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Palm for fist, Jin Xuan matched Xiao Ruojin’s every strike—never losing the smirk from his lips, even as a thin sliver of sweat dripped from his left brow. Scrolls and notes scattered, poetry forgotten in the flurry of their fight. The only words that mattered now were the taunts thrown his way.
Xiao Ruojin threw the nearest inkstone at his study companion, but he dodged with ease. “You’ll have to do better than that, my prince,” the eunuch told him.
The audacity…
Overextending a punch, the next thing Xiao Ruojin knew was the ground beneath him. “You dare!” he growled, struggling as Jin Xuan pinned him down. “I could have you killed for this!”
The eunuch’s breath was cold against his ear. “Then who will help His Highness study?”
“I don’t need to study this.”
Jin Xuan’s fingers curled around one of his wrists. “Are you sure?”
“I…” Xiao Ruojin’s didi had a sword technique called Third-best, and not without reason. Ruofeng’s shifu was the legendary Li Changsheng, the top martial artist in all of Tianqi—perhaps the world. Even the Grand Eunuch didn’t seem to be capable of laying a finger on him. But things were becoming complicated with Mr. Li, with his unsubtle show at the palace gates and his recent departure from the city. Ruofeng’s connection to him might not protect him as it had before, nor would it protect him. Was that Jin Xuan’s motivation in encouraging his training now? Or was he testing him, so he could find out the truth of Xiao Ruojin’s martial ability? To keep his shifu informed about it…
It was thought by most people that Xiao Ruojin’s martial arts were simply good. Not excellent like Ruofeng’s or poor like Xiao Xie’s. That perception suited Xiao Ruojin. It was respectable, without standing out. It allowed him to study books and poetry to impress his emperor-father in a way that wouldn’t overlap with his didi's greatest talents. Without needing to think about martial arts rankings, he could improve secretly without pressure. He wasn’t excellent like Ruofeng, not yet, but he would be, by the time it would truly matter.
If Zhuo Qing knew that, the element of surprise would be lost.
Jin Xuan’s gaze had softened, his lips parted with the slightest frown as though he was considering something. His chest was pressed against him, his heart beating fast even as Xiao Ruojin’s had steadied. He was distracted.
Without using any martial force, Xiao Ruojin struck the eunuch’s cheek. He cried out in shock, falling off of him.
Xiao Ruojin rose, glaring down at him coolly. “If that bruises, cover it up. I don’t want my uncle to think I hit my servants without reason when we visit him later for dinner.”
With glistening eyes, Jin Xuan touched the mark on his face carefully. “Should I allow the Grand Eunuch to see it first?”
“Hm? Why would I want Zhuo Qing to know?”
The eunuch smiled with a shine of cunning. “If Shifu thinks that His Highness is mistreating this lowly one, he won’t suspect that I’m helping you.”
“Helping me?” he scoffed, motioning at the mess that had been made. “Look at what you did to my manor.”
“What matters most is His Highness’s life, is it not?”
Was this eunuch still trying to convince him to drop his suspicion, to believe without reservation that he cared whether he was able to defend himself? Xiao Ruojin sighed deeply, turning away. “Go, before I decide to punish you again.”
Jin Xuan stood, inclining his head. “Yes, dianxia.”
Whether he directly told his shifu about Xiao Ruojin’s plans tonight or not, all that mattered was that this visit would distract Zhuo Qing and everyone else from his didi, at least for a little while. Right now, that was what mattered.
After the fight, Xiao Ruojin wanted nothing more than a nap, so he sat at his desk and closed his eyes. If all went well, he would still be asleep by the time Jin Xuan returned, and the eunuch would know that forcing him to train would do nothing to help his studying. Then, if his intentions were genuine, he would correct his course, and if they weren’t, he would understand not to press him.
Footsteps approached, sooner than expected, and when Xiao Ruojin opened his eyes, he found Ruofeng, smiling and bright. “Gege, what happened?” his brother laughed, poking a scroll with his shoe. “Did you lose a fight with your books?”
Xiao Ruojin chuckled, forgetting his anger. “That doesn’t matter now.” He stood, making his way around the mess to clasp his brother’s arms. “Tell me, how is my didi doing?”
Ruofeng’s smile lowered slightly. “Father summoned me today. He didn’t ask directly, but I believe he wanted to know if I knew what my shifu was up to.”
“And what did you tell him?”
The grin returned. “I presented him with some of your new poetry.”
“Oh?”
“By the time he was done talking about the things he liked most about it, his tea had stopped steaming. He says that you’ve improved a lot in the past few years.”
Jin Xuan was to thank for that. Though the eunuch was younger than Xiao Ruojin, his mind was sharp. He was focused, insightful, excellent at remembering things, skilled at explaining concepts. Attentive, encouraging. In truth, Xiao Ruojin couldn’t ask for a better study partner. If not for his behavior today, if not for his connection to Zhuo Qing…
Ruofeng touched his wrist, the one that Jin Xuan had held. “Gege, is something wrong?”
“Not at all,” Xiao Ruojin said, patting his hand. “You’ve shared good news with me, and I just wish I could offer you some. But I’ve been here all day, losing a fight to my books.”
The corner of Ruofeng’s lip curled into a smirk. “Should I beat them up for you?”
Xiao Ruojin chuckled. “This is my fight, not yours.”
After all, the last thing he wanted was his didi to get hurt because of him, and a book was said to be as sharp as any blade.
When Jin Xuan helped him down from the carriage, Xiao Ruojin could see that he had obeyed him in covering whatever mark he might have given him. The makeup was well-applied, and almost made him look even more comely.
“Is His Highness sure that visiting Lord Chengde is wise?” the eunuch whispered. “I hear that after witnessing his brother’s death, he descended into madness.”
While he had not been present to witness it, Xiao Ruojin had certainly heard the story of how emperor-father nailed his older brother to death on the city walls. The half-uncle he was visiting tonight was indeed said to have avoided that fate by going crazy—or, more likely, acting like he had. “After this afternoon, the only one I’m worried about descending into madness is you.”
He had tried to keep his tone light, but immediately he could see the regret glisten in his study companion’s eyes. “Dianxia…”
“Enough of that.” Before it could fall, Xiao Ruojin brushed away a tear with his thumb. “You need to be presentable when you come in with me.”
Jin Xuan gasped. “With you?”
Trailing his thumb downward, he pressed against the purple silk over Jin Xuan’s right collarbone, along the scar that had been left on it by an assassin’s blade—one that had been meant for him. “You protected me before. Perhaps I should trust that you’ll protect me again.”
Besides, Xiao Ruojin didn’t expect anything important to be discussed with his Uncle Chengde tonight. It was even possible that there might not be anything discussed, depending on what state he was in.
With a small, trembling breath, Jin Xuan smiled slightly. “Of course, my prince.”
“Come,” Xiao Ruojin said, patting his shoulder, “we shouldn’t keep my uncle waiting.”
“Yes, dianxia.”
As they entered the residence, Jin Xuan clung protectively to his side. Though it was smaller than his Jingyu Manor, the shifting shadows momentarily turned it into an abyss without end, and even once his eyes adjusted, his impression didn’t improve. From the placement of every tree, stone, and statue, everything was wrong. It had to be purposeful. Was it to unsettle guests, or to torture its inhabitant? Xiao Ruojin wondered if his father had designed it. He knew what cruelty he was capable of, intentional and not. He wouldn’t be above this.
“Your Highness,” a young maid greeted them from the doorway, “Lord Chengde bids you welcome.”
Jin Xuan stopped him, fingers wrapping around his upper arm. “Something is wrong,” he murmured. “She’s terrified.”
To Xiao Ruojin, she didn’t look any different from any other maid he had met. “Who wouldn’t be, in a place like this? I just hope it’s better inside.”
Other than his uncle, this young maid would be the only other person here. His father may have let Uncle Chengde keep his life, but it seems he had not let him keep much else. The sooner his uncle was in sight, the sooner Xiao Ruojin could stop expecting him in every shadow.
Jin Xuan reluctantly released him. “If His Highness insists.”
“I do.”
They followed the maid then, into the hall. The furnishing was decent, and the decor tasteful. Besides the sparse lighting, it might be comfortable. The candles were warm, at least, and lit up the table well enough. His uncle was watching him, his face half in shadow. His finger was in a bowl, stirring it slowly. “The soup is still warm.”
Xiao Ruojin put on his best smile. “Greetings, Uncle. How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
“Thirteen years, at least,” he answered, smiling as well. “Before your father took the throne.” He paused, licking his finger. “I thought you would come alone.”
“This is Jin Xuan, my studying companion,” he introduced him with a strange feeling of pride. “The first disciple of the Grand Eunuch, and a standout of his generation.”
Uncle Chengde regarded Jin Xuan coldly. “One of Zhuo Qing’s brats? I want nothing to do with him.”
An excuse to send him away. He should use it, shouldn’t he? His uncle certainly seemed more coherent than he had expected—they might actually talk about something worthwhile. “Fine,” he agreed.
Jin Xuan grasped Xiao Ruojin’s arm. “Don't make me leave you,” he whispered urgently. “Please.”
Xiao Ruojin shook him off. “Enough! Leave us.”
Lowering his glare from their host, the eunuch obeyed.
“Uncle,” he continued more lightly, “is it possible for us to talk completely alone?”
His uncle smirked at the maid, pulling her close. “No, I don’t like this one to leave my side.”
“I’ve sent away my servant. It’s only fair for you to do the same.”
“Fair? I’m rotting here, while your father is Emperor. A pathetic, weak man who relied on his sworn brothers and a scrawny eunuch boy to fight his battles. Oh, don’t get me started on that rough old Baili Luochen… Only Ye Yu had any real sophistication, but I hear he and his family were executed. Don’t talk to me about fair.”
“Marquis Zhenxi has kept Beili safe for many years. What do you have against him?”
“For one thing, that bastard punched me once. I don’t care what he’s done as my half-brother’s dog, if I were to see him again, I’d punch him back. Now that he’s almost eighty, that might even hurt him.”
Xiao Ruojin bristled. While the Marquis of Zhenxi could be unfriendly, Xiao Ruojin was on fairly good terms with his son, Baili Chengfeng. More importantly, Ruofeng’s shidi was the marquis’ grandson. While that Baili Dongjun seemed to have stirred quite the ruckus during his time in the city, he also helped Ruofeng finally reach the breakthrough he needed to fully recover from the devastating cold he’d had as a child. Lingering symptoms that, no matter what Xiao Ruojin tried, he hadn’t been able to cure. The only reason Ruofeng shined as brightly as he did today was because of the Baili boy. “It seems the rumors of your madness are true,” he said coldly, turning away. The last thing he needed was to be associated with an enemy of the Bloody Robe Marquis. “I’d best be on my way.”
In the courtyard, Jin Xuan was nowhere to be found. Xiao Ruojin tried calling for him, but all he could hear was the maid and the wind. Not wanting to hear anything more, he headed for the carriage.
The eunuch wasn’t there either.
Hadn’t Jin Xuan wanted to protect him? Could something have happened to him? Or had he left him for his shifu?
Whatever the case, Xiao Ruojin didn’t want to wait all night to find out. The longer he stayed, the longer there was for an assassin to strike. He took a seat at the front of the carriage, urging the horse forward. If Jin Xuan still cared about him, he could catch up.
Not far ahead, Xiao Ruojin could see the purple smoke rising above the Grand Eunuch’s Linhua Hall. He avoided breathing as he passed it, not wanting any exposure to whatever dark practices Zhuo Qing was up to on this cloudy night. Even if only half were true, the rumors he had heard…
While Xiao Ruojin was only about two years younger than Zhuo Qing, he hadn’t joined his father on the battlefield like the eunuch had—but he heard much about the way Zhuo Qing’s martial arts would fragment his enemies’ hearts and dissolve their bones. Being bullied by Zhuo Xin and Zhuo Sen in his youth, he had always thought they were the most dangerous of that generation of eunuchs, but hearing about Zhuo Qing’s exploits…
Once he was past Linhua Hall, Xiao Ruojin let out a shuddering exhale. How lucky he was, that Zhuo Qing wasn’t among those who had bullied him and Ruofeng back then. How unlucky he would be, if that eunuch decided to bully them now—
A flash of purple whipped by him, settling inside the carriage. A terrible killing intent clung to the figure, making Xiao Ruojin’s heart beat faster. “Grand Eunuch,” he greeted, struggling to keep his voice steady and low. “I didn’t expect your company tonight.”
“Dianxia, it’s me.” Though Jin Xuan spoke softly, emotion strained his words. “I’m sorry.”
The reins slipped from Xiao Ruojin’s hand. “Jin Xuan?” In the darkness, the silhouette of a tall hat went up and down in a nod. Xiao Ruojin’s eyes adjusted as he joined Jin Xuan in the carriage, finding him trembling at the back of it. “What happened?”
Jin Xuan shakily lifted a dripping palm. “I killed him.”
“My uncle?”
“My father.”
Xiao Ruojin frowned, leaning closer. “What are you talking about?”
“I didn’t recognize him, not initially, but when he sent me away, every memory fell into place… I remembered the way he spoke to my mother, when she asked him to acknowledge me. I remember him asking the owner for a private room, and my mother promising me that she would do everything she could to convince him to change his mind.” Blinking away tears, Jin Xuan grabbed his wrist with his other hand. “I remember finding her, afterward, bound to the bed with a pile of gold left on her chest. Without any breath.”
Xiao Ruojin’s mother had also died in a bed, after they moved to the Cold Palace. She hadn’t been bound, but she hadn’t been free. “Why are you telling this to me?”
“Because I need you to understand why I did this—you're the only one who can help me.”
Did the eunuch truly expect him to cover up the murder of a member of the royal family? “Why didn’t you go to your shifu?”
Steadying his breath, Jin Xuan shook his head. “After recent events, I cannot afford to hold faith in his strategy or his connections,” he told him. “Prince Qing is a worthless fool, and my shifu has only chosen him because he believes he can control him. As the Grand Eunuch’s disciple, I know I have no choice but to listen to him,” a sigh, “but as for what my heart wishes, dianxia…” he held his hand, gentle yet firm, “it is to follow you, my future emperor.”
The carriage hit a bump, and they fell together, side by side. Grabbing the eunuch’s shoulder, Xiao Ruojin narrowed his eyes. “Jin Xuan, what are you saying?”
“Without you, I will die,” Jin Xuan murmured. “My fate is yours.” Carefully, he leaned in, brushing his lips against Xiao Ruojin’s. Softly, passion restrained.
When the kiss ended, Jin Xuan watched him with tearful eyes, trembling. Was it with fear, joy, or something else? Xiao Ruojin climbed on top of him, pinning him to the floor of the carriage. “I have three wives already, and I’m soon to have another. The daughter of the Shadow Sect…” He brushed his thumb against the eunuch’s lips, and a small moan escaped them. “If anyone can help us cover this up, it will be her father. I will tell Yi Bu that I was the one to kill my uncle, so no one will connect it to you. No one will connect him to you.”
“Dianxia, this lowly one doesn’t deserve—”
Xiao Ruojin cut the protest off with his own kiss, brief but possessive. “You will be my Grand Eunuch someday. I don’t want the shadows of your past or this night overtaking your reputation.” The way people looked at Zhuo Qing, the rumors spread about him… “You must be able to stand by my side, proud and dignified before the eyes of the world.”
He pressed his palm against Jin Xuan’s bloody one, kissing him again. Stopping before he got too much of a taste for it, a taste for him. Getting off him before he took things any further; he would be visiting Cuoyang tomorrow night, and he should save his strength for her, for securing his legacy and his claim. Returning to the front of the carriage before his horse could walk into the wall.
After Xiao Ruojin was done at the Shadow Sect, he told Jin Xuan that everything was taken care of and that he would take him back to his manor to get cleaned up. His study companion didn’t break the silence until they were standing before the mess of books they had left. “What did Yi Bu ask of you?”
“He wants a grandson,” Xiao Ruojin told him, making his way to the wash-basin. “I must give him one, as soon as it is proper.”
There could be no changing the date of the wedding to be sooner, not after his father-emperor had already set it in stone with his agreement, but after that, Yi Wenjun may be the only consort he’d visit for months. If not for her beauty, it might be a bleak prospect.
Jin Xuan’s expression was painted with horror. “He’s forcing you to breed with his daughter?”
Xiao Ruojin stuck his palm in the cool water, scrubbing the blood away as though that would make him feel any less dirty. “It is what’s necessary. My father had fourteen children, all sons. I have two sons and three daughters. If I’m to be emperor, I’ll need more.”
After all, his little brother told him he would only marry someone if he liked them. He might never have more than one.
“I’m sorry,” Jin Xuan said softly.
“No need for that,” he waved a wet hand, well-washed of blood, “there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Exactly.” Helplessness glistened in the eunuch’s eyes. “There is nothing I can do.”
With a deep sigh, Xiao Ruojin took his hand, guiding it into the water. Scraping off the dried blood, rubbing away the wet. The basin wasn’t as clear as when he’d started, but by the time he was done, Jin Xuan’s hand looked pristine. Xiao Ruojin held it in his own, squeezing it firmly. “Once I get the throne, I’ll show you what you can do.”
With what looked to be some hope, Jin Xuan smiled softly. “Is there anything I can do for His Highness before then?”
Xiao Ruojin looked to the scattered books and scrolls on the floor. “You can start by cleaning those up. After that…” forming a fist, his rising inner force made his sleeve dance like a dragon, “you can help me to study.”
If he was to wield Jin Xuan as his secret weapon, perhaps it was time for him to know his strength.