Ji Qinglin had been beaten by Liu Qiao, and even if he didn’t come to ask for an explanation, he should have at least been bothered by it. But Liu Zhenqing didn’t expect Ji Qinglin to come to deliver gifts the next day, leaving him bewildered.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t like talking with Ji Qinglin. Holding a conversation with such a cunning person involved a lot of beating around the bush, and was a waste of brainpower. He preferred people who were simple and straightforward.

“After all this talk, you want me to advise His Highness to make arrangements for outside scholars?” Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Why didn’t you say it directly?”

Ji Qinglin looked somewhat awkward: “I mentioned it to His Highness, but he didn’t seem very interested…..”

Liu Zhenqing shook his head lightly. Ji Qinglin could be considered brilliant, but he was muddle-headed when it came to matters of the heart.

“The weather changes so fast. Do we still need to go out to dry clothing at this critical moment?” Liu Zhenqing pretended to look outside.

Ji Qingling instantly understood, and his expression changed: “It was my recklessness.”

The old emperor had only been out of power for a few days. If they attempted to innovate at this critical moment, it could easily go wrong, especially for the easily influenced students. Thus, doing nothing was the better choice. No wonder the Crown Prince hadn’t given any feedback on this proposal. It wasn’t because the Crown Prince didn’t think it was a good proposal, but because the timing wasn’t right.

Ji Qinglin was well aware of how serious this matter was, and knew that he shouldn’t move forward with his idea, so he stood up and said his farewells.

Just at that moment, a servant came to report that Bai Yu had arrived. Ji Qinglin’s steps paused.

Liu Zhenqing smiled. He surmised that Bai Yu had heard of Ji Qinglin coming here, and had come over in case Ji Qinglin intended to make trouble for Liu Qiao.

With a roll of his eyes, Liu Zhenqing stood and sighed as if talking to himself: “I heard that a strange case turned up in Qilian County recently, involving a lot of people. His Highness will likely select someone to handle it. If Ji-daren wants to go…..”

Ji Qinglin looked at Liu Zhenqing in puzzlement, thinking that perhaps the Crown Prince intended to choose him to handle the case.

Liu Zhenqing said with a smile: “Tell me if you need any help. Whether it’s things…..or a person.”

Ji Qinglin’s expression immediately changed, and after a few breaths, he bowed deeply to Liu Zhenqing.

“It is my duty to assist His Highness, but I fear I am not capable enough. If His Highness does choose me, I request that you intercede to ask Brother Wangshu to help me.”

This boy could be taught. Since he didn’t want those two people to meet, they should just leave the capital.

Liu Zhenqing wasn’t trying to play matchmaker. It was just that he had met Bai Yu’s new friend a few times during the tax money case…..and although that person was a talent, he wasn’t worth becoming close friends with. Bai Yu was pure of mind, and easily admired a person’s talent, but he didn’t have a deep understanding of human nature. Since Bai Yu called him Xiting-ge, he naturally had to help him screen people. If someone wasn’t suitable, then there should be no more contact between them.

Liu Zhenqing brought Ji Qinglin out and saw Bai Yu walking quickly in the distance. He was taken aback when he saw the two of them, and seemed a little nervous at first. But when he looked into Ji Qinglin’s eyes and recalled what had happened the day before, he immediately avoided his gaze and stopped in his tracks.

If he hadn’t been worried that Ji Qinglin had come to the manor to ask for an explanation for the beating, that Xiting-ge would dislike him, or that he would be disrespectful to Xiting-ge and Liu Qiao would beat him again, he wouldn’t have come back. He didn’t want to see this bastard at all.

Because of his impulsive actions last time, Ji Qingling’s heart palpitated when he saw Bai Yu, and he couldn’t help but take a few steps forward.

At this moment, a servant not far away suddenly screamed: “Look out!”

Liu Zhenqing looked over and saw a large rock falling from the sky right toward Bai Yu. 

Bai Yu glanced back, but it was too late for him to dodge. At that moment, Ji Qinglin’s eyes blew wide and he rushed over at a speed that exceeded his physical limit, but the force and distance weren’t sufficient to push him out of the way. Ji Qinglin could only hold him tightly in his arms and press him to the ground, using his own body to shield him.

Bai Yu’s mind was blank as he stared at Ji Qinglin, and he felt his heart freeze.

Ji Qinglin might die! He only had his old mother at home, and had finally embarked upon a successful path. How could he…..

But Bai Yu just saw Ji Qinglin smile at him, years of restraint and aloofness transforming into affection in his eyes, even deeper than when he had forcefully kissed him that day.

He…..really does like me.

Bai Yu’s mind went from blankness to a plethora of wild thoughts.

And Ji Qinglin’s expression went from resigned affection to a blank look.

Ai? Why….was it taking so long?

“How long are you two going to keep lying down?” came Liu Zhenqing’s smiling voice.

The two of them returned to their senses and turned their heads, only to see Liu Qiao standing next to them.

Liu Qiao held up a piece of rockery that was bigger than him with one hand, looking at them with puzzlement on his face.

Bai Yu’s face instantly flushed. How could he have forgotten that Xiting-ge was renovating the manor over the next few days?  Liu Qiao had thought it would be troublesome for the servants to move the rockery, so he took it upon himself. His martial arts prowess was terrifying. He was able to throw a boulder into the air with one hand, launching it from one courtyard to another – and he always caught it before it fell. Bai Yu had witnessed it several times, and there was no danger at all.

Just now, Liu Qiao had been keeping close pace with the rock, but his figure was out of view.

Bai Yu quickly pushed Ji Qinglin off of him and declared that he was fine.

He may have been fine, but Ji Qinglin wasn’t. He had just made a desperate rescue attempt, and injured his foot.

Liu Zhenqing didn’t see any significant problems, so he asked Bai Yu to send him back in person.

Since he’d been injured in order to save him, Bai Yu naturally couldn’t refuse. He called for a carriage and carefully helped the other man into it.

But after he held Ji Qinglin sit down, he couldn’t retract his hand.

Bai Yu blushed and tried to pull his hand back with slightly more force.

“You didn’t get hurt just now, did you?” Ji Qinglin’s voice was full of worry, which surprised Bai Yu so much that he forgot to take his hand back.

“You’re the one who got hurt, not me.” 

“Even if you aren’t injured, that doesn’t mean you don’t feel any pain,” said Ji Qinglin.

He felt pain all over his body after hearing Ji Qinglin’s words, but it wasn’t unbearable. “I’m a man, what’s a small collision like this? I won’t feel it anymore after a while.”

Ji Qinglin smiled faintly and said: “When you bump into the corner of the table while reading, the corners of your eyes turn red.”

Bai Yu was instantly embarrassed, and stared at Ji Qinglin in disbelief. He had noticed such a small detail? He looked up and met a pair of gentle, affectionate eyes. Bai Yu was flustered and immediately tried to pull his hand away.

But Ji Qinglin still didn’t let go. He said in a low voice: “It’s my fault for not seeing the situation clearly. I’m sorry.”

Bai Yu’s breathing suddenly stagnated. It was obvious that the other party had risked his life to save him. “I’m not so ungrateful. I know you were trying to save me.”

Ji Qinglin said: “It would be great if I had actually risked my life to save you, but it turned out to be a mistake.”

“What are you saying? Are you trying to throw yourself into danger?” Bai Yu said unhappily.

Ji Qinglin fixed him with a burning gaze and said: “If I risked my life to save you, perhaps you would repay me for my kindness…..”

“Wh…..what? Repay you?” Bai Yu was shocked by this statement.

Ji Qinglin said: “En, repay me.”

Bai Yu didn’t dare respond, for fear of what Ji Qinglin would say…..but just from the emotions contained in those eyes, his meaning was very clear.

He should repay him with himself.

Bai Yu hurriedly changed the subject, almost forgetting that the other person was still holding his hand: “You….what did you come to see Xiting-ge for?”

Ji Qinglin thought it over, and told him that he might have to leave to investigate a case.

Bai Yu immediately said: “Your movements are hindered now. Since that’s the case, it would be better to decline.”

“I’m afraid that won’t work.” Ji Qinglin’s eyes flickered. He was just thinking of a way to convince Bai Yu to go with him when he heard the other person say unnaturally: “If you really have to go…..you were injured because of me, so….I…..I’ll come along to assist you.”

Ji Qinglin’s pupils quivered, and he said almost instinctively: “You might miss the Imperial Examinations.”

“I’m not taking the exams, so what’s the big deal if I miss them?” Bai Yu asked in confusion.

Ji Qinglin had never thought that Bai Yu would volunteer himself….he’d thought he would have to put in some effort. Bai Yu was so clever that there was no way he didn’t know that Ji Qinglin planned to have him come along. Thinking of this, his heart began to throb.

Bai Yu was waiting for an answer, and the carriage bumped over something the moment he looked over, accompanied by a forceful tug on his hand. Before he could react, he was dragged over, and Ji Qinglin kissed him almost without thought.

Bai Yu struggled out of his arms, and was so angry that he could only cover his lips and glare at him. His eyes were almost red. “You…..bastard!”

Ji Qinglin looked at him steadily: “Do you hate it? Do you hate me for doing it?”

Bai Yu was furious: “I hate it!”

There was a startled look in Ji Qinglin’s eyes. At this point, the carriage stopped and the driver notified them that they had arrived.

Without a care for Ji Qinglin’s injured foot, Bai Yu pushed him out of the carriage and quickly ordered the driver to proceed.

But Ji Qinglin, supported by a government office guard, came to the carriage window. He didn’t lift the curtain, but whispered through the gap: “Wangshu, you know how I feel. You make me happy.”

Bai Yu flushed as he was panicking inside the carriage, and became flustered when he heard this. After a long moment of silence, he said: “You…..you’re crazy. You’re the only child your mother has…..what are you thinking?”

Ji Qinglin smiled faintly. At least it wasn’t a straightforward rejection.

“I’ve already mentioned this to my mother. Haven’t you noticed how warmly she treats you when you come over? My family doesn’t have any customs against taking a male lover, and I’ve already decided that I don’t want any children.”

Bai Yu was dumbfounded.

“I’ve been dreaming about this for many years, and even the marriage procedures have taken shape in my mind. Wangshu, I’m not yet worthy of your status, but I don’t want you to be snatched away by someone else while I’m working hard. If you come with me on this trip, I’ll take it as your acceptance, and I will do my utmost to secure the approval of the Bai family and ask for your hand in marriage. If you don’t like me back, then don’t come with me, and I won’t bother you again.”

When he was done speaking, Ji Qinglin knocked on the carriage and told the driver to take him away.

Bai Yu didn’t come to his senses until the carriage began to shake. He lifted the curtain and secretly looked back, only to see that figure standing on the other side of the door, gazing over at him. Bai Yu’s face turned even redder. Those last words, so earnest and solemn, had sounded like a vow. He knew that Ji Qinglin had always felt inferior to the Bai family, otherwise he wouldn’t have kept his feelings to himself for so long, and only expressed them once his family’s honor was restored.

In fact, the Crown Prince and Xiting-ge admired him very much. His father also praised him often, and once said he wanted to marry one of the unmarried women in the family to him, which showed that he recognized his future career prospects.

But even so, Ji Qinglin felt that he wasn’t worthy of him. But how could he not be worthy? It was obvious that…..everyone recognized his worth. If he really requested a marriage, his father likely wouldn’t refuse…..

Aiya, what was he thinking! Bai Yu felt as if his cheeks were on fire, and could only cover them until he arrived home. But he couldn’t calm his throbbing heart. He knew that he didn’t hate Ji Qinglin’s actions, and even admired his talent. This was just…..too fast!

A few days later, the Crown Prince did indeed send Ji Qinglin out of the capital, and a carriage was readied to leave the city before dawn. Ji Qinglin stood waiting beside the carriage as a servant repeatedly urged him to get in. His eyes gradually darkened. Just as he was about to lift the curtain, the sound of another carriage came from nearby.

Ji Qinglin paused. Turning around, he found that it was a carriage from Liu Manor, with Liu Qiao as the driver. Ji Qinglin ran over almost without a care for his injured foot, staring straight at the curtain until the face he had been thinking about came out. 

Bai Yu felt uneasy under that direct, passionate gaze, but finally bowed and said: “Ji-daren, I’ve come to assist.”

Ji Qinglin stretched a hand out toward him and said: “Wangshu wants to come with me?”

Bai Yu was taken aback when someone pushed him from behind. It was Xiting-ge, of course.

Liu Qiao would naturally not interfere since it was Liu Zhenqing who’d pushed him, so Bai Yu could only lose his balance and fall into Ji Qinglin’s arms.

At last, his worries could be put to rest. His voice trembled slightly with nerves as he asked the person trying to extract himself from his arms, “Wangshu, you’re willing to go with me?”

Bai Yu set aside his unexpected shame and anger. Feeling the vibrations from the other person’s chest, he was dazed for a moment before replying in a whisper: “I’m willing.”

Ji Qinglin’s eyes reddened, and he almost cried. He hugged Bai Yu tightly again, then let him go. He took Bai Yu to say a proper goodbye to Liu Zhenqing and Liu Qiao, boarded their carriage, and left the capital with the rising sun ahead of them, completely missing the students traveling to the capital for the Imperial Examinations the next day.

As he watched the carriage depart, Liu Zhenqing patted Liu Qiao on the shoulder and said: “Qiaoqiao, ah, Wangshu has found where he belongs. When will you become sensible?”

“Where he belongs? Aren’t they going to solve a case together?” Liu Qiao asked curiously.

Liu Zhenqing was amused, and pinched Liu Qiao’s face: “Let’s go have breakfast.”

But before they could reach the food stands, he was hastily called back by the Crown Prince’s guards and ushered to the East Palace.

The instant he saw the Crown Prince’s face, he knew it wasn’t good: “What happened?”

The Crown Prince set down the letter in his hand with an unhappy expression: “Urgent news has come from Xiheng. Li Jinshu and the princess have had a complete falling-out and have decided to divorce. The princess will be sent back to Great Zhou, and envoys from both countries will meet at the border to renegotiate. Xiheng’s leadership has changed, and the new regent sent a request in his letter.”

Liu Zhenqing frowned: “What is it?”

The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed: “You must be present, or the envoys will refuse to negotiate.”

Liu Zhenqing’s expression changed. He stroked his chin and said: “This Li Jinshu…..hasn’t he given up on me yet?”

“Xiting…..” The Crown Prince’s expression was tense, and he appeared very hesitant.

Liu Zhenqing smiled and said: “Your Highness, you and I both understand the situation. Don’t worry about me, I’ll go. I guarantee that not only will I not suffer any losses, Great Zhou won’t either. Li Jinshu will be the only one who loses!”

The Crown Prince looked at Liu Zhenqing. This was someone he doted on, and he wasn’t happy about agreeing to the other party’s highly-motivated request, but the emperor was on his deathbed, and he couldn’t create any unnecessary trouble. He said with a sigh: “Alright. I’m sorry to trouble you this time. Feihan and the others are all in the west. With them at your side, you will be protected at all times, and they won’t let you suffer a single injustice.”

The west…..Liu Zhenqing’s expression changed slightly, and he unconsciously groped for the jade Rubik’s Cube at his waist, thinking of a certain someone who had been cruel enough not to contact him for two years.

---

Consider donating via Kofi here!

(Alt Universe) Extra 22 << Table of Contents >> (Alt Universe) Extra 24