Chapter 57: The Fake Princess and His God of War Prince (Part 14)
Xiang Yinnian returned to the master bedroom.
Xiao Ji, however, did not.
After bathing in the side chamber, Xiao Ji went straight to sleep right there in the guest room.
037 simply couldn’t figure it out:
[I thought you went through all this trouble to soften the Little Phoenix’s heart and make him yield to you.]
Xiao Ji opened his eyes, gazing up at the roof beams. [What he needs isn’t a softened heart; he needs time. If he isn’t willing, even if we share a bed every night, his heart won’t necessarily be at ease.]
Xiao Ji knew that Xiang Yinnian wasn’t devoid of feelings for him. It was just that, at the moment, Xiang Yinnian was more concerned about the safety of his own backside.
Therefore, he didn’t force the issue. To prevent Xiao Ji from losing face in front of the servants, Xiang Yinnian would clutch his buttocks and voluntarily return to the master bedroom.
Xiao Ji was happy to play along. He took the initiative to sleep in the side chamber, giving Xiang Yinnian enough space.
From that day forward, the way the two of them interacted became increasingly baffling to the entire Wang Manor, and even the entire military camp.
During the day, Xiang Yinnian would still bury himself at the drill grounds, looking for all the world like he was unwilling to return home. Yet, the moment Xiao Ji appeared at the drill grounds and said a single phrase to Xiang Yinnian—
“Return to the manor.”
—Xiang Yinnian would immediately trot after Xiao Ji, tail wagging, and follow him home.
He would ask the servants every day: Has Xiao Ji eaten? How much did he eat? What does he prefer? Yet, he never ate a private meal alone with Xiao Ji.
At night, if Xiang Yinnian stayed in the study too long, Xiao Ji would personally go to invite him back.
Xiang Yinnian was easy to invite; one request and he would move.
But once Xiang Yinnian returned to the master bedroom, Xiao Ji would not share the bed with him. Instead, he would retire to the side hall.
Time flew by, and the New Year was fast approaching. Ironically, it was Xiang Yinnian who began to feel increasingly unsettled.
On New Year’s Eve, Xiang Yinnian went to the drill grounds at chen hour (7-9 AM) as usual.
After rising, Xiao Ji changed his clothes and ordered someone to break the ice on the small lake in the manor’s backyard. He sat in the cold wind, fishing.
Ever since the day he first saw Xiao Ji, Xiang Siyou had found himself uncontrollably dreaming of him at night.
At first, he thought his elder brother cared somewhat for this newly entered Sister-in-law. But later, he realized that perhaps he didn’t care all that much.
Because, aside from the wedding day, everyone in the manor, from top to bottom, knew the two had never shared a room since.
Rather than a genuine case of “treating each other with respect like guests,” it seemed more like a charade to preserve Xiao Ji’s dignity.
Xiang Yinnian was a martial man, while Xiang Siyou preferred literature. After reading in his study for a long time, and seeing the weather finally clear up, he took his scroll for a walk in the courtyard to soak up some sun.
When he reached the lakeside, he happened to see Xiao Ji.
Dressed in a pale purple padded jacket, Xiao Ji sat by the lake, fully absorbed in his fishing. With his red lips and white teeth, sitting there quietly, he was breathtakingly beautiful.
There were no attendants by Xiao Ji’s side at that moment. Xiang Siyou’s feet moved toward him involuntarily.
“It is New Year’s Eve, yet Sister-in-law has such a leisurely mood. You should wear more; if you catch a cold, my brother will be worried.”
Xiao Ji raised a brow and glanced at him. Noting the scroll in his hand, he ignored the pleasantries and simply asked:
“What are you reading?”
Xiang Siyou paused, looking down at the book in his hand. “Just some miscellaneous writings about mountains, rivers, plants, and strange tales. I’m afraid Sister-in-law would find it laughable.”
Xiao Ji had no intention of conversing with Xiang Siyou, but Xiang Siyou was part of his mission.
According to the original trajectory, Xiang Siyou ostensibly betrayed Xiang Yinnian because he was bewitched by the original host.
But in reality, what Xiang Siyou couldn’t resist wasn’t the temptation of others, but the desires within his own heart.
If it wasn’t Xiao Ji, it would have been someone else.
Because of Xiang Yinnian’s existence, Xiao Ji would not deliberately get close to Xiang Siyou, nor did he wish to hold that kind of initiative in his own hands. If there truly was someone else destined to tempt him, it would merely mean taking a few detours.
Thus, he simply added a comment, his tone neither hot nor cold:
“Interesting. Where is the point I am supposed to laugh at?”
Xiang Siyou choked on his words slightly. “Sister-in-law’s fame for talent is widespread; even here in the Northern Borders, everyone knows of it. I assumed such miscellaneous books would not be worthy of your discerning eyes.”
Xiao Ji let out a scoff and said nothing more.
Xiang Siyou didn’t know which part of his speech was wrong, but Xiao Ji’s unattainable, lofty demeanor only made him feel that Xiao Ji’s charm was extraordinary—and that Xiang Yinnian didn’t know how to cherish him.
Having finally caught a chance to speak more with Xiao Ji, Xiang Siyou was unwilling to leave just like that. He proactively found another topic:
“What books does Sister-in-law usually read? My brother has loved martial arts and disliked literature since childhood. I imagine he has little to talk about with you on this front. If you are willing, you can chat with me. Poetry, songs, the Four Books and Five Classics—I know a thing or two about them all. Consider it keeping Sister-in-law company to relieve boredom.”
Xiao Ji was already getting impatient.
He was just about to tell Xiang Siyou to stay away from him and stop talking, when a familiar voice suddenly rang out from behind:
“Does your Sister-in-law need you to relieve his boredom? If you’re truly that idle, go to the camp and scrub the stables.”
Xiang Yinnian had gone early to make arrangements so he could rush back. He wanted to talk to Xiao Ji; the couple constantly avoiding each other wasn’t a sustainable solution.
Who would have expected that the moment he returned, he would see Xiang Siyou here, blabbering nonsense to Xiao Ji.
Xiang Siyou turned and saw Xiang Yinnian. He couldn’t help but feel a guilty conscience and scratched his head.
“This younger brother was just passing by and saw Sister-in-law all alone…”
Xiang Yinnian raised a hand to cut him off. “Don’t worry about things that have nothing to do with you.”
Xiang Siyou still held a degree of awe and fear toward his elder brother. Seeing Xiang Yinnian’s darkened expression, he could only mutter an “Oh,” and bowed to him.
“This younger brother will take his leave.”
As he left, he couldn’t quite control his eyes and stole one last glance at Xiao Ji before turning away.
Only after he was gone did Xiang Yinnian look at Xiao Ji, saying unhappily:
“I prefer martial arts to literature, but I’m not an illiterate boor who doesn’t know a single character. I’m not good at poetry and songs, but if you’re in the mood, I can rack my brains to praise you in a hundred different ways. That much I can certainly handle.”
Although Xiao Ji’s vocabulary for praising people was also quite poor, racking one’s brains for it was honestly unnecessary.
Xiao Ji didn’t look up at him. His attention seemed entirely focused on the surface of the lake as he said carelessly:
“That won’t be necessary.”
Xiang Yinnian hadn’t had a proper conversation with Xiao Ji for days. Seeing Xiao Ji’s attitude growing colder, his heart felt increasingly bitter.
“At worst, whatever articles you read normally, I’ll go read them too. That way, when you can’t sleep at night, I can keep you company and relieve your boredom.”
At the mention of not sleeping at night, Xiao Ji finally spared a moment to glance at Xiang Yinnian.
“The Precious Mirror of Ranked Flowers, White Snow in Early Spring, Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl.”
Xiang Yinnian paused. “Poetry and songs?”
Xiao Ji: “Spring Palace erotica.”
The titles of the first two were somewhat obscure, but that third one—just hearing the name—one knew it was absolutely not a Spring Palace book involving ordinary men and women.
Xiang Yinnian opened his mouth, then closed it. “Are you… hinting at something?”
Xiao Ji withdrew his gaze. “The Wangye worries too much. This consort wouldn’t dare.”
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