Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

The last time Zhong Yansheng was dragged to Jiuxiang Building by a group of people, he had been curious about the painted boats on the opposite side of the river.

He hadn’t expected to come here in person this time.

Even during the day, several painted boats still floated on the river, with willows swaying gently along the banks and clear ripples shimmering on the water, bustling and lively. The Cloud Boat stood out particularly for its two-story structure, decorated with especially luxurious and beautiful ornaments.

Smaller pleasure boats were also available for rent nearby, but there wasn’t much business during the daytime, so many boatmen gathered under the shade of trees, chatting idly.

Zhong Yansheng glanced at the painted boats moored by the shore, not rushing over immediately. Instead, he took Yun Cheng for a walk around and indeed found a patrol team led by an inspector from the Five Cities Military Commission.

This long street was in the eastern part of the city, where the Eastern City Military Commission’s people were stationed.

Zhong Yansheng held back the puzzled Yun Cheng, handed him his money pouch, and instructed, “Yun Cheng, spend some silver to hire a few boatmen nearby. Rent a pleasure boat to keep watch near the Cloud Boat. I’ll light a lamp by the window later. If the lamp goes out, have them bring the patrol inspector over and board the painted boat.”

Previously at Jiuxiang Building, he had overheard others talking about how Meng Qiping seemed to be at odds with the commander of the Eastern City Military Commission. The commander came from a prestigious family and was fearless; if he knew Meng Qiping was on the painted boat, the Eastern City Military Commission would definitely send someone over.

Yun Cheng was stunned, “Young Master, you’re prepared?”

Zhong Yansheng blinked curiously, “Do I look like an idiot?”

Although he wasn’t that conceited to think everyone would like him or take action against him, it was indeed strange that Meng Qiping wanted him to come alone.

After making the arrangements, Zhong Yansheng gave Yun Cheng a few more instructions before adjusting his sash and walked over.

Zhong Yansheng had a weak constitution and was more sensitive to the cold than others. Even in April, a slight breeze could make him catch a chill. Besides his inner garments, he wore two additional layers. This morning, when Yun Cheng helped him dress, he clenched his teeth and added two more layers, tightening the sash so much that Zhong Yansheng felt slightly breathless.

A servant was waiting at the front of the Cloud Boat. As soon as Zhong Yansheng approached, the servant smiled at him, “Is this Young Master Zhong? Please come in.”

Zhong Yansheng swallowed his words and politely responded, lowering his head to carefully step onto the gangplank and board the boat.

The servant followed behind, stealing another glance.

He had noticed Zhong Yansheng even before he approached.

Meng Qiping had only said that Young Master Zhong would come, and he would recognize him at first sight, without any other hints. The servant had initially grumbled—this street was full of beauties; how striking must one be to stand out?

But indeed, Zhong Yansheng stood out like a crane among chickens, exceptionally handsome.

His eyes filled with sympathy.

No wonder the young master insisted on making a move.

From the outside, the Cloud Boat was already lavishly decorated, but the interior was even more refined. Zhong Yansheng followed the servant into a room on the second floor of the boat, walking a few steps on the thick woolen carpet. Turning his head, he saw a stone-carved landscape screen, with a copper crane-shaped incense burner emitting wisps of smoke, like a dreamy mist.

Noticing no one else in the room, he frowned, “Where is Third Young Master Meng?”

“The third master has some temporary matters and might be late,” the servant said with a smile, “Young Master Zhong, please don’t be upset. Have a seat for a moment, and I’ll bring you some tea.”

Clearly, it was Meng Qiping who had arranged the meeting, yet he was late.

Zhong Yansheng was somewhat displeased, but he wasn’t the type to blame subordinates. Seeing the servant’s apologetic smile, he reluctantly nodded.

Once the servant left, he walked to the window, pushed it open, and scanned the surroundings. He caught sight of Yun Cheng, who was sitting on a pleasure boat with his face covered, just looking over.

They exchanged a glance, and Yun Cheng waved vigorously. Zhong Yansheng nodded at him and closed the window, placing a lamp by the window.

The warm yellow light was particularly noticeable by the window, and even when the room lights were on later, this warm glow would still stand out.

Zhong Yansheng’s heart eased, and he sat down to wait.

But the wait was long.

The servant had come twice, bringing tea and snacks, but Meng Qiping still hadn’t arrived.

As April in the Imperial City grew warmer, the sweet scent of the incense in the room made it stuffy. The boat gently rocked with the water, making Zhong Yansheng feel drowsy and his mouth dry.

He licked his dry lips, glanced at the clear tea and exquisite snacks on the table, but turned away, resisting the temptation.

When the servant brought hot tea for the third time, Zhong Yansheng suddenly snapped back to reality, noticing that the sky was gradually darkening. He couldn’t help but frown and ask, “What time is it now?”

The servant respectfully replied, “It’s almost the seventh hour of the evening, Young Master.”

Zhong Yansheng’s eyes widened in confusion and disbelief.

He had waited for so long without realizing it.

Zhong Yansheng usually had a good temper, but he wasn’t without his limits. Standing up unhappily, he swayed slightly as the boat rocked, feeling dizzy and leaning on the table, he said, “Please inform Third Young Master Meng that I’m leaving first. Since he isn’t sincere about this meeting, there’s no need to write again.”

Just as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

Meng Qiping’s voice came closer, passing through the screen, “I’m late, I deserve punishment.”

Thanks to his parents, Meng Qiping had a rather handsome face. Today, he wore a flashy dark blue brocade robe, looking quite dashing.

Unfortunately, Zhong Yansheng had recently seen Xiao Nong wearing a similar color, and the contrast was stark, making Meng Qiping’s outfit seem unbearable.

Xiao Nong looked like a brilliant jewel, dazzling and radiant, while Meng Qiping seemed overshadowed by his clothing, appearing dull and lifeless.

Though his brother’s face was always covered, preventing a full view, Zhong Yansheng quietly thought to himself that his brother looked better in blue.

Feeling that Meng Qiping’s attire was unappealing, he looked at him with pity. Meng Qiping, however, thought he looked especially handsome today and had attracted Zhong Yansheng’s attention. He fanned himself playfully and sat down, smiling, “There was something at home that delayed me, I didn’t mean to be late. Don’t be angry, Yan Yan. How about I punish myself with a cup of wine?”

Hearing the nickname and the way Meng Qiping referred to himself, Zhong Yansheng felt odd, as if he had seen Aunt Li’s jar of lard in the kitchen.

It was greasy and unappealing, and he disliked it.

Meng Qiping didn’t notice that he was being rejected. Dismissing the servant who had followed him in, he personally poured two cups of wine and pushed one to Zhong Yansheng, “Yan Yan, come, have a drink with your Third Brother.”

Zhong Yansheng glanced at the cup of wine pushed in front of him, then raised his eyes, his clear black and white gaze calmly meeting Meng Qiping's as he said, "I don't drink."

If anyone else had been so disrespectful, Meng Qiping would have slammed the table and cursed. But seeing Zhong Yansheng's cheeks flushed with red, his heart softened, and he maintained his smile. "It's my fault, Third Brother almost forgot that Yan doesn't drink. Come, let's have some tea instead."

The room was getting increasingly stuffy.

The boat's rocking made his head feel heavy and muddled.

His throat felt parched and uncomfortable.

Zhong Yansheng really wanted something to quench his thirst. He stared at the cup of tea for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

His forehead hair was jet-black and soft, his skin porcelain-white and striking, with a flush from the stuffiness of the room, making him look like an exquisite and precious porcelain doll—quiet and obedient. But his words were not so compliant: "I don't drink tea either, thank you. Young Master Meng, you mentioned in your letter that you know who started the rumors. I want to know who that person is."

After being disrespected twice, Meng Qiping's expression subtly changed, revealing a hint of coldness in his eyes. He spoke slowly and deliberately, "Why the rush, Yan? Let's chat while we drink."

Perhaps the sash around his waist was too tight; Zhong Yansheng felt he could hardly breathe. Seeing that Meng Qiping was not sincere and was avoiding the topic, he stood up and said, "Since Young Master Meng doesn't want to talk about it, there's no need for me to stay. Goodbye."

Just as he took a step, Meng Qiping's voice came from behind, neither friendly nor hostile, "I heard you didn't touch any tea or snacks. Afraid I put something in them?"

Zhong Yansheng's long, dark lashes trembled.

He liked to secretly read storybooks and had seen villains drugging people through food and drink. Applying what he learned, he hadn't touched anything.

"Indeed, there was something in the tea and wine."

Meng Qiping dropped this bombshell without waiting for Zhong Yansheng's reaction, then chuckled, "But did you notice how weak your limbs feel, and how red your face is? Little slut, you're quite cautious. Fortunately, I had a backup plan and placed the drug in the incense burner, which has been fuming for over an hour."

Zhong Yansheng's eyes widened.

He almost immediately tried to escape the room, but after just a few steps, his legs suddenly gave out. If he hadn't grabbed the table in time, he would have fallen to the ground.

Meng Qiping held the cup of wine he had poured earlier, leaning close to Zhong Yansheng's lips, his gaze hooking onto the extremely narrow waist, then lowered his head to deeply inhale his scent, intoxicated. "Finally, I've got you in my hands."

With that, he grabbed Zhong Yansheng's sharp chin, forcing his mouth open, and poured the wine directly into his mouth.

The cold, spicy liquid rushed in, carrying a sweet and pungent taste. Zhong Yansheng, who had always been carefully sheltered, had never experienced such a shock, and began to choke violently, struggling desperately. With unexpected strength, he pushed away Meng Qiping, who was trying to kiss him, and staggered to the floor.

He coughed so hard he felt like he was going to vomit, his throat hurting so much it tasted of blood, and his head buzzed. After a while, he managed to catch his breath, his pale cheeks flushed with a drunken hue, his lips redder than ever, and his eyes bright with tears, making it impossible to look away.

Meng Qiping trembled with excitement, his breathing quickening, and he praised, "Beautiful, truly beautiful."

Zhong Yansheng felt a chill, clutching his burning stomach, his hands trembling as he wiped the wine from his chin, his voice hoarse, "Young Master Meng... I am the heir of the Marquis Huai'an's household. Are you not afraid..."

"Hah." Meng Qiping's face twisted with mockery, interrupting him, "Rumors about you being a fake heir have spread throughout the capital, and the Marquis Huai'an hasn't said a word. I bet those rumors are mostly true. Besides, even if you are the real heir, can a mere marquis's household stand up to our Duke Pei's household?"

Zhong Yansheng was stunned.

He had been kept in the deep inner chambers of the Marquis Huai'an's household for nearly eighteen years, surrounded by people like Yuncheng, and had never encountered such malice, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Once the real heir returns, you'll be nothing."

Meng Qiping squatted down, patting Zhong Yansheng's flushed face, the smooth texture of his skin making him caress his fingers several times, licking his lips, "Why not follow this young master, hmm?"

Zhong Yansheng felt as if he had been licked by something dirty and turned his face away in disgust.

Meng Qiping stared at him intently, and upon seeing his reaction, sneered in anger, "Let me tell you, there's no other way to counteract the drug. If you don't let me touch you now, you'll be crawling to me later. Little slut, stop pretending to be virtuous."

Zhong Yansheng's forehead hair was damp, the fire in his stomach spreading to his limbs, enveloping him in a stifling heat that made him sweat profusely, his mind growing increasingly hazy.

He bit his lip hard, using the pain to regain some clarity, gazing at the smug Meng Qiping through misty eyes, and said slowly, "Can you come a little closer?"

Meng Qiping's breathing grew even heavier, and he approached like a dog sniffing a bone, sniffing deeply, "Are you feeling very hot, wanting this young master to comfort you? Little..."

A sharp slap echoed, cutting off Meng Qiping's words.

Zhong Yansheng, lying on the floor, mustered all his strength and slapped him hard.

The slap was even stronger than usual, catching Meng Qiping off guard. He fell to the ground, stars dancing before his eyes, his ears ringing, and his face stinging.

He never expected to be hit, staring at the seemingly soft Zhong Yansheng in disbelief.

Zhong Yansheng gently shook his hand, which hurt from the impact.

Meng Qiping finally snapped out of it, enraged, and reached out to strangle Zhong Yansheng, shouting wildly, "You dare to hit me!"

Just as his hand grabbed Zhong Yansheng's collar, a commotion came from outside, "Sir! It's this boat! My young master was abducted by someone surnamed Meng onto this boat!"

It was Yuncheng's voice, along with the warning shouts of the imperial inspector.

Earlier, while Meng Qiping was forcing Zhong Yansheng to drink, he had struggled to extinguish the lamp.

Fortunately, Yuncheng had been keeping an eye on the boat and arrived just in time.

Meng Qiping's grip on Zhong Yansheng loosened slightly.

Though he spoke disdainfully of the Marquis Huai'an's household and mocked Zhong Yansheng as a fake heir, he still had reservations. Otherwise, he wouldn't have invited Zhong Yansheng alone to the boat to drug him first.

After all, Zhong Yansheng was still nominally the heir of the Marquis Huai'an's household.

Meng Qiping's face darkened as he considered how to hide Zhong Yansheng. Suddenly, he heard a splash.

He turned in surprise to find the window wide open, the night wind rushing in, and the person behind him gone.

Zhong Yansheng had decisively jumped off the boat.

Author's Note:

Baby's slap hurts a lot!