Chapter 12: Xingzhi Temple (12)
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Before falling asleep, Lin Zikui’s mind was still occupied with the concern of getting rainwater on the bed, wondering how to deal with it without disturbing Second Young Miss’s elder sister and risking getting a beating. He couldn’t muster the courage to speak up, fearing being caught by Second Young Miss’s elder sister and facing her wrath. His brain was muddled, unable to come up with a clear explanation, so he simply buried his head and drifted off to sleep.
Naturally, Xiao Fu wouldn’t disturb him. He just watched him silently, the slight irritation caused by the incident with Empress Dowager Xiao dissipating almost instantly.
It was strange.
Perhaps it was because Lin Zikui was easygoing, that even Xiao Fu’s temper softened a bit. He didn’t mind Lin Zikui sleeping on his bed, intending to change the bedding once he woke up.
Xiao Fu watched him intently for quite some time, unable to resist removing the wooden hairpin from his hair. Lin Zikui’s jet-black hair cascaded down, his skin glowing with a healthy flush. His sleeping face was peaceful, unlike the Chen family brothers who snored loudly. Perhaps due to catching a cold outside, Lin Zikui’s nose was slightly stuffy, but his lips were rosy and gently moved with each breath, synchronizing with Xiao Fu’s heartbeat.
“Lord Marquis,” came Jinzun’s voice from behind.
“Shh,” Marquis Xiao lowered the curtain, “Did you forget to address me?”
“Master,” Jinzun obediently corrected himself, standing at the door, “Is the scholar asleep?”
“Yes, do you need him for something?” Xiao Fu got up and walked towards the door.
“No, I just wanted to ask him if he still has this.”
“What’s this?”
Jinzun reached into his belt and pulled out a piece of candy. “It’s one that hasn’t been eaten.”
Xiao Fu took it and sniffed it. The scent of the candy was too faint for him to discern its flavor. “What kind of candy is this? Did Lin Zikui give it to you?”
“He gave it to Brother Wu, and Brother Wu gave it to me.”
“Ai, why didn’t he give me any?” Xiao Fu unwrapped the candy, and Jin Zun’s eyes widened. “Lord Marquis…..”
But Xiao Fu paid no attention to the child’s longing gaze, already popping the last piece of hawthorn candy into his mouth. He walked briskly out, calling, “Yuanwu, Yuanwu!”
“Master, I’m here.”
Marquis Xiao held the candy wrapper in his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me Lin Zikui gave you a bribe?”
“Well…” Yuanwu glanced at it, his lips twitching. “Is that considered a bribe?”
“Of course it is. Whatever he gives you, you should give it to me. You’re not his wife, so why should you accept his gifts?” Although Xiao Fu couldn’t taste the flavor, he could feel the candy slowly melting in his mouth, its sandy texture.
“…. Yes.”
Marquis Xiao continued, “Go to the Hall of Purifying the Heartand tell his attendant that he’s staying with me, so his attendant won’t go down the mountain. And then, bring all of Lin Zikui’s books over here.”
“Bring them over?” Yuanwu exclaimed.
What does Lord Marquis want to do?
“To listen to him read.”
“Understood.”
His Lord Maquis usually fell asleep as soon as he started reading. So, he was going to use Lin Zikui to induce sleep.
Xiao Fu wasn’t the type to take advantage of others’ vulnerabilities. If Lin Zikui was sleeping on his bed, Xiao Fu would at most peek in from time to time. He would go in for a while, then come out, then go back in again.
It was as if there was a cherished treasure hidden in the room.
Around the time of Shen Shi, Lin Zikui was deeply asleep, murmuring unclear words in his dreams.
Note: Shen Shi is 3-5pm.
Xiao Fu lifted a corner of the curtain and saw him clutching his blanket, his face red as he nuzzled against it. Xiao Fu could guess that he was probably dreaming of something romantic, influenced by the fragrance that lingered in the air.
So Xiao Fu buried his head, listening intently.
“Confucious….”
Xiao Fu: “?”
“His birth… his death… his sorrows…”
Xiao Fu’s brow furrowed. “He’s sleeping in my bed and reciting the Analects?”
Even in his dreams, this scholar was reciting books.
Xiao Fu resisted the urge but couldn’t help it. He reached out and gently pinched Lin Zikui’s mouth, closing it shut: “No more reciting.”
Perhaps due to restricted breathing, Lin Zikui moved his hand to adjust. Without hesitation, Xiao Fu grabbed his hand to prevent him from touching.
Lin Zikui made a couple of muffled sounds in his sleep, his hand held firmly by Xiao Fu, but he didn’t struggle.
Xiao Fu stared at him for a moment, seeing no signs of waking up, then turned his attention to the scholar’s hand.
Resting in his own palm was a hand accustomed to writing, unexpectedly soft. This softness extended from the hand to Xiao Fu’s heart, putting him in an extremely good mood. He lightly scratched Lin Zikui’s palm.
“You’re so well-behaved, not moving at all.”
Lin Zikui withdrew his hand, turning onto his side and tucking it under his chest.
Xiao Fu leaned over to look at him. “Awake?”
No response.
Still asleep, probably tickled by him.
In the drowsiness of the evening, Lin Zikui woke up just before the night watch. Opening his eyes, he momentarily thought he was in his own bed. It was pitch black around him. Feeling his way up, he sat up and called out, “Mo Liu…”
There was a fragrance lingering on the bed, likely a blend of spices from the Western Regions mixed with the sandalwood scent of the Daoist temple. This aroma brought forth an image of Xiao Fu in his red robes in his mind.
“Wait, this isn’t…”
Before he could fully wake up, the curtain was lifted by a hand. The room was dimly lit, with only a candle flickering. Xiao Fu was wearing only a white inner garment, his gaze soft as he looked at him. “Lin Lang, you’re awake now.”
“Second… Second Young Miss? How could…” Lin Zikui suddenly jolted awake, the memories of the afternoon flooding back to him.
Xiao Fu deliberately sounded disappointed. “Did Lin Lang forget what he did to me while intoxicated?”
Lin Zikui: “……..”
Lin Zikui: “I really… Did I really…” He glanced down at his attire, his belt undone and his hair disheveled.
“Second Young Miss…” He swallowed hard, panic rising in his eyes. “Did I-I do something in-inappropriate to you?”
“Lin Lang, you…” Xiao Fu’s lips curled up. “You held onto me and wouldn’t let go, touching me all over, saying I smelled good.”
Lin Zikui: “……..”
He couldn’t believe his ears. Did he really… do that?
He remained stunned for a while.
Xiao Fu leaned in, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Don’t you remember? You even let me hold your chin.”
Lin Zikui had a faint recollection, his expression becoming even more bewildered.
“Second Young Miss, I…”
Blushing furiously, Lin Zikui apologized profusely while hastily fastening his belt. “I… I did such a thing to you. I… I’ll return to Jinling in a couple of days! I’ll ask for your hand in marriage from your father!”
With that, he hurriedly took out a peace button from his bosom.
“This was left by my mother. It’s not anything valuable, just an ordinary piece of fabric passed down through generations. My mother entrusted me with it, saying it’s for… for my future wife.”
Xiao Fu’s hand hesitated for a moment.
Lin Zikui placed the warm peace button in his palm, his eyes sincere and pure, touching.
Xiao Fu’s palm lay flat, hesitating whether to accept it.
Accepting it seemed to signify something different.
With flushed cheeks, Lin Zikui looked at him. “Second Young Miss, please accept it. I know I’m poor and unworthy of you. I swear to you, I’ll strive to pass the imperial examination and become an official in Jinling. If I don’t pass next year, I’ll wait another three years. I’ll definitely make you the wife of a successful scholar!”
He knew that a single peace button wouldn’t prove much. He recalled that there were some deeds kept with Brother Tang.
Xiao Fu’s gaze darkened slightly as he said nothing, slowly pinching the peace button between his fingers and tucking it into his bosom.
Seeing him accept, Lin Zikui relaxed and quickly looked for his shoes. “My shoes, where are they?”
“Your shoes are dirty. I had Yuanwu go clean them for you, but they’re not dry yet.”
“Then, what should I…”
“Wear my shoes.” Xiao Fu handed him a pair. “I have plenty of men’s shoes.”
“Um…” Lin Zikui didn’t refuse, slipping his feet into them. He found that they were a bit larger than he had imagined. Even when he wore them, they were still a bit big. Second Young Miss’s feet… were really big!
Who would have thought that a woman would have such large feet?
With a sigh in his heart, Lin Zikui stood up. Xiao Fu draped his own cloak over Lin Zikui’s shoulders. The cloak was spacious, making him look even smaller.
Xie Fu said, “Your cloak is dirty, so I threw it away.”
Lin Zikui’s expression froze.
Xiao Fu noticed and asked, “Is it important?”
Lin Zikui: “Yes… my father gave it to me the year I passed the examination.”
Xiao Fu: “It’s not lost. I’ll have Yuanwu pick it up and wash it clean for you.”
“Thank you, Second Young Miss, but I’ll wash it myself.”
Xiao Fu ignored him. “You can call me Zhao Ling.”
Lin Zikui complied. “Miss Zhao Ling.”
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