TL: Hua
Pei Xiting said, “The painting.”
Yuan Fang took out a portrait from his bosom and said, “Is it him?”
The man in the portrait was about forty years old, with thick eyebrows and a hooked nose, about five feet nine inches tall, and strongly built.
“No,” Ying Ziyu shook his head after one glance. “They look completely different.”
Pei Xiting exchanged a glance with Yuan Fang upon hearing this and said nothing.
This morning, Bai Yunduan secretly brought the personal maid of Third Miss Bai to meet with Pei Xiting. Separated by a screen, she recounted the situation on the evening before last when the lady went missing.
At that time, Third Miss Bai insisted on disguising herself as a man, and the place she went to was none other than the Little Spring Garden, all because she had received a jade pendant from a guard named Ma Bi.
According to the maid, her young mistress was very surprised and shy after receiving the jade pendant. She forbade the maid from following her and soon went out alone. The maid waited in the courtyard for a long time but didn’t see her mistress return. Feeling uneasy but not daring to make a fuss, she had no choice but to quickly seek help from Young Master Yunduan, but immediately afterward, the Bai family received that letter from the kidnappers.
Since ancient times, fragrant pouches and jade pendants have had the meaning of conveying affection. Third Miss Bai’s reaction upon receiving the jade pendant suggests that she probably had a secret relationship with someone, and this person was not her betrothed fiancé, which is why she was so secretive, even hiding it from her personal maid.
Third Miss Bai was engaged to the fifth son of the Prefect He’s family. The Bai family valued this marriage very much. If it were revealed, how would they explain it to the He family? The maid would also face dire consequences for her negligence and concealment. Therefore, the maid didn’t dare inform the master and madam. It was only this morning, after Bai Yunduan repeatedly pressed her, that she finally told the truth.
“Then do you know where this Ma Bi lives?” Pei Xiting asked.
Ying Ziyu shook his head. He was of a quiet nature and not very close to the people in the garden, so how would he know other people’s private affairs?
“But it must be on the employment roster,” he said. “The roster is in the accounting office. If the Young Master wants it, I can help.”
Pei Xiting was curious. “How can you help?”
“I’ll steal it,” Ying Ziyu said earnestly.
“Alright, I don’t think you have the potential to be a thief, so I won’t trouble you,” Pei Xiting said. “But you must keep today’s events a secret. I’m not trying to scare you, but this matter is very dangerous.”
Ying Ziyu nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Young Master. I’ll listen to you.”
Pei Xiting asked for the location of the accounting office, then said, “Sing a song. Sing ‘Song of the Yue Boatman’.”
Ying Ziyu said “En” and stood up. Taking a few steps back, he began to sing slowly. His voice didn’t have the sweetness of spring or the amorousness of a clear bell, but it was truly a fine voice like cold spring water.
Yuan Fang retreated silently. The sound of the door opening and closing was drowned out by the singing, but when it was knocked again, there was a third movement.
“Don’t stop.” Pei Xiting opened his eyes, got up, and walked to the door. He could vaguely see two people standing outside. He reached out and opened the door, instantly meeting a pair of peach blossom eyes.
Looking at this face that bore a three-part resemblance to Zhao Yi, Pei Xiting was surprised for a moment but then showed a puzzled expression and said, “You are?”
This person said, “Half a month ago, I received a letter from my younger brother Sifan, saying that he had made two good friends in Yejing, who are the two young masters from Lord Pei’s Mansion. Earlier, my attendant inadvertently saw you, so I came to take a look, and unexpectedly it really is Third Young Master Pei.”
“So it’s Prince Zhao,” Pei Xiting cupped his hands. “Greetings.”
“Being out and about, there’s no need for such formality.” Zhao Fan raised the folding fan in his hand and lightly tapped Pei Xiting’s snow-white wrist, laughing, “Although my younger brother has a good temper, he never makes friends easily. The fact that he befriended you and even wrote a letter mentioning it must mean he likes you very much. In that case, I’ll consider you half a younger brother too.”
Pei Xiting was flattered. “Many thanks to Prince Zhao’s high regard, I—”
“Eh,” Zhao Fan interrupted, “I’ve already said, no need for formality. In private, you can just call me by my courtesy name, ‘Xingjian’.”
Pei Xiting shook his head and said, “Even Sifan doesn’t dare to address you by courtesy name; how could I?”
Zhao Fan looked at Pei Xiting’s reserved demeanor and suddenly leaned closer. Pei Xiting was startled and took a half step back, subconsciously showing his delicate eyebrows and phoenix eyes.
“…” Zhao Fan’s breath hitched, his smile deepening. “So, you dare to disobey me?”
Pei Xiting’s lips trembled, and he said softly, “Xing… Xingjian.”
This voice must sound pleasant in bed too. Zhao Fan’s grip on the fan handle tightened, then he straightened up, glanced at the person singing behind the screen, and casually teased, “Taken a fancy to him?”
“No,” Pei Xiting said self-consciously, “I heard that the songs in Little Spring Garden are the best, so I came to listen for a bit. I’ll leave soon; I didn’t intend to do anything else.”
“What’s there to be shy about? I didn’t say anything.” Zhao Fan teased, “If you like him, give it a try. I’ll pay for it, but this one isn’t good-looking enough. The best-looking one in Little Spring Garden is Chun Sheng. I’ll call him over.”
Pei Xiting was very embarrassed and turned his head to avoid Zhao Fan’s gaze, saying softly, “I really just came to listen to the music. Prin… Xingjian, please don’t laugh at me.”
Saying this, he turned and closed the door, leaning against it. “I’ll go back now.”
“Alright, I won’t tease you anymore.” Zhao Fan chuckled, turned around, and said, “Let’s go downstairs together.”
The two went downstairs together. Mama saw this and was startled, immediately smiling and greeting them, “Is Young Master leaving?”
Zhao Fan hummed in agreement and said, “Chun Sheng’s voice is hoarse. Don’t let him go on stage or go out these next few days.” Mama immediately agreed and called a waiter to hand a wooden box to Pei Xiting, saying, “Young Master, these are the pouches you picked earlier. Please take a look.”
Pei Xiting took it, opened it, and glanced inside. “How much?”
“Put whatever the price is on my account,” Zhao Fan said before Pei Xiting could refuse, “Let’s go.”
Pei Xiting had no choice but to follow, saying, “Thank you.”
“Just a few pouches; why be so polite?” Zhao Fan turned his head to look at Pei Xiting. “Did you walk here? Shall I send you?”
“I wouldn’t want to trouble you. My attendant went to the toilet. I’ll wait here for him to come out, and then we’ll go back to the inn together.” Pei Xiting smiled reservedly. “The roads are slippery in the rain. Please take care, Xingjian.”
Zhao Fan didn’t insist. He said “En” and turned to leave. An attendant held an umbrella over him until he got into the carriage.
Pei Xiting watched the carriage turn around and drive away. The gentle and reserved expression on his face gradually faded.
The scum gong group in the original novel were not good people. Shangguan Jie was violent and irritable, Zong An was sensitive and gloomy, and this Zhao Fan was a sinister smiling tiger, outwardly gentle and amiable, but actually the more angry he was, the “happier” he smiled. Later, when he broke “Pei Xiting’s” leg, he also had a gentle and affectionate look.
“Let’s go.” Yuan Fang came out from the carved door and walked behind Pei Xiting.
The two strolled along the street as they returned to Willow Bank. You Zong, who had returned unnoticed, was drying clothes under the eaves.
“My lord,” Pei Xiting walked over, “When did you return? Did everything go smoothly?”
“Returned about half an incense stick’s time ago,” You Zong hung the clothes on the rope and dusted them off. “Fake Third Wang is already within our sights.”
“Then I have a new task for you,” Pei Xiting took out the portrait from Yuan Fang’s bosom, holding it upside down. “This person is the one who impersonated Ma Bi, the guard of Little Spring Garden, the day before yesterday to abduct Third Miss Bai. And I suspect the real Ma Bi has already disappeared. Here… My lord, what’s wrong?”
You Zong stared at the person in the portrait, pondered for a moment, and said, “This person… I seem to have seen him somewhere before, but it must have been a fleeting glimpse; otherwise, I would have been able to remember his name.”
“Don’t worry; as long as you have a memory, you’ll recall it sooner or later,” Pei Xiting continued. “I have Ma Bi’s address here. Would you like to send someone to take a look? Also, regarding the jade pendant that the fake Ma Bi gave to Third Miss Bai, I drew a sketch based on the maid’s description. Only precious goods shops sell the mutton-fat white jade material, and these shops all have purchase records. You can also have someone investigate them. Perhaps there will be some clues.”
You Zong took the drawing Yuan Fang handed him and said, “So hardworking?”
Pei Xiting solemnly declared, “You can’t disregard my serious and hard-working nature just because I spend every day ‘fishing on my job[mfn]Internet slang which means slacking off on the job.[/mfn]’ with Chief Lu. Although we came to Ningzhou to catch the fake Third Wang, Third Miss Bai’s matter involves the Rivers and Mountains Scroll, so it won’t hurt to look into it, right?”
You Zong had already understood the meaning behind ‘fishing on the job’ from Pei Xiting’s mouth, so he chuckled and said, “Alright, my mistake… Xifeng.”
“Coming!” the boss responded from outside. He quickly approached You Zong with a smile, asking, “What do you need, sir?”
You Zong handed the two paintings to Shang Xifeng and instructed, “Investigate these. Quickly.”
Shang Xifeng responded with a sound and turned to leave.
“Oh, right, I ran into Prince Zhao at Little Spring Garden today,” Pei Xiting said.
You Zong said, “You know Prince Zhao’s reputation in certain circles. Someone like you is like a sweet pastry in his eyes, so be careful.”
“I know. By the way, shall we go to the front for some wontons? They smell delicious,” Pei Xiting suggested with a grand gesture. “My treat.”
Yuan Fang swallowed hard, clearly tempted.
“Don’t rush; you have something else to eat,” You Zong said, gesturing towards the back door. “Go on, His Highness is inviting you.”
Consider supporting me on Ko-fi if you like what I’m doing. Thank you for reading! (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)
If you notice any mistake or error, comment or contact me on discord –> huarricane
This story is such an interesting gem. Thank you for the translation.