# Chapter Three
In the evening, Qi Xiao dined with Princess Dunsu at Yuxiu Palace. Following the custom of silence during meals and restfulness before sleep, they ate quietly. When the dishes were cleared and tea was served, Princess Dunsu accepted the gold-traced celadon tea bowl from a palace attendant and slowly blew on the leaves before speaking softly: "You met Dongling Baili today?"
Qi Xiao turned his face toward Jiang Deqing, who understood immediately. He stepped forward and respectfully recounted everything that had happened during the day, repeating their conversation word for word. Princess Dunsu pressed a handkerchief to her lips. After a long pause, she said: "Is his cold demeanor genuine, or is he deliberately avoiding your overtures?"
Qi Xiao set down his tea bowl and shook his head. "Can't tell. Perhaps both."
"Logically speaking, he shouldn't be like this... Though young, he should understand these matters by now. He's newly arrived and needs someone to support him. You're the Crown Prince... yet you can't see through him..." Princess Dunsu frowned and lowered her voice. "Could it be that he's learned you're not the Emperor's biological—"
"Aunt." Qi Xiao cut her off, then smiled. "There's no secret that stays buried forever. Many people know about what happened back then. The Dongling Prince's household isn't blind or deaf. If they found out, it wouldn't be strange."
Princess Dunsu sighed softly. "That's what worries me... If they've learned of it, they might deliberately keep their distance out of fear that you won't be able to ascend the throne smoothly later. I'm afraid Baili already knows. He wants a backer, certainly, but he fears offending the Emperor even more."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "Let it be. I made my intentions to get close to him quite obvious today. They're probably discussing it now, deciding whether to accept my help or not. That's his choice to make... Actually, he doesn't really have a choice. Which prince would dare form ties with him besides me? If he ignores me, this awkwardness just continues. Besides... even if he ignores me, it won't prevent me from marrying the Dongling princess..."
"True... I'll make some more visits. This matter isn't going anywhere. If the young lord truly intends to keep his distance, so be it. The Dongling princess isn't limited to just his sister—the illegitimate Princess Kangtai is also an excellent choice, hm hm... I only hope he won't regret it someday, failing to become your real brother-in-law." Princess Dunsu was cautious by nature, wanting everything to be perfect. That was why she'd had Qi Xiao give Baili advance notice, never expecting to hit such a soft wall. But fortunately, it wasn't a matter of great consequence. Princess Dunsu looked at Qi Xiao with a tender smile. "Perhaps his personality is simply like this. After all, as a hostage, one's temper is rarely pleasant."
Qi Xiao smiled without speaking.
At the hour of Xu, the gates would be locked throughout the inner palace. Qi Xiao couldn't stay long, so after keeping Princess Dunsu company for two cups of tea, he took his leave. The night was bright with moon and stars, a cool breeze rippling across the water—quite scenic indeed. Qi Xiao declined the sedan chair and instead walked slowly along the Koi Pond toward Haiyan Palace. Jiang Deqing sensed that Qi Xiao had been carrying heavy worries lately and perhaps didn't want to retire early. After some hesitation, he lowered his voice and asked: "Your Highness... shall I have them withdraw first, and this old servant accompanies you for a stroll?"
Qi Xiao nodded. Jiang Deqing turned and dismissed the palace attendants, then followed Qi Xiao along the waterside corridor for a circuit. After a long silence, Qi Xiao suddenly said: "That Baili..."
Jiang Deqing hadn't expected Qi Xiao was still thinking about this matter. He smiled. "Your Highness, whatever his intentions may be, you yourself said it won't affect your marriage to the Dongling princess."
Qi Xiao hadn't been thinking about the Dongling marriage at all. Brought back to the present by Jiang Deqing's words, he shook his head with a laugh. "Never mind. It's late anyway. Let's head back."
Jiang Deqing hastily agreed. Carrying a lantern, he warned Qi Xiao to watch his step. Yet in watching Qi Xiao so intently, he himself stumbled on the bridge and nearly fell. Fortunately, Qi Xiao caught him before he hit the ground, though the lantern tumbled into the river. Jiang Deqing immediately knelt to beg forgiveness. "This old servant's eyes are dim and deceiving him, this old servant—"
"That's enough." Jiang Deqing had served the Martial Emperor in his time, caring for Qi Xiao from childhood to adulthood. How could Qi Xiao truly reprimand him? He waved a hand. "Save the formalities. I'm tired."
"Yes, yes." Jiang Deqing scrambled to his feet, looked around, and bowed. "Your Highness, please wait a moment. This servant will fetch a palace lantern from over there..."
Qi Xiao was in no mood to wait. He shook his head. "The moon is bright enough. I can see well enough. Let's just go..."
Jiang Deqing had just embarrassed himself and dared not contradict Qi Xiao further. Bowing, he supported Qi Xiao down from the bridge. The two walked toward Haiyan Palace. Halfway through, as they passed the Bamboo Grove Sea, Qi Xiao halted abruptly. Jiang Deqing looked up, puzzled. "Your Highness..."
"Shh..."
Qi Xiao's thin lips pressed together. Through the rustling bamboo leaves, he faintly heard voices speaking in the grove... If he wasn't mistaken, that had been Baili's voice...
Inside the grove, Baili tugged at someone's sleeve and lowered his voice. "It's fine... He probably just spoke to me on a whim. He knows perfectly well what my status is. Why would he willingly invite trouble by getting involved with me..."
"I heard my father say long ago that Crown Prince Qi Xiao seems ordinary on the surface, but he's actually a man of deep schemes." The person Baili was gripping stood with his back to Qi Xiao, nodding slightly as he spoke quietly. "People like him are best avoided. Tomorrow I'll leave the palace to see them... Young lord, is there any message you'd like to send to the Princess Consort?"
Baili's features, bathed in silver moonlight, appeared even more refined. His eyes dimmed as he苦笑 shook his head. "No... There's no need to mention me to Mother again. I've become a discarded piece on the board. I don't know if I'll ever return to Dongling in this lifetime. Speak of me less, and perhaps Mother will miss me a little less... As time stretches on, if Mother could simply forget me, that would be best..."
The other's voice rose slightly, clearly distressed. "Young lord, don't speak so lightly of yourself. Someday... there will be a chance to meet again. Take good care of yourself, so the Princess Consort can be at ease."
Baili nodded wearily. "Don't worry. For Mother's sake and my sister's, I'll take care of myself... Chaoge, thank goodness I still have you..."
Qi Xiao's brow furrowed slightly. A month ago, he had reviewed the roster of the Dongling delegation. Chaoge, Chaoge... His heart stirred. Cen Chaoge, the eldest son of the Dongling Minister of Culture, and companion to Dongling Baili.
During the daytime, Cen Chaoge had been following right behind Baili. Since he stood half a head taller than Baili and had handsome features, Qi Xiao had taken some notice. Yet he hadn't expected this companion served as Baili's secret conduit for messages to the outside. Not wanting to disturb the蛇 nor rouse its suspicion, Qi Xiao was about to withdraw when he heard Baili's voice, hoarse and low, murmuring: "If I didn't have you, I truly wouldn't be able to hold on any longer..."
Qi Xiao turned sharply. In the moonlight, he saw Cen Chaoge pull Baili into an embrace, lowering his head to press a soothing kiss to his forehead. Softly, he said: "Relax. You just carry too much on your shoulders. Even with me, you're always guarded. It's so much better to let it all out like this..."
Baili's eyes reddened. Despite his profound sorrow, he maintained his composure, turning his face aside to wipe away the moisture gathering in his eyes. Hoarse, he said: "Let's go back... If they can't find me soon, they'll start asking questions..."
Cen Chaoge nodded, then leaned in to kiss Baili's brow once more before heading west through the bamboo grove. Baili remained standing there, watching the direction Cen Chaoge had gone. Only after a long while did he touch the spot on his forehead where Cen Chaoge had kissed him, then turned to head east toward Zhaode Palace.
To the north of the bamboo grove, concealed behind layers of bamboo leaves, Qi Xiao had observed everything. In the moonlight, his eyes burned with fury, a cold smile curling at his lips. So he was cold and aloof? So his temper was poor because he'd been reduced to a hostage? Hmph... Just now, with Cen Chaoge, he'd been quite affectionate indeed.
Jiang Deqing, standing behind Qi Xiao, had also understood the situation. He asked quietly: "Your Highness... shall I have the informants gather some intelligence?"
A cold gleam flickered in Qi Xiao's eyes. He shook his head. "No need. Tomorrow morning, go tell Aunt—I've made my decision... I will marry Baili's own sister, Princess Roujia, and that's final."