He said he had a carriage that could drop him off at the gate of the Celestial Prison. Bai Yi was about to do something that could cost him his head. He had mastered Xiao Shiyun’s calligraphy to the point where it was seven or eight parts similar, and he planned to forge a short imperial decree to gain access to the prison. He reasoned that once he emerged, he would at most be dragged back and punished; Xiao Shiyun certainly would not kill him.
He returned to Jinggan Palace to steal a scroll of blank imperial decree paper. Having ground ink for Xiao Shiyun for some time, he knew exactly where the stationery was kept. He wondered if Xiao Shiyun would kill him, but he concluded it was unlikely. Bai Yi had an inexplicable belief that Xiao Shiyun would not truly harm him.
He slipped into the palace while Xiao Shiyun was busy discussing state affairs with his ministers. He crept into the library and, following his memory, pulled a scroll from the collection. The guards were stationed outside, and since only Bai Yi and Xiao Shiyun lived in the palace, no one paid him any mind. Bai Yi stuffed the scroll into his sleeve and sat at the writing desk, pretending to practice his calligraphy.
He imitated Xiao Shiyun’s tone and writing style: I hereby decree that the Hanlin Academy scholar, Bai Yi, is permitted to enter the Celestial Prison to visit a prisoner.
He blew the ink dry and reached for the official seal on the desk. Just as he was about to press it, he hesitated. If he were caught, the consequences would be dire. After a moment of thought, he guiltily wiped the red ink off the seal with a cloth and burned the forged decree in the incense burner. No, stealing Xiao Shiyun’s personal jade pendant would be much more reliable. The question was whether he could actually obtain it.
The officials left the study, and Guofu came in to summon him. Bai Yi, feeling guilty, jumped in surprise. “Okay, okay, I am coming.”
Guofu guessed immediately that Young Master Bai was plotting against the Emperor again. He whispered, “Young Master Bai, please do not provoke the Emperor when you go in. Even if he punishes you, he will not truly hurt you.”
Bai Yi nodded perfunctorily, but his heart was already far outside the palace walls. He had been trapped here for two months. If he had to endure this for the remaining two years, he knew he would go mad. He was determined to leave this time; seeing the old man in prison might be his only variable.
He closed the door behind him upon entering the study. Xiao Shiyun looked up with a hint of surprise but said nothing. “Brew me a cup of tea.”
“Oh, right away.” Bai Yi skillfully prepared the tea and brought it over. As he set the cup down, his eyes locked onto the mutton-fat jade dragon pendant hanging from Xiao Shiyun’s waist. His hand trembled, and a few drops of tea spilled onto Xiao Shiyun’s hand.
Xiao Shiyun frowned. “What are you thinking about? You are so distracted.”
Bai Yi had an idea. After a moment of mental preparation, he lifted the teacup to Xiao Shiyun’s lips. “Brother Shiyun, please have some tea.”
Xiao Shiyun, having just taken a sip, began to cough violently. He pushed the cup away and asked in disbelief, “What the hell? Did you poison the tea?”
Bai Yi closed his eyes and opened them again. Can this bastard think of anything nice about me? For the sake of the big plan, I will endure it.
Xiao Shiyun, seeing his silence, felt as if he were about to spit out poisonous blood. “Are you taking revenge for being punished for being late? Bai Yi, you have gone too far.”
Bai Yi, feeling wronged, could not take it anymore. He decided to put the jade-stealing plan on hold for a moment to argue about the morning’s incident. “If I were really going to poison you, you would be the first to die! You cannot punish me. It was you who insisted on getting up early, yet you blame me for being late. You did it on purpose!”
Xiao Shiyun pushed the teacup away and sneered, “The Northern Territory belongs to me; I get up whenever I want. The rules of the morning court are set by me. You were late, and from now on, you are forbidden from leaving the palace.”
Forbidden from leaving? Staying by his side for a lifetime would be fine, he thought, as long as he could get rid of those people first. Xiao Shiyun had anticipated Bai Yi’s reaction; the more he was forbidden from doing something, the more he would rebel. He knew that someone outside was already eyeing Bai Yi.
Bai Yi swallowed the swear words on the tip of his tongue. You like being in control, do you not? Well, soon I will let you taste what it feels like to lose that control.
“Fine, I will not leave. I will stay in the palace and accompany you forever. Wherever you go, I will follow,” Bai Yi said with a serious expression.
Xiao Shiyun pulled him into his arms. “Do not lie to me.”
“I am not lying.” Bai Yi’s fingertips hooked onto Xiao Shiyun’s lapel, tracing downward until they touched the jade pendant at his waist. For the first time, he took the initiative to kiss Xiao Shiyun.
Xiao Shiyun held his head, deepening the kiss. While Xiao Shiyun was lost in the moment, Bai Yi unhooked the pendant and hid it in his sleeve. He panted, his black, misty eyes capturing Xiao Shiyun’s full attention. He looked as if he had let go of all inhibitions. “I want to bathe first.”
Xiao Shiyun bit Bai Yi’s lip, swept him up in his arms, walked through the small door behind the study, and pushed open the doors to the hot spring bath.
Bai Yi held his hand, licking his lips lightly. “I want to wash by myself. You are not allowed to peek. I will call you when I am done.”
“Together.”
“No! I am shy. Let me clean up first.” There were tears in Bai Yi’s eyes.
Xiao Shiyun silently agreed. “Go ahead.”
“I promise it will be quick.” Bai Yi covered his clothes, kissed Xiao Shiyun again, and reluctantly entered the bathroom.
Once the door was closed, Bai Yi felt a sense of relief, as if he had cheated death. He hid the jade pendant deep inside his clothes, splashed some water in the tub to make it sound like he was bathing, then stepped onto the windowsill and leaped out. He found the hole he had dug in the palace wall and crawled through without hesitation.
The view opened up instantly. Beyond the palace walls was a forest. After circling for a long time, Bai Yi finally saw the bustling streets of the capital through the trees. Call me a genius.
Bai Yi arrived at the Zuixiang Tower as planned. He gave Zhang Kongting’s name to the manager and was led to the Tianxiang Room on the second floor. Honestly, he did not really want to meet Zhang Kongting, but since he could get a free meal and a ride, he was not about to pass it up.
The private room was filled with the faint scent of incense. At the table sat a young man in elegant white robes. Zhang Kongting smiled gently. “You have come.”
“Hello! Actually, you did not have to be so polite. But since you insist on hosting, I will not be shy.” Bai Yi sat down squarely opposite Zhang Kongting.
Zhang Kongting stood up to pour him tea. “I did not have much money on me that day, so I hope you did not find it laughable.”
“It is fine, it is fine. By the way, how was that wine?” Bai Yi asked politely.
“It was excellent, mellow and sweet. Please, call me Kongting. I have chartered a pleasure boat; after you finish your meal, we can go enjoy the scenery.”
“Ah? No need to boat. Can you drop me off somewhere later?” Bai Yi asked, his mouth stuffed with roast duck.
Zhang Kongting chuckled. “Of course. Eat slowly, Young Master Bai.” He poured tea for Bai Yi and sat down beside him.
“What are you laughing at?” Bai Yi asked, confused.
“Nothing. You are just adorable.” Dark glints swirled in Zhang Kongting’s elongated eyes; his interest in Bai Yi had reached its peak.
While Bai Yi was busy eating, a duck leg suddenly appeared on his plate. Zhang Kongting had become the attendant serving him food. Bai Yi felt a bit embarrassed. “Stop serving me. Eat your own food. Just eat!” He reciprocated by placing a piece of meat on Zhang Kongting’s plate.
On the rafters, the secret guard, Sixteen, who had been following Bai Yi, widened his eyes. Although the Emperor had ordered him to watch the fleeing Bai Yi to ensure his safety for future plans, the man in the room was completely outside their planning.
Does the Emperor know Bai Yi is hooking up with a wild man behind his back? Should I report this? If I do, I will definitely be punished. But the Emperor had also been using Young Master Bai. If Young Master Bai found out later, the Emperor would be the one in trouble. So, we are even, right?