Chapter 10
Bai Ren couldn't remember how he made it back to the mansion. The whole way was a blur, and only when his attendant called for him to disembark did he snap back to reality. Bai Ren stepped out of the sedan chair, still clutching the dispatch document Qi Chi had given him.
The attendant noticed Bai Ren's strange demeanor and asked softly, "Young Lord... Young Lord? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No..." Bai Ren shook his head, then turned to look at the page standing guard at the gate. "Has Chaoge returned?"
The page hurried to answer, "He just got back. He's probably in the study right now."
"Good..." Bai Ren nodded, clenching his hands awkwardly, then strode through the gate without changing his clothes, heading straight for the study.
On the gallery outside the study, a few young maids were doing needlework. Upon seeing Bai Ren approach, they hastily curtsied. Bai Ren's voice came out hoarse: "All of you, get out... Guard the courtyard gate and let no one in..."
The maids saw the dark look on Bai Ren's face and dared not ask questions. They quickly curtsied and retreated. Bai Ren took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the study.
Inside the study, Cen Chaoge was organizing the desk for Bai Ren. Bai Ren had never liked others touching his things since childhood, especially his writing supplies. These items, he had always only allowed Cen Chaoge to handle. It had always been this way, ever since they were young.
Cen Chaoge smiled when he saw Bai Ren return. "So soon? What did the Crown Prince say?"
Bai Ren slowly walked closer and handed the dispatch document to Cen Chaoge, saying slowly, "The Crown Prince... asked me to give this to you..."
Cen Chaoge paused, then took it. His face lit up with joy for a moment, then he quickly composed himself and blurted out in alarm, "What's going on? Why is my name on this?! Whose idea was this... No, I need to find them. How could I possibly leave..."
Cen Chaoge was about to rush out when Bai Ren watched him perform with a wooden expression, suddenly feeling utterly disgusted. Just now, his anger had flared so intensely that all he wanted was to return and confront Cen Chaoge, to demand answers. But now he didn't want to hear anything. He only said wearily, "There's also this... fifteen thousand taels of silver notes that Xixiang received..."
Cen Chaoge's heart sank. He hesitated before taking the silver notes. Bai Ren let out a bitter laugh. "Chaoge... if you wanted to leave, you could have just told me. Would I have stopped you?"
"Bai Ren, it's not—" Cen Chaoge's face flushed purple when he saw the silver notes. He didn't know how much Bai Ren had discovered. He didn't dare say more, afraid of saying the wrong thing. He stepped forward to take Bai Ren's hand. "Bai Ren, listen to me. I only—"
Bai Ren厌恶地甩开他的手,冷冷地看着岑朝歌：“你只是什么？你说。”
Bai Ren pulled away in disgust, fixing Cen Chaoge with a cold stare. "You only what? Speak."
"I..." Cen Chaoge faltered, then said dejectedly, "Bai Ren... you know, I'm my father's only son. I've been here a month now, and you know what the situation is like here. If anything happens to me, the Cen family will have no heir... Bai Ren, if it were just myself, I would go through fire and water for you without hesitation. But I'm not just one person. I'm carrying the entire Cen clan on my back..."
Bai Ren's heart grew weary at the first sentence. He smiled faintly. "Why are you telling me this? If you wanted to leave, would I have stopped you? What did I say when we were in Lingnan, and what was your response? Have you forgotten?"
Cen Chaoge froze, his expression growing more and more uncomfortable. Bai Ren continued slowly, "I said... Chaoge, this trip of mine... I probably won't be coming back. As for our feelings... consider them a youthful whim, a jest. From now on, we'll be separated, north and south, unsure when we'll meet again. Each of us, take care."
Bai Ren's voice grew hoarse. "And you said... you said you'd never forget, no matter where I went... through heaven and earth, you'd follow. Even if fate were unkind, dying together would fulfill all these years of devotion. If heaven showed mercy and we had a chance to return one day, you would be my prime minister, continuing to protect me... Chaoge, that was just two months ago. You haven't forgotten already, have you?"
Cen Chaoge was mortified, turning his face away, not daring to look at Bai Ren. Somehow, after saying all this, the anger that had been burning inside Bai Ren had completely dissipated. He had no desire to argue with Cen Chaoge any longer. He gave a bitter laugh and waved his hand. "I don't blame you. I never wanted you to come in the first place. This past month... you suffered alongside me too. Neither of us owes the other anything now."
Bai Ren had no strength left in his body. He turned and walked out. Cen Chaoge hesitated, but still didn't follow.
At the Crown Prince's residence, Qi Chi was reading documents at his desk while listening to Jiang Deqing relay information from his spies. When he heard about Cen Chaoge's grand declarations of eternal devotion, Qi Chi couldn't help but laugh. "He really said all that?"
Jiang Deqing nodded. "Those are the Young Lord's exact words. Not a single character different."
Qi Chi was amazed. "I underestimated Cen Chaoge before. His eloquence puts professional storytellers to shame."
Jiang Deqing smiled. "It's a pity it was all just talk. Even husband and wife will abandon each other when disaster strikes. Besides, what is he to the Young Lord anyway? Nothing but youthful impulsiveness and reckless passion."
Qi Chi gave a mocking smile and said nothing more. Jiang Deqing stepped forward to grind ink for Qi Chi and asked softly, "Your Highness... when will you tell the Young Lord about that matter?"
Qi Chi paused, his thin lips pressing together. Jiang Deqing, seeing Qi Chi's hesitation,顺势说道："不然再等几日吧，也让世子缓一缓，这一出一出的，也够他受得了，嗨……说到底不过还是个十五岁的孩子，可怜见的。"
Seeing Qi Chi's hesitation, Jiang Deqing seized the opportunity to say, "Perhaps we should wait a few more days. Let the Young Lord recover first. All these ups and downs have been hard on him... after all, he's still just a fifteen-year-old. Poor thing."
Qi Chi had been feeling some sympathy for Bai Ren, but for some reason, hearing Jiang Deqing's words only made him more resolute. He laughed coldly. "Fifteen? When I was fifteen, I suffered far more than this. I'm not the type to coddle beauties. No need to wait."
Jiang Deqing regretted speaking and smiled. "Your Highness speaks too harshly... If everyone were as resilient as Your Highness, how would there be any distinction among people? Very well, as Your Highness wishes. Then... shall I go to the Lingnan Prince's mansion tomorrow to speak with the Young Lord?"
Qi Chi smiled faintly. "No need. I'll tell him myself."
"This..." Jiang Deqing was speechless. "Then what would we attendants be for? The Young Lord has a proud spirit. Once he hears this, there'll surely be harsh words. Your Highness, let me go instead. I'll reason with the Young Lord properly. Once he understands, he'll come around naturally. Why must Your Highness step forward and play the villain?"
Qi Chi folded the documents and gave a mocking smile. "Even if you tell him, am I not still the villain? Why act like that Cen Chaoge, putting on a false show? What's the point?"
Jiang Deqing could say nothing more and had to agree.
The next day, after the morning court session, Qi Chi sent someone to summon Bai Ren to the Lingnan Prince's mansion. The messenger's words were vague, only saying that the "good news" the Young Lord had inquired about yesterday had come to light. Upon hearing this, how could Bai Ren sit still? Though his heart still ached over the matter with Cen Chaoge, he immediately changed clothes and hurried over.
Qi Chi received him in the study again. Bai Ren entered and followed proper etiquette to bow. Qi Chi stepped forward and helped him up, then deliberately gripped Bai Ren's wrist, smiling warmly. "There's no need for such formality, Young Lord. Sit."
Bai Ren had no reason to suspect anything. He straightened his robes and sat properly. Qi Chi studied Bai Ren's face carefully and smiled. "Did the Young Lord sleep poorly last night? There are dark shadows under your eyes."
"No... I was studying late last night." Bai Ren managed a smile. "I heard Your Highness has looked into the matter?"
Qi Chi nodded. "Yes, after hearing what you said yesterday, I immediately sent someone to ask Princess Dunqing. It turns out it's true. Speaking of which... haha, Bai Ren, we're about to become relatives."
Bai Ren hadn't expected Qi Chi to be so straightforward. His prepared speech had no use now. He paused before asking, "I wonder... which of our Lingnan county ladies is so fortunate?"
Qi Chi smiled without answering. He glanced at Jiang Deqing, who understood and led the attendants out. Qi Chi lifted his teacup and took a sip, then said slowly, "I was puzzled before why the Young Lord was so invested in this matter. After inquiring yesterday, I understand better. Young Lord... you probably don't want your own flesh-and-blood sister to marry me, do you?"
Bai Ren's heart lurched. He forced a smile. "Your Highness jests. Marrying Your Highness would be a tremendous blessing. It's just that—" Bai Ren had always thought Qi Chi was an extremely difficult person to deal with, always beating around the bush, making it harder than climbing the heavens to get a straight answer. But today, Qi Chi was being direct, straightforward as could be. Bai Ren was at a loss for words. Qi Chi saw his discomfort and smiled knowingly, saying warmly, "Young Lord, there's no need for pleasantries with me. Tell the truth. If I had a sister of my own, I probably wouldn't want her to marry far away either."
Bai Ren was stunned. Qi Chi continued with a smile, "There's nothing wrong with saying that. It's only human nature. A woman faces many hardships after marriage. If she marries someone of equal status and close to her natal family, she at least has support in the future. But if she's like Lady Roujia... traveling thousands of miles to be my secondary consort, that's probably one of the least desirable outcomes for a woman's marriage."
Bai Ren had never imagined Qi Chi could be so understanding. He paused, then lowered his eyes and said, "Your Highness is merciful, speaking what Bai Ren wishes to say. I won't deceive Your Highness—I have only this one sister who shares my same mother. The bond between us is unlike any other. Moreover, Roujia's temperament is too gentle and her health is poor. She simply cannot bear the great fortune of the imperial family. All I wish for Roujia is to find a husband from an ordinary family in the future, living a comfortable life. Anything beyond that... Bai Ren dares not hope for."
Qi Chi sighed inwardly in his heart. Still too young. He had only spoken one heartfelt word, and Bai Ren had already opened up completely, laying bare all his weaknesses. If he were to let this boy go now, he would truly be useless.
Qi Chi smiled. "Then what does the Young Lord propose to do?"
Bai Ren rose and knelt respectfully, lowering his eyes as he said softly, "Regarding the marriage alliance, it doesn't have to be Roujia. Bai Ren has another sister—the one who was just bestowed the title of Lady Kangtai last year. I dare not deceive Your Highness, but Lady Kangtai was born of a concubine. However, apart from this difference in legitimate versus concubine-born status, there is nothing else that could be criticized. Your Highness... if Your Highness would grant me this favor, I would walk through fire and water without hesitation."
Qi Chi watched Bai Ren with an amused smile. He neither agreed nor asked him to rise. After a long while, he finally smiled and said slowly, "Bai Ren... you must understand yourself that the Emperor, Empress, and Princess Dunqing already know about this. It won't be easy to change the county lady at the last moment..."
A thin layer of sweat broke out on Bai Ren's brow. His tone grew even more deferential. "Bai Ren was presumptuous, but... I beg Your Highness to grant this."
"Bai Ren, it's not I who must grant you..." Qi Chi bent down and helped Bai Ren rise. His hand pressed firmly, pulling the young man directly into his embrace. He lowered his head and laughed softly. "Whether this matter succeeds or not... depends on whether you grant me or not..."