Tap, tap, tap.
Tap, tap, tap.
Wu Da knocked on the main doors of the Liang residence three times before there was any stirring inside.
"Who is it!"
Creak—
The main door of the Liang residence opened just a palm's width, revealing a flared nose and drooping, triangular-shaped eyes. The man, presumably the gatekeeper, looked up and down at the simply-dressed Douzi and Wu Da, then asked in a rather impatient tone, "Who are you?"
Before Wu Da could speak, Douzi stepped forward, his face full of excitement, and said in a crisp voice, "Excuse me, is this Liang Baojing's home? I am his classmate from the Imperial College. Today is his birthday, and he invited me over as a guest."
Saying so, Douzi handed over the invitation written by Liang Baojing himself.
The gatekeeper took the invitation, glanced through it casually, and immediately opened the door. His tone was neither good nor bad.
"Since you were invited by Young Master Baojing, come on in."
As he led the way, he muttered under his breath, "This Young Master Baojing really is something, inviting any random stray cat or dog into the estate."
Douzi didn't hear this clearly, but the highly skilled martial artist Wu Da heard it loud and clear.
Wu Da raised an eyebrow high, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He gave the servant a meaningful stare, then obediently followed behind Douzi.
Before coming, Wu Da had already investigated thoroughly. This Liang estate was the residence of Vice Minister Liang of the Ministry of Works, and Liang Baojing was his legitimate son. It was worth noting that Liang Baojing's birth mother had passed away from a hemorrhage after giving birth to him. Currently, the inner courtyard of the estate was managed by a concubine surnamed Xue.
Douzi was the same age as Liang Baojing, who had only recently entered the Imperial College to study. The two sat next to each other in the classroom, and over time, they became familiar and good friends.
The gatekeeper led the two of them through various turns until they reached a beautiful courtyard in the inner estate. A servant went in to announce their arrival. Douzi waited for a brief moment before movement was heard from within the courtyard.
A crowd of people poured out of the courtyard. Several older women and maidservants led out a plump boy with a blessed, round face, dressed in rich and elegant clothes. When he saw Douzi, his round eyes widened, and he immediately trotted over to Douzi's side, winking happily. "That's wonderful, Ah Dou, you really came! I'm so happy!"
Douzi was also delighted. In the past, he was always bullied at school and had no friends. After that particular incident happened, it was true that no one dared to bully him anymore, but they also didn't dare to be friendly with him. Liang Baojing had started school late and had no prejudice against him. Since the two became friends, they were inseparable at school. Having finally made his first friend, Douzi was overjoyed and cherished the friendship dearly.
Moreover, this was his first time celebrating someone else's birthday. Douzi scratched his head somewhat shyly, turned to take the several gift boxes that Wu Da was holding, and handed them to Liang Baojing. His eyes were bright and shining. "These are my birthday gifts to you. My sister and I spent a long time picking them out this morning. Take a look and see if you like them!"
Liang Baojing happily took them in his arms but was not in a hurry to open them. He turned and handed them to a neatly dressed older woman behind him. "Granny Wang, please put these away carefully for me."
"Yes, Young Master."
Smiling, Liang Baojing took Douzi's hand. "Ah Dou, I will like whatever you give me. I'll look at them later. Come with me, let me show you the treasures I told you I've been collecting."
Douzi blinked and immediately let out a chuckle of agreement. He then turned back and looked at Wu Da with some uncertainty.
Wu Da immediately spoke up, "Go and play, little master. Your servant will be waiting outside the door at all times. Just call out if you need anything."
Douzi cheered, and the two boys ran into the courtyard hand in hand.
The treasures Liang Baojing mentioned were agate stones he had collected over time. They came in all colors and shapes, piling up to fill an entire small chest.
What child doesn't like colorful things? Douzi absolutely loved them too.
Seeing that Douzi also liked his treasures, Liang Baojing happily began to share. He picked out a small handful of agates, put them into a pouch, and handed them to Douzi. "Here, Ah Dou, these are for you."
Although Douzi liked them, he knew he shouldn't just take other people's things. He quickly waved his hands. "No, no, these are your treasures. I can't take them."
"Oh, come on! Just tell me if you like them or not!" Liang Baojing widened his small eyes.
Douzi nodded repeatedly. "I do like them, but you worked so hard to collect and save these. You should keep them for yourself. I'll collect some on my own later."
Liang Baojing pouted his small mouth and earnestly explained to Douzi, "Just take them. I have so many, and I'm happy to share some with you. Besides, you don't know, but these are actually hard to collect. The shops here in the capital mostly sell jade. Without connections, you can't buy good ones. These high-quality ones were all bought from outside the pass by my uncles from my maternal grandfather's family after I begged them. Even my dad, the dignified Vice Minister of Works, couldn't get many for me when I asked him."
Douzi let out an oh of realization, then suddenly thought of something. His eyes curved into crescents as he smiled joyfully and said, "It's fine. You don't know this, but my brother-in-law is amazing. When the time comes, I can ask my brother-in-law to get some for me."
"That sounds great." Liang Baojing also laughed, but he still gave the items to Douzi.
Unable to refuse such great hospitality, Douzi accepted them.
The two were talking and laughing when a maidservant came over to pass on the message that Young Master Baoyu had arrived.
Liang Baojing's small face immediately drooped. He snorted angrily, "What is he doing here? Tell him to go back!"
The maidservant looked troubled and stammered, "But, they couldn't stop him outside. Young Master Baoyu has already come in."
As soon as she finished speaking, a child's voice could be heard from outside the room. Although the voice was tender, the words spoken were mean and vicious: "Brother, brother, you really need to discipline these damn servants in your courtyard! They actually tried to stop this young master from coming in. Hmph, if this were my courtyard, they would all be slapped and beaten with boards!"
With that, a fair-skinned, exquisitely and gorgeously dressed young boy stepped in from outside.
He first grinned at Liang Baojing, then his gaze fell on Douzi, and he asked in confusion, "Huh, brother, who is this?"
Liang Baojing replied crossly, "Why do you care who this is? What are you here for?"
Facing Liang Baojing's impatient attitude, Liang Baoyu wasn't annoyed. His eyes darted around, and he put on a big smile as he leaned in close to the two of them. Then, he took a pouch out from his chest, looking seemingly very sincere. "Brother, today is your birthday. Mother asked me to come and call you to the front hall for dinner. Also, this is the birthday present your younger brother prepared for you."
Liang Baojing looked at the pouch with a guarded expression and opened his mouth, "I don't want it. Take it back."
Liang Baoyu immediately put on a sad, pitiful look. "Brother, this is a token of my affection."
Liang Baojing's small face displayed undisguised disgust. "You are not welcome here. Get out of here right now!"
Liang Baoyu pursed his lips, looking utterly wronged.
Suddenly, Liang Baoyu took two steps toward Douzi. He first looked Douzi up and down, then feigned a practiced intimacy as he tugged at Douzi's hand and abruptly leaned against him. "Young brother, you must be my older brother's friend. As you just saw, my brother has always hated me, but I'm already used to it... You don't know, ouch!... Brother, why are you pulling me!"
Liang Baojing watched with wide eyes as Liang Baoyu cozied up to Douzi, and he immediately glared! He grabbed Liang Baoyu and yanked him away, snapping fiercely, "Why haven't you left yet!"
Liang Baoyu's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Brother, I know you despise me, but..."
Unable to endure it any longer, Liang Baojing reached out and gave Liang Baoyu a shove. "If you know that, then why are you still hovering around me? Have you no shame!"
Liang Baojing felt he clearly hadn't used much force, yet Liang Baoyu suddenly stumbled forward quite a distance.
Crack.
At the same time, the pouch in Liang Baoyu's hand fell heavily to the ground, emitting the sound of shattering jade.
Remaining sprawled on the ground, Liang Baoyu opened the pouch and pulled out a few fragments of broken jade. Tears immediately streamed down his face, and he cried out with the utmost grievance, "Brother! Even if you don't like me, you shouldn't have smashed the birthday gift I personally prepared for you! I... I'm going to tell Father and Mother right now!"
With that, he scrambled to his feet and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Liang Baojing: ...
Douzi, who had been watching the drama unfold the entire time: ...
