Chapter 41

Gong Wuchang was probably out of his mind.

Wen Besang did not find it particularly surprising, as he had always viewed Crown Prince Chengyun as somewhat abnormal.

Whether he wanted to be a servant or a dog, Wen Besang did not mind in the least. In his eyes, there was no difference between a person and a dog, and the distinction between a servant and a master was even smaller.

Actually, he thought that if Gong Wuchang were a dog, he would likely be an exceptionally annoying large wolfhound, baring his teeth all day long—certainly not as affectionate as the one he raised in his childhood.

...Well, perhaps not entirely unaffectionate. For instance, the food Gong Wuchang fed him was usually what he preferred, and often, while he was still half-asleep, his clothes would already be neatly put on by someone.

If he felt extremely sleepy in the morning, he could lean against the other man's shoulder and doze for a little while.

The carriage stopped before the gates of the Crown Prince's Residence. Qi Song and Pang Qi stood side by side, watching the Crown Prince carry someone into the carriage.

"Has His Highness been acting a bit strange lately?"

"Even you've noticed." Pang Qi dropped his hands and said, "His Highness simply cannot keep his wife out of his hands these days. I'd say he's truly fallen head over heels."

"Last night, the Young Master was thirsty, and the Crown Prince personally got out of bed to pour him water."

"Heh... His Highness has chased everyone away recently; how could you possibly know that?"

"The dark guard assigned to night watch had a sudden stomachache, so I filled in for him."

Pang Qi muttered, "Good grief..."

With New Year's Eve fast approaching, the streets were packed with people, and every stall radiated a festive atmosphere. Stalls selling peach-wood warding charms and New Year paintings stood shoulder to shoulder.

The carriage stopped on one of the busiest streets in the outer city. Wen Besang hopped down, while Chengyun held his veiled hat.

Indeed, no one had bothered him lately, and Wen Besang had almost forgotten what the world looked like through a veiled hat.

Walking forward, he suddenly heard a familiar voice, "Young Master, over here!"

Turning his head, he saw Lou Zhao standing in front of a stall laden with firecrackers, waving at him.

Wen Besang walked over, picked one up casually to examine it, and realized that these items seemed to have come from Chen Changfeng, as nearly all the fireworks were crafted by his hand.

He glanced back at Chengyun, who pointed behind him. Lou Zhao stepped aside and made a smiling, welcoming gesture.

Hesitating slightly, Wen Besang cautiously took a step forward, then glanced at Chengyun, who also walked over, sat down on another stool nearby, and asked, "How does this compare to Yunzhou?"

"In ordinary times, there's no comparison, but now that it's the New Year, Yunzhou is just as lively."

He picked up a small dragon-roar firecracker, weighed it in his hand, and asked, "Is it alright for us to sell these here?"

"It's fine during the day. Once everyone lights their lanterns at night, it won't be as convenient to display them on a stall."

Wen Besang let out an "en" and sat quietly to the side.

His gaze fixed on the people passing back and forth before the stall, and his upright posture made him look like a delicate jade carving.

Chengyun's original intention was to let him reminisce about his childhood to cheer him up, mostly wanting to see what he looked like buying things when he was little.

Seeing him like this, Chengyun couldn't help asking out of curiosity, "Is this how you sell firecrackers?"

Wen Besang kept his eyes on the street. "En."

"Look at the others; everyone else is hawking their wares."

"Father never made me hawk anything," Wen Besang said earnestly. "He told me to sit quietly and not run around."

Chengyun smiled silently, finding this entirely expected.

After all, having been considered brain-addled by his own father since childhood, how could he possibly sell firecrackers with any flair?

The stall had been set up for nearly half an hour. People constantly glanced their way, but not a single person came over to ask the price.

Lou Zhao's gaze landed on Chengyun, and he quietly tugged at Qi Song, who was holding a saber.

Qi Song raised his gaze and saw that His Highness the Crown Prince was resting his elbows on the stall, staring with deep affection at Wen Besang, who sat beside him with his hands folded neatly on his knees in an impeccably well-behaved posture.

A smile that could only be described as doting hung on his face.

The occasional passerby on the street could not help but throw them a few extra glances.

Qi Song: "...This is far too brazen."

"You're being too polite," Lou Zhao whispered. "This is clearly showing no regard for shame at all..."

"How did things suddenly turn out like this?"

"Shall we go back and ask the dark guard brothers?"

"Surely it's not worth risking our lives over something like this..."

"Why don't you give him a hint?"

"Why don't *you* give him a hint?"

"I can't beat him..."

"I wouldn't dare strike him either..."

"Do you two really think Gu cannot hear you?" Chengyun was still smiling, his gaze still fixed on Wen Besang. His words drifted lightly, clearly wishing not to let his warning ruin the atmosphere.

The two men shut their mouths slightly. Lou Zhao stepped forward and began to hawk, "Firecrackers! Selling firecrackers! Handcrafted firecrackers, suitable for all ages!"

Soon, someone was attracted and looked over, first spotting the delicate young master sitting upright on the chair with clear, limpid eyes, gazing longingly in their direction.

Just as the person was about to approach, they turned their head and caught sight of the shameless Crown Prince.

The benevolent expression vanished, and the person walked away with a look of hesitation.

Lou Zhao gave the Crown Prince a look that defied description.

Gradually noticing something, Wen Besang turned his head to look at Chengyun. Before he could speak, the other man handed him a dried plum. "Want some?"

Wen Besang paused, took it into his mouth, and resumed watching the street.

At that moment, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from the street, "Asang!"

Wen Besang raised his eyes and immediately straightened his posture.

"Wait—" Before Xie Lingshu could finish, Xie Nihong came running straight toward them with a face full of pleasant surprise. "Why are you out here selling firecrackers?"

Wen Besang picked up a "Golden Jade Full House" firecracker and handed it over. His attitude was not particularly warm, but very sincere. "Want to play?"

"Play, of course I want to play!" Xie Nihong took it immediately, her face lit up with excitement. "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Shall we go watch fireworks together tonight?"

Wen Besang nodded.

Across the street, Xie Lingshu knitted his brows, glanced cautiously to the left and right, and walked over, saying, "With so many eyes here, does the Crown Prince really not fear assassination by setting up a stall like this?"

More importantly, you are the Crown Prince of a nation—what kind of stall are you setting up?!

The moment Xie Nihong approached, Chengyun had instantly regained his dignity, saying indifferently, "That is a matter for Gu's guards to worry about. City Lord Xie is overthinking."

Seemingly recalling something, Xie Nihong probed, "It should be fine, right? Everyone is busy celebrating the New Year now, and no one has targeted us recently."

Xie Lingshu shot her a glance. Xie Nihong felt a twinge of guilt and looked at Wen Besang with lingering reluctance. "Then we'll leave first. See you at the suburban dock tonight?"

"Alright."

The brother and sister soon departed.

Chengyun watched them walk away, his chin raised slightly, his expression contemplative.

Wen Besang had already sat back down. Chengyun withdrew his gaze, moved his stool closer to him, and asked, "Xie Lingshu and his sister didn't come specifically to find you, did they?"

"I don't know."

"Didn't they say anything to you?"

"No," Wen Besang replied, his voice gradually trailing off. "Is something wrong?"

Even with his dull wits, he could tell Xie Lingshu was acting rather strange.

"Recently, those two siblings have seemed to be wandering about aimlessly, but I've discovered they frequently visit underground venues, trading information with brokers. They haven't even been in the city for a month, yet they've visited the former site of the Star-Moon Tower multiple times."

"You're investigating them?"

"Their whereabouts are shrouded in mystery with unknown motives; naturally, Gu must investigate clearly."

That point was undeniable. Gentleman's City was so close to Qi, and as the Crown Prince of Liang, Chengyun naturally had to take precautions.

Wen Besang could not help but glance once more in the direction where the siblings had disappeared.

What could Gentleman's City possibly have to do with the Star-Moon Tower?

By evening, Wen Besang had managed to sell a few firecrackers. As lanterns began to flicker to life, all the flammable goods were packed back into the carriage.

Winter nights fell early. When the carriage reached the outskirts of the city, the sky was pitch black.

With the New Year upon them, the outskirts were brilliantly lit, with yellowish paper lanterns hanging from every stall. Wen Besang wove through the crowd, searching left and right, and soon spotted Xie Nihong's figure by the dock.

The Ming River was already covered by a thick layer of ice. On the ice, youths were skating, children were running wildly, and masked young ladies accompanied by their partners stood or strolled about.

Xie Nihong was setting off fireworks, accompanied by Song Qianfan and the other two, who were watching her anxiously as she lit the fuse.

When the fireworks began to sizzle, the young girl immediately covered her ears and scurried away, hopping and squealing with delight as she watched the sparks shoot into the sky.

Amidst the clamor, Xie Lingshu leaned against a withered tree by the edge of the ice, looking preoccupied. He occasionally glanced left and right, appearing calm yet cautious.

Wen Besang walked straight toward him and asked bluntly, "What's wrong with you?"

Xie Lingshu glanced at Chengyun, hesitating slightly.

Chengyun raised an eyebrow. "Being followed?"

Xie Lingshu frowned. "How did you know?"

"After our meeting that day, I expected you both to come to the Crown Prince's Residence to find Asang, but you didn't show up for so long, which clearly meant you were entangled in some trivial matters."

Xie Lingshu had not expected him to be so sharp. He nodded slightly, turned, and walked toward a dark, unlit patch of inkiness on one side. Seen from a distance, only the silhouettes of the three figures were visible.

"Indeed. Ah Hong has always wanted to come find you." These words were addressed to Wen Besang. "But I persuaded her otherwise, fearing it would bring you trouble."

Chengyun asked, "What kind of people are following you?"

Xie Lingshu did not conceal the truth. "I'm not sure, but judging by their movement techniques, it doesn't look like the martial arts of your Liang State."

Chengyun did not appear surprised. "After all, you are people from Gentleman's City. Coming to Shengjing is one thing, but to be dealing with Gu, the Crown Prince of Liang, it's hardly surprising if you've caught the eye of Qi spies."

"It seems I underestimated the enemy."

"Gentleman's City has remained neutral for all these years. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have sent people to Shengjing in the first place," Wen Besang said. "Compared to intelligence agents who have roamed Shengjing for years and the native Ministry of Stability, your skills in concealing your tracks naturally fall short."

Though meant as comfort, Xie Lingshu couldn't help a wry smile, lowering his voice, "Have you been eating well lately?"

Chengyun's expression turned cold, while Wen Besang had already nodded. "Why are you inquiring about the Star-Moon Tower?"

As the words fell, Xie Lingshu and Chengyun both tensed up, clearly not expecting him to blurt out so casually a matter of such monumental importance to them both.

Wen Besang showed not a shred of panic, pointing at Chengyun. "He found out."

The two men immediately glared at each other, their expressions filled with utter vigilance, as if waiting for the other to make a move so they could retaliate.

Xie Lingshu's eyes clearly expressed: *What do you mean by this?*

Chengyun replied with a look: *I harbor no malicious intent anyway.*