SEHE Chapter 50

Master

“Who does Your Highness mean by the parasites in your mouth?” Tang Xizhui’s vermillion lips curved upward. With the white porcelain mask painted with peach blossoms covering half his face, his emotions were difficult to discern through his expression. “Who acts for personal gain? Your Highness might as well speak plainly, so this lord may report to His Majesty exactly who wishes to shake the dynasty’s century-old foundation and become a sinner who betrays the ancestors.”

“The Chief Overseer controls the Elu Bureau with spies throughout the realm. Even if an eighth-rank official relieved himself several times last night, it wouldn’t escape your eyes and ears. Who is the sinner shaking the century-old foundation—the Chief Overseer knows better than this prince.” Gu Jiuqing said coldly. “Setting aside other matters, regarding the current tax law’s shortcomings, the Chief Overseer understands them better than this prince, yet now obstructs reform with such determination. Your intentions must be profound indeed.”

“Since Your Highness understands this lord’s profound intentions, you should bear with them properly. Many people see that Your Highness has long dwelt in the deep palace and inner quarters, newly handling governmental affairs, and think they can use borrowed authority to achieve their own purposes. Your Highness should be more cautious.”

“Right and wrong—this prince has his own judgment. The tax laws already make the people suffer unbearably. If new policies aren’t implemented, are we to watch the Great Yu become littered with corpses and overrun with bandits?” Gu Jiuqing’s voice grew sharp and fierce. “This prince doesn’t wish to investigate past matters, but treating the people’s lives as child’s play makes one a criminal of the highest order.”

His words were sharp and forceful. The Eastern Palace officials sitting in the side hall drinking tea heard these clear words and couldn’t help but look sideways.

Pei Yanci lowered his brows and head, secretly suppressing his drowsiness.

“This person who disregards the people’s lives—does Your Highness mean this lord, or His Majesty?” Tang Xizhui asked mockingly.

“Father Emperor is wise and mighty, with his own judgment.” Gu Jiuqing’s face was cold with frost as he sneered. “You’re being unreasonable here, constantly dragging the palace into this—what are your intentions? You insist on splashing dirty water on the palace—your heart is truly malicious! In this prince’s view, you are the one using borrowed authority!”

“According to Your Highness, this lord shouldn’t be sitting here following His Majesty’s orders.” Tang Xizhui yawned lightly. “If so, Your Highness may review the memorials yourself.”

With that, regardless of Gu Jiuqing’s thoughts, he directly rose and left for the side hall, leaving the Crown Prince alone in the main hall.

When the Eastern Palace officials entered from the other side hall and found Tang Xizhui absent, they couldn’t help but exchange glances. Only after receiving Gu Jiuqing’s explanation did they understand the person hadn’t left.

Pei Yanci noticed Gu Jiuqing’s expression wasn’t right. Tang Xizhui’s strategic withdrawal had left him somewhat panicked.

He was still too young after all.

Left Vice Director of the Zuo Chunfang, Hu Minlai, seemed concerned about eavesdroppers and hesitantly whispered, “Your Highness, tax law is the foundation of the state, established by the Grand Ancestor with explicit instructions that it cannot be abolished or altered. Your Highness’s desire to use new laws to establish authority—might this be somewhat hasty?”

“Minister Hu, watch your words.” Crown Prince’s Tutor Han Xiaozhi disagreed. “Reforming tax laws benefits both state and people—this is the urgent matter at hand.”

“Does Your Highness currently have specific reform measures drafted?” Hu Minlai frowned.

“Your aggressive manner—could you be siding with the eunuch faction?” Wang Gu said. “Don’t forget, you serve His Highness. Minister Hu, such fickleness should be done cautiously.”

Hearing him speak these words so righteously, Pei Yanci nearly laughed aloud.

“At the last great court assembly, His Majesty’s attitude clearly supported the eunuch faction and disagreed with reform. If we’re to change anything, we must at least present measures superior to current ones to catch His Majesty’s eye and change His Majesty’s attitude toward Your Highness.” Hu Minlai yielded no ground. “You praise His Highness correctly, but at least think of some solutions for His Highness.”

“This prince summoned you today precisely to have you carefully consider what good measures might solve the current tax law difficulties.” Gu Jiuqing sipped his tea, rotating the cup in his hands. “For now, this prince relies on you.”

These words were spoken with genuine emotion, as if the merit of following the dragon lay before them. Several ministers knelt in succession, thanking the Crown Prince for this favor.

As they began preliminary discussions of specific measures, Pei Yanci couldn’t help but let his mind wander. The monarch and ministers weren’t familiar with each other; the ministers didn’t know Gu Jiuqing’s attitude and dared not speak rashly. Their suggestions were conventional and safe. If Gu Jiuqing presented their words to the Emperor, he’d likely receive a scolding.

Indeed, Gu Jiuqing’s frown deepened, seeming somewhat disappointed, his gaze toward them growing impatient.

Pei Yanci thought that Gu Jiuqing likely already had solutions in hand. His current questioning was merely to test how much these people had in their bellies, perhaps even to mislead Tang Xizhui into thinking he had no good methods.

Disappointingly, these people truly had little of value. After half a day’s discussion, half their words were flattery of Gu Jiuqing, the remainder empty talk and bickering.

Gu Jiuqing gave him a look.

Pei Yanci obediently bowed.

“Prepare yourself.” He still seemed somewhat uneasy. “This prince will visit the palace this afternoon.”

Though unspoken, Pei Yanci understood. The Emperor had no leisure for such trivial matters; he would likely visit the Empress’s palace to ask her help in speaking favorably, lest Tang Xizhui later speak ill of him before the Emperor, putting him at a disadvantage.

Pei Yanci bowed and left the main hall.

Just passing the side hall entrance, a force seized his hand, pulling him directly into someone’s chest.

In the blink of an eye, he swayed from the corridor outside the side hall into the hall itself.

Pei Yanci rubbed his nose and looked up dissatisfied.

“Are you mad? This is the Crown Prince’s mansion.” He ground his teeth in a low voice.

“There’s no one here. Chunsheng and Shuangjiang are quietly waiting outside.” Tang Xizhui’s white porcelain mask lay alone on a nearby table, that coldly beautiful face suddenly close at hand.

“However,” he restrained Pei Yanci’s waist, mischief floating in his eyes as he leaned close to his ear and whispered, “this place is separated from the main hall by only a screen. If we were to do anything here, Gu Jiuqing would certainly hear.”

“You couldn’t possibly kill the Crown Prince’s man here,” Pei Yanci pushed against his chest, “let me go.”

“Keep your voice down. Do you want your Crown Prince to know you’re here?”

“……”

The side hall was separated from the main hall by only a large floor screen. Figures couldn’t be seen, but if one listened carefully, voices from both halls could still be caught.

“What reform measures has Gu Jiuqing discussed?” he breathed in Pei Yanci’s ear.

“None, but judging by his manner, he’s already confident, though he hasn’t revealed anything even to me. I’m saying this for the last time—let me go.” Pei Yanci’s brows carried imperial majesty and severity. Tang Xizhui’s expression paused as he slowly released his grip.

Pei Yanci walked composed to the seat of honor and knelt, sitting down. “I’m somewhat curious why you support non-reform. Is it merely to oppose the Crown Prince?”

“His Majesty doesn’t wish to change.” Tang Xizhui approached and knelt sideways beside him in respect, slowly pouring him hot tea, using the motion to mask the violent fervor nearly overflowing from his eyes.

These five short words revealed Tang Xizhui’s position.

Outsiders all thought he influenced the Emperor’s views.

In truth, the Emperor’s will was Tang Xizhui’s will.

“At the founding, the Great Yu had only eight million people, but now has twenty-seven million. Even if there are problems with tax law, annual treasury revenues far exceed those of the founding period. His Majesty has no reason to reform.”

“There’s another reason,” Tang Xizhui continued, “the southwestern regional commanders harbor treacherous intentions.”

Pei Yanci looked at him. “His Majesty knows this?”

“Naturally. As a minister, deceiving superiors and concealing from subordinates would be disloyalty. When trouble arises, when the great burden falls, there’s no one above to help bear it.”

Eunuchs had shallow roots; besides the Emperor, they had no one else to depend on. For this reason, many emperors favored employing eunuchs, granting them power at will to manage court affairs. When the cunning rabbit dies, they too lose their value.

“The world speaks of current peace and prosperity, national strength, even Great Xi defeated by Great Yu.” Pei Yanci smiled slightly. “It seems Great Yu is merely strong in appearance but weak within.”

“Don’t forget, you’re now also a person of Great Yu.” Tang Xizhui reminded him, lowering his head to pick up the mask from the table.

Pale, slender fingers passed through the black hollow eye holes of the white porcelain mask, but his eyes slanted slightly, his cold, mysterious gaze following Pei Yanci’s slender waist bound by his belt to his prominent, vulnerable throat.

There, once held in his own mouth, making helpless whimpers of passion.

“Tax law must change, but not now.” Pei Yanci, immersed in tax reform thoughts, continued obliviously. “Or rather, we could first change part of it.”

As he said, the Grand Ancestor’s tax law had greatly strengthened national power, but becoming a constraint of the times would be a long process. Those within it could hardly detect it early. Even if someone discovered problems and proposed changes, that would shake the state’s foundation. Success would bring praise from millions; failure would doom the dynasty’s fortunes. At this juncture, the Emperor likely didn’t want to tarnish his late reputation or bear such infamy—understandably so. He couldn’t help anticipating what strategy the Crown Prince would present.

“We defeated Great Xi largely because Great Xi’s waters were muddied by the Second Princess, creating internal chaos and giving us opportunity.”

“For Great Xi’s royal family to spare hands to fight Great Yu to a standstill while competing for the throne shows their strength already far exceeds Great Yu.” No ordinary opponent indeed.

Beneath the seemingly prosperous surface, undercurrents surged.

“The Second Princess also secretly leaked much intelligence to border armies, enabling successive victories. Because of this merit, the Second Princess survived and was sent by His Majesty to the Chuanxi Palace to retire.”

Pity that one was never peaceable.

Tang Xizhui didn’t want to continue discussing such heavy, boring matters. He asked, “Speaking of the Second Princess, has the Crown Prince given you trouble lately?”

“No.” Pei Yanci’s face remained calm as clouds, but he punched toward Tang Xizhui’s side. “I haven’t settled that account with you yet.”

They had to keep their voices low while speaking, sitting close together. This punch landed with full force.

“Hiss—” Tang Xizhui cried out, his body tilting toward Pei Yanci.

Pei Yanci heard the intense discussion from the adjacent main hall suddenly quiet, couldn’t help pushing the person leaning on him. “You did that on purpose.”

He knew martial arts now—how could he fail to dodge such a strike?

“Dugong, what happened?” From the main hall behind the screen, Gu Jiuqing called loudly. “Are you unwell?”

“This lord is indeed unwell.”

A black shadow slowly appeared behind the screen—Gu Jiuqing’s figure.

Pei Yanci’s heart jumped. He tried to kick the man away and leave, but his waist tightened as he was instead pulled into an embrace, both tumbling onto the low couch.

“If the Crown Prince pushes aside the screen now, what would he think?”

“That you’re assaulting his man in the Crown Prince’s mansion, completely disregarding him.” Pei Yanci sneered.

“Or perhaps the Crown Prince ordered you to leave the main hall early, actually sending you to me for humiliation, thus sealing my mouth so I won’t mention his verbal mistakes before the Emperor.” Tang Xizhui’s gaze fixed darkly on the disheveled collar. In their recent struggle, Pei Yanci’s garment collar had separated from his thin shoulders and chest, creating a secret dark space where his straight, delicate collarbones appeared and disappeared, drawing his gaze deeper.

“With my suggestion, Xiao Pei’er would have to spend another night at the Chief Overseer’s mansion.”

“Do you think I’d fear another visit?” As soon as he spoke, Pei Yanci felt his chin lifted and a head forced into his neck and shoulder.

Teeth easily tore the collar wider, and a rough, warm tongue fulfilled his wish, licking once across the delicate shoulder.

“Mmh…” Pei Yanci’s body immediately trembled. He quickly bit his lip, tensing his neck, instinctively looking toward the shadow on the screen.

The previously motionless figure suddenly swayed, making his heart leap to his throat.

His hands involuntarily grasped the robes of the person before him, gripping tightly.

Footsteps soon came from the side hall entrance.

A servant’s voice came through the door.

“Dugong Daren, His Highness ordered this one to check and ask if you require a physician?”

Tang Xizhui’s burning breath washed over the already pink, tender flesh of neck and shoulder.

His voice hoarse, he pitifully pleaded, “May I have a physician come examine me?”

“Get lost.” Pei Yanci said angrily, his voice fierce but weakened by the tremor of passion.

This time Tang Xizhui wasn’t afraid.

His answer was to lower his head again and bite, neither gently nor roughly, at the spot he’d just licked.

“Hiss… mmh…”

Two rows of sharp teeth gently nibbled, sending tickling sensations racing through his body. A palm caressed his nape, rhythmically stroking and kneading as if soothing his unease and fear, yet further arousing the restlessness deep within Pei Yanci.

Pei Yanci endured, clenching his teeth to swallow back the whimper rising in his throat.

Tang Xizhui’s eyes showed wicked amusement as he released his mouth and gently kissed the teeth marks.

“Xiao Pei’er, you should fear me.”

Like others who, upon seeing him, would fearfully lower their heads while inwardly wanting to cut him to pieces.

He warned quietly, then called loudly, “No need. This lord will rest and be fine.”

“If something happens to Dugong here, this prince would be uneasy.” The shadow behind the screen spoke. “From the sound, Dugong doesn’t seem well.”

“Scratched by a wild cat.” Seeing Pei Yanci somewhat dazed, his eyes moist and red from the recent stimulation, Tang Xizhui licked his own red lips but restrained his impulse. “Nothing serious. Don’t disturb this lord’s rest again.”

The sounds outside soon ceased, and the shadow behind the screen slowly withdrew.

“Feeling better now?” Tang Xizhui pulled back slightly and straightened Pei Yanci’s collar, only to be slapped away.

“Xiao Pei’er really holds grudges. What if he learns martial arts in the future—what then?”

Pei Yanci turned to look at the teeth marks on his shoulder, still bearing moisture and red marks. The marks were shallow but appeared all the more alluring and sensual.

“Speaking of the future, and even now—I’ve given you the martial arts manual, yet your strength shows no improvement.” He looked at the person sitting beside him playfully. “You can’t be unable to read it, can you?”

“Try provoking me again and see.” Pei Yanci raised his eyes, completely calm.

Tang Xizhui’s gaze flickered guiltily as he said ingratiatingly, “Do you need me to teach you personally? Besides me, no one else can understand that manual. Be careful not to misdirect your qi and suffer qi deviation.”

Just as he’d suspected—a trap. Others couldn’t practice it; one would have to return to him eventually.

Pei Yanci considered, then said, “Conditions.”

At these words, Tang Xizhui’s eyes immediately brightened. He leaned over, lowered his head, and hooked a strand of hair from Pei Yanci’s temples, winding it around his fingertip, savoring it carefully.

“Any condition?”

His thumb, middle finger, and ring finger each wore gold and jade rings. Under his pale skin, veins showed faintly, the skin carrying a hint of coolness. For the first time, Pei Yanci noticed his tiger’s mouth and palms were covered with thin calluses—likely from recent diligent practice, leaving no time for this vain man to remove the calluses from his hands.

Seeming to notice his gaze, Tang Xizhui paused, casually lowering his hand while deliberately extending his left hand with its fine skin texture.

This obvious concealment—was it interesting? He didn’t care anyway.

“Master.” Pei Yanci called out quickly before Tang Xizhui could voice his demands.

Tang Xizhui was stunned, suppressing the desire in his eyes. “Your calling me this puts me in a difficult position.”

“Since you’re my master, you should give your disciple a greeting gift,” Pei Yanci looked up at him. “Nothing much—just paint me a picture.”

“Paint what?”

“Me.”

“Xiao Pei’er, you’re currently just a chief steward.” Tang Xizhui said.

Meaning he wasn’t qualified for a portrait.

“Never mind all that. Just paint one for me.”

“Fine, let’s find a secluded place,” Tang Xizhui looked around, his eyes turning. “How about this—come to my mansion tomorrow?”

“This afternoon.” Pei Yanci said decisively. This afternoon Gu Jiuqing would visit the palace and wouldn’t need his company. “I have other matters tomorrow.”

He’d only tested the waters, yet Pei Yanci remained composed, even somewhat indifferent, advancing the time. The man hadn’t listened to his warning at all.

Tang Xizhui felt uneasy, yet greater desire arose in his heart.

He was losing control of himself.

“What do you have to do tomorrow?” Tang Xizhui avoided his face and asked.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Seems it’s something against me,” Tang Xizhui mused. “What the Crown Prince can have you do now is nothing beyond tax reform. Few court ministers dare openly oppose me, unless it’s families like the Zhengs.”

“Master owes me a favor.” The Crown Prince would unite prominent families to attack him—important information indeed.

“We’re master and disciple now—why be so formal?” Under his sleeves, fingernails had already embedded in his palms, leaving bloody marks. Tang Xizhui’s eyes uncontrollably flashed purple excitement, his gaze involuntarily following him again.

“Could you call me that on my bed someday?”

“……”

****

That afternoon, as soon as Gu Jiuqing left, Pei Yanci borrowed a horse and rode alone to the Chief Overseer’s mansion.

He could ride but wasn’t skilled. In his previous life, due to his sickly constitution, such strenuous activities were beyond him.

He soon regretted it.

Cart horses were extremely docile and obedient to the whip, with carriages for balance—much more stable. Riding solo was far more tiring than riding in a carriage.

After just one district, he heard the brown horse snort, seemingly anxious at encountering crowds, and it quickened its pace uneasily.

Pei Yanci bounced on the horse’s back, nearly nauseated by the jolting.

Screams arose. When he looked up again, the horse’s head was about to collide with a carriage.

Frightened, he hastily pulled the reins tight, forcibly turning the horse’s head. The opposing carriage’s wheel struck roadside stone steps while dodging, lifting a corner of the bronze iron sheeting attached to the wheel.

Seeing this plain carriage belonging to ordinary folk, he bowed to the driver. “My sincere apologies for disturbing your master’s family.” He handed over his purse as compensation.

“Our master says it’s unnecessary—you meant no harm.” The driver was magnanimous, whipping his horses to leave.

Seeing his generosity, Pei Yanci didn’t insist, stroking the horse’s neck and negotiating, “You must walk properly and stop frightening people. My life is precious—I can’t meet my end through you.”

Inside the carriage, a young man had just opened his eyes from meditation. Through the curtains stirred by the breeze, he glimpsed a handsome young man’s profile speaking quietly into a horse’s ear, the words reaching his ears.

He couldn’t help but smile. “What happened outside?”

“Just a lad who can’t ride properly nearly crashed into you, young master.” The driver said. “Remembering your vegetarian diet and Buddha-like compassion, we let him go.”

“Che’er, you seem in good spirits since returning from the mountains.” The beautiful woman sitting across from him seemed pleased and produced a pile of scrolls. “Perfect timing—both Old Ancestor and Mother want you to settle your marriage.”

“Though I practice with hair unshaven, I’m determined to join the Buddhist order and have resolved never to marry. Mother, abandon this notion—don’t harm others and plant karmic seeds.” Wang Lingche said.

“You haven’t seen those young ladies’ appearances. If you had, Mother wouldn’t believe you’d remain unmoved.” Lady Wang eagerly unrolled the scrolls. “Mother carefully selected these—all first-rate in background, temperament, and beauty. Whichever catches your eye, just tell Mother. Once you nod, the marriage can proceed.”

Madam Wang enthusiastically introduced each one, unrolling scroll after scroll. These paintings were specially commissioned by interested families—each finely detailed with lifelike women seemingly present.

Wang Lingche closed his eyes, letting not one figure enter his heart.

“My, whose is this?” Lady Wang curiously examined a painting.

Hearing this unexpected comment, Wang Lingche instinctively opened his eyes.