Chapter 24 (1/2)
Chapter 24: His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince
That day, Fang Hua told me a few other things, but my memory was too hazy to remember. My entire body felt dizzy and heavy, though I managed to hold on to one thing: Han Zichuan was a very special person. Fang Hua thought he was very special.
I couldn’t describe the feelings I felt upon hearing those words… I could only toss and turn on the bed, my eyes open the entire night.
Dawn came around five to seven in the morning, when I heard a noise.
I tidied myself up a bit, tied my sash and opened the door, only to see Fang Hua standing outside, a fresh green willow branch behind his back. Soft light spilled on his person, creating a vision so beautiful that it seemed irreverent and profane to even set eyes on his person.
“Aren’t you going to let me in?” he smiled softly.
“Yifu, look at what you’re saying.” I didn’t even have time to move out of the way or invite him myself before he brushed me aside and walked indoors. He looked around a bit, brows furrowing, before heading towards the bed. Lifting up his robes, he took a seat.
— [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
He really acted casually around me.
“Shao’er, why are you being so distant?” he raised his head and looked over, smiling as he patted the s.p.a.ce beside him.
I did as told, sticking my b.u.t.t to sit by a corner.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to get closer.
Just, whenever I smelled the fragrance of flowers wafting off his person, I would start thinking of all sorts of foolish fancies, wondering exactly what the relations.h.i.+p was between him and Han Zichuan. Perhaps…
Han Zichuan was Fang Hua’s real foster son.
Fang Hua sighed and turned around. I gave a start, heart pounding. Truthfully speaking, I didn’t know when I started reacting like this. I only knew my beating heart carried a feeling that was almost unbearable, yet hard to understand.
“Shao’er, look at you. You’re agitated again.”
I forced a smile. “Did yifu come looking for something from me?”
“I told Zichuan to prepare some clothes for you, see if they fit.” His hands touched a wrapped-up bundle of clothing resting on his knees.
“Yifu, the clothes you give me have all been too big. There’s still robes from last year in the wardrobe that I’ve been saving. I haven’t worn them yet.”
He smiled as he looked at me, trying to control his expression. Fingers shaking, he opened up the cloth packaging.
Inside was a unique, brightly-colored pale pink fabric. Beneath that was a dark red silk embroidered with apricots and b.u.t.terflies.
I blinked a few times.
Was this for me to wear?
Why was it so girly?
His eyes were gentle and soft as a woman’s. “Zichuan picked this, the measurements are unmistakable. Next time I’ll have him get me one too. This material is really beautiful.”
I seized the package, trembling as I spread it open to thoroughly appraise it. It was the type of clothing worn by gentle and graceful females.
— [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
“You really want something like this too?” I was highly doubtful. He didn’t reply, but took my hand and spoke.
“Shao’er, I didn’t think enough of you these few years. I neglected many things.” He tilted his head slightly, giving me another smile. My heart violently shrank back. Panicked, I quickly averted my eyes, feeling my ears burning. All I could hear was that furious thumpthump pounding uncontrollably.
Yifu, you beautiful blockhead.
It’s not just females, but I bet all the men in the world who saw your face would have the same reaction.
“What are you s.p.a.cing out for? Why not hurry up and change into those clothes?”
I nodded and hid behind the folding screen, dazedly lifting the two layers of fabric. I moved them around a bit and finally slipped them on.
It felt a little weird.
Though I couldn’t tell exactly how…
Before when I put on my robes, they were wide and loose, with lots of extra s.p.a.ce left over.
This time, I could only feel that these clothes were a bit tight. I lifted my hand, using my sleeve to cover my chest, and awkwardly walked back out.
He got up involuntarily from the bed, slowly looking me up and down, his eyes especially bright.
“What is it?” I tugged and pulled at the material. “Does yifu think it’s a bit strange?”
“I wouldn’t.” He gently stroked my face, smilingly softly. “Shao’er, you’ve really grown up.”
I blanked out.
He took my hands and brought me before the mirror, pressing lightly on my shoulders so I could sit down, and started to comb my hair…
Though I’d lived with Fang Hua for so long, he’d never been so intimate with me outside of occasional bouts during his drunken periods. The way he was acting now made me feel a little restless.
As seen in the bronze mirror, his bearing was refined and elegant. Though his face was filled with a harmonious warmth, he still exuded a tranquil mildness, and the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of his eye was a dark red that startled one to see.
“Yifu…you…”
Recently, he’d been acting a little differently than usual. To be closer to a person was obviously a good thing…why did I feel so disturbed and extremely uneasy?
He rolled up his sleeves and grabbed the wooden hairpin off the table, sticking it through my hair with a tilt of his head.
“Shao’er, I’d like to request one thing from you.”
I saw the careful, cautious expression on his face, leaning in so close to me. The two people in the mirror looked like they were about to touch.
His breaths brushed against my temples as a strong sense of joy rose within me. This feeling…was like a fine rain falling within my heart, carrying with it a sense of impatient antic.i.p.ation.
Not just one request. Even if he asked for the hardest thing in the world, I’d still do it for him if I could.
I raised my face in excitement. “As long as yifu tells me to, I’ll do it.”
“Is that so.” he smiled.
I hurriedly nodded my head. Even if it was something like taking these clothes back off, I’d still do it…
“Let me check your pulse…”
Confused, I nevertheless gave him my hand.
His eyes brightened, “Can you describe your symptoms to me?”
“Swollen stomach, sore muscles in the legs, occasional stomachaches…”
“That’s really, really, wonderful.” I don’t know where he got ink, brush and paper from as he recorded these details, the other hand still feeling my pulse. He raised his eyes to look at me with great eagerness. “What else?”
— [Most up to date translations for this series can be found on volaretranslations.]
I really want to find someone to squash him.
Even if I squashed him, my anger still wouldn’t be satisfied.