In Yuxiu Palace, Princess Dunsu was stunned: "You don't want Roujia anymore?"

Qi Xiao felt some guilt towards Princess Dunsu in his heart. He had never wanted to take a concubine, and from beginning to end, this was all a trap he had set. Princess Dunsu had wholeheartedly helped him, but she had also been used. Now that Bairen was in his hands, Qi Xiao no longer hid anything from Princess Dunsu, and told her everything that had happened before.

"Your nephew has already informed the people at the Qintian Observatory. They will say that I am not suitable for a joyous event this year. The Emperor will be eager for me to lose this assistance from Lingnan, and will definitely not suspect me. He will agree to it without hesitation, and in this way, it will be easy to cancel the marriage with Lingnan."

Qi Xiao simply told her his next plan as well, "Aunt, do you know... the Empress is still planning to use this opportunity to also betroth her niece born of a concubine to me. It's just as well to reject her together. Aunt... what do you think?"

Princess Dunsu's face turned ashen as she struggled to contain her anger while listening to Qi Xiao finish speaking. Upon hearing this, she flew into a rage: "What do I think?! Do you still have me in your eyes? I spent so much effort to win this marriage with Lingnan for you! Now, just because of that short-lived heir who could die at any time, this matter is ruined! And you dare to ask me what I think?!"

Qi Xiao inwardly cried bitterly. He knew Princess Dunsu would be angry after finding out, but he didn't expect her to be this furious. He stepped forward, took Princess Dunsu's hand and repeatedly persuaded: "Aunt, if you're angry, just beat me and be done with it, but don't make yourself angry..."

"Now that you have eyes and ears everywhere, do you still care if I live or die? It would be better if I died early! I'll go apologize to your imperial father and mother early. Despite all my painstaking efforts over the years, I still failed to properly guide the Crown Prince, who is even destroying himself for the sake of a man!"

Princess Dunsu flung off Qi Xiao's hand and angrily rebuked, "Where is Jiang Deqing! Tell him to come in!"

Jiang Deqing had been waiting outside the palace. Upon hearing this, he entered with a bitter smile on his face.

Princess Dunsu sneered: "Hehe... you still have the face to come see me! Jiang Deqing, what did I instruct you before? Don't lead the Crown Prince astray with those crooked things! You're quite dedicated indeed. The Crown Prince is even fooling around with the heir of Lingnan! Are you blind or deaf? Since you knew, couldn't you have said something to dissuade him?! Or have you become a mute! You can't even come to Yuxiu Palace to say a word to me?!"

Jiang Deqing didn't dare to argue and knelt down to kowtow repeatedly.

Qi Xiao felt both amused and distressed. Princess Dunsu had always treated him with kindness. He had anticipated receiving a scolding, but he didn't expect that Princess Dunsu, having stayed in the palace these past few days and witnessing the princes' jostling and the concubines' scheming, was already fed up.

Yet her status and prestige didn't allow her to lose decorum in front of others. Qi Xiao had bumped into her at this time, and bore the brunt of Princess Dunsu's pent-up anger from the past days.

Qi Xiao had no choice. He simply stepped forward and knelt beside Princess Dunsu with a wry smile: "Aunt, don't wrong Jiang Deqing. He has been advising me all along, but I just didn't listen. Aunt, if you have anger, vent it on me, don't hold it in."

"If you're still angry..." Qi Xiao smiled and playfully took Princess Dunsu's hand, "Hit me a few times. I only ask that Aunt takes into account that I still have to meet people later, so please don't hit my face."

Princess Dunsu frowned and pushed away Qi Xiao's hand, scolding: "Stop putting on this act!"

Seeing that Princess Dunsu's anger was no longer as overwhelming as before, Qi Xiao glanced at Jiang Deqing out of the corner of his eye. Jiang Deqing understood and slowly got up and left. Qi Xiao smiled and slowly said, "Then I'll just keep kneeling until Aunt's anger subsides."

Princess Dunsu glanced at Qi Xiao. Although he was kneeling on a felt rug, it was already autumn and the ground was still cold after all...

Princess Dunsu's heart still ached for Qi Xiao, so how could she let him keep kneeling? After no more than half a cup of tea's time, she impatiently said, "Stop acting like this. I still have questions for you. Get up... Looking down at you is making my neck sore..."

Qi Xiao smiled and nimbly stood up. He turned around, poured a cup of tea for Princess Dunsu, respectfully offered it to her, and smiled, "I didn't consider this matter thoroughly. Let this cup of tea be my apology to Aunt, alright?"

Princess Dunsu gave him a look, took the tea and took a sip. She sighed, "It's not that I'm quick-tempered. You just make people worry too much. Why can't you behave and fool around with simple boys like those lowlifes?"

The "those" Princess Dunsu referred to were the Second Prince Qi Hua and the Third Prince Qi Li. The year before last, both princes kept catamites in their residences. There were even rumors that the two had exchanged catamites who had served them. It was all very unseemly.

Later, when word reached the Emperor's ears, he was furious and severely reprimanded the two princes. Those catamites disappeared overnight, and the rumors slowly faded.

Qi Xiao smiled wryly, "Bairen is not a catamite..."

"Yes, he is the heir. You sure know how to play, much more than Qi Hua and the others!" Princess Dunsu couldn't help but rap Qi Xiao on the head, lowering her voice and fiercely saying, "You only think of him as an insignificant hostage, but have you considered? At the very least, he is still the only legitimate son of the King of Lingnan! He is of noble birth, just like you! If you force him like this, aren't you afraid he'll find an opportunity to bite back?!"

Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "Aunt, do you think your nephew is that useless? I'm not even afraid of the Emperor, so why would I be afraid of him?"

Princess Dunsu wanted to scold him a few more times, but upon seeing Qi Xiao's expression, she couldn't help but stare, silently sighing in her heart. He was just like his father - whatever he wanted, he always got...

"Forget it..." Princess Dunsu wearily rubbed her temples, "It's just a concubine. If you don't want her, then don't take her..."

Seeing that Princess Dunsu had finally calmed down, Qi Xiao immediately seized the opportunity and smiled, "Now I need Aunt's help one more time... My marriage with Roujia has fallen through. Aunt can just say that she likes Roujia very much and it's a pity, so she'll simply take her as a goddaughter. With Aunt's esteemed status, the King and Queen of Lingnan will naturally be delighted. With this relationship, it will be easier for Aunt to arrange a marriage for Roujia in the future."

Princess Dunsu looked at him in disbelief, "You've caused such a mess, and I'm already letting you off without further scolding. Yet you still dare to try to take advantage of me. Since Roujia can't be your concubine anymore, why should I care if she lives or dies?"

Qi Xiao smiled helplessly, "To be honest with you, Aunt... In order to tame Bairen, this fierce horse, I promised him that in the future, Roujia's marriage will be decided by himself. But when it comes to marriage between men and women, it's not proper for me, as the crown prince, to meddle in other people's family affairs. It can only be done by you, Aunt. With your status, if you speak on this matter, the Lingnan side will naturally be willing."

Seeing that the Princess Dunsu was still unwilling to respond, Qi Xiao added, "Aunt... Just treat it as doting on me."

Princess Dunsu looked at Qi Xiao and couldn't help but feel distressed. This child had a tough fate and a cold personality. From a young age, he never had anything he liked. Now that he liked that young lord, why not fulfill his wish?

Moreover, the marriage with Lingnan had already fallen through. Further discussion was futile. They could only try their best to gain the greatest benefit. As for Roujia's marriage, it was just a matter of her word...

Princess Dunsu glared at Qi Xiao, "Did I owe you from a past life..."

Before Qi Xiao could express his gratitude, Princess Dunsu said, "Alright, just this once! If it were for some young lady, I wouldn't mind arranging it for you. But he's just a boy. Who knows how long your interest in him will last."

Keeping male lovers wasn't a new thing in the royal family, but in most cases, once the passion faded, the favor wouldn't last more than a few years. Princess Dunsu wasn't worried at all that Qi Xiao would be serious.

Qi Xiao smiled, "Aunt still dotes on me the most."

"Hmph..." Blood is thicker than water. No matter how big of a fuss they made, once Qi Xiao admitted his mistake, Princess Dunsu still loved him like her own flesh and blood.

Just like when Qi Xiao was young, she held his hand and nagged him for a long time, nothing more than telling him "not to make trouble again" and "not to neglect proper matters for pleasure". Qi Xiao obediently agreed to everything. Princess Dunsu nodded, "The evening banquet is still a while away. I'll have someone bring you a few plates of snacks first. Don't drink on an empty stomach later and harm your health."

Qi Xiao acquiesced indifferently, bowing his head in agreement. When the palace servants brought in the snacks, he first offered them to Princess Dunsu, showing his deep respect and affection, coaxing Princess Dunsu to completely forget her earlier anger.

While Qi Xiao was dutifully showing his filial piety in Yuxiu Palace, little did he know that not far away, just a few palace halls apart, Bairen had gotten himself into big trouble.