The Fifth Chapter

Her own father was the current prime minister—one man below, ten thousand above. Once that title came out, even a wealthy, powerful man like Young Master Anonymous would have to slink into a corner and draw circles, wouldn't he?

When fighting over a woman, losing to a man more spineless than himself was one thing. Losing to a man who had talent, looks, and every other advantage was infuriating. For a man, that kind of defeat was the most humiliating disgrace of all!

A tense atmosphere hovered at Courtesan Liu Rongrong's door, ready to erupt. Inside, Li Chenjing flicked his Wide Sleeves, a thin layer of ice settling over his dark eyes. Outside, the Unnamed Young Master lifted his chin and raised his gaze, his eyes calm and still. They stared at each other without the slightest attempt to hide it, as though each wanted a clear look at the opponent before him.

One was cold and arrogant; the other, wild and unrestrained. When their gazes met, sparks flew like New Year's fireworks over a city gate, crackling and booming. A contest of wills between two masters had nothing to do with Zhu Bafu, who was only there to watch. All he needed to do was crouch between them with his head covered and wait it out. But... the Unnamed Young Master was a decent fellow. Despite their chance meeting, he had generously paid for Zhu Bafu's visit to the brothel. Young Master Ba couldn't leave him to his fate.

He must have arrived in the Capital only recently and had no idea that the cool, handsome young man before him was Prime Minister Li's son. This was someone he couldn't afford to offend! Young Master Ba had a duty to warn him!

With that thought, Zhu Bafu hurriedly raised his hands toward the Unnamed Young Master outside the door and made a huge X. He pointed behind himself at Li Chenjing, about to tell the man to make peace, apologize, and run for it, when a faint rustle came from behind him. He turned and saw a sight that made his heart tremble—

Li Chenjing raised both sleeves above his head. The Wide Sleeves fell like curtains across his face as he bent his long legs and knelt gracefully, bowing his head.

He... he was kneeling? The Prime Minister's Son, the foremost young master of Dongxu Mansion—Li Chenjing—had actually bent his knees and bowed to that fellow outside the door?

Before Zhu Bafu could make sense of the impossible scene, the Unnamed Young Master spoke as though nothing were amiss, perfectly at ease. "Little Jing, there's no need for such ceremony out here. Besides..."

He paused and cast a meaningful glance toward the Inner Chamber. "Besides, I've been tied up with trivial matters and haven't come by in ages. You've taken good care of Rongrong for me, so I should thank you. But does your father know you often look after her on my behalf?"

What a... what a scheming Unnamed Young Master! Zhu Bafu had thought he would come off worse against the Prime Minister's Son, but clearly his worry had been for nothing!

The man had mastered the art of turning the tables and seizing the upper hand. How vicious... Little Jing? Pfft! Who would have thought the Li Household's young master had such a cute nickname? It sounded just like a little eunuch's!

Li Chenjing remained on his knees. His drooping Wide Sleeves shifted slightly, revealing eyes frosted with ice. "In answer to your question, my father has never asked. But does my father know you have honored this place with your presence today?"

"Prime Minister Li?" The Unnamed Young Master smiled pleasantly as he stepped into the perfumed chamber. He helped Zhu Bafu up from where he crouched and casually bent to brush the dust from his clothes, though he continued speaking to Li Chenjing. "If he knew we were both here, he'd fly into a thunderous rage, wouldn't he? Ha ha. But I'm not ready to go back yet. You've had your fun for quite a while; surely it's my turn now? Little Jing, you'll cover for me, won't you?"

"Your Majesty..." His easy, willful manner made Li Chenjing frown. He cupped his hands, about to refuse, but was cut off before he could get a word out.

"Ah! No excuses. Prime Minister Li should be eating at home by now, shouldn't he? You bookworms are always going on about how children should attend their parents in the morning, settle them at dusk, announce their departure, and present themselves upon returning. Little Jing, you ought to go home." As though he owned the place, the Unnamed Young Master lifted his robe and sat beside the table, dismissing his guest. He glanced at the calligraphy copybook on the table, then at the bedding strewn across the Bed, and finally at Liu Rongrong, who hid behind the inner curtain, silent and trembling. His lips curved faintly as he nudged the utterly bewildered Zhu Bafu with his toe.

"Hey, Pig Kid. There's the Courtesan of Chunfen Pavilion you were so eager to meet. Satisfied?"

"Huh? I..." Young Master Ba wasn't some lust-crazed lecher. He hadn't come for a woman in the first place, much less to covet someone else's. What was there to be satisfied or dissatisfied about? He forced a couple of laughs. "She's lovely! A beauty! Heh heh..."

"I did promise to introduce you, but unfortunately, I'm no longer in the mood today. You should head back." With that, he waved a hand listlessly and turned aside to adjust the lampwick, looking deeply wounded. Yet he still found time to make trouble for someone else. "Little Jing, see this young master home for me."

"Huh? See me... see me home?" He was supposed to go home with a block of ice whose woman had been snatched away, leaving him miserable and his face clouded over? "Ha, ha ha... that really won't be necessary, will it? I'm perfectly capable of finding my own front door."

"Pig Kid, you look like a stiff breeze could blow you over. I'd worry about you, so I'm asking the person I trust and rely on most to take you home. Don't be so polite and turn him down."

"..." The person he trusted and relied on most? What a ridiculous, shameless excuse! He just wanted to send them both away so he could get cozy with Courtesan Rongrong, didn't he? His intentions couldn't have been more obvious!

The author has something to say:

Heave-ho, heave-ho, moving things over bit by bit~~~

The Fifth Chapter

The night breeze was cool, and stars filled the sky. Two unwanted bodies had been cleared out of Chunfen Pavilion's doors.

Outside, the Unnamed Young Master's sedan chair still stood by the entrance, with an attendant watching over it, as though ready for him to leap downstairs and make an immediate escape.

Zhu Bafu yawned as he hopped down the steps outside Chunfen Pavilion. Li Chenjing had no intention of obeying the order to take him home. The moment they left Liu Rongrong's room, he strode away, as though staying near Zhu Bafu a moment longer might infect him with some disease.

Pah! Really, one man escorting another man home? That was far too strange! Besides, nobody had asked whether he wanted an escort. It was best that Li Chenjing had the sense to walk away on his own.