Chapter 16 Roasted Meat
Chapter Summary: Bowing in apology.
The princess's residence more than half an hour ago.
Liu Shiyu left work early and went home, where Feng Rong was waiting at the door as usual. As soon as Liu Shiyu stepped inside, Feng Rong served her a bowl of fresh, chilled mung bean soup.
Liu Shiyu smiled and took the small cup. Only glistening beads of sweat ran down her cheeks, and the cicadas in the courtyard chirped twice in response.
The summer in Nanjing is as hot as ever.
Liu Shiyu took a sip of mung bean soup and exclaimed, "It's so delicious! Fengrong, did you put osmanthus flowers in it? It smells so good."
"Your Highness is amazing! This contains the osmanthus jam we made last year."
Feng Rong fanned her from the side, and Liu Shiyu nodded without responding. After a few sips of the mung bean soup, she saw it was empty and handed the small cup to the waiter. The waiter took it and quickly brought her a clean towel.
Liu Shiyu lightly wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, then casually tossed the tray aside. She lifted her skirt and walked into the mansion.
"Your Highness, I got off work early today~ What would you like to eat? I'll have the kitchen prepare it." Feng Rong looked towards the corridor with a smile in her eyes. She only needed to give the order, and the kitchen would immediately start cooking.
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu stopped and did not move forward.
She pondered for a moment, then turned and smiled, "I haven't had roasted meat in a long time since I returned from Guangling. Let's have roasted meat tonight."
"Yes." Feng Rong accepted the order and led the group westward.
...
After Liu Shiyu changed her clothes, the kitchen was not yet ready.
She sat alone under the Qihua Pavilion in the backyard, gazing blankly at the Lotus Pond outside the pavilion.
When Liu Shiyu suddenly thought of Xu Luchuan, the doubt in her eyes remained.
Little Green, what's wrong with you today? Why are you crying for no reason? Could it really be related to me? But we haven't seen each other for over half a month...
"Ugh, this is so annoying. I really want to know why!"
Liu Shiyu felt inexplicably irritated, so she rubbed her face with both hands, trying to calm herself down.
Just then, Feng Rong led people to serve the dishes. Seeing her flushed face, he joked, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Have you thought of some handsome young man?"
"No, this princess was swatting mosquitoes." Liu Shiyu said decisively, and then swatted them twice to cover it up.
Feng Rong saw through Liu Shiyu's lie, but didn't expose her. She gently placed the bowl and plate on the stone table, and smiled, her eyes narrowing, "Where did these blind flies come from, making His Highness's face red? I'll have Le Xin catch them for you right away."
"It's alright, it's all taken care of." Liu Shiyu lowered her eyes and picked up the wooden chopsticks that Feng Rong had placed down. "Let's eat, I'm hungry."
"Yes." Feng Rong said no more and placed everything on the table. Then she looked up and nodded to Liu Shiyu, saying, "This servant will take his leave. Just call this servant if you have any orders."
Liu Shiyu nodded, and Feng Rong withdrew.
Liu Shiyu has always preferred quiet, so she usually ate alone, including meals. The time she dined with Xu Luchuan in Guangling was probably the first time in many years that she had eaten with someone else, except for those banquets she had to attend out of necessity.
The surroundings were quiet. Liu Shiyu stretched out her wooden chopsticks, but suddenly smiled as she put them down.
Yeah, it's roasted meat again today...
Thinking back to how she felt facing Xu Luchuan, Liu Shiyu didn't feel bored as usual.
How about inviting him to dinner with me again? That way I can ask him about today's events. Wait, but... I said from now on we'd pretend we never met. How could I possibly bother him again? But... but... I really do want to know what happened...
Liu Shiyu was torn, but ultimately curiosity prevailed over reason. She put down her chopsticks and called out, "Lian Yue."
"Your Highness, what are your orders?" Lian Yue flew down from the eaves and landed steadily in front of Liu Shiyu. Liu Shiyu propped his head up with one hand and looked at Lian Yue, "Have Lian Xing secretly go to the Xu family and ask Xu Luchuan if he wants to come to the Princess's residence for dinner?"
"Just ask. If they're willing to come, invite them. If they're not, then forget it. Remember to do it quietly, so as not to give anyone cause for gossip."
"Yes!" Unlike Feng Rong, Lian Yue was not talkative. She simply carried out Liu Shiyu's orders.
As soon as she finished speaking, Lian Yue leaped onto the wall and went to find Lian Xing. Watching Lian Yue's departing figure, Liu Shiyu happily picked up her wooden chopsticks, placed some raw meat on the charcoal fire, and prepared to eat while waiting for Xu Luchuan's arrival.
...
Fifteen minutes later, the dashing young man in black, carrying a huge sack, landed on the wall of the princess's residence.
"You're back? So fast." Liu Shiyu looked up at the noise and almost dropped her chopsticks in fright. "I told you to go and fetch someone, what did you bring back?"
Lian Xing didn't say anything, but walked to the pavilion and gently placed the sack on the balustrade.
He then reached up and untied the hemp rope binding his head, and Xu Luchuan's face instantly appeared before Liu Shiyu's eyes. Liu Shiyu was stunned, and as her gaze moved downwards, she was surprised to find that the fatal knot had reappeared on his body.
"Who gave you permission to tie him up like this?" Liu Shiyu demanded angrily. Lian Xing quickly apologized, "Please calm down. Master Xu is unconscious and cannot be woken up. I had no choice."
Sleepy? With such heavy dark circles under your eyes, how could you not be sleepy...?
Liu Shiyu remained silent. She turned to look at Xu Luchuan, then casually arranged the sack and placed it under his neck, trying to make him more comfortable. She didn't even think to untie him.
Turning back to sit upright and looking at Lian Xing, Liu Shiyu said in a deep voice, "This is the last time. For Lian Yue's sake, I will forgive you. If you act rashly again, I will have someone deal with you."
Lian Xing clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and Liu Shiyu casually waved his hand, "Go down."
He clasped his hands in a fist and retreated a dozen steps, until Lianxing gradually blended into the night and disappeared from sight.
The backyard returned to tranquility.
Liu Shiyu tilted her head and looked at Xu Luchuan sleeping beside her for a long time, but couldn't bear to wake him. She thought about how he hadn't woken up during the bumpy ride, so he must be really tired.
She turned around and started grilling the meat again, deliberately setting aside some for Xu Luchuan. She figured that once he woke up, she wouldn't have to wait any longer.
...
After an unknown amount of time, Xu Luchuan awoke in a hazy state. He tried to move his body, only to find himself bound by ropes and unable to move. This familiar sensation surprised him.
Until a piece of juicy pork was placed in front of him, Xu Luchuan saw Liu Shiyu's face and simply closed his eyes again.
At that moment, he was convinced that he was having an extremely terrifying nightmare.
But Liu Shiyu, living in reality, was completely bewildered. Holding the piece of pork, she asked in confusion, "Since you're awake, why are you closing your eyes? Is there something on my face?"
Xu Luchuan frowned upon hearing this.
What's going on? This scent, this tone of voice—it's all so real. If only dreams could be this vivid someday...
Liu Shiyu was stunned to see his furrowed brows. She quickly raised her hand and nudged Xu Luchuan, saying excitedly, "Xiao Lü, wake up, wake up! Are you alright? Don't scare me! Please don't die here, you can die outside if you want!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan immediately flew into a rage and stood up. He never expected Liu Shiyu to be so annoying even in his dream.
Normally, Xu Luchuan was helpless against her power, but in his dreams he could only retaliate properly. He charged forward, his face tilted back, and Liu Shiyu had no time to dodge.
The two collided heavily, leaving only two pitiful screams.
A sharp pain jolted Xu Luchuan awake instantly. "This isn't a dream!"
Liu Shiyu rubbed her head, complaining angrily, "What dream? Xu Luchuan, are you asleep? Besides, even if it was a dream, why would you bump into me in your dream?"
"It's not a dream... then why am I here?" Xu Luchuan looked around, his gaze finally settling on himself. "Liu Shiyu, what right do you have to kidnap me again? The Guangling matter is over, do you intend to repay kindness with enmity?!"
Liu Shiyu was startled as she removed the hand that was obscuring her vision.
Oh no, I forgot to untie him.
Not daring to delay for a moment, she quickly turned around and shouted, "Feng Rong, bring me a dagger!"
"well."
After hearing the order to have someone bring the sword, Feng Rong stepped into the courtyard from outside.
Seeing someone with Liu Shiyu from afar, Feng Rong quickened her pace to get a better look. Upon getting closer and recognizing Xu Luchuan, she exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, what brings Young Master Xu here?"
"Stop asking, help me untie him first." Liu Shiyu urged, and Feng Rong quickly stepped forward with a knife and cut the ropes.
Freed from his restraints, Xu Luchuan discarded the tattered hemp ropes binding him and roared furiously, "Liu Shiyu, you better explain yourself!"
"This...that..." Liu Shiyu poked at herself with her finger, unsure how to begin. Xu Luchuan, seeing her hesitation, grew impatient. "This what? That what?"
Liu Shiyu hesitated for a long time, and finally, her face turned red, and she suddenly bowed to Xu Luchuan.
"???"
Xu Luchuan was stunned. Feng Rong, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"sorry"
“I asked Lian Xing to invite you to the princess’s residence for dinner, but Lian Xing couldn’t wake you up, so he took it upon himself to tie you up and bring you here. I know I went a bit too far, but I swear I really didn’t tie you up on purpose.”
Liu Shiyu finished speaking in one breath, then patted her chest hard, exhausted.
"Finished?" Xu Luchuan asked with a gloomy face. Liu Shiyu nodded. He then straightened his robe, stood up, and stepped out of Qihua Pavilion. "I'm leaving."
Watching Xu Luchuan resolutely leave, Liu Shiyu inexplicably tried to persuade him to stay.
"Since you're already here, why don't you have some food before you leave?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com