Li Ce sat rigidly on the bed, showing no intention of making space for Li Jing. The latter had no choice but to push with his hands, squeezing out just enough room to fit himself before carefully sitting down, tossing off his boots, and pulling the quilt over his legs.
"I can't afford to catch a chill," he explained.
"Fifth Brother..." Li Ce replied with a hint of exasperation. Seeing that Ye Jiao had already slipped under the covers, he had to lift his arm to make some room for her to breathe, then patiently tried to persuade Li Jing. "Could you leave for now? Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow."
"But you're leaving tomorrow!" Li Jing fumed. "You're about to be wed, and now you're leaving the city? The Duke of Anguo's household will think you're trying to escape the marriage!"
"Why would they think that?" Li Ce responded, doing his best to maintain his composure as he felt Ye Jiao's fingers teasing the crook of his knee. "Jiao Jiao knows she is the only one I would ever marry."
The mischievous hands beneath the quilt quieted, and Li Ce allowed himself a moment of relief.
"True enough," Li Jing snorted. "She's so formidable. If you ever dared stray, I doubt you'd make it out of the city alive. Even the Ministry of War is under her sway now."
Clearly, Li Jing had heard about what happened at court earlier. Yet Assistant Minister Jiang's impassioned argument wasn't merely to protect Ye Jiao—it was for the sake of the entire Ministry. The courtroom had descended into chaos, with ministers who already disliked each other erupting into scuffles. Two of them even ended up with long scratch marks across their faces—how they would explain those to their wives remained to be seen.
Li Ce continued, "So don't worry, Fifth Brother. I'll return before the wedding."
That should have been the end of it, but instead of leaving, Li Jing boldly slipped under the covers.
"Then tonight, let's talk the whole night through. That little vixen's always clinging to you. It's rare we get a moment like this to bond."
"Fifth Brother, this isn't appropriate..." Li Ce protested. "Your princess consort is waiting for you."
"She's not," Li Jing grumbled. "She spends all day talking to her belly and won't even glance at me."
Li Ce grew increasingly anxious. Your wife may not be waiting for you—but mine is, under these blankets.
Li Jing, done venting about his wife, glanced sideways at Li Ce and asked suspiciously, "Why is your face so red?"
The inner chamber's candles had been extinguished, though the flickering light from outside the screen cast a dim, intimate glow. Li Ce's pale cheeks were visibly flushed.
"Why so shy?" Li Jing muttered in confusion. "I'm your brother, not some woman."
"I..." Li Ce faltered, unable to explain, his voice trailing off. "Maybe... maybe you should go."
Ye Jiao's fingers were already tugging at his robe's sash. He struggled to remain still, his voice dropping, his expression increasingly unnatural.
A hiss of air escaped between Li Jing's clenched teeth.
"You're starting to scare me," he said stiffly, trying to recall his original purpose for barging in. "I only came to teach you how to handle a fierce wife. With your delicate frame, she's bound to overpower you after marriage. You'll never get to visit a pleasure house again." His eyes lit up at the thought. "The courtesan Biluo at Huachao House is exquisite. When you return, I'll take you to—"
"Ah!" he cried out, abruptly cut off as he felt a soft hand press against his chest, rubbing gently.
Startled, Li Jing tried to push it away, only for Li Ce to suddenly bend over, half his body landing on Li Jing's face. Fortunately, he was near the edge of the bed and managed to roll off with a loud thump.
He scrambled to his feet, pointing at Li Ce in horror. "Xiao Jiu! Why were you lying on my face?"
"I..." The usually eloquent Li Ce could only blush furiously and stammer, overwhelmed by shame. It had, of course, been Ye Jiao's prank—shoving him forward and grabbing his hand to place it on Li Jing's chest. Now she was holding his waist from behind, making escape impossible, her body radiating warmth.
Li Jing, oblivious, was breathing hard and lowered his voice. "Xiao Jiu... you do know I'm a man, right?"
I'm a man. Why are you touching me like that?
Li Ce said nothing.
"Xiao Jiu!" Suddenly, a horrible realization dawned on Li Jing. He leapt to his feet. "Don't tell me you're... That's inconceivable! No, no, don't make that face—it's not your fault. This kind of thing happens. Sixth Brother was... well, never mind."
He began pacing frantically around the room, clearly overwhelmed. "Even if that's true, you do know we're blood brothers, right?" He wiped his sweat, suddenly solemn. "Fifth Brother can't help you there—I don't swing that way!"
He backed away, stared at Li Ce—whose expression had shifted from shy to weary—and suddenly slapped his own forehead.
"Wait—no. You must be bewitched! You like women. You like Ye Jiao! Isn't she a woman?"
With that, Li Jing bolted barefoot out of the room.
Peace, at last, returned.
"Little fox..." Li Ce whispered. No response.
"Whirligig spirit?" he tried again. A soft giggle echoed beneath the covers.
He reached in and dragged her into his arms, locking eyes with her.
The air grew thick with intimacy.
"You're far too mischievous," he murmured, gaze locked on hers.
"He's so annoying," Ye Jiao pouted. "And he wanted to take you to see that courtesan!"
Ah. So she'd been jealous—and used this trick to scare Li Jing away.
"But doing this..." Li Ce said with a helpless smile, "What about my reputation? By tomorrow, all of the capital will believe I have a taste for men. Will you still marry me, unashamed?"
Her face flushed a deep red. Bracing herself on her arms to avoid pressing too close, she resembled a cunning fox sidestepping a trap.
"Let them think that. At least then you'll be left alone to work." Her fingers traced his collarbone as she muttered teasingly, "Whether you do or not—I'll know best."
"Oh?" Li Ce played along. "How will you know?"
Ye Jiao gave his shoulder a playful punch, which he accepted without protest before rolling her beneath him.
His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, "Why don't I show you tonight?"
Ye Jiao gasped, attempting to wriggle free—only to feel an overwhelming force closing in. She struggled, but his lips had already found her skin.
"Rogue!" she protested, pushing against him.
Then—voices outside.
Their bodies froze.
They held their breath, straining to listen. It was Li Jing.
He'd returned—and sounded panicked.
"Hurry, hurry! Daoist Wang! Immortal Wang! Why are you walking so slowly!"
Ye Jiao and Li Ce exchanged stunned glances.
"He's come to exorcise the evil spirit?"
"Apparently."
Li Ce leapt up, hastily fixing his robes before stepping out, firmly blocking the doorway.
"Is something the matter?" he asked coldly, his broad shoulders and narrow waist forming a wall in the half-open door.
Li Jing stood at a distance, shouting orders at Wang Qianshan.
"We worship gods a thousand days for but a moment of need. Exorcise him, quickly!"
"Exorcise what?" asked the priest, holding a peachwood sword and wearing Daoist robes. He gazed at Li Ce with awe. "This one exudes no evil aura."
"There is something wrong!" Li Jing insisted. "He's not acting like himself—he's been... corrupted!"
The Daoist studied Li Ce intently, fingers forming calculating gestures. After a moment, he replied:
"Rest assured, Your Highnesses. The Ninth Prince has indeed encountered some bad luck recently, but it is harmless. There is no evil spirit here."
"None?" Li Jing tilted his head, tension finally easing—only to tighten again. "Then you really are...?"
"I am not," Li Ce cut in with icy finality.