Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Zhong Yansheng rarely carried much on his mind; recently, he had only two things weighing on him. Resolving one of them lifted the heavy burden from his heart, making his steps lighter as he returned to Chunwu Garden.

Passing by Ming Xue Yuan, Zhong Yansheng's sharp eyes noticed that the gate was open, and inside, it was dark and eerily quiet.

Zhong Sidu was skilled at navigating social situations, always courteous and fair to all, including the less familiar servants in Zhong Yansheng’s courtyard, who often wanted to visit Ming Xue Yuan.

But Zhong Sidu seemed to dislike being served, keeping only three or four servants in Ming Xue Yuan.

Didn't he usually study until the third watch?

During dinner with Lady Hou, Zhong Sidu did not show up either.

Zhong Yansheng couldn't help but worry if something had happened to him, but thinking of Zhong Sidu's cold demeanor, he decided against entering. Instead, he lingered at the gate, peering in to check for any abnormalities before leaving.

The night was tranquil. Just as he stepped over, he heard a rapid breathing sound.

Following the faint noise, he saw a shadow leaning against a locust tree nearby, chest rising and falling slightly. The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, making it hard to discern the figure clearly.

Zhong Yansheng's whole body tensed, and he pulled back his hand, ready to run. After a few steps, a familiar voice called out behind him: "Zhong Yansheng."

It sounded somewhat irritated.

Zhong Yansheng stopped, blinked, and hesitantly turned his head. The shadow still leaned against the tree, tilting its head slightly as if looking at him.

It was Zhong Sidu.

Zhong Yansheng let out a small sigh of relief but remained outside the courtyard: "What's wrong?"

Hearing his voice, Zhong Sidu's figure seemed to stiffen, his breathing gradually becoming even, but he remained silent.

Zhong Yansheng tilted his head: "Are you feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?"

After a moment, Zhong Sidu's slightly hoarse voice came from the other side of the courtyard: "... No need."

Oh.

Zhong Yansheng nodded obediently, asked no more questions, and turned to leave again.

His reaction surprised Zhong Sidu: "You!"

Zhong Yansheng turned around curiously: "What is it?"

"..." After a long silence, Zhong Sidu said, "Why didn't you continue asking what's wrong."

Zhong Yansheng didn't quite understand: "I already asked if you needed a doctor, and you said no."

Zhong Sidu fell silent again: "Why didn't you come to check on me?"

"I promised you I wouldn't wander around in front of you."

When Zhong Yansheng didn't lower his voice or adjust his tone, his clear and smooth voice, with a gentle lilt, slowly and deliberately said, "Besides, if you were really unwell, you wouldn't have the leisure to talk to me like this."

Zhong Sidu said nothing.

Feeling that Zhong Sidu might be dismissing him, Zhong Yansheng didn't want to be unwelcome, so he pulled back his hand and quietly slipped away, his steps light and swift, vanishing in an instant.

Like a beautiful little bird that had perched briefly, observed for a while, and then, without much concern, flapped its wings and flew away.

Leaning against the tree trunk, Zhong Sidu took a long time to turn his head, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

Zhong Yansheng didn't dwell too much on Zhong Sidu's unusual behavior. Feeling good, he returned to his room, wrapped himself in his blanket, and fell asleep peacefully.

Perhaps because he had seen Xiao Nong earlier and noticed the red band tied around his sleeve, some indescribable scenes came to mind, and he had a dream.

In the dream, he was back on the boat that swayed incessantly in the storm.

The moonlight, half-obscured and half-visible, filtered through the gauze canopy and spilled onto the bed. His hands were bound by the headband, and he sat there, kissing Xiao Nong's lips clumsily, like a small animal, licking his way into his lips, desperately seeking something.

Xiao Nong's face was as deep and handsome as it had been during the day, with blue eyes that added a touch of otherworldly allure, not quite the refined and upright look. Beneath his inner robe, his muscles rippled smoothly, exuding a strong sense of aggression.

He lay there calmly, half-closed eyes fixed on Zhong Yansheng, reminding him of the Aiye Leopard named Tashuai, which also lay lazily in its cage, indulgently watching his youthful appearance.

After a moment, the person in the dream caught his fingers, glanced down, and then looked up at him, biting his fingertip.

Everything suddenly flipped.

In the dream, Zhong Yansheng was dominated and controlled.

The air, now infused with the scent of medicine, was no longer cold but enveloped in a warm mist. He clung to the other's neck in a panic, hearing the familiar deep voice: "Tiaotiao."

"Don't move around."

Zhong Yansheng woke up in a stifling heat, his hair damp with sweat, sticking to his neck and face. The cold, medicinal scent still lingered in his nostrils.

He gasped for breath, dazed for a moment, and then noticed that the white silk he had hidden behind the gauze canopy had fallen onto his lips.

Light and cool, it felt like a kiss landing on his lips.

Zhong Yansheng was suddenly as if scalded, hurriedly grabbing the white silk and stuffing it back behind the canopy.

He was truly reckless and fearless, not only forcing King Ding to sleep with him but also daring to have such dreams!

Outside, the sky was already bright, and the laughter and chatter of the servants sweeping the courtyard could be faintly heard.

Zhong Yansheng stealthily lifted the blanket to check and sighed in relief.

Fortunately, he had only broken out in a sweat and hadn't soiled the bedding.

His heart still felt uneasy, and he burrowed back under the covers, wriggling around beneath them. With his head full of disheveled, slightly damp black hair, he finally fished out two identical medicine bottles from the inner side of the bed. Like a thief, he hid under the covers, holding the bottles and staring at them.

The ointment Xiao Nong gave him worked as well as always; the pain in his knee, which had been nagging yesterday, was now much better.

He felt his luck had been off lately, as if he needed to read the almanac backward.

A few days ago, when he went to the flower competition banquet, he had asked Yuncheng to check the guest list for him in advance, making sure that King Ding wasn't attending before he went. Yet, he still ran into Xiao Nong.

According to the gossip Xiao Wenlan shared with his friends on the way yesterday, it seemed that King Ding had gone to Jinghua Garden to cause trouble for King De, entering through a side gate to avoid King De hearing about it and leaving.

By coincidence, he entered through the side gate and met him, who was hiding in a corner to avoid the crowd.

Yesterday was even worse. He never expected Xiao Wenlan to dare take them to Xiao Nong's place to see the leopards, which also roused the attention of the venerable King Ding.

He always checked the almanac before going out, ensuring it was a good day for travel.

Yet, every time he encountered Xiao Nong.

The only thing to be grateful for was that he managed to get away each time, and Xiao Nong didn't seem to think too much about it.

It would be best to stay home more. After a while, when King Ding calmed down and no longer wanted to find him, he could go out again.

Zhong Yansheng thought about it, recalling Xiao Nong's offer to come over and apologize, hesitating briefly before quickly dismissing it.

King Ding clearly disliked being disturbed; how could they all go over? Besides, no one had consulted him about apologizing to Xiao Nong.

Xiao Nong probably just said it casually, not taking it seriously. He should just listen casually.

Last night's dream had exhausted Zhong Yansheng. He put the two medicine bottles back, snuggled deeper into the bed, and closed his eyes comfortably, ready for a nap.

Just as he closed his eyes, there was a knock on the door. It was Yuncheng's voice: "Is Young Master awake?"

Hearing the voice, Zhong Yansheng suddenly felt energetic, threw off the covers, and rushed to the door barefoot, opening it with a surprised look: "Yuncheng, you're better?"

Yuncheng's body was much stronger than Zhong Yansheng's. Despite coughing and running a fever the day before, he seemed fine today. Seeing Zhong Yansheng run out barefoot, he sighed and pushed him onto the couch, muttering as he went to fetch some silk socks: "How many times have I told you not to run around barefoot? The floor is cold, and what if you kick something and hurt yourself..."

Zhong Yansheng usually responded with a casual "Mm-hmm" to things he didn't want to talk about, lying down on the couch like a boneless noodle and yawning: "Mm-hmm, Yuncheng, I'm still sleepy. Let me sleep a bit more. You just got better, so don't overexert yourself. Go rest."

Yuncheng took the silk socks, looked at him, and sighed: "Young Master, don't oversleep. Lord Marquis instructed you to study with the neighbor today before he returns this evening to examine your lessons."

Zhong Yansheng: "..."

It was like a bolt from the blue.

He wasn't particularly averse to studying, but the neighbor certainly was averse to him.

How could Zhong Sidu possibly study with him?

Zhong Yansheng slowly sat up, swinging his white feet, and pondered for a moment: "Yuncheng, do you think I can get away with studying alone in my room?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhong Sidu's voice came from outside the room: "No."

Zhong Yansheng's swinging feet froze, and he looked toward the door.

Zhong Sidu's expression was as usual, neatly dressed, with jingling ornaments, looking like the elegant and gentle young master he usually was, unlike last night. However, his gaze was different, carrying a hint of complexity.

Zhong Yansheng's soft, disheveled black hair made him look like a pretty bird with ruffled feathers. His eyes widened in surprise as he stared at him, puzzled.

Seeing Zhong Yansheng's messy appearance, Zhong Sidu paused, pressed his lips together, and looked away, his tone uncertainly stiff or cold: "Father has instructed me to study with you."

Zhong Yansheng put aside his lazy demeanor in front of Yuncheng, sitting up straighter, hesitating slightly: "That's not right... I know you don't want to. I'll just study on my own."

"..." Zhong Sidu said coolly, "Why do you assume I don't want to? Hurry up and get ready. I'll wait for you in the study."

Even after Zhong Sidu left, Zhong Yansheng and Yuncheng were still a bit dazed.

Yuncheng slapped his head, confirming he wasn't dreaming, and turned to him blankly: "Young Master, is he possessed by a ghost?"

Zhong Yansheng thought it wasn't nice to say such things, but he couldn't help agreeing: "I suspect it too."

Regardless of whether Zhong Sidu was possessed, they had to study together today.

Zhong Yansheng resigned himself, got up, washed up, and changed clothes.

When he stepped into his small study, Zhong Sidu was already sitting at one end of the desk, reading.

Zhong Yansheng hesitated a little, then sat far away on the other side, silently opening his book.

Although it was his familiar small study, having someone else there made him feel a bit uncomfortable.

Worried that Zhong Yansheng might be bullied, Yuncheng followed in and stood by his side, serving tea, secretly observing Zhong Sidu. Seeing him focused on the book in front of him, he felt somewhat relieved.

Zhong Sidu wasn't actually reading.

His mind was still in turmoil, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhong Yansheng sitting nearby, flipping through the book aimlessly.

Today, at home, he hadn't smeared his face with anything strange or used the scented powder, and the heavy scent of the powder was gone. A faint orchid fragrance seemed to permeate the air, refreshing and soothing.

After observing for a while, Zhong Yansheng started to fidget, his eyes wandering, his posture slouching, and he sighed deeply while leaning against the chair, holding the book.

Watching for a bit longer, Zhong Yansheng's head began to nod, holding the book of "The Doctrine of the Mean," half-asleep. To keep himself awake, he mumbled softly: "The way of the gentleman is bland but not insipid, simple yet refined, warm and orderly, knowing the near from the distant..."

...

He fell asleep.

Before meeting Zhong Yansheng, Zhong Sidu had heard two different versions of him from the outside world and from his parents.

The outside world said that the young master of the Marquis Huai'an's household had been weak since childhood, spoiled by his parents, and was capricious and unlearned.

In his parents' eyes, Zhong Yansheng was obedient, shy, and clear-minded, evoking pity.

The rumors pieced together from the outside world, the resentment sparked by injustice, and the envy that spread due to his parents' unyielding affection—all these painted Zhong Yansheng as someone with impure intentions, only capable of feigning innocence and weakness.

Prejudice set the tone; whatever Zhong Yansheng did was seen as having ulterior motives, and their tolerance of him was merely to gain his parents' sympathy.

But if Zhong Yansheng were truly as they thought, why would he say those words to Marquis Huai'an, restoring his identity?

Returning his identity offered Zhong Yansheng no benefit.

Once Zhong Sidu was reinstated in the family register and restored as heir, Zhong Yansheng would... have nothing left.

Zhong Sidu closed his eyes.

Completely wrong.

Zhong Yansheng didn't much like reading books like "The Doctrine of the Mean," and last night's dream had been particularly draining. The book became even harder to focus on, and as usual, his eyelids grew heavier, and he drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

Mr. Zhou, who usually taught him, would often be amused and exasperated by Zhong Yansheng, threatening to strike his hand.

But no one could bring themselves to hit Zhong Yansheng; a few pitiful glances from his bright, lustrous eyes were enough to make anyone hesitate.

Seeing the young master fall asleep again, Yuncheng silently poked his waist furiously.

Zhong Yansheng woke up, looked around dazedly, and naturally turned the page, continuing to read.

After a while, his head nodded, and the effect of "The Doctrine of the Mean" was remarkable; he fell asleep once more.

Zhong Sidu's gaze had long shifted from the book to the fluffy black head resting on the desk. After a moment of silence, he spoke: "When did he go to bed last night?"

Could it be that after speaking to Marquis Huai'an, he felt regret and tossed and turned all night, just like him?

Thinking this, the torment in Zhong Sidu's heart eased somewhat.

It seemed Zhong Yansheng wasn't so generous or indifferent about his status in the Marquisate.

Yuncheng, still frowning, poked Zhong Yansheng twice more. He disliked this eldest master but had to respond: "Eldest Master, Young Master went to bed at the tenth hour and woke up at the sixth."

Zhong Sidu: "..."

From across the courtyard, he lay awake all night because of Zhong Yansheng's words in Marquis Huai'an's study, yet Zhong Yansheng slept soundly.

Zhong Yansheng didn't get angry when poked awake; he lowered his head, still groggy, and slowly turned the page, looking at it for a moment before his head began to nod again.

Zhong Sidu took a deep breath and finally couldn't bear it anymore: "Zhong Yansheng."

Zhong Yansheng rubbed his eyes and responded after a pause: "Ah?"

Zhong Sidu stared at him: "What does Chapter 20 of 'The Doctrine of the Mean' discuss?"

Zhong Yansheng was still half-asleep and didn't understand why Zhong Sidu suddenly asked this. His fingers moved, starting to flip through the book.

Zhong Sidu: "No flipping the book."

Zhong Yansheng looked at Zhong Sidu blankly, pondered for a moment, and tentatively asked: "Duke Ai asking about governance?"

"Hmm," Zhong Sidu was surprised that he could remember what he had read despite being so sleepy, "What does it discuss?"

"..."

Zhong Sidu put down the book, stood up, and walked over, his expression calm: "Let me explain it to you while you read."

Not only was Zhong Yansheng stunned, but Yuncheng also thought Zhong Sidu was deliberately trying to make things difficult for Zhong Yansheng.

After a while, Zhong Yansheng fully came to his senses and realized that Zhong Sidu seemed genuinely trying to teach him.

...Was he seeing ghosts?

Had the real heir really been possessed?

Yuncheng stepped back three paces in fright, and Zhong Yansheng was also bewildered, unable to nap, and listened attentively to the lesson for the entire morning.

As lunchtime approached, Zhong Sidu put down the book, glanced at Zhong Yansheng's face, then looked away: "We'll continue later. Go have your lunch first."

Although he didn't understand why Zhong Sidu had suddenly changed his attitude and kindly explained the lessons, Zhong Yansheng was very grateful. Seeing him leave, he asked proactively: "Do you want to have lunch in Chunwu Garden? The dishes from the small kitchen are excellent."

Zhong Sidu paused for a moment before saying: "...No need."

Zhong Yansheng, who never made empty courtesies, didn't insist upon his refusal: "Alright."

Seeing Zhong Sidu finally leave, Yuncheng, embarrassed to speak ill behind his back, scratched his head in confusion and gave up thinking: "Young Master, I'll check on the lunch preparations in the small kitchen."

Zhong Yansheng nodded, waited for Yuncheng to leave, and then lowered his head to flip through the book in front of him, still feeling lost.

He had just flipped a couple of pages when Yuncheng, who had said he would check the kitchen, suddenly rushed back into the study, looking tense: "Young Master!"

Zhong Yansheng was startled: "What is it?"

"Someone just came from below, saying someone is looking for you and asked me to pass the message," Yuncheng's face was pale with fear, "Could it be that Meng person?"

Zhong Yansheng also became anxious: "What message?"

Yuncheng said: "He said, 'My lord sent me to ask when the young heir will come to apologize.'"

Zhong Yansheng: "…………"

Yuncheng was furious, cursing: "Apologize? Does he have the nerve to say such things? After Prince Ding cut off one of his fingers, he still can't behave!"

...The shameless person you're cursing is Prince Ding.

Zhong Yansheng hesitated, unsure how to explain.

If Yuncheng were to find out whose territory the Changliu Villa truly belonged to, he feared Yuncheng would be unable to sleep from tonight onwards.

To apologize at King Ding’s mansion...

Zhong Yansheng subconsciously sensed a hint of danger, feeling that if he went, he would be like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

After much deliberation, Zhong Yansheng decided to tell a small lie: "Yuncheng, you go and reply, just say that I... I had a nightmare in the middle of the night, fell out of bed, twisted my ankle, and can't move for now."

Yuncheng, who was already against Zhong Yansheng going, immediately nodded: "Alright, I'll go and reply."

Once Yuncheng left, Zhong Yansheng couldn't sit still either, and couldn't help pacing around the study.

He didn't expect Xiao Nong to be serious about making him apologize.

He couldn't help but secretly criticize Xiao Nong as petty.

Xiao Nong leaned back leisurely in the carriage, casually fiddling with a field-yellow stone seal tied with a headband.

Lou Qingtang sat opposite, curiously lifting the curtain to peek at the gate of the Marquis's mansion.

Soon, someone came over and reported outside the carriage: "Master, the people around the young lord say that the young lord had a nightmare last night, twisted his ankle, and is unable to move."

"Hmm." Xiao Nong was unsurprised, his tone calm, "What is the young lord who twisted his ankle doing now?"

The secret guard paused: "Pacing in the study."

Xiao Nong's lips curled into a smile.

When the master smiles, someone is about to suffer.

The secret guard's eyebrows twitched, almost suspecting that Xiao Nong's next words would be to send someone to bind that person.

Unexpectedly, after laughing, Xiao Nong casually grabbed a medicine bottle from a hidden compartment and tossed it over: "Take this to the young lord, tell him it's bone-healing and muscle-regenerating ointment, and ordinary sprains will heal overnight."

The secret guard took it with puzzlement: "Yes."

Zhong Yansheng paced around the study for dozens of circles, then received a bottle of ointment and a message from Yuncheng: "Young Master, that person said this is bone-healing and muscle-regenerating ointment, use it overnight and you'll be fine, and asked if you can visit tomorrow."

Zhong Yansheng stared at the ointment, gritting his teeth: "Go back and tell him I accidentally scalded my hand."

Not long after, Yuncheng returned with a puzzled look, bringing another bottle of burn ointment: "Young Master, that person said this is purple grass burn ointment, very effective."

Zhong Yansheng: "...Tell him I caught a cold from the cool night air."

A while later, Yuncheng brought back another packet of medicine: "Young Master..."

Zhong Yansheng felt utterly hopeless: "What kind of medicine this time?"

Yuncheng also noticed that the person sending messages wasn't Meng Qiping, hesitating before saying: "This time, they didn't say what kind of medicine it is, only gave me a message to pass on."

Zhong Yansheng: "What?"

Yuncheng: "They said, the young lord really has many misfortunes."

"..."

Zhong Yansheng looked at the row of medicines on the desk, feeling anxious.

What does Xiao Nong want to do?

Did he discover his identity? He definitely hasn't, right?

According to Prince Ding's style, if he wanted to go to the Anping Marquis's residence, he would have gone, causing a commotion. If he had discovered him, he would have come directly to catch him, not caring whether it was a marquis's mansion or not.

Yuncheng asked cautiously: "Young Master, who is that person? Should I go back and reply?"

Zhong Yansheng had a vague feeling that he was being toyed with: "...Don't go."

He couldn't think of any more excuses.

Xiao Nong waited in the carriage for a while longer, seeing no response, his eyebrows slightly raised.

It seems he's run out of excuses and is preparing to play dead.

Looking at the gate of the Marquis's mansion again, Xiao Nong said two words: "Return home."

Lou Qingtang, who had been watching the spectacle for a long time, finally couldn't resist asking when he saw Xiao Nong didn't get angry: "You summoned me back with a letter without saying anything, and we've been busy for nothing. What exactly do you want to do? And, the young lord of the Huai'an Marquis's mansion has such courage, actually daring to keep the door closed to you?"

The carriage started moving, and Xiao Nong didn't answer for a moment, playing with the seal for a while before raising his eyes to ask: "I have a question for you."

Lou Qingtang thought he was hallucinating, but realized Xiao Nong was speaking, feeling greatly shocked.

Prince Ding actually asks questions like this?

He thought Xiao Nong only interrogated people harshly.

"Tell me," Lou Qingtang straightened his posture, thinking it must be something important, "What is it?"

Xiao Nong pondered for a moment: "If someone, hiding their name, comes to your side, gives you gifts, paints for you, calls you brother, pleases you, yet asks for nothing, and suddenly leaves, hiding so you can't find them..."

Lou Qingtang's expression grew increasingly strange as he listened.

Xiao Nong's eyes rarely showed a hint of confusion: "What do you think the reason is? What is their purpose?"

Lou Qingtang had already guessed who the beauty on the boat that day was and roughly what had happened since then, and answered without hesitation: "Do I need to think more? If those actions were to get close to you and please you, but he asks for nothing and leaves after such an incident, it's clearly admiration!"

Xiao Nong's fingers paused as he played with the seal, repeating: "Admiration?"

"Definitely admires you." Lou Qingtang stated firmly, kindly analyzing the situation for this old iron tree who was clueless about matters of the heart. "Look, he's a pampered young lord, not someone who has nothing to do. Why would he bother coming to you and put up with your bad temper? He must have heard that you were injured and poisoned, worried so much that he couldn't eat or sleep, and afraid of being misunderstood, so he kept his identity hidden."

Xiao Nong grasped the key point, seemingly enlightened: "Worried so much that he couldn't eat or sleep?"

If that was the case, it made sense.

A young lord from a noble household, sneaking off to a remote villa to approach someone everyone else avoided... There could be no other reason besides admiration.

The evasive behavior also became understandable.

At this age, how could a young man not feel shy and nervous when he saw someone he liked?

This realization brought him an indescribable joy, as if the tip of a soft feather had gently tickled his heart. Xiao Nong's mood suddenly improved, and the smile on his lips became tender.

So, Tiaotiao admired him after all.

Author's note:

Tiaotiao: Ah?

Fake brother and real brother, one self-conquers, the other conquers (

No more drafts! I've been typing all afternoon orz

Note: The way of the gentleman is to be simple without being tiresome, plain yet elegant, warm yet principled, knowing the near through the distant. —— *The Doctrine of the Mean*