MLIAM Chapter 20
by VolareChapter 20 Passing the Coming-of-Age Ceremony (Revised): Why are you taking off your clothes for me?
Tianyuan Year 12.
At the gate of the Wei Residence.
“Make way, make way…” A boisterous young man, holding a potted plant covered in red cloth, charged into the house.
A few servants tried to stop him but failed, only to be stopped by a voice filled with laughter, “No need to stop him.”
Yu Shuli, hidden behind the potted plant, couldn’t see the person but recognized Wei Yan’s voice. He tapped the outside of the porcelain pot, two “dong, dong” sounds, then looked in the direction of Wei Yan’s voice and said, “Guess what good thing I brought you?”
Wei Yan walked over, wanting to take the potted plant from his hands. “Such a big pot, couldn’t you find a servant to carry it?”
Yu Shuli dodged his hand, “Hey… don’t touch it. I had a master calculate this, it has to be done in one go.” He called out, “Quick, take me to your bedroom.”
Wei Yan sighed, having no choice but to welcome him in.
The early winter wind was a bit bleak. The Wei Residence hadn’t been renovated yet, and walking along the corridor to Wei Yan’s room required passing through a long stretch of draughty wind.
Wei Yan glanced at Yu Shuli’s pale face and took off his outer robe, draping it over Yu Shuli.
Yu Shuli couldn’t free his hands and couldn’t dodge, so he had to speak up, “Hey… why are you taking it off for me? I was so hot coming in here! You should wear it carefully yourself, what if you get sick again?”
Wei Yan, taking advantage of the fact that he wasn’t holding anything, not only didn’t take back the robe but also walked quickly, laughing, “It’s precisely because you’re sweating and hot that you shouldn’t catch a chill easily. If you get sick because of my coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll feel bad about it.”
Yu Shuli grumbled, “I won’t get sick so easily, I’m very strong.”
Wei Yan echoed, “Okay, you’re the strongest.” But he still didn’t take back the outer robe.
Yu Shuli felt the thin cotton robe on his body, finally pursed his lips, didn’t refuse anymore, just walked faster.
Once inside the room, Wei Yan quickly lit the charcoal fire.
Yu Shuli arranged the mysterious potted plant according to the so-called master’s instructions, then took off Wei Yan’s outer robe and returned it to him, supervising him as he put it on.
The slightly smoky smell choked Yu Shuli, who coughed slightly while leaning on the table. He turned his head and glanced at the tightly closed window, then simply opened the window to let in some fresh air.
Wei Yan poured hot tea, and when he turned to hand it to Yu Shuli, he saw him open the window and staring blankly outside.
“Is… is the charcoal too smoky?”
Yu Shuli turned his head, not missing the momentary helplessness and inferiority on Wei Yan’s face.
He couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
Wei Yan… such a proud person.
He shouldn’t have that kind of expression on his face.
Wei Yan couldn’t afford good charcoal; these inferior charcoals always had some smell. Yu Shuli, having been pampered since childhood, must be used to the best Silver Filigree Charcoal and probably wasn’t used to the smell.
Wei Yan forced a smile, “Why don’t I take you to my mother’s room? She always burns Silver Filigree Charcoal.”
Yu Shuli turned back, held his hand, and comforted him, “You’re overthinking it, I’m not minding that.”
He pointed out the window, “I just think your courtyard is very barren. It looks lifeless in winter.”
Wei Yan followed his gaze and saw that it was indeed bare all around.
“One potted plant is not enough.” Yu Shuli muttered, “What do you think, would it work to build a pavilion here and then plant a red maple forest? That way, in the autumn, the ground would be covered with red maple leaves, and it would be fun to step on them. Even if the leaves are gone in the winter, just the branches would fill the emptiness of your large barren land.” He turned his head and babbled to Wei Yan, but found that Wei Yan’s gaze wasn’t on the barren land he was pointing at, but on his face.
Yu Shuli touched his face, “Is there something on my face?”
Wei Yan seemed to suddenly come back to his senses, his ears turning red, and he shook his head.
“I was distracted, where were you?”
“I said, plant a red maple forest here…”
“Okay…” Wei Yan said suddenly, “I’ll listen to you.”
“Okay what okay, you haven’t even heard my ideas.” Yu Shuli waved his hand, “Forget it, I was just saying. Planting a red maple forest takes time and money, and you’re busy every day and wouldn’t have time to enjoy it. It’s purely a beautiful waste.”
The charcoal fire in the room crackled. Yu Shuli closed the window, preventing the heat from escaping.
He saw that Wei Yan was still staring outside and laughed, “What’s wrong? You’re not really thinking of planting a forest, are you? I was just saying. Your ambition as a great scholar is the Imperial Cabinet, how can you waste time on these flowers and plants?”
Yu Shuli turned back, uncovered the red cloth, and patted the plant he had brought back, looking at Wei Yan as if asking for praise, “Do you know what this is?”
Wei Yan followed his gaze downwards.
The tree was covered with lush green palmate compound leaves, the leaves scattered outwards and converging at the top, the branches and leaves were luxuriant, unlike common plants in the Capital City.
Even with Wei Yan’s erudition and talent, he couldn’t identify it.
Yu Shuli giggled, “Can’t recognize it, right? This is called a Money Tree, it was a tribute from a foreign country. His Majesty gifted it to my father back then. My old man didn’t know how to take care of it and almost killed it, but after I took over, I raised it to what it is now.”
He patted Wei Yan’s shoulder, “I know you, you have a strong sense of self-esteem and definitely wouldn’t accept my financial help. But this thing I grew myself, it doesn’t cost money, as long as you guarantee you won’t kill it, you’ll have a meteoric rise in the future.”
“What kind of superstitious nonsense, this tree looks ordinary, how can it have such a use.” Wei Yan was deeply moved but didn’t show it on his face. “Money Tree, didn’t you just make up the name?”
Yu Shuli twisted his waist, glaring at him, “You’re such a philistine! This is a local custom, it’s a beautiful wish and prayer! I’ve raised it for so long and even had a master bless it, it will definitely bless you to have smooth sailing from now on!”
“Okay.” Wei Yan laughed, “Since you said so, I will definitely win first place in the final stage of an imperial examination.”
“That’s right!” Yu Shuli proudly put his hands on his hips, “When the time comes, I can brag to everyone, I have a Rank One Scholar brother.”
Wei Yan’s gaze softened, “Yes, when I win first place, then…” Wei Yan’s mind suddenly went blank… Then what?
An unprecedented impulse sprouted. He stared stiffly at Yu Shuli, the sound of his heartbeat too loud to ignore.
“Then what?” Yu Shuli blinked his eyes, asking curiously.
Wei Yan took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said fiercely, “Then I’ll tie you up in my residence to do hard labor!”
Yu Shuli “tsk”ed, “When you have power over the world, I’ll be your great benefactor. You won’t even treat me well, let alone make me do hard labor? You really don’t know how to be grateful.”
Wei Yan nodded, “Yes, I’m ungrateful.”
Yu Shuli looked up at him, saw the clear smile in his eyes, and realized that he was joking.
Yu Shuli “hmph”ed, then suddenly stopped, looking him up and down, “Wei Xianqing, did you secretly get taller behind my back?”
“What do you mean secretly got taller behind your back?” Wei Yan pinched his chubby cheeks, “I have to thank someone for feeding me, often bringing me those delicacies from every corner to share with me, making me fatter.”
Yu Shuli shook his head, “I can’t tell that you’re fatter, but it’s obvious that you’re taller.” He sighed, his tone somewhat regretful, “Why haven’t I grown taller?”
“Soon, once you pass your coming-of-age ceremony, you’ll be as tall as me.”
“Actually, I don’t really want to get taller.” Yu Shuli sat down, his palms supporting his chin, looking at Wei Yan, “Growing taller means growing up, and there will be a lot of things you can’t control.”
Wei Yan keenly noticed that his mood wasn’t right today and quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”
“My father is busy arranging a marriage proposal for me.” Yu Shuli said, “How old am I? And they’re already arranging girls for me. The girls in the Capital City all seem to be more delicate than the last. I have a bad temper, and they’ll cry if I say a few words to them. How will we get along in the future? You think so too, right?”
Wei Yan suddenly fell silent.
Yu Shuli turned his head to look over, “Wei Yan?”
“… Yes.” Wei Yan squeezed out a smile.
“Don’t you have the same marriage proposal troubles? Haven’t you passed your coming-of-age ceremony?” A trace of confusion appeared in Yu Shuli’s eyes.
“No.” Wei Yan said, “You know my family situation. Good girls don’t look up to me. Besides… my health isn’t good, and there are many taboos about proposing marriage. There are so many excellent men in the Capital City, matchmakers don’t need to waste their time on me.”
Yu Shuli’s gaze swept across his face, questioning, “I don’t believe it, not even one? Don’t lie to me, I’ll get angry.”
Wei Yan tapped his forehead, and seeing that Yu Shuli was still staring at him intently, looking disbelieving, he helplessly said, “There is, okay?”
“Then what do you think?” Yu Shuli suddenly stood up and leaned over, almost face to face with Wei Yan.
Wei Yan’s breath hitched, unconsciously taking two steps back, his ears already flushed red.
He stammered, “I explained that my mother is bedridden and my family is in financial straits, and the other party never came to our door again.”
Yu Shuli laughed twice, “That’s too snobbish.”
“It’s not really snobbish, it’s assessing the situation and acting accordingly, it’s human nature.”
“If I truly like someone, I won’t give up on him because of any objective conditions.” Yu Shuli pursed his lips, “Too bad I don’t have anyone I like at all, and I don’t even know what liking is.”
Wei Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He suddenly asked, “If… I mean if, you had to marry someone poor and destitute, who doesn’t seem to have any prospects, would you agree?”
Yu Shuli frowned, his expression somewhat strange. “I’m a grown man, what’s with the marry or not marry.”
Wei Yan’s eyes darkened, “That’s right… I was talking nonsense.”
He lowered his eyes, and after a moment, bit his lip, seemingly unwilling, and asked again, “Then… then if someone is poor and destitute, but presumptuously wants to climb up to you, what would you do?”
Yu Shuli’s cheeks were inexplicably hot. He felt that the atmosphere between them was a bit strange when they talked about this kind of topic. “Ah… that depends on the person… I’m not some saint, I can’t just rob the rich to help the poor, right?”
“He doesn’t covet your money, he’ll work hard to earn money to support you in the future.”
Yu Shuli smiled, “Want me to be a kept man? That’s acceptable.”
Wei Yan nodded, leaned closer to him, and asked in a low voice, “What about me?”
His gaze was locked on Yu Shuli, focused and serious, “If… if this person is me?”
Yu Shuli’s eyes widened, and he took two steps back, instinctively wanting to scold Wei Yan, “Are you a pervert?” Then he suddenly realized that Wei Yan was asking him “if” such a situation, that is, Wei Yan was just using himself as a comparison.
He was making a fuss over nothing.
Thinking of this, Yu Shuli breathed a sigh of relief, patted his shoulder in a friendly manner, and laughed, “Of course it’s okay if it’s you!”
His voice was clear, “Back on the street, I took a fancy to you at first sight!”
Wei Yan’s heart skipped two beats violently.
Then he realized that Yu Shuli didn’t mean it that way, and he pursed his lips, unable to describe the feeling of sudden disappointment. He could only shake his head with a self-deprecating laugh, and expose him:
“Took a fancy to me, you wanted to take me in as a younger brother, right?”
Yu Shuli “hee”ed, sticking out his tongue, “Didn’t I call you brother later? It’s even now. Can we brothers not be so calculating?”
Wei Yan repeated the word “brother” between his teeth, only feeling it was sticky and tight.
But it was indeed too early for Yu Shuli to understand.
It’s just that Wei Yan has endured for so many years, he doesn’t want to endure anymore.
“Aren’t you going to wish me a happy birthday?” His clear eyes seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
Yu Shuli stood up straight and asked seriously, “How do you want me to wish you?” He raised his hand and swore, “I will definitely provide the best service.”
The two looked at each other.
A medicinal scent drifted into his nose, and Yu Shuli was pulled into a strong embrace.
Wei Yan’s chin rubbed against his hair, making the top of Yu Shuli’s head a little itchy.
The two’s heartbeats were subtly synchronized.
Wei Yan’s voice was firm and resolute, “This is enough.”