After the Pitiful Little One Seduced the Feudal Big Daddy - Chapter 25

On the way back to the Imperial Academy, Pei Xuan noticed that Xie Yunqing’s spirit was flagging. He insisted the youth lie down on the soft couch inside the carriage to rest.

Xie Yunqing’s sleep was shallow. Every jolt of the carriage brought fragmented memories of the previous night to the surface. He couldn’t stop wondering who had dressed him and how he had ended up in a different room. Shame, guilt, and anxiety tortured him relentlessly, so much so that even after arriving at the Academy, his condition showed no signs of improvement.

Pei Xuan’s voice dropped to a whisper as he looked at Xie Yunqing’s pale face. “Yunqing, are you alright? Should I find a physician for you?”

“I’m fine…” Xie Yunqing forced a weak smile. “Just… didn’t sleep well…”

“Why don’t you come to my dormitory to rest?” Pei Xuan touched the youth’s cheek. “You look truly unwell today.”

Cui Ji shot Xie Yunqing a look, appearing hesitant to speak. Eventually, he sighed and urged, “Go and rest, Yunqing. I’ll take notes for you during the lectures.”

Unable to think clearly or refuse, Xie Yunqing agreed. However, his condition didn’t improve over the following days. By the time the next break arrived, he was still lethargic. After forcing himself to complete three days’ worth of coursework, he told Pei Xuan he wanted to return to his dormitory to rest.

Pei Xuan suggested he spend the break at the villa instead. There were attendants and physicians there to look after him, and since Xie Min was still staying there, he could keep his brother company. Xie Yunqing dazed for a moment before the name “Xie Min” registered. Without hesitation, he nodded.

Pei Xuan and Cui Ji didn’t accompany him this time, claiming they had other business. But Xie Yunqing knew the truth: they were avoiding the villa because they feared Xie Min’s behavior would make him feel embarrassed in front of them again.

The thought left him with a deep sense of powerlessness. That weight became a mountain pressing on his heart the moment he arrived at the villa and saw Xie Min bossing the attendants around.

Xie Yunqing stood at the hall entrance and called out, “Min.”

Xie Min heard him but didn’t care. He didn’t even look at his brother, continuing to order the servants to do this and that. Xie Yunqing hurried to his brother’s side, apologized to the bowing attendants, and dismissed them.

Xie Min was instantly dissatisfied. “Brother! Why did you let him go? Who’s going to buy me pastries and new clothes now!”

Hearing those words, a ringing erupted in Xie Yunqing’s ears. He struggled to steady his mind and looked closely at Xie Min. Not only was the boy wearing new clothes of obviously expensive fabric, but he was also adorned with trendy pearl and jade accessories, even his shoes were made of fine brocade.

Xie Yunqing caught Xie Min as the boy tried to run off. He knelt halfway, his eyes stinging and his voice choked. “Where did these things you’re wearing come from?”

Xie Min’s eyes darted around, stammering and refusing to answer. Xie Yunqing raised his voice a rare occurrence. “Min, answer me!”

Thinking his brother was being mean, Xie Min shoved his hand away, rolling his eyes. “Where else? The servants gave them to me.”

“Gave them to you…” Xie Yunqing grabbed the boy’s shoulders in a near-breakdown. “Did you ask for them? Did you make them buy these?!”

“You’re so annoying,” Xie Min snapped, waving his hand dismissively. “What does it matter? They didn’t say no.” He walked to the center of the hall and spun around, acting as if he owned the place. After a moment, he added complainingly, “If only Father had gotten into trouble sooner; then I could have come here to enjoy myself earlier.”

A cold chill shot up Xie Yunqing’s spine. He froze, looking at the jewel-bedecked Xie Min with a sense of utter alienation. He had never expected Xie Min to share his burden of anxiety, yet he had never imagined the boy would actually wish for their father’s misfortune just for a life of luxury.

“Brother!” Xie Min seemed oblivious to the atmosphere. He pushed Xie Yunqing’s shoulder, nearly knocking the weakened youth over. “Can you ask that friend of yours to let me live here forever?”

Xie Min blinked, his face a picture of innocence. But to Xie Yunqing, it sounded like pure cruelty a cruelty that didn’t care for their father, their brother, or even their mother waiting at home.

In that moment, the cruelty felt like a dagger plunged into his heart. Simultaneously, the taste of copper surged from deep within his body. Xie Yunqing couldn’t hold it back; he doubled over and vomited a large mouthful of fresh blood.

…He plunged into endless darkness.

The smell of blood and the darkness intertwined like a thick swamp, slowly eating away at his consciousness. A voice from the abyss enticed him to sleep to sleep forever so he wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore.

Hard… Yes, it had been hard. Ever since his mother died, every day had been hard. There was never a moment to stop. Every day was filled with chores, criticism from his stepmother, and a life lived in constant fear. He finally made it to the Imperial Academy, yet life remained difficult. He had to study, work, and endure the bullying of his peers. Even after Pei Xuan befriended him, the burden of debt kept him from being truly at ease.

And then, his father got into trouble. He had cast aside all dignity and his very self, attempting to trade his body for his father’s life. Even though nothing had happened with Pei Yanzhi, he felt he had become something loathsome—he had lost a part of himself forever.

If waking up only brings pain, why wake at all?

His breathing slowed, growing fainter and fainter until it nearly vanished. Suddenly, a hand appeared in his consciousness and caught him. Warmth spread through his body, shielding him from the cold of the abyss. He tried to open his eyes to see the owner of that hand, but he couldn’t. He only heard a fragmented voice from far away:

“I will help you.” “Why are you crying?” “Be good.” … “Wait for me.”

In that instant, his heart began to thump violently. It was a searing, scorching sensation like a roaring fire. In the crackling of the flames, the darkness was burned away, and his consciousness broke free.

“…Young Master Xie seems to have had a blockage of the heart, leading to exhaustion of the pulse. Today’s shock caused a sudden disruption of Qi and blood, resulting in the fainting.”

“Then why hasn’t he woken up yet?!”

“This… perhaps it will take a bit more time…”

“Pei Xuan!” Xie Yunqing heard Cui Ji’s voice. “Yunqing is awake!”

Hurried footsteps rushed toward him. Xie Yunqing felt a warm figure throw himself at the bedside, grabbing his hand. “Yunqing, Yunqing, open your eyes and look at me!”

After his eyelashes fluttered, Xie Yunqing finally opened his eyes fully. Pei Xuan and Cui Ji were both there.

“I…” Xie Yunqing’s dry lips stung like needles as he tried to speak.

“Water! Bring water quickly!” Pei Xuan shouted.

A servant hurried in with a cup of warm water. Pei Xuan took it, then paused and handed it to Cui Ji. “You do it; I’m too clumsy.”

Cui Ji sat on the bed and helped Xie Yunqing up slightly, letting him take a sip. The water instantly soothed his throat.

“What… what happened to me…”

Pei Xuan looked piteous. “I’m not sure. The servants just said you suddenly spat blood and fainted. The physician said you were shocked by something…” Pei Xuan gripped his hand tighter. “Yunqing, who upset you? Tell me, I’ll vent your anger for you!”

Xie Yunqing was silent for a moment, looking down. “Can you… bring Min to me?”

Pei Xuan froze. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Cui Ji. “Alright, I’ll have someone bring him.”

Xie Min stood in the doorway, far from the bed, his face still full of impatience. It was clear that without an order from the others, he wouldn’t have bothered to come. In this moment, the last flickering spark of affection in Xie Yunqing’s heart died out.

He forced himself to look away toward the screen beside the bed. “Min… go home today.”

“I’ll solve Father’s matter. You go home and put your… your mother’s mind at ease.”

“No!” Xie Min shouted. “I’m not going! I want to stay here forever!”

Bitterness filled Xie Yunqing’s mouth. He dug his nails into his palms. “I will not let Pei Xuan let you stay here anymore. If you don’t want to be thrown out, go home on your own. Also, leave everything you’re wearing behind. As for what you’ve eaten and used, I will find a way to pay it back.”

Xie Min rushed to the bedside, glaring. “What right do you have to drive me away? What right does that person have?! Everything you’re wearing and using is from him, too! Why can you have it and I can’t?”

“Or did you get these things by sleeping with people?” Xie Min grabbed Xie Yunqing’s clothes, pulling with such force that the outer robe fell from the youth’s shoulder. “No wonder Mother said your dead mom was just a low-class flirt who knew how to seduce men, and you were bound to be the same. She said if your mom hadn’t seduced Father, she and Father would have been together long ago!”

Xie Yunqing’s heart stopped. In the next second Slap! Before he even realized it, he had struck Xie Min across the face.

His hands were clenched, his teeth chattering so hard he bit his tongue. “Don’t you dare… don’t you dare insult my mother!” His hatred was finally uncontrollable. “None of you are allowed to insult my mother!”

Xie Min was stunned. Then he began to wail and throw his fists at Xie Yunqing. “You dare hit me! I’ll kill you!!”

Bang! The door was thrown open. Pei Xuan pushed Xie Min away while Cui Ji shielded Xie Yunqing. Xie Min fell heavily to the floor. After a moment of shock, he began to scream filth: “You’re low-class! You seduce people”

Slap! Pei Xuan struck him too, much harder. Xie Min’s head spun, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

“You little brat! I’ve disliked you since the moment I saw you. If it weren’t for your brother, I would have kicked you out on day one!” Pei Xuan’s chest was heaving with rage. He hauled the boy up by his collar, dangling him in mid-air. “If I hear one more foul word, I’ll have your tongue cut out! And that mother of yours isn’t any good either; don’t let me run into her!”

He tore the pearls and jade from Xie Min and threw them on the ground. “See these? If it weren’t for your brother, I wouldn’t give these to you even if they were smashed to bits!” He squeezed the boy’s hands until he shrieked.

Pei Xuan dropped him like trash and squeezed his jaw shut. “Listen well! Yunqing is my friend. I give him things because I want to, and he doesn’t have to pay me back. He is good to me; he studies with me, makes my grandmother happy, and makes my brother happy. My whole family loves him. He is nothing like what you and your mother say. If I hear you insult him again…” Pei Xuan’s gaze was lethal. “I will have your life! We of the Pei clan keep our word!”

He had the boy thrown out of the villa and sent away. Then he ran back to Xie Yunqing’s bedside, suddenly looking meek. “Yunqing… I hit your brother. You aren’t angry with me, are you?”

Xie Yunqing stared blankly. “Why… why… I raised him myself. I never took a day off from chores at home. Why would he and his mother insult my mother like that?”

Cui Ji spoke up softly. “Because of jealousy. His mother was jealous of your mother’s beauty and character. She was jealous that your mother was with your father first. And she was jealous that she birthed a child as beautiful and talented as you, while she and her child are nothing compared to you both.”

Pei Xuan nodded vigorously. “Yeah! They’re just jealous, so they purposely treat you badly and say mean things. Don’t take it to heart. If you do, they win.” He leaned in and mimicked the Old Madame’s voice: “Be good, Yunqing.”

Xie Yunqing was stunned, then he burst out laughing. The room was suddenly filled with warmth.

The physician checked him again. Since Xie Yunqing didn’t want to stay at the villa and there were no facilities to brew medicine at the regular dorms, Cui Ji suggested he move into Pei Xuan’s dormitory. They could get permission for a servant to stay and brew the medicine.

Pei Xuan was thrilled and immediately began arranging the move. That afternoon, they went back to Xie Yunqing’s old dormitory to pack the remaining things. As Pei Xuan was clearing the bed, he found a bundle hidden in the corner. He opened it without thinking.

It was a moon-white outer robe.

Xie Yunqing didn’t stop him; he planned to return it to “The Great Personage” later. But Pei Xuan’s next words made him freeze.

“This robe… why does it look like it belongs to my brother?”