The following day, an unfamiliar carriage pulled up outside the Prime Minister’s estate. Judging by the look of it, it seemed to belong to someone of noble birth from the palace. The attendants did not dare to be negligent; after stepping forward to make a few cautious inquiries, they hurriedly dropped their tasks and rushed off to announce the visitor.
At that moment, the servants were busy preparing midday meal. Bai Tang possessed a wonderful knack for cooking and was bustling about the main hall, remembering the favorite flavors and dishes of everyone in the household with absolute clarity.
“My Lord, Mei Jiu, you may take your seats.” Having neatly arranged the bowls and chopsticks, Bai Tang sat down at the table alongside Ye Ting and Mei Eleven. Though she had initially felt it violated proper etiquette, Mei Jinshu had repeatedly insisted, and she eventually grew to silently accept the cozy, harmonious atmosphere.
As time passed, they truly began to resemble a genuine family living under one roof.
Mei Jinshu ladled a bowl of hot soup for himself first, prompting the others to finally pick up their chopsticks. After finishing a bowl, he praised repeatedly, “Bai Tang’s culinary skills are truly wonderful. You should all try this soup.”
Meng Xueran ladled a bowl for himself as well. Before he could even take a sip, he heard the attendant tending to the horses outside rush over in a panic to report, “My Lord, there is a distinguished guest looking for you outside the gates. It looks like someone sent from the palace.”
“Someone from the palace?”
“Yes, this servant asked.”
“Who could it be?” Filled with suspicion, Mei Jinshu decided he had better go check regardless of whether the visitor was truly from the imperial household. As expected, it was indeed a carriage bearing palace markings.
The person inside lifted the carriage curtain, revealing an exquisite and noble face. It was a face that looked identical to Meng Xueran’s. Mei Jinshu froze on the spot, unable to recover his wits for a long moment.
Why had he come here?!
“Ye Ting! Ye Ting!”
“This subordinate is here!” Hearing the urgent summons, Ye Ting hurried over with half a steamed bun still in his hand. Upon recognizing that the visitor was none other than the Crown Prince, he widened his eyes in sheer terror and stammered, “Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”
Meng Changqi replied, “No need for such formal courtesies.”
Mei Jinshu hurriedly leaned in close to whisper instructions, urging Ye Ting to hurry and handle the situation.
“I made this impromptu visit, did I disturb Lord Mei?” Stepping down from the carriage with a genial smile, Meng Changqi instructed, “Shangli, take the items prepared for Lord Mei inside.”
“Yes.” Gathering up her skirt and letting her two long braided pigtails swing behind her, Shangli retrieved several brocade boxes from the carriage and said softly, “Then this subordinate will wait for Your Highness inside the estate.”
Meng Changqi said, “Go ahead.”
Mei Jinshu stated, “It is this subject’s supreme honor for Your Highness to grace the Prime Minister’s estate in person. There is no need for such excessive courtesy.”
Meng Changqi said, “I merely picked out some items that caught my fancy to gift to Lord Mei, not out of mere courtesy. If you happen not to like them, then I can always pick out something else next time.”
“Your Highness is truly joking. Please, come inside for a cup of tea.” Though wearing a polite smile on the surface, Mei Jinshu was panicking to his very core. After all, Changqi was still completely unaware of Meng Xueran’s existence. If any flaws were exposed, he could hardly imagine what kind of disastrous scene would unfold.
Operating with blinding speed and efficiency, Ye Ting rushed back into the main hall and ordered the dining table to be cleared immediately. He grabbed Meng Xueran and dragged him toward the Plum Quarters, pulled out a veil for him to wear, and proceeded to work on his face with hurried strokes. The face that had originally been drawn to look thoroughly mediocre now looked so hideous that it was utterly unbearable to look at.
Dissatisfied, Meng Xueran protested, “Must I look this hideous?”
Ye Ting urged, “The Crown Prince has arrived, we cannot afford a single misstep!”
So it was him. How utterly annoying. He had originally thought that as long as Meng Changqi remained confined within the palace walls, the two of them would never cross paths in this lifetime. Yet instead of staying properly in the palace, he had to run out here specifically to seek out his adoptive father.
He was thoroughly sick of playing the role of a shadow, let alone having to watch with his own eyes as the other man laughed and conversed freely with his adoptive father. With an angry yank, he tore off the veil and tossed it down before the bronze mirror. Was he destined to conceal his true face beneath ugliness forever?
“Oh, please don’t, Ancestor, you absolutely cannot throw a tantrum right now!” Ye Ting hurriedly placed the veil back over the boy’s face and exhorted, “If anyone asks for a reason, just claim you are feeling unwell. In short, just muddle your way through it somehow.”
“Fine.” Meng Xueran replied coldly.
The entire household added up to no more than twenty-odd people, all of whom were now standing at the entrance to respectfully welcome the exalted presence of the Crown Prince. Guiding Meng Changqi into the main hall, Mei Jinshu watched as everyone else raised their heads to steal curious glances.
Bai Tang cast a startled look toward the Crown Prince, thinking to herself how this person bore such a striking resemblance to Mei Jiu. Yet given the Crown Prince’s lofty status, his appearance and innate noble aura were naturally beyond anything ordinary people could hope to match, pressing down on those present so heavily that they scarcely dared to breathe loudly.
Casting a nervous look at the two of them, Mei Jinshu pulled the stubborn-looking Meng Xueran forward and introduced him, “This is an adopted son fostered within the Prime Minister’s estate, named Mei Jiu. If I recall correctly, the two of you crossed paths once before inside the East Palace.”
“Ah, so it is him?” Meng Changqi said, “I remember now.”
Meng Xueran remained entirely silent while Mei Jinshu continuously jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow, signaling him to pay proper respects to the Crown Prince.
“Mei Jiu greets Your Royal Highness.” Arching his hands in a perfunctory salute delivered with a thoroughly dismissive tone, Meng Xueran then stood off to the side with a foul expression, looking very much as though he were staring at an archenemy.
“You.” Possessing a sensitive nature, Meng Changqi noticed the trace of disdain in the gesture, but since he didn’t consider it worth bickering over, he simply let it slide.
Mei Jinshu was on the verge of being driven mad with anger. The moment he turned around, he shot Meng Xueran a glare sharp enough to kill, before hurriedly instructing servants to serve tea and smooth over the awkward atmosphere. “For Your Highness to venture out of the palace today, was it by the Emperor’s command?”
Meng Changqi replied, “No. I merely wished to leave the palace to clear my mind and observe the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. If one remains cooped up inside the palace day in and day out, entirely ignorant of the common folk, how can I hope to assist my Imperial Father in properly managing this realm?”
“Ahem, ahem!” Meng Xueran detested hearing such high-sounding, self-righteous rhetoric more than anything else. Before Mei Jinshu could respond, he interrupted loudly, “Apologies, I didn’t mean to.”
Meng Changqi inquired, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“Indeed.” Clutching his chest, Meng Xueran let out a tone dripping with jealousy and deliberate mockery, “For some reason, my chest feels terribly stuffy.”
“Adoptive father, I fear I have fallen ill.”
The smile on Mei Jinshu’s face was on the verge of cracking completely. Stepping close to the boy, he brought his heel down hard onto the top of the boy’s foot and ground it in as he feigned concern, “You were perfectly fine earlier, how is it that you’re sick now? It must be that Mei Eleven was negligent and failed to take proper care of you.”
Eyes widening in shock, Mei Eleven shook his head frantically. “No, it’s not. This subordinate…”
Meng Xueran said, “Adoptive father, it is all my fault for being useless and constantly bringing you trouble.”
“You certainly know that.” Mei Jinshu muttered under his breath, gritting his teeth as he pinched a chunk of flesh on the boy’s arm and twisted hard to warn him, “Behave yourself, or don’t blame me for turning hostile!”
“Mn, mn, alright, adoptive father.” Squinting his eyes from the pain, Meng Xueran turned to address Meng Changqi, “It is nothing serious. Perhaps I was simply too nervous upon meeting Your Royal Highness.”
Aside from Meng Changqi, everyone else in the room harbored their own private thoughts as they played along with the farce. Meng Xueran suddenly realized that a veil was truly a magnificent invention; otherwise, the expression on his face right now would undoubtedly look utterly contemptuous.
As he sipped his clear tea, it failed to wash away the heavy anxiety filling Mei Jinshu’s heart. He was well aware of what occupied Meng Xueran’s thoughts, but since this was Changqi’s very first time venturing out of the palace, he had to ensure the prince was left with a favorable impression. No matter how displeased he felt, he couldn’t let the boy ruin the mood.
Since such a rare opportunity for solitude had presented itself, Mei Jinshu set down his teacup and suggested, “The evening scenery of the capital is magnificent and bustling to the extreme. Since Your Highness has rarely managed to slip out of the palace, why not go take a look?”
Meng Changqi agreed, “Since we are out to sightsee, let us refer to ourselves as ordinary citizens. Just call me Changqi.”
“Very well, let us not waste any time. Ye Ting, go prepare the carriage.” As Mei Jinshu walked toward the estate gates alongside Meng Changqi, he turned back to instruct the remaining members of the household, “Having too many people around looks far too ostentatious. It will suffice for me to accompany His Highness; the rest of you may busy yourselves as you please within the estate.”
Meng Xueran stepped forward. “Adoptive father, I also…”
Mei Jinshu cut him off, “Are you not feeling unwell? Go back to the Plum Quarters and rest properly.”
“I, I am not sick!” Stepping forward to grab hold of Mei Jinshu’s hand, Meng Xueran explained, “I will behave, and I can accompany you as well!”
“Too late.” Shaking off the boy’s hand, Mei Jinshu spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear, “If your body is unwell, you should rest more and avoid tiring yourself out. Eleven, remember to have bird’s nest and shark fin stewed for the Young Master to build up his health.”
With that, he boarded the carriage without looking back, cracking the whip to set off into the distance.
Left standing together, Meng Changqi and Mei Jinshu exchanged a mutual glance before the prince remarked, “Lord Mei is truly a kind-hearted person. Regarding that adopted son’s background, might you share the story with me?”
Mei Jinshu replied, “There is nothing much to tell. He is simply the orphaned child of a distant relative whom I took in and raised.”
Meng Changqi observed, “Then Mei Jiu must share a deeply affectionate bond with you. Having been raised by your own hands, he naturally feels much closer to you. If there is an opportunity in the future, you should bring him along to visit the East Palace more often.”
Catching the hint of patronage in those words, Mei Jinshu politely declined, “Better not. Mei Jiu’s status is peculiar and he is far from qualified to cross the threshold of the East Palace. I wouldn’t want to add unnecessary trouble for Your Highness.”
The carriage came to a halt beneath the Crescent Moon Bridge. Because the palace carriage was overly spacious and conspicuous, it could only be parked in a less frequented spot near the bridge. The river sparkled brilliantly under the moonlight, and the arched stone bridge cast the reflection of a perfect crescent moon upon the water.
Along both riverbanks lay a rendezvous spot for talented scholars and fair maidens. The scenery was secluded and tranquil, and standing upon the bridge offered a clear view of the distant Yuejiang Tower in the distance.
Pointing toward the brilliantly illuminated multi-storied pavilion, Meng Changqi exclaimed, “How gorgeous! What place is that?”
Mei Jinshu explained, “It is a renowned scholarly establishment in the capital named Yuejiang Tower, where men of letters like to pass the time listening to music. I hear the food served at Yuejiang Tower is also top-notch. Once we are tired from walking, we might as well go sample some.”
“Splendid.” Standing upon the Crescent Moon Bridge and looking down, Meng Changqi watched fallen peach blossoms drift along the water’s surface as young couples exchanged tokens of affection. A smile broke across his face as he murmured, “How fascinating.”
“Although there are palace servants who exchange tokens privately behind closed doors, I still prefer life outside the palace. At least here, they need not worry about losing their heads if discovered. There are far too many rules within the palace; everyone lives life walking on thin ice.”
“At times, I truly envy Mei Jiu. He has your pampering, and he possesses true freedom.”
“Yet he.” Mei Jinshu found himself momentarily at a loss for words. It was truly a complicated mess, so he simply offered a dry chuckle of agreement. “He has been thoroughly spoiled and lacks all sense of propriety. Changqi, you are entirely different from him.”
Meng Changqi sighed, “I am a terribly dull person. Burdened by layers of accumulated restraints, I no longer possess the high-spirited vigor of Mei Jiu.”
Mei Jinshu reassured him, “Changqi, do not speak of yourself in such a manner. You are the finest child.”
“Indeed!” Stepping forward suddenly, Meng Changqi threw his arms around him in an emotional embrace. “Lord Mei, can you stay by my side forever? I want you by my side for all eternity.”
Back in the Plum Quarters, Meng Xueran felt as though his heart had skipped a beat. He had originally intended to fake an illness to chase away the uninvited guest who had barged in unannounced, but in the end, everything had been completely botched.
Leaning prone over his desk, he felt a wave of sorrow that genuinely pierced his heart.
Why was it that the moment Meng Changqi appeared, he effortlessly snatched away his adoptive father? Why did he have to come and steal even his last sliver of warmth? Clearly possessing everything in the world, he still had to come and be an eyesore.
In this lifetime, the thing he loathed most in the world was anyone attempting to wrestle Mei Jinshu away from him!
Hateful.
“Do not fret so, Young Master. After all, that is the Crown Prince, and what My Lord is doing is for the sake of the greater picture.” Unsure how to offer comfort, Mei Eleven suggested, “Shall this subordinate accompany you out for a stroll?”
Shaking his head, Meng Xueran stood up to change into a suit of dark black robes and fastened a black veil across his face. He resolved to go find Mei Jinshu in person; he simply had to see just how close the relationship between those two had truly grown.
To willingly trap himself inside the Plum Quarters was a fate worse than death. Even if witnessing it firsthand would only tear open deeper wounds of injustice within his heart, he stubbornly refused to accept being cast aside and left behind in the quarters.
He had no desire to be an obedient, docile pet dog. Not in the slightest!
Blocking his path, Mei Eleven advised, “Do not go! If you are discovered, My Lord will be furious!”
Meng Xueran stated, “If you are afraid, you need not follow.”
“Do you care about him to such a degree? Very well.” Compromising with a sigh, Mei Eleven relented, “Since you insist on going, this subordinate will provide cover with all my might.”
“Good Eleven, you truly understand me best!” Dragging him along to mount their horses, Meng Xueran galloped off in pursuit. The most famous locations in the capital were the Crescent Moon Bridge and Yuejiang Tower. Since Meng Changqi was an ignorant country bumpkin who had never even stepped outside the palace gates, he would undoubtedly head to the Crescent Moon Bridge to admire the scenery first.
Why should this be? Clearly, he himself had never even been brought to the Crescent Moon Bridge by his adoptive father to admire the sights, yet the moment Meng Changqi arrived, he was brought straight here. Exactly who was the one who remained inseparable from Mei Jinshu day in and day out within the Prime Minister’s estate?
Reining his horse to a halt on the bustling main street, the crowds were simply too dense to ride through, forcing him to rely entirely on his own two feet. Nursing a pent-up fury, Meng Xueran chased all the way to their destination, feeling a fresh pang of heartache and reluctance with every single step he took.
Peering out from the bridgehead, his entire heart felt as though it were being peeled open and left dripping with blood the moment he laid eyes on the two figures embracing at the highest point of the arched bridge. He wished he could instantly tear down the Crescent Moon Bridge, smash it to pieces, and hack it straight through the middle!
“Changqi!” For reasons unknown, Mei Jinshu abruptly shoved the other man away. It had clearly been nothing more than a simple, light embrace without a shred of impropriety, yet he simply could not stomach it.
“My apologies, I, I am somewhat…”
“No need to apologize. It was I who overstepped just now.” Meng Changqi said, “With people coming and going here, I truly should not have embraced Lord Mei. Perhaps I simply felt a yearning for closeness and lost my sense of proportion.”
“I have always looked up to Lord Mei as an elder. Ridiculous as it sounds, the truth is that I am truly deeply reliant on Lord Mei.”
Hearing these words, the startled expression on Mei Jinshu’s face softened slightly. Facing the cool night breeze, he said, “Changqi, I will always stand by your side. You need not overthink things.”
So touched that words failed him, Meng Changqi remained silent for a long moment. Yet his clear eyes were already suffused with a daze of infatuation. Young people were most susceptible to romantic stirring, and at that moment, his heart was hammering wildly as he gazed upon the immortal-like figure before him.
In his eyes, Mei Jinshu’s detached and ethereal beauty truly resembled an immortal descending from the heavens. He hadn’t understood it in the past, but looking back now, he had already grown hopelessly enamored long ago.
Yet this matter could only ever remain a secret wish harbored within his heart.
“Changqi, Changqi?” Mei Jinshu called out to him, noticing he remained unresponsive.
“Ah?” Snapping back to his senses, Meng Changqi felt a deep wave of guilt for his own thoughts. How could he harbor such sentiments? The person before him was his lofty moon in the heavens, how could he possibly…
Mei Jinshu asked, “What were you looking at to become so lost in thought?”
Meng Changqi replied, “Nothing. I was simply admiring the moonlight and scenery, and allowed my mind to wander.”
Mei Jinshu said, “Is it truly that magnificent? The imperial palace is hardly lacking in gorgeous sights.”
“It is truly beautiful.” Nodding in agreement, Meng Changqi didn’t dare speak another word, terrified he might blurt out something he shouldn’t. Stepping outside the palace walls for once, life didn’t feel nearly as stiflingly bound by rules as it did within the palace grounds. He could walk with bold, uninhibited strides and purchase whatever caught his eye.
Glancing at the shifting position of the moon to calculate the time, Mei Jinshu offered a reminder, “The hour is getting late. Shall we head over to Yuejiang Tower? If we linger too long, it will delay your return to the palace.”
“Very well.” Accompanied by him, Meng Changqi stepped down from the bridge.
Mei Jinshu kept feeling as though an invisible pair of eyes was scrutinizing him from somewhere. Casting his gaze around, he caught sight of dark robes and a black veil locking onto him with a pair of bewitching, feral eyes, causing his heart to jerk violently.
Why had he come here?!
Hadn’t he agreed to let the boy stay obediently behind in the Plum Quarters? He had acted on his own accord and completely tossed aside his warnings like earwax.
Meng Xueran did not close the distance immediately, because he had caught a warning glint flashing across Mei Jinshu’s face. Thus, he refrained from acting recklessly, trailing step by step behind them only after the two figures had walked some distance away.
Mei Jinshu’s mind began to wander once more. The thought of having a ticking time bomb trailing right behind him that could detonate at any moment made him wish he could send Meng Xueran flying straight up to the heavens with a single blast right this instant.
Trudging down a long street, they arrived before the entrance of Yuejiang Tower. The melodious tunes of musicians playing Shangnan folk melodies drifted out into the night air, sounding genuinely crisp and pleasing to the ear.
In truth, this was Mei Jinshu’s very first time stepping foot inside Yuejiang Tower; everything he knew of it came merely from hearing others mention it in passing. If not for Meng Changqi’s sudden arrival today, he might never have had the inclination to visit this place in his entire life.
“Ah, welcome, honored guests, please come right on in!” The tavern attendant beamed with welcoming smiles as he ushered them into a private seating area.
Downstairs, artists were singing and playing musical instruments while wealthy patrons tossed down heavy coin rewards onto the stage. Some spectators were there to enjoy the spectacle, others to appreciate the artistic refinement, while the two of them had simply come to partake in a meal.
The attendant chimed in, “What would the esteemed guests care to order?”
Mei Jinshu instructed, “Bring out a few of the establishment’s signature dishes.”
Yuejiang Tower stood four stories high, and this particular hour happened to be its busiest and liveliest. Seated upon the third floor, they enjoyed a clear view of the bustling patrons flowing along the veranda like flowing clouds, as well as the musicians and dancers performing energetically on the stage below.
One had to admit, those men of letters and wealthy elites certainly knew how to indulge themselves, seamlessly blending the display of literary talent with lavish displays of wealth and leisure.
Downstairs, an exhibition was currently displaying the artwork of a renowned capital painter, a piece titled Pine and Plum Amidst Falling Snow. Many scions of noble families were eager to empty their pockets to purchase it, allowing them to simultaneously flaunt their financial muscle, show off their sophistication, and secure a stellar reputation for cultured taste.
Mei Jinshu was absorbed in watching the spectacle and completely forgot to invite his companion to eat when the dishes were finally served.
“Lord Mei?” Pulling his thoughts back, Meng Changqi pointed toward the delicacies spread across the table and remarked, “This looks exceedingly appetizing. Although imperial meals are exquisite, one always craves a change of pace.”
Mei Jinshu said, “Isn’t that why we came here? Hurry and try some.”
Meng Changqi asked, “Have you ever heard the folk tune being sung downstairs, Lord Mei?”
Mei Jinshu replied, “I have not.”
Meng Changqi said, “That is a Shangnan folk tune. When I was young, the Empress would often sit by my bedside and hum it to me, and invariably I would drift off to sleep before the song even finished.”
“Ah, almost slipped my mind. Empress Jiang of the Shangnan clan is a daughter of that region.” Mei Jinshu ladled a bowl of wild mushroom and pheasant soup for him, poured a bowl for himself, took a sip, and praised, “As expected of the capital’s premier restaurant.”
“Mm, delicious!” Meng Changqi nodded repeatedly.
Mei Jinshu noted, “These chickens and mushrooms are entirely wild-harvested, something you can never taste inside the palace. Hence why there is always a wider world beyond our own; one must truly venture out to witness more.”
Seeing how thoroughly delighted Meng Changqi appeared as he polished off his food clean to the bottom of the bowl, the prince agreed, “Lord Mei is entirely right. In the future, I must find ways to sneak out of the palace more often.”
“The pastries are also quite pleasant, hawthorn cakes to cleanse the palate.” Mei Jinshu picked up a piece and offered it over. Before Meng Changqi could take it, however, it slipped from his fingers and tumbled onto the table, because that familiar dark-clad figure had appeared once more, marching straight up toward the fourth floor.
Mei Jinshu apologized, “Apologies, my hand slipped.”
Meng Changqi smiled and replied, “No worries, I can manage myself.”
Dammit, he was getting distracted again. Mei Jinshu cast a sidelong glance toward the fourth floor, discovering that Meng Xueran had already taken a seat directly opposite them, looking down with a condescending gaze to monitor his every move alongside Meng Changqi.
This was the very first time Mei Jinshu had ever experienced what it felt like to be kept under surveillance, and a surge of rebellious annoyance flared within him. It was one thing for Meng Xueran to act up and run amok, but dragging Mei Eleven along to partake in such childish nonsense was crossing the line!
Within the span of a breath, his mind had already calculated thousands of creative ways to punish the pair of them.
Meng Xueran simply gazed infatuatedly at the distant purple-robed figure, letting out a frustrated sigh filled with absolute helplessness. He knew full well that his presence had been exposed, and he knew equally well that Mei Jinshu was bound to be furious.
Yet his sole objective was to make Mei Jinshu acutely aware of his existence. Even when accompanying the person he desired most in the world, the prince would have to do so on pins and needles.
And yet, the moment their gazes intersected across the space, he still instinctively averted his eyes.
After all, deep down he remained genuinely terrified. If Mei Jinshu grew truly enraged, he wouldn’t merely resort to beating and punishing him; he might even banish him entirely from the Prime Minister’s estate. That terror was a deep-seated suppression accumulated over years, leaving him simultaneously terrified yet utterly devoted.
Therefore, he refused to lose him, and he refused to share him with anyone else.