The Three Visits to the Door

When Zheng Shanci returned home, Yu Lanyi had already woken up from his nap. He placed the mung bean soup he bought outside on the table and said softly, “I bought some mung bean soup outside, it’s still warm. You can drink it to cool off.”

Yu Lanyi glanced up at Zheng Shanci without saying a word. He lazily took a sip with a wooden spoon. The taste was ordinary, but it came at the right time since Yu Lanyi was feeling a bit hot.

After a nap, Yu Lanyi felt completely lazy, yawning with a hand covering his mouth, looking quite relaxed.

“Do you know the Ge’er from An Xinhou’s Mansion?” Zheng Shanci asked as he sat down.

Yu Lanyi’s laziness instantly vanished, and he wondered why Zheng Shanci was asking about An Ge’er. They had no connection, so why was he suddenly bringing him up?

“Of course I know him. Why are you asking about him?” Yu Lanyi looked at Zheng Shanci with suspicion.

“I just happened to overhear something on my way back. Someone is trying to climb the social ladder by scheming to tarnish the reputation of the Ge’er from An Xinhou’s Mansion. I thought I’d tell you so you could warn him, to prevent any scoundrels from succeeding,” Zheng Shanci explained the situation.

Yu Lanyi’s hand on the chair suddenly tightened, and he sneered, “There really are all kinds of people. Their conscience must have been eaten by dogs. 

To come up with such a plan, even though the mansion is heavily guarded and An Ge’er has attendants by his side when he goes out, they still want to target him. Besides, he already has a fiancé.”

He lowered his head, his expression unreadable. He thought about how Zheng Shanci had ended up with him by chance, but upon closer reflection, Zheng Shanci hadn’t really schemed against him. It was the maid who had brought Zheng Shanci in, and they ended up together by accident.

Otherwise, Yu Lanyi wouldn’t have let anyone get close.

“I understand. I’ll send someone to warn him,” Yu Lanyi said, getting up to write a letter and handing it to Jin Yun to deliver.

Jin Yun was his personal attendant, having been with him since childhood. When An Ge’er saw Jin Yun, he would know the letter wasn’t from some random person.

“Go ahead and deliver the letter.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Just as Yu Lanyi was about to leave, Zheng Shanci returned to the room from the corridor.

Seeing Yu Lanyi, he was a bit surprised but politely nodded, then took off his outer robe. Since Yu Lanyi was already awake, it was his turn to sleep. He hadn’t slept well the previous night and now wanted to have the bed all to himself.

Last night, he slept like a dead fish, not daring to move. Now, lying down, he could finally relax.

“I’m going to take a nap,” Zheng Shanci explained.

Then he stood at the door, and somehow Yu Lanyi ended up outside. Zheng Shanci closed the door with a snap.

He quickly walked over to the bed, let out a sigh, and relaxed. The bed was soft, with a lingering fragrance. Zheng Shanci turned over awkwardly. The bedding still carried the scent of another person, completely invaded.

He closed his eyes.

…

An Ge’er was embroidering a handkerchief. His fiancé, Zhang Shizi, saw that his friend had a handkerchief embroidered by a confidante and wanted to ask An Ge’er for one. He mentioned it, and how could An Ge’er refuse?

He was tired of embroidering handkerchiefs. Why should he embroider for this person, for the sake of this marriage alliance, for the expectations of his elders?

“Young Master, Young Master Yu sent you a letter, delivered by Jin Yun.”

An Ge’er put down his needlework and picked up the letter to read. He was indifferent. If there really were such scoundrels, he would have his strong servants break their legs. If they were so greedy for wealth and glory, he would make sure they could never hold their heads up again.

“Come here, I have something to tell you,” An Ge’er called his attendant over and whispered a few words.

“Young Master, I understand.”

To teach them a lesson, to deter such petty people.

This time, he owed Yu Lanyi a favor.

Zheng Shanci woke up after an hour and started reading. The geography and customs of Da Yan were fascinating. Da Yan was well-connected, with even barbarians coming to pay tribute. The political situation wasn’t unstable.

But some predicted that Da Yan would fall due to fraternal strife. Emperor Wu Ming had two Fengjun. The first Fengjun was the son of a minor official, who met Emperor Wu Ming at a Buddhist temple. His lively and flamboyant nature captivated the emperor, and they fell in love at first sight. Emperor Wu Ming, still a prince at the time, asked the previous emperor to marry him.

They were deeply in love, and Emperor Wu Ming left the harem empty for him until he died in childbirth.

To care for the newborn, Emperor Wu Ming married the Fengjun’s younger brother as a successor. The young Wang Fengjun also had a child. Both sons were legitimate, and now the two princes were still young. Who knows what changes would occur in the court once they grew up?

None of this concerned him. He just needed to tend to his own affairs.

He focused on his reading, planning to have dinner with Yu Lanyi in the evening. With an official’s son and a wealthy heir in the house, Zheng Shanci even got to enjoy some sweet soup.

There was no shortage of fruit.

In the evening, they went to the garden to enjoy the cool breeze. Going out wouldn’t attract attention, only whispers behind their backs.

Life was sweet.

Yu Lanyi hadn’t completely turned decadent, and Zheng Shanci felt somewhat relieved. Spending money was nothing; any money was small change in his eyes, not something a person with a monthly salary of seven taels of silver could understand.

At night, they each did their own thing, lying peacefully on the bed. A large gap remained between them, with Yu Lanyi turning his back to Zheng Shanci, and Zheng Shanci doing the same.

They pulled the covers, each holding onto their own corner.

“Zheng Shanci, did you remember all the family members I told you about today?”

A rustling sound came from beside him.

Zheng Shanci nodded, “I remember, I won’t embarrass you.”

He thought about how Yu Lanyi cared most about his reputation. Since they were married, they were bound together, and he would make their relationship more pleasant, avoiding any farce. They needed to understand each other a bit more.

Thinking about this, Zheng Shanci felt he was a qualified husband.

He wouldn’t interfere with Yu Lanyi. If Yu Lanyi had someone he liked, he could let go gracefully.

Yu Lanyi wanted to see what expression Zheng Shanci had now, but he held back. It was Zheng Shanci who turned away first; how could he turn back first? That would mean he lost.

Who gets married without a wedding night? Even though it was his own request, seeing Zheng Shanci so indifferent made Yu Lanyi feel quite defeated.

He secretly held a grudge.

No matter what, he was handsome and noble, yet Zheng Shanci was like a block of wood.

Zheng Shanci didn’t know Yu Lanyi was overthinking and holding a grudge. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. Since he had napped in the afternoon, he woke up a bit early.

He woke up just as dawn was breaking. It was neither time to sleep nor time to stay awake. He turned over to lie on his back and noticed Yu Lanyi’s covers had slipped off. He propped himself up to adjust the covers for Young Master Yu.

Yu Lanyi’s face was rosy from sleep, and up close, he could see the fine hairs on his face. He was already lying on his back, his fingers curled on the pillow. Zheng Shanci watched intently as Yu Lanyi turned over to face him.

He seemed to trust him, sleeping so soundly.

Zheng Shanci quietly got out of bed. Jin Yun heard the movement and, seeing Zheng Shanci up, wanted to help him wash up, but Zheng Shanci shook his head.

“No need, I’ll do it myself. Let him sleep a bit longer.”

Zheng Shanci was mindful not to wake Yu Lanyi, moving as quietly as possible, with a certain tenderness in his actions.

Jin Yun stared at Zheng Shanci, realizing he had been staring too long, he lowered his head, not looking anymore. It seemed Zheng Daren cared a lot about the young master.

Mid-July, the third day of returning home. The morning dew still clung to the leaves, and magpies perched on branches. The Changyang Marquis Mansion had gatekeepers eagerly waiting, constantly watching the street. Seeing a familiar carriage approaching, the coachman recognized, they were delighted.

“Quickly, go inform the Marquis and Fulang, the young master and son-in-law have returned.”

Another gatekeeper responded and quickly reported to the living room, “Marquis, Fulang, the young master and son-in-law have returned.”

Yu Fulang’s smile widened, “They’ve finally come. Ever since Lanyi got married, I’ve been thinking about him. I used to find him mischievous and naive, afraid someone would hurt him, and couldn’t bear to be harsh. Now that he’s married, I feel empty, as if my soul went with him.”

Yu Fulang felt quite sentimental, “I should have let the Marquis find a position for Shanci in Shengjing. How can Lanyi endure in such a remote place? Every time I think about it, my chest hurts.”

“Alright, returning home is a good thing, yet you speak such discouraging words. What would the grandson-in-law think if he heard this? You can talk to Lanyi and the son-in-law, but not in front of Shanci,” the Duchess of England glared at Yu Fulang.

“I know, Mother,” Yu Fulang replied with a smile, unafraid of the Duchess.

“Mother, he’s just been missing Lanyi these few days,” the Changyang Marquis quickly defended his beloved.

“You’ve spoiled him,” the Duchess of England said, though her expression softened.

“Now that Lanyi is married, there’s still the third young master in the mansion. You should focus more on him, don’t let this affect your reputation.”

Yu Fulang’s smile faded slightly, nodding, “I understand. Changxing and Lanyi are my flesh and blood. I just want them to have a good life, nothing else matters.”

The Duchess of England patted Yu Fulang’s hand.

The Changyang Marquis sighed inwardly.

Meanwhile, the carriage arrived at the Changyang Marquis Mansion. Every time Zheng Shanci saw the mansion, he felt like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden, filled with awe.

“Young Master, Son-in-law, please.”

Yu Lanyi had dressed in fine clothes this morning. Seeing Zheng Shanci already washed and reading on the side, he glanced at him, thinking he was at least a person, and asked.

“How does this outfit look?”

Zheng Shanci looked up and praised, “It looks good.”

Yu Lanyi got excited and changed five more outfits.

Zheng Shanci: “…”

Each received praise from Zheng Shanci, making Yu Lanyi’s expression dissatisfied.

Zheng Shanci laughed, “You look good, so everything you wear looks good.”

This made Yu Lanyi feel a bit flustered, so he pretended to be indifferent, put on his clothes, and got on the carriage with him.

When it was time to get off the carriage, Zheng Shanci got off first and extended a hand to help him.

Yu Lanyi lifted the curtain, his gaze falling on Zheng Shanci’s face.