Chapter 103
In previous years, the palace would hold a family banquet on the Spring Equinox. But this year, the Emperor was gravely ill, court officials' hearts were in turmoil, and Empress Feng lacked the energy to organize anything. She only set out a few tables in the Chunxi Hall.
Just after the Hour of the Monkey, the princes began arriving one after another. Empress Feng's heart was anxious, and she truly had no energy for this. Unwilling to let Consort Xue help manage things, she could only reluctantly ask Princess Dunsu to come to the palace early and help with the arrangements.
Unlike the ashen-faced Empress Feng, Princess Dunsu was in excellent spirits—positively glowing. She managed everything inside and out, and in between, she chatted amicably with the consorts and princesses. Whether they were in favor or fallen from grace, Princess Dunsu treated them all with equal warmth and propriety, not playing favorites. Every movement and gesture was done without drawing attention, yet she took care of everyone. Empress Feng, exhausted, sat at the head of the table staring blankly at Princess Dunsu's smiling face.
Twenty years ago, a similar situation had occurred.
Back then, Empress Feng had just married into the Jing Prince's residence. Everyone said she was lucky, and she herself felt quite pleased. Her family was newly risen in status, and because her father and brother were capable, the Emperor favored the Feng family. The current Empress at the time also liked her, choosing her from among countless noble daughters to be her daughter-in-law.
She had known from the start that her husband was not the Empress's biological son—but so what? Her husband had been raised by the Empress since childhood, beloved by the Emperor and Empress above, protected by the Eldest Princess and Crown Prince below. Everything would surely go smoothly for him.
That occasion was also in spring. It was the first time their prince's residence held a banquet, and many imperial relatives came. Empress Feng had prepared for many days, but on the day itself, many mistakes still occurred. It was to be expected, really—she was a young lady from a minor official's family, who hadn't even read many books growing up. How could she possibly understand all the intricate rules of the imperial family? The etiquette instructors sent from the palace had only taught her proper conduct; they had never told her how to navigate among all these princesses and consorts. In her nervousness, she couldn't even remember the proper order of seniority, repeatedly addressing people incorrectly and drawing constant laughter from everyone. Empress Feng had been mortified, wishing she could find a crack in the floor to disappear into.
In the end, it was the Xiaoxian Empress—then the Crown Princess—who came to her rescue.
The Crown Princess, like Princess Dunsu now, conducted herself perfectly, with dignity and propriety. She guided Empress Feng through introductions with the elders and helped her get acquainted with her fellow sisters-in-law. The Crown Princess had a bit less of Princess Dunsu's sharp edge, but more gentleness and warmth. As everyone said... it was like a warm spring breeze, bringing unspeakable joy.
Empress Feng had been grateful at the time, of course, but what she felt more was unwillingness. She had even thought then: if she were the Crown Princess, surely others would also find things to praise about her, just as they praised the Crown Princess. She was also an imperial daughter-in-law, and what she lacked compared to the Crown Princess was merely a title. Simply because of that difference, others focused on flattering the Crown Princess while finding fault with her and mocking her.
And today... Empress Feng苦笑，心中的皇后之位已坐了多年，却依旧要仰仗他人来维系这后宫秩序。她倚在软枕上，黯然叹息：命运啊。
正当此时，内侍匆匆来报："老太妃也来了！"敦肃长公主连忙迎上前去，亲手扶着淳老太妃落座，眉头微蹙却笑道："劳动您大驾了，本想请兄长嫂嫂们来一趟便罢了，又不是什么大事，何必劳动您呢。"
半年前，敦肃长公主曾施苦肉计责打祁骁，幸得淳老王爷在皇帝面前进言相助。事前她并未托付过老王爷，不想他竟肯仗义执言。此后，她与祁骁心中都颇为感激，只是面上不便多说。
淳老太妃在儿媳搀扶下缓缓落座，摇头笑道："不妨事，趁这把老骨头还动得了，再多看看这些亲戚们。"
敦肃长公主柔声嗔怪道："您说这话就见外了，我瞧您身子骨倒是比以前还硬朗呢。只是……三叔伯怎么样了？之前听说不大好，可惜一直没得空去看看。"
淳老太妃摆摆手，淡淡笑道："没什么。王爷年纪大了，之前因家里老三和实哥儿的事病了，如今倒也好了些，精神好的时候还能下来走走。"
去年年底，淳老王爷的三子和三房长子先后因病去世，痛失一子一孙，老太妃勉强撑住了，老王爷却一病不起，已近垂危。
想起半年前淳老王爷还能拄着拐棍进宫替祁骁说情，如今却连床都下不了了，敦肃长公主心中一阵难受，拿帕子按了按眼角，转而笑道："无妨，这天越发暖和了，慢慢的就都能好了。"
淳老太妃笑着点头："可不是，天渐渐暖和了，慢慢的就都能好了。"
淳老太妃转头又看向薛贵妃，笑道："我听闻三皇子近日身子也不大好，可大安了？"
薛贵妃连忙笑着应道："劳太妃挂念，三皇子已经好了。"
淳老太妃点头，左右看看道："二皇子呢？我也多时没见过他了。"
冯皇后正愣神，被身后女官暗暗提醒了下才回过神儿来，勉强笑道："他外祖这几日身上不好，早起他出宫去了，这会儿差不多也该回来了，等他来了让他来给太妃请安。"
淳老太妃含笑答应着。说话间，几位公主也进宫了，众人先去承乾宫门外行礼问了好才过来。
人都差不多齐了，唯独祁骁未到。
冯皇后准备的一班法师早就备下了，只因祁骁迟迟不来无法做法。冯皇后心里不耐烦，却也不敢说什么。娘家倒了，皇帝还昏迷不醒，她这后位坐得很不安稳，心中惴惴不安，哪里敢挑拣别人？只是不住劝众人喝茶。冯皇后不说，薛贵妃自然更不会提。她如今是真的歇了心了，万事不求，只盼着一场大乱后，儿子和自己还有娘家还能安安稳稳的就行了。
几位老王爷心知朝中形势不好，却也装作不知情，只是转着太平珠，慢悠悠地聊天说古。太妃王妃和公主们心知肚明，也只做不知，巧妙地避开敏感的话题，轻声细语地说着闲话。
天越来越黑了，众人越发不自在，忍不住看向敦肃长公主。冯皇后终于按捺不住了，偏过头低声问女官："昨日可派人去太子府跟管事儿的人说了？"
女官怯怯点头。冯皇后努力了又努力，才将火气压下去，还是忍不住嘟囔："这还没当上皇帝呢，就敢这么摆架势了……果然威风。"
敦肃长公主耳朵灵，听了后转过头别有深意地扫了冯皇后一眼。冯皇后马上闭嘴了。
其实敦肃长公主心里也有些忐忑。祁骁不是那爱摆架子的人，虽说他如今风头正盛，也不至于如此啊。
淳老太妃也试探地看向敦肃长公主。敦肃长公主苦笑一声没说话——她是真不知道祁骁让什么绊住脚了。
In the Crown Prince's residence, the one who had detained him was clinging to him tightly, like a small beast that couldn't bear to let go.
Qi Xiao lowered his head and affectionately kissed the top of Bai Ren's hair, softly coaxing, "Are you tired from the journey? I told you not to rush."
Bai Ren shook his head. "Not tired." His voice carried a hint of a sob, and Qi Xiao's heart ached terribly.
"Missed me terribly?" Qi Xiao asked gently.
Bai Ren nodded, continuously nestling into Qi Xiao's embrace. Qi Xiao felt both touched and心疼,低声说："以后不许你再来回跑了，没得累坏了身子。腿酸不酸？"
Bai Ren made a sound of agreement, quietly whimpering, "Very sore. My waist aches too. The horse saddle was so uncomfortable..."
"Come here, sit up here." Qi Xiao pulled Bai Ren to sit together on the couch, gently kneading his thighs. He couldn't help but chide softly, "Couldn't you just老老实实地坐马车吗？！你又不惯骑马，学那些武夫逞什么强？！"
Bai Ren lowered his eyes. "From Lingnan to the capital, it takes half a month by carriage, but less than ten days by horse. I didn't want to waste all that time on the road. I... wanted to see you sooner. This past month, I missed you so much I couldn't sleep well at night..."
Qi Xiao couldn't bear it any longer. "I have important business soon. Are you trying to tempt me endlessly?!"
"What business?" Bai Ren was startled first, then said indignantly, "I'm not tempting Your Highness at all, mmph..."
Before Bai Ren could finish speaking, Qi Xiao kissed him. He pushed the person onto the couch, rolled over, and pressed down on top of him...
When Bai Ren finally remembered to ask about Qi Xiao's important business again, it was already half an hour later.
"Ah..." Qi Xiao's eyes were full of satisfaction. Lazily lowering his head to kiss Bai Ren's slender white neck, he said softly, "Today is the Spring Equinox, isn't it? There's a family banquet at the palace. Since the Emperor can't get up, I have to go."
Bai Ren was shocked. "Then why were you fooling around with me! Go quickly!"
"What's the rush? We're already late anyway." Qi Xiao smirked, murmuring near his ear, "Crown Princess, the more flustered you get, the tighter you become."
Without regard for Bai Ren's pushing and resisting, Qi Xiao launched another round of intense assault...
At the Hour of the Dog, Qi Xiao appeared in Chunxi Hall wearing court robes and a nine-coiled golden dragon crown, his expression solemn and dignified.
Princess Dunsu glanced at the water clock and felt relieved. Fortunately, the auspicious time hadn't been missed. However, in front of everyone, she still wore an expression of displeasure. She coldly reprimanded Jiang Deqing, "How do you people do your jobs?! If His Highness forgets the time, can't you remind him? Must you wait until he misses important business?!"
Empress Feng was indignant. It was clearly Qi Xiao acting arrogantly on his own, yet with Princess Dunsu speaking this way, it seemed as if it were all the servants' fault!
Qi Xiao naturally understood, but he said nothing. Only Jiang Deqing stepped forward to apologize, "Please forgive me, Your Highness. How could I have failed to remind His Highness? It's just that His Highness heard that on the Spring Equinox, many commoners pray for family members who have been ill for years, and it is said to be very灵验. His Highness is so filial and sincere that upon hearing this, he immediately bathed and burned incense, devoutly praying for the Emperor. He continued until just now when the incense finally burned out, hence the delay."
Princess Dunsu's expression finally softened. She waved her hand, "Since it was for your father the Emperor, let it be. Sit down. The masters will soon begin the ritual."
Qi Xiao nodded, but he did not sit where Princess Dunsu indicated. Instead, he walked over and, starting with Elder Princess Consort Chun, personally bowed to each of the elders present.
Elder Princess Consort Chun, though the highest in rank among those seated, was quite embarrassed and quickly stood up. "Enough, enough, we're all family. There's no need for this."
Princess Dunsu sighed secretly in admiration, then smiled and said, "Please don't stand on ceremony, Imperial Aunt. He's a junior who arrived later than even us elders. It's only right."
Empress Feng gripped her handkerchief tightly. This was exactly it! Like his mother, no matter what was in his heart, his surface manners were flawless, leaving no room for criticism. It's all just empty formality, yet，偏偏 these people all fall for it!
Whether others fell for it or not, Qi Xiao didn't know. But he had only offered proper greetings to those he genuinely considered elders. To Empress Feng, he didn't say a single word.
Empress Feng's face turned blue with anger. She glanced at the people around her. When Qi Xiao had been late earlier, these people had also暗暗抱怨. But now that he had arrived, they wore expressions of fawning deference, as if they had only waited "a short while."
Empress Feng sat slumped in her carved lacquered chair, her heart darkened. A lost battle is like a collapsed mountain... strength truly prevails.
The hall fell silent. Everyone waited for the masters to finish their ritual before the banquet could begin. Since the Emperor was ill, it wasn't appropriate to have entertainers or singers perform. Even the dishes were not arranged as elaborately as usual—much more subdued than usual. In the past, if the Emperor had led some cheerful conversation, things would have been better. But now...
Princess Dunsu looked at her silent nephew and sighed in her heart. Even Qi Hua's expression was better than his. Anyone who didn't know better would think it was he who had been made to wait for nearly an hour!
There were quite a few present who wanted toexchange a few words with Qi Xiao to show closeness. But Qi Xiao's bad temper was well-known. In the past, everyone had avoided getting too close because they feared the Emperor. Now they wanted to curry favor, but seeing that icy expression, they lost their courage before they even dared to joke.
Princess Dunsu couldn't bear to watch any longer. She signaled to Jiang Deqing with her eyes. Jiang Deqing smiled helplessly. Did Princess Dunsu not know her own son-in-law's temperament? Princess Dunsu苦笑. Never mind, never mind. At least they now know who to flatter. That was enough.
Qi Xiao was merely going through the motions today. These princes in the capital had no real power; there was no need to excessively court them. As long as they老老实实地 continued to be摇摆不定就行. He couldn't be bothered with anything else. Right now, all he could think about, all he longed for, was the person sleeping on the couch in his private chambers.
Qi Xiao half-closed his eyes, slowly stirring the amber and white fungus porridge beside him, reminiscing about everything just now. He felt a twinge of guilt in his heart. Bai Ren had rushed back without rest just to see him, already exhausted, and yet he himself had still... Qi Xiao's heart ached. He thought about going back later to hold his little prince and give him a good soak in the hot spring. Doing anything too strenuous was out of the question, but he could still steal some intimate moments. Bai Ren was so compliant—he would乖乖地温存 with him. Qi Xiao sighed softly in his heart. A short separation truly surpasses a wedding night. How wonderful...