CH 94

December 2, 2022Merchie

Everyone froze, completely shocked by this slap. The servants who were restraining Shen Shijiu hurriedly let go, and knelt onto the ground with their heads bowed.

Xiao Mei propped herself up and held her cheek, utterly dumbfounded.

Her mistress was clearly the one who had been injured, but His Lordship actually walked toward Shen Shijiu. Pei Zheng wanted good looks, but Shen Shijiu didn’t have any. Pei Zheng wanted someone with wits, but Shen Shijiu didn’t have that either. All he had was a pair of alluring eyes.

His Lordship must have been blinded by one of his evil tricks!

After Shen Shijiu was let go, he subconsciously protected the kitten in his arms with one hand. He clutched his cheek with the other hand, and immediately hissed in pain.

Pei Zheng pulled his hand away, not allowing him to touch it anymore. His gaze carried a trace of heartache.

“Does it hurt?’

This inquiry was posed in an extremely gentle tone. Although his voice wasn’t loud, everyone present could hear it perfectly.

Shen Shijiu’s eyes watered at his deeply concerned tone. He thought that no one would stand at his side, that no one would ever support him again.

He said softly, “It hurts…”

Pei Zheng’s heart throbbed painfully.

Qi Bingzhi, who was at the foot of the steps, looked at the two of them; her silvery teeth were about to be ground to pieces. Her arm was still bleeding, and her ankle was already swollen. But Pei Zheng didn’t seem to have a shred of concern for her.

Did she not exist to him? Just what was she in his eyes?

“My lord…” The tip of Shen Shijiu’s nose was red. He sobbed twice, and spoke in an aggrieved voice, “Xiao Miaowu made a mistake, he scratched Her Royal Highness, but, he definitely didn’t do it on purpose…”

Xiao Mei said angrily, “Shen Shijiu, you didn’t see it, how can you know that he didn’t do it on purpose? That cat is very fierce; the princess can’t even touch him for a second?”

Pei Zheng’s eyes were still on Shen Shijiu’s swollen face. He glanced over him again to see if he had any other injuries, before he turned and said coldly, “Who allowed you to speak? How are those who don’t follow the rules dealt with here?”

Li Yu, who was beside him, spoke, “According to the punishments instituted by the manor, her mouth will be slapped twenty times.

When Xiao Mei heard this, she immediately became nervous. But she thought that, because she was one of Qi Bingzhi’s servants, Pei Zheng probably wouldn’t punish her.

“My Lord, just now, Shen Shijiu clearly spoke out of turn as well…”

Pei Zheng sneered, “Mm, this minister allowed him to. Why, does he need your permission as well?”

Xiao Mei quickly shook her head, “No, no, that’s not what this servant meant…”

“You didn’t mean it but you still said it. Hurry up and slap her mouth!”

Li Yu glanced at the servant next to him, and the two of them walked over and pulled Xiao Mei off the ground, ordered her to kneel, before pinning her arms.

Then, a very strong-looking servant walked up to her, raised his hand, and was about to give her a hard slap.

Pei Zheng suddenly stopped him.

Xiao Mei was secretly delighted, thinking that Pei Zheng had changed his mind.

Unexpectedly, Pei Zheng turned to look at Shen Shijiu, and whispered, “Go on. Hit her like she hit you.”

Shen Shijiu’s eyes were shining with tears. He looked like a wronged, helpless little animal; he didn’t have any intent to harm her at all.

“I… I don’t dare, I’ve never hit anyone before… I don’t know how…”

But Pei Zheng continued to stare at him wordlessly, and everyone else was also standing still, too scared to move.

Shen Shijiu clenched his fists, mustered his courage, and walked over.

He closed his eyes; he didn’t dare to look at Xiao Mei. He raised his hand and slapped her. Although it was much lighter than the slap Xiao Mei had given him, it had landed directly on top of the handprint on her cheek, so the pain was immediately magnified.

After Shen Shijiu was done hitting her, he hurriedly backed away. He glanced at Pei Zheng, his expression filled with guilt.

Pei Zheng raised his hand. The servant rolled up his sleeves, and began to slap Xiao Mei in front of everybody.

After Xiao Mei was hit a few times, the corners of her mouth were covered in wounds, her face was swollen to the point that it looked grotesque, and several bloodstains were painted across her face.

Qi Bingzhi clenched her fingers tightly, and turned away; she couldn’t bear to watch this. But Xiao Mei’s pained cries burrowed into her ears one by one.

She couldn’t listen to it any longer. She broke away from the servant supporting her by the arm, staggered over and threw herself in front of Xiao Mei, blocking her body.

That servant’s hand was raised high, and he didn’t have time to retract it; a loud slap landed right on Qi Bingzhi’s face. He suddenly stopped in terror, and cluelessly looked to Pei Zheng.

Unexpectedly, Pei Zheng’s expression remained unchanged. He merely looked at Qi Bingzhi, whose mouth was bleeding, and ordered, “Continue.”

That servant could only say to Qi Bingzhi, “Second Princess, this servant has offended you.”

Then he raised his hand again and carried out the rest of the punishment.

Qi Bingzhi was slapped on the other cheek. She bit her tongue hard, and let out a muffled groan.

She couldn’t be embarrassed in front of Shen Shijiu, she absolutely couldn’t!

Xiao Mei was so anxious that tears flowed out. She sobbed indistinctly, “Princess, Princess, get out of the way! Are you stupid, this servant can bear it alone, you don’t need to suffer though the punishment as well!”

Qi Bingzhi still refused to move aside. Xiao Mei shoved her to the side with her body, but Qi Bingzhi only got back up and moved over to protect her again.

It continued on like this. After all twenty slaps had been administered, QI Bingzhi had been slapped seven or eight times; her fair face was already extremely swollen.

Pei Zheng watched the show with a frigid gaze. Shen Shijiu couldn’t bear to watch at first, but Pei Zheng held him by the shoulders, and forced him to watch the entire thing as well.

Then, a group of people left the waterside pavilion.

Shen Shijiu didn’t go back to his wing. Instead, he was taken to Pei Zheng’s quarters.

The moment they stepped inside, Pei Zheng let go of Shen Shijiu and pinned him against the door.

With one hand, he lifted Shen Shijiu’s chin, and carefully examined the handprint on his face again. It seemed like it was even more swollen.

Pei Zheng’s handsome face took up most of Shen Shijiu’s view. He didn’t even dare to breathe, and said in a slightly strangled voice, “My Lord, I’m fine, this kind of injury heals very quickly…”

Pei Zheng’s complicated eyes locked with his, and didn’t say anything more. His other hand traced Shen Shijiu’s hanging cuff and slipped inside.

Shen Shijiu’s body immediately tightened, and he said nervously, “M-my Lord…”

Pei Zheng’s fingers slipped back out. Pinched between his fingertips was the box of ointment Shen Shijiu had used last time.

So he was just getting the medicine, just what was he thinking? Why did his ears feel so hot?

Pei Zheng smeared the ointment onto Shen Shijiu’s face, and also noticed his flushed little ears, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

“What are you thinking about? Hm?”

“N-nothing…”

“Really?” Pei Zheng closed the box, and his fingers reached back into Shen Shijiu’s sleeve.

This time, he didn’t simply put the ointment back. Instead, Pei Zheng’s hand slid along his delicate arm, which made Shen Shijiu tremble.

“So sensitive, that’s just…” Pei Zheng leaned into his ear and blew softly, “… Too good.”

Shen Shijiu looked like a furry little rabbit at the moment. He was red from his earlobes to his neck; his little face wasn’t flushed, though. But those eyes were glistening with tears, pleading.

That little hand shoved Pei Zheng’s chest, but it was such a light push that he couldn’t even feel it. Shen Shijiu’s breaths trmebled.

“M-my Lord… You’re too close… I’m going to… have trouble breathing soon…”

Pei Zheng allowed himself to be pushed away. Shen Shijiu hurriedly clutched his little chest and took several deep breaths.

That was too dangerous, he thought he was about to suffocate.

Pei Zheng watched as Shen Shijiu sucked in deep breaths, and the thoughts that had popped into his mind so many times in the past began to stir again.

He grabbed Shen Shijiu, pulled him further into the room, and came to a locked wardrobe.

He opened the wardrobe, and the inside was full of splendid robes, all milky white; some of them were even sewn with gold piping. They all looked to be the heiht of luxury.

But there was also a flame-red cloak pressed to the bottom. Its scarlet color was bright and beautiful, and it looked to be exquisitely tailored.

All of these clothes looked like they were new, as if no one had ever worn them.

Pei Zheng picked a robe from out of the closet. Then, he took out the cloak as well, and passed the clothing to Shen Shijiu.

Shen Shijiu obediently received them, but he stood in place and didn’t move.

Pei Zheng tilted his chin towards him, “Change into them.”

Shen Shijiu touched the smooth, soft fabric; he knew it was extremely expensive, that these were clothes that he could never afford to wear.

He asked in confusion, “Me?”

“Should it be me instead?”

Pei Zheng chuckled at his foolish response, without any sense of approach. The corners of his eyes also lifted slightly, which made Shen Shijiu lose his mind for a second.

“My Lord… you’re really pretty… ” Shen Shijiu said stupidly, not yet realizing what he had just said.

“Mm, I know.”

Pei Zheng patted his little head. After looking at this face for so long, he felt that it had somehow become a bit more beautiful, “Go on.”

Shen Shijiu “oh”d stupidly, before walking behind a screen with the clothes in his arms.

He took off his own clothes, before carefully slipping on the brand-new robe. The measurements were just right, as if it had been tailored just for him. The cuffs, collar, and trim waist were all a perfect fit.

Shen Shijiu lowered his head to tie the sash. Unfortunately, he couldn’t see behind himself; even after fussing with it for a long time, he still couldn’t tidy it up.

A pair of hands suddenly appeared from beside him. Those fingers dexterously straightened the sash, before wrapping around his waist to tie it for him.

Shen Shijiu’s body tightened. He could feel Pei Zheng’s body pressed up behind him; his breathing was spilling over his earlobes.

Hot and ticklish.

Wasn’t His Lordship on the other side of the room? When did he come over here? Why didn’t I hear anything?

Pei Zheng swept his gaze over Shen Shijiu from behind him. He couldn’t get that pale, naked back he had just seen out of his mind. Just looking at it made his body heat up.

He reached out, grabbed the cloak, and tied it for him. Although the person in front of him didn’t possess a certain alluring beauty1, he behaved well and had a good disposition.

It still didn’t look right.

Pei Zheng suddenly lifted his hand and undid Shen Shijiu’s upswept locks, and his ink-black hair rushed down in torrents, long and heavy, which fell behind Shen Shijiu’s thin shoulders.

Then he parted some hair and tied it into a bun again. The rest of it still covered his back, with two strands hanging from both sides.

Now, with the addition of luxurious clothes, the person in front of him actually resembled a somewhat attractive young master.

But the red mark on his face that hadn’t yet dissipated made people’s hearts ache.

Pei Zheng reached out and covered the lower half of Shen Shijiu’s face. His palm-sized little face could be completely covered by his large hand; only a pair of impassioned, nervous eyes that were filled with tears gazed up at him, carrying a trace of shyness.

Pei Zheng’s heart tightened, and his body slowly leaned forward, getting closer and closer to Shen Shijiu. His finger even touched Shen Shijiu’s lips, and continued to linger on his mouth.

Shen Shijiu’s heart was bursting like thunder, and he slowly closed his eyes.

“peng peng peng”, someone knocked on the door.

Shen Shijiu suddenly opened his eyes, Pei Zheng’s face stopped right in front of his. Those half-squinted eyes locked with Shen Shijiu’s. Those thin lips continued to move forward, and lightly brushed the back of his hand.

And under that hand were Shen Shijiu’s pink lips.

“Master, it’s almost time, you should prepare to head to the palace.”

It was Cheng Feng who was at the door, reminding him. Pei Zheng would have to enter the palace for the evening banquet, as a representative of the Celestial Dynasty and to help entertain the barbarian clan leader, Ah Mu Le.

Pei Zheng let go of Shen Shijiu, and walked over to open the door.

Shen Shijiu couldn’t hear what Pei Zheng was telling Cheng Feng, but he saw Cheng Feng look up and glance at him, before he nodded respectfully.

Pei Zheng stepped into a sedan chair and set off toward the palace.

Shen Shijiu still stood in Pei Zheng’s room, and touched the brocade robe he was wearing. It was very comfortable; it was a pity that he probably wouldn’t be able to wear it again, so he should use this opportunity to touch it a few more times.

After a little while, a few maids entered the room, and surrounded Shen Shijiu. Many pairs of hands helped to tidy him up and rearrange him from start to finish.

In the end, a veil was tied behind Shen Shijiu’s ears to cover his face and hide the red handprint. Only a pair of eyes peeked out.

Then, the maids left, and Cheng Feng walked in. He led Shen Shijiu, who didn’t know what was going on, all the way out of the courtyard, to the front garden of the Prime Minister’s Manor.

There was a sedan chair parked outside of the manor, and many guards and servants were waiting there.

Cheng Feng stepped out of the gate, and saw that Shen Shijiu was still standing dumbly in the garden.

“Come with me.”

Cheng Feng tried to speak as gently as possible, He felt that this person was one of those weak, delicate types, and was afraid that Shen Shijiu couldn’t bear to hear any harsh words.

“Where are we going?” Shen Shijiu raised his head and asked.

“To the palace.”

“The palace?” Shen Shijiu blinked, “Are we going back to the Imperial Hospital? Is His Lordship sending me back?”

He couldn’t sense the disappointment in his own tone, but anyone who heard it could.

Cheng Feng turned around, “No, he’s not sending you back. His Lordship is taking you to attend tonight’s banquet.”

“Banquet…”

Shen Shijiu repeated the word. Although he had spent a few days in the palace before, he had spent most of his time in the Imperial Hospital, so he had never attended any grand events.

His eyes instantly lit up, and his voice also became bright and lively, “Then let’s go, A-Feng.”

Cheng Feng’s body froze, “What did you call me?”

Shen Shijiu pouted his mouth, “Guard Feng.”

“No, what you just called me.” Cheng Feng frowned. He was positive that he had heard correctly.

“But I called you Guard Feng…” Shen Shijiu also thought hard about what he had just said; it seemed that he really did call him ‘Guard Feng’…

But now wasn’t the time to be confused about something like this. Cheng Feng shoved those thoughts into the back of his mind, and was about to step out of the gate with Shen Shijiu.

“Guard Feng, where are you going?”

Qi Bingzhi’s voice sounded from behind.

Cheng Feng and Shen Shijiu stood at the gate, looked back, and saw Qi Bingzhi, who had changed into fine attire. She was as white as a ghost; it appeared that she had applied copious amounts of powder to cover the handprints.

But her ankle was still swollen, so she couldn’t stand properly, and could only have a servant girl support her from the side as she walked.

Qi Bingzhi saw the figure beside Cheng Feng, clad in a red cloak. He was wearing a veil over his face, revealing a pair of charming eyes, the ends of which were slightly raised, pure and captivating.

With a sudden glance, one would be under the illusion that someone from the past had returned.

But Qi Bingzhi quickly realized that it was Shen Shijiu.

“Greetings to the Second Princess.”

Cheng Feng still bowed, “It’s getting late, this subordinate has duties to attend to and must leave first.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Bingzhi became anxious, “Where’s His Lordship then, where did His Lordship go? Why isn’t he going to the palace with me?”

Cheng Feng only glanced at Qi Bingzhi. She was still struggling to preserve the facade of luxuriance and happiness.

“His Lordship ordered that, since the Second Princess is injured, you needn’t attend. His Lordship will inform His Majesty and Her Highness the Empress.”

Qi Bingzhi brushed away the maid beside her, and tried her best to stand, but an unbearable pain came from her ankle.

“But everyone must bring their family members to the banquet tonight, I’m fine, I can…” Qi Bingzhi couldn’t even finish speaking; she tried to step forward by herself, but her footsteps faltered, and she fell to the ground.

The maid hurried over to help her up.

“Second Princess, those were His Lordship’s orders, this subordinate can only follow them.”

Cheng Feng glanced back. Several guards stepped forward and blocked Qi Bingzhi’s path, forming an impassable barrier, separating her from the two of them.

QI Bingzhi was full of resentment, and she pointed at Shen Shijiu, “I can’t go to the banquet in the palace, but he’s taking him to attend? Since when did the Prime Minister’s Manor operate by these kinds of rules and principles?”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feng’s expression turned cold, “Second Princess, are you questioning His Lordship?”

“Answer me! Is he bringing him there?!”

Shen Shijiu was at the side nervously playing with his fingers, the atmosphere in the courtyard was just too aggressive. He obediently kept his head bowed the entire time.

Cheng Feng nodded, “Yes.”

Qi Bingzhi heard his answer, full of certainty, and suddenly laughed. Puffs of powder fell off her face, it was a bit scary to look at.

“All right, all right then, take him there, take him to the evening banquet, where everybody will be watching, and let them all see, just who Prime Minister Pei is bringing to the banquet!”

Cheng Feng turned around and blocked Qi Bingzhi’s view of Shen Shijiu, and said calmly, “Second Princess, you needn’t worry about that.”

Then, he took Shen Shijiu and walked out of the manor’s gate.

The gate slowly closed in front of Qi Bingzhi, shutting away the last crumbs of hope and dignity she had left.

Shen Shijiu climbed onto the sedan chair, and obediently sat down, before he lifted the curtain to look at Cheng Feng.

“Guard Feng, can I really go?”

“Of course.”

“But, there are a lot of people there, right? Will I embarrass His Lordship…”

“You won’t, don’t think so much about that.”

Cheng Feng lowered the curtain, and the sedan chair set off towards the royal palace.

As they passed through the palace gates, the guards all bowed respectfully.

Shen Shijiu snuck a peek from a gap in the curtain. After seeing the imposing main palace gate, as well as the endless stretch of grand royal residences, he whispered “wow”.

He had never seen anything like this when he was at the Imperial Hospital.

The sedan chair slowly swayed to a stop. Shen Shijiu stepped off, and silently followed Cheng Feng. They passed through courtyards and various corridors, and finally stopped at the door of a side hall.

This side hall was adjacent to the palace hall where the evening banquet was being held. Cheng Feng said to Shen Shijiu, “Go in, His Lordship is waiting for you inside.”

Shen Shijiu nodded obediently, pushed the door open, and walked inside.

It was a bit dim, but one could see that the decorations in the room were elegant and very stylish. A soft, delicate fragrance wafted over from the desk. Shen Shijiu could tell that this scent had some soothing, rejuvenating effects.

He walked a few more steps. Only then did he see that someone was sitting behind that shadowed desk.

Pei Zheng sat with a relaxed posture, pressing his temples with his palms. He was leaning against the back of the chair, his eyes closed in meditation.

Shen Shijiu walked up to him, and saw that his collar was loose; it looked as though someone had torn it open.

“Myyy loooord,”

Shen Shijiu’s voice was like a little kitten’s; he called out to him with a very soft, gentle tone.

Pei Zheng didn’t move.

Shen Shijiu crept over, and quietly reached out to refasten his collar.

That pair of little hands had only just grasped Pei Zheng’s lapel, when they were suddenly gripped by another slender hand.

Shen Shijiu nervously looked over at Pei Zheng. His eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes slowly opened.

“Your Highness…”

The soft whisper that came from Pei Zheng’s throat was so quiet that it instantly melted away.

But in this quiet room, both of them heard it clearly.

Shen Shijiu was extremely confused, “Your Highness? Who’s that?”

Pei Zheng was already fully awake, and realized who the person in front of him really was.

He didn’t answer, and reached up to pinch his brows.

Pei Zheng just couldn’t stand watching those people flattering Ah Mu Le earlier, so he fibbed to the Emperor, saying that he wasn’t feeling well. He left with a cold expression, and stayed in the side hall to rest and wait for Shen Shijiu.

The banquet hadn’t started yet. Everyone was chatting about political affairs, so it was quite boring.

Pei Zheng felt a pair of soft little hands on his temples, kneading rhythmically, with just the right amount of strength, and hitting every acupoint. It was very comfortable.

Shen Shijiu kneaded Pei Zheng’s forehead like this for quite a while. He finally put his arms down when they became so sore that he couldn’t hold them up anymore.

He squeezed his arm for himself, but Pei Zheng pulled him over, and gently massaged it from top to bottom.

When he pinched a patch of numbness, Shen Shijiu couldn’t help but groan a bit.

“Nngh…”

Pei Zheng paused briefly before he began to knead again.

“Does it feel good?”

Shen Shijiu nodded, “It feels good.”

“Do you want it for your other arm?”

Shen Shijiu obediently switched to his other arm, and held it up to Pei Zheng.

“I want it.”

“What?” Pei Zheng’s eyebrows twitched, “Do you want it or not?”

“I want it!” Shen Shijiu thought that Pei Zheng really hadn’t heard him, so he purposely raised his voice a bit.

The corners of Pei Zheng’s lips curled, and he pulled his other arm over and began to massage it.

The two spent quite a while in this side hall, and the banquet was already about to begin.

Pei Zheng pushed open the door and walked out with Shen Shijiu.

At some point, Cheng Feng had stood to wait outside the door. When he saw Pei Zheng, he stepped forward and whispered in his ear, “Master, I’ve found the person you wanted me to find.”

Pei Zheng’s eyes suddenly darkened, and he glanced over at Shen Shijiu.

Shen Shijiy was looking around everywhere like a curious little baby, and didn’t realize that Pei Zheng was looking at him with a gaze full of suspicion.

Pei Zheng didn’t linger any longer. He simply grabbed Shen Shijiu by the wrist, and strode toward the brightly lit palace in front of them.

Notes

Tomorrow, we will be back to daily uploads for a bit, since the chapters are back to 3000 words 

Thanks for reading~

1.Author-san used 倾城 here as the descriptor c;