Chapter 72#
Musing Little Pei Goes to Enzhou (12)#
Upon hearing this, the three present were astonished—they had never considered this direction before.
Immortal Envoy Huo couldn’t help leaning forward, his tone a mix of doubt and belief: “Is Third Young Master Pei serious? The Crown Prince is not fond of beautiful women, and his harem is empty. How could he do such a thing?”
“Not fond of beautiful women,” Pei Xiting laughed, the laughter cold and mocking, dazzlingly beautiful. “That depends on what kind of beauty.”
This was self-praise, arrogant beyond belief yet not conceited. Immortal Envoy Huo gripped the armrest, paused, and then said: “Third Young Master Pei’s words… are reasonable.”
“The Crown Prince has taken a fancy to my face and body. But he stands high above, so how could he treat me as a lover?” Pei Xiting said, self-deprecatingly. “In the Crown Prince’s eyes, the only difference between me and the prostitutes or male escorts outside is that I can only serve him alone. After all, if I were touched by someone else, I would be defiled—how could I still be worthy of attending to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Yuan Fang was getting a bit immersed in the act.
“Yes,” Pei Xiting continued with a sorrowful smile, still playing his part. “His Highness the Crown Prince has such a noble status and such a handsome face. It’s my eight-lifetime blessing to catch his eye. But he is a cruel and heartless demon! That day on Mount Zhaohua, he did let me into his villa and favored me there, but do you know what he did to me?”
Immortal Envoy Huo was silent for a moment for some reason before asking, “What?”
“He tore my clothes, tied me up, burned me with candles, stabbed me. I begged him constantly, but he showed no mercy or compassion—he even whipped me! I…” Pei Xiting’s tears fell as he clutched his clothes in pain, bowing his head and sobbing. “Such perverse habits are just the tip of the iceberg, a mere fraction! The Crown Prince’s methods are brutal; others can only imagine what he hasn’t done.”
Yuan Fang had initially been drawn into the act, but fortunately Pei Xiting turned sideways, allowing him to snap out of it and step in at the right moment.
Yuan Fang reached out to grasp Pei Xiting’s shoulder and wiped his tears, which were streaming like a small waterfall, impossible to stop.
Pei Xiting grabbed Yuan Fang’s wrist and suddenly turned his head to look at the person behind the screen, his tear-filled eyes revealing a shocking resentment and anger.
“He is the Crown Prince, but he is also a demon—the one who tore my dignity to shreds. I hate him, hate him to the marrow of my bones!”
Pei Xiting staggered to his feet, his tone icy. “Fang Ge and I have both been persecuted by the Crown Prince, and we hate him to the core. Our lifelong wish is to avenge this hatred. I beg the Immortal to have pity and help us take our revenge!”
The room fell silent.
“Your Highness, what do you think Secretary Pei is doing right now?”
— In the next room, Yu Shaoyun pressed against the wall to eavesdrop, but after a long while of hearing nothing, he had to walk back to the table and ask his prince.
“He must be slandering me, cursing me, hating me, saying that he will kill me in this lifetime or die without regrets.” Zong Suiyang took a sip of tea and said indifferently.
Yu Shaoyun smiled and said, “It’s all fake.”
“I know.” Zong Suiyang put down his teacup. “I have confidence in his acting skills. There’s only one concern.”
Yu Shaoyun asked, “What?”
“His identity.” Zong Suiyang said. “They didn’t hide their identities when they pretended to be a pair of wild mandarin ducks, but that face of his… draws too much attention.”
Yu Shaoyun thought to himself that the words ‘wild mandarin ducks’ were stressed a bit heavily, but he said, “Why didn’t you warn Secretary Pei earlier?”
“He’s clever, so there’s no need for me to remind him. If his identity does get exposed, he’ll have a way to adapt.” Zong Suiyang said. “If really can’t be covered up, just have our people protect him and get him out of here.”
Yu Shaoyun nodded and said, “But that would alert the snake.”
“The snake, once startled, will either lie low or scurry around. We’ve already seized the two snake nests—Hundred Beauties Brothel and the Li Mansion. We still have ways to lure the snake out.” Zong Suiyang lowered his eyes. “Let’s wait and see what happens next door.”
The room was utterly silent. After a while, Immortal Envoy Huo finally spoke. He said, “I deeply sympathize with Third Young Master Pei’s plight. But I still have some questions that I need Third Young Master Pei to clarify.”
Pei Xiting sat down, with Yuan Fang draping an arm over his shoulder. He wiped his face and said, “If the Immortal Envoy has any questions, feel free to ask.”
“According to Third Young Master Pei, the Crown Prince wants to turn you into a sex slave. Then why would he allow you into the Crane Cage Directorate? After all, that is a place of utmost dignity and seriousness. Placing someone meant for his bedchamber into such a place—wasn’t the Crown Prince worried that You Zong might be displeased?” Immortal Envoy Huo said with a faint smile. “No offense meant, Third Young Master Pei. Please don’t take it to heart.”
No offense? Pei Xiting felt that this Immortal Envoy Huo was quite hostile toward him, especially after he revealed his unclean relationship with Zong Suiyang. The Immortal Envoy had shifted his sitting posture several times, as if he was very agitated.
Why was that? Could he be an old acquaintance of Zong Suiyang from his wilder days outside?
Pei Xiting mused to himself, but said aloud, “Your concern is valid, Immortal Envoy, but you’re overthinking it. Lord You does not know of my relationship with the Crown Prince. After all, although Lord You is a close minister of the Eastern Palace, he is a minister in the court. Matters of privacy—especially not the praiseworthy kind—would the Crown Prince be so rash as to inform his subjects?”
He chuckled coldly and continued, “As for why the Crown Prince placed me in the Crane Cage Directorate and had me move to Lanyin Street, the reason is simple. Ostensibly, it’s because of my skill in painting, so I was sent to the document hall to restore some maps and drawings. But in truth, it’s merely because that place is closest to the Eastern Palace, and outsiders don’t enter easily. It makes it more convenient for him to control me and abuse me at will.”
Immortal Envoy Huo stroked the armrest and said, “Then how did Third Young Master Pei come to Enzhou this time?”
“Lord You was unaware of the details, so he freely dispatched me to accompany the Hereditary Prince Zong on this bandit suppression mission.” Pei Xiting said.
“Forgive my bluntness, but Third Young Master Pei does not know martial arts. For Lord You to send you here, I suspect he had an ulterior motive.” Immortal Envoy Huo said.
“Correct.” Pei Xiting said. “But I don’t know what Lord You intends to do either. He only ordered me to accompany the group and monitor Hereditary Prince Zong’s every move. I’m just a minor secretary, insignificant and not in danger. Besides, in Yeijing, I once played cards with Hereditary Prince Zong at the same table, so we can have a few words. That’s why Hereditary Prince Zong won’t be too guarded against me.”
So You Zong sent someone to monitor Zong Rui—this must be the Crown Prince’s intent. Could it be that the Crown Prince has designs on Zong Rui? Immortal Envoy Huo pondered and said, “I noticed Third Young Master Pei is very concerned about Hereditary Prince Zong’s safety.”
Pei Xiting’s heart stirred slightly, and he said, “Of course. If the Crown Prince were gone, the Great Ye Dynasty would need a new heir. The Emperor is old, the Imperial Grandson is young and carries the stigma of being a ‘son of a criminal.’ Hereditary Prince Zong is the most suitable candidate.”
“Son of a criminal,” Immortal Envoy Huo murmured, intrigued. “Does Third Young Master Pei believe the Imperial Grandson is the son of a criminal?”
“This… I can’t say for sure. I know nothing about the affair of the original Crown Prince Yuanhe, so I can’t be certain. But I’ve heard that the original Crown Prince Yuanhe was a gentle and benevolent prince. As for the current Crown Prince, I’ve personally experienced his cruelty and brutality. So I believe it’s possible that the original Crown Prince Yuanhe’s downfall was orchestrated by the current Crown Prince.” Pei Xiting said.
Immortal Envoy Huo did not comment further, only saying, “But I wonder how we can help you two take your revenge?”
Pei Xiting showed a pained expression upon hearing this and said, “If we knew, why would we be begging the Immortal?”
Immortal Envoy Huo: “…”
“Could it be,” Pei Xiting frowned slightly, peering suspiciously at the screen, “that the teachings about divine power and answering all prayers aren’t entirely true? Is this all a deception!”
Pei Xiting’s voice rose sharply, and the Immortal Envoy immediately soothed him, saying, “Third Young Master Pei misunderstands. I only wanted to hear your plans. The Immortal’s might is not to be doubted.”
Pei Xiting’s expression softened a little and he said, “I don’t want to doubt the Immortal either. We’re here because we’re at our wit’s end, begging for help. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have dared reveal my purpose so easily.”
“I understand your urgency. In that case, let me suggest a plan to kill the Crown Prince.” Immortal Envoy Huo said.
Pei Xiting asked, “What plan?”
Immortal Envoy Huo smiled slightly and said, “A honey trap.”
“Ah?” Pei Xiting frowned. “Forgive my frankness. The Crown Prince only likes to abuse people in bed. But it’s entirely for his own release, without a hint of affection. This plan won’t work on him.”
“Third Young Master Pei, you’re wrong there. Since you can get into the Crown Prince’s bed, aren’t you the closest person to him in all the world?” Immortal Envoy Huo said. “When doing that sort of thing, even if the Crown Prince is alert, he will inevitably be less guarded than usual. Moreover, there are no bystanders in the room. It would be easier to strike then than at any other time.”
“But he always ties me up. I can’t move my hands or feet. How could I kill him?” Pei Xiting said.
“If Third Young Master Pei struggles too much, the Crown Prince naturally has to tie you up. But if you learn to be submissive and even take the initiative to seduce him, it would be a different story.” Immortal Envoy Huo said. “A lively, seductive person is far more interesting than a miserable, pale corpse, isn’t it?”
Pei Xiting pressed his lips together and did not answer immediately. Seeing this, Yuan Fang said, “This is far too dangerous. Even if it could be done, once the Crown Prince dies, the guards outside will rush in an instant. How can Xiting escape?”
“So you must strike fast and sure. Don’t let those outside notice their master has been attacked. Only then will Third Young Master Pei have a chance to flee.” Immortal Envoy Huo said.
“The Immortal Envoy makes it sound too easy. The Eastern Palace is heavily guarded. How could I possibly escape? At the slightest stir, I would be skewered like a hedgehog.” Pei Xiting said.
Immortal Envoy Huo smiled wryly. “Didn’t Third Young Master Pei say that even death would be worth it if you could take your revenge?”
“Correct,” Pei Xiting sneered. “But let me ask: how will the Immortal help me? I’ve thought of this honey trap before, but after considering it, I deemed it too risky. Since the Immortal Envoy has proposed it, you must have a more thorough plan than I did?”
The words carried both explicit mockery and implicit sarcasm, but the Immortal Envoy didn’t take offense. He said, “Third Young Master Pei only needs to do two things. First, the location must not be within the palace, which is protected by the true dragon. Second, use a dagger blessed by the Immortal’s divine magic to strike. Then we can guarantee Third Young Master Pei’s safe escape after the deed is done.”
“Divine magic” probably meant poison, and “safe escape” probably meant fleeing toward the afterlife. Pei Xiting chuckled bitterly to himself, but after a show of hesitation, he said, “But the Crown Prince is extremely cautious. How can I lure him out?”
Immortal Envoy Huo said, “That depends on how well Third Young Master Pei uses his soul-stirring face.”
“But Yeijing and Enzhou are some distance apart. Once I return, how will I contact you?” Pei Xiting said.
Immortal Envoy Huo said, “That’s no concern of Third Young Master Pei’s. The Immortal’s followers and teachings are widespread across all lands. When the time comes, an immortal envoy will naturally visit and discuss the grand plan with you.”
Pei Xiting looked at Yuan Fang and said, “Fang Ge, let’s do this.”
“Impossible.” Yuan Fang said painfully. “How can I let you take such a risk?”
“If we don’t do this, I will still be tormented by the Crown Prince indefinitely. I’d rather fight for a chance.” Pei Xiting reached out to take Yuan Fang’s hand, smiled bitterly, then turned to the screen and said, “Fine, I agree. We’ll cooperate. I’ll take my leave for now.”
“Very well.” Immortal Envoy Huo said. “I won’t see you out.”
Yuan Fang supported Pei Xiting as they stood and left together.
Immortal Yin stepped forward to close the door, then turned back and said, “Do you think Pei Xiting is telling the truth?”
“I don’t see any clear flaws.” Immortal Envoy Huo said.
Immortal Yin said, “So we’re really going to cooperate with him?”
“As things stand, there’s no better pawn than Pei Xiting. Besides, whether he succeeds or fails, he will die anyway.” Immortal Envoy Huo said. “That saves me the trouble of having to kill him myself.”
He stood up and emerged gracefully from behind the screen. His fair, handsome face was unreadable. “I just didn’t expect that my earlier worries have come true. The Crown Prince has indeed set his eyes on Pei Xiting’s face.”
“A plaything, nothing more.” Immortal Yin sneered. “The Crown Prince has an eye for the highest, and he is cold and heartless. I doubt he even knows what love is. But he is still a normal young man. Keeping such a peerless beauty within sight for his own pleasure is not a bad arrangement.”
Immortal Envoy Huo smiled at this and said, “You’re right. A plaything, nothing remarkable.”
“There are too many suspicious points.” Pei Xiting entered the carriage and quickly summarized the conversation upstairs. “First, this cult has been watching Your Highness from the start. They are either a hidden second faction or accomplices of the white-robed assassins who tried to kill you at Mount Zhaohua. Second, this Immortal Envoy Huo is very concerned about the former Crown Prince Yuanhe, and he also pays attention to Hereditary Prince Zong. Third, Immortal Envoy Huo seems quite bothered by the relationship between the two of us… Hey, why are you staring at me?”
Pei Xiting looked up and met Zong Suiyang’s ambiguous gaze, freezing for a moment.
“Our relationship?” Zong Suiyang said flatly. “You mean the relationship between master and sex slave?”
“…” Pei Xiting cleared his throat. “I wasn’t intentionally damaging your reputation.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Is that so?”
“They had already discovered my identity and knew you once took me to the villa at Mount Zhaohua. I had to come up with a reason. If I said we went to the villa to bathe together, and you let me into the Crane Cage Directorate to draw portraits in the government office and also serve as your painter, then how would I justify my ‘hatred’?” Pei Xiting said. “Since I come from an official family, it wouldn’t be plausible to say I wanted to kill the Crown Prince purely for Yuan Fang’s sake. Of course, it’s possible I could be blinded by love, but others probably wouldn’t believe that. So I had to make myself hate you too.”
He glanced at Zong Suiyang’s expression and continued, “What kind of hatred is deepest? The destruction of your family—we don’t have that. The murder of relatives—we don’t have that. The theft of love—we don’t have that. After thinking it over, I concluded that the violation of personal dignity is the deepest wound.”
Zong Suiyang still didn’t speak. Pei Xiting was anxious and said crossly, “You won’t praise me for my quick thinking and superb acting? Instead, you question me?”
“I’m not questioning you.” Zong Suiyang said. “That’s a very ugly hat to put on your own head.”
So the Crown Prince wasn’t worried about his own reputation but about Pei Xiting’s. Pei Xiting felt immediately less upset and said, “I don’t care about my reputation anyway. And that was said in private, not spread around. Besides…”
Pei Xiting stroked his chin, thoughtfully scrutinizing Zong Suiyang. “I keep feeling that this Immortal Envoy Huo is especially concerned about our unclean, steamy relationship. Hey, does he have feelings for you? Or is he coveting your… uh, something?”
Zong Suiyang said, “What?”
Pei Xiting’s eyes flicked down to the lower part of Zong Suiyang’s body.
“…” Zong Suiyang rubbed his forehead. “What are you thinking about all day? You said I like abusing people. Why would anyone covet that?”
“Maybe that’s exactly what he likes.” Pei Xiting said. “Sexual preferences can be bizarre—normal, abnormal, mainstream, niche—they all exist.”
He glanced at Zong Suiyang and teased, “What if he likes being abused? Then you’d be his ideal type, very rare to find!”
“How should I know? It’s nothing to do with me,” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, “and nothing to do with you either. An irrelevant person—why bother about him?”
Those words hit the mark with Pei Xiting. The corners of his mouth lifted as he said, “I was just casually musing.”
Zong Suiyang said, “Casual musing.”
Pei Xiting frowned. “Say that again!”
Zong Suiyang naturally changed the subject. “This Huo is most likely the mastermind behind the scenes.”
“I think so too.” Pei Xiting said. “Since Immortal Yin is responsible for connecting with customers at the Hundred Beauties Brothel, she must be high-ranking and trusted within the cult. I noticed she’s especially deferential to Immortal Envoy Huo, so his status must be above hers. Even if he’s not the supreme leader, he’s definitely second-in-command.”
So the cooperation with the “Immortal” was settled. But how to investigate the matter of the missing children? Pei Xiting’s head ached. “By the way, how is Lord You’s investigation going?”
“The missing children are likely still within the city. He Ying has made secret inquiries about eleven missing children, and they share several common points.” Zong Suiyang said. “First, boys are no older than ten, but girls are slightly older by a couple of years. Second, they come from ordinary families or are homeless beggars in the city. Third, their temperaments are quiet or timid.”
“Children under ten from ordinary families—unless they’re naturally strong, they can’t overpower adults, making them easy to kidnap. They’re not from wealthy families, so their disappearance won’t cause too many waves. Beggars especially are rootless and helpless. Children with quiet or timid temperaments are less likely to make a fuss or run away on their own. But the age difference between boys and girls—I really can’t figure that out for now.” Pei Xiting said. “These children were specifically selected, and they went to great lengths to keep it secret. It’s hard to track them down.”
In truth, they both knew that the most expedient method now was to go to the mountain. Zong Lu was the right age, had practiced martial arts since childhood, and was smarter and braver than his peers—perfect for the role. But he was Zong Suiyang’s heir; they absolutely could not let him take such a risk.
“When I was young, I did something like this too.” After a moment, Zong Suiyang said.
Pei Xiting said, “The Empress must have been beside herself with worry.”
“That’s why I never told her from the beginning.” Zong Suiyang said. “Back then, my elder brother was like I am today—he absolutely refused to let me go. I was like today’s Lu’er—I insisted on my own way. The only slight difference was that I was never afraid of my brother.”
He smiled. “And my wings were stronger than Lu’er’s. If I couldn’t talk it through with him, I’d just make my own decision.”
Pei Xiting also smiled. “You were your own boss back then, and you’re your own boss now. A tyrant by nature, aren’t you?”
Zong Suiyang didn’t deny it.
“So what did you do afterwards?” Pei Xiting asked.
“Shaoyun and Jiezi have followed me since childhood. He Ying was also by my side then. I told them what I wanted to do, and they said they would do it. Even if they were worried, they only advised me a couple of times and never disobeyed orders.” Zong Suiyang said. “But my elder brother knew me too well. He caught me as I was leaving.”
Pei Xiting was curious. “Would the original Crown Prince Yuanhe reprimand you?”
“Never. My elder brother had a gentle nature, like Zhao Sifan—he rarely even frowned.” Zong Suiyang said. “I told him: people like us, who eat the court’s salary and are supported by the common people, should do something for them. I see my elder brother both as my prince and my brother, so I should share his burdens. And I believed myself to be the best among my peers—no one was more suitable than me.”
It had been many years, but he remembered it so clearly. Pei Xiting’s feelings were complicated. He smiled and said, “You weren’t boasting.”
“My elder brother knew my courage, and I know Lu’er’s courage. But we are different. Then, I was only a prince. Now, he is my ‘son.’ Besides,” Zong Suiyang lowered his eyes and said softly, “my elder brother has very little left. What he left to me is just this one treasure.”
The carriage stopped. Yu Shaoyun tapped on the window, and Pei Xiting reached out to open it.
Yu Shaoyun leaned in slightly and said, “The Crane Cage Directorate has news. Just now, the Hundred Beauties Brothel quietly carried out a straw mat from the back door. Judging by the weight and shape, it seems to be a child.”
Pei Xiting frowned. “Dead?”
“Our people are following them. No reply yet.” Yu Shaoyun said. “Could this mean the children are indeed in the brothel?”
“We’ve already searched the brothel thoroughly. There might be a secret chamber inside.” Zong Suiyang said. “The map.”
“I have it.” Pei Xiting pulled a stack of folded paper from his sleeve and quickly spread it flat.
Zong Suiyang took a brush, dipped it in ink, and swiftly sketched. “Skip the rooms used for daily entertainment, the rooms on the second floor and above, and the rooms near the main hall and front door. Conduct a deeper search of the remaining areas. Don’t capture the two people who took out the straw mat today, but remember their appearances. When they return, have Secretary Pei draw their portraits.”
Yu Shaoyun acknowledged, turned his head, and quickly relayed the order to a guard. “Have Eagle send a message immediately.”
The guard responded and left swiftly.
“Also, issue an edict summoning Li Da to the capital.” Zong Suiyang said. “It’s time for him and the people hidden in the Li Mansion to move.”
He looked at Yu Shaoyun. “If nothing unexpected happens, once Li Da leaves, you and I will go to the Hundred Beauties Brothel again. But don’t switch blades this time.”
“If I’m recognized, then Your Highness…” Yu Shaoyun was stunned. “You intend to deliberately reveal your identity?”
Pei Xiting said, “What would be the reason for you to appear there? Wouldn’t that alert the snake?”