Chapter 78
Upon hearing this news, Bai Ren forgot all about his itch and sat up eagerly. "Really?"
Jiang Deqing burst out laughing. "Absolutely true. Princess Dunsu has already gone over there herself. She was the one who sent word this way. His Highness's residence must have received the good news by now."
Bai Ren hastily straightened his clothes and got off the couch. Qi Xiao smiled at Jiang Deqing. "The young lord won't have time to return home. Go to the treasury and pick some fine tonics, then select a pair of white jade ruyi. Wrap them up nicely for the young lord to take with him."
Bai Ren turned to look at Qi Xiao, his heart sweet with gratitude. Qi Xiao smiled lightly. "Go on then. I can't accompany you, but bring my regards."
In the inner hall of the He residence, Roujia reclined on a divan, a small wool tapestry blanket draped over her legs. She smiled and said, "How troubling it is for Your Highness to come all this way. My heart is truly uneasy..."
"You child, it's been several months since you married into the family and you still treat me like a stranger. How many times have I told you—call me great-aunt." Princess Dunsu patted Roujia's hand with a smile, then teased, "If you truly feel uneasy, then quickly give me a chubby grandson. Oh, dear sister-in-law, you truly are blessed. Your niece-in-law looks so delicate and frail, yet she's so fertile."
Lady He had been a widow for many years and had only one child, He Zichen. Now about to welcome a grandchild, she seemed to have become ten years younger, her face glowing with joy. She said happily, "Rou'er may look fragile on the surface, but her constitution is excellent. The young couple is also harmonious—won't it happen soon?"
Lady He turned to Princess Dunsu with a teasing smile. "Me, blessed? Fen'er gave the Bo'an Marquis three grandsons in three years—now that's true blessing!"
Princess Dunsu was overjoyed by this perfectly timed flattery. She shook her head and laughed. "Nothing compares, nothing compares. No matter how good, she's still someone else's daughter now."
Lady He laughed heartily. "That's not what I mean. Fen'er manages the household and handles external affairs—everything she does, she's capable of—and her womb is so diligent too. I heard... many families are already waiting for her younger sister's coming-of-age ceremony."
He Fenhua came from a noble background and was beautiful. What was rarer was that she wasn't just a pretty face. Having such an excellent example, Princess Dunsu's youngest daughter had risen greatly in value. As Princess Dunsu still harbored thoughts of marrying her youngest daughter to Qi Xiao, she didn't pursue the topic. Instead, she adjusted her immaculately combed hair and smiled, "Let's not talk about this. The proper thing now is to send word to our relatives."
When the subject of the Lingnan Prince's residence came up, Madam He's smile faded slightly. She quickly concealed it and laughed, "Yes, yes, we'll send someone south right away."
Princess Dunsu had heard about recent events. She淡淡 smiled without speaking, secretly feeling relieved. Back then, when she had wanted to select a concubine for Qi Xiao, she had wavered between Roujia and Kangtai. Fortunately, Qi Xiao had chosen Roujia, which led to everything that followed. At that time, the illegitimate branch of the Lingnan Prince's residence controlled the household,，压得嫡出的柔嘉死死的—pressing the legitimate-born Roujia down ruthlessly. Who would have thought that in just one short year, the tide would turn so completely? The two illegitimate ones had fallen to such a sorry state, while the two legitimate ones grew more and more proper and respectable. This state of affairs perfectly suited Princess Dunsu's wishes—evil never triumphs over good. It was so in the Lingnan Prince's residence, and so too in the imperial family.
Princess Dunsu looked at Roujia with increasing kindness. Had she made a foolish mistake back then and brought Kangtai in... Princess Dunsu冷笑 in her heart—no need for Qi Xiao to act. She would have dealt with that calamity herself first, to prevent that family's disaster from staining the floor of Qi Xiao's quarters.
Just then, someone announced that the young lord had arrived. Lady He quickly invited him in. After the formal greetings, Princess Dunsu sensed that Bai Ren had private matters to discuss with Roujia. She turned to Lady He and smiled. "I brought some bolts of baby brocade for you. Your niece-in-law shouldn't be moving around. Come with me to take a look. We can have some midgarments made for her. A woman with child is delicate. While plain weave silk is comfortable for lining, it doesn't provide enough warmth. Young lord, please wait."
Lady He readily agreed and followed with a smile.
In the side chamber, Princess Dunsu sat down, sipped her tea, and lowered her voice. "Now that your niece-in-law is with child, keep a close eye on the servant girls in the courtyard. Don't let them get any ideas. I gave my word to the Crown Prince—you must cherish Roujia like the apple of your eye. Now that she's only just married and is already pregnant, some ambitious maids might try to offer their services to their master. If something happens, setting aside how it would embarrass me before the Crown Prince, you young couple would have much to explain."
Lady He assured her repeatedly. "You know me well enough. I've never meddled in the affairs of their chamber. The only maids who can serve Zichen closely now are Rou'er's own dowry servants. Those girls are only moderately pretty and fairly obedient. Since you've mentioned it, I'll caution Zichen when I return. But... you know your own nephew better than anyone. His heart is now entirely devoted to Rou'er—where would there be room for anyone else?"
Princess Dunsu smiled. "I know. I just wanted to remind you to avoid trouble later. As you can see, Bai Ren's position as heir is now firmly established. He has only this one full sister. If he wouldn't help Zichen, then who would? As long as you treat Roujia well, you'll be fine in the future."
Lady He was not well-informed about such matters. She lowered her voice and asked, "So... the second son of our in-laws—is he truly beyond help?"
Princess Dunsu nodded, frowning slightly. "His foundation is ruined. He'll be no better than a废物 for the rest of his life. There won't be any chance of a title."
Lady He's heart suddenly tightened. She covered her mouth and said, "I've heard some things about our in-laws' household. They say that favored concubine has formidable means. Now that this has happened, what if she, cornered, acts desperately? To make her own son heir, what if she secretly sends people to harm the young lord?"
Princess Dunsu couldn't help but laugh. "My dear sister-in-law, you simply don't understand. Setting aside how difficult it would be to harm the heir, if they somehow succeeded, the Emperor could use the Lingnan Prince's lack of heirs as grounds to strip the fiefdom. Setting aside everything else, the first thing he'd do is revoke the hereditary honors! Other sons? You mean Concubine Xia's youngest? A bastard and a second son—they wouldn't dare even bring it up. Every emperor throughout history has been waiting for an opportunity to reduce the fiefdoms. As long as they're not fools, they wouldn't risk the entire family's honor."
Only then did Lady He feel relieved. She shook her head and laughed. "I'm just a woman with no understanding of these matters. Your Highness sees things so clearly..."
Princess Dunsu smiled with satisfaction. Roujia had married into the He family, and now she was pregnant—did they really think Bai Ren wouldn't look after the He family and support Qi Xiao in the future? That momentary decision back then had truly been an excellent move.
In the inner chamber, Roujia leaned against soft cushions, holding Bai Ren's hand as she spoke softly. "I've never been as wise as you, but there's one thing I know for certain: leave someone a way out, and you'll meet again one day. They've already received their just punishment. Please don't add insult to injury or press them too hard. It's not that I pity them—only that a cornered rabbit will bite. You and I would be fine, but Mother is still in Lingnan."
Bai Ren smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. They made their own beds. I just watch the show. As long as they don't cause trouble again, I won't stir up anything."
Roujia smiled, relieved. Gently stroking her belly, she whispered, "I have no other wishes now, only to safely give birth to this little one, and one day reunite with Mother. I want Mother to enjoy the happiness of grandchildren."
Bai Ren placed his hand over hers and said softly, "You will."
Bai Ren glanced around and smiled. "These Indian peonies are blooming so beautifully. Did Brother-in-law find them for Sister?"
Speaking of He Zichen, Roujia's cheeks flushed pink. She lowered her eyes and smiled. "It's almost Qixi Festival, you know. The Hanlin Academy had some poetry appreciation gathering and gathered many rare flowers and exotic plants for fun. Your brother-in-law saw how beautifully this one was blooming and shamelessly asked his superior for it. He only got these two pots. I've never seen this flower before—yet you recognized it immediately. Have you seen it in the palace?"
Bai Ren's expression grew distinctly uncomfortable. Of course he knew. These Indian peonies were precious and rare, with full, attractive blooms. But there was another little-known benefit—activating blood circulation and dispelling stasis. Bai Ren had delicate skin that bruised easily. Even when he was intimate with Qi Xiao, no matter how careful Qi Xiao was, marks still appeared. Qi Xiao was familiar with medicinal properties, so he had someone add Indian peonies to Bai Ren's bathwater. For convenience of harvest, the rear garden of the Prince's residence now had a large patch of these flowers, tended specifically by an old gardener.
Roujia noticed Bai Ren's strange expression and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Bai Ren coughed and shook his head. "No, it's just that I appreciate how considerate Brother-in-law is. Knowing Sister loves flowers, he went to all this trouble to get them." Roujia's cheeks flushed even redder. She lowered her voice and smiled shyly, "Your brother-in-law has such a delicate heart..."
Bai Ren smiled, then chatted intimately with Roujia for a long while. He only left when He Zichen returned from the yamen. They all had dinner together, and then He Zichen pulled Bai Ren aside for a lengthy conversation before having him escorted home properly.
During the meal, Bai Ren had a few too many cups of wine. Now he felt dizzy and groggy. He was about to return to his own residence when he suddenly remembered what Roujia had said—"It's almost Qixi Festival." Bai Ren counted on his fingers. Today was Qixi Festival.
Qixi Festival—the day when girls in the inner chambers prayed to the Weaver Girl, begging for good needlework skills and good marriages. Bai Ren hadn't paid much attention to it before, but now he couldn't help but take notice. Qixi, Qixi—it was also Chinese Valentine's Day, the day when the Cowherd and Weaver Girl met once a year.
Bai Ren drowsily touched the vermillion gold chain around his neck and quietly ordered, "To the Prince's residence."
The He residence was quite far from the Prince's residence. Bai Ren wasn't traveling in the carriages that made everyone scatter from Qi Xiao's path. The ride swayed and jolted; it wasn't until night fell that he finally arrived at the Prince's residence. Qi Xiao had thought Bai Ren wouldn't be returning today. When the servant announced the young lord's arrival, his heart warmed. He immediately asked him in.
The moment Bai Ren walked through the door, Qi Xiao could tell he'd been drinking heavily. Qi Xiao chuckled, rose, and helped him to the daybed. Afraid Bai Ren might vomit, Qi Xiao didn't let him lie down—he only removed his outer garments, settling Bai Ren against his chest while gently rubbing his back. Bai Ren's cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, his eyes hazy with intoxication. He seemed even more charming than usual, and so much more obedient. Qi Xiao's heart was full of affection; he kissed and held Bai Ren, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Qi Xiao was worried about the flush on Bai Ren's face. He had a maid bring a cool cloth to wipe his face, then smiled lightly. "Did you have that much fun? Have you forgotten how much you can drink? If you're drunk, why not just go back to our residence and rest? Why come all the way here? The whole ride must have been terribly uncomfortable with all that swaying—did you feel sick?"
Bai Ren shook his head. He looked around, then leaned close to Qi Xiao's ear and whispered, "I wasn't planning to come. But... I suddenly remembered—today is Qixi."
Qi Xiao's heart nearly caught fire from these words. He suppressed his burning desire and spoke softly, "So what about Qixi?"
Though drunk, Bai Ren was still quite shy. He lowered his head and smiled, saying softly, "It's a day when girls make wishes. A lucky day... I came back to make a wish... with you."
Qi Xiao's heart was filled with mixed emotions—moments where he wanted to devour him alive, moments where he wanted to hold him in his palm and cherish him to his very bones.
As long as nothing went wrong, next month they could begin administering the medicine to the Emperor. A year later, victory or defeat would be decided. By then, he would ascend to the throne with not a single concern. He could dote on Bai Ren however he pleased. Qi Xiao could even clear out all those consorts, concubines, princesses, and princes from the palace—only Bai Ren would remain at his side. He would use everything in the empire to sustain this one person. No one would ever be able to hurt him again. No one would ever be able to harm him.
Qi Xiao closed his eyes, forcefully suppressing the countless wild thoughts churning in his heart. He gently coaxed, "All right, make your wish. I don't know if the Matchmaker will agree, but whatever is within my power to grant, I will make you satisfied."
Bai Ren smiled, leaned forward, and gently kissed Qi Xiao's lips. "First wish... may the Crown Prince live a thousand years."
Qi Xiao's heart warmed. He nodded. Bai Ren kissed his lips again and continued, "Second wish... may your noble body always be healthy."
Qi Xiao's throat tightened. He nodded once more. Bai Ren smiled shyly and slowly said, "Third wish... like the swallows on the beam, may we meet year after year, age after age."
Qi Xiao lowered his head until their foreheads touched. His voice hoarse, he said, "Done. I promise you all of it."