Chapter 9

After Chen Dalang finished speaking, they did not discuss the matter further.

At around three in the afternoon, the evening meal arrived.

Fragrant bone broth bloomed with exquisite flavor in lacquered trays. Goji berries and red dates floated in the milky soup, bright and eye-catching. Meat and bones lay submerged within; the meat was tender, soft, and silky, melting upon the tongue, while the marrow was rich and delicious. With one light suck, its fragrance lingered between the teeth and cheeks.

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

Chen Erlang prided himself on his status and had strictly controlled his diet since childhood. After two bowls, though he wanted another serving, he caught the pleading look in his attendant's eyes and finally stopped.

Chen Dalang sat on the couch with a relaxed expression, cradling his bowl and drinking slowly.

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

What he meant was that Chen Chuangu was only benefiting from the patient's good fortune.

Chen Chuangu set his bowl on the table and suddenly gave a cold laugh, his gaze striking straight at someone's face. "Who knows whether beauty has bewitched him?"

Chen Dalang's face darkened at once, and Chen Erlang could not help covering his lips as he laughed. His elder brother hated having others comment on his appearance most of all. Doctor Chen truly had some nerve.

"Then aren't you good for nothing?" Chen Dalang retorted mercilessly. After downing a bowl in great gulps, he refilled it with another.

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

"I am greatly comforted that you know your own limits." Chen Dalang raised an eyebrow slightly and drained the bone broth in one swallow, his features shining like pearls.

Suddenly, the attendant hurried over.

"Young Master, the constables are at the residence. They say they are searching for an escaped criminal."

The residence gate rang with loud bangs.

Liu He went to open it. Seeing the constables outside, he said with a grim expression, "This is Rong Residence. What are you making such a commotion for?"

The constables naturally knew it was Rong Residence, but they were carrying out orders and could not afford to care about that. One of them merely called out, "Minister Rong cares for the nation and its people. If he knew an escaped criminal had slipped into Linxi, he would surely have the man found at once, lest the criminal alarm or harm the common people."

Liu He had intended to use the minister's authority to suppress their arrogance, but their slick words turned the tables on him. Their reasoning sounded lofty and righteous, leaving him unable to refute them, so he had no choice but to let them enter.

There were ten constables in all, each dressed in dark uniforms with long sabers at their waists. They walked with arrogant insolence. Without waiting for Liu He to lead them, they began searching the courtyards and side rooms themselves.

They searched every room, leaving only the master bedroom.

With fierce looks in their eyes, the constables headed straight for Rong Xi's room.

The doors and windows of the master bedroom were tightly shut. Liu Zishi had originally intended to buy paper and ink, but spotted the constables midway and hurried back to the residence. At Rong Xi's instruction, he stood guard outside, his expression slightly panicked.

The constables were sharp-eyed and keen-witted, and they suddenly sneered. If there was nothing amiss, why would he look so guilty? The ten of them radiated murderous menace as they prepared to kick down the door.

Liu Zishi hurriedly tried to stop them, but the constables threw him down the steps. He struck his knee and could not get back up for a long while.

The door crashed down. The constables charged inside, only to find no one in the room. Yet the bed curtains had all been lowered, and it was impossible to tell what lay within the bed.

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

Suddenly, the curtains moved aside, revealing a plump face.

Rong Xi's clothes were disheveled, his chest bare. Fine sweat seemed to dampen the hair at his temples, and his face carried an ambiguous flush of spring.

He glared at them furiously, slipped on his shoes, and stepped down from the bed. His gaze was colder and sharper than a blade.

Knowing his identity and wishing to avoid accidentally injuring him, the constable sheathed his saber and said in an imposing manner, "My apologies for disturbing you, Young Master Rong. It is my fault. But I have been ordered by the county magistrate to search for a serious criminal. I hope you will forgive us."

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

With a sharp swish, a blade left its wooden sheath. Rong Xi held the saber against the constable's neck, utterly overbearing and arrogant. "The Mengshan County yamen enforces the law with such barbarity? The official evaluations are approaching. Though my father is busy with state affairs, he can still spare time to read a letter. I have been in Linxi for about a month now and was just planning to write one."

The constable was slightly startled.

Minister Rong oversaw the evaluation of officials. County Magistrate Cao of Mengshan County was hoping for a promotion this year. If he lost that opportunity over this matter, his fury would surely fall upon them.

"Young Master Rong, please do not blame us. My recklessness just now was my fault. It was only because the criminal is cunning and I was anxious to capture him that I inadvertently disturbed you."

Rong Xi threw the saber to the ground. The sound of the blade striking the bricks made everyone's heart jump.

"Since you know you have caused a disturbance, then leave at once."

The lead constable still stared intently at the bed curtains, unwilling to give up the last possible hiding place.

At that moment, a hand reached out from behind the curtains. It was exceptionally long and slender. It flashed into view, then was immediately wrapped back within the curtains.

The constables stared closely.

The beauty's black hair was slightly damp, his long lashes like feathers. Just the side of his face was enough to leave them awestruck.

"Young Master."

The person on the bed called softly, his voice so alluring it stirred the soul.

Rong Xi hurried forward in alarm and covered his shoulders with the quilt, coaxing him ingratiatingly. "Sweetheart, do not be angry. I'll drive them out right away."

The constables: "..."

The rumors truly had not lied. The eldest son of the Rong family indeed favored men. Still, with such beauty, most people would be intoxicated by the sight; there was likely no need to distinguish between male and female.

When the curtains had been lifted just now, the constables had already swept their eyes over the bed. There was only one beauty upon it, and the space beneath was too low to hide anyone. It seemed there truly was no fugitive.

The constables bowed. "Forgive our disturbance." Then they prepared to leave.

"Wait." Rong Xi called sharply.

The constables turned back, confusion in their eyes.

The beauty on the bed also did not understand his meaning and looked up at him.

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

The constables had indeed been at fault for their rough behavior. In the wrong and fearful of the minister's authority, they could only leave behind eighty coins before departing.

The gates of Rong Residence closed once more.

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

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

"Young Master Rong is too courteous. You helped me evade the search just now, and I am deeply grateful." Chen Dalang reclined against the couch, a faint sheen of sweat visible on his brow.

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

While on the bed in the master bedroom, Chen Dalang had secretly observed Rong Xi. Seeing that his gaze was clear and his heartbeat steady, with not the slightest sign of agitation, and that he had kept his distance without touching him at all, Chen Dalang was reassured.