TL: Hua
Chapter 78: Pushing the Boat – Xiao Pei goes to Enzhou (19)
Pei Xiting knew what Zong Suiyang was worried about.
This person felt that without proper status or title, they shouldn’t engage in marital intimacy. Ordinary embraces were already an uncontrolled expression of deep affection, but that final step was truly improper. Using him as an antidote wasn’t a natural progression, fearing he might mind and misunderstand that he was being humiliated. And being disoriented, he wasn’t sure what might happen. If he lost control and hurt him, there would be no going back—it was nothing more than these three concerns.
In fact, Pei Xiting had also been thinking about it on the way here, but not about whether to do it. That was non-negotiable, as he couldn’t just stand by and watch someone else touch his beloved. He was just hesitating on how to persuade Zong Suiyang. If this old-fashioned guy really wouldn’t agree, then what method should he use to make him comply?
Pei Xiting secretly planned in his heart. Zong Suiyang was currently weak and confused, his alertness and combat effectiveness greatly reduced. If he were to force it, he might really not be his opponent. However, once the other person woke up, he would most likely be done for.
But the duck meat has already flown to his mouth, and he can’t escape it for a while. If he doesn’t eat it now, is he still a human being? Besides, he should eat it now, and he can only eat it; otherwise, the problem cannot be solved.
So, what was there to hesitate about?
Pei Xiting decided not to overthink it; just do it.
The wind blew in from all directions; the room was very cold. Pei Xiting complained, then coaxed, “Come out, and we’ll close the windows, alright?”
His hair brushed against Zong Suiyang’s face. Zong Suiyang tilted his head slightly, and the hair slid from his lips to his cheek, ticklish, tickling into his heart.
“Xiting, stop messing around; go out quickly.” Zong Suiyang rubbed Pei Xiting’s nose, his tone almost gentle, also coaxing him. “Be obedient.”
“You’re still telling me to go out?” Pei Xiting frowned, looking at Zong Suiyang unhappily, wanting to scold him. But His Highness the Crown Prince’s face was flushed like peach blossoms, exuding an alluring spring charm. Who could be so stone-hearted as to say harsh words to such a great beauty?
Pei Xiting clearly lacked that ability. He cupped Zong Suiyang’s face and patiently reasoned, “If you make me leave, what will you do? Are you really going to endure it stubbornly? Even if your willpower is extraordinary and you manage to endure it, your body will be pretty much ruined.”
The scent of Pei Xiting’s body was like an enchantment, faint yet, once inhaled, it scraped at his bones. Zong Suiyang endured with difficulty, his face growing grimmer. He said, “I don’t care.”
Pei Xiting didn’t think Zong Suiyang was just putting on a brave face. He said, “But I care.”
Zong Suiyang was amused by Pei Xiting’s matter-of-fact tone and, feigning ignorance, asked, “What do you care about?”
“What do you think I care about?” Pei Xiting looked at him with beautiful, sharp eyes, enticing him, forcing him. “If you can’t even get it up anymore, I don’t want to kiss you. It’s not like a flower will bloom, and it’ll just make me uncomfortable in the end. After all, I’m a perfectly functional young man.”
The ants in his bones rampaged. Zong Suiyang struggled to suppress them, his head throbbing. He raised a hand and pressed his brow, saying, “You mean, your kissing me is just to naturally proceed to share a room?”
“Not entirely, no,” Pei Xiting said demurely. “When there’s such a blazing fire, it’s only natural for things to burn when emotions are involved.”
Zong Suiyang stared at Pei Xiting, silent for a moment, then said, “Xiting, you are very unwise in this matter. Even if you and I were to share a room, if I don’t want to give you a proper title, there’s nothing you can do to me.”
“Thank you for considering my feelings, but that’s not important.” Pei Xiting chuckled at His Highness the Crown Prince for being not only old-fashioned but also rather righteous in his old-fashionedness, actually teaching him at such a critical juncture not to be taken advantage of. He met Zong Suiyang’s disapproving gaze, or rather, stared him down. After a moment, he suddenly leaned in and quickly kissed those rosy lips, a fleeting touch, and softly said, “I like you, I like kissing you, and I like doing intimate things with you, simply because I like it. To put it plainly, it’s primarily to satisfy my own desires. If anyone needs to take responsibility, it should be me for you, but Your Highness is so highly placed, marrying down to me would be a grievance; therefore…”
His voice trailed off with a slight upward lilt, as if he harbored some mischievous thought. Zong Suiyang narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Therefore what?”
Pei Xiting failed to persuade or coax him. He suspected Zong Suiyang was deliberately stalling for time, preparing to tough it out himself.
If this continued, the situation would cool down. So he simply laughed dashingly and provoked, “Therefore, Your Highness really doesn’t need to take this matter so seriously. Just treat it as a fleeting romance given by fate. We’ll have one night of passion, enjoy it, and then part ways. Neither will suffer, and neither will be responsible.”
“Absurd,” Zong Suiyang stared at Pei Xiting with a dark intensity, a hint of anger in his eyes.
With Pei Xiting’s temperament, though he calls himself carefree, what would happen if he were coaxed and deceived by others one day? At this thought, Zong Suiyang’s heart darkened, yet he actually forgot for a moment that Pei Xiting was most meticulous and skilled at reading expressions. He knew very well whether people were good to him and what intentions they harbored; how could he be easily fooled or taken advantage of?
“I’ve never been prim and proper; aren’t you well aware of that? I thought you liked me being myself, which is why you indulged me again and again.” Pei Xiting reached out and gripped Zong Suiyang’s slender neck, as if challenging him. “Today, the opportunity is right in front of me, so I’m still determined to be absurd once.”
He applied a slight force to his hand, seemingly intending to force the issue. Zong Suiyang raised his hand to grip his wrist, saying in a deep voice, “Xiting.”
“If you truly have the heart, then strike me out with a palm. I don’t believe I’d still manage to force myself to bite you after spitting out a mouthful of blood. But if you don’t have the heart, then don’t put on a fierce facade while inwardly weak.” Pei Xiting showed no fear, advancing instead of retreating. He rubbed against Zong Suiyang’s tense jaw, smiling, “I like you calling my name, Xiting, Wenjuan, or even my full name. I even like it when you’re a bit fierce—that’s just how much I like you.”
Zong Suiyang’s entire body tensed from the rubbing. He gritted his teeth and said, “You, you’re such a…”
“I’m such a what? Shameless? Or oblivious to death?” Pei Xiting gazed into Zong Suiyang’s eyes. “You always like to scare me like that, but to this day, you’ve never laid a heavy hand on me. You blame me for being bold and persistent, but you haven’t reflected on whether you’ve repeatedly shown me mercy and repeatedly enticed me.”
He sighed, reached out, and pulled off his waistband, saying, “Since neither of us is innocent, how can you blame me for taking advantage of your vulnerability? Today, I’m determined to have you. Your Highness, be quiet; just be the boat that goes with the flow.”
His crimson robe fluttered open, revealing a pure white inner garment. A gust of wind made his slender body faintly visible—this was like a hungry beast suddenly seeing fresh meat; how could it not rush over and bite it to death? Zong Suiyang’s eyes burned. He reached out and gripped the edge of the bathtub, veins bulging on the back of his hand, somewhat menacing.
Pei Xiting, however, found it beautiful. He had always liked Zong Suiyang’s hands: their shape, skin tone, prominent veins, temperature, and even the calluses—everything about them appealed to him.
A warm kiss landed on the back of that hand. Zong Suiyang shivered all over, looking down to meet Pei Xiting’s affectionate eyes. Immediately, those white teeth parted, gently biting a prominent vein, grinding it. Zong Suiyang gritted his teeth, turning his hand away, and the kiss landed on his palm.
“Stamping it,” Pei Xiting raised his upper body, smiling at Zong Suiyang. “Although it’s a fleeting romance, if Your Highness is willing to let me take responsibility, you can use this stamp to find me in the future. I’ll never default on the debt.”
Zong Suiyang stared at him fiercely, his chest heaving, saying nothing.
Pei Xiting smiled, then turned and leisurely walked to the window, closing one pane after another. However, he paused at the last window, a thought flashing through his mind. He ultimately didn’t close that window, merely lowering the window screen.
The room darkened. The corridor outside was as quiet as a chicken coop. As Pei Xiting walked towards the bathtub, he could even hear his own heartbeat, thumping, restless, as if it wanted to burst from his chest.
Zong Suiyang leaned against the side of the tub, staring at him solemnly, his dark eyes burning with fire. He leaned over and blew a breath, and the two clusters of fire shook fiercely, as if they were going to engulf him and burn him to ashes.
But Pei Xiting did not retreat, and his eyes became aggressive.
Zong Suiyang tilted his head slightly and threatened, “If you dare to mess around, I will kill you.”
Pei Xiting’s heart trembled, not from fear, but from excitement. His eyelids lifted slightly, his demeanor leisurely and frivolous. He even reached out and patted Zong Suiyang’s cold yet flushed face, chuckling, “Then show me what you’ve got.”
As his words fell, he suddenly pinched Zong Suiyang’s face and kissed him.
…
Sounds from the room continued for half the night. The people in the corridor stood rigidly, each more stiff than the last, not daring to even glance towards the room. Even someone as composed as Yuan Fang felt a bit uncomfortable.
Yu Shaoyun stood guard at the door like a door god, sighing inwardly, wondering how he would explain things once His Highness regained consciousness. They had failed to protect His Highness and deserved punishment, without complaint, but the matter with Pei-wenshu was difficult to explain.
His Highness had specifically instructed them not to disturb Pei-wenshu, yet he had called him, and the deed was indeed done. Judging by the sounds, Pei-wenshu had probably suffered greatly, and His Highness would surely be heartbroken and enraged upon sobering up.
“Is it really impossible to stop them?” Yuan Fang frowned. “Pei Xiting is crying. He keeps crying, crying non-stop, crying terribly.”
“…” Yu Shaoyun was speechless. “How do we stop them?”
Yuan Fang said, “The effects of the medicine should be mostly gone by now, right? Can’t we just knock him out?”
“You’re an adult; can you think a little before speaking?” Yu Shaoyun was too lazy to say more, warning, “They’re in the middle of something. Don’t interfere.”
Yuan Fang pondered upon hearing this. If Pei Xiting were truly in distress, he would directly call for help. Since he hadn’t, it meant he could still endure. If he were to burst in and knock out the Crown Prince, Pei Xiting might not even be pleased. So, he had no choice but to stand by.
The room gradually quieted down. Pei Xiting had been tossed and turned thoroughly; there wasn’t a spot on him that didn’t ache from head to toe. Exhausted, he simply lay on Zong Suiyang, looking up at the face so close to him.
The effects of the medicine dissipated, and Zong Suiyang had fallen into a deep sleep. That magnificent and cold face, previously colored by intense desire, gradually cleared, no longer bearing any coldness, only a captivating allure.
Pei Xiting became engrossed in gazing and couldn’t help but purse his lips and peck Zong Suiyang’s chin, then held him tightly with lingering affection.
Zong Suiyang’s heartbeat was no longer frantic; it pulsed steadily. Pei Xiting listened, counting them one by one, wishing he could lock it away with something, preventing anyone else from hearing it.
He used to think that if he liked someone, he’d pay attention to them; if he wanted someone, he’d pursue them. If there was fate, they’d be together; if not, they’d part ways. Such freedom, coming and going like the wind, was good for everyone. Zong Suiyang never liked anyone before, and he wouldn’t allow himself to like anyone else in the future. But this thought, springing from nowhere, was fierce and ceaseless, churning so much that Pei Xiting’s eyes turned red.
“You’re mine.” He rubbed against Zong Suiyang’s face, like a child possessively guarding candy. “No one else is allowed to touch you, not even to sniff.”
Zong Suiyang seemed to hear him, his brow slightly furrowed. He tilted his head, rubbing against Pei Xiting’s face, as if in response. Pei Xiting caressed his face and whispered, “I’ll take that as your promise.”
A moment later, the sound of a pillow hitting the floor came from beyond the door and windows. Yuan Fang looked up and said, “He’s calling me.”
Yu Shaoyun said nothing upon hearing this, gently pushed open half the door, and went in with Yuan Fang.
Only one lamp was lit in the room, casting a dim light, and it was filled with an intoxicating scent. The two approached the bed and saw two piles of clothes on the floor: wet ones mixed with dry ones, and the dry ones also soaked.
The bed curtains were drawn. Yuan Fang walked to the bed and softly asked, “What’s wrong?”
A fair, slender hand pushed aside the bed curtain, revealing Pei Xiting’s face, flushed and moist, beautiful unlike usual, his chin stained with blood from a bitten lip, looking quite pitiful.
Pei Xiting looked at Yu Shaoyun, knowing what he was worried about, and pushed the curtain further open, revealing the unconscious Zong Suiyang.
Yu Shaoyun leaned down to take his pulse, and only after a moment did he let out a sigh of relief. He put Zong Suiyang’s hand back under the covers and adjusted the blanket. He looked up at Pei Xiting, whose eyes were weary. Words came to his throat, then were swallowed back down; he felt that nothing he could say would be appropriate.
“Let His Highness rest for a while.” When he finally spoke, his voice was very hoarse. Pei Xiting, clutching his inner garment, cleared his throat, then looked at Yuan Fang again. “I’m hungry; I want shredded chicken congee.”
Pei Xiting didn’t particularly like savory congee, finding it dry in his throat. Yuan Fang’s eyes flickered upon hearing this. He subtly met Pei Xiting’s gaze, then said, “I’ll go get it for you.”
After Pei Xiting nodded, Yuan Fang turned and left.
Yu Shaoyun walked to the door, had someone pour a glass of warm plain water, then turned back to the bed and handed it to Pei Xiting, saying, “Drink some water first to moisten your throat.”
Pei Xiting thanked him, raised his hand to take the cup, and took small sips.
Yu Shaoyun’s gaze fell on Pei Xiting’s neck, where there were several red marks and teeth indentations. He didn’t dare to look further down, but he could guess the situation somewhat, saying, “Shall I have Doctor Su come check on you later?”
“There’s nothing to check,” Pei Xiting said listlessly. “Just give me some ointment to apply.”
“Then I’ll have Eunuch Lai come over. He’s used to taking care of the little prince, so he’s the most reliable and meticulous,” Yu Shaoyun said.
“No, please. I’m not that familiar with Eunuch Lai. It would be embarrassing for him to see me naked,” Pei Xiting said. “Just let Yuan Fang take care of me when he gets back.”
Yu Shaoyun instinctively thought: How can that be? What if His Highness wakes up and finds out? Wouldn’t he be angry? But then he reconsidered. If he asked anyone else, Pei Xiting wouldn’t agree. After a struggle, he had to reluctantly agree for now.
Pei Xiting slowly drank the water, handed the cup to Yu Shaoyun, and then collapsed onto the bed to sleep, even snuggling closer to Zong Suiyang in his embrace.
Seeing this, Yu Shaoyun said nothing more. He closed the bed curtains and turned to leave.
“Go find Doctor Su and tell him to prepare some ointment.” The door wasn’t closed. Yu Shaoyun softly instructed the nearby guard.
The guard, not daring to ask what kind of ointment, simply said, “Understood,” turned, and quickly left. He soon returned, bringing Doctor Su himself.
“Things over there are mostly handled, so I came to take a look,” Su Chongyan informed Yu Shaoyun, then lightly stepped into the room.
He was unfazed by the smell in the room. He walked to the bed and pulled back the curtain. Pei Xiting looked up and asked, “How are the children?”
“I’ve already treated those with minor external injuries. But after being trapped for these past few days, their fear has become a sickness in their hearts. They’ll need a good period of recovery. The little prince is currently watching over them at the inn. You should worry about yourself,” Su Chongyan said as he pulled back the covers. He then took Zong Suiyang’s and Pei Xiting’s pulses. Finally, he said softly, “Although the medicine’s effects have dissipated, it did course through the body. I’ll brew a dose of medicine. Once His Highness wakes, he’ll be given it, just to be thorough. As for you,”
He took out a small medicine jar from his sleeve and handed it to Pei Xiting for external application. Then he took out a pill and gave it to Pei Xiting, saying, “Hold it in your mouth and let it dissolve. Your forehead feels a bit warm.”
The pill was very bitter. Pei Xiting’s eyebrows and eyes scrunched together. He wished he could bury himself in Zong Suiyang’s neck.
Su Chongyan chuckled at the sight, then got up, lowered the bed curtain, and left the room.
Yu Shaoyun softly asked about the situation. Su Chongyan truthfully replied, “Although I only have eyes for the patient, Pei-wenshu is special, so I still didn’t dare to look too closely. Find someone to apply the medicine for him.”
“Pei-wenshu specifically asked for Yuan Fang. Let’s wait for him to return with the congee,” Yu Shaoyun said hesitantly. “Hey, is Pei-wenshu’s body really fine? If anything were to happen, how would I explain it to His Highness?”
“No worries, it was just done too roughly. He’ll need a few days of good rest to recover his vitality,” Su Chongyan said. “Just in case, I’ll also brew him a fever-reducing medicine.”
Yu Shaoyun didn’t know why he would have a fever and felt too awkward to ask more, so he just nodded vaguely. He then instructed the person beside him, saying, “Go buy some sugar. Pei-wenshu hates taking medicine.”
The guard assented and left.
Yuan Fang quickly returned with the food box, placed it on the table, opened it, and took out the congee bowl, bringing it to the bed. Yu Shaoyun glanced at it and said in confusion, “Why is it milk congee?”
“The nearest restaurant didn’t have shredded chicken congee, so I bought milk congee to tide him over for now,” Yuan Fang said.
“It’s fine; this is also good. I just took medicine, so having something sweet to counter it will prevent nausea,” Pei Xiting said.
Yu Shaoyun had originally intended to immediately tell someone to cook a bowl in the kitchen, but upon hearing this, he said no more. After all, Pei Xiting had just taken medicine, and eating less meat was also good. He said, “Pei-wenshu, rest a moment after drinking the congee. You’ll have another bowl of medicine later.”
Pei Xiting’s expression showed he wanted to die. Yu Shaoyun avoided eye contact, fearing he’d hear a plea of “I won’t drink it.” He turned to Yuan Fang, saying, “You help Pei-wenshu apply the medicine later. I’ll wait outside the screen.”
Unless absolutely necessary, Commander Yu could not leave His Highness’s side. Pei Xiting heard this and said to Yuan Fang, “You two go wait outside. If I’m really inconvenienced, I’ll call you.”
Yuan Fang nodded and said, “Then drink your congee first.”
Pei Xiting leaned sideways and finished the congee. Yuan Fang took the bowl and went behind the screen with Yu Shaoyun.
Pei Xiting pulled down the bed curtain, unbuttoned his inner garment, and carefully applied medicine to his wounds. He had many marks on his body; one jar of medicine was barely enough, especially in that particular spot, which burned agonizingly.
His Highness the Crown Prince was in a deep sleep. As Pei Xiting applied the medicine, he couldn’t help but lean down and nibble at Zong Suiyang’s face, letting out his frustration, then continued to listlessly apply the ointment.
Later in the evening, Su Chongyan brought a bowl of medicine, first coaxing Pei Xiting to drink it. As for His Highness’s bowl, it could be given to him after he woke up.
Pei Xiting gulped down the medicine, quickly popped a piece of candy in his mouth, and asked muffledly, “When will His Highness wake up?”
It would be dawn soon. Su Chongyan withdrew his hand from taking the pulse and said, “It will be one or two hours at the shortest, and no more than three hours at the longest. In short, if you two get a good night’s sleep, His Highness will wake up.”
Pei Xiting said “Oh” upon hearing this, then turned his head to Yuan Fang and said, “Don’t stand guard over me anymore. Go back and get some rest. Come back and check on me after you’ve woken up.”
Their eyes met. Yuan Fang simply grunted in acknowledgement and walked away without saying anything.
Pei Xiting withdrew his gaze, then quickly urged Yu Shaoyun and Su Chongyan out before collapsing into sleep.
The door gently closed. The guards in the corridor silently changed shifts. You Zong came from the corridor in the backyard, went up to the second floor, and said to Yu Shaoyun, “You go rest. I’ll guard His Highness.”
“No, you go rest. I’m not tired.” Yu Shaoyun looked at You Zong’s dark circles and asked, “How did the interrogation go?”
“There’s both human and material evidence; conviction won’t be an issue. But Xian Yin doesn’t know where Huo Yue is hiding. I couldn’t help myself and was too heavy-handed; she’s already dead.” You Zong’s gaze was grim.
“Xian Yin obeys Huo Yue. Even if she hadn’t died, it’s unlikely we would have extracted Huo Yue’s hiding place from her,” Yu Shaoyun reassured him, then said, “Huo Yue and Pei-wenshu formed a partnership, so he’ll reappear sooner or later. The important thing now is to wait for His Highness to wake up.”
You Zong nodded but didn’t go back to rest. Still worried, he stood quietly in the corridor. Yu Shaoyun understood Lord You’s temperament and didn’t chase him away, continuing to stand by the door like a door god.
Bai Mian Fang wasn’t in a quiet location. As dawn broke, the downstairs inevitably became lively, with shouts and hawking cries endless.
The Crown Prince never had the custom of clearing the streets for his passage, and those beneath him wouldn’t presume to arrange it. Yu Shaoyun instructed a guard, “Go to the restaurant, supervise the kitchen to brew a bowl of milk congee, and prepare some light side dishes for His Highness and Pei-wenshu when they wake up.” The guard assented and left. When he returned with the food box, there was still no movement from the room.
Yu Shaoyun grew a bit anxious and said, “Nothing’s gone wrong, has it?”
“Perhaps they just haven’t woken up,” You Zong said. “After all, they were exhausted last night.”
That’s right, Yu Shaoyun immediately calmed down.
A moment later, Su Chongyan arrived on schedule. Seeing Yu Shaoyun and You Zong still standing at the door, he said, “It’s about time. I’ll go in and check on His Highness.”
Yu Shaoyun nodded, stepped forward to push open the door, and let Su Chongyan quietly enter alone, so as not to disturb them. Unexpectedly, Su Chongyan came out very quickly, looking somewhat off.
Yu Shaoyun’s eyelid twitched, and a sudden unease filled him. He disregarded formalities and directly entered the room. You Zong also followed him in, quickly walking to the bed. He looked, and under the covers, only His Highness the Crown Prince remained.
Pei Xiting was gone.
Yu Shaoyun looked around, then quickly walked to the window. He pulled back the curtain and saw that one of the windows was open.
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