Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

The carriage moved steadily along the main road. Through the thick curtains, Zhan Rong could sense his master's distress and asked solicitously, "Master, should I go beat up the Second Young Master?"

It wasn't the first time; Xiao Wenlan had always been lazy and spoiled, deliberately raised to be useless, more interested in food than discipline.

Xiao Nong rubbed his temples. "Have someone keep an eye on him."

"Should I tell the Second Young Master not to cause trouble?"

Xiao Nong's expression turned cold. "Tell him not to provoke me."

"…Understood."

Sitting in his fixed wheelchair, with a thin veil covering his eyes, Xiao Nong found the ride uncomfortable but was too tired to dwell on the annoying matter.

Suddenly, he recalled the group of good-for-nothings from earlier, particularly the one kneeling beside Xiao Wenlan.

His vision was still blurry behind the veil, making it hard to see clearly from a distance. He only noticed that the boy's hair was slightly disheveled, looking unusually soft, reminding him of the little sparrow that had flown into Changliu Villa these past few days.

Last night, a report about the little sparrow reached Xiao Nong's desk.

That day, he had arrived with the Anping Marquis's carriage. His spies investigated the Anping Marquis's residence and discovered that the Marquis indeed had an adopted son named "Tiaotiao." The household said this young master was exceptionally beautiful but often ill, rarely appearing in public.

The Anping Marquis's lineage had declined over the years, with no influential figures in court. When Xiao Nong returned to the capital, the Marquis hastily sent several beauties, which Zhan Rong dismissed.

Perhaps the rumor-monger told the Marquis that Xiao Nong preferred men, so he sent his adopted son.

Poor thing.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest. "Move faster, finish the task and return sooner."

Zhan Rong, who had followed Xiao Nong for many years, knew the prince was usually efficient and never gave such redundant instructions. Sensing something, he asked cleverly, "Is Master eager to return for the sake of Young Master Tiaotiao?"

It seemed the time for the young master to visit the villa was approaching.

Xiao Nong scoffed coldly. "How could it be? Drive the carriage."

Feeling a bit uneasy, Zhan Rong rubbed his nose, thinking he might have overthought it.

Indeed, how could it be?

On the other side, as Xiao Nong's carriage drove away, the group of people let out a collective sigh of relief, helping each other to stand and wiping their foreheads.

Xiao Wenlan, especially weak and pale, said, "It's over, I'm doomed... Gentlemen, no drinking today, I must leave!"

The others sympathized with Xiao Wenlan and understood. "Go home quickly, Brother Xiao."

"Truly unlucky to run into that demon."

"Master Xiao, rest assured, we will take good care of Young Master Zhong!"

Seeing them chatting animatedly, Zhong Yansheng caught sight of Yuncheng with a carriage at the opposite street corner, watching but not daring to approach. He bent down, preparing to sneak away, but was immediately called out.

The group looked at him intently. "Where is the young master going?"

"Come, come, we've booked a table at Jiuxiang Building, Young Master Zhong, join us for a drink."

"It's fortunate that His Highness King Jing is under house arrest due to Young Master Zhong's drowning incident; otherwise, if he came along, we wouldn't get a chance to talk to Young Master Zhong."

"Haha, His Highness is often under house arrest, but he'll be out soon to enjoy life with us again."

Zhong Yansheng: "..."

No wonder King Jing hadn't appeared; he was under house arrest.

Some faces were familiar, having met them when King Jing invited him to the garden. They were all sons of nobles in the capital, pampered at home, arrogant and unruly. If he refused their invitation, it would be a slap in the face and offend them.

The Marquis Huai'an had been away from the capital for years and had only returned a month ago. Zhong Yansheng didn't want to cause trouble for the marquisate.

Especially after learning he wasn't the true heir of the Marquis Huai'an.

Yesterday, when he told the real heir he would bring pastries today, the real heir didn't respond, so even if he didn't go, it wouldn't matter much.

Breaking a promise, even a one-sided one, was still wrong, though.

After much internal struggle, Zhong Yansheng discreetly waved at Yuncheng to stay back and then quietly replied, "Alright, but I don't drink."

The nearby youth, with black hair and fair skin, had naturally expressive features and spoke with a soft Gusu accent, making everyone feel enchanted and eager to please him. They nodded enthusiastically. "Fine, fine, just tea, none of us will drink either."

Someone grumbled, "What's the point of going to a tavern without drinking?"

Xiao Wenlan had already gone home, and the group surrounded Zhong Yansheng, heading noisily to the tavern.

Eastern City's main street was bustling, and Jiuxiang Building stood at the end, overlooking the lake, in a prime location.

Clearly, these young nobles were regulars at Jiuxiang Building. As soon as they entered, a waiter greeted them warmly, leading them to the most luxurious private room upstairs. Behind the curtains, musicians and courtesans waited, while the table was set with fragrant delicacies. The windows were wide open, revealing a view of the lakeside pavilions and boats floating on the water.

Zhong Yansheng glanced curiously at the scene, and someone noticed his gaze. "Looking at that side?"

On the way, they had introduced themselves to Zhong Yansheng, and he remembered this person was Meng Qiping, the third son of Duke Pei's household.

Meng Qiping stared at Zhong Yansheng, smiling ambiguously. "Does Young Master Zhong want to go there?"

Hearing this, a few others also laughed meaningfully.

Zhong Yansheng, sensing the man's ill intentions, tilted his head. "Can't we go there?"

His gaze, bright and clear like a fawn's, was moist and penetrating.

Meng Qiping's heart fluttered, but before he could speak, someone warned him, "Meng San, don't scare the poor guy."

Zhong Yansheng is the young master of Marquis Huai'an's mansion. His maternal grandfather was the Commander of Taiyuan, and his father is the Deputy Chief of the Supreme Court. Even if his family background isn't as illustrious as mine, he's not some toy to be played with at will.

"Alright." Meng Qiping shrugged, his gaze still fixed on Zhong Yansheng's face, his smile growing wider. "Across the street is a pleasure quarter. If you want to take a look, Young Master Zhong, I should come along. It can be quite dangerous for someone like you over there."

Zhong Yansheng didn't show the fear Meng Qiping expected. He turned away, uninterested, and nodded politely, "Oh, then I don't think I'll go. Thank you."

"..."

Meng Qiping couldn't help but laugh, feeling an inexplicable itch in his heart. He had a large harem of obedient and beautiful women in his backyard, but none were like Zhong Yansheng.

With a face of extraordinary beauty, yet as pure as a blank sheet of paper, it seemed anyone could paint any color on him, sculpting him into something entirely their own, easily stirring the darkest desires in one's heart.

Meng Qiping took a deep breath, finding his presence refreshing, his fingers tingling with excitement as he leaned closer, grinning, "Calling you Young Master Zhong feels so formal. Do you have a nickname?"

He was too close, his tone too frivolous, making Zhong Yansheng uncomfortable. He stepped back, shaking his head.

He was lying.

Tiaotiao was a nickname only his family knew, and only those close to him could call him that. Zhong Yansheng didn't want these people to use it.

"How about I call you Yanyan?" Meng Qiping seemed pleased, speaking to himself, "I'll call you Yanyan from now on."

Zhong Yansheng didn't acknowledge the name internally, so he just nodded indifferently, "Mm-hmm."

The musician behind the curtain started playing, and everyone found their seats, chatting and drinking to the sound of music. The conversation inevitably turned to Xiao Wenlan, who had left hastily, and they all sighed, "Brother Xiao must be miserable, with such a terrifying cousin looming over him."

"Haha, Xiao Wenlan is usually so proud, but he turns into a coward in front of King Ding."

"That's King Ding we're talking about. Don't even mention Xiao Wenlan; just hearing his voice through the carriage made my legs shake."

"Same here, I was trembling too."

"I was trembling because Xiao Wenlan kept poking me with his fan... I owe Young Master Zhong for saving me."

The young man in green, whose face was flushed as he defended himself, was the one Xiao Wenlan had poked with his fan earlier. He had also interrupted Meng Qiping's lewd remarks. Zhong Yansheng felt this person was the most normal among them and smiled at him.

The others became jealous, thinking of ways to impress Zhong Yansheng.

Then Zhong Yansheng asked curiously, "Do you know anything about King Ding? What does he look like?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly turned quiet, even the musician behind the curtain flinched, hitting two wrong notes.

Mentioning King Ding, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, losing their appetite. After a while, Meng Qiping waved his hand, looking gloomy, "Why are you curious about that demon, Yanyan?"

The young man in green stroked his chin, answering seriously, "His Highness King Ding... My family once had ties with the Xiao family, so I know a bit. The Xiao family has always guarded the border voluntarily. The old King Ding married a woman from a different ethnicity, and His Highness King Ding has half of her blood. They say his eyes are dark blue."

"Wow, blue eyes? Like a monster."

Zhong Yansheng didn't agree with this statement, imagining it seriously.

Dark blue, they must be very beautiful.

Since King Ding wasn't present, and seeing Zhong Yansheng interested, others began to add details, "I heard King Ding is extremely handsome. My sister talks about wanting to marry him every day at home. She's a fierce girl; she doesn't care about her reputation or even her life."

"Haha, a person like that wouldn't care for anyone. Your sister might as well give up. She'd be better off with me..."

"Pfft, dream on. I'd rather die than let my sister marry you."

"How did I hear that King Ding is ugly and hideous, with a terrifying face? The barbarians call him the Living Yama."

"I overheard my father talking a few days ago. King Ding has been back in the capital for a while, but he was poisoned by the barbarians and is confined to a villa outside the city for recovery. No one knows why he suddenly came to the capital today, it's quite frightening."

"I know that too. My father planned to send some gifts, but as soon as he arrived at the villa, King Ding refused to see visitors, and everyone was sent back. Tsk, he doesn't seem to care about us at all."

Everyone chattered, and Zhong Yansheng, holding his teacup, listened intently, sipping his tea.

Seeing that Zhong Yansheng paid no attention to him but was quite interested in that demon, Meng Qiping felt annoyed and poured cold water on the topic, "Don't be curious about such a dangerous person, Yanyan. Don't provoke him either. One misstep, and you'll lose your head."

Zhong Yansheng thought it was a pointless warning and nodded, "Mm-hmm."

He wasn't idle enough to go out of his way to provoke King Ding.

Because Zhong Yansheng was there, and they had promised not to cause trouble, the group didn't get too wild.

They all had older brothers who could keep them in line, and their families didn't expect much from them. As long as they didn't cause major trouble, it was a blessing. They spent their days idly, focusing on eating, drinking, and entertainment, becoming quite skilled at it. Zhong Yansheng was led along, and gradually, his face showed more smiles.

The sky outside gradually darkened without notice.

Zhong Yansheng was being entertained, but Xiao Nong's mood had been bad all day.

The entire courtyard was eerily quiet, as if even the wind had stopped. All his subordinates hid in the shadows, trying not to be noticed, for fear of being picked out and criticized.

Xiao Nong had a book on his lap but hadn't turned a page, tapping the armrest of his wheelchair intermittently. Suddenly, he spoke, "Zhan Rong."

Zhan Rong, standing guard outside the courtyard, cursed his luck and walked in heavily, "What do you need, Master?"

Xiao Nong: "What time is it?"

"Reporting, Master," Zhan Rong replied cautiously, "It's the first watch of the dog hour."

"The first watch of the dog hour." Xiao Nong nodded slowly, repeating it, "The first watch of the dog hour."

The young lord said he would come to deliver pastries today, but he hadn't shown up by the first watch of the dog hour.

Zhan Rong's stern expression faltered, and he steeled himself, "Perhaps the young lord was delayed on the way..."

"Did I mention him?"

Xiao Nong propped up his leg and leaned back, saying coldly, "What are you presuming?"

Zhan Rong was speechless: "This subordinate knows his mistake."

Seeing Xiao Nong fall silent again and lower his head to turn a page in his book, Zhan Rong felt a sigh of relief, thinking he had escaped a disaster.

But the next moment, Xiao Nong suddenly looked up, as if remembering something, his tone chilling: "Just now, you stepped into the courtyard with your left foot first, didn't you?"

Zhan Rong: "..."

Zhan Rong: "......"

Author's note:

Zhan Rong: Who among my family understands, being fired for stepping into the company with the left foot first?