Chapter 30, first published on Jinjiang Literature City, Chapter 30 (two chapters combined).

Chaolu sat in his study all day, leaving behind a huge pile of discarded wood.

When Afu came in, the floor was covered with carved wooden sticks.

He sighed and carefully avoided the question: "Your Highness, would you like to have a meal?"

"I won't eat."

Chao Lu didn't even look up.

Afu naturally knew that His Highness was preparing a gift for Si Ke Dun, and he was both happy and worried: "Your Highness, you should eat something, what will happen if you get hungry?"

Chao Lu ignored him.

Ah Fu had no choice but to use his trump card: "These are baked shortbreads that Si Ke Dun just sent over. They were specially made for Your Highness!"

Chao Lu paused and raised his head.

"Baked shortbread?"

"Yes! The pastries made by Si Ke Dun must have known you liked sweets!"

After Ah Fu finished speaking, he suddenly pursed his lips tightly. What he said should be... okay, right?

"Give it to me." Chao Lu stopped what he was doing, and Afu quickly handed it over.

Chao Lu looked down and suddenly pursed his lips.

“The other day I went to my sister’s tent and saw a plate of it on Buhe’s table.” He didn’t think much of it at the time, but now he understands.

But why is it that Bucher's has intricate patterns, while his is just a circle?

...

Ruan Yu wanted to hire someone to teach her how to ride a camel today, but for some reason, no one dared to come.

Ruan Yu suspected that Chao Lu had given them some kind of order...

Helpless, she could only tell Xuan Niang what to prepare first, and in the afternoon, she went to Qiqige's place.

Of the four Khatuns, Ngoc Chu is a bit cold, and Una probably has nothing to say to her now. Only Qiqige is different; Ruan Yu remembers that she had a pretty good impression of her when she first met her.

Qiqige means "beautiful flower" in Mongolian, and Ruan Yu believes that she is worthy of such a name.

When Ruan Yu arrived, Qiqige was practicing riding a camel. The girl's cheerful laughter carried on the air, and Ruan Yu was delighted, thinking that she had come at just the right time.

"Second Duke, Fourth Duke is here." The maid went to report, and Qiqige was stunned for a moment, then immediately jumped down.

"Fourth sister! What brings you here!"

Bayar was honest and kind, and Qiqige was straightforward. Ruan Yu smiled and said, "I have something to discuss with my second sister-in-law today, so I naturally came to visit."

"fast forward!"

Qiqige invited the person into the tent, and Xuanniang handed over a food box. Ruan Yu said, "Last time I noticed you seemed to really like eating pastries. This is a soft-centered pastry I just made today. Try it."

Qiqige's eyes lit up: "Yes! I really like it! I wanted to come and ask you for it, but I felt embarrassed, hehe."

Ruan Yu was amused by her: "It's nothing, you can come anytime you like next time, I hope you will come."

Qiqige laughed, "By the way, what did you say you wanted to talk about?"

Ruan Yu: "It's nothing major, I just want to go on the autumn hunt, so I wanted to ask my second sister-in-law for advice..."

Qiqige exclaimed with delight, "You want to go?! That's great! I was just worried about not having anyone to go with!"

Ruan Yu: "It's my first time going, I don't know anything yet, and I'm afraid of causing trouble for everyone. I haven't even learned how to ride a camel yet..."

Qiqige was somewhat surprised: "What trouble could there be? You have maids to eat, dress, and live with, so it won't affect the men! As for riding camels, why didn't Chaolu teach you?!"

At this point, Ruan Yu gritted her teeth and said, "He's very busy."

Qiqige laughed: "That's true, Chaolu is not what it used to be. Well, that's easy, I'll teach you, how about it?!"

Ruan Yu's eyes lit up: "If it won't be too much trouble for you, Second Sister-in-law, I will be extremely grateful."

"You Central Plains people are so polite. Now come with me!"

Qiqige was already riding a camel in the courtyard, so bringing Ruan Yu along was just a side thing! Ruan Yu had come prepared; she was dressed in riding attire, without the fuss of a skirt.

Qiqige can actually ride a horse, but she's not very good at it. In her words, she can't ride a horse fast, so she might as well do whatever is comfortable. Ruan Yu completely agrees with this view.

With Qiqige's help, Ruan Yu learned it in no time.

This thing isn't as difficult as you might imagine.

Chaolu deliberately didn't teach her, making her start with the more difficult task of learning to ride a horse!

As Ruan Yu rode on his camel, he grew angrier the more he thought about it.

Before she knew it, the afternoon had passed. Ruan Yu had a great time and worked up a light sweat.

"That's all for today. I've troubled you, Second Sister-in-law. I guess Second Brother will be back soon. I'll be going now."

Qiqi grabbed her arm: "Are you coming again tomorrow? Let's practice together again!"

Ruan Yu smiled and said, "Come on, as long as Second Sister-in-law doesn't find it troublesome."

"How could that be!" Qiqige said awkwardly, "You gave me some delicious snacks today, but I didn't give you anything in return. I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow!"

"Okay, then I'll make some more snacks for my second sister-in-law."

Qiqige's eyes lit up, and he grinned.

Ruan Yu returned to her tent, where Qingguo and Xuanniang were delighted. "We didn't expect the Khatun to learn so quickly. Khatun, are you tired? Shall we take a bath first?"

Ruan Yu nodded, "Take a bath and change clothes."

She looked around and realized that Chaolu had not returned yet, which was quite strange.

Meanwhile, in the study, Afu was already dozing off when Chao Lu suddenly shouted, "Alright!"

Afu was startled: "Your Highness...?"

Chaolu was very excited and rushed out, almost tripping over the broken pieces of wood. Afu quickly stepped forward and said, "This servant will take a look!"

"What are you looking at?" Chaolu hid himself. "This is for her!"

"This servant will only take a look..."

Chao Lu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, take a look, isn't it nice?"

Afu opened his eyes wide and saw a jade hairpin lying in the box in his master's palm. It was smooth and lustrous, and the shape of the tip was...

Afu leaned even closer: "Your Highness! This is a peony, isn't it? It's so beautiful!"

As soon as Afu finished speaking, Chaolu's face darkened instantly.

"This is a bellflower."

Afu: "..."

"Your servant is blind!"

The jade that the silver shop sent had a faint purple hue. Chao Lu immediately thought of the bellflowers on the grassland, with their pale purple flowers, gentle and quiet. It would look good on her!

Chao Lu began to have doubts, and looked at it carefully again: "Doesn't it look like it...?"

Afu: "It looks like it! This servant was out of his mind and didn't look carefully!"

Chao Lu frowned, his lips pressed into a straight line: "Let's go."

...

Ruan Yu sat in front of the mirror, arranging her hair. Her beautiful hair had just been washed, and Xuan Niang carefully combed it with a fine-toothed comb and then applied jasmine hair oil to the ends.

A faint fragrance lingers in the air.

"Khedun's hair is so beautiful, I can't even begin to envy it," Qingguo said.

Ruan Yu glanced at her and smiled, "I think your skin has gotten better lately, is it because you drink milk?"

Qingguo touched her face with both hands: "Really? I was worried about the sandstorms in the north, so I used face cream every day. But I did drink a lot of milk. The quality of milk here is better than that in Chang'an!"

Ruan Yu smiled and hummed in agreement, then footsteps sounded outside the tent.

"Your Highness."

Ruan Yu gestured for Xuan Niang to stop: "You two go prepare the meal, he probably hasn't eaten yet."

"Eh."

As soon as Xuanniang and Qingguo left, Chaolu walked in. Ruan Yu didn't get up, but turned to look at him and said, "Your Highness is back."

"Um."

As soon as Chao Lu entered, his eyes were fixed on her. Seeing that she was doing her makeup, he quickly smiled and walked over.

"Finished showering?"

Ruan Yu absentmindedly combed her hair, pinching the ends: "Hmm, what is Your Highness busy with? Is it time for your meal?"

Chao Lu: "Oh, I had some urgent business to attend to, so I haven't eaten yet."

Ruan Yu nodded and remained silent.

Chao Lu took a deep breath, the room filled with her pleasant scent. He walked over and knelt down in front of Ruan Yu: "What are you using? You smell so good."

Ruan Yu: "These are just things for girls; Your Highness won't be interested."

"That's not necessarily true."

Chao Lu stared intently at her fair profile, his eyes unblinking.

Ruan Yu turned her head, finding him a bit strange. "What urgent matter did Your Highness attend to during the day? Why didn't you even change your clothes?"

Chao Lu was still wearing the same outfit as yesterday. He looked down at himself awkwardly and said, "I went out in the middle of the night, so I didn't have time."

"Why doesn't Your Highness take a bath first?"

Chaolu's hand, which had already reached into his robes, slowly withdrew after hearing her words.

"All right."

He got up and left, while Ruan Yu remained still.

Upon arriving at the bathhouse, Chao Lu rubbed his chin in frustration.

What's wrong? It's just giving a woman a gift, why is it so difficult?

Chaolu didn't understand.

When he stepped out of the bathhouse again, he had made up his mind, but to his surprise, Ruan Yu had disappeared.

Chaolu paused for a moment, almost rushing out to find someone, but then he suddenly heard Hela's excited voice outside, so he stopped and slowly walked over.

"Really?!" Ruan Yu was obviously overjoyed. She chatted and laughed with Hela, and, curious about Lu, moved a little closer.

What are you whispering about?

"Yes, then I can go too... I was so happy when my mother told me! I couldn't wait to tell you!"

Ruan Yu: "I went to my second sister-in-law's place today to learn how to ride a camel, and I've almost mastered it! Do you want to come with me tomorrow, sister?"

"Okay, let's go together! Mother should be riding in the carriage with Father, we'll explore on our own!"

"Um!"

Chaolu understood, lifted the tent flap, and went out: "Mother is going hunting too?!"

"Oh dear!" Hela exclaimed in surprise.

"Why are you sneaking around like that! You scared me to death!"

Ruan Yu also opened her eyes wide and turned to look at him.

Chao Lu coughed and said, "You were so engrossed in your conversation that you didn't hear me. Mother is going on the autumn hunt."

He repeated it.

"Yes, Mother is going, so I can go too!"

Chao Lu was a little surprised.

Hela: "Alright, alright, I just came to find you because I was so happy. You rest first, and we'll discuss it together tomorrow! Go inside, it's windy."

Ruan Yu nodded with a smile.

After Haila left, Ruan Yucai squinted and went into the inner tent, then stroked Lu's chin and followed her.

"So happy?"

Ruan Yu glanced at him: "Aren't you happy?"

"well enough."

"That's true, it doesn't make any difference to you anyway, but now it's better, since my sister is going, you don't have to worry about me bothering you all the time."

Chao Lu was puzzled: "What makes you say that? When have I ever worried about you troubling me?"

Ruan Yu had already walked to the bedside and was making the bed: "Isn't that right? When I said I wanted to go, you made excuses and created difficulties for me."

Chao Lu was stunned for a long time, unable to figure out how the hat had been put on him.

It wasn't until she remembered that she had just told her older sister about going to Qiqige to learn how to ride a camel.

Understood.

You think I didn't teach you how to ride a camel properly, right?

Ruan Yu remained silent, which was clearly an admission of agreement.

Chao Lu shook his head, walked over and sat down next to the person: "That's very simple, you can learn it in an afternoon, don't you think? I really had something to do last night, so I was delayed during the day. The day before yesterday... the day before yesterday, I was planning to teach you to ride a horse first... cough cough."

Ruan Yuxi stared at the person, still remaining silent.

Chao Lu was convinced. "I really didn't think it was troublesome... Actually, I was just teasing you. If you want to go, I'll definitely do as you say. Didn't I say you could ride me around?"

Ruan Yu pursed her lips and muttered softly, "Nonsense, so unreliable..."

Chao Lu choked.

He finally understood what it meant to have a woman's heart that's as small as a needle's point; her mind was truly as small as a needle's tip.

Chao Lu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Fine, didn't you want to know what I was busy with during the day? See for yourself!"

As he spoke, he handed over the wooden box.

"I don't want to—"

Ruan Yu was speaking when her view was blocked by something he handed her, and her words came to an abrupt halt.

She finally took a good look at Chao Lu.

His jawline was taut, he dared not look at her, but his ears were unusually red...

No way.

Ruan Yu suspiciously took the wooden box, opened it, and looked down—

Chao Lu felt a lightness in his hand, and he quickly withdrew it, sitting down beside her with his hands on his knees, looking very proper, as if waiting for something. However, he dared not glance at her, and his back was taut.

There was a long silence.

Chao Lu couldn't help but frown.

There's not even a response.

Is this a sign of liking or disliking?

"This was... carved by His Highness himself?" Ruan Yu finally spoke, her voice soft and somewhat incredulous.

Chao Lu felt a sense of relief.

"Well, I got a piece of jade, but I didn't know what to do with it, so I just carved it on the spot."

Just casually?

Ruan Yu examined the engraving for a long time, considering the craftsmanship, Chao Lu's clothes that he hadn't changed all day, and then she thought of what Afu had said during the day. There was nothing she didn't understand.

Ruan Yufei quickly raised her lips in a smile.

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness." She put the hairpin away and closed the box.

Chao Lu: "?"

"That's it?"

Ruan Yu asked, puzzled, "Hmm?"

Chao Lu couldn't hold back any longer and suddenly turned to the side: "I said it's over, aren't you going to try it on?!"

Ruan Yu smiled and said, "No rush, I'll try it tomorrow morning."

"No way! Wear it now! I spent so long carving it! You're just going to leave it there like that?!"

Ruan Yu chuckled: "Didn't Your Highness just say it was carved casually?"

Chao Lu was stunned.

Meeting her cunning eyes, the man realized he had been tricked.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Ruan Yu still looked at the person with a smile, neither asking nor speaking, but then clenched her fist at Lu and suddenly pounced on him—

"ah!"

Ruan Yu was startled.

"what you do!"

Chao Lu pinned the man down, a wicked smile on his face: "I can't argue with you, so I'll just stop talking."

Ruan Yu: "You're being a scoundrel!"

"Are you going to wear it or not?" Chao Lu pretended to reach under her armpit, and Ruan Yu was indeed scared: "I'll wear it, I'll wear it, okay?!"

Chao Lu then released the person, straightened up, and picked them up, placing them on his lap.

Ruan Yu was impressed by this man.

They had no choice but to reopen the box and take out the jade hairpin.

Her slender fingers held the jade hairpin, and Chao Lu gasped in surprise; it looked much better than when he held it.

"What kind of flower is this?" Ruan Yu didn't rush to put it on, but examined it carefully for a while longer.

"Wind chimes." Chao Lu's voice tightened slightly.

Ruan Yu: "Wind chimes... I remember now, it's a kind of small purple flower from the grasslands, very pretty, like a little bell..."

"Um."

Ruan Yu smiled, "I like it very much."

After saying that, she reached behind her head, deftly twisted her hair, and put the hairpin on.

Chaolu held the person in his arms, staring at her intently.

Every scene was so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off it.

"Does it look good?" Ruan Yu put it on, turned around and looked at him with a smile.

Chaolu didn't speak, but just stared at her for a while, then suddenly leaned in—

He kissed her lips deeply.

…………

The long, sticky, and passionate kiss finally ended when Ruan Yu felt pain.

Tears welled up in her eyes from holding back her emotions.

Chao Lu still lacked discipline and restraint.

But at least it didn't seem to want to swallow her up like before—

Both of them were a little out of breath, and Chao Lu pressed his forehead against hers.

It is a gentle, tender, and comforting feeling.

"If you like it, that's fine."

He gently patted her back.

Ruan Yu lowered her eyes.

"I also have something to give to Your Highness."

After she finished speaking, Chaolu was stunned.

Ruan Yu gestured for him to put himself down, and Chao Lu did so.

Ruan Yu hooked her shoes, walked to the cabinet, opened it, and took out a scroll.

Chao Lu's heart suddenly began to pound wildly.

It's completely out of control.

Is it the one he's thinking of...?

Ruan Yu walked over, smiling, "Aren't you going to open it and take a look?"

Chao Lu suddenly reached out his hand without hesitation.

The boy's pupils contracted the moment he saw the painting, then he laughed happily.

Ruan Yu looked at the person, and although she didn't speak, the corners of her lips unconsciously curled up.

That's what makes them different.

Chao Lu would directly express his liking.

It's obvious.

"Why did you suddenly send it to me?" Chao Lu turned to look at her, his joy evident in his eyes.

Ruan Yu lowered her eyelashes slightly: "I was planning to give it to you anyway."

That picture of horses running.

"I didn't say anything before because I wasn't sure if I could draw it well. Later, I needed to refine the details and it needed to be framed, so it was delayed until now."

She said it was meant for herself.

Chao Lu suddenly laughed a few times, put down the painting, quickly stepped forward, grabbed the person, and lifted them up.

Ruan Yu's eyes widened, and she hurriedly reached out to hug her neck.

His gaze suddenly rose much higher, and he actually lifted himself above his head!

I only remember being held like this by my father when I was a child!

Chaolu not only lifted her up, but also spun her around twice, his eyes sparkling.

After Ruan Yu's nervousness dissipated, she was inevitably, and naturally, moved by the boy's sincerity.

She bit the tip of her tongue.

"If you like that painting, why don't you ask for it?"

She changed the subject.

Unfortunately, Chaolu ignored her.

He simply hugged the person and spun them around again, as if only in this way could he find an outlet for the emotions in his heart.

Then, Chaolu placed the person directly on the bed—

He carefully put the painting away.

Ruan Yu turned her head to look at him, her cheeks slowly turning red.

Actually, she didn't initially intend to give him that painting, but she wasn't stupid; she could tell that Chaolu liked it.

Compared to the jade hairpin that Chao Lu carved for a whole day.

Her gift was somewhat inadequate.

But I didn't expect him to be this happy.

Ruan Yu raised her lips and, as Chao Lu lay down and turned over, reached out and removed the jade hairpin.

"Jade hairpins are fragile, don't break them..."

Chao Lu bit her earlobe: "No, I'll be careful..."

Ruan Yu did not believe him.

Chao Lu hesitated for a moment, then went along with her wishes. The instant Ruan Yu put the jade hairpin away, he couldn't wait to blow out the lamp.

…………

In ancient times, the Lu dynasty hated studying and reading.

Compared to riding horses, hunting, and shooting arrows, confining him to a desk is pure torture.

But now, Si Taiji has finally come to understand the benefits of learning and reading.

The next day, he felt refreshed and dressed properly before glancing at the person still fast asleep on the bed.

Look!

This is clear progress.

Chao Lu strode out and instructed Xuan Niang, "Wake the Khatun up later. I'll be back at noon today to take her for a camel ride. As for the autumn hunt, ask Yang Chong and A Fu. Make sure to prepare carefully."

Xuan Niang and Qing Guo were overjoyed: "Yes, Your Highness."

After Chao Lu left, the two looked at each other and said, "Great! When we arrive in Liangzhou, it should be the end of the twelfth lunar month. The New Year's atmosphere in the Central Plains will definitely be even stronger then!"

Xuan Niang smiled and said, "Alright, calm down and prepare well. Everything should be prepared thoroughly before you go out."

"Okay, I've got it!"

During this autumn hunt, the furthest the Chaha tribe will reach is Liangzhou Prefecture, which is actually the northernmost and most desolate prefecture of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

A month ago, Chang'an City was also planning to establish a Protectorate in Liangzhou Prefecture to strengthen its forces on the northern border. Therefore, Emperor Chengwen of the Great Zhou Dynasty intended to send a trusted confidant to Liangzhou to inspect the results of last year's disaster relief efforts in the Lingzhou area.

This matter fell to Pei Du, who had just been appointed as the Vice Minister of Works.

The Pei family of Hedong was a prominent and prestigious clan.

During the Great Zhou Dynasty, two prime ministers emerged. Pei Du rose to fame at a young age, achieving the second-highest rank in the imperial examination. At only twenty-one years old, he was already a fourth-rank official in the Six Ministries.

A bright future awaits.

On this journey north, Pei Du not only carried the trust of Emperor Chengwen, but also shouldered heavy family responsibilities.

I set off from Chang'an a month ago and have just arrived in Lingzhou.

"My lord, the city of Lingzhou is just ahead. If we travel west for another two days, we will reach Liangzhou."

Pei Du stood on his horse and said calmly, "Understood. Go to Lingzhou first and inform the local prefect."

"yes."

Traveling north from Chang'an, the journey was long and arduous, and Pei Du was inevitably somewhat tired. Yet, gazing upon the northern mountains and rivers of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a feeling he could not express well welled up within him.

The journey north was fraught with difficulties and dangers, and even a man like him had to endure such hardship.

I wonder what she was feeling when she walked this path back then.

...

When Ruan Yu woke up, the sun was shining brightly outside.

She got up and felt it for a moment; it wasn't as unbearable or uncomfortable as the first time.

But I didn't use that ointment last night...

Ruan Yu pursed her lips and believed what Xuan Niang said about "the first time being uncomfortable".

She felt less resistant to the idea, but she quickly put it out of her mind.

Ruan Yu called Qingguo and Xuanniang in.

Both of them smiled and conveyed what Chao Lu had said before he left.

Ruan Yu muttered, "My second sister-in-law and older sister are both here today, why is he being so attentive now..."

"What did the Khatun say?"

Ruan Yu quickly shook her head: "It's nothing! Let's get ready!"

Xuan Niang walked to the dressing table and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Where did this jade hairpin come from? It's placed on the outermost side here."

Ruan Yu looked over and was instantly speechless. Chao Lu had placed it there at some point and even opened the box...

It's as if they're afraid others won't see it.

-----------------------

Author's Note: On the 27th, in Chapter 22, I mentioned posting HB (a type of adult content) for several days after the VIP subscription period ended. Someone saw my JB (another adult content) and accused me of intentionally manipulating sales. I was given a one-month yellow card penalty. Since I've never engaged in any manipulative practices, it won't affect the book's rankings or sales, nor will it affect my updates. However, I'm quite speechless. I didn't expect that posting HB could cause such a stir. The specific announcement has been explained in the synopsis, and I won't mention it again. From today onwards, I'll only update and talk less. I'll learn from this experience. [Facepalm laughing and crying][Facepalm laughing and crying][Facepalm laughing and crying][Facepalm laughing and crying] Just know that, no need to mention it in the comments. I'm genuinely a little scared.