Chapter 93: A Fateful Encounter

Chapter 93: A Chance Encounter

"She once said something that I'm unsure how to interpret," Pei Xiao reminisced. "She mentioned that even without the issue of the old lady's coffin not closing, the consequences for Ji Lingchuan's indulgence in that opulent lake would eventually lead to his dismissal from office."

"The meaning behind her words isn't too difficult to decipher," Xie Zhifei exhaled. "She saw that the lake was excessively extravagant and predicted that Ji Lingchuan wouldn't be entirely clean in the political arena."

"In that case, let's divide the tasks," Zhao Yishi proposed slowly. "Leave Yan Sanhe's matter to you two; work together on it with all your might. Meanwhile, I'll handle the rest. How does that sound?"

Dealing with matters simultaneously on two fronts was the most reliable approach. Both Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao nodded in unison.

"Tell me what needs to be done, and have Zhu Qing inform Shen Chong directly."

Zhao Yishi rose and walked to the window with his hands clasped behind his back, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness. "Pei Mingting."

"Hey, why are you calling me by my full name all of a sudden? You're scaring me!"

Zhao Yishi turned around, looking at Pei Xiao's slightly startled face. He spoke deliberately,

"I will spare no effort in dealing with the Ji family's affairs. If the outcome... don't blame me."

It was as if a heavy axe had struck Pei Mingting's heart, and his expression instantly changed.

His acquaintance with Zhao Yishi was truly a stroke of fate.

Back when he was seven years old, he had accompanied Ji Lingchuan to Zhang's residence for a wedding banquet. The adults at the feast were too dull, and he didn't know many people there, so he quietly slipped away from the table unnoticed.

Zhang's backyard was vast, and on a fence within the garden hung several rabbits that had just been skinned.

Rabbit meat smelled so delectable.

He had always been adventurous, so he found a secluded spot, gathered some dry firewood, and started roasting the rabbits over the flames.

While roasting the rabbit, an elegant and handsome young noble appeared unexpectedly. The young man was truly exquisite, with fair skin, large eyes, and a tranquil demeanor.

Pei Xiao thought to himself, No matter how good-looking you are, you won't spoil my plans.

So, he wiped some oil from the rabbit onto his hand and then smeared it on the face of the handsome young noble.

"Ha ha ha, now you've had a taste of the rabbit meat too. If anyone asks, I'll say you're my accomplice."

To his surprise, the handsome young noble was not intimidated by this threat but shamelessly proposed a deal instead.

"Deal. I'll take the four legs, and you can have the rest, or else..."

"Truly inexperienced. What's so good about rabbit legs? The real delicacy is the head."

And thus, an agreement was struck.

When the meat was cooked, one devoured the head while the other enjoyed the legs, both with greasy mouths.

After their meal, the handsome young noble pulled out a handkerchief, wiping his mouth and hands with refined grace. He then said, "You may leave now. I'll take care of the rest."

Wow, not only is he good-looking, but he's also quite the loyal friend, willing to help clean up after a mess.

He asked, "What's your name?"

"I'm Zhao Yishi," he replied.

"I'm Pei Xiao, with an 'Xiao' that means a smiling face," I said.

"Is your father Pei Yu?"

"How did you know that?"

"I'll tell you next time," he said mysteriously.

"Better focus on what we'll eat next time, that's more important."

"How about trying some roasted chicken?"

"Sounds like a deal."

He had only taken a few steps before he turned back again. "Zhao Yishi, lend me your handkerchief."

Zhao Yishi glanced at his greasy mouth and made a face of disgust, but still pulled out the handkerchief.

"Throw it away after you're done," he instructed.

The young man nodded, wiping his mouth as he dashed off in a hurry.

Upon returning to the banquet, the feast was still ongoing, but the stage performance had already started. After enjoying the opera with his uncle for a while, they left Zhang's residence.

His thoughts lingered on the ailing Xiao Wuzi at the Xie household, so he asked his uncle to take him there.

After spending the night with Xiao Wuzi, he returned home the next day, unexpectedly bumping into his father at the entrance.

"Dad, who was sick?" he inquired.

"The crown prince's eldest son," his father replied.

"How did he fall ill?"

"He attended a wedding banquet at the Zhang residence and returned with severe vomiting and diarrhea. It even alarmed the Emperor, who ordered the Imperial Guards to thoroughly investigate the Zhang family's feast."

"What did they find?"

"They discovered a pile of rabbit bones in the rear garden."

Struck as if by lightning, his heart seemed to stop.

"But it turned out to be nothing serious. The Grand Prince said he had a craving for rabbit meat, so he secretly roasted some when no one was around. Apparently, it wasn't cooked properly, leading to his upset stomach."

"Did he, he, he, have any accomplices?"

"Accomplices? If there were any, the Emperor wouldn't have spared them. They would have been arrested and subjected to harsh punishment long ago."

He exhaled deeply, and his heart resumed its beat.

"Father, what is the name of this Grand Prince?"

"His name is Yishi."

Ridiculous!

Hilarious!

Pei Xiao, who was only six years old, felt both his eyelids twitch simultaneously.

Zhao Yishi, you're truly a brother, a loyal friend indeed!

This friendship, Young Master Pei will definitely cultivate!

Whatever Young Master Pei sets his mind to, he always succeeds.

Just like when he befriended Xie Fifty, it only took four words: persistent and relentless pursuit.

If one were to add another four words, it would be: shameless audacity.

Coincidentally, when the emperor was looking for a companion for the crown prince, he immediately urged his father to vie for the position.

Father, upon seeing his wayward eldest son finally showing ambition, could hardly refuse. He promptly brought lavish gifts and, accompanied by Ji Lingchuan, visited the Zhang residence.

And so it was that Young Master Pei became a companion to the Crown Prince.

Eventually, their twosome became a trio.

Before long, the trio solidified into an unbreakable triangle.

Life, indeed, is fleeting!

Young Master Pei had no talent for governance nor martial prowess; all he ever wished for was to aid Zhao Yishi in ascending the throne, then spend his days with Xie Fifty.

Idle away, waiting for death!

Merely idle away, waiting for death!

Forever idle away, waiting for death!

...

Yan Sanhe roused from sleep due to sheer hunger.

"Buyan, I need food. I have no strength left," she whimpered.

Li Buyan approached and effortlessly lifted her up before calling out, "Tangyuan, your lady is about to starve to death. Hurry up!"

The meal had been kept warm on a small clay stove. In no time, Tangyuan set the table.

Li Buyan helped Yan Sanhe into a chair and placed the chopsticks in her hands. "Eat. I've already had mine."

Yan Sanhe took the chopsticks. "How long have I slept?"

"Three hours!"

"What time is it now?"

"The hour of the Rat has passed."

"I'm exhausted!"

Yan Sanhe finished his statement and began his meal.

Despite claiming to be starving, he ate at a leisurely pace, savoring each bite, chewing slowly, and swallowing with deliberation, showing no signs of haste.

Tangyuan observed this and, with intention, inquired, "Miss, is the food not to your liking?"

Seeing Yan Sanhe's mouth full of food, Li Buyan smiled and said, "She always eats like this."

"I'll go prepare a pot of hot tea for Miss," Tangyuan offered.

"No need," Yan Sanhe replied after swallowing his food completely. "Just pass on a message, I wish to see Third Master."

"At this hour?" Tangyuan asked.

"Don't worry, just go ahead," Yan Sanhe instructed.

"Yes!" Tangyuan acknowledged.

The moment she left, Li Buyan propped his cheeks with both hands, gazing at Yan Sanhe as he chuckled. "That girl was staring at you the whole time just now."

Yan Sanhe frowned. "What's so interesting about having a meal?"

"I'm curious too," Li Buyan replied.

Leaning his head to one side, Li Buyan asked, "But I'm even more intrigued as to why you summoned Third Master here at such a late hour."