Chapter 22 Bathing Together "Let's bathe together today."
Today, Chaolu is running horses at the racecourse. He not only has to train his own horse well, but also a whole team of horses and riders will have to run with him. This task is a bit like leading troops into battle, except that there are no real swords and spears.
The morning went well; Chaolu concentrated and achieved excellent results. But as dusk approached and he prepared to leave, his thoughts began to wander.
He didn't know what she was doing today. This morning, he had Xuan Niang leave her a message saying that he might be home late.
Would she wait for me to have a meal together?
I doubt it; he's probably already asleep. Chao Luben did intend to stay late, but if the training wasn't effective, it was better not to train at all, so he wanted to go home early.
But I've already said it beforehand... If I go back now, won't it seem like I want to see her?
For the first time, Chaolu felt as if he had encountered a major problem in life.
Bayar and Char, who were also among the riders, came over at this moment.
"Fourth brother, what's wrong? I noticed you seemed a bit distracted this afternoon."
Chao Lu smiled and said, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired?"
"Tired? Haha, Fourth Brother, you're being modest. Were you drunk last night and haven't recovered yet? It's all Second Brother's fault."
Chao Lu shook his head: "It's alright."
He thought for a moment and made up his mind: "I'll go back first and come back earlier tomorrow."
Bayar smiled. "Okay. By the way, haven't you decided on a name for your horse yet?"
Chao Lu looked down and suddenly smiled: "I'll think about it when I get back tonight and decide tomorrow."
"drive!"
Chaolu suddenly sped up, and Charles asked, "What's wrong with him? Why did he suddenly become so happy?"
Bayar: "Who knows?"
Chaolu returned to his tent, dismounted, and strode inside. Just as Afu came to greet him, a gust of wind swept past.
"Your Highness..."
Chaolu seemed genuinely anxious, forcefully lifting the tent flap, but to his surprise, the room was dark instead of the warm light he was familiar with.
Not to mention the aroma of the food.
Chao Lu paused in his steps.
Afu then caught up: "Your Highness... Si Ke Dun was summoned by Da Ha Dun this afternoon and hasn't returned yet..."
Chao Lu was stunned.
Afu's expression wasn't good either. He remembered that Sikedun hadn't eaten dinner, and two hours had passed since he left, so why hadn't he returned yet...?
Chao Lu frowned and immediately turned to walk outside.
-
Ruan Yu's arms felt like they weren't even her own anymore. She had been practicing with Madam Qiu all afternoon, and before she could even catch her breath in the evening, she went to Da Hadun to continue practicing.
However, Da Hadun's demands were clearly much higher than those of his mother-in-law.
If she slacked off even slightly along the way, Una would immediately point it out—
They said her posture was incorrect and her arms were in the wrong position.
Ruan Yu gave them a few deep looks, knowing in her heart that teaching was secondary, and giving them a show of force was the main thing.
She had seen this kind of tactic countless times when she was in the Marquis's residence.
Ruan Yu wanted to quit on the spot, but she couldn't.
This was not only for the sake of her mother-in-law's face and Chao Lu's face, but also because she was a princess sent to marry a foreign ruler from Chang'an.
If it's just for a moment of pleasure and willfulness, perhaps before the next day, everyone in the entire grassland tribe will know that this princess of Chang'an has no manners.
It's anyone's guess how much more exaggerated and sensational Big Hadun will add to the story.
Ruan Yu gritted her teeth and decided to endure it for the time being.
After an unknown amount of time, Da Hadun finally looked up at her and smiled, "That's enough for today."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ruan Yu almost dropped the candlestick in her hand. Qing Guo rushed forward to support her, her eyes blazing with anger.
Una smiled: "Sister-in-law, you still need to work on your strength. Mother-in-law, will your daughter-in-law come over again tomorrow?"
Saren smiled and said, "Alright, Xiaoyu, don't blame me for being strict. Zulu Festival is a major event for ancestor worship, and we can't afford to make any mistakes."
Ruan Yu's arm trembled, but she only smiled faintly: "What Da Hadun said is true. My mother-in-law taught me the same thing today. I practiced with my mother-in-law and then came to Da Hadun for instruction. On the day of the event, I will definitely not make any mistakes."
Saren raised an eyebrow slightly: "That would be best."
Suddenly, a maidservant rushed in from outside the tent: "Hadun, the Fourth Prince has arrived!"
Ruan Yu was taken aback and immediately looked back. Sa Ren said calmly, "Hmm, go tell him—"
"If Da Hadun has something to say, just say it in person. There's no need to send someone to relay the message!" Chao Lu's voice and footsteps came from outside the tent at the same time.
The next instant, the tent flap was flung open, and the person burst in.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, you mustn't..."
Those inside the tent widened their eyes, including Ruan Yu.
Saren frowned and suddenly raised his voice: "Chaolu! What are you doing!"
Una: "Fourth brother, are you confused? This is Hadun's inner tent. How can you barge in without permission!"
Chao Lu's gaze was like a dagger, gleaming with a chilling light, as it slid across their faces one by one, finally settling on Ruan Yu.
"There's nothing wrong with me coming to pick up my wife, is there?"
Chao Lu said calmly.
Saren's face darkened: "Benhadun only summoned your Khatun here for the Zulu Festival. What are you trying to do with this aggressive attitude!"
Chaolu laughed: "Great Khatun, I've always had this temper. I wasn't trying to cause trouble. Let alone this Khatun tent, I've also stormed the Golden Tent. Great Khatun knows that, and Father Khan can't do anything about it."
"you--!"
Unfortunately, what Chao Lu said was true. He was used to being lawless and unruly, and had never received any punishment, but unfortunately, none of it had any effect.
In the end, he was labeled as shameless, but he didn't care at all.
Ruan Yu walked up to Chao Lu, winked at him, and whispered, "I'm fine, go back..."
Chao Lu looked down at her.
His face was as white as a dead man's, his arms were trembling, and all he could do was stubbornly refuse to admit it.
Chaolu looked up again. "Regarding the Zulu Festival, since Father Khan has already entrusted it to me, my wife should also be taught by my mother. There is no need for Great Khatun to do anything unnecessary."
After saying that, he took Ruan Yu's hand and said, "Let's go."
Una exclaimed incredulously, "Chaolu! Do you know what you're saying! Dahadun was only helping you, and you say it's unnecessary! This is extremely disrespectful!"
Saren sneered: "Fine, I was the one meddling. Una, there's no need to say anything more, let them do what they want!"
Chao Lu ignored her completely, didn't even turn his head, and pulled Ruan Yu straight out.
Once the two had walked out of the vicinity of Dahadun's tent, Chaolu suddenly let go of her hand, stopped walking, and turned to look at her: "She told you to come, so you came? Aren't you stupid?"
He was clearly still very unhappy, and his tone was not good. Ruan Yu was panting and glanced at the man's face: "She is Hadun. If she asks me to come and I don't come, wouldn't that be impolite?"
"Rules?" Chao Lu sneered.
"Now they know how to follow the rules."
"What did Your Highness say?" Ruan Yu asked, puzzled. She was very tired and it was cold outside. She didn't want to argue with him and just wanted to go back.
Chao Lu noticed and pursed his lips, "It's nothing, let's go back!"
Ruan Yu followed beside him, taking small, quick steps: "Your Highness, please slow down, I can't keep up with you..."
He had been walking very fast, and she was having a hard time keeping up. Sure enough, Chao Lu stopped again, frowned at her, and after a moment, he reached out and picked her up in his arms!
Ruan Yu exclaimed in surprise!
Upon seeing this, Afu, Qingguo, and Xuanniang immediately lowered their heads.
"This is so slow! I'm starving, I'm going back to eat!"
Chao Lu's tone was fierce, but his actions weren't barbaric. He easily picked her up and strode towards his tent. Ruan Yu pursed her lips, turned her head, and nestled into his arms.
Chao Lu was really strong. He carried her without even panting and entered the tent in less than fifteen minutes. Jin'er and Shun'er both opened their eyes wide, then quickly lowered their eyes.
"Serve the meal!" Chao Lu said only one sentence to them, and the maids quickly turned and left.
Ruan Yu was carried directly to the inner tent and placed on the couch.
Chao Lu ripped off his cloak and stood by the couch, looking at the person.
Ruan Yu rubbed her wrist. "Is Your Highness tired?"
Thinking that this person had stood up for her today, her tone remained gentle.
"You're so small, you don't even weigh as much as a wild deer, what's there to be tired about?"
Ruan Yu: "..."
Chao Lu stepped forward and was about to take off her cloak again when Ruan Yu's eyes widened and the man's movements stopped.
"Don't overthink it. Let me see if they've tormented you."
“…No, no.” Ruan Yu was startled; the word “torture” was far too exaggerated.
"I just practiced holding the candlestick for a while, it's nothing..."
Chao Lu frowned: "Your arm is still injured, yet you lifted it for several hours today."
"About four hours..."
Chao Lu remained silent.
"Your Highness, shall dinner be brought in?" It was Afu's voice.
"Um."
Afu and Qingguo came in together and placed their fruit on a table not far away.
"Bring in hot water and medicinal oil," Chaolu instructed.
Afu immediately agreed, and Qingguo glanced at Ruanyu with some concern before being quickly pulled away by Qingguo.
Chao Lu: "Come and eat first, I'll help you apply the medicine in a bit."
Ruan Yu pursed her lips and slowly moved down: "Just let Xuan Niang and Qing Guo serve you..."
Chao Lu stared at her for a while, and Ruan Yu said helplessly, "Alright, then I'll have to trouble Your Highness."
The meal consisted mainly of Central Plains dishes. Lately, the kitchen has been cooking to cater to her tastes more and more. Chao Lu noticed this, but still ate a lot. Ruan Yu was also really hungry, and although she didn't make a sound, she ate more than usual.
"You didn't even have dinner. Da Hadun called you, couldn't you make up an excuse? How could you survive in the cannibalistic city of Chang'an, being so stupid?"
Ruan Yu: "This is the first time I've called Da Hadun, so I'll have to go. I'll know next time."
"There will be no next time," Chao Lu said firmly.
Thinking about what he said today, Ruan Yu guessed there wouldn't be a next time, and silently drank the soup in her bowl.
but--
"Why does Your Highness say that Chang'an is a place that devours people?"
"Isn't that so? Everyone says that women in Chang'an are scheming against each other, especially in the inner quarters and the palace."
Ruan Yu: "..."
Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue.
After the two finished their meal, hot water and medicinal oil were brought in.
Ruan Yu tried to persuade her, saying, "I'd like to go in and take a bath. Xuan Niang can just apply the medicine for me; there's no need to trouble Your Highness. You've had a long day..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chao Lu had already started taking off his clothes. Seeing Ruan Yu's widening eyes, he suddenly curled his lips and said with a hint of amusement, "No need to let them in. We'll all wash together today."
Ruan Yu: "?"
She could hardly believe her ears, but the man in front of her had already casually taken off all his outer clothes. The muscular adult man leaned closer, and Ruan Yu's pupils were filled with the clumps of hair she had seen when she washed his hair that day...
Chao Lu stared intently at her, not missing a single expression, when suddenly his large, calloused hand reached out and touched half of her face. The calluses on her skin made her feel a little numb, but the movement was unusually gentle.
Ruan Yu realized that his gaze held a deeper meaning, and an unlikely thought arose in her mind, causing her to gasp.
Chao Lu's fingers moved to her lips again, and he gently rubbed them, seemingly unable to put them down.
Thinking of the unsatisfying taste from last night, a surge of heat rose in Chao Lu's lower abdomen, heading straight down.
Suddenly, he became somewhat impatient.
A note from the author:
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The next chapter will be available for purchase and will be a long, substantial chapter.
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