TL: Hua
Chapter 84: Opportunity – Xiao Pei Enters the East Palace
Zong Suiyang was still discussing matters in Mingzheng Hall. Pei Xiting washed up and changed, then got into bed first.
The inner clothes were Zong Suiyang’s, a bit loose, but they carried Zong Suiyang’s scent, whether it was pre-perfumed or worn by him. Pei Xiting liked it very much anyway. He rolled around in the quilt, hugging the pillow and sleeping messily.
The fragrance in the hall was faint and calming, a mixture of unknown medicinal herbs. Pei Xiting yawned, his open eyes gradually closing until he heard someone talking outside. He vaguely murmured an “Mm” and woke up immediately.
Zong Suiyang washed and changed, dismissed the palace servants, and quietly entered the inner chamber. He saw the person sleeping sprawled out roll over, then wobble and sit up on his knees, his face still clearly drowsy, with none of his usual coldness in his eyes, only a wrinkled, defenseless intimacy and cuteness.
“You’re back.” Pei Xiting patted his face to wake up. “What time is it?”
“Around the hour of Chou[mfn]The period between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM.[/mfn].” Zong Suiyang walked to the bed and sat down. “I woke you up. Next time, I’ll be even quieter.”
“It’s nothing; I wasn’t sleeping deeply anyway. Besides, I’d have to wake up when you returned.” Pei Xiting looked at Zong Suiyang. “Aren’t you going to help me apply medicine?”
Zong Suiyang said, “No worries. If you hadn’t woken up, I could have lit incense to make you sleep soundly.”
Pei Xiting said in horror, “Wouldn’t that make it convenient for you to play with the water decoction[mfn]A euphemism or a playful term that alludes to sexual acts or intimacy.[/mfn]?”
“Water decoction?” Zong Suiyang said, “What do you mean?”
Pei Xiting smiled reservedly, then said coyly, “Heh.”
Zong Suiyang understood at this look; it wasn’t anything good. After a moment’s thought, he realized and couldn’t help but click his tongue, saying, “You never learn anything good; you’ve certainly read a lot of erotic paintings.”
“Well, I’ve only corrupted my own mind, and I haven’t gone out to harm anyone, so what’s the problem?” Pei Xiting said indifferently.
Zong Suiyang didn’t argue with him. He took the medicine jar from the purple sandalwood cabinet beside the bed and turned to Pei Xiting, saying, “Lie down.”
Pei Xiting crawled a couple of steps on his knees into Zong Suiyang’s embrace, then turned and lay down, watching him with blinking eyes.
Zong Suiyang suddenly felt a little irritated, wanting to peel and eat this little fox. Perhaps his gaze was too exposed, for the little fox twitched his ears and reached out to encircle his shoulders, unsure whether he was hugging him or trying to restrain him.
His inner clothes easily opened without much effort. The cool ointment landed on the bite marks on his collarbone. Pei Xiting looked at Zong Suiyang’s serious expression and chastised him, “You didn’t even prepare suitable inner clothes for me; this one is too big.”
Zong Suiyang gently wiped all the small wounds. Hearing this, he surveyed the scene of the “half-exposed jade body” in his arms and said, “Just wear mine.”
“Are you doing this on purpose?” Pei Xiting’s legs curled up under that gaze. Zong Suiyang’s fingertips pressed slightly, as if warning him, so he obediently straightened his legs, not daring to hide anymore.
Zong Suiyang neither confirmed nor denied, patting Pei Xiting’s waist and saying, “Sit up; let me see your back.” Pei Xiting sat up, and the inner garment, barely hanging on his shoulders, instantly fell off. He turned slightly, making it easier for Zong Suiyang to apply the medicine. Zong Suiyang’s gaze was deep and intense; he didn’t need to touch to be immersed. Pei Xiting softly said, “Suiyang.”
His fingertips paused. Zong Suiyang looked up at Pei Xiting’s side profile, warm and glistening in the candlelight, and said, “Hmm?”
“Nothing,” Pei Xiting said. “I just felt like calling your name.”
Zong Suiyang said nothing, lowering his eyes as he continued applying medicine to Pei Xiting. However, as he healed the pinch marks on his lower back, he suddenly reached out and cupped Pei Xiting’s Adam’s apple. Pei Xiting turned his head and was kissed. Their lips rubbed against each other a few times, their tongues touching and probing back and forth, and then the kiss deepened.
Pei Xiting had indeed improved. Before, he didn’t even know how to breathe, but now he was kissing back and forth with Zong Suiyang. He wasn’t as dominant as the latter, but he was best at using softness to overcome hardness. His tongue was soft and affectionate, like his eyes, constantly kissing and licking Zong Suiyang’s lowered eyelashes, and like his body, taking the opportunity to burrow into Zong Suiyang’s warm, firm chest, skin against skin, heartbeats warming heartbeats.
Zong Suiyang’s breathing grew heavier. He looked down at Pei Xiting’s eyes, brimming with emotion, and then gently bit him before embracing Pei Xiting’s waist, holding him close and kissing him until he was drenched.
When they parted, Pei Xiting collapsed onto Zong Suiyang’s shoulder, turning his head to bite his neck, accompanied by gasps.
Zong Suiyang was also panting, his voice deeper than usual, incredibly sexy. Pei Xiting, being young and energetic, simply clung to Zong Suiyang’s neck and whined, “Help me.”
Zong Suiyang knowingly asked, “Help you with what?”
Pei Xiting glared at him, then reached out and pulled the large hand on his waist downwards, rubbing against Zong Suiyang’s face and urging, “Hurry up.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t speak. He helped the young master relieve himself for a bit. The young master’s legs trembled, he moaned softly, and then burrowed his head into Zong Suiyang’s embrace, submissive. Later, when applying medicine to that area, they almost lost control again. Pei Xiting covered his buttocks, pleading bitterly to be spared, and thankfully, the Crown Prince, tempered like steel, let him off the hook.
Applying the medicine made both of them warm. When they lay down, one was on the very outside and the other on the very inside, as if they were about to separate beds right there.
Pei Xiting lay there for a while, overcome with joy, until Zong Suiyang reached out and pulled him closer, wrapping him tightly in the quilt.
Pei Xiting was well-behaved for a while, then rolled over and hugged Zong Suiyang, even putting his leg over him. He liked Zong Suiyang’s embrace, which was broad and warm, making him feel very secure.
Zong Suiyang tucked in the corner of the quilt behind Pei Xiting’s back and said, “Like a child.”
Pei Xiting shamelessly said, “Dad.”
Zong Suiyang paused but didn’t tease him. He remembered that Pei Xiting wasn’t highly regarded in the Pei family.
Pei Yan’s affection for Bu Suying had cooled, and even Pei Xiting, their former “product,” had become an awkward existence, never truly valued. Pei Xiting appeared rebellious on the surface, showing no regard for his father or stepmother, but deep down, he probably still regretted not having a complete family with loving parents.
Zong Suiyang didn’t know how to comfort him, only gently patted Pei Xiting’s back, and said, “Are you cold?”
“Not cold at all, it’s so warm,” Pei Xiting mumbled, nestled into his neck. “You smell so good…”
“Don’t cause trouble.” Zong Suiyang patted Pei Xiting’s face, then remembered something and said, “I have to get up early for a discussion tomorrow, so I won’t wait for you to eat. You should eat when you get up; don’t skip meals.”
Pei Xiting was going to the Longhe Division tomorrow, so he thought of getting up early to eat with Zong Suiyang, but he deliberately asked, “What if I sleep until noon?”
“Then wait for me to come back and deal with you.” Zong Suiyang said. Pei Xiting then rubbed wildly at his neck, grumbling and whining for a while. Zong Suiyang felt a little ticklish and reached out to press Pei Xiting’s head. “Alright, go to sleep.”
Pei Xiting didn’t make any more fuss and said, “Good night.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Good night.”
They slept peacefully through the night.
—
The next day, when Zong Suiyang woke up, he instinctively moved his arm. The person in his embrace mumbled. He opened his eyes and saw Pei Xiting’s cheek pressed against his chest, a little flesh squeezed out of his cheek.
This was difficult to deal with. Zong Suiyang stroked the plump cheek, hesitated for a moment, but still didn’t get up. He was reluctant to leave the warm, jade-like presence and was also afraid of waking the person.
He was just figuring out what to do when Pei Xiting woke up, saying drowsily without opening his eyes, “Good morning.”
His voice was still hoarse from just waking up, scratching Zong Suiyang’s ear like a fox’s tail. He coughed before replying, “Good morning,” and asked, “Did a third eye grow on top of your head?”
“I felt you looking at me,” Pei Xiting said.
Zong Suiyang’s lips curled slightly as he said, “It’s still early; sleep a little more.”
“I’ll eat with you.” Pei Xiting looked up and sleepily kissed Zong Suiyang’s chin. “I was just guarding against you leaving the covers without me; I didn’t dare to turn over all night.”
Zong Suiyang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, saying, “You just had to say so.”
“You have serious business; I won’t disturb you,” Pei Xiting said, climbing off Zong Suiyang and stretching. He lost his balance and fell back onto the bed.
Zong Suiyang sat up with him, reaching out to steady him.
The palace servants outside the hall heard the noise and quietly entered to attend to them, each with downcast eyes, not daring to look around, well-trained. But when Pei Xiting, having gotten dressed, suddenly bounced up and jumped onto His Highness’s back, one palace servant still dropped the basin of water in his hands.
The basin fell onto the embroidered gold carpet, and all the water spilled out. The palace servant’s face changed drastically, and he immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
Zong Suiyang instinctively hooked his hands under Pei Xiting’s knees. Hearing the sound, he slightly turned his head, but his gaze met Pei Xiting’s face.
Pei Xiting blocked his view and said with a smile, “I’m hungry.”
Seeing this, Zong Suiyang no longer looked at the palace servant and walked out with Pei Xiting on his back.
The palace servant breathed a sigh of relief and immediately scurried to clean up.
—
Li Da’s matter caused a great stir. The ministers who used to be close to him became timid like mice, not daring to scurry around, and Marquis Mei was among them. He had once shown kindness by nurturing Li Da, although it was a long time ago and they hadn’t had any particular contact in recent years. Whether or not he would be implicated depended entirely on the Crown Prince’s decision. Marquis Mei sighed, feeling very uneasy.
“I hear that the young Marquis went deep into the tiger’s den this time, investigated for information, and helped the Longhe Division uncover Li Da’s crimes. It’s truly a great meritorious deed.” Qu Zhao said, walking up to Marquis Mei, bowing, and smiling, “Marquis Mei, you’ve raised your son well.”
Due to matters concerning their children, the Mei and Qu families were now in an awkward situation. Other things were fine, but whenever they encountered Madame Qu, the Mei family members would inevitably receive glaring looks.
Marquis Mei also smiled upon hearing this, saying, “With a son like Deputy Minister Qu, Lord Qu and Madame Qu are truly skilled at raising children; they have nothing to worry about.”
Qu Zhao said, “Marquis, you flatter me. The young Marquis is young, but now he is sensible, and his future will certainly be limitless.”
As the two talked, they exchanged compliments for several rounds, and then footsteps were heard from the corridor. Everyone immediately returned to their positions, standing solemnly, and bowed in unison.
Zong Suiyang took his seat and said, “Dispense.”
Everyone thanked him and stood up straight. To their surprise, as soon as they looked up, they saw a young man standing beside the imperial desk, dressed in a crimson official’s robe, his official rank unclear. But who didn’t know that flawless, beautiful jade-like face? Wasn’t this the third son of the Pei family?
Why would a secretary from the Longhe Division suddenly appear in Mingzheng Hall and stand in such an important and conspicuous position?!
Thoughts surged below, but Pei Xiting acted as if he didn’t notice, standing upright beside Zong Suiyang, slightly leaning forward to prepare his writing brush and ink.
“This is Pei Xiting, Pei-wenshu of the Longhe Division. From today onwards, he will serve by my side as my clerk,” Zong Suiyang said. “He is young and inexperienced. If he makes any mistakes, please bear with him. I will also teach him well.”
Everyone was startled by these words. In more direct terms, didn’t this mean: from today onwards, this Pei-wenshu is my person. Even if he makes mistakes, you can only tolerate them. No one can scold him except me?
The Crown Prince had always been open about his “favoritism” towards his trusted subordinates, never treating anyone unfairly. Everyone calmed down and couldn’t help but secretly envy this Pei-wenshu.
The Crown Prince had no intention of concealing it, so everyone didn’t hold back either. Thus, the news of Pei Xiting’s appointment as the East Palace’s clerk quickly spread.
The East Palace clerk—this was a very interesting “position.” You could say it wasn’t a high-ranking position, perhaps even less significant than a petty official. But even a first-rank official could only stand below the imperial desk during discussions, right?
Such a close position to the Crown Prince, Pei Xiting wasn’t the first to stand there, but he was the most special because he hadn’t followed His Highness since childhood, like Yu Shaoyun and Bai Tang. He wasn’t an old subordinate cultivated by His Highness personally, like You Zong and Lu Mang. Nor was he someone promoted by His Highness’s discerning eye, like Zong Rui and Qu Zhao.
Pei Xiting seemed to be none of these.
But precisely because of this, he commanded even more attention.
Pei Yan returned to his mansion, his mind heavy with worries. As he passed the garden, he saw Bu Suying being accompanied on a walk, and he couldn’t help but stop.
The fairy who had once captivated Pei Yan at first sight, and whom he had sincerely sought to marry, now had a hint of sorrow in her eyes. Pei Yan understood the reason, but the more he understood, the more he dared not face Bu Suying, the woman he had once sworn eternal love to and promised never to disappoint. Bu Suying was gentle yet decisive; she never cried or questioned him. Thus, one of them never spoke, and the other never asked, acting as if they had never loved each other recklessly in their youth.
“Master.”
Pey Yan snapped back to reality, meeting Bu Suying’s eyes. The beautiful, sparkling eyes were no longer full of sorrow; they seemed to have come back to life.
“Hm.” Pei Yan said, composing himself. “Out for a stroll?”
What a silly question, Shi Liu thought, rolling her eyes but keeping her arm linked with Bu Suying’s.
Bu Suying nodded. “I had nothing to do, so I came out for a walk.”
“The wind’s a bit strong. Be careful not to catch a cold,” Pei Yan said. He paused, unsure of what to say next, and then thought of their child. “Oh, that’s right. Xiting is now working as a clerk in the East Palace for the Crown Prince. He’s really doing well.”
“Really?” Bu Suying’s face lit up. “The Crown Prince has countless talented people by his side, yet he still recognizes Xiting’s worth. He truly has an eye for talent. It’s a great blessing from heaven.”
Shi Liu chimed in, “Now you don’t have to worry about your son being bullied outside, Sister. The Crown Prince is very protective of his own, and none of his people are ever mistreated.”
Bu Suying smiled and nodded. “I don’t ask for anything else. As long as Xiting is doing well, I’m happy.”
“You can’t say that,” Shi Liu said slowly. “Xiting is a filial son and is always thinking of you, Sister. Now that he’s had this success, he has a bright future ahead. If anyone dares to slight you, with Xiting’s temper, he’ll make sure those scoundrels pay dearly.”
Her words had a clear meaning, and both of the others understood. Bu Suying pressed her lips together but said nothing. Pei Yan, however, was embarrassed. After saying a few more words to Bu Suying, he was the first to head back to his courtyard.
Seeing this, Shi Liu let out a snort and continued her stroll with Bu Suying.
Pei Yan returned to the main courtyard, where Wang-shi was already waiting for him in the study. She immediately asked him to confirm the news about Pei Xiting’s appointment as a clerk in the East Palace.
Pei Yan had only heard about it that day when he went to the government office. How could news travel so fast within the inner quarters? He frowned slightly, took off his hat, and placed it on a nearby tea table. “Did your father and mother tell you?”
“That’s right,” Wang-shi said.
Pei Yan was a little displeased. “It’s true. The news has spread all over.”
“Going from a clerk in the Longhe Division to a clerk in the East Palace is like a bird flying from the root of a phoenix tree to its branch,” Wang-shi said. “Why didn’t we hear anything about it before?”
Pei Yan took the teacup from the servant and pushed the lid aside. “Any news would come from the East Palace, and who would dare spread it?”
That was true. Wang-shi’s expression turned serious. “In any case, to be a clerk in the East Palace means the Crown Prince has taken notice of him. I’m sure…”
“Madam,” Pei Yan interrupted, sighing. “Don’t get any ideas about having Xiting say good things about the Wang family to the Crown Prince.”
“My father has already sent me three letters. As his daughter, am I supposed to just watch the Wang family decline and see my father worry every day?” Wang-shi leaned forward and looked at Pei Yan. “It’s just a word!”
“Do you think a single word in front of the Crown Prince is just a single word? How many people have been utterly ruined by one of those so-called words?” Pei Yan frowned. “For Xiting to be promoted and nurtured by His Highness, he must have some quality that caught his eye. But do you think that position is so easy to hold? It may seem glorious to work for the Crown Prince, but one careless mistake can cause trouble. He must be a hundred, even a thousand times more cautious. Don’t you understand the saying, ‘The higher you climb, the harder you fall’? If Xiting speaks that word, he won’t be able to help the Wang family and may even implicate himself and the Pei family.” Pei Yan put down his teacup, having no desire to drink it. “Besides, after the unpleasantness over the marriage, do you really think Xiting doesn’t resent us?”
“How can a son resent his father?” Wang-shi slammed the table. “A father is more important than heaven itself. Do you have no dignity as a father? And even if you don’t care about that, you have to consider appearances. As long as Bu-shi is in this household, Pei Xiting can’t truly distance himself from us.”
Just as Pei Yan was about to speak, there was a sound of hurried footsteps outside. Wang-shi’s nanny looked at her anxiously from the doorway. Pei Yan frowned and said, “If something’s wrong, just say it. Don’t be so flustered; it’s bad manners.”
Wang-shi also frowned but said nothing, letting the nanny come in. “What’s the matter? Is something wrong with Jintang?”
“It’s not the young master. It’s your nephew,” the nanny said. “Your nephew was on his day off today and got into a fight over a courtesan. He ended up breaking the other man’s arm.”
“Useless,” Wang-shi said, shaking her head. “Tell my brother to be generous and pay them off. He can even go and apologize in person. Whatever it takes, don’t let this ruin my nephew’s reputation or his future.”
“If it could be settled with money, it would be fine. But it might not be that simple,” the nanny said. “The one who was injured is the son of Marquis Changning!”
Pei Yan and Wang-shi were both shocked. Pei Yan couldn’t help but ask, “Does your nephew not even recognize a member of the Shangguan family?”
“It was the sixth son of the Shangguan family. He’s not one to seek attention and prefers to stay home and study music, so he’s not a familiar face. Plus, the nephew had been drinking, so…” the nanny said. “The Shangguan family’s honor has been challenged. How could they let this go easily? Your nephew is currently being held at the brothel, waiting for the young marquis to get off work and come to settle the score!”
Wang-shi felt a wave of dizziness and gripped the table. “What about my father and brother?”
“The old master fainted when he heard the news, and the eldest young master has already rushed to the brothel,” the nanny said.
“The Shangguan family isn’t easy to deal with. The old and the young are all arrogant and overbearing,” Pei Yan sighed. “Although this sixth son isn’t his family’s favorite, he is still a Shangguan. To hit him is to provoke the whole family. Your nephew’s situation is serious.”
“I know the young marquis. I can go and apologize for my cousin and beg for his forgiveness,” Pei Jintang said, walking into the room.
Wang-shi refused. “This has nothing to do with you. Don’t get involved.”
“The fault lies with my cousin in the first place. If we truly do nothing, the young marquis is well within his rights to cripple my cousin,” Pei Jintang said. “With my grandfather having retired, who will give the Wang family any face now? Besides, my cousin works in the Imperial Guard. How will he manage if he offends Young Marquis Shangguan?”
“It still has nothing to do with you,” Wang-shi said. “This involves their family’s honor. The young marquis won’t be easily swayed. It’s a good thing you know him; don’t ruin that relationship over this.”
Pei Jintang disagreed. “My cousin and I are family. It’s only right that I plead on his behalf. Even if the young marquis doesn’t agree, at least we’ve shown our concern.”
Seeing that the mother and son were about to argue again, Pei Yan quickly intervened. “Hanzhang, your mother is just worried you’ll get caught up in this mess. How about this? I’ll go myself, apologize to the young marquis, and see if we can come to a more respectable resolution.”
“My cousin has always treated me well. I can’t just say nothing. I’ll go with you, Father. At least I can help out,” Pei Jintang said. Without waiting for Wang-shi to object, he took his father’s arm and hurried out.
“…” Wang-shi’s face was grim. She muttered, “How can this be?”
The nanny stepped forward to comfort her and then said, “Everyone in Yejing knows the young marquis’s temper. I’m afraid he won’t show the master and the second young master much courtesy.”
“I know that. But what else can we do now?” Wang-shi said, her voice full of self-deprecation. “Since my father retired, those who were once close to the Wang family are no longer so eager to help. Who would be willing to offend the Shangguan family for us?”
“I heard the third young master has a private acquaintance with the young marquis and has even played cards with him. He might be able to put in a good word,” the nanny said. “Besides, the third young master is a rising star now. Even if the young marquis doesn’t give him face, he’ll have to give face to the East Palace and the Imperial Guard.”
Wang-shi said coldly, “But that defiant child won’t listen to me now.”
The nanny suggested, “How about asking Bu-yiniang to step forward?”
Wang-shi’s eyebrows twitched. She got up and left the study.
—
The message reached Pei Xiting’s ears while he was with the little prince, drawing a portrait of Little King. The atmosphere was harmonious among the three of them.
The guard relayed the words from the Pei family’s nanny verbatim. Zong Lu stopped his brush and, after a moment’s thought, guessed the whole story. “Bu-yiniang cares for Pei-wenshu. She would never willingly ask you to offend the Shangguan family. She must have been forced by the master’s wife and had no choice but to agree.”
Pei Xiting patted Zong Lu’s cheek. “My mother must know that I understand this. That’s why she feels safe pretending to obey and asking me to intercede for Wang Qi.”
“So, will Pei-wenshu obey?” Zong Lu asked curiously.
Pei Xiting smiled. “When you ask someone to do something for you, you must be sincere and offer them a good deal. If you turn a request into an order and then offend the person, allowing someone else to kick the crippled person while they’re down, wouldn’t that person be utterly ruined?”
“That makes sense,” Zong Lu said.
Pei Xiting looked at the guard. “Please help me pass on a message.”
—
“–What does he want?” Wang-shi said.
The nanny said nervously, “The third young master wants Bu-yiniang’s official document as a legal concubine.”
Wang-shi ground her teeth. “He wishes!”
“‘The official seal will be used to release the contract, and from now on, Bu Suying will be a free woman, with no further connection to the Pei family,'” the nanny repeated Pei Xiting’s words, trembling with fear. “‘If Madam does not agree, I will not force her. I’m willing to go to the brothel and apologize for my cousin, and I will personally break his arms and legs to show the Shangguan family my sincerity, ensuring that at least the Wang family is not implicated. As the saying goes, ‘an eye for an eye.’ I will simply bear the pain to see it done.'”
Smash! Wang-shi shattered a teacup. She cried out in a rage, “That insolent boy!”
As the saying goes, You get what you deserve. 😆