Packing Up

Based on the previous situation, he hadn’t done much for a long time. Tonight, he drank, which likely stimulated his nerves, causing his body to feel a bit warm. 

Yu Lanyi lay on the bed, listening to the sound of water in the bathroom. His ears were sharp, and he remembered every little noise, knowing that Zheng Shanci hadn’t finished washing yet. 

Yu Lanyi’s face involuntarily heated up, and his fingers curled slightly. He could faintly hear Zheng Shanci’s deep voice, which always seemed to drill into his heart. 

Zheng Shanci tilted his head back, exhaling a breath. The steamy mist in the bathroom mixed with his breath, revealing a face with distinct features in the haze. 

Seeing that Yu Lanyi was already in bed, he blew out the candle and got in as well. Zheng Shanci lay properly on the bed, not turning to his side but lying flat, covering himself with the quilt and closing his eyes. 

Yu Lanyi pretended to breathe steadily. He didn’t ask Zheng Shanci about the picture book. He had intended to question him, but now he didn’t want to; his mind was still a mess. 

Unable to sleep, he listened to Zheng Shanci’s steady breathing, tossing and turning. 

“Can’t sleep?” Zheng Shanci suddenly spoke. 

Yu Lanyi was startled. 

“Slept too much at noon,” Yu Lanyi replied. 

Zheng Shanci was silent for a while, thinking that if Yu Lanyi slept like that, it would be strange if he could sleep at night. Tomorrow, he had to go to the Ministry of Personnel to report to Xinfeng County, so Zheng Shanci wanted to sleep early to be in good spirits. 

“Count sheep to sleep,” Zheng Shanci suggested. 

Yu Lanyi lay flat. The bed was still big, and when he turned too abruptly, his shoulder touched Zheng Shanci’s. He glared, “Do you think I’m a three-year-old child?” 

“No, I count sheep when I can’t sleep,” Zheng Shanci chuckled, feeling quite at peace at the moment. “I haven’t asked how old you are?” 

Yu Lanyi raised his chin, “I’m eighteen this year.” 

At this age, he was slightly older, not as young and beautiful as those younger Ge’er. Why was Zheng Shanci asking this? 

Just turned an adult. 

“And you?” 

In modern times, he was twenty-five, but this body was twenty-two. 

“Twenty-two.” 

Yu Lanyi responded, clearly feeling the warmth and another person’s breath from beside him. Zheng Shanci’s mindset changed again, knowing that Yu Lanyi had just turned eighteen, making him feel more accommodating towards Yu Lanyi. 

This was still a child. 

Although in the Da Yan dynasty, Ge’er could marry at sixteen, by Zheng Shanci’s calculation, eighteen was still too young. 

“Still too young,” Zheng Shanci said. 

Hearing this, Yu Lanyi doubted his ears. At his age, he was considered young? If he hadn’t married yet, he’d be an old Ge’er. He couldn’t understand; Zheng Shanci was really strange. 

He didn’t know that as they got to know each other more, Zheng Shanci’s strange traits would only increase. 

Zheng Shanci planned to turn to his side to sleep, “I’m going to sleep first.” 

“Wait, why did you take so long to bathe tonight?” Yu Lanyi blurted out, his mind heated. 

The air turned silent, and in the darkness, Yu Lanyi’s expression was somewhat regretful. Zheng Shanci thought for a moment, recalling that he hadn’t made much noise, and said, “I drank too much today, so it took more time.” 

Yu Lanyi responded with an “oh,” “In the future, when Big Brother invites you to drink, don’t drink too much. You can’t outdrink him, and you’ll only make yourself uncomfortable.” 

“He’s your Big Brother, my brother-in-law, and since it’s our first time visiting, no matter what, I have to accept Big Brother’s drink. I’ll try to drink less in the future. Sometimes, I have to drink at social gatherings, but when I come back, I’ll bathe thoroughly to avoid letting you smell the alcohol.” 

Yu Lanyi didn’t expect that just by saying Zheng Shanci should drink less, he would respond so seriously. 

In ordinary families, drinking a bit is nothing; people drink when they’re happy or unhappy, always finding a reason to drink. He shouldn’t interfere too much with Zheng Shanci’s drinking; social drinking is hard to control. Moreover, Zheng Shanci drinking with Yu Changxing was to give him face, not to go against Yu Changxing’s wishes. 

Yu Lanyi was just casually complaining. 

Yu Lanyi’s fingers tightened around the quilt, responding with a sound, his heart racing several times. He wore a snow-white inner garment, with the moonlight faintly casting on him, his skin like snow, with a fragrance of hair and clothes, as beautiful as peach blossoms. 

He closed his eyes. 

Actually, Zheng Shanci was quite good; marrying him didn’t seem so bad. 

Thinking this, he wanted to compare Ye Yunchu with Zheng Shanci. Ye Yunchu… Yu Lanyi was about to list Ye Yunchu’s merits, but he realized that what he knew were things others told him, what people in Shengjing said. 

He hadn’t really understood Ye Yunchu, only knowing he was the heir of Zhen Nan Wang Fu, handsome, favored by the Emperor, and gentle and polite. He knew nothing else; this person was still vague to him. 

It seemed his previous pursuit of Ye Yunchu was just chasing a shadow, being swept along by the crowd’s preferences and likes. 

In reality, he had no feelings for Ye Yunchu. 

When he learned that Ye Yunchu had unusual feelings for Yu Shiyan, his desire to be with Ye Yunchu was stirred. 

… 

The next day, Zheng Shanci was used to waking up before Yu Lanyi. Opening his eyes, Yu Lanyi’s face was right in front of him, sleeping on his side, facing him this time. 

It seemed Yu Lanyi trusted him a bit. 

After breakfast, Zheng Shanci went to the Ministry of Personnel. 

As a County Magistrate, reporting was a small matter handled by the Ministry of Personnel’s manager. 

“Alright, the Ministry of Personnel will record it. Are you planning to leave in the next few days?” 

“Yes.” 

“No problem, just in time for the autumn harvest,” the manager smiled. “Hope to hear of your promotion in three years.” 

The manager said this to everyone. 

Zheng Shanci: “Thank you for your kind words.” 

“By the way, you’re not just transferring; it’s your first time as a County Magistrate. Though the position is low, you can make decisions. It’s best to carry a copy of the Da Yan laws with you. In the county, there will be cases needing your judgment. The county office has experts, but as the head, if you know nothing, it’s easy to be fooled by subordinates,” the manager kindly advised. 

“Thank you, Daren. I’ll remember your words.” 

“Rest well. Xinfeng County isn’t like Shengjing. You’re going to take office, so you can bring fewer things. Buy more suitable ones in Xinfeng County. You may go now.” 

He didn’t have much, planning to bring just a few clothes, some toiletries, and dry food. He thought for a moment; Yu Lanyi would probably bring more, but even then, it would only be one carriage. 

He and Yu Lanyi would share a carriage, with another for their belongings, and one more for the attendants, totaling three carriages, which wasn’t much. 

Zheng Shanci was a minimalist. 

Returning home, Jin Yun was waiting outside. Zheng Shanci was puzzled; Jin Yun usually followed Yu Lanyi, so perhaps Yu Lanyi needed something. He quickened his pace. 

“Daren, the Young Master wants to know when we’ll leave Shengjing,” Jin Yun asked. 

Early in the morning, Yu Lanyi learned that Zheng Shanci had gone to report to the Ministry of Personnel, so he had Jin Yun wait for Zheng Shanci. 

“In the next two days. Pack up, and we can set off.” 

Jin Yun: “Alright, Daren, I’ll inform the Young Master immediately.” 

Zheng Shanci nodded. 

He went to pack his things, just a few clothes, and a book box was a must to bring along, so he could read more when free. He packed quickly, having almost nothing. 

Outside the courtyard, hurried footsteps sounded, as if the entire mansion was mobilized, bustling around as if preparing for war or fleeing famine. 

“Quick! Open the storeroom!” 

“Bring the jewelry from the east courtyard and the clothes from the Marquis Mansion. Be careful with the spring, summer, autumn, and winter clothes. Bring the shoes too; how can we only bring one pair? I mean, don’t bring just this one pair; bring all the others!” 

“Take this table, this cabinet, and chairs. How can the tables and chairs there compare to Shengjing’s? Hurry, everyone, move!” 

“Bring this tea set too, and don’t forget the pillow, a gift from the Duchess to the Young Master!” 

Zheng Shanci opened the door to a lively scene, with servants and maids holding things, several large boxes in the courtyard being packed. 

If not still at home, Zheng Shanci would think he was at a logistics sorting center. 

“What are you doing?” 

Jin Yun bowed, “Daren, we’re packing.” 

Zheng Shanci: “?” 

You call this packing? This is moving, no, even more than moving. 

Zheng Shanci coughed to hint, “It’s over two months from Shengjing to Xinfeng County, a long journey.” 

Jin Yun: “No need to worry, Daren. We have carriages to transport everything, no trouble at all.” 

Is that what he meant? 

“You and the Young Master can rest easy,” Jin Yun said with great enthusiasm. “Leave the rest to us.” 

Zheng Shanci’s face lost expression: “…” 

He decided to have a good talk with Yu Lanyi, “Where’s your Young Master?” 

“Back to Daren, the Young Master is in the storeroom.” 

Zheng Shanci nodded and went to the storeroom, momentarily blinded by the sight. Yu Lanyi stood amidst gold and silver jewelry, with several boxes open, glittering. 

“These are my dowry.” 

Zheng Shanci: “!!!” 

Poverty limits my imagination, Young Master! 

“I plan to take some, should be enough. Three boxes should do; I understand not to flaunt wealth.” 

Zheng Shanci: “…” 

No, you don’t understand. 

“Also, Lü Jin sent me an invitation. It’s his birthday tomorrow, and I want to celebrate it before leaving,” Yu Lanyi glanced at Zheng Shanci. 

Zheng Shanci: “Alright.” 

“Do you fancy any jewelry? I’ll give it to you,” Yu Lanyi said happily. 

Zheng Shanci: “…”