Chapter 11 Late Night Snack With her limited strength, it's about the same as a kitten scratching someone...
As night fell, Ruan Yu went to sleep first.
Chao Lu then went into the study.
Afu kept a mournful face, wanting to say something but not daring to. Finally, seeing how terrible his master's expression was, he mustered up his courage and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, it's all my fault for being so stupid... I forgot about this. If I had gone to ask him myself, you wouldn't have lost face in front of the Khatun..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chao Lu shot him a glare: "Did I lose face in front of her?"
Afu was taken aback, then immediately patted his mouth: "This servant is being nosy, no, no."
"Hmph!" Chao Lu slammed the book down.
"It's just a plate of pastries, why would I be so stingy?! But you're so stupid, you can't do anything right and you're always causing me trouble!"
"Your Highness is right..."
Chao Lu curled his lip. Although the pastries were quite delicious, so what? Would he bow down for the sake of his appetite? What a joke!
As Chao Lu was thinking this, suddenly, his stomach let out a long, drawn-out rumble—
Both master and servant were stunned.
Afu hurriedly said, "Your Highness, shall I go and bring you some midnight snacks?"
Chao Lu left in a hurry during dinner, clearly not having eaten his fill.
He thought about it for a moment, and somehow the chicken soup she had drunk that afternoon came to mind.
It looks pretty good.
It's nice to change things up once in a while.
"Go and get me a bowl of chicken soup."
"ah?"
Chao Lu: "Are you deaf?"
Afu snapped out of his daze: "Yes, yes, this servant will go right away!"
Chaolu put down his book, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.
Not long after, Afu returned, but he still had a long face and didn't bring chicken soup, only dry jerky.
"Your Highness... the kitchen said they're out of chicken soup. The Khatun sent some to the Lady and Dabiegi, so this is all they have..."
Chao Lu choked for a moment, "Dried meat?! Even the hot kind is gone?!"
"Hmm... how about I turn the kitchen back on?"
Chao Lu was somewhat irritated: "No need!"
Afu: "Your Highness, don't be upset, you'll be fine soon."
"I said no, and that means no! You can go back now! I need to rest too!"
Seeing that His Highness seemed to be angry, Afu dared not say anything more, but he didn't understand who His Highness was angry with.
-
Chao Lu himself couldn't quite explain it, but he felt a bit annoyed. However, when he returned to his inner tent and smelled a faint fragrance, the annoyance vanished.
Qingguo, who was on night watch, ran over quietly: "Your Highness, the Khatun has already retired for the night. He told me to wait for you, saying that you have worked very hard and that he specially saved a bowl of chicken soup for you. Would you like to drink some to warm your stomach before going to sleep?"
Chao Lu paused for a moment before saying, "What hardship have I endured..."
Qingguo smiled and said, "You've been reading even though you're injured, so naturally the Khatun feels sorry for you."
Chao Lu coughed, his expression somewhat strange.
"Bring it here."
"Eh."
Qingguo returned quickly, bringing not only steaming chicken soup but also a plate of milky white pastries. When Chaolu looked up at her, Qingguo smiled without saying a word.
"Your Highness, please enjoy your meal. This servant will take her leave."
She walked quickly, and Chao Lu stared at the late-night snack in front of him, remaining silent for a long time.
Ruan Yu had indeed gone to sleep, but she still woke up groggily when Chao Lu returned to his room.
"Your Highness is back?"
Her voice was clearly tired, soft and nasal.
Chao Lu hummed in agreement, took off his clothes, and got into bed. Ruan Yu, as if completing some kind of procedure, quickly said, "Your Highness has worked hard, please get some sleep..."
The man lay down without saying anything, but just as Ruan Yu was about to fall asleep, he suddenly said, "I've had a late-night snack, it was quite delicious."
Ruan Yu: "Hmm... okay."
"However, there's no need to stay next time."
Ruan Yu was so sleepy that she didn't want to hear a single word: "...Okay."
Chao Lu also sensed the perfunctoriness in her tone and remained silent for a moment.
He moved his legs and suddenly realized that there were two thick quilts for the night. She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, like a silkworm. From this angle, only her dark blue hair bun could be seen.
Perhaps it was because of the bowl of chicken soup, but Chao Lu suddenly felt a bit hot. With a kick of his long legs, his quilt fell off.
He rolled over, staring intently at the back of her head, a question surfacing in his mind—
Aren't you afraid of suffocating if you sleep like this?
...
When Ruan Yu woke up, she subconsciously thought that there was still no one beside her. She wanted to stretch her waist, but the next moment, she heard a "smack".
Chaolu frowned, jolted awake by the slap.
Ruan Yu was startled, only then realizing that the two were extremely close! They had clearly used two separate blankets before going to bed, but now they were sharing the same one. When she reached out, she accidentally patted the man's chin.
With a jolt, Ruan Yu was wide awake.
"Your Highness...?"
Chaolu also woke up, his eyes blank for a moment before he came to his senses and reached out to touch his chin.
"Does it hurt? I didn't mean to..."
Chao Lu looked at her. The woman, who had just woken up, was only wearing an inner garment. Without the thick outer robe she wore during the day, she seemed even more slender.
It was a light pink color, with slight wrinkles at the neckline. Looking further down, a patch of white caught Chao Lu's eye.
Instantly, a familiar sensation spread from my back down to my waist.
The man abruptly looked away.
"It doesn't hurt."
He immediately rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her, adjusting his belt almost instantly with one hand to avoid making a fool of himself.
With that little strength, it's about the same as a kitten scratching someone.
Ruan Yu breathed a sigh of relief: "I didn't know you weren't up yet. I thought you'd already gone to practice..."
Chao Lu didn't say anything, got up, grabbed his clothes, and left. Ruan Yu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up to let Qing Guo and Xuan Niang in.
Although Chaolu was not training, he still had to go to the Golden Tent. After a simple breakfast, Ruan Yu went out to pay her respects to her mother-in-law.
On the way to Lady Qiu's place, Ruan Yu learned from Xuan Niang that the Great Khan had come two days ago.
Ruan Yu was very surprised.
Xuan Niang also said, "The Khan came, but we found nothing about it. Could it be that the Khan didn't stay overnight? Did he just come to see the Madam? No one mentioned it. Perhaps I overheard a maid in the kitchen let it slip today."
Ruan Yu thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "That means Father Khan doesn't want others to know, and you're keeping your mouth shut."
"This servant understands."
"Greetings, Khatun." A man's voice suddenly came from not far away, and Ruan Yu stopped in her tracks.
She looked up at the other person and smiled: "I recognize you. Your name is Yang Chong, and you are someone who serves the Fourth Prince."
Yang Chong performed the Central Plains etiquette, bowing and clasping his hands in a gesture of respect: "Yes."
No need for formalities.
Yang Chong straightened up: "Thank you."
Why didn't you go to the Golden Tent with the Fourth Prince?
Yang Chong said, "With Has and the others around, my father's old illness has relapsed these past two days, so Your Highness has given me two days off."
"Is your father feeling any better?" Ruan Yu asked immediately with concern.
"I'm much better now, thank you for your concern, Khatun."
Ruan Yu smiled and said, "No need to be so polite, but your father is...?"
She seemed to have never heard of Yang Chong's father holding any position. Yang Chong explained, "My father was a servant of my wife. After we arrived on the grasslands, the Khan bestowed a marriage upon him. In the past two years, he has grown old and has not held any position. He has just been resting at home."
Ruan Yu suddenly realized.
She said, "Later I will deliver some tonics to your father on behalf of His Highness. Please don't stand on ceremony with me. We are from the same hometown, and I may need to ask you for your help in the future."
Yang Chong quickly bowed again and said, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. If you need anything, just let me know."
Ruan Yu smiled and nodded. The two chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.
After walking a distance, Ruan Yu said, "Xuan Niang, prepare some of the best tonics and send them over, and by the way—"
"Don't worry, Khatun, I understand. I will go and inquire."
Ruan Yu nodded. Xuan Niang was intelligent and didn't need to say much.
It wasn't that she was overly suspicious or wanted to investigate, but she just felt something was off. This was supposed to be a matter between their parents, and she shouldn't overstep her bounds, but Una's probing, Chaolu's injury...
She was new here and just didn't want to be put on the defensive.
-
After leaving Lady Qiu's tent, Ruan Yu went to Haila's place again.
She liked it here; she felt free and at ease. Hela was genuine and had a unique personality.
But today, Ruan Yu learned something big—
Hela was actually comforting her son.
Seeing Ruan Yu's astonishment, Hela laughed and said, "It's normal that you don't know. I'm a daughter who came back to be a widow, and I've been here for a year."
I married into the Haryan tribe when I was sixteen and gave birth to Buhe. Unfortunately, my husband passed away when the child was two years old. I went back to my parents' home, but my in-laws sometimes want to take the child to stay with them for a while. I just brought the child back.
Ruan Yu: "I really didn't know before... that this child's name was Buhe?"
Hela smiled and said, "Yes, this child is frail and sickly. I hope he will grow stronger."
Ruan Yu smiled and stepped forward to touch Buhe's face: "So handsome, just like you."
Hela's eyes were full of love as she looked at her son. Now that Ruan Yu knew about it, she immediately gave Buhe one of her personal jade pendants.
“I obtained this from a famous temple in Chang’an. I will give it to this child from now on.”
Hela exclaimed with delight, "An'an, thank you so much... You're too kind."
"We're family, so please don't stand on ceremony with me, sister."
As dusk approached, Ruan Yu had to go back.
Today was quite busy, as I just got back into my tent.
Aunt Mu, who was with Hadun, came again.
He presented Ruan Yu with a set of fine jade ornaments as a reward.
After all, the Great Khan had just bestowed gifts upon him two days ago, so the Great Khatun also had to reciprocate.
Ruan Yu bowed and expressed his gratitude: "It is too late today. I will personally go to Hadun's tent to express my gratitude tomorrow."
Aunt Mu smiled and said, "No rush. His Highness has been injured recently. Hadun means that you would appreciate it if you could take good care of him. It seems that His Highness will not be able to play in the upcoming Zulu Festival. Please take good care of yourself."
Ruan Yu was taken aback. What did this mean...?
Just as she was hesitating whether to ask, she heard Chao Lu's footsteps outside.
The next moment, the person lifted the curtain and walked in.
Aunt Mu immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Fourth Prince."
Chao Lu glanced at her and gave a curt "What is it?"
“Da Ha Dunshang, I will send this to Si Ke Dun.”
Chao Lu glanced casually at the contents of the plate and said nothing.
"Your Highness, this servant will take her leave."
After Aunt Mu left, Ruan Yu stood up and said, "Your Highness, shall we serve the meal?"
Chao Lu nodded casually and sat down at the table.
Ruan Yu didn't look at the jade pieces, casually letting Xuan Niang put them away, and then sent Qing Guo to serve the meal.
Dinner was served quickly, and Ruan Yu sat down in front of Chao Lu: "Your Highness, please dine."
Chao Lu suddenly said, "Why don't you look at Hadun's reward?"
Ruan Yu paused for a moment: "Isn't there a rush?"
"Are you unhappy?"
Ruan Yu was puzzled: "Why should I be happy?"
Chaolu picked up his chopsticks: "That day, Father Khan rewarded you and was very happy to see you, thinking you were pleased."
Ruan Yu was stunned for a long time, and felt a little speechless.
She was a little angry, but then she thought about it again and felt it was unnecessary.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly took the initiative to put a piece of meat on Chaolu's plate.
"It's not that I like those gold and jade, it's just that I'm happy that Your Highness has been rewarded."
These words were naturally somewhat against her will, but who told Chaolu to look down on her first!
She didn't want to explain further.
But Ruan Yu didn't expect that her words, which sounded somewhat hypocritical, would make Chao Lu stunned, staring at her for a long time.
After a moment, he actually lowered his head: "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, it's just that Haddon has never liked my mother, so..."
He must be very bad at apologizing; he stopped mid-sentence.
However, he showed it through his actions—
He reached for his chopsticks, and in the next instant, a large piece of meat appeared in Ruan Yu's bowl.
It also had a piece of mutton fat attached.
Ruan Yu: "..."
A note from the author:
----------------------
An'an: Thank you, *eye roll*
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