Chapter 3: Taken with Him?
---
Yuan Jiabai stood frozen like a statue, speechless for a good while.
His mind wandered aimlessly, wondering: Does this count as a direct recruitment by the big boss?
Amused by Yuan Jiabai's dumbstruck expression, Xuan Qiao reached out and lightly flicked his forehead. The tap was so gentle it didn't even leave a red mark. "Snap out of it,"
He thought to himself: Just as I suspected. Yuan Jiabai has only been content with his idle life because he lacked the right connections. Now that an opportunity has presented itself, he’s simply too thrilled to speak.
That meant he had to give Yuan Jiabai even more opportunities, allowing him to soar straight to the top.
Rubbing his forehead, Yuan Jiabai stammered, "Your Highness, are you serious? You really want me to work at the Eastern Palace?"
Xuan Qiao nodded. Seeing Yuan Jiabai’s features practically scrunched together in confusion made him want to laugh again. He figured the boy was probably wondering why the Crown Prince of the nation would suddenly seek him out of nowhere.
"Very well. Take the next couple of days to go home and pack your things. You don't even have to pack if you don't want to, the Eastern Palace has all the daily necessities. If there's anything specific you need, just make a list and have the eunuchs prepare it. You won't have to worry about a single thing."
Yuan Jiabai was startled. "Why do I need to pack my things?"
Xuan Qiao replied matter-of-factly, "To move into the Eastern Palace, naturally."
Qi Guangde, who had been treating himself as part of the background, involuntarily shot a glance at his master. W-w-what? He’s moving into the Eastern Palace?
So, you're telling me, Yuan Jiabai thought, that not only do I have to start going to work, but I also have to move into the company housing?
The sky is falling!
When it came to working, Yuan Jiabai was a million times unwilling. However, he owed the Crown Prince a life debt. It happened over four years ago. He had been twelve or thirteen at the time, right at the age of peak mischievousness, and had snuck out of the house to play. Still, he was usually sensible.
In the capital, where even a lowly servant of a high official held immense sway, untouchable figures were everywhere. Since he wasn't truly a naive child on the inside, he naturally knew his boundaries.
Yet, knowing his own boundaries didn't stop arrogant nobles from relying on their powerful backgrounds to do whatever they pleased.
The son of a high-ranking official had been recklessly galloping his horse through the busy marketplace, and Yuan Jiabai had nearly been trampled to death beneath its hooves. In the nick of time, his vision blurred, and he was yanked to safety by a passing guard.
That guard, naturally, belonged to the Eastern Palace and answered directly to Xuan Qiao.
Back then, Yuan Jiabai hadn't even managed to exchange a single word with Xuan Qiao, but he had firmly engraved this life-saving grace in his heart.
He naturally wanted to repay the favor, but he couldn't figure out how. Even his father, a Count, rarely had the chance to meet the Crown Prince. What could an untitled commoner like himself possibly do?
But now, an opportunity had literally fallen into his lap. He might not be able to offer any grand assistance, but whether it was sweeping the floors of the Eastern Palace or making the Crown Prince's bed, at least he would be doing his utmost!
And if the work truly proved too much, he could always just "retire" and go back home. His Royal Highness seemed pretty easy to get along with. presumably, it wouldn't be difficult to resign if he ever wanted to leave.
"Oh, alright." Yuan Jiabai nodded. "When should I come over? Who do I report to?"
Xuan Qiao actually wanted to tell him that he could just stay starting today, but after a moment's thought, he swallowed those words. Instead, he asked, "You can come whenever you like. When the time comes, I shall send someone to the Yuan residence to fetch you."
A company car service?
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Yuan Jiabai pondered for a moment before answering, "Then, would three days from now be alright?"
He could use those three days to pack his things and mentally prepare himself.
A gentle smile graced Xuan Qiao's handsome, elegant face. "Of course."
Yuan Jiabai swallowed another piece of pastry and stood up, intending to bow and take his leave. After all, having lived in the Dayong Dynasty for seventeen years, he had at least mastered basic etiquette.
However, just like before, the moment he clasped his hands together, his forearms were caught, physically preventing him from bowing.
Yuan Jiabai looked up in surprise.
"From now on, except when absolutely necessary, you need not observe such formalities," Xuan Qiao stated calmly.
"Really?" Yuan Jiabai exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. That's wonderful!
He truly didn't want to spend half his time bowing at the waist every time they crossed paths. Still, the Crown Prince was incredibly approachable and deeply respectful of his subordinates.
Wait! Doesn't that mean in His Highness's eyes, I am a remarkably talented and virtuous person?
[Proudly puts hands on hips.jpg]
Just then, a maid approached carrying a tiered food box. Xuan Qiao signaled for Yuan Jiabai to take it, smiling. "Seeing how much you enjoyed the pastries, take these back to share with your family."
Blushing slightly, Yuan Jiabai scratched his cheek. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Xuan Qiao nodded. "Go, then. I will have someone escort you back."
Carrying the food box, Yuan Jiabai followed a eunuch out of the Crown Prince's secondary estate and climbed into a carriage. The interior was incredibly spacious; even if he rolled around inside, it wouldn't feel the least bit cramped.
Setting the food box aside, Yuan Jiabai sat there with a blank expression, feeling as though the entire day had been nothing but a bizarre dream.
---
Xuan Qiao didn't withdraw his gaze until Yuan Jiabai's figure completely vanished from sight. When he finally turned around, a faint, lingering smile still graced his lips.
While waiting for Yuan Jiabai to be brought over earlier, he hadn't known what kind of personality the boy possessed. However, he had already made up his mind then, even if the boy turned out to be difficult to get along with, it wouldn't matter. He would simply keep him under stricter supervision.
Fortunately, Yuan Jiabai had a wonderfully agreeable disposition. His eyes were clear and completely devoid of any malicious intent.
For Xuan Qiao, who had grown up surrounded by deceit and treachery, seeing such purity was like a breath of fresh air, filling his heart with immense joy.
Xuan Qiao sat back down and picked up his teacup, taking a few slow sips.
Standing to the side, Qi Guangde watched him with a complicated gaze. He hesitated several times, but finally couldn't hold back anymore. "Your Highness," he probed cautiously, "you seem to treat that Young Master Yuan with exceptional favor."
Xuan Qiao chuckled, admitting to it without a second's hesitation. "Indeed, I do."
Qi Guangde jolted, his face turning bitter. "Your Highness, have you... taken a fancy to him?"
Xuan Qiao paused, then burst into a genuine laugh. "Banban, whatever gave you that idea?"
Qi Guangde had served Xuan Qiao since he was a child. Although they were master and servant, their bond ran deeper than ordinary bounds, allowing him to speak much more freely than others.
Slapping his thigh in agitation, he said, "Your Highness, the moment you laid eyes on Young Master Yuan, you stared at him as if you were spellbound! You grabbed his arm and refused to let go, ordered the kitchens to prepare delicious pastries, personally poured him tea, and even invited him to stay by your side! Who else in the past has ever received such treatment?"
He then finalized his conclusion: "Not a single soul!"
There was one more thing Qi Guangde refrained from mentioning: Even after the boy had left, His Highness stared after him with such reluctant longing for quite a while!
Even though the Crown Prince was of the highest royal bloodline and there would be no real harm in him fancying a boy, there were two glaring issues.
First, the Crown Prince was not yet married; taking in a male favorite beforehand would reflect poorly on his reputation.
Second, the free-spirited and pure-hearted Young Master Yuan hardly seemed like the type who would willingly become someone’s boy toy.
Hearing this, Xuan Qiao couldn't help but laugh out loud. Shaking his head, he replied, "Banban, you are overthinking things. I have no such intentions toward him. It's just that, because of a 'past event'... I simply wish to treat him well."
Qi Guangde let out a heavy sigh of relief, though his curiosity was immediately piqued. "A past event? Did Your Highness know Young Master Yuan previously? This old slave is by your side day in and day out, yet I have never once seen the young master."
Besides, he thought, if His Highness already knew him, why would he order someone to investigate 'Yuan Jiabai' today?
Xuan Qiao's gaze grew distant. After a moment of musing, he said softly, "Banban, you wouldn't understand... Just remember this: under no circumstances are you to allow anyone to bully him."
Not getting a straight answer left Qi Guangde somewhat baffled. Noticing a sudden, profound sorrow emanating from the Crown Prince, he felt even more confused.
However, he simply bowed his head in compliance, firmly resolving in his heart to treat the young master with the utmost care once he arrived.
---
Completely oblivious to the conversation between the master and servant he left behind, Yuan Jiabai sat inside the incredibly stable carriage as it drove smoothly all the way to the Yuan residence.
He was finally home.
Comments Box