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Chapter 164 - Striving for Favour Requires Finesse and Knowledge

Translated by Eve

Edited by Serefina

7. Striving for Favour Requires Finesse and Knowledge

Xie He’s face twisted to the side from the impact of the slap, a confused look in his eyes. He then saw Bai Qiuchi’s furious expression. When he thought about how she had tormented him, he couldn’t help but begin to shake. Bai Qiuchi was His Highness’ sworn sister. She was not someone a courtesan like himself could offend. He fell off from the wooden bench when she grabbed him by the hair. His face felt like it was on fire. The only thing he could do was grab the quilt to cover his body.

When Xiao Yan saw this, he furrowed his brows. Women were indeed unreasonable. This was why he hated jealous women. They truly acted so scandalously! His eyes turned slightly cold. “What are you spacing out for? Take the young miss away.”

The eunuchs had been hesitant. They hadn’t dared to approach without caution. Now that Xiao Yan finally spoke, they finally pulled Bai Qiuchi away.

Bai Qiuchi’s eyes were red. She said to Xiao Yan, “You’d rather have him than me...I’m less than a courtesan in your eyes....”

Xiao Yan shouted, “Nonsense!”

No matter how much he didn’t like Bai Qiuchi, he still cherished and respected her like he would with a sister. And yet Bai Qiuchi didn’t understand just how much effort he put in. She actually compared herself to a lowly prostitute.... It was obvious that she came from a humble background. She had no idea how to love and respect herself.

Forget it. He should wed her off to a respectable family. As long as he was around, she would live a safe life free from any and all worries.

Bai Qiuchi thought that Xiao Yan was protecting Xie He and she hated Xie He all the more. She lowered her head and rescinded the rancour in her eyes. She said, “Let go of me. I can return on my own.”

The two eunuchs knew how much Xiao Yan valued Bai Qiuchi. Seeing that she wasn’t going to give them trouble, they immediately let go.

Bai Qiuchi left without another word. When she returned to her courtyard, she was finally able to vent her anger!

Seeing Bai Qiuchi like this, her trusted servant girl, Shui Rong, thought that her mistress must have failed again at Xiao Yan’s place. A disdainful cold glint flashed through Shui Rong’s eyes. With how important Bai Qiuchi was to Xiao Yan, as long as she acted properly, wouldn’t she be able to enjoy a life of splendour and riches with such a huge backer? Why did she have to play the role of a jealous wife and use such low-class tactics...? She was truly a short-sighted fool. However, this was a good thing for Shui Rong.

That meant that Bai Qiuchi would be easier to manipulate.

Shui Rong reverently poured Bai Qiuchi a glass of tea. Bai Qiuchi was currently fuming so she smacked it onto the ground. Shui Rong did not get angry. No matter how Bai Qiuchi took her anger out on Shui Rong in secret, she would endure it. With a soft voice, she said, “Young Miss, did His Highness reject you again?”

This poked Bai Qiuchi’s sore spot. When she recalled the sight of Xie He in Xiao Yan’s courtyard, she felt hatred and fear in her chest. She was a substitute in the end. Even if she had stolen Xie He’s identity, she was still fake goods. Sooner or later, there would be no place for her here in the wangfu.

Shui Rong looked up, a strange smile on her lips. She said to Bai Qiuchi, “Since His Highness isn’t willing to accept you, has Young Miss ever thought of taking another way out?”

Bai Qiuchi was startled. She gazed at Shui Rong questioningly.

....................................

Xiao Yan watched Bai Qiuchi leave and then turned to look at Xie He, who was still on the ground.

Xie He was kneeling on the floor. He looked at Xiao Yan fearfully. There was an eye-catching red streak on his pale and otherwise flawless face. His hair had been pulled into an unbearable mess. He looked pitiful. Xie He spoke in a trembling voice, “Nu...did not mean to bump into the young miss on purpose....”

Xiao Yan had lost any and all sexual desire after Bai Qiuchi’s tantrum. He was about to have Xie He be taken away. However, when he saw how the other was still belittling himself and taking the blame despite being the bullied party because he was afraid of being punished...he suddenly didn’t have the heart to leave him like this.

Xiao Yan thought back to the previous period of time. No matter how Xie He had been treated, he had never complained. He had always grit his teeth and borne with any and all punishment. Even while he slept with Xiao Yan every night, he never acted arrogant, thinking that he was favoured. He had never even...asked Xiao Yan for anything. He had never acted coquettish with him either.

Just like today, although he was clearly the one who had been wronged, he didn’t ask Xiao Yan to make things right for him. It was because he knew that no one would stick up for him.

He was a slave. So what if he was humiliated?

Of course Xiao Yan wasn’t planning on punishing Bai Qiuchi for something as small as this. He felt disappointed in Bai Qiuchi, but it was normal for a servant to be beat by their master.... Xie He could only take it. Moreover, if he were to act out and end up losing Xiao Yan’s favour because his face had been disfigured, well, he could only deal with it.

If Xie He were to cry and make a fuss, that would only annoy Xiao Yan. However, his cautious and sensible appearance...made Xiao Yan feel pity towards him.

Xiao Yan hesitated before bending over and taking Xie He in his arms. He gently placed the other onto the bed and called for a eunuch to bring some salve.

Xie He knew that he looked like a mess. He would not be able to serve Xiao Yan like this. He had thought that he would be kicked out. Who would have expected that Xiao Yan would carry him back? That instant, he felt overwhelmed by the other’s favour. He glanced at Xiao Yan with a careful look silently, lips pursed.

Very soon, a eunuch brought salve over. It was in a very delicate jade bottle. It was the precious imperial salve from the palace. It was very effective and would prevent scars.

Xiao Yan pushed Xie He’s hair aside, revealing the injured cheek. He used his finger to gently spread the salve over the wound. He then put the bottle in Xie He’s hands. In a flat voice, he said, “Apply it once in the morning and once at night.”

Xie He could feel the rough pad of Xiao Yan’s finger against his face, as well as the cold bottle in his hands. He couldn’t help it as his eyes turned wet. A sliver of gratitude emerged in his eyes and he choked, “Yes, many thanks to Your Highness.”

Xiao Yan could see the gratitude in Xie He beautiful, exquisite eyes. He sighed inwardly. This was truly an easily moved child. He really was pitiful in the end.

Xiao Yan paused. He then reached out to stroke Xie He’s head. He said, “Go back. You don’t need to wait on me for the next few days.”

Xie He didn’t ask any questions. Whatever Xiao Yan said was law. He lowered his head with reverence and said, “Yes.”

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He ordered for a eunuch to take Xie He back.

He sat in his room by himself. He stared at his hand, recalling the soft feeling against the pads of his fingers when he touched Xie He’s face&#k2026;. He was really a breath-taking beauty. He was also gentle, tactful and well-behaved. He also knew his place.

It seems that he may have misunderstood the other. After really spending time with him, he’s realized that Xie He was indeed dutiful and evokes one’s tender feelings. No wonder Qi Qing had fallen for him....

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +5. The current Favourability Value is 55.】

..............................

Xie He returned to his room and carefully put the salve away. The eunuchs had received Xiao Yan’s instructions and did not continue to torment him. They let Xie He rest easy.

【444：Host dada. QAQ】

【Xie He：What’s wrong, Baby? Smile.JPG】

【444：They’re so bad. /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~ Bai Qiuchi hit you and Xiao Yan didn’t do anything about it. They’re so bad....】

【Xie He：Baby, this is the rotten part of a feudal society. It’s very normal for a master to beat their servants. Did you think that I should hit back? Hehe. 】

【444：But you were beaten for no reason...._(:зゝ∠)_】

【Xie He：Oh? When have I ever been beaten for no reason? 】

【444：......】Shoot, I nearly forgot about Host dada’s pettiness. Suddenly, I feel a bit sympathetic for those two....

【Xie He：Nonetheless, I’m very satisfied. 】

【444：？？？】

【Xie He：The better XiaoXiao treats Bai Qiuchi now, the better it is for me. This means that he puts great importance in repaying the kindness of the one who saved his life. When the truth is revealed, the effect will be even better.】

【444：Saving his life?! Who saved his life?! Σ( ° △°|||)︴】

【Xie He：I saved his life, ah. It’s because he mistakenly thinks that Bai Qiuchi saved his life that he dotes on her so. Didn’t I tell you this? Smile.JPG】

【444：No!!! Σ( ° △°|||)︴】

【Xie He：Oh. Well, I’m letting you know now. I’m currently conducting a value assessment on this trump card. It’ll be easier for me to proceed in the later steps if I can figure out how much importance Xiao Yan puts into repaying one who had saved his life. The more indulgent he is of Bai Qiuchi now, the happier I will be. Smile.JPG】

【444：......】Wait a minute, was he being neglected? How could Host dada not remember what he had or hadn’t said to him?! _(:зゝ∠)_

Xie He rested for a few days. The salve was indeed very potent. The wound was almost completely gone from his face. It did not detract from his beauty at all.

Xiao Yan once again began summoning Xie He to please him. Xie He’s life was one where he could now sleep well, eat well and even have a sex life to boot. No wonder so many girls of the ancient era wanted to cling onto influential people. It was the same reason why people of the modern era wanted sugar daddies/mommies.

Striving for favour required finesse and knowledge.

These pleasant days lasted until Bai Qiuchi once again requested an audience with Xiao Yan.

What surprised Xiao Yan was that it seemed like Bai Qiuchi had finally come around. She said to him, “Before, I didn’t understand Gege’s troubles. But I do now.... I had done things wrong in the past. I really troubled Gege.”

Xiao Yan didn’t quite believe her. “Really?”

Bai Qiuchi looked sad. “Does Gege not believe me?”

Xiao Yan gave her a searching look. He really didn’t believe that Bai Qiuchi would let this matter go so easily. However, if she was willing to try and right her wrongs, he would not hurt her. Therefore, he said, “Then that’s good.”

Bai Qiuchi smiled, a slight flush appearing on her face. She said, “The people Gege mentioned last time...I thought it over carefully...and I...want to meet the second son of Marquis Xuanwu.”

Xiao Yan cocked a brow upwards and then smiled. “OK.”

Bai Qiuchi looked like she wanted to get close to Xiao Yan like she had in the past. However, she didn’t do so in the end. A bit of reluctance appeared in her eyes and she continued, “I won’t be able to see Gege frequently after I’ve wedded. So...can I stay for a meal today?”

As long as Bai Qiuchi was acting sensible, Xiao Yan was willing to dote on her. He smiled and said, “Of course. Even after you’ve wedded, the wangfu will always be your home.”

When Bai Qiuchi heard this, her eyes filled with tears. She lowered her gaze, a complicated emotion and hesitation flashing through her eyes.

Midway through the meal, Bai Qiuchi asked, “Gege, where’s Yuan Jin? You’ve taken him in. It couldn’t be that you’re not having him wait on you?”

When Xiao Yan heard Bai Qiuchi mention Yuan Jin, his eyebrows knitted slightly. “I do not lack servants.”

Bai Qiuchi forced a smile. “Gege, you don’t have to hide him away. Are you afraid that I’ll bully him?” Although she was smiling, there was dejection in her eyes.

When Xiao Yan saw this, he realized that Bai Qiuchi still thought that he liked Yuan Jin and was protecting him. Since Bai Qiuchi was willing to mend her ways, he would not hurt her and upset her over a mere courtesan. He wanted to do what she wanted and let her leave happy. Xiao Yan paused and then ordered for someone to bring Xie He over.

It was the first time Xie He had been summoned by Xiao Yan during the day. He felt nervous. When he saw Bai Qiuchi sitting there, he couldn’t help but cower, apprehension appearing in his eyes.

When Xie He arrived, the servant girls withdrew from the room. They let him wait on Xiao Yan and Bai Qiuchi during the meal.

Bai Qiuchi sat there and did not look at Xie He with the same jealous and hateful expression from before. She looked very indifferent. She cast Xie He a look and then turned her head to continue chatting with Xiao Yan, as if she didn’t care.

Xie He stood at the side, respectfully serving her while she ate.

After lunch, Bai Qiuchi did not seem to plan on leaving. She said to Xiao Yan, “Gege, if you’re busy, go. I’ll stay here for a bit.”

Xiao Yan nodded and said to Xie He, “Serve the young miss well.”

Xie He answered back in a deferential tone.

Once Xiao Yan left, Bai Qiuchi’s smile disappeared. She looked at Xie He coldly. “Come here and massage my legs.”

Xie He knelt in front of her nervously and carefully gave her a massage. Bai Qiuchi lazed on the wooden bench and fell asleep shortly after. She didn’t tell Xie He that he could get up.

By the time Bai Qiuchi woke up, it was already nightfall. Xie He continued to serve Xiao Yan and Bai Qiuchi dinner.

Xie He had knelt for half a day. Both legs ached painfully. It took him a long time to stand up. He wobbled, gritting his teeth as he spread the dishes out for Bai Qiuchi. As a result, he accidentally fell to the ground, spilling the dishes as well. His face paled frightfully.

Bai Qiuchi looked at him coldly. “You can’t even do this? How do you usually wait on Gege?”

Xie He shook all over. He knelt on the ground and didn’t dare to refute.

Xiao Yan sat on the side, gaze apathetic. He had no intentions of stopping this. He knew that Bai Qiuchi had tormented Xie He for half a day. However, as long as Bai Qiuchi didn’t overstep any boundaries, he wouldn’t pay any heed.... Bai Qiuchi was definitely angry at Xie He so he might as well let her vent it out on him. He was nothing but a servant. In any case, he wouldn’t die.

Bai Qiuchi saw that Xiao Yan had no intentions of stopping her and calmed down. It seemed that Xiao Yan didn’t really care about Xie He. He cared more about her still. Before, because she had been so afraid, she had ended up scaring herself even more.

Unfortunately...everything she possessed now was nothing but an illusion.

Bai Qiuchi returned to her courtyard at night. Shui Rong closed the door to the room and whispered, “Young Miss, did you go to His Highness’ study?”

Bai Qiuchi’s expression changed. She said, “No.”

Shui Rong said, “Young Miss is hesitant. But if you drag this on, His Highness will marry you out. At that time....”

Bai Qiuchi pursed her lips, a fierce struggle in her eyes.

She really didn’t want this...but she was still hesitant over betraying Xiao Yan. After all, Xiao Yan treated her well. She also liked him. How could she steel herself to betray him?

..............................

From that day on, Bai Qiuchi spent every day at Xiao Yan’s. They appeared to be siblings that got along very well. It was just that she always needed Xie He to serve her. Although she never hit or scolded him—she’d only make him serve her–it was like she was using a blunt knife to cut him. Xie He was frequently punished with kneeling. His knees were now bloodied. The new injuries added onto the old, causing him to be unable to walk steadily. However, he didn’t dare to show any discontent. He knew that this all happened with His Highness’ tacit agreement.

Xiao Yan watched it all happen. He knew that Bai Qiuchi was targeting Xie He. But Bai Qiuchi was lovable and well-behaved these days. Everything was good. He could only wrong Xie He a bit.... When Bai Qiuchi’s anger subsided, he would make it up to him a bit.

Only, because of Bai Qiuchi, Xie He no longer stayed in his room all day. Most of the time, he was outside. He did what Xiao Yan’s servant girls did. He had many more opportunities to interact with Xiao Yan.

Today, a storm raged outside. Xie He waited in the room to wait on Xiao Yan as usual. He then saw Xiao Yan return, completely drenched. He had forgotten to take an umbrella.

Xiao Yan peeled off his soaked clothing, revealing his sturdy, powerful body. He bent down. His smooth back was like a taught bow. Xie He glanced down at that immense thing that usually caused him to feel like he had died and come back to life before looking away, not daring to stare. He respectfully brought over a change of clothes and helped Xiao Yan change.

Xiao Yan changed into white inner clothing. He let down his hair. Xie He brought over a basin of water for Xiao Yan to wash his hands. There was no expression on Xiao Yan’s cold and stern face.

Xie He looked down and carried the basin out.

【Xie He：It’s about time for me to raise his Favourability Value a bit. Baby, exchange for a cold virus and give it to XiaoXiao. He’s as robust as an ox so he might not run a fever despite getting drenched by the rain.】

【444：(⊙v⊙) Mn. But why do you want him to catch a cold and run a fever? 】

【Xie He：You’ll soon find out. 】

【444：O(∩_∩)O~】He feels like Host dada doesn’t want to bother with explaining things to him, which is why he hasn’t been talking to him lately. QAQ

Because the weather wasn’t good, Bai Qiuchi hadn’t come over today. When Xiao Yan had dinner, he felt dizzy. He had probably gotten a chill. He went to bed under Xie He’s care.

That night, Xiao Yan developed a fever. Immediately, a eunuch was sent to call upon an imperial doctor. The treatment given to Xiao Yan when he was sick, compared to when Xie He was sick, was utterly different. The imperial doctor was very cautious. He was afraid of making any mistake. After making his diagnosis, he left.

Someone went to boil the medicine right away. Xie He didn’t change and waited at Xiao Yan’s side.

Xiao Yan’s fever was very high. He fell into a muddled sleep. He knew that Xie He was still there but he didn’t care. There were other people in the courtyard. Xie He couldn’t hurt him. Moreover...he could use this as an opportunity to sound Xie He out. He still didn’t feel at ease with Xie He.

Xie He felt helpless, seeing Xiao Yan sick. However, as a servant, he could only wait on his master properly. If anything happened to Xiao Yan, Xie He would not have a good fate either.

He saw that Xiao Yan was terribly ill. With a flushed face, he timidly reached out to touch the other’s forehead. Every few minutes, Xie He refreshed the towel on Xiao Yan’s forehead and carefully wiped off his sweat.

Xiao Yan had not been this sick in a very long time. Everything was fuzzy to him. He could faintly make out a pair of soft hands touching his face, as well as droplets of water wetting his chapped lips.

This felt very familiar...it was like he had gone back three years.

That year, he had disguised his face and went to investigate the case. What happened was that he ended up heavily injured after the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt. The other’s weapon had been coated in poison. He had not been able to hear or see because of the potent poison, and he had gotten separated from his subordinates. In his moment of despair, someone saved him. The person who saved him was likely a child. They were not very strong. They dragged him into a cave, expending a lot of effort. They also helped staunch his bleeding and applied medicine on him.

Afterwards, that person would continue to come everyday, cleaning his wounds and body just like this. They would also feed him water and food.... Their actions were gentle, just like this. It made him feel intoxicated, and he longed to see the other.

In his dark and still days, the only thing Xiao Yan could perceive was this person’s meticulous care and the feeling of those hands on his skin.... He had engraved these feelings into his soul...and had kept dreaming of what this person must look like.

A gentle person like this was probably a very warm and beautiful young woman. She had risked her life to save him and didn’t pay any heed to the propriety between men and women for the sake of taking care of him. He had thought, if he survived, he had to pay her back. If she was willing, he would even wed her.

Xiao Yan didn’t want to deny it. It had been the first time he ever had such a thought. His biggest regret had been being unable to see her appearance.

Xiao Yan had laid in the dark cave, not able to hear or see a thing. Every day, what he looked forward to the most was her arrival.... Later on, he had thought about a problem. Since he didn’t know what she looked like, he wouldn’t be able to recognize his benefactor in the future when they met again. Therefore, he had taken off the jade pendant he had on and shoved it into her hands, telling her to keep it, that he would find her later.

He hadn’t known whether she accepted it or not. It had been his first time gifting a jade pendant to a woman. His actions were indeed a bit presumptuous. He had hoped that he hadn’t scared the other.

After he had given her the pendant, the person left. The next day, Xiao Yan had waited for her to come again but she hadn’t come. In the end, he had been found by his subordinates and had been taken back. After recuperating for a few days— when he recovered from the poison and was able to move normally again— the first thing he did was return to that cave. However, he hadn’t been able to find any clues.

At that time, he had received news of Cui Shao’s suicide. He had lost to the Crown Prince this time. Xiao Yan had returned to the cave and waited over ten days, but that person had never come back. It was like it had all been a dream. In the end, he had no choice but to leave Jiangzhou. It was just that he could never forget the person who was at his side in the darkness, in his greatest time of need.... He had never given up on finding her.

Two years ago, a pawn shop received the jade pendant and realized that it belonged to the imperial family. They sent it to Xiao Yan, who immediately went to look for the girl who had pawned the pendant. The girl was Bai Qiuchi.

Bai Qiuchi didn’t just have that token, she was also able to mention the right location.

Xiao Yan gave unimaginable honour and favour to the Bai Family. He also took Bai Qiuchi back to the wangfu. He had been worried that he would accidentally be too rude to his benefactor, so he had always treated her with great respect and propriety. He fulfilled Bai Qiuchi’s every wish.... It was just that this woman was not like he had imagined.

Perhaps it was the avarice that occasionally spilled from Bai Qiuchi’s eyes or the selfishness and malice she displayed behind his back. Perhaps it was one of the many other factors....

But she was not like the person in his dreams.

Later on, Xiao Yan had tucked away his inappropriate intentions. As a prince, he obviously could not do anything impulsive or childish. Bai Qiuchi saved his life. She would be in his good graces for the rest of her life. However, he did not want her.

Two years had passed in a blink of an eye. Xiao Yan very rarely thought of what had happened back then.... It was just that he couldn’t help but recall it all at this moment. It couldn’t be that it was Bai Qiuchi taking care of him right now?

Xiao Yan really wanted to open his eyes. He wanted to see her now, like he had wanted to back then.... He could feel that the little hands that had been caressing his face were about to move away. He suddenly grabbed them forcefully and slowly opened his eyes.

What he saw was Xie He’s stunning, deathly pale face. He was looking at him with fear and helplessness.

Xiao Yan’s dark eyes peered at Xie He deeply. An impossible thought flashed through his mind. If it was Xie He...he really did seem like the person from back then....

【Ding, the target Xiao Yan’s Favourability Value +10. The current Favourability Value is 65.】

sere: big oof at feudal society