Chapter Ninety-Three: On the Brink of Explosion

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Yu Hualiang understood much from that sentence; his new roommate was also a man of passion. After those words, the two fell silent. Yu Hualiang busied himself painting the emperor, though he found little interest in the task and grew drowsy as he worked. Yet, whenever he saw Han Wu’s earnest focus, he felt a renewed drive, and by the depths of the night, he finally finished the painting.

Exhausted, Yu Hualiang looked at Han Wu and asked, “Are you still busy?” Han Wu replied with a nod, and Yu Hualiang, not wanting to disturb him, said, “Then I’ll go to sleep.”

Outside, the Seventh Prince had been waiting a long time. He had never been comfortable with Yu Hualiang going to the palace, and since learning that Yu Hualiang was sharing quarters with someone else, his heart felt like it was pierced with thorns. When the night grew quiet, he could no longer bear it—why was Yu Hualiang’s room still lit? What were they doing? The Seventh Prince’s mind conjured images that made him furious.

He released a smoke bomb in his room before entering quietly. Only when he saw the two men not disturbing each other did he feel at ease. Yu Hualiang was already asleep, and the Seventh Prince’s heart relaxed. He wanted to embrace him but was drawn instead to the painting on his desk, feeling as if falling into an abyss.

It turned out the emperor had indeed sought Yu Hualiang. Yu was unaware of the emperor’s plot to rebel and only hoped the emperor would not trouble him. The Seventh Prince realized the emperor’s focus on Yu Hualiang was because of the Fourth Prince. One of his spies had fled, and although he didn’t survive long, he leaked some information. Because of his close ties with the Fourth Prince, the emperor had directly targeted Yu Hualiang, and the Fourth Prince’s plan would soon be exposed.

It seemed he had to rescue Yu Hualiang quickly.

Lying beside him, the Seventh Prince gently pulled Yu Hualiang into his embrace. Though brief, it was satisfying. Though only a few days had passed, it felt much longer. Yu Hualiang slept restlessly, tossing about and burrowing into his arms, prompting the Seventh Prince to laugh softly and hold him tighter. He adored him so much that he bent down to kiss his forehead, calming Yu Hualiang’s restless movements.

In Yu Hualiang’s dream, he seemed trapped in an inescapable abyss, causing him unease. Then, his body suddenly warmed inexplicably. A light appeared before the abyss. Reaching out to grasp it, he felt himself falling into the abyss, awakening abruptly to find he had fallen to the floor.

Dazed, he sat up and looked around the room. Outside, birds chirped, signaling morning. As he regained his senses, he saw Han Wu had fallen asleep at the desk.

Out of kindness, Yu Hualiang found a blanket and covered him. Suddenly, Han Wu sprang up like a spring and grabbed Yu Hualiang’s wrist tightly, causing him to cry out in pain.

“Hey! What are you doing sleeping like that?”

Han Wu seemed frightened. After a few breaths, his gaze toward Yu Hualiang changed. “Hey! You’re one of those ‘cut sleeve’ types! What are you trying to do by getting close to me? I’m not like that, so your actions are useless!”

Yu Hualiang knew he was misunderstood again. How could he be a good person when others kept falsely accusing him? Furious, he said, “Brother! I have no interest in you! I just worried you’d catch a cold and wanted to cover you with a blanket. Don’t misunderstand! Also, if you want me to keep my distance, can you let go now?”

Only then did Han Wu realize he was still gripping Yu Hualiang’s wrist tightly. He released him quickly as if shocked, and Yu rubbed his wrist, which was already bruised.

Han Wu’s grip was truly heavy; Yu Hualiang knew his wrist would be blue for days. Knowing Han Wu had made another enemy and feeling unwelcome, Yu Hualiang hurried back to his bed.

Han Wu looked at him apologetically. “Sorry, Painter Yu. I misunderstood you.”

Hearing the apology, Yu Hualiang forced a smile, not wanting to seem petty. “It’s okay, I’m used to it.” As he tidied up his painting, a loud rumble from his stomach embarrassed him. He looked at Han Wu and asked, “When do we eat?”

Han Wu paused. “Tomorrow, eunuchs will bring the meals. Today... it seems late.”

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After freshening up, Yu Hualiang stepped out and immediately saw the eunuch who had brought him here earlier, followed by Chang Zihao, who still looked unwell despite the eunuch’s kind attitude. Upon seeing Yu Hualiang, Chang Zihao called out, “Hey! Yu Hualiang, don’t leave!”

The eunuch muttered anxiously, knowing there was tension between them and fearing Yu Hualiang might be at a disadvantage. Yu Hualiang clicked his tongue and looked back at Chang Zihao. “Why are you here too?”

Chang Zihao replied, “Why can only the senior brother come? Can’t the junior brother come too?”

“I never said that,” Yu Hualiang answered.

Sensing the tension, the old eunuch quickly signaled to Yu Hualiang, who didn’t notice when. But he did see the food box in the eunuch’s hand and smiled, moving to snatch it. “Oh? You brought food?”

The eunuch startled and took a step back. “No! This is for Painter Chang...”

Chang Zihao, seeing how hungry Yu Hualiang looked, said, “Give it to him.”

Yu Hualiang took the box, placed it on the stone table, and began to eat like a starving wolf, making Chang Zihao watch with a mix of pity and amusement.

He looked at the old eunuch and asked, “What’s this? Are you neglecting my senior brother?”

The old eunuch was stunned—had these two reconciled so quickly?

Yu Hualiang ate while explaining, “It’s not his fault! I just missed the last meal yesterday.”

Chang Zihao grumbled, “Are you stupid?”

Yu Hualiang sighed but didn’t want to argue. After devouring the food, the old eunuch prepared to take Chang Zihao to his room.

Chang Zihao looked at Yu Hualiang and said, “Hey! Senior brother, you and I should share a room.”

Yu Hualiang glanced at Han Wu, who was still waiting for a meal, and said, “I already have a roommate.”

Angrily, Chang Zihao marched toward Han Wu. “Brother, I want to swap rooms with you.”

Yu Hualiang wanted to scold the reckless boy but instead pulled him aside. “What are you thinking? These assignments are fixed. Behave and go.”

Chang Zihao shrugged off Yu Hualiang’s hand and, like a stubborn child, followed the eunuch into a room.

Han Wu leaned toward Yu Hualiang with a smile. “I didn’t expect you to even talk to that Third Young Master of the Chang family. You have quite the face.”

“Don’t tease me. He looks difficult but isn’t really bad-hearted.”

Han Wu chuckled. “So, you’ve finished eating?”

Yu Hualiang nodded toward the remains on the table. “Yeah.”

Just then, eunuchs arrived at the main gate carrying meal boxes. Lian Sheng came over with one as well—Yu Hualiang realized Lian Sheng had prepared food for him too, though he had just finished eating.

“Why just stand there? Come help,” Lian Sheng urged.

Han Wu laughed. “Your Yu family is quite considerate. Your junior brother even thinks of you.”

Yu Hualiang took the food box. “Lian Sheng... I already ate.”

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Lian Sheng’s expression turned cold. “Senior brother, do you think anyone’s food is better than ours in the Yu family?”

Yu Hualiang was taken aback and smiled awkwardly. “No, no. Zihao just came by with food, so I ate a bit. He hasn’t eaten yet; you can give it to him.”

Lian Sheng sneered. “Zihao? Since when have you been so close with the Third Junior Brother?”

“It’s not like that; we’re all juniors. Don’t be mad at him. That kid isn’t really bad-hearted.”

“Hmph! I don’t care.” Lian Sheng grumbled as he shoved the food box back into Yu Hualiang’s hand. “If you care about the Third Junior Brother so much, why don’t you take this food to him?”

Yu Hualiang was about to tease him for acting like a little woman when a eunuch at the door suddenly shouted, “Painter Yu! The princess requests your presence!”

Not only Yu Hualiang but everyone in the courtyard was stunned. They all wondered what stroke of luck Yu Hualiang had—rarely did the princess summon anyone to dine with her!

Han Wu took the food box and nudged him lightly. “You’re quite lucky, huh? Go quickly. I’ll take this food for you.”

Yu Hualiang smiled, thinking the young tiger must be in trouble again. As he was about to follow the eunuch out, he bumped into another eunuch.

This man’s attire and entourage were grander than the one beside him, and the princess’s eunuch even saluted him. Yu Hualiang hastily returned the salute. The eunuch, with a sharp voice, said, “Painter Yu, right? The emperor summons you. Remember to bring the painting from yesterday.”

Yu Hualiang replied, “Yes.”

He returned to the courtyard where Han Wu was eating. Seeing Yu Hualiang’s troubled expression, Han Wu worried, “What happened? The princess didn’t invite you after all?”

“No,” Yu Hualiang sighed. “The emperor summoned me.”

Han Wu’s eyes sparkled as he joked, “What kind of luck is that? I admire you. When you rise to prominence, don’t forget me!”

Yu Hualiang replied self-deprecatingly, “That’s not necessarily a good thing.”

Han Wu didn’t understand, but Yu Hualiang, recalling the emperor’s cheerful face, felt uneasy. After performing the kowtow, he presented the painting he had finished yesterday. “Your Majesty, please have a look.”

The painting was exquisitely detailed and lifelike. The emperor praised it endlessly. With such skill, the emperor was justified in believing Yu Hualiang was merely a common painter, not a spy for the Seventh Prince.

“Painter Yu, your skills are excellent. I heard you visited the princess yesterday?”

Yu Hualiang replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. The princess keeps two tigers and invited me to see them.”

The emperor was curious. “Oh? I wouldn’t have guessed you’d raise tigers.”

Yu Hualiang shook his head. “I haven’t raised them. I just thought tigers are animals, probably not much different from dogs.”

The emperor laughed heartily. “Ha! Tigers and dogs—no difference!”

Suddenly, his gaze darkened. Yu Hualiang felt like needles prickling his skin. The emperor continued, “Then, Painter Yu, do you think there’s no difference between a prince and me, both being royalty?”

Yu Hualiang’s heart pounded wildly. He knelt abruptly and said, “I dare not, Your Majesty. Please believe I have no such intention.”

“Hmph. I want to see what tricks that old Seventh Prince will try with you under my watch!”