Song Pu carried the pornographic images of the Founding Emperor and his male concubines out of the palace. Once home, he realised he had forgotten to bring the erotic pictures he had borrowed from Chang Jiangming.
He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to return to the palace to fetch them, but then thought of Tantai Yi and hesitated again.
He could practically picture the emperor’s thought process: “I never knew you, Lord Song, were so thirsty, possessing so many erotic pictures. No wonder you are so weak.”
The more he imagined it, the more certain he was that Tantai Yi’s dog mouth would actually say such words. Although Song Pu had not truly heard him speak, he was already annoyed.
He was not weak at all. He was just an ordinary boy.
Denglong looked somewhat surprised at his early return and asked, “Young Master, why are you home so early today?”
Song Pu replied absentmindedly, “His Majesty is considerate and allowed me to return home early.”
Denglong laughed. “His Majesty’s thoughtfulness is truly a blessing for you, Young Master.”
Song Pu asked him to fetch hot water so he could take a bath.
Denglong obeyed, then added, “Young Master, the Eldest Young Master departs for the Northern Frontier the day after tomorrow. Is there anything you wish to say to him?”
Hearing this, Song Pu remembered that Song Lingyun’s departure was imminent. He paused, then went to visit him first.
Song Lingyun was still in their mother’s courtyard, massaging her shoulders. Seeing Song Pu approach, he looked somewhat surprised. “Why are you back so early today?”
Noticing the slight change in his expression, Song Pu quickly said, “I was not feeling well, and His Majesty asked me to return early to rest.”
Song Lingyun, not wanting to hear anything positive about that person, frowned slightly and remained silent.
Song Pu glanced at his mother and said sweetly, “Mother, you look exceptionally delicate and beautiful today. If you wore a young lady’s hairstyle, people would mistake us for siblings if we went out together.”
Mother Song, perhaps having recently cried, still had red eyes. Hearing Song Pu’s words, she was amused. “Nonsense! How old am I? How could I be your sibling?”
Song Pu said earnestly, “Mother, it is just your hairstyle that makes you appear older. If you let your hair down and wore delicate clothes like those young ladies, you would not be inferior to them.”
He was not lying. Mother Song was very well maintained, her cheeks fair and smooth, with only a few fine laugh lines at the corners of her eyes. She looked no more than twenty, but as the mistress of the house, she dressed with composure and dignity, favouring dark clothes that made her appear older.
Mother Song touched her hair and smiled. “You are just a little child.”
Finally pleased, a smile spread across her face.
Song Lingyun cast a grateful glance at him, and Song Pu smiled back. Then he said to Mother Song, “I can massage too, better than ge. Let me do my part for you.”
He went over, gently pulling Song Lingyun aside to take over the task.
Mother Song said, “You are so delicate. Do not end up hurting your hands and needing me to massage them for you.”
Song Pu found it amusing. He was afraid of pain, but he was not delicate. Massaging Mother Song’s shoulders would not break his hands.
However, as soon as he placed his hands on her shoulders, he remembered that he had already polished Tantai Yi’s hands in the palace. His own hands were red and swollen. Even with medicine minimising the pain, he could not apply too much pressure.
He hesitated briefly, then carried on massaging as if nothing had happened.
Mother Song had been pampered since childhood. At her age, her flesh was soft, but her shoulders had been sore from poring over the family accounts for the past few days. Song Lingyun had started first, which eased the pain. When Song Pu took over, the difference between the two sons became apparent.
The elder son, lacking technique, relied on brute force. It was painful, but also relieving.
The younger son, though not as strong, was more skillful. He addressed the back of her neck, shoulders, and shoulder blades with just the right pressure, leaving her completely comfortable.
“How strange,” Mother Song said, surprised. “Ah-Pu, where did you learn this?”
Song Pu was about to reply when Song Lingyun said coldly, “Your son was spoiled growing up. He never learned these skills. I bet he practised in the palace.”
Mother Song said awkwardly, “A shoulder massage. What has that to do with serving others?”
She knew Song Lingyun had grievances against the superior, but this was normal for anyone else and did not reflect on the superior.
Song Lingyun softened. “If you are tired, stop massaging. I have already massaged Mother for some time.”
Mother Song replied, “Then forget it. I feel comfortable now.”
Hearing this, Song Pu released his hands. Song Lingyun, however, grabbed his wrist. “What happened to your hand?”
Song Pu glanced down. His fair skin made the redness on his palm obvious. Faint white marks from friction were visible, and the smell of medicine lingered.
Song Pu felt a brief panic, then calmed himself. “Nothing much. I accidentally scratched it red, so I applied some medicine.”
He was not lying.
Song Lingyun pressed his slightly weak hand. “Does it hurt?”
Song Pu said, “I applied medicine. It is fine. Does not hurt.”
Song Lingyun stared for a while, then said, “I will not be able to take care of you in the north. Look after yourself. Do not keep getting hurt. Write to me every month and I will reply, no matter how busy I am.”
Mother Song began crying again. “You child, you were doing so well in Yanjing. Why go to such a place?”
Her interruption drew Song Lingyun’s attention. “Mother, do not cry.”
Mother Song said, “How can I not cry? While parents are alive, one should not travel far. But you, you are heading so far north. I will never see you again.”
Usually casual with her sons, she now ignored Song Pu entirely, her voice choked with sobs.
Song Lingyun looked helpless, released Song Pu’s hand, and patted her back. His eyes remained steady. “The Prince of Yong’an has replied. Even in the north, I will not start from scratch. Mother, treat me as if I am still in Yanjing. I will write every month.”
This finally calmed her.
Song Pu and Song Lingyun left the courtyard together. Song Pu asked, “When are you leaving the day after tomorrow?”
Song Lingyun looked down. “Very early. Ah-Pu, you do not need to see me off. I would miss you.”
Song Pu scratched his chin, wanting to say something sentimental, but felt embarrassed.
Song Lingyun asked first, “What does His Majesty usually have you do in the palace? Why are your hands so red?”
Song Pu replied, “Just reading scripts. I did this myself; it has nothing to do with His Majesty.”
Song Lingyun said casually, “I noticed you were skilled at massaging Mother’s shoulders.”
Song Pu said awkwardly, “Isn’t that something you can learn at a glance?”
Song Lingyun said, “Is that so?”
“…”
At that moment, Song Lingyun reminded him of a headmaster.
Song Pu whispered, “Yes.”
Song Lingyun fell silent.
In the central courtyard, Song Pu hesitated whether to say goodbye. Song Lingyun said, “It has been a long time since we shared a bed, hasn’t it? I would like to sleep with you tonight.”
Song Pu was taken aback, then smiled. “Of course.”
Song Lingyun looked down at him, a smile on his lips, eyes sparkling like stars. Song Pu met his gaze, inwardly marvelling at his brother’s unparalleled beauty.
Song Pu returned to his own courtyard to tidy his bedroom.
He picked up the large booklet, his face flushing. Earlier, he had not examined it closely, but now he remembered the fleeting glimpse he had seen.
No, no, no. He was a staunchly straight man; he could not let such things taint his eyes.
He placed the thick booklet in the cabinet. But as soon as he closed the door, he hesitated. He had never seen anything like this before. Perhaps it would not hurt to broaden his horizons?
Song Pu touched the cabinet door, hesitated, then glanced furtively at the inner room door.
“Denglong.”
Good. Denglong was not there; he must be in the kitchen waiting for hot water. He opened the cabinet, took the booklet, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.
He was just curious. True gold fears no fire. A genuine straight man would not turn because of a mere gay/v booklet. Having prepared himself, Song Pu folded the booklet slightly and began flipping through it quickly.
The rustling of pages filled the quiet room. Sunlight fell on his face. His cheeks flushed crimson, spreading to his neck and ears, turning him into a bright red strawberry.
He finished flipping through it, mind racing. “Damn it!”
Then something even more terrifying happened. He looked down and saw himself…
Holy crap!!!
