Chapter 6: A Merchant’s Son’s Retort

Kong Zhonglin saw Su Zhuozhi, his expression twisting momentarily. He suppressed his anger and chuckled casually.

“Your servant has no manners and offended me,” he began. “I don’t really mind, given your background; some oversight is only natural. But if he embarrasses you outside in the future, that wouldn’t be good, would it? If you don’t object, I could have someone discipline him for you.”

His words sounded polite, even considerate, but Su Zhuozhi was no fool. He easily discerned the underlying contempt: that a merchant’s background was inherently lowly, uncouth, and even their servants were beneath notice.

Su Zhuozhi’s lips twitched into a sneer. “Is that so? Jiang Yangyu and the others never said there was anything wrong with my guard. Only you noticed. It seems your cultivation is far superior to theirs.”

Kong Zhonglin choked on his words. He gritted his teeth and replied, “They merely didn’t have the heart to say it. I’m doing this for your own good.”

“Ah, I see. So your suggestion today for our servants to compete in pitch-pot was also for my benefit? I had a very enjoyable win, so thank you.” Su Zhuozhi curved his lips, revealing a charming dimple at the corner of his mouth.

He then paused, seemingly hesitant to speak, feigning concern. “It’s just that, among all the spoils… yours was the least valuable. Are you perhaps facing some difficulties? Tell me about it. While I won’t lend you money, I can certainly listen.”

Kong Zhonglin was so enraged he could barely speak. “You… you!”

Su Zhuozhi smiled. “Don’t touch my people, alright? After all, I am merely a merchant’s son, not as concerned with ‘face’ as you are. What you dare not do, I dare.”

Kong Zhonglin’s breathing grew heavy, as if he were about to faint from anger. He flung his sleeve and stormed off.

Only then did Su Zhuozhi secretly wave Xie Jue over. Xie Jue, though confused, complied.

Su Zhuozhi then leaned back, his eyes half-closed, boneless and languidly resting against Xie Jue. His soft, fine hair brushed inadvertently against Xie Jue’s neck, carrying a faint, sweet scent of wine.

Xie Jue’s hand, hanging by his side, clenched abruptly. It pressed against the young man’s waist, unsure whether it intended to push him away or something else entirely.

The wine had not yet fully dissipated, leaving Su Zhuozhi soft and lacking strength. He had struggled to straighten his back earlier to appear imposing, but now…

‘So tired. I just want to lie down.’

Xie Jue observed this, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile flickering in his eyes.

‘And yet, he still tries to protect others.’

Once their fun was over, the group of young men dispersed, each returning to their respective residences.

Su Zhuozhi sat in the carriage, his head tilted against the wall, swaying sluggishly, feeling rather drowsy. Xie Jue sat opposite him, still vibrant and completely unaffected.

Su Zhuozhi glanced up, a thought striking him. He languidly questioned, “Xie Jue, if I hadn’t intervened earlier, would you have followed his orders?”

Xie Jue remained silent. He couldn’t very well admit that he had actually intended to gouge out the other man’s eyes.

Su Zhuozhi huffed. “You are my guard. You only need to obey my commands; disregard everyone else. Be a bit more assertive and arrogant, don’t be so easily bullied. Don’t embarrass me, understand?”

These words were truly novel; no one had ever spoken to Xie Jue in such a manner. They only ever called him brutal, cruel, or terrifying.

Even when Su Zhuozhi had stood in front of him earlier, so frail, yet presuming to protect him—it had been quite foolish.

However, he didn’t seem to mind it.

Xie Jue listened quietly to Su Zhuozhi, to his usual flamboyant demeanor that seemed to proclaim, ‘I love how annoyed you are with me, and yet you can’t do a thing about it.’

Halfway through their conversation, the carriage abruptly halted. A playful child had darted into the road, nearly causing an accident.

Su Zhuozhi, not seated securely, lost his balance and tumbled forward, inadvertently falling into Xie Jue’s embrace. He collided with a hard, muscular chest, the impact bringing tears to his eyes.

The delicate young master, soft everywhere, carried a faint, hazy scent of incense that brushed past Xie Jue’s nose.

Xie Jue was forced into a full embrace, momentarily stunned. He then felt a dampness on his collar. His fingers cupped the chin of the person in his arms, lifting it gently, and saw a pair of moist, reddened eyes. He asked in surprise, “Are you crying already?”

“I’m not crying!” Su Zhuozhi glared at him, his voice low. “It’s all your fault! Quickly, help me up!”

Xie Jue would have done so even without being asked; he disliked such close proximity to others.

With both hands, Xie Jue clasped Su Zhuozhi’s waist, effortlessly lifting him and placing him back on the soft seat opposite.

Su Zhuozhi raised a hand to rub his aching nose, taking a soft breath. Another tear welled up at the corner of his eye.

It hurt too much.

Xie Jue watched, thinking, ‘Is this young master made of tofu? So delicate that he can’t even endure a slight bump.’ Just that one collision, and his nose was terribly red.

“What kind of expression is that?” Su Zhuozhi demanded, kicking him.

To Xie Jue, the force was like a kitten’s gentle scratch, neither painful nor irritating.

He lowered his gaze, adopting an obedient posture.

Su Zhuozhi, too weary to bother with him, slowly drifted off to sleep amidst the rocking motion of the carriage. He remained unaware that the gaze of the person opposite him was no longer concealed, dark and profound, filled with overt scrutiny, as if seeking to pierce through everything and comprehend his true nature.

Upon returning home, it was precisely dinner time.

Young people are easily famished, and the presence of annoying individuals earlier had spoiled his appetite. Su Zhuozhi was now so hungry his stomach felt glued to his back; he felt he could devour an entire ox.

As usual, he leaped out of the carriage before the servant could even set up the footstool. This time, however, he lost his footing and stumbled. Qingping rushed forward to assist, but a long, powerful hand was quicker, grasping Su Zhuozhi’s forearm and steadying him firmly.

Su Zhuozhi sighed in relief, patting his chest. “You startled me.”

Qingping fretted, “I was terrified too, Young Master. Next time, please use the footstool to alight.”

“Only this once. When am I not graceful and nimble?” Su Zhuozhi grumbled unhappily. Then, remembering something, he tugged at Qingping’s sleeve. “Quick, smell me. Do I reek of wine?”

Qingping leaned in, his nose barely an inch from the young master’s face. He sniffed. “Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Good.” Su Zhuozhi relaxed and strode across the threshold into the manor. Qingping trailed behind, chattering, “Young Master, you mustn’t drink wine! If Master and Madam find out, I’ll be finished!”

Annoyed by the incessant talk, Su Zhuozhi smacked his head. “Be quiet, you’re so verbose. Next time, I won’t take you out. Xie Jue is far more pleasing.”

Qingping was deeply struck. ‘Young Master, you didn’t say that before! Weren’t you going to send him away? You mustn’t be so fickle!’

A sense of crisis grew within him. He glanced back furtively, only to find the new guard staring at him. That gaze sent a shiver down his spine, and he quickly turned away. ‘Does the new guard find me too much of an eyesore? Does he want to usurp my position as personal attendant?’

Su Zhuozhi hurried to the dining hall. As soon as he returned to the manor, a maid had already announced the young master’s return, and preparations for dinner could begin.

Madam Su and Old Madam had arrived first. Su Huailang, Master Su’s eldest son, and Master Su finished discussing the military provisions transport and joined them. Shortly after they were seated, Su Zhuozhi entered.

Master Su’s face was stern as he chided, “You’re always the slowest, completely lacking in decorum.”

Su Zhuozhi grumbled discontentedly, then rattled off the day’s events, much like a child returning home to complain to their parents after being wronged.

“Father, how can you scold me? I had such a terrible day outside; someone bullied me…”

He had barely begun when Old Madam grew anxious and distressed. “Who bullied my precious grandson? Zhuozhuo, come here, let Grandmother see if you’re hurt!”

After Su Zhuozhi finished his tale, Master Su frowned. “Kong Zhonglin… I recall his father is the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, isn’t he? And his legitimate elder sister is currently in high favor with the Emperor. Such a person is not to be impulsively provoked.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam immediately straightened her face and rebuked, “Are you telling Zhuozhuo to let people bully him, to not even talk back when he’s insulted? How can you be a father, to allow your son to be so wronged!”

Master Su, helpless, gently and dutifully explained, “Mother, please don’t be angry. I didn’t say Zhuozhuo did anything wrong. Being bullied without retaliation only makes one seem weak and easily exploited, leading others to take advantage. Our merchant status is no longer what it once was. The Emperor has granted imperial merchants many privileges. While we cannot abuse them, we also no longer need to live at others’ whims.”

“Then why did you speak that way just now?” Old Madam remained dissatisfied.

Master Su opened his mouth to explain, but Old Madam continued, “As the head of the family, you ought to protect your wife and children, shielding them from harm. What if he is the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices? To raise such a shortsighted and ill-behaved legitimate son means he is destined not to go far.”

Master Su smiled. “Mother is right. I think so too.”

Madam Su also felt angry for her youngest son. She clasped his hand and patted it. “Zhuozhuo, don’t be afraid. If he dares to bully you again, next time at the flower viewing party, I will certainly ask the Vice Minister’s wife what exactly they mean by such behavior.”

Madam Su, dressed in luxurious silks, with elegant brows and a beautiful face, exuded grace and dignity. She was the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong, and her marriage to Master Su was undoubtedly a step down. Had Master Su not become an imperial merchant at a young age, with substantial wealth, the Marquis’s estate would never have agreed to the union.

“Father, doesn’t the Court of Imperial Sacrifices require a batch of sacrificial items? We might as well find a reasonable excuse to delay for a while,” Su Huailang, Master Su’s eldest son, suggested. His appearance was outstanding; he stood like a jade tree in bloom and smiled like the bright moon. He resembled a refined gentleman rather than a calculating merchant. When he first took over the family business, many were deceived by his looks, only later realizing he was a formidable smiling tiger.

“Wouldn’t that delay the sacrifice and cause us to be blamed?” Su Zhuozhi was eager but also a little worried.

“No, the items will be delivered at the very last moment, just enough to make Young Master Kong a little frantic. If any errors occur, that will be his problem, not ours,” Su Huailang said gently.

“That’s good, let’s do it!” Su Zhuozhi nodded cheerfully.

The Su family was fiercely protective of their own. What did it matter if they were the sons of officials? No one, regardless of who they were, could allow their Zhuozhuo to suffer injustice.

The family enjoyed a harmonious meal together. Grandmother scooped a large ladle of creamy, delicious crucian carp soup for Su Zhuozhi, urging him to eat more as he had grown thin. His mother picked shrimp for him, and his brother gave him a roasted chicken drumstick. Su Zhuozhi’s bowl was never empty; he didn’t need to serve himself at all.

Master Su frowned. “You spoil him too much. He’s not without hands.”

“That’s because Grandmother, Mother, and Brother dote on me,” Su Zhuozhi said cheerfully, and then, dutifully, he served them dishes—all their favorites.

Grandmother’s eyes crinkled with a wide smile, her mood exceptionally good. “Zhuozhuo is filial.”

Su Zhuozhi smiled sweetly. His favored status was not without reason. He was handsome, lively, and endearing. He loved to act spoiled around those he was close to, and when he set his mind to charming someone, his words were as sweet as honey, capable of swaying anyone to indulge his every whim.

Master Su watched, naturally assuming his youngest son would serve him a dish. He even prepared to receive it, but Su Zhuozhi simply buried his head and continued eating.

Master Su: “…???”

He displeasedly said, “Zhuozhi, serve me some food.”

Old Madam, still displeased with Master Su for scolding her precious grandson earlier, retorted impolitely, “How old are you? Still needing someone to serve you? You’re not without hands.”

Master Su choked. “.”

‘Am I truly her biological son?’

Opposite him, Su Zhuozhi watched his father being scolded, grinning gloatingly. Just as Master Su couldn’t resist the urge to tap him with his chopsticks, Su Zhuozhi preemptively picked up some preserved cucumber and eggplant, placing it in his father’s bowl. He spoke sweetly, “Father, your favorite eggplant.”

This left Master Su unsure whether to be angry or not. He merely snorted, “You little brat.”

Su Zhuozhi gave a sly smile. Su Huailang, beside him, stroked his brother’s head, saying gently, “Eat quickly, or the food will get cold.”

Su Zhuozhi tilted his head, rubbing against his brother’s palm. His soft, fine hair brushed against it, tickling slightly. Su Huailang’s eyes held an even deeper smile, filled with boundless affection for his brother.

Halfway through the meal, Master Su suddenly remembered something. He looked up at Su Zhuozhi, put down his chopsticks, and asked, “Why were you at Drunken Immortal Pavilion? Did you skip class?”

Su Zhuozhi, who had been eating with relish, paused. “…”

‘Damn, I forgot about that!’

Su Huailang frowned, looking at him disapprovingly. “Zhuozhuo.”

Su Zhuozhi feigned composure, shaking his head earnestly. “I didn’t.”

Su Huailang didn’t believe him. He narrowed his eyes, then suddenly leaned in and sniffed lightly. His expression turned somewhat stern. “You drank wine too?”

Su Zhuozhi’s eyes widened. “How could that be? I clearly…” ‘…drank hangover soup and even specifically fumigated my clothes. The smell of wine should have dissipated.’

Su Huailang knew his brother well and asserted, “You truly did drink wine.”

It turned out he had been tricked. Su Zhuozhi was mortified.

Master Su and Su Huailang scolded him simultaneously, leaving him with no appetite. He pouted, defiantly poking the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.

Old Madam couldn’t bear it any longer. “Enough! So what if he skipped class? Zhuozhuo is still hungry. Can’t whatever you have to say wait until after dinner? Look how dejected he is.”

Su Zhuozhi cooperated perfectly with his grandmother, adopting the pitiable, wilting demeanor of a little white cabbage, looking utterly wronged.

Master Su and his son had no choice but to stop, planning to resume their lecture after the meal.

As soon as dinner was finished, Su Zhuozhi slipped away faster than anyone, not even stopping to tease the parrot in the corridor.

Master Su, helpless, had to summon Su Zhuozhi’s personal attendant for questioning, hoping to understand what had happened that day. But Qingping dejectedly replied, “It wasn’t I who accompanied Young Master today.”

Learning that his youngest son had used the new guard, Master Su was somewhat surprised. He had initially thought Su Zhuozhi would dismiss the man again. It seemed he had chosen correctly this time. As a reward, he would have someone send another five thousand taels to Su Zhuozhi later.

Master Su often claimed Old Madam spoiled their grandson and would ruin him, but in reality, he was no less indulgent. When Su Zhuozhi had a conflict with an official’s son outside, he didn’t scold him; instead, he gave him a considerable sum of pocket money. What kind of family head acts this way?

Xie Jue’s words were brief, his expression impassive, and his attitude devoid of any deference or flattery. Yet, Master Su felt no displeasure; rather, he admired it. Such a detached and steady temperament was good; it could rein in that boy.

Master Su praised him a few times, increased his monthly salary, and repeatedly urged him to protect the young master well before finally concluding the matter.

So much was said that by the time Xie Jue left, the sky had already turned completely dark.

Carved beams and painted pillars, pavilions and towers, rock gardens and winding corridors—the beautiful, ancient charm of the daytime scenery, once plunged into night, exuded an indescribable eeriness, chilling one to the bone, as if man-eating spirits lurked in the darkness.

Only by carrying a bright lantern could one barely summon courage.

A maid, holding a lantern, walked quickly, her heart pounding with fear. When she suddenly saw a figure appear ahead, she couldn’t help but scream. She hadn’t heard any footsteps! Was it a person or a ghost?!

The dark shadow paused. As the candlelight illuminated the figure, the maid realized he was wearing a guard’s uniform and also cast a shadow at his feet.

She breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing her embarrassment. “You must be the new guard,” she said kindly. “Why aren’t you carrying a lantern? Where are you going? I can light the way for you.”

Xie Jue refused indifferently. “No need.”

He then bypassed the maid and walked straight ahead.

The maid turned to watch him calmly walk into the darkness, merging with it, and soon disappearing as if swallowed whole.

She involuntarily shivered. “It’s so dark, how can he see the way?”

After muttering softly, she dared not linger, clutching the lantern handle tightly as she quickly departed. On both sides of the path, in the pitch-black night beyond the reach of the candlelight, unknown dark creatures seemed to silently writhe and crawl. Yet, none of these things dared to approach Xie Jue; instead, they scattered in fearful retreat as he passed.

Inside Yulan Hall.

Su Zhuozhi lay on his bed, unable to stop recalling the day’s events. He tossed and turned wildly on the soft bedding, then suddenly scrambled up, angrily punching his pillow, regretting his poor performance.

“I could have attacked his academic performance then! His arithmetic is far worse than mine, how could I have forgotten! Drinking is truly harmful, ahhh!”

“Young Master.”

Su Zhuozhi heard the voice and instantly changed his expression. He quickly sat on the edge of the bed, tugged a few times to straighten his inner robes, then stiffened his small face and coughed casually, as if he had done nothing at all.

But he had been too hasty and flustered. The brocade quilt was a mess, his long hair, having rolled on the bed, was disheveled, and his thin inner robe had many wrinkles. Moreover, he had hit the edge of the bed by sitting down too quickly, causing his backside to ache faintly. Thus, even with his proud, young master’s posture and straight back, there were too many tell-tale signs.

Not to mention, Xie Jue not only had excellent night vision but also acute hearing. He had heard everything, and a subtle emotion flickered across his face.

Su Zhuozhi coughed to cover his embarrassment. “Your performance today was excellent. You won for me, and I certainly won’t forget the reward I promised. What do you want?”

Xie Jue remained silent, offering no reply.

Su Zhuozhi assumed he couldn’t think of anything at the moment, so he gave him time to consider. This guard was indeed skilled at pitch-pot, but Su Zhuozhi’s intentions were clear; he wouldn’t make an exception and keep him because of this. He would still bother and make things difficult for him as usual.

“Go fetch a basin of hot water.”

Xie Jue acknowledged the order and left the room, returning shortly after.

Su Zhuozhi sat on the edge of the bed, barefoot, his calves swinging casually. Seeing Xie Jue’s figure, he lifted his foot and lightly tapped the floor in front of him, commanding as if it were his right, “Place it here. Serve me by washing my feet.”

Su Zhuozhi expected him to say again that this was not a guard’s duty, and he had already prepared retorts. However, to his surprise, Xie Jue merely paused before complying.

He bent down, half-kneeling. The water in the pine basin steamed with warm, hazy mist, slowly, little by little, climbing and entwining around the pair of fair, beautiful feet before him, leaving them faintly damp.

Xie Jue’s gaze fixed on them, staring intently for a moment.

He reached out and grasped the young master’s ankle, slender and delicate, easily encircled by one hand. The touch was as smooth as white jade. He looked up, gazing at Su Zhuozhi from below, his expression somewhat peculiar. “Young Master, is this my reward?”

Su Zhuozhi was bewildered, momentarily unable to react. Then, a faint blush crept onto his cheeks. He said, incredulously, “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

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