Your Majesty, Please Be Obedient - Chapter 9

At that time, Jiang Qiyan did not know that his deeply trusted Master had already laid a trap for him. Pu Tingsong was determined to ensure that this friendship, which had not even truly begun, would end abruptly.

Pu Tingsong lowered his eyes. He did not look at the child in his arms but instead stared at a spot on the floor. His little pet should belong only to him. He was determined to leave an indelible shadow in Jiang Qiyan’s heart so that his little rabbit would never dare to try and be close to anyone else again.

Jiang Qiyan looked up, his eyes full of reliance as he gazed at his Master’s jawline. Pu Tingsong rubbed his head and carried him to the study. He heard his Master say that if he studied three more pages today, he would be allowed to move about freely. His Master held his small hand, writing down rhyme schemes on white paper. That calm, water like voice explained the imagery of those words, just as it had every day in the small study back in the palace.

In a year and a half, this was the first time Jiang Qiyan had become distracted and failed to listen intently to his Master’s lecture. He had never been like this before. Since his Master was willing to teach him, he usually treasured every single word. Only today, he could not help but wonder how that person was doing and if he could be saved. Once the boy recovered, Jiang Qiyan wanted to spend more time talking to the little beggar. The boy must be very uneasy, just as Jiang Qiyan had been when he first arrived.

He wanted to tell the little beggar that Master was exceptionally good and that there was no need to be afraid. Since Master allowed them to be friends, it meant he was willing to let the boy stay. He had originally thought Master would be angry, but he was not. Master was truly too good to him, indulging him in everything.

His forehead was suddenly tapped gently with a book. Pu Tingsong’s voice betrayed no emotion as he said that since the boy could not listen anyway, he might as well go play. Jiang Qiyan suddenly felt regretful. While his Master was teaching him, he had been thinking of other things. This was truly inappropriate.

“You may go out now,” Pu Tingsong said as he rose from the small table and moved to the much taller desk. “Thanks to little Qiyan, I must…”

Pu Tingsong suddenly stopped, his fingers resting unconsciously on a thick stack of reports. He remarked that it was not a big deal and that he would finish them by staying up late. Consequently, Jiang Qiyan realized that his Master was being punished. Because of his own impulsiveness yesterday, his Master had to work through the night. His Master was already so busy, yet he still made time to teach him, only for Jiang Qiyan to fail that kindness. His Master must be very sad.

Jiang Qiyan did not dare disturb his Master’s work any longer. Clutching his hem and carrying a heavy sense of guilt, he quickly left. As he closed the door, he took a deep look at Pu Tingsong, as if to etch his Master’s image into his mind. He warned himself that even if he had a friend, he must always put his Master first. His Master’s position was forever irreplaceable. He must never let his new fun make him forget his Master and cause him pain.

Pu Tingsong looked at the tightly closed study door and let out a smile of unknown meaning. He moved his gaze to the windowsill and watched the child’s departing back. The smile gradually vanished, replaced by a boundless gloom. After a long time, he exhaled a breath of turbid air. It did not matter; no one could take his little rabbit away. Soon, his little Qiyan would grow to hate that person. One cannot be impatient. Polishing jade is difficult, and molding a person is even more so. He had to be more careful so that Jiang Qiyan would slowly be refined into the puppet he desired.

Jiang Qiyan found the butler, whose eyes seemed to dodge his gaze.

“It is all right,” Jiang Qiyan said while shaking his head. “I do not blame you for telling Master. Master has already allowed him to stay.”

Upon hearing this, the old man’s gaze became even more evasive. He merely led him to the woodshed in silence and then hurried away. The old butler shook his head and sighed as he walked. That child had no idea how terrifying the Head of the House truly was. Having been the butler at the Imperial Preceptor’s Manor for decades, he had received all kinds of high ranking officials, yet he had never seen anyone as calculating as Pu Tingsong. During the three years after the old Master passed away, he watched the young Master transform rapidly from a nine year old child. By the time the Master was twelve, he already felt unfathomable. Now that another year and a half had passed, the Master had become even more fearsome. In this entire manor, and even in the court of Suiyang, there was essentially no one who did not fear him.

Jiang Qiyan looked back at the retreating butler with confusion. Why did everyone seem so unwilling to interact with him? Was it because they had not accepted him yet? It made sense, as he was an outsider after all. Jiang Qiyan rubbed his frozen hands and pushed open the woodshed door.

The person inside was already awake and hiding in a dark corner. Seeing that it was him, the person slowly peeked out.

“Little Master,” the beggar said with a smile. “Thank you.”

The way this beggar spoke did not seem like someone from an ordinary family. Recalling what his Master had told him, Jiang Qiyan remained cautious and asked for his name. The little beggar’s eyes dimmed as he explained that his family had fallen and his identity was sensitive. He claimed his former background no longer mattered and that he was like drifting duckweed with no place to go and no name in this world. He told the prince to simply call him Fang Wuming.

Fang Wuming.

Jiang Qiyan pursed his lips and asked what his name had been before.

“Young Master, please do not ask,” the little beggar said with a troubled, embarrassed smile. He explained that he was the son of a disgraced official and that people outside were searching for him. The little beggar moved close to his ear and lowered his voice. “They are hunting me.”

Jiang Qiyan froze. They were too close. He instantly pushed Fang Wuming away, his voice trembling as he told him not to touch him. Fang Wuming was stunned and lowered his hands awkwardly. He apologized, saying that he had not had time to clean himself while fleeing and that his disheveled state had displeased the Young Master.

It was not like that. Jiang Qiyan regretted his overreaction. He did not find him disgusting; he was simply not used to being touched. Moreover, they had only just met, and this Fang Wuming refused to tell him his real name. The sudden proximity had frightened him. Jiang Qiyan set down the bundle he was carrying and took a step back.

“You should manage for now. Master is busy. I will go to him later to arrange a room for you.” Jiang Qiyan was startled by the encounter and did not want to stay. He turned to leave.

Behind him, Fang Wuming bowed deeply. “Thank you for saving my life. I shall surely repay this kindness in the future.”

“There is no need,” Jiang Qiyan said softly. “I only dared to keep you because Master gave his permission. If you want to thank someone, thank Master.”

At that moment, the wind rose. Snowflakes were swept into the air, hiding half of Jiang Qiyan’s figure like a mist. The youth’s gaze flickered as he watched the prince disappear into the wind and snow outside the woodshed.

Fang Wuming pondered. Since the boy called that man Master, this child must be the Crown Prince. Looking at his protective behavior, the little prince seemed to have no idea what kind of demon his Master truly was. Fang Wuming clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms. It had been a year since Chancellor Fang died. Now that he had finally infiltrated the Imperial Preceptor’s Manor, he could find an opportunity to avenge his grandfather. He wondered if that man had already forgotten the innocent soul beneath his sword.

Pu Tingsong, failing to kill me that day was the worst decision you ever made. If given the chance, I will kill you.

Near noon, when Pu Tingsong opened the door, he was surprised to see a child sitting there. He reached down and stroked the child’s hair, and his mood improved significantly. He asked why the boy was not playing with his new friend. Jiang Qiyan shook his head and rubbed against his Master’s hand. However, after only a short moment, his Master withdrew his hand again.

He tilted his small face up to look at his Master, his gaze hiding a hint of grievance. Why did he withdraw so quickly? He wanted to linger a bit longer.

“He seems to be a fugitive,” Jiang Qiyan said, biting his lip with worry. He asked if the boy would bring trouble to his Master. “Master,” Jiang Qiyan said as he lowered his head. “I regret it.”

He felt he should not have picked up a random person. What if it implicated his Master? His Master was already in a difficult and isolated position where almost anyone could bully him. If his Imperial Father found out he was hiding a fugitive, Master would surely be imprisoned. The more Jiang Qiyan thought about it, the more afraid he became. He hesitantly tugged on Pu Tingsong’s sleeve.

“Do you want a hug?” Pu Tingsong saw him nod and picked him up from the cold ground, holding him in a warm embrace. “Kindness is not a mistake, but have you considered if the other party is worthy of your kindness?”

Jiang Qiyan buried his head in his Master’s neck. His soft voice was already laced with a sob as he admitted he did not know. He felt he was too stupid to think clearly. He mentioned that the boy seemed polite but was a fugitive who might bring disaster to his Master.

The moment Pu Tingsong heard the phrase “he is very good,” his breathing faltered. His arms tightened instinctively, but he restrained himself an instant later. He asked if Qiyan still wanted to be friends with him, his voice remaining as warm as a spring breeze. He told the boy not to worry because he would be fine.

“Will you really be fine?” Jiang Qiyan asked. Half of his small body was slumped over his Master’s shoulder, and his voice was very close to his ear.

Pu Tingsong hesitated for a moment as if facing a difficulty, but a moment later, he smiled and said that he would.

“You are lying,” Jiang Qiyan whispered. “Master hesitated for so long, so it must be very difficult.”

“Alas, little Qiyan is too smart to be fooled,” Pu Tingsong sighed. He said that even if it were difficult, it should not prevent the boy from making friends. He wondered who could live without a few friends. Pu Tingsong paused there and remained silent for a long time.

Jiang Qiyan’s heart suddenly ached. His Master’s position in court was too awkward. Out of fear of the Emperor’s suspicion, no one likely dared to be friends with him. He hugged his Master’s neck tightly and pressed his face against his. “Master, please do not be sad.”

“Be good. Master is not sad. Having you with me is enough,” Pu Tingsong said as he patted the child’s back. He told the boy to sleep with him for a while after lunch. Once he woke up, he would be allowed to go play, provided he did not leave the courtyard and returned before dinner. “Little Qiyan would not have the heart to play so much that he leaves Master to eat dinner all alone, right?”

“No,” Jiang Qiyan agreed. That would be too pitiful, and he would never allow himself to let his Master be so lonely.

In the afternoon, Jiang Qiyan crept out of his Master’s arms. His Master’s eyes were closed, so he must still be asleep. He did not want to wake him, so he dressed very quietly. He did not know that the moment he stepped out, Pu Tingsong opened both eyes. Furthermore, he did not see that as his Master watched the direction he was going, his gaze held a murderous intent so thick it was almost tangible.

“Qin Shizhi,” Pu Tingsong said as he sat up. “Did you hear that?”

“I heard it, Master,” a young man in his twenties emerged from nowhere. “The little Prince said that the fellow of unknown origin is a fugitive.”

“Have you investigated it?”

“The pavilion has been investigating all afternoon, but there is no reply yet.”

“Are there any leads?”

“Master, I personally believe he might be the descendant of those the pavilion cleared out. As for which one specifically, I am not yet sure.”

“Continue the investigation. Additionally, follow the Prince closely. Do not let him hear anything he should not.”

“There are two people lying on every roof with their bows fully drawn at all times. I guarantee that boy will never speak again if necessary,” Qin Shizhi said with a smile. “Young Master, I have not rested in four years. When do you plan to give me a vacation?”

“When you unfortunately pass away, I will give you all the rest you need at once.”

“How dull,” Qin Shizhi said as he walked out with his hands behind his back. “Young Master is truly ungrateful. I have blocked hundreds of hidden weapons and dealt with countless traitors for you over the years, yet you will not even give me a holiday.”

“Qin Shizhi,” Pu Tingsong’s gaze became terrifying. “Say one more word, and you will never rest in this lifetime.”

“The life of a beast of burden,” Qin Shizhi sighed gloomily, vanishing before he could truly anger his Master.

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