Jiang Huaichu entered the tower along with the second and third-ranking scholars.
The second and third scholars both came from noble families and seemed to know each other. As soon as they stepped inside, they quickly grouped together, exchanged a glance in the direction of Xie Caiqing, and silently reached an agreement. Their pace noticeably quickened, soon leaving Xie Caiqing far behind.
Jiang Huaichu knew that noble family heirs would certainly exclude someone like him, who came from a humble background, but he had no desire to waste energy fitting in. He was here to have a child, not to take root in Northern Ning.
His daily work was demanding, requiring him to navigate complex relationships, which had taken a toll on his physical health. Combined with other factors, his stamina was not as strong as his peers’.
Since he couldn’t keep up anyway, Jiang Huaichu maintained a steady pace.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed behind him, as if someone was running.
That person was on the same floor as him.
The footsteps faded into the distance.
The tower was circular—whether turning left or right, all paths eventually led to the stairway to the next level.
That person must have taken the opposite route.
Jiang Huaichu assumed he was simply walking too slowly and that others had caught up. Smiling wryly, he approached the staircase, only to realize that apart from his own footsteps, there was no other sound on this floor.
Yet, he hadn’t heard anyone ascend the stairs.
Frowning slightly, Jiang Huaichu subtly gripped three poisoned needles between his fingers and cautiously took a few more steps forward.
In the dim light, a figure lunged at him like a starving wolf.
Having anticipated an attack, Jiang Huaichu barely managed to sidestep, but he didn’t immediately strike with his poison needles.
This was Northern Ning—unless absolutely necessary, he couldn’t act recklessly.
By the glow of the tower’s lanterns, he caught sight of the attacker’s face—handsome, yet sickly pale with dark eye bags and bloodless lips.
Qi Wang.
The infamous, lecherous Qi Wang.
His mind worked rapidly, and Jiang Huaichu feigned alarm, stepping back and demanding in a sharp voice, “Who are you?”
“You don’t recognize me?” the man chuckled shamelessly. “The current emperor is my own uncle. Who do you think I am?”
Qi Wang advanced boldly toward Xie Caiqing, his expression a mix of amusement and arrogance.
Xie Caiqing retreated two more steps.
Seeing this reaction, Qi Wang’s face darkened. “What’s this? Not only does the top scholar fail to greet me properly, but now he’s acting like this? Disrespecting the royal family—do you know what crime that is?”
Xie Caiqing visibly flinched and hurriedly bowed. “Forgive me, Your Highness.”
The little beauty looked frightened, and Qi Wang smirked. “Come here. If you do, I’ll let it slide.”
Xie Caiqing hesitated for a long moment before taking two small steps forward.
The tower’s dim, warm light cast an ambiguous glow. Qi Wang’s gaze roamed slowly over the young scholar—from his pristine robes to his long, straight legs, to the naturally alluring curve of his waist. Finally, his eyes landed on the smooth skin of his neck, imagining the marks he could leave there—whether from kisses or from bites that would make the boy struggle and cry.
Temptation burned hot in his eyes.
Clean. Unparalleled beauty. Young, with a touch of innocence. So easy to manipulate.
Compared to him, all those courtesans and common playthings suddenly seemed utterly unappealing.
No, not just unappealing—completely inferior.
“Come closer,” Qi Wang coaxed.
Xie Caiqing bit his lip, his gaze flickering slightly. He took another step forward, and just as Qi Wang’s smirk deepened—he turned and bolted up the stairs.
Qi Wang was stunned for a second before rage overtook him. He gave chase.
Being twenty-five years old, well-built, and physically strong, he had longer strides than the young scholar. Within two floors, he had cornered Xie Caiqing again. This time, he was done being patient. His voice was cold. “Don’t be ungrateful.”
At the staircase entrance below, Xiao Yun and Xie Zhe had just arrived when Xiao Yun abruptly stopped.
“I don’t understand,” Xie Caiqing said, his face pale.
Qi Wang sneered. “Quit pretending. Where do you think you can run? Tell the emperor? Do you really think he’d believe you over me, his own nephew? Even if he does, with so many people here today, do you think he’d risk the royal family’s reputation for a mere scholar? Think carefully.”
Xie Zhe was about to step in, but the emperor casually waved a hand, signaling him to wait. Then, Xiao Yun simply smiled and leaned back, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement.
Xie Caiqing’s face drained of color. He clenched his fists and backed up again.
Qi Wang chuckled mockingly. “You’re just a low-ranking official. You think being top scholar changes that? Do you think you can survive in the court just by burying your head in books? If I wanted, I could have you sent straight back to Junzhou in a hundred different ways. If you keep resisting, a prison cell or a coffin will be waiting for you.”
Xie Caiqing trembled slightly, his dark pupils filled with fear.
The royal family held absolute power over life and death—especially over a newly appointed, unconnected official like him.
Seeing that he’d achieved the desired effect, Qi Wang softened his voice. “The capital is a treacherous place. Without a powerful backer, you won’t last. You worked so hard to get here—are you really willing to throw it all away? Don’t you want to rise effortlessly, crush those who look down on you, and take control of your own fate?”
Xie Caiqing remained silent, but his trembling lessened, as if he were starting to waver. Still, he refused to meet Qi Wang’s gaze, turning his face away.
Qi Wang smiled knowingly. This part was always the hardest—once he got past it, everything else would be easy. With practiced patience, he continued to coax, “The commander of the imperial guards serves at the emperor’s side. Even if he wanted to help you, he’d have to be careful. But I? I have no such concerns. If you just say yes, I’ll be your biggest support. No noble family would dare look down on you again. You’d never have to struggle. Whatever you want, I’ll provide. Doesn’t that sound good?”
Xie Zhe’s expression darkened. Qi Wang was digging his own grave, and worse—he was trying to drag him into this mess. Xie Zhe anxiously glanced at the emperor.
The emperor had clearly followed Qi Wang here because of his interest in the situation.
Yet, instead of intervening, he lazily smoothed out the wrinkles on his sleeve and silently mouthed: “No rush. I don’t want to disrupt the top scholar’s good fortune. It wouldn’t be fair to save him without first confirming whether he wants to be saved.”
He wasn’t about to do something thankless and unrewarding — he wasn’t that idle. He might as well step aside for someone who truly had feelings.
Xie Zhe froze for a moment, recalling Qi Wang’s many romantic conquests. A chill ran down his spine. The heart of the emperor was unpredictable — he was genuinely afraid Xie Caiqing might get ensnared by carelessness. After all, he wasn’t exactly the quiet, obedient type.
If something really happened under the emperor’s nose… one was a court official, the other imperial kin — neither would be able to bear the consequences.
Over there, Qi Wang’s voice was soft and sweet: “You can see how I look, and I have the status too. If you wait until you’ve figured things out, there won’t be anyone better than me. Don’t regret it later.”
Seeing that Xie Caiqing lowered his head and said nothing, Qi Wang assumed he was weighing his options and was overjoyed. He leaned in close, teasing in a low voice, “This sort of thing isn’t nearly as degrading as you imagine. It feels good. Everyone who’s tried it once keeps coming back for more. You’re not like them — you just need to spread your legs and that’s all. I’ll gladly serve you, alright?”
Seeing his face flushed red, Qi Wang grew even more excited. “Don’t be scared. Only heaven, earth, you, and I will know. No one else.”
“You’re not saying anything, so I’ll take that as a yes? Too late now — let me have a taste.”
Xie Zhe was horrified and his heart was pounding. His cheeks burned. Just imagining the person being spoken to was the famously beautiful Xie Caiqing made it all the more mortifying. He looked pleadingly toward the emperor, who stood silently, expression unreadable.
The emperor’s eyes turned cold, though his smile still lingered with mockery. He mouthed the words: “I wouldn’t want to ruin the sweet moment between my good nephew and the top scholar.”
He gave Xie Zhe a look, then turned to step up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Qi Wang had Xie Caiqing backed into a narrow corner, about to pull him in for a good kiss. Just as he lowered his head, a hand pressed against his chest.
That hand was slender and delicate.
Qi Wang thought it was playful resistance, and eagerly tried to grab it — but the scholar used all his strength to shove him away.
Qi Wang was stunned.
He had spoken both sweetly and threateningly, but to no effect. He’d never met someone so ungrateful. In a flash, his fury surged. He grabbed Xie Caiqing’s collar and raised his hand to slap him, but the scholar didn’t flinch.
“…Your Highness, please calm down.”
“Calm down?” Qi Wang sneered. He had pursued beauties for years, and never been rejected like this. His patience was completely gone. He reached for Xie Caiqing’s waistband, ready to humiliate him.
Xie Caiqing clutched his belt tightly, took a deep breath, and still remembered his status even now: “Your Highness, please… please calm down. It’s not that I look down on you…”
Xiao Yun had just stepped forward but paused at those words, then slowly retreated to the stairs.
Qi Wang’s fury paused for a beat. “Then why?”
Xie Caiqing bit his lip, as if steeling himself. Right in front of Qi Wang, he awkwardly loosened a bit of his collar and, with trembling hands, pulled out a piece of white jade from within.
Xiao Yun, leaning lazily in the shadows, saw that jade and his pupils suddenly contracted. The usual carefree look on his face vanished completely.
Qi Wang was briefly stunned.
“Are you trying to bribe me?” he asked, as if he’d just heard the joke of the century.
The scholar shook his head, face growing redder. His voice was low: “I already have someone. He said the same things to me as Your Highness just did. I agreed… and slept with him. I’m no longer pure. This was the token he left me. He told me to wear it, because I belong to him. So it’s not that I scorn Your Highness — it’s just that I’m unworthy, and I cannot betray him.”
