Chapter 10 Settling In
Chapter Summary: I couldn't help but shed tears for such love.
The person opened the door upon hearing the sound.
Liu Shiyu glanced up and saw a handsome young man in white robes carrying a tray stepping through the door.
This person was quite different from the other drunkards who had just passed out on the ground. Just looking at the gentle and refined look in his eyes, even Liu Shiyu, who was supposed to be "not interested in men," couldn't help but take a second look.
Xu Luchuan sat to the side, observing Liu Shiyu's naive and unsophisticated demeanor. He picked up a cup of tea and offered it to her, saying, "Have some tea."
"I'm not thirsty." Liu Shiyu didn't understand her meaning and refused without even turning her head.
Upon hearing this, Xu Luchuan's smile instantly froze on his face. He insisted that Liu Shiyu drink the tea, saying, "No, you're thirsty."
Liu Shiyu turned around in confusion, but when she saw Xu Luchuan's strange expression, she quickly said, "My lord, you are kind enough to ask. I am indeed a little thirsty."
The elegant young man placed the hangover soup next to Liu Shijin, then turned to greet Liu Shiyu: "Greetings to the Princess Protector of the Nation, greetings to my lord."
He glanced at the drunken Liu Shijin beside him and continued, "Your Highness, last night we were supposed to celebrate the summer solstice, and a few of us drank and recited poetry until midnight. I didn't expect that we would still be drunk at this hour. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"It's alright." Liu Shiyu slowly put down her teacup. "But why didn't you drink with them?"
"I don't drink alcohol," the man said with a slight smile. Seeing this, Liu Shijin, who was pretending to be drunk, worried that Liu Shiyu might make things difficult for him, and softly called out, "Junjun~"
Upon hearing Liu Shijin speak, the man quickly turned around and walked towards her.
He reached out and gently helped the person up, holding a bowl of hangover soup, and said with concern, "Your Highness, here. Drink this hangover soup and you won't feel so bad anymore."
"Junjun, sit down." Liu Shijin smiled and moved closer to the soft couch. "I want you to feed me."
Liu Shijin acted with complete impunity, while the man seemed somewhat embarrassed in front of so many people.
Xu Luchuan glanced at Liu Shiyu subconsciously, but to his surprise, she sat upright, staring straight ahead with an indifferent expression. In fact, although Liu Shiyu appeared calm and composed, she was already marveling at the man's gentleness.
She wondered why Xiao Lü, who appeared noble and refined, was such a stubborn and unpleasant rock, even though they were both men.
Liu Shijin knew he was in a difficult position, but she still patted the seat next to her and said, "What are you afraid of? We're all family. Junjun, please sit down."
Once Princess Shouyang spoke, the man could no longer refuse and had no choice but to sit down beside her. As he drank the hangover soup she fed him, Liu Shijin remembered to introduce the man before him to Liu Shiyu.
"Xiao Wu, this is Jun Yu. He is a painter with excellent skills in calligraphy and painting. When you leave, your elder sister will give you a painting to take back with you."
Looking at Xu Luchuan again, Liu Shijin whispered, "I'll give you one too."
Did Xu Luchuan care about her small reward? But he still had to smile and reply, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Your Highness and my lord, please do not listen to your excessive praise. I am merely a person of limited talent and learning, and it is only because of Your Highness's appreciation that I have been able to achieve this. I am truly unworthy of such praise." Jun Yu was very pleased with Liu Shijin's generous praise, but he still dared not be presumptuous and remained humble.
Observing the harmonious interaction between the two, Liu Shiyu realized that Jun Yu was different from the other male concubines.
He showed no trace of servility or worldly airs; rather, he seemed more like the master of this place. Liu Shiyu felt something was amiss, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. She touched the beaded bracelet on her wrist, remaining silent.
After finishing the hangover soup, Liu Shijin wiped her mouth with the handkerchief Junyu handed her and said, "Xiao Wu, it's getting late and we don't have time to prepare anything. Let's just have the kitchen prepare something simple for lunch. Then, in the evening, your elder sister can have someone prepare your favorite roasted meat, okay?"
Roasted meat? Ever since Xu Luchuan made her eat that roasted meat yesterday, Liu Shiyu probably doesn't want to hear those two words again for a while.
She hurriedly refused, but unexpectedly, she and Xu Luchuan spoke in unison.
"Your Highness, there's no need for that."
"Elder sister, there's no need to trouble yourself."
Upon hearing this, Liu Shijin turned to look at Jun Yu with a puzzled expression, but Jun Yu simply smiled and shook his head.
Liu Shijin reached out and grabbed the round fan beside the couch, asking in confusion, "Why is this? Didn't you used to love roasted meat the most? How come your taste in men has changed, and even your taste in food has changed?"
Liu Shiyu glanced back at Xu Luchuan.
Xu Luchuan, quick-witted, replied, "Your Highness misunderstands. Ayu has probably been traveling a long distance these past two days and has not had a good appetite. She probably can't eat such greasy food as roasted meat. Please just prepare something simple; there's no need to trouble yourself."
“That’s how it is,” Liu Shiyu echoed.
Liu Shijin nodded upon hearing this, casually placing her hand on her chin, and smiled with narrowed eyes, "In that case, I'll have the kitchen prepare some light food. But we still need to hold this welcoming banquet. I still have many things I want to say to Young Master Xu."
Xu Luchuan didn't understand what Liu Shijin was up to, so he could only bite the bullet and reply, "Yes."
...
Afterwards, the group continued chatting in Baochunzhai for more than an hour. It wasn't until Qiu Shibai came to report at noon that they left the room together and went to Juhezhai for their meal.
When it was over, Liu Shijin instructed Qiu Shibai and Liu Shiyu to rest and settle down, then turned around, took Junyu's arm, and left without looking back.
Standing beside Liu Shiyu, watching them leave, Xu Luchuan gritted his teeth and muttered, "It doesn't seem like she forced you to come at all. Liu Shiyu, what exactly are you plotting?"
"No," Liu Shiyu replied seriously, but Xu Luchuan was unconvinced. "Heh, we'll see. I won't fall for your tricks again."
Liu Shiyu, with a "Are you alright?" expression, turned to look at Xu Luchuan. Unfortunately, Qiu Shibai, who had finished arranging the internal affairs, came over, and Liu Shiyu quickly turned her head back.
Qiu Shibai stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I have arranged accommodations for you in the backyard. Please come in."
Liu Shiyu nodded, her steps becoming noticeably lighter at the thought of finally sleeping on Zhang's big, soft bed and no longer having to lie on that dirty, hard floor.
Xu Luchuan followed closely behind, also letting out a sigh of relief. Living in a separate room from Liu Shiyu meant he couldn't sleep soundly, and even bathing was no longer a nerve-wracking experience.
The two men, each with their own agenda, were eager to find a good room first, and their steps quickened as they went. Before they knew it, they had left Qiu Shibai, who was leading the way, behind.
"Your Highness? Young Master? Where are you two going? The backyard is this way."
Qiu Shibai called out urgently from behind, and Liu Shiyu and Xu Luchuan stopped awkwardly upon hearing the call.
Liu Shiyu, quick-witted, looked at the blooming azaleas beside her and said, "Look, the azaleas in my elder sister's mansion are blooming beautifully."
"Mm." Xu Luchuan nodded in agreement. Then he reached out and pulled Liu Shiyu around, saying, "If you like it, then after we're settled, I'll come out with you to take a good look at these azaleas."
Liu Shiyu's gaze swept across Xu Luchuan's pale face, and she was caught off guard by the sudden "hand-holding." She did not resist, letting him pull her back to Qiu Shibai.
Looking up at Qiu Shibai, Xu Luchuan slowly released Liu Shiyu and said, "Master, please lead the way."
Qiu Shibai stood rooted to the spot. He hadn't expected the two to be so deeply in love. It was true that even the coldest, most indifferent person would find boundless tenderness in the presence of their beloved. He couldn't help but shed tears for such love.
They were indeed a perfect match.
Seeing that the person in front of him did not answer, Xu Luchuan asked again, "Master?"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shibai finally came to his senses and quickly said, "I'm sorry, please come with me."
Thus, the group hurried towards the backyard.
Qiu Shibai led them to a stop in front of Jingming Hall. Looking up at the exceptionally exquisite yet very small courtyard, Liu Shiyu looked troubled: "Is there... only one room here?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Qiu Shibai lowered his eyes. "Jingming Hall was specially chosen by His Highness Shouyang for you and your husband. Do you have any concerns?"
Liu Shiyu's displeasure was written all over his face, and Xu Luchuan stared at the plaque of Jingming Hall without saying a word.
Just as Liu Shiyu was about to ask Qiu Shibai to change rooms, Lian Yue, who had gone in to scout ahead, came out from inside the room and whispered something in her ear.
Liu Shiyu immediately changed her mind and said, "It's nothing. Elder sister is so kind. Please thank you on my behalf."
Xu Luchuan looked at Liu Shiyu in disbelief. He had been waiting for her to speak first. Unexpectedly, she agreed. Something seemed amiss! But before Xu Luchuan could say anything, Liu Shiyu spoke first: "You can go now. We'll settle in ourselves."
"Yes, Your Highness, please feel free to give any instructions." Qiu Shibai tactfully withdrew.
Xu Luchuan held back his words until Liu Shiyu had already turned and entered Jingming Hall.
Inside Jingming Hall, Liu Shiyu stood with her back to the door. The afternoon light streaming in shone on the hem of her skirt. She spoke in a deep voice, "Xu Luchuan, if you don't come in soon, you might as well sleep on the porch tonight."
Sleeping on the porch?
Xu Luchuan sneered, clenched his fists, and stood tall with unyielding pride before stepping into the house. He wanted to see what tricks this despicable woman, Liu Shiyu, was up to this time!
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