The next afternoon, the sun was bright. Xin Yi was sound asleep on a waterside couch in the Flowing Water Pavilion, with Chichi lying by his head. Bai Jiu was flipping through documents at a desk nearby. After a while, he suddenly leaned over and turned Xin Yi over.

His chest was soaked with sweat, yet he could still sleep soundly without moving. This kind of skill was not something ordinary people could achieve.

After returning to his spot, he hadn't even turned a few pages when, from a distance, Old Qu could be seen leading Xie Jingsheng along the water corridor towards them. Bai Jiu closed his book, simply leaned against the railing, feeding fish as he waited for them to arrive.

This Flowing Water Pavilion was surrounded by water on all sides, with a waterwheel axis rotating to send water to the pavilion roof, which then formed a water curtain from its four wings. It was a "cooling house" newly popular in the capital. Inside the pavilion, there were no stone tables or chairs, but rather fragrant rosewood was laid out, with cooling mats, soft cushions, and small wooden tables placed on top. One could enjoy the coolness of the water curtains from all directions and hear the splashing of water droplets from all sides.

Old Qu escorted the person to just outside the pavilion. Xie Jingsheng changed into soft-soled indoor shoes before entering. The moment his foot touched the huanghuali floor, he smiled. He tapped the tip of his handsome nose with his fan, expressing with some pleasure, "This huanghuali wood is hard to come by even in the palace, yet Lord Bai Jiu has used it so extensively here. If Lord Zhang Taiyan were to find out, he would surely submit another stack of memorials against you." He sat down behind the desk, tapping the rosewood, and said, "It truly is a fine item. This pavilion's sandalwood scent is clear and harmonious, and the coolness is refreshing. If Lord Bai Jiu were to also bestow a bowl of iced hawthorn fruit, it would be even more marvelous."

Bai Jiu was scattering fish food. Hearing this, he smiled and said to Old Qu, "Bring some ice. Look how greedy he is."

Old Qu smiled and instructed someone to bring it over. Dark wooden bowls held shaved ice and fruit pulp, exquisite and appealing. Xie Jingsheng tucked his fan into the back of his collar and began to eat. Bai Jiu finished scattering all the fish food in his hand before wiping his hands with a handkerchief. By this time, Xie Jingsheng had also nearly finished eating.

Bai Jiu didn't speak, and Xie Jingsheng couldn't just wait for him to. After finishing his shaved ice, he sat up straight and pondered, saying, "My Lord, the reason behind Registrar He's case has been uncovered."

"Good news," Bai Jiu smiled faintly. "With you, He Anchang, and Zuo Kai involved, there's no reason it couldn't be uncovered."

Xie Jingsheng licked his lips and said, "This case... I'm afraid it implicates 'that person outside'."

'That person outside.'

This was a subtle way of speaking, yet uncommon. He was usually fearless, even daring to address the Prince of Qin by name, but for this person, he didn't even mention their title. This person hadn't been in the capital much in recent years. At the beginning of this year, they accompanied the elderly Empress Dowager out of the capital to worship Buddha. It seemed they wouldn't return until the end of this year.

When he mentioned this person, Bai Jiu only extended his smile and said, "The Crown Prince has always been restless."

Bai Jiu spoke gently, but Xie Jingsheng couldn't help but feel a chill. He cautiously began, "It's not just the Crown Prince who's implicated; the repercussions are widespread. The Shanyin feudal territory has been vacant for several days, and regardless of whether His Majesty has a candidate, the Prince of Qin himself is already stirring. He has been the Crown Prince's informant in the capital for so long, and given the Crown Prince's temperament, there's no reason he wouldn't give him some benefits. I fear that regarding this case, the Prince of Qin has been brazen from the start."

If this case were merely a murder, it wouldn't be so problematic. But there are too many unsavory people involved, with countless intricate connections behind it. If we start catching them, it will stir up a tangled mess, harm the fundamental strength, and someone might very well blame it on Bai Jiu, leading to desperate retaliations and grave dangers. Furthermore, the Prince of Qin is one thing, but Xin Wen's audacious behavior means only the Crown Prince can protect him in court. If Lord Bai Jiu were to truly confront the Crown Prince head-on, it would be difficult to deal with.

Xie Jingsheng had followed Bai Jiu for many years; his words to He Anchang, 'My Lord understands me,' now felt like mere self-comfort. Bai Jiu and the Crown Prince were the least suitable people to confront each other at this moment. Setting aside their early history, even the current political climate was inappropriate. Bai Jiu was being watched closely by Zhang Taiyan; if the Crown Prince also caused trouble, Bai Jiu's days in court would certainly not be easy.

Xie Jingsheng felt guilty speaking about this and fell silent.

Bai Jiu's eyes narrowed slightly. He said, "How have the Brocade Uniform Guards been recently?"

Xie Jingsheng was startled. He said, "With my Lord present, they have always been very stable."

"But you're not doing so well," Bai Jiu raised his gaze to look at him. "You've lost your composure."

Xie Jingsheng trembled slightly, his heart tightening. What he thought of first was He Anchang's smiling face in the sunset last night. His gaze suddenly avoided Bai Jiu's, dropping to his own hands. He gradually understood, yet it felt as if he had anticipated it all along. He hadn't agreed to investigate this case purely out of momentary passion, but he couldn't deny He Anchang's significant influence in it.

The shaved ice clinked in the bowl, and the water curtain splashed.

"He resides in the capital," Bai Jiu said, stirring the ice with a wooden spoon. "With the He Family as his backing and Zhang Taiyan as his shield, even if the Crown Prince truly pushed him to the brink, he would never be left utterly annihilated. You, however, reside in the outer city, alone. If the Crown Prince wanted to seize you, it would be like crushing an ant."

"I understand."

"And you still want to investigate."

"Investigate."

The wooden bowl was suddenly placed heavily on the table. A chill shot up Xie Jingsheng's spine. His heart thumped, and his palms were cool and damp. Then he heard Bai Jiu say, "The Crown Prince has been away for a long time. If he wants to participate in affairs, someone needs to teach him the rules."

Xie Jingsheng suddenly looked up.

Bai Jiu leaned against the railing, his expression relaxed. He pressed the evenly stirred shaved ice bowl against Xin Yi's cheek. Xin Yi shivered from the cold and opened his eyes, still groggy. Bai Jiu said, "You're quite something; even with your undershirt soaked in sweat, you couldn't bear to wake up."

Xin Yi wasn't fully awake yet; he just randomly mumbled a response and nodded, reaching out to touch the side of the bowl, smiling vaguely.

Bai Jiu reached out and brushed away the slightly damp hair from Xin Yi's cheek. He said, "You hold a significant territory; you are a wolf of Great Lan, why learn the timidity of a house dog?" His narrow eyes slightly tilted, staring at Xie Jingsheng, "Since you already have the intention, what are you still afraid of them for? Everyone praises the Crown Prince, but I, on the other hand, find him far too young to hold this position, and incapable of handling this chaotic situation. People should be reasonable. Since they don't understand, what's wrong with you teaching them? If you can't bite through, there's still He Anchang. If you can't win, at worst, you can pull back and return to your nest. The capital is no longer a place where one simply obeys imperial decrees. As for the Crown Prince, before he sits on the throne, he is merely His Majesty's son. You've already taken down one of His Majesty's sons, are you still reluctant to touch another one?"

Xie Jingsheng's expression was shocked, but he understood Bai Jiu's meaning. His Lord not only intended to deal with the Prince of Qin but was also planning to move against the Crown Prince. These words were shocking and truly sent shivers down one's spine.

"Even a father doesn't care about his son," Bai Jiu's fingertips traced Xin Yi's brows, "others will care even less about his son. If you're going to take them down, do it thoroughly." As he spoke, his smile grew slightly cold, "Let's take down Guan Si too. I think his father, busy with documents in the Censorate, has forgotten how to teach his son. Guan Si is still young; he needs to learn the rules."

Xin Yi slowly sat up; the name Guan Si sounded familiar, but he couldn't recall who it was. He took the ice bowl from Bai Jiu and said to Xie Jingsheng, "I haven't thanked you yet, My Lord. I am grateful for your help at the palace banquet the day before yesterday."

Xie Jingsheng hadn't known Xin Yi could speak. Hearing his voice, he maintained his usual expression, leaning back slightly, declining the thanks. He said, "Prince's heir, please don't be so polite. We are... Cough, we are one family."

Xin Yi merely took it as politeness, his dimples swirling. His hair was a bit messy from sleep, and his hair-crown was askew, though Xin Yi was completely unaware. He said with a serious and solemn expression, "I am truly ashamed to have caused you, My Lord, to rush about because of Registrar He's case. If there's anything I can do to help, please be sure to speak up."

'How could I dare, how could I dare,' Xie Jingsheng thought to himself, then gave a low cough and smiled, "The Prince's heir is right. If there's a need, I will definitely speak up."

Xin Yi smiled. Bai Jiu reached out to straighten his hair-crown and said, "Eat quickly." Xin Yi assented.

Xie Jingsheng was always observant. He pulled his fan back into his hand, stood up, bowed, and took his leave. Old Qu received him outside and escorted him away. Only then did Xin Yi take the wooden spoon from his mouth, look at Bai Jiu, and say, "My Lord, next time we discuss matters, please don't do it in such an easily overheard place."

Bai Jiu merely smiled, seeing his seriousness.

Xin Yi was slightly annoyed. "Such bold words, what if others overhear them?"

"It's fine if they hear," Bai Jiu raised his hand to undo the hair-crown that Xin Yi couldn't keep straight. He gathered Xin Yi's hair in his hand, smoothing it, and didn't forget to whisper, "Sit properly."

Xin Yi dutifully sat with his back to Bai Jiu, still muttering, "I didn't realize this case was so important. Is My Lord really going to move against the Crown Prince?" Bai Jiu didn't reply, his fingers stroking through Xin Yi's hair, which calmed Xin Yi quite a bit. Xin Yi pondered for a moment and said, "But My Lord is right. If a father doesn't care about his son, why would anyone else? His Majesty has personally eliminated quite a few sons over the years. Looking now, there are only a few left. My Lord?"

Bai Jiu still didn't reply. Xin Yi paused, then hesitantly called out, "Jing... Jingyuan."

"I'm not the one who wants to move against him. After the Prince of Ping's death, the emperor only has three sons left. Everyone wants to achieve merit by supporting the next emperor, but there's only one dragon needed." Bai Jiu put the hair-crown back on him and then fell silent. His hand slid to Xin Yi's shoulder, and his chin rested on the top of Xin Yi's head. His eyes slightly narrowed as he said, "Tired. Lean for a bit."

Xin Yi was enveloped by Bai Jiu's scent, his earlobes burning hot. His thoughts seemed to slow down. He wanted to push him away, yet he couldn't bear to. Bai Jiu treated him well, but he didn't know what kind of 'well' it was. Bai Jiu was intimate with him, but he didn't know why. Just as he was about to sigh, the person behind him suddenly leaned against his back, an arm slid to his waist, and his chin also slid to his shoulder, actually embracing him from behind. Xin Yi's face flushed, feeling a mix of struggle and surprise. Bai Jiu's chest vibrated, a clear sensation against his back.

"Tired," Bai Jiu whispered in his ear.

Xin Yi felt like he was about to smoke from how close Bai Jiu was. He said, "Then let's go back to the room."

Bai Jiu tightened his arm. Just as Xin Yi thought he wouldn't let go, he suddenly released his arm, leaned back against the railing, and tilted his head to the side, truly looking exhausted. The dense atmosphere between them made Xin Yi tingle. He felt that their relationship was becoming more and more unusual, but he didn't know how to bring it up.

Bai Jiu's lapel was a bit disheveled; he never properly wore his clothes in the manor. His rich, beautiful features lent a certain brilliance to his casual demeanor. He said, "Next month during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people from Beiyang will come to see you."

Xin Yi stirred the ice in his hand.

Bai Jiu asked, "Don't want to see them?"

Xin Yi hummed in assent.

"Staring at the bowl is useless, look at me." Xin Yi took a mouthful of shaved ice, uncharacteristically ignoring him. Bai Jiu chuckled, reached out and flicked Xin Yi's forehead, saying, "Speak."

"I don't want to see them," Xin Yi stopped his hand, sighing, "but I have to."

"They certainly remember you clearly," Bai Jiu looked at the shaved ice, took Xin Yi's hand, and scooped a wooden spoon into his own mouth. Xin Yi watched the spoon enter his mouth and anxiously said, "My Lord, I just ate from this spoon."

Bai Jiu seemed not to have heard, and took a bite. Xin Yi's throat moved; he wondered whose saliva was on the spoon now. His face flushed again, yet Bai Jiu was very serious, even saying, "We'll celebrate Mid-Autumn at home."

Xin Yi now felt that celebrating in the heavens had nothing to do with him. There was still half a bowl of shaved ice left; whether to put it down or continue eating was a big problem.

"Will you celebrate?" Bai Jiu asked him, and he only remembered to nod. Bai Jiu paused, then asked again, "Not eating anymore?" He stirred it, scooped a large mouthful. Perhaps his expression was too fierce, Bai Jiu couldn't stop laughing and said, "No one is taking it from you."

That evening after dinner, Xin Yi took Chichi for a walk. Passing by the study, he heard Bai Jiu call him. He turned back and asked what was up. Bai Jiu leaned against the window, tossed something over. Xin Yi caught it, and turning his hand, he saw it was actually himself – a jade carving Bai Jiu had been working on for days, now a jade pendant. He didn't understand its meaning and looked up to ask, but Bai Jiu had already left the window, lowering his head to read his book.

Xin Yi carried the jade pendant and Chichi. Old Qu, standing nearby, only smiled. Xin Yi asked Old Qu, "What does my lord mean by this?"

"He's in a good mood," Old Qu said, his beard quivering as his hands were clasped behind his back. "It's rare to see My Lord in such good spirits."

Xin Yi said, "Everyone talks as if he's often unhappy." Old Qu thought to himself, 'That's certainly true,' but didn't reply aloud. Xin Yi held the jade pendant, unable to put it down, his dimples deep. He said, "I actually think he has a very good temper. He teases people for no reason, yet his expression remains unbelievably gentle."

Old Qu truly couldn't hold back his laughter this time. He quickly stroked his beard with his hand and said, "The Prince's heir is right. Our Lord has a very good temper; it's always others who are unobservant and talk nonsense. "What nonsense they speak.""

Xin Yi smiled.

That night, after the lights were out and he was in bed, Xin Yi took out the jade pendant again and looked at it as if he couldn't get enough. Remembering that Bai Jiu had carved it, his earlobes turned red and hot. He buried his face in the pillow, not forgetting to hold it to his chest.

The next day, Bai Jiu was in the study while Xin Yi was fishing in the pond. When he heard Xiaoyang call out, "Prince's heir, Prince's heir! There's a big one here!", Bai Jiu closed his book... He closed his book, carried his tea to the window, and watched. He saw Xin Yi reaching out to put a lively, jumping fish into the fish basket, but realizing it was too big to fit, he bent down to ask Xiaoyang in the water for some water weeds. Xiaoyang found one for him. Xin Yi skillfully threaded the fish and held it in his hand. From the lapel of his thin shirt, a jade pendant threaded with a black cord slid out diagonally.

Bai Jiu sipped his tea, turned back, reopened his book, and continued. His brush moved without pause next to the eight characters "seeking day and night" and "tossing and turning", leaving fluid ink traces.