Chapter 55

“Come in.”

Xi Feng stood guard at the door with his sword all night. Upon hearing the command, he pushed the door open and saw Xie Tingzhou sitting on the bed, head bowed and arms propped on his legs, exuding an impending stormy aura.

Xie Tingzhou didn’t lift his head and said, “Prepare the bathwater, then call in a few maidens.”

Xi Feng showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and nodded, saying, “Yes.”

The elegant chamber had two side rooms, and the maidservants entered to prepare the bathwater, intending to assist with washing and grooming, but they were dismissed by Xie Tingzhou.

After bathing, Xie Tingzhou emerged from the side room.

Several maidens stood in the hall, all exceptionally beautiful, draped in thin veils, their allure barely concealed.

Having received their mother’s orders, they knew a nobleman resided here and dared not raise their heads upon hearing footsteps.

The room was filled with the scent of powder and rouge.

Xie Tingzhou sat back in a chair, his gaze sweeping over them, and said softly, “Look up.”

The maidens lifted their heads, astonished by the celestial countenance and aura of Xie Tingzhou before them, yet they dared not meet his gaze.

Leading the group was the maiden who had served him wine after playing the zither last night.

Summoning her courage, she approached gracefully and picked up a towel nearby, softly saying, “Young Master, let this servant attend to your hair.”

Xie Tingzhou didn’t refuse.

Trembling slightly, she suppressed her joy. Before she could touch his hair, she heard a cold voice, “Leave!”

The maiden froze, hastily kneeling down. “What have I done to displease the Young Master?”

Xie Tingzhou lowered his eyes slightly. “Your presence here displeases me greatly.”

The maiden turned pale, placing the towel down and retreating.

Xie Tingzhou said, “All of you, leave.”

As the door closed, the scent of powder and rouge lingered.

Feeling restless, Xie Tingzhou couldn’t understand why he felt no attraction towards those veiled women; instead, he felt repulsed.

Recalling the dream again.

How could it be? How could he harbor such thoughts for a man?

Xie Tingzhou dared not believe it, nor did he want to.

…

Li Jifeng slept until late morning. Upon hearing from the servant Xiao Luzi that Xie Tingzhou had left at dawn, called in some maidens briefly, then drove them away with a blackened face, Li Jifeng chuckled.

“My friend probably hasn’t figured out what’s going on yet.”

The servant boy said, “This humble one doesn’t understand.”

Li Jifeng glanced at him. “You, a eunuch, naturally wouldn’t understand.”

Since returning to the palace that day, Xie Tingzhou had locked himself in his room.

XiFeng remained silent, his lips so chapped they blistered from anxiety.

On the third day, Xie Tingzhou finally emerged from his room, and the first thing he did was to have someone bring Shi Yu to the study.

Shi Yu had been imprisoned in the dungeon for several days. She knew she still had value; Xie Tingzhou wouldn’t kill her temporarily, as the Three Judicial Offices still needed to interrogate her.

As Shen Yu entered the study, Xi Feng immediately closed the door behind her. She glanced back and slowly walked to the desk, kneeling down.

This was the first time Xie Tingzhou’s room lacked a stove. The floor was cold, and his fingers, used for writing, were red from the chill.

Xie Tingzhou didn’t raise his head, still annotating the documents delivered by Beilin’s express messenger.

“Do you know your mistake?”

Shen Yu bowed her head, still wearing the same clothes she had worn when brought from the dungeon.

“Shi Yu knows her mistake.”

It was something she had learned from being reprimanded by Shen Zhong’ān and Shen Zhao countless times. When the other party was angry, admitting fault obediently was the best approach; arguing or stubbornness only fueled the fire.

Finishing the last stroke, Xie Tingzhou set down his pen and finally glanced up.

Upon hearing that Shi Yu had come to receive lashes, Xi Feng didn’t specify how many, so he had to seek permission from Xie Tigzhou. He happened to catch up with Xie Tingzhou, who had just mounted his horse at the door.

Xī Fēng explained the situation.

Xiè Tíngzhōu, holding the reins, asked from horseback, “How many lashes should she receive as per the regulations?”

Xī Fēng hesitated. “This…”

“What’s wrong? Can’t you handle it?” Xiè Tíngzhōu’s tone was slightly cold.

Changliu was behind Xie Tíngzhou, also on horseback, and interjected, “Your Highness, according to the rules, she should be executed.”

Xie Tingzhiu: “…”

Chángliú was still young, simple-minded.

Xi Feng hurriedly provided a way out, “Light punishment would be twenty lashes, severe punishment…”

“Then twenty it is.” Xie Tingzhou finished speaking and rode away.

Chángliu wanted to catch up and say something to Xi Feng, but as he passed by, he muttered, “See, I told you he’s different.”

Xie Tingzhou rode swiftly to the Drunken Cloud Pavilion, dismounting and tossing the reins aside.

The madam hurriedly came to welcome him, smiling obsequiously. “Young Master Feng is here too. Are you looking for him?”

“Not looking for him,” Xie Tingzhou said as he walked upstairs, his gaze passing over the flower girls walking in the corridor. Suddenly, he asked, “Are there any young attendants?”

The madam covered her lips with a handkerchief and smiled, “Of course there are. Whatever you desire, we can provide for you.”

It was the same room on the top floor as before. Xie Tingzhou sat in the chair.

He had had absurd dreams here and had fled in despair.

And now, he wanted to confirm something here.