CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 63: AT ODDS

The next day, as usual, Lu Qing left the mansion early in the morning, while Zhu Yu, having had breakfast alone, found herself at a loose end. She went into the study to look for books to pass the time, but hadn’t been there long before she heard a commotion outside.

The Prince’s Mansion was sparsely populated and usually very quiet. When had it ever been this lively?

Curious, Zhu Yu stepped out of the study and saw Mrs. Zhao cheerfully directing the small number of household servants, busily moving things inside.

"Mrs. Zhao, what are you moving?" She felt something was off; they weren’t placing the items in the front, but were moving everything to the back courtyard instead.

Seeing Zhu Yu come out from the study, Mrs. Zhao quickly approached with a broad smile: "Madam, I was just about to look for you!

Just now, the Prince had the talisman team bring back a lot of things, telling me to arrange for them to be moved to the empty room in the back courtyard. He said, since Madam stays home often, he’s afraid you’ll get bored and lonely, so he gathered many things from outside to help you pass the time!"

As if afraid the Madam was too slow to catch on, Mrs. Zhao lowered her voice, eyes twinkling as she said to Zhu Yu: "Madam, I’ve been in the Prince’s Mansion for years, and I’ve never seen the Prince be so considerate and thorough for anyone before!

This must have taken a lot of effort!"

Zhu Yu gritted her teeth and returned Mrs. Zhao’s words with a faint smile.

Effort my foot! In her view, Lu Qing was clearly being malicious.

The man was definitely trying to mess with her!

Zhu Yu went to look at the once-empty room and saw that Lu Qing had really gone all out! The room was filled with the so-called "Eight Elegances" of women—"Qin, chess, books, paintings, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea"—and he had managed to bring almost everything related to these back.

Here were twenty-four tea utensils piled up, and over there, there were guqins and pipas.

Just as Zhu Yu was looking around at what else was there, a few servants came in huffing and puffing, carrying an embroidery frame...

Mrs. Zhao paced excitedly at the door, anyone would think these things had been bestowed upon her by Lu Qing.

She knew she was not mistaken!

Before the Prince’s marriage, people outside said that whoever married Prince Xiaoyao was the unluckiest woman in the world, bound to become a lonely, resentful wife.

It was said that people outside even started a betting pool, wagering on whether the Prince would sneak out to Yunyin Pavilion on his wedding night; everyone bet on "he would".

But the servant who went out shopping was from the mansion, and knowing the Prince treated his staff well, he got angry and bet all his silver on "he wouldn’t".

On the wedding night, the Prince indeed stayed in the mansion, which not only embarrassed the outsiders but also made the servant a small fortune, his lips couldn’t stop grinning for days.

Since then, Mrs. Zhao felt that the Prince surely had different feelings for this Princess from Shuo Country.

Just look at this room full of treasures!

The newly sent Wind Listening Bottle alone was a rare treasure—the body was light, thin, and translucent; a priceless gem.

It was said that when placed on a shelf, a gentle breeze would make it sway without toppling and emit a melodic sound that was highly sought after by the wealthy and noblewomen of the Capital.

If a family acquired such a prized item, they’d have the servants send invitations all around, selecting a day to invite ladies over for tea and to admire the bottle.

And for the Prince to bring this back for the Madam, what thoughtful consideration!

As Mrs. Zhao marveled inwardly, she glanced at Zhu Yu who was silently staring at the embroidery frame, feeling nothing but dismay.

Indeed, Shuo Country must be a rough place; even the daughter of Prince Shuo didn’t recognize such treasures, ignoring all the good things for a plain embroidery frame.

That evening, Lu Qing unusually stayed in the mansion for dinner. Mrs. Zhao, tactful as ever, set the table and withdrew.

Neither the Prince nor the Princess liked being served during meals, so the time alone was reserved just for the two of them.

Zhu Yu ate in silence, and Lu Qing said nothing either, until Zhu Yu finished her bowl, set her chopsticks down, and was just about to excuse herself when Lu Qing spoke.

"A few days ago, Madam drove away all the butterflies in the house. Perhaps you were really bored. I thought it over and realized that was my oversight. So, during these few days, I collected some of the more common pastimes of the ladies in the Capital for you, Madam, to spend your time in the mansion.

Is there anything among them that you fancy? If not, I can send someone to continue looking tomorrow."

"No need, no need. These are enough to last me for a while," Zhu Yu quickly waved her hand, feeling guilty knowing that the haul in that room could have fed an ordinary family for years.

"Oh? Does Madam have a particular interest?" Lu Qing slowly set his chopsticks down, engagingly continuing the conversation.

What? Do you want me to perform some talents now?

Zhu Yu wondered to herself but maintained a calm exterior as she replied, "I do quite like the guqin, but since I’m not skilled in it, I had to give up."

"Oh?" Lu Qing raised an eyebrow, amusement deepening in his eyes, "Well, isn’t that fortuitous? Not that I’m boasting, but I have some minor accomplishments in that area. I’ll have someone fetch some guqin scores for you to study, and if there’s anything unclear, I can personally teach you."

"Hehe... Prince, your duties keep you busy; there’s no need to trouble you with such trivial matters. I’ll just figure it out," Zhu Yu deliberately reverted to using formal language to handle the intimacy in Lu Qing’s tone.

If it was carelessness before, doing it again would just be foolish.

Zhu Yu prided herself on a cool head. Given her current relationship with Lu Qing, he likely had no romantic feelings for her. Every time he suddenly flirted using his charming looks, it was invariably to make her panic, causing her to make mistakes and achieve his purpose.

Last time, she unintentionally mentioned his reluctance to discuss his family’s massacre. This time, she wagered he wanted to catch her out and prove she wasn’t interested in those objects and couldn’t stay cooped up at home.

Of course, this time was her own fault too, forgetting about his priceless guqins in the study and his famed musical skills, and saying something so close to his area of expertise!