PCA Chapter 107

Su Cen ran back, stumbling through the snow. The cobblestone path was already uneven, and covered in snow, it was impossible to see the depth. Su Cen tripped several times, practically rolling and crawling, with no regard for his appearance.

 

After leaving the bamboo grove, Su Cen mounted his horse and galloped away.

 

By the time he reached the gates of Xingqing Palace, Su Cen felt as if his legs were no longer his own.

 

He stopped a guard and asked, “Where is Prince Ning?” Learning that Li Shi was in his study, Su Cen stumbled, steadied himself, then ran towards the study.

 

When he pushed open the door and saw the man standing safely among the orchids, Su Cen’s heart finally returned to his chest.

 

He would have to recall Song Jiancheng from Kuizhou. If only for the sake of these pots of orchids, he must restore the man to his original position!

 

Li Shi looked over, holding a pair of scissors – these orchids were lush, but unfortunately unkempt and shapeless. He rarely felt the urge to help trim them. Seeing Su Cen burst in, he frowned, “What’s with this panic?”

 

Without explanation, Su Cen stepped forward and began undressing Li Shi, pulling open his collar.

 

Li Shi was bewildered by the undressing but, wary of hurting Su Cen with the scissors, could only stand with his arms outstretched. When Su Cen finally stopped, leaving only his undergarment, he looked up and asked, “Where’s the painting?”

 

Without waiting for Li Shi’s answer, Su Cen rummaged through Li Shi’s desk. When he found the “Houyi Shooting the Suns” painting that had harmed so many, he threw it into the fire basin along with Li Shi’s removed clothes.

 

A great fire blazed up, and only when everything had burned to ashes did Su Cen sit down. He picked up a cup of cold tea that had been sitting on the table for who knows how long, drank it in one gulp, and let out a long sigh of relief.

 

Only then did he notice Li Shi’s bewildered gaze.

 

Su Cen jolted upright, realizing he had stripped the dignified Prince Ning nearly naked, leaving him standing aside with only a pair of scissors. Su Cen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and could only lower his head in a posture of repentance.

 

But he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips – for arriving in time, for surviving the crisis, for this man still standing alive before his eyes.

 

However, Su Cen’s smile vanished in the next moment as Prince Ning tossed aside the scissors, stepped forward, and threw him over his shoulder. He strode away, tossing Su Cen onto the bed in his chambers – Su Cen had disrespected his lord and offended the dragon’s dignity, so he would now be punished.

 

Su Cen explained the whole situation on the bed, his voice tinged with tears. By the time he was pardoned, he was left with barely a breath. He was fortunate his silver tongue had saved him, or he might not have even that single breath left.

 

The great Lord Su lay gasping for air, staring helplessly at the ceiling. Indeed, one shouldn’t carelessly pat a tiger’s behind, nor should one recklessly undress Prince Ning.

 

After recovering, Su Cen leaned against Li Shi’s chest and looked up to ask, “Do you think this Feng Yiming fellow was being used by someone, or… has he gotten involved with the Secret Door again?”

 

Li Shi closed his eyes and rested, stroking Su Cen’s sweat-damp hair. “He wouldn’t dare.”

 

Su Cen pouted, “The emperor is far away. How do you know he wouldn’t dare?”

 

Li Shi opened his eyes and looked at the jealous man in his arms, saying casually, “When we found out he was a spy planted by the Secret Door, we broke seven of his finger bones and three of his ribs. He lay in the dungeon for three months before he could get up.”

 

Su Cen’s mouth twitched. On one hand, he secretly sighed in relief that he had turned back from that path early. On the other hand, he despised Feng Yiming for being like a dog-skin plaster – even after being tortured like that, he still followed Li Shi so loyally.

 

Before Su Cen could finish his contemptuous thoughts, Li Shi suddenly spoke up, “Move in.”

 

Su Cen nodded, “Mm, he is quite despicable… Wait, what?!”

 

Li Shi continued with an unchanged expression, “Move in, for the New Year.”

 

Su Cen was stunned for a moment, then said something completely unrelated, “But I have two people at home, and I’m not familiar with Chang’an’s customs. What if we break some rules?”

 

Li Shi smiled nonchalantly, “If you don’t want to, forget it.”

 

Su Cen immediately sat up straight, staring at him for a while. Too embarrassed to say “I want to,” he finally asked with a red face, “Then where will I stay?”

 

Li Shi laughed heartily, patting Su Cen’s shoulder, “In your previous room.”

 

Su Cen frowned slightly, “But isn’t that Miss Wen’s room?” Though he wasn’t superstitious, he felt uneasy about occupying someone else’s space.

 

Li Shi simply said, “That’s the Princess Consort’s room.”

 

The next day, Su Cen moved into Xingqing Palace with Qu Ling’er. He had planned to bring Ah-Fu as well, but Ah-Fu insisted on staying to keep watch over the house during New Year’s. Unable to persuade him otherwise, Su Cen had to let him be.

 

Qu Ling’er was overjoyed. He had just been thoroughly charmed by Qi Lin and was still in a daze, wanting to spend every day with his “Brother Qi.” He moved in without hesitation, going straight to Qi Lin’s courtyard. For three days straight, Su Cen didn’t see him at all.

 

The orchids Su Cen brought were greatly favored. Li Shi had a special trellis built in the sunny part of his study. Within two days, the orchids had miraculously bloomed.

 

As Su Cen admired the flowers, he marveled at how carefree they were. When they were with him, they didn’t do a thing, but as soon as they saw Li Shi, they put on a grand display. He thought to himself that Song Jiancheng’s things were just like him, always currying favor. Perhaps Song Jiancheng should spend a few more years in Kuizhou.

 

With the New Year approaching in a few days, Xingqing Palace was bustling with activity. Unexpectedly, an unusual guest arrived at this time.

 

Feng Yiming rushed over from Yangzhou, ostensibly to beg for forgiveness. However, as soon as he saw Li Shi, he was kicked down the stairs of the Huaye Xianghuilu.

 

Feng Yiming didn’t feel this kick was undeserved at all. He got up on his own, dusted himself off, and continued to approach with a cheerful expression, seeming to relish the treatment.

 

Su Cen rolled his eyes. He now strongly believed that Feng Yiming had intentionally sent that painting, using it as an excuse to come to the capital and get close to Li Shi.

 

Those seven finger bones weren’t enough; they should have broken both his legs and locked him up in Yangzhou.

 

Fortunately, Su Cen had moved into Xingqing Palace first. Otherwise, if left to their own devices during the New Year, who knows who would be walking out when court resumed next year.

 

That afternoon, Feng Yiming barged into Li Shi’s study to explain the situation. He said that the items he had sent were gifts from Yangzhou merchants intended for the Prince. He had carefully screened everything but somehow this one had slipped through. He had already cleaned things up in Yangzhou and rooted out several of the Secret Door’s undercover agents. He came personally because he worried others might not explain clearly, and he was genuinely concerned. If Li Shi felt he had overstepped, he would leave tomorrow, though the river transport back to Yangzhou had stopped, and if he had to go by land, he’d likely spend the New Year on the road.

 

Su Cen sat nearby, crunching on crisp jujubes. He thought to himself that he had underestimated Feng Yiming’s abilities. This speech was well-reasoned, not only clearing himself of suspicion but also feigning a sense of propriety. All this flowery talk was clearly aimed at staying.

 

Unexpectedly, Li Shi waved his hand without even looking up, “Have Qi Lin find you a swift horse. Leave early tomorrow.”

 

Feng Yiming: “…”

 

Su Cen covered his mouth to hide his laughter. It was indeed a case of one thing subduing another. Feng Yiming’s words were already quite direct, but Li Shi was even more blunt, not even bothering with a perfunctory response.

 

Feng Yiming glanced sideways at Su Cen, quickly forming another plan. He pointed at Su Cen and said, “Lord Su and I haven’t seen each other for so long, I’ve missed him dearly. If I leave like this, I fear Lord Su will be heartbroken.”

 

Su Cen thought to himself, “Heartbroken my foot. If you left, I’d be celebrating.” Before he could speak, he saw Feng Yiming mouth two words to him: “Flower boat.”

 

Su Cen immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Li Shi didn’t know about his time on the flower boat in Yangzhou, where he had been a patron of the top courtesan. If this reached Li Shi’s ears, Su Cen had no doubt that he wouldn’t be able to leave the bed for the entire New Year. After much internal struggle, he could only grit his teeth and reply, “…Yes.”

 

Li Shi looked up at Su Cen with a meaningful gaze, making Su Cen sweat nervously. Finally, he nodded, “Then you may stay.”

 

Feng Yiming’s face lit up with joy, almost running to Su Cen to raise his eyebrows triumphantly. But before he could, Li Shi continued, “There’s no room in Xingqing Palace. You can stay with Zheng Yang.”

 

Su Cen burst out laughing. What a joke that there was no room in Xingqing Palace, with its three thousand pavilions. Who knows who was occupying all that space.

 

Feng Yiming was so shocked he nearly strained his eyebrows. After weighing his options, staying at the Marquis of Ying’s mansion was still better than returning to Yangzhou. He could only reluctantly agree.

 

That evening, Zheng Yang came to take him away. Although they had never served in court together, they had met a few times. Zheng Yang was actually relieved to have Feng Yiming as a shield against his grandfather’s constant pressure to meet young ladies from various families. He happily took Feng Yiming away.

 

Within half a day, the two had hit it off. From then on, Feng Yiming constantly encouraged Zheng Yang to visit Xingqing Palace, much to Su Cen’s annoyance.

 

One day, the two came over again. Zheng Yang, unhappy that his little uncle had snatched Su Cen away to Xingqing Palace, planned to sneak Su Cen out for drinks on New Year’s Day. However, they unexpectedly ran into Li Shi entering, and their scheme was foiled before it could begin.

 

Li Shi asked who would be there.

 

Zheng Yang reluctantly listed a few names, ending with, “And Ning San.”

 

They were all sons of high-ranking officials, and it wouldn’t hurt for Su Cen to socialize with them. Prince Ning waved his hand, “No need to go out. Have them all come to Xingqing Palace.”

 

Zheng Yang was dumbfounded. Xingqing Palace had been a royal villa for generations, renowned for its splendor. But ever since his little uncle moved in, it had become an impenetrable fortress, harder to enter than the Imperial Palace itself. He never expected his little uncle would break this rule for Su Cen, allowing him to bring people into Xingqing Palace.

 

Su Cen smiled at Li Shi, his radiance outshining the proud sun outside the window.

 

Feng Yiming secretly sighed. Indeed, the new favorite laughs while the old one remains silent. Xingqing Palace had no room for him to stay, yet there was space to host a banquet for Su Cen. He had come here only to suffer. He had thought the two would be more restrained in the capital, but they were even more brazen than in Yangzhou.

 

As soon as Zheng Yang returned, he began sending out invitations far and wide. Having benefited from Su Cen’s influence, he finally had a chance to show off and was determined to make the most of it. In no time, invitations became scarce in the capital, and the Marquis of Ying’s mansion received far more New Year’s gifts than in previous years.

 

 

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