Chapter 89: A Proper Person Must Do Proper Things Part 2

“What ‘Lord Chancellor’?” He shot Pei Jingyi a sharp look before nimbly boarding the carriage. “Call me ‘Teacher’.”

The most spacious carriage in the caravan had originally been reserved for Amula, the “proprietor.”

When Amula saw Gu Huaiyu’s new look, he blanked for a moment. Then, looking as if his own father had just died, he slumped dejectedly against the carriage wall, sighing and groaning incessantly.

Gu Huaiyu couldn’t be bothered with his histrionics, but the smell of mutton inside the carriage was truly suffocating.

He pushed open a narrow slit in the carriage window for air, only to find himself looking directly into Pei Jingyi’s mischievous face.

Like a wolfhound that had spotted its prey, Pei Jingyi leaned down to peer through the gap, surveying the new disguise with great interest.

Gu Huaiyu solemnly stroked his fake beard and barked in a roughened voice, “What are you looking at?”

Pei Jingyi suppressed a laugh and cleared his throat. “I’m looking at a tiger in sheep’s clothing.”

Since it was a rare compliment that Gu Huaiyu actually liked, he nodded with satisfaction. Whether he was a cat or a tiger, one would only know once the claws came out.

Pei Jingyi suddenly pulled a delicate enamel box from his robes and slid it through the window. “Teacher, if you can’t stand the smell, take a whiff of this.”

Gu Huaiyu took it and twisted it open. A crisp, cooling scent of mint immediately dispersed the annoying stench of mutton.

He raised an eyebrow at Pei Jingyi. “You are quite attentive.”

“Teacher flatters me.” Pei Jingyi’s lips quirked. He lowered his voice. “Aside from being a bit narrow-minded and attentive to detail, there isn’t another part of me that could be described as ‘small’ or ‘thin’.”

Gu Huaiyu caught the double entendre, let out a soft huff, and turned his face away, refusing to acknowledge the man’s shamelessness.

Beside them, Amula felt goosebumps break out all over his body. This “master-servant” relationship was far too sticky…

The caravan encountered no obstacles. When they reached the checkpoints, it was clear Amula had already greased the wheels. The guards merely gave them a distant glance, not even bothering to inspect the carriage.

After all, the Han in this region only ever tried to flee out. Who would be crazy enough to force their way in?

Along the way, they saw nothing but crumbling walls and ruined homes. A century ago, this had been the territory of Great Chen. Now, it was overgrown with wild grass, devoid of any human presence.

It wasn’t until dusk that the caravan reached a border relay station.

The buildings were ancient. They weren’t taking the main road into Eastern Liao, but rather the small trails used by merchants to avoid excessive taxation. The conditions at the station were abysmal, but it was better than nothing.

Amula’s warriors crowded into the common bunks and fell asleep instantly, while Gu Huaiyu and Pei Jingyi took the only two private guest rooms.

Inside the room, there was nothing but a bed and a three-legged stool.

Fortunately, the bedding was relatively clean. Exhausted from the day’s travel, Gu Huaiyu performed a quick wash and lay down fully clothed.

There wasn’t even enough floor space for a bedroll, so the only bed naturally went to Gu Huaiyu.

Pei Jingyi wasn’t picky. He slid directly under the bed, crossing his arms behind his head to use as a pillow.

Gu Huaiyu closed his eyes to rest. Earlier, with Amula present, there were things he couldn’t say. Only now did he whisper, “I haven’t asked you yet… do you think this move was too impulsive?”

Pei Jingyi chuckled from beneath the bed. “When is the Lord Chancellor not impulsive? Was taking down the plaque at Xuande Gate not impulsive? Was killing Wu Wei not impulsive?”

Gu Huaiyu sensed the underlying meaning. He rolled onto his side to look down at the floor. “Are you blaming me for not consulting you?”

“What I mean is…” Pei Jingyi’s voice softened. “My Lord, feel free to do whatever you wish. I will always stay by your side. I will never let you face danger alone.”

He paused, adding with a light laugh, “Of course, if you could give me a little heads-up next time, that would be even better.”

Gu Huaiyu stared at him. To say he felt nothing would be a lie.

Since his youth, he had been accustomed to cleaning up the Emperor’s messes by himself. Everyone in the court relied on his decisions; he had no one to lean on.

Over time, he had become used to acting unilaterally.

As Great Chen’s most powerful official, he didn’t need a protector to shield him from the wind and rain.

But hearing Pei Jingyi’s words now, a strange warmth bloomed in his chest.

Having someone willing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him… the feeling wasn’t bad at all.

Gu Huaiyu moved toward the inner side of the bed. After a moment of silence, he said tonelessly, “Come up.”

Pei Jingyi practically bounced out from under the bed. Why hesitate when such a good thing was offered?

The wooden bed at the relay station was narrow. Once his large, muscular frame occupied it, the two of them were pressed tightly together.