WAYCAC Chapter 10

TL: Hua

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Inside the tent, Zong Rui sat on the left side with a calm expression.

A young official wearing an agarwood-colored robe and an official hat stood in front of the main seat, habitually holding the handle of a sword at his waist in his right hand and a small wooden box storing silver needles in his left hand. In a moment, he turned his head to look at Pei Xiting sitting at the end of the right side and asked, “When did Third Young Master Pei find this silver needle?”

Before entering the tent, Pei Jintang had told Pei Xiting that the incident happened at the Qixia Banquet hosted by Prince Ning, and the person in trouble was the fourth son of the Duke of Wen’s mansion. According to the laws of Daye, this matter didn’t involve the Ministry of Justice, nor the capital, so it’s most likely the Longhe Division that would take over the investigation.

And this Longhe Division has a great background.

Five years ago, that is, the fourteenth year of Xining, due to the emperor’s poor health, an edict was issued to appoint the Crown Prince, who had just taken over the Eastern Palace, as the regent of the country. In order to monitor all officials, arrest criminals, investigate what the Ministry of Justice cannot investigate, and examine what the censor cannot examine, the Longhe Division came into being and became the personal imperial guards under the Eastern Palace. The highest officers of the Longhe Division are the Longhe Commissioners, consisting of two officials from the left and the right, one in the court and one in the field, both of whom are fourth-rank officials, and their power is even greater than their rank.

Mfn: 14 years after the current emperor (Xining) ascended to the throne.

The one presented today is the left commissioner, You Zong, who is highly valued by the crown prince.

Pei Xiting looked up at You Zong’s sharp eyes and said, “I found it when I was touching the horse.”

Everyone: “…” This answer was answered, but it seemed that it was not answered.

Seeing Pei Xiting’s serious expression without any perfunctory or evasive behavior, You Zong didn’t mind and said, “I heard that when Third Young Master Pei dismounted your own horse, you ran straight to the side of the other horse and touched it. How did you think there was a needle on the horse?”

“I didn’t think there was a needle on the horse.” Pei Xiting emphasized and then said, “Firstly, all the horses participating in the competition were selected and provided by the animal husbandry supervisor from the same batch and grade, but the horse ridden by Fourth Young Master Zhao was really fast and far beyond ordinary horses; secondly, when the horse collided with me, I accidentally glanced at it and found that its eyes were wide open, disobeying orders, and it rushed forward with a dull head, as if it were crazy. In summary, I guess that the horse went crazy because of physical discomfort. I touched it to check if it was injured, but I found this silver needle by accident.”

Pei Xiting took a breath and said, “The horse was first inspected by the animal husbandry supervisor and then by the ceremonial guards before entering the hunting ground. It should not have hidden silver needles, so I suspect that it was the murder weapon that caused the horse to go berserk, and that’s why I suggested that Fourth Young Master Zhao report it to the authorities.”

You Zong looked at Pei Xiting, who was graceful, neither humble nor arrogant, and speaking in an orderly manner. It was unclear whether the rumors from the past were incorrect or if there was another reason.

Pei Xiting pursed his lips shyly under You Zong’s scrutiny and said, “My humble opinion has made Lord You laugh.”

“Third Young Master Pei is right. The needle tip is smeared with a medicine that can make horses impatient and violent. It is called ‘horse colic’ and is a banned drug.” You Zong closed the lid and looked at Zhao Yi, who was sitting on the right. “Fourth Young Master Zhao, since you entered the hunting ground, who have you been with? Has anyone touched your horse? When did your horse suddenly have an abnormal reaction?”

Zhao Yi is not good at horseback riding and archery, but his focus is on participation. After all, his elder brother is not in Yejing all year round, so he became the “signboard” of Duke Wen’s mansion. But he had never encountered such an accident before. He thought he was kind to others and had never had conflicts or disputes with anyone. How could someone want to kill him? He was immersed in sorrow, but upon hearing the questions, he instinctively exclaimed, “Ah?”

You Zong knew that Zhao Yi had a gentle temperament and had not experienced much of the world. He must have been frightened, so You Zong repeated the questions patiently.

“I was with Prince Ning until we were separated by two wild boars. The forest was lush with trees and grass, and there were many paths, so I quickly lost my way. As for the horse,” Zhao Yi thought carefully and shook his head, “everything was normal before the horse met the wild boar, so I thought the horse was frightened by the wild boar and lost its temper.”

“The horses of the animal husbandry supervisor are not so useless.” You Zong said, “What about the two guards who were supposed to follow you?”

Zhao Yi said apologetically, “I can’t be sure about that either. This is the first time I’ve encountered such a thing. I was so busy clinging to the horse’s back that I really had no time to pay attention to what was behind me.”

“It doesn’t matter. Young Master must have been frightened today. Please return to the mansion to rest first. The Longhe Division will find out the reason as soon as possible. If there is any need to inquire in the meantime, please cooperate.” You Zong said.

“I will tell you everything I know.” Zhao Yi stood up and put his hands together. “Thank you for your hard work, Lord You and the Longhe Guards.”

“It’s my duty. I dare accept your courtesy.” You Zong raised his hand to indicate, “The two young masters of the Pei family can also leave first. You are involved in the case, so you need to keep it confidential.”

Pei Xiting stood up, saluted to You Zong, and then went out with the other two.

At this time, Zong Rui stood up and said, “I am responsible for organizing the Qixia Banquet. If something goes wrong, I have no choice but to apologize to His Highness. But I will never forgive those who commit such atrocious things. Thank you for your trouble, Lord You.”

“Prince Ning, please don’t blame yourselves.” You Zong said, “His Highness has sent word that venomous sting is hard to guard against. Today’s incident is not the fault of Prince Ning. Prince Ning only needs to handle the aftermath properly.”

Zong Rui was surprised and said, “The imperial edict came so quickly… His Highness is also on the mountain? I will go to see him immediately.”

You Zong raised his hand to stop him and said, “His Highness is just going out for a walk.”

Zong Rui didn’t ask any more questions and said, “Many thanks to His Highness for his leniency.”

*

Finding a quiet open space, Zhao Yi ordered his followers to find the four ceremonial guards who had helped him before and then said to the Pei brothers, “Don’t worry, Lord You is just following standard procedure.”

“We know.” Pei Jintang glanced at the distance. On the mountain, there were more Longhe guards in indigo robes and half-armed black armor, indicating that the mountain was about to be sealed off.

Zhao Yi said, “It’s scary to talk about this. Thank you so much for what happened today.”

Pei Jintang laughed, “Fourth Young Master, you’ve thanked me eight hundred times already.”

Zhao Yi said embarrassedly, “The horse ran fast, and I don’t have any martial arts skills. If I fell and was hit by a wild boar, I would be disabled even if I didn’t die. It’s not enough to thank you even thousands of times for saving my life. If you need me in the future, just come find me. As long as I can help you, I will never refuse.”

Zhao Yi’s expression was solemn, without any hint of flattery. Pei Jintang said, “If the young master says so, then I will ask for something from you.”

Zhao Yi immediately said, “Please speak.”

Pei Jintang rubbed his hands. “I heard that there is an urn of cinnabar fish in the Duke Wen’s Mansion; each one is beautiful and shiny. Can you give me one?”

“Of course, but this request is too cheap.” Zhao Yi said embarrassedly.

This fourth young master Zhao was really an upright person. Pei Jintang liked him very much, so he said, “I’m not ignorant. The precious cinnabar fish are very expensive! I want to raise one now, and you can give it to me. Isn’t it a good thing?”

After saying this, Zhao Yi no longer insisted verbally but just remembered the favor silently and would repay it when he had the chance.

“I do have a tank of cinnabar fish in my courtyard. There are more than 20 species, some rare and some ordinary, but all of them are very beautiful. I wonder which one Young Master Pei wants.” Zhao Yi saw Pei Jintang hesitantly scratching his head, so he said, “Well, you can come to my courtyard to have a look and take away any fish you like. I will give you a suitable fish tank; what do you think?”

“That’s great!” Pei Jintang said with a smile, “I will definitely do it some other day.”

“You can come whenever you’re free. Third Young Master Pei as well. If you’re interested, please come along.” Zhao Yi looked at Pei Xiting, a little hesitant or nervous.

Pei Xiting’s profile was white and smooth, his nose was high but not abrupt, and his thick and distinct eyelashes were naturally half-drooped. This Third Young Master Pei always liked to show this expression, as if he was in a daze anytime and anywhere. After spending half a day together, Zhao Yi felt that Pei Xiting’s personality was not so cold, but he was really quiet and didn’t take the initiative to talk to people. He was afraid that he would say something wrong and make Pei Xiting dislike him.

Pei Xiting came back to his senses and said, “I’m not interested in fish. If you must repay me, you can give me money.”

Such a straightforward and simple request made Zhao Yi stunned and said, “Money?”

Pei Jintang said faintly, “You are really short of money.”

“I want to paint. What do brush, ink, paper, inkstone, gold and silver mud, various colors, and mounting materials cost?” Pei Xiting sighed almost inaudibly, “A good painting box is also very expensive.”

“Calligraphy and painting are indeed expensive. In this way, you can also come to my residence. I also practice calligraphy and painting. There was no shortage of corresponding objects, and they were all good material.” After saying that, Zhao Yi noticed that Pei Xiting’s eyes widened a little, like a proud cat smelling delicious food, obviously tempted but arrogant.

Zhao Yi immediately tempted him again, “I still have a lot of heavy silk and silk cloth covers; you can choose whatever you want. Even if you move them all away, I don’t mind.”

“In that case,” Pei Xiting said reservedly, “I will visit you with my brother then.”

It really works to please the person by giving him what he likes. Zhao Yi smiled and bowed, saying, “I will wait for you two. I will take my leave now.”

Pei Xiting and Pei Jintang bowed in return, and the former said, “Goodbye.”

Watching Zhao Yi leave, Pei Jintang sighed, “This fourth young master Zhao is really humble and gentle, not arrogant, so different from his elder brother.”

Pei Xiting’s eyes turned slightly, “The Prince of Duke Wen’s Mansion?”

“Yes, his surname is Zhao, and his name is Fan.” Pei Jintang whispered, “He’s like the face of all the playboys in Yejing. He doesn’t mind whether it’s a man or woman. It’s unknown how many fleeting relationships he has. Fortunately, he is not in Yejing now, and his confidante has gone to travel with him; otherwise, I would not dare to let you go to Duke Wen’s Mansion.”

Pei Xiting raised his eyebrows. “Why don’t you worry about yourself?”

“Prince Zhao likes delicate eyebrows and beautiful eyes. I don’t meet the requirements, but you,” Pei Jintang said, “very, definitely, fitting!”

“That’s all for the sake of lust.” Pei Xiting hinted, “It’s hard to say. What if, in his heart, he likes someone fresh and handsome—like you?”

Pei Jintang got goosebumps all over his body. “I’m not a homosexual!”

“Are you homophobic?”

“What does that word mean?”

“‘Do you hate homosexual people?”

“I don’t hate them. What other people do behind closed doors has nothing to do with me.” Pei Jintang hugged himself. “But I don’t like men. I really got goosebumps when you said that!”

“Oh.” Pei Xiting descended the mountain but paused on the path. He then walked a few steps to the edge of the road, glanced down at a cluster of pale yellow flowers, and murmured something to himself, “I forgot to bring the painting box…”

“You really want to paint everywhere you go. Why didn’t you have this hobby before?” Pei Jintang, who was following behind, teased him.

“I painted whenever I felt like it.” Pei Xiting selectively ignored Pei Jintang’s second half of the question and gently picked up the flower. “Look at it; the horse’s hooves are raising dust, but it is still clean and beautiful, pitiful and lovely.”

“No wonder your paintings are so lively,” Pei Jintang squatted down, staring at the flower together, and sighed, “Xiting, I realized that although you’re a person who used to be quiet, and even now that you’re always pretending to be deep, you still have an extraordinarily delicate mind.”

“I’m not pretending to be deep.” Pei Xiting turned his head. “I’m really deep.”

Pei Jintang looked at him, was silent for a moment, and burst into laughter.

“…” Pei Xiting got up and left him behind.

Hey, don’t go!” Pei Jintang quickly got up and caught up, grabbed Pei Xiting’s shoulder, and pressed him between his arms, coaxing with a smile, “Your big brother is wrong; I admit that you are a really deep person … hahahaha.”

The two walked away with “You push me away, I pull you close.” Shangguan Jie rode out from behind, staring at the two backs until they disappeared.

Suddenly, he shook his wrist and whipped the man who was leading the horse, saying, “You can’t even handle such a simple task?”

Wang Yelai didn’t dare to dodge, resulting in torn clothing and a bleeding shoulder wound. He gritted his teeth to bear the pain and said in a trembling voice, “Third Pei is lucky, and there are guards following him… I dare not be too obvious.”

“Dare not?” Shangguan Jie looked down at Wang Yelai, “But why did I hear that your arrow was aimed at Pei Xiting’s neck? I remembered telling you to teach him a lesson, not kill him. Isn’t that right?”

Wang Yelai said without daring to look up, “I lost my aim… I was wrong, young marquis; please give me another chance!”

“Trash!” Shangguan Jie said coldly, “Pei Xiting’s accompanying guards have reported this matter to the Guards Department; you know how to answer.”

Wang Yelai said hurriedly, “I will never involve the young marquis!”

Shangguan Jie snorted indifferently and snatched the reins. Wang Yelai quickly made way and said respectfully, “Young Marquis, take care.”

Shangguan Jie rode away and soon disappeared. Wang Yelai then raised his head and gently pressed the bloodstain on his shoulder, with a hint of jealousy in his eyes. He went down the mountain with a gloomy face, but when he was about to turn the corner, a sharp pain shot through his ankle, causing him to trip and tumble into the ditch alongside the path.

The ditch was shallow and could not drown people, but it was covered with stones. When he fell down, Wang Yelai screamed in pain like his back was cracked open.

Several passersby went down to help him, but Wang Yelai waved them away and cursed, “Who attacked me? Who did it! Come out if you have the guts! Who is it…”

The cursing voices lingered for a long time. A group of people surrounded the drowned chicken to watch the show; some persuaded and some comforted him. No one noticed that in the woods not far away, Pei Jintang was holding Pei Xiting’s shoulder, trying to stifle his laughter.

“Hahahaha…” In the end, Pei Jintang couldn’t hold it in. He covered his mouth and said, “Did you see how stupid he looked when he fell down? His butt was broken into eighteen holes; he deserved it! How accurate is my stone-throwing?”

“Yeah, it hits the target every time.” Pei Xiting also smiled faintly, “Thanks.”

“Why are you being polite to me?” Pei Jintang pushed Pei Xiting with dissatisfaction and shook his thin shoulders, “I thought you were really going to swallow your anger, but it turns out you were plotting something bad here.”

“If I don’t take revenge now, I will take revenge later. If I don’t take revenge today, I will take revenge tomorrow. In short, if I don’t take revenge, then I’m a fool.” Pei Xiting looked at the helpless and furious Wang Yelai. “How does it feel to fall down while walking?”

The two of them admired Wang Yela with a joyful expression and didn’t notice that someone in the crowd glanced at them briskly.

The servant turned around and withdrew from the crowd, walked down the mountain quickly, found a carriage parked beside the wide avenue, and whispered at the window, “Sir, Wang Yelai’s behavior today may be related to the young Marquis Shangguan. I think Third Pei is quite vindictive.”

“I thought he was a docile cat, but I didn’t expect…” Zong An chuckled, “This is even more interesting.”

The servant said, “Second Young Master Pei has been very close to Third Pei recently. If he notices something…”

Zong An didn’t care. “Don’t worry. My brother Hanzhang has never been a sharp and cautious person. But for Shangguan Jie, I have never heard of any grudges between him and Third Pei before,” he narrowed his eyes slightly. “Go find out.”

The servant agreed and asked, “Where about Third Pei?”

“Keep an eye on him,” Zong An said, “Don’t let the blind touch him.”

The servant said respectfully, “Yes.”

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Translator’s note:

Zhao Fan (Prince Zhao) is Zhao Yi’s elder brother. His title is also 世子 [shì zǐ], like Prince Ning, because he’s the heir apparent of Duke Wen’s Mansion.

Zhao Yi’s situation is similar to Zong An; he’s not the heir apparent, so he’s called young master.

Zhao Yi and Zhao Fan are biological brothers. Meanwhile, Zong An and Zong Rui/Prince Ning are born from different mothers.