“Shīxiōng, Shīxiōng! Wake up!” A-Shan shook the older teen, earning a groan from Mo Xu.
“It’s still so early. The outside is still dark.” He turned away, causing A-Shan to slide off him.
“It’s not early! You just slept for a whole day after Wei-qianbei got you to drink.” A-Shan pulled the quilt off him. “Xiansheng wants to meet you before he and qianbei leave.”
“Leave for what?” Mo Xu whined, although he did rise up. His head was hurting so much.
“To meet Lord Xu from the Ministry of Justice. Remember the one you and qianbai met two days ago.” A-Shan replied and handed him a cup of concoction for a hangover.
“In Lánhóng mansion?” Mo Xu asked. His face scrunched up at the bitter taste.
“How would I know where you two went? Xiansheng won’t let me go anywhere near Yángzhōu street.” A-Shan giggled. “Just wash your face first! Xiansheng is waiting in the main hall.” He ran out of Mo Xu’s chamber. He should get ready himself as he was to visit Laotou today too. Just yesterday the sets Xiansheng ordered for him arrived and he was told to wear one of those for the visit.
Down the hallway, was his own chamber. The two of them lived in the east wing of the fairly medium-sized house Xiansheng managed to rent just a week ago. His chamber was slightly closer to the central hall where the two brothers lived.
Sitting in the veranda outside the main hall, Wèi Xuězhú looked over to the kid running out and in of the west wing. “You should start his etiquette training. Today, he won’t be meeting anyone. But soon as your student, he will have to mingle among the nobles. And someday he will offend someone with strong influence and weak ego and get in trouble.”
“Didn’t you get etiquette training too? That didn’t stop you from getting into trouble.” Wèi Xuělín muttered, getting out of the hall. They both were informally dressed though in the color blue of their sect. The meeting was more of two friends meeting than an official meeting. He can't understand how his brother made a friend out of an official so quickly. Must be alcohol and beautiful ladies at play.
“You’re saying as if you never got scolded by shifu. Just say you like that kid and want to spoil him.” Wèi Xuězhú wrapped his arm on his brother’s shoulder.
“That’s not true.” Wèi Xuělín protested.
“It’s absolutely true.” Wèi Xuězhú laughed. “How long did we tell you to get me another saozi? I am sure she will love to get you babies to spoil.”
“There will be no other ‘saozi’ for you and both of us know it. Stop pushing your luck.” He sounded bitter, causing his brother to sympathetically pat his back.
From the corner of their eyes they saw both Mo Xu and A-Shan were walking side by side, conversing and heading at them.
“Xiansheng, qianbai, do I look good?” A-Shan asked earnestly. He liked the light green robes. But he had never worn such robes and wasn’t sure if he got them in the right order.
“I told him he does! He just doesn't believe me at all!” Mo Xu blurted the moment Wèi Xuělín’s cold gaze fell upon him.
“You look better than shidi looked at your age.” Wèi Xuězhú offered kindly. Truthfully, A-Shan needed better grooming and needed to be taught about haircare. Definitely that. He side-eyed his brother who was patting the boy’s head now. Of course, he didn’t think of teaching the boy these things. They always came naturally to Wèi Xuělín and even unkempt, he looked as gorgeous as ever. Huh! Wèi Xuězhú would help A-Shan instead!
“I do, qianbei?” A-Shan’s eyes brightly shone.
“Absolutely.” Wèi Xuězhú reassured. “The green of the garment goes very well with your eyes. Just wait for your Guanli and I will get you the most beautiful jade to match it.”
Seeing as the two were quite enamored by their conversation, Mo Xu took his chance to ask, “Shixiong, why did you want to meet me?”
Wèi Xuělín’s eyes were still gentle but voice was so low and cold that only he heard it. “Follow A-Shan for today. Don’t leave him once but also keep out of his sight.”
“Any particular reason?”
“Wasn’t he speaking of one ‘Yan-ge’ much? I want to know who that is.”
“Alright.” Mo Xu said. “Leave it to me.”
Wèi Xuělín nodded and returned his attention back to his brother and student. The two were still talking about clothing garbs. He coughed. “We should get going. It would be improper to keep Lord Xu waiting.” He reminded them. “And it’s rude to keep the coachman waiting.” He didn’t wait for any response before heading out. A-Shan hurried after him, only after waving at Mo Xu was to officially look after the house while they were gone. He watched as the three passed through the main gate and then himself disappeared in a side-corridor.
“It’s not like he will mind.” Wèi Xuězhú muttered, catching up to his brother and A-Shan. The latter looked very excited to see the beautifully crafted carriage.
"Weren't you speaking of etiquette just now? Where did it go, A-Zhu?" Wèi Xuělín asked, getting into the carriage. Wèi Xuězhú didn't answer his brother as he followed, instead he helped A-Shan up there and got himself in too.
A-Shan, having never ridden in a carriage, was of course excited and was asking about everything from how the carriage materials which keeps warmth in to the horses’ diet. Mo Xu had been happily answering those. Occasionally, Wèi Xuězhú would answer some questions that Mo Xu couldn’t answer.
Wèi Xuělín watched over the three, smiling at their interaction.
“Xiansheng,” A-Shan said, almost startling him, “I don’t really…umm…not…” He hesitated.
“Come on, kid. Just tell him. It’s not like he would scold you for it.” Wèi Xuězhú snorted at his nervousness.
A-Shan hesitated still but did speak up at last, “Wàigōng has been sick recently and he doesn’t like going to any physicians. If xiansheng kindly–.”
“Oh? It’s alright.” He shrugged. “If it would make your concern lighter, I can check on him tonight while picking you up. Would you kindly give him this though?” He handed A-Shan a slip.
A-Shan nodded happily and securely put those inside his sleeves. “Will do so.” And being ecstatic of finally meeting his past guardian after a whole week of separation, he didn’t even notice how weirdly Wèi Xuězhú was staring at his xiansheng the entire ride. And when the carriage reached the teahouse, he excitedly get down.
Watching the teen get down the carriage steps, Wèi Xuělín sighed. He looked up, and on the rooftop of the teahouse was a man. Not Mo Xu. He didn’t get much of a view as the carriage rolled away. The only image he caught was the man jumping down to the street before A-Shan and the teen, instead of fearing away or being startled, lunged at him, hugging each other.
…
“Xu-Xiong, who are these friends of yours that will be joining us? Are they so important that you need to request such entertainment?” Lu Chengqian loudly declared to Xu Huaiqian, face already as red as his uniform from alcohol. He almost fell face first before he was held straight up by the laughing courtesan leaning on his shoulder.
Xu Huaiqian just smiled at this. Slowly sipping his cup of wine, he said, “Surely brother Chengqian knows of the rumor going around about some big fish coming from the western border upon His Majesty’s order?”
Qi Yinian let out a delightful laugh. “Who hasn’t heard of it, Xu-gongzi? Didn’t gongzi bring one of them here yesterday?” She was there last night too, serving wine to the official then too. And the guest yesterday was one of the most beautiful men that she ever laid her eyes upon. How could a man have such a face? How unfair it was of the ladies!
“As if they would keep themselves low key if they were that important! What you say is just that – a rumor!” He slammed his hand on the table causing the dishes to rattle, startling the women around them.
“Er-ge, the evening hadn’t even started and you’re already getting drunk. If Xu-Xiong invited someone, they must surely be important. We should behave accordingly. Otherwise they will get a bad impression of our Lu Clan.” Lu Chengming helped him with a cup of water, taking over his brother’s weight from the struggling courtesan.
“True, Lu-er-gongzi, you should listen to your brother.” Xue Zongliu, sitting rather stiffly between Xu Huaiqian and one of the ladies tending to his wine, chastised Lu Chengqian though it had no effect on the latter. Realizing this, he turned his attention to the other, “Chengming, keep up with your study and the director Pan himself is speaking of you. I believe he is willing to take you in as a student if you ask him directly.”
“Huh! Don’t even try it, Ming-er. You will just embarrass us if you do!” Lu Chengqian exclaimed, now seemingly more sober.
“Lu-er-gongzi, you speak as if you get your job based on merits.” Xue Zhongliu sarcastically muttered. “You are just a second son who got lucky. Chengming is far more qualified than you’re.”
‘What do you mean!” Lu Chengqian stood up, angry at the accusation. “For all that we know, you became the Vice Director solely because His Majesty ‘liked’ you!” The environment had grown suddenly colder. As it started turning more and more tense, one by one the ladies trickled out of the chamber. Only Qi Yinian didn’t move from Xu Huaiqian’s side.
“Er-ge!” “Chengqian!” Lu Chengming and Xu Huaiqian exclaimed simultaneously, horrified.
Xue Zhongliu stood up too, face red, scraping the chair. “Say what you may of me, but don’t slander His Majesty the Emperor! Our Emperor is a just and upright man! Don’t implicate us in your treacherous words!”
“What slander and what treacherous words? When did His Majesty ever hide that he likes beautiful men over women? My poor sister in the palace never even gets a visit at night!” Before any of his stunned companions could say anything to this, Lu Chengqian collapsed.
Flustered by his brother’s impudent behaviour, Lu Chengming stood up. “Gentlemen,” putting up a stoic facade, he said, “I will take my leave with Er-ge lest we disgrace our host.”
“No need, no need.” Xu Huaiqian assured him. “I will have someone take him to a chamber for rest. Nian-er,” — He turned to Qi Yinian — “if you please…”
“I will get one of my sisters, Xu-gongzi.” She gracefully stood up and bowed to the men.
‘Men’ she bitterly thought. “Thanks heaven that Lu-gongzi was out already.” she muttered. He was the one staring most at her. Only Xue Zongliu was the one that didn’t stare either at her or her sisters. A true gentleman at heart and face but then again this also meant that he would pick up a brothel girl like her. She ruefully wished to get another view of the man yesterday even if she would never get one. If only…
Someone collided against her, definitely not noticing her beforehand for the curtain at the entrance. The voice was concerned as she was helped up. Looking up, she stared stunned. She was taking back her thoughts from earlier, alright? That guest of Xu Huaiqian wasn’t this beautiful as was this man, although she knew the two must be related for the resemblance is strong.
“Are you alright?” He asked her. It was the most melodious voice she ever heard.
She must have been staring long because his next question was, “Did this lady hit her head when falling?”
Qi Yinian’s face grew warm and she evaded the dark eyes. She coughed behind her sleeves and bowed, “This servant greets gongzi. Did gongzi lose his way?” For sure, this man's eyes didn’t even wander once after he confirmed she was unharmed outwardly. He definitely wasn’t a patron here.
“Did A-chen lose his way? and ran straight to a courtesan?" interruption came before the man answered. In the hallway, it was Xu Huaiqian’s guest from last night.
“A-zhu, don’t joke about this.” The man chided him.
“What joke?” The newcomer laughed and asked her, “Wasn’t this lady there with Lord Xu last night too?”
“I was, gongzi.” She greeted him. So these two were indeed brothers, she thought. The similarity was uncanny yet, they still looked distinct. “If I may, this servant is currently given a task. Lord Xu is waiting in the chamber with the rest of his guests.” She bowed and left as the two men had nodded.
“Huh! She is enamored by you, A-chen.” Wèi Xuězhú said, watching Qi Yinian leave.
His brother scoffed. “You should’ve mentioned earlier that there would be more people and the meeting would be in a brothel.”
“But then you wouldn’t have agreed to come.”
“And for good reasons it seems.” Wèi Xuělín said. “Let’s not keep Xu Huaiqian waiting for longer. He must be here for a long while.”
“Well, I don’t think he would mind much. He seems to have good company already.” Indeed behind the sheer curtains that separated the inner chambers (where the group was) with the outer one, the silhouette of three people could be seen.
“You go first.” Wèi Xuězhú gestured. Wèi Xuělín had huffed and done so.