Chapter 25 (1/2)
Chapter 25: Liberties Given, Liberties Taken
Crown prince?
When did this ‘crown prince’ pop up?
The person that had been with me day after day for all these years, was actually the crown prince?
In a trance, I looked at his profile, noting the handsome eyebrows drawn like a mountain and river painting[1], the smooth, thin lips, the aura of steadfast resolution…
It left my thoughts in disorder.
Why had I never noticed that he carried the air of monarch about him?
Nngh…
The more I looked, the more it seemed that way.
I could see many people kneeling around us.
The noise and bustle of the town, along with its civilians, had all vanished The deserted streets were chilly and desolate and seemed a bit bleak. Han Zichuan’s eyes swept over Nongyu without a word. He only placed the red bag of rouge into my hands, and said lightly, “I’m sorry I couldn’t buy you a nicer one. When I return to the imperial palace…”
He didn’t say any more, but took my head and gave me a long look. I bit my lip and wanted to laugh, but found myself suddenly lacking the energy.
These things had already surpa.s.sed my level of comprehension. My head was in a fog as he pulled me past the crowd of kneeling people. Like thus, I trailed after him with all the rest back to the house.
Han Zichuan shook off the large crowd to enter Fang Hua’s room alone. I was the only one left to serve these gentlemen.
“…Younger Sister Shào,” Nongyu said, holding his cup. “It’s full.”
Only then did I react and look back…
Exactly as he said, the water was overflowing from the cup.
He hastily rose to his feet, using his sleeve to wipe away the splatters on his clothing. “You devious girl, you lied to me about waiting for your beloved. As it turned out, he was our crown prince.”
Even though he spoke casually, he was anything but ambiguous when it came to shaking out the water. I hurriedly backed up a few steps, afraid to get wet as I used one hand to s.h.i.+eld the porcelain teapot. My smile was a bit strained. “I beg your pardon[2].”
But he only smiled at me.
What…
Did you want me to clean you up?
Hmph, you’re not even my yifu.
Nongyu deserved the t.i.tle of a man who had walked away from death[3] because his self-control was remarkable. He looked down and bustled about a bit before lifting his robes and retaking a seat. Then he rolled up a sleeve and pointed at one of the inner rooms.
“Your yifu has a teardrop-shaped mole.”
“…..”
“I heard he’s a Fang Hua Beast?”
“…..”
Old fellow, so what if he was? I’m not going to tell you anything.
He smiled, and grabbed my hand with his own.
“Younger Brother Shào.” His tone was suddenly extravagantly tender, the tone carrying an upward tilt. There was a significant look in his eyes that was rather flippant. “Did you forget? We became sworn brothers, so how could you bully your Brother Nong?”
—All reproductions of this work not on volaretranslations are stolen copies.
Can I knock him out with the teapot…?
I really want to.
My fingers itched…I felt fl.u.s.tered holding myself back…but I endured and didn’t look at him.