Chapter 96
Bai Ren was afraid of being seen by others, so he didn't even step out of the main courtyard each day. Fortunately, he didn't feel bored at all—being able to watch Qi Xiao every day, even if he could only stay in this courtyard, even if he could only stay in a single room and go nowhere, Bai Ren would be willing.
Moreover, this suited Qi Xiao's intentions perfectly. After that hidden injury had healed and he no longer needed to watch his diet, Qi Xiao had the kitchen staff prepare a constant stream of various delicacies every day. The main meals were naturally well-provided, and even the snacks laid out in the room had a strict schedule—they were changed every half hour. Before lunch, more savory and meat-based snacks were placed out; after lunch, more steamed egg and milk pastry items. Each time there were twelve varieties, and nothing could be repeated within two days. Every time something was taken away, whatever Bai Ren had eaten, and how many varieties he had touched, had to be recorded in detail. If a chef produced pastries that Bai Ren ate a lot of, they would receive additional rewards. The daily meals followed the same example. Seeing this, the kitchen staff made the dishes, pastries, and various soups more and more exquisite by the day. After just a few days, their skills rivaled those of the secret imperial kitchen.
Bai Ren had lived like an ascetic monk in Lingnan for the past half year. Now that his longing had been resolved and the food was so exquisite and tempting, he果然 ate much more. An elderly nanny who had served Qi Xiao for many years was afraid he would develop indigestion from suddenly increased appetite, so she specially prepared sugar-brined hawthorns for Bai Ren to aid digestion, which proved quite effective. Qi Xiao immediately rewarded her with a pouch of golden melon seeds.
Raised in such luxury with fine food and nourishment, in just ten days, Bai Ren had transformed like a different person. His face had regained some color, his chin had filled out, and he had put on some flesh—he no longer looked so frightening. When they lay together at night, Qi Xiao held the person in his arms and sighed softly: "Indeed... I am the only medicine that can cure you."
Bai Ren let out a chuckle. Qi Xiao smiled and pinched his chin gently, asking softly, "Have you been bored these past few days?"
Bai Ren shook his head: "During the day I need to write documents to Lingnan, and in the evenings I play chess and chat with you. It's fine. These days, the moment you return to the mansion you hole up in this room too—do you find it boring?"
Qi Xiao curved his lips into a smile: "Not at all. It's rather... delightful."
Bai Ren raised his brows in confusion. Qi Xiao smiled smugly: "The joy of hiding a beauty in a golden house. You wouldn't understand."
Bai Ren couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry. He turned to lie down, but Qi Xiao quickly stopped him, smiling: "Don't sleep yet. Sleeping now might cause indigestion, which would harm your health instead. Let's talk for a while."
"What about?" Bai Ren thought for a moment. "Oh right—I received a letter from Lingnan this morning and meant to tell you, but you went to court and I forgot when you came back... Kang Tai says she wants to get married."
Qi Xiao burst out laughing: "She wants to get married too? Hmm... alright, which one did she choose?" Qi Xiao still vaguely remembered what the situation was like with those families that Princess Dunsu had mentioned. It was impressive that Kang Tai could even find one she was satisfied with.
Bai Ren was silent for a moment before saying: "The son of the Second Master Li, the deputy director of the Ministry of Works—his cousin's son."
Qi Xiao remembered. That was the young man whose household had a formidable and powerful wife. Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh: "Among all the families she was considering, this is the only one where the man doesn't want a legitimate wife—everyone's scrambling to become a concubine. Indeed, like mother, like daughter."
Bai Ren lowered his eyes: "She's actually not stupid. The son-in-law of Princess Dunsu's eldest daughter is a lunatic who tortures people in his household—naturally that's out of the question. The grandson of Princess Dunsu's younger sister who's a concubine... he has no lifespan. Whether Kang Tai could even conceive after marrying him is uncertain, and even if she could, whether it would be a boy is also uncertain. Moreover, he's a concubine's son—so how much of the family fortune would he get in the end? Maintaining widowhood for that would be a bad deal."
"But if she marries this Second Master Li's son, there's much more room to maneuver... He has no children. Lady Li is determined to take a noble concubine for her son specifically to oppose her daughter-in-law, so after Kang Tai enters the household, she'll naturally be more protective of her. If Kang Tai can really give birth to a son, she'll have something to rely on in the future. That would be acceptable." Bai Ren gave a mocking smile. "After receiving the letter, the Imperial Consort Mother specially summoned her to come over, advising her to simply find a wealthy farming family to marry instead. Living a stable, peaceful life like that would be better than being a concubine and suffering humiliation. But unfortunately... Kang Tai immediately stiffened her neck and snapped back, asking the Consort Mother why she hadn't married Roujia off to a farming family in the first place."
"The Consort Mother isn't good at arguing with people, but Nanny Yan was formidable. She immediately came forward and slapped Kang Tai across the face twice, asking her face-to-face: does Roujia's blood brother also commit rebellion? Did Roujia's maternal family also commit great crimes and attempt to overthrow the dynasty? Kang Tai had nothing to say."
Qi Xiao said coolly: "The Consort Mother must have pleaded for her quite a lot before this."
Bai Ren sighed: "My mother suffers from exactly this—she's too soft-hearted. At the time, I truly intended to kill Kang Tai as well. I had no evidence of her participation in the rebellion, but she had previously disrespected her stepmother and bullied her sisters—those were established facts. Moreover... if the one who died had been me, and if Wen Yu had ascended to the throne, I don't believe they would have spared my mother or Roujia's lives. Victory or defeat determines everything—there's nothing more to say. But the Consort Mother kept stopping me. I understood—she was afraid I'd earn a reputation for slaughtering my own flesh and blood. Later, I wanted Kang Tai to become a widow for the Xia family's young man and guard their door, thus preserving her life. I could see the Consort Mother still wanted to persuade me, but she hesitated, thinking she shouldn't interfere too much in my affairs, so she held back."
Qi Xiao felt relieved. Although the Consort Mother was somewhat too weak, at least her mind was clear—she knew who mattered most and wouldn't take advantage of being Bai Ren's mother to interfere recklessly. Moreover, having such a temperament wasn't entirely without benefit... Qi Xiao's thoughts wandered. If their relationship were ever exposed in the future, it wouldn't be difficult to convince the Consort Mother. Qi Xiao felt content. If she were someone skilled in political schemes and stratagems, he would have a much harder time.
Bai Ren was unaware of Qi Xiao's thoughts and continued slowly: "But Kang Tai herself refused absolutely—she insists on marrying someone. So I won't interfere. The imperial clan can't blame me—I didn't stop her. But she also needs someone willing to marry her. If Princess Dunsu hadn't made the connections for her, simply staying in Lingnan... she could wait a lifetime and no one would come to propose. Nanny Yan was right—she wants to marry well, but she should also take a clear look at what her current worth is."
Bai Ren looked at Qi Xiao and smiled gratefully: "This past year, I've relied on Nanny Yan a great deal. When my mother has something she can't get over or can't understand, I try to comfort her. She smiles and says everything's fine on the surface, but I know in her heart she still worries and thinks things through repeatedly for my sake. But Nanny Yan is different—what she says can truly reach my mother's heart."
Qi Xiao smiled inwardly. That was only natural. If Nanny Yan couldn't become the Consort Mother's confidante, how could she later speak on his behalf? Qi Xiao said lightly: "There's no need for such words between us. If Kang Tai wants it this way, so be it. Regardless, she won't be able to make any trouble."
Bai Ren nodded, then added: "There's also... what's really been wrong with the Emperor's health these past six months? Some people outside are saying... it's consumption."
Qi Xiao smiled but didn't speak. Bai Ren sat up and widened his eyes: "Is it really consumption?"
Qi Xiao shook his head, pulled the blanket over Bai Ren and tucked it around him, then said quietly: "It's not consumption—it's poisoning."
Bai Ren was startled, then understood, and exclaimed: "Could it be...?"
Qi Xiao smiled and nodded. Bai Ren unconsciously looked around nervously, then lowered his voice urgently: "You've lost your mind... what if someone finds out, what if..."
"Yes, I must be insane." Qi Xiao lowered his head and affectionately kissed Bai Ren's forehead, whispering, "Don't worry. There won't be any 'what if.'"
Qi Xiao pulled Bai Ren back into his arms and slowly, carefully explained the entire poisoning scheme. Bai Ren was terrified that Qi Xiao might have been careless in some detail. He thought about it carefully for a long time but couldn't find any flaws. He still wasn't entirely at ease, though. Qi Xiao sighed softly: "Bai Ren... ever since I returned from the southern frontier last year, I've sworn that I would never deceive you again. That's why I'm telling you this life-and-death matter. But... in the past, when I often deceived you, it wasn't always to harm you. Many times I simply didn't want you to worry unnecessarily. Now I hide nothing from you, but... I need you to promise me one thing, so that I can rest easy."
Bai Ren stared blankly, then nodded. Whatever Qi Xiao asked, how could he refuse?
Qi Xiao paused, then said quietly: "In eight or nine months at most, five or six at least, there will definitely be a major upheaval in the capital. You must promise me that at that time, you will return to Lingnan, pretend you know nothing, and wait for me..."
Bai Ren cut him off without hesitation: "Impossible. I'm not going anywhere."
"Listen to me first!" Qi Xiao frowned slightly, then softened his voice. "Your foundation is in Lingnan. In the imperial capital, to put it bluntly, your presence here doesn't help me much—instead it makes me worry. If you went far away, I could focus my attention and take bold action, which would be more beneficial to the grand plan."
Bai Ren stared steadily at Qi Xiao, saying quietly: "This argument has flaws in it. You said you could keep it hidden—so how would anyone know I came? Besides, except for our own people, who knows that your feelings for me are genuine? Using me to threaten you would be a joke."
Qi Xiao was speechless, then laughed. He said softly: "You've really grown up, using what I taught you against me."
Bai Ren was about to protest, but he held back, then said again: "Or do you think that if you died, I would continue living alone?"
Qi Xiao unconsciously glanced at the life token at his waist. Bai Ren lowered his eyes and said quietly: "If that day truly comes, I would immediately pass the throne to Roujia's legitimate son, then leave with you... I've had enough of being alone."
Qi Xiao's heart clenched painfully. He quickly said: "Fine, fine—why are you worrying about life and death over something so far in the future?"
Bai Ren's heart was also aching. He murmured quietly: "How is it unnecessary worrying? Clearly it was you who insisted I go back."
Qi Xiao laughed, gently coaxing: "Alright, I misspoke. Forgive me, King of Lingnan."
Bai Ren's expression improved slightly. Afraid he would be upset, Qi Xiao held him close and showered him with kisses and gentle coaxing for a long time. But in the end, Qi Xiao still didn't promise to let Bai Ren stay. Qi Xiao knew in his own heart that it wasn't a foolproof plan regardless—whatever happened, he would never let Bai Ren share the danger with him. In the future... he would find a way to send him away. Besides, Bai Ren didn't know when he would make his move anyway, and he certainly couldn't stay away from Lingnan forever. Qi Xiao would definitely find a way to avoid it.
Qi Xiao didn't mention it, and Bai Ren also avoided bringing it up. He knew that Qi Xiao never allowed him to participate in such matters. Bai Ren simply didn't say more about it. He was no longer the helpless hostage he had been in the past. When the time came for upheaval, he would naturally find a way to help Qi Xiao.
But for now... Bai Ren sighed inwardly. It was useless to say more, so there was no need to argue with Qi Xiao.
While Bai Ren was lost in thought, Qi Xiao had been gently stroking his back to soothe him, but at some point it gradually changed in nature—his hand moving lower and lower. When Bai Ren came back to his senses, his face was flushed. He slowly edged toward the inner part of the bed. Qi Xiao grabbed his waist and pulled him close, his low voice a knowing chuckle: "This doesn't hurt anymore, does it?"
Bai Ren hesitated, then ultimately honestly shook his head with a reddened face. Qi Xiao's smile grew even more pleased. He rolled over and pressed himself on top of Bai Ren...