Chapter 5
Song Beiyao’s injury wasn’t too serious, but he was exhausted, and his physical condition was poor. He remained unconscious for a full day and night.
When he woke up, the number in the bottom left corner had dropped to -196 again.
“Host, my dear host, how can you be so reckless with yourself?!” The system couldn’t stand it anymore. “You finally gained some luck value, and now it’s gone again.”
Song Beiyao had just woken up and felt quite unwell. He coughed a few times and replied, “Do you know the saying ‘cast a long line to catch a big fish’?”
System: “What does that mean?”
Song Beiyao continued, “Then do you know the saying ‘you can’t catch a wolf without risking your child’?”
The system was stunned. “What does that mean?”
Song Beiyao didn’t expect the system to be unfamiliar with these sayings. He chuckled and didn’t say anything more.
The clothes on his body must have been changed by Ling Feng. His left shoulder had also been treated; it felt warm, the wound quite deep, the pain coming in waves. Fortunately, the medicine provided some relief.
There was no one in the room, which was much warmer than before. Song Beiyao noticed a charcoal brazier in the center of the room, the source of the heat.
At that moment, the door creaked open, letting in a gust of wind and snow. Ling Feng quickly closed the door, stamped his feet, and rubbed his hands, muttering, “Freezing to death, freezing to death!”
“Is it snowing outside?” Song Beiyao turned his head and spoke hoarsely.
Ling Feng looked up in surprise, his eyes lighting up. “You’re awake!” He hurried to the bedside, pulled up a stool, and sat down, looking at Song Beiyao with a hesitant expression.
“What’s wrong?” Song Beiyao struggled to sit up, leaning against the bed and looking at him. Ling Feng’s young face was red from the cold, his nose and cheeks flushed, a look of guilt on his face.
“I… I didn’t mean to injure you,” Ling Feng finally stammered.
Seeing his contorted expression, Song Beiyao chuckled softly and comforted him gently, “It’s alright, it was an accident. Besides, it doesn’t hurt.”
“It doesn’t hurt?” Ling Feng sniffled, his face full of surprise. “I actually struck pretty hard. I was so scared when you turned around. Luckily, I held back a bit.”
“Mm, it doesn’t hurt.” Song Beiyao was actually in quite a bit of pain and didn’t have much strength to speak, but he still tried to sound as if he had plenty of energy. “What about you, how did you escape? I saw many guards chasing you.”
Ling Feng’s attention was successfully diverted, and his dejected demeanor vanished, replaced with excitement. “How could those few people catch me? I left the Crown Prince’s residence and quickly lost them, then snuck back in unnoticed. But I’m telling you—”
His expression changed, his face filled with anger. “That Pei Ji is a real bastard! You took a sword for him, and he didn’t even seem to care. As soon as the physician came, he left you alone in the room and left. And there are still a bunch of guards outside the courtyard watching us! I don’t think our plan worked. Pei Ji obviously still doesn’t trust you!”
After hearing Ling Feng’s words, Song Beiyao’s eyes curved slightly. It seemed like there was no progress, but in reality, everything was going according to his plan.
He hadn’t expected a simple act of shielding Pei Ji from a sword to make him lower his guard. The only reason Pei Ji was keeping him alive was because of Peng Yu’s whereabouts.
Pei Ji’s personality was such that once he decided Song Beiyao was suspicious, he wouldn’t easily change his mind. So there was no need to rush; it was enough to slowly lower his guard.
Ling Feng was simple and straightforward, and didn’t understand the subtleties. Song Beiyao couldn’t explain too much to him, so he just lifted the quilt slightly and said, “I’m hungry. Help me up, I want to eat something.”
“Oh, okay.” Ling Feng helped him up. “The doctor said you need to eat light these days. The residence sent some nourishing soup and porridge, it’s still warm. You eat first; if it’s not enough, I’ll ask them for more.”
After dinner, estimating the time, Song Beiyao said slowly, “Ling Feng, do me another favor.”
Ling Feng looked up at him. “What is it this time? If you want me to stab you, tell me in advance so I can find the right angle.”
“No stabbing this time.” Song Beiyao wanted to laugh, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “This time, help me deliver a message.”
Ling Feng stared at that face, stunned again. He didn’t understand how this person could look so beautiful when he smiled, so gentle and warm, that it made him want to look closer and listen carefully to what he said.
Scoffing inwardly, he asked, “What message?”
“Go find a guard and inform Pei Ji that I’m awake and have something to tell him,” Song Beiyao said slowly.
“That’s it?” Ling Feng was speechless. “Don’t worry, Pei Ji probably already knows you’re awake.”
“He may know, but that doesn’t mean he’ll come to see me on his own.”
Given Pei Ji’s personality, having failed to get the information he wanted twice, he would likely give Song Beiyao the cold shoulder and leave him alone for a few days.
The longer he was left alone, the more likely something would go wrong. So this time, he had to take the initiative.
Song Beiyao said unhurriedly, “I want to see him tonight.”
“Tonight?” Ling Feng’s voice rose. “You probably won’t see him tonight. I went out to inquire, and there’s a banquet at the palace tonight. Pei Ji has gone to the palace and it’s unknown when he’ll return.”
“Then wait for him to return.”
“Wait, why are you so eager to see him? We’ve only been here for a few days, there’s no rush to complete the mission. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for Pei Ji?” Ling Feng leaned closer, his expression like he was trying to steer him away from the wrong path. “A spy falling for their target never ends well.”
Song Beiyao rubbed his forehead in exasperation. “You said it yourself, we’ve only been here for a few days, how could I have fallen for him so quickly?”
“Just do as I say.”
“Oh, alright then.”
—
The dark night was enveloped in wind and snow. Several horses galloped through the empty streets, stopping outside the Crown Prince’s residence.
A tall figure dismounted gracefully, his black cloak billowing in the wind, swirling up the snow. His hard features were etched with frost, all emotions hidden within his deep, dark eyes.
A servant came forward to take the reins and lead the horse away. Pei Ji strode into the residence, heading towards his study.
“Your Highness.” A guard in gray approached, kneeling halfway. “The Consort is awake and says he has something to tell you. He requests your presence at the west wing courtyard.”
Pei Ji paused. “Understood.”
He made no indication of going, continuing towards his study. The guard hesitated, then spoke again. “The Consort also said…”
Pei Ji’s eyes narrowed. “What else did he say?”
The guard said dryly, “The Consort also said that his wound needs to be redressed. According to Zhao customs, his body can only be seen by his husband, not even a servant can change his dressings, so he requests Your Highness to go…”
Pei Ji snorted coldly. “Tell him not to bother changing his dressings then. He can just lie there and wait for his wound to fester and die.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Pei Ji went straight to his study.
The study was in the east wing. He walked all the way there, entered the inner room, sat down at his desk, pulled out a document, and focused his gaze on it.
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
“Enter.”
Steward Zhang entered with a bowl of warm soup, placing it on the side of the desk and saying softly, “Your Highness, you drank quite a bit at the banquet tonight. Have some warm soup to soothe your stomach.”
“Leave it there, Steward Zhang.” Pei Ji wrote a few words on the document, put it aside, and opened another one.
Steward Zhang, however, didn’t leave. His Highness always did this, telling him to leave and he’d drink it later, but in reality, the soup would go cold without him taking a single sip. Over time, it had affected his stomach. If he didn’t take care of himself, what would happen in the future?
Pei Ji didn’t look up. “Is there something else?”
Steward Zhang said respectfully, “I was thinking, if there were someone to constantly attend to Your Highness, to take care of your health, it would be good.”
Pei Ji glanced at him. “Hearing you say this, Steward Zhang, I thought you were planning to leave the residence tomorrow.”
Steward Zhang said, “I’m old, I’m no longer efficient, and I won’t be able to serve Your Highness for much longer. In ordinary families, after a man marries, his wife takes care of him. Your Highness now has a Consort, why not let him attend to you?”
Pei Ji closed the document, opened another, and said indifferently, “Why are you bringing him up, Steward Zhang? Did he send you?”
Steward Zhang shook his head. “The Consort hasn’t said anything to me. Only on the first day, seeing his poor health, I asked a few more questions, and learned that he was overjoyed at the prospect of marrying Your Highness, but also worried that you wouldn’t like him, and thus fell ill from overthinking. Today, I heard that the Consort shielded Your Highness from a sword and was seriously injured. My heart aches for him. The Consort truly likes Your Highness, truly cares for you. Can’t you see that?”
With a “snap,” Pei Ji put down the document and looked at Steward Zhang with cold eyes. “Steward Zhang, you are overstepping.”
“Your Highness!” Steward Zhang immediately knelt down. “At my age, I’ve seen many people, but I’ve never seen someone so considerate. I dare to say, Your Highness, ever since that incident, you’ve been unwilling to trust others, but isn’t this also punishing yourself? Why not give the Consort a chance, and give yourself a chance?”
After these words, silence filled the room.
Pei Ji leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples, a look of fatigue on his face. “Steward Zhang, you may leave.”
Steward Zhang knew that saying any more would likely anger His Highness. He got up, bowed, and left the study.
The candlelight flickered softly on the table. Outside the window, heavy snow fell.
Pei Ji took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the snowy scene outside. Suddenly, he lowered his eyes and gently rubbed his fingertips.
He lost so much blood, the wound must be deep, it must hurt a lot.
He exhaled heavily, walked to the door, paused, opened it, and went out.
From the east wing to the west wing, the path led through the garden of the Crown Prince’s residence. The further west he went, the more remote the location, the fewer the scenic views.
He stopped outside the courtyard on the westernmost side. The guards on both sides, seeing the Crown Prince, immediately saluted.
Pei Ji entered the courtyard. After a few steps, he saw Song Beiyao sitting by the doorway.
The snow was falling heavily. The young man was wrapped in a red cloak, his head leaning against the doorframe, asleep, snowflakes scattered in his hair.
His small face was pale, his brow furrowed in discomfort, his head constantly slipping downwards. Pei Ji walked closer through the snow. Song Beiyao’s body suddenly tilted to the side, and Pei Ji squatted down, his hand supporting his head.
Song Beiyao was startled awake, his eyes fluttering open, still hazy with sleep, his long eyelashes trembling, the mole at the corner of his eye captivating.
Seeing the person supporting him, the drowsiness in the young man’s eyes was instantly replaced by joy, like fireworks suddenly blooming in the dark night sky, bright and dazzling. He smiled softly. “Your Highness has come.”
Pei Ji’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then he withdrew his hand without hesitation and stood up. “Come inside and speak.”
Suddenly losing support, Song Beiyao fell towards the ground. He quickly steadied himself and stood up with difficulty. He glanced at the number in the bottom left corner: -193. He curled his lips and entered the warm room.
Ling Feng was also dozing off at the table, his chin resting on his hand. Pei Ji walked over to him, his arms crossed, his tone slightly cold. “A servant living more comfortably than his master. That’s a first for me.”
Ling Feng’s head jerked downwards, and he immediately woke up. Seeing Pei Ji, he quickly stood up and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Song Beiyao stepped forward and tugged at Pei Ji’s robe, saying softly, “Your Highness, please don’t blame Ling Feng. It was I who insisted on waiting for you at the door.”
Pei Ji lowered his eyes and glanced at the hand tugging at his robe, pale, slender, and delicate. He stepped aside, shaking off the hand.
Song Beiyao looked at Ling Feng. “Ling Feng, you may leave now.”
Ling Feng looked unwilling. “It’s so cold outside, and there’s nowhere to go, I…” He glanced at Pei Ji, as if holding back the rest of his words out of apprehension.
“You can make do in the small shed next door. His Highness and I will be finished talking soon,” Song Beiyao coaxed him.
Ling Feng reluctantly left the room.
The door closed, and Pei Ji said thoughtfully, “What’s with your servant?”
Song Beiyao smiled faintly. “Please don’t mind him, Your Highness. Ling Feng has served in the palace since childhood and is very familiar with me. I treat him differently from ordinary servants.”
As he spoke, he retrieved a jar of ointment and some gauze from the cabinet and handed them to Pei Ji, his face slightly flushed. “The wound is on my back, I can’t change the dressing myself. I’ll have to trouble Your Highness.”
Pei Ji didn’t reach out to take them. “I presume you asked me to come because you have something to say.”
“I do have something to say.” Song Beiyao blinked at him with a smile. “But I’m afraid Your Highness will leave immediately after hearing it and not help me change the dressing. This is just a little trick of mine. Your Highness won’t blame me, will you?”
Pei Ji stared at Song Beiyao. Those beautiful eyes seemed to hold a hint of expectation, a touch of cunning, and a bit of shyness.
The vivacity of an eighteen-year-old youth was fully displayed in this person. Pei Ji couldn’t sense any malice, delusion, or other ulterior motives in him.
Simple, pure, and sincere seemed to be the words to describe this person. And it seemed that this person was somewhat different from the assassin who killed him in his prophetic dream.
Pei Ji lowered his eyes and took the ointment and gauze without expression. He didn’t want to help change the dressing, but Song Beiyao’s injury was because of him, and he didn’t want to owe him this favor.
“Where should I do it?” Pei Ji asked.
Song Beiyao didn’t hesitate, pointing to the wooden stool beside him. “Right here will be fine.”
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