Chapter 66
Bai Ren had never soaked in a hot spring before. He had only heard others describe how spring water was channeled into pools that had been dug and reinforced with stone. The more elaborate ones had mechanisms to drain and recirculate the water, keeping it fresh. Bai Ren had always thought such pools were the pinnacle of refinement. After seeing the hot springs here, he realized how ignorant he had been.
The estate had seven natural springs in total. The most nourishing one was located in the southwest corner of the courtyard where they were staying. The spring water was channeled in from outside, flowing through several winding passages before finally collecting in the innermost small courtyard.
Passing through the moon gate and along the covered walkway, Bai Ren could already see the mist rising from the southwest courtyard at a distance of about a hundred paces. Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "The water here is too hot to use directly, so we've channeled it through bamboo pipes that wind twice around the courtyard. It's become quite a scenic feature, and the water cools down a bit in the process. We've come at the wrong time of year. In winter, snow accumulates outside while flowers in the courtyard compete in beauty as if it were spring—far more interesting. Forgive me... I didn't remember to bring you here in winter."
Bai Ren hastily shook his head. He didn't have Qi Xiao's exacting standards, needing everything to be the best to barely satisfy. This alone was more than enough for him. Bai Ren slightly rolled up his sleeves and reached out to touch the spring water, exclaiming softly, "So hot..."
Seeing Bai Ren's interest, Qi Xiao turned his head to quietly instruct the maid who had followed them. "Tell the kitchen to set out lunch here... And bring the tea kettle over. Keep hot tea ready at all times."
The maid nodded and left. Qi Xiao turned back with a smile. "The water's too hot for here. Let's go inside."
Ordinary rooms couldn't withstand such humidity. This entire courtyard was constructed entirely of stone bricks, with bone glue and aromatic spices filling the gaps between them. When the steam rose, the whole room filled with warmth and fragrance. Bai Ren marveled as he entered—the room had several pools, all carved from single pieces of raw stone. The stone was precisely cut into neat squares, with edges polished smooth as glass. Beneath the pools, various sized jade stones were arranged, some even softly glowing with a warm light.
Qi Xiao embraced him from behind, undoing Bai Ren's clothing with gentle hands as he spoke softly. "Since this place was built, I've only come once. Bringing someone here... that's a first."
Qi Xiao draped Bai Ren's robes over the screen and lowered his head to kiss Bai Ren's lips, murmuring, "Everything I prepared for the Crown Princess, it's all for you now. All for you."
Just these words alone erased all of Bai Ren's earlier grievances and awkwardness.
Qi Xiao was true to his word. Having promised Bai Ren he wouldn't cause trouble, he truly didn't tease him. Once in the water, he simply held Bai Ren in his arms, gentle and affectionate. Bai Ren leaned comfortably on Qi Xiao's shoulder, cradling a medicinal packet soaking in the spring water as he asked, "What's in this?"
"Goji berries, ginger, and... safflower?" Qi Xiao picked up the packet to examine it, then casually tossed it aside. "It's all medicine. Don't hold onto it."
The hot water soaked away all the fatigue from Bai Ren's body, and he couldn't help wanting to be intimate with Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao was still wearing his inner robe, the snow-white silk turning nearly transparent when soaked, floating faintly on the water, revealing Qi Xiao's firm, well-built frame—commanding yet alluring. Bai Ren couldn't resist sidling closer to Qi Xiao, instinctively clinging to him. Qi Xiao curved his lips into a smile. "I said I wouldn't touch you, but here you are, provoking me..."
Bai Ren's face flushed slightly, quite embarrassed, yet still unwilling to let go. He wrapped his arms around Qi Xiao's waist and rubbed against him gently. Qi Xiao chuckled softly and pulled him close, indulging his little clinginess with tender affection...
By the time they left the courtyard, it was already the Shen hour (3-5pm). Bai Ren was drowsy from the steam and heat. Back at the main courtyard, he dove straight into bed and fell asleep immediately. Bai Ren had always had the habit of afternoon naps. Qi Xiao, however, couldn't sleep. After changing clothes, he went outside to review documents.
Jiang Deqing received a secret report outside and quietly entered, glancing toward the inner chamber before lowering his voice. "Your Highness... Princess Kangtai and the Second Young Master bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress this morning and have left the capital."
Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "They work quickly... So the Prince of Lingnan is truly anxious."
"The Prince of Lingnan is also a man who values face. How could he tolerate such a thing? There's another matter..." Jiang Deqing suppressed a smile and unconsciously glanced toward the inner chamber before speaking quietly. "Before they left, the people from the Prince of Lingnan returned all the gifts our people had sent to the Feng residence. But this morning, there were no men in the Feng household—only the lady of the house received them. She was very confused, and the people from Lingnan Mansion were clearly fuming, refusing to say a single unnecessary word. They stiffly stated they couldn't accept such gifts and left. As a woman, she couldn't very well send someone to chase after them. Neither side made things clear before parting ways. Now it's left hanging unresolved. The Lingnan people have already left the capital, so this matter... will likely become an unsolved case."
Qi Xiao gave a derisive laugh but said nothing. After a long moment, he spoke. "Have the people at the Confucian Temple sharpen their eyes. Act according to circumstances. You don't need me to remind you about maintaining cover. The most important thing is... we must wait until they've reached the southern frontier, at least past Geji Tuo, before taking action."
Jiang Deqing paused, then suddenly understood. "Your Highness is right. If we acted here, we'd be entangled in this somehow. But if something happens in the south... the Prince of Lingnan can't pin it on us."
Qi Xiao shook his head. "It's not just for that reason. Roujia is about to get married. If this happens, should the wedding proceed or not? I'd only be giving Bai Ren more troubles. Let's delay a few days. After the wedding, we can proceed."
Jiang Deqing hastily nodded. Just as he was about to say something more, he heard two coughs from the inner chamber. Jiang Deqing immediately fell silent. Qi Xiao waved for him to leave, then walked around the screen into the inner room. Lifting layers of bed curtains, he saw Bai Ren had turned over and was sleepily scooting toward the outside of the bed. Qi Xiao laughed softly. Bai Ren was looking for him.
Qi Xiao lay down as well. Bai Ren果然慢慢蹭了过来，最后在自己肩窝里拱了拱就又睡熟了。
There are no seasons in the mountains, and before they knew it, the two had stayed nearly ten days. During these days, they explored every corner of the estate. During the day, Qi Xiao stopped reviewing documents and instead accompanied Bai Ren to break willow branches and weave baskets, pick spring flowers to dry for the maids to make pillows and sachets, pick rapeseed flowers from the fields to feed little rabbits. Whatever could be played with, they played with. When tired from playing, they'd soak in the hot springs to relieve their fatigue. Naturally, as for what they "played" in the evenings, that was entirely up to Qi Xiao.
Qi Xiao pitied Bai Ren for being young and frail, afraid he couldn't take it, so he never went all the way. But since this was owed, Qi Xiao naturally made it up to Bai Ren in other ways. Over these ten days, Qi Xiao kept Bai Ren busy until the Zi hour (11pm-1am) almost every night. Yet Bai Ren was obedient and compliant—however embarrassed or shy he felt, he let Qi Xiao have his way. Whatever Qi Xiao asked, he would do. If he really couldn't manage something, he would clumsily beg for mercy. This truly set Qi Xiao's heart ablaze; no amount of doting felt like enough.
On the day they returned to the capital, Bai Ren lay sprawled on the small couch in the carriage, listlessly saying, "I'll go straight back to my residence when we reach the city... I'm not going to yours."
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Did I treat you poorly?"
Bai Ren shrank inward slightly and said quietly, "Roujia's wedding is coming up. There's so much to take care of. You're so fierce... it's left me with no energy for proper matters."
Qi Xiao had been about to tease him a bit more, but hearing this, he felt somewhat in the wrong. He softly coaxed, "Yesterday was my fault. Let me see... is there still a mark?" Qi Xiao took Bai Ren's hand and rolled up his sleeve slightly. There, on the delicate skin of Bai Ren's wrist, was a faint red mark.
Last night, Qi Xiao had been thinking they'd need to travel tomorrow, so he hadn't wanted to cause trouble, wanting Bai Ren to sleep well. But a plate of pastries before bed changed everything.
Last night, the pastries from the kitchen were a bit short, but they happened to be Bai Ren's favorite—jujube flower cakes. Normally, Bai Ren could finish those few pieces by himself, but last night, seeing the small portion, Bai Ren only ate one piece and said he didn't want any more, saving the rest for Qi Xiao. That single act ignited Qi Xiao's desires completely, utterly impossible to restrain. In the heat of passion, he couldn't help tying Bai Ren up. Bai Ren was cooperative,乖乖地任由他捆绑. But after it was over, two marks were left on his wrists.
Bai Ren had fair, delicate skin that bruised easily, but he wasn't actually hurt. Qi Xiao knew this in his heart, yet he couldn't help feeling心疼. He gently stroked the marks and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"
Bai Ren felt warm at seeing Qi Xiao's concern for him. He pursed his lips and said, "Blow on it."
Qi Xiao smiled and really lowered his head to blow on it gently, coaxing softly, "Come to my place after all. I promise not to trouble you tonight, okay?"
For the Crown Prince himself to apologize so humbly, Bai Ren naturally couldn't remain cold. He rolled over with a smile and nodded.