His Highness Wants to Become a Widower Every Day - Chapter 2.2

That white, rounded right earlobe was adorned with two agate beads—mysterious dark green bordering cold red, the luster moist and bright, the quality superb. Even the hundred-flower embroidery pattern upon that black small satchel displayed extraordinary skill.

This youth clearly possessed an abundant family estate, and must be highly pampered at home.

Zhu Hexing poured a cup for himself, saying, “I hear Yong’an Lane is a place of pleasure.”

“Precisely. Among the twelve provinces of Great Liang, excluding Xuandu, Yongzhou counts as the most prosperous, and the provincial capital Chaotian City is a land of soft mud and fragrant soil. Yong’an Lane happens to be the most entertaining place in the city, offering a one-stop service for eating, drinking, playing, and amusement!” As the youth spoke, he felt a sudden chill by his hand. His fingertips curved slightly, touching the teacup pushed over by Zhu Hexing, inside of which lay half a cup of cherry paste.

“Thank you.” He took a sip, his small, prominent Adam’s apple rolling once.

The translucent red cherry paste sloshed gently against the white cup wall. Only then did Zhu Hexing follow suit to take a taste clear, sweet, not cloying, and appropriately cold. He remarked, “Is Zuiyun Pavilion located within Yong’an Lane?”

“Yes, yes! Have you never been there?” The youth asked curiously, “Judging by your accent, you don’t sound like a Tanzhou person either. Where are you from?”

“Xuandu,” Zhu Hexing said.

“Is Xuandu entertaining?” The youth rested both hands upon the table, his chin resting between his arms, his tone inquisitive. “I haven’t been there yet.”

His voice was clear and resonant, his speech crisp, bearing a quality of innocent, harmless naivety, resembling a small celestial favorite raised within a magnificent cage who had not yet been blown by the outside winds.

“Remaining there for twenty-one years, no matter how entertaining it is, it ceases to be novel. However, Xuandu is very large,” Zhu Hexing looked at the brocade band before his eyes. “If you go alone, it is easy to lose your way.”

The youth said, “It matters not; my older brother is right in Xuandu.”

His older brother was in Xuandu, yet he himself had never been. Zhu Hexing arched his brow. “Has your honorable brother established his own separate household?”

The youth shook his head, stating bashfully, “My father does not fondle me, so it was I who established a separate household.”

Hearing this, Zhu Hexing did not feel surprised. Xuandu had quite a number of children who had been sent away, most of whom were concubine-born or love children of noble manors. It was just that the youth before his eyes had been sent to Chaotian City, which caused him to recall a deceased old acquaintance. However, since he was an abandoned child who did not receive his father’s favor, for him to live a life more fastidious and wealthy than the sons of certain noble manors in Xuandu—the reasons within were rather worth playing with.

A vibration shuddered beneath them; the ship had moved.

“We will arrive in an hour.” The youth’s tone held anticipation. “Sitting dryly like this is too boring. Do you know how to play chess?”

Zhu Hexing had played quite enough chess in Xuandu. Hearing this, he subconsciously refused, taking the opportunity to state his true objective, “Where did you buy your painting?”

“It wasn’t bought,” the youth straightened his body. “I painted it myself!”

He had tried his best to restrain himself, yet his pride leaked out from the slight upward curve at the corners of his mouth. Zhu Hexing noted that his lip color leaned toward red, truly earning the description of “crimson lips and white teeth, snowy skin and peach cheeks.”

“Oh, you are truly formidable.” Zhu Hexing copied the other party’s tone, his ending cadence lifting, resembling a rogue coaxing someone. “This painting possesses clean lines, gorgeous colors, is full of vitality, and abounds with elegant delight. And the inscription,” he favored this the most, not stinting on his praise, “only an immortal wielding the brush could execute it thus.”

The youth’s disappointment from his failed chess invitation vanished entirely into thin air. He instantly floated up, his face turning as white-touched-with-red as a fresh peach, looking as though if Zhu Hexing praised him a couple more times, he would ripen into juice. He reached out to touch the painting to the side. “If you like it, I will give it to you!”

Zhu Hexing desired it, yet his mouth remained polite, “How could I be so embarrassed to accept?”

“What is there to be embarrassed about? Take it!” The youth handed the painting over with the momentum of someone stuffing New Year’s suppression-money during the Spring Festival, nearly poking Zhu Hexing’s nose.

Zhu Hexing timely leaned back to avoid the catastrophe of a dented nose, reaching out to accept the painting, stroking it with fondness, and said, “I only have this hand-strand on my body that is valuable and can be gifted, but it was a one-year-old birthday gift granted by my maternal uncle, making it inappropriate to…”

“I don’t want anything!” The youth’s nose wrinkled, appearing somewhat displeased. “The painting is a gift for you, not sold to you. Do you treat me like someone who sells calligraphy and paintings? Of course, I’m not saying anything against those who sell them, I just…”

He pressed his lips together, his tone muffled, even carrying a bit of a nasal sound, “I just want to give it to you.”

“Thank you, I like it very much.” Zhu Hexing saw the other party still wore an downcast expression, and added, “The grandmasters of Xuandu do not yet equal you.”

The youth was very easy to coax, his face instantly lighting up with joy.

At this time, someone knocked on the door, “Apologies for the interruption. The ship provides fresh fruit platters and eighteen-treasure dried fruit platters. May I inquire if you require any?”

The youth said joyfully, “There are fruits to eat! Come in quickly, come in quickly.”

The youth pushed open the door, kneeling respectfully before the low table, arranging the two round vessels upon the tray, saying, “Guests, please take your time—”

His tone was respectful and submissive, yet a dagger slid out from his sleeve into his hand, thrusting violently toward Zhu Hexing’s neck.

Zhu Hexing let out an impatient tsk sound. Just as the dagger was about to touch his chin, he raised his hand to block, snapping the assassin’s wrist without the slightest hesitation. The assassin let out a muffled groan of pain, his throat bone shattered by a single palm strike from Zhu Hexing, crashing outside the door.

From Xuandu to this point, this was the twenty-seventh one.

Hearing the commotion, the youth wanted to stand up in terror, yet because he was far too rushed, he fell flat onto his buttocks backward. He let out a muffled groan, exceptionally frantic due to his inability to see, “Wh-what happened!”

“Nothing happened; someone wanted to kill me.” Zhu Hexing stood up and walked over, hoisting the youth up in a single movement, his tone gentle. “I have killed him off. Do not fear.”

The youth’s Adam’s apple rolled once, “You…”

“I am not a bad person.” Zhu Hexing lowered his voice, looking at the youth’s tightly pressed lips due to tension, feeling somewhat curious, “Are you afraid of me?”

“I, I am not!” The youth’s tone was intermittent, sounding like a sob. “I’m not afraid at all; I fear nothing!”

“Truly? You are quite formidable.” Zhu Hexing bent forward slightly, staring into his eyes through the single layer of fabric, his tone dangerous. “Then tell me, should I kill you to silence you?”

The manager brought men up, dragging the assassin’s corpse away.

The Fang family had started out in shipbuilding, later gradually moving into waterways and other businesses. Through the management of several generations, they held a leading position in the southeast. At the beginning of Emperor Jing’an’s reign, he appointed the Fang family to manage the port water transport and cargo on behalf of the imperial court. The manager had gone to Xuandu with the young master year before last to report port affairs; the one responsible for this matter had happened to be His Highness Mingxuan. If seeing Zhu Hexing’s face at that time had brought the awe of seeing a celestial being, meeting the living Yama at this moment brought pure terror!

His Highness Mingxuan had been assaulted upon the Fang family’s vessel; this was due to the Fang family’s lax inspection. But if word spread out and was incited by those with malicious intent, it could easily transform into “the Fang family harbors treasonous designs, intending to assassinate.”

The manager stood outside the passenger cabin, his face faintly pale, “Your High… Young Master”

Zhu Hexing pressed a finger to his lips, let out a “hush” sound, and said, “When I obtain free time, I will naturally go find Master Fang to cause trouble. But at this moment, I wish to converse from the heart with the young master. Do not disturb us, agreed?”

“He isn’t mmph”

The youth’s cry for help came to a sudden halt. Zhu Hexing used two fingers to pinch his cheeks, forcing his lips to part into the shape of a little chicken’s beak. Zhu Hexing tilted his head, the narrow arc of his eyes resembling a thin blade, slightly cold. “Not rolling out yet?”

Bang! The cabin door shut, and the manager rolled away smoothly.

The sensation beneath Zhu Hexing’s finger pads was delicate and warm, as though a cloud mass had dissolved warm jade. He turned his head to see the youth half-lifting his head, his fine, small Adam’s apple, slender, straight neck, and the arc extending all the way into his overlapping collar all condemning his own “relying on strength to bully the weak.”

He appeared to suddenly discover his conscience, releasing his hand.

The youth immediately retreated backward, yet forgot his arm remained within Zhu Hexing’s grasp. This retreat pulled Zhu Hexing a step forward along with him, causing the two to stand even closer instead. He said frantically, “You—”

The arm held within Zhu Hexing’s grasp, though slender, was not frail, but rather possessed a restrained, lean strength. He suddenly lunged forward violently, nearly forcing the youth against the cabin wall behind. The youth extended his other hand to press against his chest to express resistance.

Zhu Hexing cast a downward glance, condemning, “You have creased my robe.”

“Apologies!” The youth subconsciously apologized and withdrew his hand, subsequently reacting, furious to the extreme, “What is there to be proud of in bullying a blind person!”

“When did I bully you?” Zhu Hexing expressed incomprehension. “You asked me ‘what happened,’ I answered your question, and even kindly comforted and praised you.”

The youth was shaken by his words. “But you frightened me, and even dragged me!”

“I merely wished to ask for your perspective, and feared you would fall again. You have misunderstood me.” Zhu Hexing knit his brows. Even though the other party could not see, he could use his tone to express grievance. “Along this path, have I displayed any bad behavior?”

The youth gradually grew at a loss, “N-no.”

“Then why did you misunderstand that I am a bad person? How could I kill you? You just gave me a painting I like.” To prove his friendliness, Zhu Hexing released his hand. “See, I have let you go.”

The youth’s two hands tangled together, placed before his waist in a manner half-defensive and half-clueless. His lips were tightly pressed, as though he did not know how to answer.

Zhu Hexing’s peripheral vision dropped, noting the youth wore no waist sash; a single rose-colored fine ribbon tied his waist firmly—a thin, slender circle. That segment of his waist was very small, yet it would not easily cause one to generate an attitude of slight or ambiguity thinking “it would break with a single snap,” as though this youth possessed both a naivety raised on thousands of indulgences and a thin-bladed erectness and sharpness.

“I…” The youth finally opened his mouth, his tone dejected. “I was just too frightened. Look at me, my eyes cannot see, I… I…”

He began to stutter, the tip of his nose turning red. Combined with that unignorable nasal sound, Zhu Hexing suspected he was about to cry.

“No matter.” Zhu Hexing was very generous. “I was also at fault; I shouldn’t have asked you thus.” Looking at the youth’s bashful, conflicted appearance, he took the initiative to say, “I will support you to sit back down, agreed?”

“Th-thank you.” The youth hesitantly raised his hand, resting it upon the arm Zhu Hexing actively extended. His fingertips curled lightly, creasing another section of Zhu Hexing’s garment fabric.

Zhu Hexing did not offer any condemnation this time, supporting the youth back onto the cushion. He stood up to return to his own seat, hearing the youth speak in a small voice, “Why would someone want to kill you?”

“Because they desire an object on my person.” Zhu Hexing very impolitely poured himself another half cup of cherry paste. “This happens to be the most convenient method.”

“Then why are you still running around randomly?” The youth leaned forward, his tone anxious. “You are only safe remaining at home.”

“Then wouldn’t they miss a grand opportunity?” Zhu Hexing’s mouth retained a sweet taste, his tone holding a smile. “I happen to be an exceedingly good person. Furthermore, it was I who killed the assassin just now.”

“He didn’t seem very formidable.” The youth did not quite agree. “I hear there are many assassins in the martial world who take money to complete tasks! Can you handle so many people on your own?”

“The more ferocious the captured bird is, when it falls into the net and you pinch its neck, only then will you discover that its sorrowful appearance is more beautiful.” Zhu Hexing looked at him. “Furthermore, I am not alone oh.”

“Ah?” Hearing this, the youth turned his head in alarm. “So you aren’t alone? Your companion hasn’t spoken the entire time; I thought…”

Zhu Hexing cleared his throat lightly, lowering his pitch, “Greetings, this one is Master Zhu’s companion.”

“Greetings, how truly discourteous—” The youth executed a salute toward Zhu Hexing’s direction, when he suddenly heard Zhu Hexing let out a soft chuckle. That flavor was exceptionally rogue-like.

He finally realized he had been teased, his face instantly flushing a deep crimson, his chest heaving rapidly. Not knowing what to do with the person opposite, he simply let out a heng sound, buried his face into his arms, and ceased speaking.

Zhu Hexing restrained his smile, turning his head to push open the outer window. He saw the water waves rippling, distant green mountains rolling up and down, and evening clouds swirling. In his peripheral vision, the youth stealthily lifted his head, his lips moving as though he wanted to say something yet couldn’t bear to drop his face, subsequently burying his head back down like a deflated balloon.

The cabin grew quiet.

After a long while, Zhu Hexing caught the youth’s extremely shallow snoring sound. The Crane-White flowers within the vase were blown by the wind, resembling clouds. He also closed his eyes yet did not sleep, until the ship’s hull vibrated. Opening his eyes to look, the sky had already darkened.

The youth opposite rubbed his arm, one cheek squeezed into a bulge, not yet awake, until the muffled sound of the ship’s bell rang out.

“Mmph!” The youth startled awake, his head snapping up, his face indeed bearing a sleep imprint. He twisted his stiff neck, his small, prominent Adam’s apple defenselessly exposed within the reach of Zhu Hexing’s extended arm.

But Zhu Hexing did not move, merely stating, “You drooled.”

“Ah!” The youth hurriedly wiped the corner of his mouth, stating bashfully, “Just now I dreamed of fish-shred noodles—a massive bowl!”

Zhu Hexing suddenly extended his hand, reaching before the youth’s eyes. The youth still maintained his posture from just now, offering no reaction.

“The band is crooked.” Zhu Hexing adjusted the black band for him, which wasn’t actually crooked, and withdrew his hand. “There, fixed.”

The youth touched his eyes, speaking in a small voice, “Thank you. Let us disembark.”

Zhu Hexing watched him support himself on the table to stand up, searching his way to the door side and pushing it open. He suddenly remarked, “I will lead you out; let’s avoid you being squeezed again.”

The youth felt somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, “G-good, excellent! Thank you, Big Brother Zhu!”

He took the liberty of altering the form of address, expressing his gratitude and closeness.

This was the first time Zhu Hexing had been addressed thus by someone. He arched his brow with a touch of novelty, subsequently presenting his sleeve and saying, “Little blind person, pinch my cuff.”

The youth pinched it, yet was somewhat displeased, “Do not call me a little blind person!”

Zhu Hexing took the lead out the door, saying, “Then what should I call you?”

“My name is Xuan Jiu. The Xuan of xinchao-zhaoxuan (tacit understanding), and the Jiu of jiuzhou-baji (the nine provinces and eight boundaries),” the youth said.

“A fine name.” Zhu Hexing’s mind flashed through the noble manors of Xuandu, yet he held no impression of the surname “Xuan.”

Footsteps traveled along the corridor. The youth followed step by step right behind Zhu Hexing, pinching his sleeve tightly, speaking with a touch of reliance, “Big Brother Zhu, you truly are a good person.”

He felt somewhat loath to part with him… as if.