Xie Zhiwei had only dealt with the King of Nine Provinces once in the past and didnât have a good impression. But the man had an image in his heart and Gallant Outlawâs descriptions. This was the first time heâd seen him so thunderous.
Beneath the bed, Xie Zhiwei lifted his heavy eyelids to stare at the door only a few steps away. Alas, he had no way to slip away. Yin Cangshan was busy sending people to carry Yin Wushuang out before several imperial doctors came to examine Mu Heâwho naturally was already well.
The King of Nine Provinces quickly stabilized and concluded that outsiders must have broken in, or else there was an internal mole. He summoned all the servants of the courtyard and questioned them, but no one knew anything. In the end, he tossed the tea bowl in his hands and had his subordinates surround the perimeter of the compound. The servants were collectively banished to the water prison.
At last the rooms were quiet. Xie Zhiwei held his breath and prepared to flee, but the King of Nine Provinces actually stopped to stand in front of Mu Heâs bed. Xie Zhiweiâs senses went on full alert. Although his spiritual energy was so low that he didnât need to suppress it, he was still anxious!
Bro, are you done yet? I know you love your son like your life, but canât you see his rosy face? Even the imperial doctors said he was fine, so how can you be unsure?
When Xie Zhiwei had stared long enough to drill a hole in the kingâs shoe, he heard the man sigh. âRoyal Son, please donât let your father down.â
It was a voice that had weathered the vicissitudes of life.
At last, the King of Nine Provinces withdrew. But Xie Zhiwei was left overwhelmed. Under these circumstances, the king shouldâve suspected his identity as Xie Zhiwei by now. However, he would never make subjective assumptions before Mu He confirmed it himself. Xie Zhiwei was worried over the fact that the king was already so tense over unconfirmed facts. If he found out later that Mu He actually had those kinds of feelings for his masterâŠ
I have to leave! Quickly!
The tassels hanging down from the bed curtain moved as the bed itself shifted.
ââŠ.â said Xie Zhiwei
Hahahaha, what timing. As soon as his father leaves, he wakes up? He did it on purpose, right?
He wasnât even in a mood to curse and sprawled on the ground in frustration.
Actually, Mu He had regained consciousness a long time ago but simply kept his eyes closed. He had heard all the movements in the room and pretended to be unconscious, but his heart was surging like waves. Now he got off the bed to examine himself in the mirror.
Two hours ago, his complexion was still dull and his breathing difficult. Miraculously, heâd now recovered his energy and looked radiant. Even his dry hair had regained its luster.
âNot a dream,â he muttered, âNot an illusionâŠâ
He slowly turned around and rested his gaze on the edge of the bed, as if he wanted to stare through it and find something. Tears pooled at the corners of his eyes.
His shizun had come back to find him even though he said heartless things like he âdidnât likeâ him and âdonât think too much.â When Xie Zhiwei knew he was in danger, he still crossed mountains and rivers to rescue him.
Although Mu He had backup plans and believed nothing could escape the palm of his hand, nothing that was forced could compare to shizun doing something willingly. His condition had been deteriorating and getting out of control. The illusion just then had appeared too suddenly for him to think deeply, but he still had perfect recall of the things heâd heard and seen!
Shizun had been angryâunprecedentedly furious! And it was because of him!
Didnât this prove that shizun was changing for his sake, but unaware of it? Otherwise, why would he still worry about him after Mu He revealed his feelings and even treated him so blasphemously?
âŠshizun, it really was shizun.
Mu He took a deep breath and slowly let it out, his eyes clear. Xie Zhiwei couldnât see anything and only felt the surroundings were remarkably quiet. He held his breath to wait. Had the youth discovered him or not? Why wasnât he moving?
A voice called from the door. âGreetings to Shizi.â
Mu He restrained his expression. âItâs so late, whatâs the matter?â
âThis subordinate heard that Shizi was feeling unwell and came to serve you.â
Xie Zhiwei couldnât help but feel that this voice sounded familiar.
Mu He took another glance towards the bed before raising his lips in a meaningful smile. âYou came just in time. I have matters to discuss with you too.â
âDare I ask Shizi if itâs related to the matter ordered previously?â the voice asked.
âCorrect,â Mu He nodded before putting on his usual light smile to leave the room. âHave you found any signs of the immortal herbs I asked you to get for Immortal Father?â
The sounds of conversation grew fainter and fainter. Xie Zhiweiâs fighting spirits rose as he used hands and feet to crawl out from under the bed. He realized the other voice had belonged to Faceless. Mu He told him to find immortal herbs for the King of Nine Provinces? Such high status? The top-level expert by the kingâs side was reduced to working as Mu Heâs errand boy?
He was currently too weak and tired to care about details. With the kingâs manor in a state of flux and the king ready to capture all intruders, it was better to slip away first even if he couldnât harness Qingping Sword. But when movement came from the door again, Xie Zhiwei almost gritted his teeth in exasperation.
He paid respects to the intruderâs 18 generations of ancestors while scrabbling back beneath the bed.
Your mother, I couldnât even find a ghost when I used to live here. Why is it so lively today? This has to be on purpose!
A figure tiptoed into the room with light footsteps. He seemed to have some cultivation base, but it wasnât very high. Xie Zhiwei boldly lifted the corner of the bedcovers to take a peek and was surprised.
The intruder was actually Yin Cangshan.
He saw the man wander around the rooms with anxious brows. He seemed to be looking for something, but couldnât find it. In the end he stood still and pinched his beard in thought before his eyes lit up.
Two feet away from the bed was a small, shiny gold object. Xie Zhiwei saw it too: a golden hairpin engraved with two characters. Yin Cangshan quickly strode over and slipped the hairpin into his sleeve. But just as he prepared to leave, a voice rose from the door.
âHow is Royal Son doing now?â
Yin Cangshan suddenly shuddered and looked nervous. Xie Zhiwei only wondered at his reaction. Did Yin Cangshan come into Mu Heâs room without permission? That doesnât sound right. He couldâve just asked, is it that difficult?
Outside, the King of Nine Provinces said, âThis king will go take a look.â
Yin Cangshan creased his brows before tossing his sleeves to rush for the bed.
Crap? What now?!
Xie Zhiwei didnât have time to stop him before a figure barged in beside him. Their eyes met as silence fell between them. As both of them gasped, Xie Zhiwei reacted first and muffled Yin Cangshanâs mouth while making a shushing motion by his lips. Clearly frightened, Yin Cangshan just nodded furiously without waiting for his words. It was as if he was saying, âSure sure sure, as long as you donât kill me Iâll give you whatever you want.â
How did a guy like this survive so long in the original novel?
If he was really that weak, no wonder he was afraid to even ask about finding a golden hairpin. Actually, his easy-to-bully persona was quite similar to the original Xie Zhiwei, but at least the original Xie Zhiwei had style and bearing. He would never hide under a bed. Xie Zhiwei looked desolately at their shared straits and felt speechlessâif there was a choice, no normal person would be hiding hereâŠ
Someone spoke. âTo reply this king, the Shizi just left with His Excellency Faceless. Heâs not in his rooms.â
âOh?â The King of Nine Provincesâ gaze flickered before he sighed. âRight, this king forgot. Really, the Shizi shouldnât be rushing to work when heâs still ill. Keep an eye on the place, donât make any more mistakes.â
The footsteps faded away and Xie Zhiwei and Yin Cangshan both exhaled in relief. Xie Zhiwei suddenly realized that gagging a man over fifty under a bed made for a strange image.
All rightâŠthis bodyâs over 120 years old, so Iâm technically even older.
He removed his hand as they both asked at the same time, âWho are you?â
Xie Zhiwei only feigned confusion and threatened, âYou donât look like someone from the kingâs manor. Why did you come into the Shiziâs room?â
Yin Cangshan caught a glimpse of Qingping Sword in his hand and crawled out in a frenzy. âGood man, spare my life! Iâm just a bypasser, I donât know a thing!â
You think a man wearing daoist robes and wielding Qingping Sword is some common robber? Good thinking, bruhâwhen did you turn so blind?!
Speaking of which, how did such a wimp father a troublesome, unreasonable daughter like Yin Wushuang?
Xie Zhiwei elegantly slipped out from under the bed and brushed the hem of his shirt. âBe softer, itâll be bad if you attract attention.â
Yin Cangshan immediately lowered his voice thoughtfully. âIndeed, we canât be caughtâŠâ
Xie Zhiwei nodded.
Give me a break, laoziâs exhausted to death. Trying to pose in front of strangers is a sickness that needs treating, oi!
Yin Cangshan said cautiously, âGood man, could you let me go? Iâm really not part of the kingâs manor.â
Xie Zhiwei would rather chase him off this instant so itâd be easier for him to escape. âGo ahead, but donât speak a word.â
âI definitely wonât tell,â Yin Cangshan nodded and went out of the door.
When it shut, Xie Zhiwei didnât even have time to relax before he heard Yin Cangshan yelling at the top of his lungs.
âSomeone come, ah! This king came to see the Shizi and sensed something amiss inside! Shizi? Sure enough, youâre not in your rooms. Perfect timing coming back, hurry and check inside!â
â
Translatorâs Note: This chapter was a comedy of errors from beginning to end. Anyways, Happy Memorial Day! In honor of the holiday, weâll be wrapping up Arc 2 with a double release! Enjoy!