TSWRLM -Chapter 184 Is Madam Preparing to Take a Young One?

In the valley, a small stream ran through, and the group of young men, tired from riding, went to play in the water.

Their trousers soaked through, clinging tightly to their thighs, revealing every curve of their bodies.

Everyone began bidding, and Princess Hengyang spent two thousand taels to purchase a boy named A-Li.

The boy looked no more than seventeen or eighteen, with handsome wheat-colored skin and a tall build. Though not fully grown, his shoulders and back were already broad like an adult man’s.

He walked over soaking wet, his eyes shining, and when he smiled, his white, even teeth gleamed like sunlight on an autumn morning, carrying the scent of rice fields.

“A-Li greets the two esteemed guests.”

Pulling aside the curtain, A-Li knelt and bowed, his voice slightly hoarse—a unique tone between boyhood and manhood.

It was quite pleasant to hear.

Chun Xi, who usually felt bold, dared not look too much now, especially knowing that the Princess Consort and her lord were former classmates—she dared not be careless.

Princess Hengyang lazily propped her head up and scanned A-Li from head to toe, lingering at his waist a moment longer.

Trained well, A-Li showed no shyness, instead presenting himself confidently.

Princess Hengyang was satisfied and asked, “What can you do?”

“Esteemed guest,” A-Li replied, “I grew up by the river, and I am excellent in the water. I can hold my breath underwater for the length of a joss stick.”

His answer sounded honest and unpretentious, not attempting to flatter the princess. Instead, it had a wild charm, which piqued her interest, and she asked about his past life fishing.

A-Li washed his hands and, while feeding the princess some snacks, explained further. He even shared his father’s secret method for drying fish.

Unfortunately, his father had been swept away in last year’s flood, his body never recovered.

Though a year had passed, A-Li spoke of his father’s death calmly, as if recounting something ordinary, without dramatizing his own misfortune.

Princess Hengyang waved her hand and gave him a reward of one hundred taels.

A-Li knelt to accept the silver note and was about to bow in thanks when the princess stopped him: “No need. Today, this princess only wants to hear your story.”

A flash of disappointment crossed A-Li’s eyes, then he gathered courage and said, “A-Li wishes to always serve the esteemed guest. Could you take A-Li with you?”

Like courtesans wanting to be bought by a favored patron, the boys of Wuyou Pavilion were similar.

“I never take anyone home,” Princess Hengyang said without hesitation. “But I can help you buy your freedom—go with her.”

Princess Hengyang raised her chin slightly, and A-Li’s bright eyes immediately locked on Chun Xi, wagging like a little dog in a cage waiting to be bought.

Chun Xi, drinking tea, choked on it and coughed.

She hurriedly said, “I… my household may not be convenient for this.”

She hadn’t even figured out how to explain to her lord that she went to Wuyou Pavilion with the princess again, let alone bringing someone back.

Princess Hengyang was amused by Chun Xi’s reaction, smiling and saying, “Just tell your old Shen that this person is a gift from me—you don’t dare refuse, and he won’t blame you.”

No sooner had she spoken than A-Li pounded his head repeatedly: “Please accept A-Li, esteemed guest! I can endure hardship, do any work, and will never cause trouble for you!”

He spoke quickly, with two parts urgency, afraid Chun Xi would refuse him.

Watching this, Chun Xi remembered herself many years ago.

Back then, she too had knelt and begged to be brought into the Wei household.

“Stop bowing. I’ll take you home. You may rise.”

Relieved, Chun Xi allowed it, and A-Li bowed two more times in gratitude.

Princess Hengyang paid for his freedom, and A-Li went to change clothes. Lanshu handed Chun Xi A-Li’s contract of service, saying thoughtfully: “Rest assured, esteemed guest. From now on, A-Li is yours alone; no one will know he ever worked at Wuyou Pavilion.”

But how could anyone who had seen A-Li today not know?

Chun Xi was still puzzled when A-Li returned, dressed as a servant boy.

He lowered his head slightly; his face was the same, but the bright, handsome charm was gone, looking ordinary, almost unrecognizable.

Chun Xi was astonished. Princess Hengyang raised an eyebrow at Lanshu: “Wuyou Pavilion’s skill in changing appearances is truly extraordinary. Next time, they must wash all faces clean before showing them.”

Lanshu smiled warmly: “Esteemed guest, rest assured. Wuyou Pavilion never cuts corners to deceive clients.”

Unnoticed, the sun began to tilt westward. After the boys left, the guests departed discreetly under Wuyou Pavilion’s arrangements.

When Chun Xi returned home, Shen Qingyuan had not yet arrived.

She had the steward show A-Li around and then began cooking in the small kitchen.

They ate lightly—Chun Xi steamed a tray of lamb, made a small bowl of red oil dipping sauce, a plate of cold mixed vegetables, and a three-flavor soup.

Just as Shen Qingyuan stepped into the courtyard, Chun Xi brought the dishes to the table.

“My husband is home! Wash your hands and eat quickly.”

Chun Xi smiled brightly, welcoming him eagerly.

Shen Qingyuan washed his hands and sat down, curious: “Madam, weren’t you out with the princess today? Aren’t you tired?”

Just sitting and watching a group of young men perform, it was indeed not tiring.

Chun Xi felt a little guilty: “I was accompanying the princess, so of course not tired. You’ve been busy at the Censorate, so I returned early to prepare dinner—it’s only proper.”

She served him some lamb.

Shen Qingyuan dipped it in the sauce and nodded in approval: “Delicious.”

Everything seemed as usual.

After some hesitation, Chun Xi cautiously said: “Since Qing Shu left, you haven’t had capable help. Today, while out with the princess, I met a boy with a pitiable background. Thinking you could use someone, I brought him back. You won’t mind me acting on my own, will you?”

“Madam acted for my benefit. I should be glad, not resentful. Where is the boy?”

Shen Qingyuan accepted it easily. Chun Xi breathed a sigh of relief and had the steward bring A-Li in.

“A-Li greets his master.”

Chun Xi had told A-Li to serve Shen Qingyuan from now on. Upon seeing him, A-Li immediately knelt to pledge loyalty.

Shen Qingyuan helped him up, studying him for a moment before speaking: “I thought the child you mentioned was only seven or eight, but he’s a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth.”

His tone was calm, revealing no emotion, though Chun Xi felt guilty, tense.

She wanted to say something, then heard Shen Qingyuan’s ambiguous remark: “He’s quite handsome—no wonder he was chosen by you.”

“……”

Chun Xi could not withstand the pangs of conscience and confessed: “Husband, to be honest, I brought A-Li back from Wuyou Pavilion, but the ticket and his redemption were paid by the princess.”

Shen Qingyuan nodded unsurprised: “So you’re counting on the princess’s support to take a young one?”

“……???”