Chapter 9

After Chen Dalang finished speaking, the few of them spoke no more of the matter.

At the hour of Shen, the afternoon meal arrived.

Fragrant, rich bone broth blossomed with supreme deliciousness in lacquered bowls. Goji berries and red dates floated in the white soup, vivid and eye-catching. Meat and bones lay submerged within; the flesh was soft, tender, and slick, melting the instant it entered the mouth. The marrow within the bones was exquisitely fresh, and with the slightest suck, its fragrance lingered between teeth and cheeks.

Chen Chuangu showed no restraint, drinking three bowls in succession without feeling satisfied.

Chen Erlang valued his status and had strictly controlled his diet since childhood. After two bowls, though he wished for another serving, he caught the pleading look in his servant's eyes and finally stopped.

Chen Dalang sat upon the couch, looking at ease as he cradled his bowl and sipped slowly.

Seeing the longing in Chen Chuangu's eyes, he picked up a large piece of tender meat, chewed and swallowed it, then said, "This bone broth was cooked for me by Young Master Rong. Three bowls are enough for you. Do not ask for more."

The unspoken meaning was that Chen Chuangu was merely benefiting from the favor shown to a patient.

Chen Chuangu set down his bowl on the table and suddenly let out a cold laugh, his gaze striking straight at someone's face. "Who knows whether beauty has clouded his judgment?"

Chen Dalang's face abruptly darkened, and Chen Erlang could not help covering his lips as he laughed. Eldest Brother hated it most when others commented on his appearance. Physician Chen truly had the gall of a leopard.

"Then aren't you good for nothing?" Chen Dalang shot back mercilessly. After gulping down a bowl, he filled another.

Chen Chuangu's face immediately fell, his shoulders slumping. He said resentfully, "Chen Dalang, when it comes to beauty, no one in Great Wei can stand shoulder to shoulder with you."

"I am greatly comforted that you know yourself so well." Chen Dalang raised a brow slightly, drained the bone broth in one go, and his features shone like pearls.

Suddenly, the servant hurried in.

"Young Master, the bailiffs have arrived at the residence. They say they are searching for a fugitive."

Chapter 9

The residence gate rang out with loud banging.

Liu He went to open it. Seeing the bailiffs outside, he darkened his face and said, "This is Rong Residence. What are you making such a commotion for?"

The bailiffs naturally knew this was Rong Residence, but they were carrying out orders and could not afford to care about such things. They merely called out, "Minister Rong cares for the nation and its people. If he knew a fugitive had slipped into Linxi, he would surely seek him out at once, lest the fugitive alarm or harm the common folk."

Liu He had intended to use the Minister's authority to suppress their arrogance, yet their glib tongues turned the tables on him. Their words sounded lofty and righteous, leaving him no grounds to refute them, so he had no choice but to let them enter.

There were ten bailiffs in all, each dressed in dark official garb with a long saber at his waist. They walked with arrogant insolence. Without waiting for Liu He to guide them, they searched the courtyards and side rooms themselves.

Every room had been searched, leaving only the master bedroom.

The bailiffs' gazes turned fierce as they headed straight for where Rong Xi was.

The master bedroom's doors and windows were shut tight. Liu Zishi had initially meant to buy paper and ink, but he spotted the bailiffs midway and swiftly returned to the residence. Following Rong Xi's orders, he stood guard outside, his expression showing a faint panic.

The bailiffs had sharp eyes and shrewd hearts, and they suddenly sneered. If there was nothing to hide, why would he look so guilty? The ten men radiated murderous menace as they prepared to kick down the door.

Liu Zishi hurriedly tried to block them, but the bailiffs threw him down the steps. He struck and injured his knee, unable to rise for a long while.

With a thunderous crash, the door collapsed. The bailiffs stormed in and saw no one in the room, though all the bed curtains had been drawn. What lay within the bedchamber was impossible to tell.

The lead bailiff had already decided that the fugitive must be there. He immediately drew his saber, its cold gleam piercing, and extended its tip toward the curtains.

All at once, the curtains stirred, revealing a plump face.

Rong Xi's clothes were disheveled, his chest bare. Fine sweat seemed to have dampened the hair by his cheeks, and his face carried an ambiguous flush of spring.

He glared furiously, slipping into his shoes as he stepped down from the bed. His gaze was colder and sharper than a blade.

The bailiff knew his identity and, lest he accidentally injure him, sheathed his saber. In an imposing tone, he said, "This humble one has disturbed Young Master Rong without invitation and bears the blame. Yet I have come under the county magistrate's orders to search for a serious criminal. I ask that Young Master forgive me."

Having said that, he actually reached out to pull aside the curtains.

With a sharp shing, a blade left its wooden sheath. Rong Xi held the saber against the bailiff's neck, arrogant and overbearing beyond measure. "Mengshan County's yamen enforces the law with such barbarity? The season for official evaluations is approaching. Though my father is occupied with state affairs, he can still spare time to read a letter. I have been in Linxi for roughly a month and was just intending to write one."

The bailiff was startled.

Minister Rong oversaw the evaluation of officials. County Magistrate Cao of Mengshan County was hoping for a promotion this year. If this caused him to lose his chance, his fury would surely burn down upon them.

"Do not blame me, Young Master Rong. This humble one was reckless just now. The suspect is cunning, and in my haste to capture him, I inadvertently disturbed you."

Rong Xi flung the saber onto the ground. The sound of metal striking brick and stone made everyone's heart jolt.

"Since you know you have caused a disturbance, leave quickly."

The lead bailiff's gaze remained fixed on the curtains. He was unwilling to abandon the last possible hiding place.

Just then, a hand emerged from behind the curtains. It was exceedingly long and slender; it flashed into sight only to be immediately wrapped once more in the curtains.

The bailiff stared hard.

The beauty's black hair was slightly damp, his long lashes like feathers. Merely a glimpse of his profile was enough to leave one awestruck, as though beholding a celestial being.

"Young Master."

The person on the bed called softly, his voice hooking the soul the moment it entered the ear.

Rong Xi hurried forward in alarm and draped a quilt over his shoulders, coaxing him ingratiatingly. "Sweetheart, do not be angry. I'll send them away right now."

All the bailiffs: "..."

The rumors truly did not deceive them. The eldest son of the Rong Clan indeed loved men. Yet with such beauty, most people would be intoxicated by the sight; perhaps there was no need to distinguish male from female at all.

When the curtains had lifted earlier, the bailiffs had already swept their eyes over the bed. There was only that one beauty upon it, while beneath it was too low to conceal anyone. It seemed there truly was no fugitive.

The bailiffs bowed. "Forgive our disturbance." They then prepared to leave.

"Wait." Rong Xi stopped them sharply.

The bailiffs turned back, confusion in their eyes.

The beauty on the bed likewise did not understand his meaning and lifted his eyes to look at him.

Rong Xi raised his rounded chin slightly. "Leave behind money to repair the door. The market price will do."

This truly had been the bailiffs' fault for acting so violently. They were in the wrong and feared the Minister's authority, so they could only leave eighty coins before departing.

The gates of Rong Residence closed once more.

After washing and dressing, Rong Xi went to the guest room. He gave Chen Dalang a slight bow and said apologetically, "I offended you greatly just now. I ask Young Master Chen to forgive me."

His gaze was clear, and his manners impeccable, making it easy for others to feel favorably toward him.

"Young Master Rong is too polite. You helped me evade the search just now, and I cannot thank you enough." Chen Dalang leaned against the couch, a faint sheen of sweat appearing on his brow.

When he had hurriedly moved to the master bedroom and shared a bed with Rong Xi, he had inadvertently tugged at his leg injury. The wound was now seeping blood, and Chen Chuangu was rebandaging it for him.

While on the master bedroom's bed, Chen Dalang had secretly observed Rong Xi. His eyes had been clear, his heartbeat steady, without the slightest sign of excitement. He had also kept his distance and had not touched Chen Dalang in the least.