Chapter Five

Chapter Five

The sound of the guard falling from shock woke Xiao Nong, who then realized what he had been saying.

Those useless guards will get a beating when I see them again.

Tsk... This little sparrow has some skills, quite adept at bewitching people.

Xiao Nong sat up a bit straighter, suspecting that his headache was driving him mad.

Zhong Yansheng isn't a petty person; he's very easy to appease when he's not truly angry. Hearing Xiao Nong's apology, he forgave him and felt that this brother was worth having.

Just as the atmosphere began to ease, the person in front of him suddenly pressed his lips into a thin line. Sensing Xiao Nong's displeasure, he couldn't help but ask softly, "Brother, do you really dislike me?"

Who would ask so directly?

Before Xiao Nong could answer, he saw the slender, frail youth lower his head and murmur to himself, "I know you must dislike me a lot, but I'm just as helpless as you."

The words took on a different meaning in Xiao Nong's ears.

His eyebrows slowly arched. "You didn't do this voluntarily?"

Receiving a response, Zhong Yansheng nodded vigorously. "Of course not!"

It wasn't as if he had deliberately wanted to be mistaken for someone else. Now that he knew the truth, he was also trying hard to make things right.

Xiao Nong's vision blurred slightly as he squinted, his gaze lingering on the handsome face that stood out even in the dim light.

This child, with such a beautiful appearance, would naturally attract the attention and exploitation of those with ulterior motives if he lacked the ability to protect himself.

Those noble families still enjoy forcing good people into prostitution.

Seeing Xiao Nong's thoughtful expression, Zhong Yansheng felt a sense of relief.

Good, he had managed to convey his message, however awkwardly.

He needed to try harder to make the other believe that he had no intention of vying for the position of heir to the Marquisate and was willing to leave.

A forced beauty to seduce him was certainly pitiful, but Xiao Nong wasn't one to overflow with compassion.

Zhong Yansheng's presence could alleviate the headache that had plagued him for over a decade. Others might treasure such a find, but Xiao Nong, who had lived in a world of intrigue and strategy for years, knew that the more beautiful and harmless something seemed, the more cautious one should be, lest one become dependent and fall into the abyss.

After all, such an existence would only create a weakness.

Therefore, when Zhong Yansheng, remembering his task, was about to ask if he wanted a head massage, Xiao Nong leaned back on the bed, raised his chin, and ordered coolly, "Stay there, don't move."

Just standing at the bedside, Zhong Yansheng's aura was enough to significantly ease the pain from his headache.

He shouldn't become too attached, but using it occasionally wouldn't hurt.

Besides, no one would discover this child's special ability.

Seeing Xiao Nong adjust the white veil over his eye, Zhong Yansheng obediently fell silent.

The man on the bed, with his disheveled clothes and uncombed hair, exuded a weary and languid air. It wasn't the right time to discuss family matters, as it would only cause annoyance.

No rush, patience is key.

But the room was too dark.

After standing for a while, Zhong Yansheng grew restless.

Usually a shy and reclusive little mushroom, he preferred staying indoors but disliked such darkness. Standing idly was boring, so he peeked at the black cloth covering the window and made a small suggestion, "Brother, do you want to do something interesting with me?"

Do something interesting with him?

Xiao Nong opened his eyes, understanding dawning.

He's starting to seduce me.

Inhaling the faint, sweet scent nearby, Xiao Nong's mood improved slightly. Rarely feeling such interest, he wanted to see how this child would seduce him. Leaning against the bed, he propped his head up, his handsome face partially hidden by the white veil, looking eerie in the dimness. "Oh?"

The next moment, he saw the bright eyes of the youth before him. "Let's go for a walk? The sun came up when I arrived, and the weather is nice. The garden yesterday was huge; a stroll might help your headache."

Moreover, he had read that staying in a dark room for a long time could affect one's mood and lead to peculiar behavior. More sunlight was needed.

Zhong Yansheng thought quietly that his brother looked like he needed some sunshine.

Xiao Nong maintained his composed demeanor, remaining silent for a moment.

Zhong Yansheng, receiving no response, thought he had inadvertently offended him again. His voice softened. "Brother?"

Xiao Nong remained unperturbed. "...Sure."

Zhong Yansheng happily wheeled over the nearby wheelchair. "Brother, do you need help getting up?"

Chattering away, calling him "brother" with increasing fluency.

Xiao Nong glanced at him, sitting up a bit straighter. His loose inner robe fell open, revealing a firm chest, the muscle lines flowing gracefully downward in the dim light, exuding strength and beauty.

Zhong Yansheng noticed and stared for a moment before reaching out.

Oh? This time, it's getting serious.

Xiao Nong raised an eyebrow, pausing to wait for the beauty to come closer.

Zhong Yansheng reached out, carefully buttoning up Xiao Nong's robe, making sure it was securely fastened. He then retrieved the outer robe from the foot of the bed and draped it over him, tucking it in neatly. He sternly instructed, "Brother, wear your clothes properly and don't catch a cold."

Xiao Nong: "..."

Xiao Nong didn’t need Zhong Yansheng’s help; with one push of his arm, he smoothly sat in the wheelchair.

Zhong Yansheng watched his fluid movements, feeling both guilty and admiring.

He felt guilty that if Xiao Nong had stayed at the Marquis Huai'an's residence, his legs might not have ended up like this. He admired how strong-willed Xiao Nong was, still managing to move so freely despite his disability.

The ground was littered with shattered porcelain and fallen ornaments. Zhong Yansheng ran over to clear a path before returning to push the wheelchair: "Brother, I’ll push you out."

Playing hard to get, huh?

Xiao Nong responded with a hint of indescribable annoyance, coldly saying, "Mm."

The sunlight outside was intense. Coming out from the dim room, the brightness was blinding. Zhong Yansheng instinctively closed his eyes and raised his hand to shield Xiao Nong’s eyes.

A warm, fragrant scent suddenly wafted near his nose. Xiao Nong, leaning lazily against the wheelchair with his elbow propped up, looked at the slender fingers blocking his view and flicked his eyelids.

The tips and palms of those fingers were smooth and tender, without a single callus, probably never having held a knife.

After making the instinctive gesture, Zhong Yansheng remembered that Xiao Nong had a thin veil covering his eyes and wouldn’t be blinded by the light. He naturally withdrew his hand, said nothing, and pushed the wheelchair out of the courtyard.

Zhan Rong stood guard outside with a stern expression. Hearing the commotion, he turned around and saw Zhong Yansheng pushing Xiao Nong out, unharmed. For the first time, a look of incredulous shock appeared on his face.

His master’s headache was so severe, yet he ordered him to bring Zhong Yansheng into the courtyard. When he pushed Zhong Yansheng in, he thought he was sending him to his death.

Zhong Yansheng, who had been pushed roughly into the courtyard and was initially angry, quickly calmed down. "Please take us for a walk in yesterday’s garden," he said politely.

Zhan Rong glanced at Xiao Nong with a strange look.

Seeing Xiao Nong nod slightly, Zhan Rong maintained his cool demeanor and led the way.

The hidden guards, who had just climbed back up, followed discreetly.

The garden was quite far from the courtyard.

Zhong Yansheng volunteered to push the wheelchair. After a short while, he began to pant heavily.

Xiao Nong naturally heard his breathing becoming more labored, sitting leisurely with his arms crossed, without offering any help.

Zhong Yansheng was too embarrassed to admit he was struggling. Just as he was about to give up, another obstacle appeared ahead. With his weakened strength, he pushed several times but couldn’t get the wheelchair over it.

Seeing Xiao Nong turn his head, Zhong Yansheng gritted his teeth and used all his strength to push hard. The next moment, the wheelchair made a “click,” and Xiao Nong’s body jolted, nearly being pushed off the chair by Zhong Yansheng.

Zhan Rong turned around in shock, his neck cracking. The hidden guards almost jumped out.

Fortunately, Xiao Nong grabbed the armrests and braced his foot on the ground, preventing himself from falling. He then pressed his hand to his temple.

If this little bird had been sent to assassinate him,

the person who sent him must have some issues.

Zhong Yansheng was also startled, panicking and feeling guilty. He bowed his head and apologized sincerely, "I’m sorry, Brother. I didn’t mean to. I’ve run out of strength."

The guards huddled together, trembling, watching Xiao Nong’s expression, fearing their master’s wrath.

The more perceptive ones had already gone to fetch cleaning supplies.

This time, they really should be killed!

The atmosphere was so bizarre that even Zhan Rong couldn’t help but step back when an elderly voice came from ahead: "Hehe, is Young Master here to see the flowers today? And you’ve brought a young friend."

Zhong Yansheng secretly lifted his eyes and saw an old man dressed in rough linen, with white hair and a kind face, bent over, greeting them.

Xiao Nong’s unfriendly expression softened, and he nodded in response, "Uncle Wang."

Zhong Yansheng guessed this might be the steward placed by Marquis Huai'an in Changliu Villa, who didn’t recognize him. He obediently called out, "Hello, Uncle Wang."

Uncle Wang approached, squinting to examine Zhong Yansheng, then looked at Xiao Nong’s subtle expression, his smile widening. "Some new flowers have bloomed today. It’s a good time for Young Master to visit."

Xiao Nong’s posture relaxed again as he leaned back in the wheelchair, casually responding with a nod.

The gardens of Changliu Villa were tended by Uncle Wang. Today, a rare variety of tea plant, with red and white blossoms, had bloomed, looking splendid and beautiful.

Nearby, a bamboo screen was entwined with various shades of five-colored roses, including the layered petals of Buddha’s Smile, the multi-colored Seven Sisters, and the richly colored Golden Sand, along with many other flowers he had never seen before.

The Marquise loved flowers and enjoyed growing them.

But Zhong Yansheng had never seen these flowers in the Marquis’s garden.

Recalling how the Marquise seemed upset last night, Zhong Yansheng paused, a realization dawning on him.

"Brother," Zhong Yansheng bent down and whispered in Xiao Nong’s ear, "Can I ask Uncle Wang a few questions?"

The warm breath brushed against his ear, and a mist-like fragrance enveloped him, even more pleasant than the scent of the flowers in the garden. Xiao Nong’s brow twitched, and he narrowed his eyes, turning to meet the gaze of the person behind him.

So close, he could see the long, black lashes framing those bright, clear eyes, like black pearls submerged in clear water, pure and unblemished, gazing at him with innocence.

In the past, many people had tried to seduce Xiao Nong using beauty, or rather, he had seen such tactics many times.

Beauties trained to be alluring and charming, using every trick to seduce and attempt assassination, but none succeeded.

Those who tried to kill him were dealt with in the same manner they intended to use. Gradually, rumors spread that he was vengeful—Xiao Nong found it laughable. If they wanted to kill him, he would return the favor.

His lack of concern about Zhong Yansheng’s background stemmed from this confidence. He knew all the tricks and was confident in his abilities.

But now, he suddenly felt less confident.

Xiao Nong scrutinized him for a moment before nodding.

Zhong Yansheng then went over to Uncle Wang. He was polite, handsome, and full of youthful vigor, appearing very well-behaved. Elderly people adored such children, and Zhong Yansheng was very sweet, asking questions and receiving answers with a smile.

Zhong Yansheng squatted in front of a flower bed, now and then asking what the flowers were, and then praising Uncle Wang for his remarkable skills, wondering if these flowers were difficult to grow. Although he was some distance away, every word fell into Xiao Nong's ears.

Uncle Wang patiently answered Zhong Yansheng's questions one by one, looking at the young man with great affection.

Xiao Nong observed this scene, gently tapping the armrest of his wheelchair.

Uncle Wang was the old butler of King Ding’s mansion, having served the Xiao family for decades, watching him grow up. Though he was old, his keen eye remained as sharp as ever.

If this child were just putting on an act, Uncle Wang would not have missed it.

Under Uncle Wang's guidance, Zhong Yansheng learned about many rare flower species he had never heard of before, secretly muttering a few words about Marquis Huai'an in his heart.

With so many flowers, he wondered if he could take some back to the Marquis's residence to give to his mother.

If she didn’t blame him for borrowing flowers to offer, that would be fine.

Zhong Yansheng looked at Uncle Wang with hopeful eyes: "Uncle, can you give me some flower seeds?"

The courtyard was full of people practicing martial arts, and few appreciated flowers. Uncle Wang usually tended to the flowers alone, with no one to admire them, and Xiao Nong rarely visited. Feeling delighted by Zhong Yansheng’s praise, Uncle Wang readily agreed to give him the seeds and then pulled Zhong Yansheng over to explain in detail the precautions for planting each type of seed.

Zhong Yansheng listened and took notes, secretly rejoicing in his heart.

Taking these rare seeds back and finding an opportunity to present them to the Marquise, claiming they were specially sought out for her by the true young master, would help mend their strained relationship!

Zhong Yansheng's eyes sparkled, feeling very clever indeed.

Seeing that Uncle Wang wasn’t done talking and was about to demonstrate loosening the soil, he hurriedly went over to help, bustling about like a pretty little bird flapping its wings.

Xiao Nong, who usually avoided coming here for fear of Uncle Wang dragging him into endless conversations, found himself not bored at all as he watched the two of them work. Looking at Zhong Yansheng, he thought of the round, fluffy little mountain sparrows in Liaodong, absentmindedly rubbing his fingers together.

Zhan Rong, standing behind the wheelchair, finally couldn't hold back: "Master, I think there's something odd about this person..."

Xiao Nong stroked his chin: "Do you also find him rather cute?"

"…………"

Author's Note:

Xiao Nong: He wants to seduce me (certain)

Tiaotiao: ?

Xiao Nong: He is playing hard to get (even more certain)

Tiaotiao, innocent: ???