This Old Man Finds You Quite Suited to Siran
Chu Yuan had just finished his painting when the study door was knocked twice.
Soon after, he heard Lu Ronghuai’s voice. “Ah-Yuan, Minister Nie has come to see you. This Prince has allowed him to enter.”
Chu Yuan braced himself against the armrest to rise. Nie Qiuwen pushed the door open and, seeing him about to walk over, called out at once, “Sit back down. Do not move about carelessly.”
Two tall figures stood outside the door. Before Chu Yuan could see them clearly, Lu Ronghuai had already shut the door again.
From outside came the clear and mellow voice of an unfamiliar man.
“What does Your Highness mean by this?”
Lu Ronghuai replied, “You still wish to enter? Where did you find such audacity?”
The two exchanged a few words outside. Before long, all sound ceased.
“Minister Nie, please be seated.” Chu Yuan stood by the desk and reached to lift the teapot.
Nie Qiuwen stepped forward and took the teapot himself. “This old man has hands and feet. There is no need for such attendance. Sit down.”
Chu Yuan smiled faintly. “Very well. This subject shall sit. Minister Nie may do as he pleases.”
“Mm.” Nie Qiuwen’s gaze fell upon the ink pine painting on the desk. His normally stern face softened at once. “You painted this?”
As he spoke, he stepped closer to the desk and examined the painting carefully.
He studied it with focus and seriousness. Chu Yuan grew somewhat shy. “It has been a long time since I last painted. My brushwork has grown unfamiliar. I fear it will only make you laugh.”
“Many people spend their entire lives painting every single day, but still cannot capture spirit or character. You are young, yet the scenery beneath your brush possesses such elegance. There is no need for such modesty. This painting is very good.”
Chu Yuan smiled. “To receive a word of praise from you, this junior is already content.”
“Would you be willing to lend this painting to this old man for two days’ appreciation?” Nie Qiuwen found the ink pine increasingly pure and distant in bearing, imbued with a sense of Zen. Numerous inspired thoughts rose instantly in his mind.
Chu Yuan said, “There is in truth a minor flaw in this painting. It cannot be called a fine work. If you do not disdain it, this junior will present it to you.”
Nie Qiuwen immediately set down the teapot and carefully lifted the painting. “At times, a flaw is also a kind of beauty. It reveals more clearly the true nature of things. I shall take this painting. You must not regret it.”
Chu Yuan laughed softly. “Of course not.”
“I came today merely to see you. It is enough that you are still alive. Do not wear away your own little life.”
“This junior lives well here. Many thanks for Prime Minister Nie’s concern.”
“What is well about it? Married for two months and you are either ill or injured. That fellow Prince Li does not appear to be one who knows how to cherish others. Your difficult days are yet to come.”
When Nie Qiuwen spoke of Prince Li, his face turned sour at once, his words filled with complaint.
Chu Yuan felt somewhat embarrassed. Lowering his head, he said in a small voice, “...It is not so. He actually… knows quite well how to cherish others…”
“He knows how to cherish others? Hmph. Unless the sun rises in the west.”
Nie Qiuwen continued, “This old man has come today with my grandson. Siran is steady in temperament. He will surely become your friend.”
Chu Yuan recalled the exchange at the doorway just now and shook his head. “This subject is now Prince Consort. I must not have excessive contact with other men. It will invite gossip, and His Highness will be displeased.”
“Why should you concern yourself with whether he is pleased? At any time, you must first care for yourself before considering others.”
Chu Yuan said nothing.
Nie Qiuwen added, “The Wanchao Hui will be held at the Northern Traveling Palace. Prince Li will certainly bring you to attend. If he neglects you and you encounter trouble, go seek Siran. This old man has spoken to him of this matter. He will assist you.”
Looking at the kindly old man before him, Chu Yuan felt as though a sour jujube had been pressed into his heart. In a hoarse voice he said, “Why does Minister Nie help this junior so? This junior…”
“Do not be afraid nor think too much. This old man has reasons for helping you. You will understand in time.”
Seeing the calmness in Chu Yuan’s brows and eyes, a faint mist gathering beneath them, knowing him to be sensitive and thoughtful, Nie Qiuwen feared he might overthink. He added with a trace of jest,
“You are a good child. Though I should not say it, if you had not already married, this old man finds you quite suited to Siran.”
Chu Yuan: “…”
Lu Ronghuai kicked the door open with one foot. “What did you say?!”
The study doors slammed against both walls with a thunderous sound. A certain Prince who had been eavesdropping stood at the doorway, face dark with anger, glaring at Nie Qiuwen like a fierce spirit.
“This Prince finally understands your wicked scheme. You wish to snatch This Prince’s wife. Does the Nie family seek rebellion?!”
Nie Qiuwen rose leisurely. “This old man merely spoke casually. Why does Prince Li lose his composure so easily?”
Prince Li not only lost his composure, but he also looked ready to strike someone.
“This Prince sees you are an old man and will not lay hands upon you. Take Nie Siran and depart at once.”
Nie Siran, standing in the courtyard, heard Lu Ronghuai’s exasperated shout and smiled gently. “Prince Li, please do not be angered. Grandfather was only joking. It must not be taken seriously.”
Lu Ronghuai turned fiercely, casting Nie Siran a thorough and dissatisfied appraisal. He spoke with venom. “You are not as tall as This Prince, not as handsome as This Prince, know no martial arts, and hold no official post. A pale-faced scholar such as you, what right have you to match Ah-Yuan?”
Nie Siran, subjected to indiscriminate attack: “…”
Xian Yu flattered from the side. “Indeed. Your Highness and the Prince Consort are a pair made by Heaven, perfectly matched within and without.”
“Leave at once. Xian Yu, inform the gatekeepers that these two are henceforth not permitted to appear at the residence gates.”
Seeing his words grow increasingly outrageous, Chu Yuan rose and called out, “Your Highness, calm yourself.”
Lu Ronghuai turned to him, grievance and anger mingling on his face. “They utter such treasonous nonsense and you tell This Prince to be calm? That I have not struck them already is the utmost benevolence.”
Nie Qiuwen had already reached the doorway of the study. As he passed Lu Ronghuai, he cast him a sidelong glance.
“This old man’s words were somewhat abrupt, yet they serve as a reminder. If you treat the Prince Consort poorly in the future, simply write a letter of divorce. The Nie residence will always welcome him.”
Chu Yuan’s heart jolted.
He had not expected Nie Qiuwen’s partiality toward him to be so unmistakable.
Looking again at Lu Ronghuai, the man’s face was dark and storm-laden, on the very brink of rage.
Having lived with him day and night these past days, Chu Yuan had gained some understanding of his temperament. If the exchange continued, something might truly happen. Taking up the wooden cane beside the desk, he walked toward him with effort.
Lu Ronghuai did not notice him. He fixed Nie Qiuwen with a rigid stare, suppressing icy fury as he spoke. “There will never be such a day. Go slowly. This Prince will not see you off.”
Nie Siran stepped forward to Nie Qiuwen’s side. The two walked outward slowly. In a low voice he said helplessly, “Grandfather, why provoke him so?”
“Hmph. If one does not provoke him a little, he will not learn to cherish. Regret later will be too late.”
Nie Siran said, “That is the Prince’s household matter. Since when have you taken such interest in meddling?”
“It was deliberate. Hold the painting carefully. Do not damage it.” Nie Qiuwen handed the ink pine painting to Nie Siran.
Nie Siran lowered his head. “The Prince Consort painted this?”
“Mm. The artistry is no less than yours. What a pity.” Nie Qiuwen sighed.
Nie Siran understood what his grandfather found regrettable.
Chu Yuan had once been Crown Prince of a kingdom. Had misfortune not befallen him, he would now be strategizing within the Eastern Palace, guiding the realm in calm discourse, rather than confined within a single residence, his talents gradually obscured.
With that thought, Nie Siran could not help but glance back.
An additional figure stood at the doorway, clad in a tea-green long robe trimmed at the collar with a ring of white rabbit fur. His features were vivid as a painting. After but a fleeting glimpse, he was hoisted across Lu Ronghuai’s waist and carried back inside.
Nie Siran froze where he stood.
“Why have you stopped?” Nie Qiuwen turned to look at him.
Nie Siran came back to himself. “Let us go.”
Lu Ronghuai carried Chu Yuan across his shoulder, kicked the door shut, and strode coldly to the desk.
He set Chu Yuan upon the desk, bracing his hands on either side and enclosing him within his own territory, his gaze fierce as a wolf.
“You are not to see them again.”
Chu Yuan’s pupils trembled slightly. He said nothing. A dim shadow gradually clouded his eyes.
“Ah-Yuan must not see them. This Prince does not like it.” As he spoke, he grew aggrieved himself and buried his head at Chu Yuan’s shoulder hollow, giving a low hum.
Chu Yuan said, “This subject does not like Your Highness behaving thus either.”
Lu Ronghuai: “…”
He rubbed his head against him as though venting resentment. “This Prince was only speaking.”
“Minister Nie treats this subject well.” Chu Yuan glanced at the brush resting upon the brush stand, the moisture at its tip not yet dry. “Since this subject came here, Minister Nie has cared for this subject like an elder. This subject feels gratitude…”
He spoke only halfway. Recalling Lu Ronghuai’s earlier expression, he swallowed the rest.
“You may be grateful to him, but you must not promise him anything.”
Chu Yuan asked, “Promise him what?”
“Promise to divorce This Prince and marry Nie Siran.” Lu Ronghuai ground his teeth.
Chu Yuan pushed his face aside and regarded him expressionlessly. “This subject has no right to divorce a husband nor will this subject marry Young Master Nie.”
Lu Ronghuai thought of the oath document locked within the study and felt much at ease. He hurried to add, “This Prince will not divorce you either. That Nie Siran is merely a pale-faced scholar. Keep your distance from him henceforth.”
“Young Master Nie has a bright future. He will surely enter officialdom in time. Your Highness should not let relations with the Nie family grow too strained. It would not benefit Your Highness.”
Seeing him still concerned for him at such a time, Lu Ronghuai felt an indescribable warmth in his heart. He slid his hand beneath Chu Yuan’s thigh and lifted him, legs parted, into his arms.
He held him as though holding a child, the two facing one another, their breaths interwoven. If Chu Yuan lowered his head, he would brush against Lu Ronghuai’s nose.
Chu Yuan gave a low cry of surprise and pressed his hands to Lu Ronghuai’s shoulders, striving to create a little distance.
“Ah-Yuan must trust This Prince. Even if the Nie family does not assist me, I will obtain what I desire.”
His words were resolute. Chu Yuan, however, had no leisure to consider them. The posture made his ears burn red with embarrassment.
“Your Highness!” Xian Feng called from outside. “General Bai of the Western Garrison has arrived outside the city. His Majesty has sent a verbal decree ordering Master to go to the city gate to receive him.”
With a creak, the door opened.
Xian Feng raised his head, then immediately lowered it again, stepping aside to clear the way.
Chu Yuan clung to Lu Ronghuai’s neck, biting his lip and burying his head as though he did not exist.
Lu Ronghuai carried him openly back to Fuju Courtyard. Xian Yu and Le Shu’s eyes widened like bronze bells, their excitement impossible to conceal.
The Prince Consort had been carried back by the Prince.
What novel manner of carrying was this? If he found opportunity to tell those scholars secretly writing storybooks outside and have them include this posture, would they not earn a fortune?
Le Shu said, “Xian Yu, your saliva is about to drip.”
Xian Yu: “!!”
Xian Yu wiped the corner of his mouth and glared at him. “You little brat, when did you learn to deceive others?”
Le Shu grinned, eyes shinning. “Xian Yu, have you found new inspiration again? Next time bring this servant a copy.”
Xian Yu quickly made a shushing gesture. “Do not let the Prince hear. This is a method of becoming prosperous that I have only just discovered.”
“Mm, mm. This servant will not speak of it. This servant enjoys reading as well.”
Xian Yu said, “Is that so? Then you and Vice Minister Su will likely find common ground.”
Le Shu cast a furtive glance toward the room, then quickly drew his head back, covering his mouth with his hand as he whispered, “Indeed. I have already arranged with him. Each time he comes, I shall recount the daily interactions of the Prince and Prince Consort. Five copper coins per occasion.”
“You wretched boy, your mind is quite nimble!”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Minister Nie: What a pity. My Siran was one step too late.
Lu Dog: That old fox is rotten to the core!
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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