Chapter Thirty: Alyu Falls Ill

These words left Yu Hualiang at a loss. Indeed, though the scenery of mountains and lakes was breathtaking, the only sight in his eyes was that man alone.

Could it really be that he had turned? Yu Hualiang was alarmed. Even if he had, his type was someone with delicate features like Alyu Liansheng—how could he possibly fall for someone like the Seventh Prince who was taller, more handsome, and richer than he was?

Yu Hualiang felt a pang of injustice in his heart; the Seventh Prince was the epitome of tall, rich, and handsome. Though Yu Hualiang wasn’t unattractive himself, if thrown into a crowd of women, he figured the Seventh Prince would still be the more popular one.

Alyu looked at his troubled expression and asked, “What’s wrong, Hualiang?”

Yu Hualiang raised his head and asked, “Is there anything you’d like to see? Like Mount Huang, or the ocean?”

“The sea?” Alyu’s eyes lit up.

“The sea—I’ve only heard of it, never seen it. They say it stretches as far as the eye can see, all water.”

Yu Hualiang nodded. This place was probably far from the sea. He remembered the Seventh Prince mentioning that there were some nomadic grasslands near the Mu Kingdom, so it was likely mostly plains here.

“Would you like to see the sea?” Yu Hualiang asked with a smile.

Alyu’s gaze was full of longing as he threw himself onto Yu Hualiang. “Really?”

Yu Hualiang caught his breath, his kidneys aching from the impact, and laughed. “Of course we can, but get down first.”

Alyu, disobedient as ever, sat directly on his lap, hands around Yu Hualiang’s neck, cheeks slightly flushed as he looked at him.

Yu Hualiang, as if coaxing a child, patted his head and said, “Alyu, be good, get down.”

“Hualiang…” Alyu whispered in his ear, his lingering tone making Yu Hualiang’s heart itch.

Yu Hualiang shot a glance at Mo Cai and whispered, “Later, someone’s here!”

Alyu turned to look at Mo Cai, who, with an innocent expression, carried his bowl of rice out of the room.

Mo Cai was quite distressed—these two always displayed their affection so openly. It was one thing if only he, a lowly servant, saw them, but if the Seventh Prince were to catch them, that would be a disaster.

Just as he was thinking this, Mo Cai was about to close the door when a hand stopped it.

Through the gap in the door, one could clearly see Alyu and Yu Hualiang in their tender moment.

A chill ran down Mo Cai’s spine. Looking up, he saw the Seventh Prince’s impassive face as he stared into the room.

“Your—”

“Quiet,” the Seventh Prince said in a low voice.

Mo Cai looked at the two inside and thought to himself, I can do nothing to help you now.

But the Seventh Prince merely watched, his face dark, silent, making no other move.

Alyu kissed him. Yu Hualiang had been dodging all along, until Alyu cupped his face, which finally made Yu Hualiang smile at him.

“Hualiang... do you still love Alyu?”

At this, Yu Hualiang blurted out, “I do.”

It was as if he’d been programmed to answer; even though his heart resisted, the words that came out always yielded to Alyu.

Alyu, delighted, kissed him again. Mo Cai felt that the Seventh Prince’s eyes could have killed Alyu on the spot, but the two inside were completely oblivious.

Alyu even began to undress Yu Hualiang. Mo Cai watched as the veins in the Seventh Prince’s hand, pressed hard against the door, bulged with tension.

“A... Alyu, stop for a moment!” Yu Hualiang, regaining some composure, pushed him away slightly.

“What’s wrong, Hualiang?” Alyu asked.

Yu Hualiang sighed and looked down. “Let’s eat first...”

Alyu smiled and pulled him up from the chair. “Alright, tonight Hualiang sleeps with Alyu.”

Yu Hualiang forced a laugh. He felt as if he owed him something, unable to refuse.

The Seventh Prince quietly closed the door. Mo Cai, anxious, watched him. He forced a smile and said, “Don’t tell anyone I was here... understand?”

“Yes, yes...” Mo Cai replied.

As soon as the Seventh Prince left, Yu Hualiang opened the door and called, “Mo Cai, come in and eat.”

Back at his residence, the scene replayed in the Seventh Prince’s mind, leaving him unable to focus on his official documents.

“Your Highness...”

Ye Fang knelt before him.

The Seventh Prince put away the documents. “You’re healed?”

“Yes,” Ye Fang replied.

“Come with me to the Hundred Sparrows Pavilion.”

“Yes.”

The Hundred Sparrows Pavilion was a small tavern on the edge of the city, nestled against the mountains, tranquil and elegant in its surroundings. Its distinguishing feature was its female musicians, all highly skilled in strings and wind instruments.

There was a zither player named Blue Sparrow, blind yet renowned for her exquisite music.

As night fell, the Seventh Prince sat inside the pavilion, and Blue Sparrow was led in. She seated herself behind a screen, and upon finding her instrument, she asked, “What would the guest like to hear?”

“Play ‘Clear Skies Among the Flowers’ first,” the Seventh Prince instructed.

Throughout the long night, the melody lingered in the air—like vibrant blossoms and gentle rain, turning to the chill of falling leaves and the mournful cry of autumn cicadas.

“A piece spanning spring, summer, autumn, and winter—truly worthy of your reputation, Blue Sparrow,” praised the Fourth Prince.

“You’re late,” the Seventh Prince complained.

“Zicheng? Zicheng... you don’t look well today... tsk tsk tsk,” the Fourth Prince teased. “I suppose it’s because of that little painter again?”

“Fourth Brother, I didn’t come here tonight to talk about him,” the Seventh Prince said sternly.

Waving his jade fan and tapping his palm in mock annoyance, the Fourth Prince said, “Not even a joke allowed? Blue Sparrow, play something livelier. Such a mournful tune won’t cheer up my little brother.”

At his request, Blue Sparrow played a cheerful melody.

The Seventh Prince, sensing the Fourth Prince’s good mood, couldn’t help but sulk. “You—stop coming to my place for women. Otherwise, that woman of yours will start to suspect again.”

“Hmph, such women—keeping them in your house is beyond your ability,” the Fourth Prince retorted.

“There are no secrets in my residence. If she wants to watch, let her. But you, always sending your spies to my place—be careful or you’ll end up burned,” the Seventh Prince warned.

“My household is nothing but secrets. Have you ever seen any of them leak?” the Fourth Prince replied, undaunted.

The Seventh Prince, heavy with worry, said, “If Lin Tang lives, Fanhe must be destroyed.”

“Such a small country—if he wants to destroy it, so be it. By the way, what about those two Fanhe people?” the Fourth Prince asked.

“They’re at Lingxuan Pavilion.”

“We’ll deal with them another day,” the Fourth Prince said carelessly.

The Seventh Prince paused with his teacup, then suddenly laughed. “A fine move—burning the bridge after crossing the river. But those two couldn’t even defeat Lin Tang...”

The Fourth Prince rapped the table. “No man can resist the charms of a beautiful woman...”

“Heh... Fourth Brother, you’re truly wise...”

The Fourth Prince went on, “Soon, we’ll be marching on Fanhe. You know Third Brother is timid, and the Fifth and Sixth are not fit to be generals. As for me? I’m just a bystander.”

“That leaves only me...” the Seventh Prince said. He’d already suspected as much; the incident at the Ten-Mile Pavilion had caught his attention.

He would surely be sent to subdue Fanhe. The Seventh Prince smiled. “Then I will do my utmost...”

“Hahaha, do you know what people say about you?” the Fourth Prince laughed.

The Seventh Prince was curious. The Fourth Prince continued, “The most cunning and vengeful of all is the seventh.”

The Seventh Prince scoffed, raising his cup for a sip. “Heh. Which among the royals isn’t cunning and vengeful? Some bare their fangs, others hide needles in silk.”

“Oh... so I’m the needle in the silk? Is that about me?”

The Seventh Prince quickly waved his hand, swallowing his tea. “Fourth Brother, you’re not a needle in silk—you’re a blade in cotton.”

The Fourth Prince pointed at him, feigning anger. “And to think I cared for you.”

The Seventh Prince stopped teasing him, got up, and brushed off his robe. The Fourth Prince asked, “Leaving already?”

“Yes... if not now, should I spend the night here?”

The Fourth Prince grinned mischievously. “Afraid that little painter will be lonely, are you?”

“Hmph... he’s not lonely...”

The Fourth Prince looked at him and laughed. “You’re just like a jealous maiden.”

“Fourth Brother, have you ever been jealous over anyone?” the Seventh Prince asked.

A sudden melancholy came over the Fourth Prince. “With great undertakings unfinished, who has the heart for such things? But let me remind you, don’t fall too deep.”

“Thank you, Fourth Brother. I know my limits.”

“Then in five days, we meet at Lingxuan Pavilion,” the Fourth Prince said as the Seventh Prince reached the door.

Outside, Ye Fang was waiting. The two quietly returned to the Seventh Prince’s estate.

That night, Yu Hualiang slept deeply and only woke when the sun was high. Looking in the mirror, he saw a red mark on his neck. It didn’t hurt to the touch. Glancing at Alyu, who was still sleeping soundly beside him, he realized—it must have been Alyu who left it.

Yu Hualiang hurriedly dressed to cover it up. Mo Cai had already prepared water for him to wash up.

He looked outside—the sun was blazing, and Alyu still hadn’t woken. If he slept any longer, they’d miss lunch.

Yu Hualiang, worried, went to shake him awake. Alyu only turned over and, bleary-eyed, mumbled, “Hualiang, Alyu is so tired...”

Mo Cai gave him a knowing look, and Yu Hualiang swore that he hadn’t done anything last night!

Trying to explain would only make things worse, so he reached out and felt Alyu’s forehead. There was no fever.

He sat on the edge of the bed and, in a gentle tone as if coaxing a child, asked, “Alyu, shall we call for a doctor?”

Alyu rolled over. “Just tired... a nap and I’ll be fine.”

Yu Hualiang nodded. Perhaps the past half month had worn him out. He tucked the blanket around Alyu and went with Mo Cai to eat.

After the meal, Yu Hualiang sat in the courtyard, gazing at the sky.

To say he was stargazing would be generous; he was simply bored. In the past, whenever he had free time, he would video chat with his girlfriend or call his family.

Thinking of this, he realized—even after being stabbed, his father Yu Ming hadn’t come to check on him. Was he really his biological son?

In the past few days, he’d been living in the Seventh Prince’s quarters. He couldn’t get out of bed, and no one else was allowed into his courtyard.

It was as if he were cut off from the world. Perhaps his parents had come but were turned away. Watching Mo Cai sweeping, he casually asked, “Mo Cai, did my father—or rather, my dad—ever come by?”

Mo Cai set down the broom and replied, “Young master, I don’t know what the rules are at the Seventh Prince’s estate. The other day, I wanted to write a letter to notify your parents, but the Seventh Prince stopped me, saying you didn’t want to worry them. So I didn’t write, and they don’t know.”

Yu Hualiang nodded. So it was out of concern for his parents. That made sense, but he still felt the Seventh Prince was hiding something.

“Sigh... never mind...” Yu Hualiang looked up at the blue sky, feeling oddly at peace. Suddenly, he called out, “Mo Cai.”

“Young master?” Mo Cai paused.

“What’s the largest size of paper we have here?” Yu Hualiang asked.

Mo Cai thought for a moment. “The largest... seven or nine feet, perhaps.”

“Do we have any now?” Yu Hualiang got up to check inside the house.

“No, young master. Do you need it now? I can go buy some.”

Yu Hualiang glanced outside. With the weather so fine, he made up his mind. “I’ll go with you.”

Looking around the house, he added, “We’re also short on azure inkstone, and I’ll need a large brush.”

Alyu slowly woke up and, seeing the two of them rummaging around, asked, “Hualiang... what’s going on?”

“We’re heading out for a bit. Are you feeling better?” Yu Hualiang asked with concern.

“Much better. Alyu will come with Hualiang.” But as soon as Alyu stood up, his legs gave out and he sat back down.

“Alyu? What’s wrong?” Yu Hualiang was startled—could he really be ill?