TL: Hua
Chapter 69: Night Boat – Xiao Pei goes to Enzhou (9)
Green Wave Lake was abundant with crabapples, and huge potted chrysanthemums, vibrant and dazzling, bloomed along the lakeside paths and garden roads. Usually, they appeared beautiful, but tonight, illuminated by spaced-out lanterns, they all transformed into warm hues under the night sky.
Pei Xiting looked around and, seeing no one behind him, subconsciously reached out and tugged Zong Suiyang’s arm, saying, “Commander Yu is gone.”
“Don’t worry about him; he won’t get lost,” Zong Suiyang said. “Where do you want to go?”
“Nowhere in particular, let’s just stroll around and enjoy the breeze.” Pei Xiting pointed to a small stall by the roadside ahead. “What’s that? A fruit platter?”
Zong Suiyang glanced at it and said, “Spring Orchids and Autumn Chrysanthemums. It’s made from jade pomegranates, snow pears, and oranges. It’s most popular around the Double Ninth Festival[mfn]A traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. It’s associated with longevity, respect for the elderly, and warding off misfortune.[/mfn], but it’s available on regular days too.”
Zong Suiyang couldn’t see Pei Xiting’s expression, but he could sense his craving. He said, “Come.”
Pei Xiting followed Zong Suiyang to the vendor’s stall. After a short wait, Zong Suiyang handed him a bowl of “Spring Orchids and Autumn Chrysanthemums.” The jade pomegranates and snow pears were white, almost like orchids, and the orange pulp was golden like chrysanthemums. Paired together, they indeed had the colors of autumn.
“It’s quite pretty.” Pei Xiting took a bite. “Hmm,” he hummed, “something’s blended with the sugar frosting, sweet and sour. Is it green plum juice?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Mm, it’s pickled and called plum brine.”
“Not bad, not bad. Do you want some?” Pei Xiting was very generous. “I’ll treat you to a bowl too.”
Zong Suiyang looked Pei Xiting up and down, his gaze sliding down to his slender waist. He said, “Did you bring money?” Pei Xiting reached for his waist and said sheepishly, “My apologies.”
Zong Suiyang gently shook his head and said, “I won’t eat. Let’s go.”
Pei Xiting stepped to follow Zong Suiyang, eating diligently with his head down. Fortunately, there weren’t many people on this path, and he stayed close, so he didn’t bump into anyone or any trees.
There was a “trash can” at the corner in front. Pei Xiting threw the bamboo cup into it, clapped his hands, pursed his lips, and suddenly heard loud voices.
They turned the corner and walked a short distance, seeing a small building ahead, adorned with red silk. A crowd stood below, all craning their necks in anticipation.
Pei Xiting withdrew his gaze, and as he walked, he asked, “Are they going to perform opera or songs?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I don’t know.”
As they spoke, the two had already passed by on a stone path behind the crowd. Unexpectedly, at that moment, a large red embroidered ball flew out from the small building, heading straight for Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting subconsciously tried to dodge, but a hand reached out from his side with incredible speed. He only felt a blur before his eyes, and the large red embroidered ball had already flown back the way it came.
The crowd: “…”
Having watched the spectacle for so many years, this was the first time they had seen an embroidered ball returned with such precise and swift force.
A well-dressed, beautiful woman holding the embroidered ball walked to the front of the small building, looking at them with shame and anger.
Zong Suiyang didn’t feel he had done anything wrong at all; he even seemed displeased, saying, “Throwing things at people in broad daylight—how rude.”
“…Brother,” Pei Xiting persuaded, “she seems to be throwing the embroidered ball to choose a husband. Don’t mind it; let’s go.”
Zong Suiyang reached out and parted his veiled hat, meeting Pei Xiting’s eyes through the gap. He said, “Even if it’s for choosing a husband, isn’t it still throwing things randomly? How could she throw the embroidered ball at you without even seeing what you look like?”
“Oh, right,” Pei Xiting realized belatedly. “She just didn’t throw it accurately. Oh well, never mind, let’s go.”
Zong Suiyang said nothing more upon hearing this. He withdrew his hand, turned, and walked away.
Pei Xiting quickly followed. But after walking a short distance, a middle-aged man dressed as a steward suddenly caught up with a group of servants, blocking their path.
“Greetings, Young Master,” the steward cupped his hands to Pei Xiting. “I am the steward of the Xu family in the north of the city.”
Pei Xiting nodded in return. “Is there something you need from me, Steward?”
“The embroidered ball of our second young lady just now was indeed thrown to you, Young Master,” the steward said.
“But my elder brother tossed the embroidered ball back. I didn’t touch it at all from beginning to end, so how can it count?” Pei Xiting said. “Besides, my brother and I are just passing by; we’re not participating in your family’s marriage selection.”
Elder brother? Zong Suiyang silently repeated the address. He found it pleasant, yet not quite, as if something was missing.
The steward said, “This… but our second young lady’s embroidered ball was indeed thrown to you, Young Master. Everyone present saw it.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Pei Xiting’s voice grew faint, indifferently saying, “If your esteemed household insists on bothering us, then I must ask you: my brother and I were walking normally, yet we nearly got hit by an object thrown from above and were forced to accept an embroidered ball. What kind of logic is this?”
The steward smiled at this, but there was a hint of threat in it. “But tonight, everyone knows that the lantern festival at Green Wave Lake is hosted by our Xu family. You knew that a marriage selection was taking place there, yet you still passed by. Wasn’t that intentional?”
“If you have no shame, you are invincible—that old saying truly holds true throughout eternity.” Pei Xiting smiled and, before the steward could speak, quickly interjected, “Firstly, you may be hosting the lantern festival, but Green Wave Lake doesn’t belong to the Xu family, does it? Does holding a lantern festival here mean others aren’t allowed to enter Green Wave Lake? Secondly, we didn’t know there was a marriage selection there. Blame your poorly constructed building that hid your young lady so much that not a single embroidered thread of her clothes was visible. Thirdly, even if we knew there was a marriage selection, can we not walk past? Why not? Fourthly, if, as you say, everyone who passes by does so intentionally, then all the men, women, and children standing downstairs must be desperate to marry into your Xu family? Fifthly, it is indeed your young lady’s freedom to throw the embroidered ball to whomever she pleases, but people also have the right to refuse. After all, this is a marriage selection, not a forced marriage.”
The steward choked upon hearing this, truly unable to refute. But the young lady’s command could not be defied. He slightly raised his chin and said, “Young Master, our Xu family is also a famous wealthy merchant in Enzhou. All the young gentlemen who marry our young lady are truly blessed.”
“Oh, what a boastful tone! If there were a princess in the current dynasty, she might not even dare to use the word ‘all’.” Pei Xiting was slightly surprised. “Oh dear, it seems I am ignorant of current affairs. I didn’t realize that the ruler of Daye has changed their surname to Xu now?”
Pei Xiting had often spoken treasonous words. Zong Suiyang showed no surprise, standing by and quietly listening to Pei Xiting’s verbal sparring, feeling completely like a passerby.
“When did our Xu family ever say such a thing?” The steward looked around in alarm and whispered, “Don’t talk nonsense!”
“Didn’t your last sentence just mean that? That everyone who can marry into your family is blessed—doesn’t that ‘all’ include everyone?” Pei Xiting smiled. “So arrogant. If your Xu family isn’t the imperial family, you truly wouldn’t dare to speak such words.”
The steward had never seen such an arrogant and unrestrained person, who even dared to joke about the imperial surname. His face turned pale, and he dared not say anything more. He quickly led a group of equally stunned servants away from Pei Xiting.
“Boring.” Pei Xiting pouted, then looked at Zong Suiyang. “Let’s go.”
Zong Suiyang retracted his gaze and said, “You have such a big mouth.”
It’s unknown whether his words were praise or criticism. Pei Xiting asked, “Aren’t we just passersby?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
Pei Xiting asked again, “Is this old Xu family really thick-skinned and good at raising their own status?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
Pei Xiting finally asked, “Do I have the right to refuse someone’s marriage proposal?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Yes.”
“Then there you have it. Just tell me if I was right or not.” Pei Xiting said.
Zong Suiyang said, “When did I ever say you were wrong?”
“Why do your words mean then?” Pei Xiting said. “How would I know if you’re praising me or criticizing me?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I was thinking, would sending you to deal with those censors count as putting talent to good use?”
“Ah, no, I don’t want to,” Pei Xiting said. “My mouth isn’t clumsy, but you can’t treat me like a donkey’s mouth either. I don’t want to argue and quarrel with people every day. Hey, there’s a small boat over there; let’s turn down this path.”
Zong Suiyang had no objection. He followed Pei Xiting, turning onto the branching path leading towards the lake.
Pei Xiting was walking when he suddenly paused, then shifted his right foot and bent down to look. “Hey.”
He picked up the object, held it up to Zong Suiyang’s face, and said, “I found money, a small piece of silver.”
Zong Suiyang looked at the silver, then at Pei Xiting, and said, “What do you intend to do?”
Pei Xiting looked around, spread his legs slightly to shoulder level, put his left hand on his hip, and shouted, “Who lost the money?!”
His shout made everyone on the crisscrossing paths stop and check their money pouches. A young man in a coarse blue shirt cried out, “Ah!” and quickly raised his hand, yelling, “I lost my money!”
The man ran over as he shouted. Pei Xiting asked, “How much did you lose?”
The man thought for a moment and said, “About one tael.”
“About right,” Pei Xiting said, handing over the silver ingot. The man cupped his hands, thanking him repeatedly, then turned and left.
The two continued towards the lake. The evening breeze made the branches sway wildly. Petals and leaves brushed past their eyes. Pei Xiting reached out and caught a petal, peach-colored, unsure of what flower it was.
The wind blew the petal away. Pei Xiting withdrew his hand and said, “I like nights like this. The wind is cold, but it’s very comfortable. Coming out for a breeze makes me feel refreshed. Of course, spring nights are also good, and winter snow scenes are beautiful. Summer certainly has good scenery, but it’s hot, and there are mosquitoes.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Don’t you claim that all things have spirits?”
“Except for mosquitoes,” Pei Xiting thought for a moment and added, “Also exclude maggots and venomous insects. If one comes, I’ll exterminate it, grind it into tiny pieces so even the King of Hell can’t put it back together.”
He said this quite childishly, full of emotion and vividly. Zong Suiyang asked, “What about snakes?”
Pei Xiting took a horse stance, creating distance, and watched Zong Suiyang warily, his gaze like a scanner. After a detailed scan, he finally spotted the small snake’s head at Zong Suiyang’s lapel.
Pei Xiting sighed, disappointed. “Pervert.”
Zong Suiyang reached a hand to his neck. Only after the little black snake docilely coiled around his wrist did he lower his hand, concealing it with his sleeve. He didn’t quite understand Pei Xiting’s evaluation. He said, “How am I a pervert? You treat Little King like a kitten, but you’re afraid of such a small snake?”
“Well, when I first saw Little King, it was tiny and didn’t just bite people randomly. How is it different from a well-behaved fat cat? Although it’s bigger now, I watched it grow up, and it’s especially close to me, so of course I’m not afraid.” Pei Xiting glanced at Zong Suiyang’s sleeve, then turned and continued walking. “But I’m not familiar with this little black snake, and besides, it’s not your snake.”
Little King was Zong Suiyang’s little tiger, but this snake wasn’t Zong Suiyang’s snake. Zong Suiyang savored this sentence. He said, “What does that matter?”
“What do you mean, ‘what does that matter?’ You’re not its owner after all. It might suddenly go wild and bite even you, let alone me.” Pei Xiting’s eyes darted playfully. “Or are you saying this snake is something you and Corridor Master Fu are raising together?”
“That’s not the case,” the Crown Prince said. “You can just consider me its godfather.”
“Then is Corridor Master Fu Little King’s godfather?” Pei Xiting asked.
“That’s not the case,” the Crown Prince said. “He has a strong killing aura, which Little King doesn’t like.”
Pei Xiting chuckled, “Little King only likes me.”
Zong Suiyang was noncommittal. Pei Xiting’s presence indeed made one feel very comfortable—clear but not cold, gentle but not scorching.
Pei Xiting paced back and forth on the bank, chose a small boat, asked the price, and Zong Suiyang handed over the money.
The two boarded the boat one after another. The attendant untied the rope and pushed the small boat away. The boat drifted out. Pei Xiting poked his head out of the canopy and said, “No one’s rowing?”
“You can choose to row yourself or have someone on board row,” Zong Suiyang said, gracefully sitting down. “The rope at the bow of this boat is tied to a larger boat, so it can sway without needing to be rowed.”
Pei Xiting sat opposite him and said, “They don’t even offer a fruit platter, at least some melon seeds?”
“Bring your own or purchase separately,” Zong Suiyang said. “It’s written on the sign by the bank.”
Pei Xiting hadn’t paid attention at all. He said, “You didn’t remind me?”
Zong Suiyang said, “I heard you secretly burping earlier; I thought you couldn’t eat any more.”
“How do you secretly listen to someone burping?” Pei Xiting picked a fight. “No manners.”
Zong Suiyang showed no offense. He casually raised his right hand, and the little black snake poked its head out, its black, glassy eyes staring intently at Pei Xiting.
“…” Pei Xiting slightly turned sideways. “A gentleman uses his mouth, not his hands.”
Zong Suiyang said, “I didn’t intend to use my hands.”
“Stop scaring people,” Pei Xiting said. “If you push me, I’ll open my mouth and bite it in two.”
He even bared his teeth as he spoke.
Zong Suiyang chuckled. “It’s venomous.”
Pei Xiting smiled. “You play with venomous snakes?”
“Just teasing you. Its fangs are venomous, but not fatal, at most leading to disability if not detoxified in time,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting smiled faintly and said, “Wow, such a small problem.”
Zong Suiyang toyed with the little snake with his fingertips and said, “It doesn’t bite randomly. Fu Buzhi is so annoying, yet he sleeps with it every day and has never been bitten.”
Pei Xiting asked, “Does he really not accidentally flatten it if he turns over in his sleep?”
“Fu Buzhi sleeps like a dead man, so there’s no such risk,” Zong Suiyang said.
“Oh,” Pei Xiting chuckled, “Your Highness knows him well. Have you ever shared a bed with Corridor Master Fu?”
Zong Suiyang’s fingertips paused. He remembered Fu Wei’s teasing remark. He looked up at Pei Xiting, whose eyes indeed carried a sharp, jealous prickle, unceremoniously poking at him. Zong Suiyang smiled almost imperceptibly and said, “No, when did I ever say that?”
The shouts from outside grew closer. He tilted his head slightly, indicating, “There are stalls selling fruit tea and wine outside. If you want any, just call out.”
Pei Xiting rolled his eyes, got up, walked out of the small canopy, and waved to the shouting boat.
The small boat, adorned with tiny flags, drifted over. The attendant on board enthusiastically said, “Sir, please take a look at the menu.”
Pei Xiting took the menu and looked at it. He said, “I’ll have a cup of Spring Orchids and Autumn Chrysanthemums and a small jar of chrysanthemum wine. Oh, do you have wine cups?”
“Yes, we provide wine cups. You don’t need to clean up; just leave the used items on the boat, and we’ll clean them ourselves,” the attendant said.
“Good, wait a moment.” Pei Xiting turned and entered the boat canopy. “Do you want anything?”
Zong Suiyang, who was focused on playing with the little snake, said, “Just two wine cups will do.”
“Oh,” Pei Xiting extended his palm.
Zong Suiyang unfastened his purse and placed it in Pei Xiting’s fair palm. Pei Xiting took it, turned, and went outside.
“Also, get me a ‘Four Delicacies Box’ and a pot of chrysanthemum tea.” Pei Xiting pulled out some silver from the money pouch and handed it over. “No need for change.”
“Thank you for the tip, sir,” the attendant thanked him, then handed Pei Xiting a basket containing the tea and wine. “Which four items would you like for your ‘Four Delicacies Box’? I’ll pack them for you.”
Pei Xiting glanced at the boxes on the table inside the boat, chose a few, and said, “Pack me candied walnuts, preserved crabapples, chestnut cake, and crispy fried cashews… Oh, and rent me a box of cards to play with for a while.”
“Alright!” The attendant deftly scooped and packed the boxes, handing them to Pei Xiting with both hands. He then took a porcelain bowl from another attendant behind him, turned, handed it to Pei Xiting, and gave him the cards. “Here you go. If you need anything, just call, and we’ll be right there.”
“Good, thanks.” Pei Xiting took the items and turned to enter the boat canopy, placing them on the tea table.
He slapped the card box onto the table and said, “Want to play?”
Zong Suiyang knew Pei Xiting was skilled at dice and mahjong, but he hadn’t seen him play this type of card game, similar to Leaf Cards[mfn]A traditional Chinese card game played with long, narrow cards (resembling leaves, hence the name). 
[/mfn]. He asked, “What do you want to play?”
“Truth or Dare,” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow. “Do you dare?”
Zong Suiyang understood the meaning. He asked, “What are the rules?”
“It’s very simple. The loser must accept either a truth or a dare as punishment, but they can’t choose the same type consecutively; they have to alternate.” Pei Xiting poured out the cards, flipped them open one by one, quickly scanned the faces, and then said, “If you absolutely can’t accept the punishment, you can drink three cups as a penalty. How about that?”
“That’s simple enough.” Zong Suiyang gently pressed the little snake’s head onto the table. “How do we play the cards?”
“We compare sizes. There are twenty-five cards here, two of each from one to ten, and the remaining five are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, and a ‘High Mountain’ card. I’ll remove those five, leaving only the numbered ones. We each draw three cards blindly, flipping one at a time. It’s the best two out of three wins,” Pei Xiting said. “We compare who has the bigger card.”
Zong Suiyang chuckled and said, “I want to add a rule.”
Pei Xiting didn’t know what was so funny about this. He hummed, “Whatever, I’m game.”
Zong Suiyang reached out and tapped the “High Mountain” card with his fingertip. He said, “We’ll designate this card as the ‘Ziwei’ card. It can substitute for any number, and the punishment for that round will be doubled.”
“Alright,” Pei Xiting said. “Let’s agree now: we play by skill. I won’t go easy on you, and if you lose, you’re not allowed to use force to cheat and overturn the table.”
“Let’s agree now: we play by skill. I won’t go easy on you, and if you lose,” Zong Suiyang retorted, smiling faintly, “you’re also not allowed to use sophistry to cheat and overturn the table.”
Pei Xiting cursed, “Copycat.”
Zong Suiyang was noncommittal. He said, “Let’s begin.”
Pei Xiting shuffled the cards, and they each drew three.
Pei Xiting revealed, “Seven.”
Zong Suiyang revealed, “Seven.”
Pei Xiting ate a candied walnut, glanced at Zong Suiyang’s expression, then revealed another card. “Eight.”
Zong Suiyang casually flipped one over. “Ten.”
Pei Xiting chewed the walnut to pieces and said, “Don’t get too smug.”
Zong Suiyang wasn’t smug. He gracefully flipped over the third card: the “High Mountain” card.
“…” Pei Xiting felt a little defeated. “You cheated.”
Zong Suiyang looked with a faint smile at the person who was already showing signs of reneging at the start of the game. He reached out and flipped over the card Pei Xiting had pressed under his finger, saying regretfully, “Three. What a small card.”
“What a strong tea flavor,” Pei Xiting said, waving his hand dismissively in the air and sneering, “You have a Ziwei card. Even if I drew a ten, I’d still lose.”
“Good that you know,” Zong Suiyang said calmly. “Take your punishment.”
Pei Xiting deliberated for a moment and said, “I choose Truth.”
“Does your choice even matter?” Zong Suiyang kindly reminded him. “The punishment is doubled.”
Oh, right, Pei Xiting argued, “Then that means two truths.”
Zong Suiyang wasn’t in a hurry to press him. He said, “Good, as you wish.”
His opponent’s calm demeanor made Pei Xiting feel slightly ashamed, but his skin was thicker than a city wall, and he instantly regained his composure.
“Ask away. I’m a person with no secrets,” Pei Xiting said calmly.
“First question,” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting. “What is your name?”
Pei Xiting froze for a moment, then realized. Zong Suiyang wasn’t asking “Pei Xiting’s” name, but his name. Was he confirming that he wasn’t “Pei Xiting”?
“Pei Xiting,” Pei Xiting said. “That’s my name. ‘Wenjuan’ is a courtesy name given to me by an elder.”
Speaking of which, he remembered something. He said, “Do you still remember what you promised me back then?”
Zong Suiyang nodded and said, “I remember. When you come of age, I will give you a courtesy name.”
Pei Xiting smiled and said, “I didn’t lie to you.”
“Good. Second question,” Zong Suiyang said. “Do you want to leave Yejing?”
“I used to think about leaving, but now I think Yejing is quite good. There’s food, drink, and friends, and I’m very comfortable on Lanyin Street. Of course, I can’t stay in Yejing forever. When I have time, I definitely want to go out and explore more. The world is vast, with so many famous mountains, rivers, and natural landscapes; one lifetime isn’t enough to appreciate them all.” Pei Xiting looked into Zong Suiyang’s eyes. “Just like I told Corridor Master Fu, traveling is one thing, but home is home, and it’s unforgettable.”
Pei Xiting generally held a neutral attitude towards the Pei family. Zong Suiyang asked, “You consider that courtyard your home?”
“The courtyard is rented by me, everything inside was furnished by me, and the rose wall was meticulously cared for by me. When I go back, I’ll immediately buy the courtyard and put my name on the contract. Is it not my home?” Pei Xiting countered.
Zong Suiyang didn’t ask any more questions. He said, “Let’s begin.”
“You’re done for this round.” Pei Xiting immediately became arrogant. “I already have a premonition that you’re going to lose terribly.”
“Oh,” Zong Suiyang said indifferently, “we’ll see.”
This demeanor was truly arrogant. Pei Xiting rubbed his hands together, secretly pumping himself up. He had to show the person named Zong a thing or two.
They each drew three cards. This time, it was Zong Suiyang’s turn to open first. “Five.”
Pei Xiting revealed his card, his voice slightly rising, “I have a six.”
Zong Suiyang continued to flip his card. “Ten.”
Pei Xiting’s face fell as he revealed a seven.
“The win or loss depends on this card,” Zong Suiyang said calmly. “If you lose this time, it’ll be a dare.”
Pei Xiting said disheartenedly, “I knew you were full of malice towards me.”
Zong Suiyang flipped over a card. Pei Xiting looked at it and instantly exploded. “Cheater! You definitely cheated! How did you get the Ziwei card again?!”
“You shuffled the cards. How could I cheat?” Zong Suiyang frowned slightly, feeling a bit wronged, and thought Pei Xiting was being unreasonable.
He looked at Pei Xiting, deep in thought, then said, “I understand now. Could it be that you intended to lose to me, and so you helped me cheat?”
Pei Xiting laughed in exasperation. “Can you stop bullshitting?! Why would I intentionally lose to you? I’m not a masochist, and how did I help you cheat? Do you think I’m some kind of divine immortal with unparalleled powers?”
“So you also know one can’t cheat?” the Crown Prince said. “Then why do you insist on doing to others what you don’t want done to you?”
“Because I have no manners, and I like it.” Pei Xiting ate a spoonful of orange pulp, then crossed his arms and said, “I lost, I admit it. Tell me, how are you going to torment me?”
Just as Zong Suiyang opened his lips, Pei Xiting added, “But, Surname Zong, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you go too far today, you’ll have to face me another day. If you dare to go too far, once you fall into my hands, I’ll make you run around the Green Wave Lake naked—oh no, swim naked.”
“What?” Zong Suiyang was somewhat surprised. “I originally just wanted you to sing a song for me to listen to. I never imagined your thoughts were so malicious. Looking at it this way, my punishment is far too lenient.”
“…”
What does it mean that a quick mouth brings trouble? What does it mean that God will punish those who talk too much? What does it mean that those who can’t afford to play will definitely be played? This is it.
Pei Xiting picked up the teapot and poured Zong Suiyang a cup of tea, then picked up the wine jar and poured himself a cup of wine. He said, “The chrysanthemum tea is for you. Try not to drink alcohol. This cup, I’ll toast to you.”
He tilted his head and downed it, then smiled faintly, revealing eight white teeth. He said, “My apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am petty, and my thoughts are wicked. I confess my sin. I will go back and kowtow to Heaven and Earth in repentance. From now on, I will drink eight cups of water every day to cleanse my wicked heart. But Your Highness, you have a compassionate heart, so please don’t let me corrupt you.”
“How so?” Zong Suiyang asked.
Pei Xiting’s expression changed slightly. He said in a terrified voice, “I fell into water when I was little and have been traumatized ever since. I’m terrified of water, and I can’t swim at all. If I were to go for a swim, losing face wouldn’t matter, but I’d lose my life. As the saying goes, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Your Highness, please just consider it a good deed for the day, alright?”
“That pitiful?” Zong Suiyang calmly observed Pei Xiting. Seeing him nod mournfully, looking as if he was about to burst into tears, Zong Suiyang’s heart softened. “Since that’s the case, I won’t be too harsh on you.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is truly kind, compassionate, admirable, and praiseworthy—”
Pei Xiting’s improvised “Ode to Compassion” was interrupted before he could even perform two lines. His Highness the Crown Prince sighed, his voice filled with pity:
“You don’t need to swim naked around the lake.” Zong Suiyang’s tone was gentle: “Just sing a song naked.”
As his words fell, with no time for a buffer, Pei Xiting didn’t even remember that he could have chosen to drink as a substitute. He stood up and bolted, ready to rush to the back and jump into the lake to escape!
But a tea table clearly couldn’t stop Zong Suiyang. He stepped forward, reached out, and gripped Pei Xiting’s waistband, pulling him back.
The boat swayed. Pei Xiting was flipped over and pinned onto a seat on one side. Zong Suiyang held his wrist and leaned down, simultaneously pressing his knee against Pei Xiting’s lower abdomen, saying, “Take it off.”
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Ahhh, are we finally getting there?!
Thank you for translating ~ Huariccan