Chapter 38#
Confession: Little Pei Goes South of the River (VI)#
Yuan Fang chased after Shangguan Jie out of the Willow Bank, following the stone path along the back gate through several alleys before stopping at a corner.
Shangguan Jie cornered the peeper at the end of the alley and yanked off their face veil, revealing a young, regular-featured face beneath.
“You are…” Shangguan Jie squinted slightly, speaking with uncertainty, “Marquis Zhao’s personal guard?”
The peeper lowered their eyes, their voice tight but still composed, “Gao Liu pays respects to the Young Marquis.”
Shangguan Jie sheathed his blade, his right hand still gripping the hilt as he stared down at Gao Liu. “Did Marquis Zhao send you to target Pei Xiting?”
“Young Marquis misunderstands.” Gao Liu naturally knew his master’s intentions toward Pei the Third, but he wasn’t certain of Shangguan Jie’s reasons for meeting Pei Xiting late at night or his attitude toward him. He measured his words carefully, “Our master received a letter from the Fourth Young Master, saying he had befriended Secretary Pei. Later, when Secretary Pei came to Ningzhou on official business, our master naturally had to look out for him.”
“Look out for him?” Shangguan Jie sneered inwardly. “By peeping from his rooftop late at night?” He didn’t believe it for a second.
Everyone in the capital knew what kind of man Zhao Fan was, and Shangguan Jie knew it all too well. Pei Xiting had no past grudges with Zhao Fan, but he had the face of a fox spirit—exactly Zhao Fan’s type. That playboy must have been taken by lust, wanting to lure him into bed.
Shangguan Jie was furious at both the fox spirit and the libertine, but he didn’t show it. Glancing at the tense Gao Liu, he said, “I see. I misunderstood then. Get up.”
Gao Liu propped himself up, ignoring his bleeding shoulder, and cupped his hands, “Thank you, Young Marquis.”
“I came to Ningzhou on business, and before I left, Jintang asked me to check on his brother. Since it involves official matters, I couldn’t make it obvious, so I just stole a glimpse of Pei Xiting on the way. I didn’t expect to run into you.” Shangguan Jie spun a whole story before tossing a silver ingot to Gao Liu. “Tonight was a misunderstanding. Take this for some good medicine. Also, apologize to Marquis Zhao for me—tell him I’ll set up a feast to make amends when the weather improves.”
These were all polite formalities. Gao Liu didn’t refuse, cupped his hands in salute, and vaulted over the wall to leave.
Shangguan Jie stood there, lost in thought, his profile shadowed in the night rain. After a few moments, he too vaulted over the wall and left.
Yuan Fang withdrew his gaze, turned, and retraced his steps back.
The rain poured down like ink. Yu Shaoyun stood under the eaves at the alley entrance, his dark robe billowing in the wind as he gripped his blade.
Yuan Fang stopped, the dagger in his sleeve slipping silently into his right palm.
“You have two paths before you. Which one you take depends on your ‘master,’” Yu Shaoyun fixed his gaze on Yuan Fang, his tone conversational. “If he explains clearly, you can go back to being his attendant and guard. If he can’t explain, you leave the capital. His Highness won’t kill you this time.”
“Why not kill me?” Yuan Fang lifted his head, his eyes no longer hidden by the brim of his conical hat.
“What else could it be? Out of respect for the Southwest, of course.” Yu Shaoyun gave a half-smile. “Or were you hoping I’d give you an answer you didn’t expect so you could keep deceiving yourself?”
Yuan Fang’s lips tightened. “I had no prior knowledge of the Po Yinlin matter, and I have no connection to Pei Xiting.”
Yu Shaoyun said, “Those words should come from Young Master Pei to His Highness.”
“—That’s exactly what happened at the Dream-Writing Pavilion that day. Everything I said is true.” Pei Xiting leaned back in his chair, tilting his head up to meet the Crown Prince’s gaze. “If Yuan Fang had anything to do with the Po Yinlin matter, he wouldn’t have left me alive that day at the Dream-Writing Pavilion, nor would he have come to me later. He came to me to evade pursuit and out of a desire to make amends.”
The Crown Prince pressed his palm against the tendon on Pei Xiting’s neck, saying nothing.
The pressure was neither light nor heavy but left a strong impression. Pei Xiting instinctively wanted to turn his head away, but the hand encircled his neck, still not applying too much force, yet he could feel its firm resolve.
Pei Xiting gripped the armrest, keeping his neck stiff as he continued to clear himself. “As for me, I’m just an unlucky bystander. If it weren’t for that despicable Shangguan Jie, I would never have gone to the Dream-Writing Pavilion that day, and I certainly wouldn’t have stumbled into this mess. I’m innocent. I hope Your Highness will see through this clearly.”
His Adam’s apple moved as he spoke, and the Crown Prince’s fingertip tingled. After a moment, he said, “You usually seem pretty sharp. Why are you so dull tonight?”
Pei Xiting was stunned. The Crown Prince’s eyes were calm and deep, and he belatedly guessed at a possibility—that before, or perhaps from the very beginning, the Crown Prince had been aware of Yuan Fang’s presence. He had never brought it up simply because he was waiting for Pei Xiting to confess on his own.
Was he doomed?
Well, first, he’d better straighten his attitude.
“I was wrong,” Pei Xiting said.
Compared to the confessions the Crown Prince usually heard—either impassioned or wailing—this was far too simple and straightforward. He raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh?”
“I knew who stole the Po Yinlin but kept it secret, and even kept him by my side,” Pei Xiting said.
“Do you know what punishment such a crime warrants?” The Crown Prince’s fingertip brushed past Pei Xiting’s neck, as if measuring a fine piece of silk, until it rested on his chin. Pei Xiting let out a soft hum, gentle and restrained, like a cat’s mew.
The Crown Prince paused his finger, pressing firmly on the delicate, fair chin and said, “I didn’t hit you, so why the noise?”
Pei Xiting’s ears grew slightly warm. He found the Crown Prince’s words unreasonable and couldn’t help retorting, “In a fight between lovers, no one hits anyone, but don’t they still fill the bed with noise?”
Though the Crown Prince didn’t understand “a fight between lovers,” he pieced together the meaning from the second half. He looked at Pei Xiting’s flushed face, his fingertip feeling as if scorched, and withdrew it.
“Crying out when hit is because it hurts. Crying out in the throes of passion is because it feels good. What were you humming about?” The Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back, the scorched fingertip curling and hiding into his sleeve, a gesture known only to himself.
You were tickling me, Pei Xiting thought.
But he couldn’t say it out loud. Even if it were true, it would sound like flirting—inappropriate and likely to get his skull crushed by the Crown Prince’s palm.
“I can’t help it, and humming isn’t against the law, is it?” Pei Xiting muttered before continuing, “I concealed Yuan Fang’s whereabouts because I was afraid he’d die, and I kept him by my side because I was afraid I’d die. We really don’t know the mastermind behind this. And…”
The Crown Prince watched Pei Xiting’s pretense and said, “Hesitating like that means there’s definitely something fishy.”
“What do you mean!” Pei Xiting grew anxious, rising to chase after the Crown Prince, who had turned to leave. “I’ll be honest! I’ll be honest! Besides, I don’t think Your Highness intends to do anything to Yuan Fang. If you were truly wary of him, you would never have let me hide him for so long.”
The Crown Prince stopped, and Pei Xiting bumped into his back, though the Crown Prince stood steady. He turned to look at Pei Xiting, who was covering his nose, studied his slightly furrowed brows, and said, “You realized later that I didn’t intend to kill him, so you dared to shield him from the start?”
“…That doesn’t hold up logically,” Pei Xiting admitted, both guilty and defiant. “I’ve done what I’ve done. Though I dare to admit it, I’m not yet willing to accept punishment, so I’m quibbling a bit.”
The Crown Prince was silent for a moment before saying, “At home, when you make mistakes, do you speak to your parents like this?”
Pei Xiting shook his head. “No. My father doesn’t bother much with ‘me.’ My mother usually punishes ‘me’ by copying rules and kneeling in the ancestral hall. There’s no room for quibbling.”
“Sounds obedient enough. So how dare you spout nonsense and quibble before me?” the Crown Prince said. “Could it be that you fear your mother more than you fear me?”
Madam Wang was the demon in “Pei Xiting’s” heart—strict admonitions and family rules that could strike at any moment. If it came down to it, perhaps “Pei Xiting” might indeed fear Madam Wang more. Pei Xiting shook his head. “It’s different. Besides, I don’t want to fear Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s expression was unreadable. “Why?”
“If I fear Your Highness, I will inevitably hesitate, waver, conceal, or even speak insincerely because of that fear. I don’t like that.” Pei Xiting met the Crown Prince’s calm phoenix eyes. “I want to speak the truth to Your Highness and show my true heart.”
The Crown Prince was silent for a moment. “With Shangguan Jie, you’re impatient and confrontational. With Zhao Fan, you’re gentle and docile. Why do you want to be sincere with me?”
“They harbor ill intentions toward me. I can’t even be bothered to give them a good face, let alone be sincere.” Pei Xiting said.
The Crown Prince said, “Don’t you want something from me?”
His implication was: So why should I give you a good face?
“Wanting to latch onto Your Highness and genuinely wanting to get along with you aren’t contradictory.” Pei Xiting looked at the Crown Prince, a glint of mischief in his eyes as they twirled. “Hey, who knows? Maybe one day, without me actively latching on, Your Highness will be willing to protect me—not out of the authority of the Eastern Palace or the Crane Cage Bureau, but out of personal inclination.”
The Crown Prince glanced at Pei Xiting, then at the dim night, and said flatly, “Yes, it’s about time for your dreams.”
Pei Xiting didn’t mind the jab and cupped his hands. “Then I’ll go to sleep. Good night, Your Highness… About Yuan Fang?”
The Crown Prince looked at him, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Pei Xiting watched from the side as the Crown Prince entered the room and couldn’t help but let out a relieved sigh, then smiled.
The next day, Pei Xiting was woken by knocking. He rolled over, grumpy from interrupted sleep. “Are you in a hurry to announce a death? Get lost.”
“Ying Ziyu sent word that he saw Ma Bi.”
Pei Xiting’s eyes snapped open. He threw off the covers, got up, and opened the door in a few strides.
“Here,” Yuan Fang handed the note to Pei Xiting. “A little beggar delivered it.”
The note was in delicate script, its contents brief: [Ma Bi at Little Spring Garden.]
“The real Ma Bi is dead. This ‘Ma Bi’ should be the kidnapper of Bai the Third. Captain Shang.” Pei Xiting called out, but Shang Xifeng didn’t answer. Instead, it was the Crown Prince next door who answered his door.
The Crown Prince was obviously up early, dressed in a simple, unadorned cream-colored robe, his hair tied up with a wooden crown, looking as beautiful as cold jade.
They say clothes make the man, but the Crown Prince didn’t rely on clothes to make an impression. When seen up close, he had an entirely different charm.
It’s in the bones, that thing called aura.
Pei Xiting’s sleepy eyes opened wide. He stole another glance at the beauty before him, then stepped forward and handed over the note. “The fake Ma Bi has appeared. If we follow him, we might find Bai the Third.”
“Captain Shang hasn’t returned,” the Crown Prince said.
Determined to prove himself—both as a subordinate and as a suitor—Pei Xiting responded eagerly, even if he could only earn credit for hard work rather than achievement. “Then I’ll go check it out. It just so happens I need to buy Ying Ziyu’s freedom today.”
Yuan Fang went to fetch water for his master to wash up. Pei Xiting went back inside to pick a robe, talking to the Crown Prince, who was standing on the veranda, as he dressed. “Your Highness, you have good taste in clothes. I really like that water-red one.”
The rain had stopped at dawn, and the yard was filled with the scent of rain-soaked grass and trees. The crape myrtle flowers outside the veranda were adorned with raindrops, occasionally blown off by the wind.
The Crown Prince stood under the veranda, admiring the view. At the remark, he responded with a neutral “Mm,” then added objectively, “You have fair skin. It suits you.”
Pei Xiting, sitting on a small stool by the door with his socks in hand, said, “So would you say I make the clothes look good, or the clothes make me look good?”
The Crown Prince heard the flurry of footsteps behind him and turned to look. Pei Xiting was bent over, putting on a sock, his right foot still bare. That foot was also fair and delicate, with an ankle so slender it could be encircled with a single grip. As Pei Xiting pulled up the sock, his loose, lightweight silk trousers slid up, revealing a stretch of slender, straight calf.
“…” The Crown Prince’s gaze flickered, then he looked away, turning his head to look at the crape myrtle flowers again.
The flowers were still the same, yet somehow they seemed blurred and indistinct.
A moment later, Pei Xiting was ready and about to leave when he caught a glimpse of a dark spot on the Crown Prince’s right sleeve. He walked over. “Your Highness, when you finger your prayer beads, do you recite sutras, or do you just play with them?”
The Crown Prince’s finger, which was rubbing the beads, paused. He turned to look at Pei Xiting and said, “What business is it of yours?”
Pei Xiting didn’t mind. He cupped his hands, bowed, and left.
The “master and servant” pair left the courtyard. Yu Shaoyun leaped down from the rooftop and walked a few steps onto the veranda. “Your Highness, should we go?”
The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze, his fingertip brushing past a bead as he said flatly, “The Bai family has Crane Shadows, and Pei Xiting is also taking this matter seriously. Why should I go?”
Yu Shaoyun asked, “Did Your Highness really send Pei Xiting to Ningzhou just for the painting?”
“Painting is his duty. As for the rest, if he wants to get involved, so be it.” The Crown Prince paused. “Shaoyun.”
A tone that was a mix of deliberation, confusion, and hesitation—clearly calling for his advice—was a rarity. Yu Shaoyun shuddered, instinctively standing even straighter, and said solemnly, “At your command!”
“This prayer bead’s effect,” the Crown Prince shook his sleeve, revealing the string of black glass beads, his tone light, “it’s not as good as it used to be.”
“What do you mean?” Yu Shaoyun stepped forward in surprise, staring at the beads. “Aren’t these the guardian treasure of Baohui Temple? They shouldn’t wear out so fast!”
The Crown Prince gave Yu Shaoyun a complicated look. “You believe that?”
“No? Did we buy a fake then?” Yu Shaoyun said angrily. “That bald monk Liaoyan dared to cheat Your Highness. When I return, I’ll split him in two!”
“Even if the claim of it being a guardian treasure was just tricking fools, I’ve carried it with me for these past few years, and this is the first time I’ve felt it gradually losing its effect.” The Crown Prince said flatly, under the gaze of the fool he was tricking, “In the past, I wore it daily, but most of the time it was just a handheld ornament. There were few occasions when I truly needed it as a ’treasure’ to ward off evil and soothe my mind. But these past two months, I’ve needed it more and more, and the more I use it, the less effective it becomes.”
Yu Shaoyun knew about His Highness’s “affliction.” After a moment of thought, he lowered his voice and said, “Your Highness, are you of age? Maybe… maybe it’s time to get some?”
The Crown Prince looked at Yu Shaoyun and said nothing.
“You’re a man of hot blood after all, and you’ve been holding it in all this time. Now the beads aren’t working. Maybe you’re at your limit, about to explode.” Yu Shaoyun said hesitantly, tapping his fist against his palm.
The Crown Prince didn’t scold him. “Then who should I get some with?”
“You don’t want to take a consort, so you’d have to look outside.” Yu Shaoyun rubbed his chin, suddenly recalling something. “Wait, could it be because of that Chunsheng?”
The Crown Prince said, “What does he have to do with it?”
“Your Highness suddenly mentioned the beads losing their effect today. I’ve been thinking, among the people you’ve seen recently, only that Chunsheng is a stranger,” Yu Shaoyun whispered. “Could it be that his singing touched your heart and stirred up other thoughts?”
The Crown Prince honestly didn’t understand and asked sincerely, “When faced with Chunsheng, where should my thoughts come from?”
“Chunsheng is a famous performer of Ningzhou, very good-looking. Besides, he came from Little Spring Garden, so he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Although you’re not a philandering man, you’ve had little experience. It’s possible he charmed you on the boat that night.” Yu Shaoyun analyzed.
“That night, before Pei Xiting came aboard, I only looked at Chunsheng once. That look was no different from the one I gave the vendor at the wonton stand. Later, when Pei Xiting came up,” the Crown Prince said, “do you think, with Pei Xiting there, I would still look at Chunsheng?”
“Huh? Wait,” Yu Shaoyun was confused, “What does Secretary Pei’s presence have to do with you looking at Chunsheng? Why can’t you look at Chunsheng when Secretary Pei is there?”
The Crown Prince said, “Following your earlier reasoning, if I were to be tempted by beauty, then between the two, I should naturally be tempted by Pei Xiting, because he is more attractive, isn’t he?”
“Appearance-wise, Secretary Pei is probably unbeatable. But Secretary Pei can’t do what Chunsheng can. You should see how Chunsheng walks, that small waist swinging—”
Yu Shaoyun pinched his own waist and twisted a circle around the Crown Prince. He was supposed to be a water-snake waist, but he looked like a water-snake on drugs, having a seizure.
The Crown Prince’s gaze was cold, and it sent a chill down Yu Shaoyun’s spine. Losing the confidence to continue his display, he returned to his post.
“It’s not because of Chunsheng.” The Crown Prince paused. “It’s because of Pei Xiting.”
Yu Shaoyun was taken aback. “Huh?”
“Lately, every time I see him, I need this string of beads. And every time I need the beads to restrain myself, he is there.” The Crown Prince’s expression was calm, but his tone was slightly subdued.
Yu Shaoyun thought for a moment. “Could it be that because you like him, your fondness for him has grown threefold?”
“When you purely like someone, do you need to restrain your desires?” the Crown Prince asked. “Those instinctive, physical desires?”
Of course not. Yu Shaoyun’s eyelids twitched. “Since Your Highness has sensed something amiss, why keep Secretary Pei around? If you’re unwilling, you should distance yourself from him immediately.”
“If you avoid a problem when you encounter it, you’ll never solve it.” The Crown Prince stroked the beads, his eyes lowered. “A Pei Xiting won’t hinder anything.”
Yu Shaoyun said, “Of course.”
Pei Xiting sneezed. He rubbed his nose lightly and pushed open the door in front of him.
Ying Ziyu was sitting by the window. Hearing the sound, he immediately stood up and gestured for Pei Xiting to come closer. Pei Xiting walked over to the window and stood still. Ying Ziyu stood to one side and said, “Ma Bi is in the first-floor room. He hasn’t come out.”
Ying Ziyu’s room was on the third floor. Pei Xiting looked out and below was a courtyard with a three-story building, though it was much quieter than the front.
“What is this place?” he asked.
“It’s akin to an inn in Little Spring Garden. Some guests who stay a bit longer but don’t want to stay in the performers’ rooms will lodge in this courtyard.” Ying Ziyu said, “Earlier, I was threading silk by the window when I saw a man passing through the corridor, and it was clearly Ma Bi. I remembered that you were looking for him, so I sent someone to deliver a message to you. There are often little beggars on the street. They can’t read but are quick on their feet, more clever than ordinary children. They can get the job done for some money.”
“You did well. Thank you.” Pei Xiting said, “I’ll buy your freedom today. You can pack your things and leave with me to avoid any trouble.”
Ying Ziyu took a deep breath, solemnly made a deep bow, and turned to pack his bundle.
Yuan Fang walked up behind Pei Xiting and stood still. Following Pei Xiting’s gaze to the room at the right corner of the first-floor corridor, he said, “Should I go down and take a look… Someone’s there.”
He grabbed Pei Xiting’s shoulder, and the two of them stepped back behind the window, taking a more hidden position.
Pei Xiting peeked out with one eye and saw a man dressed simply but wearing a gold thumb ring walking down the corridor. He lingered for a moment in front of that room’s door, looked around, and pushed it open.
But immediately after, a man in a tight outfit with a face veil approached the room with light steps and slipped into a corner beside it.
“It’s Xifeng,” Pei Xiting recognized the masked man.
Shang Xifeng should have been at the Bai residence. The man who had just gone in was either deliberately dressing simply or was a wealthy man who couldn’t dress extravagantly—like a merchant.
Could it be someone from the Bai family?
Shang Xifeng was, after all, a Crane Guard. His vigilance needed no elaboration. He had already noticed someone watching him. He looked up toward the small building on the left and met Pei Xiting’s gaze behind the window.
The two exchanged a look and continued to keep watch.
A short while later, the door opened. The man who had gone in later revealed himself. Pei Xiting called Ying Ziyu over. Ying Ziyu took one look and shrank to the side, whispering through clenched teeth, “It’s Third Master Bai.”
Pei Xiting’s eyebrow lifted slightly.
It seemed there was indeed a mole within the Bai family—not a servant, but Third Master Bai.
Shang Xifeng followed Third Master Bai. Pei Xiting continued to watch the room. “How is Third Master Bai’s relationship with the main branch?”
“Third Master Bai is not steady. He doesn’t carry as much weight in the family as his older brothers, but he doesn’t care much about serious matters. He spends his days visiting brothels, quite content. Although there haven’t been any rumors of discord among the brothers, who outside can say for sure whether those rumors are true or not?” Ying Ziyu said.
A knock suddenly came at the door. Ying Ziyu glanced at Pei Xiting, then walked to the door and asked, “Who is it?”
The door was pushed open gently. Ying Ziyu found himself face-to-face with a very handsome face. He instinctively gripped the edge of the door and said, “Sir, this humble one has a guest.”
“Mm, I’m looking for your guest.” Yu Shaoyun stepped over the threshold, his tall frame casting a shadow over Ying Ziyu, forcing the latter to instinctively take two steps back, bumping into Yuan Fang.
“It’s fine.” Yuan Fang motioned for Ying Ziyu not to worry. He stepped to the side, glanced at Yu Shaoyun, and said nothing.
Sure enough, the next moment, the Crown Prince entered the room, his veil-shrouded hat obscuring his face. Then, Yu Shaoyun stepped back out and closed the door.
Pei Xiting was focused on that room. He felt someone approaching from behind and assumed it was Yu Shaoyun. “Captain Yu, shouldn’t you be protecting the young master? Why are you running around here…”
The faint scent of cold bamboo drifted into his nose. He paused, and when he turned his head, the tip of his nose nearly brushed against the white gauze. Through that white veil, he met the Crown Prince’s eyes.
“Your Highness… young master.” Pei Xiting’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Why are you here?”
“Nothing to do, just out for a walk.” The Crown Prince raised his folding fan and lightly tapped it against Pei Xiting’s cheek. “Turn your head. Keep watching.”
“Oh.” Pei Xiting straightened his head. After a moment, he said, “Xifeng followed Third Master Bai here and left. Now the fake Ma Bi hasn’t come out of the room yet. I don’t know what’s inside.”
As he spoke, he saw Yu Shaoyun appear in the corridor. The man was bold and skilled. In broad daylight, he pressed himself against the window to listen, then poked a hole in the window paper and gestured to them.
“Two fingers. Does that mean there are two people inside?” Pei Xiting asked. “What about three fingers? Could it be… Bai the Third?”
“Not bad. Besides the fake Ma Bi, Bai the Third is also in the room.” The Crown Prince said, “That’s the use of ‘darkness beneath the lamp.’”
He spoke the phrase “darkness beneath the lamp” very lightly. Pei Xiting paused. “Are you implying something?”
Yuan Fang stood at the door, silent.
The Crown Prince said nothing.
“The fake Ma Bi kidnapped someone at Little Spring Garden. It’s noisy and chaotic here. Either they take him out in a carriage and find a place to stash him, or they hide him right here in Little Spring Garden. Third Master Bai is involved in this. He visits brothels frequently. His daily appearance in Little Spring Garden wouldn’t attract any attention. That makes the garden a suitable hiding spot.” Pei Xiting rubbed his chin as he thought.
After a while, Yu Shaoyun returned and said, “The fake Ma Bi is sleeping. Bai the Third is tied up and thrown to the side. He’s unconscious.”
A knock came at the door again. A voice from outside said, “Is that Third Young Master Pei in there?”
“It’s Marquis Zhao’s attendant’s voice,” Pei Xiting whispered to the Crown Prince. “You should hide.”
The Crown Prince said, “Why should I hide?”
“Don’t you not want to reveal your identity?” Pei Xiting said. “What if Marquis Zhao is outside and sees you?”
“They’re looking for you,” the Crown Prince said. “Go out and talk.”
“Alright.” Pei Xiting turned around, walked past the screen to the door, and said, “Who is it?”
“My apologies for disturbing Third Young Master Pei,” Gao Liu said. “The Marquis invites you for a drink.”
Pei Xiting opened the door and stepped out. Yuan Fang followed. The door closed gently behind them.
Yu Shaoyun said, “Marquis Zhao has his eyes on Secretary Pei.”
The Crown Prince said flatly, “A dog keeps a close watch on good meat.”