After the Pitiful Little One Seduced the Feudal Big Daddy - Chapter 9

Cui Xuan had indeed returned today.

However, he had not arrived at this late hour, nor had he originally intended to rush over to the Pei residence today to accompany Old Madame Pei for dinner.

This all began at noon when he went to the Chancellor’s Manor to discuss political affairs with Pei Yanzhi. Upon entering the manor, Cui Xuan happened to bump into Yu Xiu and his son, Yu Chen, on their way out.

While it felt a bit coincidental, he didn’t find it strange. After the conflict between Yu Chen and Pei Xuan, it was not uncommon for Yu Xiu to come and apologize to Pei Yanzhi. Even though everyone could see that the head of the illustrious Yu clan of Yingchuan and the Minister of Personnel was making a grand scene of apologizing to a junior—high-ranking though the Chancellor might be—over a children’s scuffle, there was a sense of deliberate provocation in it.

Yet, that little scheme was not worth the concern of either him or Pei Yanzhi. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Yu Xiu, Cui Xuan put the matter out of his mind and went straight to see Pei Yanzhi.

However, the moment he stepped into the Political Affairs Hall, Cui Xuan felt that Pei Yanzhi was different today.

Pei Yanzhi was sitting behind the main desk, slightly bowing his head as he reviewed a memorial and listened to a subordinate’s report, occasionally asking questions or giving replies. On the surface, he looked the same as always, but in a fleeting moment, his gaze stilled for a very brief second.

He and Pei Yanzhi had grown up together. Though Pei Yanzhi had been as cold as ice, detached, and inscrutable since childhood, Cui Xuan had spent nearly thirty years observing him; he could detect slight fluctuations in Pei Yanzhi’s emotions that ordinary people simply could not perceive.

For instance, based on that single moment, he could be certain that Pei Yanzhi’s mood was not as tranquil as usual. And whatever had caused this ripple was certainly not related to recent political affairs. After all, nothing had happened in the capital, Wu Commandery, Kuaiji, or the entire Wei Dynasty that was beyond Pei Yanzhi’s control. Even if there were, it would at most cost Pei Yanzhi more mental effort; it would be difficult for it to affect his emotions directly.

But Cui Xuan did not show it to satisfy one’s curiosity in front of Pei Yanzhi, the primary requirement was patience.

He pretended not to notice. After the subordinate withdrew, he discussed the political affairs of Kuaiji with Pei Yanzhi for a long time. As the sun began to set and he was about to depart, he casually mentioned that he had bumped into the Yu father and son upon his arrival.

The hand Pei Yanzhi used to stroke the scroll paused.

Cui Xuan knew he had guessed correctly. He then continued, saying that since Yu Chen’s injuries seemed somewhat serious, he was worried Pei Xuan might have suffered a loss and wanted to go to the Pei residence to check on him.

Pei Yanzhi lifted his head and looked at him. His gaze was icy. An ordinary person would surely have felt intimidated, but Cui Xuan merely smiled and repeated that he would go to the Pei residence to see Pei Xuan. It was as if he were seeking Pei Yanzhi’s permission—even though he didn’t actually need it.

Both men knew exactly what was happening.

“As you wish,” Pei Yanzhi answered coldly after a long silence.

There’s going to be an unexpected harvest, Cui Xuan realized. Pei Yanzhi was willing to play along slightly even after seeing through his attempt to probe. That harvest would likely not be small.

It was indeed not small. In Old Madame Pei’s hall, Cui Xuan saw a face that was perhaps within his expectations, yet truly took him by surprise.

Three parts weary and seven parts cold and detached. It reminded Cui Xuan of a snowfall in the capital more than ten years ago. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

At that exact moment, Cui Xuan became certain that Pei Yanzhi would definitely return today.

“Truly?” Old Madame Pei asked in pleasant surprise.

Cui Xuan lowered his eyes to the jade cup on the table and gave a subtle, nuanced smile. “Truly.”

Old Madame Pei asked no more and turned to instruct Nanny Qin, “Prepare more dishes.” After a thought, she added, “Bring out that wine the Commandery Manor presented a few days ago as well.”

She then said to Cui Xuan, “It’s a wine presented by officials from Yanzhou called ‘Hundred Flower Brew.’ It’s said to be a rare item there, only obtainable once every few decades. I am old and cannot drink much, but since it is rare for both you and Yanzhi to accompany me for a meal, let’s use it to add some flavor.”

Pausing, she looked at Pei Xuan and Cui Ji, then at Xie Yunqing beside her. “It’s a good chance for you children to have a taste as well.”

Pei Xuan immediately agreed, “Great, great”

But before he could finish, he saw Cui Ji shooting him a meaningful look. Following Cui Ji’s gaze, Pei Xuan saw that Xie Yunqing’s expression had turned even worse. Only then did he remember that Xie Yunqing was terrified of his brother the mere mention of his brother’s arrival had scared him to this extent; if he actually saw him, he might just faint on the spot.

Pei Xuan had no choice but to painfully give up on the taste of the wine. He immediately changed his tune: “…Actually, never mind. The three of us have already eaten enough and have no appetite for wine. We should probably head back.”

Old Madame Pei naturally noticed the small interaction between Cui Ji and Pei Xuan. Looking at Xie Yunqing, she understood what was happening. She no longer pressed them to stay and nodded. “Very well. You are young, and drinking can be harmful. Go back and rest early.”

Just as Pei Xuan stepped forward to lead Xie Yunqing away, a maid arrived to report that Physician Liu had prepared the medicine for Young Master Xie. Hearing that he was here, the physician had come to change his dressings.

Old Madame Pei felt a bit conflicted. After hesitating for a few breaths, she asked Xie Yunqing softly, “How about changing the dressings here before you leave? The night is growing deep, and Physician Liu is elderly; it would save him the extra trip. Would that be alright?”

Xie Yunqing’s eyelashes trembled.

In truth, he couldn’t quite say what he was thinking. From the moment he stepped into Old Madame Pei’s hall and saw the genuine affection for him in her eyes, a strong sense of unreality had surged in his heart. It made him feel lightheaded, able only to follow instructions like a mindless puppet.

It was only when he finally realized the Chancellor was about to arrive that the dread and unease resurfaced not just because of the potential meeting, but also because he was once again acutely aware that he, a mere commoner student, was currently inside the residence of the illustrious Pei clan of Hedong.

Yet he found himself unable to refuse the kindness of Old Madame Pei and Pei Xuan—though he still didn’t quite understand why he couldn’t refuse.

After a moment of helpless panic, right before Old Madame Pei could take back her request, Xie Yunqing finally mustered a tiny bit of courage and nodded. It was just changing a dressing; it should be quick. Surely the Chancellor wouldn’t arrive that soon.

Old Madame Pei patted Xie Yunqing’s head in relief. She then instructed the maids to move a silk screen over so that Xie Yunqing could loosen his clothes for Physician Liu to change the bandages.

Once Xie Yunqing was behind the screen, everyone else besides Physician Liu began new topics, laughing and chatting, no longer focusing their attention on him.

Listening to them, Xie Yunqing gradually relaxed and began to mindlessly zone out.

But suddenly.

As if something had shattered, the area outside the screen went abruptly silent. Xie Yunqing’s nerves instantly pulled taut because he knew.

Nothing had shattered outside.

Chancellor Pei had arrived.