yan Dong watched his tall and straight back disappear from sight, feeling a bit dejected, thinking that lecherous demon was really a nuisance!
Yan Song walked calmly out of Fengchun Courtyard and stopped under the locust tree.
The “Yan Dong Daily Record” submitted by Dang Wu every noon was extensive, and he didn’t miss a single word, including where Yan Dong went, who he met, what he ate… That silly boy couldn’t even understand the bite marks on Xia Hui’s body, thinking they were dog bites. He was completely clueless about matters of love. Who could he have a crush on? And recently, Yan Dong had only been in contact with people he often interacted with before… Oh, there was one person.
Yan Song turned the jade ring on his finger.
He Du.
*
“He Du?” Back at Xunfeng Courtyard, Chang Chun was standing by the desk, listening to his master explain the situation. He hesitated and said, “I have some impression of this person. He’s considered a young talent, but not to the extent that Little Lord Yan would fall for him at first sight, right?”
“Recently, besides He Du, he hasn’t interacted with any other unfamiliar men,” Yan Song said in a calm voice. “As for whether he’s worthy, isn’t Lin Shilang’s eldest daughter a precedent?”
The eldest daughter of the Lin family, Lin Hui, a lady from a prestigious family, was known for her beauty and virtue. During the last imperial examination, she fell in love at first sight with a scholar named Su Fang. It was unclear what kind of spell she was under, but after knowing him for only a few days, she insisted on marrying him. Although a scholar had the qualifications to become an official, he was still worlds apart from the daughter of the Deputy Minister of War, especially since he was an outsider with unknown background. The Lin family refused to agree, but their daughter was determined to marry him, even threatening to starve herself. In the end, the couple couldn’t bear it and relented.
The wedding banquet was held in the capital, and Yan Dong even dragged his siblings to attend as guests. He was straightforward and outspoken, and after taking one look at the Lin family’s new son-in-law, he whispered to his siblings: “Love must be poisonous. How did the Lin family’s eldest daughter suddenly go blind and fall for someone like this? He’s average in both talent and looks, and there’s nothing remarkable about his demeanor either.”
Yan Jian also shook her head repeatedly, saying, “Lin family sister is really in trouble this time.”
Little did she know, her words were prophetic.
Later, Su Fang failed to pass the imperial examination and had to return to his hometown to continue preparing for the next year. Lin Hui accompanied him back to his family, but within a year, the Lin family received news of their daughter’s illness and death.
Lin Shilang and his wife were devastated by the sudden news. It wasn’t until the Yan family visited to offer condolences that Cui Fulai reminded them that with such a long distance, they couldn’t just rely on one side’s story. They needed to investigate thoroughly to confirm the truth and let their daughter rest in peace.
The couple snapped out of their grief and immediately sent people to Su Fang’s hometown to investigate. What they found was shocking. Not only had Lin Hui’s entourage long been under her husband’s command, effectively losing her trusted aides, but Su Fang also secretly kept a mistress! When the adulterous couple was brought to the authorities for questioning, it was revealed that Lin Hui had discovered her husband’s deep affection was all an act. During a confrontation, they had a physical altercation, leading to a miscarriage, and she fell ill, eventually succumbing to her grief.
It was a tragic tale of marrying the wrong person and losing one’s life, a story that spread throughout the capital. Chang Chun naturally remembered this incident and understood that the heir was worried Little Lord Yan might end up like Lin Hui, blinded and infatuated.
Moreover, after Yan Dong stood up for He Du in front of the emperor, Yan Song had already investigated He Du’s background thoroughly. He was clean and upright. Although his family background was ordinary, he was diligent and capable after entering the civil service, far better than Su Fang.
“Your Highness, don’t worry,” Chang Chun reassured. “Dang Wu has been following Little Lord Yan closely. He Du hasn’t had any private interactions with him, nor has he said anything inappropriate in public. At least for now, they don’t have that kind of relationship.”
“Indeed.” Yan Song pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes to calm himself, clearly having lost his composure.
“Even if it’s just a normal brotherly relationship, knowing that your younger brother might have feelings for a man would make any brother anxious, let alone…” Chang Chun didn’t continue, clearing his throat before saying, “I’ll instruct Dang Wu to keep a close eye on He Du, not missing a single word or glance.”
“He Du,” Yan Song turned the jade ring, narrowing his eyes slightly, “I want to see what he’s up to.”
Yan Dong was restless, unable to focus on his studies or enjoy his lunch. After tossing and turning through his afternoon nap, he got up to change clothes when he thought it was about time. He planned to find Yuan Yuan for a pulse diagnosis. If he was really possessed, he needed to find a way to exorcise it immediately. But just as he stepped out of the courtyard, he ran into Yan Song.
Yan Song looked as usual and said he wanted to accompany him to the He family’s teahouse.
“Didn’t you want to try those tea soup dumplings?” Yan Song looked at him, speaking calmly, “What, you’re not happy with your brother accompanying you?”
How could someone say something so unreasonable!
Yan Dong gave him a reproachful look, but Yan Song seemed pleased by his glare, reaching out to pinch his chin, “Shall we go?”
Yan Dong instantly forgot about seeking help from the doctor, grabbing Yan Song’s arm and saying with determination, “Let’s go!”
The two of them exited through the side gate, where Chang Chun was waiting by the carriage. Once they were both inside, he closed the door and instructed the driver to head to the He family’s teahouse.
Inside the carriage, a heater was burning, filling the air with a refreshing citrus scent that Yan Cuiwei had concocted in his spare time. Yan Dong yawned comfortably, shifting his position to rest his head on Yan Song’s lap. He was exhausted from being harassed by the lecherous demon all night.
Yan Song glanced down at him, reaching out to touch Yan Dong’s face. Yan Dong instinctively nuzzled against his hand, murmuring softly. Yan Song chuckled lightly, not saying anything, but his expression softened.
The carriage moved through the bustling market, filled with the noise of people. Wrapped in Yan Song’s warmth, Yan Dong felt a brief sense of peace and security.
The Yan family had sent word ahead, prompting the He family to quickly tidy up the already clean and fresh teahouse, feeling it was somehow dirty.
He Shu approached He Du, her fresh and elegant face barely containing her excitement, “I heard that the heir of the Yan family is incredibly handsome and noble, the most outstanding young man in Yongjing. Is it true?”
He Du was nervously picking at his fingers. Hearing this, he quickly advised, “The heir of the Yan family lives up to his reputation, but if you keep staring at him and offend him, you might not get a chance to admire his unparalleled beauty.”
“How could I keep staring at him? That would be rude,” He Shu cupped her cheeks, “I’ll just sneak a peek.”
He Du sighed helplessly, “Oh!”
After a while, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the small courtyard. Yan Dong stepped down, wearing a water-green robe with a white fox fur, like a bamboo in the snow, exuding a crisp resilience.
He Du cleared his throat nervously, taking two steps forward, when another person emerged from the carriage, wearing a white robe and black cloak—it was Yan Song. He was taller than Yan Dong, standing close to him, and under the gray sky, he seemed like a giant born from Yan Dong’s flesh and blood.
Yan Dong waited for Yan Song to get off the carriage, then, like a child, clung to his elder brother’s arm, almost walking in step with him. He spoke with a smile on his face, naturally focusing his gaze on Yan Song. Yan Song lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face, listening attentively to Yan Dong’s chatter.
For some reason, watching this harmonious scene of brotherly affection, He Du felt a strange sensation rising in his heart.
“Hello, Mr. He,” Yan Dong waved a hand in front of He Du, bringing him back to his senses. He immediately bowed in greeting.
Yan Song glanced at He Du indifferently, not speaking or indicating for him to rise. Seeing this, Yan Dong said, “My brother rarely takes a break on time, so he’s accompanying me to try your sister’s cooking. No need for formalities, Mr. He.”
“Your presence is an honor to our humble establishment. Please, come inside,” He Du gestured for them to enter, choosing a quiet corner, “Please, have a seat.”
Yan Song sat down first, while Yan Dong remained standing. He Du wanted to pull out a chair for him, but Yan Dong had already moved to sit beside Yan Song.
He Du withdrew his hand, standing awkwardly to the side.
Yan Dong didn’t notice He Du’s actions. He placed the dragon-patterned hand warmer from his sleeve on the table and said, “Let’s skip the tea today. Bring us two bowls of tea soup dumplings. It’s warming.”
He Du responded with an “Oh” and hurried outside to pass on the order, his back tense with nervousness.
Yan Song withdrew his gaze, lowering his eyes to look at Yan Dong.
Yan Dong was playing with the teacup, his face like warm jade, his cheeks like peach blossoms, and his lips humming something. Leaning closer, Yan Song realized he was humming, “Big brother isn’t on duty today, yay yay yay, accompanying me on a stroll, hey hey hey…”
Yan Song chuckled, raising his hand to wrap it around Yan Dong’s shoulder, gently bumping his forehead against his, “You’re happier about my day off than I am.”
“It’s rare for the iron donkey to take a day off and accompany me. How could I not be happy?” Yan Dong said.
Yan Song paused at his words. Since entering the civil service, he had become busier, spending less and less time with Yan Dong. Several times, he had taken time off to accompany an excited Yan Dong on outings, only to be called away by work in the middle. The little guy tried to hide his disappointment, but his ears and tail drooped immediately.
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault,” Yan Song said, stroking the dumpling-shaped pom-pom on Yan Dong’s hair. “Think about where you’d like to go, and I’ll take you after the New Year.”
Unless it was for official business, it was difficult for Yan Song to go on a trip. Yan Dong understood this and didn’t want to trouble him, so he smiled and said, “As long as you’re with me, even staying home for a day is fine.”
Yan Song’s expression turned momentarily strange at his words, but Yan Dong couldn’t understand it. Just as he was about to ask, Yan Song returned to normal, as if it had all been his imagination.
“Huh?” Yan Dong raised an eyebrow suspiciously, like a judge interrogating, “Big brother, are you thinking about something strange?”
“No,” Yan Song replied calmly, “What strange things could I be thinking about?”
Judge Yan couldn’t think of anything and easily gave up questioning, “Alright then.”
Yan Song pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a bit muddled.
He Du soon brought two bowls of tea soup dumplings. The tea was boiled with milk to make the soup base, and the steam carried a rich aroma. Yan Dong took a spoonful, finding the glutinous rice skin soft and the green tea filling fragrant. The tea soup went down smoothly, sweet but not cloying.
“Not bad, not bad.”
Yan Dong nodded in approval, and He Du visibly relaxed. Then he saw Yan Dong pick up another clean spoon to feed Yan Song. Yan Song’s expression remained calm, but he didn’t refuse, and he never let go of Yan Dong’s hand.
These brothers were indeed very close.
He Du had never seen other brothers behave like this. It was as if there was an invisible but thick barrier around them, preventing outsiders from touching or intruding. They only had eyes for each other.
Yan Song gently bit the spoon, not letting go. Yan Dong thought Yan Song was teasing him and grinned, but then he caught something else in Yan Song’s gaze—something warm and sticky that he couldn’t quite describe. But it solidified quickly, wrapping around his hand.
Yan Dong’s wrist trembled, his silly smile stiffening, and his gaze turned bewildered, unsure how to handle Yan Song’s gaze.
That look was both endearing and infuriating. Yan Song’s gaze darkened slightly, and after a moment, he lowered his eyes, releasing Yan Dong. He raised his hand to hold the pale wrist, ate the dumpling, and let go as if nothing had happened.
The strange and frightening gaze disappeared, but the wrist touched by Yan Song felt faintly hot. Yan Dong clutched the spoon handle, feeling like he was running a fever again.
He buried his dizzy head in the bowl, slurping a dumpling, thinking he really needed to see a doctor.
*
“See a doctor?” Yuan Yuan’s expression was serious, “Do you think doctors are omnipotent? Let me reiterate: I’m just an ordinary doctor, a wild disciple of the Imperial Physician Lin, who was fortunate enough to become the wild junior of the Imperial Physician Yan. I’m not all-powerful, and I can’t cure lovesickness, especially one-sided infatuation—get out!”
After leaving the He family’s teahouse, while Yan Song was at the Fragrant Water Pavilion for a medicinal bath, Yan Dong used the excuse of chatting with Yuan Yuan to get a peace pulse diagnosis at Ren Medicine Hall. As soon as he entered, he saw Doctor Yuan coldly and mercilessly chasing away a crying, burly man.
Yan Dong shivered at the lingering, echoing sobs, sitting cautiously on the wooden bench, “Doctor Yuan.”
“What’s the matter,” Yuan Yuan stared at him coldly, “Do you have lovesickness too?”
Not exactly, Yan Dong described his inexplicable fever symptoms, noticing Yuan Yuan’s expression gradually transitioning through surprise, confusion, suspicion, shock, horror, and contemplation.
The doctor’s strange and ever-changing expression made the patient very uneasy, “Say something.”
“You…” Yuan Yuan hesitated.
“Come on!” Yan Dong urged, “If you have something to say, say it early so we can treat it early. I can handle it!”
Yuan Yuan said gravely, “This isn’t an illness, but it’s harder to cure than one.”
Could it be that he was destined for a tragic fate, dying young? Escaping once but not a second time, not dying on Peach Creek Mountain but still doomed by this inexplicable fever? Yan Dong murmured, “Am I really possessed?”
“Well, you can’t say that. Matters of love aren’t controlled by the heart. You—”
“Wait a minute.” Yan Dong interrupted the deep-thinking Doctor Yuan, looking confused, “Love?”
“Isn’t it! Feeling your face burn and your heart race for someone is the feeling of being moved!” Yuan Yuan saw Yan Dong’s eyes and mouth gradually widen, looking like a fool, and decisively said, “Wait a moment!”
Standing outside the door, Dang Wu saw the young doctor quickly dart out of the consultation room, grab a book from the backyard, and dart back in. The curtain fell with a “thud,” blocking his view.
Tsk, Dang Wu hesitated, wondering if he should eavesdrop. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know how to report to the heir in the evening.
“Trying to eavesdrop, are you?” Dang Wu turned to meet Chang Qingqing’s wary gaze. The latter crossed his arms, saying, “With me here, don’t even think about it!”
Dang Wu helplessly apologized in his heart: Your Highness, please forgive my incompetence.
With a slap, the book was placed on the table. Yan Dong looked at it—”On the Matters of Romance.”
“What exactly is being moved?” Yuan Yuan opened the first page of the book, reading deeply: “‘Is there someone who makes your face flush and your heart race, unable to find peace, who haunts your dreams and distracts your mind, who makes you toss and turn, unable to sleep? When your eyes meet, do you want to sink into their spring-like gaze? Do you share their emotions, feeling joy when they are happy, pain when they are sad, captivated and unable to control yourself? Are you infatuated, willingly sinking, with all five poisons and six desires unclean, and seven emotions burning?'”
Though there was some distance, and it was daytime, martial artists had keen senses. Yuan Yuan deliberately lowered his voice, fearing that the two standing at the door might hear something, especially the one named Dang Wu. Yan Dong had told him that he was Yan Song’s man.
Yan Dong listened, bewildered.
Was the author of this book spying on him?
He and Yuan Yuan stared at each other in silence for a long time. Yan Dong blinked, rigorously questioning, “Who wrote this? Can it be trusted?”
“This is one of the perennial bestsellers in the capital’s bookstores, so it’s authoritative! And,” Yuan Yuan looked at Yan Dong, mysteriously like a fortune teller, “I see you have a peach blossom face, spring energy swirling, your heart rippling, and your pulse quickening—based on observation, inquiry, and diagnosis, your symptoms match what I suspect.”
Understanding his condition, Yan Dong felt somewhat relieved but also confused, “Have you seen anyone with the same symptoms as me before?”
“You’re the first.” Yuan Yuan was puzzled, “What are you thinking?”
“I’m not thinking anything.” Yan Dong applied what he learned, “Didn’t you say matters of love aren’t controlled by the heart?”
Yuan Yuan scratched his head, worriedly saying, “What do you plan to do? That’s your own elder brother. If he finds out you’re infatuated with him, won’t he break your legs?”
“If your diagnosis is correct, and I’m not feverish but infatuated, then what good would breaking my legs do? My heart isn’t in my legs.” Yan Dong said seriously.
Yuan Yuan was at a loss for words, “…Have you accepted it so quickly?”
“Is there something I shouldn’t accept?” Yan Dong countered.
Yuan Yuan rubbed his palms, hesitantly saying, “Do you know what it’s called when you’re infatuated with your own brother—it’s called incest. It’s punishable by family law, and if you’re beaten to death, no one would say anything.”
Yan Qingyun and Cui Fulai would never bear to beat Yan Dong to death. The couple wasn’t old-fashioned or conservative, but that didn’t mean they could accept their youngest son being infatuated with their eldest son. After all, regardless of blood ties, the familial bond was real, and in their hearts, Yan Song was their own son.
Yan Dong couldn’t be sure, just as he wasn’t sure if he confessed to Yan Song, whether Yan Song would feel guilty for not teaching him properly, leading him astray, and thus use methods like distancing and avoidance to correct his thoughts.
Yan Dong stared helplessly at the table, and Yuan Yuan, feeling a bit sorry for him, quickly said, “Although I’m a highly skilled doctor, it’s not impossible for me to misdiagnose. Besides, you’re young and impulsive, spending every day with your perfect and invincible big brother. It’s only natural to be unable to resist his charm!”
“Charm?”
“Sigh, the smile and actions of the one you love are no different from an aphrodisiac!”
Yan Dong nodded thoughtfully, thinking: No wonder I have inexplicable fevers. It’s because big brother is unconsciously charming me every moment, and I can’t resist with all my might.
“Don’t overthink it. Why not stay away from your big brother for a few days, calm down, and think it over. Don’t worry, there’s still hope.” Yuan Yuan comforted.
Why “hope,” Yan Dong didn’t understand, “I can’t openly and honestly confess my feelings, but I can do it secretly.”
“Uh.” Yuan Yuan hugged his weak self, “But when your big brother has a family, won’t you be tormented every day, heartbroken? I think it’s better to cut off this ill-fated relationship sooner rather than later!”
Family.
It seemed everyone thought Yan Song should have a family.
But, he couldn’t.
Yan Dong rubbed the red jade ring, his thumb repeatedly brushing over the carved spring swallows, as if this could fill the gap in his heart. After a long time, he released his aching fingers, gently touching the pair of spring swallows, and said, “Besides me, why should he look at anyone else with affection?”
This sounded abnormal. Yuan Yuan looked at Yan Dong, hesitating to say something, but Yan Dong had already stood up and left. He was so shocked by the matter that he forgot to ask for the consultation fee.
Outside, Chang Qingqing immediately asked about the situation, and Dang Wu perked up his ears.
“Nothing serious, just dryness and heat. I’ll go to bed early and avoid spicy food for a few days,” Yan Dong said nonchalantly. Chang Qingqing didn’t doubt him, but Dang Wu had a feeling something was off, though he had no way to confirm it. The three of them turned back to the Fragrant Water Pavilion.
Yan Song was using a private courtyard, where the yellow plums were blooming beautifully. The bathhouse was large, divided into inner and outer rooms. On the tea table in the outer room were seasonal fruit platters and drinks, all of which Yan Dong liked.
Chang Chun waited outside the screen, serving. When he saw Yan Dong approach the tea table, he opened the food box, took out the traveling gold cup, and poured Yan Dong a glass of grape wine.
Yan Dong took a sip, finding it sweet and smooth, not cloying. Just as he finished a small cup, Yan Song emerged from the inner room.
Having just come out of the pool, Yan Song was only wearing a white outer robe, revealing a body of beautiful, lean muscles. A line of water droplets slid down his broad chest, disappearing into the waistband of his trousers. When Yan Dong turned his head, he happened to see this scene and immediately spat out a mouthful of wine, coughing violently.
Yan Song stepped forward, one hand patting Yan Dong’s back to help him breathe, the other lifting a green porcelain pot to pour half a cup of water, feeding it to Yan Dong’s mouth, teasing, “No one’s fighting you for it.”
Chang Chun, being perceptive, silently retreated, closing the door behind him.
The wine burned in his throat, exploding with its aroma. Yan Dong, having no self-control, was already feeling lightheaded. He was almost nestled in the man’s arms, his eyes filled with a broad chest, a glance down revealing beautiful abdominal muscles, and looking up again was that unparalleled handsome face, those eyes full of brilliance, leaving him nowhere to escape.
This was deadly.
“Why are you dazed?” Yan Song examined Yan Dong’s flushed face, curious, “Drunk after just two cups?”
“…Mm,” Yan Dong, feeling guilty, shifted his eyes, mumbling, “This wine is strong.”
This was the new-style grape wine from the Fragrant Water Pavilion, with a milder kick than the old style—Yan Dong used to drink two pots of the old style. Yan Song looked at Yan Dong with a half-smile, “Seems like you’re not dazed, just foolish.”
Yan Dong felt very guilty, and in a moment of panic, he blurted out, “Who told you to be so good-looking, making me dizzy.”
Yan Song had always been exceptionally handsome, but perhaps because his thoughts were no longer pure, Yan Dong now felt this beauty was not quite the same as before, with a hint of sensuality.
Yan Song didn’t know his brother’s thoughts, and Yan Dong had never hidden his fondness for his appearance, so he didn’t think much of it. He just ruffled Yan Dong’s hair, saying, “No ambition.”
“I am indeed unambitious.” Yan Dong said confidently, turning to pour a cup of wine, boldly pinching Yan Song’s chin to feed it to him. He not only wanted to admire the beauty but also to offer him a drink.
Yan Song didn’t resist, tilting his head slightly, letting the wine slide down his throat. Some of it trickled from the corner of his mouth, down his chin, and over his Adam’s apple. Yan Dong inexplicably felt parched, swallowing along with it. He stared at the droplet that had intimately touched Yan Song, suddenly feeling a bit jealous of it.
Jealousy.
Yan Dong suddenly realized that the sour and painful feelings he had for Yan Song before were called jealousy. He looked up at Yan Song, who was also looking at him. They were the closest people in the world, and because of this closeness, he could always secretly covet his treasure. But because of this closeness, among all the peers in the world, he was the least likely to become Yan Song’s lover.
His gaze involuntarily revealed a hint of grievance, and Yan Song was momentarily stunned, asking, “What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing,” Yan Dong secretly tightened his grip on the wine cup, smiling softly, “I just suddenly realized that you can’t have both fish and bear’s paw.”
A child who grew up with all the love in the world had never had such thoughts. Yan Song frowned slightly, saying, “You can have anything you want.”
Yan Dong tilted his head slightly, saying seriously, “I want the moon in the sky.”
Yan Song asked, “What is this ‘moon’?”
He understood the implication in Yan Dong’s words, but Yan Dong, uncharacteristically, didn’t dare to be honest, because no one dared to rudely and recklessly touch their own moon, unable to bear the consequences of failure.
“It’s…” Yan Dong dragged out the word, pretending to be relaxed, “I heard there’s a piece of Hetian white jade carved with a jade rabbit embracing the moon in the palace recently. It’s exquisitely crafted and beautifully shaped. Both the Empress and Consort De like it, and I want it too.”
This was an excuse, and Yan Song knew it well. They both understood.
The younger brother who grew up under his watchful eye now had his own secrets, unwilling to be honest with him. Yan Song had never imagined this day would come.
But Yan Dong still looked at him with those pure, bright eyes.
Yan Song released his clenched teeth, quietly concealing the cracks in his “good elder brother” mask, saying lightly, “Alright, I’ve noted it.”