Chapter 58#
Letter: Little Pei Arrives in Enzhou (I)#
Young Master Mei, shameless as ever, exhausted every flattering word and even resorted to the ultimate tactic—“If you don’t agree, I’ll hang myself at your door”—before finally persuading (or rather, annoying) Zongrui into taking the two of them along. Then, satisfied, he left.
A short while later, Huidou entered the study to attend to things and teased, “The young marquis actually came all the way to the Prince Ning’s residence to discuss official business with you. Could it be that he’s finally mending his ways?”
“Who knows,” Zongrui said languidly. “Send word—we’ll be taking Xiu’er and Secretary Pei along on the journey.”
Huidou hadn’t expected that Young Master Mei had come to discuss this very matter. A bit surprised, he chose his words carefully. “You volunteered to suppress the unrest in Enzhou, and now Young Master Mei and Secretary Pei are butting in. Won’t that split one merit into three?”
“We’re all serving the court and His Highness,” Zongrui said dismissively. “Why split hairs?” He paused. “Xiu’er rarely wants to do something worthwhile. For the sake of both public duty and personal inclination, I’m happy to help make it happen. As for Secretary Pei—the Caged Crane Division already has its hands full. If he wants merit, he doesn’t need to poach from the Ministry of War.”
Huidou was still puzzled. “Then why is Secretary Pei getting involved?”
“Just consider it a pleasure trip. Let him be—one more person won’t make a difference,” Zongrui said.
“But we’re going on official business, not to play tourist with some carefree young master…” Huidou caught Zongrui’s gaze and immediately shut his mouth, lowering his head. “Forgive my impertinence, Your Grace. But I’m only worried that having Secretary Pei along will be inconvenient. After all, we’re not on a picnic. If something happens to him, the Caged Crane Division will come demanding an explanation.”
Zongrui didn’t scold him further but said simply, “Once we’re on the road, everyone bears their own fate. Even Chief Clerk Lu of the Caged Crane Division has approved this, and You Heying is reasonable.”
Huidou dared not argue further and withdrew to make arrangements.
Soon after, the Princess of Ning arrived. She had someone place a bowl of snow fungus soup on the desk and said, “It’s getting colder. I’ve packed thick clothes for you—make sure to bring them and don’t catch a chill. Oh, and when are you setting off?”
“We’ll leave after noon,” Zongrui said. “I won’t go say goodbye to Father.”
The princess nodded. “Please don’t. The prince is still angry about the time you kicked away his cane. If you go, you’ll only get a cold shoulder.”
Zongrui chuckled. “If I hadn’t kicked it away, would he really have broken Zongyu’s leg?”
The princess sighed. “You children are nothing but worry. At your age, other families’ sons are either married or at least betrothed. But you—Yu’er is never home, met some girl outside, and insists on marrying her. And you, wasting your days carousing with a male performer—what kind of example is that!”
Zongrui smiled but said nothing.
Seeing that further lecturing was pointless, the princess said, “The bandits are fierce. Be very careful, my son.”
“Rest assured, Mother. I know what I’m doing.” Zongrui smiled. “This trip shouldn’t take more than a month—I’ll definitely be back in time for New Year’s with you.”
The princess hummed in acknowledgment. “A few days earlier or later doesn’t matter. Your health is what matters most. This time in Enzhou, you’ll be making all the decisions?”
“That’s right.” Zongrui glanced at her. “Mother, if you have something to say, just say it. Why hesitate in front of your own son?”
“Well… I was wondering if you could take An’er along to gain some experience?” The princess sighed. “His birth mother passed when he was young, and I raised him myself. He’s a good, obedient boy, but too quiet. He’s nineteen now, and it’s time he found a position. You could take him on this trip to toughen him up a bit, so when he eventually enters the yamen, he won’t be too soft. I raised him—he’s different from your other brothers. Once he makes something of himself, he can be a support to you.”
“I can take him, but I need to be clear,” Zongrui said coolly. “This is a Ministry of War assignment. If you hope to get him a reward out of it, the ministry won’t accept it. And if His Highness suspects the Prince Ning’s residence of abusing power or monopolizing credit, that wouldn’t be good.”
“Just let him gain some experience—I’m not asking for anything else, don’t worry,” the princess said with a mock scold. “I wouldn’t harm my own son, would I?”
Zongrui snorted a laugh and downed the snow fungus soup in one gulp.
Before departing, Pei Xiting visited the Pei residence. He didn’t mention that he was going to Enzhou, only that he was going on official business.
Since it involved yamen matters, Bu Suying didn’t pry. She tucked an embroidered headband she had made into his bundle and also gave him a new pair of shoes. “It’s getting cold. You need to change out of those thin summer boots. Wear something thicker and more comfortable—don’t let your feet get cold. How are they? Fit well?”
Pei Xiting stomped his feet on the ground. “They fit.”
“Get up and walk a couple of circles.” Bu Suying pulled him to his feet and made him walk around the room. When he nodded, she smiled. “If they fit, take them. If you’d told me earlier you were going out, I could have prepared some snacks for you to take along—something to eat on the road.”
“No need to trouble yourself. I can buy things outside. It’s cold—you should avoid cold water so you don’t hurt your hands. Oh, by the way—” Pei Xiting picked up a wooden box from the table. “There’s lip balm and pearl cream for winter, several jars of them. They’re for you and Sixteenth Sister. Inside there’s also a scar cream I had Doctor Su prepare. Use it on any wounds. If you need other cosmetics, just send someone to Nuan Yu Pavilion on Yangliu Street. I’ve already deposited money there—you can take whatever you need.”
“Things from Nuan Yu Pavilion are so expensive. I don’t need such fancy stuff.” Bu Suying felt around his waist but found no money pouch. “Do you have enough for yourself?”
“Plenty. Selling a painting or winning a round of cards is enough to earn some. You don’t need to worry about anything.” Pei Xiting reached up and adjusted her hairpin for her. “I just want you to live the rest of your life in comfort and dignity, without suffering any grievances.”
Bu Suying caressed his face and said softly, “As long as you’re safe, healthy, and happy, that’s all I need.”
Pei Xiting hummed softly. “I’m off.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Bu Suying walked him to the gate, where three fine horses were waiting. Yuan Fang had once sneaked into the Pei residence late at night on Pei Xiting’s behalf to visit her, so she recognized him. After they exchanged nods, she looked at the colorfully robed young man on another horse—a somewhat dazzling sight.
“Is this young master traveling with you?” Bu Suying asked.
“Yes. This is Young Master Mei of the Qingyuan Marquis Manor.” Pei Xiting said to Mei Xiu, who had trotted over, “Young Marquis, this is my aunt.”
Mei Xiu snapped his folding fan shut and said courteously, “I’ve long heard of Aunt Bu’s reputation as the ‘Spirit Consort on the Waves.’ Today I see that your beauty is indeed otherworldly. Our Xiting clearly inherited your unmatched grace.”
Bu Suying hadn’t expected him to be so gentle and polite—nothing like the arrogant, spoiled young master of legend. She performed a curtsy. “I am but a humble willow, unworthy of the young marquis’s praise.”
“Aunt is too modest.” Mei Xiu chuckled. “Xiting isn’t like you in that regard—he never humbles himself with me.”
Pei Xiting kept his eyes straight ahead and said nothing.
“Xiting is young and brash. If he is ever rude or offensive, please forgive him, Young Marquis,” Bu Suying said. “This is a great fortune for Xiting to travel with you, and I ask that you guide him well.”
“Don’t worry—I’ll take good care of him.” Mei Xiu draped an arm around Pei Xiting’s shoulders with a wink. Pei Xiting gave a wry smile and shoved him back onto his horse.
Turning back, Pei Xiting urged Bu Suying to go inside. He stepped into the stirrup, swung onto his horse, and shouted, “Let’s go!”
The three galloped away and soon disappeared. Bu Suying strained her neck to watch them go, then turned and smiled at Shiliu, who was standing behind the door watching her. Together, they went back inside.
When Pei Xiting reached the agreed-upon small city gate, he was surprised to find Zong An among the party—someone who, in the original novel, had not personally gone to Enzhou. Zong An smiled at him, a warm, gentle smile that reminded Pei Xiting uncannily of an enormous white lotus. Pei Xiting smiled back and performed a courtesy salute.
Mei Xiu halted his horse next to Pei Xiting. He didn’t care why Zong An had joined them—he simply performed the proper greeting.
“Since everyone’s here, let’s move.” Zongrui turned his horse’s head and spurred into a gallop.
The group rode on without rest until dusk had deepened, finally stopping at a post station when the surroundings were pitch-black.
Zongrui glanced at the map. “We’ll rest here tonight. We’ll reach Enzhou prefecture by noon tomorrow. Dismount.”
The guards answered in unison and dismounted. Pei Xiting slid smoothly off his horse, tilted his head to look at Mei Xiu, and said, “You’re not complaining about being tired?”
“When you’re out on business, you stick to the rules,” Mei Xiu said, taking a sip of water. Then, lowering his voice, he added, “And believe me, if I started complaining, the young master would drop me right here.”
“I believe you,” Pei Xiting said.
Mei Xiu grinned. “Let’s go inside and sit down. I’m starving.”
He pulled Pei Xiting to sit at a table with the Zong brothers. Pei Xiting winked at Yuan Fang, signaling him to socialize on his own. A moment later, he glanced over again to find that Yuan Fang had already successfully infiltrated the guards’ circle.
“Stop staring,” Mei Xiu said warily, eyeing Yuan Fang. “He’s not your house boy, is he? Ordinary attendants don’t have looks like that!”
Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow. “What do you think, Young Marquis?”
“How should I know?” Mei Xiu said. “Him, I don’t mind. But be careful around Shangguan Jinhe and especially the Zhao Crown Prince . Don’t be fooled by Zhao’s flowery talk—he’s no good.”
Pei Xiting smiled but said nothing.
Zongrui cut in teasingly, “And what kind of person are you?”
Mei Xiu giggled and flopped against Zongrui, speaking in a syrupy voice, “I’m the young master’s sweetheart—”
Thump!
Zongrui slammed Mei Xiu’s head onto the table. Mei Xiu rolled his eyes and passed out cold, only reviving when the hot food arrived.
The station’s fare was nothing special, but it was hot and warmed the belly. After a full meal, everyone went to their rooms. Mei Xiu stuck to Pei Xiting like glue and was about to step over the threshold when Yuan Fang suddenly extended an arm to block him.
The smile on Mei Xiu’s face vanished instantly.
“This way, Young Marquis.” Yuan Fang gestured and then shoved Mei Xiu outward. Slap! He slammed the door shut.
“Xiting!” Mei Xiu rushed forward, banging on the door. “Look at this undisciplined servant of yours!”
Pei Xiting’s voice came earnestly from behind the door. “Rest assured, Young Marquis. I’ll deal with him properly.”
Mei Xiu believed him. “Fine, I won’t argue with him. Are you going to sleep now?”
“I’ll rest after I wash up,” Pei Xiting said. “You should turn in early too, Young Marquis. We have more riding tomorrow.”
“All right, but hey,” Mei Xiu said, “keep it down tonight. These walls are thin—the neighbors can hear everything. Just go to sleep early!”
“Thanks for the reminder, Young Marquis. I’ll try to be quiet.”
Mei Xiu sighed, dragging himself away with a look of reluctant torment.
“I feel like there’s subtext between you two,” Yuan Fang said, plopping down heavily into a chair with a suspicious look.
“Nothing much. The young marquis just thinks you’re my kept boy, and he thinks we’re going to have a deep, thorough discussion about the harmony of life tonight.” Pei Xiting tugged off his belt and casually stroked Yuan Fang’s chin. “It’s your fault for being too handsome.”
Yuan Fang didn’t mind the wandering hand. “Someone’s following us.”
Pei Xiting froze. “Who?”
“I don’t know. But this one is far more skilled than the people who’ve been watching the little courtyard. I can only vaguely sense that they’re… there, but not quite.” A knock came at the door, and Yuan Fang got up to answer.
The station servant brought in two basins of hot water and a bucket of water, then quickly withdrew.
Old habits die hard; Yuan Fang produced a silver needle to test the water. Finding nothing amiss, he soaked Pei Xiting’s personal cloth, wrung it out, and handed it to him to wipe his face.
“Someone with such remarkable stealth skills is most likely a shadow guard or an assassin, and a high-level one at that.”
Pei Xiting wiped his face. “It might not be meant for us. After all, traveling with us are Young Master Mei and two Zongs—any one of them is worth a fortune.”
“But I sensed them once outside the Pei residence. There are fewer than five people in the world who can give me that kind of feeling. And this person bears us no ill will—more like a guard than a killer.” Yuan Fang paused. “I suspect it’s someone from the Eastern Palace.”
Pei Xiting was stunned. “A shadow guard of that caliber would be protecting the Crown Prince at all times. Why would he be following me?”
“Maybe the Crown Prince sent him to protect you,” Yuan Fang said.
Pei Xiting pressed his lips together. “I’ve already fallen out with him. And you think the Crown Prince is so benevolent that he’d send his own guards to protect me?”
“Judging by how arrogant and out of control you are, and the fact that His Highness hasn’t laid a finger on you, in my book he’s practically a living Buddha,” Yuan Fang said flatly.
“This kind of person—saying one thing while meaning another, with a mouth harder than his actual resolve—is the worst!” Pei Xiting said bitterly. “Men with the surname Zong never get a happy ending in romance novels!”
Yuan Fang didn’t fully understand, but he ventured, “He likes you, so he pays attention to you and looks out for you, but he can’t be with you because of his status?”
“Not just status… Well, you could say that.” Pei Xiting sighed. “He sees the Eastern Palace as a cage and himself as a monster. He thinks the palace will trap me and that he himself will hurt me, so he’d rather keep me away.”
Yuan Fang was confused. “You understand all that, so why are you still so angry?”
“One: his mouth doesn’t match his heart—he’s always trying to push me away. Two: he doesn’t trust me—he thinks it’s just a passing whim. Three: he has feelings for me too, but he still won’t accept me.”
Though Pei Xiting sounded disappointed when talking about the Crown Prince, his tone was neither flat nor cold. Yuan Fang considered this and said, “So you’re playing hard to get… or not?”
Pei Xiting scratched his head. “I think our thoughts are completely at odds. I’m the ‘follow your heart’ type—if I like someone, I pursue them; if I don’t, I walk away. But he’s different. I get it now—he’s someone who demands a lifetime commitment. The day I walk up to him, I have to stay by his side forever. If I even try to run, there’s no escape.”
“So you’re backing off?”
“Not really. I just want to calm down and think it through seriously.” Pei Xiting flopped onto the couch in frustration and let out a long sigh. “He has his reasons for being so restrained and deliberate. Would it be too reckless of me to just go with my impulses? But we’ve only got a few decades in this life—who can predict the future? Suppose we start something, but it doesn’t end perfectly. Would he really break my legs and lock me in a dark room?”
Yuan Fang’s knowledge on this front was limited. “If he treasures you, he wouldn’t bear to hurt you.”
“He doesn’t seem very confident in himself,” Pei Xiting murmured, rubbing his chin. “I always feel that people who are especially calm and controlled on the surface have the greatest potential to be psychopaths. Look at him—even in my dreams, he’s like that, grabbing my throat—”
Yuan Fang couldn’t stand it. “Are you sure it’s not because you spend all day thinking perverted thoughts, drawing perverted pictures, that you end up having perverted dreams?”
“Hehe,” Pei Xiting said.
Yuan Fang rolled his eyes. “Get lost.”
Pei Xiting snorted, fished out a jar of pearl cream from his pack, and applied it to his own face. Then he smeared the rest on Yuan Fang’s face. Yuan Fang, who had no appreciation for such things, grimaced with distaste. Pei Xiting spoke with an air of elder superiority. “It’s cold and windy. You need to take care of your skin. When your hands get chapped, you’ll know what pain is.”
“Who’s so delicate? I used to spend entire nights up in trees in heavy snow without a problem.” Yuan Fang rubbed the cream roughly into his face, screwing up his features as if he wanted to wash it off immediately.
“That was for a mission; you had no choice. It’s different now.” Pei Xiting was unyielding. “I don’t care how you lived before. When you’re with me, you live the best life possible.”
Yuan Fang said nothing more, just rubbed his face and said, “Wash your feet and go to sleep early.”
“All right.”
There was only one quilt in the room. Pei Xiting invited Yuan Fang to share the bed, but Yuan Fang was reluctant, complaining that Pei Xiting was a restless sleeper.
“Ungrateful wretch. Don’t you dare complain about me. Get in bed now.” Pei Xiting pulled up the quilt and turned over to sleep.
Yuan Fang sighed, snuffed out the candle, and got into bed.
Outside on a large tree, Jiezi produced a small notebook and quickly added two lines. Then he curled his finger and produced a strange whistle. He folded the paper, slipped it into a message tube, tied it to the leg of a falcon that had flown in, and said, “Go.”
The falcon swooped into the night sky, riding the wind until it landed on an iron bracket before an ornate window. A hand reached out and retrieved the tube.
Yu Shaoyun pulled out the paper, read it, twitched his mouth, and turned back to the desk. “Your Highness, a letter from Jiezi.”
The Crown Prince took the note. It was covered in dense handwriting:
[Young Master Mei went to Lanyin Street to wait for Secretary Pei to come out. They traveled together to the Pei residence. Secretary Pei entered to say goodbye; Young Master Mei and Yuan Fang waited outside. Secretary Pei came out with Madam Bu. Young Master Mei exchanged pleasantries with Madam Bu, then slung his arm around Secretary Pei’s shoulders. The three mounted and left the capital together. On the road, Young Master Mei stuck close to Secretary Pei. At the station, they ate at the same table. Young Master Mei attempted to share a room with Secretary Pei but was stopped by Yuan Fang and left disappointed. Yuan Fang and Secretary Pei are sharing a room. Whether they share the same bed is unknown, but every room at the station has only one quilt.]
“…”
The Crown Prince was silent, his expression unreadable. Yu Shaoyun glanced at the note and said, “When traveling, it’s different from being at home. Yuan Fang has to stay close to protect Secretary Pei.”
“I know,” the Crown Prince said. “There’s nothing between Yuan Fang and Pei Xiting. If there were, they would have long since… acted on it, living together day and night.”
Yu Shaoyun gauged his tone and added, “And Young Master Mei is harmless. Secretary Pei doesn’t like him anyway.”
“Anything is possible,” the Crown Prince said coolly. “He resents me for refusing to be honest with my feelings. Who knows? Tomorrow he might develop a taste for someone overly straightforward and simple-minded.”
Yu Shaoyun said dryly, “Surely not, haha.”
The Crown Prince said, “Your tone lacks confidence. It’s not firm—it sounds forced.”
Yu Shaoyun said, “I stand corrected.”
The Crown Prince looked at the letter in his hand. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing?”
“Your Highness is keeping watch over Secretary Pei. There’s no right or wrong to it,” Yu Shaoyun said.
“Is this ‘watching over’ or ‘spying on’ him?” the Crown Prince asked.
“Either way, it’s not for the purpose of harming Secretary Pei,” Yu Shaoyun said.
“Would he hate or reject me for doing this?” the Crown Prince mused. “Look at him—his father and stepmother can’t control him, palace rules can’t control him. He might as well have ‘I answer to no one’ tattooed on his forehead. His heart is wilder than a runaway horse… If he knew I was keeping track of him, that even these trifling matters must be known to me, would he be displeased?”
Yu Shaoyun was silent for a moment. Then he suddenly understood the Crown Prince’s dilemma. “Your Highness, why not simply ask Secretary Pei?”
“I find this… somewhat frightening. Both for him and for me.” The Crown Prince’s voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself or confiding. “He hasn’t even fallen into my hands yet, and I’m already like this. If he truly comes to me, won’t I only grow worse? If one day he tires of it and wants to fly away from my grasp, would I let him go? Deep down, I don’t want to. But I couldn’t bear to break him and force him to stay. So what should I do? Conversely, I’m already losing control. As time goes on, I don’t know what I might become.”
Yu Shaoyun didn’t know what to say, so he simply asked, “Is Your Highness truly ready to sever ties completely with Secretary Pei? If I may be blunt, just those few lines in this letter already make Your Highness unhappy. If one day Secretary Pei truly falls for someone else and flies to another branch, Your Highness… well, you know?”
The Crown Prince tried to imagine Pei Xiting looking at someone else with those bright, passionate eyes. The thought was jarring, let alone any more intimate behavior.
“Perhaps you should rest early and think about it tomorrow?” Yu Shaoyun suggested cautiously.
The Crown Prince couldn’t sleep, nor did he want Pei Xiting to occupy his thoughts. “How goes the investigation into the cult?”
“So far, we’ve identified the Hundred Charms House in the city as one of their meeting points. As for the rest, we’ll have to wait for You Heying to return and report to Your Highness in detail,” Yu Shaoyun said.
“What kind of establishment is the Hundred Charms House?” the Crown Prince asked.
Yu Shaoyun answered, “A brothel.”
The Crown Prince folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve. “Let’s go.”
Yu Shaoyun was stunned by the letter’s fate—wasn’t it supposed to be burned after reading, ashes scattered in the lamp? He quickly recovered. “That kind of place is seedy and chaotic. Does Your Highness intend to go there? I could simply send someone in to investigate.”
“A brothel is lively,” the Crown Prince said coolly. “If we find clues, we can deal with them on the spot.”
Since his mind was already slipping beyond his control, he would use external distractions—silk music and bamboo pipes—to sweep the bothersome image of Pei Xiting out of it.