Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 169 - There’s a Risk that Comes With Giving Gifts So Casually

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

12. There’s a Risk that Comes With Giving Gifts So Casually

Gong Min was startled and frightened by Xiao Yan’s terrifying expression. Wasn’t it just a jade pendant? Why did His Highness lose control of himself over it?

Qi Qing stood behind Xiao Yan. He understood how Xiao Yan felt. Back then, Qi Qing had led a team to search for His Highness. He had then helped His Highness search for his saviour. He knew very well what had occurred. Therefore, when he heard Gong Min’s words, he immediately knew what Xiao Yan was thinking.

Perhaps Cui Ning was Xiao Yan’s real saviour. This would explain why Cui Ning had his jade pendant.... But this jade pendant had caused the Cui Family’s murder.

But if that was the case, how had it ended up in Bai Qiuchi’s hands?

Xiao Yan stared at the table. He had always been cool-headed and rational. Even when facing death, he had always been unmovable as a mountain. Despite this, right now, he felt like he was thrown into such a mess that he couldn’t think straight from the shock of it all.

This possibility had thrown his mind into chaos.

If Cui Ning—that is, Yuan Jin—was the person he’d been searching for all this time, then what had he done?

A long time later, Xiao Yan spoke up slowly, a nearly imperceptible tremble in his suppressed voice, “Tell me everything you remember from back then. Tell Benwang everything. Don’t leave even a single word out.”

....................................

Xie He waited leisurely at home. When night came, he went to prepare dinner and do laundry with an expression of disdain on his face. He also watched 444’s broadcast while he was at it.

【444：Host dada! Gong Min actually knew that Cui Ning had the jade pendant! Xiao Yan finally found out the truth! Did you predict this as well? (*@ο@*) Wah~】

【Xie He：Baby, this is the best case scenario I mentioned before. This way, not only will Xiao Yan find out I’m his real saviour, he also gets to know the truth behind the Cui Family’s demise. Two birds with one stone. What a pleasant surprise. Smile.JPG】

【444：But how did you know Gong Min would say this? _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：I obviously didn’t rely on a guess. 🙂 】

【444：......】

【Xie He：Human memory is subjective. To Cui Ning, saving Xiao Yan isn’t even worth mentioning. He’s kindhearted and has helped many people in his life. He would never think much of it. When I first got the original host’s memories, I was influenced by the original host’s subjective values and thoughts. That’s why I hadn’t noticed this. However, when I realized that Cui Ning had saved Xiao Yan, I went through all of his memories once more.】

【Xie He：This is the benefit of having memories transplanted by the system. Many things that humans would forget or be unable to recall actually still reside in their brains. With the memories provided by the system, I can go through them as if I was watching a recording. Little details that the original host didn’t pay attention to can decide my success or failure. Baby, this is the information age, ah. 🙂 】

【444：......(⊙o⊙) Oh. 】

【Xie He：From his memories, I found out that Xiao Yan had gifted his jade pendant to Cui Ning back then. Cui Ning had then returned home. The next day, a visitor had come to his house. That was Gong Min. However, Gong Min had not come on his own. By his side had been a eunuch in disguise. This eunuch was the same eunuch who had purchased me from the Xunhuan House—the Crown Prince’s trusted aide. However, Cui Ning didn’t remember that. From this, the answer is obvious. Back then, the Crown Prince had sent his trusted aide to Jiangzhou. The aide had visited the Cui Family with Gong Min. Originally, he had only intended to force Cui Shao to partake in the corruption. However, the aide had unexpectedly discovered that Cui Ning had Xiao Yan’s jade pendant and had thus mistakenly thought that Cui Shao had sided with Xiao Yan. Meanwhile, because Cui Ning was being held up by the guests at his home, by the time he could visit Xiao Yan again, the latter had already been saved. The people could not find Xiao Yan despite having trailed Cui Ning. Therefore, they changed their plans and decided to massacre the Cui Family and have them take the blame. As for the jade pendant, Cui Ning lost it on his way home. Bai Qiuchi was but a girl from a poor family on the mountain. Perhaps she’d secretly seen Cui Ning save Xiao Yan. It was just that Cui Ning hadn’t known about this and Bai Qiuchi hadn’t known who Xiao Yan was. She hadn’t planed on making any trouble. She had just thought that the jade pendant looked valuable, so she took it. After a few days, the Cui couple died and Cui Ning fell into prostitution. Cui Ning had not been able to wait for Xiao Yan to return.】

【Xie He：Gong Min had directly been involved in this very important matter. Now that he has decided to defect to Xiao Yan’s side, he would definitely tell him about this. When the two of them chat, they would naturally realize that there was a discrepancy between what they both remembered. After discussing both sides, Xiao Yan would then realize what had really occurred back then.】

【Xie He：Cui Shao was an honest, uncorrupted person. Even if this hadn’t happened, he would have sooner of later been trapped and killed by the Crown Prince’s side. However, Xiao Yan’s jade pendant had sped up this process. It had directly led to Cui Shao’s death. Although he did not kill Cui Shao, Cui Shao died because of him.】

【444：So it was like that. _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：Regardless, with Xiao Xiao’s cautious nature, he won’t completely believe that Cui Ning was his real saviour just yet. Right now, I have to land a strike on him fast. Hehe.】

【444：......】

Song Heng returned just as Xie He was plating the food.

Song Heng arrived home and found Xie He waiting for him at the door. Xie He looked at him with a gentle and beautiful smile. Song Heng felt his heart soften. Actually, he had been summoned by his teacher today. His teacher placed great value in him. He had intentions to marry his Di daughter to Song Heng.

Song Heng’s teacher was a person of good standing and reputation. Many of his former students now held rather considerable ranks. If he could marry his teacher’s Di daughter, it would do a lot of good for Song Heng’s career as an official. However, Song Heng had declined.

He gazed at Xie He lovingly.... The person he loved had such a self-inferiority complex and was so sensitive. If he were to wed his teacher’s Di daughter, what would he do if Xie He was bullied or was wronged? Only he knew what his life was like right now. He now had Xie He and his life was peaceful and happy. This was everything he had ever wanted. Why should he sacrifice the person he loved for his career?

Furthermore, with his talent, it wasn’t like he would have to rely on his wife’s family for a good career, right?

Xie He was unaware of all of this. He welcomed Song Heng home like always. With a smile, he said, “Daren, you’re home.”

Song Heng supported Xie He by the arm and gently said, “I’ve told you before that you don’t have to wait for me outside.”

Xie He’s legs could not support him. Song Heng’s heart ached for the other.

Xie He’s eyelashes fluttered and a faint flush appeared on his face. He quietly said, “But...I wanted to see you come home....”

Song Heng’s heart filled with sweetness. He straightforwardly carried Xie He and sat him down onto a chair inside. With a tender voice, he said, “From now on, you’re not allowed to wait outside. Wait for me inside the house. You don’t have to bother with the heavy labour either. Your body requires rest.”

Xie He’s lovely brows furrowed. “But what use am I if I do that....”

Right now, he couldn’t pleasure Song Heng. He could only repay the other by working as a servant. Moreover, if he didn’t do any of this and waited for Song Heng to do it when he got back...how could he let Song Heng come home and wait on himself, a mere courtesan?

Song Heng took in Xie He’s appearance and couldn’t help but sigh. He thought that they still had a long road ahead of them. He would have to take his time to spoil his little lover. He didn’t mention what his teacher told him today. If Xie He were to find out, he would definitely try to convince him to take a wife and birth a child. He would say that he was willing to stay at Song Heng’s side without any official title.

The two of them ate dinner all lovey-dovey. Suddenly, a loud thumping came from the door and someone shouted, “Open up! The government has business here!”

Xie He paled. Had the authorities found out about him? He lowered his voice and said in a panicked tone, “Daren, I will go hide.”

Song Heng nodded. He waited until Xie He had left before he went to open the door. Immediately, several tall and burly officers charged in. One of them spoke in a fiendish tone. “Someone reported that you were hiding an escaped wangfu servant!”

Song Heng’s heart began to speed up. He knew that Xie He had been bought before but the wangfu.... It couldn’t be.... He sucked in a deep breath and put on an angry expression. “There is no such thing! You cannot just barge into my home without evidence!”

That officer sneered. “Of course we have proof. Someone personally witnessed this.”

This person knew that Song Heng was the top scorer in the most recent palace examination, and also held an official position. He would not normally be so rough, but before coming here, he had received permission from his superior. Today, there was no need to give the top scorer any face. They had to catch him!

Song Heng stopped them at the door. He coldly asked, “Who witnessed it?”

The officer laughed. “What? Do you want to take revenge? Although you’re a pretty boy, you’re quite courageous. You even dare to hide Prince Su’s servants. You must be tired of living! Come, search the place!”

As he spoke, the officers behind him charged in, overturning the home.

When Xie He heard the officer’s words, he paled in fright. He was afraid that if he were to be discovered, Song Heng would be charged. He burrowed himself as deeply as he could into the rice vat, not making a sound.

Very soon, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He then heard the sound of everything in the house smash onto the floor. However, it was fortunate that they did not manage to find him.

Song Heng’s home wasn’t large. Very quickly, they had searched every nook and cranny but had failed to find Xie He. Nevertheless, the officer did not give up. He asked, “Where’d you hide him?”

Song Heng angrily said, “There’s no one here!”

The officer smiled coldly. “Looks like you’re unwilling to confess. That’s fine. I’ll arrest you and interrogate you. I guarantee you’ll confess then.”

Song Heng was shackled. He looked at them in disbelief. “How can you do this?! You have no legal grounds to do this! I’ve told you before, I am not harbouring an escaped wangfu servant!”

The officer laughed. “Prince Su is the law. Take him away.”

When Xie He heard the noise die down, he crawled out of the rice vat with difficulty. The house was a mess and Song Heng had already been taken away....

His eyes turned red. When he thought of the words just now, he bit down on his lip.

It was all his fault. He had implicated Song Heng.... His Highness didn’t want him and yet... why wouldn’t he let Xie He go...?

Xie He grabbed his walking stick, put on a hood and secretly slipped out from the back door.

【444：Host dada, it wasn’t Prince Su! Shui Rong reported you!】

【Xie He：I know. The Crown Prince’s tactic this time is really ruthless. Other people will think that Prince Su is really arrogant and has no regard for the law. Framing him for throwing the top scorer into prison without evidence...this method of slander is really direct and rough. Tut tut.】

【444：(⊙o⊙) I see! 】

【Xie He：It’s just too bad that Yuan Jin doesn’t know this. 🙂 】

【444：......】

..............................

After Xiao Yan left the tea house, he replayed Gong Min’s words. If it really were Cui Ning...everything would match up. Perhaps the other had accidentally lost the jade pendant and Bai Qiuchi had picked it up.

Xie He’s every frown and every smile flashed before his eyes. When he closed his eyes, he could almost feel the other’s gentle caress....

And yet he hadn’t recognized the other....

He hadn’t realized that the person he loved had been his true saviour!

Xiao Yan’s eyes reddened. He turned to look at Qi Qing and stressed, “Where did you put him?”

Qi Qing didn’t dare tarry upon seeing Xiao Yan’s appearance. He said, “Shuxia hid him in the mountains.”

Xiao Yan mounted his horse. “Lead the way!”

Xiao Yan whipped his horse. The horse beneath him whinnied and sped forward. He was in a hurry to see the other! He never knew that he could want to see someone else so much.... Xiao Yan’s heart was filled with regret. If something happened to Xie He, how would he ever forgive himself?

Both of their hearts were full of impatience. When they finally arrived at the mountain, however, they found the wooden house empty. It was obvious that no one had lived here for some time.

Xiao Yan stared at the empty room. All the anticipation and eagerness disappeared into thin air. It felt like his heart was missing a piece. He angrily slapped Qi Qing, causing the other to fall to the ground. He roared, “Benwang had you take him out and this is how you take care of him?! You don’t even know where he is!”

Qi Qing’s face was full of self-reproach. He wiped off the blood at the corner of his lip. “Shuxia handled it badly.”

Back then, he had been in too much of a rush. He had only been able to leave money and settle Xie He down. He had thought that the other would not be able to leave easily, given how heavy his wounds had been. Moreover, he hadn’t treated Xie He like a criminal that had to be watched.... Who would have expected that Xie He would suddenly disappear? Did something happen to him?!

Qi Qing thought of Mrs. Zhao. At once, he rushed over to the hunter’s home.

Mrs. Zhao didn’t think that Qi Qing would visit so late, or that both he and his male companion would have on such solemn, murderous expressions. She felt afraid. Under Qi Qing’s questioning, she told them everything that had happened. She said that Xie He had left with the scholar named Song Heng.

Xiao Yan’s eyebrows furrowed together. When he heard the name Song Heng, his first thought was the new Number One Scholar. However, how could he be involved with Xie He? Had he been one of Xie He’s clients in the past? Or was it just someone else who shared the same name?

The two of them left the mountain. Xiao Yan’s eyes were dark. He glared coldly at Qi Qing and said in a frosty tone, “Leave no stone unturned. Bring him back to Benwang. Otherwise, don’t even think of coming back!”

Qi Qing knelt. “Yes, Your Highness’ wish is Shuxia’s command!”

After saying this, he parted ways with Xiao Yan. He would personally go search for Xie He!

Xiao Yan urged his horse back around. His mind was full of thoughts about where Xie He could possibly be and whether anything had happened to him. Xie He had been stranded out here with those kinds of wounds. What would he do if Xie He had died...? Or what if he was now with another man? He had heard that Xie He seemed to really like that scholar named Song Heng.

When Xiao Yan imagined Xie He looking at another man with his loving gaze and gently serving said other man...all he could feel was a strange, stifling emotion bubble in his chest. This...was probably jealousy, right? He hadn’t known he could be jealous.

Xiao Yan returned home with heavy steps.

He regretted not having realized all this sooner.... If he had, he would have properly protected Xie He.

None of this would have happened....

Because Xiao Yan had disguised his face, he was about to go into the wangfu from the back door. However, as he passed the official entrance, he heard shouting from the gates. It seemed like some ignorant person was trying to storm into the wangfu. Xiao Yan frowned and walked over. He wanted to see what was going on. Who would have expected that he would see a familiar figure get violently shoved onto the ground?

Xiao Yan was furious! A layer of ice covered his eyes! Had his gatekeeper become so arrogant without his knowledge?! He strode over in large strides and kicked the gatekeeper, causing the latter to fly several meters in the air. He then gently lifted Xie He up.

He stared at Xie He. Only when his hands were around this person and he could see that surreal, gentle and beautiful face at such a close distance did he confirm that he wasn’t dreaming.

The person he could not find no matter where he had searched had come back on his own....

This made him so happy he couldn’t speak.

Xie He had been planning on taking the beating. He hadn’t thought that someone would suddenly come to his aid. When he turned his head, he met with a familiar face. This man was looking at him with a very nervous and concerned gaze. How strange....

Xie He stared at him blankly. At first, he seemed puzzled but it then transformed into shock and surprise. He stammered. “It’s you? You...why are you here? You’re still alive? Have your injuries recovered?”

Xiao Yan peered into Xie He’s eyes. When he heard the other’s questions, the last vestiges of his doubt disappeared.

Xie He was the one. How had he not recognized him?!

This was the person he had been looking for all this time....

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 85.】

Ripples surged through Xiao Yan’s eyes. Just then, the gatekeeper he had hit went to call for reinforcements. He wanted to take care of these two fools who actually dared to make trouble at the wangfu’s doors! He didn’t recognize Xie He or Xiao Yan, the latter having disguised himself. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. This was not the place to chat. At once, he picked Xie He up and quickly left!

Xie He didn’t think this man would take him away without uttering a word. He panicked, voice urgent. “P-put me down. I have to go back!”

Xiao Yan carried Xie He to a very far off place. When he confirmed that there were no longer anyone chasing them, he carefully placed Xie He down. He also changed his voice. In a low voice, he asked, “Why...do you have to go back...?”

His feelings were complicated. When he recalled what he had done to Xie He, he felt utterly guilty and blamed himself. He felt like he couldn’t face the other.

Xie He’s eyes were full of anxiety and sorrow. When he recalled Song Heng, who had been taken away, he said, “I...have to see Prince Su....”

Seeing Xie He’s pitiful appearance, Xiao Yan really wanted to comfort him. However, when he thought of his current identity, he realized it would only be seen as rudeness towards Xie He. He asked, “You want to see Prince Su?”

Xie He nodded, eyes glistening with tears. “C-Can you help me? I can’t enter the wangfu...but I have to see His Highness.”

Xiao Yan gazed into Xie He’s beautiful eyes and listened to the other say that he wanted to meet him with his soft voice. He felt both nervous and happy and couldn’t help but think...did Xie He...like him? Otherwise, why would he risk coming back? After all, he had hurt Xie He so badly before.

When Xiao Yan thought of this, he inwardly made a decision. From now on, he would treat Xie He well and would never let him be wronged again!

From now on, he would never let Xie He leave him!

Xiao Yan couldn’t help but recall his memories of his time in Jiangzhou. He also recalled their interactions after they had reunited. The person he loved was exactly as he had imagined. He was actually even more splendid that he had thought.... The love that had sprouted back then had now grown uncontrollably. Only now did he know that liking someone, wanting someone, could make one so impatient and thirsty.

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 90. 】

Xiao Yan suppressed his excitement and did not expose himself. He said, “OK, I will help you.”

Xie He looked grateful and gave him a watery-eyed stare. “Thank you.”

He had no other choice. That was why he was desperately looking for anyone that could possibly help. But when he thought it over, he started to feel uneasy. He said, “I-If...it’s too dangerous, forget it. I can go ask for an audience with his highness.”

He could not involve an innocent person. His Highness was so coldhearted and ruthless. It was indeed very risky.

Xiao Yan understood what Xie He was thinking. The other clearly wanted to meet with him—the prince— so badly but was worried about implicating a stranger. He was so kindhearted.... This was who had saved him back then. Xiao Yan’s eyes grew softer. He gently said, “It’s fine. I can bring you in. It won’t be dangerous.”

Xie He relaxed at that. He gave Xiao Yan a deep bow. “Thank you.”

It was difficult for Xie He to stand up. He had been carried by Xiao Yan just now and had forgotten to bring his walking stick with him. Right now, there was nothing that could replace it. He could only use the wall to help himself up.

Only then did Xiao Yan realize that Xie He could not walk. When he recalled the torture Xie He had endured in the dungeons...when he recalled how Xie He had looked drenched in blood, the regret and pain nearly drowned him. It washed away the joy that had been sparked from their reunion and reminded him that he had made an irredeemable mistake.

Xiao Yan was silent for a long time before he carefully picked Xie He up. He held him like he was a treasure. His tone was pained. “Don’t move. I’ll take you into the wangfu.”

Xie He felt very uneasy, being held in Xiao Yan’s arms. But when he thought that Song Heng might be suffering right now, he only pursed his lips.

Xiao Yan climbed the walls with Xie He in his arms. He made a gesture at the wangfu guards to not surround them, which allowed Xiao Yan to carry Xie He into the wangfu. Xie He didn’t know of this though. He just thought that Xiao Yan’s martial arts skill must be so strong that no one had noticed him. He was extremely nervous.

Xiao Yan carried Xie He into his own courtyard and placed him down in a corner devoid of other people. He then broke off a branch and gave it to Xie He. He said, “Go see His Highness, ba.”

Xie He nodded appreciatively. “I understand. You should leave quickly! It wouldn’t be good if you get caught!”

Xiao Yan said, “OK.”

He had to go change to meet with Xie He.

Xiao Yan left Xie He and immediately summoned the secret guard and eunuchs of his courtyard. He told them to stay away so as to not frighten Xie He. He then quickly changed clothes and took his mask off. He waited nervously in his study for Xie He to find him.

A long time later, Xie He had still yet to arrive. Xiao Yan paced back and forth, regretting not telling Xie He where he was.

After some time, he could not wait any longer. Xiao Yan pushed the door open, prepared to go look for Xie He, but before he could go very far, he saw a thin, weak silhouette slowly making its way over with a walking stick. The other was also cautiously looking around, as if afraid of getting caught.

Xiao Yan’s face was stretched taut. He used all his strength not to reveal any abnormalities. He even made himself look rather solemn. He then pretended to walk in Xie He’s direction absentmindedly.

Xie He walked around the familiar wangfu and couldn’t help but recall how much pain this place had brought him, as well as that sliver of fake warmth.... If he could, he would never return here. However, he had no choice....

He walked very carefully. He was afraid of being caught before having the chance to meet with His Highness. But today, it seemed like his luck was pretty good. There was no one here. He walked down the corridor, searching through each room, but he didn’t find Xiao Yan. Just as he was about to despair, he suddenly met with a tall figure.

The man was dressed in a lavish, brocade robe, a tall crown sitting on his head. His features were stern. If it wasn’t Xiao Yan, who else would it be?

Xie He was terrified but he still braced himself to call out, “Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan gazed at him profoundly. He didn’t know why Xie He had come to see him. He was nervous and afraid that if he said the wrong thing, he would frighten the other. He could only maintain his expression.

Xie He looked at Xiao Yan’s expressionless face and recalled how coldhearted and ruthless this person was. He thought that he may die today. How could His Highness forgive him, an escaped servant? But since he’s come back, he had no plans on getting out alive anyway.

He fell to the ground, kneeling in front of Xiao Yan. Because of his knee injury, it felt like his legs had broken when he forced himself to kneel. His face paled in pain and he broke out into a cold sweat. His body shook all over.

Xiao Yan hadn’t expected that Xie He would kneel like this. When he saw the other’s pained expression, his heart ached terribly! He wanted to immediately walk over and support the other up, but before he could approach, he saw Xie He look up, despair and sorrow filling his eyes. Xie He kowtowed and begged in a shaky voice, “Your Highness, please let Song daren off. Nu is willing to die. Nu only wishes that Your Highness may let Song daren go....”

Eve: Song Heng is some real hubby material right there. A good man. *cries*

sere: ya damn