A chilling coldness flashed through the depths of Xiao Jing’an’s dark eyes. With a sudden movement, he grabbed Pei Yan’s arm, while the throwing dagger in his other hand stabbed down toward Pei Yan’s slender wrist.
Startled, Pei Yan gave a violent shudder of his body, his face draining of color as he cried out in alarm, “No, Mph.”
The moment the sharp throwing dagger touched Pei Yan’s fair wrist, there was no pain, only an itch.
Pei Yan reacted.
When the man before him provoked him or made a mistake, he used the exact same method as in their past life.
Pei Yan lowered his head to look at the red peach blossom printed onto his wrist.
It was as though he had been branded with the other’s exclusive mark; no matter how hard he scrubbed or washed, that peach blossom on his wrist would never fade unless he cut away the skin and flesh.
The throwing dagger in Xiao Jing’an’s hand was a unique hidden weapon belonging to the witchcraft tribes of the southern border, capable of easily piercing through sheet metal when slaying enemies, as unbreakable as could be.
Yet its alternative use was just like this upon Pei Yan right now.
However, this peach blossom was unlike what Pei Yan understood; it could not be removed.
It was just that until his death in his past life, he never knew the method to erase that peach blossom.
At this moment, Pei Yan had yet to recover from his fright when his chin suddenly felt cool.
Xiao Jing’an’s finger, adorned with a cyan jade ring, clamped onto Pei Yan’s chin: “Have you learned to be obedient?”
Pei Yan lifted his long, curled, ink-black eyelashes, which were still stained with beads of moisture, and nodded heavily.
At some unknown point, a faint flush had bloomed at the corners of his eyes, spreading out like evening clouds, while a stray lock of hair fell across his brow, revealing a fragile vulnerability born of being bullied to the extreme, looking both pitiful and helpless.
Xiao Jing’an’s gaze trembled slightly, and he promptly released his hold.
As he turned and made to leave, he heard the person behind him ask: “Where are you going?”
Xiao Jing’an halted his steps, his tone reeking of heavy disgust: “I just touched you, going to wash my hands.”
With that, he lifted his foot and walked away.
“It is good that he is not going to look for Little Daddy.”
With his physical strength sapped and unable to support himself, Pei Yan slid slowly down against the wall before squatting directly on the ground, burying his face deep into the crook of his arms as he hugged his knees.
Emerging from the bedroom, Xiao Jing’an did not go to wash his hands; instead, he leaned against a corridor pillar, recalling Pei Yan’s inner thoughts.
“His foresight may not be accurate after all.”
“I will not gain his deep trust and lay the foundation for my future succession because of this matter; rather, he will become increasingly wary of me, determined to heed the slander of the national preceptor on my twenty-first birthday and execute me, this baleful star of the witchcraft tribes.”
Overcome with shock and terror, Pei Yan collapsed onto the bed in the bedroom, sleeping deeply until the time classes ended at the Imperial Academy.
Naturally, because he had skipped class, he could not avoid being reprimanded by Cheng Yue.
Having just weathered a storm, Pei Yan completely brushed the matter aside.
Once the scolding concluded, he followed Pei Yuning away from the Imperial Academy with an air of utter nonchalance.
As the two walked along, Pei Yuning turned his head, his clear and pure eyes darting glances at him back and forth.
With a gentle expression and a refined smile gracing his handsome face, Pei Yan asked: “You keep looking at me, is something the matter?”
Pei Yuning raised a finger and pointed toward his chin.
“A patch of red, and somewhat swollen.”
Pei Yan was born with exceptionally delicate and tender skin; even the lightest touch would instantly flush a small patch red, let alone being pinched by Xiao Jing’an’s fingers, which felt like iron tongs.
Hearing Pei Yuning’s words, Pei Yan raised a hand to touch his chin, which still throbbed with lingering wisps of stinging pain.
“I accidentally bumped it.”
Pei Yuning: “When we get home, let my mother use a boiled egg to roll over it for you.”
Having received concern from Little Daddy, Pei Yan beamed instantly.
His eyes were filled with the color of happiness.
Noticing his appearance, Pei Yuning grew unnatural in his demeanor and quickened his pace.
Pei Yan followed closely beside him: “We will pass a shop in a moment, and I will buy a backpack for you.”
Pei Yuning’s backpack had been ruined by Zuo Qi, so he truly needed to purchase a replacement.
He wanted to save Mrs. Pei from discovering it when he returned home; otherwise, knowing he had been bullied, she would worry.
However, Pei Yuning intended to pay out of his own pocket to buy a coarse linen one and make do with it.
Filled with filial piety, Pei Yan pulled Pei Yuning straight into a high-end shop frequently patronized by high-ranking officials and nobles.
He selected a pricey silk-brocade backpack for Pei Yuning.
Pei Yan wanted to purchase other daily necessities for Pei Yuning as well, but Pei Yuning dragged him right out of the shop.
Looking at the silk-brocade backpack in his hands, he said: “Thank you, but do not purchase items for me in the future. You.”
Hesitating for a moment, Pei Yuning could not help but speak out: “Being so extravagant is truly not a wise course of action; you should plan ahead for your future.”
In his past life, after Pei Yan placed top in the imperial examinations and began serving by Xiao Jing’an’s side, being rewarded with gold, silver, and treasures by Xiao Jing’an had become an everyday occurrence.
Consequently, this had fostered his habit of spending money lavishly without restraint.
“The Zuo father and son paid quite a hefty sum in compensation today.”
With that, Pei Yan produced a stack of silver notes and placed them into Pei Yuning’s hands.
“Your books and backpack were destroyed by him; this is the portion of compensation he gave you.”
Truth be told, Pei Yan had handed all the money over to Pei Yuning.
“I do not want this.” Extending his hand, Pei Yuning attempted to return the silver notes, but Pei Yan sidestepped to avoid them.
To divert his attention, Pei Yan asked: “Why did Zuo Qi bully you today in the first place?”
With proper business to discuss, Pei Yuning had no choice but to accept the money on Pei Yan’s behalf, and proceeded to recount everything that had happened in the classroom today from beginning to end.
Listening to Pei Yuning’s narration, Pei Yan lowered his eyes to analyze it for a moment before saying: “There is something fishy about this matter; I need to investigate.”
Nodding, Pei Yuning said hesitantly: “You must exercise caution in all things.”
Clearly, Pei Yuning was gradually changing his perspective on Pei Yan.
Before he knew it, Pei Yan had already become his backbone.
Time flew like a white horse passing a crevice, and in the blink of an eye, half a month and more had passed.
Ever since that day, Xiao Jing’an had not appeared before Pei Yan once.
The downfall and exile of the Minister of Revenue in the imperial capital due to corruption had become a scorching topic of conversation over people’s tea and meals.
Pei Yan’s days, however, were rather ordinary and peaceful.
His daily task was to protect Pei Yuning well, leaving the rest of the time to busy himself with matters of revenge.
Bathed in the morning sun, the dew on the tree leaves flickered with a gentle radiance.
The bronze bell chimed, and the scholars welcomed the first class of the day.
Holding an exquisite red brocade box, Cheng Yue walked into the classroom.
Today, he did not wear a stern face, nor was there any vertical furrow between his brows.
At a single glance, anyone could tell he was in a fine mood.
Withdrawing his discerning gaze from Zhuang Zhi, Pei Yan turned his eyes toward Cheng Yue.
Cheng Yue gently placed the brocade box in his hands onto the desk.
Smoothing his beard, he said: “The results of the poetry and essay test between the Imperial Academy and the literati of Wenxuan Pavilion have already been announced, and they are placed right inside this brocade box.”
At his words, the gazes of everyone in the hall converged upon the brocade box on the desk.
Each of them hoped their own poetry and prose had achieved outstanding results.
Having participated this time as well, Pei Yuning currently had his gaze fixed upon that brocade box too, naturally hoping to secure excellent results.
After all, those with good scores would receive prize money granted by the Imperial Academy.
Pei Yuning had already secretly jotted down every item Pei Yan had ever purchased for him into a small notebook, intending to return every coin to Pei Yan once he had money.
Lin Zhaoru’s gaze was likewise fixed unblinkingly on the brocade box.
To him, the prize money was secondary; that honor, that eye-catching pride, was what mattered most.
Pei Yan looked toward his Little Daddy, hoping that his Little Daddy would attain the very best results.
Finishing his speech, Cheng Yue picked up the brocade box and slowly opened it.