Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Pei Fufu frowned, looking at him in confusion: "Are you a kidnapper, uncle?"

Xiao Fei only heard the last two words, "kind uncle," and his eyes lit up with a smile: "A Si, he called me uncle, he wants to go home with me."

A Si opened his mouth, this little kid called you a kidnapper... and it does seem that way.

Xiao Fei couldn't bear to put him down, not caring that the little one had just been lying in the dirt and had dirtied him. His eyes, shaped like peach blossoms, sparkled with joy as he looked at the child's face, the more he looked, the more the child resembled the emperor's own.

The emperor and empress have been apart for so many years, their feelings have grown distant, and they urgently need a child who resembles both of them to act as a matchmaker, to make their relationship more stable, and the empire more secure.

If the parents of this child are willing to come to the capital and live together, the wealth and honor would be beyond measure.

"Kid, I can tell at a glance that I'm your true uncle."

A Si had never wanted to splash water on his master to wake him up more.

Pei Fufu drew out his words, emphasizing the first three words: "Are you a kidnapper, uncle?"

Xiao Fei's smile instantly froze, how can calling someone a kidnapper be so polite and endearing, what if he really gets kidnapped by a kidnapper.

"I'm not a bad person."

Pei Fufu tilted his head, "Uncle, are you planning to sell me?"

This uncle looked as happy as his dad did when he went into the pawnshop.

His dad took his vest in, came out happily, and bought him sugar-coated haws.

Then the vest was no more.

Xiao Fei's eyes were full of light, my goodness, he can talk at such a young age and even converse with me. What a smart kid—more endearing than the emperor himself.

Xiao Fei said lovingly, "No selling, no selling. Uncle will buy you some sugar-coated haws."

Pei Fufu: "You are a kidnapper."

Xiao Fei: "I am not a kidnapper."

Pei Fufu: "Then why are you carrying me?"

Xiao Fei reluctantly put him down: "Your parents aren't nearby, and I was afraid you'd run onto the main road."

Pei Fufu: "No, my dad told me to stay here."

Xiao Fei believed he wouldn't run around, couldn't fool his nephew, and said awkwardly: "Then why are you staying here?"

Pei Fufu squatted down again, looking even smaller: "My dad said this is called waiting for a rabbit."

A Si immediately became alert, waiting for a rabbit? Could it be Prince Qin, the rabbit we're waiting for?

"Master, it's not wise to stay here."

Xiao Fei's eyes deepened, children's words are innocent and often truthful, how could there just happen to be a child by the roadside who resembles the emperor and empress? Someone must have known he was passing by and placed the child here to lure him in.

Such a cute child, carefully raised to be as delicate as jade, how could no one want him.

So sinister, they really struck his weak spot hard.

Is the next step to have him deliver the child to the Emperor?

This has to be a years-long conspiracy against the royal family!

Pei Zhuo stood still, not moving a muscle, picking up a small stone chip with his fingers and flicking it toward the nearby cliff face.

The stone chip hit the cliff face and rolled down the slope, as if someone had kicked a rock loose on the mountain.

A Si grew tense, his voice urgent. "Master, watch out—there could be an ambush up there."

Xiao Fei: "Come with me, kiddo!"

Pei Fufu shook his head, propping his chin with his hand: "I can’t move, Uncle."

The bunny’ll get scared and run off.

"Uncle, you’d better go now."

The bunny’s scared with all these people around.

Xiao Fei widened his eyes. Was his nephew being held hostage?

"Hey, is there a trap here?"

Huh? A trap? What do you mean?

Pei Fufu stared at the rabbit hole, nodding half-heartedly: "Yes, there is."

He said sheepishly: "I’m the trap, Uncle."

Kids can’t lie—they just spill the truth.

A Si: "Master, let’s go quickly. We’re outnumbered, and I’m hurt."

Xiao Fei: "But what about my nephew?!"

Pei Fufu: "I’m totally safe, Uncle. See ya!"

No time for that today.

A Si: "Master! He’s perfectly safe."

Xiao Fei was pulled onto the horse by A Si, still glancing back long after they’d ridden away.

As soon as he left, a person emerged from the grass, scooping up the child and glaring intently in their direction.

A Si seemed to have eyes on his back: "Your Highness, look, there really was an ambush. He’s still watching us, unwilling to let go."

Xiao Fei clenched his fist in frustration, kicking himself for not bringing more men this time.

A Si: "I’ll bet he’ll show up again during His Majesty’s southern tour. Your Highness should immediately inform His Majesty to be more vigilant."

Pei Zhuo watched the two figures in the distance. After two years, Prince Qin is still so obsessed with conspiracy theories.

Calling him nephew all the time, really...

Is Xiao Fei here to scout ahead for Xiao Xun’s southern tour? Or is it because this is his fiefdom?

Pei Zhuo looked down at his son: "You did great, kiddo."

Pei Zhuo smartly advised, "Next time other uncles ask you something you don't understand, just play it off like you did this time, don't give Dad away."

"Okay, Pei Fufu?"

Pei Fufu: "Okay, Dad."

Pei Zhuo quickly scooped up the kid and made a run for it, "We can't stick around Yangzhou much longer."

But now he couldn't leave easily because Pei Fufu had picked up too many beggars, and his school had turned into a shelter.

Before he could leave, he had to take care of them first.

Pei Zhuo touched his purse, the hundred taels might not hold out.

Should he hock something else?

His only valuable item left was the bracelet given by Xiao Xun.

Pei Zhuo: "Fufu, let's change your name to Fufu, it brings better luck for your dad."

Pei Fufu, not realizing he'd already had three name changes, couldn't tell the difference but smartly replied, "Okay."

Pei Zhuo: "That's my boy."

Pei Zhuo heard that someone in Yangzhou was trying to use a steam engine to drive a loom and wanted to check it out. Maybe he could improve it and make some extra cash.

"Hey kid, tomorrow we..." Pei Zhuo suddenly looked up at the sky—it was getting dark, was it about to rain?

"Dad, are we coming back tomorrow?"

Pei Zhuo: "It's supposed to rain tomorrow."

Pei Fufu nodded, Dad stays in when it rains.

The weather turned out just as Pei Zhuo predicted. They barely made it home before the downpour started.

In the outskirts, Xiao Fei had just rounded up a big group when the rainstorm stopped them in their tracks.

A Si advised, "The rain's coming down so hard, it's washed away the tracks. Boss, even if you go after them now, you won't catch up."

Xiao Fei had to give up regretfully. He was here to snoop around for his brother, the emperor. Before the emperor's arrival, the local officials' moves would probably show how things are really run.

Local officials love to put on a show of peace and prosperity, they might kill those who cry out for justice, expel beggars, relocate people and demolish old houses... These tactics are not uncommon.

He jotted everything down in his notebook, to keep from tipping them off, he'd deal with it later.

Xiao Fei took off his raincoat and asked, "What is the Yangzhou prefect doing?"

A Si said, "He's holed up at home, waiting out the rain."

Xiao Fei: "..."

"I just heard that there is a charity in the city that has taken in many homeless children and elderly, it was established before the news of the emperor's southern tour spread, not a last-minute effort."

Xiao Fei "Oh"ed, "The prefect is Li Qingyan, right? Yangzhou is managed quite well, no wonder my brother set up the first branch school here."

The heavy rain covered the entire city of Yangzhou, a vast expanse of white.

Prefect Li Qingyan stood under the eaves and asked, "Is there any place in the city that is flooded?"

The advisor replied, "My lord, there are none."

The city’s deep drainage channels ensure quick water runoff.

"Given the heavy rain, His Majesty might be delayed for a few days," Li Qingyan mused, rubbing his hands. "Have we figured out why there are fewer beggars?"

The advisor responded, "Yes, we have. A generous young gentleman has arrived and taken them in."

Li Qingyan said, "Later, we’ll send him an honorary plaque. Also, check the official granary for old grain and send some to him. Look into his background; if he’s reputable, I’ll recommend him to His Majesty."

Rain pelted the pear blossoms, and the courtyard was tightly closed.

Pei Zhuo listened to the sound of rain washing over the roof and said to Pei Fufu, "In this weather, no one goes out. Let’s stay in bed."

Pei Fufu had been wandering the city daily, meeting many aunties and grannies.

They couldn’t meet today. The granny in the west said she’d fry meat skewers.

"The rain is so heavy, Dad."

"Summer storms are always intense."

A distant rumble of thunder echoed. Pei Fufu lay under the blanket, his head peeking out. His chubby hands covered his ears, though he wasn’t scared.

By night, the rain had eased.

Xiao Fei had just settled in when A Si whispered, "His Majesty is here."

Xiao Fei, who couldn’t sleep anyway, immediately got up. Opening the door, he saw a tall figure dismount and enter the courtyard.

Li Ruyi appeared shortly after, leading Wuzhui to the backyard.

The rain-soaked cloak clung to Xiao Xun’s damp shoulders. His expression was colder than at his coronation, his royal dignity slightly marred by the rain, but his aura was more chilling.

Xiao Fei sighed, recalling the soft little child from earlier.

Xiao Xun wasn’t in a hurry to change clothes. Instead, he sat down and poured a cup of hot tea, asking, "Did I wake you?"

Xiao Fei sat across from him at the tea table and said, "I regret not catching the kid I saw today—he looked just like you and the Empress. If you saw him, you’d be really happy."

Xiao Xun paused for a moment, then said, "Even a prince must obey the law, like any commoner."

Xiao Fei replied, "No, I wasn’t planning to kidnap him!"

"Brother, if you saw him, you’d want him too!"

Xiao Xun looked at him with a faint gaze, as if regarding a fool.

Xiao Fei continued, "Weren’t you due the day after tomorrow? Why rush here tonight?"

Xiao Xun said, "I got a letter from Lin Liangyu."

Xiao Fei leaned in closer, his voice darkening, "Where is he? Let me see."

Li Ruyi happened to enter at that moment, holding a letter wrapped in tung oil paper, "For Prince Qin’s perusal."

Xiao Fei snatched it and read, "Lin Liangyu is suppressing bandits in Dongting?!"

"Lin Liangyu met the Empress in Dongting!"

"Did Lin Liangyu encounter the Empress in Dongting, being intimate with another person and sharing a meal?"

Prince Qin's summary was so blunt that even Li Ruyi found it headache-inducing, let alone the Emperor.

Lin Liangyu's letter was filled with phrases like "suspect" and "uncertainty." He was busy suppressing bandits and had no time to spare. The letter was meant to inform the Emperor of a lead. The agents he sent to tail "Pei Zhuo" would leave a signal in Yangzhou City, and the Emperor could follow the signal to see if it was Pei Zhuo.

But when Prince Qin read it aloud, it sounded like a foregone conclusion.

Li Ruyi glanced at the Emperor secretly. Hmm, he looked really upset.

Xiao Fei understood. His brother, upon receiving the letter, rushed here overnight in the rain.

He slapped his thigh, "It's over. Could it be that the Empress went home to get married while pursuing her studies and even had a son? Both in Yangzhou City—what a coincidence!"

Xiao Xun's face stiffened.

Xiao Fei became more convinced it made sense: "Two months ago, Minister Jia reported that Pei Zhuo had a dream about graduating. Why hasn't he returned to Yujing? It turns out he was delayed because of the child."

Li Ruyi wanted to cover Xiao Fei's mouth, "Minister Lin only speculated, but Prince Qin seems to fully believe it."

Xiao Fei: "I don't trust him!"

Xiao Xun spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse: "How old is the child?"

Xiao Fei tilted his head in thought. When his fourth brother was that size and could talk like that, how old was he?

"At least two years old."

Li Ruyi quickly said: "Then it couldn't have been conceived after marriage."

Xiao Fei: "Ah, so it was before marriage?"

Li Ruyi: "..." Oh no, doing the math, a two-year-old child would have been conceived before Pei Zhuo arrived in Yujing.

He said: "Didn't Prince Qin mention the child resembles the master? Besides, Minister Lin's letter didn't mention a child."

Xiao Fei suddenly frowned, realizing a flaw in his reasoning.

Xiao Xun stood up and went out.

Li Ruyi: "Master, it's so late..."

Xiao Xun: "I'm going to look for someone."

A month ago, he received a letter from Jia Lian and immediately ordered the roads to be cleared.

Jia Lian wrote the letter two months ago, and it took a month to arrive.

He worried Pei Zhuo would appear at Taoli River, wet and at risk of catching a cold, so he had a thatched hut built and ordered people to wait day and night.

He waited on the shore for days, then suddenly sensed something was off.

If he could return from Taoli River, he should have appeared a month ago.

Pei Zhuo might be further south, taking his time returning to the capital. While it takes a normal person one day, he would take three days.

Xiao Xun decided to make a southern tour.

He took ten days to go from Yujing to Yangzhou. What kind of distant place could Pei Zhuo be in, taking two months without any word?

Tonight, Yangzhou City is wide awake.

The trail left by Lin Liangyu’s men was easy to follow, at an inn. He was alone, and the guy with Pei Zhuo was a pro, so they had to tail them from afar without getting spotted.

Sometimes, they’d get gutsy and sit at the next table, overhearing their conversations, talking about “going back to Yujing” and “the emperor.” The pro didn’t seem keen on going back to Yujing, but the beauty kept pushing him.

Xiao Xun dropped down from the roof and stood in front of a door, and knocked: “Lin Liangyu.”

Hearing their boss’s name called out, the person inside was startled, opened the door, blinked, and finally realized it was the Emperor.

“Your Majesty… they’re in the third room on the left.”

Xiao Xun nodded and headed straight there, knocking again.

“Pei Zhuo.”

As soon as the door opened, a barrage of Pear Blossom Needles shot out, aimed at key pressure points, enough to paralyze and weaken someone.

Xiao Xun sidestepped, catching a silver needle in a flash, his eyes narrowing.

The next second, the person stepped out, but the hallway was empty.

Pei Zhuo, the so-called “fool” beauty, peeked out: “Ah Lu, didn’t you say he was trouble? Where’d he go?”

Ah Lu, the pro, frowned: “He’s gone.”

Pei Zhuo shrugged: “Oh, probably got the wrong guy.”

Ah Lu: “…” He said your name.

…

Xiao Xun headed downstairs, his steps calm, his expression a bit lighter.

Just seeing the Pear Blossom Needles, he knew it wasn’t Pei Zhuo.

…

The rain stopped abruptly, the sky cleared up, and the sun quickly dried the puddles.

A little kid sneaked out from under the blanket at the foot of the bed—Daddy was still asleep.

Pei Fufu slipped out the door, tiptoed to another room, peeked through the crack, and whispered, “Uncle—Uncle, you awake?”

A guard stretched and came out, scooping him up: “Where are we headed today… where to play?”

Pei Fufu: “I’ll ask the new grandma.”

Squire Liu’s kid was doing way better in school, earning praise from the teacher, and Pei Zhuo, his tutor, got a twenty-tael bonus.

He bought the neighboring large courtyard and settled the homeless there.

Inside were large shared beds, the house was humble but could shelter from wind and rain, a dream come true for beggars.

The guard carried Pei Fufu in and found the old woman who had come to take shelter from the rain yesterday.

Pei Fufu: “Grandma, where do you beg?”

Old woman: “By the government, by the government.”

Pei Fufu nodded: "Grandma, stay home and have a good meal. I’ll go out and get some food for you."

The old woman was puzzled.

The guard: "..." He was used to it.

Today, Yangzhou City was unusually lively, with the distant sound of gongs and drums.

He carried the kid to the street near the government office and finally realized the Emperor had arrived in Yangzhou on his southern tour.

"Did you check out the dragon boats on the canal? The Emperor’s fleet, over ten boats, so impressive!"

"What’s the big deal about dragon boats? I pushed my way to the front and saw the Emperor! I thought he was a god come to earth, like Erlang Shen from the tales!"

The guard chuckled. So the Emperor had come to Yangzhou. Master Pei had ordered them to stay indoors for two days because of the rain, so they were out of the loop.

Wait... the Emperor is here!

Then Master Pei could catch a ride back on the boat?

He needed to hurry back and tell Master Pei.

"FuFu, let’s head back first. Uncle needs to talk to your dad."

Pei Fufu reminded him: "Uncle, it’s Wednesday—no work today."

Dad’s not an early riser.

The guard choked. Even if the Emperor himself showed up, nothing mattered more than Master Pei’s sleep.

By the time he realized he’d had such a rebellious thought, the little one was already dragging him toward the bustling area.

Yangzhou, with its geographical and human advantages, was at its most glorious today since Li Qingyan took office.

In his fourth-rank official robe, he stood at the forefront, welcoming the Emperor’s grand procession as he set foot on Yangzhou’s soil.

The last time they met, the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, his edge hidden, but this time, Li Qingyan dared not look directly.

He walked with the Emperor to inspect Yangzhou City. The citizens cooperated, keeping a respectful distance, their lives clearly more prosperous than elsewhere.

The accompanying officials, noticing the Emperor’s hidden satisfaction, didn’t hesitate to praise the prefect.

"Yangzhou is a land of talent and beauty, home to Jiangnan’s top academy. It will surely supply pillars for Great Xuan in the future. Lord Li’s hard work has earned the Emperor’s high regard."

Li Qingyan's old face turned slightly red: "I dare not take credit. I’m just following orders."

"Lunch is ready—Jiangnan specialties. Your Majesty, please proceed to Guangling Restaurant to view the river from the tower."

But Xiao Xun showed no sign of stopping, continuing his inspection.

The accompanying officials were momentarily stunned, not knowing how long the Emperor would walk, getting closer and closer to the people.

But with him around, there would be no awkward silence.

"Lord Li, representing the heavens in shepherding the people, along the way, the scenes we've seen, the widowed and orphaned all have their support."

Li Qingyan: "Eating the Emperor's salary, sharing the Emperor's worries—my heart is solely concerned with the people's hunger and cold—"

As soon as he finished speaking, a milky voice joyfully interjected: "Can I have some food, then?"

The officials and Li Ruyi were stunned by the sudden appearance of the little beggar, their mutual flattery cut short as they choked on their words.

What a humiliating moment.

Li Ruyi's vision blurred, and in the haze, he caught a glint of gold. He focused and saw that the chubby wrist of the little beggar was tied with a red string, on which hung a pure gold hollow lotus pod.

This kid is from a wealthy family! This is a trap!

Pei Fufu, clutching a bowl, dashed over to the most well-dressed and handsome man. This man seemed approachable, so Pei Fufu said, "My dad’s really pitiful—he’s got no food."

The guard paled. He shouldn’t have let the kid get so close.

He should’ve known! The kid was a natural at begging for his dad, always aiming for the best. They pitied Master Pei’s frail state, so they let the kid play the dutiful son.

Now he’s begging from the emperor himself!

Unbelievable!

Xiao Xun froze, his inner turmoil hidden from all.

He managed to ask, "How much do you need?"

Pei Fufu’s eyes sparkled: "Three bowls—two for my dad, one for me."

The officials exchanged glances, too intimidated to speak up.

The emperor looked down, his expression unreadable.

After a pause, he fixed his gaze on the hollow lotus pod and asked, "Where’s your father?"

Pei Fufu: "He’s in bed."

Xiao Xun’s hand tightened slightly: "Is he paralyzed?"

Pei Fufu: Huh?

He recalled his dad’s advice: when asked, don’t give too much away.

Pei Fufu: "Oh."

Xiao Xun’s words, laced with sarcasm and pain, cut deep.

He taunted Pei Zhuo for hiding in Yangzhou, for his talents—could he really be reduced to begging, to being bedridden?!

But the child’s vague answer sent a chill down his spine.

Xiao Xun scooped up the grubby child, holding him as if he carried the weight of the nation, yet momentarily setting it aside.

He ordered Li Ruyi, "Clear the area."

Li Ruyi, hiding his surprise at the child Xiao Fei had mentioned, efficiently ushered the officials to a restaurant, ordered the guards to clear the crowd, and sent them to the dragon boat for the emperor’s gifts of dried fruits and preserves.

"What’s your name?"

Pei Fufu: "FuFu."

Xiao Xun: "Fu Fu, let’s go call your dad to eat together."

Pei Fufu: "Hmm."

As the tide receded, the guards who stayed behind instantly stood out.

Xiao Xun commanded, "Lead the way."

The guard walked ahead, his steps almost in sync, sensing the Emperor's intimidating presence, and it seemed Master Pei was in for trouble.

Xiao Xun accepted a piece of snowflake cake from Li Ruyi and handed it to the child he was holding.

From the yamen to Pei Zhuo's waterside courtyard, a long journey, Xiao Xun never once loosened his grip.

Occasionally, someone would peek through the wall cracks, marveling at the Emperor's poise while envying the child he held.

A treasure in hand, nothing more.

They looked like father and son, indeed!

Crumbs from the snowflake cake fell on the moon-white dragon robe, scattered by the wind from his brisk strides.

The guard leading the way was drenched in sweat, glancing back to see the obedient child completely unfazed, nor concerned about his father, his long lashes lowered as he focused on the cake, his features strikingly similar to the Emperor's unreadable expression.

A terrifying thought crossed the guard's mind.

Xiao Xun entered the courtyard, his height making the house beams seem low.

He stood at Pei Zhuo's bedroom door, holding the child, nearly blocking all the light.

"Dad!" Pei Fufu finished the cake, licking his lips, "I got the food."

Xiao Xun's gaze landed on the figure lying on the shabby kang in the small room.

His head was buried under a rough quilt, only a few strands of hair visible.

Pei Zhuo's muffled voice emerged from under the quilt, "What’s for dinner?"

Xiao Xun closed his eyes briefly, "..."

Pei Fufu asked, "Uncle, what’s for dinner?"

Xiao Xun replied, "Wait for your father to order."

Pei Zhuo suddenly opened his eyes.

He had heard Xiao Xun's voice too abruptly.

He lifted a corner of the quilt, locking eyes with Xiao Xun.

"..."

Such a regal Emperor.