Just listen to that nonsense! If he feels like copying, he copies; if not, he doesn’t—acting as though this princely estate were his own backyard, free for him to come and go as he pleases.
“You bastard, you’re definitely just waiting to see me get chewed out by Steward Tang so you can enjoy the show from the sidelines. The lot of you have no loyalty whatsoever—just a bunch of fence-sitters who love a good laugh at others’ expense!” Ning Xuan spat bitterly. “I don’t care—whoever made this mess is responsible for it. I’m not copying a single word. If you don’t fix it, and Steward Tang finds out—or worse, if some master suddenly gets the urge to read this book one day—then even as a ghost I’ll drag you down with me!”
Having made up his mind, Ning Xuan calmly snapped the book shut and tossed it aside, reaching for another volume and continuing to lay it out carefully to dry.
Yi Hua, however, seemed utterly unconcerned. He lifted his gaze to glance at the book’s cover, then crouched down and sat beside Ning Xuan. “No matter. Would that count as living and dying together with you?” he said lazily. “Never thought you’d plan so far ahead. Though I doubt the master will ever read that book again… but if you insist, I wouldn’t mind keeping you company tonight, copying by candlelight.”
Ning Xuan shuddered at his words. Turning his head, he first stared at Yi Hua as if he’d seen a ghost—this man lounging on the grass with one hand propped behind him, one knee bent, utterly at ease, as though nothing had happened. Ning Xuan quietly edged a couple of steps away and asked cautiously, “You… still not awake?”
Yi Hua only smiled without answering, even closing his eyes as if savoring the morning breeze. Though Ning Xuan felt extremely awkward, he couldn’t very well chase him off—this wasn’t his home, after all. Besides, the fragrant aroma drifting from the exquisite dishes carried by passing servants soon drew his attention away.
What Ning Xuan failed to notice was that the servants who had been sneaking glances and stifling laughter suddenly changed expressions, startled, before hurrying away as though fleeing.
“So what exactly did you come here for? Don’t you have duties to attend to?” Ning Xuan asked. What he truly wanted to know was—was this man really just this idle and carefree?
“You care that much about my presence?” Yi Hua deflected lightly.
“…” Black lines crept across Ning Xuan’s face. This guy really knew how to push his luck. There was a living, breathing person right beside him—how could he possibly pretend he didn’t exist? Not to mention, this was someone who had behaved improperly toward him just last night—and showed not the slightest remorse.
“Actually, it’s nothing much.” Seeing Ning Xuan’s expression darken rapidly, Yi Hua decided to stop while he was ahead and changed the subject before Ning Xuan could explode—or rather, he turned to his real purpose.
He rummaged around in his robes for quite some time—so long that Ning Xuan began to suspect he was being toyed with again and was on the verge of snapping—when suddenly a delicate paper-wrapped parcel appeared before his eyes.
Looking up, he met Yi Hua’s smiling gaze. “What’s this?”
“Pastries,” Yi Hua replied with a grin. He unhurriedly unwrapped the layers of paper, revealing within a dazzling array of exquisitely crafted delicacies.
There were translucent, jelly-like water chestnut cakes, gleaming like polished jade; reddish-brown jujube-walnut cakes, each square revealing carefully peeled walnut pieces within; mung bean cakes, crab roe buns, crystal jellies, crystal cakes… and countless other treats Ning Xuan couldn’t even name, all arranged in a dazzling display that left him momentarily dazed.
Comparing modern high-tech production to the handcrafted artistry before him, Ning Xuan couldn’t help but marvel—true craftsmanship was art. Each piece was so delicate he could hardly bear to eat it; just looking at them felt almost enough to satisfy hunger. As for the aroma—there was no need to say more. Absolutely top-tier. At such close range, the fragrance invaded his senses whether he wanted it or not, stirring up the hunger he had barely managed to suppress. His stomach growled in protest, clamoring to be filled.
Ning Xuan swallowed hard, pressing a hand to his stomach, forcibly restraining the urge to pounce and drown himself in pastries.
“What are you scheming?” he asked, clinging to the last shred of reason, reminding himself that one does not accept favors without cause. Yet his bright black eyes had already betrayed him, locked onto the pastries as though trying to devour them with his gaze alone.
Seeing how Ning Xuan was clearly starving yet stubbornly holding back—his childish eyes betraying his true thoughts—Yi Hua nearly burst out laughing. Were it not for the many servants passing by in broad daylight, he might have rolled on the ground in laughter. Instead, he feigned a trace of melancholy and disappointment.
“Ah, I thought you didn’t look of age yet, so you probably didn’t get breakfast. This morning the master rewarded me with quite a bit of good food, so I figured I’d bring some over, offer a little sacrifice to your poor, starving insides. Never thought you’d be so ungrateful—treating me like some flood beast.” He even put on a wounded, innocent expression. “Since you don’t appreciate it, why should I stick my warm face against your cold shoulder?”
As he spoke, Yi Hua slowly lifted the paper parcel, his movements laced with reluctance, resentment, and self-mockery. He elegantly folded one corner shut… but just as he reached for another, Ning Xuan—slow to react but finally understanding—lunged like a hungry tiger, pressing down on the package and snatching it away.
Before Yi Hua could respond, Ning Xuan had already grabbed a translucent water chestnut cake and tossed it into his mouth, chewing eagerly.
“Mmm, delicious~” Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, savoring the taste—sweet but not cloying, leaving a lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth. Truly a delicacy of the highest order! Even as he relished it, however, he kept a wary eye on Yi Hua, as if afraid the man might suddenly snatch it back—like a cooked duck flying away from his grasp.
“Hey, take it slow. It’s all yours—I never said I’d fight you for it,” Yi Hua said, shaking his head.
You didn’t say you wouldn’t, either. Ning Xuan shot back with his eyes, while his mouth remained wholly devoted to the noble task of filling his stomach.
“It was just a spur-of-the-moment kiss yesterday, and you looked at me like I’d violated some innocent maiden. I don’t want to be misunderstood, so here I am—bearing ‘thorns’ to plead guilty,” Yi Hua said with a faint smile.
Hmph—you didn’t violate any maiden, but I, a perfectly pure and handsome young man, was blatantly taken advantage of by you—that’s a fact!
Ning Xuan protested inwardly.
Lost in thought while chewing, he suddenly felt his throat tighten. His breathing hitched, and his eyes nearly rolled back as he choked. He pounded his chest desperately, trying to force the lodged pastry down.
Seeing this, Yi Hua—who had been smiling moments before—quickly leaned forward to help, patting his back. “Choking, are you? I told you to eat carefully—didn’t listen, did you!” He glanced around, but there wasn’t even a container of water in sight.
Ning Xuan, however, couldn’t wait. He plunged straight toward the lotus pond beside him and gulped down water in great mouthfuls.
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Futile Devices Scans 
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