The Young Marquis is Ruining the Court! - Chapter 14

Chi Zhou and Xie Jiu spent the entire day running around, finally settling on a residence just before sunset. It was located in Jifu Alley, right across from the Star River. The moment Chi Zhou heard the name of the alley, he felt a spark of liking for it.

The middleman led them to see a courtyard house with two courtyards. Supposedly, the previous owner was a court official who had moved his entire family to the south due to a transfer, which was why the house was for sale.

Chi Zhou didn’t suspect a thing and was ready to close the deal on the spot, but Xie Jiu raised a hand to stop him from taking out his money.

The young man holding the dog stood there tall and slender. He was incredibly quiet, looking for all the world like someone innocent and easily bullied who knew nothing of the world’s ways.

Yet, his first sentence was, “You’ve got that wrong.”

The middleman asked, “My dear young master, what did I say that was incorrect?”

Chi Zhou turned to look at him. Xie Jiu gave a small smile and said, “You said the previous owner was transferred far away, but does his family have no elderly, weak, women, or children? Furthermore, a typical term of office is five years at most. What official from the capital would go to the local provinces and never want to return? Why would it be necessary to sell off the entire estate?”

Chi Zhou blinked, forced to admit that Xie Jiu’s logic was sound.

The middleman froze for a second before immediately compensating with a fawning smile. “The young master might not be aware, but that official ran into some trouble and offended a powerful figure in the capital. It’s likely he won’t ever have the chance to be transferred back to the city of Jindu.”

That middleman had initially seen how young they were and how richly they were dressed, assuming they were the type of masters who threw money around carelessly. He had planned to use flowery words to fleece them for a tidy sum. Now that he had been exposed, he showed his skill at reading the room and didn’t dare to truly offend them.

Chi Zhou felt a hint of displeasure. Looking at the house again, it didn’t seem as pleasing as it did at first glance.

Xie Jiu, however, nodded without changing his expression. “Mhm, then make it cheaper.”

Chi Zhou was inspecting the house, wondering if they should switch to another one. Hearing Xie Jiu’s blunt demand out of nowhere, he whipped his head around to look at him. It was hard to imagine this “big cat” could be so stiff and direct when haggling.

Strangely enough, it worked.

Chi Zhou signed the deed using only half of the middleman’s original asking price. He turned and stuffed it into Xie Jiu’s arms, smiling so widely his eyes squinted. “Jiu Jiu, you actually have this talent?”

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard. The long-neglected space had grown some weeds that swayed in the breeze, appearing resilient and vigorous.

Xie Jiu was momentarily dazed by Chi Zhou’s smile, losing the composed air he had when exposing the middleman’s lies. It took him a long while before he managed to squeeze out a muffled “Mhm.”

By then, Chi Zhou had already turned to look at the house. The building was reasonably well-preserved, with no major flaws visible in the eaves or corridors. However, the rooms were empty, with not a single piece of decent furniture left behind.

Chi Zhou did a lap and returned, showing no signs of discouragement. Instead, he was quite cheerful. “Great, I have silver!”

He had enough to buy a heap of high-quality furniture to fill the house, and then he could settle Xie Jiu right in. He would decorate this courtyard like a cat’s playground.

“Oh right, and you.” Chi Zhou reached out, wanting to pat the dog in Xie Jiu’s arms. Before he touched it, he instinctively pulled back and rubbed his own nose. “I’ll decorate a room for you too.”

The puppy was tilting its head, waiting for the other master’s touch. Seeing him retract, it tilted its head in confusion and eagerly straightened its body to chase Chi Zhou’s fingers.

Xie Jiu took the opportunity to give its head a light pat. The little black dog stiffened, its body shrinking back as it lay flat against Xie Jiu’s arm again.

Since leaving the noodle shop, Xie Jiu had been carrying it almost constantly, as if afraid that if he looked away for a second, it would brush against Chi Zhou and scare him again. But in reality, both Xie Jiu and Chi Zhou could see that the puppy liked Chi Zhou very much.

Chi Zhou felt a bit bad. After some mental preparation, he finally reached out and quickly rubbed the dog’s head.

The puppy froze for a second, and then its tail began to wag so hard in Xie Jiu’s arms it almost took flight. It panted with its tongue out, its expression almost resembling a smile. It looked quite silly and dim-witted.

Chi Zhou found it hard to imagine that this little dog would one day grow into a wolfhound as tall as a man. He asked Xie Jiu, “Have you given it a name?”

Xie Jiu stared down at the dog with an unfriendly expression. Without thinking, he replied, “Stupid dog.”

Chi Zhou laughed, standing up for the puppy. “How can you bully it like that?”

Xie Jiu said coldly, “It’s not a person.”

Chi Zhou was stumped, feeling that his Jiu Jiu’s cuteness level had just jumped up another notch. He couldn’t help but lower his head and chuckle for a good while, then he raised his hand. “Lower your head.”

Xie Jiu was confused, but he complied obediently, bowing his head toward him.

Chi Zhou rubbed his head twice. His voice was very soft, scattering into the breeze and the setting sun like a lover’s whisper. “I’ll pat you too, don’t be jealous.”

Honestly, was this kid raised in a jar of vinegar? How could he even be jealous of a dog?

Chi Zhou laughed softly. “Give it a proper name. It’s going to be with you for a long time.”

I probably won’t be able to stay with you for long, so I hope the dog can keep you company.

Chi Zhou had intended to take Xie Jiu back to the Marquis Mansion, but he was refused.

Xie Jiu stood before the house whose plaque had been removed, holding the dog as he asked, “You will come again, right?”

Chi Zhou noticed that he seemed to enjoy repeatedly asking about certain things to get a satisfactory, affirmative answer. He chalked it up to the original owner’s sins, not giving this kid enough security, which made him feel the need to seek proof over and over.

Chi Zhou cursed the original owner twice in his heart, then nodded. “Of course, I still have to help you decorate the home.”

“Home?” Xie Jiu repeated softly.

“Mhm.” Chi Zhou smiled gently. “Didn’t you say it yourself? ‘You have a home now.'”

He was repeating what Xie Jiu had said to the dog earlier, yet his eyes never moved away from the young man.

Chi Zhou said his goodbyes to Xie Jiu. He wanted to ask several times how he knew so clearly that the previous owner hadn’t been transferred but demoted. But just as he wondered how a gigolo from the Star River could know the new runner-up Lu Zhongyuan and seem so familiar with him, Chi Zhou instinctively chose not to press for answers.

Because no matter how he asked, the final answer would always return to the initial premise. A gigolo.

Chi Zhou had felt right after transmigrating that brothels and taverns were the best places to gather information. Now that the boomerang had hit him between the eyes, he felt a bit irritable, even though Xie Jiu said he had redeemed himself.

As Chi Zhou walked out of Jifu Alley, he instinctively looked at the Star River directly opposite the entrance. The willows on the bank were thicker and greener than last time, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom. The sunset light scattered across the water, shimmering brilliantly.

Women with their hair pinned up were washing clothes by the river, chatting and smiling. Laborers at the dock worked with bare chests, their rhythmic chants never stopping. Occasionally, a few pleasure boats passed by on the water, the music sounding delicate and beautiful.

It should have been a warm and beautiful scene, but Chi Zhou’s gaze lingered on a few spots, not moving for a long time. Eventually, he retracted his gaze and walked toward the Marquis Mansion. Behind him, the sunset stretched his shadow long and lonely.

Xie Jiu stepped out of the alley holding the dog. Watching the departing figure of the youth in fine robes, the expression in his eyes shifted repeatedly, dark and unreadable.

Once Chi Zhou’s figure had completely disappeared, he turned back. The closer he got to the depths of the alley, the more the voices of people faded. The moment there was only the sound of wind and birds around him, someone appeared silently behind him, respectfully stepping forward to take the dog. “Master.”

Xie Mingjing didn’t let go. “No need.”

Ying San was momentarily stunned, but didn’t dare ask more. He stepped back and followed quietly until they entered the newly bought courtyard.

Xie Mingjing held the dog in one hand, while the other absentmindedly stroked its fur. He seemed to be seeking an opinion, yet also seemed to be talking to himself. “He asked me to give it a name. What name do you think is good?”

Ying San’s mouth opened and closed, looking quite conflicted, unsure if this was a question he was allowed to answer.

Fortunately, in the next second, another figure appeared and answered for him. “The Marquis likes this dog very much.”

Ying San tilted his head and saw a boy with a baby face appear beside him. The hem of his robe was pitch black, carrying a faint scent of blood that hadn’t quite dissipated.

“Too much talk.” Xie Mingjing turned and gave him a sharp look.

Ying Qi wasn’t intimidated, stepping forward with a grin to pet the dog. Xie Mingjing blocked him, frowning. “You’re covered in the scent of blood. Aren’t you afraid it’ll bite you?”

Ying Qi said, “This little guy hasn’t even finished growing its teeth. Even if I let it gnaw on me all day, it wouldn’t break the skin.”

He had another sentence hidden: Besides the Young Marquis of Ningping, who could possibly be afraid of such a small dog?

But he didn’t dare say it. He feared that if he did, his master would chop him into pieces and mix him into goat’s milk to feed the dog. After all, this dog was preserved solely by the efforts of the Young Marquis. In the master’s eyes, its importance far outweighed that of secret guards like them. Ying Qi thought bitterly.

Xie Mingjing glanced at him but didn’t stop Ying Qi from petting the dog further. Only when Ying Qi had petted it enough to satisfy himself and even wanted to pull it into his own arms did Xie Mingjing ask coolly, “What are the movements at the Eastern Palace?”

Ying Qi paused, immediately dropping his playful mood. “Chen Hesun was demoted and sent out of the capital. The Crown Prince has lost a major right-hand man. These days, he stays behind closed doors in the Eastern Palace, playing the part of a filial son and grandson. He’s terrified the Emperor will link him to the private salt bribery case.”

Xie Mingjing let out a cold laugh. “Why would he be afraid?”

If he were afraid, he wouldn’t have gone to the Glass Moon four days ago to enjoy himself. The private salt bribery case was wide-reaching. Aside from the small fry who were pushed out to take the blame and be executed in public, the others were either hidden away, stripped of office and exiled, or sent to serve as officials elsewhere. It was clearly a case of light punishment for grave crimes.

It had been half a month since the case broke, and Xie Mingjing had only been behaving himself for these past few days. Considering that Xie Mingjiang had been summoned to the palace a few days ago and stayed in the Zichen Hall for a long time, it wasn’t hard to imagine that Emperor Chengping had reprimanded him. That was why he had been playing the part of a quiet quail for a few days.

“A good father indeed,” Xie Mingjing laughed meaningfully.

Ying San and Ying Qi immediately went silent. No one dared to speak.

The courtyard was incredibly quiet. Chi Zhou thought the previous owner had sold all the property for silver before leaving, but in reality, before Chen Hesun was demoted, people from the Eastern Palace had come overnight to empty the house to prevent evidence from being found. Otherwise, he never would have been allowed to sell this residence through a middleman.

Xie Mingjing stroked the puppy’s head. The puppy let out occasional barks of comfort, being the most relaxed creature in the house. Xie Mingjing laughed, looking down at this silly, ugly little dog. “You certainly are at ease.”

“Woof, wu—” The puppy rubbed against his wrist.

Seeing this, Ying Qi spoke up boldly, hoping to keep his master from thinking about those troubling matters. “Master, you haven’t said yet. What name do you plan to give it?”

Ying San silently moved two steps further away from his death-defying colleague.

Xie Mingjing looked up at Ying Qi, then leaned over to place the dog on the ground. The dog hopped and jumped around in the weeds, digging for bugs. The light of the evening glow fell upon it, making its black fur look much smoother.

This image overlapped with the silhouette of Chi Zhou standing on the long street. Xie Mingjing gazed at it for a long time before softly uttering two words: “Jin Ge.”

The meaning of armored horses and the clatter of iron, of slaughter and conquest.

Chi Zhou was a kind person, but he was also naive to the extreme. He couldn’t bear to see people suffer, yet he knew clearly that many of the things he wanted could only be achieved through war and the shifting of power.

It didn’t matter. If he didn’t want to do it, he wouldn’t. Someone would complete it for him. Someone would be the blade in his hand.

Xie Mingjing’s lips curled into a faint smile.

How lucky. There was no one in this world more suited to be his blade than himself.

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