TL: Hua
Chapter 74: Suspicion – Little Pei Goes to Enzhou (14)
Having been in the room for a long time, he had forgotten that detail. Zong Suiyang also smiled upon hearing this and said, “I’ll sit for a while longer.”
“Then you’re not allowed to wake me up, or I’ll jump up and bite you to death.” Pei Xiting said, pulling off the outer robe draped over his shoulders, taking off his wooden clogs, and flopping onto the bed. He let out a groan, “Oh, my back! Sitting in the carriage every day, it feels like it’s going to break.”
“When Chongyan arrives tomorrow, have him give you an acupuncture needle.” Zong Suiyang tilted his head to look at the person sprawled on the bed. “It’s cold outside; cover yourself with a blanket and sleep well.”
“I’ve noticed you can be quite a worrier sometimes,” Pei Xiting mumbled, wiggling his feet while lying on the blanket, “and you like to control people.”
Zong Suiyang raised an eyebrow. “Do I control you?”
Pei Xiting said, “Yes, you do.”
“If I truly controlled you, you wouldn’t dare say that.” Zong Suiyang said, “Someone like you, if I were to truly control you, I’d have to be ruthless. At least a ruler would be necessary.”
Pei Xiting chuckled. “Actually, when I was little, I really wished my dad… my parents would control me.” Zong Suiyang was stunned upon hearing this and said, “If you had met me earlier, I would have raised you like a son. Of course, it’s not too late now.”
“That’s a generation gap,” Pei Xiting said. “Of course, if you’re willing to give me a lot of pocket money every day, I’m willing to let you take advantage of that.”
“That’s simple, isn’t it?” Zong Suiyang said. “Be my son, and you can have anything you want.”
Pei Xiting boastfully said, “I want to be the emperor!”
Zong Suiyang didn’t mind the treasonous remark and said, “If you become an emperor, you won’t be able to travel around. You wouldn’t like that.”
“Then I want big estates and big manors,” Pei Xiting demanded, like a lion opening its maw. “Give me your palace too.”
Zong Suiyang said, “The palace is right there; see if you dare to enter it. As for big estates and big manors, I have quite a few. Just tell me which one you like.”
“You have quite a few? How do you have quite a few? Did you embezzle public funds?” Pei Xiting kicked his legs. “Tell me!”
Zong Suiyang said, “They were rewards I received in the past. When I was a prince, I was at my most carefree and wealthy.”
“Carefree my ass! You were constantly being attacked. If you weren’t tough and capable and didn’t have reliable people around you, you would have been reincarnated as my son long ago,” Pei Xiting scoffed, his eyes darting. “Hey, if you were my son, if you dared to put on a stern face and act cool, I’d spank your butt and make you cry and call me ‘Dad’.”
As he spoke, he amused himself, lying on the bed, stifling laughter.
Zong Suiyang also smiled, his gaze falling on the undulating curve of Pei Xiting’s body, his eyes deepening.
Pei Xiting was engrossed in the image of a little Zong Suiyang with his bare bottom crying and calling him “Dad.” He didn’t notice the increasingly dangerous gaze fixed on him, nor did he remember the lesson of “trouble from the mouth.” Suddenly, a slap landed on his backside.
“Damn it!” Pei Xiting snapped back to reality, covering his butt and turning to glare at Zong Suiyang, who had appeared by the bed at some unknown point and inflicted such a cruel blow. He said incredulously, “What are you doing?!”
Zong Suiyang’s right hand rested on his waist, slightly curled, his palm still tingling. He stared at his palm, pressing his lips together as if he had discovered something interesting, and when he looked up at Pei Xiting, his eyes even sparkled slightly.
“?” Pei Xiting cautiously scooted backward. “What are you doing?”
Zong Suiyang stared at him without speaking.
That look… it was as if he was about to unleash his inner beast and pounce on him to bite him!
Pei Xiting, startled, reached for the quilt and held it in front of him, staring defensively at Zong Suiyang. “Let’s talk this through. Laying hands on someone is wrong. Besides, I was just joking. Is it wrong to even think? Even if it is, don’t resort to violence. If you do, you lose. Apologize to me right now.”
“My apologies,” Zong Suiyang said, staring at him, speaking slowly.
“…” Pei Xiting was covered in goosebumps from being stared at. He shooed him away. “Don’t stare at me anymore. Get out, I’m going to sleep.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t move. “Then sleep.”
Pei Xiting glared. “How can I sleep if you don’t leave?”
“Don’t you usually fall asleep anywhere, anytime?” Zong Suiyang said. “It’s very safe here.”
“Yes, my life is safe, but my butt isn’t!” Pei Xiting narrowed his eyes. “Are you planning to hit me while I’m asleep?”
“No,” Zong Suiyang said, a hint of regret in his voice. “Because even if you were a pig, you’d wake up if I hit you.”
“What are you regretting? I’m asking you, what exactly are you regretting? So you really think that; you really want to hit my butt while I’m asleep?” Pei Xiting clenched his fists, looking at Zong Suiyang as if he were looking at some heinous criminal.
“Is it wrong to even think?” Zong Suiyang frowned. “Even if it is, you can’t resort to violence. If you do, you lose.”
Such familiar words, such a cunning tone.
Pei Xiting finally understood. This was another thousand-year-old green tea, and because it had never been fully expressed before, now that its flavor was seeping out, it was overwhelmingly strong.
“You copycat, you’d better not fall into my hands, or I’ll cut out your tongue,” Pei Xiting slapped the bed. “Get out.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Say that again.”
Pei Xiting respectfully said, “Please get out.”
Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, neither moving nor speaking. They stood in a stalemate for a moment, then he suddenly took a step forward.
“Oh, crap!” Pei Xiting was so startled he ducked his head and burrowed into the quilt, scrambling around while covering his backside, eventually wrapping himself completely inside the blanket.
Seeing this, Zong Suiyang reached out and pressed down on the squirming giant silkworm cocoon. He felt around, located Pei Xiting’s head and feet, and first pulled out his head.
Pei Xiting gasped for air and said, “You actually tried to suffocate me! You’re so vicious!”
He retaliated, but Zong Suiyang didn’t mind. He reached out, spun him around once, placed his head on the pillow, and said, “Now you can sleep.”
“I don’t dare to sleep,” Pei Xiting said. “You’ll hit me.”
Zong Suiyang shook his head and gave a very practical reason: “Rather than hitting you when you’re asleep, I prefer to hit you when you’re awake and can feel it.”
“?” Pei Xiting stared at him in horror. “Your Highness, don’t pick up these bad habits. We should be civilized and polite young men.”
“Didn’t you teach me to open up and not keep everything bottled inside?” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, seemingly puzzled. “I thought you made a good point, so I adopted your advice and am gradually implementing it. Aren’t you happy?”
“Heh heh…” Pei Xiting gave a dry laugh. “I’m honored.”
“No need to thank me.” Zong Suiyang rubbed Pei Xiting’s head, saying absently, “Silly.”
Pei Xiting froze for a moment, then grumbled, “You’re the silly one; your whole family is silly… Mmph.”
Zong Suiyang pinched his unruly mouth, then reached out to release him from under the quilt, smoothly tucking the blanket around him, and said, “Sleep, no more messing around.”
He said this, then got up, lowered the bed curtains, and turned to leave.
Pei Xiting blinked dazedly, propped himself up, and peered out through a gap in the bed curtains. Zong Suiyang looked back at him as he closed the door. Their eyes met, and Pei Xiting quickly said, “Goodnight!”
Zong Suiyang paused and said, “Goodnight.”
The bed curtains hung down, swaying gently twice.
—
Zong Suiyang returned to his room but didn’t go to bed. He simply sat on the couch and rested.
Recently, his interactions with Pei Xiting seemed to have returned to how they were before coming to Enzhou, only more intimate and natural, as if their previous disagreements had never occurred. There was no resentment or hatred in Pei Xiting’s eyes when he looked at him; he was still as frank as ever—liking what he liked, disliking what he disliked, and his emotions after drinking were even more fervent.
He recalled the kiss on the boat.
Zong Suiyang hadn’t been drinking, but he was incredibly intoxicated. When Pei Xiting kissed him, his mind went completely blank for a moment. When he came to his senses, their lips were already pressed tightly together.
This feeling, completely dominated and controlled by desire, was contradictory—both terrifying and exhilarating, like walking a tightrope on a cliff, where one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation. Of course, he knew what he was doing; he wanted to kiss Pei Xiting, to fiercely embed Pei Xiting onto himself, perfectly aligned if possible.
This desire was ferocious, and Zong Suiyang became increasingly aware of it.
The candlelight flickered, swayed by the wind that entered when the door opened. Zong Suiyang opened his eyes and reached out to cup the lampshade.
“Your Highness,” You Zong walked to the table and said softly, “The people who went to Bai Mian Fang have returned. They searched everywhere they needed to and found no abnormalities, except for one place that couldn’t be searched tonight: a bedroom in the back courtyard of the first floor, which belongs to that Xian Yin.”
“It seems we’ll have to search during the day,” Zong Suiyang said. “You go rest first. We’ll make plans tomorrow.”
“Yes, Your Highness should also rest early,” You Zong said. After Zong Suiyang nodded, he quietly withdrew.
The door softly closed. Zong Suiyang raised a hand to press his temples, then swept his hand to extinguish the light.
—
Su Chongyan departed immediately after receiving the news. He and the escorting Longhe Guards traveled light and fast, without rest, arriving the next day.
Pei Xiting woke up later and was having breakfast at the table. Zong Suiyang sat beside him, enjoying the sight of him battling with a soup dumpling.
The dumpling skin was thin and would break with a poke, letting the crab roe ooze out. Pei Xiting simply leaned over the plate to eat the dumpling, getting oil all over his mouth. When he looked up and saw Zong Suiyang staring at him, he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you want some?”
Zong Suiyang said, “Eat yours.”
Pei Xiting hummed and lowered his head to continue eating.
Su Chongyan entered and saw this scene. He smiled softly, stepped forward, and bowed with cupped hands. “Your Highness.”
“You should have heard about yesterday’s matter. Heying and the others aren’t doctors after all, and the local doctors aren’t our people, which is why I called you here, in case of need,” Zong Suiyang said. “Traveling for the whole night must have been tiring. Go back and rest first.”
Su Chongyan said, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I am fine. I’m used to collecting herbs in the mountains, so this journey is nothing. However, there is something that I suspect.”
“Speak freely,” Zong Suiyang said.
You Zong walked in from outside, wiping his knife, and stood beside Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting took a sip of porridge, his gaze sliding from the knife to his superior’s handsome face, and smiled obediently.
You Zong also smiled, then looked up at Su Chongyan and said, “Do you think there’s something wrong with the death of that little girl?”
“My lord, you said she was strangled to death, which is certainly correct. What I’m referring to is the blood from her lower body. The blood was dark red, viscous, and contained clots. It didn’t look like regular bleeding, but rather like menstrual blood,” Su Chongyan said.
“Many people consider a woman’s menstrual blood to be an ominous sign. Could it be that the beast, upon seeing blood while abusing her, was shocked and enraged and then killed her?” You Zong said.
Pei Xiting finished his last mouthful of porridge, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, “There’s another possibility: the beast simply enjoys seeing blood, got too excited, and couldn’t control his bestial nature. Actually, I have a bold idea.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Tell me.”
“Young Marquis Mei smelled acacia incense on Li Da, and the scent was quite strong, meaning a large amount was used. They say a small amount is an aphrodisiac, and a large amount is like taking drugs. So Li Da was basically drugging himself. And when Mei Xiu first entered the Li family, he said Li Da looked like he had kidney deficiency, indicating he’s likely been taking drugs for quite some time,” Pei Xiting rubbed his chin. “So why would he be taking drugs long-term?”
Su Chongyan speculated, “He’s impotent?”
“That’s just my guess,” Pei Xiting snapped his fingers. “Li Da’s sudden change in personality this year must have a reason, but his official career is going smoothly, and there haven’t been any changes at home, so the reason is likely related to himself.”
“It’s entirely possible for a man nearing fifty to suddenly find his virility waning,” Su Chongyan said.
“He developed a wicked habit this year, degrading so many people in bed. Is it because he became impotent, his self-esteem was wounded, and his heart became twisted?” Pei Xiting spread his hands. “Otherwise, I really can’t figure out why he’d get hooked on acacia incense.”
“If that’s the case, did he go crazy from drug abuse?” You Zong wiped his blade, his eyes shifting slightly. “Are the cultists using this to disturb Li Da’s mind to ensure cooperation between the two sides?”
“Speaking of drugs, it reminds me of Old Master Xu from the North City. He couldn’t have children no matter what, then he took an ‘immortal medicine’ and was cured, right?” Pei Xiting scoffed. “Although I still believed that the child was Old Wang next door’s, thinking about it this way, perhaps Li Da genuinely believed he was taking ‘immortal medicine’ too.”
“I just remembered something,” Su Chongyan frowned. “There’s a type of aphrodisiac in this world called ‘red lead,’ which is refined from the menstrual blood of young girls. There are many theories about it, like how a girl’s first menstrual blood is best, and some even require specific appearances, skin tones, birth dates, and so on. In short, it’s all incredibly mystical.”
“That’s just quacks trying to deceive people,” Pei Xiting said.
Su Chongyan said, “Precisely. But some people fall for it, and some medical texts even have related records. Furthermore, there’s a similar prescription, also a method of ‘replenishing people with people,’ called Autumn Stone. Autumn Stone is refined from the urine of young boys and girls. In the past, it was considered an elixir of immortality, and later it was used as an aphrodisiac. Those who consumed it could become more virile and even live longer.”
“Your Highness,” Yu Shaoyun said from outside, “we’ve brought the person back.”
They had captured one of the two people from the portraits Pei Xiting drew, named He Bin. He Bin was a guard at Bai Mian Fang and wasn’t on duty today, so he could be used.
“Interrogate him in another room.” Zong Suiyang stood up. “Don’t dirty this place.”
“I’m going too, I’m going too.” Pei Xiting got up and eagerly followed Zong Suiyang, but Zong Suiyang stopped him with a finger to his forehead.
“Why are you joining the fun?” Zong Suiyang said. “You’re not afraid of seeing blood anymore?”
“I’ve seen plenty of fresh dead people and severed heads,” Pei Xiting nodded. “I think I’ve been forced to grow up.”
Zong Suiyang showed a hint of a smile at his words, not a very friendly one. Pei Xiting, however, stood tall and puffed out his chest, hands on his hips, to show he wasn’t exaggerating.
The group moved to the adjacent room. You Zong entered, but Zong Suiyang blocked Pei Xiting, his meaning clear.
Su Chongyan stood behind them, watching as Pei Xiting almost bumped into His Highness’s back. After being forced to stop, he even poked His Highness’s lower back with his finger.
Zong Suiyang tensed up, turned to look at Pei Xiting, and narrowed his eyes. Pei Xiting, however, smiled at him and nudged his shoulder. “Hey, Your Highness, are you perhaps worried I’ll be uncomfortable watching?”
His tone was teasing, his whole demeanor mischievous, with a hint of frivolous charm and provocation. Zong Suiyang said coolly, “You’re overthinking it.”
Pei Xiting chuckled, “Overthinking isn’t a big deal. Sometimes, I’m just afraid of not thinking enough.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Zong Suiyang, his meaning unclear.
Zong Suiyang saw this, reached out, and pinched his neck, clearly exasperated. Pei Xiting couldn’t resist and was pulled aside by his scruff.
A scream came from inside. Pei Xiting, caught off guard, flinched and took the opportunity to press himself against Zong Suiyang’s chest.
Zong Suiyang didn’t dodge. He looked down at Pei Xiting and said, “Didn’t you grow up? Go in and take a look.”
“Your Highness can be quite a sarcastic jerk sometimes,” Pei Xiting muttered to himself. “Didn’t you tell me not to go in? I’m just following orders.”
I don’t know if using these two words on you is humiliating it or humiliating you.” Zong Suiyang joked.
He Bin’s pleading voice came from inside the room. Pei Xiting used the opportunity to change the subject. “What move is that?”
“Finger-breaking.” Zong Suiyang reached out and pinched Pei Xiting’s right index finger, the one that had poked him earlier, gently squeezing the second joint. “Do you want to try?”
Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow at him. “If you have the guts, let me try it then.”
Zong Suiyang smiled. “Provoking me?”
“No,” Pei Xiting bent his finger, rubbing against Zong Suiyang’s knuckles, and said with a smile, “Begging for mercy.”
“Your way of begging for mercy is quite unique,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting said, “I’m a very unique person.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t speak when he heard that. He pinched Pei Xiting’s finger once more and then released him.
The door opened, and You Zong stood at the doorway, glancing at them.
Pei Xiting said, “That fast?”
“He wasn’t tough; he didn’t even draw blood.” You Zong looked at Zong Suiyang. “This person is likely just someone on the outer circle. They dragged him out of the woodshed.”
“The woodshed and Xian Yin’s room are back-to-back; they can be connected,” Zong Suiyang said. “According to the plan, you take people to find the secret room. Shaoyun and I will go to Bai Mian Fang to distract them.”
You Zong nodded and quickly walked away.
“Then I’ll wait for you to come back.” Pei Xiting looked at Zong Suiyang, “You have to be careful. That Xian Yin is hostile to you. If they attack you right away, don’t act tough. Just run away when you have to.”
Zong Suiyang glanced at him and said, “Don’t worry, stay obediently at the inn and don’t run around.”
Pei Xiting cupped his hands and said, “Yes, Your Highness! Please take care!”
Zong Suiyang turned and left. Pei Xiting watched him until his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor. He tilted his head and saw Su Chongyan’s gaze. He smiled and said, “Doctor Su, why are you looking at me?”
“Anyone who encounters something rare wants to see it, and I’m no exception,” Su Chongyan said.
Pei Xiting knew what “rare” referred to and said, “Then look all you want; I don’t charge.”
Su Chongyan smiled and said, “Even if it weren’t for His Highness, I’d still be happy to look at you; it’s pleasing to the eye.”
Hearing this, Pei Xiting remembered that Zong Suiyang’s aesthetic preference was Doctor Su. He felt a little uneasy, not that he wanted to compare himself with Su Chongyan, but he was simply unhappy, annoyed, because Zong Suiyang was the one who said it.
That dog! You even gave me a preference.
Pei Xiting silently cursed in his mind, then bid farewell to Su Chongyan as if nothing were amiss and went back to find Yuan Fang.
Yuan Fang was leaning on the couch, munching on steamed buns. He didn’t get up when Pei Xiting came in, continuing to compare the taste of red dates and walnuts.
Pei Xiting sat down in the empty spot next to Yuan Fang, casually lay back, and said, “Does your shoulder still hurt?”
“No, the Corridor Master didn’t use any force at all,” Yuan Fang said.
Pei Xiting took a cushion and put it behind his head. “Hey, why did you run away back then?”
He had initially thought Yuan Fang had committed some enormous mistake and ran away fearing punishment, but looking at Fu Wei’s attitude, it wasn’t as serious as he had imagined; he was just very displeased.
“I was scared,” Yuan Fang said.
Pei Xiting rarely heard the word “scared” from him and was stunned. “Scared of what?”
“The Corridor Master,” Yuan Fang finished his bun and clapped his hands. “He suddenly brought a man back.”
Pei Xiting smelled gossip and said, “What does that have to do with you?”
“He favored this person quite a lot. This person, relying on his influence, ordered me to do this and that and even asked me to take him out on missions. Of course, I refused, but that time the Corridor Master happened to overhear and smilingly told me to take him along for fun, so I did. When we were in action, I told this person to hide behind the rockery and keep quiet, assuring him of his safety. I didn’t expect him to be frightened by the bloody scene and shout out.” Yuan Fang pointed to his left cheek. “His shout startled someone, and he got a knife cut here, disfiguring him.”
Pei Xiting said, “Corridor Master Fu blamed you?”
“No,” Yuan Fang said. “He just told me to go find medicine, which was in the Western Regions, too far away. I didn’t want to go, so I took the opportunity to run away.”
Pei Xiting pondered for a moment and said, “Did you dislike this man? Or rather, were you dissatisfied with Corridor Master Fu bringing a man back?”
“Whether I liked that person or not doesn’t matter; I rarely like anyone anyway,” Yuan Fang said indifferently. “I just felt that ever since that man appeared, my ears haven’t been clean. Before, it was just the Corridor Master and me in the courtyard; then an extra person came, not only noisy but also troublesome. I was too lazy to serve him.”
“I get it, you’re afraid of Corridor Master Fu, but not that afraid,” Pei Xiting said with a smile. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have dared to sneak away.”
Yuan Fang was noncommittal and said, “I originally planned to hide for a while, wait for him to get tired of the person and for them to leave, then I’d go back. At most, I’d get a few dozen lashes. I didn’t expect to be out playing for two or three years.”
“You left, and Corridor Master Fu kept sending people to look for you, and now he’s personally come to catch you…” Pei Xiting listened thoughtfully. “Hey, how many days do you think I could hide if I ran?”
“You’d be lucky if you could hide for one day,” Yuan Fang said.
“You’re mocking me; I heard it,” Pei Xiting said.
“Just telling the truth,” Yuan Fang replied.
“Pah!” Pei Xiting reached out and patted Yuan Fang’s arm. “Hey, hurry up and get ready. Let’s go wander around outside Bai Mian Fang.”
Yuan Fang tilted his head and looked at Pei Xiting, saying, “Worried about the Crown Prince?”
“Is that not allowed?” Pei Xiting said. “I always feel that Immortal Envoy Huo is particularly interested in my relationship with His Highness, and it’s not the kind of interest that comes from eagerly wanting to exploit the relationship, but rather an interest colored by personal emotions.”
Yuan Fang pondered upon hearing this and said, “Are you jealous?”
Pei Xiting sneered, “He’s not worthy.”
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