The Aloof Noble Son Feeds His Body to a Wandering Soul - Chapter 5

For several days in a row, no news came from Prince Ji’s estate. Likewise, the person Shu Fuyan was waiting for did not come to Chenzhu Ju.

If the mountain will not come to me, I will go to the mountain.

Shu Fuyan draped a crane-feather cloak over his shoulders to head out, taking the withered and drooping begonia branches with him before he left.

No matter how vibrant the flower branches had been, they had ultimately failed to wait for the person he longed to see.

After locking the courtyard gate, Shu Fuyan tilted his head back to look at the sky.

The sky was gloomy; a torrential rain was about to arrive.

He sighed and walked back, bringing his blue silk umbrella with him.

He pushed lightly against the wooden gate, but suddenly met with resistance.

Shu Fuyan raised his eyes, a flicker of pleasant surprise crossing his gaze. “General Xiao!”

Xiao Yi took in his reaction and was momentarily stunned—it was the first time he had ever seen someone so filled with joy at his arrival.

“Lord Shu, forgive the intrusion.” Xiao Yi nodded, standing outside the gate to lock eyes with Shu Fuyan.

“It is no intrusion.” Shu Fuyan smiled faintly, opening the gate with a natural motion. “General Xiao, please come in quickly.”

Once inside, Shu Fuyan yielded the seat of honor to Xiao Yi, while he himself went to the side room to fetch his instrument.

Xiao Yi looked around. The house seemed to have been renovated; the front hall was spacious, with corridors on the left and right leading elsewhere, suggesting there were more courtyards toward the back.

As he passed through the courtyard, the green bamboo grew lush, serene, and tranquil—a setting well-suited for scholarly pursuits.

Before long, Shu Fuyan arrived.

After placing the harp down, Shu Fuyan stole a glance at the man in the seat of honor. He noticed a bruised, bluish-purple tint beneath his eyes and bloodshot veins covering the surrounding area; he looked weary and haggard, as if he hadn’t rested well in several days.

“Has General Xiao encountered something troubling?” Shu Fuyan sat half-embracing his harp, tilting his head slightly to look at Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi rubbed the space between his brows, leaning his head back in weariness. “A minor matter, Lord Shu; excuse my unseemly state.”

Shu Fuyan knew full well that Xiao Yi’s situation was far from optimistic; what he called a “minor matter” was likely the result of being pushed to his wit’s end by the Crown Prince and his faction.

“If General Xiao has any need, you may seek me out at any time.”

To this, Xiao Yi merely smiled and did not reply. A mere scholar what help could he possibly provide? Xiao Yi thought to himself.

He had some of the medicated tea left over, which happened to be well-suited for Xiao Yi.

Shu Fuyan walked toward the outside, leaving Xiao Yi alone in the room.

With no one else present, Xiao Yi stared blankly at the tea on the table.

Back at his own estate, he had felt nothing amiss, yet coming to Shu Fuyan’s Chenzhu Ju, he felt an incomparable sense of peace.

Is it because the environment is so serene?

Xiao Yi shook his head, blaming himself for overthinking. He had never felt weary or annoyed by the dangers of the battlefield, so why, upon entering the capital, did he feel as if he were being fettered?

Shu Fuyan stepped over the threshold carrying a teapot. “This tea calms the spirit and settles the soul; would General Xiao like to have a taste?”

Although he asked, he was already pouring the tea into the cup, with no intention of truly seeking his consent.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi did not refuse.

If Shu Fuyan dared to poison him, he would certainly not be able to walk out of the gates of the capital today.

The steam condensed into ethereal mist; the tea emitted a fresh fragrance, alluring Xiao Yi in an elusive way.

Shu Fuyan did not speak, standing guard to the side, quietly observing him.

Xiao Yi gripped the cup and cast a glance at Shu Fuyan, his eyes darkening.

Shu Fuyan smiled and reminded him to drink quickly.

At these words, Xiao Yi tilted his head back and drained the tea in the cup.

Shu Fuyan’s gaze was unclear. As he stared at Xiao Yi’s rolling Adam’s apple, a heat began to rise in his abdomen.

He tugged at his sleeves, his heart itching uncontrollably. His hands, crossed over his abdomen, tightened unnaturally; his right thumb pressed against his pinky finger, moving up and down. The surface of the jade ring on his pinky had been worn smooth, and it felt searing hot to the touch.

“The General has been toiling for many days; allow me to play a piece for General Xiao to ease your worries.”

With that, Shu Fuyan calmly supported his harp, pressed his slender fingers against the strings, and began to play.

After drinking the tea, the restlessness in Xiao Yi’s heart was instantly calmed; his brows were smoothed by the music, and his bloated, aching nerves received comfort and stopped throbbing frantically.

The world was finally peaceful.

Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, allowing himself to sink into the melody of Shu Fuyan’s harp, not wanting to wake up.

The music was like a celestial composition soothing and deep. There was no grievance or despondency, no harsh clanging, and no lascivious tones. Instead, it was comforting, gentle, and pleasing to the ear.

He liked it very much.

Gradually, Xiao Yi’s breathing became steady, and he slowly fell asleep.

Once the piece concluded, Shu Fuyan did not move, fearing that any disturbance would wake Xiao Yi.

Shu Fuyan sat supporting the harp for half an hour, and he spent half an hour watching Xiao Yi sleep.

The heavens were not kind, and suddenly a torrential rain began to fall.

No matter how much Shu Fuyan hated to move, he had to go close the door to prevent the rainwater from splashing into the inner hall.

“Lord Shu.”

Xidezhe, who hadn’t appeared in days, suddenly paid a visit, shouting loudly from outside the door.

Xiao Yi’s thick, long eyelashes fluttered, and seeing that he was about to wake up, Shu Fuyan immediately closed the door and picked up his blue silk umbrella, heading toward the corridor.

“Lord Shu, why didn’t you go inside?” Xidezhe asked.

“Take the umbrella and leave quickly.” Shu Fuyan did his utmost to control the volume of his voice, preventing it from reaching Xiao Yi’s side.

Xidezhe raised an eyebrow what a rarity! Shu Fuyan was actually in a hurry!

Shu Fuyan was worried about the person inside, so he raised the umbrella, shoved it into Xidezhe’s hands, and pushed him hard toward the outside.

Xidezhe looked back with every step, confused. “Lord Shu, what is wrong with you?”

Xidezhe stood in the rain, gazing at Shu Fuyan. The rain pattered down onto the surface of the umbrella, the rapid drops hitting the ground and gathering into a small pool of water.

Golden light flashed across the horizon, and a crack of thunder split the air; the thunderous sound awakened the sleeping man.

Shu Fuyan frowned, glancing back in distress.

Xiao Yi did not come out.

“I have a guest at home today; it is inconvenient to keep you here.” Shu Fuyan said with a cold face, standing before the door to make it clear he would not let Xidezhe inside.

Xidezhe pouted; he hadn’t intended to go in anyway—he had only come to deliver a message.

“By the way, Ji…”

“Bang.”

Before Xidezhe could finish his sentence, Shu Fuyan suddenly closed the door.

Xidezhe let out a huff of annoyance. A few days ago, he had been asked to fetch a harp at the Beiguan, and today, he had turned his face and refused to recognize anyone—he wouldn’t even let him in the door. How detestable.

Inside the room, Xiao Yi had awakened.

“General Xiao, you have awakened.” Shu Fuyan felt an inexplicable sense of regret. “The sudden rain is fierce, and the thunder is causing chaos; the roads are likely to be muddy and treacherous. General Xiao, why not rest a while longer and leave when the rain stops?”

Xiao Yi said nothing, raising an eyebrow and staring at Shu Fuyan.

“Who was the young master speaking to just now?” Xiao Yi seemed to be suspicious of Shu Fuyan.

Shu Fuyan was undaunted, meeting his gaze with upright honesty. “An old acquaintance; they were entrusted to pass on a few words to me, that is all.”

Shu Fuyan showed no sign of a guilty conscience and was not at all worried that Xiao Yi would press him, seemingly convinced that Xiao Yi would not continue along this line of questioning.

Sure enough, Xiao Yi did not dwell on the topic.

Xiao Yi bypassed Shu Fuyan and opened the door.

The rain showed no signs of weakening; black clouds hung low over the horizon. The wild wind and torrential rain swayed the green bamboo, blowing a carpet of fallen bamboo leaves to coat the bluestone steps.

Xiao Yi raised his hand, leaving a gap to look at the rain outside. “Lord Shu, the rain has stopped; you must have much to occupy you.”

Shu Fuyan followed his gaze to the bamboo-covered ground, the rain soaking the leaves and leaving a mess.

“It is no matter; it is a task that will take a little effort, at most. To be able to admire the rain and the view with General Xiao is my honor.”

Xiao Yi had not expected Shu Fuyan to humble himself so much. Though he was a general, he did not enjoy bullying others, and even when he had been the sovereign in his past life, he had only wished to seek prosperity for the people.

Alas, the Kingdom of Dayanyan was weak and unable to resist the four kingdoms pressing against their borders.

“Lord Shu’s harp skills are peerless, and your conduct toward others is courteous; you should not belittle yourself or place yourself in such a low position.” Xiao Yi simply opened the door wide and found a low stool to sit before the doorway to observe the rain.

Rainwater splashed into the interior, wetting the threshold and revealing brown wooden marks; a faint woody fragrance dissipated, driving away the dampness and decay inside the room.

Shu Fuyan stood beside Xiao Yi, looking down. Xiao Yi’s neck was as fair and white as a pearl, and his protruding Adam’s apple rolled sensually as he swallowed his saliva.

For no reason, Shu Fuyan blurted out: “General Xiao, do you have someone you love?”

The thunder roared, masking Shu Fuyan’s words, but Xiao Yi had practiced martial arts since childhood and possessed excellent hearing; he could not deny that he had heard the question.

Xiao Yi looked up and said naturally: “No. Do you?”

Having received an affirmative answer, Shu Fuyan’s heart blossomed like a sweet cake fermenting in a honey jar, his teeth aching from the sweetness.

“No.” Shu Fuyan said bluntly, afraid to reveal his feelings lest he scare away the fish.

Shu Fuyan had remained cold-hearted for so many years and had never imagined he would like a man. After meeting Xiao Yi, his bottom line had been broken, and the impossible had suddenly become possible.

Xiao Yi pressed his lips together, his lip line taut. After a while, he spoke: “Oh, is that so? Lord Shu appears to be very attractive to young ladies.”

Xiao Yi’s words sounded unremarkable, but Shu Fuyan seemed to sense a hint of jealousy in them—sour and tangy, it perfectly mended the unease hidden deep within his heart.

“My health is frail, and I have been nourished by medicine for years. If a good lady were to marry me, I fear she would be forced to spend her nights alone in a cold chamber, unable to find the pleasures of being a wife.” Speaking of the pain of being unable to marry, Shu Fuyan felt no shame or anger; instead, he spoke with genuine sincerity, as if he were truly thinking of the lady’s benefit.

“Lord Shu has only just reached twenty; so long as you find a good physician, you will certainly be able to eradicate your illness.” Xiao Yi suddenly thought of the head of the Imperial Hospital, Shen Chong.

Perhaps he could step forward and request an imperial decree from the Emperor to borrow Physician Shen for a time.

Shu Fuyan knew the state of his own body; the root cause of the illness from his childhood would not be so easily cured.

“General Xiao is very kind.” Shu Fuyan did not wish to continue the dampening topic and shifted the focus to Xiao Yi. “What of General Xiao, then? When do you plan to marry?”

According to the information Shu Fuyan had obtained, Xiao Yi was thirty this year, without a legal wife or concubines; at his age, the children of his fellow deputy generals in the military camp ought to be attending school.

Xiao Yi gave a light laugh, stood up, and straightened his lapels. “I have no intention of marrying. Matters of the heart are, to me, but a single drop of water in the vast ocean of a long life—nothing but ethereal, hollow things. Why bother chasing them?”

Every way Shu Fuyan listened to this, it sounded like a hint a hint of what, Xiao Yi dared not speculate.

The rain stopped, revealing the first light of clearing skies.

“Many thanks to Lord Shu for your hospitality.” This time, Xiao Yi was truly leaving.

Shu Fuyan had no excuse to detain him, so he supported his sleeves and made a gesture of invitation, accompanying Xiao Yi as they walked out together.

Once they reached the outer courtyard, Shu Fuyan did not turn back. Xiao Yi thought to himself: Does this man truly admire me so much? He follows me even to the gate.

“Lord Shu, stay here.” Xiao Yi grabbed Shu Fuyan’s arm. “Your health is poor and you cannot bear the cold; go back inside.”

Rare, gentle words spoken from Xiao Yi’s mouth made Shu Fuyan’s heart beat wildly. He wished he could lock the man inside his main courtyard cuddled together in bed, whispering intimately, and experiencing the intoxicating, life-and-death experience of a sovereign.

Shu Fuyan lowered his eyes, his gaze burning as he stared at the weathered hand on his wrist. His throat rolled, and he said in a low, husky voice: “Many thanks to General Xiao for your concern.”

Xiao Yi hummed in acknowledgment and walked toward the outside.

Shu Fuyan stroked his heart, feeling a reluctance to let him go.

Hurried footsteps reached his ears; Shu Fuyan paused, thinking Xiao Yi had returned. He turned to look.

The next second, Shu Fuyan put away his smile.

The person who had arrived was not Xiao Yi.

“Hey, he is the terrifying God of Death are you truly not afraid of death, daring to approach him!”

Xidezhe had not left; he had been squatting and waiting for his chance against the wall not far from the outer courtyard.

And so, the moment Xiao Yi left, Xidezhe had rushed into the courtyard.

He had tried to go inside earlier and had been refused, only to find that Shu Fuyan had sent him away for the sake of Xiao Yi!

Xidezhe was devastated by the truth.

Shu Fuyan put away his feelings of dejection and returned to his aloof, distant demeanor. “Did I not tell you not to send anyone to Chenzhu Ju?”

Xidezhe pouted what was with that attitude!

After a moment of silence, Shu Fuyan asked about the important matters: “What message did the Prince send?”

Xidezhe cleared his throat. “The Prince has commanded: if we cannot win Xiao Yi over, we cannot let him defect to the Crown Prince or Prince Yu. If we lose the support of Xiao Yi, then…” Xidezhe looked back nervously to confirm there were no eyes monitoring them, and made a throat-slitting motion.

Shu Fuyan gave a cold laugh, speaking with unhurried ease: “Relying on you, to kill Xiao Yi?”

“Go back to the forge and be remade for a hundred years.”

Xidezhe was displeased who said it was he who was going to move against Xiao Yi? “Lord Shu, it is not I, it is Lin Baiyi.”

Lin Baiyi!

The number one assassin in the world of martial arts.

South Lin, North Shu Lin Baiyi in the south, Shu Fuyan in the north.

“Impossible, Lin Baiyi will not come to the capital.” Shu Fuyan flatly denied it.

“Lord Shu, don’t be so quick to deny it. Since Xiao Yi is an old friend of Prince Yu, he surely will not be one of us; do not set your sights on him.”

Xidezhe urged with earnestness: “Why not play a game of sowing discord? Break his ties with Prince Yu, incite internal strife, and let them kill each other.”

Shu Fuyan’s gaze turned deep and gloomy, glaring at Xidezhe. “Regarding the matter of Xiao Yi, aside from myself, no one is permitted to interfere.”

Finally, to prevent Xidezhe from engaging in duplicitous behavior, Shu Fuyan warned: “Go back and tell the Prince: Xiao Yi is not to be touched. As for Lin Baiyi, tell him he need not come to the capital.”

“The capital cannot accommodate him.”

Xidezhe listened in confusion how had Shu Fuyan become so softhearted toward Xiao Yi?

Where had the military strategist who decided life and death without blinking an eye gone?

How strange.