Yan Dong knelt down, like a mechanical puppet that had received an order, without a hint of hesitation.
Yan Song’s gaze fell on his face, gentle yet substantial, like a whip brushing past, carrying an interrogative intent. Yan Dong was not like those prisoners with a bit of pride; just one look and he confessed, “I was wrong.”
His attitude seemed good, but in reality, he was harboring a bit of luck. Yan Song smiled, not allowing him to be vague, “What was wrong?”
This smile, Yan Dong carefully tasted it, lowered his head a bit more, and became completely honest, “The injury on my chin… I deliberately let He Shen cut it.”
His voice was as soft as a mosquito’s, sticky and unclear.
Yan Song didn’t speak, and Yan Dong’s hands on his knees couldn’t help but curl up, clutching the fabric, and he confessed, “This trick is called the ruse of self-injury, to make my big brother feel sorry for me.”
Yan Song snorted, “Are you proud of yourself?”
Yan Dong shook his head like a rattle drum.
“You usually like this face of yours so much, and now you’re willing to hurt it,” Yan Song said with a half-smile, “Our Dongdong is also someone who does big things.”
This sarcastic, backhanded compliment made Yan Dong shrink his neck, and he dryly smiled, “I know what I’m doing, it’s just a scratch—look, my wound has already healed!”
Yan Song had noticed as soon as he entered the room, which was why he was displeased. This little rascal seemed obedient, but there was a rebellious bone hidden in his body, one that couldn’t be broken or bent, occasionally sticking out as if to pierce through one’s heart, liver, and spleen.
Yan Dong observed Yan Song’s expression, feeling that the ruse of self-injury was still effective. He hurriedly moved his knees forward two steps, placing his hands on Yan Song’s knees, and softly said, “Brother, can you not be angry? I won’t dare anymore.”
“This ‘won’t dare anymore,’ you might not be tired of saying it, but I’m tired of hearing it,” Yan Song said.
Yan Dong chuckled, resting his head on Yan Song’s knee, closing his eyes. Yan Song didn’t speak, only using his warm fingertips to gently circle around the scar on Yan Dong’s chin, finally pinching his chin with a slightly heavier force, as if saying there shouldn’t be a next time.
Similarly, Yan Song had said this many times.
After a day of exams, Yan Dong was a bit sleepy at this moment. Wrapped in a reassuring aura, his whole body relaxed, his thoughts drifted, thinking about Yan Song’s gaze on him, and then about Yan Song’s fingertips circling the small scar, he couldn’t help but recall the day he ran away from home at sixteen.
No third person knew that Yan Dong’s kidnapping that day wasn’t bad luck, it was self-inflicted.
After all, he was the son of a military family, trained in martial arts since childhood, how could he end up being kidnapped by a few hooligans? It was just that he couldn’t bear to really leave home, and was anxiously wondering if his big brother really didn’t want him anymore, so he went along with it, turning a blind eye and cooperating with those people to put on a show. To ensure the kidnapping was successful, he even used a fake name and gave the address of a small house under the mansion, lest those people knew his identity and didn’t dare to kidnap him or caused other troubles.
The kidnappers believed it, but the recipient of the ransom letter saw through the ruse at a glance. Yet Yan Song still arrived quickly, his personal guards surrounding those people with blades, and he entered the woodshed alone.
Yan Dong was tied with hemp rope, curled up in a corner, and when he heard the commotion, he easily conjured up tears, putting on a pitiful look of being frightened and wronged.
The door was pushed open, and Yan Dong looked up in panic.
Yan Song walked in slowly, so tall that the evening glow was blocked behind him, shrouding him in a haze. Yan Dong couldn’t see his expression clearly, but inexplicably felt that at this moment, he wasn’t his big brother, but a Shura filled with hostility.
Yan Song squatted in front of Yan Dong, calmly inspecting Yan Dong’s face and body with his eyes, but didn’t immediately help untie him.
Yan Dong inexplicably felt timid, calling out, “Brother.”
The slightly pleading address brought Yan Song’s hand, which silently traced Yan Dong’s eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips, very gently, but Yan Dong felt it had grown sharp little teeth, baring dense, cold sparks.
Such caresses were a form of punishment, and Yan Dong was truly frightened, starting to tremble, tears falling from his eyes, this time genuine.
Yan Song wiped Yan Dong’s tears, sighing, “Dongdong has grown up, knows how to scheme and test his brother.”
His tone was so gentle, at first listen, it even seemed to carry a hint of appreciation, but Yan Dong’s neck felt cold, stiffly acting coquettish, begging for mercy, rubbing his cheek against that broad palm, choking out, “Not grown up, not grown up…”
“Then what is Dongdong doing?” Yan Song allowed Yan Dong to rub against him, not caressing him, very curious, “Playing hide and seek?”
Yan Dong hurriedly nodded, and Yan Song indulgently smiled, “Then according to the rules of hide and seek, shouldn’t Dongdong obediently come home with me now?”
Home.
In that instant, Yan Dong suddenly realized that Yan Song’s protection of him had another layer of meaning, called confinement. If he broke free from this confinement, whether in steps or thoughts, Yan Song would tear off the chain imposed on him, revealing a crazed, ruthless side.
Yan Dong feared that madness, yet liked being confined. He was willing to be a little bird under the eaves of wealth, but when he looked up, there couldn’t be a second one.
“Brother,” he murmured, half-dreaming, half-awake, “don’t abandon me…”
Yan Song looked down at the person lying on his lap, seeing the attachment on that side face, and hearing the command in those words. He reached out to touch Yan Dong’s chin, which was encircled by Yan Dong’s fingertips.
A white chain.
*
Even a mosquito is meat, a small wound is still a wound, especially when it’s on the face, it can’t be taken lightly. After returning to the mansion, Chang Qingqing immediately took out the Thousand Gold Snow Jade Cream for scar removal and rejuvenation to apply on Yan Dong, “Where did your mind wander off to?”
“Is it really over?” Yan Dong, who was propping his head on the table in a daze, came back to his senses, hesitantly said, “I always feel that big brother’s mood isn’t very good, the way he looks at me… I can’t describe it, but it’s not very friendly.”
“The heir had to leave the palace to clean up your mess, send you back, and then go to the yamen, he’s really busy, it’s understandable that he’s not happy.” Chang Qingqing closed the medicine jar, “And you forgot, the heir told you to behave and take the exam, and you went and got into a fight right after, the heir probably thinks you’re troublesome.”
“It’s not because of the fight.” Yan Dong was certain, but couldn’t say what it was because of. He originally planned to ask his big brother directly when he got home, but Yan Song didn’t return that night.
Yan Song was a busy man, and had stayed overnight at the yamen before, so Yan Dong wasn’t surprised when he heard the news the next day, he just thought that since his big brother was so busy, he should show some filial piety.
Yan Dong ordered four dishes and a soup to fill a food box, bringing along a string of beads he had woven the night before while lying on the couch, made of a mix of green, white, blue, and yellow series of crystals, glass, and agate, and excitedly went to the Ministry of Justice.
He entered the imperial city smoothly with the imperial token.
The carriage stopped at the yamen gate, and the doorman came to the window to salute, “Young master, you’re not in luck, the lord hasn’t returned since he went out last evening.”
Yan Dong then turned to the Court of Justice.
The Court of Justice was a new yamen established during the Cheng’an era, built in front of the Ministry of Justice for the convenience of the first Court of Justice official, Yan Song, to handle affairs. It was just a short walk down Shuntianmen Street.
“Young master, you’re not in luck, the lord hasn’t come to the yamen today.” The doorman at the Court of Justice said.
Yan Dong turned and left, Chang Qingqing carrying the food box followed behind, saying, “Could the heir be in the palace? Although there’s no court meeting today, and the Sixth Prince is on holiday, His Majesty occasionally summons the heir to the palace for chess, tea, flower viewing, and painting appreciation…”
“Where is big brother?” Yan Dong asked Dang Wu.
“I don’t know,” Dang Wu said, “the master always disappears when he’s busy. Why don’t you find a warm place to eat first, and I’ll send someone to ask at the palace gate?”
Yan Dong lowered his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit dejected, “Big brother can always find me, but when I look for him, I’m at a loss—should I also plant a spy by his side?”
Dang Wu didn’t dare answer this, but fortunately, Yan Dong didn’t throw a fit. After leaving the imperial city from Shuntianmen Street, he found a nearby restaurant on Qinglong Street.
The food box contained stuffed grilled fish, mountain-cooked lamb, almond tofu, and vegetarian cucumber, with a bowl of ham and cabbage soup, fragrant and hot, but Yan Dong had no appetite.
Soon, the person sent to inquire at the palace gate returned, saying the heir hadn’t entered the palace today.
Yan Dong poked at the soft lamb, suddenly feeling a bit anxious, this emotion tugging at his nerves, leaving him completely without appetite.
He turned his head to look out the window, Yongjing was prosperous, with towers standing tall, majestic buildings, densely packed shops interspersed with residential houses, pink walls and green tiles.
It was as if there was a sharp voice in his heart clamoring to guide him, Yan Dong’s lips pressed tightly together, only relaxing after a moment, “Qingqing.”
Chang Qingqing responded, “Yes.”
“Go check that courtyard,” Yan Dong said, “be careful.”
Chang Qingqing thought to herself that the young master indeed still harbored concerns about Song Fengmian, not daring to delay, she immediately got up and left the private room.
After a while, there was a knock on the door, Yan Dong came back to his senses, turning his head to look at the young man leaning against the door, the other wearing the regular uniform of the Hall of Front Affairs, a red robe with no armor, handsome and refreshing.
“Second brother?” Yan Dong was surprised, “What are you doing here?”
“Taking advantage of the lunch break, I came out to buy some plum ginger, and when I saw our family’s carriage passing by, I came up to take a look.” Yan Zong sat down opposite, glancing at the piece of lamb that had been poked into mush, “Who upset our Dongdong? Tell me, and second brother will stand up for you.”
Yan Dong said, “Big brother.”
Yan Zong said, “Uh.”
Take a step back and the sea is wide and the sky is vast—Yan Dong read these words from Yan Zong’s face, lightly snorting, “Coward.”
A man’s knees are made of gold, but Yan Zong admitted to softening in front of his big brother. The aroma had just awakened the appetite he had suppressed not long ago, and he scooped a spoonful of soup into a small bowl, saying, “Besides courting death, is there anything else second brother can do for you?”
Yan Dong gestured for Dang Wu to guard the door, speaking softly, “Is there any news about the Fourth Prince from the palace?”
“All I can say is: outwardly calm, but turbulent beneath the surface. The most restless is the Second Prince, even increasing the frequency of his visits to the palace, but His Majesty hasn’t reacted much.” Yan Zong glanced at Yan Dong, quite puzzled, “Are you interested in this matter?”
Yan Dong nodded slightly, staring at Yan Zong, the topic suddenly changing, “Second brother, have you ever liked a girl from any family? Do you know what it’s like to like someone?”
“No,” Yan Zong found this child inexplicable, “Why should I like a girl from any family? Is it necessary?”
With that, he took a sip of soup, the aroma muddling him.
Well, desperate times call for desperate measures, Yan Dong sighed, melancholically staring at this block of wood, “Look at you, such a grown man, don’t let it slip through your fingers in the future.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Yan Zong said without any burden, “We have to talk about seniority in this matter, with big brother holding the fort in front, I’m not in a hurry.”
Yan Dong said, “Big brother might not be able to hold on.”
“Oh, if he can’t hold on then… what?” Yan Zong, holding a piece of vegetable leaf, stared blankly at Yan Dong, one look, two looks… seven looks, the vegetable leaf “plopped” into the bowl, “Who is it!!!”
Yan Dong skillfully covered his ears in advance, “Oh, I was just guessing, don’t get excited.”
“Do you know that guessing big brother’s iron tree blooming is equivalent to guessing Snowball being pregnant?” Yan Zong accused, “You’re so cruel!”
A little male dog can’t get pregnant, and big brother can’t bloom either, Yan Dong used to think so too, but now he was a bit shaken.
“The domineering heir attack and the scheming fox receiver” this phrase was like a nail embedded in his heart, chiseling out a crack of doubt and unease.
Chang Qingqing quickly entered the private room, saluted Yan Zong, and then quickly reported, “There’s not a soul in the courtyard. I searched around, there are several different footprints at the base of the wall, the bedding in the sleeping room is messy, and the quilt has been stabbed, but there’s no blood.”
“Something happened,” Yan Dong frowned, “his whereabouts have been exposed.”
Chang Qingqing speculated, “Could the heir’s absence last night be related to this?”
“It must be.” Yan Dong clasped his left hand with his right, “Yes, that makes sense.”
“Wait a minute,” Yan Zong tapped the table with his fingers, “What are you mumbling about?”
Yan Dong glanced at Chang Qingqing, who quickly explained the situation, Yan Zong slowly put down his chopsticks, unsure whether to be more surprised that big brother secretly hid Song Fengmian, or that Yan Dong suspected Song Fengmian and big brother of having an affair.
“Second brother,” Yan Dong said, “do you think my suspicion is reasonable?”
Yan Zong rubbed his chin, “I already know what you meant by male love earlier. In the past, I would have first suspected Cousin Cui, after all, he loves beauties, and it’s quite possible he might fancy a male beauty someday.”
“Agreed,” Yan Dong said, “I don’t want to suspect big brother, but I can’t help it.”
That night in the study, Yan Song hesitated briefly at his inquiry, as if holding something back, he wasn’t unaware. At that time, he was temporarily appeased by a “don’t like,” but just like when he secretly hid a few pieces of homework as a child, temporarily getting away with it was only because Yan Song turned a blind eye during the check, later if he made a mistake, he would still have to take it out and settle accounts in the autumn.
Yan Zong looked at Yan Dong’s bitter face, “You really don’t want big brother to have someone, huh?”
“Is it strange for me to think this way?” Yan Dong said gloomily, “After all, if you had a girl you liked, I’d want to take you to propose right away.”
Yan Zong loved this younger brother very much, but he didn’t get jealous of Yan Song, who raised Yan Dong with a lot of effort while he was still a wild monkey running around. Hearing this, he smiled slightly, “Alright, I know you want to throw me out.”
“No,” Yan Dong said obediently, “I just want second brother to be happy.”
“Then why don’t you want big brother to be happy?” Yan Zong teased, “Are you afraid that if big brother has a family, he won’t care about you anymore?”
“Big brother won’t stop caring about me,” Yan Dong said, “I just don’t want this to happen, just like I don’t want to see you guys unhappy, it’s a thought from the bottom of my heart.”
Yan Zong looked at Yan Dong’s earnest, almost stubborn expression, his heart inexplicably skipped a beat. He felt this matter was difficult, so he said, “I’ll keep an eye on Song Fengmian, and let you know if there’s any news. But this person is sensitive, don’t probe too obviously, lest someone with ulterior motives makes an issue of it.”
“I know,” Yan Dong mumbled, “If I weren’t afraid of attracting attention, I would have gone directly into that courtyard to investigate a few days ago.”
But Yan Dong never expected that if he didn’t go to the mountain, the mountain would already fall on his foot.
After sending Yan Zong to Qinglong Gate, Yan Dong headed back to the mansion. The carriage was filled with a familiar fragrance, blended by Yan Song, he was used to it, feeling as if Yan Song was sitting right next to him, reassuring.
The carriage smoothly entered the corner gate of the Duke’s Mansion, Chang Qingqing opened the door, and Yan Dong got off, heading straight to Xunfeng Courtyard, planning to place the newly woven bracelet by Yan Song’s bedside as usual.
“Young master.” Several attendants carrying small boxes came from another direction, stopping to salute Yan Dong as he reached the courtyard gate.
Yan Dong casually asked, “What are you moving?”
“It’s spare clothes and writing materials.” The leading attendant replied.
Yan Dong casually opened a box, the touch was of ordinary cotton robes, not Yan Song’s, nor the attire regulation for the attendants of Xunfeng Courtyard. He was a bit puzzled, “Who is it prepared for?”
“Me.”
A gentle male voice came from the courtyard, Yan Dong turned his head, unexpectedly meeting a pair of fox-like eyes.
Yan Dong’s eyes widened slightly, his mind went blank, but in that instant, he didn’t feel angry, just stiffly moved his gaze from Song Fengmian to the corridor where Yan Song stood.
“Brother.” Yan Dong suddenly smiled, his eyes curved, smiling with pure kindness, “We have a guest at home, why didn’t you tell me?”