Princess Dunsu was good at handling trivial matters. Since the day she mentioned to Qi Xiao about getting Kangtai married over, she had been busy making arrangements. On this day, knowing Qi Xiao was free, she invited him to the princess's residence.

"Oh my... It was a fine sunny morning, how did it suddenly start snowing?" When Qi Xiao entered the room, Princess Dunsu hurriedly greeted him, asking someone to bring up a foot stove and change the charcoal in Qi Xiao's hand warmer. She kept shaking her head, "If I had known it would snow, I wouldn't have asked you to come. What if you slipped and fell, how awful would that be."

Qi Xiao handed his snow-covered fox fur coat to the princess's maid and smiled, "I'm not that delicate. Aunt, you called me here for a reason."

Princess Dunsu smiled, "I have some trivial matters to discuss with you, but more so, I wanted to see you. It's been almost half a month since we last met at Zichen's place, and I haven't seen you since. I've been a bit busy lately, but I heard..."

Princess Dunsu pulled Qi Xiao to sit down, first handing him her own hand warmer, then having someone bring him a blanket to cover his legs. With a meaningful tone, she said, "I heard that you've been so busy lately that your feet are hitting the back of your head."

Qi Xiao calmly replied, "The Emperor is ill and needs to rest quietly, without strain. Naturally, the Eastern Palace will be busier."

Princess Dunsu smiled with a sense of satisfaction. She waved her hand, dismissing the maids, and shook her head with a cold laugh, "It's truly the will of Heaven that he contracted this illness. I went to the palace to see him the other day, humph... These people still insist it's not consumption, who are they trying to fool! He's so thin with barely any flesh on his bones, gasping for breath after a few steps, and coughing incessantly.

"If it's not lung consumption, then what is it? I could see it, but the Empress and Consort Xue stubbornly claim it's a heat-related illness, hehe... Let them say what they want. I just agreed, saying that as long as he recuperates well, he'll recover in a few days. Hah! With his condition, recovery would be a miracle! Don't you think these people are completely muddled? They can't even see this?"

Qi Xiao shook his head without a word. Were Empress Feng and Consort Xue fools? Of course not. They could be so certain only because Physician Liu's diagnoses always "cured the illness with the right medicine". Moreover, the illness was indeed caused by drugging, with some symptoms differing from typical consumption. With the Imperial Physicians constantly covering it up, they managed to deceive everyone.

Princess Dunsu sneered, "Regardless, he's not doing well. With his condition, does he still dream of living to a hundred? In his dreams! He's just like his mother who died young, lacking the blessing of longevity..."

The Emperor's birth mother passed away early when the Emperor was only three years old. Empress Jinghe took pity on him for losing his mother and brought him to her palace to be raised alongside her eldest son, Emperor Wu.

At that time, the Emperor was very well-behaved, sweet-tempered and good-natured. Before her marriage, Princess Dunsu had always been very fond of him. Empress Jinghe only had one son, Emperor Wu, while Emperor Wen had many children. Princess Dunsu thought it wasn't bad this way. After all, she was a daughter and would eventually marry out of the palace. She couldn't openly assist her brother in court affairs.

Having such a favored illegitimate son who owed him gratitude was just like having her own younger brother. In the future, he would be of some help to Emperor Wu. Empress Jinghe also agreed and continued raising him this way, only to end up with such an ungrateful wretch.

Every time she recalled past events, Princess Dunsu became so angry that her liver ached. She waved her hand, "Enough, enough, why talk about him. Let's discuss the important matter. The other day I mentioned Kangtai to you, and there has been some progress on that."

Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow, "Which family's son is willing?"

Princess Dunsu let out a mocking laugh, "Don't even think about sons from good families. Who doesn't know about that little fiasco in Lingnan? If you ask me... it's Kangtai's misfortune. If she hadn't aimed so high before, settling on someone early on, she wouldn't have to suffer the consequences of her father and brothers' actions and end up an old maid. What a pity, she just had to compete with Roujia, and now..."

"At this point, anyone willing to take her is good enough. One is your uncle's aunt's illegitimate grandson, fifteen this year. The child is good in all other aspects and was even a famous prodigy in Suiyang when he was young. Unfortunately... he has the same illness as the Emperor and won't live many years. He's still unmarried, and his grandmother is afraid his grave will look lonely, so she's been trying to find a girl who doesn't mind family background or wealth, as long as she's willing to marry in. That's one."

Princess Dunsu shook her head with a cold sneer, "Don't laugh, that's still the better option! There's another, your cousin's family's fifth branch has an eldest uncle, thirty-four this year. He's already worked three wives to death, and now he can't find anyone to marry. Yet he has no sons, only three daughters. The old madam of their fifth branch is so anxious that she pesters your cousin daily, asking her to come back and tell me to find someone. Knowing that man's character, I've been disgusted and ignoring him."

Seeing Qi Xiao's confusion, Princess Dunsu paused, frowned, and spoke quickly, "That man has a strange temperament. Usually, he seems like a decent person, just not talkative. But in the bedchamber, he becomes a completely different person, tormenting his bedmate to death night after night, humph... He even has the audacity to claim he's ill-fated, when he clearly tortured them to death himself. Such a filthy thing..."

Qi Xiao let out a cold laugh and after a while asked, "Any others?"

"There's also your uncle's cousin's son who is almost out of the five-year mourning period. His principal wife is infertile and also a jealous type. When she entered the household, she dismissed all the concubines. Now there isn't a single one to attend to bedroom matters.

"Seeing that her son is almost thirty without an heir, his cousin is anxious and resents her daughter-in-law. She's been trying to find a young and healthy girl with some status and family background to bring in as a concubine for her son. This way, not only can the issue of an heir be resolved, but she also won't be easily dismissed by the principal wife like an ordinary girl from a common family... After all, she's still the illegitimate daughter of the former King of Lingnan. Although... although things have turned out this way, his wife can't directly sell her off..."

Princess Dunsu spoke for a while, took a sip of tea, shook her head and said, "There are only a few families willing to take her. Oh, and there are also some, but those are just men from peasant families. They've grown up in the dirt all their lives and don't care if the girl in the house has offended some King of Lingnan. They would be very content to have a beautiful wife and some dowry to supplement their income. If Kangtai really wants that, I can find her one!

"There are many big and small village heads among my few estates who are eagerly waiting for me to marry off the maids from my household. But this must be made clear - if she marries into a peasant family, life will be different. No one will wait on her, at most there might be an old nanny. She'll have to do the laundry, cooking, sewing herself, and also serve her own husband.

"The good thing is she won't need to scheme or look at people's faces. I'm also willing to find her a man who cherishes his blessings, knows how to live life, and knows how to be considerate to his wife. Heh... as long as she's willing."

Qi Xiao sneered coldly, "She's the one who's been clamoring to get married, so let her choose for herself..."

Princess Dunsu gave a few cold laughs, then thought for a moment and said, "If... if it goes smoothly and she's really betrothed, the King of Lingnan can request the Emperor. Perhaps, perhaps... he can allow him to personally escort her to the capital for the wedding. A feudal king cannot leave his fief without being summoned, but for escorting the bride, it can still be justified."

Although Princess Dunsu despised Qi Xiao's entanglement with Bairen, she ultimately felt distressed for her nephew. She said softly, "If the Emperor is unwilling, I'll go talk to him. At least let him come for a visit so you two can see each other then."

Qi Xiao paused, his hand holding the teacup trembled involuntarily. Qi Xiao pursed his lips and placed the teacup on the table. He clenched his fists and after a long while calmed down, his face still showing that unperturbed look. He smiled faintly, "Let's talk about it later."

The more Qi Xiao was like this, the more distressed Princess Dunsu felt. She turned her head and pressed the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief, saying in a low voice, "In front of me, you don't need to pretend to be fine. If you really care... I heard from Roujia's mother-in-law that Lingnan will send some things to celebrate when little Yuge'er reaches one month old. If you have anything to say, have the messenger bring it back, so he can prepare early and come along when escorting the bride."

Qi Xiao's hands were no longer shaking now. Upon hearing this, he chuckled lightly, "Alright."

Princess Dunsu nodded, and again spoke of some happy matters, "Yuge'er and Roujia are both well now. Roujia lost a lot of weight this time. Her mother-in-law said she will have to take care of her for two months to nurse her back to health. After all, she's young and can recover. Speaking of which, the imperial physician's medical skills are truly superb. After taking the medicinal cuisine he prescribed, Roujia feels much more comfortable, her complexion looks much better, and she's in much better spirits. Ah, she's a fortunate child..."

......

A few days later, Lingnan indeed sent people to the capital. Led by the Lingnan Military Minister, the group first respectfully delivered several carriages of tribute to the Emperor. As the Emperor was ill, he did not meet them and only bestowed some gifts in return. The palace servants said some nice words and politely sent them out. Only then did the group head to the He Manor.

In the Eastern Palace, Qi Xiao was reading documents in the study. Jiang Deqing was so anxious that he was sweating on his forehead, pacing back and forth, "Your Highness... it's already dark. If you don't send someone to the He Manor soon, you'll be violating the curfew in a bit!"

Qi Xiao put down his brush and smiled, "Why should I send someone to the He Manor?"

Jiang Deqing was extremely anxious, "Why go to the He Manor? To talk to the people from Lingnan! Have them go back and tell His Maj... no, tell the King of Lingnan to find a way to come and escort the bride!"

Qi Xiao chuckled lightly, "And what if he comes?"

Jiang Deqing was at a loss for words and said dryly, "Come, come... it's good to come and see Your Highness."

Qi Xiao smiled, "And then what?"

Jiang Deqing's lips moved but he had nothing to say.

Qi Xiao lowered his head and continued to read the documents. Jiang Deqing stood beside him in a daze. Yes, and then what? A feudal king cannot stay in the capital for long. After a few days, he would have to leave again.

Jiang Deqing sighed deeply in his heart, having nothing else to say. He continued to attend to Qi Xiao as he reviewed the documents. After another hour, when it was completely dark outside, a young eunuch came in, kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, the people from Lingnan request an audience."

Qi Xiao's heart skipped a beat. He paused for a good while before saying, "Do not neglect them. Invite them to the main hall."

In the main hall, Shunzi led the group to kowtow and pay respects to Qi Xiao, "Long live Your Highness, long live, long live."

Qi Xiao looked at Shunzi, who was kneeling at the very front in his python robe official attire, and smiled, "It's only been half a year, but you've become even more capable."

Shunzi's eyes reddened. He kowtowed to Qi Xiao again, wanting to speak, but his throat seemed to be blocked. After a long while, he choked out, "This subordinate..."

"No." Qi Xiao interrupted him, saying solemnly, "You are now the Military Minister of Lingnan. In front of me, you cannot call yourself 'subordinate', but should say 'this official'."

Upon hearing this, Shunzi's eyes reddened even more. He had a myriad of words in his heart, but couldn't utter a single one. He could only kowtow several more times.

Qi Xiao had Jiang Deqing help him up and said indifferently, "You originally came from my household. Now that the King of Lingnan is willing to appreciate you, it's your good fortune. Do your job well and don't let down his regard for you, understand?"

Shunzi heard these words and knelt down again, choking, "Back then in Southern Frontier, this subordinate, this subordinate wanted to follow Your Highness back, but, but..."

Qi Xiao chuckled lightly, "How come this again? Alright, today let's not mention the past, only the present. Does he... the King of Lingnan, have something to give me? Or does he have words for you to tell me?"

Shunzi wiped his tears, turned around and opened the chest behind him. Inside were four small jars of wine. Shunzi took out a jar and gently caressed the clay pot, saying softly, "This is the wine that His Majesty personally brewed after quelling the unrest. It was buried under the plum blossom tree and never touched. Before this subordinate came, His Majesty ordered people to dig it all up and had this subordinate bring it to you."

Qi Xiao took the wine jar, broke open the clay seal, and smelled the faint wine fragrance. He said in a low voice, "This is plum wine. Last year at the estate, it was I who taught him this wine brewing method. I told him then that after returning to the city, he should brew some himself, bury it under the plum blossom tree, and wait to drink it the following year. Unfortunately... after returning to the city, we encountered some troubles and it was delayed... I didn't expect the King of Lingnan to remember it."

Qi Xiao casually poured out the tea in the teacup, filled it with a cup of wine, and downed it in one gulp. After a long time, he said in a deep voice, "Did he have no other words for you to tell me?"

Shunzi knelt down, tears sliding down, and kowtowed, "His Majesty asked this subordinate to first wish Your Highness a long life."

Qi Xiao's heart suddenly ached. Shunzi continued to kowtow, "Secondly, to wish you good health always."

Shunzi kowtowed again: "May the three blessings be like swallows on the beam, seeing each other year after year."

Qi Xiao took a deep breath, trying his best to suppress the palpitations in his chest. After a long while, he said hoarsely, "I... understand. Give my regards to your Prince. Go, go..."

Shunzi kowtowed to Qi Xiao again, turned around and walked out. His followers filed out behind him. Qi Xiao's eyes swept over a person, and a trace of unusual color flashed in his eyes. He shouted sternly, "Stop right there!"

Shunzi's body stiffened. He took a deep breath and bowed, "Your Highness... what other orders do you have?"

Qi Xiao strode forward, grabbed the arm of a follower, and abruptly pulled the person around. That person looked at Qi Xiao in alarm, with some panic on his ordinary face. Qi Xiao stared at him for a long time and said, "You go first. I have something to say to him."

Shunzi wanted to stop them, but after hesitating again and again, he still led the people out.

There was no one else left in the hall. Qi Xiao looked at the person fixedly and sneered, "King of Lingnan, am I such a fierce and vicious god that you are so afraid of me, that it's worth disguising yourself to come here?"

Bairen stared at Qi Xiao, tears instantly rolling down, the fake skin twitching unnaturally. After a long while, he choked out in a hoarse voice, "Even Roujia didn't see through it..."

Qi Xiao's eyes were red. He fiercely flung away Bairen's thin arm and said coldly, "If you want to come, come. If you don't want to, then forget it! Why do this?!"

Bairen staggered from Qi Xiao's push, his waist and ribs hitting the corner of the table, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain. Bairen rubbed the sore spot in a sorry state.

At first he choked, but then couldn't help crying out loud, his voice getting louder and louder, "If... if it wasn't... for fear of being seen... If it wasn't for fear of causing you more trouble... I would have come long ago. For half a year... I missed you so much... that even my bones ached..."

Bairen was like a little beast that had wandered for many years and finally returned to his homeland, crying his heart out, "But what if... someone saw it! What if... Wouldn't it cause more trouble for you again, but I can't bear it anymore... I've had enough! I just want... to see you, I know... I know you are at a critical moment... I didn't mean to... cause you trouble, I just want... to see you, I just want to see you, see you... and then leave..."

Bairen's tears poured down, aggrieved and choked up, "After seeing you, I'll leave..."

Tears rolled down Qi Xiao's eyes as he fiercely hugged the person into his arms.

It turned out that when love penetrated to the heart and bones, the hearts would truly become exactly the same.

If it wasn't for fear of causing scandal for him, how could Qi Xiao have endured this half year of bone-deep longing?!