Li Chengyu stood rooted to the spot. The faint sounds of string and bamboo instruments, along with muted laughter, drifted from the waterside pavilion. The cool breeze brushed past his temples, yet he remained completely oblivious to it.
He was still pondering those few words from Pei Cijing.
Upon careful reflection, Li Chengyu gradually chewed over a different nuance. This Pei Cijing only referred to the royal brother and sister as twins, but absolutely refrained from calling them dragon and phoenix twins.
Twins?
Dragon and phoenix twins?
These two terms echoed repeatedly in his mind, gradually peeling away to reveal entirely different meanings. Dragon and phoenix twins were twins, but twins were not necessarily a dragon and a phoenix!
If an ordinary family gave birth to mixed-sex twins.
They would joyfully declare it an auspicious dragon and phoenix. After all, having both a boy and a girl in one birth was a rare and excellent omen. Who would deliberately use a vague, neutral term like twins to refer to them?
Pei Cijing's phrasing was definitely not unintentional.
He was hinting that this prince and princess, hailed as an auspicious dragon and phoenix since birth, perhaps... were never a dragon and a phoenix to begin with.
Li Chengyu's gaze involuntarily tracked toward the center of the waterside pavilion.
His ninth brother, Li Chenglu, was turning sideways to whisper to an attendant. The slanting sunlight clearly outlined a profile that seemed carved from the exact same mold as Princess Anhe, Li Chanying—the same delicate brows and eyes, the same straight and upturned nose, the same slightly thin yet beautifully contoured lips.
Even the tiny creases between their brows when they frowned slightly were exactly the same.
In the past, he only thought they looked alike, as was normal for twins.
Looking again now...
That was far more than just alike.
That was fundamentally the exact same face!
It was only due to the deliberate distinction in their clothing, hairstyles, and aura that people subconsciously accepted the premise of one boy and one girl. If Chenglu were to change into women's clothes and comb up a woman's hairstyle...
Li Chengyu's Adam's apple bobbed.
An utterly absurd yet increasingly clear image uncontrollably crashed into his mind. Like a stone thrown into a deep pool, the ripples it stirred were spreading outward ring by ring, silently striking against the boundaries of his cognition.
No.
He immediately pinched off that thought.
Too absurd!
Chenglu was a prince, the younger brother who had studied and practiced martial arts alongside him since childhood, whom he had watched grow up! When he was mischievous as a child, he had even secretly flicked Chenglu's... down there. Although it was just childish horseplay, that touch and shape were distinctly...
Li Chengyu's ears inexplicably grew a little hot.
That was undoubtedly a boy!
Yet Pei Cijing's deeply secretive attitude, the strange fact that the imperial physicians could not cure his abdominal pain for years, Chenglu's monthly scheduled agony that left him curled up in misery, and that face which almost perfectly overlapped with Chanying's...
All the clues were now strung together by this subtle hint of twins rather than dragon and phoenix twins, pointing toward a hair-raising yet impossible-to-deny possibility.
Congenital... reversal of yin and yang?
That is to say, although Chenglu looked like a man, in essence, he was actually a woman. If such a thing were exposed, let alone in the royal family, even in an ordinary household, they would be treated as a monster and meet a terrible end...
He slowly inhaled a breath of slightly chilly air, trying to suppress the stormy waves churning in his heart.
This matter involved too much.
It was so immense that he could not even estimate the consequences for a moment.
If it were true.
Then it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor!
It was a colossal joke of confusing the royal bloodline, and an earth-shattering scandal that could shake the foundation of the state!
All those in the know—the midwife who delivered them, the palace servants who attended them back then, the imperial physicians who took their pulse, and even relatives like themselves who had never noticed—could all be dragged into an abyss of eternal damnation.
No wonder Pei Cijing would rather be beaten to death than speak plainly.
He only dared to use twins and the two look exactly alike to guide him to guess it himself.
What a cunning and cautious Pei the Second!
The irritation that had risen in Li Chengyu's heart due to the other party's riddler behavior was gradually replaced by a complex sense of understanding. This was not deliberately being cryptic; there were truly some words that simply could not be spoken aloud.
If he couldn't guess it, then he couldn't guess it.
If he did guess it.
Then it was enough that the two of them knew!
His gaze fell back onto Pei Cijing. The other man still had his eyes lowered, staring at the completely cold tea in his hands. The lines of his profile appeared calm, even somewhat indifferent in the shifting light and shadows, as if that earth-shattering hint just now had not come from his mouth.
Li Chengyu closed his eyes.
When he opened them again.
All the turbulent emotions in his eyes had been pressed down to the deepest bottom of the sea, leaving only his usual calm and decisiveness. He already knew about the anomalies concerning Chenglu.
What remained was verification.
And a proper resolution.
For the sake of Chenglu no longer suffering that agonizing, skin-peeling, and tendon-pulling pain every month, for the sake of his mother the Empress's years of deep anxiety, and to save the life of... this brother who might actually be a sister.
He took a step forward. His movement was very light, yet it carried an unquestionable weight.
Pei Cijing, as if sensing something, lifted his eyes.
Their gazes met.
Li Chengyu said no more about illnesses or secrets. He merely raised his hand and untied a jade pendant hanging at his waist.
The jade's texture was warm and smooth.
It was top-grade mutton-fat white jade.
The jade was as smooth as fat and translucent white throughout, with only a lifelike swimming dragon carved in the center. The dragon's body was sinuous, its head held high. Though it was no larger than a palm, it possessed an inherently noble and awe-inspiring aura.
He handed the jade pendant over.
Young Master Pei, Li Chengyu's voice returned to its usual clear and steady tone, neither high nor low, ensuring only the man before him could hear clearly. For your words today, no matter what the final outcome is, I am in your debt.
He did not use any self-proclaimed title other than I, nor did he specify exactly what Pei Cijing had said. Conversations between smart people did not require too many words.
Everything.
The two of them understood in their hearts.
Pei Cijing looked at the jade pendant presented before his eyes and did not immediately reach out to take it. His eyes flickered, as if weighing the options. Finally, he reached out his hand and steadily accepted the jade pendant.
It was warm to the touch.
You are too polite, Brother Huang, Pei Cijing tugged at the corners of his lips, revealing a smile that wasn't exactly relaxed, but clear enough. I do not remember saying anything.
He knew what this was.
This was hush money, a reward, and moreover, a protective talisman and a promise from the highest circle of power that might prove useful in the future.
Li Chengyu gave him a deep look, a gaze filled with scrutiny and warning.
Keep this item on your person, it may provide some convenience, he left as his final sentence. If you encounter difficulties, you may seek me out using this.
Having said that, he spoke no more.
He turned and left.
The edge of his plain green robe brushed over the smooth floor, and he soon blended into the crowd at the other end of the waterside pavilion, as if he had never stopped there for a long talk.
Clutching the jade pendant that still carried the other man's body heat, Pei Cijing let out a long, silent breath of stale air. The clothes on his back had, at some unknown point, become soaked with cold sweat. Sticking to his skin, it felt a bit chilly when the breeze blew.
He had finally...
Bluffed his way through.
He weighed the jade pendant in his hand and unhesitatingly stuffed it into his inner breast pocket.
As for the reward.
Naturally, it had to be kept safe.
This little gadget might really come in handy at a critical moment. As for the true identity and future plans of that Brother Huang... Pei Cijing decided to temporarily bury his head in the sand.
If the sky fell.
The tall ones would hold it up.
He put back on that lazy, completely uninterested expression. Casually grabbing another pastry, his bored gaze swept over the young masters from various estates who were exuding testosterone all around him...
...
Meanwhile, on the other side where the female guests were seated, it was a completely different scene.
Shen Ninghuan held a cup of sweet osmanthus nectar, taking light sips now and then, her gaze seemingly sweeping casually over the noble ladies in the pavilion.
She remembered Pei Cijing's earlier instruction: "If you hear anything interesting, tell me about it when we go back tonight."
But right now, this flower-viewing banquet was simply too peaceful.
Princess Anhe sat in the seat of honor, smiling and chatting merrily. Although the Ninth Prince had not personally come to the women's section, everyone knew the true purpose of today's occasion: to select a consort for the prince and a husband for the princess.
Among those invited today...
Who wasn't shrewd?
Even if they had countless private grievances and schemes, they would absolutely never cause an embarrassing scene on the surface here in the Princess's estate.
Those who intended to climb the social ladder naturally put all their effort into displaying their talents and virtues. Zither playing, chess, calligraphy, and painting took the stage in turns, and they strove for perfection in their speech and manners.
Those who had no intention of marrying into the royal family were perfectly happy to remain demure and quiet. They absolutely would not steal the spotlight, much less easily trip others up. Causing trouble on such an occasion would be a slap in the face to the prince and princess.
If a thorough investigation were launched, could those underhanded little tricks stand up to scrutiny?
The consequences.
Who could bear them?
Shen Ninghuan sighed softly in her heart.
What a pity.
Truly a pity.
In the end, there were mostly smart people present and too few fools. She listlessly withdrew her gaze. Just as she was feeling bored, Jiang Tian, who was beside her, reached out a finger and poked her cheek.
"Sister Huan, what are you spacing out for?" Jiang Tian's round apricot eyes were full of smiles. "Are you missing your Second Young Master Pei?"
Shen Ninghuan cast her a sidelong glance and raised a hand to lightly poke her forehead. "You just talk too much."
Jiang Tian giggled and dodged, casually picking up a piece of rose pastry from the table and taking a bite. She mumbled indistinctly, "I see those young ladies over there competing to show off their skills, they're about to snap their zither strings. It's so boring. It's much more comfortable talking to you."
Shen Ninghuan's lips curled into a smile.
Jiang Tian was her childhood best friend. She had an innocent and romantic nature, and although she had already reached the hairpin age of adulthood, she was still quite childish. In a setting like today's, she was clearly uncomfortable all over.
After finishing her pastry, Jiang Tian quickly leaned back over.
"Sister Huan," Jiang Tian sat close to Shen Ninghuan, keeping her voice very low, "I... have something I want to ask you about."
Shen Ninghuan turned her head to look at her. "What is it? Just say it straight."
Jiang Tian bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly, looking a bit embarrassed. "It's just... I just wanted to ask, your older brother... Eldest Young Master Shen, is he engaged yet?"
"Oh my, this is so embarrassing!"
"How old am I even? Mother actually asked me to help ask about this, acting like a matchmaker, tying the red thread of marriage... How am I supposed to bring this up! It's not like I want to ask for myself..."
Jiang Tian's inner voice transmitted clearly into Shen Ninghuan's ears.
Hearing this.
She raised an eyebrow slightly, a trace of mischief flashing in her eyes. She deliberately drew out her tone, feigning surprise: "My, I treat you as a good friend, yet you actually... want to be my sister-in-law?"
"No, no!" Jiang Tian waved her hands frantically in a panic, her face growing even redder. "I don't, I'm not, Sister Huan, don't spout nonsense! It's... it's my mother who asked me to help ask!"
She looked left and right to confirm no one was paying attention.
Only then did she lean in closer.
Lowering her voice even more, she said, "My mother has a cousin on her side of the family, and her daughter just reached adulthood this year. Her character and looks are both excellent. Because they heard my father mention at home that Eldest Young Master Shen is exceptionally capable at a young age, diligent in handling cases, and a rare young talent..."
"...that's why they had the intention of forming a marriage alliance."
Jiang Tian paused, her tone becoming even more embarrassed. "My mother was also entrusted by someone else, which is why she asked me to inquire privately. Sister Huan, you... you mustn't misunderstand!"
Shen Ninghuan looked at her anxious attempts to explain and found it amusing inwardly, but on the surface, she revealed an expression of sudden realization tinged with a bit of disappointment: "So that's how it is..."
Her older brother, Shen Mingxuan, was indeed getting on in years.
He originally had a marriage arranged in his early years, but who knew that the girl would have such thin fortune; she caught a sudden illness and passed away before she could even marry into the family. After that, her brother passed the imperial examinations in his early twenties and entered the Court of Judicature and Revision.
He threw himself entirely into his official duties.
His marriage was thus delayed.
Now at twenty-four, he remained all alone. Their father, Shen Zhongcheng, was somewhat anxious about it, but Eldest Young Master Shen himself didn't care much.
Now that someone had their eye on him, it was a good thing.
Shen Ninghuan pondered for a moment.
As a younger sister, it naturally wasn't her place to make decisions regarding her brother's marriage, but since Jiang Tian had brought it up and was entrusted by her elders, she had to give a reply.
"I'll have to ask for my father and brother's opinions on this matter first," Shen Ninghuan said gently. "However, my brother has indeed been busy with a case these past few days, and I'm afraid he can't step away. Once this busy period passes, I'll give you an answer, alright?"
"Of course!" Jiang Tian nodded hastily, a relieved smile appearing on her face. "I was just asked by my mother to inquire, that's all. You don't need to feel put on the spot, Sister Huan."
