Episode 6: Kidnapping Threat

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When Shen Xunqing had just left the palace, Yu Huan waited quietly at the inn for an entire morning. Then, he silently went to the old spot he had originally chosen, set up his stall, and announced his name. Since the examination was still several days away, he would have to keep working until then to earn back his travel expenses.

Fortunately, his luck was fairly good. Today was a perfect sunny day, and as soon as his business opened, customers came continuously.

Selling calligraphy and paintings was secondary; most customers came to commission him to write letters on their behalf. Yu Huan listened quietly to their conversations while writing.

Most of these customers were women, and as they waited, they began chatting among themselves.

“Hey, have you heard? The young master of the Shen residence caused trouble again!”

“What kind of trouble?”

“Tsk, what else? He kidnapped another handsome young master and took him away! You don’t know, Master Shen was so furious he fainted on the spot!”

“Ah! Kidnapping a man? I didn’t know there were people who liked that…”

“Who says not?”

...

Yu Huan frowned, his hand holding the brush suddenly paused. “Hey, I haven’t finished yet, why’d you stop?” the girl standing in front of him asked in confusion.

Snapping back to attention, Yu Huan smiled slightly. “Sorry, I got distracted. Could you please say it again?”

At Yu Huan’s smile, the girl’s voice lowered immediately. “Of course, I’ll say it again, but you must listen carefully…”

Yu Huan nodded and replied, “Alright.” Lowering his eyes, he focused intently on writing.

At that moment, Shen Xunqing, who had been watching Yu Huan from a distance, approached.

Yu Huan did not look up, so he did not see Shen Xunqing walking toward him.

Yu Huan was facing a long line of customers, mostly women. Shen Xunqing almost instinctively stepped forward and lightly placed a palm on the slightly worn wooden table, speaking softly, “Yu Huan, do you need my help?”

With Shen Xunqing’s appearance, the line seemed to grow longer, and some people who didn’t want to queue immediately surrounded the two.

Yu Huan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he looked up and smiled. “Young Master Shen, how could I trouble you for help?” Although seeing was believing and hearing was less trustworthy, after listening to those gossiping words, Yu Huan truly did not want to see Shen Xunqing again.

It was not that he believed the rumors, but Yu Huan clearly felt an emotional shift after hearing them. He instinctively thought, why wasn’t I the one kidnapped?

He inwardly despised this thought. They had only met once, but why did he feel as if Shen Xunqing was coming for him?

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The old man at the inn was right in some ways. No matter what, Yu Huan was only a passerby in the imperial city. He only hoped to stay safely until the exams were over. So, if keeping a distance from someone meant peace, then that was a small price to pay. Besides, by all means, he and the young man clearly were not on the same path. Moreover, since he could not associate normally with ordinary people, how could he possibly befriend that youth?

Young Master Shen? A gleam of light flashed in Shen Xunqing’s eyes. Yu Huan met his gaze, both unfamiliar and familiar. Shen Xunqing’s heart sank. He had waited in the mortal world for all these days just for the words “Young Master Shen”? What a joke!

Shen Xunqing felt very annoyed inside but forced a bitter smile. “Young Master Shen? I seem to have offended you. I shall take my leave.” With that, Shen Xunqing turned and walked away expressionlessly.

Yu Huan watched Shen Xunqing’s sorrowful face, slightly parted his lips, and wanted to call him back. His hands clenched involuntarily as the lonely figure gradually disappeared from sight. Only then did he relax slightly, silently reflecting whether his tone had been too harsh just now.

At the Shen Mansion.

The black servant, seeing the master almost enveloped in a dark aura after wandering around, did not dare to disturb him.

Silently following Shen Xunqing into the study, the servant heard him say sharply, “Speak! What is it?” His words were clear, teeth clenched.

The black servant wiped cold sweat and handed over a folded document. “This is the list of examinees sent from the palace. Master, would you like to take a look?”

Shen Xunqing took it, sat by the desk, and flipped through the list.

Nervously, the servant voiced his suggestion. “Master…”

Shen Xunqing’s tone was impatient. “Speak!”

Quickly, the servant said, “Master, should we consider summoning the leader of the Four Oddities, Chi? He may be of help.”

After saying this at top speed, he lowered his head and closed his eyes, waiting for Shen Xunqing to lose his temper.

After a long pause, the servant looked up silently and glanced at the document blocking Shen Xunqing’s eyes. Tentatively, he called, “Master…”

Shen Xunqing asked, “Why summon him?”

The servant responded seriously, “Chi may lack other skills, but his ability in love and persuasion is unmatched. He might be able to assist you.”

The study fell into a terrifying silence. The servant’s face turned pale. Suddenly, a loud bang sounded as Shen Xunqing slammed the document on the desk. “Then summon him! But first, you must complete one task.”

Shen Xunqing’s finger tapped on the name Yu Huan circled on the list. “Let’s see where you can run now!”

The servant clenched his fist. “At your command, Master.”

Shen Xunqing smiled oddly. “Go and bring that brat back to me personally!”

The servant looked puzzled. “Bring whom?”

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Shen Xunqing looked up, smiling faintly but with no joy in his eyes. “Haven’t you seen him before? The one I personally sheltered with an umbrella.”

The servant tensed up at that smile. Bind the lady? Hearing this order, his anxious heart mourned for the lady but then relaxed. That made sense—Master didn’t have that much patience after all. That was normal.

The servant replied, “Yes, sir,” and left the study. Since he was to bind the lady, perhaps he should wear gloves to avoid physical contact and prevent Master from blaming him later. With this thought, his steps quickened.

Shen Xunqing picked up a brush from the stand and lightly circled Yu Huan’s name again. He chuckled softly. “It’s not his fault. It’s already a miracle he’s lasted this long. When have I ever had such trouble obtaining something I want?”

Time passed quickly. The sun dipped below the western hills, and the city lights began to glow.

The bustling night market of the imperial city was just beginning. More people came out at night than during the day. As the sun set, Yu Huan packed up and prepared to return to the inn.

After putting his belongings in his room, he was about to go downstairs to greet the old man when suddenly his vision went dark. When his sight cleared again, he was no longer in the inn.

Before him stood a tall, handsome man dressed in gray, raising a fist in greeting. “Mistress, my apologies.”

Yu Huan frowned. What was going on? The man looked very familiar. Softly, Yu Huan said, “You must be mistaken. I am a man—an unmarried man. How could I be ‘Mistress’?”

The black servant shook his head. “Slave, leave!” A familiar voice sounded, and the servant turned and left.

The man in white before him, once smiling gently, now wore an expression cold and unfeeling. “Sorry to meet again. It must be troublesome to see me once more.”

Yu Huan pressed his lips. “I…” It wasn’t what he meant. He wanted to explain but didn’t know where to begin.

Shen Xunqing took in Yu Huan’s bewilderment and said coldly, “From today onward, you are my teacher, my scholar, living in my mansion until your exams are finished.”

Yu Huan looked up to meet Shen Xunqing’s gaze. “Young Master Shen, what do you mean by this?”

Shen Xunqing chuckled lightly. “What else could it mean?” He tossed the folded document to Yu Huan, who caught it and opened it to see his name encircled. Then Shen Xunqing said, “Isn’t it obvious? I’m using my power to bully you. Can’t you tell?”

Hearing this, Yu Huan’s hand holding the document trembled slightly.

Shen Xunqing pointed to the paper and continued, “See that list? It’s the roster of all examinees this time. If you behave, you can stay safely until the exams end. If you don’t…” He propped his chin on his hands and smiled, “Well, sorry, your name won’t be on that list anymore. So, what will you do?”

Yu Huan slowly closed the document. His already chilly heart grew colder still. Lowering his eyes, he missed the slight disappointment in Shen Xunqing’s gaze. “Then, Yu Huan will trouble Young Master Shen.”