Chapter 33
The next morning, after breakfast, Qi Xiao smiled at Bai Ren. "I have some matters to attend to today. I'm afraid I won't be back the whole day. If you're bored, you may return to your residence first."
Bai Ren couldn't help but widen his eyes. Over these past days, he had told Qi Xiao more than once that he wanted to go back, but each time Qi Xiao had found one reason or another to block it. Never would he have expected that now, when he had stopped asking, Qi Xiao would actually let him go.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Qi Xiao smiled. "Could it be you don't want to go back? That's wonderful then."
Bai Ren shook his head. "I just didn't expect Your Highness to suddenly change your mind. Since that's the case, I'll start packing..."
"No need for you to pack." Qi Xiao waved his hand to dismiss the maidservants attending in the room, then smiled. "The wound on your neck hasn't healed properly yet. I've had them fetch two more bottles of medicinal ointment from the Imperial Medical Office. Take them with you, remember to apply them morning and night, be careful, and don't let it leave a scar. Take the medicinal soup prescription I wrote for you too—remember to have them stew it for you. There are a few hard-to-find tonic ingredients in that soup. I've also had some fine ones retrieved from my private stores to send with you."
As Bai Ren listened to Qi Xiao's careful instructions, warmth spread through his heart. He quietly agreed. Pleased to see Bai Ren listening乖乖, Qi Xiao finally lowered his voice. "There's also... what we agreed on before. Whenever I send someone to fetch you, that's when you come."
At these words, Bai Ren's face instantly flushed red. He looked around, somewhat at a loss. Qi Xiao was deliberately teasing him, smiling. "Stop pretending to be confused. You promised me this before. Say it..."
Bai Ren inwardly cursed. Since he knew this was something agreed upon long ago, why must it be brought up again and again? He wouldn't go back on his word anyway. But Qi Xiao was relentless, and when words didn't work, he'd resort to action. Only after making Bai Ren repeat it with flushed cheeks did he finally feel satisfied. He pressed a kiss to Bai Ren's lips and whispered with a laugh, "Don't forget what you said yourself. Alright, they've prepared the carriage already. You can leave whenever you're ready."
Outside, the first snow was gradually melting, and a north wind had picked up. It was indeed cold. Since Bai Ren hadn't brought warm clothing, Qi Xiao simply wrapped his own cloak around Bai Ren and had someone bring a hand warmer for him. Bai Ren couldn't help but laugh helplessly. "Your Highness... although I haven't spent a winter in the north, I can handle the cold. You don't need to be this careful."
"Better safe than sorry." Qi Xiao personally saw him to the carriage. This time Shunzi was driving again. Gazing at the freshly lacquered carriage, something in Qi Xiao's heart suddenly jumped a few times. After some thought, he took Bai Ren's hand, smiling warmly. "The words I had you say earlier—do you remember them?"
Bai Ren hadn't expected Qi Xiao to bring this up with so many people around. His eyes filled with anger. Unfortunately for him, he was handsome, and his eyes were as clear and bright as a spring. Looking at someone so furiously only made him seem pitifully adorable. Qi Xiao soothed him with a smile. "No, I... I'm just reminding you once more. Look carefully at this person..."
Bai Ren instinctively turned to look at the carriage driver standing nearby. When Qi Xiao mentioned him, the man stepped forward to bow. "Greetings, Your Lordship. I'm Shunzi. I'll be your dedicated driver from now on."
Bai Ren knew this was Qi Xiao's milk brother, different from other servants, so he nodded and returned the greeting. Qi Xiao adjusted Bai Ren's cloak for him and, without anyone noticing, gave his hand a slight squeeze, whispering, "Remember—except for him, I won't send anyone else to fetch you."
Bai Ren instantly understood. He couldn't help but feel a pang of fear at his own carelessness. Nodding, he said, "I understand."
"There are still snow and ice on the road. Be careful." Qi Xiao patted Shunzi's shoulder. "Go ahead."
Shunzi acknowledged and climbed up, driving away.
After seeing Bai Ren off, Qi Xiao walked slowly back toward the courtyard. Jiang Deqing followed and lowered his voice. "Your Highness's mind is truly meticulous. You've thought of everything here too. Indeed, if someone had learned of your relationship with His Lordship, they could impersonate you to invite His Lordship somewhere, then lead him astray... the consequences would be unthinkable. Sigh, actually, given His Lordship's special status, aside from that brainless fool, no one else would dare provoke him."
The tenderness Qi Xiao had shown Bai Ren vanished. A cold smile crossed his face as he said, "But，偏偏 there are always those brainless creatures rushing to court death."
Jiang Deqing slightly frowned. "Could it be... Your Highness knows who intends to harm His Lordship?"
Qi Xiao shook his head. "No. It's just preventing trouble before it happens. He just made an enemy of the Feng family. We can't be too careful. The people at the Feng residence still have some sense, but Feng Huanghou, heh..."
Jiang Deqing was someone who had served the late Empress Xiaoxian. He considered himself dignified and looked down on Feng Huanghou. He smiled and nodded. "That's true. I heard that yesterday Feng Huanghou prepared a lavish banquet and specially sent someone to invite the Emperor. Feng Huanghou still cared about face, ordering everyone not to gossip. But how could this be kept secret? These past days the Emperor hasn't visited Fenghuai Palace at all—everyone's watching. Now everyone knows. The Empress ate her lesson and still has to go apologize. How embarrassing!"
Qi Xiao gave a cold laugh but said nothing. Jiang Deqing continued to mutter. "Both are in the palace, but Feng Huanghou is far inferior to Empress Xiaoxian back in the day. This old servant still remembers... Empress Xiaoxian cared so much for the late Emperor, exhausting herself with court affairs day and night. She would personally stew soups and cook porridge for the Emperor. What virtue! Then one day she accidentally burned her wrist. The Emperor was so furious he almost demolished the entire imperial kitchen. It was Empress Xiaoxian who implored him to spare those servants. After that, not just the imperial kitchen—His Majesty wouldn't even let Empress Xiaoxian near the small kitchen in her own palace. He was terrified she might get hurt again. When this story spread outside the palace, it became a beautiful tale..."
Jiang Deqing smiled as he said this. "Speaking of which... Your Highness's temperament is truly like His Majesty's. Neither of you can bear to see those closest to you suffer even a little."
Qi Xiao had other things on his mind and hadn't been paying much attention to Jiang Deqing's chatter. This last sentence caught his ear. He smiled. "Is that so?"
Jiang Deqing hastily said, "Indeed. Those lowlifes gossip that the late Emperor was ruthless, but that was only toward them! In private, His Majesty was so tender and affectionate toward Empress Xiaoxian. Others simply weren't fortunate enough to witness it. These past few days, watching how Your Highness treats His Lordship... there's some of the late Emperor's manner in it."
Qi Xiao shook his head with a smile. "That's not the same..."
"How isn't it the same? This old servant has watched quietly... His Lordship's attitude toward the Crown Prince isn't the same as before either." Jiang Deqing thought for a moment and smiled. "I can't quite explain it, but it's very different from before."
Qi Xiao wasn't so optimistic. He淡淡一笑. "There's still a long way to go... If you want to keep someone, you must first be able to protect them. If you truly want to hold them tight, you have to keep climbing higher. If you act like Cen Chaoge, going wherever's comfortable, the people beside you will be snatched away sooner or later."
Jiang Deqing couldn't help but laugh. Did his young master like Bai Ren so much that he assumed everyone would come to steal him away? But before, Jiang Deqing had secretly worried that Qi Xiao might neglect his duties because of Bai Ren. Now seeing that his ambition remained as strong as ever, he felt relieved. He smiled and nodded. "Your Highness is right."
As they walked and talked, they entered the main hall. Qi Xiao lowered his voice. "Keep investigating that matter. These people are engaging in a deadly trade—live for today, die tomorrow. They always have backup plans. Send more people and dig into their family graves."
Jiang Deqing acknowledged and hesitated before adding, "Those two maids have been relatively well-behaved. Perhaps being lectured by Princess Dunsu earlier taught them a lesson. These past few days they've only been doing needlework. Since we don't let them come to the front, they just stay in the back."
Qi Xiao nodded. "But keep a close watch on them too. Have them live separately, don't let them chat together every day. And especially keep watch if Bai Ren comes."
Jiang Deqing nodded in agreement. Just as they were speaking, a senior maid entered and curtsied. "Your Highness, the Princess has sent someone to invite you. She says the Princess's residence has a new excellent chef, and she wants Your Highness to come for lunch."
...
At the Princess's residence, Qi Xiao was escorted by the housekeeper to the main building's side room. Princess Dunsu was leaning on a hundred-sons-and-thousand-grandsons couch, looking through account books. When she saw Qi Xiao arrive, she sat up and smiled. "Are you cold? Don't bother with formalities. Come sit here. Someone bring a foot warmer for the Crown Prince."
After paying his respects and sitting down, Qi Xiao looked around and smiled. "Is there anything Auntie lacks? I'll find it for you."
"You've already sent so many gifts. What could I possibly lack?" Princess Dunsu smiled and pulled Qi Xiao's hand, patting it. She turned to everyone present. "You may all withdraw."
Qi Xiao smiled. "Does Auntie have something to discuss? Where are Uncle and my cousins?"
"The Duke went to the yamen and hasn't returned yet. Your cousins are studying at Maoping Academy now. They only come home once every ten days or half month. You'll see them next time." Princess Dunsu smiled. "I specifically called you here while they're away, so we won't be disturbed. Regarding what you asked me before—to be a matchmaker for Princess Rujia—I've found some leads."
Qi Xiao's eyes brightened. "Which family?"
"I'm telling you, don't嫌弃 their status is low." Princess Dunsu paused and smiled. "Actually, they're also family—it's the son of the Duke's堂 elder brother, named He Zichen. He'll be twenty this year. You might still remember him. Before you left the capital, I often invited him to stay."
Qi Xiao thought for a moment and indeed had some recollection. He hesitated. "I remember... he wasn't very talkative, but he was kind to others. He was especially close to my cousins."
Princess Dunsu smiled and nodded. "That's him. You were all young then. Your cousins were wild as monkeys, but Zichen was different. He..."
"This child's fate was truly unfortunate. His father was the Duke's second cousin. He was a hopeless good-for-nothing from childhood. The old patriarch tried scolding and beating, but nothing worked—he simply couldn't be helped. Later he got married and had a post. He moved out to live on his own, but without anyone to keep him in check, he became even worse. Drinking, whoring, gambling—nothing was beneath him. Within a few years, he ruined his health. A bout of cold took his life." Princess Dunsu sighed. "My poor sister-in-law. We were close friends when she was in her maiden home. She's the gentlest soul. To have married such a scoundrel, she was widowed at a young age. Fortunately, she had a son—Zichen. Zichen is nothing like his father. He's been ambitious since childhood. The more others looked down on them, the mother and orphan, the more determined he became. His scholarship is far superior to your cousins'. The Duke felt sorry for him and wanted to find him a position, but he refused. He insisted on making his own way through examinations."
Qi Xiao smiled. "If I recall correctly... in last year's palace examination, he placed first among theJinshi. He was granted the title ofJinshi Jidi and is now aShujiap in the Hanlin Academy, correct?"
"You have such a good memory." Princess Dunsu smiled warmly. "This child made something of himself. My sister-in-law suffered all these years and finally held her head high. Over the years, she's often come to me for advice. After Zichen passed the palace examination last year, she told me that having been widowed for so long, she doesn't know what good girls are like outside. She asked me to keep an eye out. It's just that their family... they're in a difficult position. Though they have the He family name to rely on, the responsible elders passed away early. Zichen may serve in the Hanlin Academy, but being so young, it's hard for him to rise quickly. And his family's savings were completely drained by his good-for-nothing father. They're quite poor now. Families with decent means aren't willing to send their daughters to suffer such hardship."
Qi Xiao淡淡一笑. "That doesn't matter. If he's truly a good person, these are minor details."
"He truly is a good person. Otherwise, I wouldn't have often invited him here. He's steady, modest, and humble. Despite his family's circumstances, he never wallows in self-pity. Instead, he often comforts his mother." Princess Dunsu shook her head and sighed softly. "Truly, he's much better than your cousins. They say the children of poor families mature early—that's exactly what this means. You mentioned before that Princess Rujia's temperament is gentle and refined. She wouldn't thrive in a grand household. Doesn't this fit perfectly? He has only this one elder at home, and my sister-in-law isn't a troublemaker. She'd surely treat her daughter-in-law well. Isn't this exactly what you described?"
Princess Dunsu smiled. "I won't hide the truth from you—I have my own motives too. My sister-in-law and nephew are truly rare, good people. Unfortunately, they've had bad luck. If they receive your help, great success will follow. Wouldn't that benefit both sides? Isn't it wonderful?"
Qi Xiao抿唇微笑. "Whatever Auntie approves of must be good. But we should still let the young lady's family see for themselves. How about this—tomorrow, have my cousins and Zichen come to my residence. I'll also bring Bai Ren over. We'll say it's a gathering. Bai Ren can observe privately. If he's satisfied, the matter is settled. After that, Auntie can handle the rest."
Princess Dunsu smiled gracefully. "If I can help my unfortunate sister-in-law and nephew this way, no effort is too much for me."