Xin Yi insisted he was fine, and He Anchang wouldn't stop wiping, so he just gave him the handkerchief. Xin Yi smiled at him again, his dimples deepening, which caused He Anchang to pause.

Zhang Taiyan's words stopped there, and it was inconvenient to bring it up again, so he could only change the subject, saying: "This tea is scalding hot, what if the heir gets hurt? When you leave later, make sure to prepare a portion of the wound medicine given by Court Physician Liu from the Imperial Hospital for the heir."

He Anchang responded and said nothing more. Xin Yi, however, looked quite apologetic. Zhang Taiyan smiled kindly and said: "It's the heir who got scalded, what is there to be apologetic about? You'll just make this old man worry even more. This old man met the heir today simply to once again behold the style of the Prince of Yan of Beiyang. Now that I've seen it, my heart can rest. Is the heir currently staying as a guest in the Prince of Pingding's Manor?"

Xin Yi nodded, the slightly shy youth looking like someone who had just arrived in the capital and didn't know his way around.

Zhang Taiyan said magnanimously: "How can that be? The heir will eventually be an imperial prince, bestowed with a golden scroll and seal, and an annual stipend of ten thousand piculs of grain. The Prince of Pingding has only just been enfeoffed as a two-character princely lord. This discrepancy in status is improper; how can we make the heir suffer? Moreover, the Prince of Pingding is young and energetic, decisive and unyielding in court; how can he look after the heir in his manor? If the heir truly regards this old man as an old friend and tea companion, why not stay at the Prince of Qin's Manor for a few days? His Majesty is concerned about the heir's hardships and will naturally arrange a residence for you early. What does the heir think?"

Xin Yi seemed somewhat swayed, but still shook his head, writing on the table: 'The Prince of Pingding saved my life.'

Zhang Taiyan also shook his head and said: "The execution of the Prince of Ping was His Majesty's imperial decree. The Prince of Pingding merely acted according to the decree and cannot be considered to have done so of his own accord. If the heir is truly grateful and remembers, he should also remember His Majesty." Xin Yi nodded, and Zhang Taiyan continued: "Furthermore, the court in the capital is complex now. Recklessly forming close ties with court officials is probably not what His Majesty would like. The Prince of Pingding is truly unfathomable and not someone with whom one can easily confide. This old man advises the heir: no matter what, please do not disappoint the hopes of the Beiyang Three Jins' military forces."

'Perhaps that last sentence was the main point of their meeting today.' Xin Yi finally understood why Zhang Taiyan had arranged to meet him here. He was telling him that the Left Faction Qing Liu had no designs on Beiyang's military power, but this military power could even be given to the Prince of Qin, and absolutely must not fall into Bai Jiu's hands.

Xin Yi lowered his head in thought, appearing to be moved.

Zhang Taiyan did not press him, simply sipping his tea. Just then, the storyteller slammed his gavel, and said in a clear voice: "To think that Wang Zang, merely a low-born commoner, brimming with the swagger of a street ruffian, became a eunuch and entered the deep palace, using all his rhetorical skills to lull that incompetent monarch into a sweet, dreamlike stupor, unable to distinguish right from wrong! Allowing such a mere eunuch to sit in court, forcing all loyal officials into unrest! Truly lamentable, truly lamentable! Making one hate him to the bone!"

Xin Yi finally raised his head, his gaze settling as if after a difficult decision. Zhang Taiyan pulled a handful of copper coins from his sleeve and stacked them on the table, smiling at Xin Yi: "The heir has admirable spirit."

This meeting thus concluded. The three listened to the storyteller's animated tale of Wang Zang, saliva flying everywhere. Xin Yi appeared absorbed in listening, but in reality, his thoughts were wandering far away.

Bai Jiu's background couldn't even be called humble; although everyone now tread carefully and rarely mentioned it, whenever there were court disputes, the Left Faction loved to frequently use this to humiliate him, and finally couldn't help but boast about their own prestigious family backgrounds. Bai Jiu initially joined the Brocade Uniform Guards, and later climbed steadily, indeed because he gained His Majesty's deep trust when he served as the Brocade Uniform Guards Commander.

But what of it?

Everyone in court stood as firm as a mountain by their own abilities. If those from noble families could do it, why couldn't Bai Jiu, who came from a humble background? The emperor never lacked sharp blades in his hand; he would sharpen one, use it up, then break it, but this world never lacked people willing to be his sharp blade. What Zhang Taiyan constantly thought about was loyalty to the monarch, but Xin Yi, precisely, had no taste for it.

When they eventually left, He Anchang saw Xin Yi downstairs. As Xin Yi was about to get into the carriage, He Anchang handed him a sealed porcelain bottle of wound medicine. Xin Yi smiled as he took it, but then heard He Anchang say coolly: "Bai Jiu is vicious; he is not a good person."

Xin Yi's finger paused, and he looked at He Anchang, bewildered. He Anchang stared into his eyes and said: "The heir is young; do not be deceived by his outward appearance." Having said that, he stepped back a few paces, then said in a clear voice: "Farewell." He turned and left.

'Who knows how Bai Jiu managed to provoke such an upright person...' Xin Yi got into the carriage and returned to the manor.

It started raining on the way. When the carriage reached the front of the manor, they encountered Bai Jiu, who was returning. He had ridden Chiye today. Seeing the carriage turn in from afar, he stopped in front of the manor and waited until it drew close. Xin Yi heard the coachman greet him, then lifted the curtain, and indeed saw Bai Jiu, soaked in the rain, on horseback.

"Lord, get in the carriage." Xin Yi poked his head out and called him, and Bai Jiu dismounted and got into the carriage.

Although the carriage interior was spacious, Xin Yi felt that as soon as Bai Jiu got in, his damp, cool scent permeated the entire compartment, making it hard to ignore. Xin Yi moved over, making space for Bai Jiu. Bai Jiu's hair was somewhat wet; it looked like he had ridden back without stopping. He raised a hand to loosen the button on his high collar, revealing the white undershirt beneath. His movements were fluid, yet Xin Yi unmistakably perceived an air of asceticism. Xin Yi's gaze flickered, and his ear tips were already red.

"Where did you go?" Bai Jiu still carried the scent of dampness. Xin Yi casually handed him the cotton handkerchief he had been holding. Bai Jiu suddenly gripped his wrist, pulled it closer to his eyes, and saw the red scald mark on the back of his hand. His narrow eyes grew colder, and the atmosphere in the carriage became heavy. Xin Yi instinctively said: "Today's tea was slippery; I accidentally scalded myself. It's nothing serious."

Bai Jiu released Xin Yi without a word. He merely took the handkerchief but didn't wipe away any water. Xin Yi couldn't quite grasp his current expressionless demeanor, and after a few stolen glances, he still couldn't decipher anything, so he just made small talk: "Lord, you've been caught in the rain. You should drink some ginger tea when you get back."

Bai Jiu's fingertips flipped over the edge of the handkerchief, and he saw the neat character 'He'. He then directly crumpled the handkerchief and tucked it into his robe, before responding with a soft "Mm." Xin Yi saw his action... it was somewhat rough, and thought to himself, 'This He Anchang truly has some beef with him, to be so cold just at the sight of a handkerchief.'

"This is Lord He's handkerchief; Lord He gave it to me when I scalded myself." Xin Yi briefly explained, then changed the subject, saying: "It's rare to see Your Lordship ride to court."

Bai Jiu's narrow, long eyes slightly lowered, and water droplets dripped down. Although his expression remained the same, there was a somewhat softened, gentler quality about him. He said: "I didn't go to court today; I went to Luyi Mountain outside the city." But he returned before even reaching the summit.

"Ah." Xin Yi's expression was delighted. He said: "I've heard of that mountain. The red maples on the mountain are like a painting, and there are many deer, aren't there? I heard the deer on this mountain aren't afraid of people; they are deer with a Buddha-nature."

Seeing his delight, Bai Jiu said: "It's not as mystical as the rumors say, but it is indeed a deer mountain, and the maples are beautiful."

Xin Yi smiled: "Does Your Lordship go there often?"

Bai Jiu wasn't someone who went there often, and today's visit was for a specific reason, but when the words reached his lips, they became, "Often enough." Xin Yi's gaze immediately turned envious. Bai Jiu accepted it calmly, feeling no shame or guilt until they dismounted the carriage.

Old Qu was already waiting at the courtyard entrance, a row of umbrellas open. He wasn't surprised to see Bai Jiu emerge from Xin Yi's carriage, and held umbrellas to escort the two back. Bai Jiu's room wasn't far, but when he reached Xin Yi's side, he stopped, looked at Xin Yi, and said: "My clothes are soaked."

Xin Yi immediately said: "Lord, please come this way."

Bai Jiu nodded. While taking the umbrella from the person holding it behind Xin Yi, he said to Old Qu: "Get some ginger juice and cold water, and bring them quickly."

Xin Yi saw him holding an umbrella beside him, and originally thought it wasn't quite appropriate. Hearing his instructions, he couldn't help but let out a soft "Hmm?" and asked: "Cold water to ward off the chill?"

The umbrella wasn't large. Bai Jiu naturally crowded in with him, simply saying: "It's for the scald." After that, he said to Old Qu: "Also prepare hot water and hot soup."

Old Qu responded and went to give the orders. Bai Jiu and Xin Yi went into the room together. The sound of rain gradually intensified, pattering on the oil-paper umbrella as if wanting to pierce through it. It wasn't until they entered the room that Xin Yi realized his own shoulder was completely dry, while one side of Bai Jiu was dripping wet. He was suddenly speechless and at a loss. Bai Jiu directly removed his outer robe and said to him: "The umbrella was too small."

Everything arrived quickly. Bai Jiu used cold water to rinse Xin Yi's scalded area. It wasn't actually very serious, but he still wiped it again with ginger juice.

Xin Yi's hands were not fair and soft, but rather had long, elegant fingers, calluses within his palms, and faint scars on his palm. However, Bai Jiu wiped them carefully. Xin Yi sat opposite him, his gaze wandering, feeling a wave of heat on his hand, unsure if it was due to the ginger juice application. When it finally ended, he quickly withdrew his hand, picked up the ginger tea, and drank it all.

This atmosphere inexplicably brought a blush to his cheeks and a flutter to his heart.

"Lord..." His voice was a little hoarse. Xin Yi quickly cleared his throat and said: "The jade carving you made that day was left here."

Bai Jiu was also drinking tea. Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Xin Yi. Xin Yi took it from a shelf nearby and handed it back to Bai Jiu. Bai Jiu took it in his hand, had someone retrieve his carving knife, and then sat on the soft couch where he had sat that day, beginning his work. His wide new shirt draped over his shoulders, his hair still somewhat wet. His focused appearance once again captivated Xin Yi's gaze.

Xin Yi knew that one side of the jade was carved with his silhouette from when he napped there that day, but he didn't know what Bai Jiu would carve on the other side. Bai Jiu looked up at him, a smile spreading on his lips, and patted the spot beside him. Xin Yi could only sit over there. They were close, and he again smelled Bai Jiu's scent.

"Does Your Lordship often carve jade?"

"No." The carving knife spun quickly in Bai Jiu's palm. "I usually carve wood."

Xin Yi couldn't help but lean slightly forward, watching his flawless fingertips move across the white jade. After watching for a while, the finger movements suddenly stopped. Xin Yi let out a soft "Eh?" and looked up to ask: "Why did you stop..."

They were close, so close that he could clearly see the smile in Bai Jiu's eyes. He said: "You're blocking it." Xin Yi's face flushed, and he immediately sat upright, wanting to apologize. Unexpectedly, Bai Jiu switched the carving knife to his other hand and swiftly used his right hand to block Xin Yi's leaning-back head, saying: "Why are you running? I need to see clearly to carve it."

Xin Yi originally thought this person was teasing him, but Bai Jiu was genuinely focused, his narrow eyes seemingly observing every part of his face carefully, his index finger gently rubbing against the back of Xin Yi's head. Xin Yi's gaze could only dart around, and he didn't breathe a sigh of relief until Bai Jiu released him.

Bai Jiu continued carving until they had dinner. Xin Yi's favorite roasted fish appeared again, so he ate relatively more. After dinner, he lay on a small desk reading for a while, while Bai Jiu continued carving opposite him. Time passed quickly. When Xin Yi came back to his senses, the room was already somewhat dark.

It was still raining heavily outside. Xin Yi listened to the sound of the rain, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed. The rhythmic sound of Bai Jiu's carving knife, a soft scratching in his ears, combined with the rain, was very peaceful. Xin Yi listened with increasing lethargy. When he came to his senses, he realized the room was dim. He got off the couch and said: "I wasn't paying attention; it's time to light the lamp." There was a footrest beneath the couch. Xin Yi didn't stand steadily, stumbled, and was about to bump into the small desk when a hand reached out from behind and steadily supported him.

"Watch your step."

Bai Jiu withdrew his hand. Xin Yi was still in a daze and said: "Yes..."

After the lamp was lit, Bai Jiu also put away the jade. Seeing that it was already late, he prepared to leave. Xin Yi saw him to the doorway. Old Qu stood nearby holding a lantern. Bai Jiu opened his umbrella and said: "The night rain is damp and cold; you should go back inside."

Xin Yi responded and also said: "The path is slippery; Your Lordship should also be careful." After speaking, the two exchanged a glance. Xin Yi was the first to look away, his ear tips slightly warm, and said: "Your Lordship, please go."

Bai Jiu chuckled, then turned and walked into the rain. The night grew dense amid the drumming of the heavy rain. Bai Jiu's lantern flickered in the darkness. Xin Yi stood watching for a good while before retreating to his room, where he bathed and then went to sleep.

For several days thereafter, Xin Yi did not see Bai Jiu, nor did he see He Anchang's handkerchief again.

One day, after court had adjourned, He Anchang was about to descend the steps when suddenly, someone appeared beside him. He glanced over, his cool face showing no change in expression, and ignored the person, simply continuing to walk.

"Lord He." Bai Jiu's narrow eyes swept over He Anchang's face. He said faintly: "It's truly not easy for me to get a moment with Your Lordship."

"Time flies like an arrow; it cannot be wasted." He Anchang had always been unwilling to speak more than a word to Bai Jiu.

Bai Jiu's lips twitched. "Your Lordship toils for the people; it is commendable and respectable." The next instant, however, he changed the subject, saying: "I heard that the black striped hound in the home of Lord Zuo, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, gave birth to a small pup. I know your esteemed father loves dogs, so he must surely be determined to acquire this one."

He Anchang frowned slightly and said: "Prince of Pingding, please speak directly."

Bai Jiu patted He Anchang's shoulder and smiled: "I also like this dog. I originally thought of giving it to your esteemed father, but after seeing it yesterday, I changed my mind." His narrow eyes half-closed, his smile seeming both a smile and not a smile, he said: "Since it's mine, Your Lordship should not covet it. If it is something I cherish, no one else may even glance at it."

He Anchang suddenly looked up. Bai Jiu pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the hand he had just used to pat He Anchang, then placed the handkerchief on He Anchang's shoulder, chuckled lightly, and turned to leave. He Anchang's brow furrowed. He took the handkerchief from his shoulder, flipped open its edge, and there, strikingly, was the character 'He'. This was originally the one given to heir Yi, now clutched in his own hand, and it had passed through Bai Jiu's.

He stood there in thought.

He felt that Bai Jiu's words carried a hidden meaning.