Fourth Master Fang’s intention to keep Yan Xi was becoming increasingly obvious. Over the past few days, he had sent a continuous stream of gifts, packing the small room until it was filled to the brim. As twilight approached, Ye Jun sat amidst the various unopened crates, watching with great interest as Zhongli Zixi clumsily and slowly ate his meal with his left hand.
"Young Master, let me feed you," Ye Jun suggested enthusiastically, biting his chopsticks as he glanced at him.
Zhongli Zixi couldn't be bothered to acknowledge him.
"Then Young Master, why don't you feed me?" Ye Jun proposed again, unwilling to endure the silence.
Zhongli Zixi felt that when Ye Jun was in a good mood, he became increasingly annoying.
Ye Jun drew out his voice in a lingering call, "Young Master—"
Unable to bear the pestering, Zhongli Zixi set down his chopsticks and asked calmly, "Where is Ze Que?"
Ever since Ye Jun had used his schemes to assert dominance over Ze Que last time, that figure who usually spent his days dazing on a tree branch with a sword in his arms had not been seen for several days. Ze Que was a stubborn, single-minded person; Zixi feared he might do something rash or meet with an accident. If that happened, how would he explain it to his elder brother?
Ye Jun’s smile stiffened for a moment. "Why ask me? How should I know?" he said dryly.
Zhongli Zixi braced himself against the table and stood up. "Oh. Then I’ll just have to go find him myself. In case my brother comes to ask for him, I need to know where Ze Que is."
Ye Jun hurriedly grabbed him and pressed him back into his seat. "Alright, alright, I admit my fault. Ze Que is just outside the courtyard. You don't need to worry yourself over nothing, Young Master."
Ye Jun felt dejected, his desire to flirt vanishing.
Zhongli Zixi felt the world had finally become quiet. His mood improved significantly, and he began to enjoy his soup.
He could roughly guess Ze Que’s current state of mind. Ze Que had followed the Eldest Young Master since they were young; his eyes held no one else. When the Eldest Young Master went to the high pavilions to seek flowers and willows, Ze Que would stand below the building all night. He would wait until his master was sent out, thoroughly drunk and satisfied, and then carry him back to the Zhongli Manor without a single word of complaint.
The Eldest Young Master had been a profligate romantic since the day they met, and Ze Que never felt there was anything wrong with that.
Later, the Eldest Young Master fell truly in love with Yue Changsheng, a musician from Ye Fang. He cast aside all the messy romantic entanglements around him and devoted himself entirely to that person.
Only then did Ze Que realize that his master wasn't born heartless; he simply didn't like him.
Every time the Eldest Young Master visited Ye Fang, he would stay for over a month. Even if Ze Que were made of steel and iron, he couldn't stand guard for that long. Inside Ye Fang, there was music, dancing, and laughter—a paradise on earth. Ze Que would curl up outside the courtyard wall, hugging his knees, feeling as though the long night would never end.
It wasn't that the Eldest Young Master didn't feel for him; he had urged Ze Que several times not to stay on guard, but Ze Que remained obstinate.
The Eldest Young Master had said helplessly, "Be obedient and go back to rest. In truth, I don't really need you here."
Ze Que shook his head in refusal. He was his guard; it was only natural and right for him to protect his master's side.
The Eldest Young Master rubbed his head and sighed. "You possess extraordinary skills and have a bright future ahead of you. Why suffer under a powerless playboy like me? Your prospects would be much better if you followed my second brother. Would you like to..."
Hearing the intent to dismiss him, Ze Que stood up in a panic. "I know I was wrong, Young Master. I’ll go back right now."
Ze Que returned to the Zhongli Manor alone, spending his days waiting for a person who almost never returned. Later, when Yue Changsheng suddenly vanished without a trace, the Eldest Young Master spent his days in gloom, and Ze Que tirelessly searched the ends of the earth for the man.
Zhongli Zixi had not understood him back then. Yue Changsheng was a rival for his brother's affection; his disappearance should have been a cause for celebration. Why search for him just to bring back more frustration?
Zixi couldn't stand how Yue Changsheng received all of his brother's favor for doing nothing. He felt it had to be strangled at the root. What he couldn't have himself, he would never hand over to others.
In this life, Zhongli Zixi had never been treated with tenderness, so he naturally didn't know that when you truly love someone, you put them above all else, never considering yourself. Now that his temperament had changed drastically, he was beginning to understand, albeit in a daze.
Thinking of these old matters and looking at the still-indignant Ye Jun across from him, Zixi asked, "Ye Jun, if I truly fell in love with someone else, what would you do?"
Ye Jun lowered his head, picking out the Sichuan peppercorns one by one. "What could I do? At most, I’d hide away and weep bitterly every night, then pretend nothing happened at dawn to continue working for you. If your beloved fell into danger, I’d still have to risk my life to save them. If anything went wrong, the blame would fall on my head. In the world of martial arts, how could one stay safe forever? One day, your beloved would get a scratch, and that would be the day of my death. Whether thunder or rain, all are the Master's grace; I could only thank you for the 'reward'."
Zhongli Zixi was speechless. He had only asked casually, not expecting such a long response. To his surprise, Ye Jun wasn't finished. He continued picking through the food as he spoke.
"Perhaps it wouldn't be that bad. Perhaps you’d be blessed by heaven, resolve your grievances with your beloved elder brother, and grow old together. I’d just keep watching. Watching you and the Eldest Young Master in love, remembering how you once smiled at me so tenderly, thinking of how you once personally brewed medicine for me... I’d just keep thinking about these two days, the happiest and shortest of my life, and die in melancholy and resentment." Ye Jun paused, his voice dropping. "However happy I am today is how sad I will be then."
Zhongli Zixi said dryly, "Uh, aren't you... thinking a bit too far ahead?"
"Farther than that. I’ve thought of other things too." Ye Jun couldn't seem to stop, launching into a new segment. "I also thought that since you went to the trouble of sparing Ye Sha’s life, you must have feelings for him too. If not for that incident with Jun Wuwang, you would have surely conquered the Central Plains. By then, you would have definitely brought Ye Sha back. He is exactly the kind of upright, foolishly loyal person you like best; you would certainly be interested. But Ye Sha is indeed a very dull and boring person. You’d lose interest after a few months and discard him. Ye Sha and I were in the same training group; when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. It would be hard not to feel sorrow for him."
Zhongli Zixi cleared his throat, embarrassed. "You... there's something wrong with you. Why do you imagine so much every day?"
"Young Master, you truly wrong me. I’ve followed you for ten years, hiding in the darkness day and night to watch you," Ye Jun stopped his chopsticks and looked up, focusing intently into Zixi's eyes. "Tell me yourself—besides thinking about you, what else could I have done?"
The usual playful smile on Ye Jun's face had completely vanished, replaced by a cold clarity like the night.
Zhongli Zixi was stunned. If not for these words, how could he have known that Ye Jun, who seemed more nonchalant than anyone, was actually so insecure?
His face couldn't help but redden as he stammered, "You... couldn't you think of something better..."
"I did. The thing I think about most is a happy ending," Ye Jun replied without hesitation.
Zhongli Zixi felt a spark of curiosity, but Ye Jun suddenly added, "But I absolutely cannot say it. If you knew, you’d have to stab me to death tonight."
Zhongli Zixi’s curiosity vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of dread.
Ye Jun’s usual rebellious teasing was enough to make him cough up blood. If Ye Jun said those things without fear, Zixi truly dared not imagine what else the man was conjuring up in his head.
Zhongli Zixi quickly lowered his head to focus on the food, trying to pick up a fish ball from the soup. Unfortunately, it was too slippery, and he failed several times. Normally, Ye Jun would have followed his whim and picked it up for him, but now there was no movement.
Zhongli Zixi looked at him in confusion. Ye Jun shook his head. "Not this dish. Young Master, eat something else."
"Why?" Zixi asked suspiciously.
Ye Jun lowered his voice. "Something extra was added."
Zhongli Zixi’s eyes turned cold. Ever since he lost his internal power, his five senses had diminished significantly. If a poison was hidden even slightly well, it was difficult for him to distinguish it. He immediately thought of Fourth Master Fang’s recent constant favors and his own lack of response. It seemed the man was using both threats and inducements, schemes open and hidden, determined to keep him here.
Suppreessing his anger, he slapped the table. "Then why did you eat it?!"
Ye Jun whispered, "I couldn't tell what kind of drug it was, so I had to taste a little. Otherwise, how could I cooperate with the act? Besides, if we didn't touch our chopsticks at all, wouldn't that make them even more suspicious?"
"You took a risk on your own again... You bastard, I’ll settle the score with you later." Zhongli Zixi was so angry he wanted to strike him, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Did you identify it? You didn't eat too much, did you?"
"Don't worry, Young Master, I know what I'm doing," Ye Jun comforted him with a smile. "We’ll know in a moment."
Zhongli Zixi frowned, his knuckles lightly tapping the table as his mind raced. "Fourth Master Fang’s poison hasn't been fully purged yet; I still have utility. It shouldn't be a lethal poison that kills on contact."
Ye Jun: "Indeed. That was my reasoning as well, otherwise I wouldn't have risked it."
Zixi continued to ponder, "A sedative? No, what difference does it make if we're asleep or awake... A slow-acting poison? Do they want to gradually increase the dosage without us noticing to control us? Or..."
Ye Jun added softly, "Perhaps it's an aphrodisiac."
Zhongli Zixi jolted at the words. The bamboo chopsticks fell to the floor with a *clatter*. He stammered, "You... don't... don't make that kind of joke..."
Ye Jun had only mentioned it casually to tease him, but seeing his master take it seriously immediately sparked his imagination.
Ye Jun said solemnly, "After all, Young Master has lost his martial arts. It wouldn't be hard for Fourth Master Fang to control you, but my presence is too much of a hindrance. If I were forced by the effects of an aphrodisiac to do something untoward to the Young Master, it would be... only logical for the Young Master to get rid of me."
*It makes perfect sense!* Ye Jun thought to himself, *I really am a genius.*
"True... if that happened, I really would kill you." Zhongli Zixi felt a chill. "To think they would use such a malicious scheme."
Although he had accepted Ye Jun, it hadn't been long. If Ye Jun disregarded everything and forced himself upon him, even if Zixi didn't kill him today, a rift would surely form between them. If they hadn't known in advance, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
Ye Jun realized the Second Young Master had taken it as truth and sensed he was about to play himself. He knelt on the floor, bowing his head deeply. "Please rest assured, Young Master. Even if I have to take my own life, I will never do anything disrespectful to you."
He had intended to gloss it over by saying "hopefully it's not an aphrodisiac," but Zhongli Zixi immediately pressed his hands on Ye Jun's shoulders. "Don't talk nonsense. I’ll think of a way... nothing must happen to you."
Zixi hurriedly helped him up. "Do you feel unwell anywhere? Go lie on the bed first. If there's a reaction, tell me immediately."
Ye Jun sat on the edge of the bed, feeling lightheaded. At the thought of what might happen next, he felt his blood rush. Although he had indeed looked forward to this for a long time, how did they suddenly reach this step? Even he wasn't mentally prepared; this was too stimulating.
Seeing that even the tips of Ye Jun's ears were flushed red, Zhongli Zixi said hatefully, "It really is an aphrodisiac."
Ye Jun guiltily averted his gaze.
He thought: *Young Master, don't blame me. You're the one who insisted on taking the bait.*
Zhongli Zixi’s heart was also weathering a series of shocking waves. He had convinced himself rationally, but he was still very resistant. His mind in a mess, he walked to the bedside. Ye Jun habitually reached out to support him, intending to help him onto the bed.
Suddenly, Ye Jun’s vision blurred. The world spun, and he couldn't help but pitch forward. His strength vanished, and he collapsed onto the bed, pinning Zhongli Zixi beneath him.
*Damn, the real drug is taking effect.*
Ye Jun felt his mind becoming hazy and his internal energy obstructed. It had the effect of a sedative, but it wasn't a simple one.
Fearing he would crush the Young Master, Ye Jun immediately forced himself up. With this interruption, the flush on his face faded significantly, replaced by a touch of pallor.
Zhongli Zixi misunderstood and said quickly, "Don't use your internal power to force it down; it will damage your meridians."
Ye Jun gave a muffled response. Afraid of pressing on the Young Master again, he tried to retreat a few steps. Zhongli Zixi hurriedly grabbed his waist and pulled him back. "What are you hiding for?!"
Ye Jun felt his consciousness slipping away. He wanted to cry but had no tears. He felt indignant: *The Young Master has delivered himself to me. Such a good opportunity, I can't bear to pass out!*
Ye Jun closed his eyes tightly. Straining, he pulled a hidden blade from his leg and stabbed it fiercely into his thigh.
Sharp pain flared, and his clouded consciousness cleared instantly. The drug's potency was as he expected—not extremely violent—and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhongli Zixi saw his eyes suddenly clear and was wondering why, until he felt his hands covered in wet blood. He froze for a moment, then cried out in a fury, "What are you doing?!"
Though his mind was clearer, his obstructed internal energy remained unchanged. Ye Jun’s voice lacked its usual strength. "I... cannot... be disrespectful... to the Young Master..."
Zhongli Zixi felt a pang in his heart.
Ye Jun had risked himself to test the poison for him, yet he was still clinging to his own ridiculous pride, hesitating. To protect Zixi's utterly selfish feelings, Ye Jun would rather harm himself than force him in the slightest.
He thought to himself: *What have I done to deserve this? How could I be worthy of such a good person?*
***
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