Chapter 75#

Red String, Little Pei in Enzhou (15)#

The carriage stopped before the gates of the House of Hundred Charms. Yu Shaoyun alighted, opened the door, and stood aside to allow Zong Suiyang to descend.

Zong Suiyang stepped down using the footstool and glanced up at the signboard written in cursive script. The last time they had come here, they had not entered through the usual route; this was the first time they were going through the main entrance.

The madam swayed her hips forward with an attentive welcome, seemingly sizing them up with an imperceptible glance, her smile growing more apparent as she invited them upstairs.

Xianyin stood on the second-floor gallery, waving a round silk fan. Her gaze fell upon Zong Suiyang ascending the stairs sideways. Though this man appeared ordinary, his bearing was elegant and noble, rare in this world.

Xianyin’s eyelids twitched, startled by the suspicion of his identity, until she noticed the man behind him.

The lean, wiry man wore a straw hat that obscured most of his face, making his features difficult to discern. But the blade hanging at his waist was well-known and named.

Xianyin’s expression shifted slightly. She immediately turned, walked to a corner, and summoned a waiter. “Inform Master Huo immediately that Dang Yunxue has appeared, and the Crown Prince is already at the House of Hundred Charms.”

The waiter acknowledged softly, turned, and hurried away.

Xianyin stood there for a moment in thought, then fanned herself as she summoned the madam who had just emerged from a room. She asked softly, “Did those two say anything specific?”

“They just asked for a pot of fine tea, said they wanted to sit for a while and look for someone,” the madam replied truthfully.

“Go on then, attend to them as usual,” Xianyin instructed the madam. After a moment, the earlier waiter reappeared and nodded to her.

Xianyin looked around, then turned and descended the stairs to a room in the back courtyard. The door clicked shut. Inside, a young man sat at a round table, his expression unreadable, lost in thought.

“Yu Shaoyun and the Crown Prince are inseparable. If he’s appeared, then the young man he’s accompanying must be the Crown Prince in disguise,” Xianyin said, approaching the table with a slight frown. “Li Da went to Yejing this morning, yet the Crown Prince has appeared in Enzhou now. Has he discovered something?”

“Li Da went to Yejing to confess his faults; sitting on the bench for a few days is nothing unusual. Besides, if the Crown Prince left Yejing, the Eastern Palace would surely have someone issuing orders on his behalf. Li Da isn’t some major figure requiring the Crown Prince’s personal audience,” Master Huo said. “As for why the Crown Prince is here, you’ll have to find out yourself.”

Xianyin acknowledged the order, left the room, took a tray from the madam, and went to the private room on the second floor.

The man inside was the Crown Prince. Xianyin exhaled slowly before signaling the person behind her to knock softly. When a voice from inside said “Enter,” the waiter behind her pushed open one half of the door. She stood at the threshold and said, “Your tea has arrived.”

Zong Suiyang was playing a qin by the window. Yu Shaoyun stood nearby, glancing at Xianyin. “You don’t seem like one of the girls here. Who actually manages this house?”

“I am the manager. Madame Liu only handles guest reception and takes care of the girls,” Xianyin said, pouring two cups of tea. She stood up and smiled at Yu Shaoyun. “I heard from Madame Liu that you two are here to find someone. Many people come and go here daily, and some are indeed looking for others—mostly wives searching for their husbands. But who might you be looking for? Is there anything I can assist with?”

Yu Shaoyun glanced at Zong Suiyang, then walked to the table. “We’re looking for a young gentleman, about eighteen or nineteen. As for his appearance, it’s simple—he’s as beautiful as jade, unforgettable at first sight. Also, this gentleman is usually accompanied by a handsome, refined young man.”

They were looking for Pei Xiting. Xianyin’s mind stirred. She fanned herself, feigning recollection, then said, “I have indeed seen a pair like that. They came a few days ago, but I don’t know where they’ve gone now.”

“We tracked them here after learning they had been seen at your establishment,” Yu Shaoyun said. “Since you’ve seen them, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“Please, ask away. I’ll tell you everything I know. But,” Xianyin hesitated, glancing apologetically at the two men, “it concerns the guests’ private affairs. I’m afraid I shouldn’t casually disclose such matters to strangers. May I ask what relationship that gentleman has with you two?”

“He is my master’s younger brother—young, inexperienced, and was coaxed out by someone, causing worry at home. So my master had to come find him himself,” Yu Shaoyun said, pulling a banknote from his chest and handing it to Xianyin. “Just speak freely. No need to hold back.”

Xianyin smiled, took the banknote, and thanked them for the reward. “Ask away.”

“What did those two do when they came here?” Yu Shaoyun asked.

“Just drank tea, had some wine, and listened to music. Nothing else,” Xianyin said. “When they came, they never called for any girls or male companions. They just stayed in their room by themselves. So whether they did anything else, I wouldn’t know. However…”

She paused, and Yu Shaoyun prompted, “However what?”

“However, those two were exceptionally close. Their relationship seemed unusual.” Xianyin gave an ambiguous smile.

Yu Shaoyun glanced at the silent Zong Suiyang, a flicker in his eyes. “In that case, please keep an eye out for these two. If they come again, immediately leave word at the counter of the teahouse across the street, and do your best to detain them. If we can bring them back sooner, you’ll be well rewarded.”

Xianyin noted Yu Shaoyun’s reaction, smiled, and said, “I’ll remember that.”

“We don’t need you anymore. Go attend to your duties,” Yu Shaoyun said.

“Then take your time, gentlemen. If you need anything, just call.” Xianyin curtsied and quietly withdrew.

Xianyin closed the door and hurried back to her room, where she recounted the matter to Master Huo. He was silent for a moment before speaking with a faint, sardonic smile. “So the esteemed Crown Prince himself has come to retrieve a caged songbird that eloped with someone. It seems he’s quite fond of this little plaything.”

“Even if he isn’t fond of it, given the Crown Prince’s arrogance, he wouldn’t allow his possession to be taken by another. That would be an insult and betrayal,” Xianyin said. “In my opinion, this is an opportunity.”

Whether Pei Xiting’s words were true or false, and to what extent, they couldn’t determine or verify. Now that the Crown Prince had come to Enzhou, specifically for Pei Xiting, they might as well take the chance to test the nature of their relationship, as Pei Xiting claimed.

“Send word to Third Young Master Pei. Tell him I wish to discuss something with him,” Master Huo said. “If what he said is true, we’ll have to put him through some hardship. If not…”

Zong Suiyang and Yu Shaoyun sat in the room for a while before getting up to leave. As they descended the stairs and exited through the main gate, Yu Shaoyun paused when he reached the carriage and opened the door.

Zong Suiyang asked from behind, “What is it?”

Yu Shaoyun stepped aside, gesturing for him to see for himself.

Zong Suiyang stepped forward to look. On the main seat lay someone, head resting on a full pillow, covered with a blanket, sprawled out and occupying the seat, sleeping soundly.

Zong Suiyang boarded the carriage quietly, touched Pei Xiting’s flushed cheek, opened the window a crack, and nodded for Yu Shaoyun to close the door.

Yu Shaoyun gently shut the door, took the coachman’s seat, and drove off. After they had gone some distance, Yuan Fang suddenly appeared from nowhere and lightly climbed aboard.

“Why did you follow?” Yu Shaoyun asked.

Yuan Fang pressed down his hat brim. “He couldn’t sit still. Afraid you’d be eaten by demons.”

It wasn’t them he was worried about—just His Highness. Yu Shaoyun smiled and said nothing.

Inside the carriage, Zong Suiyang looked down at Pei Xiting’s sleeping face with immense patience and absorption. Suddenly, as if sensing his gaze, Pei Xiting frowned, hummed softly, turned his head to rub against the pillow, and slowly opened his beautiful, alert eyes, taking Zong Suiyang in.

“You came down so fast?” Pei Xiting mumbled, reaching out a finger to scratch the blanket under his chin.

Zong Suiyang mimicked him. “You fell asleep so fast?”

Pei Xiting snorted. “It’s cold; I’m sleepy all the time. In winter, I’ll hibernate.”

“Weren’t you going to paint for me?” Zong Suiyang asked.

“Easy. If you come to my door three times, plead earnestly, and offer a generous reward, I might consider pausing my hibernation temporarily to paint for you,” Pei Xiting said, rolling over and stretching, mouth wide open with a gurgling sound, completely ignoring decorum.

Zong Suiyang studied him. “Pig.”

“You’re the pig,” Pei Xiting said, displeased. He lifted his leg to kick, but Zong Suiyang didn’t dodge; he reached out and caught his ankle.

The warmth of his palm seeped through the sock, faintly burning the skin of his ankle. Pei Xiting’s toes curled. He tried to pull back but couldn’t break free. He relaxed instead and gently pressed his foot against Zong Suiyang’s waist. “It tickles.”

His tone was somewhat pleading. Zong Suiyang rubbed his thumb over the ankle under his fingers. “Everywhere I touch you, you say it tickles. Is that your excuse to resist and refuse me?”

“I really am ticklish,” Pei Xiting complained. “Don’t rub me with your fingers.”

Zong Suiyang rubbed upward from the ankle, gently gripping Pei Xiting’s calf. He had seen it before—a slender, pale leg, like jade or a lotus root. He wondered what it would taste like to bite it.

“Do you wear anklets?” Zong Suiyang suddenly asked.

“No,” Pei Xiting said lazily, looking at Zong Suiyang. “But if someone gave me a pretty one and said a few nice words, I might consider wearing it for them to see.”

“What counts as nice words?” Zong Suiyang asked.

“Anything that makes me happy,” Pei Xiting propped himself up on his elbow, hooked a strand of hair from Zong Suiyang’s shoulder, and said, “Like calling me something sweet.”

Zong Suiyang looked down at the fingers playing with the ends of his hair. “What should I call you?”

“Do I have to teach you that?” Pei Xiting pouted, looking up at him. “Think of something yourself.”

Zong Suiyang gazed into Pei Xiting’s smiling eyes and called him “Xiting.” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow and said lazily, “Not bad, but not great either.” He called him “Wenjuan.” Pei Xiting made no comment but paused. “No one else knows that name. You’re the first, and the only one.”

Zong Suiyang’s lips curved slightly, but he said, “Sweet talk.”

“You don’t believe me?” Pei Xiting said indignantly. “Then tell me who else has called me that. If you can’t, you’re slandering me, and you’ll have to apologize.”

Zong Suiyang couldn’t name anyone. After a moment, he said, “Didn’t the elder who gave you that name call you by it?”

Pei Xiting wouldn’t yield. “I meant ‘others.’ The person who named me doesn’t count.”

“Alright,” Zong Suiyang said. “Then does it count as nice?”

“Not right now,” Pei Xiting said, tugging lightly at Zong Suiyang’s hair, clearly teasing him. “You’ve already called me that. I want something fresh.”

Zong Suiyang narrowed his eyes, finding this little fox hard to please.

“Oh, can’t think of one? Then forget it,” Pei Xiting said, pulling his foot back, dragging Zong Suiyang’s hand forward with a regretful shake. “It’s not like I really wanted to wear one anyway.”

Zong Suiyang stared at Pei Xiting’s face, then suddenly smiled. Pei Xiting’s heart skipped a beat. He was about to ask what was so funny when Zong Suiyang released his calf.

Pei Xiting snorted, sat up, put on his boots, and glanced at Zong Suiyang twice without saying a word.

Stubborn blockhead. If you won’t call me, then don’t.

Pei Xiting was unhappy. That evening, he wasn’t hungry, so he washed up and went to bed without eating. Zong Suiyang waited quietly by the table. After a while, Yuan Fang came to report that Pei Xiting had already gone through three rounds of dreams. Zong Suiyang rose and left for the next room.

“Please eat first,” Yu Shaoyun said to the young imperial grandson.

Zong Lu nodded, waited a moment, then asked, “Did Fifth Uncle and Secretary Pei have a disagreement?”

Yu Shaoyun didn’t know either. Things had seemed fine on the way back. “Not that I know of,” he said.

Zong Lu said nothing more, picked up his chopsticks, and ate on his own.

Zong Suiyang gently pushed open the door and walked to the bed. The bed curtains were tied back, revealing a face mostly covered by the blanket up to the chin. He sat down on the edge of the bed, quietly watching Pei Xiting, not intending to wake him. But Pei Xiting, instead of sleeping soundly, woke up on his own.

Pei Xiting had intended to roll over and continue sleeping, but when he opened his eyes halfway, he saw a figure sitting by the bed. Thinking it was a dream, he blinked hard, but Zong Suiyang was still there. “Are you trying to scare me to death?” he said.

“You’re not dead yet,” Zong Suiyang said.

“…” Pei Xiting rolled his eyes and turned over, back facing him. “If Your Highness doesn’t want to scare me to death, please go back. I need to sleep.”

“You haven’t had dinner,” Zong Suiyang said.

“Skipping one meal won’t kill me. I haven’t always eaten on time or in proper amounts before,” Pei Xiting mumbled into his pillow. “I’m not hungry. I might as well sleep early.”

“No, today is different from before,” Zong Suiyang said quietly. “Is something troubling you? Are you upset?”

“No,” Pei Xiting said with his eyes closed.

“Then why did you barely speak on the way back?” Zong Suiyang asked.

“Does Your Highness care so much?” Pei Xiting said. “It’s a trivial matter, not worthy of Your Highness’s concern. That you deign to ask after me is already something I’m grateful…” He was cut off.

Before he could finish, Zong Suiyang grabbed his cheeks and forced him to turn around. Pei Xiting met his gaze and fell silent.

Zong Suiyang stared at Pei Xiting expressionlessly for a moment. “What’s the matter? Tell me.”

“What matter?” Pei Xiting pushed Zong Suiyang’s hand away. “I haven’t even raised my voice. What matter?”

He’d said the wrong thing. Zong Suiyang realized his mistake, paused, then said, “I meant, what’s bothering you? If something’s wrong, just say it.”

“I’m not bothered by anything,” Pei Xiting said. “I have no feelings at all. Your Highness is mistaken.”

Zong Suiyang looked at Pei Xiting and said nothing.

“I really need to sleep. Please go back and have your dinner, Your Highness. Forgive me for not seeing you out,” Pei Xiting said, pulling the blanket up, closing his eyes, and turning over, pretending to sleep, though his ears were pricked up.

Zong Suiyang stood up to leave. Pei Xiting pouted, but then Zong Suiyang stopped after a few steps and turned back.

Pei Xiting quickly composed himself, pretending not to notice.

Zong Suiyang sat back down on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t call you anything nice this afternoon, and it made you unhappy. Is that it?”

“…Your Highness is overthinking it,” Pei Xiting said.

His deliberately calm demeanor only confirmed Zong Suiyang’s suspicion. “It’s not that I didn’t want to call you something nice. I just didn’t know what would sound good to you.”

Pei Xiting maintained his aloofness. “How could I dare throw a tantrum over such a trivial matter?”

At some point, whenever Pei Xiting said “Your Highness,” it was either teasing or sarcasm. Zong Suiyang knew this was the latter. He looked at Pei Xiting’s indifferent expression and deliberately asked, “Really?”

Pei Xiting pursed his lips. “Re-ally.”

The word came out firmly, shedding some pretense, revealing true emotion. Zong Suiyang saw Pei Xiting’s eyes flickering but refusing to meet his gaze, and found it amusing.

They stared at each other for a long moment. Pei Xiting’s gaze darted away, but every time it landed on Zong Suiyang, it was caught. Zong Suiyang’s eyes were deep. Suddenly he said, “Ting’er.”

Damn, that’s creepy!

Pei Xiting jolted as if struck by lightning. He scrambled up, staring at Zong Suiyang in disbelief. “You did that on purpose!”

Zong Suiyang was puzzled. “Doesn’t that work either? The most intimate name I usually use is ‘Lu’er.’”

Zong Suiyang struggling to come up with something sweet was a given—Pei Xiting knew that. He hadn’t really needed to hear something nice in the carriage earlier. As long as Zong Suiyang was willing to call him anything, it would have been fine.

“Are you treating me like your son?” Pei Xiting shot Zong Suiyang a glare. The earlier disappointment and unhappiness had dissipated with that spine-chilling “Ting’er.”

“Why would only a father and son call each other that?” Zong Suiyang saw Pei Xiting’s brow relax slightly and felt a corresponding ease. He pressed his advantage. “If you don’t like that, tell me what you would like to be called.”

The Crown Prince had decided to placate him. Pei Xiting’s eyes glinted mischievously. “If I say it, you’ll call me that?”

“Naturally,” Zong Suiyang said, seeing Pei Xiting’s wicked smile but not warning him, just waiting quietly.

Sure enough, Pei Xiting’s mischievous nature reasserted itself. He put on a dignified air and said, “Then call me ‘Dad.’”

Zong Suiyang smiled. “Are you sure?”

The smile was beautiful, dangerous. Pei Xiting was a rascal at heart. Even if he felt fear or panic, now that he had a rare chance to take advantage, he’d go through with it even if it killed him.

“Yes,” Pei Xiting nodded. “I’m sure.”

He put on an expectant expression. When Zong Suiyang leaned in, he even raised an eyebrow. Zong Suiyang drew close, their noses nearly touching. Pei Xiting’s heart raced. His red lips unconsciously pressed together, then leaned up to kiss, but Zong Suiyang stopped him with a finger.

Pei Xiting came to his senses, slightly annoyed, and rubbed his lips against the finger, breathing on it. Zong Suiyang, tickled by the sensation, pulled back slightly but didn’t remove his hand. Instead, he pinched Pei Xiting’s chin, his nose brushing faintly down his soft cheek, and whispered something in his ear.

Pei Xiting’s ears burned. He shivered all over, then laughed. “That sounded good. Now that you’ve called me that, I’ll be sure to treat you well.”

“Oh?” Zong Suiyang’s tone was mild. “And how do you plan to treat me well?”

Pei Xiting said with mock seriousness, “I’ll follow the example of all good fathers in the world and do even better.”

“All talk and no action is no good,” Zong Suiyang said softly, pinching Pei Xiting’s chin. “You need to prove it first.”

“I want to treat you well, but you make me uneasy,” Pei Xiting raised his chin, motioning toward the hand. “After all, what son would treat his father like this?”

“You haven’t seen everything. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist,” Zong Suiyang said, his fingers sliding down the soft flesh of Pei Xiting’s chin, pressing against his bobbing Adam’s apple.

Pei Xiting let out a sound, his foot rubbing against the bed. “My son has good insight. Your father is very pleased.”

He finally lost patience, reached out, wrapped his arms around Zong Suiyang’s shoulders, and tilted his head up to kiss those tempting thin lips with a smack. Zong Suiyang didn’t dodge in time. Pei Xiting leaned in again and bit him, murmuring, “Kiss me too.”

Zong Suiyang’s gaze darkened. He kissed Pei Xiting’s lips, pushing his head back, his tongue pressing against Pei Xiting’s eager tongue, intertwining fiercely.

The sound of wet kisses was unmistakable. When they parted, Pei Xiting’s ears and neck were flushed. Zong Suiyang’s gaze roamed, finally settling on those eyes shimmering with affection. He said nothing.

Desire had unsheathed within him, surging like waves in his eyes. Pei Xiting saw it clearly and couldn’t help tightening his arms around the neck, wanting to wrap his legs around that waist and lock the man in place.

Zong Suiyang didn’t move. He asked softly, “Hungry now?”

Pei Xiting glanced at Zong Suiyang’s lips, meaningfully. “Not full yet.”

Zong Suiyang replied, “Don’t be too greedy, or you’ll upset your stomach.”

Pei Xiting pouted.

“Hungry or not?” Zong Suiyang asked again.

Having been coaxed and kissed, Pei Xiting was satisfied and stopped being difficult. “Not really hungry. If I eat again, I won’t be able to sleep early. I’ll eat when I wake up tomorrow morning.”

Zong Suiyang didn’t press further. “Then get up early tomorrow to eat. No lazing in bed.”

“I know,” Pei Xiting took the opportunity to demand, “but you have to come get me yourself, or else I might not be able to get up.”

“I’ll call you once. If you don’t get up, there’s a palm waiting for you.” Zong Suiyang didn’t refuse, leaving a faint threat, then stood up.

Pei Xiting “oh”ed. “I want tofu pudding for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Fine,” Zong Suiyang said with a faint smile. “You’ll need to eat well. The House of Hundred Charms should contact you soon. I’m afraid you’ll be too weak to make a sound then.”

“…” Pei Xiting rolled his eyes. “I’ll yell so loud I’ll blow your soul away.”

Zong Suiyang shook his head, a meaningful gesture, and reached over to tuck him in.

Pei Xiting kicked his leg, accidentally kicking the blanket off.

“…”

Zong Suiyang looked over calmly. Pei Xiting gave an awkward dry laugh. “I didn’t mean to.”

Zong Suiyang said nothing, tucked him in again, and said, “Sleep.”

“Mm,” Pei Xiting said. “Goodnight.”

Zong Suiyang replied, lowered half the bed curtain, and left.

The next day, Pei Xiting was “woken” in his sleep. He groggily opened his eyes, following the slight chill to his left ankle, and felt a thin chain.

“Hm…” Pei Xiting sat up, threw off the blanket, and saw a string of red rope around his ankle, interlaced with two strands of gold thread. The design was simple, but the gold thread gleamed, and the red cord was vibrant—beautiful together.

“Wear it,” Zong Suiyang said, looking at his ankle. “It won’t interfere with your shoes.”

Pei Xiting lifted his leg, pressing his foot against Zong Suiyang’s waist, and looked up at him with a smile. “Is it pretty?”

Red rope and gold thread—what doesn’t suit a beauty? Zong Suiyang looked down at the foot at his waist, suddenly reached out, grabbed it, and despite Pei Xiting’s protests, rubbed the sole firmly.

Pei Xiting fell back onto the bed, shivering from the ticklish sensation. He turned his head. Zong Suiyang stood before the bed, his tall figure blocking the sunlight from outside. His face was unreadable, his eyes dark and deep, as if he wanted to devour him.

“Beautiful,” Zong Suiyang said seriously after a long moment.