Chapter 44
To avoid drawing attention, before the evening banquet, Qi Xiao had the palace servants help Bai Ren tidy his hair and change into a thick fur-lined robe. Bai Ren's face was still flushed, looking displeased as he gazed at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao smiled. "It's New Year's, Young Lord. Why are you keeping such a long face?"
Bai Ren had learned his lesson by now. In a battle of words, he stood no chance against Qi Xiao, and the more he tried to argue, the more Qi Xiao found ways to counter him. Bai Ren had simply decided to play mute, a trick that usually worked well. But apparently it no longer satisfied Qi Xiao, who snatched the hand warmer from the servant and smiled. "Why aren't you talking? Are you really angry?"
The servants quietly retreated. Bai Ren抿了下嘴唇 (pursed his lips). "My hand warmer…"
Qi Xiao pulled his hand back, keeping it away. "I'm asking you—angry?"
Bai Ren was completely defeated. He laughed despite himself. "No, I'm not angry… If I got angry over something like this, I'd have nothing else to do all day."
"That's a funny way to put it. It sounds like I'm bullying you every single day." Qi Xiao had just gotten his way, so his mood was excellent. He handed the hand warmer back to Bai Ren and softly coaxed him. "Don't keep silent and stone-faced all the time. You know me—I'm the most timid person. When you stand there with that wooden expression, it makes me nervous. I start overthinking, wondering if I've somehow offended you again and made you unhappy…"
Before Qi Xiao could finish, Bai Ren couldn't hold back any longer. He laughed. "You're too kind… If Your Highness still considers yourself timid, then there'd be no bold person left in this world."
Qi Xiao smiled, one hand sliding around Bai Ren's waist to adjust his belt. He murmured softly, "If I weren't timid, how would I dare climb into the Young Lord's bed?"
Before Bai Ren could flare up in anger, Qi Xiao turned toward the door with a laugh. "The Young Lord and I are ready. Is the sedan-chair prepared?"
Jiang Deqing hurried to respond outside. "It's been ready for ages."
Qi Xiao nodded, picked up his own hand warmer, and stepped out first.
The palace's annual family banquet was as predictable as ever. During the feast, Qi Xiao found himself bored, his gaze drifting toward Bai Ren every now and then. Bai Ren was the picture of propriety, sitting upright and silent, only nodding in response when the Emperor addressed him. He appeared the very image of youthful maturity. Princess Dexin glanced over at Princess Dunsu with a smile. "I hear the Princess Consort's family has made a marriage alliance with Lingnan?"
Princess Dunsu smiled warmly in agreement. "Yes, indeed. I simply adore Lady Roujia. I had hoped… but never mind that. By His Majesty's gracious favor, Lady Roujia has been betrothed to my nephew. It's quite a fine match."
Although Princess Dexin was older than Princess Dunsu, being born of a concubine meant her status fell far short. Thus, she always had to play up to Princess Dunsu. She nodded with a smile. "Seeing the Prince of Lingnan's heir, I can well imagine how beautiful and graceful Lady Roujia must be."
Qi Xiao barely contained his laughter. He thought, if only you could have seen how Bai Ren was in my arms just now, trembling and teary-eyed as he begged for mercy.
"Your Majesty, this year's snowfall has been heavy, so we needn't worry about fire hazards. This allows this subject to have the Imperial Household Department prepare extra fireworks." Empress Feng smiled at the Emperor. "There are many children in the palace this year, and they'll enjoy them."
The Emperor smiled with satisfaction. "The Empress thinks of everything." Emperor and Empress raised their cups in a toast, smiling and conversing harmoniously—the very picture of a devoted couple. No one could have guessed that just that morning, Empress Feng had been lectured by the Emperor in Chengqian Palace.
In the outer hall, only the Empress was present; the other consorts were in the side chambers. Separated by a silk screen embroidered with gold thread, Qi Xiao couldn't see clearly, but his spies had told him the two young girls were indeed present.
As expected, after a while, the head eunuch of the Empress's palace led those two delicate flowers over. The head eunuch brought them to stand quietly behind Empress Feng. She glanced back at the two girls, then turned to smile at the Emperor. "I was afraid they'd be bored staying inside, so I let them come out for some air. They can't do much else, but they can serve wine and arrange dishes."
Empress Feng had been at the Emperor's side for twenty years and knew his preferences well. Thus, these two girls had been chosen to suit the Emperor's heart perfectly. The Emperor smiled without speaking, but the satisfaction in his eyes was unmistakable. Qi Xiao glanced back at Jiang Deqing, who had been standing guard behind him. Jiang Deqing understood and withdrew with a bow.
The banquet continued until the second quarter of the Hour of Xu. A palace servant came to announce that the opera at Qinghe Hall was ready. Starting with the Emperor, everyone present draped themselves in fox-fur cloaks and made their way to Qinghe Hall.
Bai Ren had been following the crowd, but the moment they stepped out of the hall, he was intercepted by Jiang Deqing, who had been absent for quite some time. Jiang Deqing walked up to Bai Ren and bowed with a smile. "Greetings to Your Lordship. His Highness the Crown Prince said he finds sitting alone boring, and hearing that Your Lordship also enjoys opera, he sent this old servant to invite Your Lordship to share his box and enjoy the performance together."
A young prince standing beside Bai Ren couldn't help but glance at him, eyes filled with envy. Everyone knew that Bai Ren had recently entered into a marriage alliance with Qi Xiao through a roundabout connection and had recently gained considerable favor from the Crown Prince.
Qi Xiao had already informed Bai Ren of this arrangement, so Bai Ren simply nodded without objection. Jiang Deqing glanced toward the flower beds behind them, a faint smile crossing his mind—Empress Feng was about to grow restless.
Jiang Deqing's expression remained neutral, but from the journey between Qianqing Palace and Qinghe Hall, he stayed close by Bai Ren's side, allowing no one to approach. He properly escorted Bai Ren all the way up to the opera pavilion of Qinghe Hall.
Qinghe Hall was the palace's dedicated opera-viewing venue, divided into upper and lower levels. The Emperor, Empress, various princesses, princes, and their consorts occupied the central grand warm pavilion on the second floor. Qi Xiao was alone in the right chamber, while the other princes and princesses were in the left. Everyone else was below.
Bai Ren followed Jiang Deqing into Qi Xiao's right warm pavilion. Though it was a viewing box for the opera stage, the pavilion was furnished with everything one could need. The floor was covered with thick, crimson gold-embroidered sheepskin carpets. Twelve warming baskets burned in the corners, each filled with premium fragrant incense cakes, their gentle fragrance slowly dispelling the cold. The pavilion faced south toward the opera stage, separated by a carved rosewood railing. Three feet from the railing stood a large eight-immortal table, laden with an abundance of meat and vegetable pastries, cold dishes, and fresh fruits. To the west, a贵妃榻 (elegant daybed) was placed, piled with soft pillows and neatly folded by its side were two embroidered lambskin blankets. At the foot of the bed sat two brightly polished brass foot warmers, their charcoal apparently just changed, faintly glowing red.
Jiang Deqing stepped forward to help Bai Ren remove his cloak, smiling as he did so. "You must be chilled from that walk. The braziers here burn well—you'll warm up in no time. If you're thirsty, there's chrysanthemum tea brewing on that small warming basket."
Bai Ren gazed at the luxuries of the pavilion and couldn't help but feel secretly astonished. He murmured softly, "Where is His Highness?"
"His Highness must first accompany Their Majesties in the main pavilion. He won't come until the opera begins." Jiang Deqing smiled attentively. "His Highness gave instructions beforehand—it's getting late, and the opera is tedious. If Your Lordship feels drowsy, you're welcome to rest on that daybed for a moment. The curtains here can be drawn—no one would see."
Bai Ren laughed despite himself. "That wouldn't be appropriate. This pavilion… was it prepared for just the Crown Prince?"
Jiang Deqing smiled knowingly. "Your Lordship thinks it's too extravagant? There's a reason for that. This pavilion was originally prepared for the Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and any future little imperial grandchildren. Even without them, it could accommodate an honored consort of high standing. Your Lordship, this old servant isn't speaking out of turn—apart from the Crown Prince, you are the very first to use this opera-viewing pavilion."
Fearing Bai Ren might be too thin-skinned to receive such words, Jiang Deqing added with a laugh, "Please don't overthink it, my lord. His Highness simply didn't want you to be uncomfortable down below. Look down there—everyone is sitting properly and primly at their seats. If they want to stretch an arm, they have to be careful not to let anyone see. How stifling is that? The opera will begin shortly. Please make yourself at home, Your Lordship. This old servant will be right outside the door."
Bai Ren nodded. Once Jiang Deqing left, he poured himself a cup of hot tea and drank it. At the evening banquet, he hadn't eaten much. Now, faced with this table of delicacies, he was beginning to feel hungry. But Qi Xiao hadn't arrived yet, so Bai Ren was content to wait patiently.
"What are you doing?" When Qi Xiao entered, he found Bai Ren gazing blankly at the pastries on the table. Qi Xiao walked over, picked up a piece of pineapple pastry, and took a bite. "Go ahead and eat. This came from my palace's private kitchen."
Bai Ren shook his head with a smile. "I'm not afraid of poison…"
Qi Xiao hadn't eaten much at the evening banquet either, and by now his stomach was growling. The two of them sat down together, eating pastries while watching the opera. The chef in Qi Xiao's private kitchen was even more skilled than those in the imperial kitchens, and the pastries suited Bai Ren's palate especially well. Like a child with new toys, Bai Ren tried a bit of every variety, savoring each one carefully. Qi Xiao found it amusing and pushed an entire plate toward Bai Ren. "This roasted rabbit head is their signature dish. First marinated in a secret sauce, then slow-roasted over fruitwood charcoal with over a dozen spices and herbs. The flavor is extraordinary—try some."
Bai Ren picked up his chopsticks but found the task nearly impossible. Qi Xiao chuckled, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and simply used his hands to tear the rabbit head apart. He picked out the meat and brain and placed them in a small dish before Bai Ren, smiling softly. "Try it."
Bai Ren lowered his head and ate. Indeed, the flavor was outstanding. Qi Xiao smiled. "There's no one watching. Just use your hands."
The rabbit head had just come out of the oven, its aroma rich and intense. Bai Ren had been hungry all along, and at this point, propriety flew out the window. He dug in with his hands as well. Fortunately, there were no outsiders. The two of them washed down the meal with aged wine and feasted until their hearts' content, finally making up for the meager evening banquet.
"My lord…"
When Jiang Deqing entered with a bow, he caught Bai Ren precariously trying to transfer an intact piece of brain into Qi Xiao's dish. Bai Ren's hands were greasy, his lips pressed tight, watching the brain piece with intense concentration, terrified it might crumble. Hearing the movement, he looked up, caught sight of his own messy state, and instantly flushed crimson. He hastily grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his hands. Qi Xiao couldn't hold back his laughter and turned to Jiang Deqing with a grin. "What is it?"
Jiang Deqing knew he had come at an inopportune moment. He forced an apologetic smile. "This old servant didn't mean to interrupt Your Highness and the Young Lord's meal. It's just that…"
Jiang Deqing glanced at Bai Ren, then dropped his smile and spoke quietly. "Something's happened outside. Princess Dunsu is asking for Your Highness."
" Something happened…" Qi Xiao unhurriedly ate the intact brain piece that Bai Ren had so carefully extracted, then took a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth. "What kind of trouble? We're within the inner palace—could assassins have gotten in?"
Jiang Deqing shook his head. "No. Earlier, the Second Prince became drunk. Empress Feng petitioned His Majesty for a favor, allowing the Second Prince to rest in a side chamber. But then…"
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "But what?"
Jiang Deqing steeled himself. "Your Highness knows, Princess Dexin is getting on in years and was finding it difficult to stay awake at this hour. Empress Feng and Princess Dunsu together escorted Princess Dexin to rest in the side chambers. After seeing Princess Dexin settled, Empress Feng and Princess Dunsu came out. When they passed the chamber where the Second Prince was resting, they heard… some unusual sounds. Princess Dunsu pushed open the door to investigate and found the Second Prince embracing one of Empress Feng's palace maidens, their clothes in disarray."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "My little brother has grown up…"
Jiang Deqing sighed. "If it were only that, it might be overlooked. But this maiden… this maiden was one that the Empress had previously prepared to present to the Emperor. Everyone in the palace knew about it. This is…"
Only then did Bai Ren catch the undercurrent of the situation. He couldn't help but glance at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao slowly wiped his hands with his handkerchief, nodded, and said, "I understand. You may go."