Chapter Text
Jingrui had been looking forward to meeting the (rumored) Divine Talent Tao Mo for weeks now. It had been a mad scramble around the capital when word of Gu She and his new husband were returning spread, and rumors had swirled around the infamous Magistrate Tao Mo. Was he illiterate, as some claimed? Or did he possess a wordly, classical education worthy of a royal household?
When he invited the man over for tea, JIngrui did not know what to expect. At first he was disillusioned, thinking that conversation with Tao Mo was shallow and vapid. When they took a tour around his garden, though, he realized the grave mistake he had made.
Tao Mo gave him a wide smile then turned to caress the flowers next to him. “Ah, your camellias are in bloom! These are so red and vibrant!”
Jingrui tried not to choke. “I—”
“Truly, these are magnificent with the first blush of spring!”
Jingrui knew his face was red, indeed.
“You must tend them carefully with your own hands?”
“I— I— Magistrate! ”
“Hm?” Tao Mo turned and brushed up against the plant, causing a few petals to fall free. “Aw...if the whole branch had fallen I would have a lovely flower to take home.” He looked up at Jingrui with soft eyes. Jingrui stood stock still, like prey caught in a predator’s sight. He was completely unprepared for a seduction of this sophistication, so refined and sensual.
Tao Mo sighed and looked down at the flowers again. “Oh well, it would be too rude to reach out and pluck it myself.”
Jingrui made a strangled noise but nodded, sweat dripping down his back.
———
“You must be mistaken!” Yujin squawked when Jingrui told him what happened later. “That scoundrel! Propositioning you like that!”
“He wasn’t crass. Quite the opposite. It was...it was very romantic,” Jingrui said, flushing brightly and looking away.
Yujin gasped. “Jingrui! You must not consider it! Gu She is a very jealous man.”
“I would never!” Jingrui insisted, because he wouldn’t. But that did not mean he didn’t regret turning the brilliant and charming Tao Mo down.
Yujin clucked. “That clever bastard. He is truly too smart for us. I wonder what Mei Changsu thinks?”
Jingrui gulped. Now, those were two minds he would not want to see come up against each other. Nothing would be left standing.