Chapter 82

Chapter 80: Betrothal Gifts

This sparring session was particularly long, pushing their satisfaction further away, leaving them craving more after tasting the sweetness. They were accustomed to competing in the darkness, and as their love deepened, kisses no longer sufficed. Their robust desires openly intertwined, indulging in this sweet and sticky intimacy that was a unique treat for lovers, for being inseparable was a luxury. However, with the prison's many watchful eyes, kisses were merely a tacit compensation.

When the kiss ended, Xiao Chiye asked, "Where did you go?"

Shen Zechuan's thigh rubbed against Xiao Chiye's as he sat, breathing slowly with half-lidded eyes that held an alluring mystery. "Counting money."

Xiao Chiye pinched him. "Enjoy it?"

Shen Zechuan laughed softly. "You made it enjoyable."

Xiao Chiye grew restless from Shen Zechuan's smile and lifted his hand to hold Shen Zechuan's chin. "Hook me hard."

The collar of Shen Zechuan's shirt was undone, revealing his collarbone, still marked from where Xiao Chiye had bitten him last time. Unbothered, Shen Zechuan moistened the bitten lip and said, "I need to discuss something with you."

Xiao Chiye lifted him up. "Coincidentally, I have something to discuss with you too."

Shen Zechuan felt parched under Xiao Chiye's gaze. "This year's military grain won't be able to leave Juexi until April. I need to borrow the Northeast Grain and Horse Road."

Xiao Chiye barely had to think to know what Shen Zechuan was up to. "The military provisions on the Northeast Grain and Horse Road are escorted by the Northern Iron Riders themselves. No one inspects them along the way. Transporting silver might be possible, but it depends on whether Eldest Brother agrees."

"Eldest Highness wouldn't agree if this money were mine, but he would if it were yours," Shen Zechuan lifted his chin slightly. "Second Young Master, keep this as the betrothal gift."

"So little silver is all you want for a betrothal gift?" Xiao Chiye smiled and freed his hand to carry the food box to the table. "That won't do, will it?"

Smelling the aroma, Shen Zechuan said, "There's fried fish."

Having forgotten about the betrothal gift, he took out chopsticks and started eating on his own. Xiao Chiye watched him eat; half of the rice was gone in a blink of an eye, and when the fish returned to the plate, only bones remained.

In truth, Xiao Chiye did not like eating fish. His mother had passed away when he was young, and his family did not indulge in pampering like the Eight Great Houses. Although there were servants and maidservants to attend to him, he had to learn to feed himself once he could hold chopsticks. He had a headstrong personality and enjoyed playing around, so he did not bother with the trouble of picking out fish bones. After getting stuck too many times, he simply stopped eating fish.

Looking at him, Xiao Chiye said, "Is it delicious? They say the chef comes from River State and is even harder to invite than imperial chefs." Shen Zechuan picked out the bones and fed Xiao Chiye a bite. Xiao Chiye tasted it and said, "Not bad."

After Shen Zechuan finished his meal, he put down his bowl and chopsticks. "What do you need to discuss with me?"

Xiao Chiye handed him a handkerchief and said, "When we investigated Xiang Yun previously, we overlooked something. Xue Xiuzhuo had already purchased a batch of people from Xiang Yun Pavilion years ago and has been keeping them in his residence. I doubt even Xi Hongxuan knows about this."

Sure enough, Shen Zechuan's expression changed. "He's not the type to keep courtesans privately. He rarely gets involved in such matters at Lotus Flower Hall. This behavior is highly unusual."

"Not quite, but unusual," Xiao Chiye leaned back in his chair. "I have a feeling that Xiang Yun’s retaliation stems from this."

"Years ago, he already bought people," Shen Zechuan gradually frowned. "If it was truly to control Xiang Yun, then this move was made far too early."

"Why would Xiang Yun be controlled by this? Some chess pieces set down too early may not withstand the test of time. I think his actions suggest that he had more in mind than just controlling Xiang Yun." Xiao Chiye sorted through the threads. "Your assassination plot wasn't something he could predict. Therefore, he couldn't have been prepared for what followed."

Xiao Chiye combed through the chaotic web of clues like a wolf, his intuition telling him that things were not as simple as they seemed.

"Sudden impulse," Shen Zechuan suddenly straightened Xiao Chiye's face and said, "You're right. The line connecting Xiang Yun wasn't specifically meant to target you… His use of Xiang Yun's false testimony was merely a convenient opportunity. The fact that he could casually dispose of Xiang Yun indicates that Xiang Yun is unimportant to him. He bought those people for another reason, with Xiang Yun being an incidental piece, or even someone he eagerly wanted to get rid of."

"So the key to why he bought those people lies…" Xiao Chiye had a realization.

"In the group of people he purchased," Shen Zechuan whispered.

The two exchanged glances, only to plunge into another mystery. Xiang Yun Hall was a brothel—what kind of person there could be crucial to Xue Xiuzhuo?

"He bought over a dozen people to create confusion, making it impossible to determine who he really intended to buy. Xiang Yun definitely wouldn't know this," Xiao Chiye explained. "I need to ask Xue Xiuyi to investigate further. With his status in the Xue household, he can come and go as he pleases. Xue Xiuzhuo can stop outsiders, but he certainly can't stop Xue Xiuyi."

This information was indeed significant, and Shen Zechuan found himself momentarily stumped. He had targeted Xi Hongxuan because he feared Xue Xiuzhuo, who held the same leverage over Xi Hongxuan. As time passed, this person did not become clearer; instead, he grew more obscure.

"...There's still time," Shen Zechuan seemed to be talking to himself. "If we panic, we'll only fall into a disadvantageous position. Since he hasn't made a move yet, it means the time isn't ripe. That gives us an opportunity. Now that we're in the shadows and he's in the light, we can surely uncover some crucial information by following the trail... Xi Hongxuan and Xue Xiuzhuo have been close friends for years. Even if he doesn't know about Xue Xiuzhuo buying courtesans, he must know something others don't. I need to probe him further."

"Talking in circles without giving Second Young Master any real information," Xiao Chiye refused to let Shen Zechuan down. "How much did you swindle out of him?"

Shen Zechuan came back to his senses, pursing his lips slightly as he held up four fingers.

Without hesitation, Xiao Chiye seized those fingertips and said, "Alright then, it's worth it. Let's hurry up and pay the marriage dowry."

Shen Zechuan replied, "Let's hold off for now. Four million is too little."

Xiao Chiye said, "Generous, huh? Four million is just the starting price? With such skills at making money, Second Young Master would willingly pay any amount you ask for."

Shen Zechuan chuckled at his jest and said, "When I told him Wei Huaigu wanted four million taels, he didn't hesitate at all or show any sign of difficulty. This indicates that four million is but a drop in the bucket for the Xi family."

Seeing how pleased Shen Zechuan was tonight, Xiao Chiye didn't bring up Xue Xiuzhuo again. He jostled Shen Zechuan and said, "Only the Xi family themselves know exactly how much they have. Others can only witness their salt mines and copper mines, as well as their extensive trading across the country and even overseas. Ordinary playboys might indulge in supporting top courtesans and gambling, but Xi Hongxuan dabbles in running brothels and casinos. Donglong Yahe is also one of his businesses, with many court officials involved, all of whom rely on him for land and business interests and thus have no choice but to give him face. Now that he's given four million this time, how much will he demand next? The Northeast Grain and Horse Route only opens twice a year. It's a huge problem figuring out how to hide and spend such a massive sum. You need to think it through carefully."

"The Xi family's treasury has never been breached. Keeping the money there is the safest option. No matter how they spend it now, they won't escape the watchful eye of the imperial court. Even your two thousand imperial guards' expenses are scrutinized three times over. If this money isn't spent wisely, Second Young Master will end up in jail for questioning."

Xiao Chiye was genuinely curious. "Spending money is just for amusement... Are you planning to leave this silver for Zhongbo?"

"For now, there's nowhere specific," Shen Zechuan fastened his buttons with one hand, looking at the time. "Second Young Master doesn't manage the household, so how would he know the value of salt and tea? There'll be plenty of expenses in the future. Even if we don't need it now, it's always good to have a backup. One must always prepare for the worst."

The two of them discussing someone else's finances in such a serious manner was clearly a ploy to deceive Xi Hongxuan. Xiao Chiye needed to return to the Spirit River, so he only had time for a brief chat before he had to leave. Once he had fed Shen Zechuan, he couldn't stay any longer.

As Xiao Chiye mounted his horse, something else came to mind, and he pulled on the reins. "The Imperial Censorate will be here in the next couple of days. The Viceroy of Zhongbo's six provinces has already proposed a candidate. Jiang Qingshan from Juexi is probably on his way to Qudu to report on his duties, and I reckon he's the one."

"I've heard much about him. Six years ago, he handled the disaster relief in Juexi's thirteen cities with great courage and foresight." Speaking up to this point, Shen Zechuan recalled that this person also had a close relationship with Xue Xiuzhuo, which made him hesitate.

"He might have a good personal relationship with Xue Xiuzhuo, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's on Xue Xiuzhuo's side. Wait until he arrives in the capital, then meet with him. He's not from an aristocratic family, nor does he rely on their influence. You can decide for yourself whether or not you can use him," Xiao Chiye said, looking up at Shen Zechuan standing on the steps. He beckoned with his hand.

Shen Zechuan leaned in to listen, but Xiao Chiye didn't say anything more; he merely ran his palm through Shen Zechuan's hair. As Langtao Xuejin galloped away, Ge Qingqing pushed open the door, and Xiao Chiye disappeared into the night.