Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong

Chapter 167 - Taking a Stroll Outside the Wangfu

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

10. Taking a Stroll Outside the Wangfu

Xie He looked at the person who had come. The light that had just sprung forth in his eyes extinguished right away.

Bai Qiuchi lifted the hem of her dress as she walked down the blood-stained, black stone tiles with disdain. Her pretty, exquisitely made-up face contrasted with her rancorous expression. She smiled at Xie He. “Didn’t expect me?”

She had heard that Xiao Yan had been interrogating Xie He for the last few days non-stop. After thinking it over, she couldn’t help but come to see if Xie He had died yet. She glanced at Xie He’s blood-soaked appearance and couldn’t stop the corner of her lips from rising. It was truly a life worse than death....

Xie He lowered his eyes and didn’t make a sound. He knew that Bai Qiuchi liked His Highness. That was why she found him unpleasant. It was no surprise that Bai Qiuchi would humiliate him.... In the past, he had no way of going against her. He had even less of a chance to do so now.

Bai Qiuchi honed in on the sadness in Xie He’s eyes. When she thought of the intimacy and trust Xiao Yan had shown her the last few days and contrasted it to Xie He miserable state, the grievances she had suppressed in her heart were all freed. She proudly said, “Were you waiting for Gege to come see you?”

Xie He’s eyelashes fluttered.

Bai Qiuchi covered her mouth and laughed. “Don’t be stupid. How could Gege come here? You’re nothing but a lowly servant. Did you think he actually liked you?”

Xie He’s face paled, expression turning ugly. Although he was in deep pain, he did not show it... However, this made Bai Qiuchi feel dissatisfied. She hated Xie He’s look of silent endurance, as if he were unaffected. It was like he didn’t care about what she was saying at all!

Bai Qiuchi pulled at Xie He’s hair, drawing a pained expression on his face. She laughed. “Act pitiful all you want. Unfortunately, even if you die, he won’t even give you so much as another glance! A depraved prostitute who will sleep with anyone, who knows how many men have f*cked you before? And you still hold onto the delusional hope that Gege would be interested in you?”

Xie He’s eyebrows knitted together in pain. Every day, he had been tortured to near death and then brought back. He had persisted through the cruel torture because he hoped that one day, Xiao Yan would realize that...Xie He had never betrayed him....

As long as Xiao Yan knew the truth, he would not treat him like this anymore. This was the only thing that kept him going through his suffering and despair....

When Xie He heard Bai Qiuchi’s words, a deep, stubbornness appeared in Xie He’s eyes. He slowly spoke in a weak voice. “That...is because...His Highness has misunderstood Nu....”

Bai Qiuchi stopped laughing when she saw Xie He’s eyes. After a long time, she raised her head and whispered in Xie He’s ears. “No, he just doesn’t care about you, that’s all.”

“He has never liked you. He only treated you well to trick you, because you were sent by the Crown Prince.” Bai Qiuchi said sweetly, “If it wasn’t for the sake of tricking the Crown Prince, he would have killed you a long time ago. Why would he have left you alone until now? You thought he pitied you. Actually, it was all fake.”

“If he liked you even a little bit, how could he bear to treat you like this? That day, although I was with you, Gege didn’t suspect me at all.”

Bai Qiuchi smiled, enjoying the despair in Xie He’s eyes. “Even if it wasn’t you, it doesn’t matter. In any case, he’ll feel nothing even if you die.”

Xie He’s lips trembled. He had finally been knocked down by these words. His voice was hoarse, “You’re...making it up.”

Bai Qiuchi sneered. “You’re about to die. Why would I need to deceive you? Back then, you should have died kneeling in my courtyard. If it wasn’t because Qi Qing went to get Gege, I would have long since rid myself of you.”

Xie He widened his eyes, seemingly agitated. “What...are you saying...?”

Bai Qiuchi’s expression changed, as if she suddenly realized something. Her tone raised. “It couldn’t be that you thought it was Gege who went to save you that day? That’s...hilarious, hahaha! That day, Qi Qing risked offending Gege and asked him to come over. Gege only reluctantly saved you because of Qi Qing! If it wasn’t for Qi Qing...he wouldn’t even have known where you were!”

Slivers of sorrow gradually emerged in Xie He’s eyes. He didn’t believe it.... Did His Highness really feel nothing for him?

That tender affection, that soft voice and sweet words...everything was fake. It was all for the sake of deceiving the Crown Prince.... The only time Xiao Yan had saved him...had also been because of someone else.... Xiao Yan had never cared about him at all....

But that was only right. Xie He was nothing but a lowly prostitute. This was normal. He was never worthy of His Highness’ pity, after all.

But why did it hurt so much...?

Bai Qiuchi was ecstatic when she saw the hopelessness in Xie He’s eyes. Just like this...you should have died long ago. Why did you have to come back?

If it weren’t for you...I wouldn’t have been forced to betray Gege. This was all your fault!

You destroyed everything. Therefore, you deserve to be tortured like this!

Bai Qiuchi’s lips drew into a disdainful smirk. She stared at Xie He, seeming to really want to say something. But in the end, she didn’t. That secret was hidden inside of her and absolutely could not be uttered so easily. In any case, Xie He would soon die. After that, no one would ever know about it.

Her fingers drifted down from Xie He’s face towards the wound on his shoulder. She dug her nails into his flesh, causing Xie He’s face to warp in pain. He couldn’t help himself from moaning in a raspy, pained voice....

Bai Qiuchi slowly added pressure when she saw Xie He like this. Her eyes were sinister. She might as well just kill him now! Suddenly, a cold voice sounded behind her.

“What are you doing?”

Bai Qiuchi shuddered and turned around, meeting with Xiao Yan’s dark expression. There was an unreadable expression in his shadowed eyes. His thin lips were pulled into a straight line.

Bai Qiuchi’s face paled. Her fingers were still stained with Xie He’s blood, droplets of red liquid dripping down onto the ground. She had accidentally let Xiao Yan see her vicious side.... She hadn’t been able to control herself because of her jealousy. She shouldn’t have acted personally! Bai Qiuchi’s lips parted, voice sounding guilty. “Gege...what are you doing here...?”

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes at her. “I should be asking you this. Why are you here?”

Bai Qiuchi’s eyes darted left and right. Very soon, she thought of an excuse. She timidly hid her hand behind her. “I...sorry...I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t have bullied him....”

She lowered her head, looking embarrassed, as if she was ashamed for letting him see her fierce, jealous side.

Deeply hidden within Xiao Yan’s eyes was derision. He was silent for a while before he spoke up in an indifferent tone. “This kind of place is filthy. A girl like you should not come here from now on.”

Bai Qiuchi immediately nodded and said in a lovable tone, “I won’t come here from now on.”

At that, Xiao Yan gave her a small smile. He reached a hand out to Bai Qiuchi and said, “Let’s go back.”

Bai Qiuchi stared at the smile on Xiao Yan’s handsome, flawless face and her heart started racing. She placed her clean hand in Xiao Yan’s and obediently followed him out.

Xie He hung there. From the moment Xiao Yan had appeared, Xie He’s eyes had been glued to him.

He had stared at the tall, handsome man, hoping to get his pity. But there had been none. Xiao Yan hadn’t even glanced at him. He had only come for Bai Qiuchi.

Xie He watched as Xiao Yan gently led Bai Qiuchi out. Finally, he had no choice but to admit that Bai Qiuchi had been right.

Xiao Yan didn’t care about him at all.

If he cared even the slightest bit for Xie He, then why wasn’t he willing to believe him? Why wouldn’t he listen to Xie He’s explanation? The way he was treating him...it was like he would rather mistanely kill him than to let him go.

To Prince Su, Xiao Yan, what did it matter if a servant at the lowest rung of society were to die?

Xie He shut his eyes. He thought that he was probably about to die. But it didn’t matter. Since he had fallen to the lowest level of society three years ago, he had endured non-stop torture— all sorts of torment, training, humiliation....

Everyone told him that he deserved to suffer because his father had committed a crime. Therefore, he was also a criminal. He had to live to atone for his sins.

And now...would the torture finally end?

He had suffered so much, atone for so long...he wouldn’t have to live like this in his next life, right?

It hurt so much. He was so tired....

Xie He’s mind was fuzzy, like he was dreaming. He once again heard footsteps in the otherwise still prison. He forced himself to open his eyes. Xiao Yan had come back at some unknown point in time, standing before him and staring at him with some kind of emotion in his eyes.

The past few days, Xiao Yan had never come. However, he had paid attention to everything that had happened. Someone would report to him even the tiniest of details. Therefore, he knew about Bai Qiuchi’s arrival as soon as she had stepped foot in the dungeon.

Xiao Yan knew that it would be for the best if he didn’t meddle. He should continue to indulge Bai Qiuchi and not come down here. But...he knew how much Bai Qiuchi hated Xie.... If he hadn’t come, Bai Qiuchi might have killed Xie He.

The ethereal beauty was now covered in blood, looking absolutely miserable.

Xiao Yan didn’t know what the dull ache in his chest was. He might very well have liked Xie He. But this affection was not enough to sway him. He had decided to abandon Xie He.... It was just that... seeing Xie He like this still made his heart ache.

He knew what torture Xie He had endured these last several days. The other was obviously a weak courtesan, but he had still been able to endure the interrogation. He had never changed his tune.

Actually, in the beginning, Xiao Yan had thought that Xie He would admit to it.

“You. Why don’t you confess?” Xiao Yan gazed at Xie He, slowly speaking. His voice was low and filled with repressed emotion.

Xie He’s eyelashes fluttered. A long, long time later, a quiet, nearly inaudible voice sounded. “Nu did not do it...so...Nu cannot confess....”

Xiao Yan’s hands slowly clenched. He peered into Xie He’s beautiful eyes. Although his face was covered in blood, those eyes were as heavenly and clear as they always had been. There was also an unprecedented stubbornness within them.

Xiao Yan had never realized that the humble courtesan that he looked down upon could actually be so obstinate. He was so dazzling, Xiao Yan could not tear his gaze away.

He was pure and clean inside and out. What had been wrong had been Xiao Yan’s own eyes. They had been blinded by the vulgar world, compromising his ability to see the other’s beauty.

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 75.】

Xiao Yan pressed his lips tightly into a straight line, his gaze dark. If it weren’t for this, he would have been willing to love the other for the rest of his life.

It was truly...a pity.

Xiao Yan sighed softly. In the end, he didn’t say a thing and left.

Xie He watched as Xiao Yan’s figure grew smaller. He recalled the gentle interactions they had shared. All of a sudden, he said in a quiet voice, “Your Highness...”

“Have you ever...liked Nu...even just a little bit...?”

Xiao Yan’s steps faltered for a second. But then he continued forward. He did not stop again.

Xie He watched Xiao Yan leave. There was no more hope in his eyes, only deathly stillness.... The question he asked was the only time he had ever stepped out of line. Xiao Yan’s answer made him finally understand that all the gentleness he had given Xie He had been nothing but an illusion. He ought to wake up now.

This was good. From now on, he would never hold any delusional thoughts ever again.

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

Xiao Yan left the dungeon and returned to his room. He shut his eyes and Xie He’s face appeared in his mind and his words echoed in his ears.

Actually, he really wanted to reply, to tell Xie He that he did like him.... But he knew that he could not do anything rash. He shouldn’t say anything unnecessary.

In the end...he had betrayed Xie He’s feelings.

That was what Xiao Yan had suddenly thought. It caused a self-deprecating smile to appear on his lips. This was just a courtesan, his servant. His life and death hung on his words. They weren’t a loving couple. What’s this talk about betraying him...?

Xiao Yan sat there like this for a long time. In the end, he stood up and had someone call for Qi Qing.

Qi Qing arrived at Xiao Yan’s. Recently, he’d been busy, working nonstop. He said to Xiao Yan in a deferential tone, “Your Highness, you have a command?”

Xiao Yan opened his eyes, a complicated emotion flitting through. He slowly said, “Take Yuan Jin out of here. Then tell Bai Qiuchi that he died.”

Qi Qing looked up at Xiao Yan in pleasant surprise. Was His Highness finally willing to let Yuan Jin off?!

Xiao Yan said, “Our goal has been accomplished. There’s no reason for him to remain.... There’s also a one-hundred-year-old ginseng in the storehouse. Take it with you. Whether he survives...we’ll leave it up to fate.”

After saying this, Xiao Yan shut his eyes again. He seemed weary to the bone.

He had said ‘leave it up to fate’ once before. But although they were the same words...he felt completely different.

Upon getting Xiao Yan’s permission, Qi Qing was itching to go get Xie He right away. He rushed to grab the ginseng. He would not feel assured letting anyone else do this so he personally went to take Xie He from the dungeons.

That night, Qi Qing took Xie He away from the wangfu and settled him down in an unremarkable wooden house. He also invited a doctor to come examine him.

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

【444：Host dada. QAQ】

【Xie He：Baby, did you have fun? Smile.JPG】

【444：QAQ】

【Xie He：I told you I wouldn’t die. 🙂 】

【444：......】

【Xie He：Speaking of which, I had been a bit worried that Young Miss Bai would accidentally let it slip in her moment of excitement. If she did, I wouldn’t be able to leave the wangfu. Young Miss Bai’s words were just right. She accomplished her goal and didn’t go overboard. She did not fail to live up to my expectations. Gratified.JPG】

【444：But if she doesn’t spill it...how will Xiao Yan find out the truth? _(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：There are three possible scenarios. The worst case scenario is that Young Miss Bai lets it slip herself. This is the last resort. It’s a perfect tactic. After all, it’s not hard to entice her to say it out. I will make her say it if and when I need her to. Smile.JPG】

【444：Then what’s the best and second best scenario?】

【Xie He: We have to wait for a good opportunity. Monitor Xiao Yan for me. 🙂 】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn!】Yi? Host dada didn’t explain it to him. Did he forget? _(:зゝ∠)_

Xie He slowly opened his eyes and met with a face very close to his own. Qi Qing was nervously feeding Xie He medicine right now. The medicine was really bitter, but Xie He couldn’t feel anything. He only quietly drank it. After he finished drinking, Qi Qing laid him back on the bed.

Xie He could see that he was no longer in the dungeons. He was now lying on a bed in a change of clean clothes. Confusion flashed through his eyes. “This is....”

Qi Qing looked at him with tender eyes. He said, “We’re outside.”

Xie He mulled over this before hesitatingly casting his eyes onto Qi Qing. He said, “Was it Daren who saved Nu...?”

Qi Qing paused and thought about it before slowly nodding. Although Xiao Yan had ordered him to save Xie He, Xiao Yan had not allowed him to tell Xie He it was him. Qi Qing would never speak without orders. Actually, they were already taking a risk by letting Xie He out. His Highness was already being lenient.

Xie He’s eyes grew watery. It wasn’t like he couldn’t see the feelings Qi Qing had for him. He just didn’t think that Qi Qing would go to such lengths for him. He slowly said, “Nu doesn’t deserve... daren doing such a thing....”

Qi Qing’s heart ached for Xie He. The other was such a good person but had been tormented into such a state. Even so, he was worried about implicating Qi Qing and he did not hold a grudge against Qi Qing for being unable to protect him....

Qi Qing paused, gently grabbing hold of Xie He’s hand. He said, “You do deserve it.”

This would be the last time he ever followed Xiao Yan’s orders to abandon Xie He. From now on, even if it meant disobeying Xiao Yan’s orders, he would never let Xie He fall into harm’s way again.

【Ding, Qi Qing’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 90.】

Qi Qing had many things to do and could not stay long. He looked at Xie He, reluctant to part and said, “You can rest here at ease. Get better soon.”

After saying this, he left. Qi Qing employed a reliable, elderly female servant to take care of Xie He. There was no one on this mountain, so Xie He would be safe.

Xie He’s body was very frail. Although the ginseng would help him stay alive and he had been fed only the most precious of medicinal ingredients, he still spent most of his time asleep. The elderly female servant always felt like he would not be able to make it, but Xie He still managed to overcome this ordeal.

His body was covered in scars. Except for his face, there was no patch of untouched skin. Furthermore, because he had suffered so much torture in the dark dungeons, his original, unhealed knee injury had become a chronic issue that could not longer be fixed. It was difficult for him to walk without a walking stick.

The elderly female servant who took care of Xie He was called Mrs. Zhao. She was a hunter’s wife. In the beginning, her eyes would involuntarily turn red when she helped Xie He wipe down. Later on, when Xie He recovered a bit and could do it on his own, he did not bother Mrs. Zhao with this task again. After Mrs. Zhao and Xie He spent some time together, although she didn’t know who he was, she thought that he was a very pitiful, kindhearted, gentle and sensible child.

Xie He stayed in the little wooden house by himself. Mrs. Zhao would return to her own home at night, leaving him alone.

Because Xie He was unwell, he didn’t bother moving around. He stayed at home all the time and recuperated. He would eat, drink, play games and tease 444.

【Xie He：Baby, how’s it going on Xiao Yan’s side? Have you been watching him properly for me? 】

【444：Yes!】

【Xie He：Let me see. Smile.JPG】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn!】

After Xie He watched the recordings, he smiled and continued to chat with 444.

【Xie He：That Gong Min is a crafty one. He didn’t join Xiao Yan’s camp at once. However, Xiao Yan is even more sly.... He purposely leaked news to the Crown Prince that he had met with Gong Min several times. This will force Gong Min to have no choice but to side with Xiao Yan.】

【444：(⊙o⊙) I see!】Although he doesn’t really get it, Host dada is always right!

【Xie He：There’s no rush with XiaoXiao. I’ll deal with him after he’s sorted Gong Min out. How’s Xiao Song?】

【444：Since you were bought, Song Heng has never given up looking for you. But he has no idea where you are.】

【Xie He：Very good. Time to take advantage of XiaoXiao and Xiao Qing being too busy to pay me any attention. It’s about time to meet my old paramour again. After all, I can’t let 8000 experience points go to waste. 🙂 】

【444：O(∩_∩)O~】

Xie He rested for some time and his condition improved greatly. Although many of his injuries had not fully healed yet, they were not wounds that could heal in a short time anyway.

At the start, he never left the house. But later on, he would occasionally go outside with his walking stick for a stroll when the weather was nice. When Mrs. Zhao saw that Xie He had gotten much better, except for preparing his meals every day, she didn’t stick around most of the time. After all, she had her own man and children to take care of.

Xie He knew that Qi Qing was taking a risk, saving him from the wangfu. Therefore, he never descended the mountain, let alone go anywhere populated. He stayed in the mountain, content with his own lot.

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

Spring had come and the flowers were in full bloom. It was the perfect time for a hike. Song Heng had been invited out by his schoolmate, but his mind was elsewhere.

He could still remember the last conversation he and Yuan Jin had exchanged. Song Heng had told the other to wait for him.

But Yuan Jin hadn’t been able to wait. When Song Heng had gone to visit him, Yuan Jin had already disappeared. Song Heng had angrily gone to question the mama-san, but he only got a roundabout, derisive answer. Moreover, no matter how he pressed her, the mama-san would not tell him who had bought Yuan Jin.

Song Heng did everything he could to find Yuan Jin, getting all the information he could. But it was like Yuan Jin had disappeared from the surface of the planet. He didn’t hear of any rich families buying him....

Every night, he would wake up from his dreams and wonder who Yuan Jin had been bought by, and whether they treated him kindly.

Song Heng’s friends had noticed that he looked like he had gotten his heart broken. That was why they had tried to think of ways to take the other to brothels to seek pleasure. But Song Heng never stepped foot in one again. He had never been fond of brothels. He had always avoided immorality. If it weren’t for Yuan Jin, why would he ever go to such a place?

His friends had stopped insisting soon after. They teased Song Heng for being so infatuated and hell bent on one person and for actually falling in love with a courtesan.

Today, the sky was clear and bright. The resplendid sunlight shone down on the world. Song Heng had agreed to go on a hike with his classmate. Their party headed to a mountain on the outskirts of the Capital. This mountain was not famous. Usually, few people came. There were only a few peasant hunter families living here. But the wild flowers were in full, beautiful bloom and it was quiet here. The scholars and poets had thus decided to make the trek here.

Song Heng’s mood was dark. He looked at the full fields of grass and the flowers swaying in the wind and couldn’t help but think of Yuan Jin.

A delicate youth like him might have been bought by some uncouth profiteer. Yuan Jin may be fading away from the torment as he was thinking... Meanwhile, Song Heng had no idea where the other even was.

Song Heng’s friend knew that he must have been thinking of some heartbreaking matter when he saw Song Heng’s expression. He felt extremely helpless. “Stop thinking about it. The person you love is so good-looking. No matter who bought him, they would definitely cherish him and treat him like he was a precious treasure.”

Song Heng sighed and said, “I can only hope that that’s the case.”

They continued forwards and arrived deep into the forest grounds. They discovered that, although this place was not renowned, the scenery was not bad. Song Heng leisurely fell to the back of the pack, gazing all around him. Suddenly, a familiar, slender silhouette appeared before him. That person was dressed in a garment made of coarse cloth. His long hair was bound behind him. He was leaning down, picking wild herbs and placing it into the basket on his back. The other turned his head slightly, revealing a soft, beautiful profile.

Song Heng’s breath caught in his throat.

The author has something to say:

We’re going to abuse the gong next chapter. The author has really done her best to ensure that we can abuse the gong as soon as possible. _(:зゝ∠)_

Eve: Song Heng gives me big Ning Qi vibes (the father-son arc). More sweetness from him to come (which only makes the fact that they can’t be together far more painful).

sere: saddddd