Chapter 54#
The Autumn Examination.#
No one inside or outside the hall spoke, nor was there any sound of bowls or chopsticks clinking. The young imperial grandson and the Crown Prince were both as quiet and dignified as each other. Pei Xiting occasionally glanced at them, always feeling that they were not eating, but rather completing a daily task.
This uncle and nephew clearly lacked respect for fine food.
There was a particularly fragrant milk-braised fish on the table, and Pei Xiting had several spoonfuls in a row. On the sixth spoonful, the Crown Prince said, “No more.”
Pei Xiting turned his head to look at the Crown Prince, his gaze like that of a puppy whose bone had been snatched away. Set against the gray headband with its disheveled fur hanging across his forehead, he looked a bit comical and endearing.
The Crown Prince calmly met his gaze and said, “You can’t eat too much mutton right now.”
“There’s no mutton in it, only lamb broth. Besides, I’m eating the fish, I haven’t even had any soup,” Pei Xiting defended weakly.
“The entire fish was braised in lamb broth, and you’ve already eaten more than half.” The Crown Prince made the final call. “Eat something else.”
Pei Xiting reluctantly withdrew his spoon, his sidelong gaze still lingering with reluctance, hesitating whether to risk taking another bite.
The Crown Prince took in his restless expression and said, “Once you’ve rested for a few days, I’ll have the kitchen make it again.”
Pei Xiting refused to be placated by empty promises and immediately said, “A prince’s word is his bond?”
The Crown Prince seemed a little puzzled. “It’s just a fish. Do you think I would deceive you?”
“How would I know if this isn’t a stalling tactic?” Pei Xiting gave a soft hum, switched to chopsticks, and picked up a piece of glutinous rice spare rib. Finding it tasty, he promptly shifted his favor to it.
Zong Lu glanced at Pei Xiting, then secretly peeked at his fifth uncle. He found it very strange; there was an atmosphere between them that he couldn’t quite name or describe. So, after walking out of the hall, he tugged on Lai Neishi’s sleeve and softly voiced his question.
“Does Fifth Uncle treat Pei Clerk like a child? Otherwise, why is he so…” He didn’t know how to describe it, hesitating before spitting out a word, “gentle?”
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Zong Lu felt this guess didn’t hold water either, because not even a child could receive this attitude from his fifth uncle, which he could tentatively call gentleness.
Because you might be about to have a male aunt-in-law, Lai Neishi thought to himself, but didn’t dare say it out loud for now, afraid the child wouldn’t be able to accept it. Besides, circumstances are unpredictable; it might not even come to pass.
“His Highness has always been rather lenient with Clerk Pei,” he replied.
“I asked why, not what.” Zong Lu stared fixedly at Lai Neishi. “Are you fobbing me off?”
When the young imperial grandson stared at someone silently, he looked exactly like the Crown Prince—neither angry nor happy, yet intensely oppressive. Lai Neishi quickly said he wouldn’t dare, then carefully substituted another answer: “Because there’s no need to be overly strict with formalities in private. And Clerk Pei is naturally unrestrained, so His Highness also feels more relaxed when interacting with him.”
Zong Lu was not convinced, however. “Vice Minister Qu is also lively by nature, and he’s Fifth Uncle’s cousin. Fifth Uncle values him greatly, and everyone is quite relaxed when dining privately. But the feeling I get is still completely different.”
Lai Neishi said, “But Vice Minister Qu still understands the distinction between ruler and subject deep down.”
Zong Lu countered, “Doesn’t Clerk Pei?”
This was really something Lai Neishi couldn’t easily answer, and he dared not say. He could only plead for mercy: “Aiyo, my little ancestor, this servant absolutely cannot answer such questions recklessly. It would be a disaster.”
Zong Lu was certain Lai Neishi was hiding something from him. He looked at the other man silently for a moment; Lai Neishi smiled and lowered his eyes. Zong Lu also smiled, a smile that was hard to read. He asked no further questions and turned to leave.
“…Aiyo.” Lai Neishi exhaled and quickly followed.
Inside the hall, Pei Xiting, unaware that he was seen in Lai Neishi’s eyes as full of potential and having a bright future, took a sip of pear soup from his cup and said, “So you’re just letting the young imperial grandson go back like that?”
The Crown Prince said, “Otherwise?”
“We could take a walk together after the meal. It helps with digestion and clears the mind.” Pei Xiting glanced out the window. “For example, now, you could walk with me and see me out of the palace gates.”
The Crown Prince took a slow sip of tea. “Let’s go.”
Pei Xiting put down his cup, stood up, and followed the Crown Prince out. “Is the young imperial grandson going to rest now that he’s back?”
The Crown Prince said, “Reviewing his lessons.”
Pei Xiting was curious. “Does he usually go out to play?”
“He goes horseback riding and hunting. Sometimes he joins literary society outings.” The Crown Prince tilted his head and saw Pei Xiting’s hesitant expression, knowing what was brewing in that head. He added, “Whether it’s studying or archery and horsemanship, they are all things he enjoys. I don’t usually need to urge him; he is diligent and tireless in his studies on his own.”
“He looks like a seedling destined for great things.” Pei Xiting smiled. “Are you grooming the young imperial grandson to succeed the throne?”
The Crown Prince said, “Mm.”
Pei Xiting didn’t ask further. He walked quietly behind the Crown Prince for a stretch, one step ahead of the other, two steps apart.
An autumn breeze blew, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus. Pei Xiting sighed comfortably as yellowed autumn leaves swirled under the corridor. He looked down, and when he looked up again, he suddenly caught sight of the Crown Prince’s hands clasped behind his waist. The sleeve was a pale blue-green. The string of crystal prayer beads that he always carried was missing.
Pei Xiting suddenly remembered that since returning from Ningzhou, he hadn’t seen that string of beads anymore.
“Once autumn sets in, the New Year isn’t far off. I’d like to have a string of prayer beads made as a gift, but I don’t know where the craftsmanship is good.” Pei Xiting deliberately sounded troubled, then suddenly stepped forward to walk abreast with the Crown Prince. “By the way, the one you had before looked excellent. Where was it made?”
The Crown Prince’s expression was calm. “Bao Ci Chan Temple.”
Pei Xiting feigned surprise. “Do temples take on such commissions?”
“No, Monk Liaoyin made it for me.” The Crown Prince said. “He’s now traveling everywhere, so you can’t meet him. Within the capital, Linglong Ge has the best craftsmanship.”
“Great, I’ll go check it out another day.” Pei Xiting finished, inwardly annoyed at himself for making such a roundabout inquiry. How could he find out anything this way? So he asked directly, “Oh, by the way, Your Highness, that string of beads of yours—I haven’t seen you wearing it the last few times.”
The Crown Prince paused in his steps and turned his head to look at Pei Xiting. The latter blinked in feigned bewilderment. The Crown Prince was silent for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and said, “I accidentally broke it.”
“I see.” Pei Xiting didn’t ask any more questions, but he was thoughtful.
The two walked on in silence until they reached the palace gate. The Crown Prince stopped there and said, “Go back now. Rest tomorrow.”
“I have my day off the day after tomorrow… Oh, you mean take leave.” Pei Xiting shook his head. “Taking leave for such a minor injury is unnecessary.”
“It’s fine. There’s nothing urgent at the Document Office lately.” The Crown Prince said. “Go.”
Pei Xiting said nothing more. He cupped his hands in farewell, turned, and stepped through the palace gate to board his carriage.
The palace attendants bowed to the Crown Prince, then turned and sat on the driver’s seat, driving the carriage away.
The carriage door gently pushed open. Pei Xiting suddenly leaned out to look behind him. The palace gate framed the Crown Prince securely, but the attendants on either side inside the gate remained bowed prostrate, indicating that the Crown Prince was still standing there.
He waited until the carriage had driven away, until he could no longer see clearly.
The next day, Pei Xiting lay motionless in his room. In the afternoon, Imperial Physician Liu came to administer acupuncture. The sixth-rank court physician was extremely respectful.
Pei Xiting said gently, “Sorry to trouble you, Physician Liu, to make this trip.”
He lay sideways on a lounging chair, a medicinal plaster on his forehead. His exquisite features, weakened by a slightly pale complexion, lost some of their usual sharpness, giving him a hint of a delicate, sickly beauty. Physician Liu dared not look too long. “Clerk Pei, you are too kind. I was coming from the palace anyway, and returning home, I pass by Lanyin Street. Besides, this is my duty. Your early recovery will allow me to report to His Highness sooner.”
Pei Xiting was taken aback. “Did His Highness say something to you, Physician Liu?”
“His Highness only said to do my utmost to treat your injury, and to use the best medicines from the Imperial Hospital, regardless of rank.” Physician Liu paused. “His Highness did mention one thing: that you dislike the bitterness of medicine and are reluctant to take it, so he asked me to be as considerate as possible when prescribing.”
Pei Xiting was silent for a moment after hearing this, but said nothing. He only called for Yuan Fang and said, “Give Physician Liu one hundred taels in silver notes.”
Physician Liu immediately raised his hand to decline. “This is my duty. How could I accept extra payment? Besides, His Highness has already rewarded me. I dare not accept a single cent from you.”
Pei Xiting pursed his lips, deciding not to insist further. He only said, “In that case, I’m much obliged to you, Physician Liu.”
He paused. “I heard you were invited to the Wang residence yesterday. How is Vice Minister Wang’s health?”
Physician Liu said, “Vice Minister Wang is ill from overwork and needs rest.”
“I see.” Pei Xiting said nothing more.
A moment later, Physician Liu removed the needles, packed them into his medicine case, and stood up. “I’ll take my leave then.”
Pei Xiting nodded. “Yuan Fang, see Physician Liu out.”
Yuan Fang gestured with his hand, escorting Physician Liu to the courtyard gate. He turned back, closed the gate, and returned to the bedroom. Pei Xiting looked thoughtful, so Yuan Fang asked, “What are you planning?”
Pei Xiting said flatly, “Madam Wang reminded Pei Yan in the flower hall to put me in my place while I’m still young, before my wings are fully grown, worried that I won’t acknowledge the family once I become successful. So she definitely won’t want to see Pei Yan sign the letter of release.”
Yuan Fang understood. “You want to kidnap Wang Ming to threaten her?”
“…Not necessary.” Pei Xiting said. “It’s just around the time of the big exams. Wang Ming probably won’t last the year. Once he’s gone, the Wang family will only have his grandson Wang Qi, who just entered the Imperial Guard and hasn’t even gotten a firm foothold himself. That’s why the Wang family is so anxious to betroth their daughter, hoping to use the marital connection to ease their awkward decline and have someone look after Wang Qi. There are plenty of sons of noble families in the capital more prestigious than me, but they might not look favorably upon the Wangs right now. That’s why they chose me. The Wangs are in a very passive position.”
Yuan Fang truly understood now. “You want to make an exchange of interests?”
“They’re not worthy.” Pei Xiting said blandly. “They’re the ones who need something from us. We just need to wait for the right moment. But until then, I’m still a bit worried about Mother staying in the Pei residence. Can we find someone trustworthy to go there?”
“Aren’t there people right outside?”
He meant the Crown Prince’s men. Pei Xiting shook his head.
Yuan Fang crossed his arms. “You initially attached yourself to him to gain a powerful patron, didn’t you?”
“Yes, but I originally only wanted to use that connection to stay alive. His Highness has already been exceptionally kind to me. If I harbor such intentions and go running to him for help every time I encounter a problem, His Highness might think less of me, and I myself wouldn’t feel right about it.” Pei Xiting said. “Some things I can handle on my own.”
Yuan Fang said nothing more. He scratched his head. “Want me to go to Baiyou Mountain tomorrow to ask?”
Pei Xiting said, “Okay.”
The next day, Yuan Fang went to Baiyou Mountain and brought back a candidate: Shiliu Niang.
Pei Xiting thought for a moment. “She’s an old acquaintance of Mother’s. That would be suitable. But what about her shop?”
“She said she’s the boss. She has people working there even when she’s away.” Yuan Fang said. “She also said she won’t accept any commission.”
“Then ask her to act as a physician, enter the residence to treat Mother’s injuries until she recovers. If the Pei residence refuses to accommodate my filial concern for my mother…” Pei Xiting thought for a moment. “Then I’ll invite an imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital to treat her.”
Pei Yan wouldn’t want the family’s dirty laundry aired, much less have people from the Imperial Hospital or others know about the rift between him and Pei Xiting. So Shiliu Niang quickly disguised herself and entered Suyingzhai.
The news soon reached the Crown Prince. He handled his chess pieces without a word.
Yu Shaoyun stood to one side and said, “Clerk Pei wants Lady Bu to leave the Pei family. I think he has a streak of recklessness in his bones.”
“The fact that he dared to come see me at the Mei residence shows that to some extent.” The Crown Prince said. “This is his family matter. Let him decide.”
Yu Shaoyun acknowledged with an “eh.”
Bai Tang entered the hall to report. “Your Highness, Xiao Dawang is getting restless.”
“Is Pei Xiting at the Cage Crane Department at the moment?” Once Yu Shaoyun nodded, the Crown Prince said, “Let it go. Have Jiezi follow it.”
Bai Tang acknowledged and withdrew.
Yu Shaoyun smiled. “Xiao Dawang has been conquered by Clerk Pei.”
The Crown Prince made no comment, only saying blandly, “Pei Xiting likes it too. Let them play together.”
Xiao Dawang bounded out of the Eastern Palace, heading straight for the Cage Crane Department.
At that time, Pei Xiting was redrawing a map outside the Document Office, holding a brush in one hand and a jug of pomegranate juice in the other. Hearing the sound, he turned in time and stuck out a leg to block Xiao Dawang. “Don’t knock over my board.”
Xiao Dawang nuzzled against his leg. Pei Xiting smiled and continued drawing.
Lu Mang returned from outside and sidled up to Pei Xiting to share some news. “Hey, the first batch of the second volume of Tales of the Pomegranate Blossoms Night is out.”
Pei Xiting’s brush paused. He had been feeling low on energy these past two days due to his injury, not in the mood to think about anything else. He had just managed to calm his temper, and now looking at it again would only stir him up again?
Lu Mang’s eyes were expectant, with a hint of encouragement. It was clear he was using Pei Xiting, the real-life inspiration for the protagonist, as a convenient channel for feedback. Pei Xiting thought to himself, since we’re both creators, I might as well support him.
“I’ll go buy it later,” he said.
Lu Mang smiled. “Hey, have you ever thought about collaborating with Fengyue Shusheng? He writes, you draw. You could make Tales of the Pomegranate Blossoms Night a sensation in the capital?”
Pei Xiting felt a bit guilty. “Wouldn’t that be too flashy?”
“Don’t worry. This line of work has few buyers, and they’re all very discreet. They won’t talk about it.” Lu Mang reassured him. “As long as the Crown Prince doesn’t find out.”
Pei Xiting said darkly, “So, that Xi Zong character really is based on the Crown Prince, right?”
Lu Mang shuddered and gave an awkward laugh. “That, I wouldn’t know. I’m not the author, after all. Ha ha.”
“Ha ha.” Pei Xiting laughed too. Then he said, “But I don’t know Fengyue Shusheng. How can we collaborate?”
“Don’t worry,” Lu Mang patted his own chest. “I’ll make the connection.”
Pei Xiting: “Oh?”
“I’m a devoted reader of Fengyue Shusheng, so I know how to contact him. Actually, he really wants to work with you. He specifically asked me to sound you out. If you agree, you can illustrate the first volume. Then we can release a second edition of the first volume,” Lu Mang said.
Pei Xiting thought for a moment. “Do I have to draw those scenes too?”
Lu Mang said, “Make them subtle. We’re going for a hazy, ambiguous mood.”
Oh, that was fine. Although Pei Xiting had secretly drawn a nude of the Crown Prince, and fan art for Tales of the Pomegranate Blossoms Night, and had bled from his nose the first time he looked at it lying on his bed, selling it for everyone to see was a bit too much.
He said, “Alright. I’ll go back and try drawing the first volume.”
Lu Mang was overjoyed. He patted Pei Xiting on the shoulder, stroked Xiao Dawang’s head, and strode into the Document Office.
Pei Xiting continued working. When he set down his brush, he called out to the office, asking Lu Mang to roll up the map later, and left with Xiao Dawang.
Yuan Fang wasn’t carving wood today. Instead, he sat at the doorway studying how to make fish soup, holding a notebook. Uncle Wei sat nearby giving advice, holding nothing back.
“Thanks, Uncle Wei.” Yuan Fang snapped his notebook shut just as Pei Xiting leaned over from behind. “Once I’ve mastered it, I’ll bring you a pot.”
Uncle Wei laughed heartily, then turned to have Xiao Dawang right in his face. He was so startled that he jerked back. “Mother! What the hell is that thing!”
Xiao Dawang darted behind Pei Xiting, peeking out warily.
Pei Xiting laughed. “Don’t be scared. It doesn’t eat people.”
“A little thing like that? I’m not scared.” Uncle Wei puffed out his chest, clapped his hands, and shooed them both, man and tiger, away.
Another early day off. It was only mid-afternoon. Pei Xiting reached out and poked Yuan Fang’s back. “Chef Fang, what’s for dinner tonight?”
Yuan Fang was eager to start. “I’ll go buy fish.”
“Buy me the second volume of Tales of the Pomegranate Blossoms Night too. Get the deluxe edition,” Pei Xiting said.
Yuan Fang said, “Got it.”
Back at the door, Pei Xiting led Xiao Dawang into the yard and closed the door behind him. Xiao Dawang wandered onto the veranda. Pei Xiting ignored it and went to the wall to collect the dried books, placing them on the bookshelf.
There was a small box in the middle of the shelf. Pei Xiting took it down and placed it by the table. He would need to take it to the examination hall tomorrow.
Yuan Fang returned quickly. He placed the deluxe edition in Pei Xiting’s hands and carried a bamboo basket of crucian carp into the kitchen. He rolled up his sleeves and tied on an apron, leaving Pei Xiting stunned.
“Pei Xiting! Pei—Xi—ting!”
A wailing voice came from outside the door. Pei Xiting rubbed his ears and went to open it. Outside stood a colorful butterfly, dressed in blue, green, and yellow today.
Mei Xiu gracefully opened his fan, pointing it at Pei Xiting’s forehead from across the air. “Who beat you up?”
“I sleepwalked and hit a wall.” Pei Xiting said. “What brings the young Marquis here?”
“Do I need a reason to come?” Mei Xiu gave a haughty look that said, My visit brings glory to your humble abode. He waved his hand, and two servants, acting as if they owned the place, carried a chest past Pei Xiting and into the house.
Pei Xiting: “…”
Mei Xiu said, “Mei Yi is bedridden, and Wang Qing doesn’t dare show his face. I couldn’t be happier. This is my thank-you gift.”
Pei Xiting bent down and opened the chest. It was filled with gold, silver, and jewels, tacky but especially adorable. He closed the chest. “When we do business, there’s no such thing as saying thank you afterwards.”
“Then consider this my reward.” Mei Xiu lifted his chin, looking down at Pei Xiting. “You have successfully pleased me.”
“…” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow, looking Mei Xiu up and down briefly before suddenly smiling. “Hey, do you want to sleep with me?”
Mei Xiu’s eyes flickered. He cleared his throat. “If you’re willing, it’s not impossible.”
Pei Xiting crooked his finger. Mei Xiu pursed his lips, hesitantly leaned in. He was as tall as Pei Xiting. Looking straight into those eyes so close, he felt his head go light. The slight upward tilt of the left eye corner was truly captivating. Mei Xiu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He was about to kiss Pei Xiting when he was suddenly shoved away.
Mei Xiu snapped back to his senses. He spun on the spot, tripped over his own feet, and fell flat on his ass.
“Go study.” Pei Xiting leaned against the doorframe, speaking lazily. “Mei Yi can’t take the exam this year, but he can take it in the future. He’ll always have a chance to rise. After what happened, he definitely hates your guts. You need to climb higher than him, get a firm foothold, so you can keep him down forever.”
All the words of anger and embarrassment caught in his throat. Mei Xiu stared blankly at Pei Xiting. Before he could say anything, the door slammed shut with a bang.
He immediately stood up, pacing in front of the yard gate for a moment before suddenly looking up and shouting at the door, “Pei Xiting, if you care that much about my future, does that mean you like me?!”
From inside came Pei Xiting’s short, cold voice, “Scram.”
Then a basin of cold water was dumped over Mei Xiu’s head.
The two servants stared at their young Marquis as if seeing a ghost. They watched him spit out a stream of water and wipe his face, but instead of kicking the door down, he turned around thoughtfully and left.
Yuan Fang put the bucket back by the well and went back to the kitchen to work. He said in passing, “Does this guy have a screw loose?”
Pei Xiting sat on a small stool at the kitchen door, peeling a pomegranate. He glanced at Xiao Dawang hopping around the yard. “Craving love.”
“How can you tell?” Yuan Fang asked.
“Before, at Bao Ci Chan Temple, His Highness just said that the Empress Dowager used to say Meixiu was still likable and not to disappoint the Empress Dowager. After that, Meixiu really did restrain himself a lot. Words like ‘study hard and make a future’—Marquis Mei might have said them, but Meixiu wouldn’t listen. But think about it—other than Marquis Mei, is there anyone in the Mei residence who would dare to talk to Meixiu like that, or would even have the chance?” Pei Xiting ate a pomegranate seed and continued slowly, “The Marchioness died young. The current lady is nominally Meixiu’s stepmother and maternal aunt, but she’s probably hoping Meixiu turns out crooked. Meixiu has never been nice to her, so she hasn’t even had the chance to put on a show of concern.”
Yuan Fang mused, “So you’re saying… he wouldn’t fall for you, would he?”
“Impossible. At most, he wants to sleep with me. But that’s fine. If he dares to try anything,” Pei Xiting said, “I’ll twist his head off.”
Little did Pei Xiting expect that Yuan Fang’s words might prove prophetic.
Before dawn the next day, Pei Xiting took a carriage to the examination hall. When he arrived, the sky was gray, and carriages were lined up at the gate.
He got off the carriage, found Zhao Yi and Pei Jintang among the crowd, and took out the auspicious pouches from his brocade box, handing one to each of them. “I got these prayer pouches from a temple in Ningzhou. For good luck.”
He was wearing a headband, so Zhao Yi didn’t see the wound on his forehead. Smiling, he hung the pouch on his waist and was about to speak when his expression suddenly changed.
“Xiting, turn around…”
Pei Xiting turned blankly. Mei Xiu was standing not far away, smiling at him.
Pei Xiting: “…”
Mei Xiu walked over, beaming at Pei Xiting. Then he reached out and patted Zhao Yi on the shoulder. “Brother Zhao the Fourth, don’t be nervous. You’ll definitely pass.”
Zhao Yi felt his smile was eerie. “Uh, thanks.”
Mei Xiu turned and patted Pei Jintang on the shoulder. “Second Young Master Pei, don’t be nervous. You’ll definitely pass.”
Pei Jintang found his smile strange. “Th-thanks.”
Mei Xiu turned back to Pei Xiting, his smile growing wider. Before he could speak, a cheerful voice sounded from behind him.
“Xiting.”
Pei Xiting looked sideways and met a familiar pair of peach blossom eyes.
Zhao Fan walked up to him, his gaze gentle. “Long time no see.”