Chapter 113: Side Story 1
In the bedchamber of Qianqing Palace, Qi Xiao had the servants help Bai Ren change into a loose middle robe. Bai Ren went ahead and removed his golden crown as well, simply tying his hair into a loose horsetail. This made him look even younger, and Qi Xiao's heart softened at the sight, forgetting entirely about how Bai Ren had defied his wishes by returning to the palace under the scorching sun. "How did it look today when you went back to the residence? Did the Imperial Household Department do a satisfactory job? Is the rebuilt mansion to your liking?"
"It's wonderful. It only took a month of construction, but when I went to check today, there was no trace of the previous fire left. When I arrived, they were planning out the garden—they said they were going to divert a stream into it..." Bai Ren bit his lip lightly and continued softly. "From what I saw of their preparations, it seems like they're planning something grand. I assume... Your Majesty gave these instructions? You really didn't have to go to such trouble..."
"The place where your mother-in-law will eventually live cannot be done carelessly. Besides, the Prince's mansion won't just be for the Imperial Consort alone. When you adopt heirs in the future, won't they all be living here?" Qi Xiao smiled faintly. "Lingnan's Prince, you did promise me—our children, especially the boys, must be raised by my side until they're fifteen before returning to Lingnan."
Bai Ren laughed despite himself. "I wouldn't dare forget a promise I made to you. Don't worry. I'll make sure they're bathed in Your Majesty's benevolence from childhood, so they'll always be of one heart with Your Majesty."
Qi Xiao smiled but didn't respond. Raising Bai Ren's children in the imperial city wasn't merely about keeping them loyal to him—the most important thing was that Qi Xiao wanted to personally assess their character. Raising them until fifteen would be enough to see whether they were good or bad. Qi Xiao didn't need them to have great abilities; he only needed them to be grateful, know their place, and genuinely love and respect Bai Ren. If any turned out to be an ungrateful wretch like Qi Jing... Qi Xiao smiled faintly. If that happened, he would quietly eliminate them before they turned fifteen, to prevent future trouble.
Of course, there was no need to tell Bai Ren about any of this.
"There's also..." Bai Ren looked somewhat embarrassed and lowered his voice. "This morning, Eunuch Jiang took me to Heqing Palace to take a look. I think it's a bit too extravagant, and there are quite a few items that exceed the prescribed regulations. If the officials who advise on matters of propriety were to find out..."
"So what?" Qi Xiao cut Bai Ren off with a cold laugh. "Would they petition again, accusing me of being unable to distinguish loyal from treacherous, of disrespecting our ancestors? Fine, let them petition all they want. I've been thinking the ancestral temple is far too desolate. I'm just waiting for a few more devoted officials to go keep it company."
When Qi Xiao had first ascended the throne, a few remonstrating officials had failed to read the situation correctly. They felt that since Qi Jing hadn't died yet, and the other princes were still alive, there might still be hope for change. They actually presented a memorial requesting that Qi Jing be honored as Emperor Emeritus, and that the Emperor Emeritus be allowed to attend court sessions to "guide the new Emperor and assist with governance." Qi Xiao's expression had darkened at the time, but those officials hadn't noticed. They continued their endless prattling, their words already implying that Qi Xiao was disloyal and unfilial. One old minister was particularly theatrical—he actually removed his official hat right there in court, wailing about the ancestors. Qi Xiao had laughed in his fury. The ancients had established the rule that remonstrating officials could not be punished for their counsel. Qi Xiao couldn't strike or curse them, so he did something even more extreme—he sent those men straight to the ancestral temple.
Weren't they always reminiscing about the ancestors' era? Well, now they could go keep the ancestors company.
Bai Ren had nothing to say and forced a laugh. "I was just worried. Don't get angry."
"I'm not angry at you." Qi Xiao sat up and pulled Bai Ren close, speaking softly. "I've only just ascended the throne. If I don't establish my authority now, they'll think I'm weak and easy to bully. Then they'll only redouble their efforts to cause trouble."
Bai Ren couldn't help but laugh. "Your Majesty truly worries too much. Honestly, no one has ever thought you were easy to bully." Before he ascended the throne, he'd already seized control of the court, executed the Empress and princes, then placed the former Emperor under house arrest. Later, he'd silently eliminated quite a few more people. Now that those who couldn't read the situation were gone, no one dared to provoke Qi Xiao anymore.
Qi Xiao chuckled lightly, then lowered his head and gently bit Bai Ren's lip. "Teasing me now? Are you still feeling warm..."
Bai Ren shook his head. Qi Xiao coaxed him softly, "I must make Heqing Palace magnificent. Let them all see clearly who the King of Lingnan is to me... There's no need to worry about drawing attention. Haiyan Palace is being renovated too. Have you been to see it?"
Haiyan Palace was what used to be Chengqian Palace. Because it had been Qi Jing's usual residence, Qi Xiao found it detestable. After moving Qi Jing to Dexiang Palace, he had the plaque for Chengqian Palace removed and renamed it Haiyan Palace, then ordered extensive renovations. He also had one of the adjoining palaces converted into Heqing Palace and bestowed it upon Bai Ren.
Haiyan Riverqing—may the empire enjoy peace and tranquility. Those who understood knew exactly what it meant.
Bai Ren nodded. "I've seen it. Everything inside matches the standards of the Crown Prince's residence. Those gloomy ebony pieces that made everything feel oppressive have all been removed. The heavy, layered embroidered gold curtains have been taken down too. The new furniture I saw is exquisite—it makes the rooms feel bright and spacious."
Qi Xiao laughed softly. "Once everything's finished, we'll move in together. By the way, has there been any word from Lingnan? Has the Imperial Consort agreed to come to the capital?"
Bai Ren smiled. "Before this, she kept politely declining. But after this latest letter, Mother has become much more receptive. Yan Nanny noticed that Mother actually wants to come, but has too many concerns... After all, the three-year mourning period hasn't ended yet, and there's no precedent for this. But Mother misses me terribly, and she misses Roujia and the children even more. Yan Nanny understood this, so she stayed by Mother's side day and night, persuading her. Finally, she got Mother to agree. The reply this time has already confirmed—Mother will come to the imperial city once the autumn chill sets in."
Qi Xiao nodded approvingly. "Good. That way she'll suffer less from the summer heat on the journey. By the time she arrives, the Lingnan Prince's mansion will be finished too."
Bai Ren glanced around. Seeing the palace servants and female officials standing respectfully nearby, none daring to look up, he felt reassured. He leaned forward and kissed the corner of Qi Xiao's lips, whispering softly, "Thank you for thinking so carefully of everything for me."
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow and冷哼一声—a cold, disapproving sound. "Enough of the sweet talk. You think that'll fool me?"
Bai Ren couldn't suppress a smile. There were七八 basins of ice placed throughout the bedchamber, keeping it pleasantly cool, so they could be as close as they liked without worrying about the heat. Bai Ren nestled closer, slipping into Qi Xiao's arms, and nuzzled against him. "There's one more thing. Roujia asked me to kowtow and thank you on her behalf, but she still doesn't dare accept that house. After thinking about it, I think we should just let it go."
Qi Xiao looked down at Bai Ren. "Did He Zichen say something?"
"No." Bai Ren shook his head quickly, then smiled. "He didn't say anything, naturally. Actually, Roujia didn't even mention it to him. The moment I brought it up, she immediately declined. Her concern is that—even setting aside your feelings—giving them a house might make He Zichen lose face. I know you did this so Roujia wouldn't be wronged, but she's not wronged at all."
Bai Ren bit his lip lightly. "If Roujia could handle life in a grand mansion, I never would have agreed to this marriage in the first place. Old Madam He treats her very well, and He Zichen is harmonious with her. Roujia is already content—she doesn't wish for anything more. Besides... if we give her too many gifts, it might only make things worse."
Qi Xiao considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I wasn't worried about her being wronged. I was thinking of how you always worry about her. I'm also afraid that when your mother-in-law comes to the capital, she'll look at that small house and be displeased. What Roujia thinks makes sense. Since that's the case, just watch over her more when you return."
Bai Ren agreed. The two of them stopped discussing serious matters and lay down, chatting leisurely about trivial things. When they happened to mention how Grand Princess Dunsu had wanted to arrange a marriage with the Chun Prince's residence, Bai Ren remarked casually, "Was that what the Grand Princess came for earlier? In this sweltering heat, I thought it must have been something important."
Qi Xiao hesitated, then decided to be honest with Bai Ren. To prevent any worry, he added, "I made myself perfectly clear just now. Your aunt is clever. She'll understand what I mean."
After hearing this, Bai Ren was silent for a long moment before saying, "If it weren't for me... the Grand Princess's youngest daughter would actually be the best candidate for Empress. What a shame..."
"Shame for what?" Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Does His Highness perhaps wish to take a Princess Consort?"
Bai Ren laughed despite himself. "What are you saying... By the way, Physician Liu came earlier. He was waiting outside the hall with me. Since Eunuch Jiang told him you were speaking with the Grand Princess, Physician Liu took his leave. Eunuch Jiang asked what he needed, but he wouldn't say—only that it was nothing serious, and that he'd come again after Your Majesty finished dinner."
Bai Ren watched Qi Xiao's expression carefully, then asked softly, "Is it about Dezhang Palace..."
"It's nothing." Qi Xiao didn't want Bai Ren to know about this. He turned his head and addressed the servants. "Didn't I tell you to prepare some cooling soup for His Highness? Why hasn't it arrived yet?"
The servants had actually prepared it long ago, but seeing the two of them deep in conversation, they hadn't dared to disturb them. At Qi Xiao's words, they hastily apologized and quickly served the ice-cooled lotus seed soup. Bai Ren reached out to take it, but Qi Xiao got there first—he tasted it himself first before handing it to Bai Ren.
Bai Ren's heart swelled with sweetness. A few days ago, he'd been greedy for cool things and had eaten several plates of fruit soaked in icy water. It had felt wonderful at the time, but afterward, he had suffered through an entire night of stomach troubles. Qi Xiao had been both angry and heartbroken. After scolding both Bai Ren and the servants, he had forbidden Bai Ren from eating anything too cold. Now, even when sending up cooling summer treats, Qi Xiao would taste them himself first to make sure they were safe before giving them to Bai Ren.
This made Bai Ren think again of what had been said earlier. Ever since Qi Jing was sent to Dezhang Palace, Qi Xiao hadn't mentioned that man again. Qi Xiao had gone to see him a few times himself, but never allowed anyone else to go there—not even Bai Ren. Whenever Bai Ren occasionally asked about it, Qi Xiao had always deflected. Bai Ren could more or less guess what things were like over there, but since Qi Xiao didn't want him to know, Bai Ren would simply continue pretending not to.
"It's a shame that with so many matters pressing upon me now that I've just ascended the throne, I can't take you to the summer palace to escape the heat." Qi Xiao took a silk handkerchief and dabbed the fine beads of sweat from Bai Ren's brow. "Such a thin person, yet so sensitive to heat..."
Bai Ren drained the lotus seed soup in a few gulps. "It's nothing. There's no need for such extravagance. The south gets far more stifling than this. I'm already used to it."
Qi Xiao laughed softly. "If you truly weren't bothered by the heat, you wouldn't resist so much every night. A few days ago when you weren't feeling well, that was one thing. But these past few days? You haven't even done anything and you're already complaining about the heat, making excuses. Now you're putting on this act of being considerate and not wanting to cause trouble. If you really want to save expense, you should show some actual sincerity."
Bai Ren couldn't help but laugh. Just as he was about to protest, his words were silenced by Qi Xiao's kiss...
"Your Majesty..."
The servant outside had heard that Bai Ren had finished his soup and thought to ask if another bowl should be brought in. But the moment she lifted the jade bead curtain, she saw the Emperor on the couch inside, embracing the King of Lingnan, his hand already inside the King's trousers. Bai Ren's middle robe had been pushed up high, and the servant's eyes were immediately drawn to the fair skin at Bai Ren's waist. She was so startled that a cold sweat broke out over her body. She hastily kowtowed and retreated.
As the servant exited the bedchamber, she ran straight into Jiang Deqing, who had just returned from seeing Grand Princess Dunsu off. She quickly stopped him. "If Your Highness has no urgent business, please don't go in to attend just yet. Inside, inside... Your Majesty and His Highness are... discussing important matters."
Jiang Deqing was stunned for a moment, then understood. He laughed despite himself. "And here it is still broad daylight... Very well. Go prepare the bath things quickly. And, whatever else His Highness might want to eat later— prepare some pastries and cream and such. They must be fresh and warm. If they're not ready in time, His Highness is good-natured and won't say anything, but if His Majesty isn't satisfied, that won't end well."
The servant hastily agreed and hurried away.