Chapter 4: Qin Wang

Posted on 29th Oct 2021 by Yue

Xin Yi wanted nothing more than to shrink into a ball. The icy cold feeling that was wrapped around his ears had spread throughout his chest ripple by ripple. He started to stutter as he got nervous, “Y-You… Aren’t you applying the ointment?”

Bai Jiu let out an oh and immediately dipped the tips of his fingers into the ointment. He started to scan Xin Yi’s body for injuries until he turned himself around to face the mirror. This had not only made him unable to see his movement behind, but it had instead allowed him to see his profile far more clearly.

Fingertips that were cold as ice traced his back until he became slightly ticklish from it. Before Xin Yi could control his expression, he had already seen his own dimples in the bronze mirror and could only avert his eyes away.

Bai Jiu lowered his gaze. The look in his eyes was as clear as day but the same could not be said for the pressure of his fingertips. Neither of them spoke and unknowingly, after Bai Jiu was done applying ointment on his wounds, his fingers had slipped down to the back of Xin Yi’s waist before retracting; unsure if it had been intentional or not.

Before Xin Yi could cover up with his clothes, Bai Jiu had already turned around. “You don’t have to wear them anymore. Just go to sleep.” He then walked past the folding screen and left.

The tips of Xin Yi’s ears were left burning, inexplicably so.

When Xin Yi woke up the next morning, Bai Jiu had left for morning court. After breakfast, seeing that the weather today was cooling, he and Old Qu went to continue their walk around the courtyard that they did not finish yesterday.

The racecourse that Bai Jiu had described was not considered to be small since a few horses running together in the paddock would not be a big problem, to say the least. Chi Ye had stayed alone in the shed, his temperament just like his owner.

Xin Yi had let Chi Ye out so he could freely run a few rounds by himself on the racecourse. After that, he looked at the other horses and they were really all Bei Yang horses. He could not hold himself back from patting them for a while, feeling a sense of closeness to them.

“Sure enough, it must be because this old slave is old that he cannot touch Chi Ye.” Old Qu saw how close Chi Ye was to him and said with a laugh, “If this old slave was a few years younger, maybe he might be able to tame a good horse as well.”

Xin Yi’s dimples surfaced as he caressed Chi Ye’s hair and said, “This is a good horse — a rare good horse.”

Old Qu told him, “When Chi Ye was first sent to the Capital, the little Qin Wang adored him very much. Unfortunately, Chi Ye had a fierce temper and it was only my lord who was able to tame it.”

The little Qin Wang that he was referring to was the Shizi of Qin Wang Xin Zhenming; Xin Wen, who had been raised in the Capital and was famous for being a renowned figure in the Capital for his arrogance. Xin Yi did not have much of an impression of his cousin as all the time that he had spent in the Capital could be calculated with one hand. At most, he had only heard of his name.

“Is it alright if I take a horse to run a few laps?” Xin Yi skipped over the topic of the little Qin Wang, showing interest in only the horses.

Old Qu immediately took a few steps back and said, “Lord Shizi, please go ahead.”

Even though Xin Yi liked Chi Ye, it was still Bai Jiu’s horse so it would not be appropriate to ride it without permission. Instead, he had picked out a Bei Yang horse to try running a few laps around the racecourse. Once he had gotten on the horse, he was flooded with so much joy that he could not help but smile. It was a sort of happiness that had come from his heart. This trait of love for horses was something that the whole of Bei Yang shared.

Xin Yi stayed on the racecourse until noon. As soon as Xin Yi got off the horse, Old Qu handed him a handkerchief for him to wipe the sweat on his head. Seeing that Xin Yi was still caressing the horse as if he still hadn’t had enough, he said with a smile, “It had been a long time since this racecourse was built. Before, because his lordship was preoccupied with governmental affairs, he did not come by very often. If it so happens that Lord Shizi is interested, do come by more often to have a look. It will also prevent other people from slacking.”

Xin Yi said with a laugh, “If it is not much trouble, then I will.”

Xin Yi had lunch as soon as he got back and after his meal, he was once again lazing on the same couch as yesterday, hugging the back pillow as he shut his eyes to take an afternoon nap in the sun. For some reason, Bai Jiu was still not back yet and as long as he does not come back, Xin Yi would have something less to worry about.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from the courtyard. Xin Yi was extremely tired so he could only hear a youth say in an obnoxiously loud voice in the middle of the courtyard, “What? This noble one1 can’t even enter his courtyard?”

Xin Yi turned around, hearing the person continue to say, “There aren’t even this many rules in the Palace! Today, this noble one must see Chi Ye no matter what so don’t you dare get in the way!”

Old Qu forced a smile as he said, “His lordship has not returned, I dare not to disserve Wen Shizi.”

Xin Wen was older than Xin Yi by 3 years in terms of age. With both his voice and the ends of his eyebrows raised, he gloated, “For as long as this noble one has been born, there has never been anyone in this world who had once called me Wen Shizi. In this neither big nor small Capital, is there anyone else worthy enough for Old Qu to call him Lord Shizi?”

“Lord Shizi is undoubtedly the Lord Shizi. Of course, Wen Shizi does not fall short from the honor of Lord Shizi.” Old Qu laughed as he said, “This is something that even a newborn knows. Lord Shizi, please do not take it to heart.”

Xin Wen was about to get a stroke. From the corner of his eyes, he saw a drowsy youth lying on the couch by the window, about to fall asleep. He had a gentle and elegant appearance with a face split between innocence and naivety. In a heartbeat, he already knew who this was. The expression on his face did not change as he pointed at that person and said, “Even this person can enter the home of Ping Ding Wang while this noble one can’t even enter the courtyard of Ping Ding Wang. Old Qu, have you gone senile? You can’t even distinguish between the superior and the inferior.”

Old Qu’s face was still smiling and he outwardly said, “Since it is the home of Ping Ding Wang, then it is only right that not just any mere outsider can enter. It is simply that my lord’s way of thinking is different from others, that it is not a big matter if a mere outsider entered. Wen Shizi, look how scorching the weather is, it is simply not proper to stay standing like this. How about this old slave lead you to rest at the side courtyard? Even if you want to sit on the beam of the roof, my lord would also not question it.”

“The weather is so fine today, this noble one does not feel hot in the slightest!” Xin Wen nodded his chin towards Xin Yi’s direction and said, “You. Come out.”

Xin Yi, seeing just how determined he was, inwardly sighed and slowly walked outside.

Xin Wen pushed Old Qu and dragged Xin Yi to the back. He let out a snort and said to him, “This noble one is a guest that your lordship had graciously invited over and you still dare to drag your feet? Go to the racecourse, this noble one wants to see Chi Ye!”

Even though they were cousins, they did not bear any resemblance to each other. Because Xin Wen grew up with both wealth and glory, he was accustomed to acting so tyrannically that he exuded arrogance without even needing to lift an eyebrow.

After dragging Xin Yi the whole way, he looked at him a few times and sneered, “Who are you even?”

Naturally, a mute could not give an answer so Xin Yi could only respond with a small troubled smile.

“There is only one mute in the Capital and he is a newcomer who was dug out just two days ago. Xin-Xin Yi, right? Why didn’t you come to have tea at Qin Wang’s manor since you’ve entered the Capital?” Xin Wen said, patting Xin Yi on the shoulder. He was slightly taller than Xin Yi and very casually, with arms on shoulders like they were both good brothers as they walked forward, he said, “What’s the use in continuing to hide behind the Devil? It’s not like you’re his son. Just a few days ago, my father mentioned your name. But today, on the account of your brother’s face, this noble one has come to take a look. Bai Jiu, this lunatic didn’t do anything to you, right?”

Xin Yi could only remain smiling, his expression unchanged. His oldest brother was not someone who had thousands of admirers in the Capital so of course, he could not have had that deep of a friendship with Qin Wang’s darling son. It may have been reasonable for this person to come and see him out of courtesy, but to drag in his father and brothers relentlessly was really testing his patience.

“You have been back for two days and you still haven’t met with His Majesty. Since Bai Jiu is favored to no end, if he just opened his mouth, it should have been as easy as lifting a finger.” Xin Wen raised his hand to brush aside the wicker on top of his head and derided, “But he did not mention a word on purpose and imprisoned you in the manor. Even though you are not like before, you are still the son of Yan Wang. Just because he is treating you this way, does it mean that you should let him?” His hands that were grasping Xin Yi’s shoulders tightened as he said, “We are cousins. If you want to vent your anger, this noble one will definitely help. This is the Capital so there isn’t anyone who would dare to cross this noble one in front of His Majesty.”

Beside the weeping willows was a pond situated in front of the study room. Xin Yi heard what he had said and his dimples became even deeper. He looked at Xin Wen with a pair of grateful eyes as he stopped in his steps. Xin Wen followed and seeing how his gaze was filled with sincerity and admiration, he let go of him and said earnestly, “We are all the grandsons of His Majesty so we can’t let some Second Rank King step on us.”

Xin Yi raised his hands in a hurry and covered his eyes, crying out of gratitude. Flustered, Xin Wen said, “Don’t start crying, how are you so—— Hey, what are you retreating for!”

Xin Yi waved a hand to show that he was alright. His shoulders shook slightly as he continued to retreat with Xin Wen’s every approaching step. Xin Wen only felt annoyed by how someone who is already this big could still cry to this extent with just these few words. From the start, he was not someone with a lot of patience. He only wanted to bring Xin Yi here to say a few words then quickly leave. Xin Yi turned around as if he wanted to wipe away his tears and Xin Wen could only walk around to him. Before he could open his mouth, he was met with a pair of clear eyes staring at him from between his fingers, without a single trace of gratitude or tears.

“You——”

Suddenly, his lower abdomen was hit with a force. He did not have time to react before his entire person went staggering from the kick. Who would have predicted the pond was right behind Xin Wen; he had barely retreated and had already fallen into the pond, water splashing in all four directions.

Xin Yi stood by the side of the pond and with a handkerchief that he had wiped his sweat with, he wiped his shoulder that he had grasped just now. He watched with a soft gaze as the person in the pond slapped the water in a rage, bobbing up and down in the water. The dimples on his cheeks swirled endlessly before finally disappearing quietly.

The veins on Xin Wen’s forehead popped as he slapped the water, cursing, “You good-for-nothing mute dog of Bei Yang! Biting this hard without even batting an eye!”

Xin Yi looked at him calmly. The water from a summer’s afternoon was warm and the hair on Xin Wen’s back exploded straight up.

Old Qu let out a sound in surprise from the back as he stood by the side of the pond and said, “Hurry up and pull Lord Shizi up. There are fishes here and it’s muddy at the bottom of the pond. If the bottom of Lord Shizi’s shoe is dirtied, we will not be able to afford it.” Then the old man started to laugh as he said, “If your manor is short of fresh fishes, you only need to tell this old slave. It is only a few fishes, my lord would be very willing as well. Was there a need to jump in by yourself, really you.”

Xin Wen ignored him. After being pulled up, his brocade robe2 was unbearably soaked throughout. In just a few steps, he had leaped in front of Xin Yi. He grabbed his collars and said through gritted teeth, “You better be careful about where you bare your fangs and banish your claws. I don’t believe Bai Jiu will be able to shield you from this. As for this bite today, just you wait for it.”

Xin Yi lowered his eyes and looked at the wet hands that were grabbing onto his collars until it had crumpled, then raised it back to give him an innocent and pure smile. Xin Wen noticed the obvious contempt in the depth of his eyes, piercing like the tip of a knife; a sore to the eye.

This bastard is really a jackal raised in Bei Yang, only cloaked in a sheep’s skin to deceive others!

The person who had been in the study room all this while placed the teacup he was holding onto the table. The heat was faint, and his ice-cold fingertip slid across the edge of the teacup as he stared over to the pond in silence.

When Xin Wen left with a flick of his sleeve, Xin Yi was thinking about how delicious the cooked fish from last night was and if he should catch a few fishes to bring back to cook since he was just beside the pond. He thought about it seriously, and after getting back inside, he fell asleep while thinking about it.

He did not know how long he had slept. He slept until he had become muddle-headed, hearing the sound of knives sharpening coming from the top of his head. He had slept deeply and now that he’d woken up, his head was dizzy. It was only after lying still and listening to the sound for a while that he felt something was not right. He turned over and with drowsy eyes that had just woken up, he looked up and instantly saw a beautiful hand…… That unreservedly beautiful hand was holding a carving knife, moving along an unpolished jade.

The setting sun passed through the panes of the window, casting light onto the face of that man who had his head lowered in focus. His alluring and upright appearance had changed from the usual to become calm and composed. Just a lift of the corner of his narrow eyes could render one addled. And rather than appearing stern when he was not smiling, he instead looked quiet and carefree.

Xin Yi stared at him and suddenly felt numb to the bones. He immediately turned over to lie back down, burying his face into the back pillow to hide. However, the back pillow was filled with an icy cooling scent so in the end, there was no escape from this. It only took a light flick on the back of the head and the tips of Xin Yi’s ears had reddened again. The cold fingertips of that man shifted towards his exposed red ear tip to give it a gentle flick. With a shudder, Xin Yi climbed to the side of the couch in a rustle and curled into a ball. He used the back pillow to cover his face, only revealing a pair of eyes to look at Bai Jiu as if he did not understand his touch.

“Are you a little dog?” Bai Jiu proceeded to look at him, “Here I thought I was someone close.”

Xin Yi’s face was hot and he only answered in a muffle, “En.”

“Was last night’s ointment comfortable?” Bai Jiu stretched out his hand, “I was the one who applied it so I want to take a look.”

Before Xin Yi could say that it’s alright, his words after that had made him hide his eyes behind the back pillow. “Comf…… Comfortable, there’s no need to look at it, thank you.”

“Oh.” Bai Jiu suddenly turned to him and propped himself up by the sides of his legs. He got rid of the back pillow by tossing it aside, then looked at him and said, “I want to take a look.”

“No……” As his clothes were lifted up, Xin Yi held tightly onto it as if his life depended on it and said firmly, “There is really no need, I do not dare to trouble.”

“Does my scent smell good?”

“Really——Huh?” Xin Yi was stunned and before he could grasp the world turning upside down, he had already been flipped over and pressed against the soft couch. The clothes on his back were lifted in an instant, revealing his scars. As a consequence of his irritation, anxiety and embarrassment had risen — as if he did not understand the meaning behind Bai Jiu’s frequent touches.

There was a sudden chill on his back. This man had actually used his hand to stroke his scars a couple of times, touching until Xin Yi shuddered and buried his face out of indignance. The question that he meant to ask was swallowed back meekly as he could not hold himself back from biting the cushion.

“How did you get this scar? Xin Zhenxiao’s bite couldn’t be this good.”

Xin Yi had turned into an ostrich by now. From under the cushion, he muffled, “The bite from Xin Zhenxiao’s dog is this good.”

Bai Jiu frowned, “He released dogs?”

“En……” Xin Yi felt that saying it like this made himself feel like he was put at a disadvantage so he added, “I gave him a stab so he could not get up and could only release dogs.”

Bai Jiu lowered his eyes as if remembering something. The tip of his fingers cascaded his back and after a while, Xin Yi let out a trembling voice, almost crying to him as he said, “Don’t touch anymore.”

Bai Jiu touched his face from under the cushion and found them burning hot. He squeezed his chin, raised his face up and said, “When you were burning Po Suo City, did you not release dogs to bite him?”

Xin Yi’s face was red beyond words and because they were too close, his exposed back with his clothes being lifted, could distinctively feel the hem of his clothes. The icy cooling scent surrounded him and he merely said, “There… wasn’t enough time.”

“No matter.” The side of Bai Jiu’s mouth extended into a cold smile, “He was dismembered into five by horses3. After he was done burning, he could only be fed to the dogs.”

Notes:

1. 本公子 (ben gong zi) is a honorific term that someone from a respectable position uses to refer to themselves.

2. 锦袍 (jin pao) also known as brocade robe is a type of robe with designs woven on the fabric at the same time the fabric itself is being woven.

3. 五马分尸 (wu ma fen shi) is a method of torture used in the past in which horses are tied to a person’s head and limbs to pull them apart.