Exceptionally Audacious
“Oh my, what has happened here?”
The Prefect’s wife arrived with several maids. Seeing the fighting scene before her, her delicate face lost all color in fright.
What surprised Chu Yuan somewhat was that the Prefect’s wife was quite young. Her face was round and full, possessing a kind of prosperous beauty.
Chu Yuan gave her an apologetic smile. “Please forgive the disturbance, Madam. The two of them grew excited and insisted on testing their martial skills. They simply could not be restrained.”
The Prefect’s wife clutched her chest. Even her voice trembled as she spoke, looking somewhat at a loss. “Then shall they... simply continue fighting like this?”
“Mm. Once they grow tired, they will stop on their own. Madam need not worry.”
“Should anything in the residence be damaged, we will compensate according to its value.”
Perhaps because Chu Yuan appeared so calm, the Prefect’s wife gradually settled down as well. She instructed the household servants, “Remain here and watch them. Do not allow anyone to be injured.”
Afterward, she led Chu Yuan to the flower hall.
Many people had already gathered inside. When they saw Chu Yuan enter, they all rose and bowed in greeting.
Chu Yuan raised a hand. “You may rise.”
The Prefect’s wife invited him to sit, then began introducing the others.
“This is Madam Ma, the wife of Merchant Cheng. This is Madam Yao, the wife of Merchant Dong. This is Madam Su, the wife of Merchant Wang...”
Chu Yuan glanced at them one by one. The women whose names were called wore luxurious garments and fine hair ornaments. Most of them met his gaze calmly, though a few appeared somewhat reserved.
“Princess Consort, please have some tea.”
Chu Yuan accepted the cup. As his wide sleeve lifted, his slender hands with long, well-proportioned fingers moved gracefully. Even the act of drinking tea appeared elegant and pleasing.
The others could not help staring at him. In their hearts they thought, as expected of one who had married into the imperial family. That noble bearing in every gesture was something they could never hope to match.
Chu Yuan set down the teacup. “This Prince Consort has come to Ping Cheng for the first time. The past few days have been rather busy. Once the residence is fully arranged, this Consort looks forward to welcoming each of you.”
“Prince Consort is too courteous. To have the fortune of drinking tea with you today already delights us greatly.”
“I have heard that Madam enjoys flowers. I have brought a painting of green-stamen peonies as a gift.” After Chu Yuan spoke, Le Shu stepped forward carrying a box and handed it to the maid standing behind the Prefect’s wife.
The Prefect’s wife beamed with delight. This was not merely a gift but a sign of regard.
“Many thanks to the Prince Consort.”
Chu Yuan said, “His Highness greatly admires Prefect Zhang. Upon hearing that Madam invited this Prince Consort to admire flowers, His Highness especially instructed me to express our gratitude for Madam’s kindness.”
As he spoke, Le Shu brought forward another heavy gift box.
“This is a token of thanks from His Highness to Prefect Zhang. Madam, please accept it.”
Madam Su glanced at the box before smiling ingratiatingly. “Prince Consort is truly thoughtful. This is the first time I have heard of peonies with green stamens. How unusual. Such green peonies must be quite expensive, must they not?”
Madam Ma retorted immediately, “The Prince Consort is of noble birth. What status do you possess to have seen such fine things? You ought to think before speaking.”
Madam Su had been humiliated before everyone. Her face darkened at once. “What do you mean by that? What is wrong with my standing?”
Madam Ma rolled her eyes and turned her head aside. “Nothing. It is only that your uncultured manner might cause the Prince Consort to laugh at us.”
Madam Yao chimed in as well. “Quite so. Today we were graciously invited to enjoy the flowers alongside the Prince Consort. You might at least conduct yourself accordingly. Asking the price of a gift is rather coarse.”
“Such petty airs. I truly cannot fathom what Merchant Wang saw in you.”
Faced with their alternating mockery, Madam Su rose to her feet in anger. Tears of grievance welled in her eyes. She had married only recently and stood alone without allies. Not a single person defended her. Instead they looked on with smiles of ridicule.
“Madam Su, please sit down. The Prince Consort is still present,” the Prefect’s wife hurriedly said.
“I only asked one question, yet they speak to me like this. I... I am leaving!” Madam Su covered her face and ran out.
The Prefect’s wife could not stop her and said in irritation, “This Madam Su behaves like a young girl. Her temper is truly willful.”
Madam Ma replied, “None but Merchant Wang to blame for indulging her so.”
The Prefect’s wife frowned. “You should also restrain your words. Your children are nearly ready to marry, yet you yourself remain so lacking in composure.”
Madam Ma, who was ten years older than the Prefect’s wife, lost face upon being reprimanded in public. She gave a stiff hum and turned her head aside.
The Prefect’s wife said apologetically, “Prince Consort, I beg your pardon for allowing you to witness such a scene.”
“It matters not.” Chu Yuan withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to continue drinking tea.
Because of this incident, the atmosphere during the later flower viewing remained somewhat strained. After several attempts to restore the mood failed, the Prefect’s wife finally abandoned the effort and remained by Chu Yuan’s side throughout.
She had grown quite fond of this Prince Consort. His manner was gentle and his words pleasant, which increased her favorable impression.
She conversed with Chu Yuan most agreeably and therefore did not notice the expressions on Madam Ma and the others nearby.
When they returned home today, they would certainly inform their husbands that the Prefect’s wife had grown close to the Prince Consort and had no regard for them at all.
An hour later, the steward came to report that Prince Li was waiting at the gate to escort Chu Yuan home.
Chu Yuan rose to take his leave. The Prefect’s wife personally accompanied him to the entrance.
Lu Ronghuai stood beside the carriage. Seeing him emerge, he walked forward to greet him personally.
As Chu Yuan descended the steps, Lu Ronghuai reached out to steady his arm. “Careful.”
Chu Yuan said, “Your Highness, this subject can see the steps perfectly well.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed softly. “It is I who fear you might stumble. Come, I purchased several collector’s edition books for you. You should like them.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Yuan’s eyes brightened. Eager to return, his steps quickened unconsciously.
“Slow down,” Lu Ronghuai said with a laugh.
The Prefect’s wife watched them depart. Only after the carriage had gone far did she reveal an envious expression.
“They all say Prince Li is violent and cruel, yet he does not appear so frightening. He treats his wife with such attentiveness. He is better than most men.”
As she spoke, she caught sight of the steward standing nearby out of the corner of her eye. She raised a hand, her expression rather less gracious, and said, “Help me back inside.”
When Chu Yuan returned to the residence, he discovered that Lu Ronghuai’s sleeve had been torn. He immediately set down the books in his hands.
“How did this happen, Your Highness?”
Lu Ronghuai said, “Today we discovered where those villagers are hiding. There was some conflict with them, and my sleeve caught on a tree branch by accident.”
Chu Yuan examined the garment and asked him to remove his outer robe. “This subject will mend it.”
Lu Ronghuai raised a brow slightly and removed the robe as requested. “Ah-Yuan knows how to mend clothing?”
Chu Yuan accepted the sewing box from Le Shu, picked up a needle, and glanced at him calmly.
“This subject lived in the temple with little means. Learning such skills saved a considerable expense.”
Lu Ronghuai fell silent. Suddenly he snatched the garment back and refused to let him sew it.
“If it is torn, then let it remain torn. I have money enough to purchase another.”
His heart ached. He could not bear to let Chu Yuan mend his clothing.
Chu Yuan said, “This garment is still new. This subject’s skill is adequate. Once mended, the seam will not be visible. Your Highness may rest assured.”
“I said leave it.” He held the robe stubbornly.
Seeing him behave so wastefully, Chu Yuan could not help frowning. His tone grew slightly firmer. “Lu Wangli.”
Le Shu stared in shock, eyes wide.
Lu Ronghuai remained silent for a moment. Then he laughed lightly and handed the robe over.
“Very well, sew it then. If I refuse to let you sew it, you become displeased with me. I truly cannot manage you.”
Chu Yuan accepted the robe and ignored his teasing, turning away to mend the sleeve carefully.
Lu Ronghuai sat cross-legged on the daybed, propping his arm beneath his chin as he watched Chu Yuan’s profile intently.
Lu Ronghuai felt that he had only looked for a moment before Chu Yuan finished sewing.
“Your Highness may put it on,” Chu Yuan said. He bit off the thread and handed the garment to him.
Lu Ronghuai took it and examined the sleeve with its neat, tight stitching. He reached out and touched it lightly. For some reason, his eyes suddenly felt warm.
He looked up and smiled at Chu Yuan. “I am quite moved. It is the first time anyone has sewn clothing for me. Ah-Yuan, I wish to kiss you.”
Chu Yuan picked up a book and held it before his face. “This subject wishes to read. Your Highness may do as you please.”
Lu Ronghuai watched his slightly reddened ears for a moment and chuckled to himself before rising from the couch and walking out.
“Very well. I shall go to the study.”
He stepped out into the courtyard and drew two deep breaths to calm the emotions stirring within him.
Xian Shuang and Xian Yu, standing to either side, turned to look at him, with no clear understanding of what he was doing.
Lu Ronghuai glanced at them. “The bruises on your faces appear quite symmetrical.”
One had a swollen left eye, the other a bruised right eye.
Xian Shuang and Xian Yu both twitched at the corners of their mouths and turned their heads away.
“Do you feel that this Prince appears somewhat different today?” He spread his arms, his robe flowing. His mood was brighter than the clear blue sky above.
He even raised his arm and pretended to adjust his hair and collar.
The two looked at him again.
Xian Shuang said, “No.”
Xian Yu said, “Your Highness today...” exceptionally audacious.
“...As distinguished as ever.”
Lu Ronghuai looked dissatisfied with their answers. “Look more carefully.”
Xian Yu looked him up and down with great thoroughness and still could not identify what was different.
Lu Ronghuai gave him a reproachful look. He lifted his sleeve and pointed at the cuff. “Ah-Yuan mended this garment so well. Are the two of you blind?”
“......”
Xian Shuang said, “Mm.”
Xian Yu laughed awkwardly. “Ah ha ha, it truly looks excellent. If Your Highness had not said so, this subordinate would never have noticed. Ha ha ha!”
“It cannot be helped. Ah-Yuan is far too capable. Only someone nimble of hand and clever of heart could sew so beautifully. You two would not know what it is to be envied. Neither of you has a wife.”
“......”
After finishing his display, Lu Ronghuai departed in high spirits.
Xian Shuang suddenly spoke. “What do you think of His Highness today?”
Xian Yu ground his teeth with a smile. “Utterly detestable.”
“Mm.”
“Childish and tedious.”
“Mm.”
“...You tore my clothes earlier today. Mend them for me.”
“Do you wish to fight again?”
“...”
Over the following three days, Chu Yuan noticed something peculiar.
Each time Lu Ronghuai returned from outside, his clothing seemed to have new tears. After mending them several times, a strange suspicion gradually formed in Chu Yuan’s mind.
Could he be doing this intentionally?
At noon that day, Lu Ronghuai returned for the midday meal.
“Ah-Yuan, retire early tonight. I shall return very late.”
“Has something happened?”
These past days Lu Ronghuai had secretly continued investigating the case. Beginning with the servant beside Zhang Ze, he had followed one vine to pull up many melons and uncovered quite a number of matters.
During the day, he often dragged Zhang Ze around the city, openly presenting him with gifts and praising him before others, as though he regarded him as a confidant.
At first Zhang Ze responded cautiously, unable to understand Lu Ronghuai’s intentions. Yet after some time he discovered that Lu Ronghuai merely seemed to be amusing himself. Gradually he relaxed and accompanied him about.
Lu Ronghuai said, “Word has come from Xue Yingying. Tonight Cheng Dawei and Dong Tianwen mean to pay her a visit.”
“They likely suspect that the refugees are in my hands. Seeing that Zhang Ze and I appear increasingly close, they have grown uneasy. They will certainly take action soon. If you must leave the residence, bring Xian Yu and Xian Shuang with you. You must not go out alone.”
“Yes, this subject understands.”
As Chu Yuan spoke, his gaze gradually lowered until it rested on Lu Ronghuai’s sleeve.
He examined it carefully, his eyes moving from sleeve to collar, yet discovered not the slightest tear.
Chu Yuan looked puzzled.
Strange. Had he been mistaken?
Unbeknownst to him, a certain someone had observed every change in his expression. Lowering his head to eat, Lu Ronghuai concealed the smile he could scarcely suppress.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Yuanyuan: Was he not doing it on purpose?
Lu · Scheming · Dog: I was absolutely doing it on purpose :)
(Someone’s dog life will soon be perfectly fulfilled)
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