Chapter 53

Jiaoren were like water—soft, almost colourless like clouds at the horizon. Gu Tingshuang couldn’t imagine Ning Shiting truly loving someone, much less showing affection in a domestic, caring way, like cooking for them.

On the first day the scouts arrived, and by the second day, news came that Gu Feiyin would soon be returning. He had originally been stationed three immortal realms away, commanding troops to deal with the aftermath of the blood clan. However, this time, he sent a direct notice to Ning Shiting, stating that he would be back soon.

This "soon" was always indefinite—sometimes it meant a day, other times it could be a month.

"It seems that Gongzi hasn’t made any special preparations for the mansion today," Hulu and Lingjiao, standing guard outside the Fragrant Pavilion, quietly discussed as they tidied things for Gu Tingshuang. Their voices inevitably reached Gu Tingshuang's ears.

He sat by the window, gazing at the golden ginkgo tree by the steps of the courtyard. Even the heavy snow hadn’t shaken the brilliance of the tree, its dazzling gold leaves seemingly ready to pierce through the ice and light up a corner of the sky, their brightness blinding.

The small wolf lay, as usual, on Gu Tingshuang’s lap. When it heard the people outside talking, its ears perked up momentarily before it lay down again, licking Gu Tingshuang’s fingers.

“All the items have been moved here. If there’s anything uncomfortable about staying in the Fragrant Pavilion, just let us know. Fortunately, it’s close to the Baicao Garden, so the wolf da-ren won’t have to squeeze into a small room anymore.”

Hulu had begun referring to Gu Tingshuang’s wolves as "Da-ren" out of respect.(1) The two brothers, having finished organising the things outside, directed others to put everything in its proper place. As they were making tea, they heard Gu Tingshuang ask, “What did you mean just now when you said that Ning Shiting hasn’t made any special preparations?”

Hulu thought for a moment—it wasn’t gossiping about the master behind his back since Gu Tingshuang had asked the question.

He said, “Back when the Xiao-Gongzi Ting Shu was still around, he told us that whenever Gongzi was in Dongzhou and the Wangye announced he was coming, Gongzi would prepare everything in advance. He would make the Nine Treasures Pastry that the Wangye liked, which is incredibly difficult to make. It requires more than thirty ingredients that need to be ground, steamed, and some even fried, dried, and then ground again. Our small kitchen was too lazy to make that, but Gongzi was always very dedicated. There was also the tea that the Wangye liked to drink, and it’s said that only Gongzi knew the special way to brew it.”

Gu Tingshuang chuckled. “This kind of thing—where does the idea come from that only one person can make it well?”

Hulu didn’t catch the underlying meaning in his words and simply agreed, “Yes, perhaps it’s only like that between people who care for each other. Even though it’s the same tea, one might just feel it tastes better when a particular person makes it…”

At this point, Hulu fell silent.

He recalled Gu Tingshuang’s initial hostility towards Ning Shiting. Whenever Gu Feiyin and Ning Shiting’s relationship was brought up, it always seemed to darken Gu Tingshuang’s mood.

After all, Gu Feiyin had ignored the princess consort for years. In the past decade, Qing Wang’s side had never been short of beautiful women, constantly surrounding him with their charms. Ning Shiting might have been considered just one among many.

Whatever Gu Feiyin’s true feelings for Ning Shiting were, no one could say for sure. But he had allowed him into the estate, formally under the name of the Qing Wang’s residence, which was an acknowledgement that had never happened before. As for Ning Shiting, though he was reserved and mild-mannered, his care for the prince's estate and Gu Tingshuang was obvious, showing that his feelings for the Qing Wang were certainly not shallow.

But, of course, none of this could be said to Gu Tingshuang.

“Is that what it means to care for someone?” Gu Tingshuang was silent for a while before asking, “Going to so much trouble to do things that servants could do—who’s it for? I also like Nine Treasures Pastry, but my mother always had people buy it from that shop in Dongxiang that already makes it. I’ve had it so many times, and it never tasted any different.”

This was something he could never understand. In his short life, only his mother had ever cared for him deeply, but it still felt different when he heard about this.

Hulu merely smiled and said, “Dianxia, it's not the same. The Wangye might like homemade food, but Gongzi always wanted him to have the freshest and the best. Perhaps the Wangfei thought about how to ensure you wouldn’t go hungry or crave anything, and by buying from outside, she would have more time to spend with you…”

“There’s no need to glorify her,” Gu Tingshuang replied. “My mother was just trying to be efficient.”

Hulu chuckled quietly and said nothing more. A little later, Lingjiao called from outside, “It’s time. Let’s go feed the wolves, and help move those stubborn deer from the Menagerie of One Hundred Beasts.”

Gu Tingshuang nodded, and Hulu bowed and left. Just before closing the door, he heard Gu Tingshuang mutter, “I don’t even like fresh ones. Nine Treasures Pastry tastes better when it’s a little aged.”

The first night at Fragrant Pavilion was calm.

Gu Tingshuang, despite changing locations, slept relatively well. The place had been infused with the scent Ning Shiting often carried, as it was where he prepared his fragrances.

The scent was everywhere—on the quilt, the pillow, the bed curtains. Even the breeze in the courtyard seemed to carry traces of it.

When Gu Tingshuang woke up in the morning, the faint scent caused him a subtle irritation.

After breakfast, he stepped outside. Frowning at the smell in the air, he wondered where it came from. Just as he was about to investigate, he unexpectedly heard Ning Shiting’s voice.

Not far from him, at the turn by the ginkgo tree, the soft, gentle voice of the Jiaoren reached him. “Just leave it here. We’ll move it in the afternoon. Don’t disturb the Shizi, it’s still too early.”

After a brief silence, Gu Tingshuang wheeled himself around the corner.

“I’m already awake.”

Ning Shiting stood with his back to him, wearing light moon-white robes, the sleeves flowing like mist, exuding a calm and relaxed air. Hearing Gu Tingshuang’s voice, he slowly turned to face him, their eyes meeting.

There was a hint of surprise in Ning Shiting’s eyes, as well as an indescribable, complex emotion. “Why are you here?”

Ning Shiting smiled, “Recovering. I’ll be staying here with Dianxia for a while.”

“Recovering?” Gu Tingshuang looked up at him. “It takes more than half an hour to walk from the main gate to this place. My father’s coming back soon, and you’re running here to recover?”

Ning Shiting’s expression remained soft, unbothered by Gu Tingshuang’s words. He smiled, eyes twinkling, “A sick person must act like one. Since I’m so gravely ill that I can’t handle official matters, I naturally can’t go to welcome the Qing Wang either.”

Gu Tingshuang looked at him sceptically.

Although Ning Shiting still appeared pale and frail, with a bandaged wound on his right hand, he seemed far healthier than before. Watching him direct the servants in the courtyard, he didn’t at all resemble someone “gravely ill.”

Gu Tingshuang had assumed Ning Shiting’s feigned illness was just an excuse to avoid the officials, a strategy to dodge external criticism during this period. He hadn’t expected that Ning Shiting’s caution extended to Gu Feiyin as well.

Seeing that Gu Tingshuang was already awake, Ning Shiting casually had the servants begin moving things. He brought over almost everything from his study: clothes, scrolls, his personal toiletries, teacups, snack boxes, and writing tools. It looked like he was planning to stay for a long time.

As Ning Shiting passed by Gu Tingshuang, noticing him standing there in a daze, he found the boy quite endearing. He ruffled Gu Tingshuang’s hair, the same way he often did with Ting Shu.

Gu Tingshuang, usually composed and mature beyond his years, seemed at that moment to finally show a bit of the youthful innocence appropriate for his age. Ning Shiting found it adorable and was genuinely happy to see this side of him.

Gu Tingshuang didn’t move or evade the gesture. After standing there a bit longer, he suddenly turned and asked, “You… why?”

Ning Shiting had once said he wanted to kill Gu Feiyin, and Gu Tingshuang had always believed him, at least half-heartedly. He had thought Ning Shiting’s affection for Gu Feiyin was nothing but a pretence, an act to gain wealth from the Qing Wang’s estate. After all, with his personality, how could Ning Shiting love anyone so intensely?

Jiaoren were like water—soft, almost colourless like clouds at the horizon. Gu Tingshuang couldn’t imagine Ning Shiting truly loving someone, much less showing affection in a domestic, caring way, like cooking for them.

… Could he even cook?

His thoughts raced as he turned the idea over in his mind.

Ning Shiting tilted his head and looked at him, and in that instant, Gu Tingshuang forgot what he wanted to say. He hesitated before finally blurting out a few words: “Nine Treasures Pastry.”

“What?”

Ning Shiting seemed puzzled, not understanding what Gu Tingshuang was talking about.

“Nine Treasures Pastry,” Gu Tingshuang repeated slowly, “I heard you can make it.”

Ning Shiting blinked, then replied, “…Yes, Dianxia.”

“I want to eat it. You’ll make it for me,” Gu Tingshuang ordered.

Ning Shiting chuckled helplessly, “Dianxia, I have many things to take care of. How about I have someone buy it for you from the shop across the street from the palace? I heard you’ve been eating that one since you were a child—it’s likely better than what I can make.”

Gu Tingshuang impatiently retorted, “I’ve eaten it too many times, I’m tired of it. Even when they make it fresh, by the time it arrives, the crust isn’t as crisp. I want the kind that’s straight out of the oven. You’ll make it.”

Ning Shiting was about to respond but was interrupted abruptly by Gu Tingshuang: “That’s an order. Since you’re in my house now, you’ll follow my commands. What, you’re still unwilling?”

His words came rapid-fire, cold and commanding, but Ning Shiting only smiled again, unable to suppress his amusement. “Dianxia, I didn’t even finish speaking. What I meant was, this pastry takes time to make. If you want to eat it, you’ll need to be patient and wait for me, alright?”

“…”

In that moment, Ning Shiting’s usual tone, which was often used to coax children, didn’t feel out of place at all. His soft words dispersed like the golden ginkgo leaves swirling in the wind, dissolving into the sky.

Gu Tingshuang turned his head away, his voice slightly stiff as he muttered, “Good.”

Foot Notes

1. 大人 (Dàrén) or “adult” in modern Chinese used to be used to refer to a higher-ranked person, such as a noble. In this context it's closer to “lord” or “your excellency”.