MFMH C76

Chapter 76 – That’s My Wife

That night, Qionglin Garden was ablaze with lanterns.

Dressed in their finest, brimming with pride, the new jinshi had already gathered at the garden gates. After the guards verified their identities, maidservants led them in one by one.

On either side of the main path within the gates stood rows of verdant pines and cypresses, towering high into the clouds in strange and majestic shapes. In the warmth of spring, the garden’s bridges, ponds, rockeries, and flowing waters glittered in the glow of countless lamps. Magnificent pavilions, towers, and waterside gazebos peeked through lush trees and blossoms, and down winding paths peach blossoms flared like clouds of rosy fire—scenery of surpassing beauty.

Some of the new jinshi strolled alone, others in groups, all admiring the royal garden’s enchanting night views.

At the forefront was Shen Yanbei, who had stood alone at the head of the ao. Seeing the Zhuangyuan so refined and handsome, brows and eyes gentle, smile soft at the lips, many assumed he was good-tempered. And since the Emperor himself favored him, all were eager to befriend him.

“Brother Shen, I haven’t yet had a chance to congratulate you!” Zhang Cheng, who had placed second in the Qinghe Prefecture provincial exam, was first to approach him. Zhang Cheng had also fared well in the palace examination, ranking among the second class.

“Many thanks, Brother Zhang.” Shen Yanbei smiled faintly. Among the three hundred and twenty new jinshi, there were no shortage of talented young men. If one’s temperament aligned, friendship was not unwelcome. He invited several to tour the grounds with him.

Although he was not ambitious, he had now stepped into officialdom. To make a few friends would be more helpful than harmful in the bureaucratic world.

As they walked and chatted, being young men of vigor, the talk turned naturally to the four great joys of life—timely rain after long drought, meeting an old friend in a distant land, the bridal chamber on the wedding night, and success in the imperial examinations.

Someone teased Shen Yanbei: “Brother Shen, when you rode through the streets today, you were radiant with glory. Surely many women and boys in the crowd admired you. Did none catch your eye?”

Shen Yanbei laughed: “I am already married. My wife at home is very fine. I give my heart only to him.”

“You are already married, Brother Shen?” Several were astonished.

Ordinary men married at eighteen or nineteen. But those who aspired to officialdom generally delayed, for one’s spouse was often a stepping stone in career advancement, and indulgence in passions was thought ill-suited to scholarship. Unless one was a poor scholar who needed a wife to support his household. Yet Shen Yanbei was neither too old nor poorly dressed; clearly his family was not destitute…

Could it be true love? they wondered secretly. Surely his wife must be a woman of extraordinary grace.

But Zhang Cheng, who knew Shen Yanbei better, wore an odd expression, his gaze complicated.

He had seen Shen Yanbei’s so-called wife. That was a broad-shouldered, resolute-faced man with a dim mole between the brows!

This Zhuangyuan was truly unusual—skilled in scholarship, and with tastes unlike other men…

Shen Yanbei merely smiled, saying nothing, and the subject was dropped.

The hour arrived, and the group entered to take their seats.

Since the banquet was granted by the Emperor, its standards were royal. Each dish was prepared by the imperial kitchen—vivid in color, fragrance, and flavor, plated with exquisite artistry. The wine served was palace-brewed, crystalline and luminous, fragrant and intoxicating, rich and mellow on the tongue—irresistible.

Compared with the previous year’s Deer Call Banquet, tonight’s Qionglin Banquet was larger and more sumptuous.

With fine food and wine, the sweet sound of zithers and flutes, and the alluring dances of maidens, the hearts of the new jinshi swelled with grand ambition.

From today, they had entered the ranks of the “scholars.” A bright future of smooth advancement lay within reach.

Such thoughts did not stir Shen Yanbei. He was carefully savoring the dishes at his table, committing their names and ingredients to memory.

Since he had achieved Zhuangyuan, he must remain in Yongjing for a time. In three days he and the other two of the first class would report to the Ministry of Rites to study the rites of new officials.

By custom, the Zhuangyuan would be appointed Xiuzhuan of the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank post charged with compiling histories and recording the Emperor’s words. Outwardly, it was grooming future talents; in truth, the Hanlin Academy was the Emperor’s secretarial staff, doing menial work.

Whether in ancient or modern times, such work never paid well. It was barely enough to survive, not to support a family. So business was still necessary!

During the days of waiting for the results, he and Gu Changfeng had wandered Yongjing not idly, but scouting the bustling streets, dining at renowned restaurants and taverns, selecting sites suitable for a Tongfu Tavern branch, studying the market, and finally spending several thousand taels to purchase a prime storefront and settle the tavern’s menu.

Downing a cup of palace-brewed wine, Shen Yanbei decided tomorrow he would hire craftsmen and carpenters to begin preparations for the branch.

His hundred mu of chili fields were already sown; in six months they would yield harvest. He had heard from the neighboring village headman that the Emperor had offered a bounty of a hundred thousand gold for methods to increase yields of wheat and other crops. Tempted, he had bought twenty mu of land for test fields…

To be an official, to run a business, and to farm—busy days awaited!

He sighed, but upon someone approaching with a toast, quickly set aside his musings.

After all, this was the banquet where the Emperor entertained his protégés. Midway, Zhao Yu himself appeared.

“All here are the outstanding men of Great Qi, bearing lofty aspirations. I hope you will henceforth devote yourselves to devising plans for the prosperity of our millions of subjects, and labor for the flourishing of Great Qi!” After a few words of encouragement, he raised his cup. “I drink to you all!”

“Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!” At once the hall surged with fervor, everyone raising their cups.

Zhao Yu drained his in one bold draught, then departed with his attendants, leaving the guests to enjoy themselves.

Suddenly, a eunuch approached quickly to report: “Your Majesty, the Heir of the Duke of Zhen seeks audience!”

Zhao Yu halted: “Summon him.”

From a side path came a tall, martial man with attendants: “Your servant, Gu Chongxiao, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Palace lanterns hung along the path, their glow soft and golden. The man’s long hair was bound high with a silver-gray ribbon, his robe silver-gray edged in black and gold, a black-gold sash outlining his slim waist. Kneeling with straight back, he exuded an inescapable gravity. Zhao Yu gave him only a glance, saying, “Heir, rise,” then turned his eyes to the youth in blue kneeling behind him.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Gu Changfeng spoke and withdrew politely to one side.

Su Qingze kept his gaze on his shoes, until soft footsteps came near and a slender white hand reached down before him—

Startled, Su Qingze lifted his head and met the Emperor’s deep black eyes, warm and gentle.

“Why have you come? I thought you no longer wished to see me.” Zhao Yu’s voice was low and tender, utterly unlike the sovereign majesty from earlier.

“No…” Su Qingze faltered. With Zhao Yu’s hand still extended, he had no choice but to take it, rising with his support.

Gripping the youth’s soft hand, Zhao Yu shed all coldness.

“The garden is lovely. Shall we walk together?”

“…Mm.” That day they had spoken openly. Though Su Qingze had accepted Zhao Yu’s explanation, the knot in his heart had not vanished overnight. Earlier, Brother Gu had asked if he wished to see Zhao Yu. He had hesitated long.

Brother Gu had said: Don’t overthink it. Just follow your heart. And so…he had come.

In their days apart, he had thought deeply. He disliked Zhao Yu’s scheming mind, but he could not let go of the caring Ah Heng.

Seeing Su Qingze docilely follow the Emperor, Gu Changfeng felt relieved, and turned toward Qingyun Pavilion, where the banquet was held.

When he had seen the boy earlier, faced with a feast, his expression had been listless. Clearly, he was unhappy. Knowing the cause, Gu Changfeng had offered a word.

An emperor’s love might not be pure. But when an emperor showed you his hidden side, giving all his tenderness and care only to you—was such love not worth a try?

The boy was rational; he would make the right choice.

The night air was cool, but Gu Changfeng’s heart burned hot. His steps quickened, firm and eager.

From his past drunken experience, Shen Yanbei had intended to drink only a little. But refusing toasts was impolite, so he merely sipped each cup. Even so, he became drunk.

The palace wine was delicious, but its aftereffects strong. Luckily, he had instructed Zhou Yu to fetch him, so he let himself relax into his drunkenness.

By the time Gu Changfeng saw him, Shen Yanbei was tipsy, leaning on Zhou Yu.

“Master!” Zhou Yu exclaimed in surprise.

Gu Changfeng nodded, his gaze flickering as it fell on the youth splendidly attired.

“Why does this person look so much like my wife?” Shen Yanbei pushed Zhou Yu aside, staggered over, peering intently at Gu Changfeng. “The face looks alike, the body too…”

He leaned closer, sniffing at his neck like a puppy: “Even the scent is the same…”

At once, Gu Changfeng’s stern features softened, and he chuckled quietly.

Hearing his laugh, Shen Yanbei blinked in suspicion, reached to stroke his face, and then downward—

Collarbone, chest, waist…

Gu Changfeng flushed red, hastily seizing the hand that had moved toward his rear.

Shen Yanbei burst into silly laughter: “Not an illusion—it really is my wife!” He hugged Gu Changfeng tightly and smacked a kiss on his cheek.

“Wife, I missed you so much!”

Gu Changfeng gave a low “Mm,” quickly supporting him into the carriage.

All around were carriages and sedans waiting for others. Many curious eyes turned their way. The jinshi who were still sober wore expressions as if they had seen ghosts.

“Wife, I don’t want to sleep alone. It’s so cold.” Shen Yanbei clung to him like a koala. Gu Changfeng murmured, “I’ll sleep with you.” For a time, when the youth was weak, his hands and feet were always icy. Every night, Gu Changfeng had soaked them in hot water, massaged his soles with inner force to circulate his blood. But the youth said it was too troublesome, preferring to place his hands on Gu Changfeng’s warm chest as he slept. Later, this habit had shifted, warming not only his hands but his whole body—while Gu Changfeng grew even hotter!

Once home, he gave the drunken youth sobering soup, then bathed and changed him.

Stripped bare and lowered into water, Shen Yanbei lounged lazily against the tub’s edge, beckoning with a finger: “Wife, come here…”

Unsuspecting, Gu Changfeng approached: “What is—” He had no chance to finish before Shen Yanbei grabbed his collar, yanking him down, lips and tongue tasting of wine pressing fervently against his own.

Gu Changfeng’s heart skipped, but he obediently parted his lips.

Only after devouring him in a fierce kiss did Shen Yanbei lick his lips with satisfaction.

The youth reclined languidly, gaze satisfied yet dangerous. Gu Changfeng’s face blazed. The water was cooling—he hurried him to stand.

Obediently, Shen Yanbei rose, stretching out his arms. Lowering his gaze, Gu Changfeng toweled him dry and dressed him.

After two years of training, the youth’s physique had improved greatly. Not as robust as his own, yet lean and muscular beneath the clothes. Especially when Gu Changfeng’s hands brushed over him, he could feel the strength beneath the thin muscles.

Fastening the last sash, Gu Changfeng told him to sleep while he fetched water. But Shen Yanbei tugged him down onto the bed.

“Sleep!”

Gu Changfeng froze. Yet the youth truly meant what he said—only hugging him to sleep.

He had so many things he wished to say. That he was now the Heir of the Duke of Zhen. That he had uncovered hints about the matters he suspected. That he missed him too.

Beside his ear came soft, steady breaths. Gazing at the youth’s handsome features, Gu Changfeng’s restless heart slowly calmed. Since returning to the Duke’s residence, he had not slept well. But now, warmed by the youth’s breath and body, he relaxed completely and closed his eyes in peace.