Chapter 28 Willing to be a concubine
Lou Jin felt that Liu Yunxu was just an air thing that had moved in, and at first he could ignore her.
However, these past two days, whenever he and Ye Xunyang were playing chess or strolling in the garden, this young lady would always suddenly appear and interrupt them, then find a bunch of excuses to take Ye Xunyang away.
Lou Jin's hand, which was holding a chess piece, froze in mid-air. Looking at Ye Xunyang, who had been taken away once again, he finally understood.
This is no coincidence; it's clearly a scheme.
He originally didn't want to argue with a woman, but intercepting someone so blatantly was really going too far.
Since she wouldn't listen to reason, he shouldn't blame him for being ruthless.
The next morning, the steward led two old women to Liu Yunxu's courtyard.
"His Highness has instructed that since Miss Liu is staying here as a guest, she should abide by the rules of the Prince's residence."
"From today onwards, young lady, you must personally pick dew to brew tea every day. This is a courtesy of the Prince's Palace when entertaining guests."
As the weather gets colder, Liu Yunxu gets up before dawn and, in the garden where a thin layer of ice has formed, uses a jade bowl to collect the frozen morning dew, leaf by leaf.
Lou Jin also instructed that she should not be treated too well in terms of food and clothing.
Within two days, Liu Yunxu looked like a flower struck by frost, visibly withering away.
Lou Jin watched from afar, feeling no pleasure, only that she should back down.
But he didn't expect that this seemingly weak woman had a stubborn streak deep down.
She's gotten smarter. Instead of interrupting Ye Xunyang and Lou Jin when they're together, she goes to Ye Xunyang when he's alone and asks him to do this or that for her.
That evening, Lou Jin sat upright behind his desk, holding a book in his hand, but his gaze did not fall on the words.
Wang Quan, standing in the room, replied, "Your Highness, a servant has come to report that this afternoon, while Miss Liu and her personal maid were strolling in the garden, she personally said to the maid..."
"say what?"
"She said she harbored feelings of love for the princess, who was a rare and fine young man. She was willing to be a concubine if she could stay by the princess's side."
With a "crack," the fine wolf-hair brush in Lou Jin's hand snapped in two.
Ink splattered onto the snow-white Xuan paper, quickly spreading into a blotchy stain.
Is this considered a declaration of war against him?
Not content with getting rid of Shen Yelan, another one, Liu Yunxu, arrived.
Ye Xunyang, Ye Xunyang, why are you like Tang Sanzang, everyone has their eyes on you?
"Your Highness." Qingshan entered quietly, his face showing difficulty.
"The Princess sent someone to say that Miss Liu is feeling a bit down. He wants to spend more time talking to her, but it will probably take a long time. So he won't be coming over tonight. Please rest early, Your Highness."
The air in the study seemed to freeze instantly, the pressure so low it was hard to breathe.
Lou Jin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had hinted at it several times, and even made things difficult for him both openly and secretly.
Liu Yunxu still has the audacity to stay at the Prince's mansion, and now she has even managed to steal Ye Xunyang away from him.
He couldn't take it anymore.
"Shanlan." Lou Jin's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a calm that seemed to foreshadow an impending storm.
"Your subordinate is here."
"Go and invite the princess back. Tell her that my old illness has relapsed and I am suffering from severe chest pain, and that the princess must come immediately."
He didn't want to argue with Ye Xunyang; that fool simply didn't understand the intricate thoughts of a daughter, and arguing would be pointless.
But he had ways to get Ye Xunyang back to his side on his own.
After all, he was indeed so angry that his chest hurt.
"Yes!" Shan Lan accepted the order and instantly disappeared into the darkness.
Lou Jin dismissed Wang Quan and sat alone in his wheelchair, gazing at the flickering candlelight with eyes as deep and unfathomable as a pool.
Ye Xunyang was sitting in the small flower hall in Liu Yunxu's courtyard, listening absentmindedly to his cousin rambling on about the scenery of Jiangnan and trivial matters at home.
He had actually wanted to leave for a long time.
I've gotten into the habit of going to Lou Jin's place every night to check on him. Even if we don't talk, just being there makes me feel at ease.
Moreover, Lou Jin's health had just improved, and he was always worried that it might relapse.
But Liu Yunxu kept pulling him along, her eyes red, saying that she was unfamiliar with the capital and only had her cousin as a relative to rely on, making it hard for him to harden his heart and leave.
Just as he was pondering what excuse to make to get away, steady footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
Shan Lan appeared at the door with her unchanging icy face, bowed to Ye Xunyang, and spoke in her usual cold voice, but with an undeniable urgency.
"Your Highness, His Highness has suddenly experienced severe chest pain and looks very unwell. Please come to him immediately."
"What?!" Ye Xunyang suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically.
"Why the sudden heart pain? You were perfectly fine this afternoon. Have you summoned the royal physician?"
He fired off a barrage of questions as he strode out, instantly forgetting all about Liu Yunxu behind him.
"The royal physician has been summoned, but it seems the prince... only wants to see you," Shan Lan added in a flat tone as she followed him.
Ye Xunyang's heart tightened, and he became even more anxious. He almost ran towards the main courtyard, forgetting to even turn back and say goodbye to Liu Yunxu.
Liu Yunxu watched Ye Xunyang leave without hesitation, without even glancing back at her. The word "cousin" stuck in her throat. She stomped her foot in anger, but there was nothing she could do.
Ye Xunyang rushed into the main bedroom like a gust of wind. He saw Lou Jin leaning against the headboard, his face as pale as paper, one hand tightly clutching his chest, his brows furrowed, and his breathing slightly rapid. He looked like he was in great pain.
"Your Highness!" Ye Xunyang rushed to the bedside, his voice trembling, "How are you? Where does it hurt? Where is the imperial physician? Why hasn't he arrived yet!"
He subconsciously reached out to check Lou Jin's pulse, but Lou Jin grabbed his wrist with his other hand.
Lou Jin's hands were icy cold, but his grip was strong, making Ye Xunyang feel a little pain.
"I didn't know you would feel uncomfortable. If I had known, I would have come over long ago! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have stayed with Yunxu for so long."
Lou Jin looked at the genuine anxiety and self-reproach on his face, and his anger subsided slightly.
Using his illness as an excuse, he pulled Ye Xunyang's hand closer, almost touching his heart, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance and dependence.
"Don't go, stay with me..."
"I'm not leaving, I'll stay here with you."
Ye Xunyang immediately made a promise and sat down on the edge of the bed, letting Lou Jin hold his hand.
Yes, that's it.
He is Ye Xunyang's rightful husband, the person she should care for and accompany.
What right does that clueless cousin have to steal his attention?
The royal physician rushed over and, after taking the prince's pulse, felt that although the pulse was weak, it was not much different from usual.
Seeing the prince's pained expression and the princess's tense face, she dared not say much, only prescribed some calming and pain-relieving medicine and told him to rest well.
After feeding Lou Jin the medicine, Ye Xunyang saw that he seemed to feel a little better, and then he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your Highness, are you feeling better?" he asked softly.
"Hmm..." Lou Jin responded softly, still holding his hand tightly, his tone tinged with weariness.
"You're tired, let's take a rest."
"Okay, you go to sleep, I'll stay with you," Ye Xunyang said quickly.
"You come up too." Lou Jin moved over to make room, his tone natural but not brooking any refusal.
Looking at Lou Jin's pale and fragile face, Ye Xunyang could no longer utter the words of refusal.
He had no choice but to take off his outer robe and lie down as instructed, trying to keep his distance so as not to bump into Lou Jin.
However, as soon as he lay down, Lou Jin's arm came across and gently placed on his waist, pulling him closer to him.
Ye Xunyang froze: "Your Highness?"
"Cold..." Lou Jin closed his eyes, his voice muffled, as if it were just an unconscious action.
Ye Xunyang immediately froze. Thinking that it was common for patients to be weak and afraid of the cold, he relaxed and let Lou Jin hold him.
Listening to Lou Jin's gradually even breathing, he slowly became sleepy and fell into a deep sleep.
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