TL: Hua
Extra 7: A Past Kiss (4): Ancient Times If Line: “Ghost” Pei and Prince Zong
The case of the Crown Prince seemed to be settled. Many people concluded that the fire was a suicide out of guilt. Emperor Xining chose “Yuanhe” as the Crown Prince’s posthumous name and said nothing more.
Zong Suiyang remained secluded in his residence. He was always an early riser and late sleeper. Pei Xiting was woken up by the sound outside before dawn. He didn’t want to make himself uncomfortable by sleeping on the couch, but Zong Suiyang wouldn’t share the bed with him, so he felt perfectly justified in occupying the big bed and making Zong Suiyang sleep on the couch. He floated over to see what was going on and found Zong Suiyang practicing with his saber.
The Crown Prince was of a very noble status, and even later, when Zong Suiyang was running around with Yu Shaoyun and others by his side, he rarely had to take action himself. Pei Xiting had never even seen this saber before. It was cold and sharp, Zong Suiyang’s original passion that had been forced into its scabbard.
The winter morning was bone-chilling. Zong Suiyang, dressed in light martial attire, felt as if his body was on fire. He practiced for most of an hour. When dawn broke, the person who had been sitting on the window sill jumped down, walked over, and wiped the sweat off him.
“Go wash up and change,” Pei Xiting said, wiping the thin layer of sweat from his forehead and chin with a handkerchief. “Don’t catch a cold.”
Zong Suiyang glanced at Pei Xiting and then turned and went into the bathroom. When he came out, Yu Shaoyun had someone bring breakfast on time. Thinking about the “fox spirit” standing next to him, he said, “You all can leave.”
Yu Shaoyun looked worried but said nothing more and withdrew.
The heavy warm curtain was pulled down. Pei Xiting sat next to Zong Suiyang and accompanied him as he ate. Neither of them said a word. But when Zong Suiyang put down his chopsticks and stood up, Pei Xiting took a cloak and put it on him, saying, “Say something to me.”
Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting’s slightly furrowed brow and said, “something.”
Pei Xiting’s rolling eyes froze halfway and then went back down because the cool version of Zong Suiyang suddenly reached out and gently smoothed his brow. “Always frowning, be careful you get wrinkles.”
“I’m frowning?” Pei Xiting touched his brow. “I didn’t notice.”
Zong Suiyang looked at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but said nothing and just turned and left. Pei Xiting stood there, watching him walk away. He then secretly followed him, passing through the wind and snow, into the Imperial Palace, and into Qingzheng Palace.
Zong Suiyang began to participate in the court discussions. He stood at the very front, not facing Emperor Xining or the other officials. He was alone, with no military or civil officials, no comrades by his side, just standing there with his body slightly turned.
Emperor Xining deliberately kept silent, and so Zong Suiyang became his spokesperson, dealing with impeachments, petitions, and the major and minor affairs of each department. His words were few but to the point, clearing up confusion. Pei Xiting saw the expressions of the officials change, and Emperor Xining’s face showed pleasure.
Emperor Xining was right about one thing: Zong Suiyang was very suitable. He was sharp-witted and quick-minded, a crown prince who would not be influenced or deceived by anyone. But he was also too firm in his decisions, and he was beginning to show signs of being as profound as the emperor, so Pei Xiting could see that some people looked at him with veiled hostility, not welcoming this new crown prince-to-be.
Since entering here, Zong Suiyang’s mind hadn’t rested for a moment. Behind him was the covetous Emperor Xining, and in front of him were officials with different intentions. Only one crimson figure was floating around the hall, like an old man on a leisurely stroll.
But this Elder Pei was not in a good mood. He glared at every single one of the twenty or so people there, especially Emperor Xining, who was being stared at so intensely that he should have been scorched.
Zong Suiyang suddenly let out a laugh, and the entire hall was startled. Censor Li, who was currently debating with Zong Suiyang, stood there in a daze, not knowing what to do.
Emperor Xining’s gaze slightly narrowed. “Fuchuan, what are you laughing at?”
“Nothing,” Zong Suiyang said calmly, looking at the person with his hands on his hips standing in front of Emperor Xining. “I just found it amusing that Censor Li is so self-righteous right now, as if he has no desires, when I recalled the matter of him privately exchanging wives and concubines with others for a depraved gathering.”
This single sentence caught Censor Li off guard. Just moments ago, he was arguing with conviction, but now he wished he could bury himself in the ground. The others laughed, but their hearts were filled with even more fear.
The Fifth Prince knew about such a private and unsavory matter. His methods were obvious.
The court session lasted all morning. Zong Suiyang stayed to have lunch with Emperor Xining. During the meal, they discussed a marriage alliance with the Qu family. Zong Suiyang said, “I do not want to marry someone I do not love.”
Emperor Xining was stunned for a long time upon hearing this and did not bring up the matter again.
After lunch, Zong Suiyang left the palace but did not return to his residence. Instead, he went to the Ministry of Revenue. He began to work in each department in turn. When he returned to his residence at night, the lamp in his study would burn for two more hours.
Pei Xiting helped him tidy his desk, grind ink, wash brushes, and look up documents. When it was late, he would trim the candlewick, massage his shoulders, and sit by the couch, watching him slowly fall asleep. But Zong Suiyang would always wake up with a start at night, as if he were having the same nightmare day after day.
Pei Xiting felt his transparent form becoming fainter and fainter, but Zong Suiyang would have to endure such days for many years to come.
That night, Pei Xiting vaguely heard someone calling him.
“Xiting, Xiting…”
The voice was so gentle and intimate. It was Zong Suiyang. He suddenly woke up and saw that Zong Suiyang on the couch was already awake, looking at him intently.
Pei Xiting looked down and saw that he was now semi-transparent.
“You’re leaving,” Zong Suiyang said in a calm tone, not a question.
“He’s calling me. I hear him,” Pei Xiting said, lying on the couch and looking up at Zong Suiyang. “Are you sad to see me go?”
“We will meet again in the future,” Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting didn’t comment but insisted on asking, “Are you sad to see me go?”
Zong Suiyang stared at him in silence, his lips moving, but he said nothing.
But Pei Xiting heard his answer and smiled. “Why are you shy with me? We’re an old married couple.”
The innocent little Zong made a face that was hard to describe.
Pei Xiting couldn’t help but laugh. He looked at Zong Suiyang for a moment, then suddenly cupped Zong Suiyang’s face in his hands and said, “We will meet again.”
Zong Suiyang’s dark eyes moved. “Mhm,” he said.
Pei Xiting touched his ears and his hair at the temples. He blinked and gently kissed his forehead, whispering, “Suiyang…”
Suddenly, Pei Xiting’s throat tightened. Someone was gently squeezing it. He felt himself being pulled backward uncontrollably. At the end of his vision, Zong Suiyang lunged forward, as if trying to grab him.
“Xiting!”
Pei Xiting’s eyes snapped open to meet a pair of worried eyes. He blinked, then suddenly hugged Zong Suiyang’s neck and accused him, “Did you choke me?”
Zong Suiyang held Pei Xiting tightly and patted his back. “You were having a nightmare. You couldn’t wake up.”
“Do you know what I dreamed about?” Pei Xiting pulled his face out of Zong Suiyang’s chest and vividly described the content of his dream in detail, only to see Zong Suiyang’s expression worsen.
“Uh,” Pei Xiting stopped talking and asked cautiously, “What’s wrong?”
“He touched you,” Zong Suiyang said.
“You are him; he is you. And you can’t blame me. Don’t you know what you’re like? How could a delicate person like me possibly resist?” As Pei Xiting spoke, he began to well up, whimpering.
Zong Suiyang, however, saw through his performance and was not fooled. “You were the one who kissed him first, weren’t you?”
There was no denying this. Pei Xiting gave up. “Well, I felt sorry for him. If you’re not happy, just kill me.”
With that, he stretched out his arms and legs and lay sprawled on Zong Suiyang’s lap, looking like a lamb ready for the slaughter.
Zong Suiyang squinted and suddenly reached out to undo Pei Xiting’s belt. Pei Xiting was startled and quickly grabbed his hand, cupping it like a treasure and kissing it before saying, “No, no, please don’t. I’m still swollen.”
“Really?” Zong Suiyang said. “You don’t look like it. I thought you were already full of vigor, considering you were in such a romantic mood.”
“What are you talking about? That’s not being in a romantic mood. That’s a heart full of compassion. I felt sorry for him.” Pei Xiting hugged Zong Suiyang’s arm to prevent him from making any move. He said softly, “Suiyang, you’ve been through so much.”
Zong Suiyang was taken aback for a moment, then cunningly said, “I’m used to it. It’s nothing.”
Pei Xiting’s face crumpled. He whimpered and rolled around on him, as if he wanted to knead him into a small pancake and swallow him whole to warm him up. Zong Suiyang’s heart filled with warmth and a bit of amusement. He hugged the little human fox and patted his back. “Alright, didn’t you want to go out and see the snow tomorrow? Go to sleep early.”
Pei Xiting had no objections, so Zong Suiyang picked him up and carried him all the way to the bed. As soon as his backside touched the bed, Pei Xiting took off his outer robe, rolled over, and burrowed under the covers.
Zong Suiyang folded the crimson outer robe and hung it on a hanger nearby, putting his own outer robe on it as well. He returned to the bed and saw Pei Xiting staring blankly at the ceiling. “Still thinking about him?” he asked.
Pei Xiting turned over, and after Zong Suiyang lay down, he put his leg on top of his. “Where’s your saber?” he asked.
Zong Suiyang was surprised for a moment, then he understood what he was asking about. “Later, when I was traveling, I chose a cliff at random and buried it there.”
Pei Xiting asked, “What were you thinking at the time?”
“I wasn’t thinking too much, actually. I was walking by the edge of the cliff and looked down. The clouds and mist were vast and surrounded by high mountains. I just felt that the place was so big and beautiful,” Zong Suiyang said softly. “So I just threw it down.”
“Mhm, it sounds like a good place,” Pei Xiting said, playing with Zong Suiyang’s fingers, and said nothing more.
Zong Suiyang turned his hand over and held his mischievous one. “Are you going to sleep or not?”
“I was just playing with your hand… Oh, I’m sleeping, I’m sleeping.” Pei Xiting didn’t dare to provoke this great scoundrel. He mumbled something under his breath, and then, when Zong Suiyang turned his head to look at him, he abruptly closed his eyes, looking peaceful, as if to say, “I’m asleep; don’t bother me.”
Zong Suiyang laughed silently. He reached out and stroked the back of Pei Xiting’s fluffy head. “What did you say about me?”
Pei Xiting was already asleep and didn’t respond.
Zong Suiyang said, “Xiting?”
Pei Xiting was in a very deep sleep and had started snoring. The sound was exactly like a pig’s, very ungraceful.
Zong Suiyang stared at the handsome face so close to him. His breathing became heavier. “You’re deliberately tempting me.”
Pei Xiting: “?”
He couldn’t stand it anymore. He “woosh” opened his eyes. “A pig’s snore is tempting? Then why haven’t I seen you go and make love to a pig?”
Zong Suiyang did not get angry. Instead, he laughed, reached out, and flipped Pei Xiting over. He flipped him back and pinned him down. “I’m about to.”
Pei Xiting’s mouth might have been tough, but his body was soft. He quickly pleaded for mercy, and Zong Suiyang pinched his face and kissed him fiercely. Zong Suiyang kneaded the little fox. “Make that sound again?”
Pei Xiting was forced to make a pig-like noise.
Zong Suiyang couldn’t help but laugh, pinching his ear. “Alright, I’m done with you now.”
Pei Xiting was furious. “You’re only acting nice after you’ve had your fun!”
“I’m not done,” Zong Suiyang said. “If you slander me like that, I’ll…”
Pei Xiting immediately became obedient. “I’m sleepy.”
Zong Suiyang smiled, pulled the blanket up for Pei Xiting, and said, “Alright, I’ll sleep in a little longer with you tomorrow morning.”
Pei Xiting pouted and kissed Zong Suiyang on the chin. “There’s your reward. Good night.”
“Good night, have sweet dreams,” Zong Suiyang paused, “and don’t dream of him again.”
Pei Xiting was stunned for a moment, then laughed wryly.
The bed curtain fell, and the candlelight dimmed. Pei Xiting held Zong Suiyang’s hand but couldn’t sleep. He turned to look at Zong Suiyang for a moment. This sleeping face no longer had the cold detachment or the lingering gloom. It was completely different from the little Zong.
As Pei Xiting watched, he sighed softly and snuggled into Zong Suiyang’s arms.
Zong Suiyang wasn’t asleep either. He gathered him closer in his arms and rubbed his chin against the top of his head. His voice was low and gentle. “Xiting, it’s all in the past. You saved me from the abyss, and you can’t sink into it yourself. The grand dream was only to fulfill your wish, but a dream is a dream. I’m here, next to you. Sleep soundly.”
Pei Xiting was stunned and felt his whole body suddenly relax.
After a long while, he “mhm’d,” squeezed Zong Suiyang’s little finger, and closed his eyes.
He slept without a single dream.
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Cute and sad at the same time 🥹