The Passerby Hidden Guard Picked Up the Villain [Transmigration] - Chapter 23

After crossing the corridor and arriving at the lotus pond, Xiao Hongyin stopped behind the railing. Once He Yanzhi caught up, he leaned casually against a pillar beside him.

Xiao Hongyin faced the lotus pond, his expression grave. “It has not rained recently, yet the water in the lotus pond is almost level with the shoreline.”

He Yanzhi looked over upon hearing this. “Could it be because the water is stagnant, or perhaps the drainage outlet is blocked?”

Xiao Hongyin did not reply, simply staring at the pond in silence.

“Ah Yin?” He Yanzhi felt he was acting strange and waved a hand in front of his face, only to have his hand suddenly snatched by Xiao Hongyin.

“What is wrong with you today? You are acting as if you have fallen into a trance.” He Yanzhi tried to pull his hand back, but he did not succeed.

Bound within that warm palm, he could feel the slight itch of the other man’s calluses brushing against the back of his hand. Especially when He Yanzhi exerted force to pull away, Xiao Hongyin’s grip tightened, his fingertips intentionally or unintentionally stroking the back of his hand.

“It is a bit of a trance. I constantly feel as if someone wants to steal my life.” The corners of Xiao Hongyin’s mouth drooped slightly as he looked at He Yanzhi with an aggrieved expression.

He Yanzhi immediately grew alert. “Do you remember what they look like? Were they carrying a blade? If this place is truly dangerous, we should leave as soon as possible.”

Xiao Hongyin looked at him, silently shook his head, and sighed.

Thinking the opponent was formidable, He Yanzhi moved to take Xiao Hongyin to bid farewell to Zhou Xie, but he was stopped just in time.

“It is nothing. The banquet is about to begin; let us go.”

Xiao Hongyin led He Yanzhi back to the rear courtyard, only releasing his hand once they took their seats. He stood silently behind He Yanzhi.

The entire banquet was adorned with colorful lanterns and tassels, making it a dazzling sight. The tables for the guests were arranged in the shape of flower petals, circling outward from the center. In the very middle, which served as the flower’s stamen, a space was cleared for songstresses to dance gracefully.

Zhou Xie’s seat of honor faced the rear courtyard, providing a view of the entire landscape.

As a newcomer, He Yanzhi found himself placed in the position closest to Zhou Xie. He did not know whose idea this was.

As the music of strings and woodwinds began, Zhou Xie raised his wine cup to address the guests. He Yanzhi observed Zhou Xie silently, only to have his line of sight unexpectedly disrupted by Zhou Yun’s gaze.

Though Zhou Xie was advanced in years, his appearance and temperament were not inferior to the young men present, and his voice was clear and powerful.

“Lord He, this is fine wine specially prepared for you by the Young Master.”

A servant beside Zhou Yun brought a wine pot to He Yanzhi. He Yanzhi told him to just set it down and continued to observe Zhou Xie, but Zhou Yun suddenly spoke while looking at him.

“Lord He is so young yet has already become a Court Justice of the Court of Judicial Review. You are truly a model for us juniors. I toast to you.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look their way. Simultaneously, Zhou Xie remembered he had an honored guest and looked toward He Yanzhi as well.

“Young Master Zhou praises me too highly. It was merely good luck.” He Yanzhi thought to himself as he rolled his eyes at Zhou Yun.

“Lord He is too modest. No matter how good one’s luck is, one must have true talent. Lord He is a young talent and well deserving of the title. I toast you again.” Zhou Yun downed several cups in a row. He Yanzhi was forced to raise his cup, subsequently finding an opportunity to secretly pour the wine away.

The look Xiao Hongyin cast toward Zhou Yun was extremely unfriendly. If the other man had dared to meet his gaze, he would likely have felt a chill down his spine instantly. However, Zhou Yun’s gaze was fixed entirely on He Yanzhi, giving Xiao Hongyin not even a glance.

“So your Excellency is Justice He. I was busy with manor affairs just now; please forgive my lack of hospitality.”

Zhou Xie raised his cup to him, and He Yanzhi returned the gesture.

“Lord Zhou, please do not say such things. It is this subordinate who failed to visit sooner. I shall penalize myself.” He Yanzhi downed several cups of wine. His body began to feel warm, and a slight pink flush appeared on his face, looking quite alluring under the glow of the colored lanterns.

Zhou Yun still wanted to speak with He Yanzhi, but he was glared back into silence by Zhou Xie. “Yun’er, go to the Orchid Pavilion and fetch the fine wine I have cherished for ten years.”

“Father, that wine.” Zhou Yun was momentarily embarrassed because that fine wine had already been brought out by him to give to He Yanzhi. Now, where was he supposed to conjure up ten-year-old aged wine?

“Go, quickly.”

Zhou Xie glared at him again, meaning for him to leave the front hall immediately and take the opportunity to scout for girls in the rear garden, rather than moping here only knowing how to drink and chat with a group of men.

Zhou Yun retreated hesitantly. As he left the front hall, he did not forget to look back, only to lock eyes with Xiao Hongyin. He shivered and hurried away.

Zhou Xie laughed to ease the atmosphere and said to He Yanzhi, “I have heard that cases at the Court of Judicial Review are numerous and complex, and Lord He has just recovered from a long illness. If you have difficulties in the future, feel free to speak to me.”

“Lord Zhou is too kind. Indeed, I have some matters that remain unresolved.”

He Yanzhi gave Xiao Hongyin a look. Xiao Hongyin submitted a document to the steward, who presented it to Zhou Xie.

“When I returned to the capital after my recovery, I encountered many refugees outside the city. After entering the capital, I was nearly disturbed by vagrants. I was thinking of finding an opportunity to ask the Ministry of Revenue, but unexpectedly, a document was submitted from below within half a day. Since Lord Zhou is hosting the Flower-Seeking Banquet, I took the liberty of visiting. I wonder how your Lordship intends to handle the resettlement of the vagrants?”

Zhou Xie scanned the contents of the document, set it aside, and smiled. “Lord He might not know, but the Emperor has already decreed that no vagrants are to appear within the capital. Those outside the city shall be left to their own devices. As for those inside the city, why have I not seen them? Could it be that Lord He has seen wrongly?”

He Yanzhi feigned surprise, lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, and then smiled. “So that is how it is. It must be that I have been ill for too long and grown muddled. I hope your Lordship will forgive my offense.”

Zhou Xie waved his hand to say it was no matter and ordered the delicacies to be served.

A plethora of bowls and plates were promptly placed before He Yanzhi. Beneath the dishes, several golden pearls were attached to the bottom of a high-rimmed bowl. With a gentle flick, they could be dropped into a sleeve unnoticed.

“Lord He, please.”

Zhou Xie looked at He Yanzhi with a smile. Seeing him accept the pearls as desired, his mood brightened considerably.

Halfway through the banquet, guests chatted and drank with familiar companions. Many who were feeling tipsy walked out of the front hall to stroll in the rear courtyard.

He Yanzhi slowly picked at the dishes on the table. After tasting a bite and finding it truly excellent, he told Xiao Hongyin to sit down and try some as well.

“This dish is well made. You should try making it someday.”

He Yanzhi placed a piece of meat on Xiao Hongyin’s plate, thinking that if the man could learn it by tasting, he would have gained a master chef for free. Perhaps he could even open a restaurant in the future.

Xiao Hongyin, however, had no heart for eating. He snatched the wine cup from He Yanzhi’s lips and drained it in one gulp.

He Yanzhi made a sound of disapproval. “If you want to drink, pour it yourself. Why snatch mine?” As he spoke, he poured himself another cup, only to have it snatched away again.

“You are not allowed to drink.”

Xiao Hongyin pulled him away from the table and into the rear courtyard, walking slowly in the cool evening breeze.

“Why come out? Are there pretty girls out here?”

A flush crept onto He Yanzhi’s cheeks, resembling the clouds at sunset, making one unconsciously intoxicated. He stood in place, unwilling to move, only wanting to find a place to continue drinking and eating meat. Seeing his unsteady posture, Xiao Hongyin quickly supported him.

“You are drunk.”

Xiao Hongyin put an arm around his waist. He Yanzhi leaned into his embrace as if he had no bones, his chin resting in the crook of the other’s shoulder. His warm breath fanned against Xiao Hongyin’s skin, making his heart itch.

“Go to the Orchid Pavilion.”

A hint of clarity suddenly appeared in He Yanzhi’s blurred eyes. He whispered into Xiao Hongyin’s ear and then reached out to tap three times on his right shoulder.

“Nn.” Xiao Hongyin’s throat involuntarily felt parched, and the sound he made was slightly hoarse.

He carried the “drunk” He Yanzhi through the passing guests and toward the small path on the right. After about three hundred paces, they saw the scene of the Orchid Pavilion villa.

Since today happened to be the Qixi Festival, the daughters of the various officials were gathered together. Zhou Xie had specifically sent people to decorate the Orchid Pavilion.

Countless colored ropes hung in every corner of the villa, each tied with a small silver bell that produced a crisp, pleasant sound at the slightest touch.

The young ladies were threading needles under the moon. After creating exquisite pouches, sachets, and handkerchiefs, they placed these items, into which they had poured their wishes, into specially made wooden boxes. They would then choose a fine rope to hang them from, waiting for a destined person to pluck them.

Although the majority of those at the Flower-Seeking Banquet were young ladies, there were also a few young gentlemen who had passed the imperial examinations alongside Zhou Yun. They had also received family orders to come here and find a wife. Therefore, outside the Orchid Pavilion, many people were quietly observing the scene within.

Xiao Hongyin caught sight of Zhou Yun nearby looking dejected. His hand around He Yanzhi’s waist tightened instinctively.

“Only a wall separates this place from the lotus pond. We will find a chance to jump out.”

He Yanzhi leaned against Xiao Hongyin’s shoulder, his gaze scanning the surroundings. He inevitably spotted Zhou Yun and secretly poked Xiao Hongyin, telling him to leave quickly.

While trying to avoid everyone’s gaze and sneak to the corner of the wall, He Yanzhi could not help but mutter, “Could this Zhou Yun already have someone in his heart? Otherwise, why would he not even look at the daughters of so many officials? He is likely to provoke his father to death.”

Xiao Hongyin remained silent, quickening his pace as he led He Yanzhi. In an instant, the two reached the corner.

“Why are there colored ropes leading all the way to the lotus pond? If someone is there, won’t we run straight into them?” He Yanzhi frowned.

If the person on the other side were a young lady or gentleman, it would be fine. But if they ran into a couple in the middle of a tryst, it would be awkward.

“We will just knock them out together.” Xiao Hongyin did not think much of it. After He Yanzhi moved away from him, he reached out to support him.

He Yanzhi rolled up his sleeves and was about to jump. Seeing the outstretched hand, he asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”

Xiao Hongyin said expressionlessly, “Supporting you.”

He Yanzhi found it funny. “I am not truly drunk; there is no need.”

Xiao Hongyin ignored him and directly grabbed his hand, intending to use his light-body technique to carry him over. He Yanzhi felt this move was an insult to his own skills and struggled with dissatisfaction. The two of them were entangled in a back-and-forth struggle for several turns when an excited shout suddenly came from behind them.

“Lord He!”

He Yanzhi’s brow twitched violently. He actually forgot his hand movements and was pulled over by Xiao Hongyin, plunging into the other’s embrace.

In an instant, the world spun. Xiao Hongyin was unexpectedly tackled, and the two fell straight to the ground. Their hair and hemlines became entangled, creating an indescribable mess.

“Hiss.” At the moment He Yanzhi fell, his teeth accidentally knocked against the other man’s chin. The pain made him gasp. In that instant, he saw countless delicacies leaving him forever.

Xiao Hongyin was also in pain, a bruise forming on his chin, making him look somewhat comical.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Yun stared blankly at the two people hugging on the ground, his heart feeling as if it were blocked by a giant stone.

He had just seen them avoiding the crowd, pushing and pulling in the corner for who knows what reason. But seeing them like this now, could it be exactly what he was thinking.

He Yanzhi got up from Xiao Hongyin, clutching his mouth with a worried frown. He casually brushed Zhou Yun off with an excuse. “Just a sparring match. Please do not laugh at us, Young Master.”

Xiao Hongyin rose from the ground, his chin still aching slightly. He turned to check on He Yanzhi’s condition.

He Yanzhi carefully poked around and found that his teeth were still there and undamaged. He then breathed a sigh of relief. Turning back to look at Xiao Hongyin’s injury, he pinched his palm, trying his best not to laugh out loud.