LC chapter 40

 

The play hadn’t concluded yet, and most people on the second floor were distracted. The screen in Box One had been removed.

The room’s decor resembled that of a typical private room: a carved sandalwood shade covering the floor-to-ceiling window, two armchairs, and a square rosewood table with four plates of snacks.

Zhan Xi and Lin Ruan sat on either side. Zhan Xi, dressed in a suit, sat cross-legged on the chair; his elegance was evident even without unnecessary movement.

He was the owner of Box One, a fact that surprised everyone yet also seemed natural.

People’s attention was focused more on Lin Ruan. Dressed in a navy blue spring silk gown, Lin Ruan had a calm and composed expression, exuding a unique aura. He sat in a chair, leaning slightly closer to Zhan Xi—a gesture that revealed their closeness.

Zhan Xi explained the play to him, detailing the meaning of the lines, the key points, and the beauty of the piece. With Zhan Xi’s explanation, Lin Ruan understood the play even better.

At that moment, he didn’t find the stares of others irritating. As long as Zhan Xi was around, it was difficult for him to pay attention to anything else.

“The Drunken Concubine” had come to a close, and another round of applause and praise followed. Lin Ruan finished, feeling satisfied.

Song Shuangqi had left the stage, and Lin Ruan spotted Meng Zhen’s shadow downstairs. He looked at Zhan Xi.

Zhan Xi took a sip from his teacup and said, “Go ahead.”

Lin Ruan got up and went downstairs. He chased Meng Zhen all the way backstage, only to find him standing hunched over in front of a door, eavesdropping.

Lin Ruan went up to him and patted him on the shoulder. “Eavesdropping? Do you have any morals?”

Since Zhan Xi appeared, Lin Ruan had become noticeably livelier.

Meng Zhen pulled him down and whispered, “I’m just keeping watch for them.”

Lin Ruan squatted down and peered through the gap in the door into the room.

Song Shuangqi was the one wearing the apricot-yellow costume. His makeup was still on, and his gold-and-jade-encrusted headpiece was eye-catching. Bai Zhenzhu stood opposite him, and the two faced each other in silence.

Lin Ruan waited a long moment before Song Shuangqi spoke.

“I just want to ask you one thing: Do you like me?”

Bai Zhenzhu looked Song Shuangqi in the eye. “I like you. I love you very much.”

Her attitude was remarkably frank.

Song Shuangqi’s eyes lit up slightly. “Then you…”

Before he could finish, Bai Zhenzhu interrupted, “But I won’t marry you.”

She said this with the same frankness.

She looked at Song Shuangqi. “I think you know what kind of person I am. I married Xu Cong, not because I liked him, but because of his family’s power. Song Shuangqi, you are the only man I, Bai Zhenzhu, have ever liked or loved. But I will not marry you.”

Song Shuangqi’s lips twitched a few times and the light in his eyes flickered, but he ultimately said nothing.

After a long pause, he lowered his eyes, flicked his sleeves, and said, “Then I wish the young lady great fortune, smooth sailing, and that she rise step by step to the very heights of success.”

With that, Song Shuangqi turned his back, no longer looking at her.

Lin Ruan pulled Meng Zhen aside. A moment later, the door opened, and Bai Zhenzhu emerged. Her high heels tapped against the floor; she was still the elegant lady she had always been, every movement perfectly executed.

Lin Ruan and Meng Zhen quietly left. Lin Ruan asked, “Miss Bai said she likes Boss Song. And Boss Song doesn’t seem heartless. Why don’t they get together?”

“Who says two people in love have to be together? Didn’t my cousin say she loves power? No matter how popular Boss Song is, he can’t give my cousin power.” Meng Zhen curled his lips. “Ah, love—truly a little demon that torments people.”

Lin Ruan still didn’t understand. He liked Zhan Xi and would be miserable if he couldn’t be with him.

But didn’t Bai Zhenzhu feel miserable, too?

“Honestly, your master treats you incredibly well,” Meng Zhen said, quickly changing the subject. “You’ll practically be able to walk all over Beijing from now on!”

Lin Ruan looked at Meng Zhen. “If you’re jealous, why don’t you find a powerful man, too?”

“Come on,” Meng Zhen said. “I don’t want a father.”

Then, midway through, Meng Zhen realized, “No, I like sweet, soft girls.”

Lin Ruan laughed, and Meng Zhen chased him. The two of them walked off, joking and quarreling.

Zhan Xi’s twenty-sixth birthday was at the end of May. He had already sent out invitations to many guests. Everyone well-known in the city was invited. This would be the biggest birthday party he had ever thrown.

This sparked speculation in Beijing. Zhan Xi wasn’t one for displays, and he had a code of staying out of government, even becoming a recluse. So why would he throw such a lavish party for his 26th birthday?

Some secretly speculated that a change was about to happen in Beijing.

Although rumors spread faster than the wind in May, everyone politely gave birthday gifts and attended the banquet. Some even dressed their daughters lavishly in hopes of gaining an advantage.

Tong Bo had already begun decorating. He repainted the white walls and red tiles outside the house and replaced some furniture with bright red rosewood. Roses, Chinese roses, crabapples, and magnolias—all sorts of flowers—were arranged in a colorful display interspersed with small electric lights. Pots of flowers lined the streets, creating a vibrant spectacle. Under the eaves, the streetlights had been replaced with new bulbs in gauze shades, dangling from brightly colored tassels. The lampshades were sprinkled with perfume, diffusing a delicate fragrance from the heat of the lights.

On the day of the celebration, cars filled the long street outside the Lan Mansion. Ginkgo trees lined the street and were draped with colorful ribbons, creating a magnificent scene. Small vendors mingled with the crowd, adding to the bustling activity. Gu Ji had assigned a team to provide assistance, so as he walked, he spotted men in green military uniforms patrolling the streets.

Downstairs, guests had arrived, and upstairs, Lin Ruan had just finished changing. He wore a velvet suit with silver embroidered cuffs and collar and a silver diamond brooch in the shape of an elk on his chest. He looked like a proud little prince.

The little prince was a bit anxious. There were so many people outside.

Zhan Xi pinched the back of his neck and said, “What are you afraid of? You’re in your own home. No one will judge you for what you do. Relax.”

Lin Ruan gradually calmed down with Zhan Xi’s comfort. Zhan Xi plucked a lilac from a nearby vase and handed it to Lin Ruan. In a low voice, he said, “I’ve given my whole heart to someone. You can treat it like a flower pinned to your shirt button. Even if it only lasts one summer day, it’s a blessing.”

Lin Ruan couldn’t help but laugh. He lifted his head to look at Zhan Xi, who was smiling and saying playful, sweet words to coax him.

It was almost time, so Zhan Xi and Lin Ruan went downstairs together. The living room downstairs was packed with people: men in dark suits and women in beautiful dresses of all kinds.

Women always commanded more attention than men. Their dresses, adorned with diamond jewelry, evoked a vibrant, colorful atmosphere amidst the dull, dark hues. As Lin Ruan and Zhan Xi reached the halfway point, everyone’s attention focused on them. Lin Ruan tensed for a moment but quickly relaxed.

Zhan Xi patted him gently and said, “Go have fun.”

Lin Ruan nodded, descended, and went to find Meng Zhen.

On the other hand, Zhan Xi quickly blended into the world of fame and fortune. He chatted and laughed with everyone. Although he made no attempt to introduce Lin Ruan, his protective attitude was clearly evident.

Even though no one spoke of it openly, a quiet wave of curiosity began to spread. Everyone was asking who the young man was who had come downstairs with Zhan Xi and when Beijing had gotten someone like him.

The servants at the Lan Mansion refused to answer, and even those familiar with Zhan Xi were unaware.

Gradually, those who could speak to Gu Ji began to ask him about it. Gu Ji swirled his wine glass and said, “This guy is something special!”

As word spread, it became more and more outrageous. Some said he was a relative of Zhan Xi’s and a member of the previous imperial court.

The crowd’s eyes flickered to Lin Ruan, dressed in a bright outfit and fiddling with a lilac blossom, as he chatted and laughed with a young man whose name no one could recall.

Zhan Xi suddenly called out to Lin Ruan. Lin Ruan walked over and heard Zhan Xi introduce him to the person sitting across from him.

“This is Lin Ruan, my official betrothed wife since childhood. He’s still young and in school, so he doesn’t appear in public much.”

Across from Lin Ruan stood a couple who looked very amicable. Lin Ruan bowed slightly and greeted them politely.

Zhan Xi looked at Lin Ruan. He had mentioned his betrothed wife twice before: once in the Zhexian Tower to vent his anger on Lin Ruan’s behalf and again now.

Lin Ruan also looked at Zhan Xi. He repeated the words “official betrothed wife” in his mind several times, staring at Zhan Xi.

Neither of them spoke.

After Zhan Xi’s introduction, the servants at the Lan Mansion no longer hid their secrets when asked again. They said that the young master had grown up in the prince’s mansion and later followed the master to the Lan Mansion, where he had been raised since childhood.

Those present observed that Lin Ruan was well-mannered and graceful. Despite his youth, he showed no fear. Everyone thought that being born in a prince’s mansion meant he had an unparalleled bearing.

It was no wonder they thought so. Although Lin Ruan’s thoughts often wandered, he maintained a composed demeanor. Even Zhan Xi had been fooled by Lin Ruan at first.

Zhan Xi introduced Lin Ruan to various people. When they reached Gu Ji, Lin Ruan relaxed slightly. Clearly, he already knew Gu Ji, meaning this “official betrothed wife” who rarely appeared had long been introduced to Madam Gu and formally acknowledged by the clan elders.

The fact that this “official betrothed wife” rarely appeared in public was probably due to the strict rules of the prince’s manor. Perhaps because he was like a woman, he was kept deep within the inner chambers and not easily shown to outsiders.

Zhan Xi: This is my little consort, whom I’ve been raising in my inner chamber.

“I feel as though I’ve given my whole soul to someone who treats it like a flower pinned to a button on his coat—a mere ornament to satisfy his vanity for one summer day.” —Oscar Wilde

 

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Acargoreng: Hello everyone, I’m here to bring a little sad news. My other translation, “But He’s Beautiful,” had to be taken down because of a DMCA problem. I’m planning to move it to my Ko-fi page instead. Once everything is decided, I’ll make another announcement.
Thank you all for always supporting my works 💕