Chapter 4

The moment Pei Ji entered the room, a damp, musty smell rushed toward him.

Gu Tiao spoke in a low, gentle voice. “It’s rather shabby here. I’m afraid the place isn’t much to look at, Young Master Pei.”

He glanced back and saw Pei Ji standing there in a daze, saying nothing. His lips moved slightly. “What are you thinking about, Young Master Pei?”

Pei Ji’s gaze fell on the exposed mud bricks where the plaster had crumbled away from the wall. “I’m feeling sorry for Brother Gu.”

Gu Tiao’s expression softened slightly, a hint of surprise appearing on his face as he realized he had misjudged Pei Ji’s thoughts.

“I’m already content to have somewhere that shelters me from the wind and rain.”

“Brother Gu, everything will get better.” Pei Ji was very good at comforting people. “One day, when you become the top scholar in the imperial examinations, you might even look back on these days with nostalgia.”

Hearing this, Gu Tiao remained modest and composed. “I wouldn’t dare hope to rank among the top three. I only wish that my many years of diligent study won’t have been in vain.”

Firewood was a scarce commodity in the shabby little house. Gu Tiao lit the little firewood he had and placed a clay kettle over the earthen stove.

As the flames slowly rose, the temperature around them increased considerably.

Gu Tiao looked at Pei Ji, who was wrapped up tightly in his clothes. “Would you like to warm yourself by the fire, Young Master Pei?”

Pei Ji was indeed a little cold. “Sure.”

The firewood crackled softly. The two sat close together, stretching their frozen hands toward the flames.

This was the first time Pei Ji had been so close to Gu Tiao.

There was a faint, slightly bitter fragrance of grass and wood about him. After getting used to it, Pei Ji found that he rather liked it.

“Brother Gu, have a red bean cake.”

Using the warmth of the fire, Pei Ji took a red bean cake from his bundle, wrapped it tightly in mulberry-bark paper, and placed it on the earthen stove to warm.

“Thank you, Young Master Pei.” Gu Tiao lowered his eyes and calmly voiced his doubts. “We met only by chance. Why are you going to such lengths to help me?”

He was merely an impoverished scholar. As far as he knew, there was nothing about him worth Pei Ji’s attention.

“Well…”

Pei Ji didn’t bother hiding his intentions. He handed the warmed red bean cake to Gu Tiao. “Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask of Brother Gu.”

Just as he thought.

Gu Tiao’s long eyelashes concealed the emotions in his eyes as he looked at Pei Ji, who had a cake between his lips. “What is it?”

Pei Ji pushed the cake into Gu Tiao’s hand and narrowed his round, delicate almond-shaped eyes. “Brother Gu, could you be my friend?”

Was that all?

Gu Tiao remained calm and composed. “Young Master Pei is the son of a Court Gentleman. If you wish to make friends, why choose me in particular?”

“Because I believe in you!” Pei Ji nibbled at his cake. “I’m sure Brother Gu will pass the examinations with flying colors. You’ll definitely be able to look after me in the future.”

There. That made his reasons perfectly clear.

“Can we?” Pei Ji obediently stretched his neck and leaned toward Gu Tiao’s shoulder. “If Brother Gu doesn’t refuse, I’ll take that as a yes.”

A faint medicinal fragrance drifted from Pei Ji’s collar. Gu Tiao turned his head, finding those smiling eyes and curved brows mere inches away.

He instinctively leaned back, lowering his gaze. “Since Young Master Pei is so sincere, I would naturally be happy to become your friend.”

Hearing this, Pei Ji excitedly raised his red bean cake. “Let this cake bear witness to our promise! Brother Gu, you can’t go back on your word someday.”

Gu Tiao replied, “Of course. I never deceive others.”

Having eaten his fill of cake, Pei Ji was thoroughly satisfied and prepared to leave.

Before departing, he noticed a thick stack of plain paper on the wooden table and suddenly became interested.

These were the authentic writings of a future top scholar!

Back in the museum, he’d had to squeeze through a crowd for ages just to see something like this.

“Brother Gu, what are you writing?”

Gu Tiao replied, “Family letters, lists of goods, and contracts for other people.”

“Brother Gu, your handwriting is really beautiful.”

The brushstrokes were relaxed and flowing, with a clear, vigorous structure. The variations in ink density were perfectly balanced, and every turn of the brush was smooth and effortless. One glance was enough to tell that Gu Tiao had practiced calligraphy since childhood.

Pei Ji picked up a sheet of paper and carefully read it by the light of the stove.

He recognized some cursive-style characters. Whenever he encountered one he wasn’t familiar with, he would sneak a glance at Gu Tiao and vaguely skip over it.

Holding a cup of hot tea, Gu Tiao looked at him gently. “Young Master Pei, have some hot tea to warm yourself before you leave.”

He had noticed earlier that Pei Ji kept coughing.

“Thank you.” Pei Ji’s slender fingers slowly curled around the clay bowl. He took a tentative sip, then began drinking in small, careful mouthfuls, like a kitten lapping water.

Gu Tiao’s gaze settled on those pale lips before he quietly looked away.

“Brother Gu, is business going well?”

“Not particularly.”

After finishing his tea, Pei Ji gently wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. The hot drink had left his cheeks rosy. “I’ll help Brother Gu find more customers.”

“Thank you, Young Master Pei.”

“Huh?” Pei Ji put on his velvet cap and raised his brows cheerfully. “Now that we’re friends, why does Brother Gu still call me Young Master Pei?”

“My courtesy name is Zhihuan.”

“I’m seventeen this year.”

Gu Tiao slowly parted his lips. “Younger Brother Zhihuan.”

Pei Ji took two steps backward and bowed respectfully. “Brother Gu.”

…

After returning to the residence, Pei Ji collapsed across his bed, sprawled in every direction like a little snake.

The return journey had been even more exhausting. He’d whined and complained the entire way, swearing that no one would get him out of this bed again today.

Xiao Wan warmed some provisions and sat beside the bed to eat a little with him.

“It’s really inconvenient not having a carriage…”

Pei Ji held a red bean cake between his fingertips, tilting his head as he nibbled at it.

“Someday… when I earn money, I’m definitely buying a carriage.”

He was a little breathless as he spoke, his cheeks moving gently as he chewed. “One drawn by four horses!”

Xiao Wan nodded happily, believing every word Pei Ji said, completely unaware that not just anyone was entitled to ride in a four-horse carriage.

In another two days, Qian Mu would be visiting. Pei Ji needed to prepare ingredients in advance so he could demonstrate his culinary skills.

The Great Sheng Dynasty already had a rich variety of goods available. Pork, beef, and mutton were all sold in the markets, but mutton was a premium meat that invariably appeared at aristocratic banquets. A single jin cost around one hundred and fifty copper coins. Pei Ji was stingy and hadn’t intended to buy any, but when he saw Xiao Wan looking so hungry that he was practically drooling, he gritted his teeth and bought another two jin.

While shopping for ingredients along the street, he even noticed laborers delivering vegetables to restaurants.

Such occupations had been depicted in Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

“Boss, are these green bamboo pieces for sale?”

Passing a stall, he noticed a pile of discarded bamboo scraps on the ground. “Could you sell me these pieces of bamboo for five copper coins?”

The bamboo was unwanted anyway, so the stall owner readily agreed. “Sure.”

Holding the prepared strips of green bamboo, Pei Ji already had a plan in mind. Su Changgeng’s gift had been so expensive that he wanted to prepare a special return gift for him.

When Xiao Wan saw his young master busily working on something he couldn’t understand as soon as they returned home, he brought over some sunflower seeds and sat beside the wooden table to keep him company.

Pei Ji had loosely tied up his wide sleeves and was working enthusiastically. His slender, fair arms were slightly bent as he concentrated on polishing the bamboo strips.

“Do you know what I’m making?” After completing the first step, Pei Ji held up the pieces of green bamboo. “These are bookmarks.”

“What are bookmarks?” Xiao Wan asked.

Pei Ji replied, “Things you put between the pages of a book to mark your place.”

His return gift for Su Changgeng was meant to express his sincerity rather than impress him with its value. To make the bookmarks more distinctive, he had specially consulted classical texts and carefully imitated the characters stroke by stroke, writing several auspicious phrases on them.

He then used a knife to carve out the characters, creating openwork green bamboo bookmarks.

One bookmark was carved with “Changgeng,” another with “Huaiqing,” and the third with “Kangning.”

“Second Young Master, how do you know how to do everything?”

Xiao Wan gazed admiringly at the elegant, distinctive bookmarks. “Ever since you came back from the examination compound, you’ve been getting smarter and smarter.”

“I’ve always been smart.”

Pei Ji was very satisfied with his masterpiece. He gently wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and attached pale-colored tassel cords to the bookmarks. “If I have time tomorrow, I’ll polish them once more, and then they’ll be ready to give to Brother Changgeng.”

Xiao Wan nodded. “The young marquis will definitely like them.”

That night, Pei Ji covered himself with the new cotton quilt he’d bought and slept especially soundly.

The following day, Qian Mu arrived right on time.

Compared to Pei Ji’s plain, dilapidated courtyard, Qian Mu, dressed in an elegant turquoise brocade robe, looked completely out of place.

“You didn’t have to bring a gift just because you’re visiting.”

Pei Ji grinned, already wondering what Qian Mu had brought.

“Since Younger Brother Pei invited me to eat, naturally I had to bring something.” Qian Mu removed his fox-fur ear warmers. “So this is your courtyard?”

He raised his eyes and casually surveyed the windows with their torn paper coverings, the confusion in his gaze growing more pronounced. This was the residence of a sixth-rank official in the capital. How could it be so shabby?

“It doesn’t even look as good as the separate courtyards my servants live in.”

Pei Ji took Qian Mu’s ear warmers. Seeing how soft and luxurious the silk was, he secretly stroked them when Qian Mu wasn’t looking.

The fluffy lining was wonderfully warm and insulating.

He wanted a pair too.

“Brother Qian, my home naturally can’t compare to yours.” Pei Ji remained optimistic and led him inside. “Your house must be just like the imperial palace.”

“More or less.”

When His Majesty traveled incognito, he stayed at one of the Qian family’s estates.

Qian Mu kept frowning. “Is your father’s courtyard this run-down too?”

Pei Ji answered with a dejected expression, “His is a little better than mine. But although my place is rather shabby, it’s still very clean.”

To prepare for his guest, he’d gotten up at the crack of dawn to scrub the floors and tidy every corner of the courtyard. Even now, his waist and back were aching.

Qian Mu nodded, his eyes still carrying a hint of sympathy. “I really envy your optimistic attitude, Younger Brother Pei.”

He lifted his foot and slowly stepped inside.

Pei Ji: “…”

The room was reasonably warm, with plenty of charcoal burning. Ever since his visit to the pawnshop, Pei Ji had been living quite comfortably. He’d done the calculations, and the money was enough to let him live as a happy little freeloader for two years.

The dishes were already arranged on the table: grilled unauthorized copy lamb, sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin, boiled pork slices…

Pei Ji had carefully selected every dish, incorporating plenty of modern cooking techniques.

“Let me serve you some rice, Brother Qian.”

Pei Ji wasn’t particular about formalities, so there was no need for Xiao Wan to serve them. He had already set aside some of the best dishes for Xiao Wan and sent him off to enjoy himself.

“I guarantee Brother Qian has never tasted anything like this before.”

Pei Ji was extremely confident in his cooking. He praised his own skills while deliberately keeping Qian Mu in suspense. He figured that after eating this meal, Qian Mu would probably come over every day to freeload.

He’d probably be exhausted then.

Well, exhausted or not, it was all part of making friends.

“I really haven’t eaten these dishes before.” Qian Mu was free-spirited and didn’t care much about etiquette. Since he’d come as a guest, he didn’t stand on ceremony with Pei Ji. He picked up a slice of boiled pork and put it into his mouth.

“Well?”

Pei Ji tilted his head and smiled brightly. “Isn’t it absolutely amazing?”

Qian Mu put down his chopsticks, his carefree eyes gradually turning solemn.

That expression…

Pei Ji secretly began imagining things. Could his cooking have reminded Qian Mu of the taste of his mother’s cooking?

“Younger Brother Pei.” Qian Mu sighed heavily, his brows tightly furrowed. “So this is what you eat every day. Official Pei is far too biased against you.”

Pei Ji held his bowl, his heart trembling at Qian Mu’s words. Tears began falling onto his rice.

Qian Mu’s tongue was far too vicious.

His self-esteem had shattered into a thousand pieces.

Seeing this, Qian Mu felt a surge of pity. He stood up and pulled Pei Ji along. “Younger Brother Pei, let’s go eat at Songhe Restaurant. My treat.”

“Oh?” Pei Ji wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and hurriedly gathered up the shattered pieces of his pride. “Brother Qian, wait for me!”

…

Songhe Restaurant was one of the capital’s finest establishments, a place where high-ranking officials and influential nobles regularly dined and hosted banquets.

Holding his silver chopsticks, Pei Ji ate with a delighted smile. The tender, succulent lamb paired with fresh shellfish and bamboo shoots was deliciously light and savory, leaving a lingering sweetness. As someone who had been a poor university student, he’d never tasted anything so wonderful.

“Younger Brother Pei is rather frail. You should eat more mutton during winter.”

These dishes no longer held much appeal for Qian Mu. After taking a single bite of crab-stuffed orange, he put down his chopsticks and didn’t touch them again. Instead, he spent the rest of the meal resting his elbow on the table, quietly watching Pei Ji.

“I’m so lucky to have met Brother Qian.”

Pei Ji’s mouth was stuffed with tender lamb, but his eyes were fixed on the plate of roasted shredded rabbit across from him. “I’m so happy.”

The fires inside the restaurant were burning fiercely. Pei Ji grew so warm that he removed his padded outer robe, leaving only his plain inner garment, which made his cheeks look even rosier and softer.

Qian Mu played with his jade pendant. “Younger Brother Pei, how old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Oh, four years younger than me.”

It was the first time Qian Mu had ever received such straightforward gratitude. A teasing smile played on his lips. “Younger Brother Pei, would you like to come to Songhe Restaurant and dine with me every day?”

“How about this?” He deliberately teased Pei Ji, raising a finger to gently pinch his puffed-out cheek. “Why don’t you acknowledge me as your elder brother? Follow me from now on, and I’ll guarantee you a life of wealth and luxury.”

“I already think of you as an elder brother.” Pei Ji lightly braced his wrist against the edge of the table and leaned closer. “If there’s ever anything you need my help with, just tell me.”

“As for coming to Songhe Restaurant every day…”

Pei Ji swallowed the food in his mouth. “Let’s come once a month instead. Coming every day would be such a waste of money.”

Qian Mu had acknowledged countless people as brothers throughout his life and made bailiantales.comthe same promise to all of them. But Pei Ji was the first who had ever tried to save him money.

“You’re certainly easy to take care of.” Qian Mu found Pei Ji extremely amusing and poked his soft cheek again. “Even if you ate here every day, I could afford it.”

Pei Ji was already full, but he still couldn’t resist picking up a piece of fresh fruit and popping it into his mouth. “Then thank you, Brother Qian.”

Qian Mu had other matters to attend to that evening. Before parting ways, he removed his ear warmers and placed them on Pei Ji’s head, chuckling softly. “Keep them on. It looks like it’s going to snow. My carriage isn’t here, so I can’t take you home.”

Pei Ji gently pressed his cheek against the ear warmers. “Then what about Brother Qian?”

Qian Mu straightened, his voice lazy and relaxed. “My clothes are thick. I’m not afraid of the cold.”

…

On his way back to the residence, Pei Ji remembered something else.

Before leaving home, he’d tucked the polished bamboo bookmarks into his robes, planning to drop them off at the marquis’s residence along the way.

The afternoon light gradually faded, and tiny flecks of snow unexpectedly began drifting down from the sky.

Pei Ji raised his eyes and held out his cold palm, catching a few delicate snowflakes.

People walking along the streets had already put on cloaks. His own clothes weren’t particularly warm, but fortunately, the ear warmers Qian Mu had given him kept even his neck comfortably warm.

At first, there were only a few scattered snowflakes. But by the ​bailiantales.com​time Pei Ji reached the marquis’s residence, the snowfall had grown heavy, filling the sky.

“Young Master, I’m afraid you’ve come at an unfortunate time. The young marquis isn’t at home.” The gatekeeper examined Pei Ji and, noticing that his clothing didn’t resemble that of a young master from a distinguished family, asked, “May I ask what business you have with the young marquis?”

“I’ve brought something for him.”

Pei Ji’s hands were already frozen stiff. With some difficulty, he pulled the bookmarks from inside his robes. “Please give these to Brother Su for me.”

The gatekeeper bowed. “Certainly.”

Watching the frail figure depart, the gatekeeper hesitated, wondering whether he should invite Pei Ji to stay for a while. But the young man seemed to be in a hurry and quickly disappeared into the snow.

…

The cold wind carried white snow onto the eaves, and a carriage stopped outside the marquis’s residence.

Having just returned from a banquet hosted by Prince Yong, Su Changgeng and Xiao Yuzhou stepped down from the carriage one after the other, still discussing the absurd incidents that had occurred during the feast.

“The Young Master and Young Master Xiao have returned!”

The gatekeeper who had received Pei Ji hurried forward with an umbrella. “Eldest Young Master, a young gentleman named Pei Ji came looking for you just now.”

Hearing Pei Ji’s name, Xiao Yuzhou smiled faintly. “That Young Master Pei? I imagine he’s already inside waiting for you, Cousin.”

“Young Master Pei has already left.” The [read the original at bailiantales.com]gatekeeper held out a wooden box with both hands. “He asked me to give this to you.”

“All right.” Su Changgeng lifted the lid and took out several elegant, delicately crafted green bamboo bookmarks. “These are… page markers?”

In Great Sheng, page markers were usually made of paper and used to mark one’s place in a book.

Xiao Yuzhou examined them carefully. “They resemble page markers, but they’re quite unusual.”

“Indeed! They even have characters carved right through them.” The gatekeeper didn’t understand the objects favored by refined scholars, but he praised them sincerely. “These little things really are beautiful.”

Su Changgeng smiled at his words and carefully pulled out the note tucked at the bottom of the box—

[These are small gifts I made myself. I hope Brother Su likes them.]

Xiao Yuzhou glanced at it. “Young Master Pei really needs to practice his handwriting.”

Su Changgeng folded the note neatly and placed it back inside the box, which he held in his hand. “The next time Young Master Pei comes looking for me, please make sure to invite him inside for a while.”

The gatekeeper nodded. “Of course.”

Xiao Yuzhou had originally assumed that Pei Ji would find some excuse to linger at the marquis’s residence. He hadn’t expected him to leave so readily.

“Young Master Pei is truly clever with his hands.” Su Changgeng gently stroked the wooden box with his fingertips. “He’s also intelligent and lively. Being friends with him would probably be quite entertaining.”

Xiao Yuzhou’s dark eyes remained calm and reserved. “To earn Cousin’s approval, this Young Master Pei must indeed Read on BaiLianTalespossess some intelligence.”

Su Changgeng looked at Xiao Yuzhou. “Yuzhou, do you dislike Pei Ji?”

“No.” Xiao Yuzhou was merely cautious and thoughtful. “I just don’t know much about him yet.”

“You’ll get to know him if you meet him more often.”

Su Changgeng instructed a servant, “Prepare an invitation.”

“There’s a polo match in three days. I’d like to invite Younger Brother Pei.”

…

The journey back to the residence was far from short. Pei Ji walked through the wind and snow for an entire hour, nearly turning into a little icicle by the time he arrived home.

Although Xiao Wan wrapped him tightly in cotton quilts, Pei Ji still developed a high fever in the middle of the night and began muttering deliriously.

Seeing this, Xiao Wan was completely at a loss. He was so frightened that he burst into tears and ran into the streets in the middle of the night, desperately begging anyone who would listen before finally managing to bring a physician back.

Even after taking the medicine prescribed by the physician, Pei Ji showed no improvement. For two consecutive nights, he coughed until his face turned deathly pale, vomiting up everything he had eaten for dinner.

Pei Zige learned about this while dining. Without even raising his eyes, he merely instructed a servant to tell Pei Ji to rest properly.

When Su Changgeng’s invitation arrived, Xiao Wan looked deeply troubled.

His young master hadn’t fully recovered from his illness. Wouldn’t attending a polo match make things worse? It was so cold outside. What if his young master caught another chill?

An invitation from the marquis’s residence attracted too much attention to conceal from Pei Zige. Upon learning that Su Changgeng had invited Pei Ji to a polo match, Pei Zige summoned physicians to treat him throughout the night. At the same time, he repeatedly lectured Pei Ji about the importance of brotherly affection, hoping that he would bring Pei Zhao along to the gathering.

Pei Ji let every word go in one ear and out the other. Hiding beneath his quilt, he ordered a whole series of dishes he wanted to eat, finally enjoying the treatment of a proper young master for once.

Of course, no matter how persistently Pei Zige coaxed or pressured him, he refused to agree to take Pei Zhao along.

Whenever he ran out of excuses, he simply pretended to be foolish. This made Pei Zige look at him with increasing disgust.

Before leaving, Pei Zige instructed the physician, “I don’t care what medicine you use, even if it’s the strongest medicine available. You must ensure that the Second Young Master can attend his appointment on time tomorrow.”

The physician replied, “Understood.”

Early the next morning, Pei Ji still felt unwell. However, he had already sent a reply to the marquis’s residence and didn’t want to break his promise. He had no choice but to force himself out of bed and put on his only custom-made luxury outfit, an embroidered winter brocade robe.

Since he had refused to bring Pei Zhao, the carriage Pei Zige had originally arranged for them was suddenly taken away under the excuse that it was needed elsewhere. Left with no alternative, Pei Ji wrapped himself up like a little rice dumpling and set off for the polo grounds.

“Everyone attending today’s polo match belongs to a distinguished or powerful family. Aren’t you afraid of embarrassing the Pei family by showing up dressed so shabbily?”

At some point, Pei Zhao had appeared by the doorway. Standing with his hands behind his back, he looked at Pei Ji disdainfully. “Do you even know how to play polo? Have you ever ridden a horse?”

In Great Sheng, only wealthy and distinguished families could afford to buy horses for their children to practice riding and archery. [stolen content]Even Pei Zhao hadn’t had the opportunity to touch a horse until their father was appointed to an official position in the capital.

“Eldest Brother is so kindhearted. You can teach me how to ride someday.”

Pei Ji couldn’t be bothered arguing with him. Raising his chin, he said, “Xiao Wan, let’s go.”

Pei Zhao watched Pei Ji’s departing figure with a sinister gaze, lightly rubbing the invitation in his hand.

…

Across the vast open fields east of the capital, a grand polo match was underway, intense and dangerous.

This magnificent event was hosted by the Marquis of Pingchang’s Residence. Every prominent official and distinguished noble of any standing had received an invitation.

Seated in the central position of honor was Su Bozhao, the Marquis of Pingchang. Su Changgeng and his younger brother sat on either side of their father. The remaining seats were arranged in tiers according to official rank, closeness of kinship to the imperial clan, and other considerations of status.

Su Changgeng gazed toward the elevated platform built on the northern side of the polo grounds, his thoughts gradually wandering.

It was already so late, yet Pei Ji still hadn’t arrived.

“Young Marquis, there’s a Young Master Pei looking for you.”

Su Changgeng immediately stood. “I’ll go meet him.”

Outside the polo grounds, no matter how painstakingly Pei Ji explained himself to the guards, they insisted on seeing an invitation and refused to let him enter. The journey here had been long, and he’d made his way slowly, one step at a time. After finally arriving with great difficulty, he’d already been waiting for half an hour.

During that time, numerous young masters from aristocratic families had arrived with their parents. Every one of them was dressed in luxurious silk and brocade, looking elegant and distinguished. Compared to them, Pei Ji’s clothing seemed rather shabby, even inferior to that of their attendants, earning him quite a few disdainful glances.

“Brother, I really do know the young marquis.”

Since he couldn’t get inside, Pei Ji decided to use his wits. There was a hole in the fence about fifty meters away. Perhaps he could squeeze through it.

His bright, clear eyes blinked timidly as he signaled for Xiao Wan to retreat first. Just then, a tall figure suddenly appeared. His eyes widened slightly. “Brother Su!”

Upon seeing him, Su Changgeng quickened his pace and hurried over.

The surrounding guards immediately lowered their heads and bowed in unison, startling Xiao Wan.

“Younger Brother Pei, you don’t look very well.” Su Changgeng immediately noticed Pei Ji, who was wrapped up so thoroughly that he looked round and plump. Concern filled his eyes. “Are you ill?”

“I caught a cold a few days ago, but it’s nothing serious.” Upon seeing Su Changgeng, even Pei Ji’s sickly listlessness seemed to lessen. “I couldn’t find my invitation, so I was delayed for a while.”

“That’s all right.” Su Changgeng studied Pei Ji before suddenly removing his own cloak. “Younger Brother Pei, put this on. Let’s go watch the polo match.”

Pei Ji’s long eyelashes fluttered gently, and his voice was filled with delight. “Okay.”

Although the polo match had already begun, Su Changgeng’s appearance still attracted countless curious glances. Accompanied by Pei Ji, he passed through the most secluded seating areas and headed straight toward the seats of honor.

Wherever they walked, the surrounding chatter gradually died away.

“Which family’s young master is that beside the young marquis?”

“He looks unfamiliar. I don’t recognize him.”

Seeing countless gazes turn toward him at once, Pei Ji felt a little embarrassed, especially since he was wearing Su Changgeng’s cloak.

“Brother Su, don’t you need to attend to something first?”

“I can just find a corner and sit there.”

A gust of cold wind swept past, and Pei Ji couldn’t help coughing.

Seeing that he was already struggling to remain steady on his feet, Su Changgeng gently reminded him, “Since you’re ill, Younger Brother Pei, you really should be resting at home.”

“Mainly because I missed Brother Su.” Pei Ji tilted his head to watch the fierce competition on the polo field and muttered, “I also wanted to eat snacks while watching the match.”

Before he realized it, the two had already reached the central seating area.

Seeing the impressive arrangement, Pei Ji grew secretly nervous.

Surely he wasn’t going to sit here with Su Changgeng?

If he wasn’t mistaken, the man sitting in the very center was the old marquis himself.

He lowered his head and nervously twisted his fingers together.

It was his first time meeting an elder, and he hadn’t even brought any fruit or other gifts.

Su Changgeng chuckled softly and openly wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Don’t be afraid, Younger Brother Pei. We’ll sit together.”

The words “Younger Brother Pei” sounded deep and pleasant. Hearing them filled Pei Ji with happiness, and he even managed to ignore the probing gazes that had been making him feel as though needles were pricking his back.

But as he continued walking beside Su Changgeng, he suddenly felt as though the ground beneath his feet had turned soft and unsteady.

Gradually, the scene before his eyes grew blurry, and the entire world began spinning.

“Younger Brother Pei, what’s wrong?”

Su Changgeng tightened his arm around Pei Ji’s shoulders, his voice filled with anxious concern.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Pei Ji closed his eyes and collapsed into Su Changgeng’s arms.