Chapter 6: The Makings of an Indulgent Ruler
"That day was far too rushed, and I didn't think it through carefully. Judging you by my own standards, I thought a promotion would make you happy. But afterward, I learned that you aren't one to chase fame and fortune. on the contrary, you are completely indifferent to worldly desires..."
At this point, Xuan Qiao paused, covertly studying Yuan Jiabai's expression to see if the youth would resent having his background investigated.
Yuan Jiabai's expression grew a little awkward.
The Crown Prince is actually a pretty nice guy, rephrasing my complete lack of ambition as 'indifferent to worldly desires'...
A trace of unease flared in his heart. Could the Prince have seen right through him, regretted his decision, and planned to fire him? While it was true he had no grand ambitions, getting fired on his very first day of work would be way too embarrassing!
Yuan Jiabai unconsciously bit his lower lip, racking his brain for a response that would make him seem genuinely "detached."
His expressions were too conflicted and incredibly lively. so much so that even Xuan Qiao, who prided himself on his deep shrewdness, couldn't quite read him. Was the boy offended or not? If he wasn't, his face wouldn't be puckered into such a tight knot; but if he was, it certainly didn't look like this either.
"Do you mind?" Xuan Qiao asked.
"Hahaha, I see! Alright then, I'll be heading back first!"
For once, Xuan Qiao looked utterly taken aback. "Where are you going?"
Yuan Jiabai snapped back to reality. Oh no, I was thinking so hard that I blurted it out.
Fortunately, his reflexes were quick. "To my room! I was just thinking... I should go check out the room I'll be staying in."
Because Xuan Qiao had been eager to see him, Yuan Jiabai had been brought straight over by Qi Guangde the moment he entered the Eastern Palace. As for his small bundle, an attendant had already taken it ahead.
His voice trailed off into a whisper, and his head gradually drooped lower and lower. His cheeks flushed a deep pink, like peach blossoms in March.
Xuan Qiao chuckled softly and said in a gentle voice, "You can look at it in a moment."
With his sharp eye, how could he not see that Yuan Jiabai was just fishing for an excuse? But the boy was already so embarrassed that he looked ready to sink into the floor. If Xuan Qiao pressed any further, he might actually provoke him.
Yuan Jiabai nodded hastily. "Mhm, alright. Your Highness, please go ahead with what you were saying."
So, Xuan Qiao asked his question once more.
Yuan Jiabai blinked in surprise, silently marveling once again at how wonderfully kind the Crown Prince was. He didn't mind the investigation at all. For one, he had nothing to hide. For another, this wasn't the modern world where privacy was heavily emphasized; the Crown Prince was the master of the Eastern Palace and the heir to the throne. Naturally, he had to thoroughly vet anyone who came close to him. Otherwise, who knew if someone harboring malicious intent might slip through?
Running a background check put both sides at ease.
Watching Yuan Jiabai, Xuan Qiao felt greatly comforted. As the Crown Prince, it was only natural and right to investigate the background of those around him.
Had anyone else taken issue with it, Xuan Qiao would have merely scoffed, completely indifferent to their complaints. Yet, he didn't want Yuan Jiabai, the one who had laid down his life for him in their past life to feel that way.
Fortunately, Yuan Jiabai possessed an open and broad-minded nature, harboring no resentment over the matter.
Xuan Qiao found himself growing even fonder of him. He thought to himself: It doesn't matter if Jiabai has no grand ambitions. With me here, could I ever let him suffer or treat him unkindly? Once I ascend the throne, it wouldn't even be out of the question to ennoble Jiabai as a first-rank duke.
Entirely unaware that a future title of First-rank Duke was already locked in for him, Yuan Jiabai saw that the Prince was lost in thought and chose not to disturb him. Instead, he occupied himself by twirling the silk tassel of the jade pendant hanging from his waist.
When Xuan Qiao came out of his reverie, he couldn't help but chuckle. The boy truly still had the temperament of a child, able to amuse himself so thoroughly with just a tassel. He recalled a piece of exceptionally fine jade in his private treasury, which he could give to Jiabai to play with later.
"Jiabai, now that I know your thoughts, I don't wish to force anything upon you. For now, you shall simply serve as a study companion. You won't have to do much on a regular basis; you may do whatever pleases you. How does that sound?"
In the future, if any opportunities arose where Jiabai could easily claim some credit, Xuan Qiao would let him participate just to build up his credentials.
This way, when the time came to confer the title of First-rank Duke, it would be fully justified. Yuan Jiabai would have actual merits to his name rather than it looking like he gained it through sycophancy, leaving no room for anyone to criticize.
"Do whatever pleases me?" Yuan Jiabai repeated, latching onto the key phrase.
"Yes."
"But Your Highness, didn't you bring me here to help you with things?"
Xuan Qiao replied, "This is what I want you to do."
He didn't quite understand, but figuring the Crown Prince had his own plans, Yuan Jiabai didn't press further. He simply nodded, fully prepared to cooperate with the higher-ups' arrangements.
With official matters settled, a quiet lull fell between them. Yuan Jiabai fiddled with his fingers, scratched his cheek, and said, "Your Highness, I'll go to my room first to unpack."
Though Xuan Qiao wished to spend a bit more time with him, he could see Yuan Jiabai's awkwardness. Not wanting to make him uncomfortable, he nodded. "Go ahead."
---
Yuan Jiabai stood up and left, Xuan Qiao watching the youth's somewhat slender silhouette as he departed.
Qi Guangde and the others were standing outside. Learning that the young master wished to return to his room, Qi Guangde immediately signaled an attendant to step forward and lead the way.
His quarters were not far from the Crown Prince's bedchambers, and they arrived in short order.
The small courtyard was spacious, featuring a babbling pond, lush green trees, and fragrant red flowers. Beneath a tree stood a stone table and matching chairs, but most surprising of all was a swing tied securely to one of the branches.
Yuan Jiabai sat down and gave himself a couple of light swings before getting up to head into the bedroom. His small bundle was sitting right on the table. He tossed the provided pillow from the head of the bed to the foot, placed his own pillow at the head, and patted it with satisfaction. Now he wouldn't have to worry about a bad night's sleep.
Yuan Jiabai had only brought two changes of clothes. The attendant who accompanied him stepped forward to help him unpack, opening the wardrobe with a smile. "Actually, you didn't even need to bring anything, Young Master. Take a look, His Highness ordered us to prepare all of this."
Yuan Jiabai's eyes widened in sheer shock.
The only reason he had brought just two outfits was because he remembered the Prince saying everything would be provided, but he never expected the Prince to prepare this much.
The wardrobe was twice the width of his outstretched arms, and it was packed to the brim with clothes in bright, vibrant colors exactly the styles he usually preferred to wear.
On top of that, undergarments, shoes, and socks were all fully accounted for. There were even hairpins and accessories. It was incredibly, meticulously thorough.
"Isn't this... a bit too much?" It took a long moment before Yuan Jiabai could find his voice.
The attendant smiled and replied, "Not at all, Young Master."
Well, truth be told, the attendant thought it was a lot too. Among the Eastern Palace officials, Yuan Jiabai wasn't the first to stay overnight. after all, when urgent matters arose, discussions could stretch on for ten days to a fortnight, and the Crown Prince would naturally instruct the staff to take good care of them.
But this Young Master Yuan was the very first person whose wardrobe the Prince personally micromanaged. Besides, with a day off granted only once every ten days, Young Master Yuan wouldn't be able to wear them all even if he changed twice a day. However, these were orders from the master; they had no right to question them, only to obey.
Yuan Jiabai reached out to touch a bright red round-collar robe in front of him, then felt a couple of garments next to it. The fabrics were all of the absolute highest quality.
They were so fine that it made him feel a little overwhelmed with trepidation.
The Prince is truly way too good to me. But I came here to repay a favor...
Will I ever even manage to pay him back at this rate?
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