The Aloof Noble Son Feeds His Body to a Wandering Soul - Chapter 6

The third month of spring had arrived, and the flowers were vying for beauty.

The Eldest Princess hosted a spring banquet, inviting the daughters of Shangjing’s prestigious noble families to admire the flowers. Among them, there was no shortage of refined young noblemen, and almost everyone of status and influence would be in attendance.

Having only recently returned to the capital, Xiao Yi was still unfamiliar with it. The Eldest Princess, wanting to see him, had specifically instructed her maid to ensure the invitation was sent to the Marquis of Zhenbei estate first.

And so, Xiao Yi gave face to the invitation and arrived at the banquet accompanied by Prince Yu.

The cold-faced general, seasoned by years of battle, appeared at the floral banquet, leaving the noble ladies both shy and fearful. They loved Xiao Yi’s god-defyingly handsome face, but they dreaded the baleful aura he exuded.

The Eldest Princess had ordered early on that if they saw Xiao Yi, they were to invite him into the inner pavilion.

Thus, a maid stepped forward. “Greetings to Prince Yu and General Xiao. The Princess is awaiting the General at the Luoyan Pavilion.” The maid moved aside, pointing toward the water pavilion in the distance.

Prince Yu laughed cheerfully, unfolding his fan and feigning elegance as he fanned himself. “Since the Imperial Sister wishes to see Xiao Yi, I shall not go and join in the fun.”

Prince Yu snapped his fan shut, tapped it against Xiao Yi’s shoulder, and winked at him. “I shall slip away first; Xiao Yi, take care of yourself.”

Who in the capital didn’t know that Xiao Yi had yet to marry? The noble families of Shangjing were all eyeing Xiao Yi as a prime catch, hoping to marry off their daughters to the Marquis of Zhenbei estate and establish a connection with him.

Xiao Yi, however, remained expressionless and aloof; it didn’t matter, he wouldn’t marry anyone anyway.

The Eldest Princess couldn’t threaten him once they met. Xiao Yi had no skeletons in his closet—or at least, no one knew of his secrets.

Xiao Yi walked toward the water pavilion.

Shu Fuyan had arrived early and had spotted Xiao Yi the moment he entered. However, with the Crown Prince’s eyes and ears nearby, it was difficult for Shu Fuyan to approach. Moreover, if he did, he would run into Prince Yu, who would likely remind Xiao Yi to be wary of him again.

“Brother Li Ting, regarding what the Crown Prince seeks, pray forgive Shu for being powerless to assist,” Shu Fuyan said coldly. He leaned his head forward intentionally or otherwise, his gaze sweeping past Shen Liting to look toward the water pavilion in the distance.

Shen Liting frowned, speaking with difficulty: “Lord Shu, if you do not agree, I will have no way to answer to the Eastern Palace.”

Shen Liting knew well that the Crown Prince was narrow-minded; if Shu Fuyan didn’t help him seize the military power from Xiao Yi’s hands, he feared the Crown Prince would target him in the future.

Xiao Yi’s figure was no longer visible; Shu Fuyan gripped his fingertips, feeling restless, and couldn’t take in what Shen Liting was saying.

“General Xiao is heroic and possesses matchless martial arts. I am but a scholar, lacking the strength to truss a chicken; I fear I shall disappoint the Crown Prince. Brother Li Ting need only report the truth to the Crown Prince—Shu fears nothing, and dreads nothing.”

Shu Fuyan tidied his wide sleeves and headed toward the rear pavilion; before he could see Xiao Yi, he had to shake off the surveillance.

“Sigh.” Shen Liting sighed.

“Why must you refuse to lower your head?” Shen Liting stared at Shu Fuyan’s retreating back with regret.

The Crown Prince’s maternal clan was powerful, and he was the legitimate Crown Prince; what was wrong with Shu Fuyan following him?

Shen Liting pressed his hand against the short blade at his waist; he couldn’t bear to threaten Shu Fuyan, as they had once shared a bit of friendship.

A group of noble ladies walked toward the pavilion after admiring the flowers. Seeing this, Shen Liting abandoned the idea of pursuing Shu Fuyan and walked in the opposite direction.

At the Luoyan Pavilion, the Eldest Princess was being fed grapes by a maid.

The plump, purple-red grapes were large and round. As the skins were peeled, bright, pearly juice trickled out. The maid’s fair, tender fingertips were stained with the fruit juice; the Eldest Princess did not stand on ceremony, suctioning the delicate fingertips into her mouth. She bit down slightly on the inner side of the finger with her white teeth, licking the pad of the finger until it was wet and glistening.

The maid responsible for the feeding breathed rapidly, a flash of nervousness appearing in her eyes.

Xiao Yi had just arrived at the water pavilion when he witnessed this highly impactful scene. He pretended not to notice and stood firmly outside the pavilion.

“Princess, General Xiao has arrived,” the maid whispered a report.

“Mm.” After sucking the last of the juice from the fingertip, the Eldest Princess raised her eyes in satisfaction to look at Xiao Yi.

“General Xiao, you have arrived.” The Eldest Princess’s eyes brightened; she brushed aside her sleeves and changed her posture, leaning back comfortably in a sideways position.

“Xiao Yi greets the Eldest Princess.”

The Eldest Princess cleared her throat, pointed to the seat beside her, and said: “General Xiao, please sit.”

Xiao Yi had not forgotten the scene of the Eldest Princess sucking the maid’s fingertips and did not want to become entangled with her; he took the initiative to sit opposite the Eldest Princess, putting distance between them.

The Eldest Princess knitted her brows, as if she had taken offense at Xiao Yi. She straightened her posture, lazily letting her shoulders soften as she leaned against the body of her maid.

Xiao Yi’s every gesture exuded aristocratic dignity; even with a princess sitting opposite him, his aura did not diminish in the slightest.

The Princess let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her delicate hand in feigned shyness. “General Xiao is truly handsome.”

The Eldest Princess secretly sized Xiao Yi up, from his brows and eyes down to those thin, sharply-cut lips. His divine features were like a carving, every stroke hitting exactly what she found attractive; the Eldest Princess’s throat felt parched, and she involuntarily swallowed her saliva.

The gaze cast from across the way was far too brazen, like a loathsome insect crawling through the dark, diffusing the stench of decay—this was the kind of look Xiao Yi loathed the most.

Xiao Yi responded with cold indifference: “The Princess overpraises me.”

Xiao Yi had no interest in the Eldest Princess and did not want to waste time on her. He had only come to the spring banquet at all because he had heard that someone here knew how to play the konghou.

Mentioning the konghou made Xiao Yi inexplicably think of Shu Fuyan; he wanted to know how Shu Fuyan’s skill on the instrument differed from others, and whether it was truly peerless and unique under heaven.

“General Xiao is a rare talent, so I shall not beat around the bush. At today’s spring banquet, is there any young lady who has caught your eye? If so, I shall take charge and serve as a matchmaker for you, how about that?”

Xiao Yi understood. Sure enough, I couldn’t escape the matchmaker’s ploy. He pressed his lips together and said coldly: “I thank the Princess for her concern, but I have no intention of marrying.”

In less than ten days since his return to the capital, several beauties had been thrust into his estate. It was just his luck that he felt nothing for women, so he could only send them money and disperse them from his manor.

“How can you not marry!”

The Eldest Princess’s eyes rolled as she thought. Xiao Yi has no young lady who has caught his eye. If there isn’t one, then I shall send one to him.

The Eldest Princess clapped her hands, and a young lady walked out from outside the pavilion.

The woman was dressed in lavish attire; her hair was piled high in elegant clouds, and her purple silk dress of scattered flowers and misty satin was soft and shimmering. Draped in gold, silver, and jewels, her ornaments tinkled as she walked, and she approached with a maiden’s measured steps. Every step taken, her hairpins jingled she was truly noble.

“Luo Dieyi, daughter of the Minister of Rites, greets the Eldest Princess and General Xiao.” Luo Dieyi bowed low.

Xiao Yi scanned Luo Dieyi without an expression, feigning displeasure: “What is the meaning of this, Princess?”

The Eldest Princess’s beautiful eyes sparkled; she spread her hands innocently. “A beauty paired with a general—a joyous occasion, is it not?”

The Eldest Princess stood up and took the initiative to lead Luo Dieyi to Xiao Yi’s side. She shot Xiao Yi a malicious look, then took advantage of the moment to press down on Luo Dieyi’s shoulder, forcing her to sit.

“General Xiao, there is a saying that a man needs a virtuous wife. Behold, Dieyi is renowned far and wide in the capital for her virtue and propriety; you, sir, will certainly like her.”

Luo Dieyi was terrified—no one had told her General Xiao would be here when she arrived!

“I apologize, but I have no fortune to enjoy this.” Xiao Yi stood up, suppressing his anger.

The Eldest Princess blocked his path, her face full of shrewd calculation. “General Xiao, why are you in such a hurry to leave? I am not going to eat you.”

Regarding Xiao Yi’s resistance, the Eldest Princess remained unconcerned, believing that Luo Dieyi was more than a match for him.

Although Xiao Yi held military power, the Marquis of Zhenbei estate was left with only him; his family was in decline, and his branch was weak. With Xiao Yi unable to find another backer, he was merely a pawn to be manipulated.

Xiao Yi’s eyes turned cold as ice, and his hidden disgust leaked out on the spring breeze.

“I have already said: I have no desire for marriage.”

Xiao Yi faced her sternly, the veins on his forehead slightly visible; his aura, honed on the battlefield, came charging forward the baleful atmosphere was terrifying.

A wandering soul having drifted through the mortal realm for a hundred years, he had become calm, but that did not mean he was without a temper.

The Eldest Princess was slightly startled; what was Xiao Yi’s attitude?

The Eldest Princess was furious, slamming the table and roaring, “Xiao Yi, do not refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Is a family union not a good thing? Must you turn this into something ugly and tear off the veil?”

The Ministry of Rites had defected to the Eldest Princess, and Luo Dieyi was the first gift the Eldest Princess offered to show her favor to Xiao Yi.

For Xiao Yi not to accept Luo Dieyi was to strike her in the face. To refuse to defect to the Eldest Princess estate was to strike her across the cheek.

Facing the situation where swords were drawn, Luo Dieyi was terrified, timidly tugging on the Eldest Princess’s sleeve with moist eyes. “Princess.”

The Eldest Princess’s heart was aflame with anger the Crown Prince was pressing her, and Prince Ji was playing dirty tricks behind her back; she had no one to use, and she absolutely could not let Xiao Yi go.

Xiao Yi sneered, every word dripping with sarcasm: “Instead of searching for a consort, the Princess has time to concern herself with others.”

Who in the capital didn’t know that the Eldest Princess had married three times, and every time, she had cursed her husband to death.

“You! Xiao Yi, how dare you!”

Xiao Yi remained completely unaware of how excessive his words were, curving his lips in a frank, honest smile. “Princess, listen well; I shall only say this once. I, Xiao Yi, like men.” Xiao Yi gave Luo Dieyi a gloomy look. “Beauties are delicate; I would not dare to bruise them. If I am to marry, I shall marry a man.”

Xiao Yi straightened his back and left the pavilion without haste.

The Eldest Princess could never have imagined that Xiao Yi liked men!

Luo Dieyi felt awkward, unsure whether to sit or leave, and kept her head lowered, immersing herself in her own world to avoid the gaze cast by the Princess.

“Men… so he likes men, does he? Fine, fine, fine. I do not believe I cannot find one you are satisfied with.” The Eldest Princess was resigned to her fate, brushing all the tea and pastries onto the floor.

Luo Dieyi trembled—when would she finally be able to return to her manor!

Shu Fuyan was hidden in the shadows, having heard most of the content.

“Likes men… does that include me?”

Shu Fuyan’s mind was in turmoil; he recited Xiao Yi’s name, chewing on the sticky words in his mouth as if saying them a thousand times would not be enough.

With Xiao Yi’s open declaration, Shu Fuyan floated on air, the sky above his head clear for ten thousand miles. All darkness ceased to exist, and even his dampest heart was illuminated by Xiao Yi.

Leaving the pavilion, Xiao Yi had no heart to linger at the spring banquet.

Failing to find Prince Yu as he departed, Xiao Yi gave it no more thought and walked toward the Marquis of Zhenbei estate’s carriage.

“General Xiao.”

A gentle and refined voice came from behind him. Xiao Yi turned around and found it was Shu Fuyan, and the stuffy frustration in his chest slowly dissipated.

“What a coincidence, we meet again.” Shu Fuyan moved up to Xiao Yi.

The scene of him admiring the view in the rain was still vivid in his mind, and Xiao Yi still had a very favorable impression of Shu Fuyan.

“Lord Shu.”

Shu Fuyan’s heart thumped, his blood flowing backward at high speed; the frantic beating was about to tear his chest apart.

After a moment’s silence, Xiao Yi saw he didn’t speak and revealed a playful look: “Something the matter?”

Shu Fuyan opened his mouth, but the schemes and calculations he usually held in his mind were forgotten the moment Xiao Yi looked at him.

“N-nothing.” Shu Fuyan lowered his head in frustration.

He should have bravely invited Xiao Yi to gather together, but considering that Xiao Yi might suspect him of having ulterior motives, Shu Fuyan could not get the words out.

Xiao Yi stared at Shu Fuyan with confusion for a few seconds. “You have nothing, but I do.”

Hearing this, Shu Fuyan panicked. His face turned pale, and he scanned Xiao Yi’s body with heated eyes. “General Xiao, where are you unwell? Has an old wound flared up? Wait for me, I shall go and fetch a physician for you.”

In his haste, Shu Fuyan stopped using the formal “in-the-subordinate-position” language, referring to himself directly as “I.”

Xiao Yi was torn between laughter and tears; Shu Fuyan was always cautious when facing him.

Xiao Yi could more or less sense the hypocrisy in others’ sycophancy, but when it came to Shu Fuyan, it suddenly didn’t feel fake.

Xiao Yi grabbed Shu Fuyan’s arm, took a long step, and blocked the direction Shu Fuyan had intended to walk with his right leg. “I am fine.”

“The night view of Bibo Lake is breathtaking, the lights flickering, and there is warmed wine in the boat; shall we have a chat on the boat? Hmm?”

Xiao Yi possessed the air of an immortal, his eyes like those of a phoenix, his temples cleanly cut; after shedding his armor and draping himself in a purple-gold brocade robe, he looked calm and scholarly.

Anyone who didn’t know him would think Xiao Yi was a noble young master; there was no hint that he had been to the battlefield.

Shu Fuyan felt ashamed of his lack of composure; he was a head shorter than Xiao Yi, and as he looked up, his gaze happened to meet Xiao Yi’s lips.

Inexplicably, Shu Fuyan felt the surge of a strong spring passion.

Only one thought remained in his heart: I want to kiss him.

I want to drag Xiao Yi down into a sea of desire, find pleasure under the water, and never be separated.

“Lord Shu?”

Xiao Yi let go of Shu Fuyan’s arm, thinking that if Shu Fuyan wasn’t willing, he would drop the idea.

Seeing Xiao Yi about to leave, Shu Fuyan took the initiative to grab Xiao Yi’s hand, his pinky finger quietly rubbing the back of Xiao Yi’s hand, his voice softening automatically. “General Xiao, do not go.”

“I will go.”

Xiao Yi pulled his hand away, naturally stepping backward to put distance between them. “If you do not wish to go, you may refuse.”

Shu Fuyan’s eyes reddened; he took a step toward Xiao Yi and said weakly: “I am willing—General, please do not be disgusted by me, will you?”

Xiao Yi clenched his fingertips tight, a rush of heat surging to his forehead, burning him red all over.

Shu Fuyan is not…

Xiao Yi bit his lips and tongue, the lingering pain reminding him to stay sober.

“At the third quarter of the You hour (6:45 PM), we meet at Bibo Lake.” Xiao Yi glanced at Shu Fuyan, stars appearing in his eyes. “You wear red—it looks good on you.”

Xiao Yi boarded his carriage and soon departed.

Shu Fuyan remained rooted to the spot, laughing foolishly, stroking his clothes as if they were a precious treasure, unable to return to his senses for a long time.

“General Xiao complimented me.”

Shu Fuyan touched his face, thinking to himself that for the appointment tonight, he must prepare well.

Incense, powder, changing clothes not one of these could be missing.