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Chapter 160 - There are Helper Gongs Everywhere in the Wangfu

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

3. There are Helper Gongs Everywhere in the Wangfu

Xie He swept the garden at an exasperatingly slow speed for a very long time. Despite this, he hadn’t managed to finish even half of the garden. The servants of the wangfu stared at him as they passed by, pointing at him with disdain in their eyes. Even though they were also nothing but servants, they still felt an inexplicable superiority when in front of a courtesan, one who served men sexually.

This was the olden times. Because he had a low status, anyone could jeer and look down on him.

Xie He cast his gaze downwards. In fact, he wasn’t paying attention. This was because he was listening to 444 broadcast the wangfu gossip to him in real time. He was having a grand time listening to it.

Wherever there were people, there would be gossip. These servants got hold of information fast and they had a lot of it. Their mouths would flap whenever they were bored. Indeed, Xie He was able to obtain useful information. It turns out that Bai Qiuchi also came from Jiangzhou. She had unexpectedly come from the same place as Yuan Jin. It was by some turn of fate, she was lucky enough to be brought back by Xiao Yan.

What had made Xiao Yan, this coldhearted and aloof descendant of the dragon Prince to be so tolerant of a woman like this? It was very likely that she had saved his life, as only a kindness to that degree would evoke such gratitude. When Xie He linked this to the guilt and fear Bai Qiuchi felt towards Yuan Jin....

Xie He was in deep thought and then something popped up in his mind. He couldn’t stop the corner of his lips from twitching up. If that was the case, then it would be a really good show.

【Xie He：I think I know what happened. Smile.JPG】

【444：What? @[email protected]】

【Xie He：Baby, you still don’t like to use your brain, do you? Couldn’t you have thought about this when transmitting gossip to me? 】

【444：....../(ㄒoㄒ)/~~】

【Xie He：Whatever. In any case, I don’t have any expectations for you anyway. 】

【444：......】I know, ah! You’re only attacking me because you think it’s fun, right?! _(:зゝ∠)_ For the sake of his allowance, he will endure!

【Xie He：Baby, I’m not scolding you. If you don’t use your mind regularly, it will get rusty. I think that I hold a share of the blame for your continued idiocy. It’s because I spoiled you. What will you do if your host becomes someone else? Smile.JPG】

【444：Σ( ° △°|||)︴Host dada, don’t say such scary things!】He was prepared to hug this big thigh for the rest of his life, ah!

【Xie He：Don’t worry, I was just joking. 】

【444：QAQ You scared me to death.】

Xie He swept the grounds for a whole day, but didn’t finish. Indeed, no one came to bring him any food. At night, he dragged the broom back to his own courtyard, cold and hungry.

He came from the Xunhuan House. He knew that he could not continue on like this. If he were to die from illness, he would only be wrapped up in a mat and tossed into a mass grave. Thus, he staggered out to collect a bucket of water before returning to his room. He then used the ice-cold water to slowly clean himself....

【444：Host dada, Qi Qing has come! 】

【Xie He：Very good. 】

Qi Qing had received the order not to watch Xie He anymore, so he had left. When he came back tonight, he discovered that Xie He had worked the whole day with nothing to eat or drink. He had been worried that the other would die of exhaustion, so he had brought some food over, unable to bear seeing the other suffer like this. It was just that, when he arrived, he just so happened to see Xie He carry water into the house. Thus, he could only stand waiting outside.

He didn’t wait for long when he suddenly heard a splash. There were no other sounds of movement after that. Qi Qing was worried. In the end, he couldn’t stand it and burst in!

As soon as he looked inside, he saw that Xie He had fallen next to the wooden bucket. He had fainted.

Xie He had just been washing himself and hadn’t had the chance to get dressed. He was currently lying on the floor naked. His slender body was still littered in the marks from last night. When Qi Qing laid eyes on him, his ears grew red and his heart began to race! He wanted to run away, but when he thought of how Xie He might die if he left, he still went inside after a moment of hesitation.

Qi Qing’s expression was drawn taut. He shut his eyes and carefully carried Xie He to the bed. He then quickly pulled the sheets over Xie He before opening his eyes.

Although he didn’t dare take too close of a look, the smooth touch against his hands and the soft skin rubbing against his palms from when he was holding Xie He evoked a strange feeling in him.... For the first time, Qi Qing felt desire stir inside him. Moreover, Xie He was so light. It was like he weighed nothing.

Qi Qing fixed the sheets, meticulously ensuring that Xie He was fully covered. Not a single bit of him was left exposed. Only then did he examine Xie He’s face. The eyes on that deathly pale little face were shut tight. His long, curled lashes, which were like a feathered fan, cast faint shadows below. Beneath his lovely pale nose were lips as red as a rose decorated with morning dew.

He couldn’t stop the tenderness from seeping out of his eyes.

【Ding, Qi Qing’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 50.】

Qi Qing watched the other for a while before leaving to bring a quilt and stove over.

In the chill of early spring, the room was very dark and cold. There wasn’t even a spark inside. The other’s sheets were coarse and thin as well. The youth was so weak...who knew how he had managed to survive thus far.

Qi Qing covered Xie He with the quilt and then lit a fire inside the house. It became much warmer.

He hesitated before cautiously stretching out a hand to caress Xie He’s forehead. It was a bit warm. If he didn’t wake up in a bit, he may have to call the doctor over.

Xie He’s mind was muddled. Originally, he had felt cold all over. But shortly after, he warmed up. He slowly opened his eyes. Just then, he remembered that he had fainted while bathing.... But he wasn’t on the floor right now. He was lying in a warm bed. He had a thick quilt over him and a fire had been lit in his room.

Xie He was startled. His eyelashes fluttered as he looked up. It was then that he saw a man sitting in the chair before him. The man wasn’t particularly handsome, but he had a stable, cold aura. He was dressed in a black jinzhuang and was currently looking at Xie He with worry in his pitch-black eyes.

Xie He could tell that he wasn’t a mere servant of the wangfu. So, just who was this man? Alarm appeared in Xie He’s eyes. He quickly gathered the quilt and cowered in a corner. He asked in a trembling voice, “W-who are you?”

Did this man see his body? Was he the one who had carried him to the bed? All of this evoked terror in Xie He. In that moment, the fear triumphed over his gratitude.

Although he was nothing but a lowly prostitute who had slept with countless men, since he had been accepted into the wangfu, he could only be His Highness’ from now on. He had to adhere strictly to his code as a servant. If people were to find out that there was something ambiguous going on between him and a man of unknown origin, he would be sold out of the wangfu.... His fate would be even worse than if he were to return to the Xunhuan House. It had been so difficult to escape from there.... If he were to be sold to another brothel, he might as well just die.

Qi Qing could see the alarm and fear in Xie He’s eyes. At first, he felt unhappy, but he very quickly figured out what Xie He was worried about. The silver of unhappiness transformed into pity. He paused and then said, “I am an Imperial guard of the wangfu. Don’t worry. No one saw me come.”

Xie He forced down the terror in his heart and then turned to look at the burning stove in the house. He quietly asked, “D-did you&#k2026;bring this?”

Qi Qing nodded.

Xie He’s eyes glistened, gratitude appearing in them. However, when he looked at Qi Qing again, he spoke in a determined tone, “Many thanks, Daren, but Nu cannot accept this. Please take it with you.”

Qi Qing furrowed his brows and said in a low voice, “Did you know that you fainted today? You will fall sick if you continue on like this.”

Xie He lowered his eyes humbly and said, “Nu has entered the wangfu, therefore Nu must adhere by the wangfu’s rules. Nu should not take what Nu does not deserve.”

Qi Qing thought that Xie He was being pigheaded. He wanted to continue to persuade the other. However, he saw Xie He suddenly look up. There was an undecipherable sorrow and helplessness in those breathtaking, watery eyes. The other slowly said, “Even if Nu dies here, it will be better than dying outside.”

Qi Qing’s heart clenched. He stared at the youth before him.... For him, even if he was treated as a servant or slave in the wangfu, humiliated and mistreated by others...even if he died here...it was still better than having to sell both his body and smile at the Xunhuan House. For that, he was willing to give anything.

Who would be willing to fall to such lows, if given the choice?

If Qi Qing were to do something impulsive, at most, other people would tease him and call him a playboy. Meanwhile, it would drown Xie He.

Qi Qing was silent for a while before saying, “OK, I’ll take it with me.”

Xie He looked at Qi Qing and finally flashed him a small, faint smile of gratitude. He softly said, “Could Nu please request Daren to withdraw for a moment. Nu...Nu will thank Daren after getting dressed.”

Qi Qing immediately stepped out and shut the door for Xie He.

Qi Qing stood there with his back against the door. Xie He’s grateful eyes and his gentle smile had yet to disappear from his mind. Although he was a prostitute, he was gentle and sensible. He dutifully performed his role and...really aroused Qi Qing’s tenderness. If one day, His Highness didn’t want him anymore and Qi Qing were to ask for Xie He, couldn’t he take care of him openly then?

When Qi Qing thought of this, everything seemed to light up in front of him. The more he thought about it, the more he thought that this was a good idea. It wasn’t like he had not seen the girls outside. It was just that no one had moved him or made him feel as tenderhearted as Xie He did. It was only Xie He who made him feel like he wanted to take care of the other for the rest of his life.

If he asked for Xie He, in the future, he would not have to return to a cold home anymore. There would be someone docile and considerate who would prepare dinner for him. Someone would welcome him back with a gentle smile.... It seemed wonderful.

【Ding, Qi Qing’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 60.】

Xie He changed his clothes and pushed the door open. He gave Qi Qing a deep, respectful bow. With a quiet, soft voice, he said, “Many thanks to Daren for your kindness today. It is just that Nu has no way of repaying your kindness...Nu feels ashamed.”

Qi Qing made a quiet cough and said, “It was no bother. You do not need to take it to heart.”

Xie He looked at him, lovely eyes full of gratitude. There was none of the fear from before. He knew now that this person had done what he had, not because he coveted his body, but out of pure kindness. Xie He had fallen into prostitution years ago and had never thought that he would encounter a kindhearted person like this. Xie He bowed to Qi Qing again and then stepped to the side. “Daren, please take these with you.”

Qi Qing didn’t immediately gather his things. He first pulled out a bag made of grease-proof paper. This was the food he had brought for Xie He. He had forgotten to hand it over until now. He smiled. “This is something to eat. Keep it. No one will know.”

Xie He’s gaze fell on the food in Qi Qing’s hands. He finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and his eyes reddened. He didn’t reject it this time and choked out, “OK.”

Qi Qing had finally managed to deliver the food. He felt that this task was even more difficult than the sword battles he engaged in outside. After this, he didn’t take another look at Xie He and went to take the quilt and stove before leaving.

Xie He watched as Qi Qing’s figure grew distant. He then took the grease-proof paper bag inside. When he opened it, he found a very exquisite pastry. He was honestly starving and ate it with relish.

Qi Qing actually hadn’t gone far. He circled around and came back, watching Xie He eat while squatting up high in a tree. Because Xie He had eaten in too much haste, his lips were stained with crumbs. He was extremely adorable.

Qi Qing watched him, reluctant to part, for a long time. But in the end, he still left with his belongings.

【444：Host dada, Qi Qing has left! \\(≧▽≦)/】

【Xie He：Good. 】

Xie He closed the window and lazed on the bed. He told 444 to prepare him a large meal. He hadn’t eaten his fill just now. There was no entertainment or activities at night in the olden times. Everyone went to bed early so Xie He then fell asleep while watching movies.

....................................

The next morning, Qi Qing mulled over it for a while before he called the wangfu’s steward over. He pretended to speak in a nonchalant way. “Yuan Jin was sent here by the Crown Prince. His Highness has ordered not to let him run amok. Watch him...and don’t treat him too harshly.”

The steward knew that Qi Qing was His Highness’ trusted aide. He didn’t doubt the other and nodded. “I understand.”

He had heard that Bai Qiuchi was recently causing trouble for Xie He. It seems like he had to warn those people not to go overboard.

Xie He slept until the next morning. Although he hadn’t finished sweeping yesterday, someone still came to deliver him food. It was no longer cold leftovers either. It was at least on par with what the lower-ranking servants ate. Although it was still simple, he was at least full.

Nonetheless, Xie He still didn’t like the food and continued to eat the System’s food instead.

【Xie He：It looks like Xiao Qing works fast. He must have spoken a few words on my behalf. Smile.JPG】

【444：That’s really great. He’s a good person, ah. ( ⊙ o ⊙ )】

【Xie He：But it’s useless. He doesn’t have the courage to protect me openly. Meanwhile, Bai Qiuchi’s heart is set on killing me. Qi Qing’s actions will only make her even more nervous. She will very quickly think of a new way to get rid of me. Hehe.】

【444：Ah...yi? Why does Bai Qiuchi want to kill you? It can’t be because you’re better looking than she is? Isn’t that too ruthless? _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：......】

【444：Host dada, what’s wrong?】

【Xie He：Cough, nothing. I just think that what you said makes a lot of sense. 】

【444：......】

Bai Qiuchi very quickly heard of the steward’s arrangements. Although she had influence over the wangfu, she didn’t dare go too crazy. She was still an outsider. She could not sentence the wangfu servants to death. Moreover, Yuan Jin hadn’t done anything wrong.... If it was before Yuan Jin had come, she’d let this go. However, Yuan Jin absolutely could not stay!

Even if she had to take a risk, she had to get rid of him!

Yuan Jin was a thorn in Bai Qiuchi’s side. Every night, she had nightmares. She was afraid that His Highness would realize that Yuan Jin was his real saviour. That year, she had only watched from afar as Yuan Jin saved a heavily injured man. She had then picked up the jade pendant Yuan Jin had dropped when he left. She hadn’t really paid any heed to this matter. That man hadn’t looked anything like Prince Su. Furthermore, Yuan Jin hadn’t been dressed like a courtesan either....

Later on, she sold the jade pendant because she had been deep in poverty. And then, the legendary Prince Su arrived at her door! He said that he wanted to thank her for saving his life. Everything...had been like a dream.

In the beginning, she didn’t dare believe it. However, after living this lavish life at the wangfu for two years, she understood that Prince Su was earnest about repaying her for ‘her kindness’.... But she knew that she wasn’t the person Prince Su had been looking for. She was scared and on edge at all times. With His Highness’ temperament, if he found out that she had lied.... Bai Qiuchi felt her heart freeze over.

Two years passed and the thing she was most afraid of happened. Yuan Jin had unexpectedly arrived at the wangfu!

The more Bai Qiuchi thought about this, the more afraid she became. Yuan Jin probably couldn’t recognize Prince Su, but what about Prince Su? Would he not recognize him? No...since Prince Su had relied on that keepsake to judge her as his benefactor, that meant that he didn’t catch sight of Yuan Jin’s appearance back then. But Bai Qiuchi didn’t know what exactly had transpired back then. She couldn’t guarantee that Prince Su would never recognize the other.

Only with Yuan Jin’s death could the secret be hidden forever!

A dark, vicious light flashed through Bai Qiuchi’s eyes. She pondered for a moment and then called her servant girl, Shui Rong, over and gave her some instructions.

Xie He remembered that he hadn’t finished sweeping the garden yesterday. After breakfast, he grabbed his broom and returned to the garden to continue cleaning.

At noon, the momo from yesterday came looking for Xie He. She told him, “Don’t sweep anymore. Who knows when an invalid like you will finish sweeping. Go wash the young miss’ clothes. You should know how to do that at least, right?”

As she said this, she shoved a basin of clothes into Xie He’s arms.

Xie He didn’t resist. He obediently responded with, “Nu will go wash the clothing.”

Xie He arrived at the clothes washing area. He was the only one there at the moment. He poured the clothing out of the basin. It turned out to be a single, exquisitely gorgeous dress. Xie He was a knowledgeable person. He could tell that, with this kind of handiwork and crafting, this dress must be exorbitantly priced, according to the standards of olden times. Bai Qiuchi had no good intentions by letting him wash such a precious garment. Xie He was thus in no rush to wash it. He first shook the dress out and carefully examined it once over. He discovered that there was a hole in an inconspicuous place. The golden thread had come loose. If he were to wash it, the damage would only worsen.

The corner of Xie He’s lips rose. Although this wasn’t a very skillful method, it was effective. In any case, Bai Qiuchi just needed an excuse to get rid of him. Who cares whether a courtesan like him died?

There was no concept of fairness here, only profit. Everyone knew that they had to stand on Bai Qiuchi’s side.

Right now, there was no one around. Bai Qiuchi made it so that he would have no alibi. Xie He tore at the torn area in a carefree manner. The tear immediately turned into a huge hole. He then threw the dress into the water and casually rubbed it a few times before he just kicked back and relaxed.

【Xie He：Baby, let me know when people come over. Smile.JPG】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn!】

The weather was nice today. Xie He basked in the sun for a while. Shortly after, he heard 444 say that people were coming over. He immediately stood up, grabbing hold of the dress. His face was full of panic and helplessness.

Shui Rong and two momo came over and asked Xie He, “Have you finished washing the young miss’ clothes?”

Xie He squeezed the garment, face deathly pale. “Nu....”

Shui Rong could see the huge tear in the clothing in Xie He’s hands at once. She immediately shrieked, “You actually tore her clothes! You—!”

Xie He’s voice was absolutely flustered, “Nu didn’t do it on purpose...the dress originally had a small hole and Nu didn’t notice. That’s why....”

Shui Rong looked furious. She said to Xie He, “Do you know how much this dress costs? Do you know how much the young miss loves this dress? When it was given to you, it was obviously fine! But you dare quibble?!”

She turned to speak to the momo behind her. “Take him to the young miss to be dealt with!”

The two momo immediately grabbed hold of Xie He with rough movements.

Xie He was brought to Bai Qiuchi’s courtyard. He was directly pressed down to the ground and made to kneel. He was trembling all over and kept trying to explain himself. “Nu didn’t do it on purpose....”

Shui Rong didn’t pay him any attention. She brought the dress inside. Shortly after, Bai Qiuchi came out. She had a hand on her chest. It was clear that she was enraged. Her voice shook. “This...is a tribute that His Highness had specially gone to request for me from the palace. And you actually....”

When Xie He heard this, he was so scared his face turned even whiter. His voice quivered, “The dress...originally had a small tear....”

Shui Rong immediately raised her voice in anger. “You’re still talking back? We are never careless when using or safeguarding this dress! How could there be a tear?! Are you trying to shift the blame onto us?!”

Xie He was so anxious his eyes turned red. He said softly, “No, no...Nu really didn’t do it on purpose...Nu doesn’t know why this happened....”

Bai Qiuchi was so infuriated that her chest was heaving. She spat out, “Let him kneel here.”

After saying this, she re-entered the house.

Shui Rong gave Xie He a cold look and said, “Wait until the young miss’ anger has subsided. She will decide what to do with you then!”

The two momo let go of Xie He but Xie He didn’t dare to get up. He knelt in the courtyard, panic in his eyes. The afternoon sun was terribly cruel as he knelt for many shichen. He felt dizzy, his sight was blurry and his lips were chapped. In the end, everything went black as he fainted.

A moment later, he was awoken as someone splashed him with a bucket of cold water.

The two momo hadn’t left. They had watched Xie He kneel the whole time. Now, they cursed him with contempt. “Did you think you could escape punishment by pretending to faint? You made such a huge mistake. You’re getting off easy by being made to kneel.”

Xie He shook. He grit his teeth and continued to kneel.

But his body was really too frail. Not long after, he fainted again. This repeated several times, causing the two momo to lose their patience. They directly tied Xie He’s hands to a wooden stake so that he would continue to kneel even if he fainted. They then sat down on the side, gnawing at melon seeds and chatting.

In a blink of an eye, night fell. The momo went to have dinner. There was no one left in the courtyard. It was like they had all forgotten that Xie He was still kneeling here.

That night, a heavy downpour befell the wangfu. Xie He hadn’t eaten all day and had knelt here for such a long time. He ended up falling completely unconscious. His clothes stuck to his body, soaked from the rain, revealing his emaciated figure. He looked utterly pitiful.

But the wangfu servants had no intentions of letting Xie He off. They were planning on watching as he knelt to his death.

Although Qi Qing had instructed the steward to take care of Xie He, he was still worried that the other was still not eating well. Tonight, he had gone looking for Xie He with food. But unexpectedly, the other wasn’t in his courtyard. Qi Qing immediately felt a bad premonition spring up inside of him. He went to the steward to inquire about Xie He at once. There, he found out that Xie He had ruined Bai Qiuchi’s dress and was kneeling as punishment in Bai Qiuchi’s courtyard.... That dress was indeed expensive so the steward could not go against Bai Qiuchi and help the courtesan.

Qi Qing didn’t blame the steward. Regardless of whether Xie He had really ruined the dress, on the surface, it appeared that he had made a mistake. No one could say anything about Bai Qiuchi punishing a servant who had made a mistake. The steward had no grounds to go ask for Xie He.

Qi Qing rushed to Bai Qiuchi’s courtyard, concerned. There, he saw Xie He kneeling on the ground, hands bound to a wooden stake amidst the dark and turbulent wind and rain. The other’s head was hanging down. It was obvious that he had fainted. Only half of his pale profile could be faintly seen. Qi Qing heart ached greatly! He wanted to rush over and save Xie He at once!

However, he didn’t act rashly. This was Bai Qiuchi’s courtyard. Even if he didn’t like Bai Qiuchi, Bai Qiuchi was still the person who had saved His Highness’ life. His Highness gave her a lot of respect. She was not someone he could butt heads with at will. Moreover, Bai Qiuchi obviously felt hostility towards Xie He. What happened today was very likely intentional.... If Qi Qing were to get involved without careful consideration, Bai Qiuchi may slander Xie He even more. She could claim that Xie He had seduced him and use that as an excuse to further harm Xie He.

Right now, only His Highness’s appearance could save Xie He.... Qi Qing grit his teeth and left.

Xiao Yan was in his study. His stern face was dark. He had a book in his hand.

Qi Qing knocked and quietly called out, “Your Highness.”

Although it was already late at night, Xiao Yan still replied, “Come in.”

Qi Qing was his most trusted and capable subordinate. Something must have happened for him to come looking for him. Xiao Yan glanced at Qi Qing and said in a low voice, “What has happened?”

Qi Qing hesitated. He knew that he was being rash but if he didn’t do anything, Xie He would die. It was just that if he were to directly ask His Highness to save Xie He, His Highness likely wouldn’t go.... Qi Qing gnashed his teeth and then said, “Young Miss Bai’s place...you should go take a look.”

Xiao Yan had little patience for Bai Qiuchi these days. If it wasn’t for back then...how could he bear to tolerate her? Xiao Yan didn’t want to go. However, if Qi Qing was asking him to go, some trouble must have occurred.

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly and finally stood up. He said, “I will go take a look.”

The author has something to say:

After reading the comments, this author fainted from crying in the washroom again. Please give this story some nutrient fluid to soothe my injured heart. Yingyingying. _(:з」∠)_

Eve: My heart really, really hurts for the original YJ. He’s such a pure baby. And it only gets worse. I read halfway through this arc because it hurt too much to read in one go. Yingyingying.

sere: damn ok yall this is only the beginning. Also i totally guessed that backstory.