Chapter 37 Night Whispers Stinky…

Chapter 37 Night Talk: Stinky...

When Madam Zhong and Zhong Lan left, they wanted to leave all the household servants for Zhong Yao. But since Zhong Yao was staying at someone else’s estate, they cut down the number, but the ones left were still a hassle.

Xie Chi had these servants sent to the manor. The manor steward, following orders, said he’d gradually spread them out to various parts of the estate for odd jobs. Then they’d just need to have the inner courtyard maids occasionally pass along some orders about Zhong Yao to keep them fooled, which shouldn’t be a problem.

Fooling them for a short while wasn’t hard, but over time, someone might catch on—that’d be for Zhong Yao to fix when she got back.

“Am I really gonna make it back alive?”

Everyone on this trip with Xie Chi was traveling light, Zhong Yao included. But they were used to going out, while Zhong Yao, for the first time, had no family or servants with her—just her, alone with a few guys, heading to a dangerous place to find someone. She couldn’t help feeling lost.

This was one of the reasons Xie Chi hadn’t wanted her to come.

“If you’re scared, it’s not too late to turn back now,” Xie Chi said. “Stay at the manor; the steward’ll take good care of you. Once the Fourth Prince is crushed and has no fight left, you can go home.”

Zhong Yao was lifting the carriage curtain to look back, watching the estate fade into the woods, painfully aware she was leaving the capital, her mom, and her brother behind.

Hearing Xie Chi, she turned around.

Xie Chi thought she’d ask him to swear to protect her again, but instead she asked, “Can the Crown Prince really go hard on the Fourth Prince?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Xie Chi said. “Even in regular families, aren’t there plenty of brothers turning on each other?”

His words eased Zhong Yao’s doubts. She said firmly, “The Crown Prince definitely can! Older brothers have the cruelest hearts!”

If she’d just said the first part, it’d be fine, but adding that last bit made it hard for Xie Chi not to think she was taking a dig at him and her own two Zhong brothers.

Xie Chi looked up and, sure enough, caught Zhong Yao sneaking a glance at him again.

…What a fool.

“Yeah, Grandma also said older brothers have poisonous hearts,” Xue Fang chimed in, nodding gloomily, like he was reminded of something.

Another fool.

Being around these two gave Xie Chi either a headache or an eye ache.

He said tiredly, “If you’re scared, stop the carriage, and I’ll have someone take you home. If you decide to come, as long as you don’t leave my side without permission, I promise you won’t get hurt before I die.”

Zhong Yao laughed, her voice turning sweet. “Earlier you wouldn’t swear, and now you’re making a promise on your own?”

As she said that, she lightly scratched her cheek with her finger.

“…”

Xie Chi felt that most of the time, it wasn’t his fault he had a bad temper—Zhong Yao was just good at being a brat, always picking at him for no reason.

He scowled and gave her a mean look, and Zhong Yao immediately put on a fake, obedient face.

See? Sometimes she made him bully her.

Xie Chi wanted to pinch Zhong Yao’s face till she cried, but remembering he’d just promised not to hate or bully her, he decided to keep his word and just left the carriage to ride his horse.

During the day, whether riding in the wind or listening to Zhong Yao babble, time flew by. The route was planned ahead, and by evening, the group reached the next town and checked into an inn.

That’s when the real downside of bringing Zhong Yao along hit.

“I can’t stay alone…” Zhong Yao said pitifully.

This time, it wasn’t an act.

Xie Chi regretted it big time—how could he forget that Zhong Yao’s fear of dogs came from a run-in with bandits at an inn, where she saw a vicious dog attack someone and got scared out of her wits?

For convenience, Xie Chi only brought three guards, all men.

Where was he supposed to find a trustworthy woman to stay with Zhong Yao for the night?

Zhong Yao read his thoughts from his silence and asked nervously, “Do you think I’m a pain?”

“Yes,” Xie Chi said.

It was the truth, no point denying it.

But since he’d promised to take care of her, even if he found her a pain, he wouldn’t ditch her.

Xie Chi, knowing Zhong Yao was nervous about following him alone into a den of thieves, was about to say this to reassure her when tears already welled up in her eyes.

With teary eyes, she said, “I’m a real pain, Heir Xie. Please put up with me a little longer. I might get even more annoying later.”

Xie Chi: “…”

He shouldn’t have bothered to comfort her.

In the end, Xie Chi, Zhong Yao, and Xue Fang all shared a room. When Xie Chi told the guards to get bedding, he clearly saw the shock in their eyes.

But what else was he supposed to do?

Xie Chi had only brought three guards, all men—none of them could share a room with Zhong Yao.

And who could Zhong Yao fully trust?

Only him.

A man and a woman alone in the same room—Xie Chi could ensure the matter wouldn’t spread, but he couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t reach his grandmother’s ears.

Having Xue Fang squeeze in was the only way to attest to their innocence.

Too tired to explain, Xie Chi gave the orders with a cold face and then sent a message back to the capital, summoning Shu Feng to come quickly.

“I thought you two would be sleeping on the floor?” Zhong Yao whispered.

Xie Chi wasn’t one to indulge in luxury, but he wouldn’t mistreat himself either. He had the guards clear away the clutter in the room and bring in two extra beds.

By now, it was late. After washing up, everyone had gone to sleep—except Zhong Yao, who hadn’t washed, saying she was afraid bandits would burst in mid-bath. It was clear the last incident had left a deep shadow on her.

Zhong Yao slept on the original bed in the inner room, while Xie Chi and Xue Fang slept on the newly brought beds in the outer room, separated by a simple screen.

Xie Chi didn’t want to talk, but Xue Fang snorted, “Your reputation is ruined!”

“It doesn’t matter,” Zhong Yao said, lying on her side facing the outer room despite the darkness after the lamp was out. “My reputation was already gone long ago; I’m not afraid of it getting worse. And if I really can’t get married, I can take in a husband. My parents wouldn’t mind feeding one more mouth…”

“Take in a husband?” Xue Fang exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief. “You want to take in a husband!”

“Mm,” Zhong Yao replied, puzzled by his reaction. “My mother worries I might be unhappy after marriage, so she said I could take in a husband.”

“You’re already setting rules for your mother-in-law, and you still think it’s not good enough!”

In the darkness, Xue Fang’s voice sounded oddly distressed.

Zhong Yao let out an "Uh," puzzled, and asked, "I'm the one talking—why are you so worked up?"

"How can I not be worked up! I'm telling you, I won't accept it, I—"

"Shut it!" Xie Chi's stern reprimand cut off Xue Fang's indignant outburst. "Say one more word and I'll break your legs!"

Xue Fang shut up, and Zhong Yao went quiet too. But soon enough, in the quiet room, her voice started up again: "I want to get some quiet sleep too, and I know you're a good guy, Heir Xie, you won't do anything to me. But I've never... been in the same room with a man like this before... I'm a little nervous, I can't bring myself to close my eyes and sleep."

This was how Zhong Yao really felt. She was a bit embarrassed, but so Xie Chi wouldn't think she talked too much, she told the truth anyway.

Xie Chi was quiet for a moment, then said, "Then sleep by yourself."

"No way!" Zhong Yao said urgently and fearfully, in a weak voice. "I'd be even more scared to close my eyes alone!"

Xie Chi sighed deeply. "Then what do you want me to do?"

"Just let me talk for a bit, and I'll fall asleep when I get tired."

"Go on, then!"

But when it was actually her turn to talk, Zhong Yao suddenly had no idea what to say.

She listened to the wind rustling outside the inn, and after a while, she grabbed the bed curtains and asked, "Heir Xie, aren't you worried about leaving the old Madam Xie alone in the capital? Aren't you afraid something might happen to her?"

Xie Chi replied with his eyes closed, "She's old, but she could take on five of you with her bare hands, no problem."

Zhong Yao was shocked. "Your grandmother is that tough!"

Xie Chi felt drained.

His grandmother had been able to boss people around in the capital for so many years, and it wasn't just because the emperor was lenient with the last remaining founding heroes.

Plus, Xue Fang's excuse for leaving the capital gave her a reason to put on a sad act; she had already said she'd shut her doors to visitors and enjoy some peace and quiet at home.

Once the gates were closed, nothing had anything to do with her. By now, she was probably having her maids read her novels to her, living it up, couldn't be more comfortable.

But tough as she was, she was still an old woman. The only reason she could beat five of Zhong Yao wasn't because she was that strong, but because Zhong Yao...

Never mind.

He'd promised to take good care of her, so he couldn't be annoyed.

Xie Chi didn't say a word, just waited for Zhong Yao to get tired and fall asleep obediently.

But that was way easier said than done.

The room was quiet for a moment, then Zhong Yao's voice sounded again: "Heir Xie, keep track of all my expenses for food, lodging, and travel on this trip. When we get back to the capital, I'll pay you back."

"No need to," Xie Chi said.

"I insist," Zhong Yao insisted. "I know you're not short on money, but I can't keep mooching off you. A person shouldn't be too pushy."

Xie Chi: "So you do know what being pushy means?"

"Hehe," Zhong Yao laughed, just laughing without responding.

Her laugh was a bit embarrassed, a bit playful, and even a little simple and endearing. Just hearing it, Xie Chi could picture her expression.

Xie Chi was annoyed and snorted at her without kindness.

Zhong Yao wasn't offended. After another quiet spell, she said softly, "Heir Xie, don't bother with me anymore. Rest well—you have to travel tomorrow, so don't wear yourself out."

Xie Chi: "Not scared anymore?"

"I still am," Zhong Yao admitted honestly.

But this wasn't something that could be overcome in a day or two. She couldn't expect Xie Chi to stay up with her every night on this journey, could she?

Zhong Yao wasn't that willful.

She lowered her voice and negotiated, "How about this: you sleep, and I'll talk. Just snore so I know you're out there."

Xie Chi: "...I don't snore."

"You don't snore?" Zhong Yao was surprised again, puzzled. "But my second brother says all men snore. He even says that men who don't snore aren't real men."

Xie Chi's forehead throbbed. He was tempted to go inside, pull back the bed curtains, and give Zhong Yao a beating.

As he struggled to convince himself not to argue with her, a thunderous snore suddenly erupted from Xue Fang's bed, which had been quiet until then.

Xie Chi: "..."

Inside, Zhong Yao was stunned for a moment. Then, figuring it out, she wrapped herself in her quilt and let out a muffled laugh.

Whether it was a real snore or a young man deliberately making noise to prove he was a man, it gave Zhong Yao a sense of security.

She started murmuring to herself in a low voice, first saying how much she had sacrificed for her second brother and how he'd have to repay her well, then muttering about her private assets, and even mentioning her close friend from the boudoir who had drifted away due to a misunderstanding, worrying that she might have found a better friend.

When Zhong Yao's voice softened, it sounded gentle and clingy, like someone whispering in your ear. It reminded Xie Chi of that daytime moment when she had spoken softly to him.

That tingling sensation suddenly crept back up his neck.

Xie Chi held still, just hoping Zhong Yao would fall asleep soon.

But he waited a long time. Xue Fang grew tired of pretending, and his snoring stopped, yet Zhong Yao kept going, just like in that cave when they first met, tireless.

The difference was that back then, Xie Chi found Zhong Yao annoying and repeatedly ordered her to shut up. Now, he thought her voice was pleasant.

At that thought, Xie Chi suddenly stiffened, realizing something terrifying.

During his travels as a youth, he had once met a master who said that all things are constantly changing—some in outward growth and decay, others in emotions and character. Sometimes the changes were so small and brief that they were hard to notice.

Now, Xie Chi himself was proving this point.

Without realizing it, his tolerance for Zhong Yao had reached such a high level?

This was not a good thing.

Xie Chi still didn't think he felt romantic affection for Zhong Yao. Just as he was about to tell her to shut up impatiently, like in that cave, he suddenly heard her mutter something else softly.

It sounded like a complaint, but her voice was too low for him to catch.

Was she complaining that he wasn't considerate enough?

Xie Chi listened closely and heard Zhong Yao's delicate voice grumbling to herself, "...No matter how I smell, it's still stinky. It must be because I didn't bathe today..."

"..."

Xie Chi felt that Zhong Yao was really going to drive him crazy.