Chapter 43

Qixue’s watery eyes brimmed with amusement as his soft fingertip lingered on Ji Yuheng’s lips, slightly probing past his teeth.

Ji Yuheng had no choice but to suck on his fingertip, his ears already flushed red. His heart felt as if it had been gently touched by Qixue too—numb and itchy, an inner longing he could no longer suppress no matter how hard he tried. In a soft voice, he said, “I want it.”

“Be more specific,” Qixue said. “How else will I know what you want?”

“I want you to kiss me.”

Ji Yuheng’s breathing trembled faintly, like a marionette on strings in Qixue’s hands, entirely at his mercy.

“Kiss where?” Qixue asked coyly.

“My lips.” Ji Yuheng turned the tables, placing his hand over Qixue’s to press it more firmly against his lips. “I want Your Ladyship to kiss me here.”

“Your lips, huh…”

Qixue stroked them a few times before suddenly turning cold, yanking his hand back. Indifferently, he said, “In your dreams. How could I possibly kiss you? Ji Yuheng, you shameless pervert—don’t get ahead of yourself.”

Ji Yuheng froze, his eager anticipation doused like a bucket of cold water. He lowered his eyes in dejection. “I’m sorry. I was too forward.”

“But…” Qixue pulled a pearl hairpin from his hair, letting his black locks cascade softly over his shoulders. “I can give you this instead. It’s the hairpin I wear often. You can trade it for your bracelet.”

He placed the pearl hairpin in Ji Yuheng’s hand, unaware that gifting a hairpin was akin to exchanging tokens of betrothal with him—far more intimate than a kiss.

Ji Yuheng gazed at the pearl hairpin, ripples of emotion shimmering in his eyes. All his disappointment melted away in that moment, replaced by even deeper affection.

He wrapped the hairpin carefully in his handkerchief and tucked it into his collar. “Thank you, Your Ladyship. I will treasure your gift.”

Qixue nodded happily. He realized that as long as Ji Yuheng wasn’t made Crown Prince, he was actually quite a decent person. After all the torment he’d put him through, Ji Yuheng not only harbored no resentment but treated him with exceptional leniency and gentleness. He found himself liking Ji Yuheng more and more.

“Starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come here anymore. Get some good rest at night.”

He patted Ji Yuheng’s shoulder. “I’ve forgiven your impropriety toward me. From now on, we’re even. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll visit you in Nanping County.”

Ji Yuheng was caught off guard. He never imagined Qixue would dismiss him so quickly, and a sudden sense of abandonment washed over him. His body trembled, his face paling slightly.

His heart ached at the thought that they would never meet again. With profound reluctance, he could only muster a bitter smile. “Thank you for your understanding, Your Ladyship.”

Yet he couldn’t bear to let it go just like that. He clenched his fist and pleaded for himself. “As long as I’m not taking the provincial exams, I’m free anytime. If the mother rabbit or the young ones fall ill, please summon me to the palace at any time. I will do everything in my power to treat them.”

“Sure.”

Qixue agreed casually, oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions in Ji Yuheng’s heart. He treated it as a mundane matter. “You should go now. I need to freshen up before seeing His Majesty. I’ll call for you if needed.”

Ji Yuheng left Chenglu Palace in a daze. Qixue freshened up and took a palanquin to Chang Le Palace, arriving just as the ministers were exiting. They bowed to him one after another. “Greetings to the Noble Consort.”

“Please rise, my lords.”

Qixue made a gentle lifting gesture, his tone warm and approachable. “You lords serve the nation with loyal hearts and tireless wisdom, forgetting meals for state affairs—you are the pillars of the realm. How could I presume to put on airs as Noble Consort before you? That would be too much for me to bear.”

The ministers rose and exchanged a few words with him before taking their leave, all harboring highly favorable impressions of Qixue.

When they had first laid eyes on the Noble Consort Qi, they saw only His Majesty’s boundless favoritism and her otherworldly beauty, fearing she might become a calamitous seductress.

But over this period, they discovered that Noble Consort Qi was not the arrogant and domineering figure they had imagined. Instead, she was remarkably gentle and amiable.

His Majesty had not neglected state affairs because of her. In fact, since her arrival in the palace, his health had improved remarkably. Her presence brought fortune to His Majesty, like an auspicious star blessing him.

The ministers departed the palace with hearts full of relief. Qixue entered the bedchamber and, upon seeing Helan Ji, threw himself into his arms coquettishly. “Your Majesty, I missed you so much…”

Helan Ji caught Qixue in his embrace, leaning down to kiss the tip of his nose and his lips. “We see each other every night. Why does Yuan Yuan still miss me?”

“I miss you because I miss you. Do I need a reason?”

Qixue clung to him, refusing to let go. He tiptoed to kiss his cheek. “I’ve been pining for Your Majesty like this—surely you missed me a little too? Otherwise, I’ll get mad.”

“Of course I missed you,” Helan Ji said.

“How much?” Qixue poked his chest.

Helan Ji replied, “Every moment.”

Qixue shot him a glance, sweetly chiding him. “That’s so fake. I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true.”

Helan Ji gently took his fingers and kissed them at his lips.

Though his health had improved lately, without Yuan Yuan by his side, he couldn’t feel Yuan Yuan’s affection and still suffered from the backlash of witchcraft. Only when Yuan Yuan came did he feel at ease. How could he not miss him?

Yet he didn’t want to bind Yuan Yuan to his side for selfish reasons. Yuan Yuan had his own life, and he hoped Yuan Yuan enjoyed his time in the palace rather than revolving entirely around him—that would be too pitiful for Yuan Yuan.

Yuan Yuan was his spouse, not his slave. Seeing him every night was enough for him.

“Your Majesty…”

Qixue’s heart swelled with sweetness. He transformed into Rabbit Tuan and rolled around in Helan Ji’s arms, coquettishly expressing his fondness.

Only when Helan Ji’s collar was saturated with his scent did he revert to human form, satisfied. He planted a heavy kiss on Helan Ji’s face. “I love Your Majesty so much.”

Helan Ji leaned down to kiss his lips, lingering for a long time. “I love Yuan Yuan too.”

Though his nature was aloof and taciturn with others, with Qixue, he was never stingy with sweet words. He didn’t find them hard to say. Yuan Yuan always professed his love, so he naturally reciprocated—he wouldn’t let Yuan Yuan’s feelings go unanswered.

Helan Ji kissed Qixue’s snowy neck, shoulders, and arms. Qixue trembled slightly, softly calling, “Your Majesty…”

When he reached Qixue’s wrist, Helan Ji spotted the jade bracelet and paused. He examined it closely before asking, “Where did this jade bracelet come from?”

Qixue blinked in surprise at Helan Ji’s reaction. “A friend gave it to me. Is there something wrong with the bracelet?”

He slipped it off and handed it to Helan Ji. Helan Ji studied it, then passed it to Eunuch Xue. “Doesn’t it look just like the one my mother gave the Long Princess?”

Eunuch Xue squinted at it for a moment. “Oh my, it really is—almost identical. Could it be the Long Princess’s very own?”

Helan Ji turned to Qixue. “Who gave you this jade bracelet?”

Qixue’s heart skipped a beat. The Long Princess? Isn’t that Ji Yuheng’s grandmother? So the bracelet he gave me wasn’t just any random pick—it was a treasured heirloom from his grandmother?

“It was… Ji Shizi.”

Qixue had no choice but to tell the truth. He found he couldn’t lie to Helan Ji, who always saw through his deceptions.

“He needed a favor from me, so he gave me this bracelet. Your Majesty knows how many imperial kin and ministers have been currying favor lately… Is there a problem with me accepting it? If there is, I’ll return it right away.”

This wasn’t a lie, so he felt perfectly at ease. Ji Yuheng had begged him to accept it. But why that particular bracelet? Was it meant to frame him in front of His Majesty?

“It was Ji Shizi who gave it to Your Ladyship?” Eunuch Xue paused, then beamed with delight. “Then it truly is the bracelet the Empress gave to the Long Princess. Who would have thought it would circle back to Your Ladyship’s hands? You and this jade bracelet are truly fated.”

“Fated?” Qixue asked.

Eunuch Xue was about to explain when Helan Ji frowned slightly and spoke first. “What favor did Ji Yuheng seek from you?”

Ji Yuheng had excelled in every provincial exam, dominating the top spots and claiming multiple first places. Helan Ji had intended to name him heir, but now that Ji Yuheng was sending lavish gifts to curry favor with Qixue, how could anyone trust his character?

Qixue replied, “It wasn’t anything major…”

To conceal their nightly meetings, he had no choice but to mention the letter. “He had a letter he wanted to deliver to Your Majesty.”

The first half answered His Majesty’s question; the second stated a fact. That wasn’t lying, right?

Helan Ji asked, “What letter?”

Qixue inwardly cursed Ji Yuheng’s destiny. He’d wanted to intercept the anonymous letter to the Prime Minister, but now it had backfired spectacularly, delivering it straight to His Majesty under Ji Yuheng’s name.

At least he didn’t hate Ji Yuheng as much anymore, so he could accept it.

“He advised Your Majesty against naming an heir.”

Qixue explained to Helan Ji, “He believes Your Majesty is still young and can sire children with me in the future. Adopting from imperial kin could lead to trouble later. Your Majesty, I think he has a point. I’m not afraid of hardship—I’m very willing to bear children for you…”

Helan Ji pondered for a moment. “He is indeed a gentleman loyal to the nation.”

Qixue grew a bit nervous and tugged at Helan Ji’s sleeve. “Your Majesty, Ji Shizi also told me he has no interest in the East Palace. After the exams, he plans to return to Nanping County. If he has no desire for the throne, please don’t force him.”

“I won’t compel him,” Helan Ji said. “If he harbors no ambition at all, he’s unfit for the position.”

“Yes, yes.” Qixue nodded vigorously like a pecking chick, finally relieved.

Helan Ji returned the jade bracelet to Qixue. “No need to give the jade bracelet back to Ji Yuheng. It was meant for you all along. Now it’s returned to its rightful owner—you should be its mistress.”

“It was meant for me?” Qixue exclaimed in surprise. “What do you mean?”

Eunuch Xue grinned and enlightened him. “Isn’t Your Ladyship curious how His Majesty recognized it? Look closely—isn’t the floater inside shaped just like a little rabbit?”

Qixue examined the jade bracelet carefully. The jade was crystal clear and pure, with only a small pale blue floater. From a certain angle, it indeed resembled a little rabbit.

Eunuch Xue, deeply trusted by Helan Ji and aware of Qixue’s past as the little rabbit demon, continued, “Back then, His Majesty saw this rabbit jade bracelet and loved it dearly. He wanted to keep it for Your Ladyship to give you upon reuniting someday.”

“But the bracelet was a birthday gift the Empress prepared for the Long Princess—exceedingly precious. The Long Princess adored it too, so the Empress didn’t give it to His Majesty, leaving him heartbroken for a long time.”

“Years later, it seems Ji Shizi happened to select this bracelet from the County Princess Mansion’s treasury and presented it to Your Ladyship as a gift. Full circle—it’s in your hands now. Isn’t this the fate between His Majesty and Your Ladyship?”

Qixue’s eyes shimmered with emotion, overjoyed. “Exactly! It’s the fate between me and Your Majesty—our token of betrothal.”

He had only liked the bracelet mildly before, but now it was his most cherished accessory. Not only would he wear it daily, but when he returned to Dali Mountain, he’d keep it with him forever.

Helan Ji embraced Qixue. “Yes, it’s the token of betrothal between me and Yuan Yuan.”

“I’m so happy.” Qixue hugged him back joyfully. “So my fate with Your Majesty was destined by the heavens.”

The two murmured sweet nothings for a while longer. After Helan Ji bathed, they retired to bed together. As he lifted the bed curtains, Qixue was still toying fondly with the jade bracelet.

“You like it that much?” Helan Ji pulled back the brocade quilt and sat beside him.

“Of course. It’s a token of Your Majesty’s affection for me.”

Qixue said sweetly as he slipped the jade bracelet back onto his wrist, “I really didn’t expect that Your Majesty has been thinking of me all these years. And those rabbit carvings—you truly prepared so many things for me, yet I haven’t prepared anything for Your Majesty…”

Helan Ji kissed the top of his head. “Yuan Yuan returning to my side is the best gift.”

“Your Majesty is so good to me.” Qixue nestled in his arms, acting spoiled. With some curiosity, he added, “By the way, Your Majesty, I want to hear about your childhood. You haven’t told me about it yet.”

Helan Ji fell silent for a moment. “There’s nothing worth saying about those past events.”

“How could that be? I just want to hear it.” Qixue shook his sleeve. “I want to hear the story of the bracelet and the carvings. What kind of mood were you in back then to carve so many for me?”