Chapter 84: Childishness

Chapter 84: Childishness

The snake coiled in the middle of the path, its flat head raised as it hissed, its tail-end swaying with a bone-chilling sound. It was this very noise, produced by the tremor of its tail, that Pei Yuanxi had heard moments ago.

A chill wind swept in, carrying with it the raw, gamey scent of serpents. It was not solely due to the snake's deadly venom that everyone drew in a gasp of cold air; rather, it was the fact that during the season when snakes and frogs hibernated, this creature had somehow found its way into the marquis's garden.

It hissed menacingly at them, coiling its body in preparation for an attack. Should they dare to take another step forward, it would strike without hesitation.

The lantern-carrying maid retreated repeatedly, and Chunyue supported her young lady as they both stepped back together.

The marquis's residence was home to skilled gardeners and servants who swept the grounds daily. How had this snake managed to evade their notice? In a moment of realization, Pei Yuanxi stepped back to safety and promptly dispatched a servant to inform Marquis Xuanping.

Marquis Xuanping arrived swiftly, clearly having not yet retired for the night. Upon seeing the serpent in the middle of the path, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. It was fortunate that it was a rattle viper, a snake that announced its presence. Had it been a stealthier species, the consequences could have been disastrous.

He shuddered to think that if Yuanxi hadn't been vigilant enough to hear the warning sound, they might have unknowingly walked past, and the snake would have struck. A bite from such a venomous serpent would likely result in near-certain death.

With no time to ponder, he promptly ordered his servants to catch the snake. Snakes were not easy to handle, but with their numbers and Pei Qing's guidance, they managed. First, they used a large net to ensnare the reptile before carefully removing it with iron tongs.

After the servants dealt with the venomous serpent, Marquis Xuanping escorted his daughter back to the pavilion. Both father and daughter wore solemn expressions, aware that the snake's sudden appearance was no coincidence.

Not long after Pei Yuanxi's betrothal to Gongye Chu, if she were to be killed by a snake bite now, what speculations would arise? In this season, all snakes should be hibernating; why then did a poisonous one appear in the Marquis Xuanping's residence? And why did it choose to bite her specifically? The public would undoubtedly suspect foul play.

It was well-known that Shangxing had a fascination with breeding venomous creatures.

Rumors would spread like wildfire, implicating the Emperor in her deliberate poisoning as retribution against Gongye Chu. Others might suspect Gongye Chu himself, thinking he orchestrated her death to frame the young Emperor and justify an attack on the royal throne. Whomever the culprit might be, her demise would undoubtedly spark unrest.

Marquis Xuanping's brow furrowed deeply. He had entertained these thoughts himself.

Several times, he almost spoke but held back until they neared the pavilion. "Yuanxi, what are your thoughts on this?"

His daughter was astute, and he was sure she had considered the same possibilities. Being closer to the Grand Commander and the Emperor, she might even have insights he lacked.

Pei Yuanxi never suspected her own son nor believed Gongye Chu could be responsible. No matter how ruthless and bloodthirsty Gongye Chu might be, he wouldn't kill someone so close to him.

Her mind was on Consort Zeng's death. The poisonous spider that wasn't raised by Chong'er and the venomous snake might have come from the same source. Chong'er mentioned that Master Diviner Ye taught them how to breed such creatures. She wondered if there were others besides this Master Diviner who possessed the knowledge to train poisonous beasts.

Perhaps that Master Diviner Ye has ulterior motives.

Amidst the chatter, someone replied to Marquis Xuanping after a moment of silence, "It can't be His Majesty. He wouldn't be so foolish. Nor could it be the Grand Marshal; if he were truly planning something, he wouldn't care about public opinion."

Marquis Xuanping immediately considered more possibilities. Since it wasn't the Emperor or the Grand Marshal, it must be someone else with sinister intentions. This person's goal was likely to provoke a conflict between His Majesty and the Grand Marshal, allowing them to reap the benefits in the end.

Throughout history, which dynasty had not been coveted by others? Those who coveted power lurked in the shadows, fanning the flames and plotting secretly, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The Grand Marshal ruled with an iron fist, maintaining control over the court with swift and severe measures. Many who opposed him did so in fear. The young and incompetent Emperor was the subject of whispers, with some labeling him as the ruler who would bring about the kingdom's downfall. While it seemed that the court and the people bowed to the Grand Marshal, many secretly harbored dissenting thoughts.

"Yuanxi, this matter cannot be kept from you," he said.

Pei Yuanxi gazed into the night, pondering that perhaps both Gongye Chu and Zhong'er should now be aware of the events unfolding within the Marquis's residence.

Indeed, shortly after Marquis Xuanping escorted her back to the pavilion, Shangxing arrived. He exuded a chilling aura; upon entering the room, he scrutinized her without blinking from head to toe. Only after confirming her safety did he release a long sigh of relief and finally sit down to speak with her.

He first mentioned that he was startled when the covert guard reported the incident, and his thoughts aligned with hers – he also suspected that the appearance of the venomous snake couldn't possibly be a coincidence.

"On my way here, I witnessed Lord Pei interrogating a servant from his household."

In the manor's garden, there were venomous snakes. Be it gardeners or servants who had cleaned the area that day, Marquis Xuanping would naturally not overlook anyone in his investigation. Not only would he interrogate them, but he would do so meticulously.

Shangxing's handsome face creased with worry, "Someone who can raise poisonous spiders and venomous snakes... Such a person..."

He wouldn't believe for a second that they had nothing to do with Master Diviner Ye.

However, he was certain that it couldn't be Master Diviner Ye himself. After all, Master Diviner Ye treated him like his own son. A recluse, Master Diviner Ye had never mentioned where he learned his skills. Nevertheless, given such exceptional talent and abilities, it was highly unlikely that he had taught himself.

Suddenly, a gleam lit up his eyes, "If we could find this person, would we know where Master Diviner Ye is?"

As long as they found Master Diviner Ye, he could save his mother. This was also his primary reason for coming here. If he could save his mother, his journey would not have been in vain.

He became enthusiastic, "Mother, I will definitely find this person!"

Unlike him, Pei Yuanxi wasn't as optimistic. She vaguely sensed that her death in her previous life wasn't as straightforward as it seemed. She had foreseen her own demise, implying that there must be hidden circumstances unknown to others.

Even if Rong'er found Master Diviner Ye, it might not necessarily save her life.

Life, aging, illness, and death – the cycle of growth and decay of nature. This was an unchanging law, and she was an interloper from another world. This lifetime was already an extra one granted to her. How could she dare to expect all the blessings of heaven to fall upon her?

She didn't want to dampen the young man's enthusiasm. "Alright, Mother believes in you."

The teenager's spirits soared even higher, and the long-lost dimples reappeared on his youthful face. He smiled wistfully and then fell silent, looking at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He spoke with a low, muffled voice, "Father is ill."

Gongye Chu is sick?

She was taken aback, feeling a strange sense of disbelief. She was astonished that he could fall ill, and it felt incongruous to associate such a cold, stern man with sickness.

"How did he fall ill?" she inquired.

The mention of this made Shangxing somewhat sorrowful.

Everyone assumed Father was made of steel, both in body and mind. In reality, though, Father was susceptible to illness too. He used to be so attached to Mother that he would often spend half a day in the ice chamber with her.

Father suffered from insomnia and neglected his health without proper rest. Even an ironclad constitution couldn't withstand such strain. Back then, he seemed to be constantly coughing, sometimes better, sometimes worse. Perhaps he didn't want others to know, or perhaps he just didn't care about his own health, so Father seldom took medicine.

Though her father no longer spent his days in the ice room, his insomnia persisted. With the New Year's festivities drawing near, he was busier than ever. The combination of his hectic schedule and sleepless nights made him vulnerable to illness.

"He's just too exhausted and can't get a good rest," he murmured, looking at his mother with hopeful eyes.

Pei Yuanxi glanced at the basket by the bed, where the knee warmer was nearly complete. "I'll visit the Duke's residence tomorrow to check on him."

Upon hearing this, Shangxing's downcast gaze lit up instantly. A joy unspeakable shone in his eyes, as bright as stars in the night sky.

Perhaps because of his happiness, she found the task less burdensome. She had intended to deliver the knee warmer to the Duke's residence anyway, so why not make her son happy in the process?

After an entire night of interrogation, Marquis Xuanping had uncovered some leads. Unfortunately, the old woman took her own life by biting her tongue before he could extract more information. According to her, she held a grudge against Yuanxi for the kindness shown to her by Laomama. The snake had been secretly kept in her house, warmed with objects to prevent it from hibernating.

This explanation did not fully convince him. However, with the woman dead, there was no way to uncover more. He sensed that there was more to the story, and in frustration, he rechecked the servants in his household. He also ordered the sprinkling of realgar powder and lime around the estate to deter any other hidden snakes.

Pei Yuanxi finished the knee warmers that very night. When paying respects to Madam Kang, she mentioned her upcoming outing. Madam Kang, clutching her chest and reciting Amitabha Buddha, urged her to take more servants along.

She agreed, taking four additional male servants, all skilled in their abilities, more than she usually would.

The Duke's residence was the closest estate to Tai Ling Palace, with the former Duke Yan's residence being the only other one across the street. The carriage stopped at the side entrance of the Duke's residence. After the servants knocked and announced their arrival, the gatekeeper promptly welcomed them inside.

This mansion left Pei Yuanxi with only two impressions: desolation.

If she were to add another word, it would be: overly desolate.

The outcome of such barrenness was inevitably an eerie silence, which even a first-time visitor could sense. Perhaps it was because the servants took after their master, as they moved about soundlessly. No one seemed surprised or curious enough to give her an extra glance when she arrived.

Everyone was engrossed in their tasks, respectful and silent. The tranquility was reflected in every object and scene within the residence; the pathways were spotless, not a single leaf to be seen.

There were no unnecessary decorations; the artificial mountains and potted landscapes commonly found in other mansions were scarce here. Everywhere she walked, she sensed the vast emptiness of the place.

Before she even approached Gongye Chu's study, she heard a series of heavy coughs emanating from inside.

He was indeed unwell.

The coughs were deep and phlegmy, suggesting that the illness had reached his lungs. Yet, despite this, he refused to take medicine – did he truly believe his body to be indestructible?

When Liu Ze, who was guarding the entrance, spotted Pei Yuanxi, he whispered a few words to her. Apparently, Gongye Chu had been ill for several days, and his persistent coughing showed no sign of improvement. He neither summoned imperial physicians nor agreed to take any medication.

Upon hearing this, she found herself at a loss for words, for some reason.

Previously, she had never imagined that a man like Gongye Chu could fall ill, let alone refuse to take his medicine when he was sick. She once believed he wasn't human, even imagining him as a demon. Yet, despite his ruthless and heartless demeanor, he was still made of flesh and blood.

Being of flesh and blood, sickness required treatment. Refusing medical care was a misuse of one's own body; if the illness persisted, he would be the one to suffer in the end.

What would happen to Chong'er if he were to fall gravely ill?

Upon entering the study, its arrangement astonished her greatly.

It wasn't due to its extravagance or simplicity, but rather the ubiquitous echoes of Zhengde Hall in every detail, with the overall layout almost identical to that grand palace.

Liu Ze observed her expression and knew what she was thinking. The master's chambers were not like this before; he couldn't fathom why the master suddenly decided to change the arrangement.

He expected her to overthink, but little did he know, she wouldn't.

She was well aware of the situation and understood that Gongye Chu longed for the familiar surroundings of the past. However, outsiders, unaware of this, would likely interpret his actions as a clear sign that he regarded Tai Ling Palace as already belonging to him.

The study was warm, thanks to the ample charcoal fire, like basking in the warmth of early spring.

Gongye Chu sat behind the desk, which was piled high with official documents. Some had been reviewed, while others remained untouched. Work that should have been the emperor's now rested on his desk.

Draped over his plain white attire was a moderately thin indigo cloak, beneath which lay an enigmatic and complicated gaze alongside a slightly pallid complexion. Accompanied by occasional coughs, he seemed more like a delicate and noble young master than a powerful grand admiral.

How could such a fragile gentleman be a bloodthirsty tyrant?

After paying her respects, she silently took out the completed knee pads and socks she had made. "It's cold outside, please take care of your health, Sir."

The stitching on the knee pads was truly disastrous, crooked and unsightly; even she couldn't bear to look at them. In contrast, the socks were much more pleasing to the eye.

He gave them a cold glance and repeated his usual response: "You have put in effort."

She really wanted to sarcastically retort, what effort? She didn't have any effort! If it weren't for his endless requests for knee pads and socks, she wouldn't be rushing to deliver them.

Considering his illness, she decided not to argue with him.

"I heard you coughing from outside just now. Are you unwell, Sir?"

He acknowledged with a murmur, his brows furrowing. "I caught a slight cold, but it's nothing serious."

"Sir, nothing is more important than one's own health. Since you're sick, it would be best to have the imperial physician examine you. Cheng'er is very worried about you, he says you never take good care of yourself."

"Are you worried?" he asked, his gaze lowered.

Was she worried?

She asked herself and had to admit that she was, at least a little. Perhaps it was to avoid her son's distress, or because his well-being ensured the stability of the court and the land, but she genuinely wished for his recovery.

"I hope Your Excellency remains in good health."

It was this simple phrase that gradually eased the crease between his brows. He kept his eyes lowered, either deliberately speaking for her benefit or muttering to himself.

He said, "The medicine is too bitter."

Startled, she then held back her smile. "So His Excellency refuses to summon the imperial physician and take the medicine because you're afraid of the taste?"

This man, who held sway over the entire court and was seen as a formidable force by the world, was actually afraid of bitterness. If the situation were different, she would have laughed out loud. She never would have guessed that his reluctance to take medicine stemmed from such a reason.

People often said that men could be like children at times, and it seemed true. Who knew that this man, feared by all, had such a childlike side hidden beneath his stern exterior?

"Not funny at all?" he asked, without any sign of annoyance on his brow.

She suppressed her laughter with great effort, maintaining a serious expression. "It's not funny, I'm not laughing. I know that many children refuse to take their medicine because it tastes too bitter."

So she was mocking him for being less resilient than a child.

His eyes darkened, lost in thought.

She immediately composed herself and said earnestly, "If you find the medicine too bitter, you could eat a piece of fruit preserve or suck on a spoonful of honey water after taking it. That might help."

"Not interested." He turned away from her with a cold expression.

He claimed he wasn't acting like a child, but his tone suggested he was sulking. Who would believe that the esteemed General was so capricious? Yet, despite his anger, she felt no fear but rather a hint of his humanity.

However, since he refused to take his medicine and threw a tantrum, she had no intention of coddling him. After all, his body and the discomfort were his own concerns, unrelated to others.

After bidding farewell, she left the study eagerly.

Not far from the courtyard, she heard suppressed coughing coming from inside. She paused abruptly, looking up at the sky as if in internal debate. After a moment, she turned back to inquire if Liu Ze's residence had any pears.

Liu Ze was initially puzzled, then his face filled with gratitude.

How could there not be pears in the Duke's residence, where all tribute items were stored? They were superior white pears, large and round, with thin skin, crisp flesh, and an abundance of sweet juice.

Yet, the kitchen of the Duke's residence was eerily quiet, as desolate as its master. There weren't many servants in the kitchen; apart from the firewood carrier, she hadn't retained any others.

She peeled and diced the pears, then simmered them. The unique fragrance of the pears gradually filled the air, carrying a sweet aroma amidst the steam. The cooked pear water, infused with frost sugar, was particularly soothing for the lungs and relieving for coughs.

Carrying the pear water, she headed to the study. Upon entering, she froze in her tracks.

There, the normally aloof man was struggling to put on a knee pad on his left leg, already having one on his right. His posture was somewhat awkward as he bent over, and when he lifted his head, his expression mirrored her own astonishment.

On his feet were the socks she had made.

The cotton socks weren't intricately knitted, yet their whiteness was glaringly conspicuous. This stark white stung her eyes, and suddenly, a sourness rose in her heart. An indescribable emotion welled up inside her, moistening her eyes in no time.

This feeling was utterly inexplicable, she thought.