His Voice Was Like a Cat’s Meow
On the day of Ning Yuqiang’s coming-of-age ceremony, guests flowed endlessly before the gates of the Xuanning Marquis Residence.
Lu Ronghuai stepped down from the carriage with Chu Yuan. They had just reached the bamboo-and-pine crane shadow wall when the Xuanning Marquis personally approached to receive them, with Ning Yuqiang at his side.
“Your Highness has arrived. Please, this way,” the marquis said with a broad smile. Catching sight of Chu Yuan, he quickly added, “This must be the Prince Consort. This old official greets the Prince Consort.”
“Marquis, there is no need for such courtesy,” Chu Yuan said, raising a hand to help him up. He instructed Le Shu to present the congratulatory gift. “A modest offering. May younger Cousin enjoy a future of bright prospects.”
In the Kingdom of Lu, only after reaching adulthood could sons of noble families enter official service.
The smile on the marquis’s face deepened. He ordered the servants to accept the priceless jade carving and led the two inside to their seats.
The Xuanning Marquis Residence was not as vast as a prince’s estate, but it was imposing and open. Pavilions and terraces were refined and charming. At this time of year the vegetation had withered, but the winterplum blossoms bloomed in full splendor throughout the grounds.
Before the banquet began, the men mostly strolled within the garden, admiring the snow and the plum blossoms. The female relatives, delicate in constitution, gathered in the warmed pavilion to drink tea.
Upon entering the garden, by rank Chu Yuan ought to proceed to the warm pavilion. A discomfort stirred within him. As a man, to sit among a circle of women and listen to them discuss their husbands would inevitably invite ridicule.
Yet he understood that however unwilling he felt, he was now the Prince Consort. He could not afford to be willful and unruly.
He had just taken a step toward the warm pavilion when Lu Ronghuai called out.
“Stay with this Prince.”
Chu Yuan paused. A warmth slipped quietly through his heart, though Lu Ronghuai had already strode forward with large steps.
The marquis chuckled at the side. “Prince Consort, please go. Do not keep Your Highness waiting.”
Today Chu Yuan wore a moon-white robe, a white fox-fur cloak draped over his shoulders. His handsome features shone like the bright moon in the heavens. Wherever he passed, eyes followed.
He disliked such brazen scrutiny. He quickened his pace and kept close behind Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai led him to a secluded waterside pavilion.
“Why has Your Highness brought this subj… chen-chenqie here?”
Only the two of them were inside the pavilion. The guards and Le Shu stood outside. Only then could Chu Yuan, enduring immense embarrassment, force himself to utter the word chenqie.
“Your voice is like a cat’s meow. This Prince did not hear clearly.” Lu Ronghuai sat opposite him and poured tea at leisure.
Chu Yuan had not expected such a remark. His fair face flushed at once. He clenched his hands and drew a quiet breath. In the cold moonlight, a sheen of heat rose upon his skin.
“Chen… chenqie…”
“If you are unused to it, there is no need to say it,” Lu Ronghuai said. He pushed the freshly poured tea toward him and rose to open half a window. “It is merely a form of address. There is no need to wrong yourself for it.”
Chu Yuan lifted the teacup gently in both hands. Warmth spread across his palms. Perhaps it was the rising steam, but moisture gathered in his eyes.
Lowering his head, he raised his sleeve. Under the pretext of drinking tea, he wiped away the faint dampness at the corner of his eyes.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” he said sincerely.
“There is no need to thank this Prince. It is quiet here. The banquet will not begin soon. You may rest or admire the scenery.” Lu Ronghuai stepped closer.
Chu Yuan raised his head, his eyes clear and bright as he looked at him. “And Your Highness?”
“This Prince has arranged to meet someone,” Lu Ronghuai replied. After a pause, he added, “There is a matter to attend to. I will return shortly.”
Chu Yuan nodded and rose to see him off.
Lu Ronghuai raised his hand. “Remain seated. Xian Yu will stay here. If there is anything, speak to him.”
He took a sip of tea, then strode away with Xian Yu.
Once he left, Le Shu entered to attend upon Chu Yuan.
The wind outside had grown stronger. Chu Yuan beckoned Xian Yu inside as well.
“Sit. Drink some hot tea to warm yourselves.”
His long, defined fingers had just grasped the teapot when Xian Yu quickly took it from him.
“Many thanks, Prince Consort. Such trifles need not trouble you. This subordinate will manage,” Xian Yu said with a grin.
Chu Yuan smiled faintly.
Le Shu had grown bolder these days. He had come to realize that although the Prince was cold, he was not as tyrannical and unpredictable as rumors claimed.
“Young master, Your Highness treats you very well,” he said, beaming, genuinely pleased for him.
The sudden remark made Chu Yuan’s heart skip. He reminded him softly, “Le Shu, do not speak nonsense.”
Le Shu pouted. He was not speaking nonsense. He had seen everything with his own eyes!
Xian Yu, sipping his tea, nodded in agreement. “This subordinate also believes that His Highness treats the Prince Consort differently from others.”
He followed Lu Ronghuai daily and knew best the changes of recent days. Most evident was the Prince’s attention toward the Prince Consort, exceeding what had been expected before.
Chu Yuan was mild by nature. Having cultivated quietly in the temple these past years, his temperament had grown more composed and inward. At Xian Yu’s words, he only smiled lightly. Not a ripple stirred in his gaze.
“Young Master Xian flatters me. I have met His Highness only a few times. Perhaps His Highness is kind-hearted and treats us well. It is merely that others have misunderstood what they see.”
Xian Yu nearly failed to suppress his laughter.
His Highness, kind-hearted?
What relation did those two words have to his lord?
He coughed softly and nodded solemnly. “Indeed. His Highness delights in benevolence and charity. He especially enjoys helping others. It is only because of rumors that he must keep a stern face all day. In truth, within his heart, he longs to bestow upon everyone the warmth of spring…”
“In short, if the Prince Consort has any matter in the future, you may go directly to His Highness.”
Confusion flickered in Chu Yuan’s clear eyes.
He did not truly know Lu Ronghuai. Judging by his appearance alone, he seemed cold and sharp-edged, not easily approached. He had not imagined him to be so warm-hearted.
Reflecting carefully, however, he could discern traces of it.
Aside from their wedding day, when Lu Ronghuai’s temper had been poor, on each subsequent meeting he had extended a hand to help him.
It seemed Xian Yu was right. The Prince merely looked fierce. In truth, he possessed a compassionate heart.
Elsewhere, the subject of their discussion sneezed.
“Third Brother, have you caught a chill?” a clear and concerned youthful voice sounded.
Lu Ronghuai shook his head and returned to the matter at hand. “Earlier, I asked you to watch that Heavenly Master. Have you discovered anything?”
Lu Rongshen sat back down. He glanced around and raised a hand to shield his lips, lowering his voice. “There is news. Third Brother’s guess was correct. That Celestial Master Zhengqing has recently gained Father Emperor’s favor. Even your arranged marriage was granted because of him.”
“Speak normally. There is no one nearby,” Lu Ronghuai said, casting him a look of disdain at his furtive manner.
He had already ordered the surroundings checked. Xian Feng and the others kept watch in the shadows. Any disturbance would be reported at once.
Lu Rongshen rolled his eyes. “Then why did you not say so earlier? This is not your residence. I was afraid someone might overhear and it would harm you.”
Lu Ronghuai smiled faintly. “You have grown. At least you know to exercise caution.”
“…”
Lu Rongshen choked. The longer he held it in, the more irritated he became. “Third Brother, are you mocking me?”
Lu Ronghuai arched a brow. “With your impatient temperament, were you not noticed by that Celestial Master?”
“Rest assured. That Celestial Master keeps his eyes fixed upon the heavens. He would never notice me,” Lu Rongshen dragged his stool closer, wearing a look that begged for praise. “Third Brother, guess whose man this Celestial Master truly is.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Chu Yuan: His Highness is a good man.
Lu Ronghuai: Indeed!
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