After Pretending to be an Idiot, I Was Targeted by the Cold-Blooded Zhangyin - Chapter 22

Xie Changsheng had finished his meal at the tavern with Xie Hemiao and Fang Ling. Since Xie Changsheng didn’t want to go back yet, Xie Hemiao offered to take him for a stroll around the city.

Walking through the bustling market, the road was lined with stalls selling snacks, jewelry, rouge, clothing, shoes, and calligraphy, one after another. Xie Changsheng found everything novel, stopping frequently to look and wanting to touch everything he saw.

He stopped at a jewelry stall and picked up a brass ring tied with a red string. He once had a ring of a similar style, though his had been made of gold. It had belonged to his grandmother; after she passed away, it went to his mother. Because it was too large for her, she had wrapped red string around the inside many times to make it fit. After his mother died, it became his.

For a moment, Xie Changsheng felt a wave of trance-like nostalgia. When he snapped back to reality, he noticed Xie Hemiao and Fang Ling both looking at him strangely.

Xie Hemiao asked, “Little fool, do you like this?”

Xie Changsheng didn’t answer, simply giving a silly grin and bringing the ring toward his mouth. The stall owner, thinking he had a customer, was startled and jumped up to stop him.

Xie Hemiao also panicked: “Quick, put it down! You can’t eat that!”

A hand shot out like lightning, snatching the ring from Xie Changsheng’s hand. Xie Changsheng looked at his empty palm and turned back in bewilderment. He saw a frowning Fang Ling.

“Don’t just put everything in your mouth! This isn’t food!”

Xie Changsheng let out an “Oh.” He turned back to Xie Hemiao: “Second Brother, can I buy this?”

Xie Hemiao said, “It’s just a crude brass ring; why buy it? I’ll send you some better ones later.”

Xie Changsheng immediately nodded obediently. “What? Second Brother is going to give me lots of gold and silver and lots of fun toys? Then I don’t want this anymore.”

Xie Hemiao: “…” Which ear exactly heard me say all that?

“I heard it with all four of my ears.”

Seeing Xie Hemiao raise his folding fan again, Xie Changsheng giggled and prepared to hop onto his back. However, Fang Ling reached out and handed a handful of copper coins to the stall owner. “I’ll take this.”

He picked up the brass ring and tossed it to Xie Changsheng. “Here.”

Xie Changsheng held the ring. “Thank you, my friend. I wish you a long life of a hundred years.”

Fang Ling: “…” He gave a wry, helpless twitch of his lips. “It’s nothing.”

Xie Changsheng smiled and looked like he wanted to say more, but he suddenly sniffed the air and looked to the side. The sweet potatoes at a nearby stall had just finished roasting, releasing a delicious aroma. Seeing Xie Changsheng’s sparkling eyes, the corners of Fang Ling’s mouth lifted slightly.

He walked over to the sweet potato stall and returned shortly with a massive, fragrant roasted sweet potato.

Xie Hemiao let out a long, resentful sigh. “Truly, fools have fool’s luck. I’ve been eyeing those candied haws over there for ages, yet no one bought any for me.”

Fang Ling said, “Then this official will go buy them.”

Xie Hemiao stopped him. “No need, no need. I was just looking.”

Xie Changsheng, hanging onto Xie Hemiao’s back, broke off a piece of the sweet potato and held it to Xie Hemiao’s mouth. “Second Brother, eat.”

Xie Hemiao’s first instinct was to refuse, but he ended up smiling and taking a bite. Xie Changsheng then broke off a piece for Fang Ling and handed it over. Fang Ling frowned and hesitated for a moment before taking it.

They walked a bit further, but before they could complete a full circuit of the market, Xie Hemiao’s leg began to ache. The three found a nearby tea stall to sit down.

Once seated, Xie Changsheng ignored the protests of the attendants and squatted on the ground to massage Xie Hemiao’s leg. Normally, Xie Hemiao never let anyone touch that leg, but the pain was severe this time. He tried to pull Xie Changsheng up twice, but seeing the boy’s persistence, he eventually stretched out his right leg and let him massage it.

After about fifteen minutes, the look of pain on Xie Hemiao’s face lessened significantly. He reached out to pull Xie Changsheng up. “Alright, that’s enough.”

Xie Changsheng asked, “Does it still hurt?”

“Much better,” Xie Hemiao said. “Little fool, you actually have such a skill.”

“Mm,” Xie Changsheng replied. “Because I used to go to ‘Blind Massage’ shops often. Do you know what that is? It’s a wonderful little dark room where one hour makes you feel reborn and two hours makes you feel like your bones are shattered.”

Xie Hemiao: “…” I don’t understand; he’s talking gibberish again.

He sent an attendant to buy some candied fruits for Xie Changsheng. While he rested, he watched the boy leaning over the table, eating with great relish.

Suddenly, Xie Hemiao said, “Strange.”

Fang Ling thought something was wrong and instinctively placed his hand on the short blade at his waist. “What is strange?”

Xie Hemiao “snapped” his fan open and fanned himself lightly. “Strange—I really should hate him.”

Five years ago, during the autumn hunt, the old Xie Changsheng had maliciously shot his mount. He fell from the horse, and the animal’s hoof had stomped heavily onto his right leg. It wasn’t completely severed, but it had become nearly useless. Now, his right calf was significantly thinner than his left. Whenever it rained or he stood for too long, it hurt.

Of course he should hate Xie Changsheng. But he couldn’t hate this version of him who knew and remembered nothing. Not only did he not hate him, but he even felt a sense of genuine liking in his heart. He found it quite interesting to wander aimlessly through the market, eating and drinking while listening to this boy’s crazy talk.

Xie Hemiao smiled and suddenly tapped the top of Xie Changsheng’s head with the handle of his fan. “Call me Second Brother.”

Xie Changsheng clapped his hands happily. “Second Brother is good, Second Brother is great, Second Brother is a big monk!”

Xie Hemiao: “…”

Fang Ling choked on his tea again and frowned as he wiped the table. The three of them whittled away the time at the tea stall. Later that evening, Xie Changsheng was returned to the palace by Xie Hemiao and Fang Ling—completely intact, without an upset stomach or a missing limb.

Upon returning to his quarters, Xie Changsheng flopped onto his bed. He hadn’t felt tired while outside, but now his legs felt sore. He planned to take a comfortable hot bath and called Yang Luo to fetch water, but she looked troubled.

“Little Highness…” Yang Luo said, “There is no hot water… and no food.”

Xie Changsheng let out a dazed “Huh?”

Yang Luo explained, “For some reason, the Palm Print sent people to take away our charcoal earlier, and he ordered the small kitchen to stop working. He also left a message saying if the Little Highness is dissatisfied, he can go confront him in person.”

Yang Luo had a bitter face, looking anxious, annoyed, and terrified all at once, as if she were about to cry. Xie Changsheng let out another dazed “Huh?”

He sat there for a long time—so long that Yang Luo almost suspected he had fallen asleep with his eyes open—before he finally moved.

“Gu Feiyi… very bad man.”

Xie Changsheng stood up and ran outside. “I’m going to talk sense into him.”

“Master,” Feng Wang said, “the Little Highness has arrived.”

“I know.”

Gu Feiyi set down his brush and sat in his chair, waiting quietly for a moment. He heard light, brisk footsteps approaching. In the next instant, a figure appeared at the door.

Gu Feiyi looked at Xie Changsheng. Today’s attire was much simpler than usual. The embroidery and gemstones were gone, making him look cleaner and causing his beautiful face to appear even more radiant. His thick black hair hung behind him, looking a bit messy, with a few stubborn strands sticking up at the back like the ruffled fur of a kitten or puppy.

The smile on Gu Feiyi’s face deepened as he remained seated. “Why has the Little Highness come?”

“Scientists say that bathing can speed up human blood circulation, remove dirt from the skin, and improve metabolism; secondly, it can improve sleep quality and help relieve mental stress.”

Xie Changsheng looked very serious. “You aren’t letting me bathe.”

Gu Feiyi filtered out the gibberish and only heard the last sentence. He smiled. “This servant simply wanted to see his disobedient little pet. But I am dull-witted; after much thought, the only solution I could find was to cut off the pet’s food and water.”

Hearing this, Xie Changsheng suddenly stepped forward and patted Gu Feiyi’s shoulder. His tone was comforting and full of sighing: “Many people don’t know they are stupid. The fact that you can feel your own stupidity means you’ve already won against so many people. You’re great!”

Gu Feiyi: “…”

He took the opportunity to grab Xie Changsheng’s wrist and, as before, used his legs to pin the boy’s legs from the outside, rendering him unable to move.

“Who am I?”

“Gu… Gu Feiyi.”

“And who is Gu Feiyi?”

Xie Changsheng knew he wanted to hear him call him “Master.” He decided to play dumb. “Who is he? This editor is also very curious.”

Gu Feiyi increased the pressure on Xie Changsheng’s wrist. “Call me Master.”

Xie Changsheng could only say, “Master.”

“Mm,” Gu Feiyi said. “The Little Highness must have had a very happy time playing with the Second Prince and the Young Marquis. The Little Highness has never been this close to this servant.”

When he had heard Xie Changsheng went to a tavern with them, Gu Feiyi had only been slightly annoyed. But when he heard the boy fed them sweet potatoes and massaged Xie Hemiao’s leg, his irritation reached its peak. Only he could protect Xie Changsheng in this palace. Why hadn’t Xie Changsheng massaged his leg or fed him?

He unconsciously rubbed the skin of Xie Changsheng’s wrist with his thumb. He heard the boy’s dazed voice: “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous? Naturally.” Gu Feiyi admitted it, feeling a spark of curiosity about the boy’s next response.

Xie Changsheng said, “Then don’t be jealous.”

Gu Feiyi fell silent. “…” I shouldn’t have been curious.

Xie Changsheng asked, “Then what do you want so you won’t be jealous?”

Gu Feiyi thought seriously for a moment and said, “Little Highness, let this servant help you bathe.”

When he said this, Gu Feiyi looked very enthusiastic. Xie Changsheng recalled the look in his grandmother’s eyes when she saw the puppies back in his hometown; she looked exactly like this when she insisted on bathing them. Although Xie Changsheng understood the sentiment, he immediately said, “No!”

Gu Feiyi narrowed his eyes. “No?”

“No! It violates male virtue!”

“Fine, this servant does not like to force others,” Gu Feiyi said. “But there is no need to keep a disobedient pet. I wonder where and when the Little Highness’s pinky finger, legs, or head will be discovered tomorrow morning?”

Xie Changsheng: “…By the way, let me introduce you to a friend. His name is Hannibal. You two will have a lot in common.”

Gu Feiyi arched an eyebrow. “Who? Someone in the palace?”

Xie Changsheng gave a dry laugh. “I heard he’s from the Imperial Kitchen.”

Xie Changsheng grabbed Gu Feiyi’s sleeve, trying to negotiate. “How about you just wash my hair instead?”

Gu Feiyi knew that since hitting his head, Xie Changsheng had developed a quirk where he wouldn’t let anyone serve him closely. After a moment’s thought, he reluctantly agreed. He ordered hot water and had Xie Changsheng lean his head back against the chair. He then slowly rolled up his wide sleeves, revealing his forearms. Underneath his jade-like skin, pale veins were visible.

“Lean back properly.”

Xie Changsheng was staring blankly at his arms when he heard Gu Feiyi’s command and leaned back. He felt Gu Feiyi sit in front of him, then felt his hair being gathered and submerged into the basin. The water had been steeped with chrysanthemum, forsythia, and mint. Xie Changsheng’s hair drifted and tangled with these herbs, feeling as smooth as silk.

Xie Changsheng had a lot of hair. Gu Feiyi tried to gather it all in one hand but failed. He smiled, wetted the hair completely, and applied his usual hair cream. Instantly, the fragrance of cold plum blossoms filled the room.

Xie Changsheng opened his eyes in surprise. “This is the smell on your body.”

“Does the Little Highness like it?” Gu Feiyi asked, slowly massaging the cream into his hair.

Even submerged in hot water, Gu Feiyi’s fingers were very cool. Occasionally they would touch Xie Changsheng’s ears or neck, making him jolt from the cold. Gu Feiyi noticed this and suddenly pressed his entire hand against the back of Xie’s ear on purpose.

Caught off guard by the ice-cold touch, Xie Changsheng jumped from his seat. “So cold!”

Gu Feiyi let out a low laugh.

Xie Changsheng: “…” There really are too many bad people in this world.

From then on, Xie Changsheng remained on guard against Gu Feiyi repeating the trick. Fortunately, Gu Feiyi didn’t pull any more stunts, dutifully finishing the hair washing. He meticulously cleaned every strand, calling for fresh water five times. By the time he was done, Xie Changsheng’s neck was sore.

“Little Highness, sit up straight.”

Xie Changsheng straightened up, and Gu Feiyi used a cotton towel to dry the hair. He seemed to be in a very good mood; as he dried the hair, he began to hum a soft tune.

Xie Changsheng also started singing: “The Wumeng Mountains connect mountain to mountain! Moonlight spills onto the Sounding Water Beach!”

Gu Feiyi: “…Shut up.”

Sigh. I really can’t talk to someone who can’t appreciate Phoenix Legend.

Xie Changsheng asked gloomily, “Are we done yet?”

“The hair must be dried completely, or you will get a headache, Little Highness.” Gu Feiyi slowly dried the hair until every strand was dry. “Alright.”

He grabbed Xie Changsheng’s shoulders, turning him to face him, and admired his handiwork with a lingering smile. The naturally smooth black hair was now dark and shiny under the candlelight, and those messy, stubborn strands had finally been smoothed down.

Gu Feiyi was very satisfied. He asked, “Are you hungry?”

Though it was a question, he didn’t wait for an answer. He ordered Feng Wang to bring food and had Xie Changsheng sit at the table. Just like before, he held the chopsticks and fed him bite by bite.

Xie Changsheng noticed that every time he swallowed, Gu Feiyi’s subtle Adam’s apple would also move slightly up and down.

Xie Changsheng suddenly let out an “Ah.”

…Gu Feiyi… couldn’t possibly have… that thing… a feeding fetish, right?

The more Xie Changsheng thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. His gaze toward Gu Feiyi became increasingly complicated.

Man, you’re quite the pervert.