MLIAM Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Birthday Gift: I’ll Earn This Money Since They Won’t

Chapter 12 Birthday Gift: I’ll Earn This Money Since They Won’t

Yu Shuli looked towards the high platform on the boat, hesitating slightly.

Wei Yan said, “If you mind the Crown Prince being here, you can wait until we get back and play it for me alone.”

Yu Shuli looked at him: “Didn’t you say that with you here, I’ll be fine?” He smiled: “Besides, in a public setting, I don’t believe he’d dare to make a move in broad daylight.”

Wei Yan frowned slightly: “Yu Shuli, you don’t need to humor me.”

“Come on, would this young master ever humor anyone?” Yu Shuli patted Wei Yan comfortingly: “Relax, we’re already here, this young master will make sure you feel right at home.”

Wei Yan sighed helplessly: “That’s not how you use the phrase.”

“You’re drunk, you don’t understand.” Looking at Wei Yan’s slightly flushed face, devoid of its usual coolness, he looked much softer and more vulnerable. Yu Shuli boldly reached out to touch his face.

Soft, excessively pale, jade-like skin, a pair of charming eyes earnestly looking at him.

Yu Shuli’s fingers trembled.

He couldn’t look anymore; any more and he really might fall for him.

Wei Yan grabbed his finger, gave Yu Shuli a warning glance, his voice slightly hoarse: “Yu Ji’an, don’t provoke me.”

Yu Shuli’s ears turned red, he shook off his hand, muttering: “Who’s provoking you?!” His bright eyes darted left and right, just not looking at Wei Yan.

Wei Yan, however, was still finding it hard to bear.

“Still playing the tune?”

“Play!” Yu Shuli gritted his teeth, lifting his foot to go up.

He only took two steps before suddenly stopping, turning back: “Wei Yan…”

“Mm?”

“If I don’t play well, can you still give me some support?” He tugged at his clothes, lowering his voice: “I haven’t touched the zither in many years…”

“Yes.” Wei Yan’s eyes held a complex smile.

“What are you laughing at? I’m serious, I used to play really well!”

“Mm, I know.” Wei Yan’s heart softened.

“You know? You don’t know at all!” Yu Shuli waved his hand, “Alright, I’ll go play first, if no one applauds for me later, you have to be the first one to clap!”

He took a few steps, then turned back, threatening: “You have to clap! Even if it sounds awful!”

Wei Yan reached out and swore: “I guarantee I’ll clap.”

Yu Shuli smoothed out his gorgeous robe, dawdled for a long time, finally turned around and slowly walked onto the stage, whispering a few words to the begonia girl in a low voice.

A trace of shock flashed in the begonia girl’s eyes, which turned into a smile: “Of course.”

Yu Shuli borrowed a veil from the boat and slightly bowed, adjusting the zither. Half of his face was illuminated by the brightest lights, mesmerizingly beautiful, possessing peerless grace.

The semi-transparent veil made Yu Shuli’s already radiant face even more stunning.

The onlookers below the stage conversed in low voices, not understanding who this young master who had suddenly come on stage was.

The begonia bowed to the audience and smiled: “Next, this young master Yu beside me will play a song called ‘Auspicious Dragon’s Roar’ for everyone, to celebrate his friend’s birthday. I hope everyone will enjoy and support him.”

“Young master? Good, good… such a handsome young master, much more interesting than those from the Spring Fragrance Yard!” The two aides who followed the Crown Prince didn’t recognize Yu Shuli without his armor and with his gentle expression. They chuckled lewdly, both tacitly harboring ulterior motives.

Crown Prince Zhao Yong’s face was illuminated by the light, appearing dark and bright by turns. He said nothing, but the aides felt his gaze fixed menacingly on the young master on the stage.

Shan Shihai, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, scanned the Crown Prince’s gaze and felt that he understood the situation. He whispered to the Crown Prince: “Your Highness, this person is unfamiliar, his appearance on the boat is strange. This subject thinks he should be arrested and thoroughly investigated.”

Zhao Yong’s gaze landed on Yu Shuli’s fair wrist, exposed for the convenience of playing the zither. He chuckled: “No need, I know what I’m doing.”

Shan Shihai laughed awkwardly: “So, he’s someone Your Highness knows?”

Zhao Yong neither nodded nor shook his head, his eyes completely fixed on the person on the stage.

Shan Shihai had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Wei Yan walked forward several seats, almost right below the high platform. As long as Yu Shuli looked down, he could see him at a glance.

Yu Shuli adjusted the zither and stood up straight, smiling: “Today is my friend’s birthday, but I overslept at noon, and I still owe him a birthday gift, so I’m taking the liberty of performing today.”

The audience laughed along.

Yu Shuli continued: “However, my zither skills are only average, my level is limited. Everyone here is a distinguished guest, I hope everyone will be tolerant of my level, and if you want to scold me, please scold me softly.”

“Stop dawdling! Hurry up and play a song!” someone shouted from below the stage.

“Just based on your looks, I won’t laugh at you! Start quickly!”

Yu Shuli didn’t act coy, curved his eyes, and began to bend down to play the zither.

Clear and melodious zither music slowly flowed out, the melodious melody passed through the cold night, slowly flowing on the long river.

The onlookers below the stage had long since quieted down, watching the skilled young man on the stage with rapt attention.

When he said that his level was only average at the beginning, everyone was still worried.

The nobles in the Capital City were ultimately picky, and even if the young man looked exceptionally handsome, it couldn’t make up for their pursuit of excellent music.

However, as soon as Yu Shuli’s song began, everyone no longer had any doubts.

When Yu Shuli stepped off the stage, the surroundings were still immersed in that surging and melancholic atmosphere.

Yu Shuli removed the veil and sat back down next to Wei Yan, cautiously asking: “How was it?”

Wei Yan didn’t know what he was thinking, didn’t respond immediately. After a while, he seemed to come back to his senses and raised his eyebrows: “The young general is still being modest.”

Yu Shuli’s face flushed: “Was it that exaggerated?” He then asked: “Why did you suddenly sit in the front?”

Wei Yan’s gaze drifted to the Crown Prince not far away, his expression turning colder. “It’s nothing.” He smiled: “It’s closer here, so I can see you more clearly.”

“What’s the point of seeing so clearly? Are you going to write a book?”

“Mm.”

Yu Shuli was originally joking, but he didn’t expect Wei Yan to actually take it seriously. He stroked his chin: “Today’s deeds of the young general will probably be in the script of the storytellers in the teahouses tomorrow. I’ll earn this money since they won’t.”

Yu Shuli’s expression was indescribable: “Wei Yan… are you that short on money?”

“Of course, it’s enough for my own use, but there’s about to be a demanding bottomless pit added to the family, so earning money is only natural.” The corners of his lips curved slightly.

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Yu Shuli said angrily, poking his heart with his finger: “Doesn’t your conscience hurt? Where do I spend money?!”

Wei Yan grasped his finger, his voice still carrying a smile, coaxing in a low voice: “I didn’t say it was you, you just took it upon yourself.”

He explained: “Grandmother picked up a puppy from the temple and brought it back for me to raise. These days, taking it to the doctor and making dog food has cost a lot of money.” After speaking, he looked at Yu Shuli teasingly: “The young general doesn’t see himself as a puppy, does he?”

“You’re the dog!” Yu Shuli said angrily, grabbing the melon seed shells on the table and throwing them at Wei Yan, hitting him all over, “Don’t bully me for being poor when I’m young, don’t bully me for being poor when I’m middle-aged, don’t bully me for being poor when I’m old.”

Wei Yan threw away the melon seed shells, smiling as he watched him make a fuss.

“Prince An, Prime Minister, to meet you here is truly a surprising encounter.” A disagreeable voice broke the two men’s tender moment.