Xiao He grabbed Xiang Yuan by the wrist and, without a word of explanation, started dragging him away.
After a couple of steps, he found Xiang Yuan wasn't budging. He turned and glared at Yue Huanjiang. "You look all refined and respectable, but you're nothing but a hypocritical beast in scholar's robes. Haven't you heard that a melon forced from the vine won't taste sweet? If you have any shame, let go!"
Yue Huanjiang's expression didn't change, and he didn't release his grip. "A gentleman earns wealth through proper means, takes only what is appropriate, and uses it with restraint. You're relying on your status and strength to bully others. That's no gentlemanly conduct."
"A gentleman? Where's a gentleman around here? That's hilarious. D-did you mean me?" Xiao He's eyes widened, and he looked rather pleased.
Just as Xiang Yuan had expected, putting these two together created a painfully jarring picture.
Yue Huanjiang had never met anyone so shameless. His expression turned cold. "Stop pretending to be crazy. Brother Xiang and I hit it off at first sight. He's an honored guest of White Cloud Manor. How dare you run amok here!"
"I'm running amok. What are you going to do about it? Try laying a finger on me, and tomorrow I'll have Father smash up your shops!" Xiao He stood up straight. He was handsome enough that people had to give in, whether they liked it or not.
"Are all the Xiao Clan's sons as overbearing as you?"
"That's right."
"..."
Xiao He was like a hedgehog clad in armor. When shamelessness was involved, he was invincible, with both immunity and bonus damage against gentlemen. Yue Huanjiang couldn't find an opening to attack and was utterly at a loss.
Seeing that Yue Huanjiang was a gentleman only made Xiao He more confident. He lifted his chin and shoved his nose toward Yue Huanjiang. "You want fate? You want to talk reason? Then I'll give you a fair ruling, and the people can judge for themselves. Brother Yuan is a constable from the County Yamen. He has an official order from the Fengxian County Lieutenant to eat and live with me, study and spend his leisure time with me, and protect me at close quarters. It's all in black and white, stamped by the yamen."
As he spoke, he actually pulled a document from County Lieutenant Qin out of his robes.
He'd thought that if Xiang Yuan got into trouble at White Cloud Manor, he could use this document to take responsibility for him, first earning Xiang Yuan's gratitude, then sweetening the deal with a few humble pleas. That way, he'd be sure to win the understanding of his fated companion.
A happy ending for everyone; two birds of a feather.
Who could have guessed that Xiang Yuan would be thriving at White Cloud Manor? The document had taken on a different purpose.
"Rules are dead, people are alive. If White Cloud Manor asks, there's no reason the County Lieutenant can't amend the document." Yue Huanjiang snorted.
Xiao He wasn't intimidated in the least. "Heh. Rules are dead, and people can be dead too. If that Qin fellow dares to collude with bandits from the martial world, I'll write to Father and have him charged. Then we'll confiscate his family's assets and send all the pretty concubines in his household to the state."
In this clash, Xiao He had King Zhao behind him and the full force of the law on his side. White Cloud Manor was a legitimate business, so Yue Huanjiang was no match for him.
Xiang Yuan looked from one to the other, marveling at how much he'd learned. Seeing Yue Huanjiang losing ground, he couldn't help but intervene. "Brother, don't worry. Even if we can't sit together and talk freely, we can still travel by boat and drink beneath the river moon."
Life is but a dream; let me pour a cup to the river moon.
Remembering that line, Yue Huanjiang was even less willing to give up.
The County Lieutenant's route was blocked, but Fengxian Office still had County Magistrate Sima and Deputy County Magistrate Wu. Both outranked the County Lieutenant. But, as Xiao He had said, King Zhao governed all civil and military affairs across eight prefectures. He had the law on his side, and neither official would risk setting themselves on fire over such a small matter.
In the end, everything hinged on Xiang Yuan.
"Brother, if you don't want to go, just say so. I'll respect your wishes!" Yue Huanjiang said sincerely.
"Brother, you mustn't. You're a businessman, after all. Peace brings prosperity."
Xiang Yuan reined in the clown who was enjoying the show. His Steady side took over, and he urged Yue Huanjiang not to sour their relationship. From White Cloud Manor's perspective, this petty matter really wasn't worth the trouble.
Those words grated on Xiao He, sounding rather like "If love lasts, why care about day or night?" He could tolerate a lot, but not this. He unleashed his full firepower, determined to cut this ill-fated connection short.
"Hahaha, Brother Yuan, you really know how to put things. You're so tactful. Since you're too embarrassed to say it, I'll say it for you."
Xiao He was feeling terribly smug. "You and I clearly hit it off at first sight, and our bond has only grown stronger as we've spent every day together. This pretty boy lured you with his looks. He's all appearance, with no heart to match. After thinking it over, you know I'm the better choice."
Oh, give me a break. If Master hadn't calculated everything so accurately, and if there were any turning back after drawing the bow, would the two of us ever have gotten along?
Xiang Yuan thought dismissively. He pulled free of their hands and cupped his fists toward Yue Huanjiang. "Let's not act out of anger. I'll come have tea with you another day, Brother."
Yue Huanjiang sighed inwardly. White Cloud Manor had important plans, and he couldn't afford to cause more trouble and offend the Xiao Clan. He had no choice but to nod. "If you're willing to go, Brother, I won't stop you. I've already prepared a small gift, and it wouldn't be right to take it back. I'll have someone accompany you."
You even gave him a gift?!
Damn it, Brother Yuan wasn't the star performer at Jade Sheng House! Were you trying to drive up the price?
Xiao He's eyes widened. He'd also prepared an apology gift, and he was worried Yue Huanjiang's would make his look inadequate.
No, he had to go back and add more money.
Watching them walk away, Yue Huanjiang felt reluctant to part with Xiang Yuan. He couldn't help feeling that once Xiang Yuan left, they would go their separate ways and might never meet again.
He kept his expression blank. "Who was that fellow?"
"Xiao He, son of King Zhao, Xiao Yan. He ranks fortieth in the family, is a wastrel, and isn't favored by King Zhao. He was tossed into Fengxian County to fend for himself."
The shopkeeper knew all about the people and affairs of Fengxian County, and explained, "He may be a son of King Zhao, but he isn't one of the adopted sons they took in to fill out the numbers. The various factions don't want trouble because of him, so most keep their distance."
"Tossed into the Southern Border to fend for himself?" Yue Huanjiang frowned.
"He's not well liked. Maybe King Zhao even hopes he'll die in the Southern Border," the shopkeeper whispered. "He's a useless man with no chance of amounting to anything. Better off dead. If his death can be used to expose some faction's crimes, at least he'll have served a purpose."
The shopkeeper had a point. Under normal circumstances, Yue Huanjiang wouldn't have spared a wastrel like Xiao He a second glance. He would have simply smiled and let it go.
But today was different. He was quite fond of Xiang Yuan and couldn't believe he'd leave him for a useless man.
He took another look. Was this wastrel...really a wastrel?
Elsewhere, Xiao He dragged Xiang Yuan along East Street and bought him several snacks to win him over.
When he looked back, he saw several White Cloud Manor attendants following them with gift boxes in their arms.
"Damn it!"
Xiao He was displeased. He looked at Xiang Yuan with a wounded expression. "Brother Yuan, who was that fellow? How could you call him brother?"
"He's a gentleman like jade. I admire him greatly," Xiang Yuan said wistfully.
He hadn't said it to spite Xiao He. It was simply the truth—and it had the desired effect.
Why admire him? Admire me!
Fate was like love: one suffered, two rejoiced, and three parted ways. Parting brought both sorrow and joy, along with all the melodramatic mess that came with it. So when Xiao He heard this, he panicked.
Where had this third party come from, daring to steal Xiao He's fated companion?
Xiao He had long since investigated White Cloud Manor's businesses in Fengxian County. There hadn't been any handsome men with Yue Huanjiang's refined, otherworldly bearing. From the way he spoke and the look of his face, he seemed like a gentleman of wealth and distinction. His background must be something special.
"Brother Yuan, what's that pretty boy's name? He's bewitched you clean out of your senses!"
"There's no pretty boy. Just a brother named Yue Huanjiang."
"Never heard of him..."
This was the first time Xiao He had heard of Yue Huanjiang. He guessed the other man might be an inner disciple of White Cloud Manor who rarely traveled the martial world, or perhaps a hidden, low-key master like himself.
Either way, he was clearly no ordinary man.
"Speaking of which, Young Master Xiao, what are you doing at White Cloud Manor? You've ruined my chance and my future. I can't say I'm pleased," Xiang Yuan said coldly.
Xiao He held a pile of snacks in his arms and smiled ingratiatingly. "I was worried you'd get bullied, Brother Yuan. As soon as I got word, I rushed over to rescue you. Good thing I got there in time. You have no idea how debauched rich young masters can be. They just love pretty young men like you. You mustn't go back to White Cloud Manor."
Xiang Yuan ignored him.
Xiao He gritted his teeth. "There are too many people here. Once we get back, I'll kneel for you."
Xiang Yuan still wasn't moved.
Xiao He's expression turned serious. "Brother Yuan, I've wronged you before, but I didn't mean it. Everyone in Fengxian County knows I'm a wastrel who never studies. I wasn't deliberately trying to deceive you."
"Who are you, really?" Xiang Yuan lowered his voice.
"I'll tell you when we get back."
Xiang Yuan heard Xiao He's voice transmitted directly into his ear. He was surprised by Xiao He's impressive martial arts, and became all the more curious about his abilities and why he'd come to Fengxian County to study while pretending to be a fool.
And there were Wang Wenxu and Xu Jixian. What were their identities? Were they really with Six Doors, as Xiao He had claimed?
Before you continue