The Emperor Doesn't Despise Me? Why Is He Still Using Force! - Chapter 3

Xiao Jing’an’s handsome face remained completely devoid of ripples.

Yet a chilling aura surrounded his entire person as he calmly gave the order: “Knock him out, lock him in the dark cell, and subject him to severe interrogation.”

Severe interrogation? Sheng Dong secretly twitched the corner of his mouth.

With that slim, delicate, and frail scholar’s physique, after being interrogated, he’d probably have no breath left in him.

Xiao Jing’an seemed to realize this as well.

He spoke again: “At that time, I will personally interrogate this Pei Yan.”

Sheng Dong helpfully reminded him: “My lord, that young master in white is named Yan Qing.”

Just now, he had been crouching in the tree and heard it loud and clear when the fellow introduced himself as Yan Qing.

Why did his lord’s memory suddenly become so poor today?

Beside him, Sheng Nan tugged at Sheng Dong’s sleeve, gesturing for him to keep his mouth shut.

Xiao Jing’an’s gaze drifted toward the direction Pei Yan had left, his thin, well-shaped lips gently chewing on the words: “Yan Qing, Pei Yan!”

Hearing these two names, Sheng Nan seemed to realize something and remarked, “My lord, ‘Pei Yan’ sounds like his real name, while ‘Yan (Qing)’ feels more like a unique moniker used by others for him.”

Xiao Jing’an raised his slender fingers, gently pressing them against his brow as he fell into deep thought.

A moment later, with an extremely low voice, he lightly mocked: “If I become the tyrant in his heart one day, then ‘Yan Qing’ will be the title he uses for me the subject who detests me.”

With that, Xiao Jing’an walked away with a faint smile.

The smile on his face was thin and pale, mixed with a hint of unfathomable meaning.

Sheng Dong watched his master’s departing figure: “What did my lord just say?”

Seemingly remembering something, he hurriedly shouted: “My lord, you’re going the wrong way! That’s not the road to the North Mountain Hunting Grounds.”

Beside him, Sheng Nan reached out and gave him a punch: “You always talk too much. When has my lord ever made a mistake in what he does?”

Sheng Nan looked at the route Xiao Jing’an was taking.

“My lord is heading there, no doubt to go to the Northern Bureau of Investigation to gather men and prepare for any unexpected needs.”

Sheng Dong scratch the back of his head vigorously, frowning in puzzlement: “Everything my lord does today is stranger than the last.”

Lanterns stained the eaves, and twilight settled over the streets.

Pei Yanning pushed open the dilapidated courtyard gate with a hint of fatigue and walked in.

Every day after finishing classes at the Imperial Academy, he would head to the home of his father’s late friend to tutor his young grandson.

He could only return when night fell.

Just as he walked up to the door of his room, someone stepped out from inside.

“You’re back.”

Pei Yan came out smiling brightly to welcome his little dad home.

Seeing that it was him, Pei Yanning’s handsome, fair face first froze, then flashed with astonishment, and finally clouded over with a trace of anger.

“Why did you track me down to my home? Who leaked my address to you?”

Pei Yan answered honestly: “No one leaked it to me; I found it on my own.”

Having lived in this place for twenty-six years, how could he possibly not know the address?

It was simply too dilapidated at the present moment.

In his previous life, after becoming an official, he had used the gold bestowed upon him by the tyrant to thoroughly renovate the Pei residence from top to bottom.

The renovated Pei residence had been unimaginably luxurious, with numerous maidservants and pages, and a continuous stream of visiting guests.

However, that was already water under the bridge. After his rebirth, the task of renovating the Pei residence and bringing glory back to the family name now fell squarely on his little dad’s shoulders.

Hearing Pei Yan’s reply, Pei Yanning instantly knitted his brows.

“I’m not joking around with you. What on earth are you trying to do?”

Pei Yan understood that his dad couldn’t accept him as his eldest son in a split second.

“Your health isn’t good, so don’t get angry. Just pretend… I’m your admirer and want to befriend you.”

Pei Yanning instinctively took a step back, full of wariness toward Pei Yan.

“I am not interested in men.”

Of course he knew that, otherwise how would he ever be born? Pei Yan went to soothe Pei Yanning, who looked like a frightened little rabbit.

“I’m not interested in men either. My regard for you is one of respect—a familial affection between kin.”

Pei Yanning still maintained his guard against Pei Yan.

Just as he parted his lips to speak, Madam Pei stepped out of the room with a loving expression.

“Ning’er, this classmate of yours is so polite. He came over and bought so many gifts.”

Pei Yan secretly rejoiced that he had encountered an “old acquaintance” and managed to get a fair amount of silver from him to buy gifts for his grandmother and little dad.

Pei Yanning bit the corner of his lip, looked at Pei Yan, and opened his mouth as if he had more to say.

Madam Pei continued, “The dew outside is heavy at night; be careful of catching a chill. Come inside quickly.”

Pei Yanning was a premature baby with congenital deficiencies, so his health required exceptional care.

Pei Yan hurriedly and solicitously took the book satchel from his hands: “Come inside quickly, don’t let Madam worry.”

He had used the wrong generational address, but if he directly called her grandmother, she would probably take him for a lunatic and sweep him out the door.

The road to acknowledging his father would only become even longer.

Under these circumstances, Pei Yanning had no way to chase away this sycophantic pest whose sudden uninvited approach implied either theft or malice.

After all, he was an extremely filial son who didn’t want his mother to worry or fret over his affairs.

Especially upon hearing that expensive gifts had been accepted.

As soon as Pei Yanning stepped into the sitting room, he saw quite a few gifts arranged on the table.

Among them, several kinds of pastries and fruits were all Madam Pei’s usual favorites.

At that moment, Madam Pei spoke, her words carrying a slightly touched tone: “Little Yan is such a thoughtful child.”

Pei Yan smiled warmly at his little dad: “Brother Ning often mentions you in front of junior, missing you constantly, so junior took it upon himself to learn a bit about your preferences.”

Pei Yanning finally couldn’t help it; he pulled Pei Yan aside.

He knitted his slender brows and asked in a low voice, “Who on earth are you? How can you possibly know so much about my family? What is your real purpose in approaching me?” After a brief pause, he added, “Didn’t you claim earlier that you were nineteen? Why do you call me ‘brother’!”

Despite the multitude of questions, Pei Yan responded to every single one of Pei Yanning’s inquiries with utmost sincerity and earnestness.

“My name is Pei Yan. You once said this name was chosen for me by an old friend who hoped my entire life would be filled with smiles. As for why I know so much about your family, it’s because I am also a member of this household your only son.”

He paused: “As for why I am nineteen, and you are eighteen, yet I must call you brother…”

Pei Yan curved the corners of his eyes and grinned: “If I called you ‘Dad’, I was afraid you’d flip out; and if I called you ‘ younger brother’, I was terrified of being struck by lightning!”

“You…”

Pei Yanning was choked with anger, then gave a flick of his sleeve and stormed off in a huff.

Madam Pei assumed the two of them were close classmates and paid no mind, busily setting bowls and chopsticks out on the dining table.

At the same time, a slightly apologetic smile graced her face as she said to Pei Yan, “We didn’t know Little Yan was coming tonight, so the family didn’t prepare any fine delicacies in advance to host you. Next time, I will definitely prepare a lavish feast to make up for it.”

Pei Yanning’s expression shifted slightly, as if he deeply minded the word “next time.”

“Madam, you are far too polite. Junior came uninvited today, and I hope you won’t take offense.”

While speaking, Pei Yan had already stepped forward and, with a very observant eye, helped Madam Pei arrange the tableware.

“My coming here today truly has a reason. A few days ago while chatting with Brother Ning, he happened to mention your widely praised culinary skills, which filled my heart with yearning and left me unable to restrain myself, so I came specifically to pay my respects. I am hoping for a chance to taste the dishes made by Madam’s own hands.”

“My, what a sweet-talking child you are.”

Madam Pei’s mouth was split in a wide grin from Pei Yan’s compliments.

To be fair, Pei Yan wasn’t just flattering her; Madam Pei’s cooking skills were genuinely superb, and the food she prepared was Pei Yan’s absolute favorite from his childhood.

Pei Yanning remained silent off to the side.

Yet anyone could tell at a glance that he had a lot on his mind and was still angry.

With the dishes all served, the three of them sat down around the table ready to eat.

Madam Pei picked up her chopsticks first, picking out food for both Pei Yan and Pei Yanning.

After tasting the dishes cooked by Madam Pei, Pei Yan naturally launched into another long string of literary compliments.

Pei Yanning bit down on his chopsticks, listening to his endless stream of praises while his brow furrowed tighter and tighter.

“Brother Ning, this is your favorite stir-fried lotus root slices.”

Pei Yan used serving chopsticks to place food on Pei Yanning’s plate.

Before Pei Yanning could speak, Madam Pei smiled and said, “It is rare in life to find a true confidant; Ning’er, you must cherish this friendship well.”

At this, Madam Pei seemed to recall something: “It’s truly a matter of fate that both of you share the surname Pei.”

The fate was greater than you knew you are both my closest kin. Pei Yan’s eyes grew hot: “If Madam doesn’t mind, please treat junior as your… son.”

Grandson, her most pampered grandson from his past life.

In his previous life, the grandson’s greatest regret was that she did not live to see him top the imperial examinations.

Thinking of this, Pei Yan gripped his chopsticks tightly.

In this life, he would make sure she lived to see his dad take first place in the palace exams and restore glory to the Pei family name.

The Pei family had originally been a prominent military household, holding significant weight in the imperial court.

However, through successive years of military campaigns, nearly all the men of the Pei family had died on the battlefield, causing the family to gradually decline until only Pei Yanning, a frail and refined scholar, was left.

Fortunately, protected by the achievements of their ancestors, although the Pei family had declined, they were still able to enter the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the capital.

Yet, the Imperial Academy harbored a malicious villain who, on the eve of the widely recognized talented scholar’s imperial examinations, viciously poisoned him.

It had almost cost Pei Yanning his life, leaving him with a riddled body as he laboriously raised Pei Yan to become the top scholar.

At this moment, Pei Yan looked at Pei Yanning with eyes full of heartache.

Meanwhile, Pei Yanning looked as though he was about to bite his chopsticks in half.

Clearly, he thoroughly disliked him.

The meal concluded, and night had fallen completely.

Pei Yan helped Madam Pei clear away the tableware and made a gesture to leave: “Madam, the hour is late, so junior won’t disturb you any longer.”

Though he said this, his feet showed not the slightest intention of leaving.

Naturally, Madam Pei’s next words unfolded entirely according to his expectations.

“It’s already so late, where are you off to? Hurry and stay the night.”

Madam Pei said this with great enthusiasm.

Fearing that Pei Yanning would voice an objection, Pei Yan hastily added a polite smile: “Then junior will not presume to decline your hospitality.”

With that, he immediately turned to Pei Yanning, who was standing silently off to the side: “Madam’s kindness is too great to refuse, haha.”

Pei Yanning muttered softly: “This just plays right into your wishes.”

Madam Pei didn’t catch what Pei Yanning muttered and invited Pei Yan: “Little Yan can share a room with Ning’er tonight; you young men surely have endless topics to talk about.”

This way it would also foster the bond between father and son. Delighted, Pei Yan bowed gratefully to his grandmother.

“Madam understands us so well. I truly wish I never had to leave and could just live at your house.”

As soon as he finished speaking, as if remembering something, he turned his head to look at the startled expression on Pei Yanning’s face.

“Brother Ning, I’m staying in your room, you won’t mind, right?”

Pei Yanning bit the corner of his lip and turned toward the study.

Pei Yan followed right behind him like a little tail.

Treating Pei Yan as if he were thin air, Pei Yanning sat down on a sandalwood chair, lowering his head to pick up a brush and practice calligraphy.

Pei Yan initiated his mode of currying favor with his little dad.

“Little Dad, this brushstroke resembles a spring silkworm spinning silk, containing the latent form of dragons and serpents; the downward sweeps and presses are just like a knife cutting through cloud絮 (flocks), the turns and angles imitate water winding around massive rocks. The handwriting is spaced with perfect density, possessing the divine charm of the Yan and Liu calligraphy styles. It doesn’t look written at all, but rather like a soul materialized from a thousand-year literary heritage!”

Hypocrite!

Pei Yanning immediately grasped his brush erratically and scribbled a chaotic mess across the white paper.

Pei Yan’s mouth twitched, choked for a few seconds, before he continued praising: “This handwriting is written so well vigorous, powerful, and tightly sealed, it makes one’s eyes go black again and again!”

Pei Yanning lowered his head and let out a muffled chuckle.

At that moment, Madam Pei pushed the door open and witnessed this harmonious scene.

She became even more convinced that the two of them were close classmates and friends.

However, her attention wasn’t focused on that right now.

“Grandma’s grandson, Changyong, went to the East Mountain to gather herbs and still hasn’t returned. Her legs are bad so she can’t go look for him, and she’s crying out of worry. I’m going to the East Mountain to take a look.” She added: “There are no wolves on the East Mountain, just some harmless small beasts, it’s not dangerous.”

The latter sentence was to keep Pei Yanning from worrying about her.

“Mother, I’ll go.”

Pei Yanning stood up: “You can stay home and comfort Grandma.”

The mountain paths were rugged and it was nighttime; how could Pei Yanning possibly let his mother go?

Yet Madam Pei wouldn’t let someone with congenital deficiencies and a frail physique go either.

“Madam, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him.”

Pei Yan spoke up.

Though his own body was slender and thin, he still looked considerably more robust compared to Pei Yanning.

Time was of the essence, and with Pei Yan accompanying him, Madam Pei felt at ease letting Pei Yanning go.

The moon was dark and the wind high; tree shadows danced like ghosts.

The cold wind in the mountain tore at the rock walls like invisible claws, and rustling sounds of beasts moving through the bushes echoed around them.

Pei Yan held a lantern in one hand while using the other to tuck the heavy cloak closer around Pei Yanning.

In his previous life, because of that poisoning incident, his dad often coughed up blood that stained the collar of his cloak. In this life, he was determined to protect his dad well so he wouldn’t suffer the hardships of the past.

Pei Yanning merely glanced at him and continued pressing forward to search for Changyong.

Pei Yan raised his voice, shouting into the pitch-black, deep, and mysterious mountain space: “Changyong, where are you? Return home quickly, Grandma is deeply worried about you!”

Up on the observation tower, Xiao Jing’an’s brow furrowed as he carefully identified the two figures in the distance.

“It’s him! Why has he come to the North Mountain?”