As they approached the Lingnan Prince's Manor, Qi Xiao woke up Bairen. This wasn't the Crown Prince's manor, so Qi Xiao couldn't directly carry him out of the carriage.

Looking at the drowsy Bairen, Qi Xiao smiled, "You still want to pretend to be drunk to make me stay? As sleepy as you are, can you even drink more?"

Bairen rubbed his eyes and said softly, "Tell the chef to prepare a table of wine and dishes... no need to actually drink, who will come check how much we drank anyway?"

Qi Xiao chuckled, "So it turns out Your Highness was just humoring me before. I'm in a good mood today and really want to drink to my heart's content."

Bairen glanced at Qi Xiao alertly, his sleepiness completely gone. "Your Highness... this isn't the Crown Prince's manor. Even I can't say for sure how many spies there are in my manor. If someone sees..."

"Don't worry, I know." Qi Xiao lifted the carriage curtain slightly and glanced out with a cold smile. "They are really brazen. This is the Lingnan Prince's Manor after all, yet it has become a place where anyone can meddle."

Bairen lowered his eyes. "It's my fault... I was always busy with other things before and didn't have the heart to manage this. I'll take care of it when I have time... Besides the Emperor's people, the others can still be taught a lesson."

Qi Xiao sneered inwardly. Why wait until there's time? With so many live targets, any day he's in a bad mood, he can just use them to vent...

Before long, the carriage stopped outside the ceremonial gate of the Lingnan Prince's Manor. Bairen got off first and personally opened the carriage curtain for Qi Xiao. As Qi Xiao alighted, he inconspicuously squeezed Bairen's hand, looked around, and leisurely entered the gate.

The housekeeper in the courtyard had just received word and hadn't had time to prepare anything. He hurriedly led the manor's people to pay respects, kneeling in a large crowd. Qi Xiao couldn't be bothered to speak more to them. Without even a glance, he went straight into the main hall.

Bairen gave the housekeeper a reassuring smile. "I also invited the Crown Prince on a whim. There's no need for you to panic, just prepare a table of fine wine and dishes."

The housekeeper was an old man Bairen brought from Lingnan. He was quite respectful of the nobles around Bairen. Hearing this, he quickly nodded. "Yes, this old servant will personally oversee the kitchen staff to make sure everything is neat and tidy."

Bairen nodded and turned to follow Qi Xiao.

Unlike Bairen's unease when entering the Crown Prince's residence, from the moment Qi Xiao entered the gate, he acted as if he was in his own outer residence. He looked around, occasionally making a few comments:

"They put this vase in the main hall? To let guests know your family's prince isn't spoiled?"

"Such... crude tea sets, they really are rare these days..."

"These few pots of flowers..." Qi Xiao looked as if something had dirtied his eyes. "Putting them here half-withered, waiting for your family's prince to appreciate the fruits? Hehe... I'm really ignorant. Are tea flowers grown for their fruits?"

The stewards and maids following Qi Xiao along the way cried out in distress and quickly bowed their heads. "It's our negligence. We thought the young master wouldn't return today, so we didn't put them away..."

Hearing this, Qi Xiao became interested. He chuckled, "Oh... if he doesn't return for a day, you can go a day without tidying up. Then can I also tell Bairen to deduct a day's salary for you?"

The steward maid was at a loss for words. She had long heard that Qi Xiao was a harsh person. She regretted speaking too much. With a thud, she knelt down and begged for mercy, "This servant misspoke. This servant deserves to die..."

Qi Xiao sneered, "What I hate most in life is people talking back to me. When you make a mistake, you don't know to make amends and instead focus on arguing..."

Bairen came in through the flower hall and happened to hear this sentence. He empathized. Qi Xiao indeed hated people talking back the most. Even if Bairen refuted Qi Xiao with reason, Qi Xiao would still get angry, let alone this maid who was in the wrong to begin with.

Bairen glanced at the maid kneeling on the ground and understood. Qi Xiao knew she was sent by someone else and was just using the opportunity to vent.

Seeing Bairen arrive, Qi Xiao said coldly, "Bairen, is this how you normally discipline your servants?"

Bairen knew Qi Xiao was standing up for him and quickly responded, "Apologies for embarrassing Your Highness. I never had to manage these things in Lingnan before and don't quite understand."

"You're young and haven't dealt with these matters, so it's understandable. However..." Qi Xiao's tone changed. He looked at the kneeling maid and sneered, "Princess Dunsu just arranged a marriage for your sister. After the new year when Lady Roujia enters the capital, will your manor still be in such a mess? If these people can't even handle small daily matters, will they be able to properly handle Lady Roujia's grand wedding in the future?"

Bairen was just casually agreeing with Qi Xiao before, but hearing this, he became alert. Indeed, never mind himself, if the manor was in disarray, how could he let Roujia suffer the same? Bairen felt ashamed that he wasn't as thoughtful as Qi Xiao. His tone carried utmost respect as he lowered his head, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

Looking at the trembling maids in the room, Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "It's not guidance. Aunt just made a great match for your family. I really can't bear to see Aunt's good intentions go to waste and let these black-hearted things ruin an important matter in the future. That's why I have to say a few more words. You can't always be in a daze like this. I'm a few years older than you, so just accept these 'teachings'. Today, I'll set an example for you."

Qi Xiao sat upright in the main seat and took a sip of tea, unhurriedly saying, "The wine and food will take some time to prepare. We happen to be bored now... Bring your manor's register. Besides the kitchen staff and guards on duty, have everyone else come to the hall."

No one dared disobey Qi Xiao's words. Before long, the hall was filled with people. Bairen's old housekeeper respectfully presented a thick register, "Greetings to the Crown Prince."

Qi Xiao grunted in acknowledgment, took the register and flipped through it briefly before tossing it on the table. "I can't be bothered to read these. You read it line by line. Remove the screen. Those whose names are called, step forward. I have questions."

Many people's hearts sank. On this snowy day, they broke out in a cold sweat.

The old housekeeper had also been holding in his anger. These servants sent from outside, relying on their former master's prestige, never listened to orders. They would push work onto each other for the slightest task, but when it came to rewards, they would swarm forward.

It just so happened that Bairen hadn't stayed much in the prince's manor this past month, so these people became even more unrestrained and the order became worse. The old housekeeper called out loudly. In groups of five, those whose names were called obediently stepped forward.

With the screen removed, the hall became much colder. The attendants following Qi Xiao quickly presented a dragon-patterned silver hand warmer inlaid with precious stones that had been prepared in advance.

Qi Xiao stroked the hand warmer and swept his gaze over the few people. The old steward, with keen intuition, lowered his voice and said, "The two on the far left were brought by the prince from the south, the one in the middle was bestowed by the Emperor, and the remaining two..."

The steward didn't finish, but Qi Xiao understood. The people Bairen brought from the south naturally posed no problem, even if there were issues, Qi Xiao couldn't embarrass Bairen in public. As for the one bestowed by the Emperor, it was not appropriate to comment. But those cats and dogs stuffed in...

"That one called Yanzhi, what does she usually manage?"

Yanzhi's heart pounded rapidly as she lowered her head and stammered, "In response to Your Highness, this servant specializes in serving tea."

"So the silver needle tea I drank earlier was also brewed by you?" Qi Xiao took a sip from the teacup and sneered, "It has a musty smell."

Yanzhi had just taken over this duty. Seeing that Qi Xiao was about to lash out, she quickly knelt down and explained, "Your Highness, spare my life. This servant only brews the tea and does not know about the storage of the tea leaves..."

Qi Xiao scoffed, "This is another one who only knows how to pay lip service. Didn't you taste it when brewing the tea? If you did, why didn't you tell the steward that the tea leaves were old and unsuitable for the prince's use? You clearly knew, yet still tried to shirk responsibility... Take her away, punish her with sweeping duties, and never allow her to serve inside again."

Yanzhi repeatedly cried out her grievances. The old steward signaled with his eyes, and two sturdy maids from the hall quickly covered her mouth and dragged her away. Qi Xiao frowned, "I don't have the time to talk more with you all. If anyone else tries to explain like just now, throw them out directly."

Everyone murmured their compliance. Bairen, sitting at Qi Xiao's right, couldn't help but pick up the teacup and take a sip. The tea leaves were indeed not fresh, but he didn't taste any mustiness...

After dealing with Yanzhi, the old steward called five more people from below. Qi Xiao was in a good mood due to the earlier incident in the carriage. Despite it being late at night, he didn't feel tired at all.

While sipping the newly served tea, he ridiculed and mocked those he disliked one by one. Anyone unfamiliar was found fault with and sent away. There was a maid with exceptionally beautiful features. Qi Xiao inquired about her and, upon learning that she was a reward from the Emperor, he smiled and nodded without further comment.

The Lingnan Prince's manor had over sixty people, and Qi Xiao inspected each and every one of them.

In the end, only about thirty people remained in the hall. They were either old-timers from Lingnan or those rewarded by the Emperor, of course mixed with a few of Qi Xiao's own people.

In fact, Qi Xiao trusted those bestowed by the Emperor. The Emperor sent them to serve as eyes and ears, but also to protect Bairen. They usually served Bairen diligently. If something really went wrong, these people would desperately protect Bairen. Unless absolutely necessary, Qi Xiao wouldn't touch them. Moreover, Bairen was now staying longer in his own manor, so keeping these people around was harmless.

The thirty-odd people in the hall looked at Qi Xiao with trepidation, fearing that this prince, known for his bad temper, would suddenly take a notion and "question" them one by one again.

After today's experience, everyone truly understood Qi Xiao's formidability. As long as he disliked someone, he could always find fault with them, leaving them speechless and convinced. Those who dared not submit, Qi Xiao wasted no words and directly ordered the maids to slap their faces until they yielded.

Qi Xiao quietly observed the crowd for a moment before standing up and saying indifferently, "Reward the remaining people with two taels of silver each. Disperse."

The people were stunned at first, then felt as if they had received a great pardon and hurriedly expressed their gratitude before leaving.

The old steward, sensing that Qi Xiao still had words to exchange with Bairen, didn't wait for Qi Xiao's dismissal and smiled, "The food and wine are all prepared. This old servant will have them sent to the warm chamber in the inner room right away. This old servant will take his leave first."

Having vented his anger, the old steward seemed to have become ten years younger, walking with a spring in his step, looking refreshed as he departed.

Qi Xiao turned to Bairen with a gentle smile, "Prince Bairen, I even took care of the steward's duties for you. How will you thank me?"

Bairen was naturally grateful to Qi Xiao in his heart, but he couldn't express it in words. Qi Xiao didn't force him and just smiled, taking his hand and leading him into the inner room together.

Bairen ordered everyone in the room to withdraw and personally poured a cup for Qi Xiao. He hesitated for a moment before saying softly, "Earlier... thank you, Your Highness..."

Qi Xiao looked at the wine cup in Bairen's hand and smiled, "Is that all, just pouring a cup of wine? Why don't you... feed me a cup as a token of gratitude, how about that?"

Bairen pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, and brought the wine cup to Qi Xiao's lips. Who knew that Qi Xiao would slightly tilt his head to avoid it and chuckle, "Are you a three-year-old child? When I said 'feed' me, you really fed me like this? What I meant by feeding... is for you to toast me with a 'leather cup'."

Bairen looked at Qi Xiao blankly, not understanding. He had never been to the pleasure quarters and had never joked around with his peers in this way. He didn't understand even half of these bawdy words from the world of sensual pleasures. He just stared at Qi Xiao in a daze. Seeing that he truly didn't know, Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh, "I really picked up a treasure..."

Qi Xiao took the wine cup from Bairen's hand, downed it in one gulp, and pulled Bairen into his embrace. He lowered his head and kissed Bairen's lips. Bairen instinctively struggled, but how could Qi Xiao let him escape?

He fed Bairen the entire cup of wine and even took advantage of him for a good while before releasing him. Qi Xiao looked at Bairen's flushed face and smiled, "Now do you understand what a 'leather cup' is?"

Bairen's face was burning red. He never knew that there were such... such things. For a moment, he couldn't utter a single word. Qi Xiao soothingly coaxed him, "Alright, it's better that you don't know anything. In the future, I'll teach you bit by bit..."

"Who wants to learn these things!" Bairen really couldn't understand how Qi Xiao, the dignified crown prince, could be so... so shameless in private. Bairen wanted to get up, but Qi Xiao's arm was tightly wrapped around his waist, not allowing him to move an inch. Bairen was furious, "Your Highness!"

"Tsk..." Qi Xiao raised his eyebrows, "You forgot again... Speak nicely and I'll let you get up."

Bairen had no choice. He couldn't break free and couldn't call for anyone. He could only relent and said softly, "Your Highness... I'm uncomfortable like this."

"If you had spoken like this earlier, wouldn't it have been fine?" Qi Xiao punishingly nibbled on Bairen's ear and whispered, "How do I usually treat you? When have I ever been so harsh with my words? And you? The moment something is slightly not to your liking, you get all worked up. Prince Bairen, where is your conscience?"

Before Bairen could react, Qi Xiao soothingly stroked his back and chuckled softly, "I practically have no temper with you. As long as you talk to me nicely, what would I not agree to?"

Bairen couldn't help but laugh. He knew that arguing with Qi Xiao would not do him any good. Qi Xiao knew when to stop and let go of Bairen. It was getting late, so after chatting a bit more and having a light meal, the two went to bed.

The next morning at the second mark of the Mao hour*, Qi Xiao woke up. Outside, the heavy snow had stopped, and the courtyard looked very bright in the sunlight. Qi Xiao leaned against the head of the bed and gently tugged on Bairen's ear, chuckling, "Still not getting up?"

*T/N: The Mao hour is 5-7am

Bairen had a good temper even when asleep. Being disturbed from a nice dream didn't annoy him, he just scooted back. Qi Xiao found it amusing, so he laid back down, put his arm around Bairen and continued to doze. Before long, the old steward outside lightly knocked on the door and said softly, "Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Qi Xiao got up and tucked the quilt snugly around Bairen. Putting on his cloak, he opened the door of the warm chamber. The old steward bowed and handed a letter to Qi Xiao, saying in a low voice, "Sent by Steward Jiang from the Crown Prince's manor, to be opened personally by Your Highness."

Qi Xiao nodded. He opened the letter as he walked inside. After reading it, he casually tossed the paper into the incense burner. Hearing the noise, Bairen, who had already woken up, looked at Qi Xiao in a daze, "What... what's the matter?"

Qi Xiao sat down on the bed and smiled, "Huo Rong has succeeded... It's nothing, go back to sleep."

Bairen felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. He shook his head, "I won't sleep anymore... Is Your Highness still tired?"

Qi Xiao shook his head, then suddenly smiled, "I'm leaving in a bit. After I leave, send that girl named Hui Niang to my manor."

Bairen was stunned for a moment, "Hui Niang?"

Qi Xiao chuckled, "The one with the slender waist and phoenix eyes, exceptionally beautiful."

Bairen finally remembered. In fact, Qi Xiao had asked about her last night. Later, hearing that she was a gift from the Emperor, he didn't say much more.

Now... Bairen looked at Qi Xiao, pursing his lips without speaking. Qi Xiao couldn't help but laugh, "What are you thinking? I just think she's too beautiful and I'm afraid she'll seduce you. I know you're not fond of female charms, but with her here, I just don't feel at ease. She was bestowed by the Emperor, so it's not good to directly send her away. I can only take her to my place. If others ask, just say I took her in last night when I was drunk. Even if the Emperor finds out, it's no big deal."

Qi Xiao looked at Bairen and laughed softly, "Were you jealous just now?"

Bairen averted his eyes, paused, then said in a low voice, "I'm... I'm still a bit sleepy, I'll sleep a little longer..."

Seeing his embarrassment, Qi Xiao didn't press further. He chuckled, "Alright, I'll lie with you a bit longer." With that, he got into bed and held Bairen in his arms. The two nestled sweetly together again.