“Delicate.”
After Lu Ronghuai’s deliberate disruption, Chu Yuan spent the latter half of the banquet focused solely on eating. Not once did he raise his lashes again.
When Ning Yuqiang received the ceremonial commendation, the one originally appointed to arrange his hair and secure the ceremonial cap was meant to proceed as planned. However, a small incident occurred midway.
Ning Yuqiang wished for Lu Ronghuai to bind the cap for him instead.
The gazes of those eager for spectacle gathered from all directions. Holding the hairpin box in both hands, Ning Yuqiang looked at Lu Ronghuai with open expectation.
Lu Ronghuai did not move.
The Marquis of Xuanning scolded softly at his side, “Yuqiang, do not be foolish. How could His Highness bind your cap?”
Ning Yuqiang persisted. “His Highness holds noble status and is also Yuqiang’s cousin. Naturally he has the qualification to bind Yuqiang’s cap.”
Lu Ronghuai shook his head and declined evenly. “This Prince is not suitable.”
“Cousin, Yuqiang only wishes for you to bind my cap.” Ning Yuqiang stood before him, pleading in a low voice. The youth’s features were refined and upright. He bit lightly at his lower lip. Few who saw him would bear to refuse.
However, Lu Ronghuai remained unmoved. Resting his chin upon one hand, his gaze indifferent, he said, “Yuqiang, this Prince will not repeat himself.”
Ning Yuqiang’s eyes reddened at once.
He stood stubbornly before Lu Ronghuai, grievance written plainly across his face.
Sensing matters turning ill, the Marquis of Xuanning hurried over to pull him aside. Murmurs rose from all around. The Marquis himself felt no small measure of displeasure.
“Yuqiang has admired and respected His Highness since childhood. Even if His Highness does not wish to bind his cap today, there was no need to be so severe and cause him to lose face before everyone.”
“Father, please say no more.” Ning Yuqiang cast a red-eyed glance toward Lu Ronghuai and tugged at his father’s sleeve, speaking softly.
Hearing the choked sob in his voice, the Marquis increasingly felt this nephew of his was unreasonably cold.
Under the convergence of gazes from every direction, Lu Ronghuai sat steady as a mountain. Facing the Marquis’s reproach, he showed little reaction.
Chu Yuan could not help turning his head to look at him.
Lu Ronghuai immediately caught his gaze and arched a brow. “At last willing to look at this Prince?”
Chu Yuan choked slightly.
Everyone: “…”
At a moment like this, the two of you are still flirting?
“Has my consort eaten his fill?” Lu Ronghuai asked.
Chu Yuan discerned the implication beneath his words and gave a slight nod.
A trace of satisfaction flickered through Lu Ronghuai’s eyes. He rose to his feet and drew Chu Yuan up with him.
“This Prince and the Consort have other matters to attend to. We shall take our leave first. Please continue at ease.” With that, he departed without hesitation, bringing Chu Yuan along.
“Cousin!” Ning Yuqiang hurried to follow.
The Marquis of Xuanning pulled him back, his expression dark. “Let him go. Today is your capping ceremony. Do not act rashly.”
“But…” Ning Yuqiang stared helplessly toward the doorway.
“It is nothing.” The Marquis drew a deep breath and smoothed his expression. “In time I shall enter the palace and speak a few words to Noble Consort Ning. If she still cares for that son, she will surely discipline him properly.”
Ning Yuqiang nodded in disappointment.
Yet in his heart, he held little faith in his father’s plan. If Aunt truly cared for Cousin, would she have neglected him all these years?
“This old man has another appointment. Marquis, I take my leave.” Nie Chouwen rose as well.
The Marquis quickly clasped his hands. “Prime Minister Nie, please go safely.”
Nie Chouwen inclined his head and, stroking his white beard, departed with vigorous steps.
Outside the Marquis’s manor, the carriage of Prince Li’s residence waited in a side alley. The two stood at the entrance, maintaining a measured distance between them, space enough for two or three more to stand.
Before long, Nie Chouwen’s voice sounded behind them.
“Prince Li’s Consort, please wait.”
Chu Yuan turned, faint surprise in his expression.
Lu Ronghuai regarded Chu Yuan with interest before looking toward Nie Chouwen.
“Prime Minister is rather persistent regarding this Prince’s Consort,” he said in a tone half-yin, half-yang.
Nie Chouwen could not be bothered to spare him an extra glance. Descending the steps, he addressed Chu Yuan gently. “This old man holds a poetry gathering once each year. This year, owing to numerous affairs, it has been postponed to the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month. Would Prince Li’s Consort have interest in attending?”
Chu Yuan’s eyes brightened, only to dim again shortly after.
He shook his head and declined politely. “I thank Prime Minister for his favor. It is simply inconvenient for me to attend.”
Nie Chouwen immediately turned toward Lu Ronghuai, narrowing his eyes dangerously. “Does Prince Li forbid you?”
“…” Lu Ronghuai laughed in exasperation. “Has this prince ever said such a thing?”
He understood well Chu Yuan’s concern. As Prince Li’s Consort, his status differed from ordinary men. Those who attended the poetry gathering were all male scholars. Idle rumors would be inevitable.
Lu Ronghuai deliberately found fault. “What does Prime Minister mean by inviting this Prince’s Consort but not inviting this Prince?”
“What would you do there? Beat someone or kill someone?” Nie Chouwen retorted.
“Not entirely impossible,” Lu Ronghuai replied after serious consideration.
Nie Chouwen ignored the living calamity and persisted in persuading Chu Yuan. “Pavilions have been set within the garden. If Prince Li’s Consort fears recognition, you may remain within a pavilion and not emerge. This old man will remind the students. They will not disturb you.”
Spoken to such a point, Chu Yuan found it difficult to refuse further. In truth, he very much wished to see it.
While in the Kingdom of Chu, he had heard devotees speak of this Prime Minister of Lu, holding deep admiration for his learning and character.
“We will attend. Prime Minister may rest assured. Farewell.” The carriage arrived at the entrance at that moment. After speaking, Lu Ronghuai drew Chu Yuan aboard.
Nie Chouwen was first pleased, then abruptly realized that Lu Ronghuai intended to attend as well.
He glared at the departing carriage and inwardly cursed, shameless brat!
Within the carriage, Chu Yuan sat properly. Seeing Lu Ronghuai with eyes closed, he used the concealment of his wide sleeve to quietly rub his wrist.
Lu Ronghuai’s grip was strong. When pulled into the carriage, the skin about his wrist had reddened in a wide circle.
The motion was exceedingly subtle. Yet Lu Ronghuai seemed to possess a third eye, catching it precisely and offering a succinct appraisal.
“Delicate.”
Chu Yuan’s fingertips stilled. His ears flushed red at once.
Since childhood, his skin had been finer than most. Even a light knock would leave swelling and bruising over a broad patch. Compared with others, he did appear somewhat delicate.
For a man to be called delicate made his cheeks burn with embarrassment.
The two returned to the Prince’s residence in silence.
Lu Ronghuai carried thoughts within him. After sitting in the study for only half a day, he retired early to his chambers.
Xian Feng found it somewhat strange. Seeing Lu Ronghuai wash and lie down, he ventured to ask, “Is His Highness unwell today?”
“No. Withdraw.”
Lu Ronghuai closed his eyes and did not elaborate. A certain conjecture lingered faintly in his mind, awaiting confirmation in sleep.
That night, Lu Ronghuai dreamed once more.
In the dream, frost gripped the earth.
With a single glance, he knew the place to be the Northern Frontier.
Through the raging snow, someone staggered toward him, thin and solitary.
He heard himself say, “You need not follow me here to suffer.”
Chu Yuan came to stand before him. His hands were covered in frostbite. The fine beauty of his features was gone. His skin was cracked, his lips darkened with cold.
From within his robes, he drew out half a piece of frozen, hardened rations and placed it in Lu Ronghuai’s hand.
“For a drop of water received, one repays with a spring in return. Your Highness once sheltered me. This grace, Chu Yuan keeps engraved within his heart.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Our Yuan Yuan has suffered since childhood. Anyone who treats him even slightly well, he feels grateful and works hard to repay them.
Lu the Dog, having him is your blessing! pulls ear and shouts
Thank you all for your support!
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