Give Me a Little One to Play With.
Prince Qi set out with his troops for Ping Cheng the following day.
Within Ye Jing, red silk festooned the streets in celebration. Envoys from the six kingdoms had already arrived one after another. The Crown Prince arranged for them to reside in the official guest residences and had their attendants registered one by one.
The rulers of the six kingdoms were expected to reach Ye Jing at the beginning of next month. They would then be housed in the Northern Traveling Palace .
For the past few days, Lu Ronghuai had been acting as a hands-off shopkeeper, tossing all affairs to the Ministry of Works officials and his subordinates, while he himself devoted his time to accompanying Chu Yuan in practicing walking.
The splint on Chu Yuan’s leg had not yet been removed. Each day he could only manage a few short steps, unsteady and trembling the whole way.
Lu Ronghuai did not trust the situation. Hovering beside him like an old nursemaid, he guarded him closely, words such as “Careful,” “Slowly,” and “Stop, stop, stop,” leaping from his mouth from time to time.
Le Shu and Xian Yu huddled beside a railing pillar, clicking their tongues in wonder.
Xian Yu said, “I have followed his Highness for so long. This is the first time I’ve realized he can talk this much.”
Le Shu replied, “My young master has not said a word.”
“...Perhaps the Prince Consort finds him bothersome. Look, he is not paying the prince any attention.”
Le Shu said, “The prince follows my young master every day. He even declined banquet invitations from the various residences.”
There were many nobles and high officials in Ye Jing. Banquets were frequently held in different households. Lu Ronghuai had always disliked such tedious formalities. Now he had found an even more suitable excuse to refuse them.
“The Prince never liked attending before. Now that he has a Prince Consort, forget banquets, he can barely be bothered with official duties.”
Le Shu thought of Su Ruhe, so overworked he could not sleep properly had developed two large dark circles hanging beneath his eyes. A sigh escaped him. “I used to think the Prince was driven, that power was all he cared about. Looking at him now, you can’t see a trace of ambition.”
Xian Yu: “...”
Their Prince truly had worked himself hard before.
Now… better not mention it.
“Xian Yu, bring tea.” Lu Ronghuai’s voice suddenly rang out, startling Xian Yu greatly.
He had been discussing his master moments earlier. Hearing his name called now, he felt terribly guilty and nearly tripped over the threshold.
He hurried inside, brewed the tea, and carried it before Lu Ronghuai.
“Come, Ah-Yuan, have some tea. Rest a while before continuing.” Le Shu moved a stool over, and Lu Ronghuai supported him as he sat.
A fine sheen of sweat dampened Chu Yuan’s nose, a faint flush colored his pale cheeks, while a thin thread of pain traveled from his right leg.
After drinking half a cup of tea and regaining some strength, he wished to stand again and continue practicing.
Lu Ronghuai stopped him. “Do not hurry. Take it slowly. Practice more after the splint is removed. For now, this is only to help you adjust in advance.”
Chu Yuan knew he had been somewhat impatient. He had lain down for too long that it felt as though his bones had softened from lying there. He greatly missed the days when he could walk freely.
“Very well.” He glanced at his faintly aching leg. He knew he had walked a little too much today. His right leg had already begun protesting.
“Your Highness, this subject wishes to go to the small study,” Chu Yuan said softly after Lu Ronghuai finished his tea.
Lu Ronghuai nodded without asking what he intended to do and simply carried him there.
On the desk in the small study lay an unfinished painting. After sitting down, Chu Yuan saw Lu Ronghuai standing beside him without leaving. He explained gently, “This subject was unable to finish it yesterday. I wish to complete it before nightfall.”
Lu Ronghuai’s gaze roamed over the ink pine painting. He did not conceal his admiration. “Ah-Yuan’s painting skills are extraordinary. If this were taken to a painting workshop to sell, it would fetch no less than a thousand gold.”
“Does Your Highness truly find this subject’s painting acceptable?”
Lu Ronghuai looked at the half-finished work and nodded at once. “Of course. If Ah-Yuan does not believe me, take it out and sell it. You will know I am not deceiving you.”
Chu Yuan smiled faintly. “This subject has indeed had such a thought. Only, would Your Highness truly permit it?”
Lu Ronghuai found it strange. “I have already said before, whatever Ah-Yuan wishes to do, I will support you. If you are willing, you may sell as many as you like.”
Chu Yuan’s heart stirred. His gaze softened. “This subject is merely somewhat afraid. My status is now different. I worry this may affect Your Highness.”
He had long intended to sell paintings, yet he had not dared speak of it plainly to Lu Ronghuai, fearing anger.
If a Prince Consort of a kingdom ran about selling paintings, it would certainly draw gossip. A narrow-minded husband might think his consort had lost him face and disgraced the imperial family.
Yet he was indeed short of funds and could not bring himself to extend his hand to ask Lu Ronghuai for money. He could only think of ways to earn it.
Lu Ronghuai bent slightly, bracing himself against the desk as he looked at Chu Yuan. His expression was extremely serious. “You need not worry about so much. Leave the rest to me.”
“I will first have Xian Yu inquire around, see whether there is a suitable shop in the Western or Eastern Market. We will secure a shop first. The rest can be discussed afterward.”
Chu Yuan wished to refuse. “There is no need for Your Highness to purchase a shop. Once this subject completes a painting, it can be taken directly to a painting workshop. Whatever price they offer will suffice.”
Lu Ronghuai would not agree. “Ah-Yuan’s paintings are so beautiful. Selling them to those workshops would be letting them off too cheaply. We should open our own shop. The money earned will all belong to Ah-Yuan.”
Chu Yuan bit his lip. Of course he understood that opening his own shop would earn more. However, he did not possess the capital to purchase one. After thinking for a moment and suppressing his embarrassment, he spoke softly.
“Then could Your Highness first lend this subject some silver? When this subject earns money in the future, I shall repay Your Highness with interest according to market rates.”
“That can be arranged.”
Chu Yuan’s eyes curved.
“I ask for nothing else. Let Ah-Yuan pledge yourself to me. If you lose money, then Ah-Yuan may offer yourself in marriage.”
“...”
Chu Yuan said, “This subject is discussing serious matters with Your Highness.”
Lu Ronghuai looked innocent. “I too am discussing serious matters with Ah-Yuan.”
Chu Yuan grew embarrassed and annoyed. “This subject has already married Your Highness. How could I offer myself in marriage again?”
Lu Ronghuai replied, “You can. For instance, warm my bed.”
Chu Yuan said, “This subject has already shared the same bed with Your Highness for more than a month!”
“The bed-warming I speak of is not the literal kind.” Lu Ronghuai’s smile grew increasingly wicked.
Only then did Chu Yuan understand his intent. His face went crimson all at once, redder than ripe persimmons on a tree.
Lu Ronghuai deliberately misbehaved, teasing without restraint. “For instance, give me a little one to play with.”
“!!” Chu Yuan’s hand trembled, and a blot of black ink spread across the paper. He took two deep breaths, suppressing the shock within, and politely escorted Lu Ronghuai out of the small study.
If they continued talking, today’s painting would truly be ruined!
Once quiet returned to the study and thin smoke curled upward from the incense burner, Chu Yuan remained lost in thought for quite some time. After his emotions settled, he picked up his brush again and, using that blot of ink, cleverly extended it into part of the scenery.
Before he finished, Lu Ronghuai’s earlier words resurfaced in his mind.
Along with that shameless grin of his.
With a sharp “pa,” Chu Yuan set the brush down heavily, cheeks puffed in anger.
Stinking rogue!
He had never met anyone so skilled at acting like a rogue. It was genuinely an education.
“Your Highness, an envoy from the Kingdom of Chu requests an audience at the gate,” Xian Feng reported as soon as Lu Ronghuai stepped out.
“Have him wait in the main hall… no. The people of Chu are not worthy of entering. This Prince will go to the gate.” Lu Ronghuai had just been expelled from the study by his wife and had nothing better to do.
A group proceeded to the gates of the residence.
“This official greets His Highness Prince Li,” the envoy from Chu smiled amicably and stepped forward. “Wishing Your Highness good health.”
Lu Ronghuai lazily uttered an “Mm,” and said nothing further.
The envoy could only explain his purpose.
“By order of our sovereign, this official invites the Prince Consort of Prince Li to meet at the traveling palace in three days’ time. Our sovereign misses the Prince Consort dearly. Along the journey he wished he could travel day and night without rest, simply to see the Prince Consort sooner.”
Lu Ronghuai looked at him with a half-smile. “Oh? Since he misses the Prince Consort so much, why does the envoy come to This Prince without even bringing a token gift?”
The envoy’s smile stiffened.
Lu Ronghuai said, “The ruler of Chu truly lacks propriety. This Prince is very dissatisfied. Envoy, you may take your leave.”
The envoy panicked. “Our sovereign naturally prepared a gift. This official merely left in haste today and carelessly forgot to bring it.”
“How do you conduct affairs? Xian Yu, if such a matter occurred in our residence, what crime would it warrant?”
Xian Yu smiled at the envoy. “Reporting to Your Highness, if someone in our residence dared act with duplicity of this sort, we would strip his skin, pull out his tendons, chop him into minced meat, and feed it to wild dogs.”
The envoy’s face turned deathly pale.
“Get back quickly. Do not sully This Prince’s ground. Also inform your sovereign that Chu Yuan is already married. From this day forward, he belongs to This Prince. If he wishes to see someone belonging to This Prince, he should first examine what sort of thing he himself is.”
Xian Yu waved to the guards. “Quickly, quickly. Bring two basins of hot water. Wash this stretch of ground thoroughly. Do not let it be stained by filth.”
The envoy was an official of Chu. In all his life he had never suffered such humiliation. As he departed, his face changed between white and green, angered and frightened at once, while cursing the capricious Prince Li dozens of times in his heart.
No sooner had the envoy left than another carriage arrived.
Lu Ronghuai glanced at the emblem hanging from its eaves and gave a soft, derisive laugh. “What wind has blown Minister Nie here?”
The carriage halted. Nie Siran lifted the curtain and stepped down unhurriedly. He personally set down the carriage stool and helped Nie Qiuwen alight.
Nie Siran said, “Grandfather caught a chill two days ago. When Head Imperial Physician Wu examined him, he learned that the Prince Consort’s leg injury is nearly healed. Grandfather is stubborn and insisted on coming personally. I ask that Your Highness not take offense.”
Nie Qiuwen retorted, “You are the stubborn one. I wished to come alone. Was it not you who insisted on following?”
Nie Siran smiled helplessly. “You should consider your own health. If I did not come, given Prince Li’s temperament, you might truly not see the Prince Consort.”
Nie Qiuwen glanced at Lu Ronghuai and snorted.
Lu Ronghuai now resembled a creature of yin and yang, speaking in double-edged tones. “How would This Prince dare shut Minister Nie outside? This Prince has a timid nature. Young Master Nie must not frighten This Prince.”
“This old man wishes to see that child, Chu Yuan.” Nie Qiuwen did not waste words.
Lu Ronghuai clasped his hands behind his back, looking them up and down. “You two come to visit a patient and bring no gift? Is This Prince’s Consort someone to be seen at will?”
Nie Siran withdrew a brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to Xian Yu. He then lifted his eyes with a smile.
“Is that acceptable now?”
Lu Ronghuai clicked his tongue. “Enter.”
He walked ahead with his hands behind his back. Nie Siran supported Nie Qiuwen as they followed.
Nie Siran glanced at the figure in front and asked in a low voice, “Why does Grandfather show such concern for the Prince Consort of Prince Li?”
While still in Xiang Cheng, he had received a letter from Grandfather ordering his father to return to the capital at once. His father had been wandering somewhere on his travels and could not be found for the time being. Thus he replied to Grandfather first, then packed his belongings and returned himself.
“You have not met that child. Once you see him, you will understand.”
Nie Siran laughed. “Hearing you say so only makes me more curious. What ability does this Prince Consort possess to make you keep him in mind?”
From ahead came Lu Ronghuai’s icy warning.
“You two whisper so loudly. Are you afraid This Prince cannot hear those petty thoughts of yours?”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Dog: Take out the little notebook and jot these two down.
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