Two inner servants brought a chair for Qixue and placed it not far from Helan Ji.
Several stacks of memorials towered on the desk in front of Helan Ji, each pile reaching high. Coincidentally, the Nightmare Demon delivered another batch of new ones. It would undoubtedly take one or two hours to finish them all.
If it had been anyone else, they would have been terrified and uneasy at Helan Ji’s demand to stay and pretend to be happy. But not Qixue. He sat down joyfully, unwilling even to blink, gazing at Helan Ji with affectionate eyes as he reviewed the memorials.
His mood was as light as the wind, gently brushing against Helan Ji and continuously bringing him warmth.
Helan Ji had long used witchcraft, and as a price, he was eroded by the yin-cold and filthy forces. Not only had his body deteriorated greatly, but his spirit was also polluted, often subjecting him to agonizing torment and severe headaches.
But now, Qixue sat just an arm’s length away. His love was so intense, like warm spring light melting ice, dispelling those filthy forces and warming Helan Ji’s cold body.
The bone-deep pain was greatly alleviated. Helan Ji had not felt this relaxed in a long time.
He knew it was thanks to Qixue. Qixue had not lied to him. He was truly happy upon seeing him, and it was precisely because Qixue loved him that it delayed the backlash of the witchcraft.
“…”
Helan Ji stared at Qixue for a moment before finally lowering his eyes and picking up his brush to issue his imperial rescripts.
His handwriting was already bold and vigorous, but with Qixue by his side, his pain nearly vanished, making the strokes even more powerful and fluid.
Qixue sat quietly beside him without disturbing him, watching with relish all afternoon. When Helan Ji finally finished the memorials, Qixue knew it was time to leave. He stood up reluctantly and said softly, “A Xue will take his leave now.”
He picked up the food box, bowed dejectedly, and after lifting the curtain, he couldn’t help but look back. Coincidentally, Helan Ji was looking at him too.
“Come see me tomorrow at this same time,” Helan Ji said.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Qixue’s eyes lit up, and he left happily. Helan Ji stared at his retreating figure but did not send the Nightmare Demon to track or monitor him.
–
After gaining Xu Taifei’s favor, Qixue suddenly lived a life of fine clothes and delicacies. He also transferred Dong Yuan to Cuiwei Palace as promised, keeping him by his side to serve.
Qixue’s status was not that of an inner servant, yet he had no official title. He had thought Dong Yuan would hesitate and make excuses to delay coming. But to his surprise, Dong Yuan moved into Cuiwei Palace without a word, becoming Qixue’s personal attendant.
Dong Yuan had been in the palace for ten years and was skilled at all kinds of serving tasks, doing them exceptionally well. He was proficient in brewing tea, cooking wine, dressing hair, massaging—everything. He also made excellent medicinal meals. In just a few days, Qixue’s complexion had improved noticeably.
In the morning, Qixue sat lazily in front of the vanity, waiting for Dong Yuan to style his hair.
Dong Yuan gathered his silky, satin-like long hair and gently combed it with a sandalwood comb. With little effort, it slid smoothly to the ends, nearly slipping from his hand—Qixue’s hair was just that soft.
Dong Yuan inserted a hairpin and smiled, praising, “I truly wonder what spiritual land and water nurtured such a wonderful young master. Even your hair strands are so lovable.”
Qixue smiled proudly and touched the jade butterfly on the hairpin. “Of course. My homeland is the best place in the world.”
Once his makeup and hair were done, Qixue stood up. Dong Yuan bowed slightly and reached out to support him, but Qixue swatted his hand away. “I’m not unable to walk. No need to help me.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Dong Yuan smiled in response and dutifully knelt to change Qixue into a pair of beaded flower-embroidered shoes for going out.
Qixue’s schedule these past few days had been similar: mornings with Xu Taifei, afternoons delivering soup to Helan Ji, staying at Chang Le Palace until before dinner.
But today, he did not go to Xu Taifei. Instead, he went to the palace gate to personally welcome Luxiangqiu into the Imperial Palace.
Just the day before yesterday, he had boldly made a request to Helan Ji: to bring his “demon pet” parrot into the palace. He hadn’t asked Xu Taifei because her health was poor and Cuiwei Palace forbade keeping demons. So he turned to Helan Ji.
Qixue had planned that if Helan Ji agreed, he would house Luxiangqiu in another palace. But unexpectedly, Helan Ji glanced at him and said, “She can stay in Chang Le Palace, but you must tend to her.”
House Luxiangqiu in Chang Le Palace? That wouldn’t do. With all those poisons and fierce beasts there, she would be scared sick.
Qixue was willing to obey Helan Ji in everything, but not this. Just as he was about to refuse, Eunuch Xue spoke first.
“This servant will prepare a room for Young Master’s beloved pet right away.”
Eunuch Xue smiled. “This way, it’s convenient for Young Master to care for her, and if you’re tired, you can rest there directly. Isn’t that perfect?”
Qixue was stunned, his mind racing. A room for him? Did that mean he could stay overnight in Chang Le Palace?
At the thought, he grew excited. If he could stay the night, wouldn’t it be easy to climb into His Majesty’s bed?
Qixue beamed and bowed. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.”
Since he could share a room with Luxiangqiu, her safety was assured. During the day, she could wait in another palace.
After picking up Luxiangqiu, Qixue explained the situation. The little parrot chattered in surprise, “You’re amazing! In just a few days, you’re already living with His Majesty!”
Qixue was smug. Though their cohabitation wasn’t like that of a consort, it didn’t hinder his plans at all. “You’ll have to live in a palace full of demons. Is that okay?”
“Of course! I’m not afraid of those mortals. And you’ll be with me,” Luxiangqiu puffed out her chest.
Qixue carried the birdcage to Eunuch Xue for registration, so the palace demons wouldn’t attack her.
Eunuch Xue led Qixue to the prepared room, which was luxuriously furnished, even featuring a pure gold bird perch. Luxiangqiu’s eyes gleamed; she hopped onto it immediately to claim it.
“When we leave the palace, you have to help me take this perch. I’ll buy a mountain of melon seeds!” she whispered to Qixue.
Qixue nodded with a smile and surveyed the room. Surprisingly, there was almost no demon qi or fierce beast aura—it had clearly been specially cleaned. The adjacent rooms had also removed their beast cages.
Had His Majesty ordered this specially?
Qixue thought happily when Luxiangqiu suddenly said, “By the way, do you want to contact Sang Chi? He’s been trying to reach you but couldn’t.”
“Sang Chi?”
Qixue puzzledly took out the Young Master’s Command Token and infused it with demon power. Sang Chi’s voice came immediately: “Qixue?”
He sounded anxious. Qixue asked, “What happened?”
“I should be asking you that.”
Hearing Qixue’s normal tone, Sang Chi secretly relaxed but asked discontentedly, “I heard Wei Huai caught you. Are you okay now? Why didn’t you tell me? And why no contact for so long?”
Qixue thought for a moment, recalling: He had asked Sang Chi to help him enter the palace, but Wei Huai had taken him back and imprisoned him, cutting off contact. Later, Xuan Yang rescued him and returned the token, but Qixue forgot to report he was safe. It was his oversight.
But Qixue felt no guilt toward Sang Chi. Though Sang Chi had helped him since he came down the mountain, Sang Chi had bullied him for years before—nearly licking his rabbit fur bald. No amount of help could offset that.
So he said carelessly, “I forgot.”
“Qixue!”
Sang Chi sat up abruptly in bed from anger, but it pulled his wound, making him hiss and lie back carefully.
Qixue noticed something off. “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”
“Not your concern.”
Sang Chi irritably pulled the quilt over himself.
When he heard Qixue was caught, he had nearly gone mad with worry, dragging his unhealed lame leg down the mountain to find him—resulting in cracked bones and bedrest. But Qixue… how could he be so heartless!
Yet as soon as he spoke, he regretted it. Their contact was rare, and Qixue already disliked him. If Qixue ignored him now, he might never win him back…
But Qixue didn’t ignore him. His tone even softened sweetly: “How could it not be my concern? If you’re not doing well, you must tell me.” He smiled sweetly. “I only feel happy when you’re miserable.”
Sang Chi: “…”
He stared sullenly at the bed canopy, less angry now. That was just how Qixue was. As long as he was fine, no need to argue.
“I’m doing great. No need for your worry,” Sang Chi said. “You watch yourself. Always so foolish—careful or they’ll catch you and make stewed rabbit.”
