After Pretending to be an Idiot, I Was Targeted by the Cold-Blooded Zhangyin - Chapter 23

Gu Feiyi looked up. “What is it?”

Xie Changsheng, naturally, would not tell him about his discovery regarding a certain “fetish.”

Instead, he said, “Gu Feiyi, my puppy. You promised to give me a puppy, that’s why I’m listening to you.”

Even as he said it, Xie Changsheng understood in his heart that “giving him a puppy” was likely just a stalling tactic Gu Feiyi had devised. As long as the puppy wasn’t in his hands, Gu Feiyi could use this reason to manipulate him indefinitely.

As expected, Gu Feiyi said, “Do not be anxious.”

He picked up a snow-white handkerchief and leisurely wiped Xie Changsheng’s mouth. His icy fingertips pressed against Xie’s lips through the soft fabric, wiping back and forth several times before Gu Feiyi finally withdrew his hand in satisfaction. “In a few days, His Majesty will hold the autumn hunt. After we return, this servant will personally deliver the Little Highness’s puppy to him.”

Xie Changsheng gave a dazed “Oh.” Inwardly, however, he was desperately suppressing a laugh.

The Old Emperor was obsessed with wine and women; his body had long been hollowed out. Of his three sons, one was a sickly weakling, one was a cripple, and one was a fool.

The autumn hunt? What exactly were they going to hunt?

Gu Feiyi didn’t know what Xie Changsheng was thinking. After a moment’s thought, he lightly patted his own thigh. “Come here.”

Xie Changsheng looked at him blankly, not understanding. “Where?”

“Come, sit on this servant’s lap. I have instructions for the Little Highness.”

Xie Changsheng immediately shook his head like a rattle. “No.”

“No puppy, then?”

“Want.”

“Then come here.”

“No.”

The little fool’s logic was quite clear.

Gu Feiyi was too lazy to continue debating. He directly grabbed Xie Changsheng’s wrist and forcibly pulled him down to sit on his lap. A light weight, a warm body temperature. A flicker of pleasure flashed in Gu Feiyi’s eyes.

He had Xie Changsheng sit sideways on his lap. He reached out and grasped a lock of Xie’s hair, dividing it into four equal sections, and slowly began to braid it.

The cold wind blew outside the window, swaying the shadows of the trees. Gu Feiyi’s calm, gentle voice rose: “His Majesty will hold morning court the day after tomorrow.”

“The Little Highness must remember…”

“Remember that you are not allowed to crawl around on the floor.” “You are not allowed to suddenly shout, scream, or wail.” “You are not allowed to whisper with those beside you.” “You are not allowed to leave abruptly.” “And you must not defy His Majesty again.”

Gu Feiyi considered almost every possible scenario, whispering in Xie Changsheng’s ear for a long time. When he looked up, he saw Xie Changsheng’s dazed profile.

“Did you record all that?” Gu Feiyi asked.

Xie Changsheng snapped back to reality. He suddenly covered his forehead with his hand, his features squeezing together. “With that many words, are you trying to study for a Master’s degree?”

Gu Feiyi: “…”

Thirteen years ago, when he first entered the palace, he was insignificant and no one took his words seriously. But now, people would spend ten thousand pieces of gold just for a single hint from him. Even the Old Emperor had to listen to him. Almost no one dared to disregard his words.

Except for Xie Changsheng.

The brat’s ears were like a funnel—in through the left and out through the right, with nothing remaining in his brain.

Gu Feiyi’s gaze was dark, but seeing the small braids he had just finished on Xie Changsheng’s head, his expression relaxed, and a smile slowly curled on his lips. He loosened his arms around Xie Changsheng, and the boy immediately hopped off his lap.

Xie Changsheng noticed Gu Feiyi had been staring at his hair, and he was curious about what Gu had been doing to him for so long. He leaned over the table and found a mirror to check.

A head full of small braids.

Gu Feiyi asked, “Does the Little Highness like it?”

Xie Changsheng said, “To be honest, dreadlocks are still too ‘trendy’ for me.”

Gu Feiyi asked, “What do you mean?”

“It means they are exceptionally good-looking,” Xie Changsheng said. “It has a hybrid beauty of a wanderer and a rapper.”

Upon returning to Yuling Palace, Gu Feiyi had already seen to it that Xie Changsheng’s food and water were restored. He had even sent people to distribute pastries and rewards to all the palace staff.

The entire palace was filled with joy, except for Yang Luo, whose face was clouded with worry. She instructed Xie Changsheng, “Little Highness, when you go to the Palm Print’s quarters tomorrow, give him your thanks.”

She only knew that Gu Feiyi had suddenly cut off their supplies. She assumed Xie Changsheng had somehow displeased him; moreover, when Xie Changsheng came out earlier, Gu Feiyi’s face was dark, wearing a smile that made one’s skin crawl. Yang Luo truly believed the boy had upset the Lord Palm Print.

Xie Changsheng also thought Yang Luo’s suggestion was good. However, he didn’t want to go to Gu Feiyi’s place again to be dressed up like a doll, so he came up with a compromise.

The next day, he sent a “commemorative banner” to Gu Feiyi. On gold-flecked rice paper, he had written two large, blunt, and simple characters: THANK YOU.

When this banner reached Gu Feiyi, he was in a secret meeting with Sui Anxian, the Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Depot. Outsiders claimed the Eastern Depot had declined and become silent in recent years, but they didn’t know it had long been brought under Gu Feiyi’s command. The eunuchs, large and small, moved through the palace and the countryside in the shadows, gathering information for him. They were already a sharp and handy sword, doing the things he could not do personally.

Sui Anxian had come today regarding the post of Magistrate for Moyang County. Though Moyang was remote, it was a treasure trove—it had high grain production and was rich in gold, silver, and iron mines. Recently, the term for the Moyang Magistrate had ended, and Gu Feiyi had transferred him back to the court, leaving the position vacant. Various factions were restless, all wanting to push their own man into this lucrative post.

Gu Feiyi smiled, about to speak, when he heard movement outside the door. The voices quickly went quiet, as if afraid to disturb him.

Gu Feiyi was curious. “Feng Wang, what is it?”

Feng Wang said, “The Little Highness has sent someone with a gift.”

Xie Changsheng? What kind of junk has he sent now? Gu Feiyi thought with disdain, yet a smile curled on his lips. “Bring it in.”

The door was pushed open, and Feng Wang entered with a scroll of rice paper, handing it to Gu Feiyi. It was no secret that Gu Feiyi loved calligraphy and paintings. Almost everyone knew that if they wanted to build a relationship with him, a work by a famous master was the stepping stone.

Sui Anxian said in wonder, “Is the Little Highness not mad? To think he even knows how to send calligraphy to please you.”

Gu Feiyi glanced at Sui Anxian without answering and simply unfurled the paper. On the smooth, gold-flecked, expensive rice paper were two massive, ugly characters: THANK YOU.

It had the aesthetic of a gold-rimmed toilet bowl.

Sui Anxian was instantly stunned. “…This…”

Gu Feiyi, however, wasn’t surprised at all. He tucked the calligraphy away carefully and suddenly turned to ask Sui Anxian, “Have you ever raised a raccoon dog (cat)?”

Sui Anxian froze and shook his head.

Gu Feiyi said, “This servant has heard that domestic cats always bring back some junk to give to their masters.”

Sui Anxian truly didn’t know what deep meaning lay in those words. He clenched his fists nervously and didn’t respond.

Then he heard Gu Feiyi say, “Let Zhang Si go.”

Sui Anxian was taken aback. He remembered the name Zhang Si. He was an honest young man who followed the rules and loved the people like his own children. But he wasn’t on any list Sui Anxian had received. As far as he knew, Zhang Si didn’t belong to any faction.

But on second thought, it suddenly became clear. What if Zhang Si was the “cat” Gu Feiyi was letting loose? Perhaps in a few years, he would bring back good things to give to Gu Feiyi.

Meeting Sui Anxian’s admiring gaze, Gu Feiyi smiled.

“Since this servant has accepted the Little Highness’s ‘thank you,’ I must do something worth being thanked for. Correct?”

Another day passed.

Just as Gu Feiyi had said, for the sake of the autumn hunt, the Old Emperor finally attended court after a long absence. Consequently, all the ministers, princes, and imperial sons had to attend as well.

That day, Xie Changsheng had only been asleep for a short while before being dragged up by Yang Luo. He stood dizzily on the spot, swaying as Yang Luo helped him into his dragon robes. The blue court robe was covered in dragon and python embroidery, shimmering in the dim light. The court crown, encrusted with gemstones, made his skin look even whiter.

Once fully dressed, he looked every bit the elegant and handsome youth. Sadly, those drooping, affectionate eyes were forever filled with nothing but a daze.

Yang Luo sent him off with deep anxiety, fearing he would do something wrong or say the wrong thing at court. Fortunately, Xie Changsheng said Gu Feiyi had already taught him everything, which eased her mind slightly.

Traveling by palanquin all the way to Taihe Palace, Xie Changsheng caught sight of Xie Chengjing at once. He immediately hopped over and expertly pounced on his back. “Big Brother!”

Hearing the noise, Xie Chengjing instinctively reached out and caught Xie Changsheng’s legs. Although nine out of ten officials nearby already knew of his condition, they were still shocked to see his mad behavior and his closeness with the Crown Prince.

Seeing this, Xie Chengjing patted Xie Changsheng’s leg and urged, “Get down, hurry, get down.” His tone was serious. Xie Changsheng gave an “Oh” and obediently climbed down.

He asked Xie Chengjing, “Big Brother, are you better yet? Shall we go sculpt mud men together later?”

Xie Chengjing’s gaze fell on Xie Changsheng. Even though he was the Crown Prince, Xie Changsheng’s dragon robes were even more magnificent than his own. Previously, every time he saw this, he felt stifled and congested in his chest. Now, that feeling of blockage had vanished.

Xie Chengjing reached out, straightened Xie Changsheng’s collar, and said, “Alright.”

Just as he spoke, Xie Hemiao’s voice came from behind them: “Why only ask the Crown Prince Brother? Why not ask Second Brother to go too?”

They both turned and saw Xie Hemiao. Perhaps because it was still early, he hadn’t had time to drink. Today, he looked much more spirited than his usual drunken self.

Xie Changsheng looked at Xie Chengjing, then at Xie Hemiao, his face full of wariness. Both of them knew he was afraid they were going to fight again. Seeing him so jumpy at every shadow, both brothers wanted to laugh. Although their relationship was indeed not great, they usually just avoided each other. Last time, they had only snapped a couple of words, and Xie Changsheng had started crying before they even said anything.

Xie Hemiao suppressed a laugh and teased him, “Little fool, if we fight again this time, what will you do?”

Xie Changsheng didn’t even think. “Then I’ll cry! And while I’m crying, I’ll strip both of your clothes off!”

Xie Chengjing: “…” Xie Hemiao: “…”

What kind of logic is that? But they were truly afraid he might actually do it. In the ensuing conversation, their voices softened significantly, fearing Xie Changsheng would think they were arguing.

A moment later, the Old Emperor arrived. As usual, Gu Feiyi was by his side. Although the golden dragon robes were magnificent, for some reason, everyone’s gaze fell on the man in the scarlet python robe.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne while Gu Feiyi stood beside him, his narrow, smiling eyes sweeping over the crowd below. The officials knelt and shouted “Long Live,” but in truth, everyone knew this cry was mostly for Gu Feiyi to hear.

Xie Changsheng knelt crookedly with the others but didn’t kowtow. He simply stared blankly at the dais. Gu Feiyi happened to be looking at him as well. Their eyes met, and Xie Changsheng beamed, waving at him from a distance.

Gu Feiyi arched an eyebrow, clearly enjoying Xie Changsheng’s look of surprise and affectionate gesture. He smiled at Xie Changsheng and pressed his index finger to his lips in a “hush” gesture. Xie Changsheng gave a soft “Oh” and covered his mouth.

Once everyone rose, the morning court began. The Emperor said nothing, propping his head on his hand. Gu Feiyi took a step forward.

The arrangements for the autumn hunt—from the imperial guard and the budget to the accompanying officials—were all decreed through Gu Feiyi’s soft, flexible voice. The Ministers of the various boards and others who were called upon all complied. The Emperor didn’t understand these arrangements at all and simply left them to Gu Feiyi. He didn’t feel sidelined in the slightest; rather, he felt Gu Feiyi was exceptionally capable.

Lacking a beauty to stimulate him, the Emperor found it all very boring. He eventually fell asleep with his head in his hand and, before long, was snoring in front of all the ministers.

The officials looked at each other with complicated, terrified expressions. Many saw worry in the eyes of their peers—worry for the future, worry for their careers, worry for the world. Of all the paths ahead, which one was the right one? No one knew.

After court dismissed, Xie Hemiao called out to Xie Changsheng: “Little fool, Second Brother is taking you to play. Coming?”

Xie Chengjing also asked, “Want to come sit at the Crown Prince’s estate? They’ve sent a snow-white peacock; it’s very interesting.”

Xie Changsheng was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open. He smiled through half-closed lids. “Okay, okay, okay. The left half of me will play with Second Brother, and the right half will play with Big Brother. The middle will play with Big Brother Fang Ling.”

Fang Ling was about to leave, but he stopped when he heard this. “Why with me? I didn’t invite you.”

Xie Changsheng turned back. “Is that really what you’re focusing on? Shouldn’t you be asking me how I can be split into three pieces?”

Fang Ling’s lip twitched. “…Why?”

Xie Changsheng knit his brows. “How could a person be split into three? You actually believed it? You’re so stupid.”

Fang Ling: “…” Fine. Talking to Xie Changsheng is just my bad luck. Fang Ling rolled his eyes and walked away. This left Xie Changsheng torn for a long time—whether to go see the peacock at the Crown Prince’s estate or go to the market with Xie Hemiao to eat something delicious. Both men were staring at him intently.

Xie Changsheng felt the pressure. He was about to say they should all go together when a little eunuch hurried over. “Little Highness, the Emperor wishes to see you.”

Xie Hemiao let out a “Ha!” and slapped his fan into his palm. “Well, there’s no need to choose now.”

Xie Chengjing also let out a smile and a sigh. “A pity. Third Brother, go see Imperial Father.”

After bidding them farewell, Xie Changsheng followed the little eunuch. But as they walked, he realized something was wrong. This was clearly the way to Gu Feiyi’s quarters.

Sure enough, a moment later, Xie Changsheng was led to Gu Feiyi’s door. Pushing it open, he saw Gu Feiyi standing at his desk, writing.

Seeing Xie Changsheng arrive, he said, “The Little Highness is here. Sit.”

“No sitting, no sitting,” Xie Changsheng waved his hands. “I took the wrong path. The Old Man wants to see me, but somehow I ended up at your place.”

“The Little Highness didn’t take the wrong path,” Gu Feiyi smiled. “It was this servant who wished to see the Little Highness. I simply borrowed His Majesty’s verbal decree.”

Xie Changsheng looked at him in bewilderment. “Then what do you want with me?”

Gu Feiyi said enthusiastically, “To feed the Little Highness, wash his hair, and braid it.”

He’s really treating me like a Barbie doll.

Xie Changsheng said, “I wish I had a System Shop like other transmigration protagonists. I’d exchange a Barbie play set for you; you’d be entertained for a whole day.”

Gu Feiyi: “…” Tsk. I don’t understand, but it doesn’t sound like a compliment.

He had Feng Wang bring food and fed Xie Changsheng bite by bite, then ordered hot water brought in. He wanted to wash Xie’s hair. Xie Changsheng knew he was addicted to the “pet” game, but recalling Gu Feiyi’s comfortable technique from last time, he didn’t refuse.

Before washing, to avoid wetting the court robes, Gu Feiyi helped him take the outer robe off. Seeing Xie Changsheng in only his inner garments, Gu Feiyi feared he would catch a cold and found one of his own robes to wrap carefully around the boy. Because he was taller than Xie Changsheng, the wide robe made the boy look like a child playing dress-up in an adult’s clothes.

Gu Feiyi smiled and reached for the court crown on Xie’s head. Pulling out the jade pin used to secure it, Xie Changsheng’s hair fell completely loose. The braids Gu Feiyi had made two days ago had long been undone, but the marks remained—crimped lines in the black hair like folds in rice paper.

Gu Feiyi felt both satisfied and dissatisfied. Braids were something that would soon be undone. If he wanted his little pet to carry his mark, he needed to give him something that wouldn’t be easily discarded. Jewelry? Clothing? Or should he copy how others raise pets and hang a bell around Xie Changsheng’s neck?

Thinking, Gu Feiyi sat in front of the chair and grasped Xie’s hair. He was about to submerge it in the water when a crisp voice called from outside: “…Godfather!”

Xie Changsheng straightened up. “Who is that?”

“It is the Ninth Princess,” Gu Feiyi said. “Feng Wang is her recognized Godfather.”

The Ninth Princess’s mother, Consort Jing, had once been Feng Wang’s childhood sweetheart. Feng Wang had entered the palace for her sake, castrating himself to become a eunuch to stay by her side. But Consort Jing died in childbirth. Nothing in the palace escaped Gu Feiyi’s eyes. He saw Feng Wang stealing food, medicine, and charcoal for the little princess, and he saw Feng Wang’s hatred for the Emperor. Only after investigating Feng Wang’s background thoroughly did Gu Feiyi allow him to stay by his side.

Xie Changsheng gave a half-understanding “Oh,” feeling a bit curious. The story of the original novel mainly revolved around Gu Feiyi, the princes, and the Emperor. The stories of supporting characters were rarely mentioned. Princesses and consorts were especially glossed over. But he knew this Ninth Princess. In the original book, she ended up “married” to Fang Ling. Specifically, she had a ghost marriage with the dead Fang Ling. That was the path Gu Feiyi had found for her—a lonely but stable and protected path in a chaotic world.

Xie Changsheng stood up, wanting to see the little princess. Gu Feiyi grabbed his wrist. “Where is the Little Highness going? We haven’t washed the hair yet.”

Before Xie Changsheng could speak, the door was pushed open. A clear-looking girl of eleven or twelve stumbled into the room, but her face turned pale when she saw Gu Feiyi. “I… I didn’t mean to.”

Gu Feiyi smiled. “Ten thousand blessings to the Princess.”

The girl mumbled a response and hurriedly retreated, closing the door firmly.

Xie Changsheng asked, “She seems very afraid of you. Did you hit her?”

“This servant does not hit people personally. But many are afraid of me.” Gu Feiyi sat back down, gathering Xie’s hair to dip into the water. “What about the Little Highness? Are you afraid of me?”

Xie Changsheng thought for a long time, not knowing how to answer. If he said yes, he feared Gu Feiyi would be angry at the truth. If he said no, he feared Gu Feiyi would think his majesty was gone and feel he lost face. This was likely a life-or-death trick question.

Xie Changsheng chose a middle-ground answer: “I seem to be afraid, yet also not afraid.”

“Is that so?” Gu Feiyi’s voice carried a smile; he seemed quite satisfied with the answer.

Xie Changsheng leaned against the back of the chair. The sound of water, the sound of the Ninth Princess and Feng Wang joking outside, and Gu Feiyi’s shallow breathing—these sounds combined to make the already sleepy Xie Changsheng even sleepier.

His eyelids began to droop. Gu Feiyi noticed; he wiped the water from his hands and placed his cool palm over Xie’s eyelids. “The Little Highness should sleep for a while.”

Xie Changsheng closed his eyes groggily. He felt Gu Feiyi finish washing his hair and slowly dry it. Then, a pair of arms picked him up and moved him to the bed that smelled of plum blossoms.

When Xie Changsheng woke again, it was already evening. He looked at the unfamiliar bed for a long time before remembering it was Gu Feiyi’s room. A soft voice rose from the side: “Awake?”

Xie Changsheng looked over. Gu Feiyi was standing at the desk, his jade-like hand holding a brush as characters fell onto the paper. Gu Feiyi didn’t look at him, but his lips curled into a smile. “What kind of delicious food did the Little Highness dream of? You were actually smacking your lips in your sleep.”

“…How embarrassing. I beg you, stop talking. What else do you want me to do, kowtow to you? That works too, haha.”

Gu Feiyi: “…” Just woke up and already having a fit. His tongue was quite nimble for someone so mad. He withdrew his gaze and continued copying the scripture.

Xie Changsheng, however, seemed to notice something. He scrambled out of bed and rushed to Gu’s side. “You… you… on your hand…”

Gu Feiyi raised his hand. On his slender white finger sat a brass ring wrapped in red string. The crudely made ring was somehow given an air of nobility by that jade-like finger.

Xie Changsheng said, “That’s mine!”

Gu Feiyi glanced at him. “This is a ring this servant found in his own room, on his own bed. Why is it not mine?”

Xie Changsheng knit his brows in sorrow. “As the saying goes, study math, physics, and chemistry, and you’ll never be afraid anywhere in the world… See, this is the downside of never learning math; you don’t understand the relationship between intersections and unions.”

Gu Feiyi: “…” He pressed his aching temple, choosing not to ponder whatever “heavenly book” language Xie was speaking. When Xie Changsheng stopped to catch his breath, Gu Feiyi suddenly reached out, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him close.

Xie Changsheng’s eyes went wide. “What now?”

Gu Feiyi didn’t answer. He took out a mutton-fat jade thumb ring that had just been delivered and slid it onto Xie Changsheng’s right middle finger. The milky-white jade ring fit his long, slender finger perfectly.

“The Little Highness gave this servant one, so this servant returns one to the Little Highness.”

The smile on Gu Feiyi’s face slowly widened. He admired Xie Changsheng’s hand with satisfaction, his tone carrying the clear intent that he wasn’t planning on being reasonable: “Very good.”