“This Is a Good Thing.”
Chu Yuan looked at the conspicuous line of words printed on the storybook. His clear eyes slowly widened.
“This is a good thing,” Lu Ronghuai said in a mysterious tone.
“......Where did Your Highness obtain so many storybooks?”
“Collected from bookstalls. Some of them are even hard to obtain.” As Lu Ronghuai spoke, he even felt a trace of pride in his heart.
He lifted his chin slightly. “Ah-Yuan, open it and take a look.”
Chu Yuan’s expression resisted the suggestion. “This subject does not wish to read it.”
The title alone was so improper that he feared his eyes would ache if he read further.
“Then we shall set it aside for now. These treasures all belong to Ah-Yuan. You may read them whenever you wish.” Lu Ronghuai smiled with confidence.
Chu Yuan looked toward the entire wall lined neatly with storybooks. The small measure of gratitude he had painstakingly gathered in his heart vanished in an instant.
“Your Highness, this subject does not enjoy reading such things.” He emphasized it earnestly.
Lu Ronghuai replied, “This prince enjoys reading them. Ah-Yuan will accompany me.”
Chu Yuan had even less desire to accompany him. Puffing his cheeks, he stuffed the book against Lu Ronghuai’s chest. “Your Highness may read it yourself. This subject’s eyes have only just recovered and cannot endure reading.”
Seeing his puffed, indignant little appearance, Lu Ronghuai found it exceedingly amusing. He complied readily. “Very well. I shall read it myself.”
When Xian Yu saw them return, he ordered the servants to lay out the meal. Turning around, he caught sight of Lu Ronghuai seated on a stool, drawing a book from within his robes and lowering his head to read it ten lines at a glance.
As for the Prince Consort, he looked straight ahead, sitting upright and proper, not even casting a sidelong glance in that direction.
His expression even appeared somewhat cold.
Xian Yu grew curious. He stepped closer and stretched his neck to steal a look. He rapidly scanned two lines. His complexion immediately became colorful beyond description.
Startled, he hastily retreated two steps.
Good heavens! He muttered inwardly. The contents written in storybooks nowadays were so exposed. No wonder the taste for men was flourishing. Who would not grow muddled after reading such things?
Dish after dish was brought up, steaming hot and fragrant.
When the servants had all withdrawn, Chu Yuan observed Lu Ronghuai reading with evident enjoyment, and spoke up, “Your Highness, it is time to dine.”
Lu Ronghuai nodded, his eyes not yet leaving the page. He moved swiftly to ladle a bowl of soup for Chu Yuan and set it before him. “Ah-Yuan, eat well.”
“Is Your Highness not eating?”
He could not understand. Was the book truly so engrossing that even food could be ignored?
“I shall finish this chapter first. It is written rather well.”
Lu Ronghuai turned another page. Soon enough, he closed the book with satisfaction. In his narrow, deep-set eyes flickered specks of laughter.
“Not bad at all. Ah-Yuan truly will not read it?”
Chu Yuan stirred his soup. The rising steam drifted upward, half-obscuring those clear, dark-and-white eyes.
“This subject will not.”
Lu Ronghuai felt a slight regret. Yet soon he smiled again, as though having already planned something in his heart, anticipation showing on his face.
He would let it go for now. Tonight was another matter.
That night.
Le Shu supported Chu Yuan to the bathing room. Hot water had already been prepared in the wooden tub. Chu Yuan leaned against the rim, waiting for Le Shu to move the stool over.
“Young Master, you truly do not require this servant to attend you?” Le Shu asked once more. Chu Yuan’s leg injury had not yet healed. He always feared Chu Yuan might fall.
Chu Yuan shook his head. “I can now see objects. I can wash myself.”
“Go stand guard outside. Do not let... His Highness enter.” Chu Yuan bit his lower lip lightly.
Lu Ronghuai’s skin was too thick. After the evening meal, he had insisted on bathing at the same time, claiming it was to look after him.
After these days of getting along, and with Lu Ronghuai behaving around him with none of his princely dignity and every bit of his talent for making mischief, the fear Chu Yuan had felt toward him had eased considerably.
Thus he had directly driven the man out.
Yet that person was full of schemes and might not give up easily. Having Le Shu stand guard at the door would bring greater ease of mind.
Chu Yuan bathed for half a shichen. After washing with difficulty, he gathered his wet hair behind his head with a wooden hairpin. Standing on one leg, he put on his inner garment before calling Le Shu in.
Le Shu hurried inside, took the outer robe from the screen, and draped it over him. “Young Master, this servant will first support you out. I shall return to tidy the room shortly.”
The bathing room was filled with mist. There were many water traces upon the floor. His bathing cloth still hung over the edge of the tub. Lu Ronghuai would come later to wash. It was imperative to clean the room before he returned.
“Very well.”
Le Shu helped him sit before the dressing table, then ran back to fetch a clean towel. “Young Master, dry your hair first. This servant will tidy up.”
As Le Shu turned to leave, the door was pushed open.
Lu Ronghuai strode in, carrying the chill of night air with him. Seeing Chu Yuan seated within in only his inner garment, he quickly closed the door, fearing the cold wind might blow in.
“This servant greets Your Highness.”
“You may withdraw.” With that command, Le Shu could only take his leave.
“Ah-Yuan has finished bathing?” Lu Ronghuai walked over, caught a strand of his ink-black hair between his fingers, and lowered his head to inhale lightly. “How fragrant.”
Chu Yuan looked at the bronze mirror. Reflected within it, the two stood very near. As Lu Ronghuai bent to smell his hair, the high bridge of his nose was distinctly visible.
In terms of appearance alone, Lu Ronghuai’s face was indeed rarely handsome.
“I shall also go bathe.” He straightened and stepped toward the bathing room.
“Your Highness.” Chu Yuan raised his hand to grasp his sleeve. His eyes were clear as though washed with water. “This subject has just bathed. The water has not been changed, nor has the floor been cleaned. Please wait a moment.”
“It does not matter. I do not mind.” Lu Ronghuai clasped Chu Yuan’s hand and kneaded it twice in a teasing manner. Startled, Chu Yuan quickly withdrew.
Lu Ronghuai laughed loudly twice, in excellent spirits, and entered the bathing room.
Chu Yuan looked at his back, his expression difficult to describe.
Inside, Lu Ronghuai swept his gaze around. Water lay in streams across the floor. Unable to enter the tub, Chu Yuan had these days merely sat on a stool and wiped himself simply, so the water on the ground appeared especially abundant.
He stepped to the tub and reached in to test the temperature. The water had already cooled, yet more than half the tub remained.
Without hesitation, he removed his clothing. Seeing Chu Yuan’s bathing cloth hanging at the side, he directly took it and began rinsing himself with satisfaction.
Cold water made no difference to him. His body was strong and his internal fire vigorous. Such chill did not enter his eyes.
The sound of splashing water echoed within the bathing room. Chu Yuan’s movements in drying his hair gradually slowed. His gaze wandered. Thinking of that man bathing in the water he had used, heat slowly rose across his face.
This man truly... had not the least fastidiousness.
Twisting his hair, Chu Yuan was inattentive. His fingers tangled in a strand, tugging painfully at his scalp.
“Hss.” He drew in a breath softly and stopped, pulling the strand free from between his fingers.
The sound of water soon ceased. Lu Ronghuai changed into a clean inner garment, his damp hair falling loosely behind him.
He came behind Chu Yuan, took the towel from his hand, and began wringing his hair dry.
Chu Yuan had been concerned he might tug painfully. Though his technique was unfamiliar, his movements were gentle, as though fearing to cause him hurt. Even his strength was light.
Through the bronze mirror, Chu Yuan watched him. The man’s brows were lowered, wholly intent upon drying his hair, and his expression extremely serious. As he watched, something stirred uneasily in his chest.
Such a harmonious and tranquil scene appearing between himself and Lu Ronghuai felt deeply out of place and unpleasant to behold.
He must not fall into this gentle trap. Chu Yuan pinched the tender flesh of his palm and admonished himself repeatedly in his heart.
“Your Highness, this subject will do it himself.”
Lu Ronghuai did not give him the opportunity. After drying Chu Yuan’s hair, he directly lifted him and carried him toward the bed.
“The weather is cold now. Though the room has heated floors, keeping your hair damp for long is not good for the body. You wipe too slowly. It is better that I do it.”
He placed Chu Yuan upon the bed, then returned to wipe his own hair carelessly with the towel.
Chu Yuan lay on the bed and turned his head to look at him.
The man’s tall, straight back appeared reliable. The night-luminous pearl hanging high above cast his shadow long. Beneath the loose inner garment were muscles filled with strength. His waistline was firm and lean, his figure exceedingly superior.
Chu Yuan stared somewhat blankly.
He envied Lu Ronghuai’s physique, powerful and vigorous, capable of protecting oneself.
“Ah-Yuan stares at me so intently. Could it be you covet my body?” Lu Ronghuai had at some unknown moment come to the bedside. His hair hung loose as he leaned close.
“This subject was merely lost in thought.”
Lu Ronghuai reached out and scraped lightly at the tip of his nose, smiling in agreement. “Indeed. Ah-Yuan was merely staring blankly.”
Chu Yuan did not wish to pay him heed.
It was customary for husband and wife to share a bed after marriage. The wife should sleep on the outer side, so as to rise conveniently to attend upon her husband.
Chu Yuan settled himself on the outer edge of the bed without comment, his eyes and brows composed. He found that now that the moment had actually arrived, his heart was oddly calm.
Lu Ronghuai did not know what he was thinking. He reached beneath the quilt, lifted Chu Yuan, and placed him upon the inner side.
A flash of surprise passed through Chu Yuan’s eyes. Struggling to rise, he said, “Your Highness, this is improper.”
“How is it improper? This way is best. I must rise early to attend morning court. Sleeping on the outside would disturb you.”
“As wife, it is proper to rise and attend upon Your Highness in dressing and washing. Your Highness should allow this subject to sleep outside.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed softly. “Have I let you attend me once in all these days?”
Chu Yuan paused.
He shook his head honestly, yet still insisted, “This subject’s eyes have recovered. I may attend upon Your Highness.”
“I do not require your attendance. Lie quietly.” Lu Ronghuai held his shoulders and pressed him back down.
“Your Highness...”
“Is Ah-Yuan not sleepy tonight?”
“Not for the moment.” He had taken a short rest after the midday meal and was not particularly sleepy.
“Since you are not sleepy, we might as well do something meaningful.”
Lu Ronghuai turned over onto the bed and drew Chu Yuan into his arms in one sweep, smiling like a weasel that had succeeded in its scheme.
Alarm bells rang loudly in Chu Yuan’s heart. He feigned composure. “This subject is suddenly sleepy now.”
“That is perfect.” Lu Ronghuai pulled the quilt over both of them, tucked the edge firmly around Chu Yuan’s side, wrapped him tightly within his arms, and even used his foot to cover Chu Yuan’s feet, warming them.
“What does Your Highness intend to do?”
Held entirely in his embrace, Chu Yuan felt the man’s body like a furnace, radiating strong heat. His own cold hands and feet quickly regained warmth.
“Did you not wish to sleep? I shall tell you a bedtime story.”
“?”
“The storybook I finished before the evening meal. I shall recount it to Ah-Yuan now.”
Chu Yuan nearly collapsed. “Your Highness, this subject truly does not wish to listen.”
Lu Ronghuai was puzzled. “Why?”
“This subject simply does not wish to listen.”
“Ah-Yuan enjoys reading. Whether classical or common, one should read them all.”
“This subject does not detest storybooks. I simply do not wish to hear this one.”
Lu Ronghuai was truly perplexed now. “This one is very good. Why does Ah-Yuan harbor such great objection to it?”
Chu Yuan’s eyes grew cold. He did not know whether this man was truly foolish or merely feigning it.
He openly brought such a storybook to shame him, yet now turned to ask why he objected.
He was not made of clay. He too possessed temper.
Anger rose in Chu Yuan’s heart. His clear, beautiful eyes regarded Lu Ronghuai with cool threads of chill.
“Your Highness and your male favorite may be intimate as you please. That is your affair. This subject does not wish to listen.”
Lu Ronghuai: “?”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Ronghuai: This storybook is truly excellent. It tells of this prince and a male favorite &%￥#@*&@￥%……
Yuan Yuan [cold expression]: What nonsense are you barking?
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