Chapter 12
As the needle went in, the Eldest Prince trembled all over.
Lu Hanzhi’s skills were far from refined. With a jab like that, it was enough to make someone question their entire existence from the pain.
However, since the Eldest Prince was barely conscious, he didn’t struggle.
What Lu Hanzhi found astonishing was—come on, Eldest Prince, you’re already in your twenties, do you really have to cry this much over a simple injection?
With a speechless expression, he tossed the emptied syringe into the system’s waste disposal channel and stepped forward to wipe the Eldest Prince’s tears with a handkerchief.
So it turned out that Prince Chu was just a crybaby. No wonder he never once entertained the idea of becoming emperor.
With a temperament like his, he really wasn’t suited for the throne.
He was the complete opposite of Yuwen Min!
After giving Yuwen Jue the injection, Lu Hanzhi also fed him the antibacterial medicine.
Once the Eldest Prince had taken his medicine, he drifted off to sleep. Lu Hanzhi opened the door and gestured for Yuwen Min to enter.
He saw Yuwen Min standing stiffly outside, his brows furrowed as he looked down at the bundle of flesh in his arms, as if he had no idea what to do with the soft little thing.
He had killed countless people, but he had never once held a child.
Little Ah Chan was only a month old and kept wriggling around in his arms, making small whimpering noises like a tiny puppy. His chubby, white bottom was perched right on Yuwen Min’s palm.
Yuwen Min was worried he might drop him, but at the same time, he was also afraid that the child might suddenly pee all over him.
Looking at that soft, milky-white little bottom, he couldn’t help but be concerned—what if this little thing suddenly let loose a big one?
Yuwen Min had no real concept of children. The moment he saw Lu Hanzhi come out, he immediately shoved the plump bundle—barely the length of his forearm—back into Lu Hanzhi’s arms.
With a frown, he muttered, “He stinks.”
Lu Hanzhi: …
Fatty Chan, did you hear that? Your own father says you stink!
Ah Chan: What do you mean stink? We smell wonderful!!!
Back inside the room, Yuwen Min removed his outer robe and draped it over Yuwen Jue.
Then, turning back to Lu Hanzhi, he asked, “When will he wake up?”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “That’s hard to say. Let’s see if his fever breaks today. If it does, he should wake up soon.”
Yuwen Min nodded, then gave Lu Hanzhi another look and said, “Didn’t you marry into the Crown Prince’s residence?”
Since Yuwen Jue was close friends with Lu Xuzhi, the Eldest Prince often brought his younger brother, the Fourth Prince, to stay at the Lu residence.
Although Yuwen Min was usually silent, the Lu family was familiar with him.
However, Lu Hanzhi frowned slightly, hesitating as he tested Yuwen Min’s expression before saying, “Your Highness, you must be mistaken. The one who married into the Crown Prince’s residence was my younger brother, Lu Haozhi. I am Lu Hanzhi.”
Yuwen Min didn’t pursue the matter further, as if he had no interest in who had actually married into the Crown Prince’s household.
He had ridden nonstop from the northern border, exhausting two horses to death, and hadn’t even paused for breath before storming the Great Zhao prison.
Now that he had finally stopped moving, he was beginning to feel the fatigue settle in.
Lu Hanzhi seemed to notice his exhaustion and said, “Your Highness, if you are tired, please rest on my bed for a while. I will have someone prepare some food—you can eat a little to regain your strength.”
This ancestor was not someone to be trifled with, so he had to be served with caution.
He wasn’t sure if it was because he had transmigrated into the novel and flapped his butterfly wings a little too hard, but the plot was now a complete mess.
Still, since the Eldest Prince had survived, many of the original events would no longer happen.
Lu Hanzhi wasn’t sure whether Yuwen Min would still go through with his rebellion, but it was always better to be careful.
Before long, he returned with some food, only to find that Yuwen Min had already fallen asleep, leaning against the chair by the window with his heavy sword still in his arms.
Lu Hanzhi set the tray down on the dining table, then picked up Ah Chan and quietly left the room.
He was finally going to see Miss Caiwei, who had already been waiting for nearly an hour.
Contrary to his expectations of a typical courtesan, Miss Caiwei had an air of pure elegance, even a touch of ethereal beauty.
Her face was delicately shaped like a goose egg, with phoenix eyes, a small, refined nose, and soft, rosy lips—an exceptionally rare beauty.
When Miss Caiwei saw Lu Hanzhi approach, she first parted her lips in mild surprise before quickly composing herself and greeting him with a reserved curtsy. “I greet you, Young Master Lu.”
Lu Hanzhi gave her a friendly smile and said, “Why are you standing? Come, have a seat.”
Miss Caiwei sat down on the chair and offered an apology. “Forgive me, Young Master Lu. I had assumed you were just another hedonistic young master, indulging in pleasure and excess. I did not expect you to be a distinguished Langjun. If I have been rude in any way, please pardon me.”
And not just any Xiao Langjun—one with such striking looks that even Miss Caiwei herself felt a little ashamed in comparison.
The top courtesans tended to be more aloof, and Lu Hanzhi could understand that.
He waved his hand dismissively and said, “It’s fine. I didn’t invite you here for mere entertainment.”
But… had he been recognized as a Xiao Langjun so easily?
The book didn’t go into detail, but in truth, Xiao Langjun had Shougong Sa—a mark traditionally used to verify purity.
Lu Hanzhi had lost his, of course. But his mother, to avoid suspicion, had someone apply a fake one while he was unconscious.
It was placed in a concealed spot—behind his ear.
He couldn’t see it himself, but others could spot it easily.
Miss Caiwei’s expression brightened slightly as she asked in surprise, “Oh? What does Young Master Lu need from me? I only know some ordinary poetry and unrefined love songs—nothing elegant. I fear I might disappoint you.”
Her mannerisms and speech were far more refined than Lu Hanzhi had expected, even for the most renowned courtesan in a county on the outskirts of the city.
Suppressing the appreciation in his gaze, he replied, “You’re too modest. But I didn’t come to you today for poetry or music. I just have something to show you. I wonder if you’d be interested.”
Miss Caiwei’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh? And what might that be?”
Lu Hanzhi reached into his sleeve and took out the freshly unmolded fragrant soap. Placing it in front of her, he said, “Take a look. Smell it.”
Miss Caiwei picked it up, brought it to her nose, and inhaled. She commented, “The scent is…. light and elegant, but it doesn’t seem like rouge. What is it?”
Lu Hanzhi had Luan Feng bring a basin of water and said, “Would you like to try it? This is called fragrant soap. You can use it to wash your hands.” As he spoke, he took another soap—one shaped like a delicate rose—wet his hands, rubbed it a few times, and then rinsed them clean in the basin.
He wasn’t sure if it was just psychological, but his hands instantly looked much fairer and smoother.
Maybe it was just because they had been covered in dust from his earlier work, and the soap had simply washed it away.
Miss Caiwei was also surprised. She quickly stepped forward to try it herself. After washing her hands, she touched her now silky skin and laughed. “So this is what you wanted to show me! But you’ve found the wrong person. You should be looking for Liniang.”
“Liniang?” Lu Hanzhi asked.
Caiwei explained, “Liniang is the most famous dancer in our courtyard. She adores beauty more than anyone. If you want these to spread in the market, having her promote them would be best. Her fashion and style are imitated all over town.”
Lu Hanzhi thought about it and realized she had a point. Not everyone had Miss Caiwei’s fairy-like elegance.
Most people were likely more like Liniang—fond of beauty and adornment, enhancing their charm with their own hands.
Seeing Lu Hanzhi deep in thought, Caiwei chuckled and said, “Well, since I enjoyed a fine cup of tea from you, I’ll take a few pieces back and let Liniang try them. But, Young Master Lu, you’d better stock up quickly. Otherwise, they’ll sell out in no time.”
Her words reminded Lu Hanzhi—if he was going to sell these, he needed a shop!
Unlike modern times, where online stores, virtual shops, and live-streaming could drive sales, in ancient times, selling goods meant opening a physical store.
Lu Hanzhi thanked Miss Caiwei and gave her a few exquisitely shaped soaps before calling for his attendant Zai Yu.
Both Qin Se and Zai Yu had been assigned to him by Madam Lu. When it came to running errands, they were reliable.
Lu Hanzhi instructed him to find a shop in town—not too large, but elegant and refined.
Zai Yu accepted the task and left.
As night fell, in Lu Hanzhi’s room, Yuwen Min furrowed his brows slightly and opened his eyes.
He immediately got up to check on his eldest royal brother. Placing his hand lightly on the man’s forehead, he found that aside from a slight sweat, the fever had subsided.
At that moment, Lu Hanzhi unexpectedly heard the system’s notification: “You have gained one additional point in Loyalty to the Monarch. Congratulations, Host.”
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