Xie Zhe turned to the emperor with disbelief all over his face.
Even the always-unbothered emperor, who usually watched the show from the sidelines, looked as if he’d been struck by lightning.
He actually wore it around his neck.
The emperor, of course, knew why Xie Caiqing said all that. Still…
His expression became unreadable.
Qi Wang, meanwhile, snapped out of his initial shock.
Someone else had gotten there first!
He looked at Xie Caiqing, who on the surface appeared clean and proper, but had already been privately claimed; whose mind was filled with someone else; who blushed and felt shame for someone else; who wore something from someone else and belonged to them.
It felt worse than being cheated on by a wife carrying someone else’s child.
He wanted to smash the wall in rage, then suddenly went quiet. He sneered coldly: “You think you can fool me? That story might work on others, but you think I’m stupid? You really think this’ll get you out of it?”
He stared hard at Xie Caiqing.
The person before him looked like a frightened little white rabbit, fur trembling, but his gaze was steady — not the look of a liar. Probably from overwhelming humiliation, his face was flushed deep red, like one lost in lust.
As if suppressing deep shame, Xie Caiqing held out the jade: “It’s true. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, take a look. Perhaps you’re unaware, but my family is very poor. I couldn’t possibly afford something like this. If Your Highness still doesn’t believe it, you’re welcome to investigate.”
Qi Wang’s heart sank.
He wasn’t stupid. He knew full well how ruthless his uncle could be. No matter how driven by desire he was, within the capital and under the Changling Guard’s watchful eye, he wouldn’t dare act recklessly without proper information.
His uncle hadn’t punished him all these years simply because he never crossed a line — never touched the untouchables, no matter how tempted.
His uncle was too busy to clean up after him — and that was fine.
He had thoroughly investigated Xie Caiqing, down to his family’s ancestors and friends, ensuring there was no risk before approaching.
But if what Xie Caiqing said was true…
Under the tower’s light, Qi Wang stared carefully at the jade in Xie Caiqing’s hand — and the more he looked, the more shocked he became.
It was white suet jade — worth at least a thousand taels. An ordinary family wouldn’t spend more than a few taels a year. There was no way Xie Caiqing could afford it.
And it wasn’t fake. The luster and texture were top quality even among white suet jade.
Whoever gave it was either wealthy or noble.
No mere merchant would dare pursue the top scholar — and the top scholar wouldn’t stoop to them either. To gift something so valuable so boldly, without fear of being caught by the Changling Guard for corruption — someone who could afford that had to be at least a third-rank official or higher.
A flicker of wariness crossed Qi Wang’s heart. Those at that level were all old foxes, masters at scheming. If he truly provoked them, the cost would be far too high.
A perfectly clean sheet of paper—like a gift from the heavens, meant for him to slowly shape and mold—now had an inexplicable stain. It was degrading and irritating. But to give up just like that…
He would never find another as alluring in both appearance and form. The pleasure he imagined would be intoxicating.
He looked at the scholar-official, who was now so humiliated by this scandal that he wished to disappear. A rush of blood and anger surged within him. For the first time, he felt a competitive urge, gritting his teeth as he asked, “Who is it?”
“…I—I cannot say,” Xie Caiqing clutched the jade tightly and turned his face away.
Xie Zhe discreetly glanced at the emperor, whose expression had been shifting ever since Xie Caiqing spoke those words.
Despite serving the emperor for years, he still couldn’t quite grasp His Majesty’s thoughts.
That jade—Xie Caiqing couldn’t possibly know that it belonged to the emperor. He likely wore it simply because he cherished it, and to avoid unnecessary suspicion. But… that was the emperor’s personal possession.
Using quick thinking to deceive Qi Wang for a way out was indeed clever. But… why did it have to implicate the emperor?
Those… those kinds of words.
The emperor remained silent.
Xie Zhe felt his heart pound with anxiety, unable to tell whether His Majesty was shocked, furious, or something else entirely. Lowering his gaze slightly, his eyes inadvertently wandered somewhere forbidden. His expression froze in an instant. His eyes widened, his own face growing red. His voice trembled like a whispering mosquito, “Your Majesty… this… this… this—”
He was the closest one.
But certainly, it wasn’t directed at him. He had served His Majesty for so many years and never had such an… honor.
Yet through the layers of royal robes, that… imposing presence was impossible to ignore.
The emperor, however, remained utterly nonchalant. Lazily, he mouthed, “I am twenty-four. If someone were teasing and seducing you right under your nose and you had no reaction, now that would be the real problem.”
“…Your Majesty is wise. Your Majesty is powerful and mighty.” Xie Zhe’s old face flushed red. As a man himself, he couldn’t help but feel a secret sense of inadequacy.
Then it suddenly dawned on him—Xie Caiqing was also a man.
His stomach twisted with unease. Stepping back ever so cautiously, he distanced himself slightly.
Xiao Yun adjusted the hem of his robe.
Now that Xie Caiqing had spoken, the emperor saw no need to leave. Nor was there a need to intervene.
As long as Qi Wang wasn’t completely blinded by lust, he would naturally tread carefully. For the time being, he wouldn’t dare harass Xie Caiqing any further.
Xiao Yun was about to instruct Xie Zhe to return, but Qi Wang spoke again.
“Tell me—who is it? I swear I won’t spread the word. Just tell me, and I’ll let you go immediately. Otherwise…”
He leaned close to Xie Caiqing’s ear. “They’ll be coming up soon. Tell me—do you want them to see you like this?”
Xie Caiqing’s face turned deathly pale. He bit his lip so hard it nearly bled, clearly preferring humiliation over betrayal.
Seeing this reaction, jealousy consumed Qi Wang like wildfire. His voice turned sharp and mocking. “Oh? Just how good is he? You’re so willing to spread your legs for him, but you’d rather die than let me touch you? Is he more handsome than me?”
“…Your Highness, mind your words,” Xie Caiqing was completely cornered, yet he still resisted, pressing himself against the wall as if trying to escape.
Qi Wang seethed with rage, but he forced a bright smile, leaning in even closer. “Don’t tell me it’s some old b*stard? Are you afraid he’ll kill you if you expose him? At his age, can he even still get it up? Or does he need medicine?”
Xiao Yun’s expression was unreadable, his lips curling slightly.
Xie Zhe’s heart dropped. Qi Wang really must have a death wish.
With every word, Xie Caiqing lowered his head deeper.
“Don’t be scared of him. He’s just a court official, while I am a Wangye. If this gets out, he has more to lose than I do. He should be the one terrified. Just tell me who it is. I swear I’ll protect you. I won’t treat you unfairly… Tell me, who is—”
A faint cough came from a short distance away.
Xie Caiqing’s pupils shrank. Qi Wang flinched, his guilty conscience making him jerk his head around.
Seizing the moment, Xie Caiqing ducked under his outstretched arm and bolted. In his panic, he hastily adjusted his disheveled clothing as he ran up the stairs. At the turn of the stairway, he suddenly crashed into a broad, solid chest.
He staggered backward, but a steady hand caught him, holding him in place.
Xie Caiqing froze. Slowly, he looked up—straight into a pair of deep, unreadable black eyes. His face drained of all color.
Xie Zhe was equally alarmed, his expression subtly shifting.
Xiao Yun remained composed. Without any change in demeanor, he effortlessly helped Xie Caiqing regain his balance and then lightly pushed him aside, putting distance between them.
Qi Wang stormed up the stairs in fury. “You still dare—”
He stopped dead in his tracks.
At the top of the stairs stood him.
His face instantly turned ghostly pale. His knees wobbled as if he were about to kneel, but he barely held himself upright, forcing a strained smile. “U-Uncle… U-Uncle… Uncle, what brings you here?”
“Greetings, Your Highness.” Xie Zhe bowed respectfully.
“Oh? So Rong Yu is here as well?” Xiao Yun mused.
Xie Caiqing took several hurried steps back before dropping to one knee, his voice shaking. “Your servant has startled Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Xiao Yun studied him intently, his brows slightly furrowing. “What happened to you, Scholar Xie?”
Xie Zhe stole a glance at him and was struck by admiration.
With perfect precision, the emperor’s expression showed just the right amount of concern—subtle yet convincing.
Qi Wang’s heart nearly stopped. He had no idea how much his uncle or the commander had overheard. His legs trembled uncontrollably.
Xie Caiqing remained silent.
In the unbearable silence, Qi Wang slowly started to lower himself onto his knees. “U-Uncle… Uncle…”
“Yesterday, you spoke just fine. Why are you suddenly stammering today?” the emperor asked with amusement.
“U-U-Uncle…”
Before Qi Wang could say more, Xie Caiqing spoke first, steadying his voice. “It was dark in the tower. Your servant fell behind, got anxious, and hurried ahead. In my haste, I tripped. Fortunately, Wangye arrived in time. I may have acted improperly before Your Majesty—please forgive me.”
Qi Wang’s eyes widened. Relief flooded him like a tidal wave. His whole body was drenched in sweat, as if he had narrowly escaped death.
Xiao Yun’s gaze lingered on Xie Caiqing.
The once dignified and reserved scholar was now utterly disheveled—his robe rumpled, his collar wrinkled, exposing a glimpse of skin beneath. His sash was askew, bearing clear signs of having been yanked and pulled.
Stray strands of black hair had fallen from his temple, framing his flushed face.
He had just endured an ordeal, yet his expression remained perfectly composed, lying without so much as a blink.
An unexpected yet predictable choice.
“Is that so?” Xiao Yun looked at Qi Wang with a half-smile.
Qi Wang dared not lift his head and trembled as he said, “Yes—”
Xiao Yun said, “If it isn’t, that would be a crime of deceiving the emperor.”
Qi Wang instantly fell silent, shaking like a leaf, drenched in sweat.
Had the emperor heard? Or was he simply making an educated guess based on the situation?
His knees bent and straightened repeatedly, struggling for what felt like ages in just a few seconds. His lips trembled as he muttered, “Uncle…”
But the emperor no longer looked at him, as if he couldn’t even be bothered to spare him a glance. Instead, his gaze turned to Xie Caiqing. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Xie Caiqing pressed his lips tightly together.
A massive weight instantly lifted from Qi Wang’s chest.
At least he knew when to be sensible. He wouldn’t dare say otherwise.
Xiao Yun fell silent for a moment. “I see.”
His eyes quietly fell on the top scholar’s collar.
Xie Caiqing hastily adjusted his clothing. His long, delicate fingers clutched the jade pendant, slightly trembling—perhaps from lingering fear. It took him several attempts to tuck it back into his robes.
