Are You Worried About Me?
Five days later.
The Nie family sat in the main hall, their expressions solemn as they looked at Lu Ronghuai.
“That is everything I needed to say. For the coming period of time, I entrust Ah-Yuan to all of you.” Lu Ronghuai made his purpose clear and formally entrusted Chu Yuan to them.
Nie Xuxing said in surprise, “Will there truly be trouble in the Northern Frontier?”
Jiang Ni glanced at Nie Chouwen and smiled. “On that point, it happens to coincide with Father’s earlier thoughts.”
Nie Chouwen said, “The Northern Frontier has never been peaceful. Year after year they harass the borders. Last year the Prince struck hard, and they gained nothing. This year, they will surely become even more ferocious.”
Lu Ronghuai said, “Those barbarians never learn their lesson. This year, I will beat them into submission.”
“Since the Prince is going to the Northern Frontier, it would be better to strike straight to their royal court and reclaim the Northern Frontier, treating it as a gift for the child’s first meeting.”
As Nie Chouwen spoke, he pointed toward Chu Yuan, who was eating plums.
Lu Ronghuai curved his lips. “That is precisely my intention.”
Chu Yuan bit into a plum in a daze, the soft flesh of his cheeks puffed out. He did not understand how the topic had somehow shifted onto him.
“By the way, Grandfather, if I recall correctly, your ancestral home is in Xiang Cheng?” Lu Ronghuai selected two more bright red plums for Chu Yuan and asked with complete ease.
Nie Chouwen’s beard twitched slightly. He still found it somewhat difficult to accept the unruly Prince Li calling him Grandfather.
He gave a light cough and said calmly, “Mm. this old man has taken his retirement and intends to return to Xiang Cheng to settle before the end of the year.”
“Very well. When the time comes, all of you will go to Xiang Cheng. Ah-Yuan will go as well.” Lu Ronghuai spoke as though it were nothing unusual.
Nie Chouwen had served in government for many years. His instincts were far keener than most, and he immediately caught the shifting currents beneath those words.
“Your Highness is worried that Ye Jing may become dangerous?”
Lu Ronghuai’s expression darkened. “Yes. I cannot be at ease leaving Ah-Yuan in Ye Jing. He is carrying a child, and I have many enemies both in court and beyond. It would not be impossible for someone to seize this chance to harm him.”
“Very well.” Jiang Ni agreed at once and even began to worry. “Father, we should depart early. As soon as His Highness leaves, we will follow.”
“We must not act rashly.” Nie Xuxing knew he feared for Chu Yuan’s safety and gently reassured him. “There are many eyes and ears in the capital. If we depart right after the Prince, it will draw attention and instead hinder our departure.”
Nie Chouwen said, “Xuxing is correct. We will discuss this further and find a suitable time to leave Ye Jing.”
Chu Yuan smiled at Jiang Ni, his expression obedient and gentle. “Ah-Die, do not worry.”
Chu Yuan asked, “Where has Eldest Brother gone?”
Jiang Ni said, “These past two days, I do not know what has come over him. He returns very late each night. Even when asked, he will not say. His thoughts are becoming increasingly difficult to discern.”
Lu Ronghuai tossed a grape into his mouth with unconcealed delight and even blinked at Chu Yuan.
That look seemed to say, See, I knew it would go this way.
Chu Yuan puffed his cheeks and stuffed the half-bitten sour plum into Lu Ronghuai’s mouth.
Lu Ronghuai: “...”
After the meal, Lu Ronghuai spoke alone with Nie Chouwen for more than an hour before bringing Chu Yuan back to the residence.
With only one day left before Lu Ronghuai’s departure, Chu Yuan returned to the inner chamber after dinner and began to pack his things.
“Ah-Yuan, do not busy yourself. I will handle it.” Lu Ronghuai took the sleeping robe from his hands and carried him back to the bed.
“Your Highness, bring Xian Feng with you.” He lay obediently in Lu Ronghuai’s arms, idly twirling a strand of his hair around his finger.
“What, are you worried about me?” Lu Ronghuai rested a hand at his waist and lowered his head to press a kiss against his cheek.
“I am concerned for you. On the battlefield, blades have no eyes. With one more person to assist you, I can be more at ease.” Chu Yuan pressed his lips together and lowered his gaze so that Lu Ronghuai would not see the worry in his eyes.
A warm hand settled at the back of his head. Lu Ronghuai gently rubbed his hair and drew him closer. “I promise I will return alive to see you and the child.”
“Mm. Your Highness must not break your word.”
“I give you my word.”
Chu Yuan smiled, the corners of his eyes curving with happiness.
“Your Highness, the Northern Frontier is cold. Remember to bring thicker clothing.” Since Lu Ronghuai would not let him pack, he could only remind him repeatedly, afraid he might forget.
Lu Ronghuai could not help but smile, his gaze filled with warmth as he looked at him.
His heart was as warm as the blazing sun of midsummer. From childhood until now, this was the first time he had gone out to war and had someone care for him, someone to give him earnest reminders, and someone to hold him in their thoughts.
He committed Chu Yuan’s words to heart yet deliberately refused to cooperate.
“I have always been hardy. I wear little even in winter. It will be fine.”
As expected, Chu Yuan frowned at once, his brows knitting together. He jabbed a finger into the muscle of his arm. “Your Highness relies on your good health and does not cherish yourself at all. If anything were to happen to you, I...”
“What would you do?” Lu Ronghuai ran his tongue lightly over his teeth. He truly wished to know what Chu Yuan would do if something happened to him.
“I will take your daughter and remarry!” Chu Yuan puffed his cheeks, his tone indignant.
Lu Ronghuai felt as if someone had struck him over the head with a bamboo rod.
He drew in a sharp breath, his teeth aching. “No. My daughter cannot call another man Father, and you cannot call another man husband.”
At the mere thought of such a scene, the ferocity in his blood stirred restlessly.
“Your Highness has no say in the matter.”
“I have no say?” He leaned down and bit the soft flesh of Chu Yuan’s cheek, sucking firmly until a round red mark bloomed upon his fair skin.
“The old saying goes that a calamity endures for a thousand years. A great calamity like me will certainly live long. I will never give you the chance to become a widow.”
There was no need to even consider it.
Chu Yuan: “...”
Chu Yuan licked his lips and gave a dry laugh. “Oh. Then you are truly impressive.”
“Indeed I am. Since I am so impressive, should Ah-Yuan not reward me?” Lu Ronghuai stared at his rose-colored lips, like a wolf with eyes gone green.
Having been cared for by him for more than half a year, Chu Yuan’s pale lips had turned into a moist red. When that small mouth parted and closed, the soft, tender tip of his tongue could be glimpsed within.
Chu Yuan understood the implication. His ears reddened, and he lifted his head to press a quick kiss against his cheek.
“Only that?” Lu Ronghuai protested.
“Mm.” Chu Yuan yawned after the kiss and turned over, intending to sleep.
Lu Ronghuai lifted his hand and caught his chin, leaning close to capture his lips, advancing without restraint. Chu Yuan softened all over beneath the kiss and wrapped his arms around Lu Ronghuai’s neck.
“Your Highness...” Chu Yuan panted, his eyes moist, his gaze soft and shy.
“Mm?”
He leaned close to the man’s ear and whispered something in a voice as soft as silk. After speaking, he was too embarrassed to look at him.
Lu Ronghuai paused.
He lifted his head, his gaze deep. Under the lamplight, it seemed to take on a faint blue sheen.
Lu Ronghuai gave a low laugh and readily accepted the suggestion. “We will be parted for several months. It is just right to greet my little daughter. Her father will miss her.”
Chu Yuan: “...”
He slapped Lu Ronghuai across the face, his own face flushed as red as if it might drip blood. “Lu Wangli, conduct yourself properly.”
“This is entirely proper. What if, when I return, she does not recognize me as her father?” Lu Ronghuai argued with perfect confidence.
Chu Yuan gritted his teeth. “A newborn child does not remember anything. It is only natural that she would not remember you!”
Lu Ronghuai bent down. “That will not do. My daughter will be the most intelligent. She will surely remember me the moment she is born.”
“The child must grow obediently within Ah-Yuan’s womb. It would be best if she could call out ‘Father’ the moment she is born.” He indulged in his own fantasy.
Chu Yuan: “... Is Your Highness unwell?”
Why was he speaking nonsense in the middle of the night?
Chu Yuan pushed himself up on one wrist, meaning to pull him back and in the very next moment, bit his lip and sank back down.
After a long while, Lu Ronghuai kicked aside the covers. He wiped the corner of his lips, lowered his head to kiss away the tears at the corner of Chu Yuan’s eyes, and gently wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Good.”
Chu Yuan’s mind was blank, his head spinning. His fingers clenched tightly into the bedcover.
“Your Highness...” he called hoarsely, his voice tinged with a softness he himself did not realize. These past days, he had grown clingy and fond of acting spoiled.
“Mm.” Lu Ronghuai held him and lingered by his ear. “I will take care of myself, and I will write to you regularly. Ah-Yuan, be at ease.”
“Very well. Your Highness must take care.” Chu Yuan answered obediently and could not help reaching for his hand.
The man interlaced their fingers, and they exchanged a gentle, lingering kiss.
On the eighteenth day of the eighth month, the sky was dim, and a mild breeze brushed the face, lightly sweeping over the dust of the stone steps.
Lu Ronghuai stepped out of the Prince Li Residence at dawn.
“Protect the Prince Consort well. There must not be the slightest mishap.” He turned back to the four shadow guards. His voice was sharp as steel, his expression stern, and his bearing proud.
Xian Feng and the others nodded in solemn promise, swearing to protect the Prince Consort with their lives.
Lu Ronghuai mounted his horse.
Xian Yu stepped forward and handed him the bundle, raising his head to ask, “Your Highness, should we truly not wake the Prince Consort?”
The Prince Consort had specifically instructed before sleeping that he must be awakened. He wished to personally see Lu Ronghuai off.
Lu Ronghuai shook his head and fastened the bundle onto the saddle. Thinking of how indulgent Chu Yuan had been these past two nights, the corners of his lips curved upward ever so slightly.
“Let him sleep. Do not wake him.”
Xian Yu said, “Understood.”
Lu Ronghuai cast one final, deep look at the gates of the Prince Li Residence, then raised his whip and rode away.
The marriage escort had already gathered at the city gate.
Seeing him arrive, Han Zheng let out a great sigh of relief.
“Greetings, Your Highness.” He stepped forward and bowed.
Lu Ronghuai inclined his head. Seeing the carriage standing quietly to one side, he rode over and lifted the curtain to look inside.
Lu Lingshuang’s mouth was stuffed with red cloth. Her hands and feet were bound with red silk. Her face was smeared with tears and mucus.
On the other side of the carriage sat Fuqing, tasked with keeping watch over Lu Lingshuang to prevent any attempt at escape.
Upon seeing Lu Ronghuai, Lu Lingshuang glared at him with hatred and resentment, making muffled sounds. There was no need to guess that her words would be unpleasant.
After confirming everything, he lowered the curtain without expression and ordered the bearers to depart.
Han Zheng cupped his hands. “We respectfully send off Your Highness. We respectfully send off Third Princess.”
The other officials followed suit.
The grand procession set out toward the Kingdom of Yu.
When Chu Yuan awoke, Lu Ronghuai had already been gone for more than an hour.
“Why was I not woken?” He pressed at his sore waist and could not help pouting in complaint.
Le Shu smiled broadly. “His Highness gave strict orders that no one was to disturb you. His Highness was concerned for the Prince Consort.”
Chu Yuan’s arm stiffened, and the corners of his lips twitched.
He could only blame himself for softening for a moment. Thinking of their long separation, he had agreed to nearly everything Lu Ronghuai asked, indulging him without restraint.
In the end, that man had tasted the marrow and grown ever more unrestrained. Over these two nights, his waist felt nearly broken, and his limbs ached so badly he could scarcely lift them.
Chu Yuan thought with irritation that he should never have indulged that hungry wolf. In the end, he was the one who suffered.
Le Shu did not notice Chu Yuan’s discomfort and continued speaking in praise of Lu Ronghuai.
“Moreover, when His Highness left, he even took many of the Prince Consort’s sleeping robes.”
Chu Yuan: “?”
“Why would he take my clothing?”
“Um... perhaps... to see an object and think of its owner?”
Seeing Chu Yuan remain silent, Le Shu’s eyes moved and a thought struck him. “I understand. The clothing carries your scent. His Highness must be afraid that, being far away and unable to see you, he will miss you. By smelling your scent, he can ease his longing.”
“...”
That was indeed something that man would do.
His scent...
Chu Yuan recalled how, the previous night, someone had taken away his soaked inner robe. When he had asked, Lu Ronghuai had casually said it was sent to be washed.
A rather ominous suspicion arose in Chu Yuan’s heart.
His face flushed red as he asked Le Shu, “The inner robe I changed out of last night, is it still there?”
Le Shu scratched his head. “Ah? I did not see it. Only His Highness’s clothing was sent for washing.”
Chu Yuan: “...”
“Pack our things. We are going to the Nie Residence.” He took a deep breath and spoke through clenched teeth.
Le Shu’s smile froze, and he stared blankly. “We are going today?”
“Yes. Here...” Chu Yuan looked at the bed beneath him, recalling the absurdity of the past two nights, how many times the bedding had been changed. His face burned with embarrassment. “I do not wish to remain here even for a moment. We leave today.”
Le Shu nodded foolishly. “Yes, yes. This servant will prepare at once.”
After breakfast, Chu Yuan went out with Xian Shuang and Le Shu.
He first stopped by the painting shop, then purchased a great many snacks along the street.
Le Shu could barely hold all the snacks in his arms and looked at Xian Shuang behind him with worry.
He asked in a low voice, “Guard Xian Shuang, what should we do? These are all things His Highness usually does not allow the Prince Consort to eat.”
Xian Shuang carried just as many snacks. He looked straight ahead. “It is fine. His Highness is not here.”
Le Shu: “...”
Le Shu struggled. “His Highness instructed us to take good care of the Prince Consort. These street snacks are not very clean. Eating too much may upset the stomach.”
Xian Shuang cast him a sideways glance. “Then go tell the master not to buy them.”
Le Shu: “...”
If he had such courage, would he be complaining here?
Le Shu said, “You run fast. You go.”
Xian Shuang said, “What does that have to do with running fast?”
Le Shu said, “If the Prince Consort becomes angry, you can run away and avoid being scolded.”
Xian Shuang said, “... I will not go.”
“Ah-Yuan?”
Nie Siran stood at the street corner, a folding fan in hand, walking toward Chu Yuan, who was choosing sour broth rice rolls.
“Eldest Brother, why are you here?” Chu Yuan lifted his head, his face bright with delight.
“I came from the bookshop and was about to return home.”
Nie Siran glanced at the items in Le Shu and Xian Shuang’s arms, folded his fan, and lightly tapped the tip of Chu Yuan’s nose with it.
“His Highness is barely gone, and you already have quite the appetite.”
Chu Yuan nodded eagerly, his eyes shining. “Eldest Brother, these are all very delicious. Would you like to try some?”
Nie Siran laughed. His gaze moved, and he deliberately said, “That will not do. Ah-Die has said that while His Highness is away, we must watch over you and not allow you to eat such things at will, lest you upset your stomach.”
Chu Yuan: “??”
He looked down at the freshly prepared rice rolls, the fragrance drifting directly into his nose. They looked exceedingly appetizing.
He raised his head again. His bright eyes turned slightly aggrieved, with a faint spark of dissatisfaction flickering within.
“I will only eat it once. It will not upset my stomach,” he made a feeble protest, twisting his fingers.
Nie Siran opened his folding fan and held it above Chu Yuan’s head, shielding him from the harsh sunlight.
“You have bought so much today. By the look of it, you have already eaten quite a bit. This afternoon, you will surely have an upset stomach,” Nie Siran said bluntly.
“It will not happen.” Chu Yuan widened his eyes, attempting to persuade him with his expression alone.
Nie Siran was amused by his adorable appearance, yet his words remained unrelenting.
“It will. Sour, spicy, salty, you have eaten them all. If Ah-Yuan does not listen, Ah-Die will become angry.”
“If he becomes angry, he might even write a letter to inform His Highness.”
“When His Highness learns that Ah-Yuan has been disobedient and secretly gone out to eat such snacks, he will be furious and will discipline you severely upon his return.”
“His Highness is quite formidable. His punishments hurt terribly. Are you not afraid?” Nie Siran continued, thoroughly enjoying himself as he teased Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan blinked.
Those eyes, more tranquil and lustrous than luminous pearls, now gazed at him in silence.
His small face was expressionless, his lips pressed tight.
“Eldest Brother,” he said.
Nie Siran smiled lazily. “Mm. Have you come to understand?”
“I have.”
“Then—”
Chu Yuan said, “No wonder Su Ruhe wished to leave. Eldest Brother truly is...”
“Infuriating.”
“...”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Yuanyuan: With husband not at home, it feels wonderful~
(Censor, please spare me. I truly wrote nothing improper. Wishing you happiness every day [humbly])
IsitRo: :c *me who wants the smut deets*
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