# Chapter 53
After conversing with Roujia for half the day, Bai Ren returned to his study. He had wanted to calm his mind and write a few characters, but before he could even finish grinding the ink, Wen Yu came looking for him.
Bai Ren never had much to say to this brother of his. Back in Lingnan, the two of them had been locked in covert rivalry for years, each having caused the other no small amount of trouble. Concubine Xia had long since torn all pretense with the legitimate line. Now that there were no outsiders present, Bai Ren couldn't be bothered to maintain even surface courtesy. He merely glanced at Wen Yu and said coolly, "Second brother, is there something you need?"
Wen Yu still wore that ingratiating smile, shaking his head. "Nothing at all. I only feel that yesterday I failed to exchange more than a few words with Eldest Brother. I've been thinking of you quite much. How have you been these past six months?"
Bai Ren gave a curt nod and said nothing more. Wen Yu was momentarily at a loss, forcing a laugh before scrambling for a topic. "Eldest Brother's study is indeed well-appointed. Oh, is that Hui ink?"
For every sentence Wen Yu offered, Bai Ren responded with only a single word. It was only after circling endlessly that Wen Yu finally reached the real point, asking coyly, "Eldest Brother... are you and the Crown Prince particularly close these days?"
A cold smile flickered in Bai Ren's heart. He neither confirmed nor denied it, merely saying, "Since we've become family, naturally it's different from others."
Wen Yu nodded with a smile. "Yes, I've heard... that Eldest Brother frequently visits the Crown Prince's residence?"
Wen Yu's words carried no hidden meaning, yet Bai Ren couldn't help the heat rising to his cheeks. Frequently visits the Crown Prince's residence? Of course he did. It had been Qi Xiao himself who had set that rule—Bai Ren had to go whenever the Crown Prince sent for him. Eight out of ten days, he spent at the Crown Prince's estate. If not for certain matters these past few days... The composure Bai Ren had just regained stirred again, and he deflected, "Not frequently... it's just that much of the wedding preparations fall under the Crown Prince's jurisdiction, so naturally I must visit often to inquire."
Wen Yu nodded with a smile. "Then... how are the wedding preparations coming along?"
Bai Ren's attention was elsewhere. "There are still some details yet to be settled..."
"If Eldest Brother needs anything, please don't hesitate to ask." Wen Yu flattered Bai Ren a few more times before finally probing, "If there comes a day when... Eldest Brother goes to the Crown Prince's residence, perhaps you might bring your younger brother along? The Young Lord just said, since we've become family, we shouldn't be treated as outsiders. Being too distant isn't good either."
Bai Ren nearly choked upon hearing this. He managed a cough and said, "That would depend on the Crown Prince's wishes. His temperament isn't particularly mild. I advise you... not to get involved with him."
This was probably the most sincere words Bai Ren had ever spoken to Wen Yu in his entire life. Unfortunately, Wen Yu didn't appreciate it in the slightest, smiling as he replied, "I wouldn't dare. I only thought that regarding today's matter... the Crown Prince seems to have some misunderstanding regarding Kang Tai. I wished to explain on her behalf. If it's inconvenient, then so be it. I only hope Eldest Brother, considering our sibling bond, might speak a few good words for her next time you see the Crown Prince. As Eldest Brother knows, Father King has utterly spoiled Kang Tai. Everything she says is without ill intent—please don't take it to heart."
In just a few sentences, he had reframed Kang Tai's public humiliation of Roujia as "speaking without ill intent." Bai Ren had seen through such tricks countless times. He merely smiled faintly and said, "If it was without intent, then there's all the less reason to say anything. Adding feet to a snake—over-explaining only invites misunderstanding."
Wen Yu hastily nodded. "Yes, Eldest Brother is right..." Seeing that he wouldn't get what he wanted, Wen Yu lingered a while longer, exchanged a few more words, then left. Outside the study, Wen Yu's personal servant had been waiting all along. Upon seeing his master emerge, he quickly asked, "Second Young Master, when shall we go to the Crown Prince's residence?"
"Go kiss my—" Wen Yu was brimming with frustration. He kicked the servant to the ground, then turned to glare at Bai Ren's study with a cold smirk before departing.
Already unsettled, having been disrupted by Wen Yu's intrusion, Bai Ren found it impossible to compose himself. His thoughts kept drifting to Qi Xiao unbidden. He accomplished nothing that evening. At dinner, Kang Tai claimed she wasn't feeling well and ate in her room, while Wen Yu went to see her. Bai Ren knew perfectly well she wasn't ill, but still ordered a physician summoned. Whatever might be happening in private, he would never neglect proper etiquette on the surface. Unfortunately, the physician came, examined her pulse at length, and said nothing of consequence—merely spouted some classical quotations and prescribed some warming tonic before leaving. Bai Ren paid it little mind and had dinner alone with Roujia. After the meal, with nothing else to do, he flipped through a few storybooks before retiring in a muddled state.
The weather in early spring swings between warmth and chill. The next morning upon waking, Bai Ren found himself with a stuffy nose and a heavy feeling in his limbs. Before he could even send for a physician after breakfast, Qi Xiao's carriage had already arrived at the outer gate of the Lingnan Prince's mansion.
Shun Zi bowed to Bai Ren and offered his greetings, then said deferentially, "Please convey my respects to the Young Lord. This morning, one of our household's servants went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to request the Crown Prince's medical records, when they happened to encounter your lordship's steward as well. Upon hearing that the Young Lord was unwell, our servant immediately reported back to the Crown Prince. His Highness was quite concerned, worrying that since the Young Lord and the Princess dine together and live in close quarters, he might have caught whatever ailment the Princess has. The Princess's wedding is imminent—absolutely no mishaps can be permitted. Therefore, His Highness has sent me to escort the Young Lord to stay at our residence for a few days. Firstly, the Crown Prince's manor has physicians on staff, making it convenient to care for the Young Lord without delay. Secondly, this will allow the Princess to prepare for her wedding in peace. What does the Young Lord think?"
Bai Ren found it amusing. He coughed and shook his head. "There's no need. It's merely a common cold. I'll stay indoors and avoid seeing anyone. No need to trouble him—if by some chance I were to infect the Crown Prince, the fault would be mine entirely."
Shun Zi spoke as if he had anticipated this response, unhurriedly replying, "The Crown Prince said that if Your Lordship is disinclined to move about, then the Crown Prince will come personally to escort you after court adjourns."
Bai Ren was caught between laughter and helplessness. He knew he could not win against Qi Xiao, so he simply nodded. He ordered someone to inform Roujia, packed a few things, and left with Shun Zi. And as if the Princess's residence had been forewarned by Qi Xiao, the moment Bai Ren left, Princess Dun Su arrived, claiming she was so fond of Roujia that she simply had to take her away. In the vast Lingnan Prince's mansion, there truly remained only Wen Yu and Kang Tai.
"It's truly just a bit of discomfort—no need to make such a fuss." In the warm study of the main building of the Crown Prince's residence, Bai Ren reclined on the couch, turning his head away to cover his nose and mouth with a handkerchief. "The physician already examined my pulse. He said it's nothing serious—two doses of medicine will cure it. You... don't stay here watching me."
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "This is my bedchamber. Am I not permitted to be here?"
Bai Ren laughed despite himself. "It's not that... I'm ill, and I don't know if it's contagious. What if—"
Qi Xiao sat down on the edge of the couch, then plucked the handkerchief from Bai Ren's grasp. With a cold smile, he said, "Contagious? You really think you've caught the plague? I asked the physician. He said you've caught a cold from the weather. Looking at your symptoms, it seems you got chilled last night. Are the maids in your quarters dead? Didn't they notice your blanket wasn't properly tucked and fix it?"
Bai Ren fell silent. Indeed, one shouldn't tempt fate. Only yesterday Roujia had remarked how much better his complexion looked, and today this happened. Seeing Qi Xiao's dark expression, Bai Ren felt inexplicably in the wrong. He forced a laugh and said, "I... I never have maids keep watch at night in my quarters. Whether I kicked the blanket off last night... I don't remember."
Looking at Bai Ren's cautious demeanor, Qi Xiao couldn't help but feel a pang of心疼—his heart ached for him. He couldn't bring himself to scold further. He shook his head and sighed softly, "You've gotten used to sleeping with me. At night, you unconsciously reach toward my side, and end up outside the covers..."
Bai Ren was mortified. "That's not— I... I slept perfectly well last night—"
The more embarrassed Bai Ren became, the more Qi Xiao wanted to tease him. Smiling, he said, "Slept perfectly well? Then how did you catch cold? Could it be..." Qi Xiao's voice dropped lower and lower, his smile turning wicked. "Yesterday you missed me so much that even in your dreams you thought of me? Tsk... Young Lord, it seems you've come down with lovesickness."
Qi Xiao had only been teasing, never expecting his words to hit so close to home. Bai Ren's face flushed crimson. Last night... hadn't he indeed been thinking of Qi Xiao the entire time?
Noticing the change in Bai Ren's expression, Qi Xiao burst out laughing. "Could I have hit the nail on the head?"
Mortified beyond words, Bai Ren grabbed the brocade quilt and pulled it over his head, his voice muffled as he said, "I'm ill, and the Crown Prince would still bully me like this?"
Knowing when to quit, Qi Xiao smiled. "Just teasing you. There, there. Come out now—don't suffocate yourself." Just then, there came a soft knock at the door, and Jiang Deqing's voice came through: "Your Highness... the Young Lord's medicine has been simmered. Should I bring it in now?"
Qi Xiao agreed and let Jiang Deqing enter. He took the medicine, blew on it gently, then said softly, "Give the orders: the Young Lord has caught a slight cold and must observe dietary restrictions. For lunch, prepare something light and easy to digest. Nothing greasy that will sit heavy in the stomach."
Jiang Deqing hastily acknowledged and, seeing that there were no further orders, withdrew with a bow.
"Don't let it get cold—it should be taken warm to be effective." Qi Xiao remained seated beside the couch, one hand holding the medicine bowl while he moved his other hand to gently push away Bai Ren's reaching hand. "The bowl's hot. Let me feed you..."
Bai Ren had no choice but to obediently take the medicine from Qi Xiao's hand. After draining the bowl, he smacked his lips and grimaced. "So bitter."
Qi Xiao smiled gently. "I could fetch you some pastry to chase away the bitterness, but I'm afraid it might interfere with the medicine's efficacy. Hmm... I'll reward you with something else instead..." Qi Xiao smiled, and before Bai Ren could protest, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to Bai Ren's. Bai Ren was startled, hastily trying to pull back, but Qi Xiao would have none of it. He pressed Bai Ren down onto the couch and thoroughly kissed him before releasing him. He smiled softly and asked, "Still bitter?"
Bai Ren's brow furrowed, irritation evident. "I told you it might be contagious—how could you—"
Ever since that day when the two of them had cleared the air between them, Bai Ren had not spoken to Qi Xiao in such an agitated manner. In all his life, Qi Xiao could not abide being contradicted, yet strangely, this time he savored it. Deliberately, he brushed his lips against Bai Ren's once more, smiling softly. "What's wrong? So worried that I might fall ill?"
Bai Ren's face burned with anger. He snapped, "Is this something to joke about?! If it spreads! I—"
"Don't be angry." Qi Xiao, having gotten his way, tried to smooth things over. He stroked Bai Ren's chest gently and laughed softly. "Hasn't anyone taught you? After taking medicine, you should lie still and rest, otherwise it upsets the remedy... There, there. Do you think I'm as prone to illness as you? Besides, this is simply a chill—it's not contagious at all."
Qi Xiao took a handkerchief to wipe Bai Ren's face, smiling. "The physician said we need to sweat it out for a full recovery. Though I wonder if the sweat you're working up right now will do the trick..."
Bai Ren was so exasperated he refused to say another word. Qi Xiao found it endlessly amusing. Finally, he simply climbed onto the couch himself, drew Bai Ren into his arms, and tucked the blanket firmly around Bai Ren. He murmured softly, "Fine, don't talk to me if you don't want to. But another body provides warmth. Once you've sweated it out, you'll feel better. Are you more comfortable now?"
Though Bai Ren was still resentful, he couldn't help but nestle closer into Qi Xiao's embrace. In a hoarse voice, he murmured, "No."
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You want me to kiss you again?" Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, Qi Xiao noticed that Bai Ren's exposed ear had turned bright red. He laughed softly. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. If you're tired, sleep for a while. You'll feel better when you wake."
Bai Ren nodded. Before long, the medicine took effect, and he fell into a deep, sound sleep.