Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Yuncheng had originally intended to catch the little sprite, but waiting alone in the carriage was so boring that he eventually fell asleep.

He was woken up by Zhong Yansheng.

Not being able to see which sprite had escorted the young lord out, Yuncheng was utterly dejected.

Today, they returned to the city much earlier than usual. After Yuncheng parked the carriage at the inn, they didn't have to rush back to the Marquis's residence like they usually did.

The teahouses and taverns on the long street were bustling with activity. Zhong Yansheng, still thinking about the travelogue, heard a storyteller at a tea stall and became interested, stepping inside without hesitation.

Yuncheng called out a few times, then followed reluctantly.

The storyteller, whose throat was dry from speaking, was sipping tea to moisten it. The people sitting around, bored, couldn't help but steal glances at the handsome and spirited young master who had just entered, causing the surrounding chatter to quiet down slightly.

Zhong Yansheng rarely went out before, as he needed to build a relationship with the real young lord, which required him to venture out frequently.

Being outside, he often found himself under scrutiny, feeling inexplicably uneasy and often suspecting that someone had drawn a turtle on his face, wondering why everyone was looking at him.

He avoided those gazes, ordered a pot of tea, and sat down. Yuncheng shielded him from other people's stares, pouring tea for Zhong Yansheng while muttering unhappily, "Our precious young lord, how could you mere commoners even dare to think about him..."

Because of Zhong Yansheng's arrival, the whispers around them diminished, making the voices from the neighboring table particularly loud.

A few scholars gathered at a table, immersed in sharing gossip, completely unaware of the newcomer.

At first, they were chatting about the scandals of the prominent families in the Imperial City, but then one of them changed the subject, mentioning something familiar:

"Have you heard? In the Marquis Huai'an's residence..."

"I've heard. Why be so secretive? It's just about how the Marquis Huai'an's family mistakenly took another child years ago, and the current young lord is actually an imposter."

"An imposter, that's quite something, tsk tsk tsk."

The sudden public exposure of his deepest fear left Zhong Yansheng's mind blank. His hand trembled, and the teacup clattered to the ground, spilling tea everywhere.

Yuncheng's first reaction was amusement, finding those people's suspicions absurd. Seeing Zhong Yansheng's expression change, he immediately turned serious, ready to slam the table and rebuke them, but Zhong Yansheng stopped him.

Zhong Yansheng's face was pale, and he whispered, "Yuncheng, let's go back."

Leaving the tea stall, Yuncheng suppressed his anger and cursed, "These poor scholars, they have no real skills, only know how to spread rumors. Young Master, don't take those idle talks to heart. How could Lady and Lord Marquis mistake their own child? Who else could be the Marquis Huai'an's young lord besides you?"

Zhong Yansheng listened silently to his rambling, managing a weak smile but saying nothing.

Yuncheng meant well, but the problem was, Zhong Yansheng indeed wasn't the Marquis Huai'an's son.

The storybook in his dream didn't mention whose child he was; he didn't know who his real parents were.

Since such gossip could be heard at a tea stall, the rumor about the Marquis Huai'an's false young lord must have spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Imperial City.

Zhong Yansheng clenched his fists, guessing that the Marquis or the Lady would soon come to speak with him.

Sure enough, that evening, the Marquis Huai'an, having finished his duties, came to Chunwu Garden personally. He dismissed all the servants and called Zhong Yansheng into the small study.

The Marquis Huai'an was usually a man of few words, playing the role of a strict father to Zhong Yansheng. If not for the Lady's unstable emotions, making her unsuitable to handle the situation, he wouldn't have come himself.

Father and son sat facing each other, unsure of how to begin.

After a while, the Marquis Huai'an, with a solemn expression, spoke, "Tiao'er, Father has something to say to you."

Zhong Yansheng's expression was equally solemn, "Father, I also have something to say to you."

The Marquis Huai'an, experienced in handling all sorts of situations, treated Zhong Yansheng with great care. Hearing this, he said, "Alright, you go first."

Zhong Yansheng slowly asked, "Father, is there something you've been hiding from me?"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis Huai'an's expression faltered, his mind racing with countless thoughts.

Just as he suspected.

Zhong Yansheng secretly observed his father's reaction, sighed inwardly, and firmly grasped the Marquis's hand, looking at him resolutely, "Father, be a clean official!"

The Marquis Huai'an: "..."

What?

The news of the false young lord had suddenly spread today, and the Marquis Huai'an had some suspicions about who might have leaked it.

Zhong Yansheng had always been frail, restricted from going out. Growing up in the secluded mansion, this child had a clear and innocent mind, gentle and obedient, endearing and worrying.

Before coming, he had anticipated that Zhong Yansheng might be afraid or anxious, asking many questions to seek reassurance. He had carefully considered how to respond to each one.

But he never expected Zhong Yansheng to start with such a statement, leaving him completely unprepared and dazed.

Being a clean official, and even being too upright, which had led to his exile from the capital for years, the Marquis Huai'an remained silent for ten breaths before taking a deep breath and speaking with a darkened face, "I..."

"Father!" Zhong Yansheng, not allowing any room for argument, earnestly advised, "Next time you encounter something... that might shake your principles, think of Mother."

The Marquis Huai'an's face darkened further, "You..."

"Think of Grandmother."

Unable to bear it any longer, the Marquis Huai'an lightly slapped the top of Zhong Yansheng's head, his hand softening upon touching the soft black hair, "What are you accusing your father of!"

Zhong Yansheng, holding his head, looked at the Marquis Huai'an with a deep and restrained gaze.

Indeed, mentioning this made his father feel guilty and now angry.

The Marquis Huai'an, under his son's glaring distrust, felt both depressed and furious, "Don't you know if your father is a clean official?"

Zhong Yansheng saw through but kept silent.

He wanted to believe, but the invaluable calligraphy and paintings, as well as rare treasures in the Changliu Villa's study, could not all be ancestral heirlooms of the Marquis Huai'an. Moreover, if the private residence, which was almost on par with a prince’s mansion, were reported, it would be a significant matter.

After returning home, he specifically reviewed the laws of Great Yong.

The Marquis Huai'an was usually solemn and taciturn, but being baselessly accused of embezzlement by his son made his voice rise uncontrollably: "Who told you such nonsense?!"

"Nothing at all, I didn't say anything, Father, don't get so worked up, calm down."

Zhong Yansheng quickly poured a cup of chrysanthemum tea he had prepared beforehand, respectfully handed it over, and while soothing the Marquis, continued to advise persistently: "I just read a story today about a corrupt official who secretly bought a large mansion and hid countless treasures he had embezzled. In the end, his entire family was executed, and his wife and children suffered greatly. It was quite moving, and it made me think..."

The Marquis Huai'an laughed in anger: "Brat, are you pointing fingers at your father?"

Zhong Yansheng blinked innocently, gazing at him.

His eyes were different from those of the Marquis and the Marchioness, full of emotion, bright and black, yet pure and clear. When he looked at someone with such earnestness, it was easy to soften one's heart.

The Marquis Huai'an, under his persistent gaze, finally gave up the idea of beating his child.

Besides, even if he dared to raise a hand, the lady of the house would have already rushed over with a broom before he could reach for the ruler.

The Marquis Huai'an choked, drank the chrysanthemum tea in one gulp, but the fire in his chest still burned, unable to be extinguished.

Zhong Yansheng was very filial. Seeing that the Marquis had finished drinking, he quickly refilled the cup. After saying what he needed to say, he asked curiously: "By the way, Father, did you come here to tell me something?"

The words he had prepared before coming over were now impossible to say.

Moreover, this little brat seemed quite stable emotionally.

The Marquis Huai'an calmed down a bit, glanced at him irritably, and scolded, "Read fewer frivolous books and more useful ones. I'll test your studies later."

With that, he got up and left with a stern face.

Before he even stepped out of the study, he heard the little brat behind him sighing and reciting poetry: "A cup of fine wine is the blood of a thousand people, a few bowls of rich soup are the fat of ten thousand families."

The Marquis Huai'an: "......"

Zhong Yansheng scratched his head, unsure if his advice tonight had any effect.

Yuncheng, waiting until the Marquis left with a dark face, timidly poked his head into the study: "Young Master, why did you make the Marquis angry? Did he test your studies?"

Zhong Yansheng sat calmly in place: "No, I don't know why the Marquis suddenly got so angry."

"What did the Marquis come to say, then?"

Yuncheng entered the study, poured him a cup of chrysanthemum tea, and wondered aloud: "Was it about your schooling? Mr. Zhou is old and didn't come to the Imperial City with us. You haven't studied for a long time, and I'm worried. Before we left, Mr. Zhou instructed me to supervise you."

Zhong Yansheng was taken aback; with recent events, he had forgotten about this.

When he was young, he never attended a school. The Marquis and the Marchioness personally taught him the basics. After moving to Gusu, the Marquis hired an old scholar who had once served in the court and retired to Gusu to teach him.

Perhaps because of his poor health at the time, the Marquis's attitude towards his studies was contradictory.

Though he hired the best teacher and usually forbade Zhong Yansheng from reading frivolous books, he also told Zhong Yansheng to learn as much as he could without being too strict, and not to pursue an official career.

The journey back to the Imperial City was long, and the elderly teacher could not possibly follow them.

In the Imperial City, most young nobles of his age, except for a few spoiled ones who indulged in pleasure, mostly studied at the Imperial Academy.

However, the Marquis seemed to have no intention of sending him to the Imperial Academy. He hadn't mentioned it even after nearly a month in the Imperial City.

But Zhong Yansheng didn't think much about it. Attending the Imperial Academy would delay his mission to save the Marquisate. His current urgent task was to build a good relationship with the real young master and change the fate of the Marquisate's downfall.

He didn't dare to mention the gift of the field yellow stone seal again. Zhong Yansheng thought for a moment and his gaze fell on the desk: "Yuncheng, help me grind the ink."

Yuncheng came over, curious: "Young Master, what are you going to paint so late at night?"

Zhong Yansheng rolled up his sleeves and remained silent.

It was impossible to finish a painting in one night. Zhong Yansheng was a slow painter, and he fussed until midnight. The next day, he woke up groggy and stumbled around.

But he still forced himself to get up, shook the sleeping Yuncheng awake, and yawned: "Yuncheng, wake up, don't sleep anymore, get up quickly."

Yuncheng rubbed his eyes and climbed out of bed, dazed: "..."

Today, he must see clearly which demon was bewitching the young master!

When they arrived at Changliu Villa, Zhong Yansheng got off the carriage, and Yuncheng watched intently as a man in black led Zhong Yansheng inside. Unable to resist the drowsiness, he fell asleep in the carriage.

Zhong Yansheng carried the pastries he had ordered from the kitchen, remembering the travelogue he hadn't finished reading yesterday, fearing he might be taken somewhere else again. Fortunately, they met in the same study today.

As soon as he stepped into the study and looked up, Zhong Yansheng was stunned.

Xiao Nong had changed into a blue robe, but it was different from the dark blue he wore the first time they met. This was a striking gemstone blue, embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, and the sunlight streaming in from the windows made it even more dazzling, enhancing the brilliance of the blue, making it shimmer with light.

Such a striking color would usually overwhelm an ordinary person, but Xiao Nong held it steady, making it seem like the person enhanced the clothes rather than the clothes enhancing the person. His gaze couldn't help but linger on Xiao Nong's face.

His hair was no longer casually draped but neatly tied with a white jade hairpin. The white veil still covered his eyes, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were finely defined, making him extremely handsome and exuding a noble aura.

Zhong Yansheng, about to call out "Brother, I'm here," held back and couldn't help but take another look.

And another.

A proper heir of the Marquisate, indeed, had a natural presence that surpassed others. No wonder he could cause the downfall of the Marquisate.

Seeing Xiao Nong sitting there like a peacock, Zhan Rong's lips twitched.

During his stay at Changliu Villa, the master never dressed properly. What was he up to today?

Seeing Xiao Nong buried in something again, Zhong Yansheng didn't make a sound to disturb him. He put down the box of pastries and turned to look for yesterday's travelogue.

But he couldn't find it after searching the study for a long time.

Zhong Yansheng felt embarrassed to ask Xiao Nong and scratched his head in frustration, completely unaware that Xiao Nong had already raised his head from the desk, resting his chin on his hand, watching him with interest as he moved about.

The handsome youth walked lightly, like a little bird hopping between branches.

After watching enough, he finally spoke: "Looking for this?"

Zhong Yansheng turned his head to see Xiao Nong slowly pick up a book from beside him—it was the travelogue he had been searching for. His eyes lit up instantly. "Brother, it's here!"

He was so focused on the book that his thoughts strayed, thinking about how to seduce him.

Xiao Nong raised an eyebrow unhappily. "Want to read it?"

The travelogue was so interesting, Zhong Yansheng nodded vigorously.

Xiao Nong casually pushed aside the letter he was reading and wheeled himself over to the bed, holding the book. Zhong Yansheng followed obediently, like a fish that had bitten the hook, without needing to be told.

Xiao Nong easily climbed onto the bed and tossed the book to Zhong Yansheng.

Just like the last time with the medicine bottle, Zhong Yansheng didn't react in time and got hit on the arm by the book.

He winced in pain, rubbing his arm and looking at Xiao Nong in confusion, as if he couldn't understand why he would throw things at him. He picked up the book silently, his long lashes lowered, looking as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Xiao Nong: "..."

It seems I shouldn't throw things next time; I need to handle them gently.

Seeing Zhong Yansheng pouting and not speaking, Xiao Nong's lips curved slightly, and he glanced at the box on the table. "What did you bring?"

Mentioning this, Zhong Yansheng forgot his grievance and smiled brightly. "The pine nut lily pastries from last time got cold, so I brought some freshly made ones."

He turned to fetch the pastry box and placed it on the small table beside the bed, his eyes full of anticipation.

Xiao Nong raised an eyebrow, remembering that Zhong Yansheng had indeed said, "I'll bring some warm ones next time."

For others, "next time" was just a casual, vague promise, but this child was so sincere... or perhaps too obedient, that he actually brought them.

Xiao Nong wouldn't eat anything untested. He narrowed his eyes slightly, took a piece from the box, and held it to Zhong Yansheng's mouth. "Open up."

Zhong Yansheng hadn't expected Xiao Nong to feed him and was momentarily stunned. Then he thought Xiao Nong was being nice and opened his mouth slightly to receive the pastry.

His lips were beautifully shaped, with a small dimple in the center, and they looked soft and moist, like the delicate pink of spring flowers.

Holding the pastry, Xiao Nong felt a moment of hesitation, almost regretting his decision.

Zhong Yansheng's mouth was getting tired from staying open, and he let out a puzzled "ah."

Xiao Nong paused, then shoved the entire pastry into his mouth, accidentally using a bit too much force. His fingertips grazed Zhong Yansheng's lips, feeling their smoothness.

It was like being touched by the softest feather of a bird, and he instinctively rubbed his thumb, his gaze lingering on those lips, his eyes darkening.

Zhong Yansheng, nearly choked by the whole piece of lily pastry, struggled to swallow it and immediately searched the room for tea, gulping down a cup to wash it down. Only then did he feel better.

Well, it seems Brother isn't very good at taking care of people.

Zhong Yansheng consoled himself, bringing the teapot and cup to the small table and coughed twice. "Thank you, Brother. The lily pastries taste great. Do you want to try one?"

His eyes were like a pool of water in the sunlight, gentle and bright, without a trace of gloom.

Meeting those bright eyes, Xiao Nong still took a piece, took a bite, and put it down, muttering, "Too sweet."

"Too sweet?" Zhong Yansheng also took a piece and tasted it. "I don't think so."

It's so sweet it could kill someone, and he says it's not sweet?

Xiao Nong leaned back, noticing Zhong Yansheng's soft hair and the small swirl at the top of his head. Holding the book, he flipped to where he left off yesterday, wanting to continue reading in front of the bed, completely ignoring him. Xiao Nong clicked his tongue softly.

This kid, hasn't he noticed I changed my clothes today?

The thought popped into Xiao Nong's mind, but he quickly suppressed it, feeling like his brain was malfunctioning. Why should it matter to this little sparrow if he changed his clothes?

He didn't understand why he had even bothered to change today. This little sparrow came to visit him every day, always dressed in dull, drab clothes.

His previously smiling lips flattened, and Xiao Nong gave a bland order. "Read."

How quick to turn!

Zhong Yansheng was no longer afraid of Xiao Nong's unpredictable mood swings. He only found it astonishing and obediently nodded. "Okay."

As Zhong Yansheng's soft, low voice filled the room, Xiao Nong's tense nerves relaxed, and he gradually drifted off to sleep.

Zhong Yansheng realized Xiao Nong had fallen asleep halfway through his reading.

He widened his eyes, staring at the peacefully sleeping Xiao Nong, suspecting that he used his reading voice as a lullaby for his nap.

What a strange habit, needing to listen to someone read to fall asleep?

Or was he deliberately teasing him?

Zhong Yansheng couldn't figure it out. Since his mouth was already sore from reading, he decided to do the same as yesterday—crouch by the bed, eat the pastries, and continue reading, slowly finishing the box.

Xiao Nong's behavior confirmed Zhong Yansheng's suspicions.

For several days afterward, whenever Zhong Yansheng arrived, he was caught by the bed to read to Xiao Nong until he fell asleep. He didn't know the way around and had no chance to visit Uncle Wang.

Zhong Yansheng's voice became slightly hoarse from reading, but his guilty conscience wouldn't let him refuse any request from the real young master. So, he obediently continued reading to him.

Having finished the first travelogue, Xiao Nong seemed to have noticed his preference and pulled out another more interesting one from the bookshelf.

Thinking that this could make Xiao Nong happier and allow him to read the leisure books he liked, which would otherwise get him scolded at home, Zhong Yansheng hesitated for a few days but ultimately cooperated with great willingness.

He felt his relationship with the real young master was becoming increasingly harmonious. The only frustration was that since he brought the flower seeds home, he hadn't run into Lady Marquis. Every time he sent someone to inquire, she was either on her way to Jin Fu Temple to pray or staying overnight there.

Zhong Yansheng had to put aside the idea of giving the flower seeds for now and planned to subtly remind Marquis Huai'an next time, hinting that his mother seemed to be developing a tendency towards transcendence.

While Zhong Yansheng was busy running to Changliu Villa every day, the rumors in the Imperial City grew more intense.

Despite Marquis Huai'an's efforts to suppress the rumors about the false heir of Huai'an Manor, once he quelled one, another sprang up elsewhere, making it impossible to stop them.

In just a few days, countless versions of the story spread outside, but no matter how absurd their content, three points remained unchanged.

First, the current young master of Huai'an Manor was fake. Second, the true heir of Huai'an Manor had returned. Lastly, Marquis and Marchioness Huai'an refused to recognize their own biological son.

The rumors were so rampant that even when the servants of Huai'an Manor went out shopping, they would be questioned by people who recognized them.

Initially, the servants of Huai'an Manor paid little attention to the outside rumors, but in such an atmosphere, they began to waver. Even some maids and attendants in Chunwu Garden would give Zhong Yansheng a look of curiosity whenever they saw him, hoping the young master would say something.

However, every time they approached him with those looks, they were directly driven away by Yuncheng.

After Zhong Yansheng's near-drowning incident, the atmosphere in Huai'an Manor became strange again.

The news that Zhong Yansheng was a false heir spread like wildfire through the ears of the major noble families in the Imperial City.

Two days later, Zhong Yansheng suddenly received an invitation from the third young master of Duke Pei's residence, Meng Qiping.