Chapter 6: The Deception

After their meal, Yu Huan was the first to suggest that the two of them go together to the study to pass the time. Shen Xunqing, of course, welcomed the idea without hesitation and immediately took Yu Huan’s hand, leading him to the study.

Inside the quiet study, the atmosphere was completely different from before. Each of them held a book and sat apart, but it was Yu Huan who spoke first. “Didn't you say you wanted me to teach you? Why not start now?”

Shen Xunqing smiled playfully, his eyes full of anticipation. Without delay, he neatly put the book back in its place and propped his chin up with both hands. “Alright, how do you plan to do that?”

Hearing this, Yu Huan walked over to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote the character “Harmony” on the rice paper.

Yu Huan’s calligraphy was as light as drifting clouds, as vigorous as a startled dragon. His strokes revealed a steadfast spirit; it was true that handwriting reflects the character of a person.

Shen Xunqing lowered his gaze, smiling as he regarded the character on the paper. “Teacher, are you testing me?”

Yu Huan replied calmly, “If one wishes to teach, one must first gauge the depth of the student.”

Shen Xunqing took the brush from Yu Huan’s hand, raised an eyebrow, and almost instantly began to write. His wild cursive script was far from chaotic; compared to Yu Huan’s more restrained style, Shen Xunqing’s calligraphy was completely free and unrestrained—bold and domineering.

There was an old saying about composing a poem in seven steps, but Shen Xunqing created verses in an instant. As Yu Huan gave him the prompt, Shen Xunqing wrote without pause, each word precise, each sentence flowing smoothly. His writing not only emphasized the idea but also contained a fresh new meaning.

As Shen Xunqing wrote, Yu Huan watched intently. When Shen Xunqing finally set down the brush, Yu Huan couldn’t help but applaud. Yet, after the praise, he felt his own words might have been inappropriate. Taking the flawless piece of writing, he smiled with a sigh, “Such brilliance—Yu Huan is no match. How could I have the right to be your teacher? It should be you teaching me.”

Being complimented by someone he liked naturally pleased Shen Xunqing, who laughed with eyes half-closed. “Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. How do you know you have nothing to teach me?”

Yu Huan’s expression softened considerably. “In that case, I shall think on it carefully.”

Shen Xunqing nodded hastily and pondered slowly. He was in no rush.

For some reason, Yu Huan furrowed his brows, seeming troubled. He bit his lip subconsciously and finally voiced his confusion. “Shen Xunqing, there is something I don’t understand.”

It was the first time Yu Huan called him by name, and Shen Xunqing was pleased, nodding in response. “What is it? Feel free to ask.”

Yu Huan stopped beating around the bush. “There are rumors in the city saying that the young master of the Shen household flouts the law, forcibly seducing men, and has a penchant for men. Is this true?”

Shen Xunqing seemed to have grasped the reason for Yu Huan’s earlier change in attitude. He gradually restrained his expression and said, “So, you think I am that reckless young master of the Shen household?”

Listening to the tone, which carried an unspoken grievance, Yu Huan suddenly regretted asking.

This time, Shen Xunqing sighed helplessly. After a moment of silence, he explained, “First, I am not that young master of the Shen household you speak of. There are several Shen families in this imperial city. Second, this is not the Shen household; it is the Shen prince’s mansion, specially sanctioned by the Emperor. Third, as for such a penchant for men—I do not understand it, but I do have someone in my heart.”

Yu Huan finally understood that he had misunderstood. But how had the Shen household suddenly become the Shen prince’s mansion? Shen Xunqing was so young and yet already a prince? Yu Huan could not hide his surprise and after a long pause recalled Shen Xunqing’s last words: “I do have someone in my heart.”

Yu Huan stammered, “You… you are a prince?” A prince naturally would not lack wealth, power, or status. Then why would Shen Xunqing go to such lengths to befriend him? If he already had someone he cared for, why spend so much time with Yu Huan?

Shen Xunqing slightly reined in his smile. “After my parents died early, the Emperor decreed that I become the first prince with a different surname. Though I did not want it.”

The atmosphere turned solemn. Unsure how to comfort the somewhat melancholic Shen Xunqing, Yu Huan gently patted his shoulder. Shen Xunqing chuckled lightly. “It’s just old history; you don’t need to mind it.”

Yu Huan pondered for a moment before revealing the real reason he had invited Shen Xunqing to the study. “I want to visit the inn where I used to stay. May I?”

The request, tinged with a hint of pleading, made the mood awkward. Yet Shen Xunqing seemed oblivious. “Of course. I invited you to my residence as a guest, not to imprison you. You’re free to come and go as you please. Just, for safety’s sake, please give me a heads-up when you go out. The imperial city is full of people, and it’s easy to get into trouble.”

Hearing he could go out, Yu Huan grew somewhat eager, nodded to Shen Xunqing, then turned and left.

Once Yu Huan was gone, a black servant stepped forward in the study. “Master.”

Shen Xunqing’s smile vanished the moment Yu Huan turned away. “What is it?”

The servant replied, “There’s been movement. They’ve traced Yu Huan as your closest recent contact and plan to accuse him of cheating and colluding with examiners during the upcoming imperial exam.”

Shen Xunqing carefully folded the rice paper Yu Huan had just written on, not looking up. “These are common schemes among people. What, have you become unable to handle even these matters?”

The servant silently responded, “I understand.”

Outside the Shen prince’s mansion—indeed, the Shen prince’s mansion itself—Yu Huan took a final glance at the plaque, confirming it was indeed the Shen prince’s residence, not just any Shen household.

Leaving the mansion, Yu Huan felt much lighter. His previously hurried steps slowed as he leisurely strolled, a hint of comfort in his pace.

After some time, he finally found the old inn tucked away at the street’s end and the elderly man who ran it. The inn’s patrons were few. The old man quietly swept the floor and, perhaps noticing Yu Huan’s shadow, glanced back at him as if seeing a stranger, then returned to his work. Yu Huan did not take offense and simply sat down to wait.

Once the old man finished sweeping, he sighed helplessly and sat beside Yu Huan.

His voice was weary as he looked at Yu Huan’s attire, strikingly similar to that of the young master from the Shen household. “Why have you come back? If you went to the Shen mansion, you should stay there.”

Yu Huan did not explain. If he mentioned the prince’s mansion, the old man might worry even more. Instead, he said, “When I first arrived in the imperial city, you helped me through a difficult time. I will never forget that kindness.”

The old man sighed again. “I have a son, likely about your age now, but he went missing over a decade ago. Seeing your back reminded me of him, so I couldn’t help but say a few more words. Don’t take it to heart. Life must go on. Take care of yourself. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t see you out.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Huan stood, placing a scroll on the table. It was a painting of the old man smiling warmly at him, eyes kind and gentle, as if looking upon a returning family member.

Yu Huan thought, after the exam, he would come back to visit again—consider it a visit from the lost son to his father.

His mind drifted to memories of his own father’s face, now faded. Most memories attached to his father were painful, though there were a few precious moments. It was because of those few good memories that the later disappointments cut so deeply. He had come to the imperial city on his mother’s deathbed wish, and in part to fulfill his father’s long-standing desire.

Yu Huan slowly left the small inn. The vast imperial city bustled with people. He wandered aimlessly, hoping to vanish into the crowd, yet it seemed unlikely he would be found. Lost in thought, he unknowingly entered a secluded alley.

After some time, a voice suddenly called out, snapping him back to reality. “Young Master Yu! Young Master Yu! Yu Huan!”

Startled, Yu Huan turned and frowned. It was the old Taoist from that day. “How do you know my name?”

The Taoist chuckled, making a gesture as if reading palms. “Don’t forget, I’m a Taoist—mainly a fortune teller, secondarily a demon hunter.”

Yu Huan tried to sidestep him, but the Taoist stretched out an arm to block his path. “Hey, Young Master Yu, where are you going? Did you see the demon in that mansion clearly?”

Yu Huan replied, “You worry too much, Taoist. There are no demons in that mansion.”

The Taoist’s smile faded, his narrow eyes squinting menacingly. “So you’re trying to protect those demons?”

Yu Huan’s hand trembled slightly under the gaze, but he smiled lightly. “You worry needlessly. There are no demons in the mansion, so how could I protect them?” He keenly sensed danger emanating from the Taoist.

The Taoist sneered and took out a translucent bead. “If I had known you’d play tricks, look inside this bead. Who do you see?”

With a flash of white light, the bead revealed the white fox Yu Huan had seen in the mansion, marked with a peach blossom on its brow. The fox clawed at the bead, teary-eyed, anxious and frightened.

Yu Huan remained silent. The Taoist chuckled coldly, then tossed a bottle to him. “If you want to save it, put this medicine in the water the mansion’s residents often drink. Within three days, whether you succeed or not, come meet me in this alley. If you don’t, it won’t just be the fox—the old man in the inn won’t be spared either.” With that, the Taoist sneered again and vanished before Yu Huan’s eyes.

After the Taoist left, Yu Huan felt weak in the legs and leaned against the wall. The bottle in his hand felt like a heavy weight pressing down on his heart. What was he to do?

Yu Huan did not know when he had returned to the Shen prince’s mansion. When he came to, he saw Shen Xunqing’s worried face. “Did something happen?”

Yu Huan failed to notice his own pale complexion, the haggard look as if life was slipping away. Shen Xunqing had merely sent him out for a while, never expecting Yu Huan to return in such a dazed state. Moreover, Yu Huan carried a familiar scent.

This time, Shen Xunqing smelled it clearly—it was the scent of a wild beast.