TL: Hua
Chapter 39: Drinking – Xiao Pei goes to Jiangnan (7)
Pei Xiting followed Gao Liu into the room. There were two figures behind the screen. Going around it, he saw Zhao Fan and Chun Sheng kneeling beside him to serve wine.
Chun Sheng clearly recognized him at first glance, showing surprise. Zhao Fan raised an eyebrow slightly, saying, “You know each other?”
“I saw Young Master Pei when I sang for guests on the small painted boat the night before.” Chun Sheng glanced at Pei Xiting, reached out to climb onto Zhao Fan’s shoulder, and said with a smile, “He’s a very handsome man. It was really pleasing to the eye when he was with Young Master Pei.”
Hearing this, Zhao Fan said “oh” thoughtfully. Since it was a small painted boat, it meant he accompanied one or two guests. The guests who could have taken Chun Sheng out of the garden were not ordinary people. Pei Xiting being able to board that small painted boat meant he knew that guest.
“Come here.” Zhao Fan motioned for Pei Xiting to sit on the small couch opposite, smiling and saying, “I didn’t expect Xiting to have acquaintances in Ningzhou, so there’s no need for me to take care of you.”
“Pei Xiting lifted his robe and sat down, saying, “Xingjian has misunderstood. That was a friend of mine from Yejing. However, he snuck out to have some fun on this trip, and I cannot reveal his identity or whereabouts. Please don’t take offense.”
Could it be Shangguan Jie? Zhao Fan stroked the agate wine glass, then released it and picked up the pot to pour wine for Pei Xiting.
This action startled Chun Sheng, and his gaze towards Pei Xiting became more surprised and suspicious. He didn’t expect the prince to be so polite and considerate.
Pei Xiting also seemed flattered, quickly holding the wine glass with both hands and thanking him gently.
“This is the famous hibiscus wine from the two regions of Jiangnan,” Zhao Fan put down the wine pot, clinked glasses with Pei Xiting, and smiled, “Have a taste.”
Pei Xiting raised the glass with both hands to his mouth, a small slit revealed between his slightly red lips, sipping the wine. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. Even through a layer of skin, Zhao Fan heard the sound of the wine flowing. He couldn’t help but think: if the wine flowed from those lips all the way down his neck, into his clothes, chest, and abdomen, how vividly sensual that would be.
His fingertip rubbed the wine glass restlessly. Zhao Fan stared at Pei Xiting without moving, only blinking when the other person put down the glass, and smiled slightly, “How is it?”
“Clear fragrance, good taste.” Pei Xiting said with a smile, as if he hadn’t noticed the heat in the other person’s eyes.
“If you like it, have more. I’ll send you two more pots to take back and drink later.” Zhao Fan refilled Pei Xiting’s glass. “I was afraid you had misunderstandings about what happened last night, and I was thinking of finding a time to explain it to you. I didn’t expect to meet you today, so it’s just right to treat you to a drink.”
Pei Xiting thanked him and said, “What misunderstandings do I have? On the other hand, the young marquis drew his knife very fiercely last night. I wonder if you two have any misunderstandings?”
As soon as Pei Xiting said this, Zhao Fan was certain that it was Shangguan Jie who had informed Pei Xiting of Gao Liu’s identity. He also wondered if he had said anything bad about him.
Zhao Fan took a sip of wine and said, “Although I’m often outside, I’m also an old acquaintance of the young marquis. There’s no reason to have a falling out over such a small matter. It’s good that we’re all clear. It’s just that what I didn’t expect was for Xiting to have a deep friendship with the young marquis.”
Those peach blossom eyes showed a gentle smile, as if chatting casually. Pei Xiting also smiled faintly, teasing, “What’s so unexpected about this? Could it be that Xingjian thinks my status is too low for the young marquis to look at me and that I’m not worthy of friendship with him?”
Zhao Fan did think so. Shangguan Jie had always been arrogant and looked down on others. He wouldn’t have put someone like Third Pei, with his status and personality, in his eyes, let alone have a friendship with him, unless he was lusting after his beauty.
“How could that be?” Zhao Fan said, “It’s just that I’ve never heard of you two having a friendship before.”
“I’m just joking. I don’t have a deep friendship with the young marquis, just a few encounters. The young marquis is friends with my elder brother, so perhaps that’s why he spared me his attention.” Pei Xiting said.
Hearing Pei Jintang’s name, Zhao Fan paused and said, “Then doesn’t Xiting want to ask why Gao Liu appeared outside your residence last night? Aren’t you afraid I want to harm you?”
“I’m unfamiliar with Ningzhou. If Xingjian really wanted to harm me, why would you pretend to be nice to me? Besides, what do I have that’s worth harming?” Pei Xiting smiled gently.
Hearing this, Zhao Fan smiled, saying as if it were true, “For the sake of my younger brother, I should have taken care of you, but I was afraid you would feel indebted to me. Therefore, I originally planned to send Gao Liu to find out about your room and then send someone to protect you secretly. The encounter with the young marquis was quite unexpected. This was originally a misunderstanding, but I was worried that the young marquis would say something unclear to you, making you feel resentful. Then that wouldn’t be good.”
“Xingjian is too worried. Even if the young marquis said something to me, I wouldn’t dare to believe his words,” Pei Xiting frowned slightly, shaking his head helplessly. “I have some misunderstandings with the young marquis. He doesn’t have a good look or good intentions towards me, so how could I believe him?”
“Oh?” Zhao Fan raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?”
Pei Xiting was silent for a moment, took a sip of wine, shook his head, and said, “It’s really hard to say… Forget it, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just stay away from the young marquis in the future.”
“I’ve already treated you as half a younger brother. In front of me, what can’t you say?” Zhao Fan reached out, lightly holding Pei Xiting’s wrist through his sleeve, and said softly, “If you have any difficulties, feel free to tell me. If I can, I will do my best to help you.”
Pei Xiting held back the urge to withdraw his hand, looked at Zhao Fan with embarrassment, then turned his head to look at Chun Sheng, who was kneeling beside him, and lowered his head, pursing his lips in silence.
Seeing this, Zhao Fan said, “Everyone out.”
Chun Sheng bit his lip, unwilling but not daring to say anything. After responding, he stood up and retreated. Gao Liu followed and gently closed the door behind him.
“Why did they close the door?” Across the corridor, Yu Shaoyun leaned against the window and said, “Prince Zhao wouldn’t do anything to Third Young Master Pei, would he?”
Ying Ziyu, who was standing quietly in the corner, raised his head upon hearing this but dared not speak to the Crown Prince outside the window. She walked towards Yu Shaoyun and whispered, “Prince Zhao is very lecherous. With Young Master Pei’s look, what if he had lustful feelings… There are many aphrodisiacs in this garden. What if… Would you like to go and check on Young Master Pei?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Shaoyun looked at the Crown Prince, who said without turning around, “His attendant is there. It’s fine.”
That’s true, Yu Shaoyun thought. With that person’s hearing, whatever happened in the room, he would definitely hear it clearly outside.
Yuan Fang stood outside, practicing his stance, his ears picking up Pei Xiting’s incredibly natural and hypocritical soft words.
“I dare not lie to Xingjian, but the truth is really hard to say…” Zhao Fan had already withdrawn his hand. Pei Xiting now had both hands resting on his knees, gently clenching a bit of fabric. His voice was very soft, “When I was in Yejing before, one day the young marquis tricked me into going to Fu Meng Tower, wanting to… wanting to do that kind of thing with me.”
Zhao Fan had already known about this matter, but upon hearing it, he said, “What?”
He suddenly stood up and walked to Pei Xiting, crouching down in front of him. He reached out and held Pei Xiting’s left shoulder, his tone cautious. “Are you… alright?”
“I was terrified. Fortunately, I struggled hard and managed to escape.” Pei Xiting slightly turned his face, letting Zhao Fan see his reddened eyes.
Such a beauty on the verge of tears was truly pitiful and lovable, making one almost wish to see him cry even more.
Zhao Fan’s heart burned with desire. He held Pei Xiting’s shoulder, turning his face towards him, and said, “The young marquis has always been arrogant and used to getting whatever he likes.”
“He doesn’t like me at all! He wants to ruin me!” Pei Xiting’s voice uncontrollably rose. He suddenly looked up at Zhao Fan and said urgently, “He couldn’t get my second brother, so he reluctantly came to use me for amusement!”
Zhao Fan’s eyelids twitched slightly, and he said in surprise, “What do you mean by that?”
“He’s just using me as a side dish to satisfy his cravings, as a substitute.” A teardrop finally fell from Pei Xiting’s eye, sliding down his cheek. He turned his head away, closed his eyes, and bit his lip, saying with great grievance, “I know the young marquis has a noble status, but I am not one to curry favor with the powerful. I have no intention of getting any benefit from him. Why must he humiliate me like this?”
Zhao Fan gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to kiss that tear. He reached out to wipe Pei Xiting’s tears and coaxed, “You truly have suffered injustice, Xiting.”
Pei Xiting seemed to be immersed in his emotions and did not notice Zhao Fan’s overly intimate gesture, so he did not dodge. He just sniffled and said in a muffled voice, “I was both scared and angry. Later, I was lucky enough to enter the Longhe Division. I originally thought that the young marquis would spare me out of respect for the Longhe Division, but I never expected that Wang Yelai, that lackey, would actually send people to Lan Yin Street to kidnap me. If Lord You hadn’t helped me, I don’t know what I would have encountered!”
“Wang Yelai… oh, him,” Zhao Fan scoffed lightly. “That kid has been spoiled so much that he doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. Sensible people wouldn’t dare to do such things, but he has mud for a brain.”
Pei Xiting smiled upon hearing this and said softly, “Isn’t that so? He looks like he doesn’t have a sense of propriety at all. Now I just hope that after this incident, he will learn a lesson from Lord Wang and won’t come to provoke me again in the future.”
“What does Wang Yelai count as?” Zhao Fan said, “Don’t be afraid. Now that I know about this, I won’t ignore it. Even if I’m not in Yejing, I will write a letter to Sifan and ask him to protect you.”
“Sifan already knows about this matter, so there’s no need to trouble Xingjian. I treat him as a friend and am not afraid of him laughing at me, but it’s embarrassing to talk about this.” Pei Xiting looked at Zhao Fan and requested, “Please keep this a secret for me, Xingjian.”
“Since you are willing to confide in me, it means you trust me, and I will naturally not let you down. Alright,” Zhao Fan wiped the teardrops from Pei Xiting’s chin, his tone as gentle as water. “Don’t cry anymore.”
Pei Xiting hummed in agreement, then suddenly realized that this closeness between two men was rather intimate and awkward. He quickly backed away a little and said embarrassedly, “Please excuse my impropriety; I’ve made Xingjian laugh.”
The softness at his fingertips instantly disappeared, but a trace of warmth remained. Zhao Fan rubbed his fingertips as if savoring the feeling and chuckled nonchalantly, “Between brothers, what’s there to be shy about?”
Pei Xiting said, “We’re not children anymore, after all.”
Zhao Fan was about to tease him a few more times, but there was a knock on the door. He frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure in his voice, asking, “What is it?”
“Sir, Master Bai and Madam Bai requested an audience.” Gao Liu said.
Their arrival at this time must be related to Third Bai’s matter. Pei Xiting glanced at Zhao Fan and said with keen perception, “Master Bai and Madam Bai must have important business to discuss with you. I’ll take my leave first.”
Having just shared a moment of intimacy, Zhao Fan was reluctant to let him leave just like that. He said, “You’re leaving after only two cups? Am I that unwelcome here?”
“Not at all,” Pei Xiting explained, “It’s inappropriate for me to stay here.”
“If I say it’s appropriate, then it is.” Zhao Fan wouldn’t let him leave. He glanced at the door and said, “Come in.”
