Your Majesty, Please Be Obedient - Chapter 8

Jiang Qiyan was completely oblivious to any danger. When Master extended his arm, the boy caught the familiar scent of pine. Without a second thought, he reached out and held the arm tightly.

Pu Tingsong’s hand paused for a moment. Jiang Qiyan’s soft little body pressed against him, clinging and nuzzling in a posture of absolute trust while mumbling “Master” under his breath.

“Master, Master is willing to give me a courtesy name.”

The small face rubbed drowsily against his hand. “Master calls me Wuishen. Master is so good.”

Pu Tingsong’s body stiffened for a momentary flash. Listening to the child’s sleep talk, he involuntarily released his grip on the boy’s neck. Reason returned, and hatred was suppressed.

“Master, Master is so pitiful,” Jiang Qiyan held the arm tighter. “I am wailing because my heart aches for Master.”

A different, blurred emotion surged and took the upper hand. What was it? It was impossible to tell.

Pu Tingsong withdrew his hand and lay flat, feeling his little Qiyan burrow into his chest like a small animal.

Fine. Do not be afraid. I will not kill you.

Pu Tingsong pulled the boy into his embrace, letting him rest his head on his shoulder. Jiang Qiyan, half asleep, felt Master patting his back and let out a soft whimper. In the haze of his dreams, he seemed to hear Master’s voice, which was incredibly gentle. “Crying even in your sleep?”

“Since you love causing floods so much, you can go serve at the Dragon King Temple in the future.”

“No, I am not going to a temple,” Jiang Qiyan began to cry while hugging Master’s waist. “Master, Master, do not throw me away.”

“Sleep now. When did I ever say I would throw you away?”

The calming incense in the bedroom slowly burned to ash.

When Jiang Qiyan woke up, Pu Tingsong had already left for the early morning court session. He rubbed his eyes with his small hands. Just as he turned over to climb out of bed, he saw someone standing by the bedside.

“Your Highness,” the person said, holding a bowl of milky white soup in one hand and a book in the other. “The Head of the House has instructed that you drink this milk and then study two pages of your books. You are to wait for his return to dine together.”

“Oh.” Jiang Qiyan felt a pang of disappointment at not seeing Master upon waking.

“The Head of the House is busy.” The man kept his head lowered, never once looking directly at Jiang Qiyan, as if a single glance would lead to something terrible. He set the items down and bowed. “Your Highness, this servant shall take his leave.”

Jiang Qiyan watched his retreating back and touched his own face. Am I very ugly? Doubt rose in his heart. Is he afraid of me, or is he afraid of Master? Master is such a gentle person; surely no one would be afraid of him.

Filled with confusion, Jiang Qiyan finished the milk. Seeing the sky just beginning to brighten, he sighed, climbed out of bed, and headed out with his book.

The medicine had worked wonders. After just one night, his feet did not hurt much anymore. He knew he should go to the study to review his lessons; otherwise, it would be improper. Even if Master did not care about such things, he did not want to lose face for Master by being undisciplined.

However, the Imperial Preceptor’s estate was simply too large. As he walked, he became dizzy and disoriented. Is it to the east? Yesterday I came from the west, so today I should go the opposite way, toward the east.

But which way is east?

The sun had not fully risen, and Jiang Qiyan had a poor sense of direction. He could not even tell north from south. After walking for a long time, he suddenly stopped.

“How did I end up at the main gate?” Jiang Qiyan whispered to himself. “Why is the gate open? If Master returns now and thinks I am trying to leave, what will I do?”

Quick, leave quickly, Jiang Qiyan repeated in his head. He felt that if he stayed a moment longer, Master might get very angry. He turned his back, stepping through the accumulated snow with his head down, intending to leave in a hurry.

“Young Master,” a weak voice suddenly came from outside the gate. “Have mercy.”

Is it a beggar?

Jiang Qiyan froze, his entire body stiffening. What should he do? Should he go out? Master had forbidden him from leaving the house yesterday. But if it was just for a moment, it should be fine.

“Have mercy, Young Master. I have not eaten in three days.”

Regardless of the risk, he had a reason to go out. Master would not be unreasonable. He knew the feeling of an empty stomach better than anyone; it was a miserable, painful sensation.

“Wait a moment; I will get you something to eat.” Jiang Qiyan looked out the gate but saw no one.

Did he collapse in the snow?

His heart tightened. Forgetting everything else, he hurried out the gate. Everywhere was a vast expanse of white. After searching for a moment, he saw a beggar boy lying on the ground. The boy was about his age, perhaps slightly older.

His guard dropped instantly. He walked over and checked the boy’s breathing. He was still alive, but his breath was as thin as a thread; he must be starving. Jiang Qiyan hesitated, a battle raging in his mind.

Since I am already out, should I just bring this beggar back? He is about to freeze to death.

Jiang Qiyan grabbed one of the boy’s legs and prepared to drag him into the estate.

“Oh, my little ancestor!” The old butler, who was giving instructions in the gatehouse, came running out. “You cannot just bring random people into the estate! Oh, this will be the death of me!”

“But,” Jiang Qiyan did not let go, “he is going to die.”

“Oh! It will be the death of this old servant too!” The butler blocked the entrance. “The Head of the House will certainly demand an account when he returns!”

“He will not,” Jiang Qiyan bit his lip softly. “Master is such a good person; he would not watch someone die without helping.”

But was that truly the case?

Images flashed through Jiang Qiyan’s mind. One moment it was Master’s gentle smile; the next, it was Master’s cold indifference when someone had bowed to him the other day.

“Will you not tell him to rise?” he had asked then.

“Since you are under my discipline, you should only focus your mind on me from now on.”

At that time, Master’s tone had been displeased. He did not seem to like Jiang Qiyan meddling in other people’s business. However, a life was at stake, and he did not want to back down.

Seeing this, the old butler could only helplessly help him carry the boy inside, hiding him away according to the prince’s wishes. After that, it seemed he was no longer needed; the butler would take care of things.

Jiang Qiyan’s mind was a mess. He kept thinking about how to explain this to Master when he returned. Would Master think he was taking too much initiative? Would Master think he was being naughty and throw him out?

He was led to the study, but his thoughts remained chaotic. The more he thought, the more frightened he became, until his hands began to shake as he held his book. Master had told him to study, but he could not take in a single word.

The wooden door of the study was pushed open with a creak. The sun was high now, and the sunlight poured through the doorway, cast into the shape of a man on the floor.

Master was back!

Jiang Qiyan sat up straight, his entire body tense. He tried his best to look obedient.

“Little Qiyan is truly impressive. You can even read with the book upside down,” Pu Tingsong said with a light chuckle as he walked in unhurriedly. “Read it to me. What have you learned?”

Upside down?

Jiang Qiyan composed himself and looked at the book. It was indeed upside down! He flipped it over with trembling hands and laid it flat on the table. He lowered his head and whispered, “Master.”

“Surely it is not that you have learned nothing at all?” Pu Tingsong stood at the doorway, not yet entering. “Did you drink the milk?”

Jiang Qiyan had been terrified, but Master’s questioning suddenly turned into a caring inquiry. “Are you hungry? Master apologizes for making your little belly wait so long.”

“Come here,” the voice was light but irresistible. “It is time to eat.”

As soon as he walked over, he was picked up. Along the way, he hesitated several times to tell Master that his feet were better, but even when they reached the dining hall, he did not dare speak. He remembered that Master did not like being refused.

Pu Tingsong’s expression was normal. As he fed the child, his eyes were deep, staring at the patterns on a nearby leaf. The meal was a nerve-wracking affair; Jiang Qiyan could not even tell if the porridge was sweet or salty.

From the moment Master had picked him up, he had not said another word. This abnormal silence made the boy very uneasy. He trembled slightly, his eyes darting nervously and his long lashes fluttering.

“Why are you so afraid?” He felt Master’s arm tighten around him. “Does Qiyan have something to tell me?”

Was it about not studying? Or was it about hiding a person in Master’s house?

“I,” he started.

“Think before you speak,” the voice remained gentle. “I told you, do not think of deceiving or hiding things from me.”

Pu Tingsong’s aura was casual and his tone was soft, no different from usual. Yet Jiang Qiyan trembled even more. Fear crawled up his legs like the tiny feet of a spider. Every inch of skin the spider touched broke out in goosebumps.

The lingering fear was like a maggot in his bones. Jiang Qiyan bit his lip, his eyelids flickered, and tears surged out.

“I am sorry,” he said, and he carefully buried his head in Master’s chest. “I went outside.”

“Mhm,” Pu Tingsong ruffled his hair. “Did you lose your way?”

Yes, it was all because I am a muddled little person who got lost. How did Master know even that?

“I,” he sniffled. “I picked up a little beggar.”

“Is that so? Does Qiyan want to make a friend?”

A friend?

He explained in a panic, “No, I just saw that he was so pitiful. I will only hide him for a few months. When the weather gets warmer, I will—”

His voice trailed off as he lowered his head. This was not his estate. What right did he have to hide someone here without permission? He had spoken so righteously, as if he were forcing Master to agree with him.

The tears in Jiang Qiyan’s eyes flowed faster. “Master, is it alright?”

Regardless, it was a life. Jiang Qiyan sympathized with the beggar. In that poor boy, he saw a reflection of himself. Both were unwanted, were they not?

Jiang Qiyan grabbed a bit of Pu Tingsong’s sleeve, clenching it tight, though his voice trembled. “Use me to trade for him.”

“I will leave.”

Now Master must surely loathe me.

“I will leave right now.”

Jiang Qiyan did not know how he managed to say those words. His heart ached terribly as he spoke, and something blocked his throat, but he choked out the words anyway. He said he would leave, yet he still gripped Master’s sleeve tightly.

“Why are you still giving irrelevant answers?” Pu Tingsong let him grip the sleeve, and the arm around the boy’s waist showed no intention of letting go.

As soon as the boy looked up, Master flicked his forehead. “Avoiding the question?”

It did not hurt much; Master had clearly used no strength.

“I asked you if you want to be friends with him.”

If the boy’s background was unknown, it would not do if his little pet was led astray by someone improper. Pu Tingsong tapped Jiang Qiyan’s nose. “Speak. I am listening.”

Jiang Qiyan’s gaze was evasive. Pu Tingsong saw right through his hesitation, and his heart sank instantly.

“Making friends is a good thing,” Pu Tingsong said as he leaned down to set the boy on the floor, straightening him up to face him. “But Qiyan must know how to tell if the person you want to befriend has ulterior motives.”

“There are many, many bad people in this world. Forbidding you from leaving the estate at will is for your own safety. You are young and naive after all. Within the estate, you have me to protect you. Outside the estate,” he gave a light chuckle, his pupils shimmering like peach blossoms. Pu Tingsong looked down into Jiang Qiyan’s watery eyes. “If you are kidnapped, where would I go to find you?”

“Do not make me worry.”

“Mhm,” Jiang Qiyan nodded. He felt that Master’s words made sense, so he listened obediently. “I will not go out anymore. I will not go near the gate again.”

“Good. Master knows you are the best,” Pu Tingsong blinked softly, hiding the emotion in his eyes from the child. “Qiyan, think about it. Is it not very suspicious that he collapsed nowhere else but right in front of the Imperial Preceptor’s estate?”

“I will not stop you from being kind. He can stay here. But if you are saddened by him in the future, do not come crying to me again.”

“Crying no matter how hard will not help,” Pu Tingsong leaned down and poked the boy’s forehead. “You must bear the consequences of your own choices. I will not comfort you then.”

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