CH 13

Chapter 13: I’m Lacking A Bed Warmer.

In the Capital City at the West Market, noon.

As soon as Bian Zhonghua and Qi Ci stepped into the glorious restaurant, the originally noisy first floor became surprisingly quiet. When the owner of the restaurant heard the news, he hurriedly ran to meet them in a panic: “Lord Bian, you can go to the private room on the second floor.”

Bian Zhonghua wasn’t polite either as he took Qi Ci to the private room and sat down. The owner bowed as he asked: “Lord Bian, the usual?”

Bian Zhonghua nodded: “Yes, thank you.”

The owner of the restaurant gently closed the door of the private room and hurriedly ran back to the kitchen.

Bian Zhonghua picked up a porcelain cup that had already been filled with tea, and when he saw Qi Ci looking at him, he smiled: “What is it?”

Qi Ci shook his head: “Nothing, it’s just that I suddenly realized that you’re the Demon Slayer that’s above ten thousand people.”

The corner of Bian Zhonghua’s mouth curved slightly as he said: “It’s just that I have a few friends in the Capital. There’s nothing you have to envy about me, after all, when you become the Prince, I’ll have to kneel down to you.”

Qi Ci opened his mouth, but he wasn’t able to produce any sound. So he looked out of the window at the bustling street with a heavy heart.

When the exquisite dishes were served on the table, they ate in complete silence for a while. But then, Bian Zhonghua put down his chopsticks and said: “Don’t worry, even though the one surnamed Xu has the fire pearl with him and is pretending to be you as the lost Prince, you have the double Dragon jade pendant. Besides, I’ll confront him for you.”

Qi Ci gently nodded his head, but didn’t reply.

Bian Zhonghua carefully observed his expression for a while before he asked with a smile: “You don’t want to be a Prince?”

Qi Ci paused, put down the chopsticks, raised his head and said: “My mother told me to stay away from the Capital, and she must’ve had her reasons. You said that she was the personal maid of Empress Dowager Xianyi, but why was she pregnant with a Royal son? And why did she want to escape the Imperial palace? Why is Empress Dowager Xianyi suddenly looking for me after the death of the former Emperor?”

“And,” After a long pause, Qi Ci finally said: “for 19 years, no one cared about my mother, or how hard it was for her to raise me on her own. No one cared whether she was buried in the distant northern border, or if she was alone. Bian Zhonghua, look at the crowded street, this is the most prosperous and crowded place in the country, but I don’t know anyone, except you. I don’t belong here.”

When Bian Zhonghua looked at Qi Ci, he suddenly remembered some rumors circulating the Palace.

Empress Dowager Xianyi had three children, two of whom died young. Although the remaining third Prince was the Crown Prince, he was extremely sick, with half of his body stepping on the grave.

The sons of the other concubines desired the throne. However, the strange thing was that all the Royal sons in the Imperial Palace, except for those who were given a Vassal State, the title of Wangye and lived unrestrained and at ease, unexpectedly died one by one. Some died of illness, some died in war, some hanged themselves, and some drowned.

After several years, no one was able to find the reason, and only assumed that they may be hunted by demons. Meaning that the Imperial Palace wasn’t purified.

This was also the reason why the former Emperor set up the Secret Servant Sect.

Although the former Emperor passed away a few years ago, the Crown Prince was weak and ill, so he hadn’t ascended the throne yet. Empress Dowager Xianyi is the one in power, managing the Court Affairs for the Crown Prince. Because of this, she began to hunt the rumors about the lost Prince.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, and whether there was a conspiracy or not, everyone with a discerning eye could see it.

Bian Zhonghua smiled as he picked up his chopsticks again: “I see that you’re quite clever.”

Qi Ci said: “I can tell the difference between good and bad. I’ve been living on my own since I was 12 years old, and I’ve seen many good and evil deeds, but I still understand some people’s hearts. This ‘Prince’ thing is a beautiful dream, but in the end, I’m afraid that I don’t know if I’ll die.”

Bian Zhonghua asked: “If you don’t want to be a Prince, then how will you get back your mother’s relics?”

Qi Ci frowned, lowered his head, and pursed his lips as he began to think.

“Let’s do it this way.” Bian Zhonghua said: “I’ll ask for a job for you at the Secret Servant residence, so you’ll have a place to stay. This way, you can take your time and think how to deal with it calmly.”

There was a trace of gratitude shining in Qi Ci’s eyes as he said: “Thank you, but I don’t know how to get rid of demons. What can I do in the Secret Servant residence?”

Bian Zhonghua swallowed the warm wine in the porcelain cup, narrowed his eyes, and smiled: “I’m lacking a bed warmer.”

Qi Ci: “……”

Qi Ci took a deep breath and reluctantly said: “I’m worth a hundred taels of gold per night. You should prepare your money first.”

Bian Zhonghua supported his head with one hand and laughed out loud: “You can reply to my words now, I should increase my ability ah.” 

Qi Ci stumbled and said: “I’ve become used to being teased by you.”

Bian Zhonghua: “Then, next time, if you can still look me in the eye without your earlobes turning red, I’ll believe that you really got used to it.”

Qi Ci subconsciously covered his earlobe, only to feel the burning heat wrapping his palm.

Bian Zhonghua chuckled, stopped teasing him, and asked: “Are you full?”

Qi Ci nodded: “Let’s, let’s go to the Secret Servant residence.”