Wang Xiuxiu had just returned from outside, carrying the nuts she had just bought for Songsong and Guoguo. As soon as she entered the yard, she heard a "thump thump thump" sound.
Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see Lu Jingze squatting under the eaves, with a pile of wooden planks and tools in front of him. His brows were slightly furrowed as he focused intently on hammering and tinkering with the half-finished wooden frame.
"What are they doing?" Wang Xiuxiu asked curiously as she leaned closer.
Lu Jingze paused, glanced up at her, then quickly lowered his head to continue hammering nails, his tone indifferent: "Nothing, just making some things."
Wang Xiuxiu raised an eyebrow.
This person usually makes his servants straighten even the pen holder in his study if it's crooked. When did he ever start "doing things casually"?
Just as she was about to ask another question, she suddenly heard a rustling sound. Turning her head, she saw Lu Yunian hiding behind a pillar, peeking out half of his head and winking at her.
"Yu Nian, come here." Wang Xiuxiu beckoned to him.
Lu Yunian immediately skipped over and, before Wang Xiuxiu could ask, said with a grin, "Auntie! Father is making a new home for Songsong and Guoguo!"
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback: "A new place?"
Lu Jingze's hammer went astray with a "thud," and he glanced at his son expressionlessly: "Stop talking nonsense."
Lu Yunian stuck out his tongue and continued to reveal: "Father started drawing up plans yesterday, and even specially asked a carpenter how to build a comfortable nest, saying that he was worried about Guoguo giving birth..."
“Lu Yunian.” Lu Jingze narrowed his eyes.
The young prince immediately covered his mouth, blinked his eyes to show that he was being good and would never say anything out of line again.
Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but chuckle, and squatted down to look at the half-finished product in Lu Jingze's hand.
It was a delicate little wooden house, lined with soft cotton wool, and even had a small staircase for the squirrels to get in and out.
"Your Highness's cooking is quite good," she praised with a smile.
Lu Jingze snorted softly, not replying, but his ears turned slightly red.
Wang Xiuxiu chuckled inwardly, but didn't expose him. She simply reached out to brush the wood chips off his shoulder and said softly, "If Songsong knew how much you care for him, he would be overjoyed."
Lu Jingze paused in his movements and said in a muffled voice, "That ungrateful wretch won't appreciate it."
Wang Xiuxiu chuckled – sure enough, this person was still holding a grudge about what happened a few days ago.
——-
The relationship between Songsong and Lu Jingze can be described as a tale of "love and hate".
As Wang Xiuxiu's beloved pet, Songsong held a position in the Jingwang Mansion that was comparable to that of a half-master.
This little thing is very intelligent. It usually acts cute and charming towards Wang Xiuxiu, and is also close to Lu Yunian and Su Yingxue. However, it always puts on a cold and aloof attitude towards Lu Jingze, as if saying "Don't touch me."
Lu Jingze had tried to please it before.
The best nuts, the nice shed, and even fresh pine nuts specially bought from the south, but Songsong always just grabs the food and runs away, not even bothering to give him a second glance.
Lu Jingze reached out to touch it, but it flicked its tail and jumped onto the roof beam, looking down at him like a proud little tyrant.
When Wang Xiuxiu went on a mission to the northern border, she learned that Lu Jingze was in a bad mood, so she specially entrusted Songsong to him for care.
During that time, Lu Jingze personally fed the little thing every day and even allowed it to jump around in his study.
Gradually, Songsong's attitude towards him softened a bit, and she would occasionally even give him a walnut to gnaw on.
After Wang Xiuxiu returned, the relationship between the two could even be described as "peaceful coexistence".
But all of Lu Jingze's self-perceived "friendliness" was completely undermined a few days ago when Luo Qiyou and Qi Ming visited.
Although it had been a long time since they last met, Songsong still recognized them.
Especially Luo Qiyou, as soon as Songsong saw Luo Qiyou, she immediately jumped onto his shoulder, affectionately rubbed her face against his, and even took the initiative to stuff her treasured nuts into his hand.
Especially when Luo Qiyou smiled and gently scratched his chin, the little guy squinted his eyes and looked completely blissful.
Lu Jingze sat to the side, watching this "traitor" fawn over outsiders, his face as black as ink.
Luo Qiyou was pleasantly surprised, and patted Songsong's little head, laughing, "This little guy still remembers me?"
Wang Xiuxiu laughed and said, "It has a good memory. Back in Yongzhou, you fed it a lot."
Lu Jingze watched coldly, his heart bubbling with jealousy.
He had fed this little darling for longer and with more care than Luo Qiyou, but he had never seen it so enthusiastic!
What's even more infuriating is that Songsong seemed to sense his displeasure and deliberately rolled over in Luo Qiyou's palm right in front of him, looking smug as if to say, "This is my true love."
Lu Jingze: "..."
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