Chapter 0196: Four Drunkards Lying on the Ground, Exhausting the Delicate Xie Chengze
After discovering Xie Jinyu’s hidden feelings, the suspicious points from his past life now had explanations.
For instance, why after the Liaozhou trip, whenever there were external assignments—even those laborious and thankless—the Crown Prince absolutely refused to let the Second Prince take them.
Back then, when the Second Prince deliberately had Wuhen and Wuji kneel in punishment, then secretly left the government office late at night, nearly freezing to death outside, he had thought it was the Second Prince’s calculated scheme of self-inflicted suffering. The other clearly knew he would inevitably go looking for him, hence daring to feign running away from home, using his life to pressure him not to return the disaster relief grains to the Crown Prince.
But now, thinking back, the Second Prince at that time clearly carried a small pouch containing forged travel passes and valuables prepared in advance. Lying in the snow, the moment the Second Prince saw him, his expression was both tearful and mocking, his eyes full of sarcasm as he gazed at him, “Just like a dog.”
At that time, he thought the Second Prince was mocking him for being the Crown Prince’s dog.
Only now did he understand: the Second Prince was mocking himself for being like a stray dog, unable to escape the Crown Prince’s grasp.
The Second Prince detested male attractions the most.
Probably no one knew when the Crown Prince had slipped up in front of the Second Prince, or what words he had spoken, that made the Second Prince so terrified he dared not remain in the capital, even willing to abandon his identity that could have enjoyed wealth and honor.
Perhaps even Wuhen and Wuji were subtly pressuring the Second Prince to stay in the capital, which was why the Second Prince didn’t even dare bring Wuhen and Wuji along, forced to sneak away alone in the dead of night.
Only to be caught and brought back by him.
Thinking of this, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but pause.
Perhaps unwittingly, he too had been a hand pushing the Second Prince toward rebellion. If the Second Prince had escaped Liaozhou that year, or frozen to death on the streets, the subsequent upheavals might never have occurred.
Xie Chengze subtly sensed the atmosphere wasn’t quite right. He glanced at Xie Jinyu, who was lowering his head in self-mockery and silence, then at Shen Yuan, lost in thought about who-knows-what, and finally at Xie Shoujun, who was earnestly studying chess strategies. In the end, he could only look at Xie Zimiao, who was playfully teasing the little white tiger with an innocent, beaming smile.
Ah, the pure and kind little white rabbit is still more likable.
Xie Chengze couldn’t resist raising his hand to pat Xie Zimiao’s head.
Xie Zimiao looked up, grinning, “Second Brother, I’m hungry.”
“Alright, I’ll have someone prepare a meal.” Xie Chengze nodded.
This little one was at the age where he was growing rapidly. Given his growth spurt over the past few months, he’d probably surpass his Second Brother in height before long.
How enviable…
—
After the evening meal, Xie Chengze took out paper and brush to continue writing his teaching materials.
Xie Jinyu and Xie Shoujun were once again “exchanging skills” in chess, while Shen Yuan and Xie Zimiao found themselves in a staring contest.
“Lord Shen, why haven’t you left the palace yet?” Xie Zimiao’s clear, youthful voice asked. “If you don’t go soon, the palace gates will be locked.”
“Even if I don’t leave the palace, the Second Prince will take me in. But what about the Fourth Prince—aren’t you returning to Yu Fu Palace?” Shen Yuan replied with a light laugh. “Once the Prince Gong’s residence is completed, it’ll be difficult to stay in Yu Fu Palace again.”
Xie Zimiao had already been granted the title “Prince Gong,” and the Prince Gong’s residence in the northern part of the city was being renovated. He would move in soon, which meant establishing his own household and naturally could no longer live in the palace with his mother.
Xie Zimiao grinned widely. “Lord Shen is right. Once I establish my own household, I won’t have the chance to sleep overnight with my elder brothers anymore. It seems it would be better for me to stay at Wu De Hall tonight.”
After saying this, he ran to the main couch and asked Xie Shoujun, who was playing chess, “Big brother, can I stay at Wu De Hall tonight?”
Shen Yuan: ?
You’re clever enough to ask Xie Shoujun instead of Xie Chengze.
“Sure.” Xie Shoujun replied casually, then invited Shen Yuan as well. “The palace gates are about to be locked. I’m afraid Lord Shen won’t make it in time either. Why not stay overnight at Wu De Hall together?”
After all, there were plenty of beds.
“Then I’ll gladly accept your kindness.” Shen Yuan smiled, thinking to himself that this saved him the trouble of persuasion.
The little white tiger on the side couch let out a matching roar.
Xie Shoujun addressed the little white tiger with mock seriousness, “Well, alright, you can stay at Wu De Hall too.”
The little white tiger seemed to understand, happily roaring again.
Since they were all staying at Wu De Hall, it would save considerable time for the morning court session tomorrow, allowing them to be more indulgent tonight. Xie Shoujun fetched several jars of wine, and the four of them drank and chatted merrily. Xie Zimiao, who was strictly controlled by Rou Fei and rarely touched alcohol, naturally drank quite a lot while secretly enjoying this rare opportunity outdoors.
Even the little white tiger wasn’t spared from Xie Shoujun’s urging to drink. After a few licks, it became completely drunk, splayed out with its jade-like tiger eyes narrowed and dazed, looking utterly adorable.
By the time Xie Chengze finished writing his teaching materials and was ready to sleep, the four humans and one tiger were already lying about – some sprawled out, some completely drunk, some face down – creating a completely disgraceful scene.
Xie Chengze: ?
Leaving me to clean up this mess?
Someone as delicate as me?
Rubbing his temples, Xie Chengze resigned himself to his fate and went to pull Xie Shoujun, only to discover he couldn’t budge the muscular man at all. He rubbed his small hands and went to drag Xie Zimiao, but unexpectedly found the boy equally heavy. Not only could he not move him, but he nearly tripped and fell on top of him.
“Mmm… second brother…” Xie Zimiao squinted his drunken eyes and, after recognizing who it was, buried his head in Xie Chengze’s chest, cooing, “Why do you smell like wine? It’s so fragrant, let me rub against you~”
Xie Chengze: …That’s your own damn wine smell.
Pushing Xie Zimiao’s head away, Xie Chengze realized he could only manage to move the little white tiger. So he carried the little white tiger to bed, initially planning to leave the four drunkards be. But after lying down for a while, he reluctantly got up again, laid out bedding on the floor to make a makeshift bed.
Then he rolled the four people like snowballs onto the floor bedding.
“How can they all sleep like dead pigs?” Xie Chengze wiped his sweat exhaustedly, plopping down beside Shen Yuan. He pinched Shen Yuan’s tall nose bridge, wondering, “Do they all have such low alcohol tolerance? It seems I’ll have to make them drink less in the future after they wake up tomorrow.”
Mainly, he truly hadn’t expected that even Xie Shoujun, who had spent so long at the border, would have such low alcohol tolerance. Could it be because military pay was too meager to afford much wine, so he didn’t drink often?
Shaking his head, after resting enough, Xie Chengze walked to the bed, lifted the covers and hugged the little white tiger to sleep.
Perhaps the scent of wine in the hall was too strong – he felt that after smelling it for so long, he was getting somewhat drunk too. He slept deeply yet dizzily, occasionally somewhat conscious, making it hard to distinguish whether he was in a dream or reality.
His embrace felt unexpectedly empty at some point, a hollow sensation that brought unease, but it was soon filled again. A wet, sticky licking sensation spread across his face, accompanied by a slight scratching feeling. Xie Chengze instinctively reached up and felt a handful of fur. He murmured drowsily, “Xiao Bai, stop licking.”
The little white tiger seemed to let out a soft growl in response.
Chengze turned over and continued sleeping, vaguely aware of something licking and nibbling at his neck—a tingling, itchy sensation with a hint of pain.
In his haze, he wondered if the little tiger had reached the age where it felt the urge to bite, but he was too sleepy to open his eyes. He only felt himself lift a hand to swat lightly at the creature, muttering something indistinct before sinking back into deep slumber.
He slept like this until daybreak.