“Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of an excuse.”Ruan Mianmian lay sprawled on Lin Zhuo’s body, giggling like a sly little fox.
“Oh?” Lin Zhuo kept his eyes closed. “Let’s hear it then.”
“You actually want to listen to me talk? I’m afraid you’ll fall asleep.”
Ruan Mianmian pouted and tugged on his arm. “I don’t believe a few cups of wine could knock you out. You were like a dragon and tiger on our wedding night. Now it’s broad daylight—what are you sleeping for? Get up and have some fun.”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
Seeing that he still refused to get up, Ruan Mianmian could only lean close to his ear and whisper, “Just now, my two sisters’ eyes were practically glued to you. Didn’t you notice?”
“So what?” Lin Zhuo’s tone was calm. He wasn’t bragging, but people staring at him was nothing new—hardly anything worth fussing about.
“So,” Ruan Mianmian continued, “if Madam asks me, I’ll tell her that the prince’s residence is a bit empty now—only one concubine in the rear court. If Madam and my sisters are willing, I can help them secure another concubine’s position…”
“You’ve got too much time on your hands, haven’t you?” Lin Zhuo suddenly opened his eyes. “You’re just itching to stir up trouble in the backyard so you can show off your abilities as princess consort? And what does this have to do with your mother?”
“Is the prince worried about me? I’m truly moved.” Ruan Mianmian clutched her chest in mock affection, successfully leaving Lin Zhuo speechless.
“Don’t worry. There are only two sisters left in the family. Even political marriages aren’t enough to go around—how could they waste one on our household?”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
“I said that just to appear weak in front of Madam,” Ruan Mianmian said proudly. “Look at it this way—by offering to share my husband for the sake of the Guogong Mansion, I show undying loyalty, right? Heaven and earth can testify to my devotion. At the same time, I show that my position in the prince’s residence is weak. You’re firm and decisive, your word is law, and I have no power to resist—so I sincerely hope a sister can come to help me. This way, I express loyalty, and also push all the blame for fetching my mother onto you. They wouldn’t dare question the prince, would they? That’s what you call killing two birds with one stone—perfect, seamless, foolproof!”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
“You just can’t forget about eating, can you? Tell me, what if the Lady Guogong actually agrees to your request?”
“Well, that’s where you come in, my lord.”Ruan Mianmian smiled ingratiatingly, drawing circles on his chest with her finger. “If Madam really is out of her mind and agrees to send one of my sisters here, then it’ll be up to you, my prince, to heroically save the day—stay loyal, stand firm, and reject them even if it means offending them.”
Lin Zhuo: “…”
“Stop calling yourself a village girl all the time. Look at you—where’s that honesty and simplicity supposed to be? You’re more like a fox spirit growing out of the hills behind the village.”
“Fox spirits have to train for years to become one. I don’t have that kind of perseverance.”
“Right, you don’t have perseverance—just a knack for getting into trouble and making me clean up the mess.”
Lin Zhuo pulled Ruan Mianmian off him and wrapped her in his arms. His princess consort was bold, wild, and defiant, but she had loyalty and principles—clear in love and hate—and he rather liked that.
“Thank you for your hard work, my lord. Tonight, come to my room and let me properly serve you as gratitude.”Ruan Mianmian whispered in his ear, her breath soft and fragrant, while her little hand roamed suggestively.
Yes—besides all her other merits, she was also quite… passionate.
Lin Zhuo said nothing, but the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.
True to her word, that afternoon when Madam Chang found a chance to speak to her privately, Ruan Mianmian timidly expressed her willingness to act as a matchmaker for her sisters. Fortunately, Madam Chang had her wits about her and decisively declined—no need for Lin Zhuo to intervene.
When leaving the estate, the two sisters uncharacteristically held her hands, reluctant to let go.
Ruan Mianmian had every reason to believe those two had eavesdropped on her talk with Madam Chang. Even though Madam had firmly refused, they must still be harboring a faint hope that she might help them bridge the gap to Lin Zhuo.
Heh! Dream on. As long as I’m around, no one’s getting a taste of my man.He’s mine.
“Your Highness, the concubine’s maid, Yuxue, has come,” said Xile, tiptoeing into the room. “She says the willow tree in the rear courtyard has sprouted new buds, and the concubine invites you to have a look.”
Lin Zhuo glanced up at him, then went back to reading. “What’s so interesting about buds? Tell me when it flowers.”
Xile: “…”What was he supposed to say to that? He’d never even heard of a willow tree blooming.
But the prince’s meaning was clear enough, so Xile went out and politely conveyed it to Yuxue.
Seeing her walk away disappointed, the young eunuch shrugged.Why bother? The other day when His Highness visited, she tried to play hard to get. As if she could fool him! Feeding rabbits, really—how ridiculous. There weren’t even any rabbits in the back garden. The princess, on the other hand, actually had a whole courtyard full of sparrows. They ate their fill and flew away, leaving the maids to spend all of yesterday cleaning up the mess of droppings.
Just as he was thinking that, a guard hurried into the courtyard. Xile greeted him quickly. “Lord Han, you’re back? Do you wish to see His Highness?”
Han Hu raised his head and smiled. “Of course. Please inform His Highness.”
Before Xile could move, a voice came from inside the study: “Come in.”
Han Hu entered quickly, saluted, and bowed. Lin Zhuo set aside his book and asked calmly,“The princess sent you to the countryside for something—what exactly was it?”
“Nothing valuable, my lord. Just a sack of sweet potatoes—the villagers call them digua. They were brought over from the West many years ago. Now they’re eaten in the capital too, though they’re not considered elegant food. The price isn’t cheap either, so only the middle-class or wealthy families buy them for novelty.”
After receiving the sack, Han Hu had investigated thoroughly so he could report back.
“She likes eating that?” Lin Zhuo asked with some surprise. “Don’t we have any in the residence? She had to go all the way to the countryside?”
“Afraid not, Your Highness,” Han Hu replied. “I made inquiries—seems we really don’t. It’s not a prestigious food, and though it’s sold in the capital, it’s rare. I don’t know how the princess managed to get such a large sack in the village—over twenty catties, easily.”
Lin Zhuo thought for a moment, then waved his hand. “Alright, you may go.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After Han Hu left, Lin Zhuo rose and said to Xile, “Didn’t you just say the willow trees have sprouted buds? Come, let’s go to Anlexuan and take a look.”
Xile: “…”“Well, yes, but… Your Highness, that message came from Qinghuige.”
Lin Zhuo stopped walking. A moment later, his expression didn’t change as he said, “So what? Anlexuan has more willow trees. Maybe the leaves there have already grown.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Xile nearly burst out laughing.How amusing—by that logic, wherever there are more willows, they sprout earlier. In that case, the imperial garden must already be filled with drifting catkins.
(End of Chapter)