Chapter 12: Pei Ziying Returns

Night shadows piled heavily. His handsome, graceful figure was enveloped in darkness, revealing only his crimson tongue tip and his long, bony fingers.

“A bit of a pity.” Tasting the bloody scent in his mouth, Huo Jingzhao sighed softly.

“Why does the Young Sect Master say that?” Sang Sha followed him into the Side Courtyard, carefully asking.

Thinking how he had told Pei Lianyi last night he would appear tonight, but now could only write a letter to pass the time, Huo Jingzhao touched the mask on his chest with some irritation. “For the plan to proceed smoothly, I have to restrain myself these few days.”

As he spoke, he chuckled lowly again. “Unable to wait for me, he should be very disappointed, right?”

Disappointed…? Shouldn’t it be relief?!

Sang Sha felt a deep speechlessness. He thought to himself, if you don’t go torment him, Family Head Pei is probably right now thanking the heavens from the bottom of his heart! But facing the man’s icy, sharp eyes, he could only force a smile, close the door, and echo, “Yes, with the Dragon Boat Festival imminent, the Young Sect Master can only endure for now…”

Huo Jingzhao looked at him for a moment, until Sang Sha’s hairs stood on end. Then he gave a bored “Tch,” flopped onto the large sleeping platform, and hummed a tune as he continued selecting fine letter paper.

Watching his face, which appeared even more steady and calm when he was serious, Sang Sha felt both a chill in his heart and a sense of novelty.

During these years in the Nine Blossoms Sect, the Young Sect Master was always surrounded by beauties, like stars around the moon. But Sang Sha had never seen him take a genuine interest in anyone. When having fun with the Dancing Girl and Male Courtesan, he always wore a mask, so no one knew his expression beneath it.

People only knew that the Young Sect Master had a high nose bridge, a pleasant laugh, and whether it was his physique or his striking features, he could be called a soul-snatching beauty.

And this mystery, like a closely held feather, further stirred the hearts of others.

Once, by chance, while Huo Jingzhao was drunk, the sect’s most slender and beautiful Male Courtesan tried to remove his mask. Huo Jingzhao caught him and promptly swelled the courtesan’s hand with a whip on the spot.

His whip was fast and merciless, each strike accurately hitting the Male Courtesan’s fingers, causing the man’s whole body to spasm, tears streaming down his face.

Yet Huo Jingzhao remained unmoved. Beating him wasn’t enough; he actually scooped up the little Male Courtesan and forced him to play the zither with his swollen, red fingers.

“Young Sect Master… it hurts, truly hurts. I won’t dare again… never again…” The Male Courtesan, both cheeks blushing with shame, leaned into the man’s embrace, begging for a sliver of his pity.

Huo Jingzhao raised his index finger to shush him. His deep voice held no ripples. “You are here to be used by me. They aren’t completely broken yet… They should still be usable, right?”

Saying this, he very gently twisted the Male Courtesan’s finger bones.

“Ugh… Young Sect Master.” The Male Courtesan looked at him hesitantly yet longingly.

Huo Jingzhao averted his eyes and said flatly, “If you don’t play, I will play myself.”

“No, don’t…!” Everyone in Nine Blossoms Sect knew the Young Sect Master was proficient in all scholarly arts. If he personally played the zither, wouldn’t that directly take away the Male Courtesan’s livelihood? So the man could only swallow his tears and pain, and play the zither for him.

Listening from the side, even though Sang Sha wasn’t the one being tortured, he still broke out in a sweat.

He thought that perhaps in Huo Jingzhao’s eyes, people were divided into only two kinds: useful and useless.

Those who could paint and write poetry, Huo Jingzhao would stand by and admire. Those with good-looking faces, he would glance at a couple more times… He would even compliment those who poured tea without spilling a drop, keeping them idly in the sect.

Because of this, everyone in the sect racked their brains to cultivate a skill, just to gain a single glance from Huo Jingzhao. Over time, pleasing the Young Sect Master became a habit for people.

But at this moment, this man who was usually the one being pleased was, under a dim kerosene lamp, selecting letter paper and repeatedly practicing his handwriting with an expression of utter enjoyment.

Even though every time the Ghost-Faced Man approached Pei Lianyi, it was either intimidation or humiliation, and even the letters were filled with a threatening flavor, for Huo Jingzhao, inherently cold and cruel, wasn’t this another form of pleasing himself?

Perhaps even he didn’t realize what he was doing. Thinking of Family Head Pei, who might suffer again one day, Sang Sha secretly sweated for him.

The next morning, Huo Jingzhao was awakened by a maid’s knock.

“Young Master Huo, the washing water has been prepared by this servant… um, uh…”

“What’s wrong?”

The maid was still stammering when the old door opened.

“Ah! Young Master Huo…” The man before her had changed into a gray-blue Ramie Robe, his waist bound with a neat black satin sash. Though it looked plain, it set off his youthful, lean build, making him appear even more manly.

Even the slight drowsiness between his brows from just waking up made the maid so shy she dared not lift her head. She could only lower her head and say, “For some reason, when the Master woke up this morning, he immediately had Steward Cao reprimand everyone and search every person’s room. It looked like he was looking for something…”

As she spoke, she glanced behind Huo Jingzhao. “The only room not searched is yours, Young Master. This servant wanted to say… you should be careful.”

Hearing this, Huo Jingzhao’s pupils constricted sharply. A faint smile played on his lips. “I, Huo, thank the young lady for the advice.”

“Mm, it’s… it’s nothing…!” The maid blushed and wrung her hands.

Seeing her so nervous, Huo Jingzhao raised an eyebrow. His dark eyes held a subtle probing. “Master Pei must have been very angry?”

“Not really.” The maid let out a long breath. “The Master has a precious constitution. He rarely gets angry at us servants. But he hasn’t been able to eat since waking up this morning. Said he had no appetite. The kitchen has changed dishes several times… Hey! Young Master Huo, where are you going?!”

Before the maid could finish speaking, Huo Jingzhao left the Side Courtyard like a gust of wind, leaving only the words “I’ll go have a look” before disappearing.

The maid left behind was instantly dumbfounded. She had run over to warn the man precisely so he wouldn’t walk into trouble. She never imagined he’d eagerly rush over…?

Huo Jingzhao couldn’t care less. Not only did he walk fast, but passing the courtyard, he even quickly plucked two Green Plums and strode towards the Main Courtyard.

The Green Plums grew very well this season. Plump and green, they clustered heavily on the branches, exuding a sweet-tart, astringent fragrance. Arriving before the archway leading to the Main Courtyard, Huo Jingzhao felt his palms had been stained with the green, tart scent.

Pei Lianyi happened to be standing on the flagstones of the Main Courtyard with Cao Xian. Because of last night’s “Blood Letter,” he had suffered another significant fright. Even in his sleep, he felt the man’s rank, metallic blood scent drilling into his nostrils.

Although the servants had helped him drink a large bowl of herbal medicine this morning, Pei Lianyi still had no appetite, so he took the account books out for some fresh air.

At this moment, his back was to Huo Jingzhao, dressed in soft Xiangyun Gauze. His well-proportioned waistline under the sunlight was like a piece of pottery, impossible to look away from.

“This calculation is wrong. If you’re this careless again, do it all over again.”

Pei Lianyi was very serious when handling affairs. He sternly reprimanded the Accountant, completely unaware of the man’s arrival. It was Cao Xian who saw Huo Jingzhao first.

“Young Master Huo…?” Seeing the man standing stiffly at the door, Cao Xian called out.

Huo Jingzhao was seeing this side of Pei Lianyi for the first time. He was forcing his unwell body to manage household matters, his whole being exuding the manner and aura of a Family Head.

Hearing that he had come, Pei Lianyi unconsciously tightened his grip on the papers. Then he handed the account book to Cao Xian and turned to walk towards Huo Jingzhao.

“Why don’t you come in?” Seeing the man standing still, Pei Lianyi asked.

At this moment, Cao Xian also followed. Seeing this, Huo Jingzhao put on his honest, simple smile. “Steward Cao said I wasn’t to disturb Master Pei.”

Pei Lianyi glanced at Cao Xian upon hearing this.

Cao Xian lowered his head, slightly guilty, and said nothing.

“It’s nothing. I just came to deliver some fruit.” Huo Jingzhao’s eyes held hidden undercurrents, yet his face was all cheerful openness. “Not coming in is fine too.”

He held the Green Plums under Pei Lianyi’s nose. “I heard Master Pei had no appetite, so I picked these. Plums can whet the appetite and generate fluids. Have a taste.”

The Family Head would never eat that! Eyeing the green plums in his hand, Cao Xian rolled his eyes.

Pei Lianyi was raised in luxury since childhood. His food and clothing were as exquisite as royalty. The fruits he put in his mouth had to be washed several times in spring water by the Kitchen before being served.

This boy from the Huo family dared to feed the Family Head something straight from the tree?! How crude!

As if sensing the disdain in their eyes, Huo Jingzhao lowered his head and rubbed the fruit carelessly against his clothes before offering it to Pei Lianyi again. “It’s clean now. You can eat.”

“…” Clean, his foot!! Cao Xian opened his mouth wide, eyes staring. Just as he was about to open his mouth to scold, Pei Lianyi said coolly, “You may withdraw first.”

Cao Xian could only walk away with a twitching face.

After he left, Huo Jingzhao still didn’t step past the archway. He stood properly in place, looking as if he would leave immediately after delivering the item.

Pei Lianyi didn’t take it. Instead, under Huo Jingzhao’s astonished gaze, he opened his mouth and took a bite of the Green Plum right from the man’s hand.

His bite was light, but very deep. The flesh of the newly ripened plum was instantly exposed to the air. The sweet and sour juice immediately flowed all over Huo Jingzhao’s hand.

“Is it good?” Gazing at the way Pei Lianyi’s throat moved as he swallowed the plum flesh, the man’s tone changed entirely.

Pei Lianyi raised his hand to wipe plum juice from the corner of his lips. He frowned slightly, as if still savoring the tartness that made his teeth tremble.

“It’s good. A little sour.”

On such a sweltering day, the Green Plum was an extremely refreshing snack. Yet Pei Lianyi felt that hint of sourness had seeped into his heart, flowing through all his limbs and bones.

His lips were naturally moist and tender. Just a gentle wipe made them red, even the lip bead a little swollen.

Huo Jingzhao restrained the trembling of his hands. “Even if sour, you have to finish it. Can’t waste it.”

His smile was gentle, but his tone was unyieldingly domineering.

Waste? Hearing these two words, Pei Lianyi found it amusing and novel.

Normally, in the manor, for any dishes that didn’t suit his taste, Cao Xian would immediately have the servants take them away. As for where the food went, someone would handle it.

In Pei Lianyi’s past life, no one had ever dared to speak to him like this. Every inch of the Pei family was meant to serve him, for him to spend.

But now, Huo Jingzhao was seriously telling him to finish a sour fruit.

Although, he also wanted to eat… The ache in his heart was at work. In the end, Pei Lianyi took the remaining Green Plum and, blushing, ate it.

“How are your preparations for the Dragon Boat Festival?” He stood inside the archway, asking further.

“Still practicing horse stance with Li Qi.” Huo Jingzhao touched his face, shyly.

In Rongchu City, dragon boat racing wasn’t just about paddling to the finish line. It also placed great emphasis on the spectacle of the competition.

To let the masters enjoy the show to the fullest, the Chamber of Commerce allowed contestants to fight and brawl on the boats. As long as their lower bodies didn’t move and they didn’t fall into the water, they wouldn’t be eliminated.

At sea, losing focus for a moment meant falling into the water. Being disrupted would only lead to a quicker death.

This rule rigorously tested the lower body strength of the contestants. Thus, men would first train their legs, practicing how to be firmly rooted.

So Huo Jingzhao was also practicing the childish horse stance.

Seeing the Leg Bindings on him, Pei Lianyi was silent for a moment. Then he suddenly said, “Ziying likes brave men. If you can win the championship, he might change his mind.”

Huo Jingzhao’s eyes darkened. “Then what type does Master Pei like?”

The question made Pei Lianyi’s expression freeze. He didn’t answer.

The taste of the plum seemed to have turned bitter.

Seeing his evasion, Huo Jingzhao secretly clenched his fists and said slowly, “Ah… I was just curious. Don’t take it to heart, Master Pei.”

“I will do my best in the competition. You can rest assured.”

To Pei Lianyi, these words were equivalent to “I will definitely make Ziying change his mind.” Watching this handsome, polite man, he felt gratified, yet also an indescribable sadness.

“Good.” Pei Lianyi managed to reply, then turned back to his bedroom.

Behind him, Huo Jingzhao waved energetically. “Master Pei will come on race day too, right? You have to cheer for me…!”

“I really want you to see me win—!” He let out another vigorous, energetic shout.

Pei Lianyi, nearly inside his room, felt his heart clench. He lowered his gaze and shut the door tightly.

On the south side of Rongchu City stood a luxurious pavilion. The building had nine floors, each adorned with exquisite seating. Inscribed above it was “Sea View Pavilion,” the place used by the Chamber of Commerce specifically for watching the dragon boat races.

On the day of the event, the city’s populace gathered below the pavilion, gazing out over the sparkling lake and sea.

After all, it was a once-a-decade grand event, and joy hung on everyone’s face.

The most excited person was the Family Head Shi, Shi Chengji.

Holding his folding fan, he pointed to the Sea View Pavilion’s plaque and declared loudly, “Look! This calligraphy was written by Master Pei when he was ten. This brush stroke, this technique, this level of artistry… Too elegant, too beautiful…”

Listening to his effusive praise, a woman in red sitting outside the door, one foot propped on a low stool, rolled her eyes. Her red lips parted gently. “Show a bit of restraint, Family Head Shi. You’re practically wearing the words ‘simp’ on your face.”

Hearing this, Shi Chengji snapped his paper fan shut and retorted, “Family Head Li’s words are incorrect. Family Head Pei is the unique, unparalleled Pearl of Rongchu City. This Shi merely admires beautiful people and beautiful things. What’s wrong with that?”

“Oh~” Li Man’er let out a long “oh” and said mockingly, “Is that why you keep so many male pets?”

Among the Four Great Clans, only the Li family, which monopolized the medicinal herb trade, was headed by a woman. Li Man’er, at just sixteen, had a fiery personality, spoke bluntly, and was even more capable than most men.

Shi Chengji couldn’t out-argue her. He could only say anxiously, “Why hasn’t Master Pei arrived yet…”

At that moment, the plump Shopkeeper of Sea View Pavilion walked out smiling. “Master Pei arrived long ago. He’s already upstairs, enjoying the view.”

“What—?! Move aside…! Move aside!” Upon hearing Pei Lianyi was already inside, the crowd immediately surged forward, blocking the door so tightly no water could flow through.

Within the crowd, Huo Jingzhao, dressed in black, his legs bound with plain cloth leg wraps, watched this scene, his face darkening with displeasure.

Upstairs in the pavilion, Pei Lianyi had no mind to pay attention to anyone. He was holding a few leaves, concentrating on judging the wind’s direction.

Although the sea was calm now, based on his experience from his youth spent at sea, a whirlwind would soon arise.

Sure enough, as the race began, the wind picked up.

“Wah—! He… Help!” Some contestants, just as they boarded their boats, were swept into the sea by the whirlwind, nowhere to be seen.

This single wail instantly froze the lively atmosphere.

The Pei Manor’s boat had ten men, including Huo Jingzhao and Li Qi, all of them strong and robust.

With Li Qi at the bow and Huo Jingzhao at the stern, the boat moved very steadily.

But not long after, the drumbeats on the shore suddenly became urgent. Everyone knew this was the signal to start fighting.

Drums beat fervently, waves surged. The Leng family’s men made the first move. They threw a grappling hook at the Pei Manor’s boat, using the momentum to catch up at high speed.

“It’s the Leng family! The Leng family is catching up…!” The boat rocked violently as Li Qi bellowed.

Standing at the stern, Huo Jingzhao was unshaken. His expression was cold. “I’ll deal with them.”

With that, he threw his oar at Leng Huan and his men. In his hand, the heavy oar seemed to transform into a shower of arrows, then into a silver dragon plunging through the waves. With a ‘whoosh’, it slammed straight into the Leng family’s boat.

The Leng family’s men couldn’t dodge in time and were knocked into the water, creating massive splashing waves.

“Wow—! Good skill, great skill!”

Knocking down five men with one strike, thunderous applause immediately erupted from the shore, blood boiling with excitement.

Inside Sea View Pavilion, Old Master Leng, who had just been smugly stroking his beard, was dumbfounded.

“This… this kid…” Shi Chengji stood up in shock. “Master Pei, he is… is…”

Pei Lianyi lightly sipped his flower tea, staring at Huo Jingzhao as if in a trance.

To win back Ziying, for the marriage, he was truly trying so hard.

Ziying, do you see that?

The more he understood this, the more Pei Lianyi found it difficult to bear.

“He is the future live-in Son-in-law of the Pei Manor.” He endured his trembling hand, put down the teacup, and said deeply.

On the sea, which surged with rolling waves, seeing half his crew gone, Leng Huan’s eyes instantly reddened with anxiety.

“Huo Jingzhao, you damn pauper, despicable wretch! You think you’re worthy to compete with me?!”

“What are you all standing around for—?! Row—! Fight—!”

Huo Jingzhao put aside his usual gentleness. He slowly and methodically rolled up his sleeves, his smile growing wild. “A barking drowning dog! This old man will play with you.”