TL: Hua
Pei Xiting snorted with a smile, leaned back in his chair, and said, “There are so many skilled teachers in the world, and there is no shortage of famous masters. Perhaps only the best of the best is qualified to teach Your Highness, but can they definitely teach Your Highness well?”
The Crown Prince asked, “Can you teach well?”
“At least, I already know the crux of Your Highness’s problem,” Pei Xiting said. “Currently, I have fifty percent confidence.” The Crown Prince intuitively felt that Pei Xiting’s words had a double meaning, referring to teaching painting, but also something more.
A moment of silence fell in the room. He said, “If you don’t teach well, what then?”
Pei Xiting looked at the Crown Prince, smiled, and said, “Then I will voluntarily resign and will no longer learn the zither from Your Highness.”
A determined light appeared in those autumn-water eyes. The Crown Prince’s heart stirred, with a hint of liking and a hint of resistance, both for inexplicable reasons. He felt Pei Xiting was arrogant and bold, deserving a lesson, yet also felt that this is how Pei Xiting should be, that it was very good.
So contradictory.
Another page of the book was turned. The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed slightly, a rare occurrence, but he didn’t drive Pei Xiting away—when faced with trouble, the worst thing to do was to escape. He vaguely felt that Pei Xiting was indeed a new trouble.
After a long while, the Crown Prince said, “If you learn the zither from me, you must abide by my rules.”
Pei Xiting was polite. “Please speak.”
“Only four: diligence, seriousness, obedience,” the Crown Prince said, “and no crying.”
Pei Xiting said, “I didn’t cry when I learned painting either.”
“If there are things you can’t learn or learn slowly, corporal punishment with a ruler is unavoidable. If it hurts, you will inevitably cry,” the Crown Prince said calmly.
When Pei Xiting was young, he practiced calligraphy and painting with his grandfather, and the old man never used a ruler. Moreover, the Crown Prince’s grip looked quite strong, and he probably wouldn’t hold back when hitting someone…
Pei Xiting gritted his teeth and said, “Alright.”
The Crown Prince said, “I don’t easily take apprentices.”
Pei Xiting understood the meaning of these words and said, “I won’t enter Your Highness’s tutelage, and Your Highness won’t enter mine. Let’s just be ordinary students. I will never use this as a gimmick to boast, how about that?”
The Crown Prince glanced at Pei Xiting without speaking.
Pei Xiting smiled, got up to pour a cup of tea, offered it with both hands, and called out, “Teacher.”
His tone was serious, and he genuinely showed some obedient respect.
The Crown Prince looked at Pei Xiting for a while, put down the book, took the cup, and drank the tea. Then he saw Pei Xiting say with a half-smile, “Shouldn’t it be your turn to offer me tea?”
The Crown Prince’s dark eyes were still, steadily gazing at him. Pei Xiting couldn’t hold out for more than three seconds and gave in. “If you don’t offer, then…”
His voice trailed off, but the Crown Prince was already holding his teacup, getting up, walking around him to the round table, changing cups, pouring tea, and indeed turning back to offer it to him.
“Teacher,” the Crown Prince said, offering the tea with both hands, looking calmly at Pei Xiting.
“…” For some reason, Pei Xiting’s heart suddenly pounded like a drum. He stared motionless at the Crown Prince, who also stared motionless at him. “Aren’t you going to take it?”
“…Taking it.” Pei Xiting took the teacup with both hands, inadvertently touching the Crown Prince’s fingertips. The warm touch was inexplicably embarrassing in the quiet yet noisy rainy night. The tea swayed, but the Crown Prince held it steady.
The Crown Prince didn’t speak, quietly looking at Pei Xiting.
“Sorry,” Pei Xiting took the tea and gulped it down, his cheeks bulging. He swallowed after a moment.
Yu Shaoyun listened outside and couldn’t help but click his tongue inwardly. This Third Young Master Pei and His Highness were addressing each other so familiarly, and now there was even a semi-formal “teacher” involved. Truly remarkable.
You Zong, wearing a bamboo hat, entered the courtyard gate, walked to the door, took it off, and casually placed it in Yu Shaoyun’s arms, who was muttering under his breath. You Zong then cupped his hands and said, “Your Highness.”
“Enter.” The Crown Prince turned and sat down, glancing at the dazed Pei Xiting, who obediently stood to the side.
You Zong stopped in front of the couch and said, “Xi Feng found the body of Ma Bi in the dry well in the backyard of his house. He has been dead for two days, with two knife wounds, one on his back and one on his neck. I personally compared the knife wounds on Ma Bi’s back, which has a half-inch serrated edge, to the knife wound on the mysterious employer. It should be from the same weapon.”
“The person who killed Ma Bi is either the kidnapper or Third Bai or an accomplice of the kidnapper, and they are the same person who killed the mysterious employer.” Pei Xiting said. “In that case, is that Plum Blossom Sleeve Arrow also in Ningzhou?”
“It’s possible. Also, another group of people is investigating Ma Bi’s whereabouts. They are Prince Zhao’s men, but it’s unclear whether it’s because of the Bai family or because of Third Bai.” You Zong said. “That mutton-fat white jade pendant was ordered by Prince Zhao at Seven Treasures Pavilion, but ‘Ma Bi’ went to pick it up. The boss knows Prince Zhao is at Little Spring Garden and also knows that Prince Zhao wouldn’t come to pick up the jade pendant himself, so he really handed over the jade pendant then.”
“As expected of the notoriously flirtatious Prince Zhao, leaving his mark everywhere.” Pei Xiting clicked his tongue and said, “Third Bai’s personal maid doesn’t even know who her young mistress was going to meet. How did ‘Ma Bi’ know? Sigh, tomorrow is the third day; the kidnapper should be making a move.”
“Moves are already being made,” You Zong said. “Tonight, someone sneaked into the Bai residence. Xi Feng didn’t send a signal, so the person probably hasn’t come out yet.”
“There’s a question I’ve been pondering.” Pei Xiting said, and as he spoke, he sat down by the couch. Immediately, both the Crown Prince and You Zong looked at him.
Pei Xiting: “…”
Pei Xiting jumped up as if his butt was on fire, stood up from beside the Crown Prince, and sat down again on a different stool. “It’s common knowledge that the ‘Rivers and Mountains Scroll’ is in the palace, and the person who painted it died long ago. What good would clinging to the Bai family do for the kidnapper now?”
You Zong said, “Does someone in the Bai family still know the contents of the ‘Rivers and Mountains Scroll’?”
Pei Xiting said, “Judging by the timeline, the old master of the Bai family and his sons might know, but they weren’t the ones who painted it. Even if they remember, it probably wouldn’t be detailed enough to redraw the scroll. So, they must have an original draft, right?”
You Zong nodded. “It’s possible.”
“An important craft such as ‘Rivers and Mountains Scroll’ used the Bai family’s finest materials for everything, from the fabric and silk threads to various pigments. Painting, dyeing, and embroidery were done in parallel, and the slightest mistake could ruin the entire scroll. They would definitely have been extremely careful. Therefore, it’s very likely that a draft existed. After the ‘Rivers and Mountains Scroll’ was collected into the imperial palace, it not only directly boosted the Bai family’s business but also brought great honor. Its draft would naturally become extremely precious, something to be treasured and shown to future generations. In terms of value and significance, it’s no less important than a family heirloom.”
The Crown Prince didn’t speak, listening to Pei Xiting’s well-reasoned analysis, and took a sip of his tea. Pei Xiting, however, was also somewhat puzzled and said, “Since the kidnapper wants to kidnap a hostage, they must consider the ‘price’ of the hostage. Third Bai is very much loved by the old master of the Bai family, but that’s only among the granddaughters. Love is still just love. In terms of status and importance, she definitely can’t compare to the Bai family’s grandsons, especially the eldest grandson, Bai Yunluo, who is highly regarded and most likely to inherit the family.”
“Bai Yunluo has a leg ailment and doesn’t go out often on weekdays. When he does, he has bodyguards closely protecting him, making it difficult to make a move,” You Zong said. “Third Bai has a marriage agreement with Prefect He’s family, which the Bai family values very much. But with this incident, the marriage is likely off, and if it really blows up, the Bai family’s reputation will be greatly damaged, making it difficult for all their daughters to find good matches in the future.”
Pei Xiting tapped his knee and said, “That makes sense.”
“Lord You.” Yu Shaoyun relayed from outside the door, “Urgent letter.”
You Zong took the letter from Yu Shaoyun’s hand, glanced at it, and returned to the Crown Prince. “Fake Third Wang has made a move. I need to go.”
The Crown Prince nodded. Pei Xiting said, “My lord, be careful.”
You Zong nodded, bowed to the Crown Prince, and quickly left.
“It’s already midnight.” Pei Xiting stretched. “Aren’t you going to sleep?”
The Crown Prince turned a page of his book and said, “Go to sleep if you’re tired.”
Having finally gotten a chance to be alone with the beauty, Pei Xiting couldn’t bear to let it go and definitely wanted to look at him more. Hearing this, he said, “No, I can’t sleep anyway. I’ll sit for a while longer.”
The Crown Prince asked, “Why can’t you sleep?”
Pei Xiting was about to speak when he saw the Crown Prince raise his hand and get up, which was a gesture of interruption. With an unspoken understanding, he took two steps back with the Crown Prince and raised his hand to lower the bamboo curtain separating the inner and outer chambers, covering the Crown Prince’s figure.
The candlelight on the table flickered, and then it was not Yu Shaoyun outside the door who shouted out, but Yuan Fang, who had been carving wood and playing in the next room.
“Who’s there!”
The sound of fighting came from the corridor. Pei Xiting walked to the door and glanced out. The person fighting Yuan Fang was a black-clad figure, tall and slender, the starry eyes above the masked face shining with a cold light.
He recognized the person instantly and interrupted the two, “Young Marquis.”
Shangguan Jie didn’t feel guilty even though his identity was exposed. He pulled off the mask, his eyes stabbing at Pei Xiting. “Who is he?”
Pei Xiting leaned against the door and said, “The bodyguard I hired. See? He’s already fending off thieves.”
“Who’s the thief?” Shangguan Jie walked towards Pei Xiting. Yuan Fang slightly shifted his body, his eyelids lowered.
Pei Xiting didn’t retreat half a step, blocking the person who was two inches taller than him. “Isn’t someone who comes uninvited a thief? This is my room, and no one is allowed to enter.”
Shangguan Jie sneered, turned to look at Yuan Fang, and said, “This person’s moves are vicious, and his intent to kill is strong. He’s no ordinary martial artist. Where did you hire him from?”
The Crown Prince was still inside the room.
Pei Xiting’s eyelids twitched. “It’s none of the Young Marquis’s business. But Young Marquis, shouldn’t you be in Yejing? What are you doing in Ningzhou?”
He scanned Shangguan Jie’s face up and down and said coldly, “Let me make it clear. If Young Marquis still wants to do something you shouldn’t, I certainly won’t be able to keep my mouth shut when I go back.”
Shangguan Jie was so angry he laughed. “Blatantly threatening me, Pei Xiting, do you really think I can’t deal with you?”
“How could I?” Pei Xiting said admiringly. “Deceiving, r*ping, using a borrowed knife to kill, Young Marquis, your moves are so practiced, how could you not be able to deal with me?”
“I’ll say it one more time: I didn’t order Wang Yelai to kidnap you. Explain it to Jintang when you go back,” Shangguan Jie said through gritted teeth.
Pei Xiting said, “Doesn’t Young Marquis have a mouth?”
“If Jintang was willing to see me, would I still be looking for you!” Shangguan Jie took a breath, glared fiercely at Pei Xiting, his eyebrows twitching with anger at the other’s lukewarm gaze. “Alright, tell your bodyguard to get lost.”
“That’s not possible.” Pei Xiting said. “I’m afraid you’ll tear my clothes.”
Shangguan Jie gritted his teeth, about to speak, when suddenly his eyes sharpened, and he abruptly turned his head towards the eaves opposite the corridor, drawing the blade from his waist and throwing it.
The blade sliced through layers of rain, tearing a bloody gash on the shoulder of the eavesdropper who couldn’t dodge in time. Shangguan Jie spun around and pushed Pei Xiting back into the room, then leaped out of the corridor in a few steps, caught the blade handle, and chased out of the courtyard.
“…” Pei Xiting leaned against the doorframe, one hand clutching his stomach. “6[mfn]I think he’s probably saying shit in English, but it turns into six?? Not sure.[/mfn].”
Yuan Fang said, “Huh?”
“Nothing, go take a look.” Yuan Fang turned and disappeared before his eyes. Pei Xiting closed the door and turned back to the table.
The Crown Prince lifted the bamboo curtain and walked towards Pei Xiting. Seeing him clutching his stomach, he was about to reach out to feel his pulse, but Pei Xiting raised his hand and grasped his wrist, holding it loosely through a layer of sleeve.
“Young Marquis must have been a bull in his previous life, such brute strength,” Pei Xiting looked up at the Crown Prince, his eyes a little wet. “He almost pushed my stomach in.”
The Crown Prince looked at him for a moment, then shook his hand away. Pei Xiting let out a chuckle, not intending to tease him further, but the Crown Prince gently held his neck.
His whole body stiffened, and he didn’t dare move again.
“That bodyguard,” the Crown Prince said slowly, “where did you hire him?”
