My Chest Hurts

"Take care, young masters. Be sure to come again next time."

At Red Sleeve Pavilion, the madam, dressed in emerald gauze and heavily made up, stood at the entrance with a flock of lovely girls. She waved her handkerchief as she warmly saw off guests, then beckoned and cast flirtatious glances to draw in more customers. Soft, lilting tunes drifted from within, tender and lingering enough to melt one's bones if one stayed too long.

Xiao Hanye: "..."

Was this really not a brothel?

Wen Jingkong shoved him inside. "I heard the Western Regions dancers at Red Sleeve Pavilion are all breathtaking beauties. Their waists are so supple when they dance. We have to go broaden our horizons today."

Xiao Hanye shot him a sidelong glance. "Why should it only be the two of us? I'll have someone invite your cousin's wife too."

Wen Jingkong held his head high, utterly unashamed. "Go ahead and invite him. It's not like I'm here to chase women. What's wrong with listening to a tune and watching a dance to unwind? Your cousin's wife can neither sing nor dance, and he won't even let me look at anyone else?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice came from behind them. "Commander Wen truly is a real man. Such bold words. I just wonder whether, once these words reach your wife's ears, you'll need to personally buy a washboard and kneel on it all night."

The man speaking had upright, gentle features. His name was Yao Yinqing. Born into a poor family, he had become a disciple of the prime minister, which showed that he possessed considerable talent.

The prime minister had taught him everything he knew and painstakingly raised him into his most prized student. In the end, however, Xiao Hanye had snatched him away to serve as the Crown Prince's attendant, helping oversee the East Palace's internal and external affairs. The prime minister had nearly been angered into tearing off the East Palace's roof.

Like close brothers, Wen Jingkong threw an arm around Yao Yinqing's shoulders. "Perfect timing. I'm treating you to watch dancers."

The lanterns throughout the building had all been lit. In the main hall, strings and zithers played in harmony while the dancers swayed gracefully, their supple, seductive figures leaving the audience drooling.

The three of them crossed the hall and followed an attendant upstairs to the fourth floor.

Bamboo blinds hung across the opposite side, blocking the view. The three chose seats by the window, from where they could see the main hall below.

The attendant was quick and efficient. He promptly brought over pastries and tea, smiling obsequiously. "Would the three masters like to summon dancers or musicians to accompany you privately?"

Wen Jingkong looked at Xiao Hanye and waggled his brows. "Want some?"

Xiao Hanye smiled without smiling. "Order them. Just don't complain when you go home and ruin your knees kneeling."

"What a joke. You think I'm scared?" Wen Jingkong refused to lose face and shouted at the attendant, "Bring a few pretty dancers over. Also, invite your proprietor here. Tell him Commander Wen and the Crown—hey, hey... fuck!"

Caught off guard, Wen Jingkong toppled over with his chair. Rubbing his backside, he sucked in breaths and glared. "Why did you kick me out of nowhere?"

Xiao Hanye ignored him and said to the attendant, "No dancers or musicians. There's no need to invite the proprietor either. You may leave."

The attendant was sharp enough to read the room. He hurriedly helped Wen Jingkong back up, set his chair straight, and smiled. "Certainly. If you gentlemen need anything, just call for me."

After the attendant left, Wen Jingkong finally yelled, "What was that about? How did I offend you? And what's wrong with calling Tingjue over to join the fun? He helped the Imperial Guard collect a debt two days ago, and I haven't properly thanked him yet."

The Crown Prince's tone was far from pleasant. "Is watching your beauties dance not lively enough?"

Wen Jingkong: "..."

Why was he being so fierce?

It wasn't like I was inviting him here to indulge in debauchery.

Yao Yinqing poured tea into the cups. "You wanted to invite the proprietor because you were planning to use your friendship to get something for free, weren't you?"

Having his petty scheme exposed, Wen Jingkong widened his eyes. "Nothing of the sort! Do I look like that kind of person? I'm just here to enjoy some songs and dances. I, Commander Wen, can afford this much. Why would I need to freeload?"

Yao Yinqing only smiled and placed a cup of tea before him. "Speaking of which, when I visited the prime minister's residence to see my teacher before, I was fortunate enough to meet that young master once. He was rather innocent and adorable."

Xiao Hanye: "?"

Innocent and adorable?

Are you sure you didn't use the wrong words?

Wen Jingkong took a bite of hibiscus cake and nearly choked. "You say he's innocent? Are you mistaken? That kid's as sly as a little devil now. You'd better not believe a single word that comes out of his mouth. Once he's made you furious with that mouth of his, you'll know he isn't adorable at all."

Xiao Hanye felt that his cousin had perfectly voiced his innermost thoughts.

The window was open, and the wind blowing in carried an inexplicably ominous feel. Returning from the latrine, Zhao Zhichao suddenly shivered. He lifted his robe and sat down, then imperiously ordered a lieutenant to close the window.

The lieutenant swallowed his anger, thinking, You'll be the one crying soon enough, before getting up to shut it.

The dancers filed in one after another, instantly filling the room with fragrance. Each was alluringly graceful, clad in red gauze against snow-white skin. Zhao Zhichao's heart swayed at the sight, and he lost himself in the revelry as Shen Tingjue poured him wine. Cup after cup went down, and before long, he was thoroughly drunk.

Seeing that the time was about right, Shen Tingjue waved for the dancers to leave. Zhao Zhichao had been watching avidly, and when they abruptly stopped, he grumbled through bleary eyes, "Why did you stop? Keep dancing! Hey, don't leave! Why aren't you dancing anymore?"

He rose unsteadily, about to chase after the dancers.

"My dancers are all carefully selected beauties. Letting you watch them for a while was already more than generous."

Shen Tingjue slowly walked to his side, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "You've had your wine, watched the dancing, and heard plenty of flattering words just now. General Zhao, are you satisfied?"

Zhao Zhichao had drunk too fiercely. He shook his head hard, but he was still dizzy. Yet through that haze, he found Shen Tingjue increasingly beautiful—slender-waisted and rosy-cheeked, like a rich blossom nurtured only by the landscapes of Jiangnan.

Shen Tingjue took a slow step back. The corners of his eyes were narrow as he tilted his head with a smile. "Hm?"

The drawn-out final sound sent a numb shiver through Zhao Zhichao's entire body.

He had always been lecherous by nature and had played with countless beauties. Now, bolstered by drink, he chuckled crudely. Staring greedily at Shen Tingjue's jade-white hand, he swallowed, tugged at his collar, and reached out to embrace him. "Why do you smell like a beauty? Come, let me have a sniff."

Shen Tingjue suddenly sprang into motion and drove a vicious kick straight into his chest, sending him flying into the railing with a brutal crash. The impact sounded agonizing enough that several bones had surely broken.

Everyone from the Imperial Guard Bureau sucked in a breath.

That kick had been fast, ruthless, and perfect!

The commotion was enormous. Red Sleeve Pavilion, which had been full of laughter and song, abruptly fell silent. Xiao Hanye looked across the way and saw that the tightly drawn bamboo blinds had been shattered into pieces.

Yao Yinqing paused with his teacup halfway to his lips. "Is that person in the white fox-fur cloak opposite us the young master of the Shen family?"

Wen Jingkong shot to his feet, eyes wide. Grabbing Xiao Hanye's shoulder, he shook him. "Look, look, look! Hurry and look! Tingjue's over there! Something seems to have happened. Did you see it?"

Xiao Hanye slapped his hand away. "I'm not blind."

The three hurried out along the corridor. Quite a few people had already gathered nearby to watch. With the force of a personal grudge behind it, the lieutenant gave Zhao Zhichao, who was sprawled on the floor, another kick and recited his line:

"Fuck! What the hell are you to dare harbor improper thoughts about Lord Shen? You even wanted him to dance for you. Bah! Do you deserve it?"

The onlookers were utterly shocked at his words and collectively gasped. Seeing Shen Tingjue's eyes reddened with anger, they instinctively believed it and began whispering among themselves.

Xiao Hanye and the other two heard the lieutenant's words as well. They pushed through the crowd and squeezed inside.

Reeking of alcohol, Zhao Zhichao was dizzy and in pain, completely unable to speak. With great effort, he lifted a hand and pointed at Shen Tingjue. His lips moved for a long while, as though he wanted to say something, but he could not hold on and fainted.

Shen Tingjue clutched his chest, then rolled his eyes back and collapsed into the Crown Prince's arms at precisely the right moment. Looking weak and breathless, he said, "My chest... hurts so much. Your Highness, remember... to summon Physician Zhang for me. He understands my cough cough... condition."

After saying that, he buried his entire face in the Crown Prince's chest and fainted to his heart's content.

Xiao Hanye: "..."