After Pretending to be an Idiot, I Was Targeted by the Cold-Blooded Zhangyin - Chapter 43

After finishing the dumplings with Gu Feiyi, Xie Changsheng felt sleepiness wash over him. He lay on the bed with his back to Gu Feiyi and quickly drifted off.

While he was sleeping soundly, clutching his quilt, he suddenly felt someone smoothing out his hair. The movements were very light and slow, but they were still a bit bothersome. Xie Changsheng let out a dissatisfied mumble, and the movement stopped.

But the quiet didn’t last long.

Next, Xie Changsheng heard footsteps. For some reason, the darkness behind his eyelids suddenly turned bright. Stung by the light, Xie Changsheng pulled the quilt over his eyes. However, the quilt was slowly tugged back down by someone.

Soon, something soft and moist slid across Xie Changsheng’s neck. Startled, he woke up completely.

He opened his eyes to see Gu Feiyi sitting beside him, holding a candlestick in one hand and burying his head in the crook of Xie Changsheng’s neck, gently licking his skin.

Xie Changsheng immediately began flailing his arms and legs: “Help! Someone’s eating a child!”

Gu Feiyi: “…”

How can someone who just woke up have such a full-throated voice?

He reached out and covered Xie Changsheng’s mouth: “Be quiet, Little Highness.”

Xie Changsheng couldn’t speak; he made muffled “woo-woo” sounds while grabbing at Gu Feiyi’s hand, but Gu Feiyi acted as if he couldn’t hear or feel anything. He lowered his head once more.

Xie Changsheng felt a tongue swipe across his skin, followed by a forceful suck.

Gu Feiyi’s lips traced a path along Xie Changsheng’s neck, just like last time, finally taking his Adam’s apple into his mouth, licking and biting with varying pressure. The unabashed sound of kissing—skin against lips and tongue—reached Xie Changsheng’s ears.

Xie Changsheng felt his face burst into flames, and half of his body went numb as if struck by an electric current. Using all his strength, he finally managed to push Gu Feiyi away.

“What is the Little Highness panicking for?” Gu Feiyi smiled, licking the moisture from his lips. “This servant only wanted to complete the other half of the ‘collar’ for the Little Highness.”

He narrowed his eyes, surveying Xie Changsheng’s neck with a satisfied expression: “Mm, a perfect fit.”

Xie Changsheng froze for a moment before realizing Gu Feiyi was referring to the half-circle of red marks he had left earlier. According to Gu Feiyi, it had now become a full circle.

Xie Changsheng: “…”

He looked at Gu Feiyi with deep concern and asked, “Your symptoms… what did the doctor say?”

Gu Feiyi knew Xie Changsheng was insulting him indirectly. He wasn’t angry; looking at that ring of red marks, he felt only satisfaction—he had finally fulfilled the obsession that had burned in his mind all night.

But as he looked, it seemed like something was still missing.

Gu Feiyi narrowed his long, narrow eyes. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he tilted the candlestick in his hand.

Droplets of red candle-tears went patter-patter onto Xie Changsheng’s skin. Upon hitting the cold air, the wax solidified almost instantly against the snow-white skin. It looked like red plum blossoms blooming in a field of snow.

Looking at Xie Changsheng again, the boy blinked vacantly, and with a delayed reaction, he began flailing again: “It spilled! It spilled! Hold it steady! Hold it steady!”

He likely thought Gu Feiyi’s hand had simply slipped.

Gu Feiyi didn’t explain. He took one last look at the red plums on the snowy skin, placed the candlestick back on the table, and blew it out. The moment the light died, Gu Feiyi heard Xie Changsheng’s low mutter: “…Scoundrel.”

Today was the first day of the Lunar New Year.

According to tradition, the Old Emperor was supposed to perform the “Opening Ceremony” by writing auspicious characters, leading the officials in worship, and performing ancestral rites. However, the Old Emperor had been truly terrified by the blood he spat at the New Year’s Eve banquet. Even though his body was no longer in danger—and he believed Gu Feiyi’s explanation about “purging toxins”—he still lay in bed with a pale face, refusing to get up for anything.

Gu Feiyi was happy to enjoy the leisure, saying only, “The first of the year happens every year. Your Majesty can make it up with sincerity next year, and no one will blame you. Your Majesty’s dragon body is precious; resting to recover is most important.”

The Old Emperor breathed a sigh of relief: “Feiyi is still the one who treats me best.” He asked, “Is there anything Feiyi wants? I shall reward you!”

Something he wanted? Naturally, there was. But he didn’t need the Old Emperor to reward him with it.

He said with a smile, “This servant only desires Your Majesty’s health and longevity.”

The Old Emperor smiled, satisfied. As they spoke, a young eunuch brought in medicine. Gu Feiyi reached out for the bowl and brought it to his nose, sniffing lightly.

The medicine for the Emperor was, of course, made from the most precious prescriptions and the most valuable ingredients. But drinking it was like pouring water into melting snow—silent and ineffective. This was because every bowl of medicine was missing certain key herbs.

Today’s medicine was no different.

Suddenly, Gu Feiyi’s fingers loosened. The medicine bowl hit the floor with a “crash,” shattering. The brown liquid splashed everywhere, some landing on the hem of Gu Feiyi’s robe.

The palace maids and eunuchs in the Hall of Mental Cultivation thought Gu Feiyi had suddenly flown into a rage. Their faces turned pale as they began to tremble.

The Old Emperor was also startled: “Feiyi, what happened?”

Gu Feiyi simply chuckled softly. “My grip slipped; the bowl fell.” He looked at the young eunuch who had delivered the medicine. “Go, tell the Imperial Academy of Medicine to decoct another bowl and bring it over… Remember, it must be prepared with the utmost care. No negligence will be tolerated.”

The young eunuch froze, then nodded hurriedly in agreement.

When the Imperial Academy of Medicine delivered the second bowl, Gu Feiyi took it and sniffed; this time, nothing was missing from the medicine. He had someone feed it to the Old Emperor. After watching the Emperor swallow it bit by bit and fall asleep, the smile that had been hanging on Gu Feiyi’s face finally faded.

He glanced at the sleeping Emperor, exhaled a breath of stagnant air, and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He told Feng Wang, “Have him wait for me at my quarters.”

Feng Wang acknowledged the command. Gu Feiyi did not return to his residence immediately; instead, he went to a jewelry shop famous for its craftsmanship.

It was only the first day of the New Year, and most shops were closed for the holiday. But because Gu Feiyi was coming, the shopkeeper rushed over to open the doors for the Lord Regent. The shopkeeper had never dealt with Gu Feiyi directly but had heard stories of his unpredictable and mercurial nature, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

However, Gu Feiyi simply handed a piece of paper to him. “Can you make the design on this?”

The shopkeeper took it and was immediately captivated by the complex patterns. After studying it for a long time, he told Gu Feiyi, “My Lord, it can be done!”

Gu Feiyi nodded. With a wave of his hand, someone presented the shopkeeper with a box full of gold ingots. The shopkeeper tried to decline with a thousand thanks, but Gu Feiyi only smiled. “There is no need for politeness. If it is not done well, you can pay with your life instead.”

He turned to leave, but just as he was about to step out the door, something caught his attention. It was a thin, delicate gold chain adorned with small gold bells and several silver tassels.

Seeing Gu Feiyi looking at it, the shopkeeper explained, “My Lord, this was made by this lowly person based on the waist-bells worn by Western Region dancers. Several officials have bought them to gift to their favorite concubines…”

Before he could finish, Gu Feiyi smiled. “Wrap it up.”

By the time Gu Feiyi returned to the palace, an hour and a half had passed. He took the box containing the bells and went straight to his quarters. Just as he reached the door, he heard the sound of laughter and joking from inside.

Xie Changsheng’s voice: “Who is the mother of Rice?”

The Ninth Princess’s voice: “Who is it, Third Brother?”

“Sigh! So stupid! You don’t even know this? It’s Flower! Because flower-grows-rice (Peanut/Hua-sheng-mi)!”

Gu Feiyi: “…”

He was inexplicably chilled by the joke. He pushed the door open.

Xie Changsheng was sitting at the table eating what was either a late lunch or an early dinner, while the Ninth Princess sat beside him, propping her chin on her hands and looking at him with an expression of pure idolization.

Hearing the movement, both turned around. Seeing it was Gu Feiyi, the Ninth Princess immediately stood up nervously. Xie Changsheng, however, just waved a hand at him and said in a bizarre, exaggerated tone:

“Oh my God! If it isn’t our old friend Gu Feiyi! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. Sit down quickly and have a cup of hot tea, my friend! Don’t make me wait too long, or I might just kick your ass with my boots!”

Gu Feiyi: “…”

He ignored Xie Changsheng and said to the Ninth Princess, “Feng Wang is outside.”

The Ninth Princess nodded and immediately tip-toed out past Gu Feiyi, not daring to even breathe loudly. A moment later, a crisp “Godfather!” could be heard from outside.

Gu Feiyi closed the door behind him. He washed his hands in the basin by the door and walked over to Xie Changsheng.

Xie Changsheng asked, “Why did you call me here? Is something the matter?”

Gu Feiyi didn’t answer. He simply sat beside Xie Changsheng, took the bowl and spoon from him, and continued to feed him the meal. Xie Changsheng, long accustomed to being fed by him, opened his mouth and ate.

Once the bowl was empty, Gu Feiyi used a handkerchief to wipe Xie Changsheng’s lips. Finally, he spoke: “Little Highness.” He stood up and placed the box with the waist-bells into Xie Changsheng’s hands. “Put this on.”

Xie Changsheng opened the box curiously. He studied the contents for a long time but couldn’t understand what they were for. A necklace? Too long. A jump rope? Too short. It had bells; was it a leash for Suisui? But there was nowhere to attach anything.

Xie Changsheng thought for a long time and finally brought the bells to his mouth to take a bite.

Gu Feiyi, witnessing the whole process: “…”

He was involuntarily amused by Xie Changsheng. He gave a hint: “It is worn on the waist.”

“Oh, a belt.” Xie Changsheng understood. He wrapped the chain around his waist. He stood up and walked a few steps; the bells immediately emitted a small, crisp jingling sound with his movements.

Xie Changsheng appraised it: “A bit noisy, but since it’s made of gold, I won’t complain.”

Gu Feiyi propped his chin on his hand and watched him. Xie Changsheng’s gorgeous face had always paired well with gold ornaments and gemstones. The delicate gold chain hanging from his waist lent him a touch of exotic flair; it looked beautiful.

And yet, it still felt like something was missing.

Gu Feiyi’s brow twitched slightly. He said calmly, “Little Highness, take off your clothes.”

Xie Changsheng immediately shook his head. “No!”

Gu Feiyi replied, “This servant’s mood is not very good today.”

He had made a decision today that bothered him greatly: he would let the Old Emperor live a little longer. The successor to the throne was not yet mature enough; it was not time for the Old Emperor to draw his last breath. Although there was a reason for it, the thought of the Old Emperor bouncing around in front of him for a while longer made Gu Feiyi feel irritable.

Thinking of this, Gu Feiyi stood up. He approached Xie Changsheng step by step until the boy’s back was against the wall, with no room left to retreat.

He reached out and slowly began to undo Xie Changsheng’s sash. His snake-like gaze locked onto Xie Changsheng’s vacant eyes, his voice soft: “…This servant decided to let him live a little longer for the sake of the Little Highness’s wish.”

“The Little Highness should compensate this servant.”

“Or… does the Little Highness no longer wish to survive this year?”

Xie Changsheng froze. He didn’t quite understand everything Gu Feiyi was saying, but he heard the final threat loud and clear. Instantly, the strength of his struggling and twisting diminished significantly.

Gu Feiyi chuckled. He slowly pulled the sash out. Finally, his hand loosened, and Xie Changsheng’s sash hit the floor with a “patter.”