Chapter 94
In the warm inner chamber of the Crown Prince's residence, Qi Xiao took a piece of cotton cloth soaked in strong wine and carefully washed off the fake skin from Bai Ren's face. The skin had been stuck on Bai Ren's face for too long—when it was finally removed, the flesh beneath was red and burned from irritation. Qi Xiao's heart ached terribly, and he urgently said, "What were you doing with that thing?! I've heard that some people who kept up disguises for years ended up with their faces rotting away. What if you—"
"I only put it on before entering the city. It's fine." Bai Ren winced from the pain. Qi Xiao wrung out a cloth soaked in ice water and applied it to Bai Ren's face, and soon it felt much better. Qi Xiao then searched for some high-quality winter moisturizing cream that had been presented as tribute, took some, rubbed it between his palms, and carefully applied it to Bai Ren's face. Bai Ren felt much more comfortable and laughed softly, "There... not painful at all now."
Qi Xiao stared fixedly at the familiar face before him, long silent. Bai Ren felt somewhat embarrassed and lowered his gaze, murmuring, "It's... it's not just to see you. I heard Roujia's condition with this pregnancy isn't good, so the Imperial Consort Mother and I were both worried..."
Bai Ren glanced up at Qi Xiao and whispered, "When I went to deliver things to the He residence during the day, I also went inside to pay respects to Roujia. She's doing much better than I expected, so it seems she's out of danger now. I... I've heard everything. This past half year, you've taken good care of her and the child. Thank you..."
Qi Xiao gave a cold, mocking smile. "You all don't need to thank me. Being good to her was never about her."
Bai Ren's heart ached. He turned his face away and murmured quietly, "Lingnan is also doing well... I elevated Master Dong to the position of Minister of Culture. It shouldn't have been his turn, but the previous officials all died in the chaos. He took on the responsibility during the crisis and managed to hold things together."
"The Xia family has deeply infiltrated the military. Some people at the time didn't follow along with the rebellion, but there were still suspicions about them—they can't all be trusted. After discussing it with them, I simply used Shunzi. His roots are in the imperial capital, which makes him most trustworthy. Though he lacks experience, he has great merits. Back then... he saved many people, and the city defense arrangements after the pacification were all his doing. Not a single mistake occurred, so he can indeed inspire confidence."
Qi Xiao nodded. "His wet nurse passed away long ago, and his father left early. He has no other family here in the south. Now settling in the southern region can be considered quite fortunate."
"That strict nanny of Your Highness's is still serving the Imperial Consort Mother. I asked her—if she wants to return to the imperial capital, I would send a generous gift and see her safely home. She said the Crown Prince's residence now has no one managing the inner household, so there's no need for her. It would be better to stay and accompany the Imperial Consort Mother. The Imperial Consort Mother truly can't do without her, so I didn't push the matter." Bai Ren thought for a moment, then continued, "Also, I understand Princess Dunshu's intentions. Please thank Her Highness for her great kindness on my behalf. When I return, I'll send an elderly nanny to speak with Kangtai. If she's willing, I'll marry her off to her. Originally I had wanted to put her to death along with the others, but the Imperial Consort Mother said... she's a girl after all, never involved in any of that. We shouldn't resort to killing. I thought about it and agreed... coming to power and immediately executing all the half-brothers and half-sisters would be too damaging to one's reputation. So I let her live."
Bai Ren lowered his voice. "My youngest brother... to prevent future trouble, I've adopted him out to an uncle in our clan. His name has been changed. If he can behave himself from now on, that would be best. If not... I'll simply make him disappear quietly. That will be the end of it."
Bai Ren chattered on, going through the essential state affairs of Lingnan. Finally, he gave an awkward laugh. "This... was still what you taught me before."
Qi Xiao listened quietly as Bai Ren spoke, then said after a long while, "What about you? This half year... how have you been?"
Bai Ren was stunned for a moment, then smiled and murmured quietly, "Not bad. Sometimes it's been taxing, but at least I don't have to worry about Mother Consort every day. With you here in the capital, I can feel at ease about Roujia and her child's safety. Everything else is fine too."
Qi Xiao reached up and gently stroked Bai Ren's now-pointed chin, his hand sliding down to feel Bai Ren's shoulders, arms, and ribcage... beneath the thick attendant's clothing, Bai Ren's body was terrifyingly gaunt. Qi Xiao said calmly, "This is 'not bad'?"
Bai Ren's eyes reddened. Qi Xiao pulled him onto the bed, removed his padded garment, then took off his inner robe. Looking at Bai Ren's naked body, there was no trace of desire in Qi Xiao's eyes—only心疼 (heartache). Bai Ren felt extremely awkward and laughed, "Every day is so busy, and I sleep poorly at night, so... I've just lost some weight."
Qi Xiao still remembered when Bai Ren hadn't left yet, back at Guyue Pavilion, when thanks to the soups he drank daily, his skin was as smooth as if coated with a layer of cream, like a porcelain doll. At that time, Qi Xiao would undress him completely every night, letting him sleep naked in his own embrace. Now, looking at this...
Qi Xiao closed his eyes, his voice hoarse. "Don't you eat at all?"
Bai Ren's eyes also turned red. He lowered his gaze and murmured, "I do eat, but I just... keep losing weight. When I decided to come, I thought this might be good—I'd only need the slightest disguise and no one would recognize me. I didn't expect you would still see through it..."
Bai Ren wiped away tears, choking up. "You still recognized me..."
"If I hadn't recognized you, were you planning to just take a look and leave?" Qi Xiao stared at him intently. "How could you bear it?"
It suddenly struck Qi Xiao why Shunzi had cried so bitterly earlier. It wasn't solely because seeing his former lord caused him heartache—more likely, he was suffering for them. After going through so much danger, finally meeting again, only to pass each other like strangers.
Bai Ren took a deep breath and said quietly, "I could bear it... I know. It's just that today I couldn't reveal myself to you. In a few years, you'll certainly find a way for me to come pay respects formally."
Bai Ren looked up at Qi Xiao, his gaze clear and bright. "I can wait."
Wait for you to rule the world. Wait for you to command all under heaven. Wait for you to bring me to court formally and rightfully.
From now on, nothing but death shall part us.
Qi Xiao sighed deeply and carefully pulled Bai Ren into his embrace, pulling a brocade quilt over him. He murmured softly, "Don't worry. It won't be that many years... if for nothing else, for your sake, I won't let it take that long."
Holding him like this, he felt how terrifyingly thin Bai Ren had become. Qi Xiao considered himself to have suffered enough during their half-year separation— he'd only lost a little weight. But Bai Ren's condition... His eyes reddened with heartache, his brow furrowed, voice rough: "Even through the quilt I can feel every bone. What on earth have you been going through this half year?!"
Bai Ren suddenly grew worried and couldn't help explaining carefully, "I... I'll eat more. In no time I'll gain it all back. Wasn't it the same when I first came to the Crown Prince's residence? You fattened me up bit by bit..."
This past half year, Bai Ren had been devoted entirely to affairs of state and never paid attention to his own appearance. Now, a feeling of uncertainty crept over him. He was afraid Qi Xiao wouldn't like how he looked now.
Qi Xiao saw his worry but didn't say any comforting words. Would lies help? Even a fool could see that compared to that young lord who had stunned him beneath the moonlit bamboo grove that night, the current King of Lingnan had lost at least a fraction of his beauty—and his body was even worse, reduced to something skeletal.
Without a word, Qi Xiao released Bai Ren and looked into his somewhat frightened eyes, then slowly removed his own clothes...
Qi Xiao reached up to lower the bed curtains. Whether he still liked Bai Ren as before—let him discover that for himself...
Midnight had passed. In the warm chamber, Bai Ren was still making soft sounds, occasionally letting out some unclear whimpers with a hint of crying. Jiang Deqing had at one point gone downstairs in his robe to listen beneath the bed. Wanting to advise them, he hesitated, then shook his head with a smile and left. He only instructed the several senior maidservants on duty in the side room to keep their ears open. Everything should be prepared at all times, waiting for whenever the Crown Prince might call for assistance. These maidservants had grown up in this residence and knew well what was proper. They understood what should be heard and what shouldn't. They simply nodded in agreement, not a single unnecessary word escaping them. They waited until dawn was just beginning to lighten the sky before hearing Qi Xiao call for tea inside.
"Place the hot water on the butterfly table and then withdraw." Qi Xiao wore only a pair of silk pants, bare-chested, his eyes filled with satisfaction. He gave quiet instructions. "Go stew a bowl of bird's nest. Don't put any ginger shreds in it. Also tell the kitchen to prepare breakfast early—something light will do."
The maidservants lowered their eyes in acknowledgment, changed the tea in the room, removed the now-cold plates of pastries and brought fresh warm ones. After tidying everything up, they filed out. Not once did they glance toward the bed.
Qi Xiao got up and poured Bai Ren a cup of hot tea, then turned to the bed and opened the quilt slightly. Smiling softly, he said, "Alright, they've all left. Come... have some tea first. We'll eat something in a while."
Bai Ren's body was covered in light red marks, and his thin legs were still unconsciously trembling, without a trace of strength. Qi Xiao sat down, took some tea into his mouth, and fed it to him, all tenderness evident. After drinking several sips, Bai Ren finally felt better. He couldn't help murmuring softly, "Didn't die in the chaos... almost died here instead..."
Qi Xiao laughed, put down the teacup, and gently lifted him up. His hand slid down and he asked quietly, "Does it still hurt here?"
Bai Ren's legs suddenly twitched. He furrowed his brow. "It hurts..."
Qi Xiao murmured softly to comfort him, "Let me clean you up first... after applying medicine, it'll be better." Qi Xiao sighed in his heart. Although the two of them had been intimate in many ways before, they had never actually gone all the way. He had been afraid Bai Ren wouldn't be able to bear it and had been helping him adjust gradually. Unfortunately, this half year... it was like starting from scratch again. After his exertions tonight, Bai Ren's private parts were probably injured.
Fortunately, Jiang Deqing had been considerate and had prepared medicine. After cleaning Bai Ren up, Qi Xiao applied some, and soon Bai Ren felt considerably better. Qi Xiao fed him another bowl of bird's nest, and his complexion improved noticeably. Qi Xiao sat back on the bed, pulling him into his arms for tender caresses.
"Does your waist ache?" Qi Xiao had him lie face-down on his chest, gently rubbing his waist for him. Bai Ren nodded, feeling wronged. "It hurts terribly."
Qi Xiao laughed softly. The King of Lingnan, so cold and aloof in front of others—in his arms, he was still that lovable young lord.
Qi Xiao murmured softly to soothe him, "My fault, my fault. But... Crown Princess, I noticed you seemed to enjoy it quite a bit earlier. In the end, although you kept crying, you still let me—"
"Qi Xiao!" Bai Ren's face flushed crimson. He buried his face in the fluffy brocade quilt, whining, "If you keep talking like that, I... I won't be nice to you anymore!"
Bai Ren rarely addressed him by name directly—only when he was truly enraged like this. Qi Xiao found it amusing in his heart and knew when to stop. He said gently, "Fine, fine, I won't say it. Be good, get up. If you stay lying down too long, you'll..."
Bai Ren was resentful. No matter how many nice words Qi Xiao said, because Bai Ren was uncomfortable down there, no position felt right, and he still complained, "You're too rough... I probably won't be able to get up tomorrow..."
Although it was grumbling, when Qi Xiao heard this, his heart felt warm. He said softly, "Then don't get up. Do... do you need to rush back?"
Bai Ren raised his head to look at Qi Xiao. After a long while, he lowered his gaze and murmured, "Actually... Lingnan doesn't have as many matters as here in the capital. Besides, most of those who opposed me are dead. There's nothing to worry about. And even if there are small matters, there's... there's Master. It's... not that urgent..."
A smile curved Qi Xiao's lips. Bai Ren's face grew even redder until finally he confessed everything. "Actually... before I left, I arranged everything clearly. Mother Consort and Master all knew. I originally planned to stay hidden for a month, finding ways to see you several more times..."
Bai Ren's face burned with embarrassment. He buried his face in the brocade quilt again, his voice muffled. "As long as you can keep it hidden and not let anyone know I'm in your residence, I... I can stay for a month or two without problem. If there's something urgent, I'll just go show my face and then... come back..."
Qi Xiao's heart softened completely. He embraced Bai Ren, quilt and all, and murmured softly, "Don't worry. I can definitely keep it hidden. And... I won't make you live this kind of traveling life for long."