Chapter Twenty-Four
Bai Ren almost regretted it. He had already guessed, already understood—so why did he need to tear down this thin paper barrier?
Bai Ren turned his head away and murmured softly, "How the Crown Prince has considered this... I don't know..."
Qi Xiao coldly laughed. "Do you really not know, or are you afraid to say it?"
Bai Ren turned to look at Qi Xiao and said calmly, "Your Highness, if I weren't personally involved in this situation, I would probably suspect... that the one who nearly sent the other to the gates of death, was me."
Bai Ren's expression was perfectly composed, but his heart was pounding uncontrollably beneath the facade. He didn't understand what was happening to him—he only had the instinctive urge to hide it. He stood up, his expression indifferent, and said, "Your Highness, please pretend I never asked..."
Bai Ren picked up the books on the table and prepared to leave. As he passed by Qi Xiao, the latter grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close. Qi Xiao tightly gripped Bai Ren's hand, pulling him in front of him, lowering his head to stare intently into Bai Ren's eyes, his voice cold. "Answer me, and I will tell you everything about what happened before. Bai Ren... tell me, when I stopped you on that road, causing a perfectly laid plan to fall apart, what was my purpose?"
Bai Ren forced his expression to remain natural. "Perhaps I still have other uses. Perhaps... Your Highness had a change of heart, unwilling to see the southern borders engulfed in war again... Forgive my foolishness, Your Highness's intentions are beyond what this minister can discern."
Qi Xiao slightly lowered his head, then softly said, "Bai Ren... you're trembling."
Bai Ren took a deep breath. He had been in such a hurry to leave precisely because he was afraid Qi Xiao would notice his distress. Before Bai Ren could explain, Qi Xiao spoke first. "You also know... that these words don't hold up, don't you?"
"I'm not a good person. Whether war breaks out, how many people die—what does it have to do with me? I couldn't care less... Bai Ren, you don't dare say it. Fine, I'll say it..." Qi Xiao released Bai Ren's hand and gently rubbed the red marks on his wrist where he had gripped too hard. His eyes were filled with malice, yet his movements were unbearably gentle. "On that banquet day when Qi Huo fought you, I looked at those old ministers, then thought of how anxious the Emperor was, and a plan formed in my mind—to seize this opportunity and make Qi Huo never rise again..."
"That clue about Qi Huo's coachman was planted last year, just waiting to be used to eliminate whoever I found碍眼, then pin the blame on Qi Huo. I had never thought... that I would use it against you..."
"But everything aligned so perfectly—perfect timing, perfect place, perfect circumstances. If I took this step, I could silently eliminate Empress Feng's faction without leaving a trace, and keep my hands completely clean. It was as if heaven, seeing how hard I'd labored half my life, couldn't bear it and sent me this gift!" Qi Xiao stared at Bai Ren, his teeth clenched as he spoke through the pain. "At that time... I truly did have the intention to kill. But when I returned to my chambers and saw you sleeping so peacefully in my bed, I suddenly couldn't bear it."
"Then I thought, alright, let's take a step back. I'll have Shunzi escort you back. He's my milk brother, grew up with me, trained under the same master—his skills are even better than mine. With him protecting you, your life would be safe. That way... you'd suffer some minor injuries. Though not fatal, the scandal would be significant enough, and combined with what happened in the side hall of Qianqing Palace before, it would give Qi Huo quite a lot of trouble."
"I thought it through perfectly, but..." Qi Xiao laughed bitterly. "After making the plan, I discovered I simply couldn't sleep."
That entire night, Qi Xiao watched Bai Ren's sleeping face for hours. In the end, Qi Xiao conceded—he simply couldn't stake Bai Ren's life on anyone else. Not to mention Shunzi—even if he brought in a veteran martial arts instructor from the training grounds, Qi Xiao wouldn't feel at ease.
Qi Xiao laughed self-mockingly. "The rest, you know. Bai Ren, during the day..."
Qi Xiao paused, struggling to suppress the fury in his chest, his voice hoarse as he forced the words out. "During the day... when I said I would never again place you in danger... at that time... I wasn't lying to you. I've told you many lies before, but at least these words... I meant them."
Qi Xiao exhaled, a bitter smile crossing his face. "Forget it... what's the point of saying all this? I'm afraid no matter what I say from now on, you won't believe me."
Originally, Qi Xiao had been determined to win Bai Ren over. Today, he wasn't so certain. It wasn't that he lacked the means—it was that his heart had softened. Qi Xiao even considered simply letting the man go. After all, it had been nothing more than a passing fancy from the start. After all, nothing truly significant had happened between them. After all... there wasn't any real affection involved anyway.
"Your Highness... you really don't need to tell me all this..." The silent Bai Ren suddenly spoke, his voice rough. "Bai Ren is not some ignorant child. In Lingnan... being used by others, being framed—these things were commonplace for me. Even I myself have harmed others, so many things... I understand."
"Today I asked Your Highness this... because I suddenly had an epiphany and couldn't help myself." Bai Ren tried to keep his voice steady. "I'm not here to demand an accounting. As I said before... Your Highness had already prepared everything perfectly, and even came personally to fetch me. That is enough..."
Bai Ren's casual words struck Qi Xiao's heart like a heavy blow.
Qi Xiao closed his eyes, stepped forward, and pulled Bai Ren into his embrace, letting out a long sigh.
With these words from Bai Ren, even if Qi Xiao had even a shred of conscience left, he couldn't let go now. And besides, the Crown Prince himself had never possessed much virtue to begin with. Qi Xiao thought with a touch of shamelessness—this wasn't really his fault. He had contemplated letting go. It was Bai Ren who didn't want to leave. It was Bai Ren who wouldn't let him go.
"Bai Ren, I've lied to you too many times, and... heh, I don't dare promise I won't deceive you in the future either, so I won't give you any guarantees." Qi Xiao released Bai Ren and looked directly into his eyes, slowly saying, "Just watch what happens from now on..."
Remembering what Qi Xiao had just said, an inexplicable ache surged through Bai Ren's heart. He and Qi Xiao had never been able to trust each other from the very beginning. Qi Xiao had deceived him, and he had used Qi Xiao as well. No matter what either of them said to the other, complete trust was impossible. But when Qi Xiao had just said he would never again place him in danger, Bai Ren had believed it.
As for other oaths and promises—Bai Ren苦笑 in his heart. Cen Chaoge had said plenty of sweet words to him too. Look how that turned out. These past few days he had been through one storm after another, and ironically, the one always at his side had been Qi Xiao.
Whether it was Qi Xiao's scolding after his confrontation with Qi Huo, or this time when Qi Xiao intercepted him midway—Bai Ren could feel Qi Xiao's protection in all of it. It was something he had never experienced before. But after only tasting it a few times, he had already become somewhat attached.
Though it might sound pitiful and laughable to say—when it came to the few moments of peace Bai Ren could remember from his十几年 of life, they had all, without exception, come from Qi Xiao.
Bai Ren's eyes slightly reddened. He would never say these words to Qi Xiao, of course—but he didn't know that just by looking at his expression, Qi Xiao had already guessed most of it. Qi Xiao's heart ached sharply. Even this small warmth he offered, Bai Ren would cling to.
Qi Xiao suddenly understood why Bai Ren always maintained such distance with everyone. Bai Ren, like himself, had grown up relying on no one, always on guard against everyone around him. Qi Xiao was born cunning and ruthless, always striking first to protect himself,宁愿错杀一千也不放过一个. That was how he had gradually become the overbearing, venomous person he was today. But Bai Ren was born gentle—他不犯我我不犯人. To avoid those with ill intentions, he simply kept everyone at a distance, slowly becoming the cold, reclusive person the rumors described.
Qi Xiao remembered that day when he had scolded Bai Ren for losing his temper and arguing with Qi Huo, telling him that next time he should prioritize self-preservation and let Qi Xiao handle it—and Bai Ren had worn that same expression then.
Towards others' protection, Bai Ren was like an infant in swaddling clothes, utterly clueless.
What unsettled Bai Ren most was dealing with situations like this—more uneasy than facing someone's schemes or harm. He glanced at Qi Xiao somewhat flustered, forcing himself to compose his expression. "Si... since we've cleared things up, let's leave it at that. It's getting late, I..."
Qi Xiao couldn't take it anymore. He lowered his head and kissed Bai Ren on the lips.
Bai Ren's lips were warm and soft, carrying a childlike tenderness. Qi Xiao's heart filled with even more tenderness. He murmured softly, "Open..."
Bai Ren's eyes flew wide open. This was something he had never experienced with Cen Chaoge. Poor Bai Ren's mind went completely blank. Qi Xiao assumed he was resisting and lost some patience. His left arm wrapped around Bai Ren's waist, holding him still, while his right hand gripped Bai Ren's chin. He applied pressure, and Bai Ren hurt, instinctively opening his mouth. Qi Xiao smiled lightly, lowered his head, and taught Bai Ren a long lesson.
At first Bai Ren resisted fiercely, but eventually he softened. Qi Xiao's movements became increasingly gentle, softly stroking Bai Ren's back, soothing him like one would a small beast. Qi Xiao's careful attentiveness was not in vain—soon, Bai Ren's originally stiff body relaxed considerably. Bai Ren unconsciously clutched at Qi Xiao's clothing. Miraculously, this small action alone swept away all the gloom that had filled Qi Xiao's chest.
Bai Ren's mind was in chaos, his face burning hot. He didn't know how long it was before Qi Xiao finally released him. Bai Ren's legs were a bit unsteady. Qi Xiao gently kissed his lips once more and whispered with a smile, "Do you like it when I cherish you like this?"
Bai Ren's face flushed crimson. Instinctively he tried to push Qi Xiao away. How could Qi Xiao possibly let him escape? He smiled and said, "You didn't dodge just now, so it seems you do like it."
Bai Ren was exasperated. Just as he was about to deliver a stern rebuke, Qi Xiao "shushed" him with a smile. "Alright, I'm just teasing you. Bai Ren... let's consider today's matter settled. It was my fault after all. I'll apologize to you. From now on, neither of us will mention it again, alright?"
The two had just shared an intimate moment, and now Qi Xiao was being so gentle and apologetic. Of course Bai Ren couldn't refuse. He could only nod in response. Qi Xiao breathed a long sigh of relief in his heart, then pulled Bai Ren back into his embrace and cherished him tenderly for a while longer.