Chapter Seventeen: Building a Snowman

"No... no... that's not... not appropriate!" Yu Hualiang retreated a large step, laughing awkwardly. The Fourth Prince no longer teased him, adopting a serious demeanor. "Don't be nervous, I was only joking. But next time, don't be so reckless. The Seventh Prince likes peace and quiet; his residence forbids noise. If he finds out, you'll be punished."

Yu Hualiang wiped the sweat from his forehead and thanked him. "Thank you for the warning, Your Highness. I will be more careful."

The Fourth Prince nodded and turned to leave. Yu Hualiang thought to himself, I shouldn't have to seek out the Seventh Prince—he's probably more anxious than I am. But running ahead of the Fourth Prince is just courting disaster...

He followed for a while before the Fourth Prince glanced back, his expression darkening. "Why are you following me?"

"I... I... I'm going to see the Seventh Prince," Yu Hualiang stammered, startled by the prince's glare.

The Fourth Prince's expression softened. "What business do you have with my seventh brother?"

Yu Hualiang contemplated for a moment before replying simply, "I wanted to beg the Seventh Prince to spare Guard Wang and not gouge out his eyes."

The Fourth Prince frowned. "And what crime did this Guard Wang commit?"

"Well... nothing serious. He just stopped me from entering the prince's residence..." Yu Hualiang admitted, guilt-ridden.

The Fourth Prince clicked his tongue. "Seventh Brother truly is too cruel. Very well, you may go and have him released."

Yu Hualiang's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly thanked him before rushing back.

He could only hope that Ye Fang would be able to save both eyes of Guard Wang. He truly hadn't meant any harm—who could have guessed the Seventh Prince would be so ruthless?

This Fourth Prince was also rather perverse. In such an ancient time, why did all these men seem to be infatuated with other men? As a straight man, Yu Hualiang felt his own integrity was at risk.

Mo Cai followed behind, reflecting on the recent events. "It's fortunate you met the Fourth Prince, young master."

"How so?" Yu Hualiang asked.

"The Fourth Prince is a good man!" Mo Cai gestured animatedly as he spoke. "He has a kind heart. Every holiday, he distributes blessed rice to the common folk. Everyone praises him!"

Yu Hualiang watched him, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Was the Fourth Prince really a good person? He rarely misjudged people, but he had seen the sharp glint in the Fourth Prince's eyes—perhaps this prince was even more dangerous than the Seventh.

Mo Cai, not noticing Yu Hualiang's scrutiny, muttered to himself, "Both were raised by Lady Dongzhi. How can they be so different?"

"What?" Yu Hualiang was incredulous. From what Mo Cai said, could they be actual brothers?

Mo Cai's expression froze, as if to say, "How could you have forgotten this, young master?" Then he explained, "Young master, the Seventh Prince's birth mother died early. He was raised by the Fourth Prince's mother, Lady Dongzhi."

"So that's how it is," Yu Hualiang replied, suddenly enlightened. No wonder the Fourth and Seventh Princes were childhood companions, and even their bodyguards were twins.

Ye Fang's twin brother, Ye Mo, stood behind the Fourth Prince and commented, "Your Highness, this painter seems to lack proper manners. Can he really be trusted?"

The Fourth Prince glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, making Ye Mo bow his head in silence. With a cold, raised brow, the Fourth Prince said, "Since my seventh brother chose him, the man must be exceptional. Let him work for now—if he proves inadequate, we can always replace him."

At the entrance to the Seventh Prince's chambers stood a maid of notable beauty: dark hair veiled her face, her skin was like polished jade, almond eyes glistened with tears, and her small mouth held a gentle smile. Upon seeing the Fourth Prince, she bowed her head in greeting.

"And what is your name?" the Fourth Prince asked gently, his gaze soft as water.

The maid opened her lips slightly, "Replying to Your Highness, this servant is Yi He."

"Yi He? Such a pure name, like the lotus itself. Fitting," he said with a smile before entering.

Inside, the Seventh Prince was gazing at a portrait of himself painted by Yu Hualiang.

He held a rabbit, the twilight was enchanting—it was truly a masterpiece.

The first thing the Fourth Prince noticed upon entering was the painting. The brushwork was so delicate that even the rabbit's fur seemed tangible.

The colors were vivid, as if the painted figure might step out of the frame. Glancing back at the real Seventh Prince, the Fourth Prince praised, "A true marvel."

"Brother Four, you're here," the Seventh Prince greeted politely.

"This is the work of the painter you found? I heard he's the eldest son of Yu Ming? With such talent, why have I never heard of him before?" asked the Fourth Prince.

The Seventh Prince sat down and personally poured tea for his elder brother. "Brother Four, you see only part of the story."

The Fourth Prince, unreserved, took a sip. "And the rest?"

"He is indeed Yu Ming's eldest son, but he had no talent for painting before. Only after a failed suicide attempt did something awaken in his mind."

The mention of the failed suicide dawned on the Fourth Prince. "You mean the lovesick youth who tried to kill himself for a man?"

"Haha, so that scandal is truly known far and wide," the Seventh Prince remarked, understanding Yu Hualiang's embarrassment.

But the Fourth Prince was puzzled. The past few days, the Seventh Prince had been frequenting brothels and pleasure houses, seeking out handsome men. Was it to let Yu Hualiang know he, too, was drawn to men, hoping to win his devotion? That would be quite the sacrifice.

As a brother, he had to caution him: best not to indulge in such passions.

"Seventh Brother..." the Fourth Prince hesitated.

"If you have something to say, Brother Four, just say it," the Seventh Prince replied.

"Seventh Brother, I know you labor for our great cause. I feel ashamed in comparison. But for a mere painter, there's no need to sacrifice yourself for such... tastes," the Fourth Prince said earnestly.

"Brother Four..." The Seventh Prince looked at him, unmoving for a long moment, then suddenly asked, "Have you met him?"

The Fourth Prince swallowed his tea. "He just came asking for you."

Hearing that Yu Hualiang had come to find him pleased the Seventh Prince. The Fourth Prince continued, "He came to plead for Guard Wang's life."

"Oh?" The Seventh Prince pondered. It must have been Ye Fang who told him what punishment awaited Guard Wang, prompting Yu Hualiang to intercede.

Ye Fang... still couldn't be as cold as his brother. Was he himself not ruthless enough? Had he not yet played the villain well enough?

"Seventh Brother, Seventh Brother?" the Fourth Prince called.

He returned to himself. "Brother Four, don't you think that after so many women, it's sometimes interesting to try men as well?"

"Tsk, tsk..." The Fourth Prince couldn't understand him. Still, after meeting Yu Hualiang, that expression of his had indeed left a mark, making his heart itch.

"Seventh Brother, where did that beauty in your courtyard come from?" the Fourth Prince asked.

The Seventh Prince blurted, "What beauty in my courtyard..." Then, understanding dawned. He explained, "My last maid broke my favorite tea set. I had her flogged fifty times, but she couldn't withstand it and died after only a few strikes. So this is a new one."

The Fourth Prince laughed. "That girl is quite pretty."

"If you fancy her, Brother Four, she's yours," the Seventh Prince offered generously.

The Fourth Prince gladly accepted, straightening his robe. "Do you remember the Pavilion of Ten Miles on Han Ying Mountain? The scenery there is beautiful, though I cannot go myself."

"That's easily remedied. I'll bring my painter another day and have him paint it for you," the Seventh Prince replied.

The Fourth Prince smiled. "You are thoughtful, Seventh Brother. Well, I'll take my leave."

"Brother Four, this way," said the Seventh Prince, escorting him out. Maid Yi He stood outside, thinly clad, her cheeks flushed, looking quite pitiful.

The Fourth Prince went to take her hand; she hesitated, glancing toward the Seventh Prince.

He understood. "From today, you will follow the Fourth Prince."

Yi He frowned, looking reluctant. Tears welled in her eyes as she pulled her hand from the Fourth Prince’s grasp and knelt by the Seventh Prince’s side with a thud.

In a soft, trembling voice, she pleaded, "Your Highness, in this life and the next, I wish only to serve you! Please allow me to remain!"

He looked down at her, his gaze turning cold, as if he were staring at something filthy and beneath notice. Yi He shrank back, her expression pitiful.

The prince looked away and warned, "With the Fourth Prince, you have a future. With me, you'd die an old maid without ever entering my chambers."

Tears streamed down Yi He's face in silent protest. The Fourth Prince, feeling pity, draped his cloak over her. "Come with me," he said gently.

This time, when he took her hand, she did not resist and obediently climbed into his carriage.

After seeing his brother off, the Seventh Prince was met by Ye Fang, who hurried over, flustered. The prince's face darkened. "Where have you been?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Ye Fang stammered, "Your Highness, I went to the punishment room..."

"Hmph... So you were the one who told him. Never mind. What of Guard Wang?" the prince demanded.

Ye Fang’s face fell, and he twisted his robe nervously. "Your Highness, when I arrived, there was only... an eye on the ground..."

So it was too late after all. Zi Liang, you can hardly blame me for this, the prince thought.

"Two officials—one badly injured, one unconscious... Guard Wang escaped..." Ye Fang finished.

The Seventh Prince’s brows furrowed, his gaze sharp as a knife. He snarled, "Well, well! Guard Wang! Inform the soldiers—search the entire estate if you must, but find him!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ye Fang replied loudly.

No one had ever dared defy the Seventh Prince before. That Guard Wang was bold indeed. He would not rest until the man was found and made an example of.

Because of him, his beloved Zi Liang had suffered. The Seventh Prince still found himself amused remembering how Yu Hualiang had thrown his clothes into the street.

He was the first man to so captivate him. The Seventh Prince pictured Yu Hualiang’s smiling face, but as he thought, the image grew stained with red.

Yu Hualiang’s face was soon awash in blood. The more the prince considered it, the more uneasy he became. The man who had caused such harm to Guard Wang was Yu Hualiang.

Guard Wang, having lost an eye, would surely bear a grudge. He must know that no one who escaped the Seventh Prince’s punishment had ever survived. He would likely seek out Yu Hualiang for a fight to the death.

The more he thought, the more dangerous Yu Hualiang seemed. The prince glanced toward Yu Hualiang’s residence, brightly lit, and strode quickly in that direction.

At that moment, Yu Hualiang was in the courtyard building a snowman with Mo Cai. Mo Cai could not understand why his master wanted to play in the snow.

He complained, "Young master, my hands are freezing."

Yu Hualiang, excitedly shaping a snowball, replied, "If you’re cold, go inside and warm up."

Mo Cai, torn between duty and discomfort, said, "I’ll just keep playing, then."

Yu Hualiang had just finished building the snowman, not yet having added eyes, when the sound of the courtyard gate interrupted them.

Slow but persistent, the knocking was irritating. Fearing the Seventh Prince would come looking for him at night, Yu Hualiang had ordered Mo Cai to lock the gate. Now, who could be knocking?

"Who’s there?" Yu Hualiang called out, cautious.