Chapter 65#

Night Whispers: Little Pei Arrives in Enzhou (VI)#

Half a candle was lit inside the room, the soft voices of Pei Xiting and Zong Lu muffled by the window.

“Worrying indeed,” Pei Xiting sighed. “What will we do when your fifth uncle catches you? I shouldn’t have gone down to bring you up.”

Zong Lu turned his head to look at the man lying beside him and asked, “Is Secretary Pei going to let me die?”

“Such harsh words. After all, Eunuch Yu is here—could he bear to watch you perish? Besides, there’s a small blanket in my carriage—you could sleep there for one night without catching cold.” Pei Xiting dismissed it dismissively. “But you sneaking here on your own without my immediately reporting it to His Highness makes me your ‘accomplice,’ doesn’t it? The crime is akin to harboring a fugitive. We need to get this straight first: one must be loyal. When the time comes, you’ll have to speak up for me and make it absolutely clear I had no part in this, got it?”

Secretary Pei, glib-tongued, began instructing the little imperial grandson on how to help him evade blame. Yu Shaoyun glanced at His Highness from the side; the man’s expression was calm, but a faint smile seemed to tug at the corner of his mouth upon closer inspection.

Yu Shaoyun clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking that the little imperial grandson truly was clever and cunning—he had found a good shield indeed.

After their whispered discussion, Zong Lu hesitated. “But if I’m here at Secretary Pei’s place, Secretary Pei is responsible no matter what.”

“Can’t say it like that. Could I simply ignore Your Little Highness? Once you crawled into my carriage, I had to settle you in first before reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince—but there was no way,” Pei Xiting said, aggrieved. “Your Little Highness threatened and coerced me into not reporting—how dare I resist? I dare not. I could only submit to Your Little Highness, yet my heart is tormented by guilt.”

“How could Secretary Pei not dare?” Zong Lu wasn’t easily fooled. “I’ve seen Secretary Pei act quite insolent before Fifth Uncle. Would you be afraid of me?”

Secretary Pei wasn’t stumped in the slightest. He smiled. “Because you’re not your fifth uncle.”

Zong Lu was taken aback. “I don’t understand.”

“You’ll understand when you’re older.” Pei Xiting looked profound, then said, “But you should go back at dawn tomorrow. Before His Highness comes to arrest you, you’d better return to where you came from. Though you can’t vanish without a trace, at least your attitude will be deemed proper.”

“I don’t want to go back.” Zong Lu pursed his lips. “Both Fifth Uncle and Minister You have come to Enzhou. I’m worried something major is happening—I truly can’t sit still.”

“I understand you emotionally, but objectively, what you’re doing is wrong.” Pei Xiting said gently. “Suppose something major really has happened here, to the point of alarming His Highness—then it must be extremely dangerous. The two of you, old and young, sneaking here, being caught by someone—wouldn’t that just cause trouble for your fifth uncle? Do you know how precious and important you are?”

Zong Lu was silent for a moment, then said, “Does Secretary Pei think I’m important?”

Pei Xiting chuckled softly. “You are the grandson of His Majesty and the Empress, the nephew raised and taught by your fifth uncle since childhood, the only little imperial grandson of the Great Ye—are you not important?”

The Crown Prince rolled up his sleeves, stood at the door, and listened quietly without interrupting.

The room fell silent for a moment. Pei Xiting turned his head to study Zong Lu’s expression. The young boy had inherited his fifth uncle’s traits—a serene, coffin-like face. But being young and inexperienced, he was much easier to read than his fifth uncle.

Pei Xiting quickly guessed what Zong Lu was thinking but didn’t ask. He only said, “In these years at the Eastern Palace, His Highness might have been strict with you, but it’s because he knows you are naturally gifted and sensible from a young age. He has expectations for you, wanting to raise you into a fine young man skilled in both civil and martial arts. What outsiders say doesn’t matter—don’t let your mind wander. Your fifth uncle is like that: cold-faced and taciturn, seemingly too aloof and unapproachable. But touch him, and he’s warm; hold him, and he’s soft; and his heart is tender.”

“I’ve never believed the rumors outside. I know Fifth Uncle treats me well, and I know he’s not the kind of person who resorts to anything for power. It’s just,” Zong Lu said in a low voice, “sometimes I still wonder: does Fifth Uncle raise me only because I am my brother’s son, or because of myself?”

Pei Xiting asked, “Why don’t you ask your fifth uncle?”

Zong Lu shook his head. “I dare not ask. And Fifth Uncle wouldn’t answer me.”

“How do you know His Highness wouldn’t answer without asking?” Pei Xiting said. “If it were me, I would ask directly. Even if the answer isn’t what I hope or imagine, at least my heart would feel lighter.”

“I’m afraid of making Fifth Uncle angry.” Zong Lu said. “I don’t want to make Fifth Uncle angry. Secretary Pei, what do you think Fifth Uncle thinks?”

“To me, it’s simple.” Pei Xiting said unhurriedly. “His Highness initially raised you naturally because you are the child of Crown Prince Yuanhe, his brother’s child. Both for public and private reasons, he had to raise you. But over these years, living under the same roof and spending day and night together, it’s impossible that no feelings developed. He just has a stubborn mouth and doesn’t go for the warm and tender route. Besides, he’s the type to keep emotions inside. You, being so young, can’t see through it, and because you desperately want your fifth uncle’s love, you’re just plagued by insecurity.”

“Aside from the occasional stray thoughts, I think so too.” Zong Lu said. “Fifth Uncle must care about me.”

“So you see, a person just can’t be too stubborn in words.” Pei Xiting smiled. “When you grow up, don’t learn from your fifth uncle.”

Zong Lu disagreed. “For someone in power, not showing joy or anger makes them harder to read.”

“That’s true too.” Pei Xiting said.

Zong Lu looked at the faint smile on Pei Xiting’s face and suddenly said, “Secretary Pei, the tone you use when speaking about Fifth Uncle is especially… intriguing.”

“Oh?” Pei Xiting didn’t deny it. “How so?”

“When you mention Fifth Uncle, you have no fear, not even respect. It sounds like a friend, but nothing ordinary—extremely intimate and familiar.” Zong Lu paused. “You said earlier that Fifth Uncle is warm to touch and soft to hold. So you’ve held him and touched him, haven’t you?”

The little imperial grandson is indeed suspicious! Yu Shaoyun quickly glanced at the Crown Prince, but saw that his Highness had no intention of interrupting.

Pei Xiting wasn’t ready to come out to a child yet—after all, his closet currently only had him in it. Coming out unilaterally would be very rude.

“Your fifth uncle might seem like the living dead, but he’s still alive. Does he feel cold to the touch and icy when held?” Pei Xiting said. “His Highness is noble and untouchable. How would I dare hug him? I couldn’t even if I wanted to.”

“Is that so?” Zong Lu said flatly. “I don’t believe you.”

Pei Xiting said, “Objective facts don’t change based on whether you believe them or not.”

“Indeed, but what Secretary Pei said is not the truth—it’s a bluff.” Zong Lu said. “I already guessed your relationship with Fifth Uncle long ago. Otherwise, why would I have come to you?”

“…You little rascal.” Pei Xiting sat up abruptly and turned to stare at Zong Lu. “You’re using me as a shield?”

Zong Lu said calmly, “Within Enzhou, Secretary Pei has the most capability. Fifth Uncle is exceptionally indulgent toward you—the entire palace knows it. Last time, Secretary Pei galloped at night and used the Crane Cage Commander’s token to leave the city without authorization. When Fifth Uncle found out, not only did he not punish you according to the rules, he even helped cover up the mistake. And there are other things I don’t know about.”

Pei Xiting scratched his head. “But your fifth uncle once said something himself.”

Zong Lu said, “What?”

“‘Spoiled and presumptuous leads to no good end,’” Pei Xiting said. “You, young man, don’t set me up.”

Zong Lu ignored the latter sentence, pondered briefly, and said, “It seems Fifth Uncle is also aware of his unique treatment of Secretary Pei.”

“Not bad,” Pei Xiting gave a thumbs up. “You’re good at catching key information.”

Zong Lu looked at Pei Xiting. “Then is Secretary Pei also unique toward Fifth Uncle?”

Pei Xiting said, “Ah.”

“Secretary Pei’s eyes are exceptionally beautiful, but they have five parts sharpness, like an autumn green lake. Yet when you look at Fifth Uncle, there’s not a trace of coldness—they’re like a spring green lake.” Zong Lu watched Pei Xiting with interest. “It’s said the eyes are the windows to the heart. When Secretary Pei sees Fifth Uncle, your heart flutters, doesn’t it?”

Pei Xiting said, “Heh.”

“You both treat each other differently, and you don’t hide it,” Zong Lu concluded. “So you are in a touch-and-hold relationship, right?”

“Are you very knowledgeable?” Pei Xiting crossed his arms. “Little brat.”

“Secretary Pei is resorting to verbal attacks, which means I’ve hit on what you truly feel.”

Zong Lu was unfazed, his calm demeanor exactly like his fifth uncle. It made Pei Xiting’s heart itch, and suddenly he pounced over to pinch Zong Lu’s cheeks. Zong Lu’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at him. Pei Xiting smiled slightly. “Hey, you’re picking on the weak and fearing the strong. Would you dare ask your fifth uncle that?”

“I—daren’t.” Zong Lu’s mouth was pinched into a chicken beak, his words muffled. “That’s why I came to ask Secretary Pei.”

“Good.” Pei Xiting praised. “Your logic is flawless… Ah, say, when your fifth uncle was your age, do you think he was like you, wearing a face of baby fat while acting all deep?”

He tried to imagine it, laughing. “Come to think of it, quite cute. One of these days, I should paint a picture of your fifth uncle de-aged and hang it in my roo—”

The door suddenly swung open. Pei Xiting was half-startled and blurted, “Yuanfang, you rude—… uh.”

Seeing who it was, Pei Xiting’s words died in his throat.

At the same time, Zong Lu, quick-eyed and nimble, rolled out from under him, got off the bed, stood up, clasped his hands in salute, and called out guiltily, “Fifth Uncle.”

Yu Shaoyun stood outside the door and pulled it shut.

Was he going to shut the door and beat the dog? Pei Xiting snapped back to reality, scrambled off the bed quickly, clasped his hands in salute. “Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince sat down at the table, looked up at the pair by the bed, and said, “Kneel.”

Zong Lu lifted the hem of his robe and knelt.

“What did I tell you before I left?” The Crown Prince said flatly. “Seems you took it as a passing breeze.”

“I didn’t…” Zong Lu couldn’t argue, lowered his head. “I was wrong. I accept whatever punishment Fifth Uncle deems fit.”

“Accept whatever punishment? Then why come here?” The Crown Prince said. “You’ve schemed and spied on me. Impressive.”

Zong Lu pursed his lips, thinking that he had schemed correctly and spied successfully, but dared not say it aloud. He only said, “This matter has nothing to do with Secretary Pei. I beg Fifth Uncle to punish only me.”

Pei Xiting, standing off to the side, felt a touch of relief.

“Is that so?” The Crown Prince turned to Pei Xiting. “Xiting, does it have anything to do with you?”

Pei Xiting had no idea when the Crown Prince had arrived, whether he had been eavesdropping, or how much he had heard. Internally, he let out a hollow laugh, but outwardly said submissively, “I am uneasy in my heart, but I dared not disturb Your Highness’s rest by coming to your residence. Knowing the truth and concealing it is my crime—I dare not shirk responsibility.”

The Crown Prince said, “Aren’t you shirking it now?”

“…” Pei Xiting said, “I admit my fault. I am guilty. I am deeply culpable. I deserve death. I deserve endless punishment. I—”

Pei Xiting gave up, poking Zong Lu in the back. “He came to me of his own accord—how is this my fault!”

The Crown Prince didn’t get angry but laughed instead. “And what about not reporting it?”

“I wanted to report, but how could I? I didn’t even know where Your Highness was staying.” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. “Does Your Highness think I should have known where you were lodging? Then you overestimate me. I can’t scale walls and leap roofs, and I only have Yuanfang by my side—he’s no owl for surveillance.”

This string of veiled sarcasm and insinuation elicited a soft laugh from the Crown Prince, who said nothing.

Seeing him laugh, Pei Xiting paused, then turned away and issued an eviction order. “If Your Highness needs to discipline his nephew, take him back quickly. Don’t do it here—I want to sleep.”

The Crown Prince glanced at Zong Lu. Zong Lu froze, then stood up, walked to the coat rack, grabbed his robe, put on his boots, and went out first.

Yu Shaoyun closed the door again.

“Hey,” Pei Xiting stepped back half a step in defense. “Don’t get angry and lose your temper.”

The Crown Prince said, “Come here.”

Pei Xiting raised his chin, his pride standing on end. “No.”

The Crown Prince studied Pei Xiting leisurely for a moment, then suddenly stood and walked over.

Sensing danger, Pei Xiting turned to flee, but the Crown Prince reached out, grabbed the back of his neck, and hauled him back, holding him in place. “If you won’t come, I’ll come. What are you running from?”

“Who knows if you’re going to lose your temper and hit me?” Pei Xiting shrunk his neck, a bit cowardly yet defiant. “I can’t beat you anyway. If I don’t run, will I just stand here and take a beating?”

“Why would I hit you?” The Crown Prince looked at Pei Xiting. “Have I ever hit you?”

Pei Xiting’s eyelashes fluttered. “There’s always a first time!”

The Crown Prince neither confirmed nor denied. He pinched Pei Xiting’s neck and said, “Lift your head.”

Pei Xiting raised his head as if facing death.

The Crown Prince carefully examined that smooth, full forehead. Seeing it had healed well, he let go and said, “I won’t hit you. Sleep.”

Pei Xiting snorted, turned, and threw himself onto the bed, rolling a few times to wrap himself in the blanket. He closed his eyes, presenting the back of his dark head to the Crown Prince, ignoring him.

Seeing this, the Crown Prince smiled silently. The gloom of these past days seemed to dissipate, only to transform into another indescribable emotion, surging and overwhelming.

He stood by the bed, quietly watching Pei Xiting for a long moment, then turned and walked to the table, extinguishing the candle.

The room fell into darkness. Pei Xiting opened his eyes, listening to the light footsteps move away, stop at the door, and remain there without opening it. For no reason, he felt nervous, pulling the blanket tighter, one ear straining to listen.

“Snap.”

The door opened and closed softly. Pei Xiting let out a breath, reached up to pat his inexplicably warm face, kicked his legs on the bed, relaxed his whole body, then slapped himself on the forehead, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.

Couldn’t sleep.

Lying dead still in the bedding for a long time, Pei Xiting’s mind was full of the Crown Prince. The man had looked at him quietly—at first glance as usual—but there was something hidden in his eyes, struggling, restrained, suppressed, deep and overwhelming.

What was it? Pei Xiting thought silently. Suddenly, a hand appeared on his face, sliding gently down, stroking back and forth over his chin.

Fuck. Pei Xiting’s breath caught in shock. Instantly, he recognized that hand as the Crown Prince’s.

The Crown Prince hadn’t left!

What the hell? Pei Xiting writhed internally, desperately controlling his breathing to avoid showing that he was awake. That hand lingered gently on his face, brushing over his brows, the tip of his nose, finally settling on his lips, like a soft, warm brush, carefully and lightly caressing his lip.

Pei Xiting smelled the scent on the Crown Prince’s fingertips—the familiar cold bamboo fragrance, but now mixed with a scent of milk, heavier, likely from the winter balm he used.

Suddenly, the hand pressed gently on his lower lip, pushing it down. Pei Xiting didn’t dare close his mouth, cooperating by parting his lips slightly. The finger probed gently inside, scraping against his teeth and pressing against his tongue, rubbing twice.

Pervert, Pei Xiting cursed inwardly. Then he pretended to be stirred, making a soft “mm” sound, unconsciously licking with the tip of his tongue. The finger paused. In that moment, Pei Xiting heard the Crown Prince’s breath.

It was heavy, pent-up desire leaking out in minuscule amounts, enough to be startling.

Pei Xiting turned his head slightly. The finger weighed the situation, afraid of waking him, slowly withdrew, lingering to rub his lip a bit harder, as if dissatisfied.

You’re dissatisfied? Coming in the middle of the night to molest me, and you dare be dissatisfied? Pei Xiting grumbled in his mind, but showed nothing on his face. He rubbed against the pillow and pretended to fall asleep again.

The Crown Prince still didn’t leave. He seemed to be waiting for Pei Xiting to fall completely asleep.

He wouldn’t try to… use me while I’m asleep, would he? Pei Xiting’s heart pounded, then he told himself he was thinking too dirty. His Highness the Crown Prince is not that kind of person. But on second thought, using his hand to tease someone while they slept—that wasn’t exactly gentlemanly behavior either.

Pei Xiting started a debate in his head—

The affirmative argued: Although His Highness the Crown Prince has already exhibited ungentlemanly behavior, he is ultimately not morally bankrupt. We should maintain faith in His Highness’s basic decency with the principle of truth, goodness, and beauty!

The negative argued: Human nature has no bottom line. Since His Highness has already shown a perverse side, this side is very likely just the tip of the iceberg, and His Highness himself might very well be a huge pervert!

The two sides fought endlessly. Suddenly, Pei Xiting felt the bedside sink. The Crown Prince had sat down again—it seemed the negative side was about to win.

“Xiting.”

The Crown Prince called him, his tone soft and husky, stroking Pei Xiting’s ear in the darkness. Pei Xiting shivered all over, nearly responding instinctively.

“Spending all day with that fool Mei Xiu—don’t get caught up and become stupid too.” The Crown Prince paused. “What’s so good about him that you smile at him? He has ill intentions toward you. You’re usually so sharp—how can you not see it? Or—”

He was silent for a moment, then asked softly, accusation in his voice, “Do you see it clearly, yet let him approach you, fawn over you, be intimate with you? And even, try it with him?”

Try it my ass, Pei Xiting wanted to punch him in his mind, itching to jump up and slap the surname Zong’s idiot’s face.

“And Yuanfang—you’re easygoing and love freedom. Are you envious of his coming and going without a trace? Do you want to leave Yeijing and travel the mountains, rivers, and lakes with him, roaming the martial world?”

The Crown Prince pondered, having no answer. Pei Xiting was stunned. He immediately gave up the idea of jumping up to slap the surname Zong.

Was the Crown Prince… afraid?

Afraid that by nature, he was free and wouldn’t stay by his side for long?

“Don’t run around with him. He’s a clay bodhisattva crossing a river—barely able to save himself.” The Crown Prince said.

Pei Xiting was stunned at these words.

“Fu Wei wants to take him away. I stopped it. But deep down, I’m not entirely willing. After all, if Yuanfang leaves, I won’t have to see you two sharing a bed, being all affectionate.” The Crown Prince said. “But you would be sad, wouldn’t you? You might even jump out to protect Yuanfang. Fu Wei won’t touch you, but you won’t give up easily, and you’ll end up hurting yourself again.”

Pei Xiting pursed his lips secretly, his heart in turmoil. He was shocked that the “creditor” had already come knocking without him or Yuanfang noticing; grateful that His Highness the Crown Prince, with his boundless power, had protected Yuanfang; stunned at how long this jar of old vinegar had been brewing on its own, its strong aroma making one’s nose and mouth tingle; thankful that although the Crown Prince was drowning in vinegar, he had still chosen to stop the “creditor” from taking Yuanfang away… A melange of emotions!

“Xiting.” The Crown Prince reached out to stroke Pei Xiting’s cheek, staring deeply at the face hidden in the night. He was silent for a long time.

Then, suddenly, he leaned down and kissed Pei Xiting’s cheek. The touch was soft. He opened his mouth slightly and gave a gentle bite, his voice hoarse. “Xiting, Pei Xiting, Pei Wenjuan…”

Pei Xiting’s brow furrowed slightly. He murmured in his sleep, turning his head so that the tip of his nose brushed against the Crown Prince’s. Their lips were as close as a sheet of paper. As their faces brushed, they kissed lightly and quickly.

Their breaths merged for a moment. They both lost control. The Crown Prince’s breathing hitched, unaware that Pei Xiting’s breath had grown heavy, unaware of the wild heartbeat hidden beneath his own pounding heart.

“Zong…” Pei Xiting murmured, then paused, sounding aggrieved.

The Crown Prince’s eyes reddened slightly. “Suiyang. Following the wind, the river vast.”

As the words fell, the Crown Prince paused, suddenly remembering that this was the name given by his birth mother, Consort Wan. But over the years, no one had called it, and gradually, he himself had forgotten what those two characters meant.

Zong Suiyang.

Pei Xiting responded in his heart but didn’t say it aloud, afraid of being found out. The surname Zong seemed unsatisfied, biting him again, not painfully, but tingling and numb, spreading from his cheek to his ears, and finally his whole body suffered, tingling and floating, unable to settle.

“Call me,” Zong Suiyang seemed completely unaware that “sleeping” was a thing, nuzzling Pei Xiting’s face as he murmured. “Pei Xiting, call me.”

Pei Xiting couldn’t stand it anymore, almost surrendering, but in the end he had to use his old trick: pretending to mutter in his sleep, kicking his legs and turning over, trying to fend off the attack with the back of his head.

The rustling on the bed stopped. Pei Xiting secretly took a careful breath. Then, he heard His Highness the Crown Prince “forgive” him.

“Very well,” Zong Suiyang tucked the blanket around Pei Xiting and said softly. “Today I won’t press you. Next time, I’ll collect double.”

“Pei Xiting, good night, sweet dreams.”

The bed lifted, the bed curtains fell, and Pei Xiting’s heart pounded like a drum.