Chapter 117: Extra Chapter 3
The matter of bringing the old Prince Chun's child to the palace for raising went smoothly. After Princess Dun Su spoke on their behalf, the old Consort Chun considered it for a night, then the next day sent a letter of greeting to the palace, requesting an audience with the emperor.
Qi Xiao naturally approved. To put the old consort at ease, Qi Xiao also sent Bai Ren along. The old Consort Chun was unsurprised by this. After speaking gently with Qi Xiao for half a day, she then begged pardon, saying she wished to "speak with Prince Bai alone."
The old Consort Chun had been married into the imperial family for over sixty years. Though her face always showed benevolence, her heart was like a clear mirror. She had likely already understood Qi Xiao's intentions. Knowing the child would be raised under Bai Ren's guidance, the old Consort Chun first expressed her gratitude for his trouble. Bai Ren quickly rose and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It should be I who thanks you. It is only because my health has been poor this year that such a matter arose..."
The old Consort Chun shook her head with a soft smile. "If this child can help cure the prince's illness, that would be his great fortune... Please sit, Your Highness. Let us have a proper conversation."
Bai Ren sat. The old Consort Chun grew quiet for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Highness likely knows our family's circumstances. Among my three sons... I loved the third one most. The old prince also favored him most in life, saying his temperament was most like his own. So when the third son passed away the year before last, the old prince nearly followed him to the grave..."
Speaking of past events, the old Consort Chun's eyes grew moist. She dabbed at her眼角 with her handkerchief, then after a long pause continued, "The third branch had many troubles. After the third son died, his eldest son also passed away. Only this little one remains. I had thought that with his mother still alive he would not suffer hardship, but who would have thought... It is also this child's good fortune that he caught the emperor's eye. Being brought to the palace to be taught by Your Highness, he is destined to achieve great things."
Bai Ren actually felt somewhat uncomfortable inside. The woman had lost her son and grandson, leaving only this great-grandson, and they were taking him away. Unable to bear it, he said quietly, "The child is still young. Perhaps we could wait another year or two..."
The old Consort Chun looked at Bai Ren. After a long while, she sighed with relief. "They say Your Highness is cold and heartless. Only today, seeing you, do I understand that rumors are not to be believed. You are actually so kind-hearted. This boy will have great fortune, protected by Your Highness."
Before Bai Ren could offer polite denials, the old Consort Chun continued, "Your Highness misunderstands. I am old and riddled with illness. Without Your Highness, the moment I close my eyes, what would become of that child is self-evident. Your Highness should not feel that you owe me anything—I should be the one offering thanks. Where was I just now..."
"Oh right, I was saying this child will surely achieve greatness." The old Consort Chun smiled slightly, then slowly drew a handkerchief from her sleeve. Upon it were densely packed characters. She handed it to Bai Ren. "With greatness comes disputes. While I am still of sound mind, I have written everything clearly—from how this child's grandfather and father died, to how his mother later passed away from grief, to how his aunt-in-law then mistreated him... Though family scandals should not be spread abroad, I am afraid there will be confusion later, so I have no choice."
The old Consort Chun smiled at Bai Ren. "This is in my own hand, and it also bears the old prince's official seal. It cannot be forged. In the future... if anyone in the mansion causes trouble without reason, wishing to bring up old matters, Your Highness should give this to the boy. Let him understand whose side he should truly be on."
The old consort spoke obliquely, but Bai Ren understood her meaning instantly... She had already guessed why Qi Xiao wanted to bring the child into the palace. She was afraid that once this child rose to power and glory, the mansion's people, seeking to share in the benefits, would defame her and turn black into white, claiming she had harmed his parents. As long as this handwritten record existed, the child would know who truly had his best interests at heart.
Bai Ren felt both grateful and puzzled. He said quietly, "Why would Your Highness..."
"I know my own descendants best." The old Consort Chun cut him off, smiling. "The eldest has nothing to speak of—he cannot compare to his father, but in time he can uphold the family estate. The second son has modest talents; he cannot bear great responsibilities, but his virtue lies in being honest and decent, so he too can live a stable life. The men of these two branches are steady and well-behaved. No need to worry about them. It is only those from the third branch's household... They may, relying on their closest blood relation to the boy, cause trouble in the future. This must be guarded against."
The old Consort Chun's face was benevolent. "I have lived this long and seen through everything long ago. Rather than give them false hope, it is better to make things clear from the start. This is for their own good as well. Having settled these matters, I can rest easy going to meet the old prince... But there is one last request. I beg Your Highness to grant it."
Bai Ren nodded. The old Consort Chun's eyes filled with tears as she slowly said, "If this child can be taught and cultivated, that would be heaven's greatest blessing. If... if he truly cannot please the emperor..."
Tears streamed down the old Consort Chun's face. She choked out, "I beg Your Highness, for today's sake, to protect this child. Do not let the emperor take his life."
Bai Ren's heart was struck. The old consort had even considered this... His heart was full of mixed emotions. He rose and spoke solemnly, "Your Highness may rest assured. I will treat this child as my own. I will not let him suffer the slightest hardship."
The old Consort Chun took the handkerchief to wipe her tears, nodding repeatedly. "A prince's word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. With that, I am at ease."
Bai Ren gently comforted the old consort for a while longer. She slowly composed herself and said quietly, "The boy caught a chill before and hasn't fully recovered yet. I dare not send him now. Once he is completely well, I will personally deliver him to the palace. Your Highness need not worry."
Bai Ren nodded. The old consort then chattered on with Bai Ren for a while longer before taking her leave.
From behind the screen came Qi Xiao, walking out with a cold laugh. "What do you mean, don't let me take his life? Am I that frightening? Can't I even spare a child?"
Bai Ren could not help but laugh. He pulled Qi Xiao down to sit and said, "The old consort was merely speaking that way to set her own heart at ease. Why must you take it seriously?"
Qi Xiao still wore a cold expression. "If I hadn't considered her advanced years..." He raised his eyes to look at Bai Ren, his gaze sharp. "Are there always people whispering against me in your presence? Today I happened to hear it, but when I'm not around... what do they say? It must be far worse!"
Bai Ren found it both amusing and exasperating. "You know yourself how frightening you are. Who would dare gossip about you behind your back? They'd be courting death. Besides, the old consort didn't mean it that way at all..."
"Today they call me ruthless and heartless. Tomorrow might they advise you to stop being with me altogether and return to Lingnan to find that man named Cen?!" Qi Xiao was still furious. He said coldly, "From this moment, issue an order! Anyone who dares speak against the Prince of Lingnan in my presence—execution without mercy!"
"You—" Bai Ren could not help but laugh. He sat down beside Qi Xiao and smilingly soothed him. "Who would be brave enough to do that? And the old consort really wasn't talking about you..."
Bai Ren had never expected Qi Xiao to still be hung up about Cen Chaoge. While secretly grumbling to himself, he obediently said, "Besides... even if someone did come saying such things, I wouldn't listen. Would I distrust you and trust others instead? Would I be that foolish?"
Qi Xiao's heart softened upon hearing this. He said sulkily, "See that you understand..."
Bai Ren could not resist teasing him. "Cen Chaoge is getting married next year. Shouldn't Your Majesty rest easy now? You're an emperor already, and still so small-minded..."
Qi Xiao raised his eyes with a mocking smile. "Does becoming a prince suddenly make one broad-minded? That month Tiankang Prince sent me two beautiful girls—wasn't it you who personally added two sets of dowry and sent them off the same day?"
Tiankang Prince—formerly the Fourth Prince, Qi Li.
Bai Ren was greatly embarrassed, saying awkwardly, "Tiankang Prince is not of one mind with Your Majesty. How could one trust people he sends? What if... something went wrong? It could involve forbidden medicines."
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Very well, then let the Imperial Household Department select a few from families of clean reputation. They could serve, and I could trust them."
Bai Ren immediately flew into a rage. "Dream on!"
Outside the warm pavilion, a young eunuch had been about to enter to report something. Hearing this, he nearly scared his soul out of his body. He dropped to his knees with a thud, wishing he could bash his head against the ground and die and be done with it. Why must he be so unlucky! To overhear the Prince of Lingnan snapping at the emperor! Was the emperor known for being good-natured? Even if he didn't take it out on the Prince of Lingnan, he, who had witnessed it, would surely be sacrificed as cannon fodder! The young eunuch trembled all over, waiting for Qi Xiao to punish him. But after a long while, there was no movement. Boldly, he raised his head to peek—and saw not a trace of anger on Qi Xiao's face. Instead, he was embracing Bai Ren and lovingly coaxing him in a gentle voice...
"I was only teasing you. You actually believed it. Look at how red your face has gone from anger..." Qi Xiao lowered his head to kiss Bai Ren's flushed cheek, saying with a soft laugh, "How could I ever truly select beautiful girls? My eyes can only see you. Having such a handsome little prince, why would I need anyone else? Where else would I find another like you?"
Bai Ren sulked. "Last month Tiankang Prince sent two. The month before, the Duke of Zhenbei sent four! I've had to cover several sets of dowry myself! In the past you paid out of your own pocket!! Now that you're emperor, you've become even more stingy—I have to dip into my private coffers!"
Qi Xiao let Bai Ren heap reproaches upon him without a trace of anger, laughing all the while. Heaven knew how much he enjoyed watching Bai Ren anxiously arrange marriages for those serving girls. Qi Xiao pulled Bai Ren to sit on the couch and laughed, "There, there... Now you understand why I'm always going on about that matter, don't you? When Your Highness gets jealous, you even dare scold me. So am I being overly suspicious, or are you the one making a fuss?"
Bai Ren himself had to laugh at his own behavior, but thinking of all those beautiful women still annoyed him. Qi Xiao coaxed him gently. "When the child arrives... gradually they will understand."
Bai Ren nodded. Qi Xiao then teased, "Before this, I cost Your Highness quite a bit of silver. Let's settle accounts later—I'll reimburse you entirely. How about that?"
Bai Ren's inner alarm bells rang loudly. He immediately shook his head. "There's no need. If I give them dowries to help them marry, some sentimental one might think you have feelings for her!"
Qi Xiao was dumbfounded. "You're always saying I have too much suspicion. And you—"
Bai Ren turned and only then noticed the young eunuch kneeling outside the pavilion. Immediately, he felt deeply mortified. He quickly cut Qi Xiao off and asked, "What is it?"
The young eunuch, relieved that he was finally being acknowledged, kowtowed immediately. "Reporting to Your Majesty, reporting to Your Highness—the genuine Tang Pei fan cover Your Highness mentioned before has finally been found. It was in the storeroom all along. It was only because some previous steward was careless, writing the label incorrectly, that it was delayed for so long."
Qi Xiao smiled. "Is it intact?"
The young eunuch nodded. "It is in good condition, my lord. The storeroom steward has already brought it. He awaits outside."
"Bring him in." Qi Xiao turned to look at Bai Ren. "Seeing how earnestly I had people search for it for you... will you not be angry anymore?"
That day, Bai Ren had only mentioned it in passing. Yet Qi Xiao had truly made an earnest effort to have it found. Bai Ren's heart filled with sweetness. He smiled and nodded...