Chapter 17: Pei Lianyi Asks for an Embrace Part 2

According to the rules, after finishing his meal, he stood to the side to serve the Pei father and son.

Seeing the man serve Pei Lianyi some food, Pei Ziying suddenly put down his chopsticks and announced he had something important to declare.

“What is it?” Pei Lianyi also stopped.

Pei Ziying declared loudly, “Father, I’ve thought it over. Let’s set the wedding date with Jingzhao for three months from now. This time is different from last time. I want to prepare it myself…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Pei Lianyi’s hand jerked violently, knocking over the soup bowl.

In the empty night, the sound of shattering porcelain was particularly jarring.

“Father! Are you alright…?”

“Master Pei, be careful.”

“It’s nothing.” To conceal his panic, Pei Lianyi bent down to pick up the fragments on the floor, but was stopped by Huo Jingzhao.

“Master Pei’s body is precious. Let me do it.”

“You too… ugh!” Looking down at the back of his bobbing head, Pei Lianyi’s heart was a tangled mess. He wanted to tell him to be careful as well, but then he realized Huo Jingzhao was holding onto his foot.

These past two days, he hadn’t left the manor, so he was dressed very lightly. Even his shoes were short boots made of feathered silk brocade, wrapping around his foot, toes, and ankles.

The fabric was already thin, and now, touched by that unfamiliar large palm, a rush of sore, weak sensation shot straight up his spine. It nearly made Pei Lianyi cry out.

Instinctively, he wanted to kick Huo Jingzhao’s hand away with his leg, but he heard him say, “Master Pei, please lift your leg a little higher.”

“There are still fragment shards under your foot.”

“Alright… Mm.” Hearing the man’s polite and proper words, Pei Lianyi frowned slightly. He could only grab the edge of the dining table and try hard to lift his legs.

“Father, what’s wrong? Your face is so red.” Pei Ziying asked with concern.

“Nothing… Ah—” Pei Lianyi pursed his lips into a strained smile. Just as he was about to respond to his son, whether intentionally or unintentionally, Huo Jingzhao under the table suddenly grazed his ankle with a knuckle.

Pei Lianyi’s beautiful eyes widened. His mind went completely blank. He even forgot how to make a simple movement.

“It’s cleaned up. Luckily, your foot wasn’t hurt.” Huo Jingzhao stood up, holding the fragments and smiling lightly.

“Jingzhao is so thoughtful. Don’t you think so, Father?” Pei Ziying looked towards the man with admiration.

Watching Huo Jingzhao’s consistently calm, clear face, Pei Lianyi just assumed he had overreacted. He asked hoarsely, “What does Jingzhao think about the wedding date?”

As soon as the question was asked, the gazes of both father and son shifted to his handsome face.

Huo Jingzhao curved his eyes. “I will obey Master Pei and the Little Young Master’s arrangements completely.”

“…That’s fine too.” Pei Lianyi’s lips tightened as he nodded in agreement.

A bitter taste spread between his lips. He couldn’t take another bite of food now, no matter what. He stood up, avoiding the gazes at the table. “I’ve finished eating. I’ll return to my room first.”

“Father…” Even someone as thick-headed as Pei Ziying noticed something off about his father.

Seeing Pei Lianyi walk further and further away, Huo Jingzhao said, “I’ll go check.”

Excited about the marriage plans, Pei Ziying didn’t stop him. He just said, “Take good care of Father,” and watched as the man strode away.

When Huo Jingzhao entered the Waterside Pavilion, Pei Lianyi was feeding the fish in the pond.

The sky was darkening. A slightly cool evening breeze rippled. The pond gathered his tall, slender reflection, covering his well-proportioned, graceful waist with pulsing ripples. His waterfall-like long hair swayed, intoxicating the heart.

Hearing Huo Jingzhao approach, he said deeply, “Don’t do such out-of-line things again.”

“Why?” Huo Jingzhao stood behind him, almost pressing against his back.

Pei Lianyi squeezed the fish food, his face flushing with red. “You are the person Ziying likes. Why would you do this… Ugh, Jingzhao…!”

Impatient to wait for him to finish, Huo Jingzhao grabbed his hand and forcefully turned his shoulders, making him face himself directly.

The fish food in Pei Lianyi’s hand scattered all over the ground. Two grown men collided with the pond’s railing, startling the fish gathered by the edge. Splash— They fled in all directions, disappearing.

The “plip plop” sounds of the fish swiftly swimming away made Pei Lianyi’s heart leap to his throat.

The courtyard could have visitors at any time, yet he was pinned here by Huo Jingzhao like a fish.

“Jingzhao, quickly let go…” He frowned and urged, so nervous his breath hitched.

“Because Master Pei wants to avoid me again. You won’t even celebrate the Yellow Wine Festival with me.” Huo Jingzhao stared at him fixedly, putting on a wronged face. “I won, and I thought you’d be very happy.”

Pei Lianyi was silent for a long moment. He could only repeat, “You are the one Ziying likes.”

He was so domineering, and so resolute towards himself. Such a short sentence denied all possibilities between himself and the man before him.

After repeating it once, he seemed to find his confidence and said seriously, “Even if we were to celebrate, it should be you and him.”

“…” Huo Jingzhao stared at him blankly, then suddenly moved closer to his face.

Pei Lianyi coldly turned his head away, refusing to look at his dark eyes, swirling with vortexes.

“Is that truly what’s in Master Pei’s heart?” Huo Jingzhao asked.

“Indeed.”

“Fine… I’ll go invite Pei Ziying right now.” Huo Jingzhao slowly took the fish food from his hand and scattered it towards a black koi in the pond. “Master Pei, rest assured and feed the fish. If a fish doesn’t get enough to eat, it will come back looking for you.”

“I’ll take my leave now.” He then released his grip.

Feeling him let go, Pei Lianyi breathed out lightly.

Huo Jingzhao cupped his fists in a bow, then quickly left.

After he left, Pei Lianyi looked back at the large black koi in the pond. His heart was still beating fast.

The night deepened further. Under the hazy, dim lamplight, a dark figure pushed open the tightly shut door.

Seeing no one around, he slipped inside. He took out something from his chest and threw it onto the table. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the Old Steward’s voice from outside. “Family Head, the medicine is ready. It’s on the table.”

The man in black looked down and indeed saw a bowl of brown herbal medicine at the corner of the table. Beside the medicine was some sweet and sour preserved fruit.

Eyeing the exquisitely beautiful silver bowl, his brow arched.

The footsteps outside drew closer. Pei Lianyi’s “Mm” was heard.

“Family Head, please rest well. This old servant and the others will take our leave now.”

The man in black inside the room thought for a moment, then tucked the item he had brought under the medicine bowl.

“Wait.” Pei Lianyi called out to Cao Xian, who was about to withdraw, and ordered calmly, “The day after tomorrow is the Yellow Wine Festival. If Ziying and Jingzhao go out, use my sedan chair. Prepare new clothes made from this year’s fabric for them, and the ruyi pendants of mutton-fat jade.”

“This is Huo Jingzhao’s first appearance at the Chamber of Commerce since the Dragon Boat Festival. As the live-in Son-in-law of the Pei Manor, he must uphold a grand appearance for me.”

“Yes. The Family Head is still the most thoughtful.” Cao Xian smiled and responded.

“Go on.”

“Yes.”

Listening to the master and servant’s conversation, the man in black, who had been about to leave, rushed towards the screen. He grabbed the silk undergarment draped over it. Rubbing and scrunching it, he pulled and tore until the threads were frayed. Only then did he leave, satisfied.

The entire courtyard fell silent. Returning to his room, Pei Lianyi had lost his surface-level calmness. He sat down, his eyes hollow.

Let’s set the wedding date for three months from now! Father, don’t you think that’s good?

The sooner Jingzhao enters the household, the better! It’ll save everyone from future complications…

Thinking of Pei Ziying’s words, he abruptly picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all completely.

“Cough… Mm.” Wiping the medicinal residue from his lips, Pei Lianyi suddenly noticed the object underneath the bowl.

Pale white letter paper, emitting a wisp of fragrance. It was tied with a pink silk ribbon, cleverly hooked around the edge of the paper. It looked exquisite and adorable.

“No…” Pei Lianyi, however, felt as if facing a great enemy. He abruptly stood up, his face turning deathly pale.

After standing rigidly for a moment, he forced down the discomfort in his heart and lifted a corner of the letter.

The paper unfurled with a rustle. The smell of blood overflowed. On it were two large lines of characters written in blood:

—I so want to expose your secret to the world! You wretch who seduces your own live-in son-in-law!

“Ah—! No…”

Secret… Expose to the world… These two words linked together made Pei Lianyi feel struck by lightning.

“I didn’t… I didn’t!” He denied it repeatedly, hurriedly crumpling the paper into his palm. Trembling all over, he retreated to the door edge and lowered his voice, “Who exactly are you?! What do you want?! Madman, lecherous beast…”

“I know you’re nearby! Come out… Ah—!” His eyes frantically searched around. Seeing the ruined undergarment in the room, cold sweat beaded on Pei Lianyi’s long, elegant neck.

“Master Pei! Master Pei, what’s wrong?!” Someone outside pounded on the door urgently.

Huo Jingzhao?!

Why would he come at this hour…?

He absolutely must not find out…!

Pei Lianyi steadied himself. “It’s nothing… I’m already asleep…”

“You’re lying to me. You’re avoiding me again.” Huo Jingzhao’s voice was very deep, faintly revealing displeasure.

“No… really, it’s nothing.” Pei Lianyi retreated to the edge of the screen.

The person outside stopped speaking. Just as he thought Huo Jingzhao had left, the man pushed the door open and strode straight in.

“I clearly heard Master Pei shouting.” He stepped over the threshold, his brows and eyes extremely gentle. “Did something happen?”

“I’m fine. Jingzhao, quickly go back…” Pei Lianyi tightly clutched the letter paper in his hand.

Because of the violent fright, half of his front hair was soaked with sweat, now plastered to that proper, noble face. He looked both disheveled and full of allure.

Huo Jingzhao didn’t listen to him and continued walking forward. “What is Master Pei holding in his hand?”

“Nothing… nothing.” Pei Lianyi painfully twisted his brows.

“Whatever worries Master Pei has, you can tell me…” Huo Jingzhao stepped forward, gently holding his shoulders, his eyes as warm and gentle as jade.

Pei Lianyi rarely felt so helpless, but now he was stunned.

“Let me see…” As he spoke, Huo Jingzhao was about to pry open his hand.

“No, you can’t…!” Terrified the letter would be taken away by him, Pei Lianyi struggled fiercely. He knew his current strength couldn’t match the man’s. Under Huo Jingzhao’s astonished gaze, he actually shoved the letter paper into his mouth and ate it.

“Mm… Mmm…” The scent of blood, sweat, and powder from the paper entered his body. His face was a mask of confusion.

Watching him swallow the paper stained with his own blood into his stomach, Huo Jingzhao was so excited he was nearly driven mad.

He endured the heat that made his teeth chatter and opened his mouth. “It seems it was truly a very important letter. I was out of line.”

Pei Lianyi covered his lips in shock and nodded.

“Did it taste good?” Huo Jingzhao asked again.

Pei Lianyi leaned against the screen, utterly exhausted, showing no reaction.

Huo Jingzhao took a piece of the preserved fruit from the table and offered it to him. “It’s alright now… It’s all alright.”

Looking at the moist, red fruit in his hand, listening to his gentle consolation by his ear, the entire day’s grievances, jealousy, heartache, and fright churned in his stomach.

Heedless of the wide-open door, unable to care if anyone came.

Pei Lianyi could bear it no longer. He extended his arms to the man and said, “Jingzhao, hold me… hold me, please.”

“Master Pei…!” Catching the moisture at the corners of his eyes, the blood and qi in Huo Jingzhao’s entire body surged upward. He pulled the person into his arms in one swift motion. His long-awaited desire turned into a raging fire, nearly wanting to consume Pei Lianyi completely.

His vision shifted upward, examining the torn undergarment behind the two of them. He asked, “Master Pei, tell me. What is your size?”

“Don’t be like this.” Pei Lianyi snapped back to his senses in an instant. Trembling, he released his hands. “I was too out of line.”

“I… I was probably just too tired to…”

Seeing him pull away from his embrace, Huo Jingzhao put on a smiling face. “Master Pei has been overworking for the family’s sake. You should go out to relax.”