Chapter 4 - The Arrogant Heir
Xin Yi wished he could simply shrink into himself and vanish. That icy sensation lingered at the tip of his ear, sending ripples of heat cascading through his chest. In his mounting agitation, his voice betrayed him, stumbling over his words. "Ar-Aren't you... aren't you going to apply the medicine?"
Bai Jiu offered a soft, noncommittal hum. He dipped his fingertip into the cool salve and began a slow, deliberate patrol across the scars on Xin Yi’s upper body. Xin Yi turned away, facing the bronze mirror. He hadn't expected that losing sight of Bai Jiu’s movements would only heighten his awareness of the man’s presence; the reflection of Bai Jiu’s profile in the polished surface felt more vivid than the man himself.
The frigid fingers moved across his back, the application of the ointment eliciting a faint, maddening itch. Before Xin Yi could school his expression, he caught the sight of his own dimples in the mirror—a traitorous sign of his inner state. He quickly averted his gaze, looking anywhere but at his own reflection.
Bai Jiu kept his eyes lowered, yet they remained clear and observant. The pressure of his fingertips was ambiguous, carrying a weight that was impossible to define. Neither spoke. It was only when the medicine was fully applied that Bai Jiu’s hand drifted downward, grazing the small of Xin Yi’s back before pulling away with a lightness that left it unclear whether the touch had been intentional or accidental.
Just as Xin Yi reached for his robes to cover himself, Bai Jiu turned to leave. "No need to dress. Just sleep," he said, disappearing behind the screen.
He left Xin Yi standing there, ears burning and mind a tangled mess of confusion.
***
The following morning, when Xin Yi woke, Bai Jiu had already departed for the imperial court. After finishing his breakfast, Xin Yi took advantage of the morning's lingering cool to continue exploring the estate with Old Qu, picking up where they had left off the previous day.
The stables Bai Jiu had mentioned were not small by any means; the grounds were spacious enough for a dozen horses to gallop in tandem. Chiye, the magnificent stallion, occupied a stall of his own, possessing a temperament as fierce and solitary as his master’s.
Xin Yi led Chiye out, allowing the beast to run several spirited laps around the field. Afterward, he inspected the other horses. As he suspected, they were all Beiyang breeds. He spent a long time stroking their manes, feeling a profound sense of kinship with these creatures from his homeland.
"I truly am getting old; even I cannot lay a hand on Chiye," Old Qu remarked, watching the stallion interact peaceably with the youth. He chuckled. "If I were a few years younger, perhaps I might have tried to break a fine horse like this myself."
A dimple appeared on Xin Yi’s cheek as he smoothed Chiye’s long forelock. "This is a good horse," he signed, his eyes shining. "A rare, magnificent horse."
"When Chiye was first brought to the capital, the Heir of Prince Qin took quite a liking to him," Old Qu noted. "But Chiye’s spirit is too wild. Only His Lordship can truly master him."
The "Heir" Old Qu referred to was Xin Wen, the eldest son of Prince Qin, Xin Zhenming. Raised in the capital, Xin Wen was the notorious "Grand Duke of Kyoto," famed for his overbearing and flamboyant arrogance. Xin Yi had little impression of this cousin; the times he had spent in the capital could be counted on one hand, and he knew of Xin Wen only by reputation.
"May I take a horse for a few laps?" Xin Yi asked, his interest in the horses far outweighing any curiosity about his cousin.
Old Qu quickly stepped back, gesturing toward the field. "Please, Shizi. Be my guest."
Though Xin Yi admired Chiye, he felt it inappropriate to ride Bai Jiu’s personal mount without permission. Instead, he chose another Beiyang horse and took it for several trial laps around the track. The moment he swung into the saddle, a genuine, heartfelt smile broke across his face. The love for horses was a trait shared by everyone from Beiyang, woven into their very marrow.
Xin Yi remained at the stables until noon. When he finally dismounted, Old Qu handed him a kerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. Seeing the lingering longing in the boy's eyes as he patted the horse, the old servant smiled. "This field has been here for a long time, but His Lordship is so consumed by state affairs that he rarely visits. If you have the inclination, Shizi, you should come often. It will keep the stable hands from getting lazy."
Xin Yi smiled back. "If it is no trouble, then I shall."
After a quiet lunch, Xin Yi returned to the daybed from the previous afternoon, curling up with a soft bolster to nap in the warm sunlight. For reasons unknown, Bai Jiu had not yet returned. His absence brought Xin Yi a small measure of relief, easing the strange tension that usually gripped him.
He was just on the verge of drifting off when a sudden commotion erupted in the courtyard. Still half-submerged in sleep, he heard a youth’s voice, sharp and imperious. "What? Am I, the Young Master, forbidden from entering his courtyard now?"
Xin Yi shifted, listening as the voice continued its tirade. "Even the Imperial Palace doesn't have this many rules! Today, I insist on seeing Chiye. I dare you to stop me!"
Old Qu’s voice remained calm and pleasant. "His Lordship has not yet returned. I would not dare to be remiss in my duties to the Heir of Prince Qin."
Xin Wen was three years older than Xin Yi. Upon hearing this, his brows snapped together, his face darkening. "Since the day I was born, no one in this capital has dared to address me so formally as 'Heir of Prince Qin.' In this city, who else could possibly deserve to be called 'Shizi' by you, Old Qu?"
"A Shizi is naturally a Shizi, and your noble status is beyond reproach," Old Qu replied with a jovial air. "Even a suckling babe knows this. Please, do not take it to heart."
Just as Xin Wen was about to explode in rage, his gaze caught a glimpse of a drowsy youth leaning against a window sill. The boy looked refined and gentle, his features carrying a hint of innocent simplicity. Xin Wen’s mind whirled; he knew exactly who this was. However, his expression remained unchanged as he pointed a finger at the window. "This person is allowed into the Prince of Pacification’s private chambers, yet I am barred from his courtyard? Old Qu, have you gone senile? Have you forgotten the laws of status and decorum?"
Old Qu maintained his smiling facade. "Since these are the Prince of Pacification’s chambers, they are naturally not for ordinary people to enter. However, my master’s heart is unlike others; even if he allows an 'ordinary' person inside, it is no great matter. Heir Xin, the sun is quite fierce today. Standing out there is hardly ideal. Why don't I lead you to a side courtyard to rest? You could sit on the roof beams for all my master cares."
"The weather is perfectly fine! I am not hot in the least!" Xin Wen tilted his chin toward Xin Yi. "You. Come out here."
Seeing that the man would not be deterred, Xin Yi sighed inwardly and slowly made his way out.
Xin Wen shoved Old Qu aside and grabbed Xin Yi, hauling him toward the back of the estate. He huffed, "I am a guest invited by the hospitality of your master! You still dare to block me? To the stables! I want to see Chiye!"
Though they were cousins, they bore no resemblance to one another. Xin Wen, accustomed to a life of luxury and entitlement, possessed a naturally haughty and aggressive aura. He dragged Xin Yi along, eyeing him with a cold sneer. "Who are you, anyway?"
A mute, of course, could not answer. Xin Yi merely offered a shy, timid smile.
"There is only one mute in the capital, a fresh face that appeared just a couple of days ago. Xin—Xin Yi, right? Now that you’ve returned to the capital, why haven't you paid a visit to the Prince of Qin’s manor?" Xin Wen reached out and clapped a hand on Xin Yi’s shoulder. Being slightly taller, he slung an arm around the boy’s shoulders like an old friend. "What’s the point of huddling behind the King of Hell? You aren't his son. My father was just mentioning your name a few days ago. It’s only out of respect for your eldest brother that I’ve come to see you today. That madman Bai Jiu hasn't done anything to you, has he?"
Xin Yi continued to smile, his expression unchanging. His eldest brother had been a celebrated figure in the capital, but he would never have associated with a spoiled brat like the Heir of Prince Qin. This man’s attempt at pleasantries was expected, but his constant mention of Xin Yi’s father and brothers was beginning to grate.
"You’ve been back for two days and haven't even seen the Emperor. Bai Jiu is currently basking in imperial favor; a single word from him would be a simple matter," Xin Wen said, brushing aside a willow branch. He let out a mocking laugh. "Yet he says nothing, keeping you confined to this manor. Though things aren't what they used to be, you are still the son of the Prince of Yan. Are you really going to just submit to his whims?" He tightened his grip on Xin Yi’s shoulder. "We are cousins. If you want to vent your frustrations, I will certainly help you. In this capital, when it comes to the Emperor, no one carries more weight than I do."
They were standing by a pond near the study. Upon hearing this, Xin Yi’s dimples deepened. He looked up at Xin Wen with eyes full of "gratitude" and stopped walking. Xin Wen stopped as well, releasing him as he basked in the boy’s sincere admiration. He spoke with gravity, "We are both the Emperor’s grandsons. We cannot allow a mere two-character prince to trample over us."
Xin Yi quickly raised his hands to cover his eyes, as if overcome with grateful tears. Xin Wen frowned. "Don't start crying now. It’s so—hey, why are you backing away?"
Xin Yi waved his hands to indicate he was fine, his shoulders shaking slightly as he retreated step by step. Xin Wen, annoyed that a grown man would be moved to tears by a few words, felt his patience thinning. He was not a patient man by nature; he just wanted to grab Xin Yi, finish his piece, and leave. As Xin Yi turned away as if to wipe his tears, Xin Wen moved to circle around him. Before he could speak, he saw a pair of clear, dark eyes staring at him through the gaps in the boy's fingers. There wasn't a single trace of gratitude or sorrow in them.
"You—"
A sudden, heavy force slammed into his abdomen. Caught completely off guard, Xin Wen stumbled backward. He hadn't realized the pond was directly behind him. With a loud splash, he tumbled into the water, sending spray flying in every direction.
Xin Yi stood by the water's edge. He took the kerchief he had used to wipe his sweat and meticulously scrubbed the shoulder where Xin Wen had touched him. He watched with a mild gaze as the other man thrashed in the water, red-faced with fury. The dimples in Xin Yi’s cheeks flickered briefly before vanishing into a mask of indifference.
Veins throbbed at Xin Wen’s temples as he slapped the water, cursing loudly. "You... you mute Beiyang dog! You bite hard without making a sound!"
Xin Yi looked down at him placidly. Though the summer afternoon water was warm, a chill raced down Xin Wen’s spine.
"Oh dear!" Old Qu cried out from behind, hurrying to the water's edge. "Quickly, help the Heir up! We keep fish in here, and the bottom is nothing but mud. We cannot have the Heir’s boots getting soiled." The old man then chuckled. "If your manor is short on fresh fish, you need only ask me. A few fish are nothing to this household, so why on earth did you feel the need to jump in yourself?"
Xin Wen ignored him. Once hauled onto the bank, his silk robes dripping and bedraggled, he lunged toward Xin Yi. He grabbed the boy’s collar, hissing through gritted teeth, "Go ahead and show your claws! I don't believe for a second that Bai Jiu will actually back you up! You’ll pay for this bite!"
Xin Yi looked down at the wet hands wrinkling his collar, then looked up with a smile of pure, innocent vulnerability. Yet, in the depths of his eyes, Xin Wen saw a sharp, piercing contempt that stung like a blade.
This boy was indeed a wolf raised in Beiyang, merely wearing a sheep’s skin to deceive the world.
Inside the study, the man who had been watching the entire time set his teacup down on the table. Steam curled into the air. His cold fingertips traced the rim of the cup as he stared toward the pond in absolute silence.
***
By the time Xin Wen stormed off, Xin Yi was already thinking about how delicious the grilled fish from the previous night had been. Since he was already by the pond, he wondered if he should catch a few to have for dinner. Lost in thought, he returned to his room and fell into a deep sleep.
He didn't know how long he slept, but he was eventually roused by the faint, rhythmic sound of a blade scraping against stone. Still groggy, Xin Yi lay there for a long time before realizing something was amiss. He rolled over and looked up with bleary eyes, only to see a pair of hands... exceptionally beautiful hands, holding a carving tool and working on a piece of raw jade.
The setting sun filtered through the window lattice, casting a warm glow over the man’s focused face. His usually sharp, vivid features had softened into a look of calm, cold concentration. The slight curve of his narrow eyes was mesmerizing. When he wasn't smiling, he didn't look harsh; instead, he seemed quiet and approachable.
As Xin Yi watched, a strange, tingling sensation washed over him. He abruptly rolled back over, burying his face in the bolster to hide. But the bolster was filled with that same crisp, cool scent that belonged to the man, leaving him with nowhere to escape. He felt a light flick against the back of his head. Xin Yi’s ears turned red again. The man’s cold finger moved to the exposed tip of his ear and flicked it gently. Xin Yi flinched, scurrying toward the window and curling into a ball. He used the bolster to shield his face, leaving only his eyes visible as he peered at Bai Jiu, seemingly baffled by the touch.
"Are you a puppy?" Bai Jiu asked, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at him. "I thought I was a rather approachable person."
Xin Yi’s face burned. He managed a muffled, "Mm."
"Was the medicine from last night comfortable?" Bai Jiu reached out. "I applied it myself, so I want to check."
If he hadn't mentioned it, Xin Yi might have been fine, but the reminder made him retreat even further behind the bolster. "It... it was comfortable. No need to look, thank you..."
"Oh." Bai Jiu suddenly leaned over, bracing himself beside Xin Yi’s legs. He snatched the bolster away and tossed it aside, staring him down. "I want to see."
"No..." As his robes were lifted, Xin Yi gripped the fabric tightly, refusing to let go. "Truly, there is no need. I wouldn't dare trouble you."
"Does my scent smell good?"
"Tru—what?" Xin Yi froze. In the next instant, the world flipped. He was pinned down onto the daybed, his robes pulled up from behind to reveal the scars on his back. He was both furious and mortified, unable to comprehend why Bai Jiu kept touching him like this.
A sudden chill hit his back. The man was actually tracing the scars with his fingers, moving back and forth over every mark. The sensation made Xin Yi shudder. He buried his face in the cushions, his intended protest dying in his throat. He felt like biting the padding in frustration.
"How did you get these? Xin Zhenxiao didn't have teeth this sharp."
Xin Yi had turned into a virtual ostrich, his voice muffled by the cushions. "Xin Zhenxiao’s dogs had sharp teeth."
Bai Jiu’s brow furrowed. "He set dogs on you?"
"Mm..." Xin Yi felt that admitting this made him seem weak, so he added, "I stabbed him. He couldn't get up, so he could only release the dogs."
Bai Jiu’s expression darkened as he recalled something. His fingertips continued to trace the lines on the boy's back. After a long silence, Xin Yi’s voice trembled, sounding almost as if he were on the verge of tears. "Stop... stop touching them."
Bai Jiu reached under the cushion and tilted Xin Yi’s face up. It was burning hot. He pinched the boy’s chin and asked, "When you burned Posuo City, did you set dogs on him?"
Xin Yi’s face was impossibly red. Because they were so close, he could feel the fabric of Bai Jiu’s robes against his bare skin where his own shirt had been lifted. The cool scent overwhelmed him. "I didn't... have time."
"It doesn't matter." A cold smile touched Bai Jiu’s lips. "He was drawn and quartered. Even if he was charred to a crisp, he was only fit to be fed to the dogs."
***
