Chapter 102: The Journey

Chapter 102: The Journey

Initially, Qi Yan was placed in a side chamber, but as it was bitterly cold, Xiao Shao, fearing he might fall ill, simply moved him to the antechamber of the main hall, making it more convenient for him to write policy proposals at night.

Upon hearing this, Supervisor He managed a strained smile and said, "You jest, Your Highness."

Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn’t dare to teach someone in Xiao Shao’s bedchamber.

Xiao Shao then asked, "What exactly does this etiquette training entail?"

Supervisor He replied, "Naturally, it covers every aspect—how to bow, how to kneel, even the nuances of pivoting during a bow. There are precise protocols for everything."

Xiao Shao: "There are protocols for that?"

Supervisor He: "Of course there are... But before we begin, I must also ask Your Highness for guidance. If Attendant Qi fails to meet expectations, which punishments are permissible and which are not?"

Xiao Shao turned his head: "What are the options?"

Supervisor He listed them one by one: "The most basic include forced kneeling, deprivation of food and water—ranging from one to four hours—kneeling on hard bricks or snow. If Your Highness values his appearance, we can avoid the sun to prevent sunburn or tanning. Beyond that, whips and paddles are commonly used, though they often leave marks. If Your Highness prefers no visible scars, lighter punishments like needle punishment or completely traceless methods such as water torture can be employed. I can handle all of these expertly, leaving not a single blemish on his body."

At this point, the system interjected, its screen displaying coldly: "Water torture is a key plot point in the training sequence. Note, Host: the deadline for completion is within this month. Failure will result in point deductions."

Xiao Shao had asked offhandedly, but now his brow furrowed. His grip on the fan tightened unconsciously, bending and distorting the ribs of the fan: "Water? What is that?"

Supervisor He explained, "The prisoner is strapped to a rack, and silk cloths soaked in water are placed over their face. Water is continuously added. Once the cloth is saturated, the prisoner can no longer breathe, left gasping on the edge of suffocation. Yet once the cloth is removed, everything returns to normal, with no lasting harm to the body."

He said with a sycophantic grin, "Your Highness shouldn’t underestimate it. Though simple in method, repeated applications can break even the hardiest men."

Xiao Shao’s grip tightened further. With a sharp *crack*, the red sandalwood fan ribs, as thick as a finger, snapped in his hand.

Supervisor He hesitantly probed, "...Your Highness?"

A wordless rage burned in Xiao Shao’s chest, so intense it ached. He clenched his jaw, suppressing the rising bloodlust.

—This was a eunuch personally appointed by his father. He couldn’t touch him.

Xiao Shao took a deep breath, cutting him off with a wave of his hand, and said calmly, "I depart for Hedong tomorrow. I won’t be here."

Supervisor He fawned, "Your Highness need not worry. By the time you return, my training will be complete. It won’t interfere with your affairs."

Xiao Shao turned abruptly, his voice icy. "Qi Yan is coming with me. Who exactly do you plan to teach?"

"..."

The Second Prince was notorious for his volatile temper—impossible to please, shifting from calm to fury in an instant. Supervisor He began to sweat. "Then... what does Your Highness suggest?"

Xiao Shao glanced at him. "You’ll come with me. An extra carriage won’t matter."

Whether due to the system’s plot or Emperor Jianning’s orders, he had to bring this eunuch along.

"..."

That glance carried immense pressure, sharper than the dim-sighted Emperor Jianning’s. Supervisor He trembled, nearly buckling at the knees, and stammered, "As you command."

Early the next morning, the servants prepared the carriages.

*

A prince’s journey could not be lacking in comfort. Four carriages were loaded to capacity with food, water, and supplies. The foremost carriage stood nearly four meters tall, adorned with gilded paintings and intricate cloud-and-dragon carvings, radiating grandeur.

Xiao Shao swept his robe aside and was the first to step into the carriage.

Supervisor He waited by the second carriage, looked around but saw no sign of Qi Yan. Instead, he noticed the first carriage dip slightly as Xiao Shao lifted the curtain and reached out a hand from the carriage doorway.

The hand was slender and well-proportioned, fingertips covered with light calluses. Xiao Shao hooked a finger and gestured, "Come."

Supervisor He followed his gaze and saw a figure wrapped in a thick cloak, the thick fox fur hiding their face. After a moment's hesitation, the person took Xiao Shao's hand, and Xiao Shao easily pulled them inside.

Supervisor He: "...?"

The absurdity of it struck him, but the tall, slender frame unmistakably belonged to Qi Yan.

He gritted his teeth as the driver snapped the reins, signaling the carriages to move. Supervisor He boarded the second carriage.

Inside the lead carriage, Qi Yan lowered the curtain, opening his mouth as if to speak several times, yet no words came. He simply sat wordlessly beside Xiao Shao.

A charcoal stove heated the carriage, so Qi Yan removed the fox fur cloak and hung it from the beam. Xiao Shao scrutinized him. "If you’ve got something to say, out with it."

Qi Yan hesitated before replying, "That eunuch trailing us—what is he here for?"

Xiao Shao grinned. "To take you back to the palace for instruction."

With that, he crossed his arms and watched Qi Yan with amusement. Sure enough, Xiao Tanhu's face went pale in an instant. Qi Yan seemed to recall something horrifying—his fingers dug into the edge of the seat, lips quivering without a sound.

Yet within moments, he composed himself, meeting Xiao Shao's gaze in silence. The two remained still until Qi Yan abruptly turned away, eyes downcast. He muttered, "If Your Highness wishes to send me back, just do so. Why toy with me like this?"

Xiao Shao had been about to explain, but the question made him raise a brow. "How do you know I'm toying with you?"

Qi Yan glanced outside. "The carriage has already set off."

Indeed, the carriage was moving. The stalls and shops lining the street blurred past as they passed Liyang Gate, heading toward Hedong Prefecture—a direction entirely opposite to the palace. There was no chance of returning now.

Xiao Shao waved his fan idly. "The other day, you clung to my sleeve, begging me not to send you back. And today, Supervisor He arrives. The moment you saw him, your face went pale. Have you been dreaming of him lately?"

He said it lightly—dreams were just fleeting thoughts, hardly worth taking seriously. Yet Qi Yan answered hoarsely after a pause, "I did dream of him."

Xiao Shao stilled, then faked a light laugh. "Oh? And in your dream, did you see who he was? His name?"

Qi Yan lowered his eyes. "In the dream, he was called He Jin. He should be a supervisor from the Directorate of Ceremonial."

"..."

Xiao Shao's fan froze mid-motion.

—Every detail matched perfectly.

Qi Yan had only recently entered the palace. This supervisor was a trusted subordinate of the chief eunuch—someone Qi Yan shouldn't have even met. So how did he know He Jin's name? *Were these prophetic dreams—or memories of a past life?*

...A past life?

Xiao Shao's voice turned rough. "So in your dream, he was the one who... instructed you?"

By now, Qi Yan had regained his composure. Those were just dreams, after all—interrupted by Xiao Shao, then soothed by a night of deep sleep. He no longer dwelled on them. "Yes, it was him."

As he spoke, Qi Yan poured tea for Xiao Shao and adjusted the seat cushions, playing his role as an attendant.

"..."

Xiao Shao's expression darkened. In his past life, he hadn't paid attention to palace affairs at this time, nor had he known anything about these so-called "rules" or "instruction." But if Supervisor He had truly been the one to instruct Qi Yan... were those methods he'd described earlier—the ones that left no marks—once used on Qi Yan in reality?

Did that powerful Chief Overseer, before ascending the nine-tiered imperial staircase, also endure such humiliating degradation and harsh punishments?

Was the brilliant Tanhu of the previous life, step by step, worn down into such ruthlessness in this manner?

Unconsciously, Xiao Shao tightened his grip on the fan, making it creak under the strain. The fan’s ribs creaked ominously, on the verge of snapping again.

Seeing his stormy expression, though unsure of the reason, Qi Yan set down the teapot and changed the subject: "Your Highness has changed fans?"

He deftly rescued the fan from Xiao Shao’s grasp and examined it. "The landscape from Wumen is indeed elegant and fluid, but in terms of masterful brushwork, the previous one from the Songjiang school was more refined."

Xiao Shao: "..."

The previous one had been tossed aside by him, its ribs broken beyond repair.

Though inwardly troubled, Xiao Shao maintained a carefree demeanor, the very picture of a rakish nobleman. "If you like it, take it."

Qi Yan: "No rewards without merit." He turned the fan, studying it with a hint of fondness. "It’s a fine fan."

Xiao Shao scoffed, recalling the one he had broken the day before, and felt a flicker of unease. "Then write one for me tomorrow."

As a Tanhu, Qi Yan’s calligraphy was naturally excellent. He hesitated briefly. "As a eunuch, I am no paragon of virtue or respectable standing. Using a fan inscribed by me might disgrace Your Highness..."

Xiao Shao grew increasingly irritated. He pressed the fan against Qi Yan’s lips, tapping the ribs lightly but firmly. "Don’t say that again, understand?"

Qi Yan swallowed his remaining words. After a pause, his fingers still holding the fan, he suddenly smiled faintly. "If Your Highness does not mind, I’d be glad to."

*

The journey to Hedong Prefecture was not far from the capital—just a few days' ride with a fast horse.

Given Xiao Shao’s special status, the officials of the prefectures and counties along the way, already aware of his inspection tour, dared no neglect in hosting him with lavish feasts.

Each time they stopped for meals, Supervisor He leapt at every chance to approach Qi Yan, only to be subtly but firmly blocked by Xiao Shao.

Now, Xiao Shao found the supervisor insufferable. Whenever he was present, Xiao Shao would pull Qi Yan close, bundling him in his cloak, leaving not an inch of skin exposed. Time and again, Supervisor He approached, only to leave frustrated.

Thus, they traveled until they reached Anyi, the capital of Hedong Prefecture, where the governor, Song Lvyang, hosted a banquet in Xiao Shao’s honor.

A follower of the Crown Prince, Song Lvyang expected nothing but frivolity from Xiao Shao, who played the part perfectly, indulging in food and drink without a care.

Before the banquet, Xiao Shao grinned at Qi Yan, fan in hand. "Young Tanhu Qi, I have a role for you to play at this feast."

Baffled, he nodded.

Song Lvyang, well aware of Xiao Shao’s reputation as a feckless wastrel, avoided serious matters entirely. The banquet was extravagantly luxurious, befitting a prince’s status, with endless toasts, music, and dance. By the end, Xiao Shao was flushed, repeatedly praising the festivities, half-collapsed in his seat, clearly intoxicated.

Clapping his hands, Song Lvyang summoned a slender, pretty youth, who knelt beside Xiao Shao, eagerly refilling his cup.

Song Lvyang smiled. "This is my adopted son, formerly a singer from the Southern House. He’s quite the beauty—let him accompany Your Highness these days."

It seemed that since taking in Qi Yan, Xiao Shao’s taste for men had spread far and wide.

The youth smiled and leaned in, as if to nestle into Xiao Shao’s embrace.

Qi Yan’s hand trembled slightly as he poured wine, inscrutable, then he looked away. Though seemingly drunk, Xiao Shao’s hand remained steady as he brushed the youth aside, maintaining distance.

Song Lvyang blinked, then laughed. "They say the Second Prince is a romantic who cherishes beauty, yet now it seems the rumors were exaggerated!"

The officials at the banquet joined in the laughter, though Song Lvyang, hiding behind his wine cup, studied Xiao Shao with hidden scrutiny.

Then, after draining his cup, Xiao Shao suddenly pulled Qi Yan into his arms.

He smiled leisurely and said, "Not just any beauty will do. Now that I have this one, ordinary women don't interest me anymore."

Song Lvyang looked away and nodded with a polite smile.

Qi Yan froze, instinctively trying to struggle. He was pressed rigidly against Xiao Shao’s chest, his nose nearly brushing the warmth of the other’s skin, enveloped in the scent of incense. Without thinking, his body relaxed.

Xiao Shao held him down effortlessly with one hand, stopping his resistance, then picked up a cup and fed him a few sips of wine. Unaccustomed to drinking, Qi Yan pressed his lips together, refusing. Being held so intimately in front of so many officials set his face aflame with embarrassment, and his resistance grew more pronounced. Then, Xiao Shao leaned in close to his ear and suddenly kissed his earlobe.

Qi Yan’s ears flushed crimson. Xiao Shao kissed along the curve of his ear, lingering at the lobe before whispering in a voice only the two could hear:

"Do you know this Song Lvyang well?"

No sign of drunkenness remained.

Qi Yan paused. "I do."

It was Song Lvyang who had submitted the memorial accusing his father of embezzling treasury silver.

Xiao Shao held him firmly, pushing the wine cup back to his lips while nibbling his earlobe and murmuring, "Drink. Play drunk later so we can slip away. I’ll take you to investigate the Hedong Silver Vault tonight."

The Hedong Silver Vault—where three million taels of silver had disappeared without a trace.