BMN : Chapter 1

“From this day forward, let us form a perfect union, becoming an ideal couple. With the red thread binding us, may we grow old together. United in heart and purpose, may our household prosper. Let us cherish our youthful years and enjoy the joys of life together. With this vow in this life, I write it on a paper crane; let the promise of the red leaves be recorded in the book of love. This vow is solemnly established.”

On red paper with golden characters, sealed with the dragon seal.

In the early spring of the seventeenth year of Jingde, two identical marriage certificates from the imperial palace were placed in brocade boxes by the eunuchs and delivered separately to the residences of the Duke of Sui and Minister Fu. The wedding date was set for the eighteenth of the following month, a month away.

At the Fu residence, in the northwest corner, there is the Haitang Pavilion.

Although it is named Haitang (type of tree, beautiful flowers) Pavilion, no crabapple trees can be seen; several precious crabapple trees had long been transplanted to other courtyards. However, there was a tree of winter plums, still not completely withered, with some flowers still standing proudly against the snow and frost. Under it, there was a small table, delicate and lovely, complementing the old plum tree, giving off a unique charm.

When the marriage certificate was finally delivered to him, Fu Ming was standing by the window, sketching the courtyard scene in the sunset. He slowly set down his brush, took the marriage certificate with both hands, and carefully read it. After a long while, he sighed softly and said to his family, “I understand.” He said nothing more.

After the old servant who delivered the items left, the maid Wanlan, who was grinding ink on the side, looked indignant and said angrily, “Is the master just going to accept it like this?”

Fu Ming smiled faintly, “What else can I do if I don’t accept it?”

It wasn’t that he was resigned to fate. At the end of the previous year, when his elder uncle informed him of this marriage, he was shocked, angry, and unwilling. But all his emotions and resistance were weak before imperial power and parental authority. Perhaps only death could free him, but he still chose to live, and thus had no choice but to accept this fate.

“Although it’s not uncommon for men to marry men nowadays, you, master—”

The maid’s words were interrupted by the entrance of another maid, Lu Fei, carrying water. “You must never speak such words again. Disobeying the emperor’s decree, what kind of end will that bring? If we don’t want to harm the master, no matter what we feel inside, we must be careful with our words!”

“Lu Fei is right,” said the old nursemaid, Mrs. Shen, emerging from the inner room.

Mrs. Shen approached Fu Ming, who stepped forward to greet her. She held Fu Ming’s hands and said softly, “The situation is what it is, there’s no turning back. Ming’er, you must look ahead.”

Fu Ming, having composed himself, nodded, “I understand.”

Mrs. Shen’s eyes reddened. “Your parents passed away early, entrusting you to me before they died. It is my fault.”

Fu Ming shook his head. “Please don’t say that. We all understand the circumstances in this household. Even if my parents were alive, what could they do?”

Mrs. Shen forced a smile. “Heaven always leaves a way out. Your grandfather endured through hardships, and only then did your father come to be, and now you. This mansion isn’t an indispensable golden nest. Ming’er, leaving here might be an opportunity. Let’s think positively; the days ahead will be more comfortable.”

Fu Ming helped his nursemaid to the kang bed and sat on the stool in front of it, resting his head on her knees, and said softly, “I will remember, thank you for your guidance. Please, you must also open your heart and not worry for me.”

“You are too earnest, child. You remember every bit of kindness others show you.” Mrs. Shen stroked Fu Ming’s hair, her expression a mix of laughter and tears. “This character of yours, I don’t know if it’s good or bad.” She hesitated for a long time, then said, “Enough, what you need to know, I can’t hide from you. There is something I must tell you.”

“Please, go ahead,” Fu Ming said, standing and listening attentively.

“Our family and the Jin family you’re marrying into have an old connection from your grandfather’s time…”

After Mrs. Shen recounted the past, Fu Ming was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly and said, “So that’s how it is. I will remember this as well.”

Mrs. Shen nodded, “Cause and effect have taken their course. Perhaps this is an opportunity.” She continued, “This year should have been the year you came of age. After the marriage, there is no custom for a male wife to have a coming-of-age ceremony in the husband’s family. If you don’t mind, let me tie your hair for you.”

Fu Ming quickly replied, “How could I mind?”

Mrs. Shen smiled, “This isn’t proper etiquette. It should be done by an elder male in the clan. As an old woman, I’m overstepping, but after you marry into the Jin family, if they treat you well, you can have your husband cap your hair again.”

Fu Ming said, “It’s enough for you to do it. All these years, you’ve been both father and mother to me, teaching and caring for me. Your great kindness cannot be repaid. Please accept my three bows.”

With that, Fu Ming knelt down and kowtowed three times. Mrs. Shen and the maids, Lu Fei and Wanlan, couldn’t help but shed tears.

Mrs. Shen helped Fu Ming up and had him sit at the desk. She washed her hands, dried them, and took the comb offered by Wanlan. In the newly lit candlelight, she gently and carefully combed Fu Ming’s long black hair. Then, with skilled yet slow movements, she tied his hair and placed the jade lotus crown presented by Lu Fei on his head. She had practiced these actions countless times, striving for perfection.

Fu Ming stood and turned around, looking every bit the handsome young man, like a pine tree standing tall and elegant after its first winter, with the frost and snow melting away.

“Ming’er, from today, you are an adult. Before passing away, your father gave you a courtesy name.” Mrs. Shen took out a silk pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Fu Ming. He received it with both hands and opened it. Inside was a plain piece of paper with two characters written in strong, powerful strokes:

Ye Xin (Night Heart).  

“When you were born, it was deep in the night, and the moonlight outside was bright as day. Your mother loved the moonlight, so your father named you ‘Ming’ (Bright), and before his death, he paired it with ‘Ye Xin’ (Night Heart). He hoped that in the future, even in the darkest night, you would not forget that bright moonlight and would have a pure heart.”

“Ming has been taught. I thank my father and mother. Ye Xin will never forget my parents’ words and will not fail their wishes.” Facing the newly risen moon outside the window, Fu Ming bowed deeply.

After the simple capping ceremony, Fu Ming sat back beside his nursemaid. “I don’t know what the future holds after I leave. I should stay by your side, but I can’t bear to have you experience the uncertain joys and sorrows with me. Your family has written many times, wanting to bring you home to enjoy your old age. Now, even though I can’t bear to part with you, I shouldn’t keep you. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to inform your family. In the future, we can exchange letters, and if possible, I will visit you. Please take care of yourself and don’t worry about me.”

Hearing this, the nursemaid sighed again. She had many things she couldn’t say, swallowing her words. Everything she could say had already been said, and what couldn’t be said, she would continue to bear in silence. Finally, she just patted Fu Ming’s hand and smiled, “I will live a long life, waiting to see you happy and fulfilled, so I can report back to your parents.”

After they finished talking, the nursemaid also pulled Lu Fei and Wanlan aside to give them instructions. The number of people serving Fu Ming was small, and in the future, only the two maids, who had been with him since childhood, would continue to accompany him. If it were for the sake of the Fu family’s reputation, the current female head of the house, Fu Ming’s aunt Mrs. Li, would certainly assign a few more matrons and maids to accompany him, but how could those people be trusted?

Fu Ming, not far away, boiled tea by the lamp and watched the three women talk. The shadows on the wall swayed, and his restless heart gradually calmed down—at least he was not completely alone. From the Fu residence to the Jin residence, it probably wouldn’t make much difference to him. Well, let things take their course.

Author’s Note:

Fu Ming, courtesy name Ye Xin.

******

This is the author’s original danmei (BL) debut work, with the first draft nearing completion and currently undergoing final revisions. Please support it!

The setting is in a fictional dynasty, so please don’t scrutinize the details too much!

Thank you!

Hey hey hey ! Here one of the requested novel ah I hope you like it ! >‿‿◕

I though Chapter 1 to 8 were translated so I started by chapter 9 because I saw the link/chapter was off then… everything disappear, I was about to go to sleep tho ಥ_ಥ I cameback to update

This week I had to upload 10 chapters oooh but next week it’s going to be 1 chapter, time for me to have everything on track ♥