Pei Lianyi was too worried over his son to notice the closeness.
Downstairs, however, Huo Jingzhao saw the scene of the two of them on the observation deck, close together, with perfect clarity.
The blood and qi in his chest instantly reversed their flow. He silently pressed a hand to his heart. Through his clothes, he repeatedly rubbed the Ghost Mask. A smile played on his lips.
At that moment, Pei Lianyi turned his head and said something to Shi Chengji. Then, the Chamber of Commerce announced the race would conclude with “an unforeseen incident; another day for a rematch.”
The race was aborted. Li Qi and the others were all dejected. But since the Master hadn’t spoken, no one dared to blame Huo Jingzhao for jumping in to save someone. They silently returned to the manor.
Huo Jingzhao walked last. Waiting until the crowd dispersed, he could finally hold it in no longer. He bent over by the pond and vomited a mouthful of blood.
“Young Sect Master…!” Knowing the man held a towering rage inside, Sang Sha appeared swiftly.
Huo Jingzhao spat out the bloody froth. Staring at the blood dissolving in the water, his voice seemed as cold as if he’d just crawled out of a blood prison. “Find the man who kicked that child into the water today.”
“Understood.” Even without the order, Sang Sha would have searched with all haste. This was the Young Sect Master’s reverse scale! Leng Huan had really messed up this time, Sang Sha muttered to himself.
“Young Sect Master, you’re badly injured. Please calm your anger and take your medicine first…”
“The Master is back!”
Before Sang Sha could even take out the medicine, he dove into the rockery in the courtyard at the servants’ shout.
As soon as Pei Lianyi entered the courtyard, he saw Huo Jingzhao vomiting by the pond.
The evening’s sunset colors were heavy. The pond water and the sunset glow blended into one, making it very difficult to detect the blood. Therefore, he only assumed the man had been under the sea sun for too long and had heatstroke.
“Jingzhao, why are you vomiting so badly? Come…”
“Don’t call anyone!” Before Pei Lianyi could finish the words “come here,” Huo Jingzhao grabbed his wrist.
“What… are you doing?” Pei Lianyi’s body trembled. A strange hot current passed from the man’s palm, sharply reminding him of the Ghost-Faced Man’s touch.
Don’t call…
“I want to be alone with Master Pei.” Huo Jingzhao managed a bleak smile. Hoarsely, he said, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t win the championship. Ziying should despise me even more, right?”
“After he returns, I’ll probably have to leave here.”
Seeing him so anguished over his son, Pei Lianyi retreated half a step and said softly, “As long as you are still willing to be with him, to want him, I will properly persuade Ziying.”
Huo Jingzhao lowered his head. A flash of mockery crossed his pale face, but his voice was very calm. “The thing Master Pei treasures most, of course I want it.”
“You mean Ziying?” Pei Lianyi’s gaze struggled momentarily, then he nodded. “It puts my mind at ease, you thinking that way.”
As he spoke, he pulled his hand from the man’s palm. “Go wash up first. Tonight, come to the main hall and eat with me.”
Hearing this, Sang Sha, hidden in the rockery, shook his head.
So the Young Sect Master participates in the Dragon Boat Festival, suffers a cultivation backlash, nearly loses his life, and all he gets in return is “Tonight you may eat at the table”?
One had to admit, the Pei Manor’s arrogance was bone-deep. Pei Lianyi himself was especially strict about boundaries, his pride sky-high.
If not for the Sect Master’s plan, when had the Young Sect Master ever suffered such indignity? He was probably about to explode with rage right now.
What surprised Sang Sha completely was that upon hearing Pei Lianyi wanted to dine with him, Huo Jingzhao actually nuzzled his head against him and said, “Master Pei is so good. Aside from my father and mother, you are the best person to me.”
Sang Sha: “…”
The man’s hair was wet, dampening a patch of Pei Lianyi’s clothes.
Looking at his dark head, Pei Lianyi’s lower abdomen ached and throbbed.
Enduring for a moment, he shakily pressed Huo Jingzhao’s shoulder and urged, “Go on. Later, I’ll have someone send Peppermint Oil for heatstroke to your room.”
“Alright! Master Pei, wait for me…!” Huo Jingzhao immediately got up and left the courtyard.
Sang Sha watched, utterly dumbfounded, as he bounced off so lively.
Peppermint Oil? That stuff could cure cultivation backlash?
Gripping the medicine bottle in the shadows, he facepalmed. He suddenly felt an urge to just throw in the towel!
By the pond, Pei Lianyi touched the damp spot on his clothes, the corners of his eyes tinged with a rosy hue.
“Truly so energetic…”
When night fell, maids filed in carrying silver trays. The table in the main hall was soon covered with all sorts of exquisite delicacies.
At a glance, it was even more luxurious than a feast hosted by high officials.
“Steward Cao, does the manor eat like this for every meal?” Huo Jingzhao stood by the table, asking curiously.
Cao Xian raised his eyes, still looking arrogant. “The Family Head said, not knowing what dishes Young Master Huo likes, he had the Kitchen prepare everything.”
Huo Jingzhao was startled for a moment. A small smile appeared on his handsome face.
“It’s nothing. The manor has its rules. Live-in sons-in-law are not allowed to eat in the main hall. However, Young Master Huo hasn’t formally entered the household yet. This time, it’s the Master making an exception!” Cao Xian drawled again, as if reminding the man of something.
“This Huo thanks Master Pei for his exceptional kindness.” Hearing this, Huo Jingzhao silently retreated to stand by a pillar.
“Mm—” Not bad, this kid knows his place! Cao Xian raised his chin smugly.
“Why aren’t you sitting? Has your heatstroke gotten better?” Seeing Huo Jingzhao standing still, Pei Lianyi, who had just entered the hall with several attendants, asked.
“Family Head…”
Cao Xian was about to speak when Huo Jingzhao stepped forward and preempted him. “Steward Cao wouldn’t let me sit.”
I did no such thing!!! Cao Xian roared internally.
Pei Lianyi, about to sit, glanced at Cao Xian. He suddenly ordered him to fetch some wine from the Kitchen.
“The Family Head wants to drink?” Cao Xian was utterly astonished.
Pei Lianyi gestured for Huo Jingzhao to sit. His beautiful eyes shimmered lightly. “Jingzhao worked hard in the race today. I’ll keep him company for a couple of drinks.”
“Thank you, Master Pei.” Huo Jingzhao promptly plopped down onto a stool, grinning to show his clean white teeth.
That damn brat making false accusations! Watching his back, as if a tail was about to sprout from it, Cao Xian ground his molars.
He was the Head Steward of the manor, he never did servant’s work. Pei Lianyi sending him to get wine at this time was clearly to send him away.
Lately, the Master had been a bit strange. He seemed to especially enjoy being around this poor, soon-to-be live-in son-in-law.
Watching Huo Jingzhao already wolfing down his meal like a whirlwind, Cao Xian felt resentful, but still followed Pei Lianyi’s order and served the fine wine.
Darkness fell completely, yet the manor was brightly lit. Pei Lianyi picked up the wine pot. First, he poured himself a cup of wine, then tilted his head back and drank it down in one go.
Seeing his jade-colored throat tremble, his fine skin rapidly flushing with an intoxicating, alluring red, Huo Jingzhao’s eyes tightened.
“Master Pei, please let me do it.” He set down his chopsticks, wanting to take the wine pot from Pei Lianyi’s hand, but Pei Lianyi evaded him.
“You just had heatstroke. You can’t drink much.” It was clearly the tone of reprimanding a junior.
“I know.” Huo Jingzhao slowly stepped forward, wrapping his large hand around Pei Lianyi’s fine fingers. “I just want to serve Master Pei.”
Pei Lianyi’s heart skipped a beat. He lowered his head, his long, delicate lashes trembling uncontrollably.
“Lit… Little Young Master?”
“The Little Young Master is back—!”
Startled by the consecutive shouts from the servants outside, the wine cups in their hands tilted and crashed to the floor.
The atmosphere from moments ago vanished completely. Pei Lianyi hastily sat upright, and Huo Jingzhao sullenly retreated a step.
Having been out and about for days, the usually pampered Pei Ziying had grown thin and a bit tanned. Surrounded by the crowd, he walked into the main hall, meeting his father’s beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions.
Seeing the father and son standing wordlessly opposite each other, Cao Xian quickly smoothed things over. “Good that you’re back! Good that you’re back!”
“This is perfect timing, right as we’re eating. Little Young Master, please sit…”
“Who permitted him to sit?” Pei Lianyi spoke coldly.
“Father…” Pei Ziying was both hungry and exhausted. His handsome little face scrunched up entirely.
“Kneel.”
Hearing his father’s scolding, Pei Ziying’s knees went weak, and he knelt down.
Thinking how much his son must have suffered, Pei Lianyi felt a heartache he could barely endure. But he still asked, word by word, “Pei Ziying, you left without permission on your wedding day, disregarding the Pei Manor’s face and stirring up a storm throughout the city. Do you acknowledge your mistake?”
“I was right! I just went out to clear my head…”
“You still dare talk back.” Pei Lianyi was so angry he saw black spots before his eyes. “Today, Huo Jingzhao is also here. He saved your life. I must give him an explanation.”
Hearing this, Pei Ziying abruptly looked at Huo Jingzhao.
The man was also staring at him faintly, as if looking through him at someone else.
Pei Ziying’s face flushed, but his mouth mocked, “What explanation does he want?! Father allowing him into the Pei Manor’s gate is an honor that brings glory to his family, the Huos! He should be the one kowtowing to you and me…”
“Pei Ziying… you, you…” Amidst his son’s defiant words, Pei Lianyi stood up and commanded, “Men! Since he is unrepentant, beat him until he admits his mistake.”
“Master! The Little Young Master is delicate! And he’s been wandering outside for so long! He cannot withstand a beating right now!” Cao Xian hastily knelt down, pleading for Pei Ziying.
Behind him, the line of attendants and maids also knelt.
In the Pei Manor, who didn’t know the Little Young Master was like a piece of flesh fallen from the Master’s own body? Truly injuring him would bring suffering upon everyone.
Pei Lianyi bit his lower lip and said harshly, “Anyone who pleads for him will share his punishment.”
His face was frozen like frost, but his fingers were deeply gouged into his flesh. His autumn-water eyes were full of pain and helplessness.
Ziying, don’t blame Father. Only this way will Jingzhao want you, will he… cherish you even more.
He peered at the handsome man standing to the side, thinking silently. Yet his heart ached with a bitter, sour panic.
Seeing they couldn’t persuade the Master, the servants could only bring out a long bench and a large club.
“Father…! Ah—Father is so cruel! Aaah—!”
Soon, Pei Ziying’s screams filled the courtyard.
Listening to his son’s tearful shouts, Pei Lianyi sat down, utterly lost. Remembering the intimate tangle with Huo Jingzhao moments ago, his eyes were vacant. He tasted a salty, metallic tang in his mouth.
Just as Pei Ziying’s flesh was about to split open, someone suddenly seized the servant’s hand.
“Who… Ah! Young, Young Master Huo?” A sharp pain came from his wrist, and the servant immediately dropped the club.
Pei Ziying looked up, covered in cold sweat, gazing at the man who seemed especially tall in his line of sight.
“You… wuwu… aah!” His lips trembled, about to say something, when Huo Jingzhao shoved a chicken leg into his mouth.
“Jingzhao…” Pei Lianyi walked out, surprised.
“Can he eat his fill before continuing the beating?” Huo Jingzhao clapped his hands and looked at him, asking.
As expected, he felt sorry. Pei Lianyi supported himself on a porch pillar. His body, having eaten little, felt weak and unsteady, almost unable to stand.
Huo Jingzhao feeling pity for Ziying was a good thing. His goal had been achieved. Yet the wine he’d just drunk seemed to turn to fire, burning his throat with a dull ache, sour and bloated.
“Family Head, Young Master Huo is right. Both you and the Little Young Master are on empty stomachs…”
“Oh no! The Little Young Master fainted!”
Cao Xian seized the chance to mediate, but the maid’s scream completely ended this attempt at family discipline.
Pei Ziying was quickly carried to his bedroom. Amidst the wailing chaos, they called for a doctor, boiled medicine, and changed dressings, barely stabilizing his condition.
In the following days, the Little Young Master, awake, remained bedridden. The Master also stayed in his room, refusing to come out. A pall of silence hung over the entire Pei Manor.
It was not until Shi Chengji arrived, bearing gifts to visit, that Pei Lianyi finally changed his clothes and went out to greet the guest.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Little did they know, this was the true calm before the storm!
That morning, just as Huo Jingzhao woke up, Cao Xian led a group of people to wait outside his door.
“Steward Cao, what’s this…?” The man stretched, adjusting his clothes as he asked.
“Young Master Huo, the Master wants you to go see the Little Young Master.” Under Cao Xian’s instruction, a maid handed a jar of wound salve to Huo Jingzhao, blushing as she spoke.
Huo Jingzhao took the medicine and raised an eyebrow.
Watching his thoughtful look, Cao Xian smirked. “The Little Young Master is quite weak now and needs someone to accompany him. Young Master Huo, you must seize this opportunity…”
“Alright, we’re going.”
