Chapter Twenty-One
When the servants from Yuxiu Palace arrived at Haiyan Hall, Qi Xiao was playing chess with Bai Ren. Since Qi Xiao wouldn't let him leave, and it wouldn't do to have the young lord sitting idle every day, Qi Xiao had returned to his own palace after court sessions concluded.
The trusted handmaiden of Princess Dunsu curtsied respectfully and smiled. "Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince and His Lordship the Young Lord. This morning the Princess obtained some antiques from a previous dynasty, and she thought Your Highness might appreciate them, so she sent me to deliver a few. They are currently in the outer hall. Would Your Highness like to take a look?"
Qi Xiao placed a piece on the board, paused, then smiled. "What did Aunt want you to tell me? Just say it plainly. The Young Lord is no outsider."
The handmaiden hesitated, then nodded and recounted everything that had transpired at Yuxiu Palace. She added, "The Princess said the person has been properly dealt with, but she wondered if Your Highness has any further instructions."
"Tell Aunt she has my thanks for her trouble. I'll handle everything from here." Qi Xiao was unwed, so matters that should properly fall to a Crown Princess had to be entrusted to Princess Dunsu. He placed another piece on the board. "There may be other consorts going to trouble Aunt over the next few days. Tell her she need not entertain any of them."
Empress Feng warranted some attention, but the other consorts in the harem were not worth the effort.
The handmaiden acknowledged with a bow and took her leave.
Bai Ren stared silently at the chessboard for a long while, making no move to play. Qi Xiao smiled as he watched him. "What's the matter?"
"Your Highness..." Bai Ren's slender fingers curled slightly. "Your Highness promised me... about Roujia's marriage..."
"I said I would handle it." Qi Xiao cut him off with a smile. "What are you worried about? As you just heard, the Princess has already declined the proposal. Besides, even if Empress Feng truly intended to forge an alliance with Lingnan, she wouldn't choose your sister. Everyone knows you've made an enemy of Qi Hua—bringing your sister here as his bride would be like placing a spy in her own household. Is she mad? Even if she did pursue such an alliance, Empress Feng would choose Kangtai. You're worrying for nothing."
Bai Ren offered a rueful smile. "Your Highness doesn't understand... she's my own sister. Even if there's only the slightest possibility, I cannot help but worry."
Qi Xiao gave a faint smile. "Indeed... Unfortunately, I have no siblings, so I wouldn't know."
Bai Ren hastened to say, "I spoke out of turn—"
Qi Xiao knew Bai Ren was certainly aware of his own origins and wasn't truly offended. He smiled. "It's nothing. It's only natural. Don't worry—I said I'd handle Roujia's marriage, and I meant it. You have my word."
Bai Ren felt a secret relief. After hesitating, he placed a piece on the board. Qi Xiao drummed his fingers against the chess box, then after a pause said, "What do you make of Empress Feng's move?"
Bai Ren shook his head. "Too rushed. The Second Prince just received the Emperor's reprimand; this is precisely the time he should be keeping a low profile. Even if she truly wanted to arrange an advantageous marriage for him, she should wait until this storm has passed. More than that... Empress Feng didn't petition the Emperor for his blessing. Instead, she approached the Princess. This suggests the Emperor knows nothing about this, and Empress Feng understands he wouldn't approve if he found out. That's why she wanted the Princess to broker the match—hence the rebuff."
Qi Xiao nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "So you aren't entirely without wit. Then let me ask you this: if even you can see this matter was handled too hastily, is Empress Feng a fool? Doesn't she know? Why, then, did she proceed anyway?"
Bai Ren fell silent, stunned. Qi Xiao's smile turned cold as he said slowly, "Because Empress Feng knows that if she doesn't act now, the Emperor may abandon Qi Hua entirely."
Qi Xiao placed another piece. The game's outcome was decided. Bai Ren returned his piece to the box, lost in thought. Suddenly, Qi Xiao smiled. "Come now, don't strain yourself over this. Didn't you want to return to your estate? Tomorrow I'll have someone escort you back."
Bai Ren didn't understand why Qi Xiao had suddenly mentioned this, but being allowed to return was welcome news. He nodded. "Very well, only I shouldn't presume to trouble Your Highness... I'll send word to the estate so they can come fetch me."
Qi Xiao shook his head with a smile. "That won't do. I wouldn't feel easy about that."
Before Bai Ren could refuse, Qi Xiao rose and moved to sit beside him, then said with a soft laugh, "Glad to finally be free of my constant presence, aren't you?"
Bai Ren was at a loss for words. How was one supposed to answer that? If he spoke honestly, of course he was glad—but to actually say it... Bai Ren glanced at Qi Xiao and shook his head inwardly. He truly couldn't gauge Qi Xiao's moods. One wrong word and he might provoke Qi Xiao's wrath. Reluctant as he was to admit it, Bai Ren knew he still feared the Crown Prince.
Seeing Bai Ren's silence, Qi Xiao smiled. "There's no need to walk on eggshells... Bai Ren, remember—you gave me your word. Whenever I summon you, you must come without protest. Don't make me angry, understood?"
Bai Ren swallowed his humiliation and nodded. Qi Xiao drew him into his arms, pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, and murmured, "Don't feel wronged. In time, you'll grow accustomed to it. My temper may be poor, but if you yield to me in all things, I will never mistreat you. Behave yourself, and I will cherish both your sister and you."
Bai Ren squeezed his eyes shut and said nothing. Qi Xiao offered a thin smile. "Enough of that. What would you like for lunch? I'll have it prepared..."
The following day, at the si hour, Jiang Deqing helped Bai Ren carefully into the carriage. The carriage passed through several checkpoints before finally exiting the inner city. Bai Ren lifted the curtain slightly and gazed outside, releasing a long breath. These few days in the palace had felt like years.
The more he reflected, the more Bai Ren felt his sacrifices were worthwhile. If he himself could barely endure palace life, Roujia would never survive it.
Roujia's matter was settled, but Bai Ren wondered whether Empress Feng's attempts at a Lingnan alliance would succeed. After all, she was the Empress—mother of the nation. If her family approached the Emperor with a proposal, he could hardly refuse outright. He would need to keep a close watch on developments. Kangtai as a match would be acceptable, but they absolutely must not set their sights on his sister again...
Bai Ren leaned against a cushioned bolster, lost in thought, and began to grow drowsy. The carriage was Qi Xiao's, fitted with an incense brazier and thick blankets—quite luxurious. As it swayed gently, Bai Ren drifted in and out of consciousness. He had no idea how many streets they had traversed when he felt the carriage come to a halt. A voice laughed, "Fool. You could be sold and never know it, sleeping like that in a carriage."
Bai Ren blinked groggily awake to find Qi Xiao in plain robes, perched on the carriage shaft, lifting the curtain and gazing at him with a smile. Bai Ren frowned. Wasn't he supposed to be leaving the palace?
"Bring my cloak. The Young Lord fell asleep. He'll catch cold leaving like this." Qi Xiao turned to instruct his attendant. Within moments, the cloak arrived. Qi Xiao took it, leaned in, and wrapped Bai Ren in its folds, then lifted him down from the carriage. Only then did Bai Ren fully awaken. "Your Highness! What's the meaning of—"
"Nothing serious. I'm just transferring you to another carriage."
Qi Xiao carried him to the carriage beside them. Bai Ren glanced around; the surroundings were extremely secluded. Qi Xiao instructed the servants on the other carriage briefly, then turned and boarded Bai Ren's vehicle. Both drivers shouted, the horses wheeled around—one heading south, the other north.
Bai Ren stared at Qi Xiao, bewildered. "Your Highness... didn't you promise to let me return to my estate?"
Qi Xiao smiled. "When the matter is concluded, I'll release you. For now, come back to the Crown Prince's residence with me. You'll understand soon."
Bai Ren's eyes still carried the haze of sleep from his drowsing in the other carriage. Qi Xiao drew close and gathered him in his arms, whispering, "If you're still tired, lean on me and rest."
Bai Ren felt unsettled by Qi Xiao's unpredictable actions. He said coldly, "I'm afraid I must decline Your Highness's kind offer. Sharing such intimate quarters with Your Highness—even if I weren't drowsy, sleep would be impossible."
Half an hour later, Qi Xiao sighed inwardly as he watched Bai Ren slumber peacefully in his arms. He murmured softly, "Drive around the estate."
The driver complied. The brazier in the carriage burned warmly, and Bai Ren's cheeks were flushed. In such deep sleep, he appeared several years younger than his age. For a moment, Qi Xiao felt something like tenderness. After all... he was still just a boy.
Qi Xiao lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to Bai Ren's cheek. This wasn't his fault—if anyone was to blame, it was Bai Ren's poor fortune, for having encountered him.
In his dreams, Bai Ren sensed someone's touch and shrunk away. Qi Xiao watched Bai Ren burrowing and dodging in the crook of his arm and couldn't suppress a smile. If only he were this docile all the time.
Nearly another half hour passed before Bai Ren gradually stirred. Qi Xiao spoke with a soft laugh, "My arm has gone completely numb. I hope His Lordship slept well?"
Bai Ren fully awakened, mortified. He coughed and said quietly, "It's... it's only the tenth month. The brazier shouldn't be lit yet—it's too warm, it easily... induces sleep."
"Your Lordship is absolutely correct." Qi Xiao's smile persisted. "This Prince has been far too extravagant."
Bai Ren shot him a pleading look. Servants were everywhere—couldn't he at least preserve some dignity? Qi Xiao was thoroughly amused. "Very well, let's go inside where we can talk."
They had just passed through the ceremonial gate when a servant hurried toward them and whispered urgently, "Your Highness! That carriage... it crashed at the entrance to Shuyuan Lane."
Qi Xiao's expression turned cold. "Any casualties?"
"Shunzi is an experienced hand. He anticipated it and leapt clear when he saw the other carriage coming—so he's unharmed. But Your Highness's carriage... it's completely wrecked. The horse is dead." The servant paused. "The other side was clearly waiting in ambush. Their carriage was loaded heavy with inkstones. Even when the horses tried to brake, they couldn't—the carriage nearly plowed through the wall. The driver sustained minor injuries, nothing serious. He was reeking of alcohol and slurring his words. We've already had him taken to the Court of Judicial Review."
Qi Xiao nodded. He turned to the ashen-faced Bai Ren and smiled. "Now do you understand why I said I wouldn't feel easy letting you go back alone?"