WAYCAC Chapter 97

TL: Hua

Chapter 97: Secret – Xiao Pei, who are you?

Since the Crown Prince took over the administration, the annual New Year’s banquet is usually scheduled to be held within the four nine-day periods of winter, specifically on the day of the Crown Prince’s birthday. The two celebrations are combined to be less extravagant and bothersome.

On that day, all the officials in the capital brought their families into the palace. Outside the small palace gate, carriages and horses filled the street.

The four members of the Pei family got out of their carriage. Since Pei Qinghe was now working in the Fengyi Palace, Li-yiniang also had the opportunity to enter the palace. She was both surprised and timid, feeling as if her skirt was too long and her shoes were too small; nothing felt right.

Pei Jintang turned and saw Li-yiniang behind him, walking cautiously and looking a bit shifty. He immediately understood she was nervous, so he stopped and waited for her to approach. He leaned in and said, “Li-yiniang, please don’t worry. There are so many people tonight; no one is staring at you.”

“Yes.” Li-yiniang smiled at Pei Jintang, then glanced at Wang-shi walking ahead and said softly, “Second Young Master, you don’t need to wait for me. Please go on ahead.”

“It’s no bother. Qinghe is busy today, so it’s only right that I look after you on her behalf.” Pei Jintang and Li-yiniang walked behind the others. He looked at his mother ahead with a strange expression.

In the past, in a situation like this, his mother would have surely turned around and scolded Li-yiniang for not having manners, but today she didn’t even look back this way. It seemed… she was preoccupied.

After the Imperial Guard exam, Pei Jintang returned home and was disciplined with the family rod. He feigned obedience, and he didn’t feel wronged by the beating. But when Wang-shi told him to stop participating in the martial exams and focus on preparing for next year’s civil exams, he still refused.

Becoming an official was not what he wanted. In reality, how could the civil exam be the same as the military one? Even if he studied day and night for three more years, he might not pass.

Admittedly, he could take the civil exam and fail, letting his mother see that he wasn’t cut out for it. But with Wang-shi’s personality, she would never let him give up after just one try. She would make him study for another three, six, or nine years, to always prepare for the next civil exam.

If a door is opened, it will gradually expand until it can’t be closed.

He could not let decades of his life be consumed by something he had no interest in.

“Hey, Hanzhang.” A weight landed on his shoulder. Pei Jintang turned and met Mei Xiu, his eyes dazzled by the colorful glass crown on the other’s head. “Young Marquis.”

Because of Pei Xiting, the two had had some contact recently and were students who took the same martial exam, so Mei Xiu naturally considered them to be classmates. They were both young, forthright, and blunt; a little bit of fun and they became familiar with each other.

“Have you heard?” Mei Xiu said mysteriously.

“What?” Pei Jintang asked in the same tone.

“People are betting on who the Crown Prince’s beloved is,” Mei Xiu whispered. “Don’t be surprised yet, because what’s even more shocking is someone has bet ten thousand taels of gold on Xiting.”

Pei Jintang closed his mouth and thought for a moment. “The Crown Prince must have placed the bet himself.”

“Don’t say, it’s really possible.” Mei Xiu stroked his chin. “I originally thought it was Xiting who didn’t want to see the Crown Prince paired with other men or women, so he bet on himself. I was going to ask him.”

“That’s wishful thinking,” Pei Jintang said. “How could he have that much money?”

Although Pei Xiting’s paintings were valuable, he was a big spender and didn’t save much money. And with his personality, he probably wouldn’t go and squander the Crown Prince’s personal funds.

Mei Xiu said in confusion, “But what’s the Crown Prince’s motive?”

“Maybe the Crown Prince doesn’t want to be paired with anyone else, or maybe,” Pei Jintang had an incredible guess, “to use Xiting’s words, the Crown Prince doesn’t really want a ‘secret relationship,’ so he deliberately exposed a little hint?”

“Oh—” Mei Xiu and Pei Jintang exchanged a look, both agreeing that it was a possibility.

While they were talking, Mei Xiu saw someone walking ahead and immediately pulled Pei Jintang forward to greet him. “Hey, Jinhe, why are you walking alone today?”

Shangguan Jie was in a bad mood and didn’t want to walk with his family; he found them noisy. Hearing Mei Xiu’s question, he just glanced at him indifferently. “Are you blind?”

“I was just thinking about you and wanted to show some concern!” Mei Xiu put his arm around Shangguan Jie’s shoulder. “There are plenty of fish in the sea, Jinhe, just give up.”

Pei Jintang, walking next to Mei Xiu, pricked up his ears.

Shangguan Jie threw off Mei Xiu’s arm and said impatiently, “None of your business.”

“No manners, no grace, no heart,” Mei Xiu said, pointing out Shangguan Jie’s faults. When Shangguan Jie glared at him, he quickly hid his hands behind his back and said, “I’m really doing this for your own good, and you don’t even believe me.”

Shangguan Jie looked away. “If you’re doing this for my own good, then help me find a solution. If you can’t, then get lost. Stop bothering me with useless words.”

“What solution can I help you find?” Mei Xiu shrugged. “The person doesn’t like you. Any effort would be for nothing and just a nuisance.”

Shangguan Jie suddenly turned his head. “You—”

“I’m just being frank,” Mei Xiu said, raising his hands in surrender.

Shangguan Jie’s chest rose and fell. He couldn’t be bothered with Mei Xiu and walked away with long strides.

“He doesn’t listen to good advice,” Mei Xiu said, shrugging.

Pei Jintang looked at Shangguan Jie’s back and asked, “Does the Young Marquis not know about Xiting and the Crown Prince?”

“I don’t know, but I think he probably doesn’t,” Mei Xiu said, looking around and lowering his voice. “If he knew, he wouldn’t dare show disappointment or jealousy on his face. Otherwise, wouldn’t that be a provocation to the Crown Prince—’I desire your person’?”

That made sense, that made sense. Pei Jintang nodded and said no more.

The two of them walked toward Yuehua Palace. On the way, they met the four members of the Zhao family, and all bowed in greeting. Mei Xiu exchanged a few pleasantries with Duke Wen and his wife, then turned to the brothers walking behind them. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Yi interrupted him.

“Young Marquis, I have something to say to you.” Zhao Yi motioned for Mei Xiu and Pei Jintang to stop and walked to the side. He waited until Zhao Fan had walked a little farther away before speaking. “My brother has been in a bad mood recently, so it’s best not to joke with him.”

Mei Xiu examined Zhao Yi. “Hey, Sifan, do you know why your brother is in a bad mood?”

“No,” Zhao Yi shook his head honestly, a little helpless. “My brother won’t tell me.”

Of course, he can’t tell you. How can he let you know he has feelings for your good friend? Mei Xiu clicked his tongue.

The Zhao brothers had a deep bond. Pei Jintang was afraid the Young Marquis would say something that would embarrass Sifan and Xiting, so he said, “Let’s hurry to Yuehua Palace. There’s hardly anyone left behind us.”

So the three of them turned and headed toward Yuehua Palace.

—

Pei Xiting was still sitting in the seat for the Longhe Division’s officials. Beside him sat his “attendant,” Yuan Fang, and Little King, who had been meticulously groomed and even had a small red flower pinned to its chest.

Although Little King was attending a palace banquet for the first time, it grew up in the East Palace and was accustomed to magnificent halls, carved railings, and jade steps. It was a knowledgeable tiger king. Therefore, after arriving and scaring a few children, Little King didn’t go exploring. It stayed close to Pei Xiting, playing and enjoying gentle pets, occasionally “harassing” Lu Mang and Yuan Fang at the next table and You Zong at the table in front.

Lu Mang was rushing to finish the fifth volume of Night Records of Pomegranate Flowers and planned to sell it before New Year’s Eve. His brush tip was a blur, so he had no time to be distracted. The third time his brush was bitten, he had to order Pei Xiting to discipline Little King.

Although Pei Xiting’s parenting style was “hands-off,” believing in minimal scolding and hitting, he absolutely would not tolerate becoming a “bratty parent.” He quickly patted Little King’s bottom and brought him back.

Little King purred and was well-behaved for a while next to Pei Xiting before going to “harass” You Zong at the front table. It was pinned down on the cushion beside You Zong, lying there and pretending to gnaw on You Zong’s arm.

Suddenly, a familiar gaze fell on it.

Little King shivered, immediately let go of You Zong’s hand, quickly got up, and ran back to Pei Xiting, crouching in a pose of weakness.

Pei Xiting: “…”

It seemed that its “strict father” authority had long been engraved on Little King’s heart, a permanent and unerasable impression.

Pei Xiting reached out and stroked Little King’s head, then looked up at Zong Suiyang, who was walking out from behind the imperial stairs.

Everyone stood up to pay their respects and wish the Crown Prince a happy birthday. Their voices were in unison, echoing through the air. Pei Xiting remained seated, looking at Zong Suiyang with sparkling eyes and a smile.

It was an undeniable soul-to-soul connection.

Zong Suiyang’s eyes were fixed on him. Only when Empress Qu reached out and tugged his sleeve did he come back to his senses. He flicked his sleeves and sat down. A palace attendant came forward to untie his cloak, revealing a scarlet robe embroidered with colorful patterns.

A palace eunuch announced loudly, “You may rise—take your seats!”

“Your eyes are about to pop out,” Yuan Fang whispered as he quickly stuffed a small lamb patty into his mouth.

Pei Xiting looked away, reached out, and fiddled with the little red flower on Little King, and for some inexplicable reason, he chuckled softly.

“Fuchuan,” Empress Qu said, gesturing to Zong Suiyang with her eyes. “It’s your birthday today. Say a few words.”

From the corner of his eye, Pei Xiting was leaning in and whispering to Little King.

He hadn’t tied his hair back in a ponytail today. He had only used a red jade ribbon to bind his hair, and on his temples, he wore leaf-like red jade ornaments with fine tassels hanging from behind his ears, which looked like earrings. The tassels swayed gently with his every movement, and gold dust shimmered.

“Your Highness?” A palace attendant beside him whispered, but seeing the Crown Prince lost in thought, he gave Empress Qu a helpless look.

This one, who was both promising and unpromising, just kept staring at Xiting. Was he really that good-looking? Well, yes, he was!

Empress Qu sighed inwardly. She glanced at the officials who were seated with their heads bowed, not daring to look up. She cleared her throat and was forced to speak on behalf of her son.

Pei Xiting seemed to sense something. He looked up and saw Zong Suiyang sitting as still as a pine tree, but his eyes were restless. He smiled, held out his right hand, and secretly made a small heart shape.

Yuan Fang couldn’t bear to watch.

Zong Suiyang let out a silent laugh.

…Everyone who had looked up at the dais after hearing Empress Qu’s speech was shocked.

The Crown Prince was suddenly smiling at them. What did that mean?!

The composed and elegant smile on Empress Qu’s face cracked, but her powerful inner strength quickly smoothed it out and repaired it. To prevent a future crack, she used her usual tactic:

“I won’t waste any more of your time. Let’s drink three cups together.”

Palace attendants came forward to pour wine. Pei Xiting waved them off, poured a cup for himself, and sniffed it. It was plum blossom wine.

Little King couldn’t drink, but it had its own milk bowl, which Pei Xiting filled for it.

Everyone raised their cups. Pei Xiting secretly exchanged a glance with Zong Suiyang, who slightly tilted his cup and clinked it against him in the air.

After three cups of wine, their stomachs warmed up quickly. Pei Xiting let out a warm breath.

Empress Qu said, “Let the banquet begin.”

The sounds of music and strings rose. On the stage in the center, jade curtains fell in unison. The hall dimmed for a moment, and when it brightened again, a graceful shadow appeared between the curtains, a winding figure like a plum tree with sparse branches.

As the sounds of the zither and flute grew, plum blossoms rained down from the ceiling. A woman in a white dress, holding a plum branch, glided down silently. She slightly moved the branch, revealing half of her face with beautiful, dark brows and almond-shaped eyes.

It was Bu Suying.

Zong Suiyang turned his head and saw Pei Xiting placing a prepared easel in front of him, quickly sketching with a brush in his right hand.

Like a startled swan, the plum blossom fairy landed gracefully on the paper. Pei Xiting gave her a look of rapture, feeling very content.

When the dance was over, the hall was silent for a moment before bursting into thunderous applause.

Zong Suiyang clapped his hands, ordered seats to be brought, and gave out rewards.

The performers bowed in unison. Bu Suying looked up and met Pei Xiting’s warm, smiling gaze. She pursed her lips and smiled, then followed the others off the stage to their seats.

There was one dish that was always a must at the New Year’s banquet. Palace attendants brought in mutton hot pots and side dishes, and the aroma filled the air.

Pei Xiting sniffed, added all the side dishes to the pot first, then turned and saw Little King happily eating its special meat from a large bowl. Seeing this, he helped adjust the little red flower on Little King’s chest to its back.

For the Crown Prince’s birthday, all the officials had prepared gifts, but only a few could present them personally. When it was Pei Xiting’s turn, he was engrossed in his battle with a large lamb leg and was completely oblivious. “Don’t disturb him. He’s fighting with a lamb leg,” Zong Suiyang announced.

A moment later, Pei Xiting wiped the grease from his mouth, took a sip of the fragrant plum blossom wine, patted Little King’s head, and said, “Come on, let’s go wish your dad a happy birthday.”

The man and tiger stood up and walked side by side, heads held high, to the birthday boy.

The imperial dais was filled with “family members,” and they had their backs to the crowd below. Pei Xiting only restrained himself by half. He cupped his hands and said, “Congratulations, Your Highness, on your great birthday. I wish you peace, success, and everything you desire, and may you have this day every year.”

Little King looked at Pei Xiting, then at its owner, and bowed with its head, saying, Huluhulu!”

Zong Suiyang was lenient with others but had high expectations for Pei Xiting. He stroked Little King’s head, looked at him, and said, “Where’s the birthday gift?”

“Oh, I’ll give it to you later,” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Suiyang smiled. “A toast.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Pei Xiting picked up the wine pot and poured two cups of plum blossom wine. He placed one in Zong Suiyang’s hand, picked up the other, and gently clinked it with his.

They drank three cups together. Pei Xiting cupped his hands again and said, “Happy birthday! Now, where’s my thick red envelope!”

He then held out both hands and looked at Zong Suiyang demurely.

Zong Suiyang was prepared. He pulled out a red silk envelope from his sleeve, placed it gently in Pei Xiting’s hand, and took the opportunity to touch his hand, his thumb rubbing the back of his hand, caressing it lightly.

“Rejecting workplace harassment.” Pei Xiting eagerly opened the seal and saw a thick stack of thousand-tael silver notes inside.

“Whoa!” Pei Xiting let out a quiet “hee-hee-hee,” his eyes turning green as he looked at Zong Suiyang. “I’ve struck it rich!”

Silly boy. Zong Suiyang said softly. “Go back and eat.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Pei Xiting stuffed the red envelope into his sleeve, bowed properly, and before leaving, he left Little King with its dad to strengthen their father-son bond.

Back at his seat, Lu Mang whispered, “I saw that. Openly flirting in front of everyone!”

Pei Xiting smiled, poured a cup of wine for Chief Lu, and they clinked cups and drank.

Little King was still up on the dais, acting affectionately with Zong Suiyang. Pei Xiting said something to Yuan Fang, then took the opportunity to leave his seat, went down the back stairs, and headed to Bu Suying’s table.

“Mother,” Pei Xiting saw the flush on Bu Suying’s cheeks and knew she had broken her usual abstinence from alcohol for the night. He poured a little more than half a cup for her. “I’d like to toast you.”

Bu Suying smiled and said, “All right,” her eyes shining as she looked at Pei Xiting. “In the new year, I wish our Xiting peace and prosperity in all things.”

Pei Xiting’s heart tightened, and he blinked, but he quickly hid his emotions and said with a smile, “You too, Mother.”

He then toasted Aunt Leng and the others from the Music and Dance Academy. He told Bu Suying he was going out for some fresh air and walked out along the back corridor.

The cold wind blew against his face. Pei Xiting shrank his neck and looked up at the light snowflakes falling. The heat on his face gradually faded.

Bu Suying had left the Pei family and could no longer be called “yiniang (concubine).” He was “Pei Xiting,” so he could only call her “Mother.”

But no matter how good Bu Suying was to him, he was not the true “Pei Xiting.”

Pei Xiting took the umbrella offered by a palace attendant and walked into the wind and snow.

Should he tell Bu Suying the truth?

Pei Xiting felt lost and just kept walking forward, not paying attention to where he was going. Suddenly, he felt a pull on his waist. He was lifted up and set down on the side.

“…” Pei Xiting suddenly came to his senses and looked up at Zong Suiyang’s slightly furrowed brow. He glanced to the side and saw the frozen lotus pond.

“I called for you from behind, and you didn’t respond. Were you about to jump in the water?” Zong Suiyang shook out his own cloak, wrapped it around Pei Xiting, and said, “You came out without a cloak, you—”

Pei Xiting dropped the umbrella and suddenly hugged Zong Suiyang’s waist, burying his face in the crook of his neck, unwilling to come out.

“…” Zong Suiyang waved away the palace attendant who was approaching. He placed one hand on the top of Pei Xiting’s hood and the other arm around him. “You were fine just a moment ago. Who made our Xiting unhappy? Tell me.”

Pei Xiting rubbed his head against Zong Suiyang’s neck. He still didn’t let go, just rested his face on his shoulder and said, “If you had a secret hidden in your heart, and you told someone. She might not be able to accept it and would be very sad, but if you didn’t tell her, you would feel uneasy, like you did something to betray her. What would you choose?”

“Who this ‘he’ is determines the different and better options for this problem.” Zong Suiyang stroked Pei Xiting’s head. “If I were ‘him,’ I would want you to be honest with no reservations.”

Note: Pxt and Zsy used different pronouns, but once again, he and she sound the same in Chinese.

Pei Xiting backed out of Zong Suiyang’s embrace and led him to a nearby corridor. “There’s one thing… I’ve never told you.”

Zong Suiyang looked at the palace attendants waiting in the distance, then turned to Pei Xiting. “It’s just us here. You can tell me anything.”

“What I’m about to say might sound unbelievable and make you think I’ve gone crazy, but I promise, I’m not making this up,” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Suiyang nodded. “Tell me.”

His calm and gentle gaze warmed Pei Xiting’s eyes and heart. Encouraged, Pei Xiting said, “I’m not ‘Pei Xiting.'”

Zong Suiyang didn’t say anything.

“To be precise, I am Pei Xiting, but I am not the son of Pei Yan and Bu Suying.” Pei Xiting stared intently at Zong Suiyang. “Do you understand?”

“I’ll wait for you to finish,” Zong Suiyang said.

Pei Xiting scratched his head. “I’m actually from another world. One day, I was drinking, and I drank so much that I wanted to throw up, but I ended up throwing myself into this world. I was transformed into ‘Pei Xiting,’ and then you know the rest.”

Zong Suiyang asked, “The day at the Fumeng Tower?”

“Mhm,” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Suiyang said, “You look very much like ‘Pei Xiting.'”

“You’re right,” Pei Xiting said. “But the real me has abs!”

Zong Suiyang frowned slightly. “So this isn’t your body?”

“No, it is, but not the complete version. It’s as fair as mine; the proportions are the same, and even ‘little Pei’ is the same, but it’s skinnier and has no abs!” Pei Xiting pointed to the location of his tattoo. “I even drew the design here myself.”

He patted Zong Suiyang on the shoulder. “You’re sleeping with me; don’t worry.”

Zong Suiyang grabbed his hand. “I understand. You’re hesitant about whether to tell Aunt Bu.”

Goodness, he’s already calling her “Aunt Bu.”

Pei Xiting cleared his throat. “Right—but why aren’t you surprised at all?”

“I’ve had my suspicions for a while,” Zong Suiyang chuckled. “There were too many questionable things about you for me to even list them all. I just thought you were a kind of resurrected soul.”

The Crown Prince was indeed the Crown Prince. Pei Xiting tried to scare him. “Aren’t you afraid I’m a demon?”

Zong Suiyang raised his eyebrow. “Aren’t you a demon already?”

“I’m being serious with you.” Pei Xiting lightly punched Zong Suiyang’s waist.

“Alright, alright.” Zong Suiyang became serious. “Then have you ever considered that you and the ‘Pei Xiting’ might have a relationship? You have the same name, the same surname, and even the same appearance and age, as if you are the same person existing in two different worlds.”

“Hmm…” Pei Xiting pondered.

Zong Suiyang asked, “Do you know if ‘Pei Xiting’ is dead or alive now, or where he is?”

Pei Xiting shook his head.

“That means you yourself don’t know what your relationship with him is, so how can you tell Aunt Bu? Tell her that her real son has disappeared?” Zong Suiyang touched Pei Xiting’s troubled face. “Maybe you could say that ‘Pei Xiting’ disappeared from this world, but where he is becomes another lifelong problem. And what if you and he were originally symbiotic?”

Pei Xiting felt a headache coming on. “So you think I shouldn’t tell her?”

“Perhaps she has her own thoughts.” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting’s slightly wide eyes and sighed with a smile. “You and ‘Pei Xiting’ are two completely different people. Others don’t suspect you’re an imposter because your appearance was so strange that there were no clues, and when you first showed up, you looked exactly like ‘Pei Xiting.’ But she is ‘Pei Xiting’s’ mother. She carried him for ten months. You can’t underestimate that bond.”

Pei Xiting thought about it and remembered that Bu Suying’s gaze toward him was sometimes very strange—blank, wistful, and filled with emotions he couldn’t decipher. Her gaze landed on his face, but it was as if she were looking behind him, at a place he couldn’t see or touch.

So, Bu Suying had her suspicions all along and just chose not to ask him?

“Xiting, you shouldn’t feel you’ve wronged anyone. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Zong Suiyang said, looking into Pei Xiting’s eyes. “You didn’t intentionally become ‘Pei Xiting.’ I know that when you first came here, you must have been lost and confused, and later you must have felt uneasy.”

“Yeah, but I haven’t felt that way for a long time,” Pei Xiting sniffled, holding Zong Suiyang’s hand and swinging it gently. “I told you, ‘Wen Juan’ was a name given to me by a senior I respected very much, who was actually my grandfather. My parents didn’t pay much attention to me at home, but my grandfather loved me so much. He basically raised me. So when my grandfather passed away, my ‘home’ fell apart.”

Zong Suiyang held Pei Xiting’s hand tighter, saying nothing.

“I’m the same no matter where I am, really. But when I came to a completely foreign place, no matter how nonchalant I was, I still felt lost and confused for a time. But do you know when I first felt a sense of reality in this place from the bottom of my heart?”

Zong Suiyang met Pei Xiting’s gaze and said honestly, “I don’t know.”

“It was when I saw you at the Mei manor,” Pei Xiting said with a smile. “The reason is simple: you’re too beautiful. I developed a natural liking for you.”

Zong Suiyang reached out and pinched Pei Xiting’s cheek. “You little pervert.”

“It’s not wrong to appreciate beauty. Who doesn’t like beautiful things? I like all the beautiful things in the world and will choose to pursue one of them, no matter the time, effort, money, or anything else I have,” Pei Xiting said, staring into Zong Suiyang’s eyes. “When I looked into your eyes, I wanted to admire, explore, and even possess and occupy you, and in the end,”

He squeezed Zong Suiyang’s hand. “To be a lifelong collector.”

“You don’t have to treasure me so much,” Zong Suiyang said after a long pause. “You should take me out and use me as much as you like.”

“…” Pei Xiting said. “You big lecher!”

Zong Suiyang laughed silently, suddenly hugged Pei Xiting, and leaned close to his face. “Only a big lecher can satisfy a little pervert.”

Pei Xiting gently bumped his forehead against Zong Suiyang’s, tilted his chin, and kissed him, not noticing that the group of palace attendants under the corridor had disappeared.