Chapter 54

The carriage hadn’t even fully stopped at the mansion gates when Shen Jiujiu burst from the curtain like a little bird cannonball, shooting off in a flash.

Soaring high above, he locked onto his mother with pinpoint accuracy. Little Bird Dumpling narrowed his eyes beneath his brow, tucked in his wings, and plunged downward in an eager, wind-whistling dive.

Mother!

Jiujiu missed you so, so, so much!!

“Shreeek—”

An eagle’s piercing cry sliced through the air. The haidongqing erupted from the treetops like a black-feathered arrow loosed from a mighty bow, barreling straight toward Shen Jiujiu.

Both the large bird and the small one were moving at blinding speed. By the time they spotted each other, they were already dangerously close.

A Sa flung open its wings to brake, scooping the oncoming Little Bird Dumpling into its embrace. But the sheer momentum of Shen Jiujiu’s dive left it seeing stars.

Sui Ziming judged the trajectory perfectly and spread his arms wide, catching the tumbling treasure of a haidongqing from the sky with steady hands.

A Sa shoved away Sui Ziming’s leaning face, though, stretching its beak toward the feathers on its chest. Its cry softened abruptly, the ending note drawn out long and tender—a rare warmth from such a fierce raptor.

“Ao.”

A grayish-white round head poked out from the dark raptor down.

“Cheep!”

Sui Ziming burst out laughing. “You little rascal, home is home—why the dramatics? I thought some gutsy pint-sized assassin had shown up~”

Shen Jiujiu unleashed a flurry of indignant cheep-cheep-cheeps at Sui Ziming.

Fine, calling him a little bird spy before was one thing. But what fool would train an assassin from a bird dumpling this tiny?!

Hmph!

Bickering aside, though, Shen Jiujiu knew Sui Ziming was just looking out for his mother. So he grudgingly nuzzled his little bird head against the finger Sui Ziming extended.

This kind of soft, gentle head-rub was usually reserved for Benefactor and Mother. Consider yourself lucky this time, kid!

Sui Ziming let out a delighted whoop, but he knew better than to overstay his welcome. He passed Shen Jiujiu into the hands of the approaching Xie Jingtang while cradling A Sa against his chest. Gently rubbing the precious raptor’s breast, he stepped away.

Shen Jiujiu dove into his mother’s arms, cheeping and chirping with a mix of coquettish pleas and playful antics. At last, a smile bloomed once more on Xie Jingtang’s face, chasing away the worry that had knotted her brows.

“You and your spoiled ways!”

Xie Jingtang prodded the little bird’s chest fluff before carefully lifting him by both wings for a thorough inspection.

“You slept for nearly a month this time. Anywhere feel off since you woke up?”

Little Bird Dumpling puffed out his chest proudly, flapping his wings to smooth the little dent in his fluffy breast: “Cheep cheep, cheep cheep!”

Little Bird, fit as a fiddle!

“Such a goof.” Xie Jingtang relaxed at the sight, shaking her head with fond exasperation. “Do you realize that this nap of yours has racked up another huge debt to Lord Pei?”

Shen Jiujiu, who had barely repaid half his previous life-debt through indentured service: “?”

Wait—he’d just slept and dreamed. How had he gone and owed someone again!

Xie Jingtang arched a brow, a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes. “Jiujiu, doesn’t it strike you that after this snooze, you’re not the least bit hungry or thirsty? Feels like the whole bird’s been pampered to perfection, right?”

Shen Jiujiu hesitated, then nodded.

Well… yeah, that checked out.

Xie Jingtang drew out her words with an exaggerated sigh. “A certain little bird sprawls out like a starfish in deep sleep, yet still finds time to mooch off someone.”

“He wouldn’t touch the food Mother offered. Ziming couldn’t pry open that clam-tight beak of his. But Lord Pei? One coaxing word to ‘open wide,’ and up it pops, eager as can be.”

Shen Jiujiu’s eyes went wide.

“For the whole month, Lord Pei carried you everywhere he went. Come feeding time, he’d shell millet and pine nuts, popping them one by one into your mouth. Afterward, honeyed water to build your strength.”

Of course, Xie Jingtang had wanted to tend to Shen Jiujiu herself—she was his mother, after all. But she knew she couldn’t read his twitches in sleep like that: hungry? Thirsty? Need a feather preen or an itch scratched?

Watching her Little Bird Dumpling’s bashful squirm, her tone turned even more teasing. “Oh dear, that tender, attentive care… even Mother can’t hold a candle to it~”

Shen Jiujiu… Shen Jiujiu was in absolute bliss hearing this!

Hee hee!

Debts? Pfft.

Back-and-forth with your beloved wasn’t debt.

That was just sweet exchange~

The secretly thrilled Little Bird Dumpling trailed Xie Jingtang back to her courtyard. He kept her company through dinner, then reveled in a thorough soapy rinse under her teapot shower. Fluffed up like a dandelion on the table, he let her towel him dry.

Xie Jingtang dabbed at him with a soft dry cloth. “I’ve been staying at Pei Mansion these days. With time to kill, I went ahead and tidied up the accounts for you.”

Accounts? The blind boxes?

But he’d already told Jia Shisan to wrap that up on schedule. Costs were straightforward, the rest pure profit—and lately, it was mostly fleecing Shen Yuan anyway. Nothing fancy to tally.

Xie Jingtang went on. “Pei Mansion’s books from the past few years are a total mess. The businesses, estates, and shops are run decently enough by the managers. But the expenditures and silver flows? Utter chaos.”

“Mother couldn’t dig too deep—just jotted some basic notes. You’ll want to cross-check against the storeroom. For a full audit, you’ll need to question whoever handled them before.”

Xie Jingtang knew nothing of officialdom, but business? That she understood.

Account ledgers could be deadly.

She had once pinpointed several of Prince Wu’s likely troop stockpiles from a sliver of Jiangnan Canal Gang records alone. With eyes like hers, Pei Mansion’s books were no simple puzzle either.

The last thing she wanted was to dodge Prince Wu’s mess only to land in Pei Mansion’s—or put Jiujiu in the middle.

She preferred making money. Piles of it, for her Little Bird Dumpling to count and play with.

Shen Jiujiu blinked his beady eyes, mulling it over. Then he recalled Benefactor mentioning the mansion’s ledgers and storeroom keys—but one crisis after another had driven it from his mind.

He got her drift: better to steer clear.

Truth be told… Mother staying out was for the best.

Even if the plot proved unshakeable, even if they couldn’t topple the golden-fingered Long Aotian male lead, a merchant like her would stay clear of the fallout.

This was ideal.

Xie Jingtang didn’t know where she pulled out a tiny golden comb from, but she patiently combed through Shen Jiujiu’s fluffy little head, one stroke at a time.

“Jiujiu, since you’ve woken up and your body’s fine now, Mother will have to prepare to leave in a few days.”

Shen Jiujiu let out a pitiful whine and rested his head on Xie Jingtang’s hand. His wings struggled free from the towel and wrapped around her wrist.

“Mother has already handed over all the ledgers on Prince Wu and the maps of his troop stockpiles to Lord Pei. In exchange, he’ll create a fake identity for me to completely divert Prince Wu’s attention. That settles this mess once and for all.”

“Next, Mother has some business to take care of. Only then can I make up for these years of being forced to flee far from home, hiding and dodging like a hunted animal.”

Xie Jingtang had never been the generous type.

A businesswoman could keep her word and treat others kindly, but she always remembered favors and grudges alike, settling every score to the last detail.

She’d gotten dragged into the Canal Gang’s chaos because they’d invited her to discuss a deal. When she heard it involved smuggling, she hesitated right away—she didn’t want in but worried about backing out unscathed.

In the end, she’d been caught off guard and fallen right into the trap.

And it had even endangered her most precious child.

A flash of viciousness crossed Xie Jingtang’s eyes, but when she looked at the little bird, it melted back into gentle affection.

“Oh, right—the Zhenguo Marquis Mansion.”

“Mother left them a little gift. As for you, if you’re bored, have some fun with them. The marquis mansion is still a noble house, after all—a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. With Prince Wu still standing, there’s no crime like rebellion to justify wiping them out. No need to go after them too hard.”

“Later, when Mother has time, I’ll tell you all about the rotten things Shen Mingqian has done. Don’t you dare think of that man as your father. Ignore every sweet word that comes out of his mouth.”

After she finished, Xie Jingtang muttered under her breath.

“Never mind. No point saying more—with him around, no one else can fool you anyway.”

Shen Jiujiu, who considered himself exceptionally clever, decided to ignore that remark from Mother.

He wasn’t that easy to fool, okay?

Xie Jingtang dried Shen Jiujiu off completely, then casually wove a little flower crown and set it on the little bird’s head before opening the window and shooing him out.

“There you go—off to play. Mother needs a nap.”

“I’m exhausted.”

Shen Jiujiu turned back to say something, but the window slammed shut with a bang.

The little bird sighed, used the tip of his wing to straighten the flower crown, and flapped toward the study.

But Pei Du, who usually spent his days rooted in the study, wasn’t there today.

Shen Jiujiu intercepted a passing maidservant and chirped at her, pointing the tip of his wing toward the empty study.

The maidservant giggled flirtatiously and suddenly leaned in close, petting the little bird dumpling several times before he could dodge.

The groped Shen Jiujiu was stunned. “…Chirp?”

“Greetings, Little Young Master Shen~” Jia San beamed at the dazed little bird on the windowsill with a perfectly innocuous maidservant’s smile. “I’m Jia San. If you ever need someone infiltrated or assassinated, just come find me.”

“If you’re looking for Master…”

Jia San gazed at Shen Jiujiu with eager anticipation.

Shen Jiujiu tentatively extended a wing and patted her steady hand holding the tray.

Delighted by the little bird’s touch, Jia San answered promptly, “Master’s waiting for you in the Inner Courtyard.”

And so, Shen Jiujiu flew off toward the Inner Courtyard, flower crown and all.

Strange.

It was still early in the day—why was Benefactor in the Inner Courtyard?

When the little bird landed, Pei Du was seated at an ebony qin table by the artificial mountain beside the lake.

From the bronze crane incense burner next to the qin table, wisps of sweet pear fragrance curled upward—the scent the little bird loved most.

The fluffy little bird dumpling alighted lightly on the qin’s head, staring intently and raptly at Pei Du, who sat cross-legged, wrists turning gracefully as he lightly plucked and slowly strummed the strings. He nearly broke into a courtship dance right then and there.

Damn it, all Sui Ziming’s fault!

If that guy hadn’t blabbed last time, the little bird could’ve danced his courtship routine for Benefactor every single day!

After finishing the piece, Pei Du saw Shen Jiujiu puffed up like a spiky furball and chuckled softly. “What did Ziming do to tease you this time?”

Shen Jiujiu turned his head away with a huffy chirp.

Pei Du straightened the little bird’s slightly crooked flower crown.

The past month might have dragged on for everyone else, but to Shen Jiujiu, it had felt like nothing more than a nap.

He still remembered that one thing he hadn’t gotten to ask before falling asleep.

Shen Jiujiu glanced around, then landed boldly on the edge of Pei Du’s teacup without a care. One little bird claw dipped right in and stirred around.

【Benefactor, did you dream of me before?】

Pei Du had expected Shen Jiujiu to ask about this, but not in such a blunt, straightforward way.

Pei Du paused for a moment. Then he noticed the little bird’s eyes gleaming with sneaky mischief, as if plotting something. His original plan to answer honestly circled back in his throat.

A rare spark of mischief rose in him, and Pei Du replied ambiguously, “I’ve dreamed of the little bird many times.”

Dreamed of the little bird?

Then it wasn’t really him!

Benefactor didn’t remember the dream stuff!

Which meant… he could go into Benefactor’s dreams and…

Shen Jiujiu perked up instantly.

Pei Du watched Shen Jiujiu suddenly get excited, on the verge of launching into a little bird dance right there at his qin table. His brow arched slightly, then relaxed.

~~~

That very evening, as soon as night fell and the sunset hadn’t fully faded from the sky, Shen Jiujiu was already urging Pei Du to bed.

After Pei Du washed up and lay down, he watched the little bird stand on his chest and perform its ritual three bows with utmost sincerity. By now, he was used to the routine.

Earlier that day, after hearing Mother praise Benefactor’s devoted care in carrying the little bird everywhere, Shen Jiujiu’s tiny bird heart had been pounding wildly. So this time, he was going big.

His wish was…

The sensation of entering the dream and waking up within it felt familiar. Keeping his eyes closed, Shen Jiujiu sensed himself landing on the ground and immediately opened his eyes to look down.

Success!

He really could wish his way into dreams at this age!

Benefactor was too amazing!

Shen Xinian stood in place, working to get control of his limbs. It was much better than last time.

Shen Xinian looked around and was surprised to find himself in a very familiar spot.

Perhaps seeing it by day had planted the seed—Pei Du’s dream tonight was of the Martial Field he’d seen earlier that day.

Pei Du stood at the edge of the Martial Field. Hearing movement behind him, a flicker of anticipation crossed his face.

With a faint smile, the man turned around to see a slender youth jogging toward him from a short distance away. The boy’s hair was tied up in a bun with a red cord, adorned with a jade carving shaped like a Little Bird Dumpling.

Stray locks fell across the youth’s forehead, brushing lightly against his brow bone with each bouncy step. The dimples framing his cheeks, once endearingly childlike, now held a hint of youthful handsomeness.

“What’s wrong? Standing there all dazed like that?”

As Shen Xinian jogged up to Pei Du, he steeled himself mentally, determined not to betray a shred of guilt on his face.

He planted his hands on his hips and tilted his head back with bold confidence. “Don’t you recognize me anymore?”

Pei Du blinked in momentary bewilderment before realizing this was the little scheme the Little Bird Dumpling had been hatching all day. He played along seamlessly, furrowing his brow in feigned confusion and asking softly, “And who might you be?”

“I… ahem.”

Shen Xinian had always been the picture of a good boy—he’d never told a fib like this before. Sensing his own faltering confidence, he cleared his throat loudly to rally his nerves and proclaimed with ringing clarity:

“I’m your f-fiancé!”

Pei Du looked utterly stunned by the declaration.

For the first time, Shen Xinian saw such raw emotion churning across Pei Du’s face, swirling in his eyes.

Ahem.

The youth’s shoulders slumped, his hands slipping behind his back where his fingers twisted frantically together.

“I’ve been raised right by your side since I was little. I handle all the accounts at Pei Mansion. I know everything about you—where all your little moles are, the way you like to sleep, how many pastries you eat for breakfast…”

Shen Xinian had only meant to seize this rare dream opportunity with his Benefactor, since reality made it impossible. Why not live out a little romance, maybe even snag a date? But the more he spoke, the more conviction he felt. He lifted his chin defiantly. “I know it all. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and ask!”

That’s right—Little Bird was the one calling the shots here. Fiancé didn’t even begin to cover it!

Exactly!