Chapter 60
Qi Xiao rose to greet him and meet him outside. When he saw Bai Ren, he froze in place. Bai Ren noticed Qi Xiao staring at him blankly, lowered his head to glance at his robes, and laughed. "You sent Shunzi to rush me so urgently, I didn't even have time to change clothes. After seeing off the guests I came right over—does it look strange? Let me change first..."
"There's no need."
Bai Ren was wearing a crimson front-opening ceremonial robe today, the cuffs and collar densely embroidered with black auspicious cloud patterns. It was both magnificent and dignified. He rarely wore such bright colors, so seeing him in this unexpected outfit, Qi Xiao couldn't look away.
Bai Ren felt somewhat self-conscious under Qi Xiao's intense gaze, and smiled. "Do I look foolish? This is the better one, actually. I have another set saved for Roujia's wedding day—it's even more eye-catching, a bright red brocade garment. Just thinking about it makes it impossible to wear out..."
Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh. "No, it's very beautiful..."
Just then, Jiang Deqing entered from outside and bowed with a smile. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the small wontons prepared for the Young Master just finished cooking. Should I bring them up now?"
Qi Xiao looked at Bai Ren. "Are you hungry? Or would you like to rest before having some refreshments?"
Bai Ren smiled sheepishly. "Let's eat first... I've been busy all day and haven't eaten much."
Jiang Deqing quickly agreed and went to arrange things. Soon he brought up the wontons along with several plates of freshly made meat and vegetable pastries. Qi Xiao dismissed the servants, and the two of them dined comfortably together in the warm pavilion.
Qi Xiao studied Bai Ren's complexion carefully. "Your face is a bit flushed. Did someone force you to drink at the banquet?"
Bai Ren scooped up some soup to drink, then shook his head at the question. "Not at all... I only had a little. Is my face red? I only feel a bit dizzy."
Qi Xiao frowned slightly. "I told Wen Xiang and the others to挡酒 for you. These people are useless."
"Oh, that explains it..." Bai Ren laughed. "Don't wrong the kind people. Those several men did keep intercepting drinks for me. At first I was confused—I'm not particularly close with them in ordinary times, so why were they suddenly so friendly? It turns out they were courtesy of His Highness the Crown Prince's prestige."
Qi Xiao smiled. "Your flattery is rather clumsy. I couldn't go today, and didn't even get to drink a toast to the wedding. If you truly want to thank me, use tea as wine and offer me a cup."
Qi Xiao had only been teasing him, never expecting Bai Ren's face to turn even redder at these words. Just as Qi Xiao was feeling puzzled, he watched as Bai Ren, face flushed, picked up the teacup, first took a sip himself, then took another sip—but instead of swallowing, he leaned closer and, suppressing his shyness, pressed his lips to Qi Xiao's.
Qi Xiao instantly understood. He found it amusing inside. He had previously used the "cup passed by mouth" trick to tease Bai Ren, and back then Bai Ren had nearly turned white with anger. Now without bringing it up, this little thing was being proactive instead. Qi Xiao accepted this small misunderstanding in good faith, then went one step further. "Just one cup?"
Bai Ren's face burned even redder. Knowing when to stop, Qi Xiao laughed. "Fine, one cup then. When you get married, I'll definitely go, and I'll personally挡酒 for you to repay the favor of this cup of tea today. How about that?"
Bai Ren was taken aback. "Your Highness would come to the wedding? That might be... awkward, right? Your Highness has already contributed greatly to Roujia's marriage and attracted considerable attention. To personally attend as well..."
Qi Xiao said casually, "It's fine. Everyone knows I'm half the matchmaker. It would be too late to start being propriety-conscious now. I didn't go today to avoid being too conspicuous and making things difficult for you. On the actual wedding day, there's no need for such caution. By the way, how are Wen Yu and Kang Tai?"
Bai Ren's smile faded somewhat. He shook his head and said, "Wen Yu's complexion has worsened considerably. Although she still helped me receive guests at the front as usual, the weariness at the corners of her brows and eyes cannot be hidden. I imagine she's been worrying deeply these past few days. I haven't seen Kang Tai since the day before yesterday, but I've heard she's also in a bad state... Her reputation is ruined, and the Emperor pays her no mind whatsoever. They can only suffer in silence. Now all they hope is that this scandal passes quickly and doesn't spread to Lingnan. That way, when Kang Tai returns to Lingnan, she can still arrange a proper marriage."
Qi Xiao's heart stirred, then he smiled. "Enough, let's eat. No more of this." Both were hungry, so they didn't say much more. Before long, they had swept the table clean like a passing wind. Seeing Bai Ren still seemed to want more, Qi Xiao softly coaxed him. "It's getting late. Eating too much leads to indigestion. How about we have a bowl of bird's nest before bed instead? Would that be okay?"
Bai Ren, as obedient as ever, nodded. After chatting for a while longer, the two of them went into the inner chamber.
After washing up, both were dressed in only their inner garments as they climbed onto the bed. Qi Xiao leaned against the headboard, pulling Bai Ren into his arms, then covered them both with a fluffy brocade quilt. They talked idly, Qi Xiao gradually asking what guests he'd met today, what delicious dishes were at the banquet, which family of opera performers performed...
Bai Ren answered everything, laughing softly as he shared some jokes from the banquet. When it came to the He family's betrothal gifts, Bai Ren lowered his voice. "I don't care about the quantity of things. Their family isn't wealthy, and what they managed to put together was no small effort. I'm touched by the sincerity of their household... Thank you, Your Highness. This match you've found is truly wonderful."
Qi Xiao lowered his head and kissed Bai Ren's hair, a slight smile on his lips. "It's my elder sister-in-law's wedding. How could I possibly be careless about it? I don't ask for anything else—only that you be content."
Bai Ren愣了一下, only then realizing what "elder sister-in-law" meant, and his face flushed red. He argued back stubbornly, "Your Highness has the generations wrong. It should be elder sister."
Qi Xiao burst out laughing. "Look at you, getting it backwards!" With that, he thrust his hand under the covers to tickle Bai Ren. Bai Ren was extremely ticklish, and immediately dissolved into laughter in Qi Xiao's arms, begging for mercy between gasps. "Stop... Have mercy on me... haha..."
Afraid he might laugh so hard he'd lose his breath, Qi Xiao gently stroked his back to soothe him, laughing as he said, "Relying on my doting you, your胆子 is getting bigger and bigger..."
Bai Ren's heart warmed. He said nothing more, still lying down nestled in Qi Xiao's arms. Qi Xiao reached back and opened a hidden compartment in the bed, taking out a small cloisonné box and handing it to Bai Ren, his voice low. "Today is a good day for the betrothal ceremony. I'll add my contribution too. Open it and see."
Bai Ren frowned. "Betrothal ceremony?"
Qi Xiao smiled without speaking, helping Bai Ren sit up. When Bai Ren opened the small box, he saw it lined with thick white silk velvet, and resting on the velvet were two identical gold-inlaid jade pendants. Bai Ren found them strangely familiar. He picked one up to examine it... and realized these were the life charms he had previously given to Qi Xiao.
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "I had an old craftsman split that jade piece into two, then used premium seed jade with gold inlay to repair them, creating these two pieces." Qi Xiao took one of the pieces, threaded it onto a tassel, and said softly, "I don't know if a life charm split apart like this still retains its efficacy. All I know is..."
Qi Xiao took Bai Ren's hand and placed the jade pendant in his palm. "No matter when or where, regardless of whether the life charm has any power, as long as I, Qi Xiao, am here, I will ensure your safety is never threatened. Even if the heavens fall, I will bear the weight."
Qi Xiao turned the jade pendant in Bai Ren's hand over, revealing the pattern of wild geese carved into the seed jade. His gaze was tender, seeming both carefree and yet incomparably solemn. "Now, with the authority of the Crown Prince, I make this promise as a minor betrothal pledge. Using these geese as witness, the life charm as proof—Bai Ren, are you willing to accept me?"
Bai Ren's eyes instantly grew red. He looked at the jade pendant in his hand, almost at a loss. He swallowed hard, his voice hoarse. "Why did you suddenly... I thought you'd thrown this thing away. I..."
Qi Xiao lowered his eyes and smiled, softly reciting: "Autumn departures fly south, spring returns come north, departures and arrivals have their seasons, but my resolve is unwavering. Bai Ren, are you willing to accept me?"
"Whether in life or death, in hardship or ease, I made this vow with you, and will hold your hand and grow old with you. Qi family son asks to form an oath of white heads together. Bai Ren, are you willing to accept me?"
"With the spirits of my deceased Father Emperor and Mother Empress in heaven as witnesses, as long as Qi Xiao draws breath this day, I will never allow you to suffer the slightest hardship. May heaven and earth bear witness—Bai Ren, are you willing to accept me?"
Bai Ren's tears burst forth. He choked back sobs and nodded desperately. Qi Xiao smiled, threaded the other jade pendant onto a tassel as well, holding it in his own hand, and said softly, "If the life charm truly works, then from now on... our fates will be bound together."
Bai Ren's tears fell onto Qi Xiao's hand. His heart ached, and Qi Xiao said softly, "Don't cry. Are you嫌弃 my gift is too modest..."
Bai Ren shook his head desperately. He clutched the jade pendant in his hand, stroking it continuously. After a long while, he choked out, "Back then... I didn't dare to fully believe you truly liked me. I was afraid it was only a passing fancy. I didn't dare to say I liked you—I only dared to give you the life charm... That way, if anything happened, it would fulfill all my feelings for you. I regarded you as my life. If you lived, I lived. If you died, I died..."
Bai Ren pressed the jade pendant against his heart, making every effort to control his sobs. "Back then I thought... if someday you understood the meaning of this life charm and were willing to give your life charm to me in return... then even if this life encountered nothing but misfortune, heaven had already shown me great favor..."
Qi Xiao's heart ached fiercely. He held Bai Ren close and tightly pulled him into his embrace. Words failed him—all he could do was continuously comfort him. "Don't cry, don't cry..."
Bai Ren kept nodding, but his tears wouldn't stop, as if a floodgate had been opened. All the tears he had held back through those years came pouring out at once. Qi Xiao's heart ached so badly he couldn't bear it. He lowered his head and continuously kissed Bai Ren's brow. Bai Ren gripped the jade pendant in his hand tightly, fighting to control his sobs.
In that instant, Bai Ren almost felt he had used up all the luck in his entire life.
The person he loved had used his own life as a bride price and presented it to him. With only these words, the fifteen years of gloom in Bai Ren's short life were swept completely clean. He had traveled over mountains and rivers, come thousands of miles to the imperial capital, and finally found the destination of his destined path. From now on, there would be no more drifting.