“Husband...”
Chu Zhang was beaten senseless.
Since Chu Yuan had been stripped of his title, it had been many years since anyone had subjected him to this kind of suppression.
In that instant, he nearly thought he had returned to childhood. Back then, if he made even the slightest mistake, Chu Yuan would punish him in the name of the Crown Prince.
He was the dignified Crown Prince of a kingdom, yet he had been slapped across the face before so many people...
Humiliation spread wildly through his heart. Chu Zhang’s eyes were bloodshot. The metallic stench in his mouth rose straight to his head, and he wished he could throw Chu Yuan into a pack of beasts and have him die without a grave.
“What are you all doing?”
The sound of wheels grinding over the ground rang out. The Crown Prince sat in a wheelchair as guards pushed him over.
Xian Feng and Xian Shuang used their bodies to block the view. They released their hold and returned to Chu Yuan’s side.
“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.” The crowd bowed.
Lu Rongluo looked at Chu Zhang’s bruised and swollen face, surprise on his features. “What has happened to Crown Prince Chu?”
Chu Zhang’s expression was resentful. He turned his head aside.
None of the people of the Kingdom of Lu meant well. He was not about to tell Lu Rongluo what had just happened.
Lu Rongluo turned to look at Nie Siran. “Young Master Nie?”
Nie Siran narrowed his eyes, his smile harmless. “This subject only happened to be passing by. I do not know the circumstances.”
Lu Rongluo nodded. It was unclear whether he believed him. His gaze settled on Chu Yuan. “Prince Consort of Prince Li, you surely saw it, yes?”
Chu Yuan raised his head to meet his eyes. His expression was open and at ease. Today he wore a round-collared robe in lake-green with a white collar, setting off his refined, elegant features. His bearing was noble and splendid, and the cinnabar mark between his brows became the only bright color beneath this stretch of sky.
“Replying to Your Highness the Crown Prince, this subject saw Crown Prince Chu walking in haste. He accidentally fell, so this subject had subordinates go over to help him up.”
Chu Zhang’s teeth ground until they creaked. Yet under everyone’s gaze, he could only swallow his grievance and nod.
Lu Rongluo smiled. “So that is the case. Crown Prince Chu is a person of great standing. You should return quickly and have an imperial physician take a look.”
Chu Zhang’s arms hurt, his face hurt, and even his heart ached with fury. He did not wish to remain here for even a moment. He could not even be bothered with the most basic courtesies and turned around to leave.
Lu Rongluo watched Chu Zhang depart. He then extended an invitation to Nie Siran.
“This Crown Prince heard that Young Master Nie returned to the capital last month. This Crown Prince has not had the chance to leave the palace these days. Choosing a day is not as good as meeting by chance. Would Young Master Nie come sit with This Crown Prince for a while?”
Lanting Palace, where the Crown Prince resided, was right in front of Guanghao Palace. On foot, it took only two quarters of an hour.
Nie Siran showed a hint of regret. “It is unfortunate. The Prince Consort of Prince Li has just invited me to drink tea.”
Chu Yuan felt the Crown Prince’s assessing gaze and could only sigh inwardly. His face remained calm and composed. “Indeed. This subject also made an appointment with Eighth Brother, only he seems to have wandered off somewhere. Xian Feng, search nearby for His Highness the Eighth Prince.”
Xian Feng accepted the order and left.
Lu Rongluo’s left eyebrow lifted. His gentle tone carried words that allowed no refusal.
“This Crown Prince happens to have nothing to do. This Crown Prince will also join the lively company.”
“Your Highness, please.”
The guards pushed Lu Rongluo toward Guanghao Palace. Lu Rongluo looked ahead, the corner of his lips holding a subtle smile.
At this moment, he ought to be at Emperor Hongjia’s side, receiving the rulers of the six kingdoms as the heir apparent, speaking of affairs of state and showing them his breadth of mind and ambition.
Yet because of his crippled legs, Emperor Hongjia ordered him to return to his palace to rest, then had the culprit who shattered his legs go over to receive the guests in his place.
Lu Rongluo lowered his head. The eyes beneath his lids were gloomy and cold.
Inside the hall, Chu Yuan lifted his wrist, one hand holding up his sleeve as he poured tea for the two of them.
Lu Rongluo said, “Young Master Nie participated in the spring examination last month. When the list is posted at the beginning of next month, you will surely take first place. Once the palace examination ends, our court will gain another pillar of the state.”
Nie Siran lowered his head, studying the color of the tea. “As it happens, this subject has no intention of sitting the palace examination.”
Chu Yuan’s hand paused mid-pour.
Lu Rongluo was equally astonished. “What does Young Master Nie mean by this?”
Nie Siran lifted the cup and brought it beneath his nose to inhale the fragrance. He then smiled. “Like my father before me, this subject’s aspirations in this life are not in the court.”
Lu Rongluo opened his mouth, wanting to speak, yet stopping himself.
Nie Siran’s father entered office in his early years and rose smoothly through officialdom. Later, no one knew what he had been thinking. He resigned his post without hesitation and began a carefree life of long years roaming mountains and rivers.
In those years, many officials in the capital gossiped in secret, saying the Nie family had produced someone with a rebellious bone. It now appeared that Nie Siran took entirely after his father.
He had taken the examinations all the way, winning first place each time. At this final critical juncture, with only one step left at the threshold, he actually did not plan to continue.
Lu Rongluo’s feelings were complicated.
On one hand, he very much wished to draw the Prime Minister Nie’s family to his side. Prime Minister Nie’s disciples were spread across the realm, and his reputation among the people was eminent. If he could gain the Nie family’s support, he would sit firmly upon the dragon throne.
On the other hand, a faint foreboding lingered that the Nie family would not choose a side.
So when Nie Siran spoke those words, Lu Rongluo felt both pleased and disappointed.
He was disappointed that Nie Siran would not help him, yet pleased that Nie Siran likewise would not help anyone else.
Nie Siran took a sip and immediately showed a delighted smile. “Mm. The tea the Prince Consort brewed is excellent, soft and delicate, rich and fragrant. Your Highness the Crown Prince should try it as well.”
Lu Rongluo looked at the tea before him and stayed where he was without moving.
At this moment, Lu Rongshen charged in in a rush.
“Second Brother, why are you still sitting here? The Crown Princess and Consort Yuan are quarreling. Hurry and go take a look!”
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened.
“Please drink at ease. This Crown Prince has matters to handle and will leave first.”
Chu Yuan and Nie Siran rose.
“May Your Highness the Crown Prince go safely.”
After the Crown Prince departed, Lu Rongshen’s smile immediately turned brilliant, revealing a row of white teeth.
“At last he is gone. When Xian Feng came to find me just now, I was nearly scared to death. Second Brother is extremely petty. I truly feared he would take it out on you.”
Only then did he notice Nie Siran still sitting nearby. He covered his mouth at once, looking rather awkward.
Warmth rose in Chu Yuan’s heart. He smiled at Lu Rongshen. “Eighth Brother, do not worry. Young Master Nie is here. The Crown Prince will not trouble me for now.”
He could feel that today the Crown Prince’s attitude toward him was very cold. It seemed the Crown Prince had already borne resentment against him in his heart.
Speaking of it, the Crown Prince’s broken legs truly had something to do with him.
Chu Yuan thought of this, and a faint, shallow smile appeared on his fair face.
Nie Siran asked curiously, “Why would the Crown Prince trouble you?”
Chu Yuan curved his lips. “A secret.”
The matter of Lu Ronghuai injuring the Crown Prince could not be casually told to others. Even to Nie Siran, he could not risk it.
Nie Siran looked at his playful smile, his brows and eyes softening. “Very well. Then this subject will not ask.”
Lu Rongshen’s bright eyes rolled around busily. He looked left at Chu Yuan, then right at Nie Siran, blinking repeatedly.
“Third Sister-in-law, your relationship with Young Master Nie is quite good, is it not?”
Chu Yuan had him sit and lifted a hand to brew tea for him. “Today is the first time I have met Young Master Nie.”
“Then you...” Lu Rongshen looked at Nie Siran’s signature fox-like smile and swallowed. “You look as though you are very familiar.”
Nie Siran picked up the folding fan on the table. “I feel as though I have met the Prince Consort before.”
Alarms rang dangerously in Lu Rongshen’s heart.
No. Nie Siran was not going to set his sights on his sister-in-law, was he?
Was his brother’s head about to sprout a lush green?
Lu Rongshen gave an internal shudder and resolved to lay down his life in defense of his brother’s love.
“What do you mean, met before? You only saw that Third Sister-in-law is beautiful and deliberately approached him.”
Chu Yuan said softly, “Eighth Brother, it was thanks to Young Master Nie stepping in to help me just now that I was able to remain safe and sound.”
Lu Rongshen said stiffly, “Thank you for helping Third Sister-in-law.”
Nie Siran replied politely, “It was only proper. There is no need to thank me.”
“You are still not allowed to ruin my brother and my sister-in-law’s feelings.”
Nie Siran gave an interested “Oh.”
Chu Yuan lifted a hand to his forehead. “Eighth Brother, do not be discourteous.”
Lu Rongshen snorted twice and sat beside Chu Yuan, watching Nie Siran like a tiger watching prey.
Nie Siran was handsome. Unlike Lu Ronghuai’s sharp and deeply carved features, his were gentler, refined, and elegant, the kind currently favored by many women.
After appraising him, Lu Rongshen covered his mouth and leaned close to whisper into Chu Yuan’s ear. “Third Sister-in-law, this man is a pretty boy. He is not as handsome as Third Brother.”
Chu Yuan: “...”
Nie Siran stood. “Since the Crown Prince has left, this subject will take his leave.”
Chu Yuan inclined his head. “Many thanks today, Young Master Nie.”
Nie Siran waved leisurely. “I have just said there is no need to thank me.”
Lu Rongshen lowered his hand and curled his lip. “Go on, go on. It is cold as winter, yet you still fan yourself. Are you not afraid you will fan yourself into illness?”
Nie Siran’s temper was truly good. His smile did not change as he spoke unhurriedly. “As a qualified pretty boy, this subject naturally must pretend to be romantic and dashing.”
Lu Rongshen, who had spoken ill of him to his face and been heard: “...”
Nie Siran departed shortly after. Lu Rongshen kept Chu Yuan company for a while, but as the sky grew gradually darker with still no sign of Lu Ronghuai, he spoke up.
“Third Sister-in-law, let us go to Mingde Hall. Father Emperor is holding a banquet there tonight. Third Brother will surely be there as well.”
“Very well.” Chu Yuan walked to a chest, opened it, and took out a bamboo hat with a wide brim and a gauze veil.
Lu Rongshen blinked. “Hm? Third Sister-in-law, what do you need that for?”
Chu Yuan held the bamboo hat in his arms and looked over, his brows and eyes like a painting. He spoke lightly, avoiding the weight of the matter. “A small problem. I cannot be around the smell of candles. Wearing it can block a little.”
Lu Rongshen nodded. “Oh, oh. Then let us go.”
The two chatted as they walked. Before they knew it, they arrived at Mingde Hall.
The great hall was brightly lit.
Lu Ronghuai had been about to go back to fetch him. Seeing him come over, his expression eased.
“Ah-Yuan, sit here.” Lu Ronghuai took Chu Yuan’s hand and led him to his seat.
At the center of the hall was Emperor Hongjia’s dragon throne. Two steps below it were the seats of the six rulers, arranged on both sides. The imperial princes and the great ministers were seated along the sides of the hall in order of rank.
After Chu Yuan sat down, he saw that luminous pearls were placed upon the table and on the golden stands behind him, rather than candles.
He raised his eyes at once and looked toward Lu Ronghuai.
Lu Ronghuai stared at his delicate little face beneath the veil. He crouched, as if seeing through Chu Yuan’s thoughts. The corner of his thin lips curved into an indulgent smile.
“Is Ah-Yuan very moved?”
Chu Yuan said nothing. His heart truly warmed at this careful gesture.
Lu Ronghuai lifted the veil from his head. Without the thin gauze, those clean, watery eyes looked straight into his heart. Tenderness rippled within them, melting the layers of ice around his heart bit by bit.
He leaned in and kissed Chu Yuan’s soft cheek.
“Your Highness—”
“Call me husband.”
Chu Yuan’s lashes trembled. He lowered his gaze, his cheeks pink and pale. “Husband...”
“Mm.” Lu Ronghuai’s smile was one of complete satisfaction.
“Husband, you are stepping on Eight Brother’s finger.”
Lu Ronghuai paused and looked back.
Lu Rongshen bit his left hand, having endured for a long while. Tears glittered in his eyes. Seeing Lu Ronghuai look over, he spoke with a trembling voice, weak and pitiful.
“Brother, it is fine. Do not mind whether I live or die.”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Rongshen: Wuwuwu, I should be under the table. I had no business being here
Lu Dog: Cry louder.
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