39

After finishing breakfast, Nie Huanzhang was about to go out for usual stroll when Yu Weiwei walked in and said:

"Huanzhang, don't go out today. I'll take you to meet a friend."

Without waiting for Nie Huanzhang's response, Yu Weiwei dragged him to his yard and into a room. Nie Huanzhang was taken aback to see Zhou Chuqi sitting there. He quickly approached Zhou Chuqi, his eyes turning red as he cried out:

"Chuqi, Chuqi, please tell me where Chuyu is. How he is? What happened?"

Zhou Chuqi looked at Yu Weiwei in confusion and Yu Weiwei hastily explained:

"We didn't tell him because we were afraid that he would make trouble. Let's sit down first and we'll talk slowly."

Nie Huanzhang says:

"You have been keeping it from me."

The story went back to when Nie Huanzhang had just left Jingdu. Zhou Chuyu, feeling downhearted and restless, secluded himself in his room, writing <Diamond Sutra> and chatting with his jade pendant. On the first and fifteenth days of each month, he went to the temple to pray Ping'an Fu for Nie Huanzhang's security. That was his normal life after Nie Huanzhang had left. Concerned about Zhou Chuyu's longing for Nie Huanzhang and fearing lovesickness, Zhou Chuqi took him around Jingdu, exploring and enjoying the various restaurants in the city.

One day, they arrived at a restaurant called Xiao Jiangnan, known for its exceptional squirrel fish and sauce-covered ribs. While dining, Zhou Chuyu animatedly recounted his experiences and outings with Nie Huanzhang, Zhou Chuqi listened attentively, occasionally removing fish bones and placing the meat in Zhou Chuyu's bowl. He couldn't help but indulge in watching his younger brother's joyful expressions. Sometimes he patted Zhou Chuyu's head. As the conversation reached a climax, their laughter became quite audible, attracting the attention of two wealthy young men, the Second Prince Yuhong Xun and the Fifth Prince Yuhong Zhen. 

Yuhong Zhen was attracted by the interaction between two individuals. Although he didn't know the nature of their relationship, the elder one attentively removed fish bones for the younger one, affectionately watching him. In return, the younger one served dishes to the elder, creating an intimate scene. Their facial features were somewhat similar, suggesting they were brothers. Yuhong Zhen couldn't help but feel envious. He had never experienced such affection from family, especially from his older brothers. Lost in thought, he glanced at his own elder brother, Yuhong Xun and noticed that Yuhong Xun was also watching the interaction between the two brothers. However, Yuhong Xun's focus wasn't on the entire scene but rather on the younger brother. Understanding his brother's thoughts, Yuhong Zhen asked:

"Xun, do you have set your sights on that young man again?"

Yuhong Xun, without shifting his gaze from Zhou Chuyu, replied:

"Look at the lively and pure expression in the young man's eyes, tinged with emotion. His face is slightly flushed from excitement and his smile is adorable and enchanting. With fair skin and alluring features, he is exactly my type. Go and find out about his background."

After two days, as Zhou Chuyu was walking home from the academy, he was intercepted by a gentleman. The man bowed to Zhou Chuyu and inquired:

"May I ask you are Mr. Zhou Chuyu?"

Zhou Chuyu quickly returned the gesture and replied:

"Yes, I am Zhou Chuyu. May I know your name? And how do you know my name?"

"I'm Ouyang Liang, an aide to the Second Prince. His Highness would like to see you. Please come with me."

Without waiting for Zhou Chuyu's response, two individuals promptly ushered him into a sedan. Feeling a bit nervous, Zhou Chuyu hastily protested:

"I don't know the Second Prince." 

He attempted to push and open the door of the sedan constantly but found it locked. There were no windows around, heightening his anxiety. He began pounding on the the door, shouting:

"Let me out, please! Let me out!"

However, there was no response. After about half an incense stick's worth of time, the sedan came to a stop. The door opened and Mr. Ouyang Liang stood respectfully by the sedan, bowing and saying:

"Mr. Zhou, we have arrived. His Highness is waiting for you inside. Please follow me."

Till now, Zhou Chuyu had no choice but followed him in horror. Upon entering the room, Zhou Chuyu saw Yuhong Xun sitting there and sipping tea. Seeing Zhou Chuyu, Yuhong Xun quickly stood up and said:

"I've long heard of Mr. Zhou's great name. I've been eagerly seeking talent and today it's my honor to have Mr. Zhou visit my humble abode. It's truly a blessing for a lifetime. Welcome!"

Zhou Chuyu immediately knelt down to pay his respects to Yuhong Xun, feeling too frightened to know what to say. With his head bowed, he stammered:

"Greeting… to…to Your Highness!"

Yuhong Xun helped him up, saying:

"Raise your head and let me have a look at you."

Zhou Chuyu reluctantly lifted his head, but Yuhong Xun seemed dissatisfied. Using his finger, Yuhong Xun lifted Zhou Chuyu's chin gently. Zhou Chuyu, frightened, looked at Yuhong Xun, unsure of what to do. Yuhong Xun's finger traced back and forth under Zhou Chuyu's chin. Startled, Zhou Chuyu quickly tilted his head and took a step back, lowering it again in a gesture of respect. Yuhong Xun placed the finger that touched Zhou Chuyu's chin near his lips, kissed it. With a lustful gaze, he said:

"Zhou Chuyu, from Yucheng town, born into a relatively wealthy family with two older brothers and two older sisters. One of your sisters married into a merchant family in the capital. Your eldest brother, Zhou Chuqin, manages the family business. Your elder brother, Zhou Chuqi, studies at the Imperial Medical Academy. You've already passed the provincial examination at the first place, currently studying at the Imperial Academy, preparing for metropolitan examination in Jingdu."

Zhou Chuyu was shocked and hurriedly replied:

"Yes."

Yuhong Xun returned to his seat, sat down and said:

"Now I have an opportunity for you. You won't have to toil through studying, exhaust yourself in examinations and there is no guarantee you'll succeed. What do you think?"

Zhou Chuyu calmed down his emotions a little, said:

"Thank you, Your Highness. I truly wish to participate in the examination regardless of the outcome. I want to give it a try."

"Before you hastily refuse, listen to what I have to say. Stay with me here! I guarantee a life of wealth and luxury for you. Exquisite clothing, sumptuous meals and a prestigious status that no one would dare to look down on you. Your eldest brother can dominate the entire commercial scene of the Yuhong Dynasty and your elder brother can serve in the Imperial Medical Bureau. The benefits are immeasurable for you. All you need to do is to be my lover."

Upon hearing his words, Zhou Chuyu felt fear followed by disgust, but he couldn't show it. He replied:

"Thank you for Your Highness's kindness. I am truly unworthy and I don't think I have this kind of lucky to accept your admiration. My father has always hoped that I would serve in the government and I share the same wish."

Xun Yuhong's expression darkened but he quickly smiled and said:

"I know you have lofty aspirations, aiming for success in the imperial examination. I understand this but consider the benefits of being with me. I quite like you."

Zhou Chuyu coldly responded:

"Thank you for your favor, Your Highness. I am a humble person and can't bear such generosity."

Yuhong Xun's face turned stern. He stood up, walked quickly to Zhou Chuyu, lifted his chin forcefully and looked at him with a fierce gaze. However, he smiled and said:

"You really don't know how to appreciate kindness. That's good. I like it. Go back and think it over. Once you've figured it out, you can come to me anytime."

After saying this, he forcefully pushed Zhou Chuyu away, causing him to stagger and nearly fall to the ground.

Zhou Chuyu hurriedly rushed back home, his face pale and his whole body trembling. Seeing him in such a state, Zhou Chuqi was startled and quickly asked:

"Chuyu, what happened? Is something wrong?"

Zhou Chuyu explained what had occurred, crying as he said:

"Chuqi, I'm afraid. I heard that he seemed so nice. Everyone said that he was kind and friendly, but how could he be so pervert?"

Zhou Chuqi was also taken aback, not expecting such a situation. For a moment, he didn't know what to do and just stood there in shock. Zhou Chuyu murmured:

"I miss Ge. Ge, where are you? Please come back, Ge!"

Hearing this, Zhou Chuqi immediately snapped out of it and said:

"Yes, quickly leave. Chuyu, right, leave here! We don't know anyone here and there is no choice but hiding because he is a noble and powerful person. Don't go home. Yes, to look for your Ge. The farthest you can go, the better you are. Hurry up! Let Uncle Zhao and Guzi follow you. I'll get you some money for you."

"But if I leave, what about you?"

"He's not after me. If you leave, he won't have a reason to bother with me. It's already late today. Leave early tomorrow morning. Hurry and pack. We knew nobody here and there was no choice but hiding because he was a noble and powerful person."

Unexpectedly, that night a group of policemen suddenly burst in. Both brothers believed it was Yuhong Xun's men coming to apprehend Zhou Chuyu. However, to their astonishment, it was Zhou Chuqi who was seized. The two were left bewildered. After these two incidents, Zhou Chuyu was both frightened and anxious so that he developed a high fever but dare not rest on the same day. He quickly sent Uncle Zhao and Guzi out to gather information. Despite his illness, he went to the house of Zheng's husband's, hoping they could help to find out the truth. To his dismay, as soon as they heard that Zhou Chuqi had been captured, they immediately drove Zhou Chuyu away. Not only that, they also confined Zhou Zheng, preventing them from meeting. Fortunately, Guzi managed to find out the reason behind the arrests. It was due to issues with Concubine Xian's medicine, posing a threat to her life. Zhou Chuqi, being involved in prescribing the medicine, became a target. Everything happened so rapidly that Zhou Chuyu, still in as state of shock, had no choice but handle things. This was his elder brother, Zhou Chuqi.