Chapter 50

He had no idea how many gold ingots he’d folded in his dream, but as Shen Xinian kept at it, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he actually dozed off right there in the dream, leaning against the young Pei Du.

Oblivious to all this, the boy who had been diligently folding those ingots paused in his task and quietly watched him for a long while.

~~~

Shen Jiujiu felt like he’d just had the most comfortable sleep of his life. The pillow was firm yet supportive, bouncy and warm—far superior to anything from the modern world.

He slept so lazily that his feathers all fluffed out in contentment. His tail feathers lifted and slapped back down, and he was utterly delighted with the grand bed beneath him.

Grand bed.

…Grand bed?

Where on earth had the little bird gotten a grand bed from?

Shen Jiujiu jolted fully awake and snapped his eyes open.

The sight that greeted him was Pei Du’s undergarment, shoved aside by flailing wings and kicking claws, exposing a vast expanse of fair, glistening skin.

Shen Jiujiu swallowed hard.

Pei Du was still asleep, his lashes casting shadows beneath his eyes, his dark hair spilling across the pillow. He was the picture of classical beauty.

Before sleep, the little bird had clearly been nestled in his benefactor’s neck hollow. How had he ended up in the dip of those abs upon waking… Ahem.

The little bird dumpling carefully sat up on his benefactor’s abdominal muscles.

Unable to resist, his talons gave the firm, full muscles beneath him a tentative press.

Back when Shen Jiujiu hadn’t yet awakened to such things, he’d slept on his benefactor’s pecs and abs before. But his bird brain had been filled only with longing for his dreams, utterly oblivious to appreciating his benefactor’s allure.

Pei Du’s skin was cool-toned ivory, even paler in places usually covered by clothes. His muscles were solid, but when the bird talons pressed down just a bit, they left behind a faint pink imprint of little bird feet—one that faded away after a moment.

Press again, and another appeared.

The little bird wouldn’t press too many times—just one.

His benefactor still wasn’t awake, so another press.

It was still early, so one more…

The sensation was addictive. Shen Jiujiu grew bolder, alternating his talons on Pei Du’s lower abdomen. He lost himself in it, his tail feathers fanning out like a little fan, brushing back and forth along the edge of his benefactor’s undergarments.

The more he pressed, though, the harder those abs grew.

The harder the abs, the heavier the little bird pressed down.

The faint pink imprints gradually deepened to a light red.

Pei Du had actually woken up some time ago.

At first, when Shen Jiujiu was still asleep, he’d felt a bit uncomfortable where the little bird dumpling was perched, but not wanting to disturb him, he’d held still.

It was his day off, and the hour was early besides. Pei Du simply let Shen Jiujiu sleep until he naturally woke, while he himself lay flat with eyes closed, mulling over the dream scene—wondering if Shen Xinian’s appearance in it stemmed from his own preoccupations, or if the little bird had truly slipped into his dream.

But before Shen Jiujiu even opened his eyes, he launched into this barrage of actions. Pei Du, caught off guard by the little bird’s pervy antics and failing to stop them in time, froze for a stunned moment before reacting. Expressionless, he sat up, pulled his undergarment closed, and set the now-rigid-as-stone little bird aside.

How could a little pervert bird who had spent the early morning brazenly groping him dare meet Pei Du’s eyes?

He covered his shamefaced little head with his wings and inched backward bit by bit toward the head of the pillow.

Heaven knew he’d only meant to press once at first.

Wah, no-face-to-show bird!

Seizing the moment while Pei Du rose to wash up, Shen Jiujiu furtively cracked open the window, dragged his long tail through the gap, and swiftly fled the scene of the crime.

Being lightly molested by a little bird dumpling had indeed left even Lord Pei at a loss for a moment.

Especially since in the dream, Shen Jiujiu hadn’t appeared as the dumpling, but as a vivid, lively child full of expression and spirit.

It made Pei Du’s feelings all the more complicated.

But Pei Du was experienced in such matters and soon composed himself.

He had just finished washing up and was about to ask Jiujiu if he’d dreamed anything last night when he saw Shen Jiujiu bolt away like a streak of smoke. Helpless, he shook his head, set the matter aside for now, and planned to address it later.

~~~

Shen Jiujiu zipped straight into his mother’s palm.

Xie Jingtang had risen early—perhaps she hadn’t slept much at all the night before. When the little bird burst in through the window, she was seated at the table, carefully composing a list.

Seeing him dart straight to her palm and hide there, in that familiar way, softened her expression. She lowered her voice and asked the little bird, “Well now, what’s this? Unhappy even after sleeping with your beloved?”

Shen Jiujiu burrowed forcefully into his mother’s palm, chirping and refusing to come out.

Xie Jingtang flipped her hand to pin him down. “Ha! Take this—Mount Tai crushing the top!”

“Cheep…” Squished flat, Shen Jiujiu blinked, stretched his neck, and popped upright. “Cheep!”

“Mount Tai crushing the top!”

Xie Jingtang clapped her hand back down, her eyes and brows alight with amusement.

“Cheeeep—!”

The moment the hand lifted from his head, Shen Jiujiu shot up like a mushroom after rain, all fluffy and mushroomy.

They went back and forth several times, mother and son playing with utter delight.

Xie Jingtang burst into laughter. Shen Jiujiu, who had kept his wings tucked, now proudly unfurled them in a little penguin flap, hopping and chirping all over the table.

In Pei Mansion, Xie Jingtang no longer needed to hide her identity. She’d switched back to her usual Jiangnan attire, her makeup more natural as well.

She propped her cheek on one hand, gazing tenderly at the little bird on the table as he bobbed his tail feathers while showing off his talents. Her fingers curled around the tip of one wing, and she drawled leisurely, “Out with it, then. What happened to send our Jiujiu scurrying straight into Mother’s arms to hide?”

The little bird’s tail feathers drooped instantly.

But Xie Jingtang had already poured him some water and thoughtfully slid the cup right beside him.

Shen Jiujiu huddled by the cup, silently calming himself for a bit. Then he stood, dipped a talon in the water, and scrawled out the briefest, most objective account of the morning’s mortifying incident.

Xie Jingtang: “…Hiss.”

Shen Jiujiu hung his little bird head low.

Xie Jingtang: “Ha…”

Sensing something off, Shen Jiujiu looked up at his mother.

Xie Jingtang declared righteously, “What’re you looking at me for? Your mother does love a fine sight, true, but I haven’t got your guts or your luck.”

“Oh dear, no wonder they say the young surpass the old… Shen Jiujiu, you’ve got it going on.”

Shen Jiujiu hugged his head with his wings and cheeped loudly, trying to drown out his mother’s teasing with bird calls.

The more he did, the harder Xie Jingtang laughed.

But truthfully, hearing his mother laugh made Shen Jiujiu happy too—even if he was still a touch embarrassed.

“What’s the big deal? Why so thin-skinned?” Xie Jingtang rubbed Shen Jiujiu’s little wings and pulled out a small pouch, fishing some corn kernels from inside. “Here, have a snack to settle your nerves.”

Shen Jiujiu had figured they were just plain old corn kernels, but the moment they hit his beak, he realized they tasted incredible. He smacked his beak thoughtfully, savoring the flavor, then began pecking at Xie Jingtang’s palm like a chick after rice grains, his neck stretching and retracting in eager pursuit.

Once his crop was plump and full, Shen Jiujiu spread his wings and settled onto the table. Recalling the events from last night’s dream, he hesitated for a moment before dipping his claw in water and scrawling a line across the tabletop.

Xie Jingtang’s eyes widened in surprise at the question, but her response came with unwavering certainty. “Yes. As your family, of course I want to give you the very best—even for… even for what comes after.”

“But Jiujiu, funeral rites aren’t really for the one who’s departed. They’re more to comfort those left behind.”

“Because you’re still here. You may be a little bird now, but you’re lively and full of vim and vigor. So Mother will honor your wishes.”

“But if that day came… it would be Mother’s final chance to say goodbye.”

Shen Jiujiu had no experience bidding farewell to loved ones, no sense of that soul-crushing grief or agony. Back in modern times, scattering ashes into a river was just standard practice.

So the little bird felt perfectly nonchalant about it, figuring there was no harm in skipping a big funeral.

But from Mother’s and Benefactor’s standpoint, it might be their last goodbye to Shen Xinian.

After the cremation and burial, Shen Jiujiu would be all that remained in the world—no more Shen Xinian.

Shen Jiujiu turned and nuzzled Xie Jingtang’s finger. “Chirp chirp chirp.”

That wheedling, apologetic little posture made his meaning plain even without words.

Xie Jingtang laughed and gave the little bird a gentle flick on the forehead. “Don’t try that routine on your mother. I’m immune to your cuteness!”

“Chirp chirp chirp~ Chirp chirp chirp~~~”

Undeterred, Shen Jiujiu pressed closer, his chirps rising and falling in an increasingly melodramatic plea.

“Little spoiled bird.” Xie Jingtang prodded Shen Jiujiu’s beak with her finger and wagged it side to side.

Shen Jiujiu hopped around the table a few times before something occurred to him. He darted back to the cup and dipped his claw inside.

【Mother, can you help me inquire about】

【news of the Former Dynasty sedative Qianji Poison】

Qianji?

Xie Jingtang got it right away.

This had to be the poison Pei Du had suffered as a child.

Others might dismiss rumors from merchant networks, but not Shen Xinian.

Confined to the house his whole life, he’d absorbed gossip from every corner—even the tidbit that the Great Barbarian Khan’s third son beyond the pass wasn’t his blood.

“Alright. Mother will keep an ear out and send word the moment there’s news.”

…

After flying out of Mother’s courtyard, Shen Jiujiu had finally mustered his resolve to discuss the funeral with Benefactor.

As he sped past the rear garden, something felt off. With a quick glide, he peered beyond the back wall and spotted a figure clutching a big goose by the neck, locked in a standoff with a flock of sparrows.

Shen Jiujiu knew everyone in Pei Mansion by now—except for the Dark Guard Leader Jia Yi, who’d only just returned and had already crossed the sparrows.

The little bird alighted lightly on a treetop branch, eyeing the tense Jia Yi and his goose with open curiosity.

Jia Yi’s face grew even stiffer at the sight of the fluffy white bird dumpling, but he bowed his head first. “Young Master Shen.”

The goose nearly slipped from his grasp.

Startled, Shen Jiujiu reared back. “Chirp!!”

Hold on to that thing!!!

That gaping beak was terrifying—one chomp per sparrow dumpling!

Vicious beast!

Jia Yi tucked the goose behind his back and spoke without a trace of the baby talk the rest of the household used around the bird. “Don’t be afraid, Young Master Shen. This goose doesn’t bite people.”

Shen Jiujiu fixed Jia Yi with a steady stare.

Jia Yi gazed up at the bird on the branch, utterly unable to vouch that it wouldn’t bite birds.

“Jia Yi’s way too stubborn,” came Sui Ziming’s voice, drifting in like a ghost. “We all told him: bow to the sparrows, toss ’em some food, and they’d warm up to him.”

“But no, he swore he could handle it his way. Even outsiders could. Sparrows are too puny and useless—he wanted to station a goose for guard duty.”

“The sparrow dumplings wouldn’t have it. They’re dead set on evicting the goose and Jia Yi both. And here we are, still at an impasse.”

The voice out of nowhere nearly sent Shen Jiujiu tumbling from the tree.

He clutched the trunk desperately and twisted around to glare at Sui Ziming, who was lounging on a branch, his form completely concealed by the foliage.

Sui Ziming, there purely for the show, threw up his hands. “What? Me being here makes perfect sense. These are my benefactor birds—I’m just feeding them.”

Shen Jiujiu rolled his eyes at Sui Ziming before swooping down to land on the ground. He stretched one wing to block Jia Yi’s feet and the other toward the flock of sparrows poised to strike.

Hoping his innate bird charisma would defuse the conflict.

Shen Jiujiu cleared his throat. “Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp—”

Hold it! Hear me out first—

~~~

Meanwhile, after learning that Shen Jiujiu had gone to see Madam Xie, Pei Du finished his breakfast alone and retreated to the study.

He had only transcribed two lines of the elegy when Zhong Bo burst in, his face struggling to contain a grin.

Pei Du set down his brush and turned to Zhong Bo.

“My lord, you’d better go take a look.”

Zhong Bo’s lips kept twitching as he reported, his sleeves visibly dusted with sparrow feathers and goose down.

“Jiujiu, Big Goose, the sparrows, and Mr. Jia Yi—they’re brawling in the rear garden.”

Pei Du: “……What?”

Even Lord Pei’s sharp mind reeled for a moment, thoughts thoroughly knotted by the report.