LC chapter 29

 

The weather cleared, and the flowers in the backyard, washed clean by spring rain, began to bloom one by one. The snow-white pear blossoms bloomed on each tree, and from a distance, they resembled a cloud and exuded a rich fragrance.

Zhan Xi and Lin Ruan stayed in the greenhouse, where the floor was covered with a thick carpet. Zhan Xi sat on a satin armchair wearing a moon-white silk gown. He plucked the strings of a jinghu twice and slowly played a minor tune.

Lin Ruan sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning against a small rosewood table. Drawing paper and a ruler lay at his side. As he tossed away the scrap paper piece by piece, Lin Ruan sighed. These tasks were truly difficult for an amateur like him.

“Sir,” he asked, “how do the buildings you’ve seen abroad compare to ours?”

“Each has its merits.” Zhan Xi played the jinghu leisurely and looked quite relaxed.

“There has to be a winner or loser,” Lin Ruan muttered quietly. “Otherwise, what’s the point of competing?”

Zhan Xi glanced at him and asked, “Do you really think your work can win an award?”

Lin Ruan hung his head. “Is it really that bad?”

Zhan Xi put down his jinghu, pinched the back of his neck, and said, “In a competition where the judges favor Western architecture, it’s unrealistic to hope to win an award with Chinese architecture.”

Lin Ruan looked at Zhan Xi. “I promised Professor Fang.”

Zhan Xi sneered. “Your professor isn’t stupid. He isn’t trying to win you an award, he wants to showcase the beauty and greatness of Chinese architecture. Even if Chinese architecture isn’t the only impressive kind, it should stand out among all the others.”

Lin Ruan tilted his head back and listened to him. “Chinese architecture, as seen in the Forbidden City, emphasizes grandeur, adapts to local conditions, utilizes space rationally, and employs ingenious construction methods. In these respects, Chinese architecture is on par with any other type of architecture.”

“Besides that, Chinese architecture possesses a unique aura.” Zhan Xi looked at Lin Ruan. “I’ve visited royal palaces in other countries, and I don’t feel insignificant in them. Do you know why?”

Lin Ruan thought for a moment and replied, “Is it because you’ve been to the Forbidden City?”

Zhan Xi nodded. “No other building can compare to the grandeur of the Forbidden City.”

Lin Ruan seemed to understand. Zhan Xi had often visited the palace as a child when the emperor was still in power. The palace was more than just a building, it was the last remnant of the dynasty. From that corner, one could glimpse the past’s prosperity.

Zhan Xi’s hand still rested on the back of Lin Ruan’s neck. “If you have time, take a walk around. What inspiration can you get from staying indoors?”

Tong Bo stood at the doorway. Zhan Xi stood up and walked out.

Seeing Zhan Xi come out, Tong Bo said, “As you instructed, we’ve relocated the Lin family to new accommodations. They’re now living near Liulichang. Gifts have been sent, and the family hasn’t said anything.”

Zhan Xi knew that, although he was connected to the Lin family through Lin Ruan, he wasn’t close to them and didn’t have the right to interfere in Lin Ruan’s affairs. Deep down, Zhan Xi didn’t want Lin Ruan to get too close to the Lin family.

Uncle Tong observed Zhan Xi’s expression and asked, “So… should we start preparing now?”

Zhan Xi turned to look at Lin Ruan sprawled on the table in the greenhouse, like a small ball.

“No rush,” Zhan Xi said.

Tong Bo frowned, puzzled.

Zhan Xi continued, “He’s still young and has barely finished school. He probably hasn’t even thought about these things.”

Lin Ruan had just confessed his love to Zhan Xi. For him, talking about marriage after only a few days of dating seemed hasty.

Unclear. Tong Bo then realized that Zhan Xi didn’t want to pressure Lin Ruan into marriage so quickly. However, Zhan Xi was also afraid that others would still treat him as a subordinate and that he would be mistreated.

Zhan Xi stayed with Lin Ruan briefly before leaving with Shi Ning. Lin Ruan left the greenhouse and returned to his room. He immediately noticed several brocade boxes on the tea table.

Lin Ruan opened one and saw a reddish-orange dress, both inner and outer, in red. He shook it out, revealing a long, exquisitely crafted gown with black brocade trim and gold embroidery. The entire outfit, including the shoes and socks, was red, making for very formal attire.

Another box contained a large number of oriental pearls. These were no ordinary pearls. They were harvested from the northeast and were full, large, round, and glistening. They were so precious that opening a hundred clams would yield no pearls. They had been presented to the Qing court. Now, packed tightly together in a long box, the pearls’ glistening sheen delighted the heart.

Oriental pearls and red clothes—they were so ceremonial.

Lin Ruan went downstairs and ran into Uncle Tong. He asked, “Uncle Tong, what’s in my room?”

Uncle Tong glanced at him and said, “The master gave them to you.”

“They’re quite valuable,” Lin Ruan said.

Uncle Tong frowned. “What’s wrong with that? When the master gives you something, you take it. Do you expect him to beg you to accept them?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Lin Ruan replied hastily.

Uncle Tong snorted, handed him a slip of paper, and said, “Your family has moved. Take these gifts and pay them a visit—it’s a housewarming gesture.”

Lin Ruan was slightly surprised, but he took the paper anyway. Uncle Tong looked at him and frowned. “From now on, you should be mindful of your status and behave accordingly. Don’t make people laugh. What’s so unbearable about a few things?”

Lin Ruan nodded, and Uncle Tong stopped talking and returned to his garden.

Lin Ruan gathered his things and went to the Lin family’s new residence, following the directions Uncle Tong had given him.

The area around Liulichang is rich in culture, with a bookstore seemingly on every corner. The Lin family’s new house is a small building with a courtyard facing the street. The first floor can be rented out to someone to open a shop, and the family lives in the back.

The entire home is brand new with new furniture, and Lin’s parents look much better. There’s a school near Liulichang, which makes it convenient for Lin Man to attend. The rented shop provides a source of income for the family. As Lin Man grows older, their family’s situation will only improve.

Lin Ruan walked out of the Lin residence and stood at the street corner, gazing into the distance. He suddenly felt disconnected, as if a burden had been untied, and as if his contact with them would gradually diminish.

Lin Ruan lowered his head and kicked pebbles along the roadside, feeling sentimental.

Darkness fell, and the lights inside and outside the Lin Mansion turned on. Lin Ruan knocked on Zhan Xi’s door, carrying snacks and hot tea. After receiving a response, he walked in.

Zhan Xi was in the study. He walked over to him and set down the snacks and tea.

Zhan Xi looked up at him and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Ruan replied, “I went to see my parents today. They moved. Was that arranged by the master?”

Zhan Xi nodded.

Lin Ruan chuckled softly. “I agree. No one else could have arranged things so perfectly.”

Lin Ruan knelt on the carpet and looked up at Zhan Xi. “Thank you, sir.”

Zhan Xi placed his hand on the side of Lin Ruan’s neck and gently stroked it twice without saying anything.

Suddenly remembering something, Lin Ruan asked, “Why did you give me those things in my room?”

“Don’t you like them?” Zhan Xi asked.

“No,” Lin Ruan replied. “I think they’re too expensive. Do they have any special meaning?”

“No,” Zhan Xi said, lowering his brows and looking at Lin Ruan. “I like you, so I want to give you precious things. Ideally, all the good things.”

Lin Ruan’s heart suddenly felt as if it were filled with hot, boiling water. He hurriedly pulled Zhan Xi in close and asked, “Then, sir, what can I give you?”

Zhan Xi smiled softly. “I’m not giving you something so you can give me something in return.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Lin Ruan explained hurriedly. “I want to give you something because I like you, too.”

After pausing, Lin Ruan added, “I’m not as accomplished as you. I can’t acquire many valuable things. But I’ll listen to you. I’ll do anything you ask.”

Zhan Xi’s eyes darkened. He looked at Lin Ruan, whose gaze was clear. Lin Ruan didn’t understand the implication of these words. He simply assumed that Zhan Xi appreciated his obedience.

“Anything?”

Lin Ruan nodded unconsciously. Zhan Xi smiled, leaving Lin Ruan baffled.

Lin Ruan looked up at Zhan Xi. Zhan Xi pinched the back of his neck, reached out, and pulled open a drawer. Inside was a small key.

“This is the key to a room at the end of the third-floor corridor,” Zhan Xi said, placing the small brass key in Lin Ruan’s hand. “Once you’ve seen it, you’ll know what I want.”

Lin Ruan held the key, with a blank look in his eyes.

The next day, Zhan Xi left early. Seeing no one around, Lin Ruan quietly made his way to the third floor.

The third floor had many rooms, but they were rarely occupied. They were used for storing valuables, and only servants came up to clean the corridors.

Lin Ruan walked to the end of the corridor, opened the door with the small brass key, and slipped inside. As soon as he closed the door and turned around, his eyes were drawn to the room’s various bizarre objects.

The room was sparsely decorated. Inside was a large bed with brass bedposts at each corner and a dark red curtain draped over it. Red gauze separated the inner and outer rooms. In this setting, the red gauze created a charming atmosphere.

Near the window in the outer section, a sofa chair sat with the curtains drawn. Several walls were adorned with all sorts of tools that made Lin Ruan’s mouth go dry just by looking at them. He suspected that the ruler Zhan Xi often used came from there.

Wow, thought Lin Ruan, blushing. Could this be the legendary remnant of feudalism?