Chapter 19

Qixue was imprisoned by Wei Huai.

When he woke up again that night after fainting, he found himself not in his original place, but in a strange room adorned with pearl curtains and silver screens.

He wanted to get out of bed and walk around, but he discovered that the golden ankle bracelet had been fitted with a golden chain, the other end connected to the wall. Its length reached just to the doorway, yet he couldn’t step out of the room even half a pace—he was trapped.

Judging by its shape and style, the golden ankle bracelet combined with the golden chain formed a complete magical artifact, designed to restrain demons. It turned out Wei Huai had long harbored intentions to imprison him. To think Qixue had regarded the shackle as a precious gift and worn it foolishly every day.

Sigh…

Qixue sat back on the bed dejectedly, parting the collar of his undergarments and looking down at the rubies piercing his chest.

He had provoked Wei Huai’s fury and ended up fitted with the nipple rings after all. Though they didn’t hurt, he didn’t dare pull them out easily. What if they still hung from his chest when he transformed back into a rabbit?

That said, as long as the ankle bracelet remained, he couldn’t transform into a rabbit. Escaping on his own power was nearly impossible.

Moreover, without the Young Master’s Command Token in his possession, he now had only two options: wait for Luxiangqiu to find someone to rescue him, or use a strand of rabbit fur to seek help from Lady Shanyin.

Qixue thought it over and felt reluctant to part with a strand of fur. It wasn’t that urgent anyway; he could wait a bit longer for Luxiangqiu.

As he pondered, Apricot pushed open the door from outside and entered the room. Seeing that Qixue was awake, she froze for a moment, then immediately pulled two gold ingots from her pouch and handed them to him. “Young Master, these are your things.”

“They’re yours now.”

Qixue quickly pushed them back. “You’ve taken care of me for so long, and I haven’t given you anything in return. Just take them as a token of my appreciation.”

“I don’t need gifts from you, Young Master.”

Apricot clutched the gold ingots, her face full of sorrow as if she were about to cry. “I only hope you won’t leave without a word again… Was it because I didn’t serve you well and annoyed you that you wanted to leave?”

Qixue felt a pang of guilt and hurriedly comforted her. “How could it be your fault? I’ve had a wonderful time these past few months. I left because I had no choice, but I’m glad we’ve become friends.”

“R-Really?” Apricot stammered in a daze. “What about Luxiangqiu, then? Even she left…”

“She left to accompany me.” Qixue ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry, both Luxiangqiu and I like you a lot. You’re our good friend.”

Only then did Apricot break into a smile through her tears. Under Qixue’s persuasion, she accepted the gold ingots, though she insisted on using the money to buy him lots of delicious food. Shangjing’s cuisine was endless in variety, and Qixue was sure to love it.

Qixue seized the chance to ask, “Where are we now? Inside the imperial city?”

“Yes, this is the General’s Mansion on Mingde Street, not far from the Imperial Palace,” Apricot replied.

The Imperial Palace…

The thought that he was now so close to Helan Ji only strengthened Qixue’s resolve to escape. He had to meet His Majesty.

They chatted a bit more, and then Apricot went to fetch food for him. Soon, several maidservants entered to help Qixue change and wash up. Unlike the harsh days on campaign, everything in the General’s Mansion was luxurious and extravagant, with plenty of servants—it certainly wasn’t just one young girl like Apricot attending to him.

That evening, Wei Huai returned to the General’s Mansion, and his first stop was to visit Qixue.

The torment from last night’s pillow talk was still fresh in his mind, and now knowing Wei Huai wasn’t human, Qixue felt afraid the moment he saw him. Only when Wei Huai pulled him into his arms did he force a smile and say softly, “Seventh Brother… you’re back.”

Wei Huai seemed to have calmed down, still wearing that smiling expression. He leaned down and lightly kissed Qixue’s lips. “Were you bored staying in the room all day? I’ll take you out for a stroll after dinner.”

His attitude was natural and nonchalant, but to Qixue, he seemed terrifying—as if imprisoning him were the most normal thing in the world, not even worth getting angry or arguing about.

Wei Huai half-knelt by Qixue’s feet and removed the ankle bracelet for him. Qixue reacted swiftly, transforming into Rabbit Tuan and trying to flee, but Wei Huai’s reflexes far exceeded those of an ordinary person. He scooped him up into his palm and said with a smile, “A Xue’s true form is so adorable.”

He released a wisp of demon qi, and Rabbit Tuan froze in fear, allowing Wei Huai to tuck him into his robes, leaving only a small head poking out.

The only good news was that with the transformation into Rabbit Tuan, the nipple rings vanished like his clothes, so he wouldn’t have to dangle them around.

Wei Huai fed Rabbit Tuan some food and strolled around the mansion with him. Rabbit Tuan watched everything intently, committing the layout to memory. Wei Huai chuckled and tapped his head. “Thinking about how to escape again?”

“I didn’t…”

Rabbit Tuan instinctively started to deny it, but halfway through, he realized something was off. Why couldn’t he think about escaping? Did he have to stay willingly?

“You’re right, I am thinking about running.”

He jumped out from Wei Huai’s robes, shifting back to human form, and stared straight into Wei Huai’s eyes. “Seventh Brother, how long do you plan to keep me imprisoned? As long as I don’t yield to you, will you lock me up forever?”

Wei Huai met his gaze steadily. After a long moment, he reached out to stroke Qixue’s cheek. “I won’t keep you that long. Once you bear my child, I’ll let you go.”

Qixue’s body stiffened. Indeed, if he got pregnant with Wei Huai’s child, escape would be impossible then. With the Childbearing Pill on the way and their intense nightly lovemaking, it might only take a few days…

Terror showed on his face, and Wei Huai swept him up by the waist, hoisting him over his shoulder. “Looks like A Xue can’t wait to bear my child.”

“I don’t want to give birth! Wei Huai, put me down!”

Qixue pounded frantically on Wei Huai’s back in panic, but his strength was no more than a rabbit’s—mere tickles to Wei Huai, who didn’t even bother using demon qi to intimidate him.

“Whether you want to or not, you will.”

Wei Huai tossed Qixue onto the bed, his warm palm pressing over Qixue’s lower abdomen. “You promised me, A Xue. Don’t go back on your word.”

…

Qixue figured bearing a child was just Wei Huai’s excuse; his real aim was to indulge himself. The Childbearing Pill hadn’t arrived yet, but Wei Huai was already going at it every night as if trying to fuck him to death, leaving him sleeping until afternoon with no time to plan an escape.

Rescuing Qixue was difficult for Luxiangqiu too; after several days, they hadn’t even reestablished contact. Seeing the situation was dire, Qixue wised up, no longer clashing with Wei Huai so openly. He became soft and clingy again.

Wei Huai finally moderated himself somewhat; at least Qixue could struggle out of bed by morning each day.

Qixue took the opportunity to probe Wei Huai. He wanted to know how Wei Huai had seen through his demon clan identity—clearly, he had no demon qi, just as Wei Huai didn’t. Only by understanding could he avoid repeating the mistake.

“You had plenty of slip-ups.”

Wei Huai told him candidly. “Back when you were illiterate, I knew you weren’t Madam Xu’s nephew. She’s from a noble family; all her clan’s children are scholars and couldn’t possibly be ignorant of letters.”

“Your identity was fake, yet you were inexperienced in bed matters—not a well-trained male pet, nor the child of poor folk, or else you wouldn’t have such delicate skin.”

“Once your parrot friend entered the camp, I was certain you were a demon. You pretended it was your first meeting, but your rapport was extraordinary—you were clearly old acquaintances, close friends.”

The truth was so brutally simple. Qixue flushed with embarrassment. He’d thought he had no flaws, but they were as obvious as holes in a sieve.

He murmured, “Since you knew all along, why didn’t you expose me sooner?”

“At first, it was amusing.”

Wei Huai said, “I didn’t care about your motives for approaching me. You couldn’t harm me, and you suited my tastes perfectly. Playing along was fine.”

“Later, there was no need. You’re you—my A Xue. Since you didn’t want to tell, I wouldn’t pry into your secrets.”

His gaze toward Qixue was gentle as water. Qixue bit his lip and asked Wei Huai, “And how do you hide your demon qi? I can’t smell your scent. What kind of demon are you truly?”

Wei Huai pinched his ear. “Guess.”

“Wolf? Snake?” Qixue guessed based on his green eyes.

“Neither.” Wei Huai smiled faintly. “I’ll let you see one day. Now, come try on some new clothes with me.”

A few days earlier, the embroiderers had taken Qixue’s measurements meticulously. With the new year approaching, Qixue thought it was for festival attire, but his face paled at the sight. The embroiderers presented a dazzling set of bright red wedding robes.

“This wedding outfit was crafted day and night by over a hundred embroiderers. Do you like it, A Xue?”

Wei Huai smiled, pulling Qixue close by the waist and pointing out the embroidery patterns. Besides traditional auspicious motifs, the hem featured lively, adorable little rabbits embroidered in gold thread, each with a different expression but all resembling Qixue’s true form.

Objectively, the wedding robes were exquisitely beautiful, but Qixue couldn’t utter a word of praise. Wei Huai wasn’t upset; he kissed him and said, “I’m very pleased. Since A Xue doesn’t dislike it, the patterns are set.”

“The third is an auspicious day for marriage. Our wedding will be then.”

Wei Huai had originally said their wedding would be in spring or summer; Qixue hadn’t expected him to advance it so much. As he wondered if his escape attempt had spurred this, Wei Huai suddenly asked, “Do you know why I moved up our wedding date?”

Qixue shook his head. Wei Huai laughed. “Because the people I sent have obtained the Baosui Pill. On the third, Xie Guoshi’s disciple will personally deliver it down the mountain. A Xue, we’ll have a child soon.”

Qixue’s legs went weak, and he collapsed into Wei Huai’s arms. Wei Huai held him as they tried on the wedding robes; the fit was perfect, the masterful cut and embroidery accentuating his slender waist and radiant beauty.

“A Xue is so beautiful.”

Wei Huai fastened the wedding robe’s sash for him and gently caressed his cheek. “I’ve obtained an imperial decree granting our marriage. Now all under heaven knows you’re my wife. On our wedding day, His Majesty will personally officiate, with civil and military officials as guests. Prefect Xu and Madam Xu will come specially from Qing County to witness it.”

Hearing that Helan Ji would attend the wedding, Qixue felt not excitement at seeing his benefactor, but cold sweat breaking out.

He had to escape before the wedding. If Helan Ji saw him as a minister’s wife, how could he enter the palace as a favored consort?

Qixue decided not to wait any longer. He plucked a strand of rabbit fur and hid it in his hand, silently invoking Lady Shanyin’s holy name in his heart, begging her to help him flee the General’s Mansion.

Lady Shanyin responded swiftly—not in words, but a mystical sensation. Qixue knew she had received his plea; now he just had to wait for her to manifest.

Qixue had no idea how Lady Shanyin would appear. He waited anxiously, but even on the day of the wedding, panic set in. Why hadn’t she come to save him?

Early in the morning, Qixue sat rigidly before the dressing mirror, letting the maidservants adorn him lavishly.

He was already stunningly beautiful; the elaborate makeup amplified it, leaving even the maidservants who’d served him for days dazed as they applied it, captivated by his peerless allure.

The dressing took the entire morning: hair coiled into an elaborate updo, adorned with gold and jade ornaments. The maidservants carefully placed the pearl crown on Qixue’s head and handed him a fan inlaid with jade beads.

When Wei Huai came to fetch him, Qixue would veil his face with the fan; Wei Huai would carry him into the flower sedan, and he’d hold it up during the bows.

Qixue was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He knew Wei Huai would start from the Guogong Mansion today to receive him at the General’s Mansion. But even without Wei Huai there, he couldn’t escape—the golden chain still locked his ankle, and he was surrounded by guards. He was helpless.

By afternoon, amid his anxiety, he heard noisy crowds and music outside—the wedding procession had arrived.

Qixue wanted to hide but had nowhere to go. Amid cries of congratulations, he heard Wei Huai’s footsteps approaching, then the door creaked open.

Wei Huai entered the room, clad in his own set of bright red wedding robes, looking dashingly handsome and majestic.

He looked at Qixue, his eyes filled with undisguised awe and affection from the depths of his heart. His brows curved in a smile as he praised, “A Xue’s beauty is rare in this world. To marry you is truly my fortune from three lifetimes.”

Qixue forced a smile and obediently allowed Wei Huai to remove the golden chain. Wei Huai carried him out of the bedroom and walked step by step toward the flower sedan.

“As long as we complete the wedding rites, we will truly be husband and wife.”

Wei Huai held him, his eyes brimming with mirth, and whispered in his ear, “No matter what you’ve hidden from me, no matter who is in your heart, you will forever be my wife.”

“A Xue, it’s you and me until death do us part.”