SEHE Chapter 33

Rewards

The servants present at the time knelt all over the ground. After the evening meal, everyone in the entire mansion knew that Zhang Huairu was to be expelled from the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Of course, they dared not use the word “expelled.” In their whispered conversations and laughter, they all said His Highness was benevolent, sending the severely injured Zhang Huairu to recuperate at the estate outside the city, so he wouldn’t be troubled by managing the servants and exhaust himself further.

The mansion had just dismissed a large group of people, and now even Zhang Huairu was leaving, which couldn’t help but make people’s hearts tremble with fear. They vaguely sensed that the atmosphere in this mansion was about to change.

For the remaining eunuchs, once Zhang Huairu recovered from his injuries, returning to the Crown Prince’s Mansion was just a matter of time. It was just that during this period, they had to be more careful and cautious, avoiding provoking Gu Jiuqing’s displeasure.

****

Sparse stars and faint moon, drifting clouds passing lightly.

Gu Jiuqing had just finished bathing and was leaning sideways on a square pillow, reading by candlelight. A maidservant knelt beside the couch, holding a small sandalwood hammer in her hands, gently massaging his legs with neither too much nor too little force.

The weather around the Qingming Festival was beginning to warm. He wore white silk undergarments with a thin outer robe draped over his shoulders. He had just turned a page when he heard a maidservant report that Pei Yanci had arrived.

The second watch had just been struck – coming so late made him somewhat puzzled.

“Let him in.”

Soon, the distinctive indigo coarse cloth clothing of a steward slowly emerged from behind the curtain, and Pei Yanci’s elegant and gentle face appeared before his eyes.

He performed a bow and said, “Your Highness, the servants to be sold have all gone with the brokers. This humble one has reorganized the remaining servants, dispersing them among the various halls inside and outside the mansion. Please see if there’s anything improper.”

As he spoke, he handed over a brown leather ledger.

Seeing his gaze fixed on the maidservant beside him, Gu Jiuqing waved the others away. Only then did his heart feel more comfortable as he said, “You could have reported this matter tomorrow just as well. Why rush for this moment? You’ve worked hard all day today – rest early, that’s what matters.”

Speaking of this, he thought of Yunsheng.

With just one phrase “going to look for the registry,” he had hidden away all day without showing himself. Useless at work, but his skill at slacking off was practiced to perfection.

How could he compare to even half of Pei Yanci’s capability?

“Once the matter of selling the servants is finished, it should be reported promptly to let Your Highness know. But disturbing Your Highness’s refined evening leisure is truly inexcusable,” Pei Yanci said.

His gaze swept around the body reclining on the couch, and he picked up the small wooden hammer nearby.

Seeing that he was about to kneel beside his feet, Gu Jiuqing moved his legs back a bit. “Come up and sit.”

Pei Yanci had no choice but to sit sideways on the couch.

“This humble one heard this evening that Chief Steward Zhang will be temporarily staying outside the city for a while?” He tapped the legs intermittently with the hammer in his hand.

“Yes.” Gu Jiuqing had no particular guard against him. “He injured his bones and should properly recuperate. Those people in the mansion are useless – they bother him with every trivial matter. This way, his body will eventually develop chronic ailments.”

“This humble one had no leisure to visit him these past days, not knowing he was injured so severely. Today when this humble one heard this news, with the servant matter coming to an end, this humble one finally had some free time in the evening and brought some nourishing medicinal materials to visit him. Good heavens, there was an endless stream of people coming to bid farewell, and a pile of eunuchs and servants packing clothes and trunks. This humble one could barely squeeze into the room.” Pei Yanci sighed. “How beloved Chief Steward Zhang is in the mansion can now be clearly seen. The century-old ginseng this humble one brought, which I thought was of superior quality, proved tonight that this humble one’s knowledge was shallow.”

“He’s been chief steward for several years now. What this prince casually gave him over the years amounts to more than just a few stalks of century-old ginseng. Just for his departure tomorrow, this prince rewarded him with more than ten cartloads of medicinal materials and goods.” Gu Jiuqing took it as youthful competitiveness and coaxed, “If you want some, go pick a few trinkets from the storehouse tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Pei Yanci put down the small hammer and bowed while sitting.

Gu Jiuqing was dazzled by the joyful smile on his face and was momentarily stunned.

“Just a few trinkets, yet you’re this happy.” Gu Jiuqing shook his head, his eyes inevitably carrying a trace of indulgence.

“Everything Your Highness rewards is valuable, and moreover, this shows Your Highness trusts this humble one, so naturally my status and dignity are different.” Pei Yanci said with complete seriousness, though it was nonsense. “This humble one is not taking from Your Highness for nothing either. These past days I’ve been busy running around, and I’m so tired my back and waist ache. This humble one really needs to nourish myself properly. Ah—Your Highness…”

Gu Jiuqing was amused by him. His clean big toe poked at the soft flesh of his waist. “What waist does a child have?”

Pei Yanci was poked at his ticklish spot and tried hard to suppress his laughter. Instinctively wanting to dodge but remembering his current status, he didn’t dare move away. He could only sit at the edge of the couch, trying to shrink back without being too obvious, his body shaking into a ball.

“Your Highness, Your Highness…”

His pleading words trembled so much they were nearly inaudible. His crescent-shaped eyes misted over, watery and hazy.

Gu Jiuqing’s ears went soft, and he felt a heat stir below.

“This humble one doesn’t want it anymore, alright? Doesn’t want it…” Pei Yanci was wondering how to escape this predicament when he saw the toe at his waist suddenly withdraw.

The slender legs returned to the couch, slightly bent. Gu Jiuqing pulled the outer robe from behind to the front, covering most of his body.

“Your Highness?” Pei Yanci looked at him puzzledly, his voice still carrying a trace of hoarseness.

His saying he didn’t want the reward was just playful talk.

Did this person really have to be so stingy?

He gave Zhang Huairu more than ten cartloads, yet he only wanted one item.

“This prince will look at the list. Don’t speak for now.” Gu Jiuqing’s sharp lips pressed tightly together.

Pei Yanci had to swallow back the words he wanted to say.

Gu Jiuqing was currently suffering from burning heat in his body. Holding the list he had just handed over, he couldn’t focus on a single name.

His heart, eyes, and thoughts were all tied to the person at his feet.

He had always been proper and courteous, with a solemn and austere nature. Unwelcome in the palace, ignored after leaving to establish his residence, and after becoming crown prince, the strings in his mind were constantly taut. He had never considered romantic entanglements, keeping his chambers clean and empty.

Now, because of such an insignificant bit of playfulness, his interest had actually stirred.

This made him somewhat embarrassed.

What he should do now was send Pei Yanci away, but when these words reached his lips, he couldn’t speak them.

He enjoyed this moment’s peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, as if having Pei Yanci by his side made everything beautiful and clear.

He endured for nearly a quarter-hour before his breathing calmed somewhat. Thinking that he had maintained such a grim expression for so long without speaking, this person must be feeling quite anxious and uneasy.

Only thinking of himself, he had forgotten to consider the other’s feelings.

He raised his eyes to look toward his feet and immediately didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Pei Yanci sat sideways at the edge of the couch, his head bobbing up and down like a pecking chicken, already drowsy with sleep.

He felt both tender and amused. Sitting up and leaning closer, his hand was about to embrace his waist and pull him onto his couch when Pei Yanci’s whole body tensed, a flash of killing intent in his eyes as he raised his head.

Seeing it was Gu Jiuqing, he immediately restrained the sharp light in his eyes. Looking around, he asked indifferently, “What time is it?”

Told not to speak and not allowed to leave, he had gotten sleepy.

“Just past a quarter-hour.” The Crown Prince’s words carried a trace of helplessness and self-mockery. “Falling asleep beside this prince, you’re quite at ease.”

Pei Yanci yawned lazily and casually replied, “With Your Highness protecting this humble one, I naturally feel completely at ease.”

What if the protector also harbored improper thoughts? A dark glint flashed in Gu Jiuqing’s eyes.

“It’s getting late. This humble one should return.” Pei Yanci said, rising. After walking a few steps, he remembered his excuse for coming tonight and turned to ask, “Your Highness, your promise to reward this humble one should still count, right?”

“It counts. Tomorrow you may choose freely.” Gu Jiuqing sighed silently.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Turning to leave, the joyful and grateful smile vanished instantly from his face.

****

The next morning, Pei Yanci called for Wuli to accompany him to the storehouse to choose items.

With the registry lost, Gu Jiuqing was still hesitating whether to contact the Ministry of Revenue. The longer the delay, the more days these people could remain in the mansion.

But eventually they would still have to leave the Crown Prince’s Mansion. This saddened Wushu greatly – he had been gloomy for several days, unable to cheer up even at the sight of Pei Yanci.

Pei Yanci patted his head and had Yue Ting accompany him into the storehouse.

“You choose.”

Wuli looked at him incredulously, his face crafty. “Really? Then I’m really going to choose.”

The fat boy put his arm around Wushu’s neck. “Don’t look so glum. Today we’re turning the tables to be masters, touching all these treasures to our heart’s content.”

Wushu elbowed his belly irritably. “I’m following you to make sure you don’t break anything inside and harm Steward Yue and Brother Yanci.”

“Am I really that untrustworthy? Who’s the child here, you or me!”

The two bickered their way into the storehouse.

Pei Yanci stood at the storehouse door, showing little interest in the dazzling array of treasures inside. He said to Yue Ting, “Where do you plan to go after leaving the Crown Prince’s Mansion?”

“Haven’t decided yet. Probably travel around studying.” Yue Ting resumed his usual casual manner.

Unlike those advisors who humbled themselves and sold their services to the mansion for advancement, he came from the distinguished Yue family of Huainan and was the family’s legitimate eldest son.

He disliked conflict and aspired to live like Master Tao, but his birth didn’t allow such lack of ambition. After much compromise, he could only enter the Crown Prince’s Mansion – both giving his family an explanation and enjoying a retirement life under the Crown Prince’s protection.

Now that he couldn’t even stay in the Crown Prince’s Mansion, he could only take things one step at a time.

“Would you like to be the manager of my theater? I can’t spare the time, so there needs to be someone in charge there. Daily affairs aren’t much – just managing expenses and income, and you can listen to opera too.”

“What theater?” He had never heard of it and was intrigued. “When did you open it? Take me to see it another day, then I’ll decide.”

“Alright.” Pei Yanci nodded.

Wuli feasted his eyes for a while and, after much deliberation, finally selected a luminous pearl.

Yue Ting was stunned for a moment, then said gleefully, “With so many things in the storehouse, you chose the least valuable trinket. Yanci, you’ve lost big time.”

“Ah?” Wuli was dumbfounded. He had clearly picked what looked most expensive.

Pei Yanci grabbed the luminous pearl from his hand and tilted his head at Yue Ting. “That’s exactly why I brought him.”

Even if he was familiar with the contents, he wouldn’t necessarily pick the most worthless junk so precisely.

Yue Ting couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Wait, big brother, don’t leave. Let me look again – I’ll definitely pick the most expensive one for you.”

“You think this is buying vegetables?” Yue Ting unceremoniously locked the storehouse door.

Wuli chased after Pei Yanci with a mournful face.

“Wushu, when I leave the Crown Prince’s Mansion, no one will remind you anymore. You must avoid getting mixed up with that surnamed Pei.”

Wushu responded perfunctorily.

“But if you need help, you can find him.” If it was helping Pei Yanci, he would probably lend a hand for his own sake.

“I know.” Wushu replied.

Seeing him like this, Yue Ting didn’t know what else to say. He had said everything that needed saying during this time, but Wushu hadn’t listened to a word. Instead, he himself had been swayed by Wushu’s persuasion.

“How did you end up befriending someone like that in the first place?” Yue Ting was genuinely curious.

Could it be that Pei Yanci also discussed grand strategies with a little brat?

“Don’t you think Brother Yanci is the best-looking person in our mansion?” Wushu said with complete seriousness.

“…..”