As the twilight dawn light spilled across the window sill and the moon-white gauze curtains fluttered, Shu Fuyan awoke languidly from his dreams.
Upon waking, he discovered he was lying in Xiao Yi’s bed, and Shu Fuyan’s face turned crimson.
The Marquis of Zhenbei’s manor had so many side rooms, yet he had slept on Xiao Yi’s own bed. Did this not indicate that Xiao Yi no longer disliked him?
Shu Fuyan was in high spirits and went to look for Xiao Yi after finishing his morning meal. Since he had agreed to play the zither for Xiao Yi, he could not let the trip be in vain.
Shu Fuyan walked along the eaves corridor, passed through a roll of water-curtain, and arrived at the square courtyard facing the sky.
Xiao Yi was practicing his swordplay, shirtless as usual.
Shu Fuyan lifted the curtain and leaned against the adjacent railing, quietly admiring Xiao Yi’s sword skills.
Xiao Yi had long since sensed someone’s arrival and did not need to guess who it was. The fierce sword moves suddenly transformed into something soft, every stance and motion displaying an elegant style. He seemed like a different person from the brutal, red-eyed Xiao Yi of yesterday.
Shu Fuyan watched with keen interest, clapping his hands in admiration, his infatuated gaze mixed with a respect devoid of carnal desire.
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.
In Shu Fuyan’s eyes, Xiao Yi was perfect in every way.
It was still the spring season; though there was no cold rain, the early morning wind was chilly. Xiao Yi must be drenched in sweat after his practice, and Shu Fuyan’s fingertips twitched as he thought to turn back.
He would go get clothes for Xiao Yi!
“Shu Fuyan, come back.”
Shu Fuyan had only just left when he was immediately called back by Xiao Yi.
At this moment, Xiao Yi had stopped practicing, his brows furrowed as he stared at Shu Fuyan’s back.
“General Xiao, what are your instructions?” Shu Fuyan blinked his innocent eyes and smiled gently. His harmless appearance was just like a blooming white lotus flower—pure and elegant.
Xiao Yi coughed dryly twice to hide his embarrassment: “How are you feeling?”
Shu Fuyan suddenly thought of the scene where he had woken up in Xiao Yi’s bed, and his smile came to an abrupt halt as he shyly responded: “I am fine now.”
Xiao Yi inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. With the words of Imperial Physician Shen echoing in his mind, Xiao Yi wanted to have a serious talk with Shu Fuyan regarding his avoidance of medical treatment.
“The manor received a batch of new tea; it’s a rare seasonal harvest. Would you like a pot?” Xiao Yi feigned indifference as he sheathed his sword.
Shu Fuyan nodded, looking incredibly docile and obediently agreeing: “Alright.”
Xiao Yi turned his back to him, picking up the clothes placed on the stone table as if intending to wear them.
“General Xiao, wait.” Shu Fuyan walked to his side, picked up Xiao Yi’s clothes, and spoke tremulously: “Let this humble one wipe the sweat for you.”
Wiping sweat—what an intimate gesture.
Xiao Yi did not answer, his heart drumming.
Thump, thump, thump. He did not know whose heart was about to jump out of their chest, peel away from their flesh, and exhibit itself before the other.
Shu Fuyan did not have a handkerchief, so he rolled up a small section of his azure sleeve to wipe Xiao Yi’s chest.
Although the sleeve material was soft, the spot being wiped was a solid chest, inevitably causing physical tremors. An unusual feeling took root and sprouted in the bottom of Xiao Yi’s heart.
Shu Fuyan’s hand accidentally brushed against Xiao Yi’s nipple; Xiao Yi’s dark eyes grew dim, and he hurriedly grabbed Shu Fuyan’s hand: “Don’t move.”
After saying this, Xiao Yi stopped wiping his sweat and put on his clothes directly, dropping the instruction: “Go wait in the Front Peace Hall.”
Xiao Yi escaped in a disheveled manner from before Shu Fuyan’s eyes, looking quite like a man fleeing in panic.
Shu Fuyan stood rooted to the spot, a subtle, wicked smile curling the corners of his lips.
He lowered his head and stared at the hand that had touched Xiao Yi’s chest. The index finger was slender, the skin cold and white, with a bit of moisture lingering on the fingertip—that was Xiao Yi’s sweat.
Shu Fuyan did not blink; he acted as if nothing had happened and sucked on his index finger, his lips drawing it in. His expression was satisfied, like a little fox-cat that had stolen fish.
By the time Xiao Yi arrived at the Front Peace Hall, Shu Fuyan had already begun playing the zither.
The music reached Xiao Yi’s ears, but Xiao Yi’s focus was entirely on Shu Fuyan; no matter how pleasant the melody, everything paled in comparison to him.
“General Xiao, you have come.” Shu Fuyan said, intending to rise to greet Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi stepped forward quickly, pressing down on the shoulders that were about to rise: “You are a guest; there is no need for such formalities.”
Only when he was close did he discover that Xiao Yi had bathed and changed; the faint, clean scent of soap clung to him, tugging at his heartstrings.
Xiao Yi’s hair was half-damp, draped behind him. Shu Fuyan’s heartstrings stirred, and he took the initiative to suggest: “General Xiao, let this humble one dry your hair.”
Xiao Yi did not want to bathe and change clothes again, immediately refusing: “No need, you just sit.”
Afraid Shu Fuyan would not give up, Xiao Yi pointed at the konghou, his voice betraying his lack of confidence: “Keep playing.”
If it weren’t for noticing that the tips of Xiao Yi’s ears were completely red, Shu Fuyan would have truly believed he was unshakable. Having found where Xiao Yi’s emotions were exposed, Shu Fuyan hurriedly recorded it in his heart.
The two of them, as if sharing a single soul, remained silent.
Shu Fuyan played the zither, and Xiao Yi tasted the tea.
The atmosphere was incredibly warm.
But there are always some people who arrive “too punctually.”
“Xiao Yi, good news! Great news.” The urgent shouting broke the tranquility.
Shu Fuyan stopped the music and looked toward Xiao Yi in the seat of honor.
Xiao Yi’s joyful mood shifted slightly downward; his lips were tightly pressed together, showing not a shred of interest in the sudden “good news.”
Huff, huff. King Yu arrived at the Front Peace Hall, panting, faint sweat seeping onto his soft cheeks.
“Xiao Yi, the Crown Prince!…” King Yu had almost blurted out the good news, but suddenly caught sight of an outsider. His gaze turned venomous, and he asked Shu Fuyan unkindly: “What are you doing here?”
Shu Fuyan remained calm and composed, standing up to bow toward King Yu: “This humble one is a musician for the Marquis of Zhenbei’s manor.”
King Yu frowned. Since when did the Marquis of Zhenbei’s manor have a musician?
And it was Shu Fuyan!
“Xiao Yi, this person cannot be kept! He is of unknown origin.” King Yu leaned in toward Xiao Yi, pointing at Shu Fuyan, his face full of indignation.
Shu Fuyan obediently folded his hands over his abdomen, his voice as cold and clear as a bubbling spring: “General Xiao, is the music this humble one plays not to your liking?”
King Yu’s eyes exploded with rage; he pulled Xiao Yi to confront Shu Fuyan directly: “Shu Fuyan, don’t think that just because you hide deep, this King cannot find your background. You are entangled with King Ji, and you have been associating with the Crown Prince for many days. Calling yourself a musician? In this King’s opinion, you have ulterior motives.”
Shu Fuyan lowered his eyes sadly, defending himself timidly: “This humble one does not. Please believe in this humble one, General Xiao.”
King Yu sneered: “It’s not that you don’t.” He looked down at Shu Fuyan from on high and said: “You are waiting for the right moment to capture everyone in one fell swoop.”
“This humble one truly does not.”
“You definitely do!”
Xiao Yi listened to them one after another, feeling only that his head was big and his ears were buzzing.
On one side was a friend, and on the other was a musician he had personally found. Caught in the middle, Xiao Yi could please neither.
King Yu had never sought anything in his life, but he became particularly agitated whenever he encountered Shu Fuyan, his words sharp, implying at every turn that he was resisting him.
Xiao Yi could not help but wonder if King Yu had been dissatisfied with Shu Fuyan for a long time and was intentionally tormenting him.
“Enough.” Xiao Yi scolded: “Speak, what is the good news?”
King Yu folded his arms proudly: “He leaves, then this King will speak.”
Xiao Yi laughed mockingly: “If you don’t want to speak, you can leave.”
King Yu was shocked; he clutched Xiao Yi’s sleeve and refused to let go, extremely agitated: “You are chasing me away for him!”
Shu Fuyan was slightly uneasy, afraid that he would be the one cast aside, but after obtaining Xiao Yi’s response, he instantly blossomed with joy.
Why did the newcomer surpass the veteran? Because he fought and scrambled for it!
Xiao Yi patted King Yu’s hand away, his tone flat: “Shu Fuyan is my person.”
One sentence extinguished the flames of rage in King Yu’s heart.
That was it, Shu Fuyan was Xiao Yi’s person—so what was he?
What did their dozen years of brotherly affection count for?
“Xiao Yi, don’t forget, you left the capital for years; the capital has already changed!” King Yu was furious, every word he spoke seeming exceptionally frustrated.
A flash of pain crossed Xiao Yi’s eyes, and a dark, gloomy fog enveloped them: “I know.”
Shu Fuyan did not want to see them fall out as enemies; he voluntarily lowered his posture, serving tea to King Yu: “The manor has a new delivery of ‘Water-Heaven Fragrance’; please have a taste, Your Highness.”
King Yu got angry as soon as he saw Shu Fuyan; he didn’t even take a look before sitting in the seat closest to Xiao Yi.
Shu Fuyan’s hand holding the tea paused, the gentleness on his face swallowed bit by bit by coldness.
The feelings of being looked down upon in the past surged up, and the nightmares of his childhood once again launched a violent attack on him, about to shatter his pitiful, humble self-esteem.
Suddenly, the weight on Shu Fuyan’s hand lightened.
He looked up abruptly; Xiao Yi was drinking the tea he had offered.
After finishing the tea, Xiao Yi pursed his lips: “Good tea.”
He didn’t know if he was praising the tea in his own manor, or praising Shu Fuyan for serving the tea; either way, it was good.
Shu Fuyan stared at Xiao Yi gratefully; the scorching line of sight made Xiao Yi dare not look again.
“Sit.” Xiao Yi returned the teacup to Shu Fuyan’s table.
King Yu had played wildly in his youth and only settled down after meeting Fang Yun. Now seeing Xiao Yi and Shu Fuyan exchanging glances, his intuition told him that something big was going to happen.
Shu Fuyan was going to kidnap his brother!
Xiao Yi sat back in his own seat and asked King Yu in a distracted manner: “The good news the Prince speaks of, it is about the Crown Prince, right?”
A trace of surprise appeared in King Yu’s eyes; he leaned over the table to ask him: “How did you know?” He narrowed his eyes, his tone drifting: “Xiao Yi, have you been sending people to monitor the Crown Prince?”
Xiao Yi laughed helplessly: “The Prince thinks too much; I don’t have that much spare time.”
King Yu glanced at Shu Fuyan; the latter was behaving normally, neither happy nor worried.
Foreseeing that the matter of the Crown Prince would sooner or later be known to everyone, King Yu did not bother hiding it either, saying directly: “Someone submitted evidence of the Crown Prince’s forming of cliques to the Emperor. In less than half a day, the Crown Prince’s affair became the talk of the town. Even the sordid things he did in his daily life—bullying men and women—have all been exposed. His mother’s cousins have all been implicated, so much so that they don’t even dare to step out of their doors.”
As King Yu spoke, a cunning light appeared in his eyes; he slapped his thigh, feeling refreshed and secretly fortunate that the Crown Prince had fallen from power.
Even if someone were protecting the Crown Prince, as long as he was not dead, his backing forces would have been hit hard, suffering severe damage.
The Emperor’s trust in the Crown Prince would also fade away. As long as the person sitting in that position was not the Crown Prince, King Yu would be happy.
Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment, his well-defined fingers tapping the table, tapping out a slow, steady rhythm.
“Regarding the Crown Prince, who does the Prince think made the move?” Xiao Yi asked in a low voice.
King Yu straightened his expression and said seriously: “King Ji.”
“Besides him, who else would it be.”
When speaking of King Ji, King Yu would not give up, continuing to fan the flames and dragging the suspicion over to Shu Fuyan.
“Xiao Yi, you don’t know this, but Shu Fuyan is on good terms with King Ji; it’s possible the Crown Prince’s matter was King Ji having him do it.” King Yu smiled mockingly, aiming to pluck Shu Fuyan for all he was worth.
Shu Fuyan was gentle on the surface, but in reality, he wished to tear King Yu’s mouth apart; if his mouth stank, he should go brush it.
“This humble one doesn’t understand the Prince’s words.” Shu Fuyan was cautious and wary.
Sticking to the theme of “I don’t know, I don’t understand, don’t ask me.”
It was starting again. Xiao Yi had a headache; he definitely would not let King Yu and Shu Fuyan meet again next time.
“Alright, Young Master Shu is a musician I personally sought. Even if the Prince is displeased, for the sake of my face, please show mercy where you can.”
Xiao Yi had never spoken up for anyone to this extent; King Yu felt sour and bloated. Could it be that he was not as significant as Shu Fuyan in Xiao Yi’s heart?
As if Xiao Yi could see through King Yu’s thoughts, he took off the jade pendant from his waist and threw it onto the table.
“The ‘Green Sandalwood’ jade pendant; you have always wanted it. Now, it is yours.” Xiao Yi rubbed his brow, tiredness washing over him.
King Yu was both happy and sour; the Green Sandalwood jade pendant was bestowed by the Emperor. King Yu had asked the Emperor for it several times when he was young, but the Emperor would not give it to him; in the end, it was bestowed upon Xiao Yi when the army set out to expedition.
Now, after going around in circles, the Green Sandalwood jade pendant had returned to King Yu’s hands.