Ten days have passed since he last saw his second brother. To pass the time, he can only look at the books left by the young master. Because they inherited each other's memories, he can understand the classical Chinese texts.
Storybooks are so addictive; I only realized I was gradually becoming the second shut-in when I suddenly snapped out of it.
I can't even communicate with the outside world, because the young master has no friends at all!
Well, actually I don't have any close friends. In modern times, I can hardly remember the names of the people around me.
I slowly closed the storybook, and the servants brought over pastries and tea again.
Experiencing other people's lives is indeed interesting, but I'm a bit bored right now.
I never imagined that I would have to report my whereabouts to go out now. When the young master was around, he didn't want to go out at all, so the mistress didn't stop him.
But why are you stopping me?!
After tasting two exquisite pastries, I pondered for a while. Since I could let the young master be himself, shouldn't I be able to be myself here too?
I can't pretend to be polite forever, it's really uncomfortable.
In my past life, I was a total party animal. I wanted to try all sorts of exciting activities. For me, the end of life was all about happiness.
"Your name is Dongzhu?"
"Yes, young master."
"I'm going to find my second brother."
Dongzhu lowered her head and said in a low voice, "The Second Young Master is currently on duty at the Hanlin Academy."
I almost dropped the pastries in my hand. I was a little surprised to find that my second brother wasn't a layabout. I had thought he was just wasting his time like him.
"The second young master is the new top scholar in the imperial examination. The master and madam were afraid you would get too excited, so they didn't let the news reach your ears," Dongzhu said softly as she wiped my hands.
"Then how can it be done now?"
"Because you are feeling much better now."
It's been several months since this news broke, and yet the family hasn't held a banquet. That's very strange. It doesn't make sense for the legitimate son to defer to the illegitimate son. What kind of behavior is that?
Unless the young master's status is higher than anyone else in the Marquis's mansion, or the young master's mother has done a favor for the Marquis's mansion, this is the only explanation.
The more I thought about my second brother, the more excited I became. "A top scholar... my second brother is truly amazing!"
That's the top scholar in the imperial examination!
How could my second brother possibly resist being so humble?!
This is equivalent to a deputy division-level leadership position in a centrally administered engineering construction department in later times!
Holy crap, how can someone be so amazing!
"Cough cough!!"
When Dongzhu heard me cough, he hurriedly patted my back, then said with great regret, "I didn't expect you to get so agitated. I should have known better than to tell you."
"Then why can we talk about other things?"
"Those items have all been carefully selected; they won't make you feel down, nor will they make you too excited."
I was speechless. So, is this the only person in the world who's been fooled?!
In short, Xie Qingzhi's status as the top scholar in the imperial examination had a huge impact on me. I couldn't continue living like this. Even though I'm a good-for-nothing, a good-for-nothing still has some use, right?
No, no, no! The Marquis's mansion's position is now a threat to the Emperor himself. If a few more members of the Marquis's mansion were to rise to prominence, what would become of them?
Oh my god, I never thought my only path would be to be a couch potato!
"I'm so bored! Go talk to the mistress, I'm dying of boredom... If she doesn't let me go out to play, I'm really going to die!"
I can't keep up the act anymore. I'm reading every day, but I can't even lie down to read. My neck is killing me!
Dongzhu and the other three servants in the room hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to send one of them to inform the madam.
Half an hour later, the servant who had run off returned, his face beaming with a smile.
"Young Master, Young Master! Madam said you can go flower viewing with the Third Young Master tomorrow!"
"Enjoying the flowers?"
I'm not particularly fond of flowers and plants, but it's not bad to have it as an excuse to go for a walk and relax.
If I were in good health now, I would have gone horse racing long ago. What's flower viewing anyway? Even the flowers I gave to Qin Fang and the others were bought in bulk and just given away casually.
"Alright, let's go then."
The next morning, I slowly opened my eyes and found that I had already adjusted to this biological clock!
"Awake?" A clear and pleasant male voice rang out.
I slowly turned my head and was stunned by the handsome man from the Marquis's mansion. Although I knew who he was, I still pretended to ask, "Who are you?"
"I am your most respected third brother, Xie Qinglan."
Me: "..." Get out of here, get out of here.
"Third Brother," I called out weakly, which made the man sitting on the edge of the bed frown.
"Your health is still as weak as ever. Father said you were much better, but it seems that's about the best you can hope for."
Is this guy here to complain? My impression of the third brother is that he dislikes him the most; I avoid him like the plague! Of the three brothers, he's the worst!
Okay, now that we know it's reversed, it means that this third brother is probably the one who cares about him the most.
"When you were little, you were as cute as a glutinous rice ball. It's just a pity that Dad wouldn't let us get close to you, saying you were born with superhuman strength and he was afraid we'd be sent flying by your punch."
"..."
After Xie Qinglan finished speaking, she slowly stood up. "Just kidding, you should get up."
Xie Qinglan made way for me, and the servants helped me to my feet.
Two hours later, I looked at the garden full of blooming flowers, a riot of colors and a breathtaking sight, but my heart remained completely unmoved.
This scene was far from what I had imagined "flower appreciation".
I thought I could take this opportunity to see some handsome men from ancient times, but I ended up finding myself surrounded by a group of beautiful women.
After I asked my third brother to take me away from them, I couldn't help but whisper to him, "Third brother, what... what's going on here?"
Xie Qinglan raised an eyebrow, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, "What, you don't like them? These are all daughters of prominent families in the capital, each one beautiful and talented. I think it's time for you, Madam."
I was internally shocked and screamed for a few minutes. Wait, I'm gay! It's not appropriate for me to mess with that young girl!!
My lips twitched slightly. My third brother thought my face was flushed red because I was shy, but actually I was on the verge of a breakdown.
Marriages here are generally decided by the parents, and it's only natural for the matriarch to want to interfere. It's just that these ladies from prestigious families are all good, and I'm not suitable for them.
I need to come out. I have to. What if the matriarch keeps bringing this up? Wouldn't I be wasting everyone's time?
That night, I bravely came out of the closet, since neither the Marquis nor the Mistress could bear to punish me.
The Marquis, his mistress, his second brother, his third brother, and his eldest brother, who had just returned home weary from their journey, were somewhat surprised upon hearing this, but not much.
The Marquis sat in the main seat, lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Very well, then I'll choose a suitable man for you to marry. With your health, it's probably not suitable for you to marry a girl. Finding a man to take care of you is just right."
Me: "..." Young master, did you hear that? Your father said you're no good.
Wait a minute, this doesn't make sense. Shouldn't the Marquis be angry for a few days first, and then give me a lecture?
My inner voice is breaking down and crying: Does marriage mean I can only marry one person?
You can see many handsome men at the same time without getting married!
I sat in my seat, my face slowly turning red. Opportunities are earned, and besides, being gay doesn't mean you'll be thrown into a pig cage, so what's wrong with saying it?
Anyway, no one in this family can influence me. If anyone does, I'll stage an accident to extort money from them.
"Didn't you lose your memory? Even if you lost your memory, do you still remember that you like men and women?" Xie Qinglan teased.
"Didn't we go flower viewing with you today, Third Brother? That's why I realized I don't like girls, it's that simple," I said shamelessly.
The Marquis sighed and waved his hand, "In any case, your marriage must be completed within these two months. Alright, everyone go back and rest."