Chapter Six: The Fiend

Shen Xunqing rose from a chair nearby and said, "I will arrange for someone to collect your luggage. From today on, you will reside in this room."

Yu Huan also stood up, bowing slightly to Shen Xunqing. "I bid you farewell, Young Master Shen."

Shen Xunqing’s body stiffened abruptly. Without another word, he turned and left.

Yu Huan slept in his clothes. He had expected to lie awake, but to his surprise, he slept until dawn. Upon opening his eyes, he noticed a new incense burner placed on the table. The room was filled with a subtle, lingering fragrance; he presumed the Young Master had ordered it to be lit to aid his sleep.

Whenever Yu Huan thought of Young Master Shen—and of the youth in white—he found it impossible to reconcile the two. Yet, he had no choice but to believe it; the reality was right before his eyes.

The youth had been the second person since his arrival in the capital to show him kindness, yet he was also the first to abduct him. Yu Huan was merely a destitute scholar, and he could not fathom why the youth would go to such great lengths to bring him here.

Yu Huan only wished to complete his examinations and return home. With this thought, his troubled mind cleared. Nothing mattered but the exams. If agreeing to stay with Young Master Shen would allow him to pass this period in peace, then so be it.

Burying his inexplicable emotions toward the Young Master deep within, Yu Huan cast aside his restless thoughts and prepared to leave the room.

Seeing that Yu Huan was awake, the dark-skinned servant extended a hand in a gesture of invitation. "Please, follow me, Master."

Yu Huan frowned. "Just call me Yu Huan."

The servant nodded and led him to the front hall. There, he grabbed Bai Lian, who was still cradling a bowl of porridge, and led him away, leaving Shen Xunqing and Yu Huan alone.

Yu Huan stood at the threshold, eyes cast downward toward the floor. Seeing this, Shen Xunqing rose and walked toward him, reaching out to take his hand. Yu Huan started in surprise, instinctively trying to pull away, but Shen Xunqing turned back with a helpless expression. "Stop fussing. You cannot freeze me."

Even as Yu Huan tried to break free, Shen Xunqing’s grip only tightened. A gentle warmth began to seep from the palm of his hand into his chest. Yu Huan studied their joined hands closely; Shen Xunqing deliberately raised them and shook them slightly before him.

Yu Huan marveled to himself—to think that someone could touch him without being harmed.

Shen Xunqing led Yu Huan to a seat, served him a bowl of porridge, and handed him a pair of chopsticks. The two ate their breakfast in silence.

***

Once Yu Huan finished his meal, Shen Xunqing reached for his hand again. Yu Huan frowned but did not pull away this time. He merely asked, "Where are we going?"

Shen Xunqing cast him a sidelong glance. "Where else? Didn't we agree yesterday? From today on, you are my tutor, my teacher. Do you mean to tell me you don't need to give me lessons? Or do you intend to eat, drink, and collect a wage in my manor for nothing?"

Yu Huan’s steps faltered, and Shen Xunqing stopped as well. "You abducted me just to have me tutor you?" Yu Huan asked.

Shen Xunqing looked at him in confusion. "What else? What did you think it was for?" The bluntness of Shen Xunqing's gaze made Yu Huan blush. He gave a dry cough. "Then why does the staff in your manor address me as 'Madam'?"

The corner of Shen Xunqing’s mouth twitched, and he gave a soft laugh. "Impossible. They said 'Master,' not 'Madam.' You must have misheard."

Yu Huan raised an eyebrow. His memory was far sharper than the average person's; he knew he had not misheard. It seemed this man was not entirely truthful. Even so, having heard the explanation, his mind was at ease. He asked again, "If you wanted me to teach you, you could have just asked. Why go through the trouble of having me abducted?"

Shen Xunqing turned his head, a faint, melancholic smile touching his lips. "If I had asked, with you calling me 'Young Master Shen' at every turn, do you think you would have helped me?"

Yu Huan had no rebuttal. He knew that if Shen Xunqing had approached him back then, he certainly would have refused.

Shen Xunqing took a deep breath and turned back. "Well? Are you staying or not?"

After a moment of contemplation, Yu Huan nodded. Shen Xunqing took his hand and continued toward the study. Yu Huan followed in silence, deep in thought as he looked at their joined hands.

***

At the Shura Palace, a black crow landed precisely on the shoulder of a man dressed in red. The man narrowed his phoenix eyes, spat out the blade of dogtail grass he had been chewing, and leaped down from a tree two zhang high. He brushed the dust from his clothes, took the crow from his shoulder, and scratched its neck. "Brother Slave, what is it?"

The black crow opened its beak, and the voice that emerged was unmistakably that of the dark-skinned servant. "Follow this bird. The Master has summoned you."

The man in red laughed playfully. "Oh? Has the sun risen in the west? The Master is actually summoning me? Isn't he afraid I'll cause trouble?"

The black crow rolled its eyes at Chi with resignation. "This is your last chance. Are you choosing to come out, or will you stay locked in the palace?"

Chi waved his hands hurriedly. "Don't be like that! I was only joking. I'm leaving now, I'm leaving!"

With that, Chi vanished into the air. Mei, Wang, and Liang watched the red blur disappear and sighed in unison. Mei looked shocked, pointing to her own head. "Master... has he lost his mind? He’s actually letting out Chi, who loves slaughter the most!"

Wang looked at her helplessly. "Sister Mei, watch your tongue! We are still inside the Shura Palace!"

Liang nodded in agreement, head bowed as he continued to polish his weapon.

Following the black crow, Chi hurried along and arrived at the Shen Prince’s Manor just before sunset. The dark-skinned servant was waiting, waving for him to descend. Chi landed safely, and the black crow gradually dissipated.

Seeing the servant, Chi walked up and slung an arm around his shoulder, grinning. "What is it, Brother Slave? What’s the matter? Why the rush?"

The servant looked at the gloating Chi with frustration. His eyes dropped to the view revealed by Chi’s open robe—a sight that left nothing to the imagination. Without hesitation, the servant slapped the self-satisfied Chi across the face. "How many times have I told you? When you go out, can you at least fasten your inner robes? Can you?!"

Caught off guard, Chi was slapped to the ground, landing face-first. He rubbed his nose with a look of grievance but didn't stand up, instead looking up at the servant with watery eyes. "Go easy, Brother Slave! I wear so little so that things are more convenient! Besides, great men don't sweat the small details. Haven't I covered everything that needs covering?"

Hearing this, the servant’s face darkened. He gave Chi two more sharp kicks, aiming specifically for his face. "You covered it? Where did you cover anything? Wearing a red robe with your clothes hanging wide open—what are you trying to do? And 'that business'—I called you here, but do you think it was for *that*?"

Chi’s fair face swelled up instantly. He scrambled to his feet, rubbing his face. "Stop, stop! I was wrong, is that not enough?"

The servant withdrew his foot, impatient. "Get over here, now! I have something to tell you!"

Chi sighed softly and muttered, "Oh." He followed obediently behind the servant as they entered the room.