Chapter 30: Most Ungentlemanly

It took everything in Xie Bian to remain still and not to get up from the bed and strangle the man. He also blamed Fan Wujiu for putting him in this situation to begin with.

Wei Xiangsi's brother continued observing him. It was a detached and clinical analysis. He wasn't interested in Xie Bian in the same way his brother was – his only goal there was to undermine him. While he watched Xie Bian sleep his servant went through his belongings, rummaging through clothes and pockets and putting everything back as he had found it.

The infinity pouch would look like a regular money pouch to anyone who wasn't either him or Fan Wujiu, so it didn't concern him.

But he was afraid of anyone finding Fu Shulin's book. He wasn't sure if he had put it back inside the pouch the last time he took it out to debate whether or not to read it.

"There's nothing out of the ordinary, young master," the servant said, approaching his master's side, his voice barely rose above a whisper. "I found a book."

Xie Bian's breath froze inside his chest when the man said, "Bring it here."

He remained still and stiff while the man flipped through the pages carelessly, shaking the book as if in the hopes that something would fall out. He threw it back towards the servant with an annoyed grunt.

"This person isn't as simple as he looks. There are no trinkets or ornaments in the room. A whore as pretty as him would be drowning in all kinds of expensive love tokens. My brother wouldn't make him give them up even if they came from other patrons, what purpose would that serve? Whats more, the whore would be stupid to accept."

He hummed thoughtfully. "Could he really be a silk merchant?"

He didn't want that to be the case, not only because he despised Wei Xiangsi and wanted to find fault with him at any cost, but crucially because any kind of successful business deal would make him rise in standing.

"I really haven't found anything else, young master," the servant said.

"Maybe the other guest will prove more illuminating."

Just as the two were about to leave, the door swung open once again.

Xie Bian didn't need to hear his frosty voice to recognize Fan Wujiu's presence.

"I'm afraid that young master got turned around and has the wrong room," Fan Wujiu said, "this room is already occupied."

The man and his servant didn't say anything for a long moment. They must have been sure of the infallibility of their plan.

"Yes, your honored self is right! Apologies, I'm afraid I had too much to drink." He slapped the servant next to him upside the head. "This incompetent fool isn't even smart enough to tell me I had the wrong courtyard."

"This servant apologizes."

"This one is called Fan Jiu, pleased to make his lordship's acquaintance."

"Wei Liang, likewise."

They took each other's measure for a long moment, affecting polite smiles while hiding their real intentions.

"Well, young master Fan must have been turned around as well." Wei Liang chuckled with no real humor. "As you said, this room is already occupied."

Xie Bian felt Fan Wujiu approaching, and then the bed dip as he sat next to him. His hand cupped the back of Xie Bian's head almost gently. "I'm well acquainted with this room's occupant. He was expecting my visit."

His words were ambiguous, but the atmosphere had an air of luridness that made Xie Bian's ears heat up.

Fan Wujiu was still touching him, running his fingers through the loose strands of his hair as if combing them. "Which is why it is so odd to find him soundly asleep." He turned to Wei Liang. "Young Master wouldn't know anything about that, would he?"

Wei Liang chortled. He was a tall, slim man, with a thin reedy moustache, but the sound was piggish. The gauntness of his face made him look older than his years.

"How should I know? Perhaps he drunk too much as well. Terrible vice, wine."

Fan Wujiu hummed thoughtfully. "He isn't the kind to drink. Except tea." Xie Bian felt the pressure in the room shift. "I, on the other hand, can do without. However, I find it curious that everyone who drank this afternoon's tea seems to be sound asleep. Including the courtyard's only servant."

He got up from the bed, he towered over Wei Liang by an order of magnitude and used all his height to his advantage. "Your esteemed self wouldn't happen to know anything about that either?"

Wei Liang blubbered and blustered but Fan Wujiu had him cornered. He was not escaping the implications of two unlikely coincidences on the same night.

"This is my ancestral home! How dare- how dar-"

Fan Wujiu raised his hands in a placating manner. "Please, Young Master Wei misunderstands. I'm not trying to make accusations. I believe I understand why Young Master Wei is suspicious of his brother. There is plenty of cause to doubt the make of his character."

He turned towards the bed and Xie Bian. "He knew this man was my companion when he invited us into business and yet continues to make romantic overtures towards him, despite hosting us in his home under the pretense of hospitality. His attitude is most ungentlemanly."

Wei Liang could scarcely believe his good fortune. He always knew that his foolish brother's lust would be his downfall one day. Anyone with half a brain could tell that this Fan Jiu wasn't an average person, messing around with his man would have grave consequences.

"This one apologizes for my uncouth brother's uncivil behaviour, and I will of course help your esteemed self seek retribution for the offense."

Xie Bian didn't need to open his eyes to hear the grin in Fan Wujiu's voice. "Then lets meet tomorrow to discuss what can be done about this."