There was once a consort from the grasslands in the palace who was very close to the Empress Dowager. She often prepared hometown delicacies for her, so he had tasted milk tea once before.
It was savory and even had beef in it.
It didn’t quite suit Xiao Chengyan’s taste.
But seeing the young lady’s sparkling anticipation, he couldn’t bear to refuse. He took the spoon and had a taste.
Unexpectedly, it was sweet but not cloying.
The glutinous rice balls were very chewy, and he could indeed detect a floral aroma! Paired with the milk, it was even more delightful!
Just as Lin Nong had said, having a warm bowl after returning from outside was truly comforting.
“Nong’er’s skills are excellent. This Wangye is fortunate to enjoy such a novel soup drink as soon as he returns.”
Lin Nong’s beautiful eyes sparkled, like a little child being praised, brimming with pride.
Noticing a drop of milk tea at the corner of his mouth, she very naturally wiped it away.
The moment their skin touched, Xiao Chengyan felt the slight coolness of her hand, like a strange electric current that jolted his heart.
He froze.
Instinctively, he wondered if the young woman had done it on purpose.
But she appeared completely natural, as if she had merely done a trivial thing that was to be expected. She turned around, picked up the tongs from the ground, parted the charcoal fire, and dug out the chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and taro that were simmering beneath.
“Has Wangye tried these before?”
Xiao Chengyan, having grown up in the royal family, had every meal and drink attended to by dedicated servants.
He had seen such folk eating methods during his official travels but had never tried them.
“Never.”
Yi Ran deftly scooped out a few pieces of taro.
Lin Nong then placed sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce in front of the man for him to dip the food in.
Xiao Chengyan was skeptical—could this really taste good?
But he couldn’t resist trying.
To his surprise, the texture and flavor were unexpectedly delicious, especially when dipped in sugar!
Lin Nong then split the sweet potato, which had been roasted until syrup oozed out, in half and handed it to him wrapped in a clean silk cloth.
Xiao Chengyan followed her instructions and scooped out the flesh to eat.
The sweet flavor instantly filled his mouth, completely different from the fragrant softness of the taro but equally delicious.
Lin Nong rested her chin on her hands, her small face glowing. “If Wangye gives Nong’er ice, Nong’er can make you a refreshing iced drink that will be as stunning as the milk tea!”
Xiao Chengyan glanced at her with a smile. “So this is where you were leading me?”
Lin Nong gazed at him with pleading eyes.
Xiao Chengyan made the final decision: “Wait until summer.”
Lin Nong pouted slightly and let out a delicate, coquettish hum. “Wangye is just like Elder Brother, leaving no room for discussion! I won’t give you any more to eat!”
She took away the sweet potatoes and taro but accidentally knocked over the teacup.
The tea splashed all over Xiao Chengyan.
Lin Nong was startled. She wanted to wipe it off but was afraid he would misunderstand her as doing it on purpose, even though she had indeed done it intentionally.
Her hands paused in mid-air, unsure of what to do. Finally, she retreated several steps and looked at him apologetically. “Wangye…”
Xiao Chengyan didn’t mind. “The tea isn’t hot, it’s fine.”
However, his light purple robes were soaked with tea, turning them dark purple—and in that particular area. Not changing clothes would be somewhat improper.
Fortunately, he had stayed at Changning Hall before, so there were spare clothes for him.
He then ordered a bath and a change of clothes.
As if remembering something, Lin Nong gently called out to stop him. “Wangye, it’s already quite late. You should go to Wangfei’s place! Wangfei must have been eagerly awaiting your return after your busy days away!”
She twisted her handkerchief, anxious about her oversight.
She half-crouched in a curtsy.
“Just now Nong’er was thoughtless, being so focused on sharing delicious food with Wangye that I ended up keeping Wangye here until this late hour.”
Xiao Chengyan frowned.
He was their husband, the master of this princely residence. Where he went or where he stayed was his own decision to make! He shouldn’t have to cater to someone just because they were angry or upset!
Lin Nong was the daughter of a Minister and had been bestowed upon him by the Empress Dowager’s decree, so it was only right to treat her well.
If A Li were to throw a tantrum just because he had visited Lin Nong first and bathed in Changning Hall, that would be utterly unreasonable!
“It’s fine. A Li isn’t so petty. There’s no need for you to be so nervous.”
Lin Nong nodded.
Those in power were indeed arrogant and confident, completely oblivious to women’s jealousy!
After he entered the bathing room, she cracked open a window slightly and indeed spotted several pairs of eyes secretly watching this place, before they turned and ran off to report.
Yi Ran whispered: “Mistress, if you hadn’t reminded him earlier, Wangye would certainly have stayed here tonight. This servant thinks Wangye clearly has intentions toward you.”
Intentions?
Lin Nong didn’t think so at all.
A royal nobleman.
What they could least tolerate was being ignored or rejected by those beneath them.
If this subordinate happened to be beautiful and virtuous, then the man would certainly take initiative, even conveying signals that “you’re special.” Of course, it wasn’t genuine affection, but rather a condescending attitude watching the other party gradually fall for him, just to prove his own charm.
Were it any other young woman of this era, nine out of ten would likely fall into this false honey trap, unable to extricate themselves.
After all, the man was tall, rich, and handsome!
But she was a modern soul who had dated and trained dogs – not so easily fooled, and certainly not naive enough to believe that these ancient princes raised in privilege truly understood love!
And what she wanted had never been this man’s deep affection!
She, Lin Nong.
A determined youth raised under the influence of “monogamy” – being made a concubine was absolutely unacceptable!
Of course, playing seduction games with this favored son of heaven wasn’t a bad way to pass the time in these days without phones or internet.
Closing the window, she curved her brows in a smile.
“Such matters should be approached gradually, not rushed.”
When Xiao Chengyan emerged from the bathing room.
Lin Nong was holding a Chess Manual, studying a game.
Seeing him come out, she rose and curtseyed: “Seeing off Wangye.”
Xiao Chengyan had thought she would prepare a food box with milk tea and roasted taro for him to bring to A Li.
Sharing novel things wasn’t improper according to etiquette.
But as a prince who had grown up witnessing women’s rivalry tactics, he naturally recognized the provocation hidden within.
A woman raised in the inner quarters of a noble family like her would certainly understand this too.
Her disdain for such methods indeed reflected her noble character and refusal to use dirty tricks.
“Rest early and take good care of your health. Don’t catch cold. When spring comes, I’ll take you out for a spring outing.”
Lin Nong’s eyes sparkled, appearing quite expectant.
See? Wasn’t he already beginning to show his “tenderness”?
“Yes, Nong’er understands.”
…
The night wind in March remained chilly.
It scattered the gentle fragrance he had carried from Changning Hall.
Just as Xiao Chengyan reached the entrance of Wutong Hall, he heard the sound of shattering porcelain inside.
He couldn’t help but frown.
The main door opened.
The maids inside, upon seeing him, immediately went in to announce his arrival.
The commotion inside ceased.
Xiao Chengyan stood outside the hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Zi Sangli staggered to the doorway, leaning against the palace door as she gazed at him, softly sobbing with sorrow and grief.
Clad only in thin garments, her trembling, slender figure was silhouetted by the lamplight behind her.
How pitiful she looked!
Xiao Chengyan had always been most impatient with women’s tears since childhood, viewing them as tactics for scheming and vying for favor. His mother, the Empress, had suffered much injustice due to Shufei’s hypocritical, delicate tears.
But he and Zi Sangli were husband and wife, bound by shared hardships, which naturally called for greater tolerance.
He let out a slow sigh and ascended the steps.
Scooping her into his arms, he carried her into the bedchamber.
Seated on the couch with Zi Sangli weeping against his chest, she murmured, “Your Highness promised to join me for the evening meal…”