Just as the butler left Luo Jiu's courtyard, he turned and walked into the bamboo grove, to Liang Ye's study.
He knocked on the door and heard a "Come in" from inside. He then saw Liang Ye and Xiao Zhuo facing off in a chess game.
"Your Highness, Mr. Xiao." He bowed respectfully to the two of them, showing no surprise that Xiao Zhuo was in Liang Ye's study.
The arrival of the butler did not interrupt their interest at all. After thinking for a moment, Xiao Zhuo, holding a black piece, put the piece down and made a crisp sound.
"Did she accept it?" Xiao Zhuo asked casually.
"I've accepted it."
Xiao Zhuo chuckled, a slight smile playing on his lips, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Huh? Last time I gave her so many expensive jewelry, calligraphy and paintings, rouge and powder, all the things girls like, and she returned them without even looking at them. Why did she accept them today?" Liang Ye was puzzled. How could things change so much overnight?
"Heh. You don't understand..." Xiao Zhuo felt even better upon hearing this. Taking advantage of Liang Ye's inattention, he placed a black piece, and the previously even game gradually shifted in Xiao Zhuo's favor.
Liang Ye: "..." I feel like I've been shown up in front of my face for no reason. What's going on?
"There is one more thing. This servant just saw Madam Li in Madam Luo's courtyard."
"Li Shuyue?" Liang Ye asked, puzzled. "What is she going to do?"
"This servant listened at the door for a while, and it seems that, taking advantage of entering the manor early, they found a pretext to try and put pressure on Madam Luo..."
The steward clearly saw Li Shi bullying Luo Jiu, but dared not say anything. After all, fortunes change, and one should always leave room for maneuver; who knows if Li Shi might regain favor one day.
"Is that so?" Liang Ye frowned, completely baffled as to why there were so many complicated relationships between women.
Isn't it better to just be good sisters?
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo's smile vanished, and he tossed the black pieces into the chess basket.
He glared at Liang Ye with hostility, and a cold voice immediately escaped his lips: "What did you promise me yesterday?"
Liang Ye guiltily touched his nose. Who knew there would be such a clueless person who couldn't resist provoking that woman all day long? And to make matters worse, this old man had to catch them in the act.
"Steward, pass down the order: Li Shi Shuyue, for her lack of friendship and personal involvement, attempted to incite internal strife within the household. She is hereby punished with a six-month ban from the courtyard as a form of discipline."
Additionally, due to Madam Luo's health condition, she is declining to receive guests.
Tell those women to behave themselves and not cause trouble for themselves.
The butler's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, he acknowledged the order, and left.
"Is this alright?" Liang Ye said helplessly to Xiao Zhuo.
"Oh."
Xiao Zhuo ignored Liang Ye's overtures. A single word was enough to express his dissatisfaction.
“How about…” Liang Ye hesitated for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and said resolutely, “Go and see if there’s anything else you want, and send it over as compensation.”
When Liang Ye said those words, his heart was practically bleeding. Although there were many good things in the Prince's mansion, Xiao Zhuo, that sly fox, always managed to find the things he was most reluctant to part with and take them away.
Xiao Zhuo then deigned to glance at him, his deep black eyes filled with disdain, "I'll go take a look, you don't need to show your face."
As Liang Ye watched his retreating figure, his head practically turned into a green meadow, he couldn't help but mutter curses under his breath.
You dare to seduce my woman with my face? Have you no shame?!
"Miss, I just heard from outside that Li Shi has been punished with six months' salary and has been confined to her quarters."
The steward knew Liang Ye's intentions well. After delivering the verbal order, he did not conceal it and let those watching the show spread the news.
After all, being confined to one's quarters is such a severe punishment, meant to let those with ill intentions know that this new Madam Luo is not someone they can scheme against.
"I heard that Madam Li smashed everything in the house, and all the maids inside and outside were kneeling on the ground. With such a vicious heart, I really don't know how she manages the affairs of the mansion."
Upon hearing the news brought by Jin Xia, Luo Jiu unconsciously raised an eyebrow. Her suspicions deepened; Liang Ye really didn't seem like the type to do such a thing…
It's getting more and more interesting.
Luo Jiu rubbed her chin, revealing an ambiguous smile.
"Oh, right. Miss, I just saw His Highness coming this way, would you like to..." Jin Xia looked at the plate of cherry seeds and Luo Jiu's jade fingers covered in red juice, and couldn't help but feel a headache.
Since a while ago, Miss has become increasingly unrestrained in her words and actions, as if her previously suppressed wildness has been released, and she does things without any rhyme or reason.
Luo Jiu: "..." He was coming over, and you're only telling me now? Are you perhaps an undercover agent sent by Liang Ye?
Luo Jiu had just hurriedly gotten up, wanting to hide, when she heard a steady footstep enter the main room.
"What is Jiu'er doing? Aren't you going to come and greet your husband?"
A slightly teasing voice sounded from behind Luo Jiu, causing her to pause in her steps.
She slowly turned around, the white silk covering the helplessness on her face: "What are you doing here?"
It's so early in the morning, don't you, as a prince, have to attend court? Do you still want the throne?
"What does Jiu'er mean by this?"
Xiao Zhuo stepped forward, placed one hand on Luo Jiu's waist, and pulled her with force, causing Luo Jiu to fall onto Xiao Zhuo's lap in an instant.
"Is Jiu'er still upset about her husband leaving on their wedding night?"
The two were incredibly close. Luo Jiu could feel the vibration in Xiao Zhuo's chest as he spoke, and she could feel his warm breath covering her entire profile.
The large hand around her waist radiated warmth, constantly reminding Luo Jiu that she was currently being held captive in a man's arms.
Unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, she began to pound Xiao Zhuo's hand with her fingers, shouting, "Let go!"
Luo Jiu's chronically ill body meant that her strength was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree to Xiao Zhuo—tiny and insignificant.
He laughed, letting out a muffled groan, "It is truly my fault to leave Jiu'er alone in her room. However, I have been busy with official business lately. I will definitely make up for it with an unforgettable wedding night for my little Jiu'er after some time, okay?"
After saying that, he ignored Luo Jiu, put one arm around her, picked up a cherry, and put it in his mouth.
The abundant juice bursts in your mouth, and in an instant, the sweet and sour taste of cherries fills your senses.
Xiao Zhuo seemed to have never eaten this kind of thing before. He frowned slightly, tried to ignore the strange feeling in his mouth, and swallowed it.
He rested his head on Luo Jiu's shoulder, like a large dog. A deep voice escaped Xiao Zhuo's lips:
"Is it good? Why is your mouth covered in food?"
Xiao Zhuo's smile was so obvious that Luo Jiu clearly felt his mockery, and her struggles intensified.
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