48

During the party, everyone sat around in the hall and Nie Huanzhang noticed that his seat was diagonally across from Yuhong Xun, while Zhou Chuyu stood right behind Yuhong Xun, holding a wine jug. Nie Huanzhang couldn't help but start chuckling, occasionally stealing glances at the one behind Yuhong Xun. Although Zhou Chuyu kept his eyes lowered, he occasionally lifted them and caught Nie Huanzhang's sneak peeks. He couldn't help but feel secretly delighted, a faint smile appearing on his face and his eyes becoming much clearer. Every time he lifted his eyes to glance at Nie Huanzhang, their gazes met and the smile on Zhou Chuyu's face deepened slightly. Meanwhile, although Nie Huanzhang felt joy in his heart, he kept a composed expression on his face. He was wary of causing trouble for Zhou Chuyu, especially since he noticed that Yuhong Xun was also paying attention to him. As expected, Yuhong Xun spoke up: 

"Mr. Nie, how did you come to recognize Aunt Yun?"

Yuhong Xuan explained:

"My brother, if you want to know this, you'll have to ask me. Huanzhang has been involved in business between Huichun Tribe and our dynasty, frequently traveling in and out of Liangzhou. He was even caught by my troop once. Aunt Yun had told me about her lost son. She entrusted me to inquire about this son and I did ask Huanzhang about it but there were no leads. Later, during a casual conversation with him about his background, I began to suspect whether he might be Aunt Yun's long-lost son. I mentioned this to him but he had no knowledge of it. However, when I brought it up with Aunt Yun, she recalled a friend surnamed Nie to carry her son at that time. After investigating, it turned out to be Huanzhang's teacher. So we invited this teacher to the capital and everything was clarified in no time. That's all."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyu looked puzzled and glanced at Nie Huanzhang. Seeing Nie Huanzhang's reassuring look, he suddenly understood that Nie Huanzhang was protecting him and had deliberately distanced Nie Huanzhang from the pendant to ensure him safety. If Yuhong Xun knew about the relationship between Zhou Chuyu and Nie Huanzhang too early, it might not be a good thing to Zhou Chuyu. It could potentially bring more harm for him. This was the way Nie Huanzhang protecting him. Zhou Chuyu was touched and felt like crying but forcefully held back his tears. Princess Yun said:

"That's right, Eighth Brother. Mr. Nie, Huanzhang's teacher, was afraid that this child would affect my current life so he kept the secret from the child in the dark about his mother's background. As you know, I don't care about that at all. If he is my child, I don't need to hide him to anyone. Not only my husband, Zhao hai but also my children have known about this. When Zhao Wei went to the western, he made a promise to me to find his eldest brother. Even Zhao Yan, upon hearing that I found his eldest brother, kept pestering him to teach him Kung Fu. They are very closer now."

After speaking, she looked at Nie Huanzhang with affection. Yuhong Yang remarked with a touch of emotion:

"That's good. As long as my younger sister is happy, the Emperor and I are happy for you. This matter has been weighing on you for twenty years."

Yhong Xun asked with ill intentions:

"However, Uncle Yang, should Nie huangzhang inherit the title of viscount from Zhao Wei?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a momentary silence, each contemplating the true intent behind Yuhong Xun's question. In the royal family of Yuhong Dynasty, there was a rule that the eldest son of a family would be granted the title of viscount, with a small stipend. In the future, this son might inherit his father's title. If this son served in the government, he would receive an additional stipend. However, if he didn't serve in the government, he would be degraded to inherit his father's title and this rule also applied to the eldest son of the princess. Yet, the eldest son of princess could only inherit the title of the viscount and had no right to inherit the tittle of the princess and her husband. This son had to compete for his own future. The third generation of the princess' family wouldn't have the title of viscount. This was the way for the royal family to protect the descendants of the whole clan. However, if the eldest son committed a crime or died, the title wouldn't be revoked. In such cases, the title of the viscount could be applied for third generation, the eldest grandson in this family.

However, Yuhong Xun's raising of his question undoubtedly aimed to provoke a conflict between Nie Huanzhang and Zhao Wei in order to divide the authority of the princess's family. At this moment, a sudden burst of hearty laughter was heard and Zhao Yan spoke up:

"My eldest brother, Zhao Wei, doesn't care about this. His goal is to leave the title of Grand Marshal in our Zhao family through strength, not to obtain the title of the viscount by virtue of our mother's status."

Yuhong Xun said:

"I didn't expect Wei's aspirations to be so lofty. I hope he can achieve his wishes."

But inwardly he thought: In the future when I ascend to the throne, Zhao Wei's aspirations will never be realized.

Nie Huanzhang laughed and said:

"Your Highness, regardless of whether this is Zhao Wei's aspiration or not, I won't seek this title. I'm a ronin, grew up in Jianghu. Even in the future, I won't stay in the central government. To tell you the truth I'm not good at doing something in the central government. What's the meaning of holding this title? I will be ashamed if I inherit this title. But it is different for Zhao Wei. Influenced by the Grand Marshal since childhood, he aspires to protect our country and serve the central government. He is indeed suitable to inherit this title. So let's forget this. Don't embarrass me."

After speaking, Nie Huanzhang looked at Yuhong Xun and noticed Zhou Chuyu's expression of understanding and appreciation. 

Yuhong Yang asked:

"So, Huanzhang, if you don't plan to be in the central government, are you going to continue wandering in Jianghu?"

Nie Huanzhang laughed and glanced again at Zhou Chuyu, saying:

"I have already made my decision. Once I find my beloved, we will travel around, see the beautiful rivers and mountains in our dynasty. Once tired of this life, we will find a place with beautiful scenery for a rustic life. I don't have any special desires. That's enough for me."

Yuhong Yang burst into laughter and said:

"I've also thought about a life like yours. When the time comes, I'll visit you and could you invite me for a drink?"

Nie Huanzhang replied:

"Welcome!"

Princess Yun, with a hearty laugh, added:

"It seems that in the future, my husband and I will have a blessed life, wandering around with this son."

Yuhong Xun returns to his mansion in a fit of anger. He lashed out with a whip, striking Zhou Chuyu who was still following him. Zhou Chuyu, caught off guard, fell to the ground. Yuhong Xun hurriedly went to help him and tried to comfort him, saying:

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't control myself. It wasn't directed at you."

Zhou Chuyu said without any emotion:

"Could I return to my room?"

Xun said, trying to appease Zhou Chuyu:

"Go ahead. I'll have the doctor come and treat your wound. Please don't hold a grudge against me."

As soon as Zhou Chuyu walked out of the room, he encountered the Fifth Prince, Yuhong Zhen. He quickly saluted and retreated. Yuhong Zhen, watching his departing, sneered and entered the room. Seeing Yuhong Xun still fuming, he said:

"Xun, why get so angry? Are you still thinking of trying to win over this Nie Huanzhang?"

Yuhong Xun glanced at his younger brother and asked:

"Why do you come here? What's the matter?"

"I'm not sure whether I should tell you about this because it's uncertain, but I made a discovery related to your favored boy, the one you brought to the party today."

"Zhou Chuyu? What happened to him? Tell me even if it's uncertain. I need to know."

"I think your boy knows Nie Huanzhang and their relationship is unusual."

Yuhong Xun frowned and asked:

"How do you know?"

"Well, your boy was truly different today. I've never seen him like that. Despite his humble and obedient appearance, there was a spark in his eyes, a hint of a smile on his lips. His entire demeanor was completely different from usual. I encountered him just now and he was icy cold and lifeless."

Upon hearing this, Yuhong Xun couldn't help but recall the expression on Zhou Chuyu's face during that dinner, which indeed matched the description given by Yuhong Zhen. He smiled and said:

"It isn't surprising. Sometimes he gets lost in thought and his expression is just like that."

"But someone lost in thought wouldn't continuously sneak glances, especially in our direction, many times."

Yuhong Xun asked sharply:

"Sneak glances at whom?"

"At first, the beginning I was not sure whom he glanced at. You know there were Xuan, Huanzhang and me on this side. Initially, I thought it might be Xuan. However, you know which kind of person Yuhong Xuan is. He usually looks straight ahead and only turns to the person speaking when someone talks. He only looked towards you when you spoke, glanced at that boy, while Nie Huanzhang kept looking in your direction."

"I had noticed that too. I thought he was...."

Yuhong Xun initially believed that Nie Huanzhang was looking at him during the party but with Yuhong Zhen's reminder, he suddenly realized: 

"How is that possible? Nie Huanzhang is a ronin and Zhou Chuyu has always been a well-behaved child at home. How could they know each other?"

"At first, I wasn't sure either. I thought maybe that ronin had never seen such a gay, plus he's a disfigured boy, so it's normal to look a few more times. But every time I saw your boy with more lively eyes and a broader smile, I secretly observed that it was when Nie Huanzhang was looking at him. You know, it gave me the feeling of a silent flirting glances."

Yuhong Xun slammed the table and said bitterly:

"You have to go and investigate for me. Find out who this person surnamed Nie really is. What's his connection to the Zhou family, especially to Zhou Chuyu? We've only looked into Zhou Chuyu's family background before, not their associates."

"The Zhou family is in business, having a lot of business partners and Nie Huanzhang is also involved in trade. Could they have some connection? Xun, you might as well ask your concubine, Zhou Xiang."

"She has the same character as his younger brother. It's not easy to force her into revealing information, especially now that she's pregnant with my child. Besides, she has a good relationship with your sister-in-law so my wife also protects her a lot. As you know, although my wife is boring, her father is still the minister in the Ministry of Punishment and her mother was a companion to Aunt Yun. Aunt Yun has always treated my wife well. Although my relationship with Aunt Yun is just so so, as long as our father is still alive, I can't break ties with my wife. She ignores me and I treat her with indifference. So far, we only have one daughter. The son is born out of a concubine, who I accidentally killed, under the care of my wife. She doesn't want me to see the children. Of course I don't care about them either. Let it be hazy like this."

"But why are you particularly obsessed with that boy?"

Yuhong Xun glanced at his younger brother and said:

"First I genuinely like him. You know, the first time I saw him, I was attracted to his lively and cute appearance. Now I like his stubbornness, that cold and indifferent attitude towards me, even a bit childish stubbornness. Others either fawn over me or fright of me, but only he can infuriate me. Initially, I would lose control and lash out at him but later I started to enjoy the way that he treated me. You might think I'm a bit incredible but I am drawn to him. And, I also desire more than just comfort from him, no, not just comfort but love. Yes, I want this love from him, not the romantic kind, but the warmth and tenderness shared between friends or brothers. It's a love that feels incredibly warm and comforting."

"Xun, don't we have affection between us? I am your real younger brother and you are my real older brother. It's the same."

Yuhong Xun glanced at Yuhong Zhen again but didn't say anything more. In his heart, he thought: We don't have the same caring relationship as the Zhou brothers, just mutual utilization.

After Yuhong Zhen left, Yuhong Xun's thoughts returned to Zhou Chuyu. Speaking to himself, he wondered:

"Is that ronin your lover? Zhou Chuyu, I can't let you go."