TL: Hua
Chapter 77: Emergency – Xiao Pei goes to Enzhou (17)
When Zong Suiyang entered the room, he saw Zong Lu sitting on Pei Xiting’s lap, Pei Xiting embracing Zong Lu’s waist. Their heads were close together, whispering about something, looking especially intimate.
As he got closer, Zong Suiyang heard Pei Xiting instigating Zong Lu to add two strokes of blush to the portrait. Zong Lu disagreed, saying it would ruin Fifth Uncle’s dignity. Pei Xiting, however, argued eloquently, saying, “Your Fifth Uncle’s dignity emanates from within. Let alone two strokes of blush, even if you gave him a full set of makeup, it wouldn’t have any effect.”
“Is that so?” Zong Suiyang walked behind Pei Xiting, looking at himself on the paper, in colorful robes, with a flower wreath on his head. He couldn’t imagine how much more vibrant and striking it would be with two more strokes of blush.
The subject of their creation appeared like a ghost. Pei Xiting and Zong Lu felt guilty and dared not look up. Zong Lu still held the ink-dipped brush, almost letting it fall on his fifth uncle’s face on the paper. Both human witnesses and material evidence were present.
Zong Suiyang saw the big and small eyes rolling around and couldn’t help but reach out and pinch Pei Xiting’s neck but said to Zong Lu, “How old are you, still sitting on someone’s lap?”
Zong Lu immediately moved to get down upon hearing this, but Pei Xiting held him, saying, “No matter how old he is, he’s a generation younger than me. What’s wrong with a child sitting on someone’s lap?”
Zong Suiyang saw that Pei Xiting didn’t mind Zong Lu’s weight and said, “Between teacher and student, this is improper.”
“Look at this old-fashioned person.” Pei Xiting whispered to Zong Lu, then said to Zong Suiyang, “He won’t do this when he’s older, of course, but the child is still young.”
Zong Suiyang saw that reasoning was futile, so he changed his approach. “I told you to rest early. What are you loafing around here for?”
Pei Xiting retorted, “What do you mean, ‘loafing’? You weren’t here just now. I was simply fulfilling my duties as an art teacher; I wasn’t disturbing you.”
“Well, I’m here now,” Zong Suiyang said, shooing him away. “You can leave.”
Pei Xiting looked up at Zong Suiyang and said, “Don’t bluff me. Aren’t you going out tonight?”
Zong Suiyang didn’t refute. He squeezed the back of Pei Xiting’s neck and then withdrew his hand, saying, “Yes, I’m going out.”
“Where are you going?” Pei Xiting asked. “Can I tag along?”
“Bai Mian Fang,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting realized he couldn’t go, so he pouted and said, “Why are you going to Bai Mian Fang again? Don’t tell me you went once, found it fun, and got hooked?”
Zong Lu kept his eyes down, remaining silent. Zong Suiyang glanced at Pei Xiting upon hearing this and said, “Didn’t you suspect that Immortal Envoy Huo had an unusual interest in me? I’m going to investigate him.”
“How will you investigate?” Pei Xiting asked. “A honey trap?”
“To see the eyes is to see the heart.” Zong Suiyang reached out and pinched Pei Xiting’s face. “What are you imagining all day?”
Pei Xiting hummed and said, “Then you’d better come back tonight; otherwise, if you spend the night at a pleasure house, you won’t be able to explain yourself.”
He looked down at the quiet Zong Lu. “Isn’t that right?”
Zong Lu looked up at his Fifth Uncle, then at Pei-wenshu. Weighing the situation, he decided that standing with Pei-wenshu at this moment would please Fifth Uncle more, so he nodded and said yes.
Zong Suiyang shook his head, saying nothing, neither agreeing nor refusing. He merely left with a single instruction: “Stay put,” then turned and walked out.
Pei Xiting turned his head and, along with Zong Lu, watched Zong Suiyang leave the room. Then he withdrew his gaze and continued their free-form artistic creation on Zong Suiyang’s portrait with Zong Lu.
—
Late at night, You Zong and his group appeared outside the courtyard.
You Zong looked at the location of the land and said, “This place is sandwiched between Bai Mian Fang and the Li Residence, making travel convenient.”
A Longhe Guard reported from outside the wall, whispering, “There are twelve people outside the courtyard and eight inside.”
“We need to deal with them as simultaneously as possible; otherwise, any noise might trigger unknown mechanisms inside,” You Zong said.
He took the map, pointed with his finger, and said, “Twelve people on the perimeter: four guarding the gate, and the other eight patrolling in pairs. I’ll take care of the four guarding the gate with one person, and you send people to deal with the remaining eight.”
The Longhe Guard nodded, turned to assign his men, and both groups struck together, swiftly eliminating the external guards and slipping into the inner courtyard.
At the same time, Zong Suiyang reappeared inside Bai Mian Fang, choosing a private room on the second floor directly opposite the stage to listen to music.
“Why is the Crown Prince here again?” Xian Yin stood behind Immortal Envoy Huo, frowning. “There’s no news back from Li Da’s side. I feel uneasy, like something is about to happen.”
Immortal Envoy Huo looked at the latticed window on the second floor and asked, “Are the Li Residence and the courtyard alright?”
“There’s no movement from the Li Residence, and the bells in the courtyard haven’t rung,” Xian Yin speculated. “Could it be that something was exposed on Pei Xiting’s side? Although he hates the Crown Prince to the bone, the Crown Prince’s methods are unbearable even for iron-willed men, let alone a delicate young master like Pei Xiting.”
“But the Crown Prince wouldn’t use prison methods on Pei Xiting. As for methods in bed…” Immortal Envoy Huo’s words trailed off, unsure himself. After all, the Crown Prince was tall and robust, and Pei Xiting had long been trained to be submissive. It was hard to determine if he could withstand the Crown Prince’s “interrogation.”
“Miss,” at this moment, a hall attendant stepped lightly forward and reported, “The guest upstairs has ordered a flower list; he wants to hear music.”
Just as Xian Yin was about to speak, Immortal Envoy Huo had already opened his mouth and said, “I’ll go.”
“Please don’t be impulsive,” Xian Yin advised. “The Crown Prince is incredibly sharp. Even a slight anomaly from you will surely attract his attention, not to mention your appearance…”
“He doesn’t recognize me. Even if we’ve met, His Highness the Crown Prince regards ordinary people as ants on the ground and wouldn’t remember,” Immortal Envoy Huo said, turning to Xian Yin’s room. After a brief preparation, he put on a veil to cover the lower half of his face when he left, heading to the private room on the second floor.
When he entered, Zong Suiyang was leaning back in a lounge chair by the window, quietly watching the long-sleeve dance on the stage. Yu Shaoyun stepped forward, glanced at him, and said, “What’s your name?”
Immortal Envoy Huo curtsied and said, “Sir ordered music. Your servant, Huo Yue, has come to serve.”
Yu Shaoyun scrutinized Huo Yue for a moment, then allowed him to step forward two paces.
Zong Suiyang didn’t even look at Huo Yue. He said, “What songs are you good at?”
“Your servant is best at ‘The White-Headed Lament,'” Huo Yue said softly.
“Sing it for me,” Zong Suiyang said indifferently. “If you sing it well, there will be a reward.”
Huo Yue assented and began to sing softly. His gaze fell on Zong Suiyang, whose eyes were sparing, not even glancing at him. He seemed so unattainable and unordinary, without any trace of the possessiveness he had towards Pei Xiting during the day.
The Crown Prince in front of Pei Xiting was not only the Crown Prince but also a man with desires needing release.
Huo Yue’s gaze grew deeper, and the melody was mournful. Zong Suiyang seemed not to notice. His fingertips tapped the armrests in time with the melody, but Pei Xiting’s previous resentful gaze appeared in front of him. It was heart-piercing when it was real and piercing when it was fake. He wondered what kind of person was molded to be so tormenting.
When the song ended, the room fell silent. Huo Yue stood still, composing himself, saying nothing. It wasn’t until a drumbeat was heard from downstairs that Zong Suiyang came to his senses and said, “Too much sorrow, not enough resolve.”
Huo Yue smiled and said softly, “Sir is an expert of music. Having heard so many ethereal melodies and exquisite sounds, your servant’s humble skill must be laughable to you.”
“How do you know I’ve heard a lot?” Zong Suiyang asked.
“Sir’s demeanor is extraordinary; you are certainly no ordinary guest, naturally looking down on others,” Huo Yue said.
Zong Suiyang said, “My guard usually loves listening to music. Whatever can be made into a tune, he praises. He’s not exactly ‘looking down on others.’ Let him tell you how you sang.”
Huo Yue looked at Yu Shaoyun. Yu Shaoyun stood with his arms crossed by Zong Suiyang’s side. Hearing this, he chuckled lightly and said, “I think it was pretty good. Although it’s not a top-tier performance, every song has its own flavor, right?”
Huo Yue gratefully curtsied to Yu Shaoyun.
Zong Suiyang said, “As long as you like it. Do you know any other songs?”
“‘Song of the Yue Boatman,'” Huo Yue said softly, looking at Zong Suiyang.
“No need to sing that one,” Zong Suiyang said.
Yu Shaoyun teased, “You’ve heard the best version, haven’t you?”
Zong Suiyang had sung it himself for Pei Xiting. Pei Xiting had said it sounded good, his eyes twinkling, not out of flattery, but genuinely finding it pleasant.
Pei Xiting also loved to sing usually, but only occasionally, sometimes even making up his own lyrics. While a bit casual, he had a good voice. When he sang, his voice was less clear and bright than usual, instead lower and husky, like osmanthus wine with a faint sweetness.
Zong Suiyang felt this song was different. Hearing it by chance was fine, but he wasn’t willing to specifically ask someone else to sing it.
Suddenly, the bell in the room rang once, very sharply. Huo Yue’s expression changed subtly, but he controlled it skillfully, remaining in place, awaiting instructions.
“Oh, where did this bell come from?” Yu Shaoyun looked up. The bell was cleverly strung above the ceiling, tied with a red string. There was no strong wind at the moment, so it couldn’t have been blown; it must have been pulled.
Although Yu Shaoyun was joking with His Highness, he had been constantly observing Huo Yue’s movements. In that instant, the man’s expression was unusual. This bell sound was certainly not ordinary.
Someone had broken into the courtyard. Huo Yue almost instinctively looked at the Crown Prince. The latter’s eyelids were half-closed, intently appreciating the dance. The calmer he was, the more unsettling Huo Yue became.
Shortly after, Xian Yin knocked and entered, offering fruits. She curtsied to the Crown Prince and said, “Is Sir satisfied with Huo Yue? If not, the immortal flower over there is free and can come to serve. She’s the best singer we have here.”
This was an attempt to replace him. Yu Shaoyun said, “No need, he’s fine.”
Xian Yin’s heart sank. She glanced at Yu Shaoyun, then at the Crown Prince, who was not in disguise today. She feigned surprise but said nothing further, simply curtsying slightly. “Yes, then if Sir has any other instructions, feel free to call for someone to serve.”
She excused herself and turned, brushing past Huo Yue, her expression solemn.
The bell was a quick signal between the two locations. You Zong had accidentally stepped into a trap, causing the bell to sound an alert. Zong Suiyang caressed his thumb ring. The thumb ring was made of green jade. Pei Xiting had found it pleasing when he was shopping and bought it to put on his hand.
Zong Suiyang disliked the overly intricate carved pattern, but Pei Xiting’s furrowed brows and pouting lips were so lively and beautiful that he had grown fond of the thumb ring as well.
Zong Suiyang raised his eyes slightly and said, “What’s the best wine you have here?”
“Lanling wine is renowned far and wide. For local fruit wines, there’s Shengchun, made from Shengchun flowers,” Huo Yue said. “If Sir wishes to buy wine, your servant knows a few good places.”
“My younger brother at home enjoys drinking wine. I plan to bring back a few pots for him to taste when I return,” Zong Suiyang said.
Zong Suiyang had no younger brother. According to their previous conversation, this “brother” was most likely Pei Xiting. Huo Yue lowered his eyes and said, “Sir, to remember your younger brother at home while away, you’re truly a loving elder brother.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Siblings should be like this.”
Huo Yue smiled, remaining silent for a moment. If siblings were harmonious and cared for each other, it was indeed natural. But the Crown Prince and Pei Xiting were not siblings. The Crown Prince personally came to Enzhou to bring Pei Xiting back, yet he still remembered what wine he liked to drink. Was this truly the attitude towards a s*x slave?
Did the Crown Prince develop feelings for Pei Xiting? Huo Yue wasn’t sure, but it was even better this way. The lofty Crown Prince also had to taste the bitterness of unrequited love. He understood, but when this thought swirled in his mind, it left a bitter taste.
Why him? Why Pei Xiting?
The bell rang again, extremely urgently, as if it had broken. But with You Zong’s ability, he wouldn’t fall into the same trap twice. Zong Suiyang knew the mission was accomplished. He subtly tilted his head to look at Huo Yue, meeting a pair of eyes filled with surging emotions, too shallow to hide.
Zong Suiyang said, “What are you looking at?”
Huo Yue clenched the hand hidden in his sleeve, lowered his eyes, and said, “Sir is unmatched in beauty; I was momentarily disrespectful.”
Zong Suiyang did not acknowledge Huo Yue’s compliment or apology. Instead, he said, “Speaking of appearance, your features seem somewhat familiar to me.”
Huo Yue’s heart skipped a beat. He said, “In a vast sea of people, similar appearances are common. After all, your servant is not like Sir, who is one in ten thousand.”
“Just looks a bit familiar, as if I’ve seen it somewhere,” Zong Suiyang withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, “Choose another song and continue.”
Huo Yue assented, switching to “Ballad of Xizhou.” Zong Suiyang remained expressionless and stingy with direct glances, truly treating him as a plaything for amusement.
Huo Yue’s eyes darkened, a hint of gloom passing through them.
—
“Why hasn’t your fifth uncle returned yet?” Pei Xiting sighed, his eyelid twitching. He reached up to touch it, a slight frown on his brow.
“Pei-wenshu, this is the third time you’ve asked that,” Zong Lu also sighed. “If you didn’t want Fifth Uncle to go to Bai Mian Fang, why didn’t you say so directly? I don’t think Pei-wenshu is someone who stands on ceremony.”
Pei Xiting came to his senses and said, “He went to probe the identity of that Immortal Envoy Huo and act as a distraction for Lord You and the others. Why would I stop him? Besides, your fifth uncle isn’t someone who gets hungry at any moment.”
Zong Lu said, “Then why are you distracted?”
“I’m thinking about that Immortal Envoy Huo. He sounds quite young, and from his build, he’s slender,” Pei Xiting said. “He seemed particularly concerned about the relationship between your Fifth Uncle and me, showing not only incredulity but also a hint of jealousy.”
Zong Lu was surprised to hear this and asked, “Does he admire you, Pei-wenshu?”
“You’ve got it backward,” Pei Xiting said.
“Then I understand even less.” Zong Lu was puzzled. “They provoke the court and deeply hate Fifth Uncle. Why would he still harbor such feelings for Fifth Uncle?”
Pei Xiting guessed, “Perhaps they knew each other before, or the one surnamed Huo knew your Fifth Uncle unilaterally, and the resentment only grew later.”
“Fifth Uncle traveled extensively in the past; who knows how many people he met? It’s really hard to guess this one,” Zong Lu said. “But none of that matters. Fifth Uncle has no one else in his eyes but Pei-wenshu.”
Pei Xiting smiled, touching Zong Lu’s small face, saying, “Your Fifth Uncle should learn from your sweet mouth.”
“I’m not sweet-mouthed; I’m just telling the truth,” Zong Lu said seriously.
“Yes, because the truth sounds so good,” Pei Xiting feigned a helpless sigh, then said, “Let’s keep painting. We’ll give this painting to your fifth uncle as a birthday gift.”
Zong Lu looked hesitantly at his Fifth Uncle, adorned with a flower crown and powdered face, and said, “Will Fifth Uncle be happy?”
“He didn’t even tear up this painting earlier, which means he can accept it,” Pei Xiting said bluntly. “This is the culmination of our work. If he doesn’t like it, he has no taste.”
Zong Lu felt that no matter what, it would be Pei-wenshu who would discuss it with Fifth Uncle, so he said, “Alright.”
“Lord You is back,” Yuan Fang announced from the doorway a moment later. Pei Xiting quickly signed the painting, then put down his brush and went out with Zong Lu.
The Longhe Guards brought up several children, three of them unconscious. Immediately, Su Chongyan quickly entered the room, with a Longhe Guard carrying a medical box following behind him.
Pei Xiting walked over to You Zong and asked, “Are any of our brothers injured?”
“One brother took an arrow in the back. It was dealt with on the way back, no major harm,” You Zong said, looking behind Pei Xiting. “Has His Highness returned?”
Pei Xiting shook his head. Seeing You Zong’s face darken slightly, he quickly turned and followed, asking, “Did something happen?”
“We accidentally triggered a bell wire in the courtyard. I suspect it’s for communication. I’m not sure if His Highness is safe in Bai Mian Fang,” You Zong said. He wanted to go to the Bai Mian Fang immediately. Pei Xiting was worried and wanted to go with him. As they went downstairs, he said to Zong Lu, “You go back and watch over those children. You’re similar in age, which will make them feel more at ease than the Longhe Guards.”
Zong Lu had also wanted to follow but nodded in agreement when he heard this. He said, “Pei-wenshu, please be careful.”
Pei Xiting chuckled. “Why are you only telling me this?”
“Because Pei-wenshu doesn’t know martial arts,” Zong Lu sighed. “You can’t even beat me.”
Pei Xiting smiled faintly. “Right.”
The two quickly walked to the back door. Unexpectedly, just as they stepped out, a plainclothes guard rushed over and said, “Something happened to His Highness!”
Pei Xiting’s and You Zong’s expressions changed.
You Zong said, “What happened?”
“His Highness was ambushed and drugged,” the guard quickly explained. “It was some kind of aphrodisiac incense, a heavy dose. Commander Yu told me to come back and ask Doctor Su if there’s an antidote. If not, then…” He glanced at Pei Xiting, his meaning clear.
“Xiting, get in the carriage first,” You Zong said, looking at Yuan Fang behind him. “You go upstairs and ask Chongyan. If there’s an antidote, ride back immediately.”
Yuan Fang assented and ran upstairs.
You Zong got into the driver’s seat and instructed the guard, “Go inside the carriage and explain what happened.”
The guard assented, quickly got into the carriage, and sat down, saying, “When His Highness intended to leave Bai Mian Fang, that Huo Yue accompanied him to see him off. Unexpectedly, as they reached the entrance, Huo Yue, who was standing sideways at the doorway, suddenly flicked his sleeve. His movement was light, with no killing intent. Although it didn’t injure His Highness, the large sleeve contained medicinal smoke, which was truly impossible to guard against.”
The guard’s face was grim. He truly hadn’t expected Huo Yue to hide the medicine in his sleeve, not even fearing to fumigate himself!
You Zong frowned slightly and asked, “Is His Highness still in Bai Mian Fang now?”
“Yes. After His Highness was struck, Commander Yu frantically supported him. Xian Yin then brought people out to stir up trouble and block them, allowing Huo Yue to escape,” the guard said. “Besides the few captured rebels, Bai Mian Fang has been cleared out. Commander Yu is currently guarding His Highness with his men. He only dispatched me back to the inn to find Doctor and Pei-wenshu.”
Pei Xiting asked, “Was it His Highness’s idea to find me?”
The guard paused and said, “Commander Yu secretly instructed me to.”
So it wasn’t Zong Suiyang’s intention. Pei Xiting rubbed the back of his hand, remaining silent.
Halfway there, Yuan Fang caught up. He quickly swung into the carriage and said, “Doctor Su said the aphrodisiac incense can be detoxified, but by the time the medicine is prepared, the person would already be incapacitated, let alone with such a large dose.”
He glanced at Pei Xiting, understanding what Yu Shaoyun meant by specifically asking to bring Pei Xiting along. Everyone here belonged to Zong Suiyang. No matter what, they couldn’t just stand by and watch Zong Suiyang get into trouble. Although Pei Xiting was infatuated with Zong Suiyang, it was unclear if he would willingly serve as the antidote. If he wasn’t willing, he (Yuan Fang) would immediately take Pei Xiting and flee.
Pei Xiting said nothing, appearing somewhat distracted.
You Zong quickly drove the carriage towards Bai Mian Fang. Upon reaching the back door, Pei Xiting pushed open the carriage door and swiftly got out.
The guests inside the brothel had already been driven out. The courtesans and young male attendants were gathered in the back courtyard, guarded by people sent by Zong Rui, who had rushed over. The corridor on the second floor was guarded by Zong Suiyang’s personal guards. The main hall was silent, the atmosphere heavy.
Pei Xiting went up to the second floor. Yu Shaoyun came to meet him and softly said, “His Highness requested a cold bath. Does Pei-wenshu wish to go in?”
Commander Yu’s face was extremely grim. Pei Xiting, after getting out of the carriage, seemed completely relaxed. He said, “You’ve already called me here; doesn’t asking that seem redundant?”
Yu Shaoyun sighed and said, “In such circumstances, there’s no room for much thought, but His Highness never intended this. He even specifically instructed me earlier not to disturb Pei-wenshu. Therefore, I’m asking again: if Pei-wenshu is unwilling, you don’t have to help.”
“If I’m unwilling, what do you plan to do?” Pei Xiting asked.
“His Highness’s willpower is extraordinary.” Yu Shaoyun paused. “If there’s truly no other way, we can only call in someone clean. Ultimately, we cannot harm His Highness’s body.”
This was the last resort, and Zong Suiyang would certainly be unwilling. Moreover, allowing an outsider close in such a situation would also raise concerns about the Crown Prince’s safety. At that point, Yu Shaoyun would undoubtedly have to stand guard outside the curtains.
“Call no one,” Pei Xiting said. “He’s mine.”
Yu Shaoyun moved aside at that. Pei Xiting walked to the door, opening it without hesitation.
A chill permeated the room. Both windows were open. Pei Xiting walked around the screen. Zong Suiyang sat in the bathtub, his hair loose, his face flushed but his lips pale, possessing a strangely tragic beauty.
Pei Xiting reached into the bathtub and shivered from the cold. The water rippled, and Zong Suiyang’s eyes suddenly flew open, a murderous intent rushing forth.
Pei Xiting froze, standing still. He knew that His Highness the Crown Prince’s consciousness was far from its usual clarity; otherwise, he wouldn’t have only noticed someone approaching after Pei Xiting had already placed his hand in the bathtub.
At this moment, Zong Suiyang was undoubtedly vulnerable.
Fair fingertips caressed the edge of the bathtub, gradually moving closer. Zong Suiyang looked up at Pei Xiting and said hoarsely, “Get out.”
“Doctor Su said there isn’t enough time to prepare the medicine. You either find someone to detoxify you, or you’ll become a eunuch.” Pei Xiting leaned down, his nose almost touching Zong Suiyang’s but not making contact.
He softly asked, “If you don’t want me, who do you want?”
Does Zong Suiyang not want Pei Xiting?
No, he wants him.
But not now, at a time when he is disoriented and will soon completely lose his senses. This is their first time doing such a thing, so it wouldn’t be smooth sailing, let alone the fact that he’s drugged and unable to control himself as usual. Zong Suiyang couldn’t predict how he would treat Pei Xiting.
If something were to happen… Zong Suiyang’s expression was grim. He said, “Xiting, get out.”
“Are you afraid?” Pei Xiting, a master of reading people, reached out and cupped Zong Suiyang’s face, his fingertips curling from the heat. He tilted his head slightly, rubbing against Zong Suiyang’s nose, his voice seductive. “I’m not afraid. Leave it to me.”
Zong Suiyang gasped slightly. At this moment, Pei Xiting pulled off his own hair tie, his hair falling loose and gently framing Zong Suiyang’s face.
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