Ning Xuan thought he had spoken very quietly, but he did not expect a single sentence from him to silence the entire table. Everyone stared at him as if they had seen a ghost. Feng Xuanzhe’s expression, in particular, became even more impossible to read. It was difficult to tell what he was thinking. He seemed pleased, yet at the same time disdainful. The sight made Ning Xuan want to punch someone.
“As expected of someone from Fifth Brother’s residence,” Feng Xuanzhe said with a faint smile. “Even a mere servant is so well-versed in literature.”
Ning Xuan felt rather depressed. After spending so much time around Feng Xuanyi, he had grown accustomed to speaking and acting however he pleased because Feng Xuanyi never cared whether he observed proper etiquette or watched his words. Over time, he had completely lost his sense of restraint. Now, having let something slip again and drawn another remark from Feng Xuanzhe, he could only hope he would not cause trouble for Feng Xuanyi because of it. No matter how dissatisfied he felt, he could only swallow it down and lower his head to eat, pretending he had not heard Feng Xuanzhe’s comment. Because of that, he never saw the sharper, more penetrating look Feng Xuanzhe fixed upon him.
The meal ended with everyone harboring their own thoughts. Feng Xuanzhen departed early, though not before packing an entire food box full of fermented rice dumplings to take with him. After seeing Feng Xuanzhen off, Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhe entered the study together. Ning Xuan should have followed to attend them, but there remained a knot in his heart. He could not stand Feng Xuanzhe’s arrogant, condescending attitude. Being looked down upon himself was one thing, but Feng Xuanzhe had entered Prince Rong’s residence and behaved as though it were his own backyard, issuing commands and carrying himself with complete authority. Ning Xuan followed unwillingly, dragging his feet much more slowly than usual. Whether Feng Xuanyi noticed or not, just as they reached the door, he suddenly instructed, “All of you may leave. No one is needed here.”
With that, he dismissed everyone and entered the study together with Feng Xuanzhe.
Ning Xuan was delighted. He nearly burst into visible excitement on the spot. Rarely did he get free time like this. He immediately wandered over to Yi Xuan and began complaining. “Tell me, what’s so impressive about Prince Yi? He’s just the eldest prince. Just because he’s the Empress’s legitimate son? Our prince is also the Empress’s legitimate son. He was only born four years later. Why does he come to our residence acting so high and mighty, as if he’s terrified people might forget who he is?”
Having spent so much time around Ning Xuan, Yi Xuan had naturally become accustomed to some of his unusual vocabulary. For example, he understood what Ning Xuan meant by “showing off.” At first, Yi Xuan had thought Ning Xuan simply refused to speak properly and insisted on inventing strange expressions. Over time, however, he had grown used to them. In fact, it felt odd when Ning Xuan did not use them. Asking him to speak respectfully and formally, or to quote books and scholars in a refined manner, simply seemed unnatural.
Still, servants were servants. No matter how much favor or trust a master bestowed upon them, they remained servants. Certain thoughts and words were forbidden. The moment he heard Ning Xuan speaking so freely, even someone as carefree as Yi Xuan knew that careless words could bring disaster. He immediately clamped a hand over Ning Xuan’s mouth, terrified he would stir up more trouble. “My little ancestor, please have mercy and save some virtue for yourself. If you keep talking without thinking, one day you won’t even know how your head got chopped off.”
“Is it really that serious?” Ning Xuan asked skeptically. In his mind, they were merely talking in their own residence. What could possibly be wrong with that? If one could not even speak freely at home, where could one speak freely? Of course, Ning Xuan’s thinking was overly idealistic. Although books had taught him about dynastic struggles, political upheavals, and the dangers hidden within imperial families, knowing something in theory and understanding its reality were two very different things. Reality was always far harsher than imagination. “Our prince is also a prince. He’s also the Empress’s legitimate son. Why should he be afraid of him? They’re brothers.”
Yi Xuan knew there was no point trying to explain. Even he himself only understood fragments of the complicated situation and often felt as though he were crossing a river by feeling for stones beneath his feet. He could not even be certain he was reading the political winds correctly, so how could he advise someone else? “Just don’t say things like that again. Not even in this residence. As for what happens around the prince… well, do as you like. But if you don’t want to cause trouble for him, then speak less and do more. At least that won’t get you into trouble.”
Ning Xuan grunted twice in agreement, but inwardly he remained thoroughly dissatisfied. In the end, it all came down to one thing: he simply could not stand seeing Prince Yi force Feng Xuanyi to smile and endure humiliation right in front of him. Who does he think he is? In modern terms, he’s just a rich second-generation heir who also happens to be tall and handsome. I just don’t feel like paying attention to you. So what?
Just because no one was needed in the study did not mean there was no work left to do in the residence. Everyone carried out their assigned duties, leaving Ning Xuan stranded in the courtyard. His situation was awkward. If one considered him a master, he held no official status. The servants did not need to bow deeply or salute him. Yet if one considered him a servant, everyone knew perfectly well what his relationship with Feng Xuanyi actually was. To receive such favor from the prince, and for such a long period of time, was unprecedented within the residence. Though he still officially carried the title of servant, who knew when he might suddenly become a genuine master of the household? When that happened, people would be desperate to curry favor with him. Naturally, no one dared offend him now. Thus, even if they were running around like headless flies with work to do, who would dare trouble Ning Xuan with even a finger’s worth of labor? Apart from the prince himself, who else dared order him around?
As a result, with no one around, Ning Xuan quickly became bored. Usually at this time he would be glued to Feng Xuanyi’s side. They did not necessarily have to do anything together. Feng Xuanyi would handle official matters while Ning Xuan stood nearby, stretching his arms, kicking his legs, yawning out of boredom, or snacking on pastries and treats. Before he knew it, an entire day would pass. It was admittedly a dull existence—one might even compare it to raising a pig—but Ning Xuan enjoyed it immensely. After all, who would complain about spending time with the person they loved?
Now, however, with that routine abruptly interrupted, Ning Xuan suddenly realized that in only three short months, his world had become completely filled with Feng Xuanyi. Every part of his life revolved around him. Every word and action of Feng Xuanyi affected his daily existence. Only now did he feel a trace of fear. If one day he truly lost him, what would become of him?
Irritated, he kicked a pebble across the courtyard and looked around. Usually Qing Zhu and Mo Qi lingered around him so persistently that not even mosquito repellent could drive them away. Yet now they had both vanished without a trace.
Dragging his feet reluctantly, he wandered back to the servant’s room he had occupied when he first came to serve Feng Xuanyi. Pulling over a stool, he sat down. Though no one had lived there for a long time, it was obvious that someone still cleaned it regularly. The room was spotless. There was not even a single speck of dust, let alone a spiderweb. Once again, Ning Xuan found himself admiring the ancient servants’ remarkable talent for flattery. Their attentiveness was extraordinary. Even without knowing whether he would ever see the room or appreciate their efforts, they maintained it tirelessly. It was almost impressive.
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