The Script I Received Was Wrong - Chapter 4

Xie Yunjin’s ears twitched as a wave of heat surged from his earlobes. He clutched his ears, his voice faltering, “I… I will definitely keep your secret. Just speak properly!”

Liang Xuan stopped teasing him. “Alright. Now, come and write the essay the Grand Tutor assigned.”

The redness in Xie Yunjin’s ears vanished instantly, replaced by a look of utter despair. “Un—der—stood—”

*****

The Marquis of Changning had been waiting anxiously for a long time. As soon as Xie Yunjin returned to the estate, he had the steward bring him to the study.

“How was it? Did you plead for mercy with the Crown Prince?”

Xie Yunjin nodded, then shook his head.

“What is the meaning of this?” The Marquis was displeased.

Xie Yunjin sighed. “Father, you know that because of the Third Prince’s involvement, His Majesty is paying very close attention to this matter. It isn’t easy for His Highness to show favoritism. However, you can rest assured; His Highness said this will not affect the Marquisate.”

“By the way, you must fill the deficit in the funds immediately.”

“I have already cleaned up everything that needed to be handled.” If it weren’t for that person in prison acting as if they had a personal vendetta against him, constantly biting at him with accusations, the Marquis wouldn’t be in such a passive position.

Even though he had expected this outcome, the Marquis still wanted to struggle a bit more. “Can’t you plead with the Prince again?”

“Father, I am merely His Highness’s study companion. I don’t have that much influence.”

A flash of disappointment crossed the Marquis’s eyes. “True. Forget it, then. I will think of other ways.”

Returning to his own courtyard, Xie Yunjin was surprised to find the Marchioness waiting for him. “Mother? Why are you here?”

“I came to see you. Is your illness any better?” she asked tenderly.

Xie Yunjin hurried to her side and supported her arm. “Much better, Mother. You don’t need to worry; I’m perfectly fine now.”

“As long as you’re well. Did your father call you to the study again?” Nothing that happened in the estate could escape the Marchioness’s eyes.

She knew about the Marquis’s change in attitude toward their son, and she knew even better that this change was only because the Marquis had run into trouble outside and wanted to use the connection between his son and the Prince to settle it.

Inside the room, the Marchioness signaled for the servants to leave. Once it was just the two of them, she said, “Your father is truly something. He committed those acts himself; what use is there in looking for you?”

The Marquis had hinted more than once that he wanted A-Jin to speak up for him before the Crown Prince.

“He was unwilling to even grant you the title of Heir Apparent, yet now that he’s in trouble, he remembers he has a son,” she said, patting the back of Xie Yunjin’s hand. “A-Jin, you don’t need to pay him any mind.”

Through constant disappointment, the Marchioness had long since stopped pinning any hopes on the Marquis.

“I know, Mother,” Xie Yunjin replied obediently.

“Your father is someone who cannot be relied upon. You must never let a rift grow between you and the Prince because of him.” Between the two, the Marchioness cared far more about her son’s future.

She spoke with him for a while longer before leaving with her maids.

As night fell, a servant from the Marquis’s side came to report that the Marquis would not be coming over tonight. The Marchioness sat before her mirror as her maid gently removed her hair ornaments.

“This jade hairpin was a gift from the Heir last year; it complements your complexion perfectly,” the personal maid remarked.

“A-Jin is a good boy.” Thinking of her son, a soft look crossed her features.

Her biggest lack of regret was ensuring that for the sake of A-Jin’s status, no second son was ever born into the estate. Otherwise, given the Marquis’s temperament, there was no telling how much chaos would have ensued. The Marquis had more than one child, but Xie Yunjin was his only son and the only child the Marchioness had.

*****

Xie Yunjin’s focus remained on his studies. Following the imperial examination system of the previous dynasty, scions of noble families could enter officialdom through either clan recommendation or the examinations. The latter was far more favored by those in power.

In the Imperial Academy, many were preparing for this path. Gu Chengze was one of them. Before long, he would take the Spring Examination after ranking first in the Autumn trials. Xie Yunjin had registered last year as well, but he had fallen ill just the day before the Autumn exams, missing them entirely. If he wanted to participate, he had to wait for the next cycle.

As the Spring Examination approached, more and more scholars flooded into the capital. There weren’t many in the Academy taking the exam this year; aside from the princes, most were either study companions, too young, or had titles to inherit. Though they weren’t participating, they were all very interested in this triennial grand competition.

“I heard there is a talent from Yuzhou whose fame rivals Brother Gu’s, and he’ll be taking the exam this year.”

“Yuzhou? Is that the same Yuzhou where the incident happened?”

“Yes. I heard many people have gone to visit him out of admiration.”

“Visit him for what?”

“Curiosity, mostly. Didn’t you go to join the fun last time? How was he?”

“He truly deserves the description of ‘a gentleman like jade,’ but he’s far behind our Brother Gu from the Academy.”

“You can’t be biased just because we’re students here. In my opinion, that Master Feng is also quite exceptional.”

Xie Yunjin, who had been dozing off over his books, snapped his head up at the mention of the surname ‘Feng.’ “Surname Feng? From Yuzhou?”

“Has Brother Xie heard of him too?”

Since the Prince wasn’t there, the speaker leaned over to Xie Yunjin’s desk. Others gathered around as well. Xie Yunjin was cheerful and vibrant, and with his status as the Prince’s companion, he was very popular in the Academy.

“I’ve heard of him,” Xie Yunjin nodded.

Unlike what the others thought, he knew this name because of that dream. Since that day, he had another similar dream. Most of the information was in fragments—almost entirely scenes of being with Liang Xuan. Other details were brief, just enough to let him know certain things happened, such as how Liang Xuan had gradually ended up betrayed and alone. Xie Yunjin didn’t know the specifics, but after careful sorting, he had noted down a few names.

One of them was Feng Xingwen from Yuzhou.

“Is the person you’re talking about named Feng Xingwen?”

“Exactly, that’s the name.” Another person nodded. “It seems Feng Xingwen is indeed famous if even Brother Xie has heard of him.”

Xie Yunjin didn’t listen closely to whatever they said afterward. The name “Feng Xingwen” was something he had heard from Liang Xuan’s lips in the dream. It appeared because he had supposedly been trying to save the man.

Perhaps because he heard the name during the day, Xie Yunjin was swept into those familiar waves that night. A tall shadow loomed over him, and this time the impact was harsher than ever before. Amidst the flickering candlelight, his consciousness began to scatter.

Xie Yunjin pinched himself hard, using the momentary clarity to choke out, “Stop… stop it!”

His voice was hoarse beyond recognition.

“A-Jin, I will not allow him to take you away from me.”

Dense kisses fell on the side of his neck. Xie Yunjin turned his head to dodge. “Who?”

Liang Xuan’s movements stopped. He propped himself up with one hand by Xie Yunjin’s ear, while the other stroked his cheek. “Feng Xingwen. A-Jin, if there is a next time, I will kill him.”

In that intimate tone, there was no attempt to hide the murderous intent. Xie Yunjin had no doubt that Liang Xuan truly meant it.

“A-Jin, my patience is limited. Be good.”

Xie Yunjin gathered his strength bit by bit, and when Liang Xuan leaned down, he delivered a powerful headbutt. “Can’t you talk properly?!”

Liang Xuan seemed dazed by the hit, remaining silent for a long moment.

“I don’t even know what’s happening! Every time I only know about ‘doing it, doing it, doing it’! At the very least, you should let me know what’s going on!”

Having shouted it all out in one breath, Xie Yunjin felt much better. Belatedly realizing this Liang Xuan wasn’t the one he knew, his bravado withered, and he looked at him cautiously.

Liang Xuan wasn’t angry; he just looked a bit dazed. Time seemed to freeze. Xie Yunjin shifted uncomfortably. A flash of darkness passed through Liang Xuan’s eyes as he leaned down again, pulling the youth into a heavy embrace.

Everything spun.

*****

Xie Yunjin woke with a start. He was drenched in sweat, his clothes clinging uncomfortably to his skin.

“Heir Apparent, what is it?” Zhishu heard the commotion and walked in from the outer room.

“Just a nightmare.” Xie Yunjin sat up, trying to let the heat dissipate. He was covered in sweat, and damp strands of hair stuck to his face. He swept them back carelessly, revealing a clean, bright forehead. Under the soft candlelight, his fair skin looked like polished jade.

Our Heir Apparent is truly getting more and more beautiful, Zhishu thought, looking away quickly. “How did you sweat so much? I’ll go call for water.”

The spring air was chilly. As the heat left his body, Xie Yunjin shivered and wrapped himself tightly in the quilt. After a hot bath, he felt refreshed, but he couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night. His mind was filled with Liang Xuan, Feng Xingwen, and the events of the dream.

Would all of that truly happen in the future? Xie Yunjin didn’t know why he was so certain of it. He had to find out exactly what was going on.

The next morning, Xie Yunjin ordered his personal servant, Guanqi, to investigate Feng Xingwen. He then tidied himself up and headed for the Academy.

The Crown Prince had already arrived. This was his final period at the Academy; once he turned eighteen, he would enter the court and no longer need to study here.

Seeing the dark circles under Xie Yunjin’s eyes, Liang Xuan’s brows pressed down slightly. “A-Jin, did you not rest well yesterday?”

“Just a bad dream,” Xie Yunjin rubbed his face to perk up. “It’s nothing.”

“There’s new progress in the Yuzhou case. Do you want to stay in the Eastern Palace for the next few days? You can sleep in a bit more in the morning.”

Xie Yunjin took a moment to realize that Liang Xuan was worried the results of the Marquis’s case would affect him.

“I…” If it weren’t for those dreams, he would have loved to stay in the Eastern Palace. In previous winters when it was too cold, he would stay over. It saved the commute and allowed for extra sleep—a huge temptation.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to refuse, A-Jin.”

The teacher entered, and Liang Xuan dropped the subject. A-Jin seems to be distancing himself lately, Liang Xuan thought, frowning. Is it because of the Marquis’s situation?

*****

“Yunjin, Yunjin.”

In a daze, Xie Yunjin heard someone calling him and opened his eyes.

“Chengze?”

As he moved, the cloak draped over him began to slide. His hand moved faster than his brain to catch it. It was Liang Xuan’s cloak.

“How did you fall asleep? The teacher just glared at you several times.”

“I was too tired,” Xie Yunjin said sheepishly, clutching the cloak. “I’ll go apologize to the teacher in a bit.”

“I’ll go with you. We can leave the palace together afterward.” Their homes were only a street apart, so it was convenient.

Xie Yunjin stood up, holding the cloak. “Where is His Highness?”

“A servant called him away mid-class. It seemed like an emergency. Is that his cloak?”

The black cloak was embroidered with silver dragon-shaped patterns; it was clearly not something an ordinary person could use. Gu Chengze had seen with his own eyes how the Prince had covered him with it. It strangely reminded him of a beast marking its territory, using an item infused with its scent to encircle its own, warning others not to touch.

“Mhm.” The material was excellent. It was smooth and thick. Xie Yunjin intended to return it to Liang Xuan first.

“Let’s go. Return the cloak first, then find the teacher.” Gu Chengze familiarly draped his arm over Xie Yunjin’s shoulder, leading him out. Xie Yunjin quickly gathered his things and allowed himself to be led away.

After the nap, Xie Yunjin felt much more energetic. As soon as they stepped out, they saw a familiar figure standing nearby. Liang Xuan had specifically come to wait for him.

As he watched the two approach side-by-side, Liang Xuan’s gaze fell on Gu Chengze’s arm draped over Xie Yunjin’s shoulder. His eyes turned slightly cold.

Sensing the gaze on his arm, Gu Chengze raised an eyebrow.

Retracting his gaze, Liang Xuan walked toward them. “A-Jin, I’ve come to take you to the Eastern Palace.”

Gu Chengze looked at his friend, then at the unusually cold Crown Prince. His eyes darted between them. “Yunjin, didn’t we agree to head back together?”

Keenly sensing the sudden drop in air pressure from Liang Xuan and the faint atmosphere of confrontation between the two, Xie Yunjin felt a massive headache coming on.

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