Chapter 19: Partiality
“No... no, no!” Yu Hualiang exclaimed anxiously, then hurriedly straightened his body, lying flat on the pillow and closing his eyes peacefully.
The Seventh Prince, by candlelight, gazed at his exquisitely carved jade-like face—long, slender eyelashes slightly curled, thin lips with a hint of a smile—a face so refined, truly a handsome man.
His clothing was slightly disheveled, exposing tender white skin that made him all the more alluring.
The Seventh Prince watched him quietly for a long time. Yu Hualiang seemed genuinely tired, soon drifting off to sleep; when discomfort stirred him, he turned over.
He happened to face the Seventh Prince, his dark hair tousled by the movement, half covering his face, sleeping sweetly and utterly unaware of how enticing he now appeared.
The Seventh Prince was stirred by desire, struggling to contain it. He gently reached out, sweeping Yu Hualiang’s hair behind his shoulders, his fingers lingering on that delicate cheek.
Seeing him asleep, the Seventh Prince cautiously leaned closer, pressing half his body against Yu Hualiang’s, and lightly kissed the face he had yearned for day and night.
Yu Hualiang’s lips were astonishingly soft, the warm touch almost making the prince wish to devour him whole. But he knew that if he acted on that impulse, he would never again see this true Yu Hualiang, only a hollow shell.
He patiently endured... So many years he’d borne all things just to survive; was he not able to wait for Yu Hualiang’s sincere heart?
Reluctantly, he withdrew from those lips, licking his own, realizing he was now wide awake. He rose to leave, but Yu Hualiang flung a leg across him.
The Seventh Prince looked at him, muttering inwardly, “Is he truly forcing my hand...?”
Shaking his head, he slipped out. Outside, he caught sight of the snowman Yu Hualiang had made—its shape was peculiar, nothing like a person.
A shadow guard dropped from the roof beams, kneeling. “Your Highness...”
“Shh... guard this place well, I’m heading back,” the Seventh Prince whispered, then leapt lightly over the wall.
Only the lone shadow guard remained, bewildered in the wind...
Tonight, the moon was perfectly round, its light reflecting off the snowy ground, making everything luminous and clear.
As the Seventh Prince departed, he suddenly noticed traces of blood by the wall...
No doubt the royal guard had indeed been here...
The prince frowned, realizing Yu Hualiang was still in danger. He would have to assign shadow guards to protect him.
Yu Hualiang awoke with the dawn, stretching lazily to find the Seventh Prince was already gone.
Feeling cheerful, he heard Mo Cai knocking and hopped over to open the door. Mo Cai was immediately struck by how odd his young master was acting.
Having been slept with and still so happy, Mo Cai couldn’t help but worry, “Young master, are you alright?”
Yu Hualiang waved his arms gleefully, “I’m fine! Not a thing wrong!”
“Oh...” Mo Cai answered, looking distressed.
“Tsk.” Yu Hualiang grumbled, “What’s with that face?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Mo Cai asked, “Young master... doesn’t it hurt?”
Yu Hualiang almost spat blood at the question! He raised his hand and lightly tapped Mo Cai’s head.
Mo Cai had never seen Yu Hualiang raise a hand; though he knew his master was angry, he felt aggrieved, rubbing his head and pouting slightly.
“What are you thinking? The Seventh Prince isn’t that sort of person. Don’t let your imagination run wild!” Yu Hualiang corrected him.
“That sort of person?” Mo Cai was confused.
Impatiently, Yu Hualiang explained, “He’s not a cut-sleeve.”
Mo Cai suddenly understood, but then grew doubtful, “Since the Seventh Prince isn’t... that, why did he share your bed...?”
“It’s like this, but you mustn’t tell anyone!” Yu Hualiang declared, feeling increasingly like a gossiping schoolgirl.
“Say it, young master, I swear not to tell!” Mo Cai’s expression brightened, leaning in to listen.
In that instant, Yu Hualiang felt even more like a gossiping girl.
“Last night, a thief got in—you could call him an assassin!” Yu Hualiang recounted.
“There was such a thing!” Mo Cai’s shock was perfectly timed.
“Shh...”
Mo Cai, obeying, checked for eavesdroppers...
Yu Hualiang continued, “Then the Seventh Prince, fearing for his safety, hid here with me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for him to sleep with his concubines?” Mo Cai questioned.
Yu Hualiang agreed, but reasoned, “Think about it—who would expect the Seventh Prince to spend the night with a man?”
“Hmm, true,” Mo Cai nodded, praising Yu Hualiang’s cleverness.
After chatting at the door for a while, Yu Hualiang noticed the clothes in Mo Cai’s arms, “Are those for me?”
Mo Cai nodded, “The Seventh Prince gifted them this morning, along with some silver, so you can go out and enjoy yourself.”
“How generous...” Yu Hualiang marveled at the improved treatment in the prince’s residence, happily changing into the new clothes.
The garments were dark brown; though the fabric was a bit inferior to yesterday’s, the workmanship and embroidery were top-notch.
Wearing them, Yu Hualiang looked truly distinguished and elegant.
Mo Cai’s eyes lit up, “Young master, you look so handsome.”
“Haha, of course! Let’s go out for a walk!” Yu Hualiang stepped outside, only to realize... which way should he go?
He was the sort of person who, after walking a route once, might recognize half of it on the second go, and needed landmarks as obvious as the Eiffel Tower to find his way—retracing his steps was nearly impossible.
Such people are called directionally challenged, or colloquially, path idiots.
“Mo Cai... do you know where the gate is?”
Mo Cai looked at him with disdain—was his young master’s mind really that muddled? Wasn’t it just a matter of turning down a main road?
Yu Hualiang sincerely appreciated Mo Cai—his personal human GPS!
He followed Mo Cai, encountering many maidservants along the way. Their obedient gaze made sense: surely they thought he’d been bedded by the Seventh Prince.
But why did the male servants look at him with hostility? Did they wish to share the prince’s bed?
With the prince’s ban on disturbance, everyone kept to their tasks, and Yu Hualiang wasn’t about to greet anyone unprovoked.
He expected the royal guard at the gate, but found a new face instead. Yu Hualiang assumed the previous guard had been punished and would check on him another day.
The guard looked at him expressionlessly, but with a hint of contempt. Yu Hualiang frowned, showing the prince’s token, “I want to go out, both of us.”
Unexpectedly, the guard knelt abruptly, startling Yu Hualiang. He hurriedly pulled him up, “What are you doing! I’m just showing you, no need to kneel!”
“To see this jade is to see the Seventh Prince,” the guard replied.
Unable to persuade him otherwise, Yu Hualiang dragged Mo Cai out, grumbling as they went, “Ah... the prince’s residence has so many rules.”
Tucking the jade safely away, he followed Mo Cai to the street they’d visited before.
The street was as lively as ever—vendors selling cloth, rice, candied fruits, sweets, and all manner of produce. Yu Hualiang was dazzled by the variety.
He happened to spot a jewelry stall, remembering the broken jade bracelet he meant to have repaired for Alyu.
The young lady behind the stall wore a simple smile, her bright eyes seemed to speak, and her little tiger teeth made Yu Hualiang particularly fond of her.
He inspected the stall, filled with hairpins and rouge. The girl was quick-witted, “What would you like, sir?”
Yu Hualiang picked up a hairpin, “The flower carved on this is quite fine.”
The girl praised him, “Sir has a keen eye! This is a phoenix flower, carved by my father, lifelike! Perfect as a gift for your sweetheart, sister, or mother.”
“Hmm...” Yu Hualiang pondered; imagining Alyu wearing it gave him goosebumps.
He quickly set it down, asking, “The craftsmanship is good—does your father repair jade bracelets?”
She wasn’t pleased, “Repairs cost two taels of silver!”
Yu Hualiang laughed, finding her pragmatic, “No worries, as long as it’s fixed, four taels is fine!”
“Sir, you said it!” she exclaimed happily.
Yu Hualiang took out the bracelet, wrapped in two layers of cloth, and showed it to her.
Her eyes widened, “Such fine jade! How did it break?”
“Dropped it,” Yu Hualiang admitted.
“Such a pity,” she clicked her tongue.
Mo Cai, growing impatient, asked, “Miss, can my young master’s bracelet be fixed or not?”
She replied firmly, “Absolutely! Rest assured, leave it to me! I’ll have my father repair it, and you can come to this stall in a few days to collect it!”
“Alright,” Yu Hualiang found her honest and amiable, finally glad to have something to be happy about.
He was about to hand over the bracelet when a dry cough sounded behind him, as if someone objected.
Turning, Yu Hualiang saw, much to his chagrin, Chang Zihao, whom he’d beaten into a one-eyed bruiser.
As always, Mu Qi followed behind him, dressed in white, coming over with a flourish.
He greeted, “Senior Brother.”
Yu Hualiang bore them no goodwill, crossing his arms and looking coolly, “Didn’t get enough of a beating last time?”
Chang Zihao said nothing. Mu Qi explained, “Senior Brother, you’ve misunderstood. Third Brother is here to apologize.”
“Huh?” Yu Hualiang eyed him, not seeing any sign of apology.
After a long pause, Chang Zihao finally managed, “I misunderstood you that day. As a gentleman, I must keep my word. Here, take this jade. From now on, any amusements you seek in this street can be charged to the Chang family.”
Yu Hualiang looked at the jade—though good, it paled in comparison to the one the Seventh Prince had given him.
He silently produced the prince’s token. Chang Zihao, sharp-eyed, dropped to his knees with a thud; Mu Qi hadn’t even reacted, and the jewelry girl gaped in shock.
No one was more confused than Yu Hualiang—he’d just meant to show it, nothing more. When everyone saw Chang Zihao kneel, they craned their necks for a look...
Yu Hualiang quickly stowed the jade, grabbing Chang Zihao’s hands, “If you want to apologize, fine, but what’s the kneeling for? We’re not strangers, get up!”
Chang Zihao rose, looking cowed. Yu Hualiang ignored him for the moment, turning to the girl, “About the bracelet, I’ll leave it in your care.”
The girl shook her head in fright, refusing to accept it.
Chang Zihao pulled Yu Hualiang aside, “Senior Brother, would you come upstairs to talk?”
“Talk? We just fought yesterday! Hey, hey! Don’t drag me!”