Chapter 74#

Suspicion / Little Pei on Enzhou (14)#

After staying indoors for so long, he had forgotten about this. Zong Suiyang chuckled upon hearing this and said, “I’ll sit a while longer.”

“Then you’d better not wake me up, or I’ll jump up and bite you to death,” Pei Xiting said, pulling off the robe draped over his shoulders, kicking off his wooden clogs, and flopping onto the bed. “Ow—” he yelped, “My lower back feels like it’s about to break from riding in a carriage all day.”

“Once Chongyan arrives tomorrow, have him give you a needle,” Zong Suiyang said, turning his head to glance at the person lying on the bed. “It’s cold outside. Cover yourself with the blanket and sleep well.”

“I find that you can be such a worrier sometimes,” Pei Xiting said, swinging his feet, his voice muffled against the blanket. “And you like to boss people around.”

Zong Suiyang raised an eyebrow. “Do I boss you around?”

Pei Xiting said, “You do.”

“If I really bossed you around, you wouldn’t dare say that,” Zong Suiyang replied. “With a character like yours, if I were to discipline you, I’d have to be harsh—at the very least, a ruler would be necessary.”

Pei Xiting chuckled. “Actually, when I was a kid, I kind of wished my dad… my parents would discipline me.”

Zong Suiyang was taken aback for a moment, then said, “If you had met me earlier, I would’ve treated you like a son. And it’s not too late now.”

“Generations mixed up,” Pei Xiting said. “Of course, if you’re willing to give me a lot of pocket money every day, I’d be happy to let you take advantage of that.”

“Isn’t that simple?” Zong Suiyang said. “Become my son, and you’ll have whatever you want.”

Pei Xiting said arrogantly, “I want to be emperor!”

Zong Suiyang didn’t mind this treasonous talk. “If you became emperor, you couldn’t travel around anymore. You wouldn’t like that.”

“Then I want a grand estate and a mansion,” Pei Xiting demanded dramatically. “And give me your palace too.”

Zong Suiyang said, “The palace is right there; it depends on whether you dare to enter it. As for grand estates and mansions, I do have quite a few. Pick whichever you like.”

“Quite a few? How come you have quite a few? Did you embezzle public funds?” Pei Xiting kicked his legs. “Confess!”

Zong Suiyang said, “From rewards I received in the past. Being a prince was the most carefree and wealthy time.”

“Carefree my ass. You were constantly being attacked. If you weren’t so tough, lucky, and surrounded by reliable people, you’d have been reincarnated as my son long ago,” Pei Xiting sneered, then his eyes glinted. “Hey, if you were my son and dared to put on a stern face and act cool, I’d spank your bottom and make you cry and call me ‘Daddy’.”

As he spoke, he started laughing at his own words, burying his face in the bed and chuckling uncontrollably.

Zong Suiyang smiled too, his gaze falling on the curve of Pei Xiting’s body, his eyes deepening slightly.

Pei Xiting was completely absorbed in the image of a younger Zong Suiyang naked, crying, and calling him ‘Daddy’, unaware that the gaze on him had turned dangerously intent, and had forgotten the lesson that trouble comes from the mouth. Suddenly, his buttocks got a slap.

“Fuck!” Pei Xiting snapped back to reality, covering his backside and twisting around to glare at Zong Suiyang, who had somehow come to the bedside and committed this assault. “What are you doing?”

Zong Suiyang’s right hand hung in front of his waist, slightly curled, his palm still tingling. He stared at his palm, pursed his lips, as if he had discovered something interesting. When he looked up at Pei Xiting, his eyes even sparkled slightly.

“?” Pei Xiting warily scooted backward. “What are you up to?”

Zong Suiyang stared at him without speaking.

The look in his eyes—like he was about to go feral at any moment and lunge over to bite him?!

Frightened, Pei Xiting grabbed the blanket to shield himself, staring at Zong Suiyang defensively. “If you have something to say, say it. Physical violence is not the answer. And I was just joking. Is it a crime to even imagine things? Even if it is, don’t resort to violence—you’d be the one losing. Apologize to me now.”

“My apologies,” Zong Suiyang said slowly, still staring at him.

“…” Pei Xiting got goosebumps all over from that stare. He tried to shoo him away. “Stop staring at me and get out. I need to sleep.”

Zong Suiyang didn’t move. “Sleep.”

Pei Xiting widened his eyes. “How can I sleep if you don’t leave?”

“You can fall asleep anywhere anytime normally, can’t you?” Zong Suiyang said. “It’s safe here.”

“My life is safe, but my butt isn’t!” Pei Xiting narrowed his eyes. “Are you planning to hit me while I’m asleep?”

“No,” Zong Suiyang said with some regret. “After all, even if you were a pig, you’d wake up from a beating.”

“What are you regretting? I’m asking, what exactly are you regretting? So you really did think about it? You really want to spank me while I’m asleep?!” Pei Xiting clenched his fists, looking at Zong Suiyang as if he were some heinous criminal.

“Is it a crime to even imagine things?” Zong Suiyang frowned. “Even if it is, you can’t resort to violence—you’d be the one losing.”

Such familiar words, such a tea-like tone.

Pei Xiting finally understood. This guy was a millennium-old green tea, and because he had never shown it before, now that the flavor was emerging, it was overwhelmingly strong.

“You copycat. You better not fall into my hands, or I’ll cut out your tongue,” Pei Xiting slapped the bed. “Get lost.”

Zong Suiyang said, “Say that again.”

Pei Xiting said respectfully, “Please get lost.”

Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, did not get lost, and did not speak. They stared at each other for a moment. Suddenly, he took a step forward.

“Damn it.” Pei Xiting was so scared he dove headfirst under the blanket, scrambling to cover his butt, but ended up tangling himself up in the blanket like a cocoon.

Seeing this, Zong Suiyang reached out and pressed down on the wriggling giant silkworm. He felt around, found where Pei Xiting’s head and feet were, and first freed his head.

Pei Xiting took a deep breath. “You tried to suffocate me! You’re so vicious!”

He was twisting the facts, but Zong Suiyang didn’t mind. He spun Pei Xiting around and placed his head on the pillow. “Now you can sleep.”

“I dare not sleep,” Pei Xiting said. “You’re going to hit me.”

Zong Suiyang shook his head and gave a very practical reason: “Compared to when you’re asleep, I’d rather hit you while you’re awake, when you can feel it.”

“?” Pei Xiting stared at him in alarm. “Your Highness, don’t get into these bad habits. We need to be civilized and polite young people.”

“Aren’t you the one who taught me to open my heart and not bottle everything up?” Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting, seeming quite puzzled. “I found what you said reasonable, so I adopted your advice and am gradually implementing it. Aren’t you happy?”

“Heh…” Pei Xiting gave a dry laugh. “I’m honored.”

“No need to thank me for the grace.” Zong Suiyang ruffled Pei Xiting’s hair and said inexplicably, “What a goof.”

Pei Xiting was stunned for a moment, then muttered, “You’re the goof. Your whole family is goofy… mmm.”

Zong Suiyang pinched his unruly mouth, then pulled him out from under the blanket, carefully tucking him in. “Sleep. No more fooling around.”

With that, he got up, lowered the bed curtains, and turned to leave.

Pei Xiting blinked dazedly, propped himself up on his elbows, and peered through the gap in the curtains. Just as Zong Suiyang closed the door, he looked up and met Pei Xiting’s eyes. Their gazes locked, and Pei Xiting quickly said, “Good night!”

Zong Suiyang paused. “Good night.”

The curtains fell, swaying gently.

Zong Suiyang returned to his room but did not go to bed. Instead, he sat on the couch to rest.

Lately, interacting with Pei Xiting felt like being back in Enzhou, only more natural and intimate, as if the rift between them had never existed. There was no resentment or hatred in Pei Xiting’s eyes when he looked at him, only the same frankness—liking meant liking, displeasure meant displeasure, and the emotions after drinking were even more fervent.

He remembered that kiss in the boat.

Zong Suiyang hadn’t been drinking, yet he was utterly intoxicated. When Pei Xiting kissed him, his mind went completely blank for a moment. When he came to, their lips were tightly pressed together.

This feeling of being completely dominated and driven by desire was contradictory—both frightening and exhilarating, like walking on the edge of a cliff, where one misstep could lead to utter ruin. Of course, he knew what he was doing. He wanted to kiss Pei Xiting, to press Pei Xiting firmly against himself, to fit perfectly together.

The desire was fierce, and Zong Suiyang was increasingly aware of it.

The candle flame flickered as the door was opened, disturbed by the draft. Zong Suiyang opened his eyes and reached to adjust the lampshade.

“Your Highness.” Youzong walked to the table and said softly, “The person sent to Baimei Brothel has returned. Every place that could be searched was searched, with no anomalies. There’s only one place that couldn’t be searched tonight—a bedroom on the ground floor in the back courtyard, belonging to that Xianyin.”

“Then we’ll have to go during the day,” Zong Suiyang said. “Go rest first. We’ll make plans tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness should rest early too.” Once Zong Suiyang nodded, Youzong quietly withdrew.

The door closed softly. Zong Suiyang rubbed his brow, then blew out the candle.

Upon receiving the message, Su Chongyan set off immediately, riding lightly with the escorting Longhe Guards, traveling all night without rest. By the next day, he had arrived.

Pei Xiting had woken up late and was eating breakfast at the table. Zong Suiyang sat beside him, watching him wrestle with the soup dumpling.

The dumpling skin was thin and fragile; it broke at a poke, and the crab roe filling oozed out. Pei Xiting simply leaned over the plate and ate the dumpling right off it, his mouth greasy. When he looked up and saw Zong Suiyang staring at him, he couldn’t help asking, “You want some?”

Zong Suiyang said, “Eat yours.”

Pei Xiting snorted and continued eating.

This was the scene Su Chongyan entered upon arriving. He smiled softly, then stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. “Your Highness.”

“You should have heard about yesterday’s events. Heying and the others aren’t doctors, and the physicians here aren’t our people, so I called you here to be prepared for any eventuality,” Zong Suiyang said. “You came all night without rest. Go back and rest first.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness, but I’m fine. I’m used to such travel from my days of gathering herbs in the mountains. There is one thing, however, that I find suspicious.”

“Speak freely,” Zong Suiyang said.

Youzong walked in from outside, wiping his blade, and stopped beside Pei Xiting.

Pei Xiting sipped his congee, letting his gaze slide from the blade to the handsome face of his ‘boss’, giving a docile smile.

Youzong smiled back, then looked at Su Chongyan. “Are you suggesting something is wrong with the girl’s death?”

“Your lordship said she was strangled to death—that’s beyond doubt,” Su Chongyan said. “What I’m talking about is the blood from her lower body. It was dark red, thick in consistency, with clots. It didn’t look like bleeding from injury but more like menstrual blood.”

“Many people consider menstrual blood unlucky. Could it be that the beast was shocked and angered by seeing the blood while assaulting her, leading him to kill her?” Youzong speculated.

Pei Xiting finished his last mouthful of congee, wiped his mouth with a kerchief, and said, “Another possibility is that the beast actually enjoys seeing blood—gets too excited and loses control of his animal instincts. Actually, I have a bold idea.”

Zong Suiyang said, “Let’s hear it.”

“Marquis Mei smelled Hehuan incense on Li Da, and quite strongly too, meaning he used a large amount. A small dose is an aphrodisiac; a large dose is like getting high. So Li Da was high. Besides, when Mei Xiu first entered Li’s residence, he said Li Da looked like he had kidney deficiency, suggesting he’s been using it for a while.” Pei Xiting rubbed his chin. “So why would he need to get high long-term?”

Su Chongyan guessed, “He’s impotent?”

“That’s my guess,” Pei Xiting snapped his fingers. “Li Da suddenly underwent such a drastic change in character this year—there must be a reason. His career was going fine, and there were no changes in his family, so the cause is most likely himself.”

“Quite possible for a man approaching fifty to suddenly find his virility waning,” Su Chongyan agreed.

“So this year he developed a vile perversion and tormented so many people in bed. Could it be because he’s impotent, his self-esteem took a hit, and his mind became twisted?” Pei Xiting spread his hands. “Otherwise, I can’t figure out why he’d get hooked on Hehuan incense.”

“If that’s the case, the drug corrupted his mind,” Youzong said, wiping his blade, his eyes shifting. “Could the cult be using the drug to destabilize Li Da’s mind in order to ensure their cooperation?”

“Speaking of drugs, remember Mr. Xu from the north city? He couldn’t have children no matter what, then he took one ‘immortal pill’ and got cured?” Pei Xiting sneered. “Although I still think the child was the neighbor’s, now that I think about it, maybe Li Da really did believe he was taking an ‘immortal pill’.”

“This reminds me of something,” Su Chongyan said, frowning. “There’s a type of aphrodisiac in the world called ‘Red Lead,’ made from a virgin’s menstrual blood. There are many theories around it—some say the best is a girl’s first menstrual blood, and there were even demands about appearance, skin color, birth date, etc. In short, it was made to sound miraculous.”

“Just quack doctors tricking people,” Pei Xiting said.

“Exactly,” Su Chongyan said. “But people fell for it, and there were even medical texts that recorded such formulas. There’s also a similar ‘makeup from people’ method called ‘Autumn Stone.’ Autumn Stone is refined from the urine of virgin boys and girls. It was once considered an elixir for longevity, later used as an aphrodisiac, supposedly making one virile and even prolonging life.”

“Your Highness.” Yu Shaoyun’s voice came from outside. “The man has been captured.”

Of the two portraits Pei Xiting had drawn, they had captured one. His name was He Bin. He Bin was a guard at Baimei Brothel, off duty today, so he could be borrowed for interrogation.

“Use another room for the interrogation,” Zong Suiyang said as he stood. “Don’t dirty this place.”

“I want to come too,” Pei Xiting said, getting up and tagging along after Zong Suiyang. But Zong Suiyang stopped him with a single finger pressed to his forehead.

“What’s your business there?” Zong Suiyang said. “Not afraid to see blood?”

“I’ve already seen plenty of fresh dead bodies and heads,” Pei Xiting said confidently. “I think I’ve been forced to grow up.”

Zong Suiyang showed a hint of a smile—not a friendly one. But Pei Xiting puffed out his chest, hands on his hips, to show he wasn’t exaggerating.

They reached the adjacent room. Youzong entered, but Zong Suiyang blocked Pei Xiting, his meaning clear.

Su Chongyan stood behind, watching as Pei Xiting nearly bumped into the back of the Prince’s head, was forced to stop, and even reached out a finger to poke Zong Suiyang’s lower back.

Zong Suiyang’s whole body tensed. He turned to look at Pei Xiting, narrowing his eyes. Pei Xiting smiled at him, bumped his shoulder, and said, “Hey, Your Highness, are you worried I might not feel comfortable watching?”

His tone was teasing, utterly unserious, full of flirtatious flippancy. Zong Suiyang said coldly, “You’re overthinking.”

Pei Xiting exclaimed, “Overthinking is fine. What I’m afraid of is overthinking too little.”

As he spoke, he gave Zong Suiyang a meaningful glance.

Seeing this, Zong Suiyang reached out and grabbed his neck, clearly annoyed. Pei Xiting couldn’t struggle free, so he shrunk his neck and let himself be hauled aside.

A scream came from inside. Unprepared, Pei Xiting flinched, and took the opportunity to press himself against Zong Suiyang’s chest.

Zong Suiyang didn’t dodge. He looked down at Pei Xiting and said, “Aren’t you supposed to have grown? Go on in and have a look.”

The Crown Prince had a particular habit of being sarcastic. Pei Xiting grumbled inwardly but said, “You told me not to go in, so I’m just obeying orders.”

“Those two words used on you—it’s either an insult to the words or an insult to you,” Zong Suiyang mocked.

He Bin’s pleas for mercy came through the door. Pei Xiting seized the moment to change the subject. “Which move is that?”

“Breaking fingers.” Zong Suiyang reached out and took hold of Pei Xiting’s right index finger—the one that had poked him earlier—gently gripping the second knuckle. “Want to give it a try?”

Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow at him. “If you’ve got the guts, let me try.”

Zong Suiyang smiled. “Challenging me?”

“No,” Pei Xiting curled his finger, rubbing it against Zong Suiyang’s knuckle, and said with a laugh, “Begging for mercy.”

“Your way of begging is unique,” Zong Suiyang remarked.

Pei Xiting said, “I’m a unique person all around.”

Zong Suiyang said nothing further, just pinched Pei Xiting’s finger and let him go.

The door opened, and Youzong stood at the entrance, glancing at them.

Pei Xiting said, “That fast?”

“Soft bones. Didn’t even draw blood.” Youzong looked at Zong Suiyang. “This one was probably just a low-level lackey. They dragged the girl out from the woodshed.”

“The woodshed is back-to-back with Xianyin’s room. They can be connected,” Zong Suiyang said. “Follow the plan. Take the men and find the secret room. Shaoyun and I will go to Baimei Brothel to draw their attention.”

Youzong nodded, then turned and quickly left.

“I’ll wait for you here,” Pei Xiting said, looking at Zong Suiyang. “Be careful. That Xianyin has a grudge against you. If these people decide to attack on the spot, don’t try to be a hero—just run.”

Zong Suiyang glanced at him. “Don’t worry so much. Stay put in the inn. Don’t run around.”

Pei Xiting cupped his hands. “Aye-aye! Go slowly, Your Highness!”

Zong Suiyang turned and left. Pei Xiting watched until the figure disappeared at the end of the corridor. Turning his head, he caught Su Chongyan’s gaze. He smiled. “What are you looking at me for, Doctor Su?”

“Everyone finds something rare worth a look. I’m no exception,” Su Chongyan said.

Pei Xiting understood what this “rare” referred to. “Then take a good look. I won’t charge you.”

Su Chongyan chuckled. “Even without considering the Prince, I’d be happy to look at you. A feast for the eyes.”

Pei Xiting then remembered Zong Suiyang’s comment about Su Chongyan’s looks being his aesthetic preference. That stung a little—not exactly a comparison between him and Su Chongyan, but more of an irritation. It annoyed him because it was Zong Suiyang who had said it.

You dog, still having preferences.

Pei Xiting silently cursed the Prince for being unprincipled, while on the surface maintaining a pleasant demeanor as he said goodbye to Su Chongyan and went back to find Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang was lounging on the couch, gnawing on a steamed bun. When Pei Xiting came in, he didn’t get up, continuing to compare which tasted better: red dates or walnuts.

Pei Xiting sat down in the empty space beside Yuan Fang, leaned back casually, and said, “Your shoulder still hurt?”

“Not anymore. The Corridor Master didn’t use much force,” Yuan Fang said.

Pei Xiting grabbed a cushion and placed it behind his head. “Hey, why did you run away back then?”

He had originally thought Yuan Fang had committed a grave mistake and fled out of fear of punishment, but from Fu Wei’s attitude, it wasn’t as serious as he’d expected—just that Fu Wei was very displeased.

Yuan Fang said, “I was scared.”

It was rare to hear the word “scared” from his mouth. Pei Xiting paused. “Scared of what?”

“The Corridor Master,” Yuan Fang said, finishing his bun and dusting off his hands. “He suddenly brought a man back.”

Pei Xiting sniffed gossip. “What does that have to do with you?”

“He doted on the man quite a bit, and that man threw his weight around, ordering me to do this and that, even making me take him out on missions. Of course, I refused, but that time the Corridor Master happened to overhear and smilingly told me to take him out for fun, so I did. When things got violent, I told the man to hide behind the rockery and keep quiet, that I could keep him safe. But he got scared by the bloody scene and screamed.” Yuan Fang pointed to his left cheek. “That scream alerted people, and his face got slashed here. Disfigured.”

“Did the Corridor Master blame you?” Pei Xiting asked.

“No,” Yuan Fang said. “He just told me to go find medicine, out in the Western Regions. Too far. I didn’t want to go, so I took the chance to run.”

Pei Xiting thought for a moment. “Did you not like that man? Or were you unhappy with the Corridor Master bringing back a man?”

“Whether I liked him or not wasn’t the point. I rarely like anyone anyway,” Yuan Fang said blandly. “I just felt that after that man appeared, my ears never got a break. The courtyard used to be just me and the Corridor Master. Then suddenly there was another person—noisy, troublesome. I couldn’t be bothered.”

“I get it. You’re afraid of the Corridor Master, but not that afraid,” Pei Xiting said with a smile. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t have dared to slip away.”

Yuan Fang didn’t deny it. “I’d planned to hide out for a while, wait for him to get tired of the man and let him go, then go back. The worst I’d get would be a few dozen lashes. But I ended up bumming around for two or three years.”

“So you left, and the Corridor Master kept sending people to find you, and now he’s even come to get you himself…” Pei Xiting looked thoughtful. “Hey, do you think if I ran, how many days could I last?”

Yuan Fang said, “If you last even a day, consider yourself lucky.”

“Are you mocking me? I can tell,” Pei Xiting said.

“Just speaking the truth,” Yuan Fang replied.

“Bullshit.” Pei Xiting patted Yuan Fang’s arm. “Hey, pack up. Let’s go take a look around the entrance of Baimei Brothel.”

Yuan Fang turned his head to look at Pei Xiting. “Worried about the Crown Prince?”

“Can’t I be?” Pei Xiting replied. “I feel that Huo Xianshi is especially concerned about the relationship between me and the Prince. And it’s not just to use that connection—it feels personal.”

Yuan Fang thought for a moment. “Are you jealous?”

Pei Xiting chuckled. “He’s not worthy.”