Chapter 3 Passing the House
Chapter Summary: Xu Luchuan is in deep trouble.
"What kind of lover is coming to your door?"
"Who? Xu Luchuan? Feng Rong, don't joke with me. In this Jinling City, anyone could pretend to be my lover, but Xu Luchuan is impossible. I'm not going. Let go of my hand now, I'm going to have my meal."
Liu Shiyu was now completely focused on enjoying the delicious roasted meat; she had no interest in finding a fake lover, especially since the other party was Xu Luchuan.
But Feng Rong was not giving up and held on tightly.
Because she knew that if Liu Shiyu didn't take it seriously, and if Princess Shouyang really came to Jinling in person, the princess's residence would definitely be turned upside down. At that time, given Liu Shijin's rascal nature, even if the young emperor spoke up, it wouldn't save Liu Shiyu.
"How do you know it's impossible if you don't try? Given Young Master Xu's previous temperament, it would definitely be impossible. But now... didn't you say he's become gentle, refined, handsome, and dashing? Maybe he'll agree? Besides, Young Master Xu injured you today, so isn't it only right that he apologize to you?"
Feng Rong argued his case based on reason.
Taking advantage of her inattention, Liu Shiyu broke free from her restraints and led Le Xin quickly toward Xiaoyuezhai.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. Just give up on that idea."
Seeing this, Feng Rong put her hands on her hips and called out loudly to Liu Shiyu, who was running away into the distance, "I went to Zui Qun Fang today and finally managed to buy their new plum wine. I wonder if anyone wants to try it?"
Liu Shiyu was suddenly startled and stopped inside Xiaoyuezhai.
Le Xin turned around and saw Liu Shiyu behind him with his head hanging down in dejection, but before he could react, Liu Shiyu suddenly raised his eyes, his expression changed drastically, and said in a serious voice: "Le Xin, go and bring the person into the mansion."
Feng Rong's tactic against Liu Shiyu had proven consistently effective. She stood in the courtyard, smiling smugly. Le Xin shook her head helplessly; after all, Feng Rong was Liu Shiyu's maid who had been by her side since childhood, and probably only she in the entire mansion dared to "bully" Liu Shiyu like this.
Slowly withdrawing his gaze, Le Xin cupped his hands and went ahead to the gate to invite someone.
Liu Shiyu lifted the hem of her skirt with high spirits, determined to win over Xu Luchuan today, even if it was just for a pot of plum wine.
But before she could take a step, Feng Rong interrupted her again: "Wait, Your Highness, is this how you plan to see your lover? Come, come, let me take you to change your clothes."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shiyu was on the verge of tears and complained, "So troublesome? Is it too late for me to back out now?"
"Of course." Feng Rong smiled and took Liu Shiyu's arm. "It's too late!"
...
Outside the mansion gate, Shanghe Street was deserted.
Xu Luchuan stood alone, gazing resentfully at the gate of the princess's residence, his face radiating misfortune.
Xu Luchuan wondered if he was having a bad day, since he had just sworn to have nothing more to do with Liu Shiyu. Then Bai Tao sent him to deliver official documents to her.
Clutching the official document from the Court of Justice, Xu Luchuan swore in his heart again: Tomorrow! From tomorrow onwards, this young master will never have anything to do with Liu Shiyu again.
Xu Luchuan, despite having sworn an oath, was still not satisfied and had just raised his hand to punch the doorpost when the door was slowly opened.
Le Xin stepped through the door, their eyes meeting. Xu Luchuan's hand hovered in mid-air, somewhat at a loss. He could only awkwardly mutter to himself: "Damn it, running into Liu Shiyu is always bad luck."
Seeing this, Le Xin asked softly, "Young Master Xu, what's wrong?"
Xu Luchuan gritted his teeth and replied, "Perhaps it's because I've been standing for too long; my hands are a little sore. I'll stretch them out."
"Master, are you here to retrieve official documents for His Highness? Here are the documents; I'll take my leave now."
For the first time in eight years, Xu Luchuan disregarded all gentlemanly decorum, hastily handing over the official document. His only thought was to escape this wretched princess's residence as quickly as possible.
Le Xin lowered the official document in his hand, squinted and smiled, "Young Master Xu, no rush. The Princess invites you to her residence for a chat, so I'll trouble you to personally hand over the document to Her Highness."
"A visit to his residence?" So it turns out Liu Shiyu wasn't disciplining him in front of everyone today because he was waiting here. This is exactly the same Liu Shiyu described in those rumors—cunning and treacherous.
“Young Master Xu, what are you doing?” Le Xin turned around and stepped back into the doorway. “Come with me.”
Xu Luchuan hesitated, staring at the half-open gate. But seeing that he was doomed, he steeled himself, straightened his robes, and stepped into the princess's residence.
He thought that tonight, he might as well fight Liu Shiyu to the death.
...
After leading the people to the front hall, Le Xin withdrew.
Xu Luchuan had no desire to sit down, and instead stood in the hall, scanning the elegant and refined furnishings. His gaze then fell upon the white hydrangeas planted outside the corridor, their fragrance quite rich. He couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
He hadn't expected that Liu Shiyu had developed some taste now. She was no longer like she had been in her youth, only interested in rich, luxurious, and extravagant things.
Xu Luchuan still remembered that Liu Shiyu always painted her fair face to look like a peach. Therefore, whenever he saw her, he couldn't help but tease and joke with her.
"Your Highness, please take your time."
Xu Luchuan was pondering when he heard the sound and turned around.
Over there, Liu Shiyu, dressed in a simple pink and white apricot blossom embroidered dress, was being helped into the front hall by Feng Rong, who was holding a handkerchief to her forehead.
Liu Shiyu hurriedly walked past Xu Luchuan, not daring to even glance at him, which made Xu Luchuan even more suspicious.
Once everyone was seated comfortably in their positions, Xu Luchuan pretended to be calm and said, "This humble subject greets the Princess."
Liu Shiyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, put down the warm handkerchief in his hand, and immediately put on his usual dignified demeanor, lowering his eyes and saying, "Where is the official document from the Court of Justice? Bring it here."
Xu Luchuan stepped forward and placed the official document on the table. When he looked up, his gaze fell on Liu Shiyu's red forehead.
This made him suddenly change his mind and decide to take the initiative and retreat in order to advance. "I never expected that my unintentional act today would hurt Your Highness so badly. I am truly ashamed."
Liu Shiyu looked at Xu Luchuan and it took her a while to react.
She thought she would be fine after returning; the redness on her forehead was from the handkerchief she had used earlier. It was all Feng Rong's fault for coming up with that wicked idea, saying that if she looked more seriously injured, Xu Luchuan would feel guilty and soften his heart, and the matter would be half settled.
But isn't this clearly a lie?
Liu Shiyu was tongue-tied and didn't know how to explain, so he thought he could smooth things over. Unexpectedly, he said, "It's nothing, it's just not as bad as the last time Master Xu hit me."
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan was stunned. Now he was convinced that Liu Shiyu had summoned him to settle old scores.
Thinking this, Xu Luchuan unconsciously stared at Liu Shiyu, muttering to himself: "Fine, I didn't expect it to take so long. You still won't let me go. Liu Shiyu, you truly are a petty and vindictive person!"
Liu Shiyu noticed that Xu Luchuan was staring at her, and hesitated to reach out for the official document.
Sitting quietly with her eyes lowered, Liu Shiyu was puzzled. Had she said something wrong? But she didn't seem to have said anything wrong either. Could it be that Xu Luchuan knew what she was thinking...? No, she hadn't said anything at all.
Feng Rong watched Liu Shiyu, who was in a daze, and really didn't know what her beloved Princess was thinking. Where had her usual decisive and uncompromising attitude gone? Why did she become so meek when she saw this Second Young Master Xu?
Feng Rong had no choice but to break the deadlock first.
"Your Highness, please look at the official document."
"Young Master Xu, please have a seat."
Feng Rong deftly picked up the official document from the table and handed it to Liu Shiyu. She then turned to look at Xu Luchuan, her actions and words flowing seamlessly, a truly perfect performance.
Xu Luchuan finally recovered and stopped talking, turning around to sit down in a seat. Liu Shiyu also took the opportunity to quickly look through the official documents sent by the Court of Justice.
Liu Shiyu read the official document and learned that Li Xi, a former subordinate of the Prince of Ling, had appeared in Guangling. Bai Tao wanted to take advantage of the summer solstice to arrest him.
It was something Bai Tao could have decided himself, yet he insisted on making her send someone. Liu Shiyu was helpless. This Bai Tao, he couldn't bear to send someone on a errand during his time off, so he made her take the blame. And sending someone to such a far place as Guangling...
Wait a minute? Guangling?
Liu Shiyu was unsure, so she picked up the document and took another look.
It really is Guangling! I never imagined that Heaven would open its eyes today, not only personally delivering people to my doorstep, but even coming up with a pretext for Xu Luchuan to go to Guangling.
Liu Shiyu felt as if she had been given divine assistance; this fake lover could only be Xu Luchuan. But in her excitement, she accidentally blurted out, "I wonder if Mr. Xu would be willing to be my male consort?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com