Sickly Jade - Chapter 12

Ye Shaoyun could naturally hear the sarcasm in his tone. Not knowing what kind of madness had taken hold of him, he chose to ignore him.

Ye Xiao recalled that Qi Chu was now the Crown Prince, so he offered a bow before saying, “Your Highness may not know, but the National Preceptor’s tastes have always been the same as mine. Since we are kindred spirits, I naturally remember these things clearly. I remember the National Preceptor loves sweets most of all, especially that ‘White Jade Frost’ square cake.”

Qi Chu’s fists beneath his long sleeves tightened imperceptibly. He sneered, “Is that so?”

Every word Ye Xiao spoke sounded like a provocation to him. Suppressing his anger, he looked at the National Preceptor. “Is it true?”

Faced with Ye Xiao’s expectant gaze, Ye Shaoyun nodded. “That is indeed correct.”

“Ha.” Qi Chu let out a short laugh. So there were things the National Preceptor loved to eat that he didn’t even know about?

This person had never told him what he liked to eat; he had always had to observe for himself. As for that “White Jade Frost” cake, he hadn’t even heard of it.

Ye Shaoyun glanced at Qi Chu but said nothing.

He was not unaware of Qi Chu’s abnormal behavior today, but this step had to be taken eventually. Qi Chu’s feelings for him were more about dependency than true love, and he needed to separate these two types of emotions.

The few of them chatted idly for a while, the air thick with the scent of gunpowder. Only Ye Xiao failed to notice anything unusual, his eyes fixed solely on Ye Shaoyun.

Before long, a servant came to announce the meal. “Master, lunch is ready. Where should it be served?”

“Today, both the National Preceptor and His Highness are here. Set the table in the main hall.”

“Yes.”

Ye Xiao turned to the two and said, “Then I shall go check on things first. You two may sit here for a moment.” With that, he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Ye Shaoyun had originally only intended to stand there for a moment and had no plans to stay for a meal.

Qi Chu walked toward the National Preceptor with a dark expression. “I did not expect the National Preceptor to be so close with General Ye.”

Ye Shaoyun replied, “Did Your Highness come here today to discuss matters with General Ye as well?”

Seeing that the National Preceptor refused to look at him, Qi Chu blocked his path and stated directly, “I came to find you.”

Ye Shaoyun’s expression didn’t change as he played dumb. “What does Your Highness seek from me?”

As he spoke, he stepped backward until his knees touched the wooden chair, and he sat down accordingly.

Qi Chu leaned over, resting one hand on the armrest, his hot breath spraying against Ye Shaoyun’s ear. “I came to see what the National Preceptor likes to eat.”

Only then did Ye Shaoyun raise his eyes to look at him, meeting that playful, gloomy gaze.

“Why does Your Highness look at me like that?”

“Why did you give your spear to him?”

Ye Shaoyun did not back down. “Since Your Highness already said it was my possession, I may give it to whomever I wish.”

Qi Chu’s expression shifted. “Is the National Preceptor angry with me?”

“Your Highness overthinks it; this humble Daoist would not dare.”

Qi Chu let out an unrestrained, cold laugh. “So, in the National Preceptor’s heart, I am actually inferior to him?”

“That is different.”

Qi Chu stared into the National Preceptor’s eyes, their faces mere inches apart. “What is different?!”

“I am merely friends with General Ye. Giving a gift to a friend what is inappropriate about that?”

Ye Shaoyun had just turned his face away when Qi Chu forced it back, his eyes flashing with a faint, glimmering expectation. “He is a friend, then what am I?”

“Your Highness is my Sovereign.”

The light in Qi Chu’s eyes slowly vanished after hearing this. “The National Preceptor truly does not fear that I might do something to General Ye.”

“Is Your Highness threatening me?” Ye Shaoyun arched a brow.

“Of course not.” Qi Chu stared at those pale red, thin lips, wanting nothing more than to kiss them fiercely, even as he denied it with his mouth. “How could I threaten the National Preceptor? I feel heartache for you more than anything.”

Watching the faint smile in Qi Chu’s eyes, Ye Shaoyun squinted slightly.

At that moment, the door was pushed open. Ye Xiao looked at their posture and furrowed his brows in surprise. “You two…”

Ye Shaoyun immediately shot Qi Chu a warning look, and Qi Chu pulled back slowly, his gaze still gloomy.

“His Highness was just speaking with me about something,” Ye Shaoyun explained with composure.

Only then did Ye Xiao seem to relax. “Is that so? The front hall is ready. National Preceptor, Your Highness, this way please.”

Because they were considered family, they were seated at one table, making it quite lively.

In addition to Ye Xiao, Ye Xiao’s younger brother and the Old Madam were also at the table.

Qi Chu was respectful in front of others and greeted the Old Madam. “Grandmother.”

The Old Madam had lived in the capital for years and was not unfamiliar with Qi Chu; she beamed with delight. “It is rare for Ah-Chu to visit. Come, take a seat.”

Ye Xiao reminded him in a low voice, “Grandmother, Ah-Chu is now the Crown Prince. Addressing him that way is against protocol.”

Qi Chu replied, “It is fine. Grandmother is an elder.”

As they spoke, they took their seats. Qi Chu took the seat of honor, with the Old Madam on his right. He wanted Ye Shaoyun to sit next to him, but Ye Xiao snatched the seat beside him, and Ye Shaoyun followed suit by sitting next to Ye Xiao.

Qi Chu struggled to maintain his expression, watching coldly as Ye Xiao curried favor with Ye Shaoyun.

“Taste this honey tea. It is a specialty I brought back from the Northern Wastes. It warms the throat and nourishes the stomach. Do not drink the wine.”

Ye Shaoyun could not resist the enthusiasm and took a sip. “It is indeed excellent.”

“I brought back plenty. I will have you take some home later.”

As he spoke, his eyes rounded, as if he wanted to grow onto Ye Shaoyun.

Qi Chu sneered and coughed lightly. The two seemed not to hear, which instead drew the Old Madam’s attention.

“Is Ah-Chu feeling unwell?”

Ye Xiao turned back to look at Qi Chu. “Your Highness, what is wrong?”

Qi Chu did not hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes. “I am a bit thirsty.”

Ye Xiao replied, “I will pour wine for Your Highness. This sake will quench your thirst.”

“No wine. General, pour me tea instead.”

Ye Xiao was startled. No matter how slow he was to react, he could read the hostility in the other’s eyes. But he didn’t dwell on it, maintaining his respectful demeanor on the surface. “Very well.”

Ye Shaoyun also noticed the tension over there. When he raised his cup, he glanced in Qi Chu’s direction, discovering that the other was also watching him. That gaze was full of resentment and penetration, making Ye Shaoyun’s heart palpitate. He regained his composure and continued to drink his tea expressionlessly.

This meal was eaten amidst a rising tide of undercurrents. Ye Shaoyun, wishing to avoid the annoyance, stopped looking in Qi Chu’s direction. Ye Xiao, however, was frequently targeted one thing after another.

Ye Xiao took a moment to lean over and whisper to Ye Shaoyun, “His Highness seems to be in a bad mood recently.”

Ye Shaoyun shook his head lightly. “Perhaps he was scolded by His Majesty. General Ye need not pay him any mind.”

Ye Xiao chuckled wryly while keeping an eye on Qi Chu’s unkind gaze. “So that is it.”

Finally finishing the meal, the Old Madam left the table. Ye Shaoyun excused himself to digest, leaving only Qi Chu and Ye Xiao at the table.

Qi Chu proposed, “Does General Ye dare to share a drink with me?”

Ye Xiao’s interest was piqued, and he responded decisively, “Your Highness wishes to challenge my drinking capacity?”

Qi Chu glanced in Ye Shaoyun’s direction and answered Ye Xiao, “You may interpret it that way.”

Ye Shaoyun watched from the side, faint and detached. Challenging a military general in drinking—he didn’t know what Qi Chu was thinking.

Ye Xiao immediately signaled the servants. “Come, bring out those jars of fine wine from the backyard. Today, I shall drink until I am drunk with His Highness.”

Before long, two large jars thicker than a man’s waist were brought out by the servants. As the lids were removed, a rich fragrance rose from the jars, which even Ye Shaoyun could smell.

“It is indeed fine wine,” Ye Shaoyun remarked, partly as a reminder to Qi Chu.

Fine wine is inevitably strong. He knew Qi Chu’s drinking capacity well; competing with Ye Xiao in this manner was somewhat akin to self-torture.

Ye Xiao stood up from his stool, stretched his muscles, and lifted the jar, pouring two large bowls first. “Naturally. This is what I stored away years ago, waiting for the day I returned from a campaign to enjoy it. It is a coincidence that Your Highness is here today; let us drink to our heart’s content! It is a pity, Shaoyun, that you cannot drink, otherwise we could all drink until our hearts are full.”

Ye Shaoyun raised his teacup. “Tea is the same. I shall use tea as wine to celebrate the General’s triumphant return.”

Ye Xiao immediately hoisted his bowl and toasted back. “Thank you, Shaoyun!”

With that, he downed the bowl of wine.

Qi Chu did not show weakness, lifting his bowl and drinking it all in one go.

Seeing him be so forthright, Ye Xiao couldn’t help but become interested. He finally looked at Qi Chu squarely, ordering the servants to remove the dishes and bring out empty bowls to fill the table.

“I did not know Your Highness had such a drinking capacity. It seems we truly can compare.”

Qi Chu looked as if he had been insulted, staring back powerfully. “Very well.”

The two raised their bowls again, drank across from each other, and set them down together. They seemed evenly matched. Only Qi Chu could see clearly that by the second bowl, Qi Chu was already clearly unsteady.

He had already drunk some during the meal; drinking more now would surely lead to drunkenness. Yet, he did not intervene. He wanted to see what kind of mess Qi Chu intended to make today. The Crown Prince had grown up and had his own ideas; he couldn’t interfere too much. Some losses are only learned through bitter experience.

Ye Xiao drank several large bowls without any effect. Looking at Qi Chu, who was downing quite a bit, his eyes were already clouded. His neck and head were flushed bright red, and he was gripping the table, nearly falling. His eyes were fixed on the empty bowl in front of Ye Xiao, still intent on drinking more.

Ye Shaoyun frowned as he watched. Finally, he spoke up:

“Your Highness, it is broad daylight. If you are drunk, how will you explain it to His Majesty?”

Ye Xiao also put down his bowl, his expression unchanging, as if he were drinking water. “Indeed. Your Highness has already drunk quite a bit; perhaps we should stop here for today.”

Qi Chu braced himself and barely stood up, his face flushed beyond recognition. He glanced sideways at Ye Shaoyun’s detached expression, wiped his mouth with his hand, and looked up at Ye Xiao. “It is fine. There is nothing to do today.”

Seeing his persistence, Ye Xiao, who should have yielded, seemed to have locked horns. “Very well, Your Highness is direct!”

Downing two more bowls, neither would yield. Ye Shaoyun could clearly sense something Qi Chu’s self-torturing challenge seemed to be motivated by some objective, forcing himself to hold on like a fool.

Ye Shaoyun could not bear to watch any longer and stood up to leave. Just then, a dull thud came from the table behind him. Turning back, he saw Qi Chu had collapsed onto the floor, the servants failing to catch him in time.

Mo Qing, who had been guarding outside, hurried in to help him up, only to be shoved aside by Qi Chu.

Mo Qing hurriedly looked to Ye Shaoyun for help; his Highness only listened to the National Preceptor.

Ye Shaoyun merely gave Mo Qing a look. Mo Qing said, “Your Highness, you cannot drink any more.”

“This Palace is not drunk.” Qi Chu scrambled up from the floor unsteadily, his gaze first fixing on the National Preceptor not far away, his eyes filled with the expectation that the other would come to support him.

However, Ye Shaoyun stood still, his palms clenched slightly beneath his long sleeves.