That night, Helan Ji and Qixue did nothing for once, simply embracing each other as they slept.
Qixue turned back into Rabbit Tuan and obediently lay on Helan Ji’s chest. His soft, fluffy rabbit ears rested against his heart, listening to Helan Ji’s steady, powerful heartbeat. Gradually, he calmed his sorrowful emotions and fell into a sweet slumber.
In his dream, he seemed to see a dim moonlight stretching a young boy’s shadow long across the wilderness. The boy walked alone, clutching a small jade rabbit carving, serene and solitary, going ever farther and farther.
…
Two days later.
Qixue rose unusually early. After eating breakfast with Helan Ji, he dressed and prepared to attend the County Princess of Qing County’s banquet.
The County Princess’s title was “Jia Ning.” Due to her modest status and few acquaintances in Shangjing, she had originally planned only a small banquet. She sent Qixue an invitation out of respect, never expecting him to actually come.
Upon receiving word that Qixue would attend, the Jia Ning County Princess was terrified and overjoyed. She hastily replanned the entire event overnight.
Other imperial relatives and nobles, who had previously dismissed the banquet, now scrambled for invitations. They offered thousands in gold or even sent men to seize them, all just to catch a glimpse of Qixue.
Smarter imperial kin proactively sought out the Jia Ning County Princess, offering gold and manpower to help organize the banquet.
Lacking funds and experience, and fretting over how to host a splendid affair, the County Princess gladly accepted. Thus, these relatives easily secured their spots without contention.
After much hustle, a grand and lavish spring banquet was ready.
The venue was an estate on the outskirts of Shangjing, nestled against mountains and beside water. It was built in extravagant splendor, with rare grasses and flowers framing jade towers and golden pavilions. At the center lay a vast lake dotted with ornate pleasure boats, where singing girls played and sang, drifting with the waves. Melodious tunes echoed everywhere across the estate.
It was the perfect season of burgeoning grass, warbling orioles, and misty willow blooms under a gentle spring warmth. To match the scene, Qixue donned an outfit in ice-platform green.
The soft pale green complemented the jade bracelet on his wrist, accentuating his ink-black hair and snow-white skin. He appeared as ethereal and pure as an immortal untouched by worldly smoke.
His otherworldly beauty overshadowed even the lovely spring scenery. As Dong Yuan helped him alight from the carriage, many guests stared blankly for a moment before remembering to bow.
“All of you, rise.”
Qixue smiled and followed Dong Yuan toward the Jia Ning County Princess.
She was in her early twenties, unmarried, pretty and fair-skinned, with a gentle temperament. Seeing Qixue made her terribly nervous, her words stumbling until his reassurances steadied her. “Please follow me, Your Ladyship.”
She led him to a moon-white gauze pavilion by the lake, prepared specially for him. It shielded him from prying eyes and kept out dust and insects, clean and elegant.
The gauze was light, allowing views outside while letting in air and light. The floor was carpeted, furnished with soft couches and tables, and a censer burned faint incense, sending wisps of white smoke drifting upward.
This setup clearly took much thought. Qixue smiled at the County Princess. “Thank you for your efforts.”
His smile was indescribably captivating. The County Princess blushed furiously, stammering in flattered delight, “As long as Your Ladyship likes it.”
She withdrew from the pavilion. Through the gauze curtain, Qixue saw her approach a youth in white robes and speak to him. She clearly trusted him deeply, her expression relaxed.
The white-robed youth was handsome with a stern demeanor. As he conversed with her, he glanced at the pavilion, meeting Qixue’s eyes. He nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
Dong Yuan whispered in Qixue’s ear, “He’s the Jia Ning County Princess’s retainer, named Xu Jue, a nephew from Prefect Xu’s clan in Qing County.”
A relative of Prefect Xu?
Intrigued, Qixue studied the youth a few more times, committing his face to memory. He asked Dong Yuan, “How do you know him?”
Dong Yuan smiled. “I don’t actually know Young Master Xu. I just got the guest list from the County Princess in advance and memorized all the faces to prevent any assassins from slipping in.”
He had memorized everyone in just two or three days?
Qixue praised him in astonishment. “You’re truly impressive.”
“Your Ladyship flatters me. These are mere parlor tricks. If I couldn’t even handle this, how could I have the face to serve you?” Dong Yuan said, head bowed.
Suddenly curious about him, Qixue asked eagerly, “I’ve never asked about your past. What did you do before? How do you know so much? Who taught you?”
“I was merely a servant, nothing worth mentioning.”
Dong Yuan smiled deftly, sidestepping the topic. “What would Your Ladyship like to eat? I’ll have them prepare it.”
“Bring some Qing County specialties.”
Qixue had come precisely for his hometown flavors. He missed the treats from Qing County and Dali Mountain terribly.
Dong Yuan sent a young eunuch with the request. Soon, the Jia Ning County Princess had Qing County delicacies brought—dried fruits, nuts, and pastries. After Dong Yuan tested them for poison, they were presented to Qixue.
Qing County’s nuts were local specialties, especially the seeds and almonds, plumper and more fragrant than elsewhere. After tasting them, Qixue had most packed up for Luxiangqiu—she loved dried fruits.
Dong Yuan fanned Qixue at his side. Qixue reclined on the imperial couch, nibbling a fragrant cake, leisurely enjoying the lake and mountain views. He felt utterly content.
At that moment, servants announced, “The Great General arrives—”
The realm had only one Great General, none other than the illustrious Wei Huai.
The guests stirred at his arrival. Qixue looked up in surprise and saw Wei Huai approaching.
Today, Wei Huai wore a crimson narrow-sleeved robe with a sword at his waist—dashing and flamboyant.
Guests paid their respects; he nodded with a smile, striding without pause toward the pavilion. Outside, he knelt on one knee.
“This subject greets the Noble Consort.”
Under all eyes, Wei Huai bowed his head respectfully to Qixue.
“Great General, rise.”
Qixue lounged lazily, dispensing with the formalities.
Wei Huai stood and looked through the gauze at Qixue. Gone was any deference—his gaze was bold and affectionate. Without the crowd, he would have embraced him.
Qixue took the silk fan from Dong Yuan, covering half his face and muffling his words. “Why are you here?”
Wei Huai grinned. “To see Your Ladyship, naturally. This subject languishes alone in my residence, pining so fiercely for you, yet you never summon me. I had to seize this chance myself—lest Your Ladyship find a new lover and forget me.”
His words were brazen. Qixue shot him a coquettish glare. “No one can hear, yet you keep calling me ‘Your Ladyship.’ Have you grown addicted?”
He recalled Wei Huai’s former reluctance to address him as “Noble Consort.” Now he said it with relish—was this the self-awareness of a secret lover?
That glance enchanted Wei Huai. He sobered, no longer joking. “A Xue, I really missed you.”
“Missed me?” Qixue said. “Pity you can’t have me now. Let this plate of cakes console you in my stead.”
He picked up a fragrant cake, kissed it, and returned it to the dish. He had Dong Yuan present the entire silver plate to Wei Huai.
He made no effort to hide from Dong Yuan. After all, on the wedding day when Wei Huai chased the procession, Dong Yuan had witnessed everything and knew their history.
Dong Yuan’s smile remained unchanged as he handed over the plate. Wei Huai took it, savored the kissed piece.
“How does it taste?” Qixue asked.
“This subject has never tasted such sweet, delicious cake,” Wei Huai said, staring fixedly at Qixue. “But I think it would be even better with some rabbit milk.”
“In your dreams.”
Qixue scoffed dismissively. He could indeed produce rabbit milk—those who took the Baosui Pill lactated during pregnancy. If he were pregnant, he’d have it aplenty. But why share with Wei Huai?
Even if he had milk, it would be for His Majesty and the baby—no one else would get a drop.
He waved Wei Huai off. “Go away. Clinging to me like this—what does it look like?”
“This subject takes his leave.”
Wei Huai departed, though his eyes kept drifting back.
Seeing the Great General chat amiably with the Noble Consort, guests followed suit, approaching to converse and offer gifts, hoping to impress him.
Qixue fanned himself patiently at first, but with so many—and some arguing over order—he grew annoyed and yawned lightly.
Dong Yuan caught on, politely telling the guests that the Noble Consort was fatigued and needed rest. They expressed regret but dispersed, inwardly resenting the quarrelers.
Once all left, one lingered. Dong Yuan moved to dismiss him but paused. “Ji Shizi?”
Ji Yuheng nodded and saluted into the pavilion. “Yun Qi greets the Noble Consort.”
“You’re here too?”
Qixue opened his eyes, no longer feigning sleep, tilting his head. “Did you come to the banquet to see me as well?”
As well?
Ji Yuheng paused inwardly but answered shyly, “Yes.”
He wore a jade crown, clad in raven-blue robes—upright and solemn. Like Wei Huai, he had dressed meticulously for Qixue.
Qixue regarded him. He knew “Yun Qi” was Ji Yuheng’s courtesy name. Though asleep that night and missing his words, having read the original story, he wasn’t surprised.
“Yun Qi,” he called intimately. “Tomorrow is the final academy exam. After it ends, when do you plan to leave the capital?”
His tone was gentle as water. Hearing “Yun Qi” made Ji Yuheng’s heart quiver, then sink at the question. “Likely the day after tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
Qixue lit up but realized his excitement showed too much, quickly adding, “I mean, won’t you stay longer to sightsee? I can send someone to show you around.”
Ji Yuheng lowered his eyes and shook his head gently. “Thank you for the kind offer, Your Ladyship, but I have many duties awaiting and must hurry back to my county.”
“What a pity.”
Qixue raised his fan to hide his irrepressible smile. “What time the day after? I’ll have Dong Yuan see you off.”
“Early the next morning, around chenshi. No need to trouble Attendant Dong.”
“Very well.” Qixue sighed theatrically. “I wanted to thank you properly. The mother rabbit and kits are all well, thanks to you saving them. No need to worry once you’re gone.”
His repeated “leave the capital” made it clear he wished him gone. Ji Yuheng smiled bitterly. “That’s good. I hope Your Ladyship takes care too.”
“Don’t worry.” Qixue waved, his sleeve slipping to reveal the jade bracelet.
Seeing it, Ji Yuheng’s heart soured—Qixue still wore it. He couldn’t fathom Qixue’s feelings toward him.
Young Master Xue neither liked him nor purely hated him. This ambiguity tormented his sleepless nights, replaying their interactions like mist-shrouded flowers, ever more unclear.
Meanwhile, he himself had sunk deeper and deeper into the thick fog, completely losing his sense of direction, unable to find his way back.
Now, he only wanted clarity. Since he would never see Young Master Xue again in this lifetime, he would ask him directly—at least then, when he left, he wouldn’t carry any regrets.
Ji Yuheng was just about to speak when a burst of noisy chatter interrupted him. He and Qixue both turned toward the source of the sound at the same time. It turned out that one of the guests had suggested a cuju match.
Cuju was extremely popular in Great Yong, enjoyed by everyone from nobility and royals down to common folk, regardless of gender. Most of the guests present knew how to play, and quite a few were quite skilled at it.
Eager to show off in front of the Noble Consort, they quickly formed teams on their own—sixteen players per team—dividing into blue, white, red, and yellow squads. They would first compete in pairs to determine the winners, then hold a final match. The victorious team would receive a handsome prize.
Qixue had never seen a cuju match before and asked curiously, “Cuju? What’s that?”
Ji Yuheng explained, “Simply put, cuju is kicking a ball. Kick it into the goal, and you score a point. At the end of the match, the team with the most points wins.”
“Is it interesting?” Qixue asked.
Ji Yuheng thought for a moment before replying, “Most people in Great Yong love cuju, so it must be considered interesting.”
“Then I’ll watch the match,” Qixue nodded.
Ji Yuheng’s heart stirred slightly. He had been proficient at cuju since his youth, but due to his busy duties, it had been three or four years since he’d last played. If Young Master Xue enjoyed it…
As he pondered, Wei Huai’s voice rang out from the crowd: “Conveniently, I’m wearing red today, so I’ll join the Red Team.”
“Hiss…”
Some guests drew in sharp breaths. “Great General, everyone in Great Yong knows you’re the top expert at cuju. If you join the match, what chance do the rest of us have?”
“Why not?” Wei Huai laughed. “It’s been two years since I last played cuju. Who knows how many new experts have emerged in that time? I might not even be number one anymore.”
“Fine, fine!”
The guests laughed and added Wei Huai’s name to the Red Team’s roster. Ji Yuheng thought for a moment, then walked over and added his own name to the Blue Team’s list.
The servants began setting up the cuju field, and nearly everyone gathered around to watch. Qixue was drawn in by the lively scene, and Dong Yuan smiled as he asked, “Your Ladyship, which team would you like to bet on?”
“Bet?” Qixue knew what betting meant. “You can bet on it?”
“Of course—that’s one of the highlights of cuju matches,” Dong Yuan said. “Cuju is so popular precisely because of the gambling. Plenty of people wager their entire fortunes on matches, even going bankrupt, selling their wives and children, without stopping.”
A cold glint flashed in Dong Yuan’s eyes, but Qixue didn’t notice. Instead, he said, “Go find out which teams Ji Yuheng and Wei Huai are on.”
Dong Yuan quickly learned the details. “The Great General is on the Red Team, and Ji Shizi is on the Blue Team.”
“I see.”
Qixue rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Then I’ll place a bet. Aren’t there also the yellow and white teams? I’ll bet on the yellow and white teams to win. I hope those two both lose the match!”
