Chapter 17: The Strong Prevail

Night had already fallen when Beigong Juechen returned to Lichang with his retinue, dragging behind them plentiful game from the day’s hunt. Beigong Qiyi went straight back to Idle Grace Pavilion. As soon as he entered, Xi Mo hurried forward to help him remove his outer robe and asked with a cheerful smile, “Young Master, what good things did you catch today?”

Beigong Qiyi took the handkerchief offered by the maid to wipe his hands and replied, “You see I’ve come back empty-handed, so naturally I caught nothing at all.”

Xi Mo looked at him with some disbelief. Beigong Qiyi tapped him lightly on the head and said, “Don’t just stand there—go make me a bowl of tofu pudding.” In truth, apart from that snow leopard, he hadn’t hunted anything else today, but since the snow leopard was killed by Beigong Juechen’s arrow, it rightfully belonged to his elder brother.

Xi Mo nodded and replied, “Please wait a moment, Young Master.” Beigong Qiyi undid his hair, tying it loosely into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. Before long, Xi Mo returned, carrying a bowl of tofu pudding. The pudding was snowy white and tender, glistening, with a scattering of emerald scallions on top—a most refined presentation.

Beigong Qiyi accepted the white jade spoon and took a generous mouthful. The tofu was delicate and fresh, sweet but not cloying, dissolving instantly on the tongue. As he ate, he even raised a thumb in praise to Xi Mo. “Your tofu pudding is truly unparalleled.” Xi Mo smiled, sat beside him, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over. “Eat slowly, Young Master.” With his mouth full, Beigong Qiyi could only nod without looking up.

“Is it really that delicious? Let me try some.” Just as Beigong Qiyi was enjoying himself, the sound of Beigong Juechen’s voice startled him, making him choke a little. He swallowed quickly, face flushing, and coughed, “Cough... Big brother, what brings you here?” Xi Mo, seeing Beigong Juechen enter, immediately stood to pay his respects. Beigong Juechen waved him off and sat beside Beigong Qiyi, his long, phoenix-like eyes narrowing as he said, “This manor belongs to me now. I go wherever I please.”

Beigong Qiyi took a large gulp of tea and could only nod in agreement. “You are right, Brother.” Beigong Juechen glanced at the half-finished bowl of tofu pudding and raised an eyebrow, “What is this?” Beigong Qiyi blinked and smiled. “It’s tofu pudding. Would you like to try some?” He pushed the bowl forward. Beigong Juechen’s brows furrowed slightly, as if in distaste, but in the end, he picked up the spoon and tasted it.

“How is it?” Beigong Qiyi asked. Beigong Juechen arched an eyebrow and replied coolly, “Not bad.” Then he took another spoonful. Beigong Qiyi propped his chin in his palm, laughing softly. “It’s Xi Mo’s specialty.” Beigong Juechen set down the spoon and turned to Xi Mo. “Make some for me tomorrow morning.” Xi Mo nodded quietly, “Yes, sir.”

A trace of milky-white tofu lingered at the corner of Beigong Juechen’s lips. Beigong Qiyi narrowed his dark eyes, reached out, and gently brushed his brother’s crimson lips. Beigong Juechen sat still, betraying no emotion. Beigong Qiyi wiped the morsel onto his handkerchief, then turned to Xi Mo and said with perfect composure, “Make Brother’s tofu pudding a little sweeter tomorrow.”

Beigong Juechen’s brows lifted slightly. He took out a white porcelain bottle and tossed it to the youth. The bottle gleamed like jade, with a vivid red pattern circling its mouth. Beigong Qiyi uncorked it, and a bitter medicinal scent, faintly laced with freshness, assaulted his senses. He was momentarily surprised, then smiled, grasping the bottle. “How did you know I was injured, Brother?”

Beigong Juechen’s gaze, deliberate or not, fell upon his leg. He snorted softly. “In all those years away from Lichang, did you never ride a horse?”

“Um...” Beigong Qiyi rubbed his nose awkwardly. Beigong Juechen understood at once from his expression, and a cold smile flickered across his lips. Sensing his brother’s displeasure, Beigong Qiyi hastily explained, “On the mountain, I was busy practicing martial arts and there was nowhere to ride.” Beigong Juechen shot him a sidelong glance. “And after you came down from the mountain?” Beigong Qiyi pouted, turning the bottle absently in his hands. “After coming down, I always rode in a carriage or sedan chair.”

“So after just one day on horseback, your thighs are chafed raw?” Beigong Qiyi, knowing himself at fault, hung his head. Beigong Juechen saw his restless, entwined fingers and sighed softly. He remembered the tender little child of years past, the small boy who clung to him. He was his own younger brother, sharing the same blood. So even though the youth was often irreverent, he did not blame him. Yet, in the House of Beigong, the weak find no mercy! Thus, he did not fault anyone for Beigong Li’s death—it is a world where only the strong survive.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll hold horse stance for three hours each day.” Beigong Qiyi looked up at his brother’s impassive face, bit his lip, and nodded silently. Beigong Juechen, seeing his dejected posture, rose and patted his back. “Come in. I’ll help you with the medicine.”

Beigong Qiyi quickly shook his head. “There’s no need.” Beigong Juechen snorted. “I’m your elder brother—what is there to be embarrassed about?” He took the medicine bottle from Beigong Qiyi’s hand and strode into the inner chamber. Seeing this, Beigong Qiyi could only dismiss Xi Mo to rest and follow after.

Beigong Juechen sat upon the wide stone-jade bed. When Beigong Qiyi entered, he raised the porcelain bottle and said quietly, “Take off your trousers.” Beigong Qiyi’s face reddened and he stammered, “Let me do it myself...” Beigong Juechen huffed, half amused. “You used to crawl into my lap bare-bottomed as a child—what is there to be shy about now?” The youth blinked and offered a placating smile. “Wasn’t I just a child then?”

“No more nonsense,” Beigong Juechen said, patting the bed with a stern voice, “Take off your trousers and lie down.” Beigong Qiyi had no choice but to slowly remove his trousers and, bare from the waist down, sit beside his brother. Beigong Juechen glanced at what nestled between the youth’s legs, his lips curving in a slight smile. He reached out and parted the youth’s slender, fair legs. Beigong Qiyi’s skin was pale to begin with, the inner thighs even paler; now, two angry red marks stood out in stark contrast against the white.

Beigong Juechen poured out some medicine onto his fingers and applied it to the inside of the youth’s thighs. First came a cool sensation, then the heat of the man’s calloused fingertips. As they glided over the youth’s tender skin, a shiver ran through Beigong Qiyi. His breath caught and, unable to help himself, he turned to look at Beigong Juechen.

The man’s face was lowered, long hair cascading over his cheeks, partly obscuring his handsome features. Nevertheless, Beigong Qiyi could see those trembling lashes, the straight bridge of his nose, and the full, rosy lips pressed tightly together. Beigong Juechen’s eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, gave him an air of innate severity and cold indifference, but those lips, lush and moist, softened his otherwise forbidding face with a hint of sensuality. Beigong Qiyi felt a sudden heat in his lower abdomen, and something below stirred involuntarily.

Beigong Juechen glanced down in mild surprise at what was rising between the youth’s legs, arching an eyebrow with a mocking sneer. “You’re certainly full of vigor.” Beigong Qiyi, mortified, clamped his legs together and grabbed his discarded trousers to cover himself, but Beigong Juechen seized them and pulled them away. The youth started, looking up in alarm. “Brother!”

Beigong Juechen put away the medicine bottle and laughed. “You’re hardly a stranger to such things—what’s there to be embarrassed about?”