“No!”
Fu Pengfu was the first to speak out. “A-Liao is the heir of my Marquis of Mingliu estate, neither an official nor a magistrate. How can he simply report for duty at the Prince of Jing’s manor? This does not conform to propriety!”
“The Heir Apparent has great foresight and cares for the military strength of our Northern Chu, so why must the Marquis obsess over propriety?” Xi Lingjian chuckled softly. “Furthermore, the Marquis himself rarely seems to abide by propriety, yet now you presume to lecture me?”
Not a single honorific had been used in Fu Pengfu’s previous remark. If Xi Lingjian truly wished to press the issue, it could easily be treated as another crime.
Fu Liao smoothed things over. “Indeed, Father. Once my training is completed, can Your Highness not set out on a campaign sooner?”
As expected, all the aggressive momentum drained out of Fu Pengfu instantly.
“Is that so…” He suddenly transformed into a completely different person, drawling slowly, “True, it is not without reason. Then A-Liao, you may go with the Prince of Jing. If you can assist Northern Chu, it will bring great honor to our ancestors.”
The words of comfort lingering at the tip of Fu Liao’s tongue were forcefully shoved back down.
It appeared Fu Pengfu cared deeply about this military campaign as well.
Yet once Xi Lingjian left Jingzhou, wouldn’t these people take full control?
Judging merely by the officials he had encountered over the past few days, alongside the young emperor who had long since shown bias, Fu Liao could not feel optimistic about the political landscape of Northern Chu.
If even Fu Pengfu, a member of the New Party, held such an attitude toward Xi Lingjian, Fu Liao shuddered to imagine how many others were watching him like hawks.
“Ah, yes…” He could only acknowledge it with a forced, awkward smile. “Father need not worry. It is merely going away for training; it is not as though I am never returning. Besides, if I encounter anything I do not understand, I can still consult you.”
“Yes, yes.” Fu Pengfu nodded repeatedly, smoothing down his bristling mustache. “Haha, then go ahead, A-Liao. If any trouble arises, just come find your father.”
His tone lacked the conviction of his words, carrying instead the weary relief of someone who had narrowly escaped death. It was as though this farce sparked by his own anger had simply grown tedious to him, and as long as it ended quickly, the outcome no longer mattered.
Leaning against the bedpost, Fu Liao could not decipher Fu Pengfu’s true attitude toward him.
Exhaling a long breath of liberation, Fu Pengfu noticed his son’s gaze fixed upon him with eyes that seemed faintly damp, causing him to start nervously once more.
“However, A-Liao’s health… The Prince of Jing must be extra accommodating. Your Highness is not such a petty person, surely?”
Having performed the formality of warning Xi Lingjian, he turned his gaze back to Fu Liao.
Fu Liao blinked in surprise and tentatively returned a look of gratitude, prompting Fu Pengfu to stroke his mustache with smug satisfaction.
Fu Liao fell silent.
Fu Pengfu wasn’t even curious about when or how he had learned to ride a horse.
Anyone else might be forgiven, but he was his own father; surely he knew his son’s capabilities inside and out. Why resort to chasing after wild rumors instead?
Though, it was beneficial to his current situation.
Xu Jingyi had also calmed down considerably, completely purged of his previous anger.
Fu Liao noticed that when he had offered to take the punishment on his father’s behalf, Xu’s anger had instantly turned to joy, his eyes crinkling into slits.
He was likely thrilled that he was beginning to get close to Xi Lingjian, believing his plan was back on track.
That worked out well enough.
If he hadn’t chosen a side earlier, the man would surely have harbored resentment. Now that the gap had been bridged, if Xu wanted information on Xi Lingjian, he would inevitably seek it out through him.
“Ah, everyone is doing this for the prosperity and abundance of Northern Chu, why make a fuss like before? This official thinks how harmonious everyone is right now is simply wonderful.”
Xu Jingyi smiled warmly. “The Heir Apparent is also filial and devoted to Northern Chu, truly a phoenix among men. With such talent, this old official hopes Your Highness the Prince of Jing will not overwork him.”
Xi Lingjian arched a brow with playful amusement. “I appreciate Official Xu’s reminder.”
Xu Jingyi’s expression shifted slightly, turning even uglier after scanning Fu Liao’s face a few times.
“Your Highness flatters this old official… haha, besides, is that entertainer not residing in your estate? The Heir Apparent is an old acquaintance of his, and they have likely not met in a long time. Truly a double blessing!”
Fu Liao felt his blood run cold.
He glanced at Xu Jingyi.
Intentional.
While the original owner’s unrequited crush on Ji Liandu had never been made public knowledge, judging by the banquet the other day, plenty of people were aware of it.
Xu Jingyi had originally tried to lure him into taking a side using Ji Liandu, and now he was adding fuel to the fire right before both him and Xi Lingjian.
His own reaction could neither be overly emotional nor completely indifferent.
After all, the person in question was still hiding right there in the corner.
Without answering immediately, Xi Lingjian turned his gaze to Fu Liao.
“Indeed, we grew up together as childhood friends, but later due to differences in status, it became inconvenient to meet.” Fu Liao exhaled softly, dropping his gaze as if recalling a painful memory. “In truth, my willingness to enter the Prince of Jing’s manor is partly to see him once more. I hope Your Highness the Prince of Jing will not hold it against me.”
A flicker of amusement danced in the depths of Xu Jingyi’s eyes.
Fu Pengfu frowned. “A-Liao, did I not tell you long ago? Why are you still lingering over that fox-friend of yours? It damages our family’s reputation!”
“Who in Jingzhou does not know Young Master Ji’s title of Soft Tendons? Father, many people wish to see him yet cannot,” Fu Liao smiled, deftly steering the reason for the visit back to Ji Liandu’s status as an entertainer.
Muttering a perfunctory cough, Fu Pengfu snorted dismissively through his nose.
Fu Liao couldn’t help wondering if his father had secretly watched Ji Liandu perform before.
“That being the case, this official will return to the manor to handle official duties first.” Bowing slightly, Xu Jingyi offered a reminder, “Your Highness, tomorrow’s morning court session will discuss the Longevity Festival.”
“I have not forgotten,” Xi Lingjian said.
“Then A-Liao, you should also… rest a while first. You can discuss the specific details with the Prince of Jing.” Fu Pengfu departed with brisk strides, vanishing from sight shortly after.
Leaving Xi Lingjian and Fu Liao to exchange another gaze.
The outer corner of Xi Lingjian’s brow twitched. “The sedan is waiting outside the manor. I am waiting for you.”
“Ah?” Fu Liao straightened up. “Right now… we are leaving immediately?”
“Was that not what the Heir Apparent said with his own mouth?” Denying him any room for debate, Xi Lingjian continued, “Since the Heir Apparent is atoning for his father’s sins, he should obey my words.”
With that, he stepped out of the room, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Ji Liandu emerged from the corner immediately.
“Then I shall take my leave.” He cast a parting glance at Fu Liao.
Nodding, Fu Liao escorted him out toward the doorway.
Before the other’s figure disappeared from view, he couldn’t help calling out, “Take care of your health, do not rush things too much. It will be alright.”
Halting his steps, Ji Liandu hesitated a moment before turning back to grab Fu Liao by the sleeve.
“Come here.”
He dragged Fu Liao over to the gap in the wall, much like how he had snuck in earlier to seek Fu Liao’s help.
With a shy expression, he whispered softly, “A-Liao, I have something I wish to tell you.”
A sudden sense of unease gripped Fu Liao.
“Xiao Ji, the Prince of Jing has not gone far; he will hear us,” Fu Liao interrupted Ji Liandu hastily. “We will meet again. You should leave first and not risk your life, alright?”
Left entirely on his own, Ji Liandu had nowhere to hide that Xi Lingjian didn’t already know. If he sought refuge with the eunuchs instead…
The first possibility was that Xi Lingjian would track him down to the eunuchs and force them to hand him over, regardless of whether he understood the political leverage Ji Liandu held over them, he would find him. The second possibility was that the eunuchs would simply repackage him and return him to Xi Lingjian, leaving him with nowhere to run.
After all, he was a vital instrument used by the eunuchs to keep Xi Lingjian in check.
Now that rumors linking the Prince of Jing and the entertainer were spreading far and wide, regardless of whether anyone was deliberately fanning the flames, the eunuchs would never easily abandon a pawn into whom they had poured so much effort.
He would inevitably be captured and brought back.
Knowing this, Fu Liao wanted to find a way to stay inside the Prince of Jing’s manor precisely so he could maneuver and mediate from within.
Interrupting him, Ji Liandu persisted, “A-Liao, A-Liao, listen to me.”
“We grew up together. Back then, you never despised my humble origins, and I was truly grateful.” Tears gathered in the corners of his eyes, shimmering as if they might spill over at any second.
Cold sweat beaded on Fu Liao’s forehead. “No, Xiao Ji…”
Ji Liandu was exploiting the original owner.
Even though Fu Liao was reluctant to believe Ji Liandu was the sort of person who would use his friends, he had to admit that his motives were painfully obvious, to the point where he was beginning to utter insincere words.
More importantly, Xi Lingjian was right behind him.
He could feel it.
The dense agarwood scent radiating from that man wrapped around him like an inescapable nightmare.
Deliberately shifting his position, Xi Lingjian blocked his own silhouette behind a tall courtyard wall.
Blinking rapidly, Fu Liao used his hand hidden in the shadows to grip Ji Liandu’s, silently signaling him to stop talking.
To his shock, without batting an eye, Ji Liandu leaned forward abruptly.
“A-Liao, my heart actually yearns for…”
Barely managing to catch his breath, Fu Liao lowered his voice urgently, “I will find a way to let you see the Emperor, just leave quickly!”
To secure the position of the Music and Pipe Commander, Ji Liandu was willing to make such a massive sacrifice. The more Xi Lingjian used this carrot to dangle him, the easier it would be for the man to face a backlash later.
Pondering this, Fu Liao did not forget that the very person he was worrying about was standing right behind him.
Dizzy and lightheaded, he forced himself to turn around.
Only to be greeted by Xi Lingjian’s synthetic, mirthless smile.
Parting his lips slightly, Xi Lingjian offered no explanation for his silence, merely asking simply, “Why is the Heir Apparent standing here catching the draft?”
“…It was stuffy inside.” Unsure why Xi Lingjian hadn’t erupted on the spot, Fu Liao rambled out a random reply. “I will go prepare at once.”
Inside the sedan, he sat face-to-face with Xi Lingjian. This time, neither of the two attendants had followed, leaving the carriage feeling unusually vast.
Even the silence seemed to carry an echo.
He sneaked a glance at Xi Lingjian.
Not once did Xi Lingjian spare him a glance, keeping his eyes fixed entirely on the rolling curtains outside.
Upon arriving outside the Regent’s manor, Xi Lingjian merely lifted his chin in a silent cue for him to dismount.
Resigning to his fate, Fu Liao complied and stepped down before the grand gates.
A towering figure strode out to meet them from ahead.
“My lord, this subordinate has already… oh?”
Yin Ruche stared in astonishment at Fu Liao and the sheep he was holding.
“Is the Heir Apparent here to return the sheep?” Yin Ruche brightened up. “How thoughtful! Though I’m surprised Your Lordship didn’t…”
Swallowing the rest of his words, he dropped to one knee and bowed to the person standing behind Fu Liao. “Your Lordship.”
“Go inside,” Xi Lingjian said concisely.
Once they entered the main hall, Yin Ruche opened his mouth to speak, only to be stopped by Meng Zhui, who was trailing behind Xi Lingjian, giving him a slight shake of the head.
Puzzled, Yin Ruche knew his master came to the hall explicitly to receive reports.
Meng Zhui gestured to him again, prompting Yin Ruche to realize his intent as he anxiously sought confirmation from his master.
Taking a calm sip of tea, Xi Lingjian said nothing.
Yin Ruche blurted out, “Your Lordship, Young Master Ji has escaped again.”
Before Fu Liao could process the news, the statement scrambled his thoughts entirely.
Clutching his sleeve tightly, he looked up to find Xi Lingjian’s deep, fathomless pupils locked onto him, pinning him firmly in place.
“How long has it been since his last escape?” Xi Lingjian remarked. “Despite my strict confinement, he still went to such lengths to slip away.”
The pale complexion of the person before him turned a shade paler.
Xi Lingjian still could not fathom why he attached such immense importance to an entertainer, going out of his way to meddle and ingratiate himself without any hope of reward.
He couldn’t possibly be blind to the fact that Ji Liandu was using him.
The hypothesis he had dismissed long ago resurfaced with a vengeance.
Having already entangled himself in the strife between the New and Old Parties, he could not allow him to step foot into the muddy waters of the eunuchs as well.
Gazing at Fu Liao with an intriguing mix of amusement and suspicion, Xi Lingjian asked, “Heir Apparent, do you happen to know why?”
Fu Liao parted his lips, shrinking back a fraction behind Yin Ruche.
“…Certainly not because of me.”
Xi Lingjian’s expression froze for a fraction of a second.
“Really, it is not.”
Fu Liao added with utmost sincerity.