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Chapter Text

The 130th year of the Zongzheng dynasty.

That year, winter, seemed particularly harsh, the capital had already seen several rounds of snowfall, day after day. 

Within the forests of Jinqi mountain, a thousand-li black horse flies past, its hooves leaving heavy scars on the layer of accumulated frost on the ground, carrying two people on its back. 

“…your highness…”

The person seated in front, listlessly pressed against the rider’s back, is emaciated as bones, who would’ve thought, just a few short years ago, he, was once the affluent and prosperous young master of the most prominent household in the empire. 

“Xiaobao, what is it? Are you - are you very cold?”

“…put this one down.”

His voice, though weakened, is as warm as ever before. 

“ - the horse…carrying two people…won’t run far…”

“No, I can’t leave you like this! You - you can’t suffer the cold!” 

“My body’s been poisoned, I - will die sooner or later. Y-You are an imperial son, how could I…drag you down with me? Let - let me down.”

“NO! After - after we reach Prince Su’s territory safely, I’ll definitely - definitely find the antidote, trust me, Xiaobao - ”

Looking at this wangfei of his, like his concubine mother back then, trembling in the cold but not given even a blanket to keep warmth, he, who’s never made a sound when beaten or locked up and left to die, cries the first tear in his short lifetime. 

“ - l-look at me…in such a dire situation…still un-unable to do anything, aren’t - aren’t I too useless…”

“No, no…it’s my fault, I was wrong, when we get out, I won’t call you useless again, I’ll listen to you in everything, I’ll treat you well!”

“…hehe…hearing this…from your highness…I can - rest with my eyes closed…”

“You won’t die, I won’t let you die, Xiaobao, hang on…hang on…”

Clasping him in his arms, like a child clinging to his favorite kite, he, frantically pushes internal energy into the ice-cold and unmoving body. 

“Huai - Huaien, in this lifetime…I…I - ”

“THERE! QUICK, CHASE!”

“Whoever kills the traitorous First Prince, a thousand silver taels will be your reward!”

First Prince Zongzheng Huaien, the only son of the famed beauty Concubine Xue, at the age of eight, was able to wield a sword, at the age of fifteen, able to kill in battle. By the age of twenty, his achievements were countless, his character decisive and resolute, unafraid to cut the jute to untangle the knotted strings, capable of great things. 

“Jia!” 

A pity, this eldest prince, unable to swallow the resentment of his mother’s death in the cold palace, influenced by his treacherous uncle, was within the short span of two autumns, accused by the Empress of rebellion. 

“Xiaobao, hold on tight.”

Overnight, stripped of his titles and army, thrown into the underground prison, losing the favor of his imperial father, unexpectedly, the one by his side was the male wife he despised the most, the one he always thought to be cowardly and inept, Consort Jin. 

Spoilt and pampered since birth, upon marrying into the imperial family and becoming the First Prince’s wangfei, this pearl in the palm of his parents’ hands suffered ten thousand indignities, yet silently endured them all. 

Later, when the court was in disarray, the Jin family was not without means, his childhood friend Su-shizi, owing the family a debt, also offered him a mansion within his grandfather’s territories, but, this Jin Xiaobao was adamant. 

In the underground prison, refusing to confess to the Empress’s false charges, he was punished, an entire seventy-eighty needles, each one containing Ten Thousand Bone Chill, pierced into every joint of his body. 

“KILL!”

The First Prince, after all, is skilled in combat and commanded troops, even ambushed with Chu songs on all four sides, on a single horse with one sword, he, is prepared to fight his way out. 

“Don’t be scared, Xiaobao…Xiaobao?”

So, it was like that. 

“XIAOBAO!”

On the coldest day of winter, the once dazzling golden young master died in obscurity in the abandoned woods, without anyone to collect his corpse. 

“ATTACK!”

One sword, ultimately, how can it defend against a rain of arrows? 

Under the moonlight, red blood seeps endlessly from black robes, like a river, dyeing the white ground crimson. 

His one hand clutches a jade pendant, the other clutches a small palm, fingers entangled together, like a complicated red string of fate, unable to be unraveled. 

I won’t let go, see you at Naihe bridge. 

If…there’s a next life, I will cherish you. 

“Your highness, what do you like to eat? Is there anything that whets your appetite?”

“I’m not picky.”

“Mn…then, I’ll  ask the kitchens to prepare some everyday dishes,  light and refreshing fare. You should eat less rich sauces and flavorings, this way, the wounds on your body won’t scar easily.”

“…”

“…Sorry. Since young, I’ve always been taken care of, I’m bad  at taking care of people, so,  I only know how to do this.” 

“What are you doing.”

“I-I-I-I - Taking a blanket to cover you…the  night is cold…”

“I won’t get cold.”

“What ‘won’t get cold’?! You  don’t need to worry about me, I have  a lot of flesh!”

“How can you be so useless, a little pain, can’t you bear it?”

“When you speak, can you not be so disgusting?!”

“What are you crying for, where exactly does it hurt?!”

“…you…your highness,  do you think I  only have this use?”

Chapter Text

In the darkness, opening his eyes, entering his sight, is vermillion - not a sea of blood, but layer after layer of red curtains. Underneath his fingertips, is not red earth but silken bedsheets. 

Raising his head to take a glance around, upon regaining his awareness, he suddenly discovers, lying next to him, under the scarlet blankets, occasionally letting out a loud snore, is the soft, warm and living body of Jin Xiaobao!

The record book…record book - 

Every household within the imperial palace, in order to keep track of property and expenditure, keeps a ledger of records of funds going in and out, the First Prince’s is no exception.

Being the target of schemes and plots since young, the eldest prince is especially cautious, and stored his near his person.

Groping around the bedside, in a hidden secret drawer, indeed, the small book is still there. Flipping it open hastily, the last record is…

Acquisition of  dowry from the Jin family:  ten thousand taels of gold, three hundred  bolts of fine quality silk, jade bangles…

Zongzheng era, the 128th year. 

That year, the Jin family’s influence in the jianghu and at court had reached its peak, despite being from the debased merchant class and unable to take the imperial exams or hold official positions, even the emperor had to pander to them. 

At this time, unluckily, the Jin household’s sole young master, having seen the calamitous beauty, the First Prince, out in the capital in disguise as a dancing maiden, fell in love at first sight. Later, after discovering his true identity, that fool refused to back down! 

Unable to offend this great backer, the son of heaven eventually offered up his disfavored eldest son’s hand in marriage. Like this, the sparrow became a phoenix. 

From their first meeting, to Zongzheng Huaien, this Jin Xiaobao, could be described in a few words, if not ‘vulgar’, then ‘common’, if not ‘common’, then ‘vulgar’.

Even his given name, Little Treasure, possessed not a drop of learning or refinement, truly a coarse person.  

“Sending the newlyweds into the bridal chamber!” 

Seeing the round face beneath the red veil, that pair of bright and shining eyes, full cheeks and painted lips smiling guilelessly, feeling his plump and tender claws on his own body, in front of the crowd, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and bear this humiliation. 

This, must be his wedding night.

I was born with sin, but the heavens have not forsaken me. 

Chapter Text

“Mm…ngh…”

Tossing and turning in his sleep, he, as if trapped in a bad dream, struggles frantically, unable to extricate himself. 

This is no wonder - for young master Jin, accustomed to luxury since birth, lying on the prince’s hard and austere bed, he must not be used to it. 

At this moment, the blanket slips, revealing a naked back, his pale and delicate skin covered in bruises and bite marks.  

No, that’s not right. 

The red candles burnt almost to the end, the scattered gold ornaments on the floor, the paper ‘double happiness’ character pasted on the head of the bed…

“Husband, have tea.”

Dressed in ostentatious  robes embroidered with gold, wearing  gold and jade jewelry from head to toe, when he pours the tea, the bangles on his two wrists also shake, making his entire person appear exceptionally laughable.

“Here,  our first cup of tea as a wedded couple…This, is superior quality  tea, I instructed Father’s men to import it from afar! Inside, there’s also an additional herb, said to have aphrodisiac qualities, hehehehe…”

Constantly trying to please, daring to stare at him with  that kind of amorous gaze, if not for his status as the Jin family’s young master, this man  would have perished a thousand times over.

“Although usually, I go to bed with women,  with men, it’s not like I don’t have experience!  Husband, tonight, let me - ”

“Are you really stupid, or just pretending to be?”

“W-w-what…”

“Do you truly think I sincerely  intended to marry you?”

“Husband - ” 

“What did you call me?”

“Your - your highness…I don’t understand…”

“You want to do it?”

“Mn - ah!”

His shame having turned to anger,  the shining golden hair crown  is ripped off and cavalierly tossed aside, the red-robed bride fiercely pushed down onto the bed. 

Feeling that unfamiliar and heated  body pressed against him, in his heart, rises a wave of revulsion, both angry and hating himself  for  falling so low. 

“Your highness, gentler…gentler…hurts -  it hurts! Nngh... ah… AHHH!”

Judging from the numerous marks left behind, the drops of white liquid dripping from his wangfei’s…that place, this marriage, has just been consummated. 

Damn the heavens, if he’d been reincarnated a little earlier, just a few shichen, Xiaobao wouldn’t have been hurt…

Pulling the heavy blankets over his body, he, without saying a word, quietly observes - the carefree smiling face, now ashen, both eyes faintly swollen, in slumber, his brows are still knitted together, on his round cheeks, line after line of dried tear marks. 

He, who from the age of being able to understand human speech, has been told of his beauty, has never cared about ‘good-looking’ or ‘ugly’, after so many trials and tribulations within his short lifetime, only knows he likes to look at Xiaobao’s face, likes his - other parts, in spite of this person’s behavior being inexplicable and impossible to comprehend, he, just knows he likes him.

“Hmm…mmm…”

At present, those dense lashes flutter slowly, like butterfly wings, and facing him, are a pair of startled eyes. 

“Don’t be afraid.”

Having spoken, two solid and sturdy arms encircle wangfei’s waist. 

“Last night, it was my fault.”

Chapter Text

Regaining consciousness, it feels like his body’s been trampled by ten bulls, there’s nowhere it doesn’t hurt. 

Biting his lip and not daring to move a bit, recalling how he obtained these injuries, cold sweat rises on his forehead, and it hurts even more!

“Hmm…mmm…”

“Don’t be afraid.” 

Having spoken, two solid and sturdy arms encircle his own sore and aching waist. 

“Last night, it was my fault.”

Hmph! 

This First Prince really is so fickle, in broad daylight, he turns into a saint, when the moon is high and the night’s dark, he’s just like a wolf…not even getting tired! 

The tip of his nose turning sour, wangfei, having yet to suffer the ravages of the years, tasting bitterness to the point of being able to hide excruciating pain beyond what mortals can bear with a faint smile, feeling wronged, his steaming hot tears fall freely. 

In this moment, if he doesn’t cry, his name isn’t Jin Xiaobao! 

Lowering his head to take a good look at Xiaobao’s face, blurry with tears, the First Prince’s heart also turns sour. 

In his memories, this round and slightly silly face, was initially rich with emotion, smiling when happy, crying when sad, complaining when dissatisfied, unlike the ministers and royal descendants of the court, straightforward and speaking whatever’s on his mind, even when trying to play little tricks or pranks, one glance at this face would reveal his intent, later on, becoming fragile and lonely. 

“What’s wrong?”

“…hurts.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“My…bottom.”

“…let me see.”

“A-ah?” 

Having his waist held tightly by the other, watching the proper and upright First Prince meticulously remove the torn pants from his legs, baring his…

“What - what are you doing?!”

Just like that, a pair of smooth, pale and tender mounds slip out. 

“I’ll be gentle.”

No matter how thick his skin is, this is too embarrassing!!!

“Be good. Don’t move.”

Placing the blanket securely to cover Xiaobao, wrapping him like a small dumpling, he, goes to find the attendant waiting outside on the nuptial night to tend to the bride’s needs. 

Due to the Empress’s deliberate ploys and schemes, the First Prince’s household, has never had many attendants, other than Zuoying and Youying, his left and right shadows, this pair of brothers owing him a debt of gratitude in childhood, all the others were easily threatened or bribed. 

As time passed, he, also preferred it that way. 

That year, the Jin family, as part of Jin Xiaobao’s dowry, brought their own servants into the palace. 

The two waiting outside, leaning against a pillar and entangled in a heap napping, precisely are the men sent from the Jin manor.

“Wake up.”

“Young master, let me sleep a while longer - your highness!” 

Though not too bright, their loyalty, cannot be denied. In his impression, the younger one who woke first, named Jinbao, after the eldest prince had fallen into disgrace, the imperial physician Doctor Que offered to take him and go far away, but, he refused to abandon his young master, eventually, being killed in front of Xiaobao’s eyes by the imperial guards for attempting to help the fugitive First Prince and his wangfei escape. 

“Prepare a bath.”

Chapter Text

“Your highness, the bathtub of water you requested is here.”

As the prince instructed, a tub of steaming hot water, from which emanates the fragrance of countless flower petals, carried into the room by a bleary-eyed Zhaocai and Jinbao, is placed in front of him.

“You both are dismissed.”

These two poor fellows, after carrying such a heavy load, they still have to prostrate before the First Prince!

Hm, he, at least has some decency left, after last night’s ‘frenzied attack’, those cold and callous words, hurting this young master’s heart, he still  knows how to make amends!

But, this ancestor is not so easily coaxed!

“Xiaobao, come, I’ll help you take a bath.”

“I’ll do it myself.” 

Just like he tells Xiaoyu once and again, again and thrice, after marrying in, even if it’s the royal family, one must have dignity! 

“How dare this lowly one trouble the emperor’s son.”

He, Jin Xiaobao, does not lack a backbo- 

“…your legs are shaking. Come.”

“Ah - ah ah ah! Put me down! Put me down!” 

Looks really are deceiving, the prince, though resembling a fairy with heavenly poise, is strong as a mountain, he himself as a grown man isn’t light, but, lifting him up from the marital bed, not a drop of sweat appears on the First Prince’s forehead, unlike Zhaocai and Jinbao, those two at home! 

“It was my fault. I’ll make it up to you.”

Hu…

Such an otherworldly beauty, looking at him with deep and unfathomable emotions, this, is the first time in his life that he hasn’t been chased away or disdained!

Don’t tell me…this, is the taste of being a beloved concubine?! 

Hehehehehe…

Submerged in the hot water bath, shrouded by layers and layers of mist, wangfei’s delicate skin has turned crimson. The sky has grown light, in the light of dawn, the blue and green wounds across his back seem more prominent than yesterday.  

“Let me see.” 

Before his eyes, those two ample white mounds, supple and protruding, round, abundant and smooth to the touch are truly exquisite, in his previous life, being fixated on affairs of state and power struggles, he, who was often away from the capital on court business, didn’t manage to properly admire them.  

A pity, they’re swollen to this extent. 

Using a finger to lightly poke the inflamed area, at the same time, wangfei flinches. 

“…if it hurt, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Having been seen through, Xiaobao huffily plucks the petals in the water, pouting and refusing to speak.

“Mn?” 

“Didn’t - didn’t you look down on me for being pathetic?”

“Many bullying one, how despicable!” 

During their  initial meeting, witnessing a ‘damsel in distress’ dancing girl being harassed on the streets, he, had stepped in to play the hero, but ended up being rescued instead.

“ Do not fear!  Your husband is here to save you!”

Possessing a  treasure sword yet  unable to wield it, obviously a wastrel son, capable of nothing yet openly flaunting his position without shame.

“What is the beautiful lady’s noble  name?” 

“You’re not fit to know.”

That, was Zongzheng Huaien’s first impression.

That autumn, a plague had broken out in another part of the country, both the First Prince and the empress’s son had set out on  expeditions to provide relief to the people. Bent on being the first to reach the site of the disaster, Huaien had rode on day and night, not stopping at a single inn to rest. And that   wangfei of his, had stubbornly  insisted on accompanying.  

Once, they  stopped at an abandoned temple to  rest for not more than three shichen. Raised by his second uncle on the steep plains of the battlefield, lying on the cold, hard floor under the statue of the goddess of mercy was, to him, no hardship, but to Xiaobao, it was not the same. 

Feeling vexed, the prince had pulled him down to sleep,  however, failing to control his strength, Huaien, accidentally caused his knee to be cut on the rough stones, the pain was so great that he cried out. 

“How can you be so useless, a little pain, can’t you bear it?”

Chapter Text

“Didn’t - didn’t you look down on me for being pathetic?”

“…in the future, I won’t ever again.” 

“Really?”

His usual tone, endearing, flirtatious and sticky, after last night’s ordeal, carries a hint of suspicion, Xiaobao evidently isn’t letting go of this grudge. 

Faced with his furrowed brows and little red lips pursed together, the First Prince is at a loss. 

(Back then, upon waking, disgusted by the sight of the soft body beneath him, he had left the bedchamber by morning for an audience with his majesty, not sparing a backwards glance at the boor in his bed.)  

“I’m not lying. In this lifetime, I promise, I won’t ever lie to you.”

…how can a person suddenly change his tune, one moment, casting him aside like dirt, the next moment, treating him like rare porcelain - the sweet words and honeyed promises coming from the mouth of a man, he, Jin Xiaobao, won’t - 

“Look at your wounds - I’ll get medicine.”

“No - no need!”

The - the First Prince already saw that swollen chrysanthemum of his, if he were to glimpse the marks on his back, wouldn’t he never be able to hold his head up high in this lifetime?!

“See. You’re obviously in pain. Don’t move. I’ll fetch the medicine.”

…Die’s scoldings weren’t in vain, things having come to such a state, he, Jin Xiaobao, only blame himself, who told him to be too easily moved by a pretty face! 

“This ointment was specially gifted by imperial father before I left for the battlefield.”

Spreading the paste within the space between his full buttocks, Xiaobao clenches his teeth but doesn’t cry out.

He, he, why does he keep staring at the buttocks! 

“Effective for stopping bleeding and pain. Once applied, after a few shichen, a wounded soldier can return to battle.”

“Such precious medicine, how can it be used…over there?”

“Precisely because it’s good medicine, it should be used there.”

After applying the medicine, the prince, whose restraint is legendary to the point where he could go for weeks without rations on the frontier, with great difficulty tears his gaze away from those two peaches, so close within reach yet untouchable, forcing his line of sight from that lovely place to Xiaobao’s flushed cheeks. 

“We’re already married, you don’t have to be - Xiaobao? Xiaobao!” 

Calling him, there’s no response, underneath his palm, Xiaobao’s forehead is burning up, how come he hadn’t noticed, how could he not have noticed?! 

“Hot - why is your body so hot - ”

Feverish and unconscious, in this condition, he seems too much like the Xiaobao wasting away in the underground prison, afflicted by the poison and waiting to die…

“Xiaobao, don’t be scared, we’ll immediately get treatment.” 

With a flick of his wrist, a small burst of spiritual energy, the doors open, revealing two black-clothed men hiding furtively.

“Zuoying, Youying! Send for the physician immediately!”

Chapter Text

“Your highness, the physician has arrived.”

Having followed the First Prince for over a decade, his left and right shadows know when to retreat without making a sound. 

Holding a wooden medicine kit and striding in with large steps, this man, neatly attired to the point of being fastidious, must be the divine healer Que. 

He, whose origins were shrouded in mystery, yet based on his brilliant skill, was invited to join the imperial physicians from generations of medical families, yet he did not lose to them one bit - surpassing his elder predecessors as indigo surpasses blue. However, owing to his lack of familial connections, this piece of fine jade was never carved to its full potential and was not given opportunities to rise in status all his life.

“Yo, bright and early in the morning, shouldn’t your highness be enjoying the mortal pleasures with his new bride? Why has he summoned this one?” 

Impudent! 

Smirking outrightly at a member of the royal family, even insinuating…what a lack of decorum! 

But, recalling his former life, Physician Que was by nature eccentric, wearing gloves wherever he went and obsessed with cleanliness.

Though he himself did not interact with him often, seeing as he was willing to risk everything to rescue that silly-headed servant, Jinbao, it appears there’s more than meets the eye to their relationship.

This tie between the two, can be put to use, after all, as his uncle had imparted, what determines a medicine or a poison is often the dosage, that which can be used to heal, can also kill. 

(Shortly after Jinbao’s wrongful murder, it was said that the Empress was nearly poisoned to death, if not for a greedy rat, this odorless and tasteless substance would never have been found out. 

The culprit, a minor personage, one amongst the many imperial physicians of the court, the low-ranked Que Siming, had been sentenced to be executed.

This news was so earthshattering, that even on the run from the court, the former First Prince had caught wind of it.) 

“Wangfei has been running a fever since this morning. Earlier, he fainted and has yet to wake.” 

“Let me examine.” 

Que Siming, this person, really doesn’t stand on ceremony, immediately grabbing Xiaobao’s plump and tender right wrist to take his pulse, pushing aside the thick golden bangles inscribed with the character for fortune with a cold laugh. 

“Your highness’s wangfei truly is prosperous.” 

“Be gentler!”

“Rest assured, your highness, I won’t kill him.”

“Not a great ailment at all, your highness made too much out of a small matter.”

Thankfully, thankfully Xiaobao is alright, he’s alright…

“He must’ve absorbed too much yang energy within a short period of time, causing an imbalance inside the body. I say, your highness, how many times did you do it last night?” 

“Audacious!”

“These herbs I’ve prescribed, boil and drink them three times a day, within three days, wangfei should fully recover. If this humble one can offer some advice - ” 

“Speak.”  

“Next time, your highness, learn to curb yourself.” 

This Que Siming, is absolutely unafraid of the heavens or the earth!

“Oh, and. I nearly forgot. Especially between two men, you need to use oil when you do it. This, your highness, you also need a physician to teach? Haha! Hahahahahaha…”

“You - you!”

Barging in from outside without pondering over the consequences, unlike Zuoying and Youying, who grew up in the palace, or even the more astute and older by one year Zhaocai, Jinbao, to say it nicely, is pure-hearted and unsullied by court intrigue, to say it meanly, is naive and rash. 

In any case, he, wanting to stand up for his master, opens his mouth, inviting disaster to fall upon his own head! 

“My family’s young master is already suffering, can you not make sarcastic remarks?”

Chapter Text

“You - you…let go of me! Young master, save - ”  

“Clumsy and stupid, especially easy to rile up. Hmph. How fun.” 

“The physician is a busy man, this prince will not take up more of his time. Physician Que, take care as you leave.” 

“Aiyo, so eager to chase me out? Your highness, today, I helped you, and gave you invaluable advice worth gold and jade, it can be taken that you owe me a favor. Don’t forget, what’s owed must be paid, a promise is worth a thousand gold…right, little servant?” 

“Xiaobao, you’ve woken, you’ve finally woken.”

Wa, what a beauty, what a beauty…

In his past life, he, Jin Xiaobao, must have done some meritorious service, to have this fairy peering at him with his alluring eyes, clutching his hand with his own, without this young master having to pay money for his companionship…

Hehe, hehehehehe - 

“Ah - aiyo aiyo aiyo this ancestor’s chrysanthemum…”

“Just now, the physician from the court came to examine you.”

“From the court?!”

Ah, don’t tell me,  everyone knows of this young master’s  affliction down there?! 

Even to someone as blatantly shameless as Xiaobao, being laughed at for being coarse, stupid, a glutton, lazy, all these, he can stomach, but, if the news about his buttocks ‘blooming like a flower’ got back to his old buddies, he, Jin Xiaobao, won’t be able to show his face in the jianghu again! 

“He - he said, the excess of yang energy caused you to pass out.”

And whose fault is that?! 

“The doctor prescribed a few days’ of medicine, I had someone brew the herbs earlier. Here, drink your medicine.”

“Don’t want!”

The mysterious black liquid inside the bowl held in the prince’s hands, contains who-knows-what vile things, from young, when sick, he’s never drunk medicine without a sweet to eat. 

Pouting like a child at the sight of bitter medicine, perhaps if the eldest prince of the past were to walk past and see, how immature he would find his consort, yet, the him of the present, in that instant realizes, so, Xiaobao’s actually so adorable. 

“Drink.”

“Don’t - MMPH!”

Opening his mouth to protest, how could he have anticipated this ‘sneak attack’?!  

“Mm - mmm mmm mmm! MMMM!” 

With the prince’s large and callused hand on his nose and mouth, he has no choice but to swallow everything down, the taste is simply too revolting! 

Having finished the entire bowl, to reward him, rather than a spoonful of sweet soup or a bite of a pastry, on his lips, are - are the First Prince’s soft and fragrant lips!

Stunned silent by a little kiss, how easy to coax. 

“Be good.”