"I'll manage fine with my own attendants. Thank you, Jiang-xiong." Huaisang rises, bowing deeply to his friend and host. "I look forward to seeing you for lunch."
He unfurls his fan in front of his chest, smiling fondly at Jiang Cheng over it before he excuses himself.
There are diversions aplenty to be found in Yunmeng, and Huaisang spends liberally, selecting gifts to take home and making sure to make a good impression among the local artisans.
When he returns for lunch, he bows in greeting again to Jiang Cheng, then holds out a cloth-wrapped bundle for him. It contains a pretty bird statuette.
"I know it is not to your typical taste, Jiang-xiong, but the artisan's skill impressed me and I wish very much for you to have something that will remind you fondly of my presence, even when I am away."
He had spent the day busy with his work, trying to concentrate on what needed to be done but his thoughts kept drifting to Huaisang and their arrangement. He still wasn't sure what to make about it but his friend was willing to help, which he appreciated. Lotus Pier needed a mistress now that things were settled and the clan had been re-established. His mother would want him to select the best possible wife.
He returned the bow to his friend before they settled down to lunch, surprised when he was offered a gift. He was quiet as he unwrapped it.
"It's beautiful." And there is even a smile on his face now. "Thank you, I will keep it always."
Huaisang beams happily at the sight of Jiang Cheng's smile. His friend's smiles have always been so rare, and Huaisang feels triumphant about having earned one. "I'm glad you're pleased. The artisan was so skilled. They worked with a variety of stones."
As they settle down to eat, Huaisang chatters pleasantly about the artisans he met that morning. Lotus Pier has always attracted artists, and Huaisang loves art, so he's happy to praise them and to talk about some of the art pieces he picked up as gifts, filling more space in their conversation.
"Will you still be able to go out on the lake with me after lunch? I'm looking forward to it very much."
"Yes, it's been a while since I've been out on the lake." He would go out with his sister all the time but he hadn't done it since her death. He missed her too much to go out there by himself.
But it would be different going out there with his friend. No chance to dwell on those past memories. "I have been looking forward to it as well," he admitted with a slight smile. He had always loved the lake.
"I'm glad!" Huaisang's smile is bright and happy, excited to be able to spend time with his friend.
Once lunch is finished, he rises, hooking his arm through Jiang Cheng's and hugging close against his side. He beams up at Jiang Cheng, feeling much lighter and more cheerful than he has in months. Perhaps years. "I'm enjoying our courtship so far, Jiang-xiong. You're doing well. I'm proud of you."
"You have been a patient teacher." Perhaps this meant that he would be able to find a wife sooner rather than later. He still wasn't used to being so close to someone physically but he couldn't resist when Huaisang smiled like that for some reason.
"We should go out on the lake before it gets too late in the afternoon," he mentioned after a pause. "Being out there at night can be tricky."
Huaisang nods agreement, eager to go out on the lake and ready to trust Jiang Cheng's judgement entirely on such things. "Let's go, I'm excited."
He tugs at Jiang Cheng's arm to get him going, even though he has no idea which way they're heading in order to get to the boat house. "And if it gets too warm and you need to shed a layer or two, I shall enjoy that very much, as well."
Grinning playfully, he purses his lips to try and contain his mirth a little. It's a riskier flirtation than the ones he'd tried earlier, but Huaisang can't help being playful when he's happy.
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He unfurls his fan in front of his chest, smiling fondly at Jiang Cheng over it before he excuses himself.
There are diversions aplenty to be found in Yunmeng, and Huaisang spends liberally, selecting gifts to take home and making sure to make a good impression among the local artisans.
When he returns for lunch, he bows in greeting again to Jiang Cheng, then holds out a cloth-wrapped bundle for him. It contains a pretty bird statuette.
"I know it is not to your typical taste, Jiang-xiong, but the artisan's skill impressed me and I wish very much for you to have something that will remind you fondly of my presence, even when I am away."
no subject
He returned the bow to his friend before they settled down to lunch, surprised when he was offered a gift. He was quiet as he unwrapped it.
"It's beautiful." And there is even a smile on his face now. "Thank you, I will keep it always."
no subject
As they settle down to eat, Huaisang chatters pleasantly about the artisans he met that morning. Lotus Pier has always attracted artists, and Huaisang loves art, so he's happy to praise them and to talk about some of the art pieces he picked up as gifts, filling more space in their conversation.
"Will you still be able to go out on the lake with me after lunch? I'm looking forward to it very much."
no subject
But it would be different going out there with his friend. No chance to dwell on those past memories. "I have been looking forward to it as well," he admitted with a slight smile. He had always loved the lake.
no subject
Once lunch is finished, he rises, hooking his arm through Jiang Cheng's and hugging close against his side. He beams up at Jiang Cheng, feeling much lighter and more cheerful than he has in months. Perhaps years. "I'm enjoying our courtship so far, Jiang-xiong. You're doing well. I'm proud of you."
no subject
"We should go out on the lake before it gets too late in the afternoon," he mentioned after a pause. "Being out there at night can be tricky."
no subject
He tugs at Jiang Cheng's arm to get him going, even though he has no idea which way they're heading in order to get to the boat house. "And if it gets too warm and you need to shed a layer or two, I shall enjoy that very much, as well."
Grinning playfully, he purses his lips to try and contain his mirth a little. It's a riskier flirtation than the ones he'd tried earlier, but Huaisang can't help being playful when he's happy.