Chun Tao came forward curiously, and even the napping white cat beside her pricked up its ears: "What exactly has your Highness prepared? Tell me so that I can help Miss prepare it in advance."
Xiao Yu, however, kept the secret a secret, tapping his fingertips on the table in a brisk rhythm: "The secret cannot be revealed. You will know it in due time."
As they were speaking, the old butler walked in, leaning on a jujube wood cane. His snow-white beard curled up with a smile, making him look like a cotton ball in full bloom. "My lady, Your Highness the Seventh Prince, a weeping servant has come to the front yard. He claims to be from the Grand Tutor's Mansion. He's clinging to the stone lions at the gate and won't leave. He insists that His Highness stole his snacks, and now his son has lost his appetite and is on the verge of starvation."
"Puff..." Shen Weiwan's chestnut, which she had just swallowed, nearly got stuck in her throat. She held onto the edge of the table and laughed so hard that she couldn't straighten her waist. Tears were almost coming out of her eyes. Xiao Yu, however, looked serious. He took a sip of the tea that Chuntao had brewed and said, "Tell him that if he wants a snack, it's not difficult. Let the young master of the Taifu family come to me personally and kowtow three times to apologize."
The old butler laughed so hard that his beard was shaking. He bowed and agreed, shaking his head as he left. Shen Weiwan looked at Xiao Yu, and suddenly a warm feeling rose in her heart, like a piece of sugar-roasted chestnuts just taken in her mouth, warm and soothing her heart: "Your Highness, it's just a piece of gossip. Why are you so angry with the Taifu Mansion?"
Xiao Yu put down the teacup, the amber tea rippled in the cup. He looked up, his gaze suddenly serious. Those eyes that always held a smile were now filled with unmistakable solemnity. "Weiwan, who dares to speak carelessly about my people?" He paused, his voice softer. "From now on, as long as I'm here, no one can bully you like they did in your previous life. Not even a finger can be lifted."
Shen Weiwan's heart skipped a beat, as if it had been gently bumped by something. She hurriedly lowered her head to peel chestnuts, but her fingertips trembled a little. Before she could think of how to respond, a peeled warm chestnut was stuffed into her mouth. The sweet and sticky flesh, with the slight coolness of Xiao Yu's fingertips, made her forget what she was going to say.
"Oh, right," Xiao Yu said, his tone light again, as if remembering something. "I sent you two boxes of honey from the Western Regions. It's said to be made from nectar from the snow-capped mountains. I heard soaking your feet in this honey can help with fatigue. Why don't you try it tonight?"
"Soak your feet in honey?" Shen Weiwan almost choked on the chestnuts. She widened her eyes. "Your Highness, you don't have a fever, do you? That's such a waste! I heard that honey is very valuable. One ounce can be exchanged for ten ounces of silver!"
"If you like it, don't waste it." Xiao Yu said as a matter of course, reaching out to straighten her crooked hairpin. "Besides, as my princess, I naturally have to use the best. When you marry me, you can do whatever you want with the honey in the warehouse. Whether you want to soak your feet or mix it with rice, it's up to you."
"Who, who is your princess!" Chen Weiwan's face flushed red like a peach tanned by the summer sun. She slapped Xiao Yu's hand away, the pearl tassels on her hairpin jingling. "We haven't even started dating yet!"
"It's almost there." Xiao Yu looked at her reddened ears and smiled like a fox that had stolen some meat. "When I return from the hunting grounds, I'll ask my father for an order. Then I'll have you carried to the Seventh Prince's mansion in an eight-man sedan chair. I'll see where you can run."
Chun Tao was laughing as she listened, thinking that while her young lady might be tough on the outside, her ears were red as blood, and she must have been looking forward to the grand sedan chair. However, Shen Weiwan deliberately changed the subject, grabbing a piece of lotus seed paste pastry and stuffing it into Xiao Yu's hand: "Let's not talk about this, Your Highness. What bad things can Lin Wanrou do in the hunting grounds? You can't stuff cotton into my quiver, can you?"
"It's nothing but some old, unpresentable tricks." Xiao Yu took a bite of the lotus seed paste pastry, but his eyes never left her face. "Either they're smearing tung oil on your saddle, or they're trying to embarrass you by pretending you can't ride in front of the Emperor."
"So what exactly is the 'return gift' you prepared?" Shen Weiwan asked relentlessly, her curiosity scratching her heart like a kitten's claws.
Xiao Yu put down the lotus seed paste cake, leaned close to her ear, and said a few words in a voice that only the two of them could hear. Shen Weiwan was stunned at first, and then laughed out loud "Hahahaha" and laughed so hard that the lotus seed paste cake crumbs fell all over her clothes: "Your Highness, you are so mean! This trick is too mean!"
Chun Tao was so anxious that she kept jumping up and down, pulling Shen Weiwan's sleeve and shaking it: "Miss! What did His Highness say? Tell me!"
Shen Weiwan laughed so hard that she couldn't breathe. She waved her hand to signal Chuntao to come closer, but suddenly changed her mind and winked at her: "I won't tell you! Just wait and see the show. It's guaranteed to be more exciting than watching a circus!"
Xiao Yu looked at her, his eyes curved with smiles, like a fox that had stolen a chicken, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the two of them. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of lotus seed paste and the faint scent of ink. It was so quiet that they could hear each other's breathing.
Meanwhile, another scene was unfolding in the study of the Grand Tutor's residence. The Grand Tutor's young master, clutching an embroidered pillow, wept bitterly, his voice hoarse. "Dad! The Seventh Prince stole my lotus seed paste pastry! And he told me to apologize in person! Sob...?"
The Grand Tutor was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, banging the jade pipe in his hand on the rosewood table. "Who told you to be so nosy! I told you not to mess with that guy in the General's Mansion, but you wouldn't listen! Now you've offended the Seventh Prince. Just imagine how you'll survive in the capital from now on!"
The young master cried even harder, his shoulders shaking. "How could I have known that His Highness the Seventh Prince would protect her so much... Wuwu... I had to queue for half an hour to buy those lotus seed paste cakes..."
The Grand Tutor sighed and rubbed his throbbing temple. "Forget it, forget it. Tomorrow morning, take two boxes of the latest plum blossom cakes and go to the General's Mansion to apologize to the Seventh Prince and Miss Shen. Be sincere, okay? If you dare to cause trouble again, I'll break your legs!"
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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