Chapter 59: Tit for Tat (3)

Chapter 59: Tit for Tat (3)

In the end, under Xiang Zhi's insistence, they still went to eat the dim sum at Sihai Tower.

After an evening of socializing with him, Le Wuya's only feeling was that he wanted to become a monk.

If he were someone unfamiliar with Xiang Zhi, he would only see him as a warm, guileless, approachable, and sincere person, speaking wittily and quite amusingly.

But given that Le Wuya knew the true nature of the Seventh Prince, he was well aware that he had swallowed a lot of anger that night.

He didn't know why the other had been nursing a grudge, but he was set on taking it out on him.

To avoid any more trouble, Le Wuya had no choice but to pretend he didn't understand and respond with an innocent smile.

However, in the end, Xiang Zhi still paid the bill, and he even packed some taro sesame candy, handing it to Le Wuya to hold.

In return, he demanded that Le Wuya personally escort him back to the guesthouse.

In the twilight-covered border town, only a few stalls remained on the streets, peddling traces of worldly life.

A full moon floated on the Nanting River that circled the city. Looking up, the real moon was hidden behind tall trees, hard to glimpse.

Le Wuya looked down at the rustling tree shadows, uttering not a word.

Xiang Zhi softly complained, "You barely speak."

Le Wuya: "Thinking."

Xiang Zhi: "About what?"

Le Wuya honestly replied, "Thinking about becoming a monk."

Xiang Zhi glanced at him: "Becoming a monk means getting up early for morning prayers."

Le Wuya: "...Oh, forget it then."

"Seeing me makes you want to become a monk?" Xiang Zhi mulled it over for a moment before understanding, "You're wearing my clothes and saying this—where's your conscience?"

Le Wuya: "It looks good when worn, and it's a waste not to. Thinking it over, it's still more worthwhile to wear them."

Xiang Zhi: "Sophistry."

Le Wuya: "You have a heart for talent; wouldn't it be a shame to leave it unused?"

Although he knew full well that Le Wuya was buttering him up, Xiang Zhi couldn't help but lower his head and smile faintly.

"Don't call me 'Your Excellency'; aren't you afraid someone on the street might hear?" The Seventh Prince said casually, "Call me Xiu Guan."

Le Wuya was taken aback.

It was a tradition in Dayu to take a courtesy name upon coming of age.

For someone like Le Wuya, who had given himself a courtesy name as a child and continued to use it as an adult, that was common practice.

But a prince couldn't be so casual; the Ministry of Rites usually proposed names, which were then submitted to the emperor for selection and approval.

Even after going through this cumbersome process, few people actually called them by their courtesy names.

Those of lower noble rank dared not, peer princes called each other brothers, and the emperor often addressed them by order, so even having a courtesy name was seldom used.

Le Wuya hadn't lived to the age when the prince took his courtesy name, so he only learned it today.

He couldn't help but think about what courtesy name Xiao Liu had chosen.

Even as his mind wandered to others, Le Wuya did not forget his manners: "I dare not."

"And don't call yourself 'your subordinate,' either."

"Then what should I call you?"

Somehow, Xiang Zhi disliked seeing him grovel before him: "Whatever you like. Whatever you say tonight, I won't hold it against you as a violation."

"And after tonight?"

"I won't settle old scores either."

Le Wuya turned sideways and bowed respectfully to him: "Ming Ke obeys the order."

Then he straightened up and looked directly into the Seventh Prince's eyes: "Xiu Guan, were the disturbances caused by the wandering beggars in Nanting your doing?"

The Seventh Prince's perfect smile stiffened slightly: "...What?"

Le Wuya had deliberately maintained respectful tones and acted humble all evening, knowing that Xiang Zhi hated formalities, in order to get him to say "don't be so formal, relax."

Now that he was permitted to be presumptuous, he feared nothing.

"Recently, there have been many wandering beggars in Nanting, nearly causing disaster. If I hadn't taken precautions and acted in time, Nanting would already be in chaos. And at this very moment, you appear here..."

The Seventh Prince touched the tip of his nose, sensing something was off: "Ming Ke, are you interrogating me?"

Le Wuya: "I just find it hard to believe in such coincidences. No sooner do I have trouble than someone arrives who can handle all my troubles for me. If this person could resolve the crisis of the wandering beggars for me, I would naturally be grateful and obey him in everything."

Xiang Zhi was stunned for a long moment before saying, "Do you really think that of me?"

Le Wuya: "I simply don't believe I'm that lucky."

But Xiang Zhi refused to accept this explanation and pressed on: "Why do you think that of me?"

In front of him, he had acted with laughing and cursing as he pleased.

"Reckless, willful, a spendthrift prince who throws money around"—he thought he had always worn this mask perfectly.

Where had he let his mischievous side show?

Le Wuya thought, you've screwed me over like this before.

But he couldn't say that.

So he hedged, "Maybe I'm just overly suspicious."

"Liar." Xiang Zhi's attitude suddenly became fierce. "You're lying!"

He grabbed Le Wuya by the collar and dragged him close, staring into his eyes.

Those in the world who knew his true nature were few.

What did this little magistrate know about him, that he dared to imitate him by being suspicious of him?!

Le Wuya was not afraid. Not only did he not look away, but he took a piece of taro sesame candy from the package in his hand, held it in his mouth, and met his gaze with one that held both scrutiny and defiance.

He had to take this great risk to eliminate all potential dangers.

Otherwise, there was only the principle: “A thief may steal for a thousand days, but one cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days.”

If another such ambush were staged against the people of Nanting, he could endure it—but the common folk might not.

“I know nothing about those vagrant beggars. I’ve just arrived from the capital; Yizhou is far away and remote. Even if I’d wanted to, my influence wouldn’t reach that far.” Xiang Zhishi turned his head away, furious. “…If I say so, will you believe me?”

Le Wuyai fell silent for a long while, then gave a slight nod. “I believe you.”

That he could be convinced so easily caught Xiang Zhishi completely off guard.

While he stood stunned, Le Wuyai offered a piece of taro-sesame candy to his lips. “Xiuguan, would you like some? It’s quite tasty.”

Xiang Zhishi pushed his hand away. “You just accused me outright—questioned me face-to-face—and now you claim you believe me, just because I said one word?”

Le Wuyai nodded. “I believe you.”

Little Seven never denied wrongdoing when he’d committed it.

…When exposed, he often wore an infuriating smile, proudly flaunting his misdeeds right before him.

He had never been so furious before.

His heart remained calm—but Xiang Zhishi couldn’t. “Don’t call me Xiuguan anymore!”

He let go and turned to leave—but after a few steps, abruptly whirled back and snatched the taro-sesame candy from Le Wuyai’s hand.

Le Wuyai followed him instead.

Xiang Zhishi asked, “What are you doing?”

Le Wuyai replied, “Seeing you back.”

Xiang Zhishi turned his head, tilted it slightly, and stared at him for a long moment. “I don’t need you to see me off.”

Le Wuyai immediately said, “I, your subordinate, report—”

Before the last word left his mouth, Xiang Zhishi seized his wrist firmly. “Are you saying that on purpose?”

Xiang Zhishi looked at him, enunciating each word clearly: “No—you *must* see me back. Don’t let me get robbed by those vagrant beggars.”

With no choice, Le Wuyai had to follow him step by step toward the post station.

Halfway there, the Seventh Prince suddenly appeared to spot something, instantly shedding his earlier anger, and waved enthusiastically: “Sister Xiaoshu!”

Le Wuyai came to an abrupt halt, staring at the rouge stall ahead—still open—and after a long pause, slowly turned his head.

Qi Hongzhuang approached; under the lantern light, seeing the man beside Xiang Zhishi, she couldn’t help but pause in surprise.

The Seventh Prince cheerfully introduced them: “Sister, this is the local magistrate, Wenren Yue. And this is—”

Le Wuyai bowed with cupped hands. “Greetings to the County Princess.”

The Seventh Prince blinked. “Eh? How did you know it was her?”

Qi Hongzhuang said nothing—only looked at Le Wuyai, waiting for an explanation.

Le Wuyai replied, “Only one person could be called ‘Sister’ by Xiuguan—I could think of no one else but the County Princess.”

Qi Hongzhuang raised an eyebrow.

…Xiuguan?

She had been born into the imperial clan and entered the palace several times as a member of the royal family.

Thus, she knew “Xiuguan” was the Seventh Prince’s childhood name—used only by his birth mother.

She always kept palace matters strictly to herself and never shared them with Le Wuyai—even though he was her tutor, he didn’t know this.

Yet Magistrate Wenren could call him “Xiuguan”?

That meant their relationship must be exceptionally close.

The Seventh Prince exclaimed in surprise, “I have more than one sister, you know.”

“Today, Brother Guo and Sister Guo told me they’d slipped up in front of the Nanting magistrate—and he already knew I’d arrived in Nanting,” Qi Hongzhuang explained softly, then turned to Le Wuyai with a courteous bow. “I haven’t yet visited the yamen to pay my respects—that was my oversight.”

Le Wuyai kept his eyes lowered. “The County Princess is too kind.”

The Seventh Prince amiably draped an arm over Le Wuyai’s shoulders. “He still needs to see me back. Sorry to cut this short—you can catch up later, right?”

At the gesture, Le Wuyai instinctively looked up.

In the dim twilight, a pair of jet-black pupils—tinged faintly purple—met Qi Hongzhuang’s gaze directly.

Qi Hongzhuang startled and blurted out, “Wait!”

Le Wuyai stopped, sighing inwardly.

Today, he’d already tricked the County Princess into revealing she was in Nanting—and heard the Seventh Prince address her as “sister.” If he deliberately feigned ignorance and pretended not to recognize her, suspicion would inevitably arise.

But they’d been siblings for years—living under the same roof, meeting daily—so it would be even easier for her to recognize *him*.

Heaven knew—he only wanted to eat soft rice, not sit at the table in full view of everyone.

He asked respectfully, “County Princess, what is the matter?”

Qi Hongzhuang steadied herself. “Regarding camellia cultivation, after several days of investigation, I’ve gained some insights. Before I depart, I’ll write them down and leave them in Nanting.”

She added, “The previous contract was far too generous on the magistrate’s part… If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to draft a new one—with terms open for renegotiation. Would the magistrate agree?”

Le Wuyai’s eyes lit up; he barely restrained himself from wagging his tail. “Thank you, County Princess. Then tomorrow—”

Xiang Zhishi pinched his waist from behind. “Didn’t you already promise to spend tomorrow with me?”

At the pinch, Le Wuyai nearly leapt up.

Reluctantly, he said, “Then—”

Seeing his dilemma, Qi Hongzhuang interjected, “I’ll remain in Nanting for a few more days. When you’re free, just send someone to the post station to let me know.”

Le Wuyai readily agreed—and added, “It’s growing late. Would the County Princess like to return to the post station together?”

“No,” Qi Hongzhuang replied calmly. “Today’s tea-flower grafting work lasted all day, and the artisans worked extremely hard. I treated them to a meal—the banquet has just ended, and I’m taking a walk to clear my head of wine. Guards accompany me. The magistrate need not worry.”

She added, “The vagrant beggar issue in Nanting has been resolved, and the streets are safe. I am no longer afraid of danger.”

The three exchanged a few more pleasantries before parting ways on the street.

After they set off again, the Seventh Prince said with a half-smile, "You really are likable, people are lining up to give you money."

Seeing that he could make another profit, Le Wuya was overjoyed and dropped the pretense: "Yes, and someone even gave me clothes."

The Seventh Prince: "..."

This retort left him utterly speechless. All the way to the Nanting post station, he couldn't think of a comeback. Fuming inwardly, he seized the opportunity when Le Wuya turned and gave his waist another pinch before leaving in a huff.

...

Back in his room at the post station, Xiang Zhishi lay sprawled on the bed, spread-eagled.

He held up the small gold pendant from his chest and murmured incessantly.

"Teacher, I didn't bring you out last time. Look, that person just now really looks a bit like you, doesn't he?"

"Xiang Zhijie thinks he looks like you, and your wife thinks so too, so they both treat him well, as if that could make it up to you."

"I'm different. I want to treat him well and make good use of him. But he always imitates you and annoys me."

He rolled over onto his stomach, propped his chin in his hands, and said, "Do you want to be someone like Wenren Yue?"

"I've checked his family background for three generations. His origins are indeed humble, but it's a clean and honest family. Do you want such a family?"

"If you really have been reincarnated, just tell me, okay? Then I won't miss you anymore. I'll go find you. By then, I'll act obediently in front of you, and then I'll trick you good again, so you'll never forget me for the rest of your life."

As he spoke, he became troubled again: "But he doesn't recognize me either, so why does he always think the worst of me?"

"Do I look that bad?"

While Xiang Zhishi was murmuring to the necklace, footsteps approached unhurriedly.

He heard Kong Yangping, who was standing guard at the door, greet her: "Greetings, County Princess."

He couldn't hear what Qi Hongzhuang replied, but he didn't want to hear her voice, so he buried his face in the blanket.

"He was mine first," Xiang Zhishi muttered indignantly to himself. "...I was too young back then. I just lent him to you."