Chapter Fifteen: He Would Never Be Upset

The man wore a light blue robe and held a folding fan gilded with gold. His features were more refined than Xiao Yuanchi’s, and his demeanor was even calmer. At first glance, one might mistake him for a newly arrived teacher at the neighborhood academy.

“Your Highness?”

“Shh.” Crown Prince Xiao Yuanxi raised the folding fan to his lips. “Madam is traveling incognito, as am I. I hope you understand and won’t expose us.”

Yin Jiaojiao pondered for a moment and said, “Big brother travels incognito... and yet visits the book pavilion?”

The use of “big brother” made Xiao Yuanxi smile. “It’s still early. The place I’m headed to hasn’t opened yet, so I came to the book pavilion for some tea first.”

Yin Jiaojiao blurted out, “Could it be that big brother is also going to the Tianhe Pavilion?”

“So, you were going to the Tianhe Pavilion.” Xiao Yuanxi sighed suddenly. “Well then, I won’t tease you any longer. I have already taken care of my business. I didn’t expect to run into you entering the teahouse right as I stepped out. I followed you here.”

“Followed me?”

Yin Jiaojiao had been spending some time in this teahouse. If he had followed her since she entered, wouldn’t he have been sitting nearby all along?

Seeing her surprise, Xiao Yuanxi quickly explained, “The other day, when I saw you fall into the water and then heard you had a fever, it was quite dangerous. I thought you’d rest at the manor, so I didn’t expect to see you again today. I was a little worried and wanted to check on you, so... I didn’t disturb you recklessly.”

The man’s calm explanation was as gentle as a spring breeze. Sitting by the window, the noon sunlight bathed him in a warm glow, giving off a brotherly warmth.

Yin Jiaojiao felt a warmth in her heart and said, “I’m doing quite well.”

“Your complexion looks good, but is your mood as well?” Xiao Yuanxi flicked his fan and casually pointed to the storyteller. “I, like your maid, am hearing this for the first time, but it seems you’re not.”

“Half a year ago, when this story was still a popular night performance, I heard it two or three times.” Yin Jiaojiao lowered her eyes to her teacup. “Big brother, don’t mind it. It’s just the usual gossip.”

“It is indeed gossip.” Xiao Yuanxi nodded. “The author is ignorant, thinking that the ‘stick flower’ is just a common wildflower to joke about and reshape as they please, unaware that it is no ordinary flower.”

Yin Jiaojiao looked up.

“Those who don’t understand call it the stick flower. Those who do know it by its proper name—Buddha’s Seat Little Red Lotus. Years ago, a doctor who saved lives with this flower found it beneath a collapsed Buddha statue. When it blooms, it looks like a red lotus, fiery red. Hence the name. The finest Buddha’s Seat Little Red Lotus is worth a fortune. Compared to the orchids admired by nobles, isn’t this flower far more remarkable?”

Yin Jiaojiao was stunned, while Qiu Ming clapped her hands.

“Wow, that means the stick flower grows so recklessly because it saves lives. How noble! Much better than orchids!”

Xiao Yuanxi laughed heartily. “This girl is clever—exactly right.”

Since Yin Jiaojiao first heard this tale, no one had ever comforted her from this perspective. Yet Xiao Yuanxi’s expression was natural, without a trace of pity, as if he were merely sharing the story of a wildflower. It was incredibly comforting.

Yin Jiaojiao’s nose tingled slightly. She blinked and said, “Big brother, I’ll take your words seriously.”

Xiao Yuanxi leaned slightly forward, looking her in the eye with resolve. “Do take them seriously. Even before the emperor, I would say the same.”

Just then, a wooden clapper snapped, signaling the storyteller’s act had ended.

...

On such a clear day, hearing such kind words warmed Yin Jiaojiao’s heart. “Big brother, you are so learned and talented. Listening to you is worth more than a decade of study. I’ll toast you with tea instead of wine.”

As she spoke, she was about to drink first in respect, but Xiao Yuanxi pressed down on her teacup with his fan.

“If you’re to toast with tea, you shouldn’t drink the coarse tea here. At this hour, the Tianhe Pavilion should be open. I’ll host, you’re the guest. Let’s celebrate your recovery there, shall we?”

Yin Jiaojiao’s first instinct was to refuse.

Even though Xiao Yuanxi was composed and refined now, she could not forget how, in her past life, he and Xiao Yuanchi fought fiercely to the death. A hesitant emperor, a crown prince who sat in the eastern palace for thirty years, and a powerful prince holding military power—their grand ambitions inevitably stirred turmoil in the court. And now was just the time when such storms were about to rise.

Her only goal in this life was to survive. Whether Xiao Yuanchi lived or died, she wished to avoid being entangled in court intrigues and to keep her distance from all dangerous figures.

Seeing her hesitation, Xiao Yuanxi said, “Are you worried that Seventh Brother would be unhappy if he knew?”

Yin Jiaojiao snorted instinctively. “He wouldn’t be unhappy.”

“Yes, everyone in Dayong knows how much you care for Seventh Brother. He trusts you and wouldn’t be displeased.”

At this point, there was no room for refusal, so Yin Jiaojiao nodded.

The Tianhe Pavilion was famous for its fresh seafood and fine wine. The six-story octagonal building was one of the most luxurious in the Eastern Capital, just a street away from the teahouse. Before long, they arrived.

Xiao Yuanxi reserved a private chamber on the third floor, with a pleasant waterside view.

Yin Jiaojiao remained reserved, reluctant to speak much. When Xiao Yuanxi offered to pour her tea, she hastily took the cup herself.

“I’ll do it.”

But the cup was already held by the man. When she tried to snatch it, she only grasped his knuckles—strong and slightly cool. Feeling as if her hand was burning, she withdrew awkwardly.

Xiao Yuanxi seemed unaware and leisurely filled the teacup, pushing it toward her.

“Perhaps you wonder why, though we are relatives in name, with no real relationship, I insist on speaking with you.”

He spoke plainly, and Yin Jiaojiao was frank in return. “I honestly don’t quite understand.”

“It’s simple. I want to act as a mediator between you and Seventh Brother.”

“Mediator?” Yin Jiaojiao forced a smile. “We’re quite fine…”

“I have no intention of meddling in your family affairs. But the incident of you falling into the water caused palace rumors to spread. Over the past year, gossip about you has been growing louder and more intense.” Xiao Yuanxi poured himself tea. “Sister-in-law, you care deeply for Seventh Brother. Aren’t you worried?”

Before their marriage, Xiao Yuanchi was the dream lover of countless women in the Eastern Capital. Yin Jiaojiao’s relentless pursuit, though not flattering, was harmless. But after the wedding, rumors suddenly shifted into real and fake love triangles, making the matter serious.

Yin Jiaojiao’s father, Yin Chaozong, was the Prime Minister—a civil official above all others. Gu Xuezhi’s father was a general, once a military authority. With the favor the Qin Prince gained through military achievements, the crown prince’s position was shaken. A scandal gradually tainted the court.

Even in her previous life, filled only with longing for Xiao Yuanchi’s love, Yin Jiaojiao sensed danger—let alone the perceptive Xiao Yuanxi.

Yet...

Yin Jiaojiao traced the rim of her teacup.

“I am worried, but so many mouths, so many rumors—we can’t stop them. It’s impossible.” She slowly raised her gaze. “But these things are just neighborhood gossip after all. Why trouble big brother? Could it be you mean well, trying to ease your cousin’s worries?”

Yin Jiaojiao was pleasing to the eye, her eyebrows curved gently. Her tentative questioning sounded more like casual chat. She doubted that even if the Crown Prince’s residence had to manage such domestic matters, the Crown Princess, as her cousin, should be the one to intervene—not him, the Crown Prince.

Having struggled with Xiao Yuanchi for over two years and recently suffered grievances, yet still considering him and unwilling to let down her guard—this woman was truly devoted.

“Your points are valid. This matter should not concern me. But I cannot forget what I saw the other day.” Xiao Yuanxi set down his cup, still speaking gently. “What if I told you I want to ease your worries?”