# Chapter Eleven
Baire almost froze. Qi Xiao had been so reasonable just moments ago that Baire had almost convinced himself the Crown Prince was a decent man. But then he pivoted, and things suddenly became incomprehensible. The change was instantaneous. It took Baire a moment to remember he should refuse.
"Your Highness, please have self-respect!" he said sharply.
Qi Xiao had known ever since pulling Baire into his arms that these past days of scheming and patience had been worth every moment. Baire stood half a head shorter than him, and at this age when height shoots up but flesh doesn't fill in, holding him like this was somewhat心疼—惹人心疼. Qi Xiao sighed privately: *Too thin...*
When he saw Baire had finally come back to his senses, Qi Xiao found it amusing. He pressed Baire's arm behind his back and, smiling, murmured softly: "Self-respect? Where am I lacking in self-respect?"
"You've come to me repeatedly these past days... isn't it just to get me to spare my sister?" Baire struggled with all his might. Qi Xiao had worked quite hard to keep him contained, his breathing slightly labored. "Baire is a clever person—you should... Stop! You should know there's no such thing as a free lunch..."
Qi Xiao lowered his head and pressed an affectionate kiss to Baire's ear, whispering breathlessly as he laughed: "Let me be honest with you... I don't care at all which noble lady comes—whether she's legitimate or illegitimate, beautiful or ugly. But Baire... you can't even control your own future marriage, yet you presume to dictate Roujia's affairs. One shouldn't be so greedy."
How could Baire possibly listen to a word he was saying after being treated so outrageously? Though he and Cen Chaoge had secretly fallen for each other since childhood, their few moments of intimacy had been only the most fleeting touches. He had never encountered anything like this. In his distress, his eyes went red, yet try as he might, his strength was no match for Qi Xiao's. He struggled in vain, nearly exhausted. Qi Xiao saw Baire thrashing like a trapped animal and found it amusing, but he couldn't bear to truly hurt him. He eased his grip slightly, sighing softly: "Don't bother... why put yourself through this? I only like you and want to be close to you. What's with this expression you're putting on for whom?"
"Who wants anything close to you?!" Baire shoved against him with all his strength, shouting fiercely. "The Crown Prince has no self-control—don't you fear that I'll petition the Emperor against you?! When you're disgraced, don't blame Baire for being ruthless!"
Qi Xiao saw Baire still had the nerve to threaten him and grew even more improper, stroking Baire's waist while teasing: "That's actually a good plan. If Your Highness drags me down for a pyrrhic victory, the marriage alliance with Lingnan will probably fall through."
Baire paused. Qi Xiao laughed when he saw Baire had actually taken it seriously: "But think about it carefully—whether such a petty matter could topple me aside, setting that aside, the marriage alliance between the imperial court and Lingnan is set in stone. Even if it's not me, there are plenty of other princes who could marry your sister. Can you stop them?"
Baire glared furiously at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao gave a cold laugh: "I know what you're thinking... that marrying anyone else would be better than marrying me, right? Heh... that's because you don't know the caliber of those other princes. I admit I'm no saint, but they're no better than me! At least I..."
Qi Xiao saw Baire had gone speechless from listening and curved his lips into a smile, lowering his voice: "At least I don't mistreat people in bed. Baire... want to try? Let me make love to you once... and you probably won't be able to bring yourself to hate me ever again..."
"Try your ancestors!" Baire could endure no more. Summoning all his strength, he finally pushed Qi Xiao away, stepped back, and grabbed the sword hanging on the wall, pointing it at Qi Xiao as he shouted: "Qi Xiao! Though Baire is a hostage, I will not degrade myself so easily! If you truly try to force me, I'd rather die than let you have your way!"
Hating and afraid in equal measure, Baire's hands trembled. Qi Xiao, however, was perfectly at ease, tidying his clothes with a smile: "My ancestors? Weren't you respectfully paying respects at their shrine just a few days ago? Now you're cursing them? Alright, sit down—you're sweating from all that panic..."
Baire certainly wasn't going to listen to him speak nicely. He maintained his guard,恨不得 lunging forward to slash Qi Xiao with the sword. But who could have known that Qi Xiao, who had just been acting like a scoundrel, now smiled with such refined elegance: "Baire, I only like you. I have no intention of harming you. Why must you be so wary? Come, sit..."
"If the Crown Prince has something to say, just say it directly..." Baire's voice shook as he quietly threatened, "But if you try to behave as you did just now..."
Qi Xiao laughed lightly: "That was my recklessness just now... consider it a loss of control. Since you dislike it, I won't do it again. Alright... tell me what you actually want? Don't be so agitated—you're so tense the veins are showing on your forehead. It makes my heart ache."
"I..." Baire considered himself someone who had seen his share of troubles, yet at this moment Qi Xiao had him completely disoriented. A moment ago he had been humiliated, and now he was acting the gentleman. Baire knew he was no match for this man, so he did his best to compose himself. "What I want, the Crown Prince surely knows. I don't want Roujia to come to the imperial court. If Your Highness would only agree to this, I..."
Baire had wanted to say he would agree to anything, but when he thought of what had just happened, he dared not make promises so easily. He paused and said quietly: "Does the Crown Prince want silver? Objects? Or perhaps you want me to help with something? As long as it's not what just happened, I will refuse nothing."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly: "See? Even you don't sound confident saying that. Silver and objects... heh. Though you've been in the imperial court only a short while, you should know the Emperor never skimps on such things when it comes to me. As for asking you to help with matters...," Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh: "My good prince, what could you possibly help me with?"
Baire's heart burned with hatred, yet he had to accept the bitter truth—what could he possibly offer Qi Xiao?
Qi Xiao smiled faintly: "Baire, I won't take advantage of you. I'm letting you choose your own path. Protect yourself, and the marriage alliance is off the table—I will definitely take Roujia as a consort. I won't wrong her in terms of status; a side consort title is the least she can expect. Though I'm no gentleman, I won't make things difficult for a woman. However... when I later take a proper wife, take concubines, and collect attendants, how well or poorly your sister fares in my rear quarters will depend on her own abilities. I won't bother managing it, and you won't be able to intervene."
Baire flew into a rage: "You wouldn't dare?!"
"Want to test whether I would?" Qi Xiao laughed coldly. "There's another path—protect Roujia, and offer yourself to me instead... I'll handle the marriage alliance. Whatever the outcome, I can definitely protect her. I won't let her marry into the imperial family."
Baire ground his teeth in frustration, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help but feel tempted. Qi Xiao saw it clearly, stepped forward, and pushed aside the sword Baire was pointing at him, smiling gently: "If you're obedient enough to please me... then whoever you want your sister to marry, I can make it happen. If her husband-in-law dares mistreat her, I'll intervene on your behalf. How about that?"
Qi Xiao slowly approached Baire. Baire suppressed the urge to flee with all his strength—not for any other reason, but because what Qi Xiao had just said was simply too tempting. Roujia was getting older by the day, and her marriage had always been a worry for Baire and the Lingnan Princess Consort. Roujia didn't enjoy the Lingnan King's favor, and Xia Shi was constantly whispering in his ear. It would be nearly impossible for her to marry according to her own wishes in the future. But with Qi Xiao's backing...
Qi Xiao could see Baire hesitating and smiled privately. He knew that for the sake of Princess Roujia, Baire would agree to anything. Qi Xiao smiled tenderly: "If you're unwilling, once you walk out that door, I'll never mention this again. What just happened—I apologize. It was presumptuous of me. But as long as you say no, I won't be so forward with you again. Baire... two paths. You choose yourself."
Baire closed his eyes. Did he have any choice?
Baire steeled himself. What was there to fear? For his mother and sister, he had already served as a hostage. Who knew how many years he had left—what was there to hesitate over? He was already sunk in the mud; was he afraid of sinking deeper? Could it possibly get worse?!
Roujia was different from him. If he could just endure, perhaps he could win her a good husband. For Roujia's future, for his mother's peace of mind, Baire took a deep breath. At this moment, he was somewhat grateful that he had broken off his relationship with Chaoge yesterday—if he hadn't, today there would have been one more burden...
Chaoge... a thought flashed through Baire's mind. He suddenly looked up at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao had long since seen through Baire's thoughts and smiled: "I know you're not inclined that way. This is委屈 you..."
Baire laughed bitterly in his heart. What was he thinking? How would Qi Xiao possibly know about him and Chaoge? Besides, what merit did he possess that would make Qi Xiao go to such great lengths? It was Chaoge himself who had wanted to leave... Baire shook his head. In just one night's time, everything had turned upside down. The person he'd grown up with was leaving, and he was about to...
Baire looked at Qi Xiao and took a deep breath, his voice hoarse: "Your Highness... please be sure to keep your word. Protect Roujia's safety."
Qi Xiao stepped closer. Baire couldn't help but clench his fists tight. But Qi Xiao didn't act inappropriately as before—he only gently pulled Baire into an embrace, his voice unconsciously carrying a note of indulgence: "You have my word."