Chapter 19: Reality or Deception

Amid the summer breeze and moonlit night, the moon hung gracefully on the branches of emerald trees.

Xiao Chiye was robust, and alcohol fueled his heat. Frustrated, he watched Shen Zechuan descend and remarked, "The Temple of Acknowledging Faults can't possibly teach one to be at peace with adversity and alter one's nature."

Shen Zechuan dismissed the waiter and replied, "I am most skilled in enduring adversity with grace."

Xiao Chiye rinsed his mouth with tea served by the waiter, wiped his lips, and said, "Try coming up with something more convincing. You probably can't even write those four characters."

"All just part of the performance," Shen Zechuan said as he wiped his hands, smiling at him. "You're taking this too seriously."

Xiao Chiye did not look at him but casually threw the handkerchief back into the tray. "When the act is over, who will believe it? Someone has to play that role, and I, Xiao Ce'an, fit the part perfectly. Aren't you enjoying the show?"

"This dagger is a treasure," Shen Zechuan said, lowering his gaze.

Xiao Chiye raised his hand to block Shen Zechuan's view and asked, "And what about me? Am I not one?"

A lantern upstairs went out, and Shen Zechuan sighed. "How do I respond to that? It doesn't seem quite appropriate."

"You have high standards," Xiao Chiye withdrew his hand, his gaze fierce and menacing as he stared at Shen Zechuan. "Not many people can recognize a fine blade."

"People are treasures themselves," Shen Zechuan agreed with him. "Naturally, they would wear good things. Even a blind cat can stumble upon a dead rat. I was just guessing."

"Why do I feel like I'm seeing a ghost whenever you praise me?" Xiao Chiye said.

"Maybe you don't hear it often enough," Shen Zechuan consoled him. "I haven't even mentioned my sincerity yet."

The crowd around them had dispersed.

"Calm and composed," Xiao Chiye said coolly. "You're quite the patient one."

"One must have patience to achieve great things," Shen Zechuan chuckled. "Don't worry, there's more to come."

"Great things," Xiao Chiye scoffed. "What could there possibly be in this tiny Qudu that requires such scheming on your part?"

"I'll tell you," Shen Zechuan paused and looked at Xiao Chiye with a hint of fondness. "You actually believe me. Second Young Master, you're not as shrewd as you seem."

"I'm just a debauched, idle noble, living for food and drink, waiting for the day I die," Xiao Chiye said. "I never knew the world could be so treacherous, or that someone like you would try to deceive me."

"Forgive me." Shen Zechuan shifted his steps. "I see that your fangs have been sealed, quite pitiful. Tonight, you've relieved yourself with a swing of your blade, haven't you?"

"Just a little." Xiao Chiye stepped forward to block his path. "Where are you going? We're not done talking."

"I'm escorting you back to your residence," Shen Zechuan said. "For saving me tonight, I am deeply grateful and don't know how to repay you."

Xiao Chiye scoffed. "Your mouth is full of lies, deceiving many people, I presume?"

"Not many fell for it," Shen Zechuan replied, turning around. "Everyone tells a fib now and then, like saying 'I have plenty of money.'"

Xiao Chiye retracted his leg. "Compared to you, I'm a mere amateur."

"You see," Shen Zechuan said softly. "You're being polite again."

There was simply no point in conversing with this man.

It was impossible to tell which of his words were true or false; every sentence seemed like a ruse to obfuscate the truth. Even after circling around the subject, one couldn't extract any substance from him.

Xiao Chiye turned around, whistling to summon his horse. "You're being friendly with me because of tonight's incident. Now that everyone has dispersed, there's no need to keep up the act."

"Well, what can I do about it?" Shen Zechuan lifted the lantern, his gaze soft and obedient as he looked at Xiao Chiye. "Should I bite you again?"

Xiao Chiye suddenly stepped closer, speaking with a casual ease. "With such an enchanting appearance, you've used it all to captivate people's hearts. What are you trying to imply by looking at me like that?"

Shen Zechuan remained unperturbed, instead whispering to him, "I was born with these affectionate eyes."

Xiao Chiye mockingly tapped Shen Zechuan's forehead with the tip of his riding whip. "What a waste of these eyes, filled with schemes and manipulations."

"I was born with a wretched fate," Shen Zechuan said, gently pushing aside the whip. "How else could I play the game?"

"Second Young Master came here tonight for yourself," Xiao Chiye said coldly. "Don't mistake my actions for something more."

"Thank goodness the moon is so bright tonight," Shen Zechuan replied. "Why ruin the mood of my self-inflicted affection?"

Xiao Chiye mounted his horse and held the reins, gazing at Shen Zechuan for a moment before he said provocatively, "I'm afraid you'd cling onto me for this small favor, crying and causing a fuss."

"You're not just drunk," Shen Zechuan hinted. "You're terminally ill."

"Who knows about that?" Xiao Chiye said. "After all, you have thrown tantrums before."

The night fell into silence.

Xiao Chiye reined in his gaze, considering it a small victory. He galloped a few steps before suddenly hearing someone speak behind him with a mirthful tone.

"Did you find what you lost five years ago?"

Xiao Chiye turned abruptly and pulled the reins, halting for a moment as he said in a chilly voice, "Give me back my ring."

Shen Zechuan looked at him, but his gaze made Xiao Chiye feel that something was amiss.

Shen Zechuan said, "Want the ring? Easy, just bark like a dog twice and I'll give it to you."

The Sea Eagle landed on Xiao Chiye's shoulder, staring at Shen Zechuan alongside its master with an icy demeanor. It was late into the night, and the unknown night watchman's clanging of the wooden block extinguished the lantern in Shen Zechuan's hand.

The path was shrouded in darkness.

Several days later, Li Jianheng dared to show his face in front of Xiao Chiye. To his surprise, Xiao Chiye seemed to still be simmering with anger. When they listened to music together, the atmosphere was so frigid that not a single delicate maiden dared to come forward to serve them.

Li Jianheng held up his teacup to shield himself as he whispered, "Still angry?"

Xiao Chiye ground the ice in his mouth and said, "It's melting."

Li Jianheng's hair stood on end at the sound of the crunching. "It's almost autumn. You shouldn't be eating ice like that; it's eerie."

"I have a whole cellar full of it prepared every year. It'd be a waste to let it go to waste," Xiao Chiye propped his feet up and leaned back.

Li Jianheng couldn't help but shift his butt and said, "Let me tell you something that'll cheer you up. Do you know who Feng Quan is?"

"Who?"

"That girl I mentioned before." Li Jianheng's face was brimming with a smile as he spoke slyly. "Feng Quan is her younger brother. She's now in favor with Pan Rugui. Wouldn't Pan Rugui want to promote Feng Quan? Feng Quan is quite the talker and has even won Ji Lei's heart. Ji Lei plans on raising him like a son!"

"It seems so," Xiao Chiye said with one arm supporting his head as he glanced at Li Jianheng. "You're really taken with that girl, aren't you?"

"Indeed," Li Jianheng replied. "That's why what happened that day was all Ji Lei's doing. As Feng Quan is his son, how could he defy his father's orders?"

"So you're suggesting I let him off?" Xiao Chiye asked.

Li Jianheng was flexible and had none of the arrogance of a royal. He promptly slid off his chair and squatted in front of Xiao Chiye, pleading, "Brother, do this for my sake and let him off. Besides, haven't we made him suffer enough already? He is, after all, Pan Rugui's person. We can't be too harsh on him, especially since it's only been a few days since the incident with Xiao Fuzi, and the Emperor is still watching."

Xiao Chiye suddenly stared at him and sat up. "Did you touch her?"

Li Jianheng grunted.

Xiao Chiye said, "You touched his woman under Pan Rugui’s nose?"

"I wouldn’t have done it if he were a real man," Li Jianheng protested, standing up. "He’s just an old eunuch with those cheap tricks to entertain himself. He beats that lovely maiden until she cries like a pear blossom in the rain every day! That beauty was mine to begin with! If you were in my shoes, would you do it?!"

Xiao Chiye said exasperatedly, "No, I wouldn’t!"

Li Jianheng pleaded again, "Cai An, we’re brothers! How big of a deal is this? Huh? Just turn a blind eye. Let Feng Quan go, and I’ll give you someone else to play with!"

Xiao Chiye lay back down without a word.

If Pan Rugui found out about this, Xiao Fuzi’s incident would be nothing but a fart. The old dog would surely think of ways to kill both of them. Just from the favor he had shown Feng Quan recently, one could tell how much he doted on that woman.

Pan Rugui was sixty-five years old with no biological sons. None of the beauties by his side had lasted so long. If he really regarded that woman as his beloved wife or concubine, he might not hesitate to kill Li Jianheng.

Listening to Li Jianheng’s incessant chatter, Xiao Chiye asked, "You must have been confident to dare do such a thing, right?"

Li Jianheng sat on the carpet, fiddling with his bamboo fan and murmured, "Well, it's not exactly that... I heard, I heard that Pan Rugui used to keep a bunny god too. Why not just give him one for amusement?"

Xiao Chiye replied, "Not many can compare to your beauty."

Li Jianheng felt uneasy but didn't dare hide the truth from him. He said, "Then... Shen Lanzhou has been quite the topic of interest lately."

"What are they interested in?"

"His price, whether anyone can afford to keep him." Seeing Xiao Chiye's expressionless face, Li Jianheng quickly clung to the chair. "Money isn't an issue, but I'm too afraid to approach him myself. If he gets desperate... Cai'an, help me this once. Just get him in front of Pan Rugui, and I'll pay you in silver! Even gold, if you want!"

Xiao Chiye remained silent, leaning on his knees.

Li Jianheng thought there was a chance and continued, "Aren't you still angry at Shen Wei? After this is done, Shen Zechuan wouldn't dare act tough in front of you again! Think about it, he failed to die, but fate took a turn. By making him do this in Qu Du, he'll wish he were dead in the future! Besides, the Empress Dowager also has her sights on him..."

"I thought you had a brain," Xiao Chiye drawled as he pulled his leg back. "Turns out it's all just mush inside."

"Cai'an, Cai'an!" Li Jianheng chased after him, holding up his robe as he ran out the door.

Xiao Chiye mounted his horse and left without looking back.

Let Shen Zechuan become Pan Rugui's forbidden delicacy; would Pan Rugui dare to take him? This person is under the constant watch of the Empress Dowager, who wishes to protect him. If Pan Rugui dares to, it would be cutting off his own future. Li Jianheng must have lost his mind!

But if Li Jianheng were to dare act on those intentions.

If Li Jianheng truly dared to...

Why would Li Jianheng suddenly dare to do such a thing?

Upon completing his duty, Shen Zechuan removed his official badge and was immediately greeted by Xiao Chiye's magnificent steed as he exited.

Descending the steps, he said, "Are you here for the ring?"

Xiao Chiye plucked off a branch and held it between his teeth. He stared at Shen Zechuan for a moment before saying, "It's broad daylight, and you're still not awake? Give me back what's mine and stop beating around the bush."

"That wasn't how you were acting last night," Shen Zechuan observed the sky. "If you stand here barking like a dog, the Governor won't be able to save face. So you didn't come for the ring, then. What is it? Be straightforward."

"What do you think you know?" Xiao Chiye sat on a rock, propping his elbows with his long legs. "Chu Wang wants to beat up Xiao Fuzi, and even in the temple, you could find out about it. I momentarily forgot about this matter, but now that I think about it, there must be someone from your side by his side. Either a spy or someone who's inciting him to do this."

"If my abilities were that extraordinary," Shen Zechuan replied, "I wouldn't have ended up taking care of elephants."

"One can never truly know for certain," Xiao Chiye said, his eyes cold and distant. "You'll have to give me a clear account before I can discern the truth from your letters."