Everyone in Dalan knew that the Prince of Yan was a mute, but as it happened, he truly was not.
The Prince of Yan and his Consort were a couple of deep devotion. Their lineage produced four sons, of whom Xin Yi was the youngest. By the time he was born, his third brother was already twelve years old. When he was newly weaned, the Consort’s health was poor, so his older brothers took turns caring for him. Perhaps because he had been carried about on horseback by his brothers since infancy, Xin Yi was initially not very good at speaking; when he did, he was a little stutterer who could never quite express his meaning. His third brother was the most irreverent of the lot and loved to mimic him. Despite being beaten countless times by the Prince of Yan and the eldest brother, he could never break the habit of teasing the youngest. Over time, Xin Yi grew reluctant to speak. Especially during the New Year festivities, when the Prince’s manor was filled with all sorts of guests, he would simply follow his stoic second brother and stand as still as a pillar whenever they attended banquets. As the years passed and he grew older, rumors began to spread outside that he was a mute. At that time, the relationship between the Capital and Beiyang was growing tense. The Prince of Yan likely sensed the Capital’s predatory gaze upon his sons, and thus he offered no explanation regarding the rumors of his son's muteness.
Later, the Consort would urge him to speak little when he went out, and his brothers often shielded him from having to speak in public. At first, he thought his stuttering brought shame to the family. For over a year, he stayed alone in his room, reading aloud with pebbles in his mouth to practice. By the time he had trained himself to be silver-tongued enough to mock his third brother, his second brother died.
In the winter of the fiftieth year of Hongxing, Xin Jing, the second son of the Prince of Yan, froze to death eight hundred li outside of Posuo City in the Prince of Ping’s fief, Shanyin. The body was sent back to Beiyang by the Prince of Ping’s men, draped haphazardly with a Beiyang Prince of Yan flag. When it arrived at the manor, the sky was still thick with drifting snow. His eldest brother lifted the flag and stared at the body for a long time without saying a word. Later, on the night before the burial, Xin Yi saw his eldest brother sleeping inside the coffin in the mourning hall, his silent tears soaking the night.
Following that, in the autumn of the fifty-first year, conflict flared again between Dayuan and Dalan over the demarcation of grasslands. The Princes of Yan and Ping went to war one after another. Just as winter began, Xin Li, the third son of the Prince of Yan, was shot dead at the front lines. One arrow pierced his heart, and four others pinned his body—right onto the Beiyang Prince of Yan flag, like a naked provocation. However, three of those arrows had come from behind.
In the winter of the fifty-third year, the Consort of Yan entered the palace in response to the Empress Dowager’s decree. She died suddenly on the night of the Lantern Festival.
In early fifty-fourth year, Xin Zhengsheng, the Prince of Yan, died in battle within the borders of Dayuan.
In the spring of the fifty-fourth year, Xin Jing, the eldest son of the Prince of Yan, crushed Dayuan and drove out the tribes. He was ambushed at Wanze and died in battle.
In the winter of the fifty-fourth year, the Prince of Ping returned in triumph.
Xin Yi was sent to the Capital. However, when the carriage reached the city outskirts, the Emperor collapsed onto the dragon bed from exhaustion. Using the excuse that the sight of his old friend’s son would grieve him, the Prince of Ping took Xin Yi into his own manor instead.
That stay lasted four years.
***
Xin Yi woke up.
His eyes were uncomfortably red and swollen. He pressed the back of his hand against them for a while, finding them hot to the touch. His mind was muddled, and his chest felt hollow and empty.
Heavy curtains were drawn around the bed. He didn't know what time it was, and he could hear no other sounds.
Xin Yi rolled over, and something cold pressed against his arm. He lifted his arm to look; it was the mutton-fat jade pendant he had seen in Bai Jiu’s hand yesterday. The remarkable thing about this pendant was that one side was vividly carved with the fierce, thunderous image of a pouncing tiger, while the other side took a sharp turn in style, carved into the innocent and lively image of a young rabbit clutching a cabbage. A navy blue tassel hung from the bottom, looking very precious.
As Xin Yi held it and looked, the memory of Bai Jiu’s features and low voice from the previous night gradually surfaced in his mind. His face instantly became as burning hot as his eyes. He rubbed his face and rolled over again, wondering how to explain the fact that a "mute" could speak.
The Prince of Yan’s heir being a mute versus the Prince of Yan’s heir being able to speak—the implications of these two were vastly different, and the attitude of the entire Dalan Empire toward them would be diametrically opposed. How to continue the deception was a problem.
He was staring at the edge of the bed in distress when the curtain was suddenly pulled aside. The midday sun spilled in, slightly piercing, but the person revealed was even more dazzling than the sunlight.
Today, Bai Jiu wore a loose, ivory-white robe that draped casually over his shoulders, a stark contrast to the ascetic look of his tightly buttoned cross-collared robes when he was out. Seeing that Xin Yi’s eyes were still swollen and his expression was the very image of post-sleep daze, he couldn't help but lean in and ask, "Are you hungry?"
Xin Yi’s stomach let out a few timely growls. His expression froze, and his gaze drifted away, circling the room before returning to Bai Jiu’s face.
Bai Jiu didn't laugh out loud, but his gaze said enough. He turned to Old Qu and said, "Tidy up and bring the food."
By the time Xin Yi had washed up and finished grooming, the meal was already on the table. The rice in his bowl was piled into a small mountain peak. Xin Yi cherished food and ate every grain in his bowl until it was spotless. Bai Jiu didn't rush him; he simply sat on the couch by the window, holding a piece of uncarved raw jade, lost in thought. After the meal, a physician arrived and prescribed some medicine to calm the spirit and heal the scars. However, some of the scars were too old and would likely be difficult to erase.
Old Qu escorted the physician out of the courtyard, leaving only the two of them in the room. Bai Jiu studied the jade without speaking, and Xin Yi didn't know what to say, feeling somewhat restless as he sat opposite him.
"There is nothing to do this afternoon. If you are tired, you can sleep more," a sudden voice startled Xin Yi. Bai Jiu was lightly tracing his fingertips over the jade, not looking up.
"Ah." Xin Yi let out a soft sound, his throat a bit dry. He said, "Thank you... My Lord." Bai Jiu didn't answer. Xin Yi cleared his throat and said, "Thank you for last night as well, My Lord... I..."
I what?
I’m not a mute? Or I’m no longer a mute because the Prince of Ping’s death was so gratifying?
Bai Jiu looked over, and a wave of tension hit Xin Yi, his palms becoming slightly damp. He hadn't been this nervous even when meeting the Emperor. He didn't know if this was a lingering effect of their proximity last night, but under the gaze of those eyes, he felt a bit flustered. The "I" at the tip of his tongue took a turn and became: "Is My Lord going to sleep this afternoon?"
The raw jade was toyed with between his fingers. Bai Jiu leaned against the soft bolster and looked straight at him. "Do you want to sleep with me?"
"No..." Xin Yi stammered, "I wouldn't dare trouble you."
Bai Jiu looked at him for a long while, noticing the slight reddening of his ear tips, and his gaze couldn't help but linger there. Xin Yi could only lower his head and examine the teacup on the table with absolute, thorough focus, yet he could still feel that the other's gaze hadn't moved.
Fortunately, Xie Jingsheng arrived just in time, allowing Xin Yi to breathe a sigh of relief. Unexpectedly, before that breath was fully released, Bai Jiu suddenly looked back and caught his relaxed expression clearly. Before Xin Yi could recover his composure, the man had truly left.
This time, Xin Yi held his breath until Bai Jiu was out of sight before letting it out and collapsing onto the soft couch. The cushions were soft; he rolled around once and buried his face in the bolster. A crisp, cool, and unique scent... it was the scent on Bai Jiu’s body. After burying himself for a long time, Xin Yi finally rolled over to lie on his back. Sunlight scattered over him; he spread his arms, feeling warm and comfortable all over. Only the hollow coldness in his chest remained, making him instinctively pull the bolster over to hug it. Feeling a bit better, he lay there in the sunlight with his eyes squinted and fell asleep.
***
Xie Jingsheng could not stay in the Capital for long. Today, Bai Jiu had arranged a farewell banquet for him at the Xiaoxiao Tower, the finest establishment in the Capital. Most of those who came were brothers from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Xie Jingsheng and the others naturally had to toast Bai Jiu. Bai Jiu usually spoke very little at banquets; while everyone played boisterously, he appeared quite indolent in his seat, which allowed the others to be even more rowdy.
When the drinking reached its peak, beauties were naturally indispensable; whether men or women, as long as they were beauties, they were treated as honored guests. However, there was something interesting about Xie Jingsheng: whenever he got drunk, he would become extremely upright, sitting primly and looking straight ahead, which earned him another round of mockery from the crowd.
After coaxing Xin Yi to sleep last night, Bai Jiu had not slept. Now, having drunk quite a bit of wine, he inevitably had a bit of a headache. He habitually reached for the jade pendant at his waist, only to remember he had left it on Xin Yi’s bed. Thinking of Xin Yi’s bed led to thinking of Xin Yi. Thinking of Xin Yi caused the rhythm of his fingers tapping the table to falter. After a moment of daze, he suddenly felt that the banquet had become tedious at this point.
Why not go back?
Why not... go back.
As soon as this thought became clear, Bai Jiu suddenly grew irritable. Those with keen eyes, fearing he found the atmosphere dull, hurried to toast him again, leading to another non-stop round.
***
Xin Yi was woken up by Old Qu. By the time he woke, it was already dusk outside. Old Qu had food served and stood by to accompany him through the meal. Afterward, fearing he might be bored, he accompanied him for a stroll in the courtyard.
Xin Yi was happy to walk with the elderly man, and the two of them strolled through the yard. When they reached the area near the study, Old Qu pointed for him. "Look, Your Highness, the fish in this pond were all selected and brought from the manor. They are fresh and plump. If you have the inclination another day, you must catch a few from this pond to play with."
The attendants were all seven or eight paces away, and Old Qu had been personally instructed by Bai Jiu, so Xin Yi wasn't afraid of being overheard. He only smiled, his dimples sweet enough to kill. He had never heard of any high official or noble keeping such fish in the pond in front of their study. Thinking of Bai Jiu’s half-smile, he felt it was actually quite fitting. He couldn't help but chuckle and whispered to Old Qu, "Whose idea was this?"
Old Qu also whispered back cooperatively, "When His Lordship was arranging the courtyard, he thought the home should be leisurely and comfortable. Fishing is the best way to achieve that, after all."
Xin Yi saw that the fish in the pond were indeed each quite plump. Finding it amusing, he said, "Then it’s still missing a few things; otherwise, it would truly have a rustic charm."
Old Qu immediately listened with rapt attention.
Xin Yi said, "If a small skiff were added, it would be just perfect."
Old Qu clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "If we added two or three fisher-boys in plain clothes, it would be a scene from a peach blossom retreat—beautiful indeed."
The two of them chatted and strolled like this. Before they could reach the horse stables in the back, the sky had already darkened. Xin Yi stopped his pace and didn't go to see them, turning back with Old Qu. Servants led the way with lanterns to light the path. Old Qu watched Xin Yi’s footing carefully. Seeing that Xin Yi’s expression had gradually calmed, he knew the boy had things on his mind.
"This old servant gets irritable as soon as summer nights arrive."
Xin Yi gave an "mm" and looked up curiously. "Why?"
Old Qu stroked his short beard with a look of being plagued by troubles, pointing to the nearby grass. "The bells and drums of the insects are truly disruptive to one's peaceful dreams."
Xin Yi was amused by the old man's expression. Listening to the lively chirping of crickets all around, he smiled and said, "If the sound of frogs were added, it would be even more unbearable." As he spoke, he tilted his head, a hint of reminiscence in his voice. "In the past, my third brother loved cricket fighting. Every time, fearing the eldest brother would find out, he would always hide them in my room. He’d hide them for several nights. Back then, I was still a little stutterer; when I got anxious, I couldn't win an argument with him. Kept awake by the noise of the crickets, I would beg my second brother. Second brother always had a way; in the middle of the night, he’d take me to stuff the crickets into third brother’s bedding. Third brother remembered that and looked for chances to beat me. Finally, it would reach the eldest brother, and he’d give third brother a thrashing."
At this point, his gaze drifted toward the undulating rooflines in the gloom, and his voice grew lower. "To coax me, Mother would have Father and my brothers hang lanterns for me in the manor. All colors of the rainbow, hung one by one, filling the entire manor. At night, everywhere you looked was filled with color..."
Xin Yi’s voice trailed off. In the darkness, he wore a dazed expression, as if only now realizing that all of this had vanished like smoke.
Old Qu listened throughout, a kind look appearing on his face. He said softly, "They must have been beautiful colors."
Xin Yi smiled, and the two continued back. When they returned to the house, Bai Jiu had not yet returned. After bathing, Xin Yi drank his medicine. Old Qu wanted to apply the ointment for him, but Xin Yi declined. Old Qu didn't insist and withdrew from the room.
Like Bai Jiu, Xin Yi did not like having people wait on him in the room at night. Therefore, he extinguished the lights in the outer room, went to the inner room, and removed his clothes behind the screen. Facing the bronze mirror, he applied the medicine to his scars himself. The most severe injury was on his back—a mark left by two vicious dogs when the Prince of Ping had been assassinated during the Cold Food Festival of the fifty-seventh year and had tied him to a hitching post.
Xin Yi turned his back and turned his head, pondering whether to apply medicine to this wound. As he was thinking seriously, he suddenly heard someone rap their knuckles against the edge of the screen. He looked up and saw Bai Jiu leaning against the screen, his gaze calmly sliding down from Xin Yi’s face, passing over his neck, collarbone, chest, and abdomen like something tangible.
This gaze was too calm—so calm that it made Xin Yi’s lower abdomen tighten slightly. He pulled at his clothes, then felt that there was no need for two men to act so affected. His hands didn't know where to go, and he could only stare at Bai Jiu in a daze.
Bai Jiu raised a hand to rub his temple and said, "Let me do it."
"I wouldn't dare trouble you." But Bai Jiu was already in front of him. The man, more than a head taller than him, leaned over. His features, exceptionally vivid and beautiful in the lamplight, made Xin Yi’s heart thud against his chest. Seeing him about to lean in, Xin Yi abruptly took a step back. Bai Jiu firmly pressed down on the shoulder that was retreating, and only then did Xin Yi realize Bai Jiu had leaned in to pick up the medicine behind him.
A scent of wine surrounded Xin Yi. Bai Jiu straightened up, his brow arching slightly. "What are you afraid of?" Having said that, he lowered his head to bring his face close to Xin Yi’s. "Aren't you the one who fears nothing in heaven or earth? You even dared to burn down Posuo City."
Xin Yi was speechless, wanting to say something. Unexpectedly, Bai Jiu seriously ruffled his hair, saying in a low voice as if coaxing a puppy, "No matter, no matter. It’s just one Posuo City. Even if you burned down the Prince of Ping’s Shanyin, it would be no big deal. Turn around; I’ll apply the medicine for you."
This whispered voice was worlds apart from last night’s. Hearing it in his ear actually stirred a wave of tender tingling. The tips of Xin Yi’s ears were already burning. He only felt that the man's breath, mixed with the scent of wine, made him feel light-headed and dizzy as well.
"Hmm?" Bai Jiu’s fingertip lightly touched his flushed, burning ear. He chuckled softly, "What is this? So hot."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 世子 | Prince / Heir | Specifically the heir apparent of a Prince (Wang). |
| 燕王妃 | Consort of Yan | The wife of the Prince of Yan. |
| 辛弈 | Xin Yi | The protagonist, the youngest son of the Prince of Yan. |
| 辛敬 | Xin Jing | The second son of the Prince of Yan. |
| 辛笠 | Xin Li | The third son of the Prince of Yan. |
| 辛靖 | Xin Jing | The eldest son of the Prince of Yan (Note: different character for 'Jing' than the second brother). |
| 辛振盛 | Xin Zhengsheng | The Prince of Yan (the father). |
| 大苑 | Dayuan | A neighboring state or tribe, likely nomadic. |
| 宛泽 | Wanze | A place name. |
| 羊脂玉佩 | Mutton-fat jade pendant | A high-quality white nephrite jade. |
| 笑笑楼 | Xiaoxiao Tower | A high-end restaurant/establishment in the Capital. |
| 曲老 | Old Qu | An elderly servant/steward in Bai Jiu's household. |
| 寒食节 | Cold Food Festival | A traditional Chinese holiday. |
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