Chapter 68: The Heir Apparent Part 2

In the winding corridor, Xun Yi, a battlefield veteran, saw the slouching figure and felt anger rise. He swung a slap at Xun Yibai. A soldier’s strength was no joke; the slap sent Xun Yibai stumbling back several steps. If not for the page boy behind him, he would have fallen.

Xun Yibai immediately clutched his cheek. The burning pain made him lose face. He shoved the page boy away and lifted his head defiantly. “Father, why did you hit me for no reason?”

No one was in the corridor, and no lamps were lit. In the inky darkness, figures were blurry, faces indistinct.

“Xun Yibai, if you find life in the mansion unpleasant, roll back to the Southwest. They’re all staying there anyway—you go back too. Don’t embarrass me here.”

After scolding, Xun Yi turned and left, leaving a bewildered and uneasy Xun Yibai. The Southwest was harsh with much warfare, incomparable to the Imperial Capital. Unwilling to go, he dismissed the page boy and hurried after Xun Yi.

As night deepened and people quieted, an extra figure appeared in the study. His face was eighty percent like Xun Yibai’s, but his build was slightly taller. In moon-white robes, his brows and eyes carried a smile. Seeing Xun Yi enter, the smile deepened. He bowed. “Father.”

Xun Yi’s face was displeased. He gave a light hum as response and sat in the chair. Seeing Xun Yibai follow, his gaze sharpened. He pointed outside. “Why did you follow? Get out.”

Xun Yibai’s foot was inside the threshold. Hearing this, he neither entered nor wanted to leave. His pleading eyes fell on the man in the room. “Big Brother…”

Xun Yitan, standing between them, gave an awkward smile. Knowing Xun Yi’s temper, he waved it off helplessly. “Father’s angry with you. I can’t persuade him. What mischief did you get into this time?”

With someone to smooth things over, Xun Yibai glanced at the silent Xun Yi, then stepped fully inside, pointing to his swollen cheek. “I don’t even know why I got hit. Father used to at least give a reason when angry. Now he hits first and tells me to roll back to the Southwest.”

The words “roll back to the Southwest” made Xun Yitan’s eyes flash. He signaled Xun Yibai to shut up, stepped closer to Xun Yi, and smiled mildly. “Father, Second Brother loves to play—you know that. Once you’ve vented, it’s over. I’ve already stabilized things in the Southwest. Once the Imperial Capital settles, I’ll bring Ji’er and the others over. No need for Second Brother to make another trip.”

Compared to Xun Yibai’s words, the eldest son’s were more reasonable. Xun Yi’s face softened slightly as he tapped the desk at Xun Yibai. “Was it you who did the stables incident?”

Xun Yitan had just returned to the Imperial Capital that day. Without even going back to the mansion, he’d gone straight to the palace. He knew nothing of the stables and now didn’t know how to defend Xun Yibai, merely casting a puzzled glance at him.

Mentioning the stables turned Xun Yibai’s face red with anger. “Why would it involve me? That girl was rude, saying no investigation but implying it was me. I think she’s guilty and scared to check. It’s just one horse—why would I bother?”

Xun Yi’s eyes still held suspicion, but his tone wasn’t as harsh. “Really not you?”

Xun Yitan wanted to speak but was cut off by his younger brother. “Of course not. I just liked that unclaimed horse. When have I ever snatched something owned? Besides, that girl has a bad temper—rejecting Xun Luo at the door. Now you’re favoring her too. I don’t want trouble.”

From this, Xun Yitan pieced it together. Seeing Xun Yi’s expression ease, he advised, “Father, if Second Brother says no, then it’s not him. How about I investigate? Can’t wrong him. When I returned, I brought gifts for Changqing—a newly tamed fiery steed. I’ll send it tomorrow to soothe her.”

His words were flawless. Xun Yi found no fault. “Regardless, I tell you both: no dirty outside business in the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion. I’ll send someone to investigate this. Go back for now.”

His gaze softened and settled. Sitting behind the desk, his expression was intimidating. After pondering, he summoned his trusted aide and gave detailed instructions. This had to be cleared up. Others investigating might be biased; his own people would be more convincing.

But Xun Yibai, standing nearby, was unwilling. He stepped forward to speak but was kicked by his brother and dragged out of the study. Both men, but his martial arts couldn’t match his brother’s. He was pulled along some distance before stopping.

In the dark courtyard, only the wind through branches and Xun Yibai’s heavy breathing sounded.

He was angry too. “Why drag me? I said it wasn’t me—Father doesn’t believe, and you side with him? Big Brother, I don’t get it. Why do you favor that girl too? It’s just a horse—dead is dead. Why investigate? An illegitimate girl…”

“Enough, Xun Yibai. Disaster comes from the mouth. Mother’s not here—no one to protect you.” Xun Yitan cut him off sharply, his face clouded. Hands clenched behind his back, he scanned around, confirming no one, then said, “Keep that in your belly even if it rots. If Father hears, even I can’t stop him sending you to the Southwest.”

Scolded twice in half an hour, Xun Yibai sneered coldly, still resentful. “This will come out eventually. Father’s just waiting for that woman’s ashes to enter our ancestral grave. But think: once done, it announces to the world Xun Changqing isn’t legitimate.”

Xun Yitan looked at him quietly for a moment. “She’s a Princess now. Illegitimate or not, what’s the difference? Her title outranks ours…”

“A Princess in name only—no fief. His Majesty’s just fooling people. You believe that?” Xun Yibai interrupted, gazing at the empty courtyard. He paused, then said lightly, “But Father’s plans never fail. He likes Xun Changqing more than the other two illegitimates. I guess he’ll bring her early-deceased mother into the mansion, set a plaque in the ancestral hall—no different from our mother’s.”