Chapter 12
It had been half an hour since Qi Xiao had invited Baire into his study. Jiang Deqing had sent all the attendants away but hadn't dared to leave himself. Though someone of Baire's build wouldn't stand a chance against Qi Xiao even multiplied by several, Jiang Deqing remained somewhat uneasy, lingering on the veranda and carefully listening to the movements inside.
When he heard Baire draw his sword, Jiang Deqing nearly called for help—unexpectedly, within moments, Qi Xiao had talked Baire around. Jiang Deqing sighed privately. Qi Xiao was playing with fire.
He eavesdropped a little more on the conversation that followed. Once he knew Baire had agreed to submit, he finally relaxed. Qi Xiao had never cared for those concubines since childhood. Moreover, the Duchess Su长公主 disliked the idea of Qi Xiao dabbling in affairs of the heart too early, fearing it would change his temperament and lead him to sink into vice. She had never allowed Jiang Deqing to discuss such matters with Qi Xiao. Jiang Deqing felt a slight concern—worried that his young master might get carried away and, lacking restraint,万一—would ruin the person...
Jiang Deqing sighed to himself. The Lingnan世子 was truly pitiful. He must have owed Qi Xiao a debt in a past life to suffer such hardship now. Lost in his thoughts, another incense stick's worth of time passed before a young eunuch slipped into the inner courtyard. He approached and murmured, "Jiang Chief Steward, the Emperor is hosting a banquet this evening for the Duchess Su长公主 and He Fuma. Word has come from the palace that the Crown Prince must attend as well."
Jiang Deqing nodded. "Since it's an evening banquet... there's still some time. I'll inform the Crown Prince later."
"That's not all..." The young eunuch was one of Jiang Deqing's trusted men and quite perceptive. Glancing at the tightly closed windows of the study, he lowered his voice further. "I also heard that... the Emperor has summoned the世子to attend as well. This..."
Jiang Deqing snapped to attention. He slapped the young eunuch's forehead. "You little rascal! Why didn't you say so sooner? If they've already... how will the世子face the Emperor later!"
The young eunuch rubbed his forehead and grinned sheepishly. "You know what's going on in there... who would dare interrupt? Whether I said it earlier or later, what's the difference..."
"You know nothing!" Jiang Deqing was anxious. It wasn't that he pitied Baire—he was worried someone might notice something amiss and implicate Qi Xiao. He waved his hand impatiently. "Get away, get everyone further away... I'll go in and take a look..."
Without needing Jiang Deqing's instruction, the young eunuch wouldn't have dared to linger anyway. He bowed and scurried out of the courtyard. Jiang Deqing took a breath, walked to the door, and knocked gently. "Your Highness, Your Highness..."
He had expected the door to remain closed, but unexpectedly, Qi Xiao opened it after just a moment. "What is it?"
Qi Xiao's robes were immaculate, and there was no impatience in his eyes—Jiang Deqing was taken aback. After a pause, he repeated what the eunuch had said. At the end, he couldn't help glancing toward the inner room, but separated by a twelve-fold folding screen and layers of bed curtains, he couldn't see anything. Jiang Deqing murmured, "The Emperor has also summoned the世子. The Lingnan manor has probably already received word, but they haven't sent anyone yet."
"Understood..." Qi Xiao pressed his lips together, as if speaking to himself. "If he's going to the palace... he'll need to change clothes, and he didn't bring enough attendants... Fine, have someone prepare a carriage to send him back."
Jiang Deqing nodded but hesitated before asking quietly, "Your Highness... is the世子physically able to travel?"
Qi Xiao paused, then smiled. He didn't respond to Jiang Deqing, turning instead to walk back into the inner room.
Inside, Baire stood at the foot of the couch. When he saw Qi Xiao return, his whole body tensed. Qi Xiao approached slowly. Looking at Baire, clearly terrified yet forced to stand his ground and endure, an inexplicable surge of pleasure rose in Qi Xiao's heart. He wrapped one arm around Baire's waist. Through the thin clothing, he could almost feel Baire trembling. Baire's fear delighted Qi Xiao. His voice softened as he spoke gently, "I wanted to keep you for the whole day, but unfortunately the Emperor is hosting a banquet tonight... I have no choice. I've arranged a carriage for you. You'll be sent back shortly."
Baire's heart nearly burst with relief, but he dared not show it on his face. He only nodded lightly. How could Qi Xiao fail to notice? He tightened his arm, pulling Baire flush against himself, and smiled faintly. "Tonight they'll probably urge you to drink. Don't drink too much... No more than three cups. Understand?"
Baire hummed an assenting reply. Qi Xiao wasn't satisfied yet. He playfully traced a finger across Baire's cheek, laughing lightly. "Drinking too much ruins your complexion. Such delicate skin—how can you not take better care of it..."
Baire's anger flared at this mockery. But before he could explode, Qi Xiao preceded him with the softest touch, coaxing gently, "Don't be so impatient. I was just teasing. Haven't you heard that constant drinking breeds illness and constant anger breeds trouble? You're still so young, with such a fiery temper. If you keep drinking like this, you'll damage your health... If your mother knew, wouldn't her heart break?"
Baire had been provoked to fury by Qi Xiao's teasing, but unexpectedly this sentence struck a vulnerable spot. His anger dissipated. Thinking of his mother, a wave of委屈 rose in his heart. He turned his face away and fell silent. Qi Xiao smiled, satisfied internally. He had once told Jiang Deqing that he and Baire were alike—this was not without reason. Just by observing Baire, Qi Xiao could read every emotion in his eyes, every movement, every thought.
When someone was in a moment of vulnerability, comforting them had far greater effect than at ordinary times. Qi Xiao was a master at finding opportunities. Of course he wouldn't waste such a golden chance. He pulled Baire into his arms, his tone growing even gentler. "For your mother in Lingnan's sake, you should take better care of yourself. Hmph... You're still too young. Don't worry—I'll protect you in the future. Tonight, if they urge you to drink, I'll挡for you, alright?"
Baire was afraid his voice would crack if he spoke, so he only nodded slightly. Qi Xiao watched him and thought him adorably obedient. He lowered his head and kissed beside Baire's ear, murmuring softly, "I really want to keep you here, never let you go..."
Qi Xiao spoke lightly, but hearing these words, Baire couldn't help but shiver. He had known all along that Qi Xiao was not someone to provoke. Today's events had made him understand even more clearly this man's abilities—far beyond anything Baire could handle. If Qi Xiao truly took a fancy and, disregarding both their reputations, kept him confined here day after day...
Baire swallowed hard and said slowly, "Crown Prince... how many eyes are watching outside. Even if Your Highness不在乎my reputation, you should still care for yourself..."
"Heh heh..." Qi Xiao laughed aloud. "What are you thinking? Do you think I'm that idle? Today I specially cleared my schedule to be with you. Normally, I never have such leisure..."
Baire thought to himself that he hoped every day would be busy. Qi Xiao kissed Baire's forehead, his smile fading as he said slowly, "I won't make things difficult for you. I won't deliberately keep you in situations like today. But on other occasions... whenever I send Jiang Deqing to fetch you, you must come乖乖, understand?"
Baire closed his eyes tight, enduring the humiliation with all his might. He hummed in agreement. Qi Xiao smiled, satisfied. "Be obedient, and I'll cherish you. Go now."
Jiang Deqing had been waiting outside all along. When he saw the two of them emerge, he hurried forward. "世子, the carriage is ready. Follow me."
Baire was desperate to leave immediately. He hurried out the door. Qi Xiao curved his lips into a smile. Someday, he would make Baire hate to leave every time.
Shortly after, Jiang Deqing returned. He said slowly, "Your Highness, I've arranged for Li Er to accompany the carriage. He's getting on in years and knows how to keep his mouth shut. Nothing will go wrong."
Qi Xiao nodded and turned back to his documents. Jiang Deqing approached, grinding ink as he smiled quietly. "Your Highness truly knows how to cherish beauty. This servant was just worried the世子 wouldn't be able to get up."
Qi Xiao shook his head with a smile. "In siege warfare, the battle is won through capturing hearts. What's the point of simply taking someone's body? Besides... he's too frail. I wasn't sure if he could withstand it."
Jiang Deqing smiled. "Your Highness plans deeply. But... if you're not in a rush to claim him, why create a rift now? Because of that man named Cen, the世子's heart is still wounded. If Your Highness treats him well now, slowly winning him over, making the世子全心全意devoted to Your Highness—wouldn't that be more clever?"
Qi Xiao嗤laughed. "Do you think I'm some lovesick scholar on stage? Devoted heart and soul... I would like to keep playing the good man, but time is too tight. He's not the type to fall in love at first sight either. In a few days, the marriage alliance will reach a conclusion. I couldn't possibly win him over in time. Besides... if I'm always nice to him, he'll really think I'm easy-going. I need to frighten him once, so he'll have something to fear in the future."
Jiang Deqing was speechless. "Your Highness truly has thought this through carefully. I only hope the世子 can understand sooner. Your Highness is far more reliable than that Cen fellow."
Qi Xiao smiled but didn't respond. After a while, he said, "Prepare my robes. I'm going to the palace now. The matter of Ruojia... will still need my aunt to intervene."