3. Chapter 3

A couple of weeks later and they now have four boys in the house, a boon that Meng Zhi would never have even thought to pray for. Tingsheng is earmarked for Jingyan’s household eventually, for obvious reasons (obvious, at least, to a very small number of people) but Lu Yuan and Lin Shen are theirs, and so along with Fei Liu they will have three sons to keep forever.

It’s a miracle that he is very certain is his wife’s doing, as Yin Yin had always wanted exactly three sons for them. It is not a coincidence, he knows. Mei Changsu can take the credit in this world, but Meng Zhi increases his offerings to Yin Yin’s shrine in thanks for her exemplary efforts on their behalf. (She had also wanted two daughters and he is very curious where she will find those girls for him and Mei Changsu, but she keeps her secrets for now.)

He got his second cousin on his mother’s side to harang his fellow eunuchs for the two boys’ records, so now he also has their exact birthdays — although their birth names were erased, he can at least teach them to pray to their unknown ancestors on the right days, even if they have to do so secretly for now. He wishes dearly he could afford the same to Fei Liu, but that boy’s history is a mess and a mystery and, from what Mei Changsu has let fall, a very grim story indeed. All the boys will inherit his own ancestors, anyway, so there is that.

Meng Zhi grew up the elder brother to one sister only, but their extended families were very extended and he has missed the pure chaos of holidays spilling over with food, babies, and love. Over Mei Changsu’s rising and surprisingly semi-violent objections, he arranges a large mid-autumn festival party, inviting Nihuang and her brother over, as well as a few of his officers who for whatever reason cannot make it home. He would never have dared in his tiny former household, but he lives in what is practically a palace now and they have room and more than enough money for food. The sight of small mooncakes piled up on platters and awaiting their guests nearly brings him to his knees, weeping with joy.

He swears to the spirits of his parents that he can live forever without Mei Changsu’s affections, if he can at least keep this family.

Halfway through the evening, Jingrui and Yujin stop by for a short visit as well, and then it is a free for all. Fei Liu dumps two of the junior officers into a pond, Qing-er and Jingrui start teaching Lu Yuan and Lin Shen some new fighting forms, Yujin is arguing music with one of the more cultured older officers (who might be flirting with the boy, Meng Zhi will have to keep an eye on that), and Meng Zhi gets into a spirited debate with General Mu about some historical engagements they have always disagreed over, using chopsticks as battle lines. Laughter rings throughout the entire manor and Meng Zhi’s heart swells, overcome with the happiness he has not felt in a decade of loneliness.

Mei Changsu sits in the midst of it all, appearing placid and refined while his Jiangzou men flutter around him, but in reality he is neither. Meng Zhi can tell that he is actually overwhelmed and panicking, not that he would ever admit such a thing. Meng Zhi knows that despite their marriage being a sham, there are still things only a spouse can see in another person.

“Are you well, husband? Do you need to rest?” He asks loudly enough for a few guests to hear as he arranges himself next to Mei Changsu, giving his husband a way to bow out if he is feeling poorly. Nihuang smirks at them again, and Meng Zhi is beginning to think there actually might be merit in getting her wed soon (he notes to make this request of his wife the next day). Then he leans in closely, his voice dropping to a whisper. “What is upsetting you?”

It is not his friend nor his husband who replies, but the renown Qilin Scholar himself, calm as a reflecting pond at midnight. “Word of this affair will reach the emperor.”

Meng Zhi shrugs. If Mei Changsu wants to deflect from what is really bothering him, Meng Zhi will be a courteous husband and let him. “So what if it does? We are married, this is our family, and it is the mid-autumn festival.” He gently takes Mei Changsu’s hand, a bold move he would not have attempted without those three cups of baijiu he drank earlier, and whispers again. “We share these things together, Xiao Su, and to do differently would appear more suspicious, would it not?”

Between one blink and the next, Mei Changsu comes back to him. “I suppose you are right,” he admits with a gentle smile. He lets out a small huff of annoyance, and squeezes Meng Zhi’s hand. “I think I am mostly rattled by all the people. I am used to, ah, quieter households.” He glances around. “Smaller.”

That is a lie. Meng Zhi remembers the Lins, who were social beasts. Grand Princess Jinyang hosted parties every few weeks, and their son was always at the forefront as soon as he was old enough to attend. Meng Zhi, as a young officer in the Chiyan Army, only attended a few of them but those were enough to know that such parties were legendary for a reason, overflowing with food and alcohol and music. He’s lucky he remembers them at all.

This? This is not Lin Shu. This is Mei Changsu, who is looking around at the busy rooms and gardens, disconcerted by people in his house. Meng Zhi sits on that idea for a moment, understanding now why his husband had been unhappy about the party from the start. He sighs, but to apologize would probably bring up terrible memories for his Xiao Su. Instead he says, “You are safe here, I promise you.”

Mei Changsu looks startled. “I know that.” He pauses, studies their linked hands. “I suppose it is good for the boys’ sakes, to give them...to give them better memories.”

Meng Zhi nods. “Ah! We agree, then! Good! ...Now, tell me, do you think Lieutenant Wang is making advances on Young Master Yan?”

Mei Changsu’s eyes narrow in immediate suspicion and his focus turns directly to the poor man in question like an arrow. Meng Zhi congratulates himself on a successful distraction campaign.