Chapter Fifty-Four
Bai Ren's illness hadn't been serious to begin with. After taking his medicine and sleeping for a while, he felt much better. However, the medicine's effects had caused him to break out in a heavy sweat, leaving him uncomfortable and longing for a bath.
"Don't cause trouble." Qi Xiao poured a cup of tea and handed it to Bai Ren. "You were almost better. If you catch a chill from this and it rebounds, it'll be even worse."
Of course, one must heed Qi Xiao's words. But Bai Ren truly was miserable, so he could only plead softly, "Then could you have someone bring me a basin of hot water? May I at least wipe my face and head?"
Qi Xiao paused, then smiled. "That much is fine. Someone come—"
The servant girl outside heard the call and quickly brought in the washing implements to attend to him. After Bai Ren quickly wiped himself down, he did indeed feel much better. Qi Xiao dismissed the girl and sat on the couch, tidying Bai Ren's hair at his temples. Bai Ren's face, weakened by illness, was even paler than usual, making him appear all the more pitiful. Qi Xiao's heart filled with tenderness, and unable to resist, he lowered his head to kiss him. Bai Ren quickly dodged aside, laughing despite himself: "Don't be naughty. I want to tell you something…"
Qi Xiao took his hand and squeezed it, nodding. "Go ahead."
"You mentioned before… that Wen Yu came here to get a share of the pie, right?" Bai Ren frowned烦躁ly and sighed. "At the time I didn't take it to heart, but now looking at it… you're right, and he doesn't just want a share…"
Qi Xiao smiled mockingly. "What did I tell you back then? You're just too naive. You only knew to worry about Roujia. I knew the hidden danger lay elsewhere."
Bai Ren frowned. "And ever since he arrived, he's been currying favor everywhere. I heard from my confidant that he's been secretly investigating my activities in the capital these past six months, and even trying to bribe my people with heavy sums. I'm not worried about the latter—I can thoroughly investigate the manor once he's left. But the former…" Bai Ren glanced at Qi Xiao with worry. Qi Xiao instantly understood, curling his lips into a smile: "Bai Ren… are you worried about me?"
Bai Ren felt extremely uncomfortable and quietly said, "We're discussing serious matters. I'm worried there might be rumors."
Qi Xiao wrapped his arms around Bai Ren from behind, lowering his voice: "Are you scared? Scared of not being able to catch a consort?"
Qi Xiao naturally knew Bai Ren was worried that those rumors would harm him, but he couldn't help teasing him. However, this struck right at the heart of Bai Ren's secret fears.
Normally Bai Ren would have dodged long ago. When Qi Xiao saw him standing still, he thought perhaps Bai Ren was feeling unwell again. He touched Bai Ren's forehead—finding it not hot, he relaxed—and smiled: "Why aren't you saying anything? Hm?"
Qi Xiao pulled Bai Ren to face him. Bai Ren's complexion had turned terribly ashen. Laughing despite himself, Qi Xiao said, "What's the matter now? Don't tell me I said something careless and offended you?"
Bai Ren shook his head. After hesitating for a long while, he finally said quietly: "Crown Prince, you… you'll marry a Crown Princess one day."
Qi Xiao hadn't expected Bai Ren to think of this. Normally Bai Ren avoided these topics as much as possible. Having him bring it up so suddenly… Qi Xiao's heart stirred. This fool must have already turned this over in his mind hundreds of times.
Qi Xiao stopped bullying him, speaking gently: "What nonsense are you talking."
Bai Ren pressed his lips together and shook his head, unwilling to continue the topic. Qi Xiao knew he was overthinking and feared he'd wander down a dark path, torturing himself again. So he could only say, "Bai Ren, when I told you that day that I like you… did you think I was joking?"
Bai Ren quickly shook his head, feeling guilty for having brought this up. Qi Xiao laughed despite himself: "If I didn't know your temperament so well… I'd almost think you were intentionally trying to get me to say these sweet things. Since you know my feelings are sincere, do you still need to worry about me marrying a Crown Princess?"
Bai Ren was astonished, couldn't help but look up at Qi Xiao.
Qi Xiao smiled self-deprecatingly: "You're quite something, making me say these things over and over. Fine, since you've coaxed me into speaking honestly, you give me an honest answer too. Bai Ren… do you want to marry a consort?"
Bai Ren's voice came out hoarse: "Of course I don't want to."
Qi Xiao smiled lightly: "Good that you're honest… If you dared marry, before you even brought her through the door I'd deal with her first, then settle accounts with you." Qi Xiao spoke ferociously, but his movements were gentle as ever, still holding Bai Ren in his arms. He laughed: "Going to cry again? I've noticed you're becoming more like a child lately. How long has this been weighing on your mind?"
Bai Ren was the most self-composed person by nature, but facing Qi Xiao he could never maintain that dignity. After hesitating, he said in a hoarse voice: "Since that day… the day we quarreled… it's been on my mind."
Bai Ren still found it unbelievable. "You really… won't marry?"
Qi Xiao smiled: "Let me ask you first—if I married, and still sent people to fetch you as I do now, would you still come?"
Bai Ren was stunned, then shook his head: "No."
Qi Xiao sighed: "See? Where could a Crown Princess compare to you? Come… considering that I can't possibly get a Crown Princess, please, Your Highness the heir, take on some of the responsibilities a Crown Princess should fulfill…" As he spoke, he began to tease Bai Ren again. Bai Ren's face flushed crimson, quickly pushing him away: "We're not done talking… don't…"
Qi Xiao could only look at him, smiling: "What else do you want to say?"
Bai Ren looked conflicted. After dawdling for ages, he finally said quietly: "You just said I'm becoming more like a child… are you displeased? I… I don't know what's wrong with me either. The more I think these days, the more I烦 myself…"
Bai Ren was by nature the most indifferent of people, but somewhere along the way, he started thinking of Qi Xiao every single day and night. The more he thought, the more he worried. Bai Ren feared annoying Qi Xiao and never let slip a single word to him, but occasionally, like just now, something would slip out. He felt so烦躁. The last thing he wanted was for Qi Xiao to find him troublesome—yet it seemed the very thing he feared always came to pass.
Qi Xiao couldn't stand seeing Bai Ren wallow in regret. He lowered his head and kissed him on the lips, pushing him directly onto the couch, kissing him thoroughly before finally letting go. He gasped lowly: "Wrong… I like exactly this—how you worry over me, how you hesitate and can't decide." Qi Xiao still felt unsatisfied. He lightly bit Bai Ren's lip, lowering his voice: "Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to make my heart ache for you?"
Bai Ren hadn't come to his senses yet. He dazedly licked his bruised lip, his words coming out disconnected: "We… haven't finished discussing it. What if Wen Yu spreads some kind of rumor…"
Qi Xiao laughed. He sat up and said calmly: "Don't worry. I have arrangements in place." Qi Xiao didn't want Bai Ren to worry. He explained his plan to Bai Ren in detail. At the end, he smiled: "Give him a little lesson. If Wen Yu shows some restraint, that would be for the best. But if he insists on courting death and provoking me, I'll oblige him."
When Bai Ren learned of Qi Xiao's plan, he naturally felt at ease. Unfortunately, Wen Yu was oblivious to all this. The next day, when he went to the palace for his respects, he crossed the Emperor's bottom line.
Of course, the Emperor's expression remained as warm as ever. He was very affable and even bestowed many gifts. But the moment Wen Yu was dismissed, the Emperor's face immediately fell.
Fuhailu handed a freshly brewed cup of tea to the Emperor and said softly: "This is what the second young master brought back from the south this time. The former heir also brought some before, and Your Majesty enjoyed it very much."
The Emperor took the tea but didn't touch it, placing it directly on his desk. After a long moment he said: "It's a good thing that was sent here was Bai Ren. Wen Yu… though he's a few months younger than Bai Ren, he has far more schemes."
Fuhailu had also caught the implications in what Wen Yu had said during his conversation with the Emperor. Hearing this, he smiled faintly: "But when he stands before Your Majesty, it doesn't amount to much."
The Emperor shook his head and smiled: "He simply came prepared. What did Huo Rong say yesterday? Do you remember?"
Fuhailu bowed his head: "Huo Rong said that the second young master repeatedly asked the heir to recommend him to the Crown Prince. The heir advised him not to stir up trouble, and the second young master当即 wasn't pleased. He took it upon himself to use the heir's name card and sent it to Crown Prince's manor. But… Your Majesty knows the Crown Prince's temperament. He didn't pay Wen Yu any attention. For matters related to the wedding, he only discusses with the heir, and has never even met the second young master."
The Emperor coldly smiled: "It's not just that… According to our eyes and ears in the Lingnan Prince's mansion, over these past few days, whenever anyone comes to visit the mansion, Wen Yu befriends them all. His manner is such that he looks even more like the master of the house than Bai Ren does. He's not the least bit老实. Just now he was trying to badmouth Bai Ren in various ways. Hmph… Does he really think he can fool me like his foolish old father? Bai Ren may have many faults, but he at least knows his place and acts within bounds."
Fuhailu hesitated, then probed: "Should we find a way to counsel the second young master?"
The Emperor shook his head: "No need… keeping it in mind is enough. Before, I always thought Bai Ren was cold and aloof, not close to me. But compared to Wen Yu, he's quite endearing… Instruct Huo Rong to keep a close watch on the Crown Prince's side. The Lingnan Prince dotes on Wen Yu terribly. If we let the Crown Prince connect with him and thus tie in with Lingnan… the consequences would be endless."
Fuhailu quickly nodded: "Yes."
In the Crown Prince's mansion, Huo Rong faithfully relayed everything the palace had instructed him to say to Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao nodded: "Understood." Then he turned to look at Jiang Deqing. Jiang Deqing understood his meaning, took an exquisite little box, and handed it to Huo Rong. Huo Rong looked confused. Qi Xiao淡淡 smiled: "These are two solid gold gem-encrusted longevity locks. You don't get back to your hometown often—you should bring back some trinkets for the children. Just be careful and absolutely must not expose your movements. After all… your godfather Fuhailu doesn't know you have these two little ones."
Huo Rong's heart clenched. He gritted his teeth and thanked him profusely. Qi Xiao employed both carrot and stick, smiling again: "Occasionally it occurs to me… that things can't go on like this forever for you. When the right opportunity presents itself, I will naturally help you escape. Then the world will be wide open—there will certainly be a place for your family to settle and make a living."
Huo Rong was deeply moved and quickly knelt to express his profound gratitude.