Chapter 13

Back in the Nine Heavens, Jiang Chu Ting first went to the main hall to see his third senior brother, Ji Chun, and briefly explained today’s events. Out of personal reasons, he didn’t mention Lin Zhi’s name, only saying that someone recognized him and deliberately caused trouble.

Ji Chun had some connections with Yao Qian’s father and was the one who strongly advocated for this matter. He never expected it to develop this way, and was both shocked and angry, slamming the table, “Which sect is this person from? Who is it? Let’s teach them a lesson!”

Jiang Chu Ting replied, “I don’t know who it was. But Young Master Yao believed it and left angrily.”

Ji Chun sighed, “Forget it, it just means you two aren’t fated.”

Jiang Chu Ting was about to return to the back mountain when Zhong Hua kept him there, and the two sat facing each other.

Jiang Chu Ting felt a sense of being seen through under Zhong Hua’s gaze, but he didn’t show it on his face and called out, “Senior Brother?”

Zhong Hua’s expression was stern as he asked in a deep voice, “Be honest with me, who was it that injured you with a sword before? And who caused trouble today?”

He probably had suspicions from last time and knew he couldn’t hide it from him, so Jiang Chu Ting had to admit, “It was Lin Zhi, Zi Que’s son.”

Zhong Hua’s brows furrowed deeply, and Jiang Chu Ting quickly added, “Senior Brother, it’s not his fault. People say such things, and Lin Xuan surely wouldn’t let him know the truth, so he misunderstood me.”

Zhong Hua stared at him without blinking, and Jiang Chu Ting blinked lightly.

Zhong Hua had always been dissatisfied with Yun Zi Que, let alone Lin Zhi, but seeing Jiang Chu Ting clearly wanting to protect that kid, he closed his eyes in frustration and muttered through gritted teeth, “Useless.”

Jiang Chu Ting slightly bowed his head, looking down without speaking.

Zhong Hua glared at him for a moment, feeling a headache, and said concisely, “No next time, or I’ll handle it myself.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother.” Jiang Chu Ting paused, his voice lowering, “If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll explain it to him clearly.”

As he walked out of the main hall, Pei Jing was still waiting outside. Jiang Chu Ting hadn’t spoken to him on the way back, and now seeing his cold face, he didn’t bother to engage, walking past him without a word.

“Not talking to me?” Pei Jing angrily caught up with him, “You deceived me, and you think you’re in the right?”

Jiang Chu Ting walked lightly and quickly, looking straight ahead, “I didn’t deceive you. It’s just that this is my personal matter, and it doesn’t seem necessary to explain it to you.” Lin Zhi harbored resentment due to a misunderstanding, wanting to tarnish his reputation, while Pei Jing simply didn’t want him to be good to others, so he recklessly smeared him without feeling he was wrong.

Jiang Chu Ting’s tone was neutral, but Pei Jing could sense he was somewhat angry.

Does he really care so much about that person in purple?! Pei Jing kept pace, speaking faster, “Who was that person just now, and why do you care so much about him? If you want to hide it, I can find out myself.”

“An old friend’s son.”

“Old friend? Which old friend? Is it that Que you cried out for that day?”

Jiang Chu Ting suddenly stopped, glanced at him, then quickly looked away, saying coldly, “You’re asking too much.”

Pei Jing felt blocked, angrily saying, “If you don’t make it clear, I’ll have someone hunt down that so-called old friend’s son and tear him apart!”

Even though he knew this kid didn’t care about others’ lives, Jiang Chu Ting was still shocked by his casual threat, looking at him, “He has no grudge against you, why go after him?”

“From just now, he has a grudge against me! Who told you to value him more than me!”

Jiang Chu Ting was taken aback, shaking his head with a sigh, “Xiao Jiu, don’t be so willful. This can’t be your reason to want to kill someone.”

Pei Jing grabbed his wrist, stubbornly staring at his face, “Then pay more attention to me, spend more time with me, and don’t meet with him again, and I’ll promise not to touch him.”

Jiang Chu Ting was silent for a moment, pulling back his hand, his clear black eyes looking at him, “Xiao Jiu, if you truly call me Master, don’t meddle too much in anything, and don’t try to sway my will.”

This meant that unless he used his status to pressure him, he wouldn’t follow his wishes. Pei Jing knew this person’s nature, as soft as water, yet as hard as ice. Wanting more meant not forcing it, biting his lip in frustration.

Jiang Chu Ting finished speaking and turned to leave, Pei Jing tried to grab him again but only caught a small piece of his sleeve.

Jiang Chu Ting looked back at him, and he showed a face full of grievance, “Master, don’t leave me.”

Jiang Chu Ting’s heart softened, his expression easing slightly, saying nothing, nor shaking him off, continuing forward. Pei Jing watched his profile, a small smile tugging at his lips, and obediently held onto that piece of sleeve, following him back to the cabin.

Since Pei Jing befriended Wei Jia, Wei Jia’s snacks never ran out, and he had gained weight in a short time, his face rounder. When they returned, Wei Jia was leaning over the table, munching on pastries. These weren’t from Nine Heavens’ meals but were specially bought from Wuxiang Zhai by Pei Jing, expensive and delicious. If Jiang Chu Ting hadn’t limited his intake, fearing it was bad for him, Wei Jia could have devoured three plates in one go without stopping.

Jiang Chu Ting entered the room with his sword, Pei Jing’s eyes turned, sitting down with a smile, asking Wei Jia, “Senior Brother, are the pastries good?”

Wei Jia was quite satisfied with this junior brother lately, nodding while munching, “Good, good!”

Pei Jing smirked, tempting him, “This is nothing, the things in the palace are even better.”

Wei Jia was surprised, “There’s something better than this?”

“Of course, and there’s so much you couldn’t finish in a lifetime. Do you want to go to the palace with me to play?”

Wei Jia’s lips were shiny with drool, showing a longing expression, “Really?”

Pei Jing’s younger brothers, all around ten years old, were adept at reading people and scheming, making Wei Jia seem as naive as a three-year-old, easily fooled. He used a coaxing tone, “Would I lie? I’m only willing to take you because we’re close. So, do you want to go?”

Wei Jia nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!”

Pei Jing smiled triumphantly.

Wei Jia immediately went to find Jiang Chu Ting, leaning on his knee, looking up, “Master, I want to go to the palace with Junior Brother to play.”

Jiang Chu Ting was taken aback, asking him, “Why?”

“Junior Brother said there are many delicious things in the palace that I haven’t tried yet. Master, let’s go together!”

Jiang Chu Ting sternly told him, “No.” Wei Jia was naive, knowing Pei Jing was the Ninth Prince but not fearing him, having no concept of what the palace truly was, a place that devours people, and he couldn’t let him go there.

Wei Jia pouted unhappily, “Why not?”

“There are delicious things everywhere, not just in the palace.” Jiang Chu Ting knew saying more would confuse him, so he simply pointed at his forehead, “Do you listen to your Master?”

The only thing more important to Wei Jia than food was his Master. Though disappointed he couldn’t taste more delicious things, he firmly said, “Of course, I listen to Master.”

Jiang Chu Ting smiled with relief, patting his head, gently saying, “Good. Go play.”

Since Pei Jing started soaking in the medicinal spring, the poison had been suppressed and hadn’t flared up. But that night, for some unknown reason, there were signs of it acting up, causing Pei Jing intense pain and even coughing up blood.

Jiang Chu Ting took him to soak in the medicinal spring for a while, and his face gradually regained some color.

Seeing he was okay, Jiang Chu Ting felt relieved, sitting cross-legged on a nearby mat, slowly lost in thought.

“Don’t underestimate him, there might be more than just us.”

Thinking of this, Jiang Chu Ting’s eyes dimmed, raising a hand to cover his heart. So young, yet he knew how to hit where it hurt.

In Lin Zhi’s eyes, he was just a shameless, wanton person. Because he didn’t care, he hurt recklessly.

But without this prejudice, Lin Zhi liked him very much and was willing to be good to him, to interact with him…

A painful groan came from Pei Jing’s side, snapping Jiang Chu Ting back to reality, quickly getting up to call him, “Xiao Jiu!”

Pei Jing was leaning against the stone wall of the medicinal spring, eyes tightly shut, not responding.

“Xiao Jiu!” Without thinking, Jiang Chu Ting hurried into the water, approaching to check his condition, when Pei Jing suddenly opened his eyes, bright and smiling, not looking like he was in trouble at all.

Jiang Chu Ting, now wet with clothes and hair, realized he had been tricked, giving him a stern look, turning to leave without a word.

Pei Jing suddenly stood up, extending his wet arms, locking them tightly around Jiang Chu Ting’s waist from behind.

“Master, I’m so bored.” Jiang Chu Ting struggled a bit, but Pei Jing wouldn’t let go, burying his face in his hair, whining, “Since you’re already soaked, just stay with me for a while.”