After Pretending to be an Idiot, I Was Targeted by the Cold-Blooded Zhangyin - Chapter 8

Xie Changsheng remained in his kneeling position but leaned his head way back, and sure enough, he saw Gu Feiyi.

The early autumn weather was still somewhat warm to Xie Changsheng, yet this man wore a royal blue cloak over his shoulders. It made his skin look even whiter, his face as refined as carved jade.

Xie Changsheng and Gu Feiyi locked eyes, staring at each other for a long time. Many people dared not look Gu Feiyi in the eye; those narrow eyes held a mocking, chilly gaze. Once targeted by that predator-like look, one would break into a cold sweat even in the height of summer.

Xie Changsheng, however, was not afraid. He gazed at Gu Feiyi dazed and suddenly asked, “Who are you?”

At those words, Gu Feiyi ground his teeth. He knew this person was a fool, but including this time, the boy had asked for his name three times already. Moreover, didn’t he remember Xie Hemiao quite clearly? Why did he keep forgetting him?

It was a waste of the pastries he had fed the boy.

Gu Feiyi stepped forward and stopped in front of Xie Changsheng. He leaned down slightly and extended his right arm. Instead of answering the question, he said, “Get up.”

Xie Changsheng instinctively rested his hand on Gu Feiyi’s arm. The cold fragrance of plum blossoms filled his nose. Through the cloak and sleeves, he could still feel the chill of Gu Feiyi’s body and the strength in an arm that was more powerful than it looked.

Bracing himself against Gu Feiyi’s arm, Xie Changsheng stood up. Turning his head, he saw Xie Hemiao watching him with a complex expression—the kind of pained look one wears when seeing their own prize cabbage being rooted up by a wild boar.

“I have delayed the Lords’ time.”

Gu Feiyi withdrew his arm, his gaze sweeping lightly over the assembled officials. “His Majesty has been waiting for a long while. Please proceed to the banquet as quickly as possible.”

The crowd hurried away, and Xie Changsheng was caught and pulled back into the sedan by Xie Hemiao.

“You Little Fool, you really are something!” “Second Brother told you to get up and you wouldn’t, but as soon as Gu Feiyi calls you, you stand right up? Are you afraid of him?”

Xie Hemiao shook his head, sighing theatrically. “Sigh, and to think Second Brother carried you all that way!”

Xie Changsheng felt that Xie Hemiao sounded a bit jealous, but he wasn’t entirely sure. He thought about it and gave Xie Hemiao a silly, friendly grin. “Second Brother is a good person.”

Hearing this, Xie Hemiao shook his head with a laugh. “They say you’re a Little Fool, and you really are. What is a ‘good person,’ and what is a ‘bad person’?”

Despite his words, his lips curled upward. When they arrived at their destination, the two stepped out of the sedan. The spacious inner hall was already teeming with people. Xie Hemiao led Xie Changsheng to the very front to take their seats.

The First Prince, Xie Chengjing, had already arrived and was speaking with a young military officer of about eighteen or nineteen. The officer wore dark purple silk robes, wrist guards at his sleeves, and a long, bushy wolf tail hanging from his waist. He had sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a high bridge to his nose. Though he had a handsome, upright appearance, there was a trace of wildness and rebellion hidden within.

Seeing someone approach, the young officer stopped talking. He turned around, saw Xie Changsheng, and his face instantly darkened. He glared at Xie Changsheng but said nothing, simply turning and walking away.

“Second Brother, Third Brother.”

Xie Chengjing tried to stand to greet them, but as soon as he moved, he began coughing uncontrollably.

Xie Hemiao and Xie Chengjing were not on good terms. Seeing the coughing fit, a sneer flashed across Xie Hemiao’s face. “The Crown Prince should take care of his health,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Xie Chengjing couldn’t have missed the tone, but he merely covered his mouth with a handkerchief and gave a bitter smile. He looked up to see Xie Hemiao watching him provocatively.

Xie Chengjing felt a pang of bitterness. The attendants all called him weak, but what choice did he have? Xie Hemiao had a leg deformity and was cynical and world-weary. Xie Changsheng was the apple of their father’s eye. Though he was the Crown Prince, he only held the advantage of being the eldest legitimate son; he had no real power in his hands.

With wolves in front and tigers behind, not a single person truly respected him. He had to be cautious. Just as he was about to speak with a forced smile, Xie Changsheng suddenly piped up.

Dazed, he mimicked Xie Hemiao’s tone: “The Crown Prince should take care of his health.”

What was originally a biting remark became comedic when Xie Changsheng said it. Not only that, but because he spoke too fast, he mispronounced the word for “Prince” as “Paper.”

Xie Chengjing and Xie Hemiao were caught off guard and burst into light laughter simultaneously. Realizing they were laughing together, they both stopped awkwardly.

Xie Changsheng clapped his hands. “Big Brother is blushing, and Second Brother is blushing too! Hahahaha, shame on you, hahahaha…”

Xie Chengjing helplessly rubbed his forehead. “…Third Brother…”

Xie Hemiao reached out and rubbed Xie Changsheng’s head. “Xie Changsheng, shut your mouth!”

As Xie Changsheng giggled and dodged Xie Hemiao’s hand, the entire hall suddenly went silent. A figure in bright yellow slowly stepped into the main hall.

The old Emperor’s complexion looked slightly better than before, but he seemed drunk already. His steps were swaying and unsteady, his clouded eyes full of intoxication. The officials and concubines knelt in a mass, shouting “Long live the King.”

Thus, only three people in the entire inner hall remained standing: the old Emperor, Xie Changsheng, and Gu Feiyi by the Emperor’s side.

Ignoring those kneeling on the ground, the Emperor beckoned to Xie Changsheng. “Changsheng, come here.”

Xie Changsheng pressed down his lower eyelid and stuck out his tongue. This was a choice made after careful consideration—a gesture that would make the officials think he was no longer close to the Emperor, yet wouldn’t go so far as to enrage the Emperor in public. It was a “ghost face” that caused little harm but was extremely insulting.

The Emperor was stunned, but Xie Changsheng shouted before he could speak: “I’m hungry! I didn’t eat breakfast, I didn’t eat lunch, when are we eating?!”

Seeing his beloved youngest son clamoring for food, the Emperor was instantly concerned. He waved his hand. “Everyone, rise!”

The musicians began to play, and the concubines and dancers performed to the rhythm. But in this banquet, who besides the Emperor was truly happy? Xie Changsheng sighed internally while burying his head in the food. Truth be told, the food was delicious.

It was just a bit hot, and the incense was far too thick. Xie Changsheng was feeling a bit dizzy from the heat. He walked out of the hall and found Yang Luo. He clamored that he needed to use the restroom. Yang Luo gave him a worried look that said “Please don’t pee in your pants,” and quickly led him to the washroom.

When he came out, Yang Luo looked immensely relieved. “Good job, Little Highness! You didn’t pee in your pants, you’re so amazing!”

Xie Changsheng: “…”

He endured the embarrassment and gave a proud, silly grin. But then, a scoff came from behind him.

Xie Changsheng turned and saw the young officer who had been talking to Xie Chengjing. He was half a head taller than Xie Changsheng, leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, looking down at him.

The young general tilted his head and sneered, “Xie Changsheng, this is retribution.”

“Who is he?” Xie Changsheng turned and asked Yang Luo.

Just as Yang Luo was about to whisper in his ear, the young general spoke first: “Fang Ling.”

Fang Ling, the Little Marquis Fang. Xie Changsheng had actually guessed it the moment he first saw him. With that look and that aura, he clearly wasn’t an ordinary person. It was as simple as a TV show focusing on an actor’s face for ten seconds—no viewer would believe that character was just an extra.

But he still had to play the fool. Xie Changsheng looked at Fang Ling blankly. “Oh. What does ‘retribution’ mean?”

Fang Ling’s lip curled mockingly again. “It means exactly what you are now.”

Xie Changsheng didn’t seem to understand the mockery; he was like a curious baby. “What’s wrong with me?”

Fang Ling looked at him with a mix of schadenfreude and helplessness. “You’re asking what’s wrong? You’ve become a fool.”

Xie Changsheng burst out laughing as if he’d heard a great joke. Fang Ling knit his brows. “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing because you’re the fool. You can’t even tell that I’m not a fool.”

Fang Ling: “…”

Being called a “fool” by Xie Changsheng left Fang Ling speechless. He opened his mouth to sting him with a few more words, but looking into those vacant eyes, he doubted if the boy could even understand. A feeling of extreme frustration filled Fang Ling’s chest. He realized that if he kept talking to Xie Changsheng, he’d only get angrier. He huffed, turned, and walked away.

But then came the rhythmic jing-ling of jade ornaments. Xie Changsheng was chasing after him.

“Wait, where are you going?” Xie Changsheng bumped his shoulder against Fang Ling’s as they walked together. “By the way, how old are you? Seven? Eight?”

A vein throbbed on Fang Ling’s forehead. “How do I look seven or eight? I’m seventeen!”

“What was your name again? Fang… Fang…”

Fang Ling’s face was dark. “Fang Ling. Can you stop following me?”

Xie Changsheng grinned. “No.”

Xie Changsheng remembered the book said that when the original host died, he was tortured. It was Fang Ling who put a sword through his heart, giving him a quick end. But Fang Ling didn’t meet a good end either. A month later, during border unrest, he led an army out but was sabotaged by Gu Feiyi, ending up pierced by ten thousand arrows.

Xie Changsheng truly felt it was a pity. With the goal of building some “favorability” with Fang Ling, avoiding returning to the banquet too early, and deepening his “fool” persona, Xie Changsheng followed Fang Ling like a little tail, chattering incessantly.

“Do you know my name? I’m Xie Changsheng, you can also call me Long Life.”

Fang Ling: “…?”

Xie Changsheng: “Do you know calculus? A definite integral with a variable limit is a function; when you encounter it, differentiate first.”

Fang Ling: “…?”

“By the way, do you know my Big Brother? He’s amazing! He dares to eat poop!”

Fang Ling: “…?” Does your Crown Prince brother know you’re slandering him like this?

Fang Ling’s mouth began to twitch. He couldn’t help but wonder: How is it that after turning into a fool, Xie Changsheng is even more annoying than before?

He didn’t want to talk to Xie Changsheng anymore, so he quickened his pace. Xie Changsheng didn’t give up, following him at a light jog. As they reached the hall entrance, Fang Ling stopped abruptly. He turned and clapped a hand over Xie Changsheng’s mouth.

Those eyes, bright as stars, were very close to Xie Changsheng. He heard Fang Ling’s low voice: “Shut up.”

Xie Changsheng’s eyes widened, and he soon understood why Fang Ling was covering his mouth. He heard crying—the raspy, tragic sobbing of a woman coming from inside the hall.