"Prince of Pingding." Arslang was no stranger to Bai Jiu. Though he had no fondness for him, he raised a hand and said, "Please speak."

Bai Jiu's hand, pouring wine, paused. "It is precisely because such intentions are rare that they are even more worthy of careful consideration. If it is a match made in heaven, then one need not fear that good things take time. Your country's envoy has just arrived in the capital; this matter does not require immediate perfection."

"We have come only for this matter." Arslang frowned. "Only this matter is worth my presence. Time is precious; this matter should not be delayed repeatedly. Your country avoids it again and again; what is your intention?"

'What is their intention?'

Xin Yi ate without much interest. Bai Jiu deflecting Arslang's mention of the Prince of Yan was essentially deflecting trouble from him. He sat there watching the two sides argue endlessly, quietly pondering Great Yuan's meaning.

Great Yuan was currently at its peak of power; why would it bother to seek a marriage with a Great Lan princess? Its thirty-two tribes worked closely together, not needing to rely on marriage to maintain anything. On the contrary, Great Lan was now being forced to retreat step by step by them, surely creating apprehension and prompting increased vigilance. Arslang repeatedly showed disrespect, yet His Majesty pretended not to notice; this was a direct manifestation of fear. However, the ministers did not relent, likely having many considerations and suspecting some other motive.

'So why would Great Yuan do this?'

Xin Yi was still peeling an orange and thinking even after the banquet dispersed. He stood by the carriage outside the palace gates, waiting for Bai Jiu. The scattered ministers were still whispering about what happened at the feast today. A few people saw him and spoke in low voices to each other.

"If Prince of Yan were still alive..."

"How could we have suffered such humiliation today?"

"But..."

Xin Yi's deep gaze was focused on the orange peel in his hand, and he maintained a gentle, hard-of-hearing demeanor throughout. Just then, Bai Jiu emerged, and immediately all kinds of gossip vanished, leaving his ears clear. The two got into the carriage. As the curtain fell, Xin Yi finally relaxed.

He pushed the peeled orange into Bai Jiu's mouth and said, chagrined, "One more palace banquet, and I'll be sick of oranges first."

Bai Jiu had a faint smell of alcohol, so Xin Yi didn't hug him, only staying close. "Next time, I'll have someone prepare other things for you." Then he lifted Xin Yi's chin. "Why were you looking at me so eagerly just now?"

"I... didn't..." As Xin Yi spoke, his lips were caressed by Bai Jiu's thumb, making him immediately blush and stammer, "I just, just wanted to, to see Lord Bai."

Bai Jiu sighed. "Just wanted to see?"

Xin Yi pursed his lips, took Bai Jiu's hand, and rubbed it against his cheek. Bai Jiu smiled, his hand sliding to clasp Xin Yi's, then lifting it to press against the carriage wall. He leaned over, pressing Xin Yi against the wall as well, slowly touching his lips. Xin Yi felt a slight heat. Before he could react, the sudden kiss descended like a storm.

Only when Xin Yi's tongue was numb from the kiss did Bai Jiu release him, saying seriously, "Next time, don't just look; do this."

Xin Yi's face was burning, and after a long time, he could only squeeze out, "Okay..."

He looked bewildered, much duller than usual. Bai Jiu squeezed his fingertips, secretly finding endless amusement in his dazed state after being kissed, thinking that such slowness was good, making him easier to 'bully'.

"Great, Great Yuan's move is, is very profound," Xin Yi said, blushing crimson again under Bai Jiu's gaze, forced to turn his head away to catch his breath. "What does Lord Bai think?"

Bai Jiu didn't press him further, replying, "Great Yuan's marriage proposal this time will likely succeed."

"Succeed?" Xin Yi looked back at him. "Are we really going to have a marriage alliance?"

Bai Jiu paused before continuing, "Since the Crown Prince's policy of reducing literary officials, talented generals have become scarce. His Majesty is wary of Beiyang and is reluctant to act rashly. Prince of Ping has been executed, and only Prince of Tang can still be dispatched by the capital for campaigns. Great Yuan is at its strongest, with formidable troops and horses, and His Majesty has already considered a marriage alliance."

"Then what is Great Yuan's intention in proposing marriage? Chagatai could ascend the throne even without Great Lan's support. With Arslang behind him, no one in Great Yuan could refuse."

"I only have one guess," Bai Jiu said softly.

"Hm?" Xin Yi leaned closer to listen.

Bai Jiu brushed Xin Yi's scattered hair, his narrow eyes darkening. "Great Yuan wants to go to war."

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xin Yi was transferred to the Court of State Ceremonials to serve as Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonials. The imperial decree for this appointment essentially instructed him to happily accompany the Great Yuan envoy on their enjoyable visit to the capital. When he received this decree, he sighed to Bai Jiu.

"His Majesty truly is fixated on me, this honest person."

"A soft persimmon," Bai Jiu reached out and pinched his cheek. "Soft and tender, just right for the hand. Makes me always want to pinch it."

Xin Yi's cheeks turned slightly red from the pinch. "Luckily, you're not actually biting, or else it would have been a solid bite and quite painful."

Bai Jiu laughed. "Swallowing whole is better."

Xin Yi immediately covered his face.

Since he had taken the post, he had to work. That afternoon, he left his manor and went around the capital with Hu Yong, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonials. Along the way, Lord Hu had clearly received a message; though not fawning, he was very polite to Xin Yi. As an isolated and helpless mute heir in the capital, Xin Yi naturally had to be even more polite, so the two got along quite harmoniously during their outing.

"The Lion King has already visited the capital three times. He probably knows all the rare places in the city and has no interest in them," Hu Yong mused while on horseback. "The Fourth Prince, however, is visiting for the first time. If we suggest anything too ordinary, I fear it won't impress him."

Xin Yi also found it hard to suggest anything; today was his first time openly and freely touring the capital, and he was completely unfamiliar with its ways. Just then, he saw Xiao Jin riding his horse and swaying over, so he smiled.

'Heaven has eyes, sending the one who knows everything.'

Xiao Jin had been roaming around the capital since he was in split-crotch pants. In terms of familiarity with the capital, perhaps only Xin Wen could rival him. Xiao Jin's horse came straight towards them, and upon reaching them, he repeatedly exclaimed, "What a coincidence, what a coincidence!"

Hu Yong, seeing him, also thought of this idea. His eyes lit up when he saw Xiao Jin, and he quickly pulled him over, smiling, "What a coincidence, what a coincidence! Meeting Lord Xiao is today's good luck. Where are you off to, Lord Xiao?"

"Just wandering around," Xiao Jin asked, knowing the answer. "And you, Lord Hu?"

"I'm having a headache," Hu Yong said, not letting go of him. "It just so happens that Lord Xiao has nothing to do, why not help me out? What do you think the Great Yuan envoy should do for fun? I reckon the Lion King has probably grown tired of all the restaurants in the capital."

"Going to too many establishments isn't the problem; it's getting tired of the taste." Xiao Jin said, touching his waist token and then pretending to observe the sun for a moment. Only then did he say, "It just so happens that there's nothing major at the Capital Guards Bureau right now. Shall I take you two around?"

Hu Yong quickly agreed, and he and Xin Yi went with him. Who knew Xiao Jin seemed to be sulking with someone, only leading them to the Flower Street and brothels, claiming there was 'plenty of fun' there. Whenever he got a chance, he'd secretly tell Xin Yi how wonderful the girls were, wishing he could stuff seven or eight of them at him, urging him to immediately break up with Bai Jiu.

Hu Yong actually started to ponder a visit to the Flower Street, leaving Xin Yi speechless. It wasn't until evening that the three emerged from the Flower Street. Xin Yi was covered in the scent of rouge and powder, sneezing continuously until his eyes were red, looking quite pathetic.

Who knew that just a few steps out, they saw the Prince of Pingding, dressed in a dark red round-collared robe with a Flying Fish Robe Pattern, riding Chiye unhurriedly across the arched bridge at the other end of Flower Street. Xin Yi immediately saw Xiao Jin's back straighten suddenly, and he whispered, 'Oh my heavens!' Then he quickly cupped his hands to Hu Yong in farewell, and before Hu Yong could react, he galloped away on his horse. Seeing him about to leave, Hu Yong, anxious about the entertainment, hastily waved to Xin Yi and chased after him.

In just a few short moments, only Xin Yi was left standing there.

The moment he saw Bai Jiu's narrowed eyes, he knew it was bad; the scent of rouge and powder on him was impossible to hide. When Bai Jiu arrived, he didn't ask much, his expression normal, and he said to Xin Yi, "Going home?"

Xin Yi nodded, and Bai Jiu turned his horse around, leading him back. They didn't take the main road but chose a secluded path along the water. Xin Yi saw that Bai Jiu hadn't spoken again, and his heart was in turmoil. Following behind, his expression changed frequently, feeling inexplicably guilty.

"Jing, Jingyuan..."

Chiye's steps slowed, stopping under a weeping willow by the water. Bai Jiu turned his head to look at him. "What's wrong?"

Xin Yi reined in his horse nearby, feeling awkward on horseback. The moment he opened his mouth, "I—" a huge sneeze erupted, making his nose red. A willow branch draped over his shoulder. Xin Yi rubbed his nose, his voice a little dazed.

Bai Jiu leaned slightly from his horse and asked in a low voice, "What's this smell?"

Xin Yi honestly replied, "A girl's rouge and powder..." Before he could finish, the other man had already leaned in and forcefully sucked on his tongue. Xin Yi felt a pang of pain, sensing his lips being licked repeatedly. Just as he was numb and dazed, he suddenly heard idle chatter approaching from the road behind the willow. He was startled and wanted to pull back. But Bai Jiu's hand had already slid to press against his back, and his lips and teeth grew more forceful. Even after they had moved behind the tree, Bai Jiu didn't release him. Xin Yi's cheeks were flushed, and in his daze, he didn't know where the passersby went. Bai Jiu's fingers slid to his neck, their coolness making him shiver slightly.

"This smell." Bai Jiu was originally frowning, but when he saw Xin Yi's red nose and eyes, he couldn't resist, pressing firmly against his cheek and rubbing it. "It smells terrible."

Xin Yi nodded frantically, then was led back to get a thorough wash.

When he came out, his face was still steaming. Xin Yi lay on the bed, covering his face with a cloth, pretending to be dead. Ever since returning from Luyi Mountain, Bai Jiu hadn't mentioned him going to another room. By the time Bai Jiu came out later, Xin Yi was already drowsy.

It was Xin Yi's first time being taught how to bathe by someone, and in his hazy mind, all he could think of was Bai Jiu's chest faintly visible through his wet undergarments. 'Beauty misleads people, beauty misleads people...' A weight settled on his back. Bai Jiu had already blown out the lamp and pressed down on him.

"Heavy..." Xin Yi muffled, turning his head drowsily to complain to him.

Bai Jiu lingered on his lips for a while, but Xin Yi's eyes were already closed, and his responses were dulled by drowsiness. However, Bai Jiu enjoyed this semi-asleep, semi-awake dependency, and his kisses grew gentle and lingering. Afterward, Bai Jiu reached out, pulled the cloth away, and tossed it aside, then rolled over onto his pillow. He scooped Xin Yi onto himself. Xin Yi was extremely sleepy, burying his face in Bai Jiu's neck and falling quiet. Although it had never been explicitly said, Xin Yi always slept very well whenever Bai Jiu patted him gently, becoming incredibly obedient the moment he closed his eyes.

Bai Jiu rubbed his slightly damp hair, then lowered his gaze and gently patted his back. Sure enough, Xin Yi's breathing gradually became softly sleepy. Bai Jiu tilted his head and pressed another kiss to his temple, his gentle patting gradually stopped, and he too was about to fall asleep.

'Xiao Jin is a good child.'

'If you can't be idle, then don't be idle.'

The next day, before dawn, Xiao Jin was woken by frantic knocking on his door. He now slept in the Capital Guards Bureau every day, just in case of any nighttime incidents. But this urgent hammering on the door was truly a first.

He threw on his outer robe, opened the door, and said weakly, "What is it? Speak quickly."

"My lord, someone from Lord Li of the Censorate's residence says there's a fire!"

Xiao Jin suddenly woke up, tugged on his outer robe, and told his subordinates to lead the way. He quickly rode to the location, only to find out that a pot in Lord Li's small kitchen had burned, causing flames.

Xiao Jin laughed in anger. "You're telling me 'there's a fire' for something that just needs one scoop of water? 'A fire,' you say!"

His foot hadn't even kicked out yet when another person ran up and said, "My lord! Academician Zhao's house in the Hanlin Academy has been broken into by a great thief!"

It turned out to be a night cat stealing fish.

"My lord! The Imperial College lost its armillary sphere!"

It turned out to be stuck under a cabinet.

"My lord! The Imperial Academy of Medicine's golden needles disappeared during the night."

"My lord!"

"My lord..."

Xiao Jin tirelessly rushed from one trivial incident to another, his mind getting muddled by all the 'My lords!' shouted after him. He gritted his teeth, spurred his horse, and roared internally.

'What in the world is all this?!'

'Just my luck, why is it so busy today!'