With only the two of them left in the residence, the numbers of inhabitants were pitifully low.
Wei Xiu had begrudgingly made up his mind to have them only clean the places they spent their daily lives in, that way the area to clean was smaller, and the residence would maintain its cleanliness.
However, Wei Xiu went out to war frequently, and Xu Yunchun had also started joining the army on expeditions ever since he turned 14 years old. With the two of them out of the residence for months at a time, they would return to thick blankets of dust everywhere. Every time he witnessed this, Wei Xiu would get goosebumps all over his body, stay outside, and order Xu Yunchun to clean up.
“Wipe over there a couple more times! Did you really only wipe it exactly two more times? Kneel down, there’s still some dust left! That corner must be cleaned!”
Xu Yunchun throws the cloth he had in his hand: “You’re so noisy, young master.”
Wei Xiu: “If you think I’m too noisy, then clean a bit better!”
Xu Yunchun: “Everyone always says the young master is focused and quiet. They should see your usual behavior while you’re at the residence.”
Wei Xiu’s face turned red: “And what about you! Does another servant such as you even exist?”
An attendant such as Xu Yunchun did indeed exist. Not only did such a servant exist, but he was the very recipient of a great amount of love and pampering from Wei Xiu.
The Wei Xiu of this time had not yet been reduced to the young master who had to clean everything himself out of fear of being told that he’s nagging too much and that Xu Yunchun would tire himself out, and finally hire two workers to take care of the house chores instead.
The two workers were a man and his brother-in-law. Wei Xiu eventually also hired the man’s older sister to take charge of the food and laundry.
*
The general’s residence now had more inhabitants, it was brimming with life now. But a new problem presented itself.
That woman’s cooking habits were not clean. Wei Xiu once saw her pick up food from the floor and put it back in the bowl, then immediately serve the food in the very same bowl.
When out at battle, he cannot be sure of how clean the communal meal of the camp is. But even if Wei Xiu can’t see the level of cleanliness, he can at least pretend that nothing is wrong.
But now he had personally witnessed it, his personal limits just wouldn’t let him get past it, and he just couldn’t stomach the food anymore.
Xu Yunchun said: “Then just dismiss her.”
Wei Xiu took a deep breath: “Forget it, I don’t wish to tear that family apart.”
“The young master is kindhearted as expected.” Xu Yunchun looks at Wei Xiu in admiration, then promptly asks, “Then, what will you do?”
Wei Xiu: “I have my methods.”
*
The following day, Xu Yunchun witnessed Wei Xiu’s “methods”.
Xu Yunchun: “Your solution is to starve, young master? Ok, Chunchun will join you, I can survive on water alone.”
When faced with a plate of burnt food, Wei Xiu’s expression was dark: “There’s no need for an attitude, it’s your first time doing this. What’s the problem with a bit of burnt food?”
Wei Xiu tried again. This time, the food wasn’t burnt, but the flavor was not right. Young Master Wei wasn’t displaying his usual temper to Xu Yunchun, but his typical haughty demeanor was still there. After one bite, he set down his chopsticks, unwilling to reach for them again.
He saw that Xu Yunchun was still eating, frowning, he said: “Don’t eat it.”
But Xu Yunchun was enjoying it, so he pulled his plate closer to himself: “This is the first plate of food my young master cooked, if you won’t eat it, I will.”
Wei Xiu blocks him again: “It’s disgusting, you mustn’t eat it.”
Xu Yunchun frowned: “I won’t let you call my young master’s food disgusting! The young master is the smartest, he will improve as he cooks more and more!”
Xu Yunchun usually didn’t have much of a temper, but if anyone insulted Wei Xiu, he would not hesitate to fight with them. Even when it was Wei Xiu insulting himself.
“Suit yourself.” Wei Xiu went off in a huff, but when he turned around, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but lift up.
…This brat was too blindly trusting of him, it was quite the headache.
*
Yet, Xu Yunchun was correct. Wei Xiu’s culinary skills improved tremendously, with every day showing improvement from the next. This was not because Wei Xiu had any particular desire for good food, but rather that seeing Xu Yunchun gleefully eat, and repeatedly say “you’re the best, young master” upon finishing every meal rendered him unable to resist continuously improving.
At night, Xu Yunchun helped Wei Xiu wash his back.
“Your culinary skills are steadily improving, young master.”
While soaking in the bath, Wei Xiu lets out two hums in agreement.
“If one day you couldn’t act as a general anymore, you could be a chef.”
“You’re speaking nonsense again.” Wei Xiu was taken aback, “If one day I couldn’t act as a general anymore, it would probably be because His Majesty wanted my head.”
“You can’t die, young master!” Xu Yunchun started yelling once again.
The noise was hurting Wei Xiu’s ears: “It’ll be nice if I die, I won’t have to hear your noise anymore.”
Xu Yunchun, still yelling: “If you die, I’ll join you in the grave! We already agreed, you must die before me, but only a bit before! Only a bit!”
Xu Yunchun must be the only servant in this world that would wish their young master to die before them, Wei Xiu’s head was pounding, he could only say: “Understood. I’ll do my best to die just a bit before you.”
Satisfied, Xu Yunchun also dove into the water basin. He floundered about in the water, until finally he nestled into Wei Xiu’s embrace: “Young master, can you make osmanthus cakes tomorrow? I want to eat them with some tea.”
The two were quite used to bathing together, they didn’t feel the least bit awkward with their skin touching in this way. Wei Xiu wipes Xu Yunchun’s face: “My osmanthus flowers are all going to be eaten by you, you little glutton.”
“Come on! If you don’t, you’ll get some saliva on your face!”
“Scram! You’re disgusting!”
After being pushed away, Xu Yunchun laughed loudly, then nestled back into Wei Xiu’s chest: “You’re the best, young master.”
*
He wasn’t sure when exactly Xu Yunchun started constantly saying “You’re the best, young master”. Wei Xiu was usually annoyed by Xu Yunchun’s exclamations, but only in those times did they sound particularly pleasing.
*
Thus came another spring. It was the Lantern Festival and the noblemen’s sons had all been invited. Eating sticky rice dumplings and admiring lanterns were all just an excuse. This group of youngsters simply wanted to gather to search for spousal candidates.
This just so happened to be the year Wei Xiu would be turning 20 years of age. Many others his age had already married and even had children, only he was utterly alone, without maiden, nor heir.
Wei Xiu had an illustrious military career, and handsome features to match. Many princesses and rich family daughters had long hoped to be betrothed to him.
And so, on this year’s Lantern festival, the emperor had specially ordered for Wei Xiu’s presence.
*
At night, Wei Xiu went to the riverside. There were lanterns hung on either side of the river, making an array of colors reflect onto Wei Xiu’s face. Some young maidens saw him peering into the distance, and assumed he had seen a young lady. They followed his gaze, only to see that it had been following a young man.
The young man ran over to Wei Xiu and said: “Young master, I have no money for sweets!”
Wei Xiu showed no expression: “Who told you to run off like that? I had no time to give you the money.”
Wei Xiu handed him a little money pouch: “Don’t keep eating junk. And after you’re done shopping, come back to me, don’t get carried away.”
The young man let out a cheer and ran off again. Wei Xiu watched his back as he left, a small grin on his face. But as soon as he turned around and noticed a group of people watching him, his smile immediately faded.
*
The young noblemen ate and drank in their merriment on a pleasure boat by the riverside. Xu Yunchun stood obediently head down behind Wei Xiu, pouring wine for him. Wei Xiu would take pieces of cake, nibble a bite, then smoothly put it under the table. Xu Yunchun would reach out his hand to catch it, then lift his hand, pretending to touch his face and stuffing the cake into his mouth.
Their movements were flawless, with just a few cycles, all the cakes in front of Wei Xiu were gone.
“You must be quite fond of yuanyang pastry, General Wei?” one person said “Those were made by Lady Xie.”
“Lady Xie’s skills are noticeably impressive.” Wei Xiu nods.
This person was hoping Wei Xiu would pay Young mistress Xie a bit more attention, but even when complimenting, Wei Xiu was conservative with his words, not showing the least bit of curiosity to Lady Xie.
Another person asked: “When does General Wei intend to wed?”
Wei Xiu: “It is quite early still.”
“General Wei is quite talented, there’s no shortage of young ladies impatiently awaiting General Wei’s wedding proposal.”
Xu Yunchun chuckled quietly. Without a change in his demeanor, Wei Xiu pinched him: “Your praise is misplaced. Many would laugh themselves silly, hearing such a thing.”
*
Bored by the affairs of the banquet, Xu Yunchun joined the other servants.
“Your general is quite handsome.” One servant girl stated.
Xu Yunchun nibbled on a handful of seeds Wei Xiu had given him: “Of course, the most handsome in this world.”
The servant girl continued: “All the ladies at the banquet were talking about him. Last time, when he returned from the war, his appearance on horseback was so valiant and heroic it was breathtaking.”
Xu Yunchun nodded: “I like hearing such talk, keep going.”
This servant girl wanted to help the young ladies leave a bit of an impression on General Wei, so she told Xu Yunchun the entirety of the ladies’ conversation about him.
People loved to praise Wei Xiu for his exceptional looks; a face as refined as that of a scholar, yet a body with the sturdiness of a warrior. It was absolutely breathtaking. All that aside, he was also considerably accomplished, and due to his great skills and strategy, had yet to face defeat in battle. To top all of it off, Wei Xiu was clear minded and free of desire, unlike many other practitioners of perversion. Anyone could see, he was a one-of-a-kind perfect choice for marriage.
“Well said! Incredibly said!” Xu Yunchun continuously nodded his head.
*
Wei Xiu stared at Xu Yunchun and the servant girl speaking and laughing in the distance. He showed restraint again and again until he couldn’t anymore. He ended up signalling for the other to return.
Xu Yunchun signaled with his eyes: “What’s the matter?”
Wei Xiu signaled gently with his chin, “Plums have just been served. They’re your favorite.”
Thus, under the guise of delicious plums, Wei Xiu has Xu Yunchun back at his side sucking on plums, his heart finally at ease.
“Ha, isn’t that General Wei?” a voice that grates the nerves was heard.
The third prince had arrived.
Since the year of that duel, the third prince viewed Wei Xiu as an opponent he had so pitifully defeated, anytime they crossed paths, he felt it necessary to shoot out a few sentences of ridicule.
Wei Xiu had always quietly accepted it, but this was the first time he met him in Xu Yunchun’s company. Wei Xiu discreetly squeezes Xu Yunchun’s hand, afraid that the other may feel uneasy.
The two held each other’s hands, and Wei Xiu noticed Xu Yunchun unassumingly placed something into his hand. Confused, he looked down.
…It was the pits from the plums he had eaten.
This brat had grown some guts over the years.
Wei Xiu pulled back his hands, ignoring Xu Yunchun.
*
Seeing Wei Xiu, the third prince ridiculed the scar on his brow as usual.
“General Wei, you should be careful when you go out to war, or else you’ll collect so many scars, you’ll scare the maidens.”
Wei Xiu didn’t reply, but behind him, Xu Yunchun was losing his patience.
The third prince noticed Xu Yunchun, he raised an eyebrow, then snickered: “Since when did General Wei earn such a handsome little servant?”
Someone whispered to him, then he let out an exclamation of realization: “It seems I surrendered quite a beauty to General Wei!”
As soon as those words were said, Wei Xiu furrowed his brow: “You jest, your highness, he is merely a guard.”
The third prince smiled as if hinting to something: “Is that so? What is he protecting? What part of General Wei is he responsible for protecting?”
There was an immediate shift in Wei Xiu’s expression. He then said, looking serious: “Xu Yunchun has joined me in the battlefield over the past few years putting his life on the line and killing countless enemies. What he’s protecting are the people and the fate of the Great Liang kingdom. Does his highness have any further doubts?”
It was indeed quite indecent of a prince to slyly accuse a loyal soldier who served to protect the kingdom of earning his status through his looks.
However, Wei Xiu did not lose his temper, he simply established the facts, and replied with the truth of the matter, leading all those around, especially soldiers, to give him looks of admiration.
The third prince was left speechless, he knew there was nothing more he could say.
Wei Xiu let out a sigh, then tightly squeezed Xu Yunchun’s hand again. With that squeeze, Xu Yunchun lightly squeezed back. The two were wildly in sync; Wei Xiu immediately knew what the other was thinking, and rushed to stop him with his gaze.
Xu Yunchun’s whole expression was uncaring. Afraid of causing a scene, Wei Xiu promptly gets up to dismiss himself.
*
After they had left, Wei Xiu asked in a low voice: “You didn’t use a drug on him, did you?”
Xu Yunchun, innocently: “Well, didn’t you pull me away, young master? When would I have had the opportunity to use a drug?”
Wei Xiu sighed in relief, but seconds later, he couldn’t help but say: “Be truthful!”
Only then did Xu Yunchun finally admit: “…I released a bit of something before we left. It’s not an issue! He’ll simply be vomiting all day tomorrow!”
Wei Xiu: “You…nevermind, what’s done is done.”
Seeing the young master at a loss for what to do with him, Xu Yunchun cozied up to him smiling: “The young master is still the best, that jerk is terrible.”
With his gaze, Wei Xiu warned the other to be mindful of his words, but he continued: “He dares insult the young master. The next time I see him, I’ll have him excreting from both sides.”
When did he insult me? The one he was insulting was you… Wei Xiu had nothing to say in response, but to see him in such innocence, unknowing of upset, he feels thankful, yet heartbroken.
Xu Yunchun: “Where are we headed, young master? We’re not headed home?”
Wei Xiu said: “To buy you a lantern, and have some fun.”
Xu Yunchun was elated.
*
That night, the third prince had made snide remarks about Xu Yunchun earning his status through his looks. Wei Xiu had felt fury in his heart.
But, deep in the night when all was still, when he looked at Xu Yunchun, the person sleeping deeply at his side, he took a really good look at him.
This was his first time really observing Xu Yunchun’s face. And just so, he was surprised to notice that his Chunchun was quite handsome. The skinny pitiful looking child from back then had now grown up to become an elegant young man.
Intelligent, capable, impressive.
Wei Xiu’s heart throbbed, his finger stretched out on its own, lightly tracing Xu Yunchun’s eyebrows.
He was unsure how many people were fond of his Chunchun. But his Chunchun belonged to him.
*
Wei Xiu’s heart had never fluttered for any maiden. Matchmakers had visited him many times, but they were all met with a direct rejection from Wei Xiu.
Upon hearing of this, the emperor had believed that Wei Xiu had long ago held someone in his heart and called him into the palace.
After learning that the young man actually had no intentions of marrying, without hesitation, the emperor had him stay in the palace quarters.
That very night, a beautiful palace woman came to “serve” Wei Xiu at the emperor’s decree.
Wei Xiu had already reached the age of maturity, but his experience was lacking, it could be said that, at the time, he was completely oblivious. Despite still being unwed, all the young noblemen had had concubines since long ago. How could someone as clueless as Wei Xiu exist?
“General Wei, it is getting quite late.”
The palace woman was gentle as snow, but Wei Xiu still felt immeasurable awkwardness.
“You may leave.”
“His Majesty sent me.” The palace woman remained kneeling.
Wei Xiu cursed that old coot for meddling in his affairs, but he understood that he would have to deal with such adult matters eventually.
His face was a bright crimson. He was unsure what to do.
*
On that night, Xu Yunchun who had been sleeping at the general’s residence alone was stirred awake by Wei Xiu.
“Why did you return, young master?” Xu Yunchun drowsily stuck onto Wei Xiu’s body, noticing that a flowery fragrance was coming from it.
“I came back to sleep with you.”Wei Xiu answered irritably.
“I almost thought it was the rats invading the bed…” Xu Yunchun yawned, then fell back asleep in Wei Xiu.
“You’re so silly.” Wei Xiu embraces Xu Yunchun, his mind finally at ease.
*
The following day, the news of Wei Xiu fleeing the palace in the middle of the night spread like wildfire. But Wei Xiu didn’t pay that gossip any mind, he’d been unable to focus on anything else for quite some time. He even shooed Xu Yunchun away while he was still sleeping and isolated himself in his room.
“Young master! Young master, open the door!” Xu Yunchun is outside scratching the door.
“Go do your training!” Wei Xiu yells from inside the room.
“Is the young master abandoning Chunchun!” Xu Yunchun was panicking.
“No!” Wei Xiu said, “Just let me be alone!”
Not only did Wei Xiu need to be alone, but he needed to change his pants. This had happened before. Of course, it was unavoidable for a healthy bodied young man to wake up in the morning sometimes needing to change his underpants. The problem this time was that the previous night, he had had a dream, and the subject of the dream was Xu Yunchun. Wei Xiu had been the one taking the lead, and not only that, when awoke from the dream, he was still reeling for a continuation.
Oh, Wei Xiu! How could you be this absurd? That’s Xu Yunchun, the Xu Yunchun you depend on, the Xu Yunchun who depends on you, the Yunchun who you see as your flesh and blood.
Wei Xiu couldn’t stop blaming himself. He couldn’t believe that he would be so indecent.
If Xu Yunchun were to find out about this, what would he think?
*
It took all morning for Wei Xiu to get back a hold of himself. But, right when he got out the door, Xu Yunchun, who had been waiting at the doorway, leapt into his arms.
The warmth of his touch ignited the heart Wei Xiu had taken so long to cool down. He wanted to push Xu Yunchun away, but soon realized that he couldn’t.
That night, Xu Yunchun wanted to get into bed, but Wei Xiu put out his hands to block him: “There are no rats in the residence, go sleep on your own.”
Upon hearing those words, Xu Yunchun starts wailing loudly.
“The young master is abandoning Chunchun!”
“I’m not abandoning you!” Wei Xiu said, “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill!”
“You’re abandoning me! You hate me!”
Xu Yunchun had mastered the skill of tantrum throwing, he knew that as long as he let some tears flow, Wei Xiu couldn’t go against him.
And as expected, with just a few sniffles, Wei Xiu gave in: “Nevermind. Go ahead, sleep.”
Xu Yunchun was elated, he nestled back into Wei Xiu’s chest.
He said, satisfied: “The young master is the best.”
Wei Xiu’s body went rigid, he wanted to push the other away again, but simply ended up hugging him.
Oh foolish little Chunchun.
If Chunchun knew how he felt, he likely wouldn’t want to get so close to him.
*
Ever since that day, a seed had been planted in Wei Xiu’s heart.
Those strange dreams were infrequent, so Wei Xiu assumed it had been a random occurrence. He just happened to have a dream, and the person in the dream just happened to be Xu Yunchun.
He could continue to live and sleep with Xu Yunchun, continue to indulge in the attachment Xu Yunchun had to him.
He believed that if he continued to trick himself in this way, the day that seed sprouted would never come, but as the two continued to depend on each other day after day, the seed quickly broke through the earth and grew into a big tree.
