For the next few days, no one came to disturb him, and Xin Yi enjoyed a period of leisure. Old Qu invited him to fish in the pond in front of the study. Indeed, a small boat had been added to the pond, and a young boy named Xiaoyang, with hanging braids and a talent for fishing, was waiting on it. Xin Yi smiled at the sight and said to Old Qu, "Old man, you're quite impressive. In just a few days, you actually found one."

Old Qu laughed heartily and said, "I heard the heir say it was interesting, and indeed, upon seeing it, it's quite wild and charming. Young Master, just go into the pond. This kid has been messing around in the water since birth; swimming and poling a boat are both his specialties."

Xin Yi tucked his robe into his belt, put on a bamboo hat, and greeted Xiaoyang when he boarded the boat. The boy was tanned dark, not tall, and lean, appearing very shy in front of Xin Yi. But as soon as the boat was poled, it steadily glided out.

Xin Yi sat cross-legged at the bow, casting the hook smoothly, and then steadily squinted his eyes to fish in the middle of the pond. The afternoon sun was still scorching hot; even with his bamboo hat pulled down, it wasn't long before his back was soaked with sweat. Looking at Xiaoyang, he was already lying prone on the stern, half his body submerged in the pond.

"Is the water cool?" Xin Yi asked with a smile.

Xiaoyang nodded and said, "Although it's warmer than other seasons, it's still more comfortable than being above. Otherwise, Young Master..." He suddenly realized his presumption and quickly said, "I'll catch fish for the Young Master." With that, he slipped into the water and dove down.

Xin Yi couldn't help but laugh. He simply lay on the boat, holding the fishing rod down, and covered his face with his bamboo hat. He was warm all over, and his back was still wet, but Xin Yi liked this kind of sunlight; a bit harsher didn't matter. He didn't know how long he had been dozing when he suddenly felt the fishing rod in his hand subtly shake. He abruptly sat up, ready to reel in the hook. Unexpectedly, Xiaoyang also suddenly popped out of the water, holding a lively, flopping large carp, so happy his eyes disappeared in his smile, and shouted, "Young Master, look!"

Xin Yi's reeled-in hook was naturally empty, but he wasn't annoyed. He simply waved for Xiaoyang to quickly throw the fish into the fish basket beside him. Xin Yi cast the hook again and, leaning with Xiaoyang by the fish basket, observed. This fish was indeed large, flopping around in the basket, almost knocking it over. Xiaoyang said to Xin Yi, "Young Master, you see? I'll go catch a few more."

Xin Yi agreed, watching Xiaoyang slip into the water again, swimming away like a fish. Xin Yi propped his head up and watched for a while, during which the fish basket quickly became crowded. He then looked at his still-empty fishing hook and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Soon, even before he had initially expected, the fish basket was already full.

Xin Yi could only call Xiaoyang back. The two rowed the boat back to shore. Old Qu, who had been cooling off in the shade of a tree, saw them and laughed, "Young Master, you'll have a good feast today."

Xin Yi smiled and said, "It's thanks to Old Qu's blessing, finding a fishing expert to help."

Old Qu pointed at Xiaoyang and laughed loudly, "It turned out to be your good fortune, lad. Go back and change your clothes, then go to the inner treasury to receive a large money pouch."

Xiaoyang repeatedly agreed, revealing a row of pearly teeth. Seeing Xin Yi also looking, he was afraid of being undignified in front of a nobleman and forcibly suppressed his smile, which made Old Qu and Xin Yi tease him again.

Xin Yi carried the fish basket back himself. Before he could exchange more than a few words with Old Qu, the fish basket was taken from behind him. He turned his head and saw Bai Jiu. Bai Jiu lifted the fish basket in his hand and said, "A bountiful harvest."

Old Qu retreated to the back, and Bai Jiu began walking beside him.

Xin Yi smiled and shook his head, "Receiving fish from others doesn't count as my own effort."

"It's not entirely someone else's achievement." Bai Jiu took the bamboo hat from Xin Yi's head and placed it on his own, saying, "I saw you put in a lot of effort too, you're sweating profusely." As he spoke, he offered a plain handkerchief from his palm, "Wipe yourself." Xin Yi thanked him, wiping the sweat from his temples, but didn't see any owner's mark on the handkerchief. Bai Jiu said, "This is for you, keep it. It's convenient for daily use."

Xin Yi smiled and said, "What kind of fish does Your Excellency like to eat? We got a whole basket today, enough to cook any way you like."

"Braised."

Xin Yi wiped the beads of sweat from his temples again, and his dimples deepened, "That's perfect, I like braised fish too." He then turned to look at Bai Jiu, "Your Excellency should eat more for dinner tonight."

Bai Jiu was observing the glistening beads of sweat sliding down Xin Yi's temples and cheeks. Hearing this, he subconsciously hummed, "Hm?" and unusually didn't immediately react.

Xin Yi didn't know Bai Jiu's thoughts were entirely focused on him. He just smiled and said, "Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, so tonight's dinner will probably be a bit formal."

Bai Jiu just saw the beads of sweat slide from his forehead to beside his gentle, kind eyes, and then down to the deeply swirling dimples. Bai Jiu's throat tightened. He feigned nonchalance, turned his eyes to look straight ahead, and nodded; even his usually smiling lip line tightened. Xin Yi only saw him suddenly become expressionless and stop talking, and for some reason, walking in the shade of the trees, he no longer felt nervous. Instead, he felt that the sight of His Excellency being so serious also had a powerful aura.

When they reached their destination, the fish basket was handed over to Old Qu. It was still early today, the sun had only just begun to slant, and there was still some time until dusk. So the two sat in the shade of the trees in the courtyard and played a game of chess. Xin Yi was not good at it, but this time, surprisingly, there were wins and losses, which made it quite enjoyable. However, when putting away the chess pieces, he couldn't help but laugh at Bai Jiu's elegant and beautiful posture opposite him.

Bai Jiu knew what he was laughing at, twirling a black jade chess piece between his fingertips, "You wouldn't have thought His Excellency was such a terrible chess player, wasting such a good appearance, would you?"

Xin Yi leaned back in the reclining chair and swayed, "Your Excellency's chess skills are truly unexpected." He then laughed again.

Bai Jiu put away the chess pieces, then lay down in a reclining chair beside him, merely saying, "It's not a pity, just consider it an attempt to make someone laugh."

A slight breeze under the tree ruffled his hair. Xin Yi lay in the rattan chair, gently swaying, watching the sunlight spill through the gaps in the leaves. Patches of sunlight dappled across his brow and fingers, creating a lazy, relaxed feeling. Bai Jiu, on one side, slightly lowered his eyes, not swaying, just listening to Xin Yi's breathing and the rocking sound, feeling a somewhat drowsy, idle interest. It wasn't until Xin Yi turned his head to look at Bai Jiu that he realized he seemed to have fallen asleep.

His brows and eyes were peaceful, his expression serene.

Long fingers rested on the side armrest of the rattan chair, their beautiful, flawless tips attracting attention. Xin Yi quietly turned over, lying prone in the rattan chair, looking at him. His fingers silently reached out, hovering around Bai Jiu's long fingers as if to touch, yet never quite making contact. Unexpectedly, Bai Jiu's long fingers suddenly moved, catching Xin Yi's fingers in his palm, holding them firmly. Xin Yi's ear tips flushed hot, and he hastily looked up, only to see Bai Jiu's narrow eyes lowered, looking at their clasped hands. Sensing Xin Yi's panic, he then looked up at him.

Xin Yi felt his face burn bright red, feeling utterly foolish. He stammered, trying to pull his hand away, but couldn't. "I... Cough, no, Your... Your Excellency..."

"What do you call He Anchang?" Bai Jiu seemed oblivious to his panic, lifting their clasped hands and examining them with interest before his eyes.

"Lord... Lord He Anchang..."

"What do you call Zhang Taiyan?" Bai Jiu's thumb gently caressed the back of Xin Yi's hand. The thing in Xin Yi's chest felt like it was about to burst out, his face was so hot he didn't know where to look. "Lord... Lord Zhang..."

"Then what do you call me?" Bai Jiu's narrow eyes fell on his face, staring at him, bringing the back of Xin Yi's hand to his own cheek, and gently brushing it with a slight turn of his head. Xin Yi felt that sensation from the back of his hand instantly shoot up to his chest. He immediately covered his nose with his fist, a gesture he always made when he was shy.

"Your... Your Excellency..."

"Oh." Bai Jiu maintained the pose, looking at him, "You've become quite distant."

Xin Yi, as if unable to bear it, buried his face in his arms, the exposed corners of his eyes reddened from his own heat. He mumbled, "No... that's not it..."

"Then what is it?"

"Bro... Brother Bai..."

"I am not your elder brother."

"Master... Master Jiu?"

"There are as many Master Jius in Jingdu as there are ants." Bai Jiu leaned forward across the gap between the two rattan chairs, looking at Xin Yi's slightly red eyes, "Young Master?"

Bai Jiu's "Young Master" was drawn out, lingering between his teeth, tantalizing. Xin Yi was at a loss, only able to stare at him. Bai Jiu smiled, lay back in the rattan chair, appearing to fall asleep again, but his hand did not loosen.

The summer sun gradually slanted. Old Qu came to invite them for dinner, and Xin Yi only then awoke from his unwitting sleep. Bai Jiu was washing his hands, glanced back at him, and said, "Time to eat."

Xin Yi went to wash his hands, and then the two entered. Xin Yi ate his dinner very quickly that night; Bai Jiu remained as usual. When Xin Yi left, Bai Jiu only casually reminded him to watch his step. Xin Yi walked all the way back to his room, and only exhaled when he lay on his bed, pressing his palm to his chest, which was beating very fast. But then he remembered that this hand had been held by Bai Jiu, and his face instantly flushed red. He tossed and turned for half the night before gradually falling asleep.

Xin Yi was again in the rattan chair under the tree, but the scene had already shifted to night, with stars sparkling through the leaves. Xin Yi turned over, rolling into a cool-scented chest. The chest's owner gently pressed his lips to Xin Yi's forehead, gradually moving down along his nose. Cool fingertips unbuttoned his collar, sliding on his skin, making Xin Yi's breathing slightly hurried. The hand on his lower back tightened forcefully. Xin Yi's lips and teeth were sealed, and he was completely overwhelmed in the cool embrace.

"Ah Yi." The man's kiss reached his neck, lingering on his Adam's apple, constantly calling him, "Ah Yi."

Xin Yi tilted his head back, gasping softly. In his helplessness, he saw the man's face; it was Bai Jiu. Yet he felt no tension or panic. Instead, he cupped Bai Jiu's face, and his kiss landed on Bai Jiu's forehead. "Such elegant yet dangerous brows and eyes," Xin Yi thought, his fingertips caressing Bai Jiu's cheek, unable to resist leaning closer to rub his cheek affectionately against his. Bai Jiu's hand slipped to a dangerous place. Xin Yi let out a muffled groan and curled up, but he was tightly embraced. His voice gradually spilled from his throat...

Xin Yi abruptly sat up, his chest heaving violently. He was stunned for a while before frustratedly and complexly running a hand through his hair, staring blankly at the quilt, looking lost and helpless.

He remained in a daze until dawn.

He didn't go anywhere that day, only staying in his room to read. It wasn't until Old Qu came to call him that he realized he had only read one page, and the sun outside was about to set. After dressing neatly, he boarded the carriage. When he lifted the curtain, he saw Bai Jiu carving jade. He froze in place, his cheeks and ear tips suddenly flushed hot, and he quickly lowered his head to hide them.

Fortunately, Bai Jiu didn't look closely, only raising his head to glance a few times. Because of last night's dream, Xin Yi sat extremely far away today, lifting the curtain only to look outside the carriage. They finally reached the palace gate, and the two got out of the carriage together. He stood beside Bai Jiu, his ear tips still red. Bai Jiu seemed not to notice, and the two were ushered into the palace together.

After only a few steps, Xin Yi saw Xin Wen approaching from another path, following behind Prince of Qin, glaring fiercely at him. Xin Yi smiled first, performing a bow before Prince of Qin could speak.

Prince of Qin stepped forward, nodded at him with a smile, and lightly supported him, holding his hand as he sincerely said, "You rascal, I am your own uncle after all, how could you be so heartless as not to come see me?"

Xin Yi's eyes also showed great sincerity, but when asked about this, he glanced a bit awkwardly at Xin Wen behind Prince of Qin, then turned back to smile at Prince of Qin. Prince of Qin snorted coldly at Xin Wen, then turned back to Xin Yi, "Your brother has always been accustomed to being overbearing. Perhaps he didn't mention my intentions when he went to find you. That scoundrel, if he troubles you again in the future, just tell me, and I will settle it for you."

Xin Yi smiled and shook his head, as if he didn't have a bad impression of Xin Wen. Prince of Qin called him a good child twice more before turning to Bai Jiu, and his smile became even more brilliant.

"Oh, Lord Bai, Lord Bai, now you should be called Prince of Pingding. In just a few days, you've already become one of the family." He laughed loudly, "Good, good news!"

Bai Jiu's gaze had been subtly fixed on Prince of Qin's hand holding Xin Yi's. At that moment, he was neither cold nor warm, merely smiling and saying, "It's been quite some time since we became family." With that, he placed a hand on Xin Yi's shoulder and said, "Xin Yi has just arrived in Jingdu, and I haven't been able to care for him adequately. Tonight, I will still rely on Your Highness for guidance."

"What are you saying, Prince of Pingding? We are family, don't be so formal anymore," Prince of Qin said, starting to walk, moving alongside Bai Jiu. "When His Majesty sees Xin Yi tonight, he will truly understand how much the old man cares for him."

Xin Yi only smiled. Bai Jiu consistently prevented Xin Wen's gaze from lingering for another moment, blocking him with his shoulder, and exchanged a few desultory words with Prince of Qin.

Xin Wen was silently cursing Bai Jiu in his mind when he suddenly saw Xin Yi lower his head, seeming to smile, and the gaze that turned back was even calmer than the day he kicked him into the pond.