Chapter 29: Xingzhi Temple (20)
Lin Zikui shook his head and grew stubborn. “I’ll just sit here. I’m not going. You should sit too—your leg is still injured. Why are you running all over the place?”
“…Ah, right. I am injured.” Xiao Fu had almost forgotten. He’d thought Lin Zikui didn’t want to leave because he was too shy after being teased, but it turned out Lin Zikui was just being thoughtful toward him.
So he simply sat down beside Lin Zikui, reached out with a warm palm to find his hand, and wrapped it in his own. “Your hands are cold again. Let me warm them up.”
Although Lin Zikui had held hands with him several times already, those were under special circumstances, so he never had time to fully react. Now, with time to register it all, he felt his breathing quicken, his heartstrings suddenly pulled taut.
A faint, rich but slightly cool fragrance from Xiao Fu drifted to the tip of his nose. Lin Zikui slowly withdrew his hand from Xiao Fu’s grip. Xiao Fu looked down at the movement, uncertain of what Lin Zikui wanted to do. He slightly raised his fingers, hesitating for a moment.
Xiao Fu couldn’t help but say, “You won’t even let me warm your hands? Is it improper?”
“It is improper,” Lin Zikui replied. He had been raised on the classics of sages and scholars, yet he also worried about upsetting Miss Zhao Ling. In the end, he gently reached back and touched the tips of Xiao Fu’s fingers.
“This way is fine,” Lin Zikui said.
Xiao Fu’s gaze lingered on his fingertips. He laughed. Lin Zikui’s restraint and his soft, measured approach only made Xiao Fu more restless with affection.
The two of them didn’t go anywhere. They just sat on the wooden steps of the Qingxin Pavilion. Mo Liu lay sprawled above, watching his young master and Second Young Miss, the two of them sitting shoulder to shoulder right on the floor.
Lin Zikui asked, “Elder Xue is… Prime Minister Xue, isn’t he?”
Xiao Fu, “Mm. If you’re not satisfied with him, if you think his knowledge is lacking, I’ll pick you another teacher.”
Lin Zikui assumed he was joking—after all, he was starting to get a sense of Xiao Fu’s mischievous nature. But he still couldn’t hide his shock. “Prime Minister Xue… It’s really him? But he… he might not even accept me as his student.”
“He’s retired now, no longer holds office. To take on a brilliant and noble-hearted student like you? He’d be thrilled even in his dreams.”
Only then did Lin Zikui realize that Xiao Fu’s identity was probably not simple. He had thought about asking before, but since marriage should not be pursued for wealth or status, and the Zhao Ling family clearly came from higher standing than his own, he hadn’t found the right moment to ask.
But now he couldn’t help but say, “Zhao Ling, I… I’ve never asked—where does your family live?”
Xiao Fu knew what he was getting at and answered, “I’m from Yunnan. I grew up there. Coincidentally, my father had some connection with Prime Minister Xue and specially sent me to Jinling to study under him. Unfortunately, I wasn’t good at reading—only at making people angry. Prime Minister Xue never acknowledged me as his student, and honestly, I didn’t care. You study under him, and I’ll benefit through you—it’s all the same.”
“From Yunnan, huh…” Lin Zikui thought that was far. If they visited his family someday, it would take a carriage more than a month to get there.
Xiao Fu said, “My father, my mother, my grandfather—they all love learned scholars. Once you enter the family, they’ll definitely like you.”
In truth, Xiao Fu’s issue of being a cut sleeve had only been vaguely sensed by his mother.
Because he had left home for seven years, and more than seven years ago, Princess Minghua had tried to arrange several excellent marriages for him—all of which fell through. Later, Xiao Fu got caught in factional disputes, and marriage matters were set aside.
Just a few days ago when he returned home, his mother had wanted to bring the topic up again—but unfortunately, Xiao Fu had entered the palace.
That day, when he carried Lin Zikui back to Duke Chang’s residence, he hid him so thoroughly that his mother probably only heard some strange things from the family physician and asked him, “Xiao Fu, are you starting to keep a male favorite like those other titled nobles?”
“He’s not a male favorite. I’m going to marry him. Goodbye.” Then Xiao Fu moved him to Marquis Dingbei’s residence. Princess Minghua never even saw what Lin Zikui looked like. She ran frantically to question the physician.
Xiao Fu had long since established his own residence. Even if his family didn’t understand or scolded him, they couldn’t do anything about it. So he never once considered their opinions.
After sitting on the stairs with Lin Zikui for a while, Prime Minister Xue finally came out. No one knew what they had discussed inside—only Mo Liu saw the elderly man, with his Ai Dai, come out looking deeply wistful and weathered, with tears still at the corners of his eyes.
Wiping them away with his sleeve, Elder Xue looked at Mo Liu. “I didn’t notice before—whether you’re sitting or standing, you’re the same height. Did you just say your name is Lin Zikui?”
Mo Liu: “……”
He suffered immense humiliation. “Sir, I’m the attendant. I know I’m the same height compared to my young master when he’s sitting, but that’s only because I’m still young—I only just turned thirteen after the new year. I’ll grow taller!”
Elder Xue quickly put on his Ai Dai again and this time could tell the difference. “Oh, oh! My mistake! So, little attendant, where is your young master?”
“Elder Xue—” Lin Zikui had gone to fetch tea. He now carried it back up the stairs, asked Xiao Fu where Elder Xue was, and without hesitation lifted his robes and knelt down. “Please accept this disciple’s bow!”
“Get up, get up!” Prime Minister Xue had received countless bows in his life, but it was rare to see one so sincere and earnest. When he saw Lin Zikui’s eyes, he sighed inwardly and recalled the conversation he’d had earlier with Taoist Ze Wu. So he simply accepted this student, took the tea from him, and said, “If you wish to take me as your teacher, I’ll only ask you one question: what is the difference between being a person and being an official?”
Seeing Lin Zikui kneeling on the cold floor and still being quizzed, Xiao Fu glared at the old man—but the elder had poor eyesight and didn’t notice at all.
Xiao Fu cleared his throat.
Lin Zikui thought he was cold and grew anxious. He quickly answered Elder Xue’s question: “This student believes—to be a good person is to burn oneself to light the way for others. To be a good official is to destroy oneself like gunpowder, to bring joy to the people.”
He paused, then continued, “To stand for justice on behalf of the common people. To block corruption and flatterers for the sake of the nation. To eliminate threats and promote the good for the country’s stability and prosperity.”
Elder Xue nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Very good!” He bent down and helped Lin Zikui up. “The floor is cold—no need to kneel any longer. I’ve drunk your tea, and from this moment on, I am your teacher.”
He finished the cup of tea in one gulp and turned it over. Lin Zikui’s heart surged with emotion, his eyes nearly welling up with tears. “I’ve long admired you, Teacher. Master, please accept this student’s bow!”
As he spoke, he knelt down again. The snow had soaked through the fabric of his robes in that spot. Xiao Fu truly couldn’t bear to watch any longer and shot a blaming look at Elder Xue.
This time, Elder Xue actually noticed. He hadn’t intended for Lin Zikui to go so far with the formalities to begin with. “Too much ceremony is of no benefit. Stand up. In the future, you don’t need to be so formal all the time, understand?”
“Student understands.”
Xiao Fu helped him up from behind. Lin Zikui’s knees were sore from kneeling, and very cold, but he was so happy in that moment that he temporarily forgot the discomfort.
Lin Zikui and Elder Xue sat close and talked at length. Xiao Fu, utterly bored and not understanding a word, leaned against the door, staring off into space while watching Lin Lang.
He really was a proper bookworm. As soon as he spoke about scholarship, he seemed to come alive—his whole body burned with a kind of radiant flame, his back straight like a pine tree, like bamboo. Xiao Fu couldn’t take his eyes off him.
Dusk fell, and the western wind blew beneath the setting sun.
Elder Xue asked, “I’m from Huainan too. Where exactly is your family from?”
“My ancestral home is in Fengtai County, Huainan.”
“Oh… that’s not far. You’re not even eighteen yet.”
“After the New Year, I’ll be eighteen,” Lin Zikui replied.
Elder Xue asked, “Do you have any family left?”
“There’s just… me and my attendant.” He lowered his head slightly. “My father and mother have both passed away.”
Elder Xue sighed. “Are you betrothed?”
Xiao Fu raised an eyebrow when he heard that.
“Betrothed? Yes, I am,” Lin Zikui said, not realizing Xiao Fu was still standing nearby. He thought he’d already left. “I have a fiancée I haven’t yet married. I care for her very much—she is Second Miss Xiao.”
Second Miss Xiao? Elder Xue didn’t quite register that for a moment. Could she be Xiao Fu’s younger sister?
Well, he didn’t press further. “That’s unfortunate. I happen to have a granddaughter about your age.”
“You honor me too much, Teacher.” Lin Zikui grew a little uneasy. “I’ve already found someone truly rare and precious in a lifetime. I wouldn’t consider anyone else. The Prime Minister’s daughter is far beyond my reach.”
“You’re already engaged, so naturally my granddaughter wouldn’t be an option. But I can see you’re loyal and sincere. That’s a good thing.”
Tomorrow was New Year’s Day. Tonight was the Eve Banquet. Xiao Fu arranged for people to escort Elder Xue and his family home to celebrate the holiday. Meanwhile, he hosted a small New Year’s Eve dinner at Xingzhi Temple. There weren’t many people—just Xiao Fu, his three trusted guards, Lin Zikui, and his attendant.
Xiao Fu didn’t like eating, or perhaps it was better to say he found no joy in it. Everything tasted the same. But anything Lin Zikui picked out for him, he ate.
Xiao Fu wanted to drink, but Lin Zikui couldn’t. That had been a special warning from Xie Laosan.
Everyone at the table ended up passed out drunk—except Lin Zikui, who hadn’t touched a drop. Even so, surrounded by lamps and bathed in candlelight, his cheeks were flushed.
“The peach blossom wine Lin Lang gave me,” Xiao Fu said, “I’ve still got it. Buried it in the yard—couldn’t bear to drink it.”
He was slightly tipsy, eyes bright.
He said, “Let’s save it for our wedding, alright?”
“It’s only a small jar of wine. Zhao Ling, you can drink it whenever you want… But drinking it on our wedding day sounds nice too.” Lin Zikui had his eyes covered, but he could almost feel that intense gaze—his face grew redder. “Everyone’s gotten drunk…”
It was imperial wine. Except for Xiao Zhao Ling, no one could resist overindulging.
Xiao Fu leaned forward a little. Lin Zikui felt his body draw near and quickly reached out to steady him. “Miss Zhao Ling, let me help you… back to your room.”
“Mm, alright.” Xiao Fu didn’t lean all his weight on him—only a bit. He was about five or six parts drunk. He turned his head and saw Lin Lang’s ear, pink like a peach blossom, and took a bite—holding it gently in his mouth.
Lin Zikui stopped in his tracks, embarrassed, and shook his head slightly. “Second Young Miss, did you mistake my ear for something edible?”
“It is edible. You don’t understand. Everything tastes the same to me—but you…” Xiao Fu didn’t just bite, he even licked his earlobe with a warm tongue. Lin Zikui’s knees nearly buckled. If Xiao Fu hadn’t been holding him up, he would’ve collapsed to the floor.
He had never experienced anything like this. He couldn’t even breathe, let alone speak.
“Lin Lang’s shy again.” Xiao Fu released him, then saw that his ear was wet with saliva. “The Prime Minister’s daughter—did you see her today?”
“…I—You know I can’t see.”
“Right, you’re still blindfolded. Then let me tell you.” Xiao Fu leaned in close. “That Prime Minister’s daughter—she’s a bit shorter than you. Charming, lovely, beautiful beyond compare. Countless suitors came knocking, but Prime Minister Xue turned them all away. He didn’t think anyone was worthy—except you. Says a lot, doesn’t it? That you’re both virtuous and noble. Doesn’t your heart stir at all? You’d really rather not be the Prime Minister’s son-in-law, just to marry me? My Xiao family isn’t nearly as lofty and respected as theirs.”
“Miss Zhao Ling, you’re drunk,” Lin Zikui said helplessly. At this point, he could still barely stand, though his legs were completely jelly. Even speaking made his heart race. “In my heart, there’s only you. Whether it’s the Prime Minister’s daughter or a princess of the imperial family—I don’t want them. They’re the moon in the sky. You’re the star before me, the snow in my cup… Come on, let me take you to bed.”
Xiao Fu let out a couple of hearty laughs. Candlelight flickered on his cheeks, and he sounded extremely pleased, his drunken voice soft. “If you ever decide to become the Prime Minister’s son-in-law, I’ll kill the Xue family’s daughter.”
Lin Zikui immediately exclaimed, “Miss Zhao Ling, don’t speak such nonsense!”
He assumed it was drunken rambling—never expecting that Xiao Fu truly had a bit of madness in him.
With great difficulty, Lin Zikui followed Xiao Fu’s directions, weaving through the halls and finally helped him onto the bed. But Xiao Fu gave his arm a gentle tug and pulled him into his embrace, chest rising and falling rapidly. Lin Zikui’s hat had fallen off—he scrambled to retrieve it, but his hand landed on Xiao Fu’s chest instead. He froze, cheeks burning, panicking as he stammered out apologies for offending him. He didn’t even realize—women’s chests weren’t like this at all.
Xiao Fu’s arm tightened around him, holding him close. His voice was low and weary. “I made sure your attendant got drunk too. Zikui, tonight, you’re not going anywhere.”
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