Chapter 55#
At the Table Qu Zhuo: Yo, lively.#
Zhao Fan had pretty much finished his business in Ningzhou. With the autumn examinations approaching and Pei Xiting on his mind, he didn’t linger outside and returned to Yejing.
“I arrived only yesterday and was planning to come find you another day, but I ran into you now instead.” Zhao Fan studied Pei Xiting’s face, a look of concern in his eyes. “Your complexion isn’t as good as before. Have you been ill?”
Pei Xiting said, “Just been getting a bit of internal heat lately.”
Autumn dryness causing internal heat wasn’t a big deal, so Zhao Fan didn’t press further. He turned his head to look at Mei Xiu, teasing, “Is the young marquis also participating in the autumn examinations this year?”
“No, I came to see off Fourth Brother Zhao and Second Young Master Pei.” Mei Xiu didn’t mind Zhao Fan’s teasing at all. He tilted his head toward Pei Xiting and gave a slight smile. “And also to see Xiting on the way.”
That “Xiting” was so tender it made Pei Xiting shiver all over, goosebumps rapidly spreading across his body. He returned the smile, and Mei Xiu’s eyes lit up, immediately widening his smile. The two of them gazed at each other with smiles for a moment before Pei Jintang reached out and cut them off.
“Alright.” Pei Jintang quickly glanced at Mei Xiu and Zhao Fan, alert in his heart, and said to Pei Xiting, “Nothing to do with you anymore. Go on back and rest.”
Pei Xiting didn’t insist on staying and was about to say goodbye to Zhao Fan when the latter said, “I’ll escort you.”
Mei Xiu shot a wary glance at Zhao Fan and quickly added, “Take me too!”
Pei Jintang: “…”
Zhao Yi looked at Mei Xiu in confusion, thinking he seemed on edge today, inexplicably hostile toward everyone, but clearly didn’t pick up on more information.
Zhao Fan and Mei Xiu exchanged a look. Not in a hurry, Zhao Fan smiled slightly and said, “Fine, we’ll take you along.”
The three of them left together. Pei Jintang stared at their retreating backs, frowning. Before, he wouldn’t have thought much of it, but Shangguan Jie had given him some insight. Now, watching the two men walking on either side of Pei Xiting, he couldn’t shake the feeling they were up to no good.
No wonder—the reputations of those two were genuinely worrying.
Seeing Pei Jintang’s wary expression, Zhao Yi comforted him, “Don’t worry. With my elder brother around, Young Marquis Mei won’t bully Xiting.”
Your elder brother is the dangerous one, okay! Pei Jintang screamed internally, but didn’t show it on his face, since he had no solid evidence. Maybe he was just overthinking.
“Besides, Young Marquis Mei is very friendly to Xiting—always smiling.” Zhao Yi patted Pei Jintang’s shoulder. “Relax.”
Pei Jintang glanced at this naive little rabbit and was about to say something when he saw Zhao Yi’s expression shift slightly. He hesitated, then said, “Actually, it’s you I’m a bit worried about.”
Pei Jintang was puzzled. “What about me? I’m perfectly fine.”
“I know you don’t want to take the civil service exams through the imperial examinations. My guess is that you came today feeling completely carefree, but when I saw you earlier, you looked troubled,” Zhao Yi said.
Pei Jintang fell silent. In the past, his attitude had been “I’ll take it, and if I don’t pass, that’s fine too.” But now things were different. If he stayed at home, he would always just be the second young master of the Pei family, unable to leave on a long journey except under the excuse of “running away from home.”
Pei Jintang smiled at Zhao Yi. “I’ll take the exams seriously. If I don’t pass this year, I’ll seek my fortune elsewhere.”
Zhao Fan didn’t feel he should pry into Pei family affairs, so he just smiled and said, “Just do your best in everything.”
Meanwhile, on the other side, the three of them walked out from among the various families’ farewell processions under all kinds of gazes. They saw the Shangguan family’s carriage approaching.
Shangguan Jie jumped down from the carriage, completely ignoring his clan brothers who were also about to take the autumn exams, and strode straight up to Pei Xiting. “Came to see off Jintang and the others?”
Pei Xiting said, “Yeah.”
Shangguan Jie didn’t mind Pei Xiting’s indifferent attitude—he was used to it, and getting upset every time would only send him into a rage. He glanced at the two people beside him and said, “You’re off duty today, right? How about a cup of tea with me?”
“No can do. Xiting and I already have plans.” Mei Xiu stepped forward to block Shangguan Jie. “You, go away.”
Shangguan Jie clenched his teeth slightly but kept smiling. “How is it you’re everywhere I go?”
“That line, I’m returning to you.” Mei Xiu turned to Pei Xiting. “Let’s go.”
“Then I’m coming too.” Shangguan Jie hooked an arm around Mei Xiu’s shoulder, grinning. “Xiuer, you don’t mind if I tag along, do you?”
Mei Xiu said, “I do mind!”
“Why mind? The more the merrier. Unless,” Shangguan Jie said thoughtfully, “you’re planning to take Clerk Pei to do something bad?”
Mei Xiu gave a cold laugh. “Oh, the pot calling the kettle black?”
He grabbed Shangguan Jie’s arm and pulled him aside, lowering his voice. “I’ve seen through your little scheme long ago!”
Shangguan Jie said bluntly, “I’m warning you: don’t touch Pei Xiting.”
“What right do you have to say that? Is he yours?” Shangguan Jie’s gaze darkened, but Mei Xiu wasn’t intimidated. He patted Shangguan Jie’s shoulder. “He has nothing to do with you. I’ll give you a piece of advice: if something isn’t yours, don’t try to hog it.”
Shangguan Jie sneered, “If he’s not mine, you can’t touch him either.”
“Even if I don’t touch him, I’m not letting you or Zhao Xingjian touch him!” Mei Xiu said. “Pei Xiting? This young master is protecting him. Don’t you two dare to mess with him!”
“Protect my ass—he’s already gone!”
Mei Xiu was shoved with an elbow and, clutching his aching chest, turned his head. Zhao Fan had taken advantage of the fishing opportunity and whisked Pei Xiting away!
“Hey!” he called out and immediately chased after them.
Half an hour later, at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion.
Pei Xiting scanned the other three at the table and gave a slight smile. “Everyone get the rules of mahjong?”
He had originally planned to come to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion today to check on Qing Lingling anyway. Since these three were impossible to shake off, he might as well pull out the mahjong set from the carriage and get a game going.
“Got it.” Zhao Fan took a sip of tea. “Let’s play.”
Mei Xiu said, “Hold on—”
“If you didn’t understand, it means your brain isn’t working,” Shangguan Jie said. “Step down from the table.”
“Who said I didn’t understand?” Mei Xiu shot a glare at him. “I was saying that ten tael per round is too little. Not exciting enough.”
Pei Xiting, with the thinnest wallet, said, “Young Marquis, small gambling is just for fun.”
“You don’t make much from your salary in the Longhe Department, do you? Young Master Shangguan and Heir Zhao are both rolling in cash. You should take the chance to earn more.” Mei Xiu brazenly threw a wink at Pei Xiting, then said, “How about a hundred tael a round?”
Ten or a hundred taels made no difference to Zhao Fan and Shangguan Jie. Neither objected. Seeing this, Pei Xiting said, “Alright, then.”
Midway through, Qing Lingling pushed open the door and entered, carrying a tray that she set on a side table. “Snow pear soup.”
Pei Xiting put down a “one bamboo” tile, glanced up at Qing Lingling, and seeing her complexion was good, felt relieved.
“Thanks,” he said. “Let me try some.”
Qing Lingling picked up a bowl and walked over to Pei Xiting, saying softly, “No sugar added.”
Pei Xiting took a sip. “Mm, about right.”
Qing Lingling smiled. There was a bite mark on her lower lip that her lipstick couldn’t quite hide. Pei Xiting put down the bowl and said, “Sit for a while.”
“Okay.” Qing Lingling responded, pulled up a stool, and sat beside Pei Xiting.
Seeing this, Shangguan Jie said coldly, “I thought you two had cut ties for good? Three circles.”
“Friends have misunderstandings and arguments now and then—it’s nothing unusual. And now we’ve made up,” Pei Xiting reached for the tile. “Chow.”
When he had come to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion last time, Qing Lingling had shown her true concern for him over the bet with Mei Xiu. Why pretend now? Besides, Pei Xiting had plans. As long as Zong Rui was around, Qing Lingling had backing and couldn’t be easily touched, so he couldn’t let Zong Rui come to harm.
Zhao Fan knew Qing Lingling was Zong Rui’s kept little rabbit. Seeing her sitting close to Pei Xiting but without any hint of intimacy between them, he didn’t think much of it and casually asked, “Where did the heir go gallivanting today?”
“Gallivanting? Enzhou is just north of Yejing, and there’s been a bandit problem lately. He’s got to deal with it.” Shangguan Jie worked in the Imperial Guard Command, so he always knew a thing or two about Ministry of War matters.
Pei Xiting drew a tile and said offhandedly, “Isn’t anyone in Enzhou handling it?”
He rarely chimed in, so Shangguan Jie was a bit surprised. Then he said, “The prefectural office is busy with cases of missing persons. Those bandits are vicious, too. They’re stretched thin, so they had to ask Yejing for help. The heir is devoted to His Highness; if he can settle the matter by the end of the year, His Highness will be pleased.”
Once the rumor about the Four Treasures spread, the crown prince was put in danger. That was bad news for the Zong clan members too, especially Zong Rui, the heir of Prince Ning’s Estate. In outsiders’ eyes, with the emperor bedridden, Zong Lu was the son of the guilty crown prince, and Prince Ning was already advanced in age. Zong Rui, as a vigorous young princely heir, was the most competitive candidate.
If the crown prince grew wary and decided to nip threats in the bud, Zong Rui’s position would become precarious.
Thus Pei Xiting guessed that Zong Rui’s blatant dalliances with Qing Lingling were mostly a form of self-deprecation, and his hands-on approach to everything was also a way to show loyalty to the crown prince.
“Aren’t they just a bunch of bandits? Couldn’t the heir just make a trip and settle it?” Mei Xiu said. “Three myriad! Pung!”
Shangguan Jie laughed. “Easy for you to say. Why don’t you go?”
“If His Highness trusted me enough to let me go, I’d dare to,” Mei Xiu said flippantly.
Pei Xiting’s gaze flickered slightly, and he said, “The young marquis isn’t bad at horseback archery. If he could go, he’d definitely make a name for himself.”
“Really? I think so too, Xiting. You’ve got good eyes!” Mei Xiu beamed.
Shangguan Jie’s teeth ached. He shot Pei Xiting a frosty glare, not understanding how the man couldn’t see through Mei Xiu and Zhao Fan’s intentions, still chatting and laughing with them, and now even flattering Mei Xiu?!
Bitterly, Shangguan Jie shot back, “A little praise and you take it seriously? Better not trip and die halfway.”
“Our rankings in the annual hunts are pretty much the same every year. If I risk tripping and dying, you’re in just as much danger. Oh, no, wait,” Mei Xiu said lazily, “you go on business trips way more often, riding horses and rushing about. You’ll probably die sooner than me.”
Shangguan Jie slammed his tile heavily onto the table and said in a deep voice, “One circle!”
Mei Xiu gave an exaggerated “Oh dear” and said reproachfully, “Easy, young marquis. If you break Xiting’s tiles, you’ll have to pay for them.”
Pei Xiting sat there enjoying the show, oblivious to Shangguan Jie’s daggers. He reached out, drew a “six circle,” and said, “Self-drawn.”
“I haven’t even made a pair yet.” Mei Xiu scratched his head, then immediately changed his expression and said cheerfully, “Xiting, you’ve hit a lucky streak today. You’re definitely going to make a killing!”
Pei Xiting smiled. “Hope so. I’ll treat you all to dinner later.”
The other three continued their battle. Pei Xiting tilted his head, flicked Qing Lingling’s pomegranate-shaped earring, and said, “It looks beautiful on you.”
“I look beautiful in anything.” Qing Lingling chuckled. “Of course, Third Young Master Pei has good taste—the style and materials were well chosen.”
Pei Xiting said, “Begonia and jade hairpins are all the rage lately. I’ll draw you another couple of sets and make it a complete four-season collection.”
Qing Lingling happily responded. When she looked up, she saw Mei Xiu staring at her coldly, so she gave a humph.
Mei Xiu’s eyes widened, his cheeks puffed out, but when his gaze touched Pei Xiting, he forced down his temper. Seeing this, Qing Lingling’s eyes darted around. She glanced at Pei Xiting and began to understand.
The door was pushed open. Qu Zhuo walked in, fanning himself with a folding fan, and said with a laugh, “Yo, lively. Xingjian, long time no see.”
Zhao Fan smiled. “Not busy at your temple? Wandering over here?”
“I booked some jewelry next door earlier, to take home as gifts for my sisters. I was passing by to pick it up and heard you all were here, so I thought I’d come up.” Qu Zhuo said, stopping behind Zhao Fan. Glancing at the table, he said, “Is this bone tiles? Different from what we used to play.”
Mei Xiu said, “It’s called ‘mahjong.’ Xiting learned it while away.”
Xiting, Qu Zhuo noted, and swept his eyes over the three men at the table. He clicked his tongue inwardly.
His sister was still waiting outside, so Qu Zhuo couldn’t stay long. He watched one round and then left.
Outside, a girl in a blue skirt with a single bun hairdo was peeking around the door. He walked over and knocked her on the forehead. “What are you looking at?”
Qu Zhen rubbed her forehead. “Is Pei Xiting really up there?”
“Mm, playing mahjong.” Qu Zhuo teased, “Still not giving up? The table upstairs is already full. No room for you.”
Qu Zhen pouted unhappily. “Why doesn’t he like me?”
“He doesn’t dislike you. He just doesn’t like you, so he can’t be bothered to look at you.” Qu Zhuo put an arm around Qu Zhen’s shoulders and pulled her away from the entrance of the Mandarin Duck Pavilion, turning to leave.
Qu Zhen was shorter than Qu Zhuo, and he leaned down as they walked, saying, “Listen to your brother. Stop thinking about Pei Xiting. You two have no fate.”
“Does he like men?” Qu Zhen asked. “Does he keep male companions too?”
Qu Zhuo said he didn’t know. Qu Zhen snorted and said nothing more.
The two returned to the Qu mansion. At the front door, they saw a carriage, and the people standing before it were unmistakably from the Eastern Palace.
“The crown prince is here.” Qu Zhuo quickened his pace, guiding Qu Zhen into their father’s courtyard. They entered just as the crown prince was coming toward them.
They stepped forward to pay respects. The crown prince said, “Rise. Uncle has taken his medicine and fallen asleep. Don’t disturb him.”
Qu Zhuo acknowledged and stepped aside to let the crown prince pass first, then followed with Qu Zhen.
On the way, the crown prince said, “Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet. Both of you cousin-sisters may enter the palace early to accompany the empress.”
“Yes, my sister and I will go after noon.” Qu Zhen paused, then edged closer to the crown prince, calling sweetly, “Cousin.”
That tone usually meant she wanted something. The crown prince glanced at her. “Speak.”
Qu Zhen grinned. “Will Pei Xiting be at the palace tomorrow?”
Qu Zhuo poked her at the words. Qu Zhen slapped his hand away and stared expectantly at the crown prince.
Instead of answering, the crown prince asked, “Do you want him to come?”
“I want to talk to him. Actually, I would’ve had the chance at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion just now, but my brother wouldn’t let me go up,” Qu Zhen said.
Qu Zhuo said, “Hey, you’re an unmarried girl. How could I let you go to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion?”
“You all can go. Why can’t I?” Qu Zhen retorted. “I’m not going to do anything bad. Can’t I even listen to some music?”
Qu Zhuo snorted and reached out to pinch her ear, but the crown prince said, “Of course you can. Pei Xiting doesn’t go to the Mandarin Duck Pavilion for debauchery.”
“Hear that?” Qu Zhen felt emboldened and gave Qu Zhuo a look. She then turned to the crown prince with curiosity. “Cousin, how do you know Pei Xiting isn’t there for debauchery?”
The crown prince said, “I know his character.”
“So, cousin, do you think he’s good?” Qu Zhen asked.
The crown prince said, “Very good.”
Not just good—very good. So plain and so firm. Qu Zhen felt even more regretful. “Then such a handsome and fine young gentleman will end up in someone else’s home!”
“What’s that got to do with you?” Qu Zhuo said. “He already turned down the marriage proposal in front of Auntie. Stop thinking about it. Go back to your courtyard, wash up, and sleep. Maybe you’ll have a nice dream.”
Qu Zhen wasn’t convinced. “Mother was rejected three times by Father before she married him, and in the end, he asked for her hand in marriage, didn’t he?”
Stubborn as ever, she continued, “You two—one is my own brother, the other my cousin. Are you just going to watch me pine away? Won’t you help me?”
“Pining away?” Qu Zhuo teased. “Your appetite hasn’t diminished at all. You’re bouncing around all day. I really can’t see a hint of sadness.”
Qu Zhen shot a glare at her brother, who could never say anything nice. She shoved him behind her and turned back to the crown prince. “Cousin, can you help me?”
The crown prince said, “How can I help you?”
“The opportunity is right in front of us! At tomorrow night’s palace banquet, you can arrange for Pei Xiting and me to perform a qin and xiao duet. Preferably a romantic piece about lovers under the moonlight. That way, we’ll practice together tomorrow morning, get to know each other naturally, and by nighttime, the atmosphere during the duet will be perfect.” Qu Zhen rubbed her chin. “Then at the autumn hunt at the end of the month, you can put us in the same team, and then hehehe…”
Qu Zhuo reached out to pull her back but got his hand swatted away. He sighed. Glancing at the crown prince’s expression, he saw nothing.
“A qin and xiao duet won’t work,” the crown prince said. “His qin playing isn’t good enough for a duet yet.”
Qu Zhen said, “How do you know?”
As they turned a corner, the crown prince glanced at her. “I taught him the qin, so naturally I know.”
Qu Zhen froze at that and stopped walking. The crown prince was tall and long-legged, and soon he was out of the corridor.
Qu Zhuo escorted him to his carriage. When he returned, he saw Qu Zhen lagging behind, lost in thought. He sighed. “Zhen—”
“The crown prince taught Pei Xiting the qin.” Qu Zhen looked up at him seriously. “Brother, don’t you think that’s strange? Why would the crown prince teach anyone the qin? Even the young grandson’s qin is taught by a palace qin doctor.”
Exactly, Qu Zhuo thought. “His Highness holds Clerk Pei in high regard.”
“Then it would be enough to cultivate him. Why teach him the qin?” Qu Zhen said. “That’s a private matter. When they’re learning the qin, they’re not ruler and subject; they’re teacher and student.”
Qu Zhuo studied his analytical sister. “So? What’s your brilliant deduction?”
“And don’t you think the crown prince’s tone when he talks about Pei Xiting is very casual and familiar?” Qu Zhen rubbed her chin, frowning thoughtfully. “I feel like there’s some idea about to surface, but I just can’t grasp it.”
Qu Zhuo walked up to her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and said, “This has nothing to do with you, Zhenzhen. No matter what relationship the crown prince and Pei Xiting have, Pei Xiting and you—”
“Relationship?” Qu Zhen cut him off, her eyes widening. “Relationship… relationship…”
She repeated the word. Qu Zhuo said worriedly, “Have you gone mad?”
Qu Zhen wasn’t mad. She felt a sudden clarity, and a bold guess took shape in her mind—seemingly incredible, yet not beyond reason. At least, there was some possibility.
Qu Zhen turned and walked away slowly, clearly lost in thought.
Qu Zhuo watched her go, then remembered the table at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion, and thought to himself: Pei Xiting really is a demon, irresistible to both men and women.
Pei Xiting sneezed.
Zhao Fan beside him asked with concern, “Caught a chill?”
“No.” Pei Xiting rubbed his nose. After leaving the restaurant, he looked up at the sky. “The sky’s gotten gloomy. It might rain. You all should head back. I’ll see Lingling home.”
Zhao Fan didn’t insist. “Then take care on your way back. I’m off.”
Pei Xiting clasped his hands in salute, then turned to look at the two young marquises still bickering at the restaurant entrance. He turned to Qing Lingling. “When does Heir Zong leave for Enzhou?”
“He hasn’t said.” Qing Lingling whispered, “What’s wrong?”
Pei Xiting said, “Do you know someone named Huidou?”
Qing Lingling nodded. “I know him. He’s Heir Zong’s personal attendant and bodyguard.”
“Good,” Pei Xiting said. “Pretend I never asked.”
Qing Lingling was puzzled, but she nodded. “Don’t worry, I understand.”
Pei Xiting glanced at the two who might come to blows at any moment, then simply took Qing Lingling back. He saw her inside and stood at the door for a while.
Huidou had long since betrayed his master, planted by Zong An as a spy beside Zong Rui. During the bandit suppression, Huidou would secretly orchestrate Zong Rui’s death to help Zong An seize the heir position.
To save Zong Rui, he had to get rid of that nail. To make Zong Rui see the vicious face hidden behind Zong An’s harmless mask early and stay vigilant, he needed Zong Rui to witness Huidou’s betrayal firsthand and suspect who Huidou truly served.
But the precondition was not to make Zong Rui suspect his motives. Pei Xiting’s gaze flickered over the scatterbrained Mei Xiu, and a plan took shape in his mind.
Later, Pei Xiting returned to Lanyin Street. On the door hung a gilded invitation, and on the ground sat a wooden box.
He opened them.
The invitation was for the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, addressed not to the third young master of the Pei family but to Pei Xiting, the young grandson’s painting and calligraphy teacher.
Inside the wooden box was an incense-colored gauze robe, with osmanthus branches embroidered on it. The embroidery was exquisite, dense yet airy, clearly expensive.
Pei Xiting’s emotions were tangled. “Tell me, does His Highness really not like me?”
“Sometimes I find the crown prince very strange,” Yuan Fang said. “He treats you differently. Take this robe for example—even though it’s your first time attending the palace banquet, your clothing and daily expenses have long exceeded the monthly allowance of the Pei family’s third young master. With all the buying and buying, how could you possibly lack good clothes?”
Pei Xiting murmured, “What is His Highness thinking?”
“Maybe he likes you too, but thinks you two aren’t suitable—after all, you’re both men, and he’s the crown prince, the future emperor?” Yuan Fang guessed. “Or maybe he’s restraining himself because he can’t afford to indulge personal feelings, afraid of losing control. I mean, look at him—like a piece of unfeeling wood. The first time I saw him, he wasn’t like this.”
Pei Xiting was curious. “What was he like then?”
Yuan Fang thought for a moment. “Well, even though Fifth Prince isn’t exactly lively and cheerful, he at least seems human. He can talk and laugh, just a bit smarter, calmer, crueler, and more calculating than ordinary people his age… Anyway, back then, he would sit on rooftops drinking under the moon, chatting all night, and his aggression showed on his face. Not like now—too cold, too indifferent.”
Pei Xiting felt that the crown prince was like a volcano that had silenced itself. The calm surface was just a façade; there was something very heavy inside him, grinding away at his heart and flesh day and night.
He pressed his lips together, then slapped the invitation onto Yuan Fang’s chest. “I’m going to bed early tonight!”
Yuan Fang opened the courtyard gate. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Pei Xiting entered the courtyard. Yuan Fang closed the gate behind him and extinguished the lamp by the door.
Moonlight spilled into the alley. A stray cat patrolled the walls, then jumped down. But in front of it stood a massive figure. With a meow, the cat screeched to a halt, turned tail, and scurried away.
Yu Shaoyun soon appeared by the carriage. “Clerk Pei has returned home. I asked Jiezi. Clerk Pei just played mahjong with those people, had a meal afterward, said a few words to Qing Lingling, and everyone dispersed.”
“Zhao Fan, Shangguan Jie, and now Mei Xiu added to the mix,” the crown prince said, leafing through documents. “That fight last time certainly sparked something between them.”
“The young marquis is straightforward and not given to scheming. It’s probably because of the Mei Yi and Qu Lan matter that he and Clerk Pei have buried the hatchet.” Yu Shaoyun deliberated over his words. “You know Clerk Pei’s mind, Your Highness. He already moves through things like a fish in water. Now with Young Marquis Mei as a shield, Heir Zhao and Young Master Shangguan will only have fewer openings. Besides, you’ve sent Jiezi out. There’s really no need to worry.”
Silence filled the carriage for a moment. Then the crown prince said, “Sometimes I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Your Highness is doing what you want to do, just following your heart. But,” Yu Shaoyun paused, “Your Highness, words and deeds don’t lie. You pay far too much attention to Clerk Pei. Anyone close to you for long will eventually see through it. Jiezi already…”
“Already what?”
“Jiezi said, he said…” Yu Shaoyun cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “That it looks as if Clerk Pei is going to become the crown princess. Why else would Your Highness commission a secret guard captain to do surveillance? You’re concerned about His—Clerk Pei’s safety, and also afraid of Clerk Pei getting entangled with other men outside.”
His voice trailed off into a barely audible whisper.
But the crown prince still caught the gist. “They discuss me like this in private?”
Yu Shaoyun quickly explained, “No gossip, no gossip. It was just Jiezi muttering to himself, and I overheard. I’m not tattling, I just wanted to say… well, think about it. Among us, Jiezi and Bai Tang are the most clueless about matters of the heart. If even Jiezi is thinking this way, then… what about Clerk Pei?”
The crown prince’s brow creased slightly.
“Those of us on the inside are fine, but Clerk Pei is observant and sensitive. If this continues, won’t he begin to suspect that you actually…”
Yu Shaoyun stopped short, not daring to finish.
“The Eastern Palace is not a home for Pei Xiting; it’s a cage,” the crown prince said. “Shaoyun, you shouldn’t advise me to lure him in.”
“But Clerk Pei likes you, not ’the crown prince.’ He doesn’t want to fly into the Eastern Palace; he wants to fly to your side.”
“I am the crown prince.” The crown prince tilted his head slightly, suddenly smiling. “Of course, sometimes I can’t tell who I really am.”
“Clerk Pei can tell,” Yu Shaoyun said. “When he looks at you, there’s no fear in his eyes, only something sparkling.”
The crown prince was silent for a long time. “Then he doesn’t know people well.”