This Seemed Rather Serious
Le Shu crouched beside Chu Yuan, his shoulder resting against the back of the chair as he craned his neck to watch the commotion outside.
“Young Master, what is His Highness doing?” he asked in a lowered voice.
“I do not know.”
Chu Yuan sat in a round-backed armchair cushioned with soft velvet. A brazier at his feet burned silver-thread charcoal. In his hands he held a magpie-and-plum-patterned hand warmer. He wore a plain blue-green jacket, a thick fur draped across his legs. His gaze remained calm as he watched the courtyard.
Lu Ronghuai was occupied outside.
He had risen at dawn and summoned ten guards through Xian Yu. They began by uprooting every herb planted in Fuju Courtyard, then cut down several tall trees and labored to haul them away.
After Chu Yuan had finished breakfast, Lu Ronghuai even carried him to the doorway, insisting that he remain there to observe the work.
Though spring had begun, the air was still cold. The men worked until heat rose from their bodies, sweat soaking through their clothes.
Chu Yuan’s eyes settled on Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai had changed into a fitted black robe with narrow sleeves and a cinched waist. His ink-dark hair was bound high. When he spoke to others, his profile possessed a sharp beauty. His jawline was clean and precise, his nose straight and high. Sunlight fell across his face, casting a distinct shadow along the bridge of his nose.
“The courtyard has become completely bare. It looks rather unsightly,” Le Shu muttered as he added more charcoal to the brazier.
Originally, though the scenery in Fuju Courtyard had been unremarkable, there had at least been flowers and grasses as ornamentation. Now there was nothing at all. In the vast Prince Li’s residence, there was no place more desolate.
Even Baochu Courtyard was better, as it at least retained a single tree.
“Le Shu, the tea should no longer be too hot. Take it outside for them,” Chu Yuan said softly, his fingers tracing the pattern on the hand warmer.
“Right away.”
Le Shu sprang up and hurried to prepare the tea. He arranged four cups on a tray and carried them out steadily in both hands.
“Your Highness, the Prince Consort asks that you drink some tea and rest for a moment.”
Le Shu had grown clever. In Prince Li’s presence, he addressed Chu Yuan as Prince Consort. When Lu Ronghuai was absent, he continued to call him Young Master.
Lu Ronghuai was digging when he heard that Chu Yuan had prepared tea for him. He immediately raised his head and smiled broadly toward Chu Yuan.
When the man smiled, his brows and eyes raised, bright with life. It was as though frost melted within his gaze. Warm affection rested openly in his eyes as he looked at Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan quietly averted his eyes.
He smiles rather foolishly, he thought.
After drinking the tea, Lu Ronghuai worked with even greater vigor. Before long, numerous small pits appeared in the courtyard.
“Xian Yu, bring everything in,” Prince Li said, tossing aside his tools before walking to Chu Yuan’s side.
“Add more charcoal. Do not let his legs grow cold.”
Chu Yuan stopped him. “Your Highness, the floor heating is already lit indoors. This subject is wrapped quite tightly and do not feel cold.”
Lu Ronghuai nodded when he saw Chu Yuan insist. “If you feel the slightest chill, have Le Shu add more charcoal. If the hand warmer cools, change it at once.”
“Very well. What does Your Highness intend to plant?” Chu Yuan asked, looking toward the small pits.
A faint smile curved Prince Li’s lips. “I consulted the almanac. Today is auspicious for breaking ground. I shall plant what Ah-Yuan likes.”
What he likes…
Chu Yuan’s eyelashes trembled. He drew the hand warmer closer against his chest.
Soon Xian Yu led the guards in, carrying the items.
Chu Yuan’s gaze fell upon the saplings, and when he saw the rows of young ginkgo trees, his pupils widened slightly.
“How did Your Highness know that this subject like ginkgo trees?” His voice was faintly hoarse as he stared at them.
Prince Li crouched before him. Having just worked, his hands were unwashed and could not touch Chu Yuan. Instead, he leaned forward and gently rested his head against Chu Yuan’s knee.
“Ah-Yuan prefers lotus-blue and jade-colored garments. You favor chestnut pastries. Your calligraphy is excellent. You enjoy reading. Am I wrong?”
Chu Yuan looked into his eyes. Lu Ronghuai’s eyes were long and slightly upturned at the corners, sharp and commanding in shape, bearing an imposing presence even when calm. Yet whenever he looked at Chu Yuan, they carried warmth and mirth.
“Your Highness, Xian Yu and the others are waiting,” Chu Yuan said softly, lowering his gaze to avoid the intensity of his stare.
Prince Li glanced outward. Xian Yu and the guards had already turned around and were staring at the sky.
The one crouching at the Prince Consort’s feet like a dog was certainly not their valiant and unmatched prince.
“Very well. I shall plant the trees first. I had them brought from Guangyuan Temple. Ah-Yuan should like them.”
He rose and descended the steps in two strides.
Chu Yuan had lived in a temple for many years and held a natural fondness for things from such places. He watched as the ginkgo trees were planted one after another, quickly filling the once-empty courtyard.
Le Shu rubbed his eyes. “Young Master, once these trees take root, it will resemble our former courtyard.”
He meant the dilapidated temple where they had lived for years. That courtyard too had been filled with ginkgo trees.
Even the positions of the trees were nearly identical.
“Mm.”
Chu Yuan gazed at the slowly transformed Fuju Courtyard, his heart stirred with mixed feelings.
“My lord, Vice Minister Su of the Ministry of Works seeks an audience,” Xian Feng reported from the courtyard entrance.
Lu Ronghuai was still planting, his boots pressing into the soft soil. “Let him come directly.”
Su Ruhe had come straight from the Ministry of Works, still wearing his official robes. Upon entering, he saw Lu Ronghuai holding a tree trunk as thick as a man’s thigh, filling earth around its base.
Su Ruhe: “…”
This was the man who had claimed to be exceedingly busy?
“This minister greets Your Highness.” He then turned toward the interior and bowed again. “This minister greets Your Highness the Prince Consort.”
Chu Yuan gave a small nod and instructed Le Shu to prepare tea.
“What matter brings Vice Minister Su here?” Lu Ronghuai asked, looking up.
Su Ruhe was not fond of speaking. At the Ministry of Works, he usually labored quietly. Ever since he had taken charge of the account books, people had sought him out daily, leaving his lips cracked from constant explanation.
“Your Highness, the detailed list of materials required for constructing the Daoist temple has been compiled. I humbly ask that you review it.”
He drew the account book from his sleeve, the materials list tucked within and presented it respectfully with both hands.
“My hands are unclean. Vice Minister Su may read it aloud.”
Su Ruhe glanced at the mud covering Prince Li’s hands and complied. “If Your Highness would step this way.”
Lu Ronghuai walked over. The two stood near the courtyard entrance discussing the accounts. On the other side, Xian Yu approached the doorway and requested more tea.
“Xian Yu, I have not seen Xian Shuang these past few days,” Chu Yuan said.
Xian Yu smiled. “Xian Shuang has been assigned a task these days. He should return the day after tomorrow.”
Chu Yuan nodded in understanding and smiled faintly. “When he returns and sees this courtyard filled with ginkgo trees, he will surely be startled.”
“These were all chosen by His Highness for you. Guangyuan Temple is prosperous with incense offerings. The trees there have long absorbed Buddhist aura. They appear quite unlike ordinary trees.”
Chu Yuan curved his lips, his voice carrying the lightness of someone speaking without particular intention. “Indeed. His Highness is thoughtful. He even knows that I like ginkgo trees. His Highness seems capable of anything.”
Xian Yu had never before heard Chu Yuan praise Lu Ronghuai in such a manner. Delighted for his lord, he spoke without thinking. “Of course. When you first entered the residence, His Highness conducted a thorough investigation. He knows all of your preferences.”
“Including the fact that my imperial father once sought me out, is that so?”
“That is rig—”
Xian Yu froze mid-sentence, the smile stiffening upon his face.
Chu Yuan’s gaze drifted toward Lu Ronghuai in the distance. “With His Highness’s capabilities, the experiences of my past decade would surely be known in full.”
“Young Master, His Highness did not…”
“Xian Yu, come here,” Lu Ronghuai called.
Xian Yu walked over with a troubled expression, regretting his loose tongue.
“What is that look?” Prince Li asked, puzzled. “Bring a residence token to Vice Minister Su. He need not announce himself upon entering in future.”
“Your Highness, this… this minister cannot accept it.”
Su Ruhe wished only to conclude this task swiftly. Frequent contact would surely lead others in court to believe he had aligned himself with Prince Li. He did not desire entanglement with such a man.
“The temple will require at least three months to complete. Since you oversee the accounts, you will inevitably seek me out. There is no need to make matters troublesome,” Prince Li said. “Return it once construction is finished.”
Relieved, Su Ruhe bowed. “Many thanks, Your Highness.”
After receiving the token, he soon took his leave.
Once the trees had all been planted, Lu Ronghuai washed his hands, changed into clean shoes beneath the steps, removed his outer robe, and entered wearing only his inner garment.
“When the weather warms and new leaves sprout, we may drink tea and play chess beneath the trees,” he said, envisioning the days ahead.
Chu Yuan replied evenly, “Your Highness may drink tea and play chess alone. This subject is somewhat tired. Le Shu, carry me back.”
Lu Ronghuai stared as Le Shu carried Chu Yuan into the inner chamber.
Xian Yu retreated toward the doorway, attempting to diminish his presence.
“What has happened to Ah-Yuan? Why is he so cold all of a sudden?” Prince Li asked, perplexed.
Xian Yu stammered, “Perhaps… perhaps the Princess Consort might be fatigued.”
“Is that so? Have hot water prepared. This Prince shall bathe first.”
He considered that he was covered in sweat and earth. Chu Yuan valued cleanliness. Perhaps that was the cause.
Lu Ronghuai entered the bathing chamber and scrubbed himself thoroughly. He poured heated water over his body and dried himself carefully before emerging with his hair loose.
It was nearly midday. Xian Yu directed the servants to lay out the meal.
That day Xian Yu was unusually quiet. Once the dishes were arranged, he departed swiftly, his expression faintly anxious.
Lu Ronghuai paid it no mind. He entered the inner chamber and reached out to lift Chu Yuan.
“There is no need to trouble Your Highness. Le Shu, carry me to dine.”
Chu Yuan raised his hand to block Prince Li’s arm, his expression calm.
Under Lu Ronghuai’s intense gaze, Le Shu nervously carried Chu Yuan to the hall.
Lu Ronghuai followed step by step.
He watched Chu Yuan’s back with an expression of a bewildered dog being casted aside, unable to understand what offense he had committed.
In an effort to please him, Lu Ronghuai attentively served dishes and soup. Chu Yuan did not refuse, yet he did not speak either. After finishing the meal in silence, he departed once more.
This time he went to the small study.
“…” Lu Ronghuai stood still.
This seemed rather serious.
Lu Ronghuai followed again. His left foot had just crossed the threshold when Xian Yu appeared.
“Your Highness, Prince Qi has sent a congratulatory invitation. His favored concubine gave birth to a son this morning.”
Prince Li halted. Inside, Chu Yuan also raised his head.
Xian Yu handed over the invitation and continued swiftly. “Prince Qi has been married for many years and has only this one son. It is said he was so overjoyed that he wept. He even intended to raise the concubine to secondary consort, but Noble Consort Fang scolded him harshly, and he abandoned the idea.”
“Wept with joy?” Prince Li’s expression was unreadable, as though he were smiling, or perhaps pitying. “He rejoices too soon. Since the invitation has reached my door, it would be improper not to offer congratulations.”
“What gift does Your Highness intend to send? This subordinate shall prepare it at once.”
“This Prince have already decided. Go to the treasury and find the greenest item you can. Send that.”
Xian Yu: “???”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu the dog: This prince has seen through everything, but this prince says nothing.
Prince Qi: What a wonderful brother I have. :(
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