Before winter had even arrived, the first snowfall came in a hurry. In an instant, the world was draped in silver, beautiful beyond words. It was a pity, however, for the flowers and leaves of autumn that had not yet had the chance to wither and fade. No matter how stubbornly they clung to their last traces of beauty, they could not withstand the overwhelming tide of white that swept across heaven and earth.
The weather grew colder by the day, yet it could not compare to the increasingly comfortable life Ning Xuan was living.
Though he could have been moved into the Western Courtyard and enjoyed the same luxurious treatment as the other young masters, Feng Xuanyi found the arrangement troublesome. Every meeting would require messages being passed back and forth. Not only would he be unable to see Ning Xuan whenever he wished, but frequent visits would also provide others with plenty of gossip. Although only a handful of attendants served nearby, along with those in the main residence, Feng Xuanyi’s position as the master of the household meant there were countless people openly and secretly watching his every move. Even something as simple as which wife or young master he shared lunch with, or whose room he slept in, would become known throughout the various courtyards within two hours. Within four hours, every servant and maid in the entire residence would know as well. That was precisely why the incident involving mockery, provocation, and suppression several months earlier had occurred. The only reason had been that Feng Xuanyi had spent five consecutive nights with Young Master Liu Yin.
Feng Xuanyi paid little attention to such things. He had long since grown accustomed to living under constant scrutiny. As for Ning Xuan, upon hearing those evaluations, he merely raised an eyebrow and curled his lips into a half-smile.
“Your Highness truly lives up to your reputation as a romantic. Looking at all those delicate wives and beautiful concubines, anyone would be envious. If I could have even half that many one day, I’d probably have to burn incense in gratitude.”
The words were sour. The expression was sour. Yet Feng Xuanyi found it thoroughly delightful. Taking advantage of Ning Xuan’s obvious jealousy, he often used it as an excuse to express his dissatisfaction at Ning Xuan’s greed and, incidentally, to assert and defend his own rights.
In truth, Ning Xuan cared little for titles and status. What difference did it make whether he was a young master or merely a personal attendant? The person he loved was Feng Xuanyi himself, not the title of Prince Rong that he carried. Compared to those young masters and wives who seemed locked away in gilded cages, waiting every day for Feng Xuanyi’s attention, Ning Xuan much preferred remaining by his side as a personal attendant. Wealth, glory, status, and power were all fleeting clouds. What he wanted, he had already obtained—the Yihua who devoted himself wholeheartedly to him. Not the Fifth Prince. Not Prince Rong. Not the Feng Xuanyi whom countless people admired and sought to attach themselves to. But the Yihua he had first met by the lakeside, the Yihua who had once sat across from him in the library.
Of course, Feng Xuanyi had no intention of treating him poorly. The attendant’s room in the main courtyard that had been assigned to him when he first arrived had long since become nothing more than decoration. Everyone understood the situation. Officially, it was said that Ning Xuan had been moved into the side chamber of the bedchamber because night attendance was required. As for where he actually slept, everyone knew the truth without needing it spoken aloud.
Feng Xuanyi had originally intended to assign Yi Guang and Yi Shu to serve Ning Xuan, but Ning Xuan refused to use attendants who belonged directly to Feng Xuanyi. The prince’s standards were simply too high—there was hardly anything he did without someone serving him. Then Ning Xuan remembered Mo Qi and Qing Zhu. Over the past few months, the two of them had likely endured no small amount of disdain from Steward Tang in the library. They had no opportunities for advancement and were stuck doing difficult work with little reward. So Ning Xuan asked Feng Xuanyi to transfer the two friends who had arrived in this ancient world alongside him. Since they already knew one another well and got along naturally, they would be far more comfortable than the overly cautious and deferential attendants who might otherwise be assigned to him.
Naturally, Feng Xuanyi had no reason to refuse. However, in exchange for granting the request, he frequently demanded compensation in bed. Whenever Ning Xuan became angry and tried to resist, Feng Xuanyi would put on a pitiful expression and say things like, “I’ve agreed to everything you’ve asked for. Can’t you indulge me a little in return?” The moment Ning Xuan hesitated, his chance to regain control vanished, leaving him with no choice but to go along with whatever Feng Xuanyi wanted.
Feng Xuanyi truly treated Ning Xuan differently from everyone else. They entered and left together. His food, clothing, lodging, and daily needs were all provided without exception. He had practically become half a master of the Prince’s Residence, lacking only an official title.
The moment the weather showed signs of turning colder, Feng Xuanyi immediately ordered the finest fox-fur cloak to be made for him. The lining was embroidered with gold and silver threads. The patterns were simple and understated, yet they somehow made the garment seem even more elegant. Combined with Ning Xuan’s naturally tall frame, the cloak gave him an air of refined grace and effortless charm. Even Feng Xuanyi was momentarily stunned when he saw it. He carefully examined Ning Xuan from head to toe before finally snorting.
“As expected, clothes really do make the man. It’s only a coat, yet you’ve practically become a different person.”
Naturally, Ning Xuan was pleased to hear it. Then he thought about it more carefully and realized Feng Xuanyi was indirectly saying he usually looked sloppy and unpresentable. Instantly, the smug and delighted Ning Xuan sprang three feet into the air and pounced on Feng Xuanyi, demanding that he explain himself properly. Unfortunately, he forgot that such an enthusiastic leap into the prince’s arms was hardly something Feng Xuanyi could resist. Feng Xuanyi was no saint capable of remaining unmoved by temptation. He reacted immediately and pinned Ning Xuan beneath him, making him “apologize” quite thoroughly.
Ning Xuan’s position in the residence was vastly different now. Although he possessed neither title nor rank, anyone who served around Feng Xuanyi knew exactly what he was. Yet Feng Xuanyi seemed determined to keep their relationship from public view and handled the matter with remarkable discretion. For three consecutive months, he had not stepped foot into the rear courtyard. He had not spoken to any wife or young master, let alone spent time with one. The situation became so strange that people began to wonder whether Feng Xuanyi had transformed overnight from a notorious romantic into a man completely indifferent to desire.
The rumors became so widespread that one day, after court had adjourned, Feng Xuanyi’s elder brother, Prince Yi, Feng Xuanzhe, stopped him outside the palace gates and offered several rounds of pointed concern. He asked whether Feng Xuanyi had been troubled lately or perhaps suffered from certain… physical difficulties. Feng Xuanyi was so baffled that he remained confused even after his brother had long since departed. Only later did he finally understand the source of the misunderstanding.
Naturally, he returned to the residence and complained bitterly to Ning Xuan. To prove that he was not suffering from the condition Prince Yi had implied, Feng Xuanyi endured the exhaustion of an already busy day at court and proceeded to demonstrate his vigor upon Ning Xuan. The entire exercise existed solely to prove how healthy and energetic he remained. When it was over and he saw Ning Xuan glaring at him resentfully, he still insisted on acting innocent.
“Tormenting you wasn’t my intention. People talk, and I merely needed to dispel a few rumors.”
The shameless excuse infuriated Ning Xuan so thoroughly that he ignored all attempts to stop him and moved back into his attendant’s room. Yet within two days, a simple crook of Feng Xuanyi’s finger was enough to lure him right back.
Ning Xuan dared not dwell on the past, nor did he dare imagine the future. The happiness before him was too beautiful. It had arrived too quickly, and it felt as fragile as a bubble that might burst from the slightest disturbance. Yet he chose not to think about such things. He chose not to see. He chose not to hear. All he wanted to know was that this man before him—whether in public or private—was his Yihua. He loved him, and Yihua loved him in return. Their attachment bordered on obsession. He would not question why, nor would he wonder whether it was possible. A decision had been made, and Feng Xuanyi had chosen to answer it. Therefore, no matter how many obstacles lay ahead, Ning Xuan would face them without fear and without regret.
Then, one morning, Yi Shu delivered a message.
The Princess Consort wished to see him.
Ning Xuan, who had been curled comfortably beneath the blankets and fully intended to continue his reunion with the Duke of Zhou in his dreams, instantly jolted upright as though struck by lightning.
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