Chapter Fifty-Five: Contradiction

Yu Hualiang had more or less figured out the rift between Ji Yuyun and Wang Ruosheng, but in the end, Wang Ruosheng was a physician, and his own brother happened to suffer from a heart condition. Why, then, did he seem to have no fondness for Doctor Wang? This was something Yu Hualiang could not comprehend.

Nevertheless, Chang Zihao’s situation did call for a physician’s attention. Yu Hualiang voiced his support, only to meet Ji Yuyun’s glare, as if she meant to devour him whole.

Doctor Wang arrived, his gaze first resting on Ji Yuzhe with a gentle, almost liquid warmth that made Yu Hualiang’s skin crawl with goosebumps. No wonder Ji Yuyun held him in such low regard. Wang Ruosheng offered Yu Hualiang a friendly nod. “Master Yu, you’re here as well?”

Yu Hualiang smiled. “Just here to join the commotion.”

Secretly, Ji Yuzhe thought: He’s not here for the commotion, but to stir it up.

Mu Qi, worried for Chang Zihao, urged, “Doctor Wang, let’s not chat. Please, come in and see to Young Master Chang.”

Wang Ruosheng nodded and followed Mu Qi inside. After examining Chang Zihao’s injury, he found nothing serious—just a swollen, sprained ankle, making walking difficult for the time being.

His elder brother was beside himself with worry at the sight of his younger brother unable to walk, furious and vowing to settle scores with the culprit. Chang Zihao stopped him, having already settled matters with his fists. There was no need to press the matter further. His eldest brother, always doting, relented, letting the matter drop. His second brother, more reasonable and less prone to drama, merely smiled and let it pass. He glanced at Chang Zihao. “Zihao, it’s best if you have a few bodyguards with you.”

Chang Zihao refused. Though his family was wealthy, there was no need to flaunt it. His temperament was already enough to attract dislike, and he knew it. If he surrounded himself with guards, who among his friends would still be willing to play with him?

As he thought this, for reasons unknown, Yu Hualiang’s face flickered through his mind. Chang Zihao shook his head, cheeks flushing slightly. Yu Hualiang truly was a good friend, and when he opened the door, there was Yu Hualiang outside, laughing and chatting with the others.

Suddenly aware of how lively things had become around him, Chang Zihao’s lips lifted in a smile. His second brother, noticing this small gesture, stepped forward and said to Yu Hualiang, “My brother is grateful for your care. Would you all care to visit our estate for a gathering?”

Yu Hualiang glanced at the others and replied courteously, “Thank you for your kind invitation, Second Young Master Chang. We still have matters to attend to here at the Qionglin Painting Association. Another day, we’ll certainly visit you and Young Master Chang at your estate!”

Chang Zihao huffed arrogantly, “Who wants you to come?”

“Zihao, mind your manners,” his elder brother admonished.

Yu Hualiang stepped closer and joked, “You really should stop getting into fights.”

Chang Zihao retorted, “Wasn’t I fighting for your sake?”

His elder brother, sensing something amiss, pressed, “Zihao, what exactly happened?”

Ji Yuzhe interjected, “That young gentleman insulted Brother Yu, and Young Master Chang couldn’t stand it, so he fought him.”

“He was asking for it!” Chang Zihao snapped.

His elder brother grew angrier. “What’s his name? Let me teach him a lesson!”

At the mention of another scuffle, Chang Zihao immediately pulled his brother’s sleeve and said, “Brother, I already hit him. Let’s leave it at that.”

“But—”

“Big Brother, listen to Zihao. Don’t make things difficult for him,” his second brother advised.

Chang Zihao looked at his second brother’s gentle demeanor and said, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

His second brother smiled softly, reaching out to straighten Chang Zihao’s hair. “All right, time to return home. Your foot is injured. Let me carry you.”

Chang Zihao’s expression changed, and he refused, “Second Brother, it’s not that serious. I can walk.”

“Nonsense! Either listen and let your second brother carry you, or big brother will carry you himself,” his elder brother insisted.

Yu Hualiang couldn’t help but laugh. Chang Zihao glared at him, “What are you laughing at? Come help me instead!”

Yu Hualiang, caught off guard, saw the “affectionate” looks from the two older brothers and was compelled to step forward. He was about the same height as Chang Zihao, but still found it a bit of a strain to support him. After a few steps, Yu Hualiang asked, “Hey, why don’t you let your brothers help you?”

“Isn’t it obvious? One wants to carry me on his back, the other wants to hold me in his arms. Embarrassing.”

“Haha, how is that embarrassing? That’s their love for you!”

Chang Zihao turned his head. “If you had older brothers, you’d understand.”

Not even their parents doted on him as much as these two brothers did. Though just a year apart, he was four years younger than both. His mother had told him that before he was born, his two brothers fought often. But after his birth, they suddenly became harmonious.

As a child, his eldest brother liked to follow their father in business, his second brother preferred reading, but he himself loved nothing in particular. His father often accused him of idleness and punished him, but it was always his two brothers who took the beatings for him.

These two brothers shielded him closely, so their father soon left him be. With the eldest to inherit the family business, the second to win honors in examinations, the third son—well, let him do as he pleased.

Chang Zihao truly owed much to his outstanding brothers. They had always been his protectors and caretakers. When he became apprenticed to the Yu family, they visited him at least once daily, and at that time he was still close to them, always seeking hugs when they met.

But since Yu Hualiang had teased him for it, he’d found it shameful and never acted so spoiled again. Thus began the feud between him and Yu Hualiang.

Supporting Chang Zihao out of the Qionglin Painting Association, Yu Hualiang saw the family carriage waiting. Chang Zihao asked, “Hey, do you want to come to my estate?”

“Tsk, didn’t you just say you had things to do?”

Chang Zihao retorted, “This is Qionglin’s territory. If you’re alone and they bully you again, what then?”

Yu Hualiang felt a warmth in his heart, but could only laugh off his concern, then turned so Chang Zihao could see behind him. Chang Zihao noticed the guard there—it was Ye Hao.

“Him?”

“Relax, with him here, I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t care!” Chang Zihao huffed, and let his brothers help him into the carriage.

Ye Hao followed closely behind Yu Hualiang, never leaving his side.

“You don’t have to follow so closely. This is the Qionglin Painting Association. Nothing will happen to me.”

“His Highness the Fourth Prince instructed me to stay close to Master Yu at all times.”

Hearing his mechanical reply, Yu Hualiang gave up on further conversation. Let him follow if he wished.

Returning, Yu Hualiang saw Ji Yuzhe and Wang Ruosheng chatting and laughing together, with Ji Yuyun’s face growing ever darker behind them.

Bracing himself against the atmosphere, Yu Hualiang stepped forward with a smile. “Brother Ji, where are you all off to?”

Ji Yuzhe replied, “Yu Hang’s been beaten up. Doctor Wang and I are going to check on him.”

“Yu Hang? The young man in blue?” Yu Hualiang asked.

“That’s the one. He’s always had a sharp tongue. Don’t take it to heart,” Ji Yuzhe mediated.

Yu Hualiang merely smiled. “Is that so? Do I look like the type to hold a grudge?”

“Haha, certainly not. Brother Yu, why not come along and see? You two can settle things in private.”

Yu Hualiang praised Ji Yuzhe for the suggestion and joined him to visit Yu Hang’s room.

The Qionglin Painting Association was not like the Yu family’s; only first-rank painters had their own rooms, while others—depending on their rank—shared rooms, sometimes a dozen or more per room. Yu Hang was a first-rank painter, though still not on par with Ji Yuzhe or Wang Ji.

A row of rooms bordered an artificial lake. Picturesque, but at night, one careless step could send someone into the water.

Yu Hualiang hugged the inner wall as he walked. Ever since his near-drowning in a lake, he’d grown fearful of water, despite knowing how to swim.

“Brother Yu, what’s the matter?” Ji Yuzhe teased.

Yu Hualiang laughed it off. “Nothing.”

Wang Ruosheng quipped, “Ah, once bitten by a snake, you’ll fear ropes for ten years, isn’t that right?”

“Come now—if you’d experienced it, you’d be afraid, too!”

Wang Ruosheng shook his head. “Impossible! I’m not as sentimental as you, Brother Yu, haha.”

Yu Hualiang sighed—the conversation was dying. Entering Yu Hang’s room, he saw Wang Ji applying medicine while Yu Hang yelped in pain.

As soon as Yu Hualiang entered, Yu Hang’s eyes glinted like a wolf’s at a hunter—eager to bite, yet wary of his spear.

Yu Hualiang understood Yu Hang’s wish to thrash him, so he silently stayed behind Ji Yuzhe.

“Yu Hang, let Doctor Wang take a look at you,” Ji Yuzhe said.

Wang Ji stepped aside for Wang Ruosheng, then quietly pulled Ji Yuzhe aside. “Brother Yuzhe, why did you bring Young Master Yu here?”

Ji Yuzhe smiled. “I think things will be fine if they just talk it out. Brother Yu isn’t one to bear grudges.”

Wang Ji frowned. “He may not—but Yu Hang does...”

“Qingyi, you worry too much. See how harmonious they are?”

Wang Ji glanced over to see Yu Hang glaring at Yu Hualiang as if he might devour him.

“Master Yu... did you come today to laugh at my misfortune?” Yu Hang said sourly.

“Brother Yu, you’re overthinking this. I came to apologize,” Yu Hualiang replied sincerely.

Startled, Yu Hang was momentarily at a loss for what to make of it.

“Oh? But it’s not you who should apologize. I was the one at fault,” he said.

Yu Hualiang smiled. “Brother Yu, since we both made mistakes, let me apologize first. Let’s consider the matter settled. I’ll persuade my junior, Chang, to come apologize to you as well.”

Yu Hang gnashed his teeth in frustration—clearly, this fellow wanted him to drop the matter. How could he be willing? He forced a laugh. “Very well, as you wish, Master Yu. Since I’m bedridden and bored, and I’ve heard much of your painting skills, why not indulge me in a little contest?”

“Then I shall accept your challenge,” Yu Hualiang replied, smiling.

Yu Hang turned to Wang Ji. “Qingyi, could you fetch us some paper and ink?”

Wang Ji was about to say there were supplies in the room, but caught Yu Hang’s look and realized he was being deliberately sent out. Not asking further, Wang Ji left promptly.

Yu Hualiang also noticed Yu Hang wanted a private conversation. Glancing at Wang Ruosheng, the physician smiled knowingly. “Brother Yuzhe, why don’t you help me fetch some medicine as well?”

Ji Yuzhe, worried the two might quarrel, hesitated. “But, Brother Yu—?”

“Brother, let’s go,” Ji Yuyun urged.

Ji Yuzhe cast a worried glance at Yu Hualiang, then left.

Once they were gone, Yu Hang glanced at Ye Hao. Yu Hualiang said, “Wait for me outside.”

“His Highness the Fourth Prince ordered—”

“That’s enough,” Yu Hualiang interrupted, his tone steely. “Wait outside. I’ll answer to His Highness myself.”

At that, Ye Hao finally retreated.

“What is it you want to talk about?”