Chapter 48
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The aftermath of getting drunk was feeling unwell all over.
Jiang Juan had slept through most of the day, and even after getting up, he still felt listless. Reflecting on it, he said, “I will never drink again.”
After just a small pot of wine, he felt weak all over, with a headache and stomachache, and no part of him felt comfortable.
Seeing him awake, Lan Ting quickly brought a bowl of clear porridge. She smiled and said, “You must remember, young master, not to drink again in the future.”
After a pause, she added, “You slept the entire day. Drink some porridge first to fill your stomach.”
Jiang Juan sat down, stirred the porridge a few times but had no appetite, and put down the spoon. “I don’t want to eat.”
Just then, someone pushed the door open, and Jiang Juan didn’t look up. He pushed the porridge bowl away and slumped onto the table.
His long hair, unbound, cascaded over his shoulders like clouds or waterfalls. A hand reached out, first tucking his hair behind his ear, then lifting his chin to make him look up.
Xue Fangli’s voice was leisurely, “Are you awake?”
Jiang Juan pushed at him a few times, but couldn’t move him, so he extended his own hand in front of him, asking slowly, “Your Highness, why did you bite me?”
His pale fingers, tinged with a faint pink at the tips, bore several bite marks.
He couldn’t remember much about what happened after getting drunk, but he clearly remembered being bitten several times. Xue Fangli raised an eyebrow slightly and, holding that hand, massaged his fingertips. “You don’t remember?”
Jiang Juan: “No, I don’t remember.”
Xue Fangli glanced at him and said casually, “You had wine stains on your hand and insisted that I taste it.”
Jiang Juan: “?”
He was stunned and asked incoherently, “On my hand? Your Highness, did I ask you to taste the wine stains on my fingers?”
Xue Fangli hummed in affirmation, looking at him with a half-smile.
Jiang Juan: “…”
If he hadn’t spoken, he could have been very happy. After a moment of silence, Jiang Juan sincerely apologized, “Your Highness, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I won’t drink again.”
“No need,” Xue Fangli smiled slightly, “A small drink is refreshing. An occasional drink is no harm.”
Still feeling embarrassed, Jiang Juan didn’t notice the deeper meaning in Xue Fangli’s words, nor did he realize something important.
—If he had insisted Xue Fangli taste the wine, how could a drunk person force His Highness to do so if he was unwilling?
Filled with shame, Jiang Juan felt he must have done many other things but didn’t have the courage to ask Xue Fangli. So, he chose to play dead, murmuring, “With such poor conduct when drunk, I don’t deserve even a small drink.”
As for whom the drink was supposed to delight, Xue Fangli didn’t explain to Jiang Juan. Instead, he glanced at the untouched porridge and gently asked, “Sleeping until now, aren’t you hungry?”
Jiang Juan shook his head, “No appetite.”
Xue Fangli looked at him for a moment, “Get ready, and come with me to a place.”
Jiang Juan didn’t really want to go, “I…”
His fingertips were grasped again, pinched and rubbed a couple of times. Jiang Juan was silent for a few seconds before meeting Xue Fangli’s gaze.
Xue Fangli asked him, “Don’t want to go?”
Jiang Juan’s fingers were gently kneaded, forcing him to remember how he had made His Highness taste his fingers. Thinking it over, Jiang Juan finally agreed with a guilty conscience, “Alright, let’s go.”
Xue Fangli nodded slightly, “Mm.”
How easy he is to deceive.
He looked at Jiang Juan, his lips slowly curling up in a pleased smile.
At night.
The palace was brilliantly illuminated, adorned with dazzling lights everywhere.
The carriage stopped, and Jiang Juan lifted the curtain, curiously asking Xue Fangli, “Your Highness, are we here to see His Majesty?”
“No.”
Before Xue Fangli’s voice had faded, someone approached them, and Xue Chaohua greeted them warmly, “Old Five, you finally arrived.”
With that, he lifted his chin and teasingly scolded Zhang Gonggong beside him, “Prince Li’s Royal Consort is weak, go help him.”
Zhang Gonggong quickly nodded, but before he could extend his hand, Xue Fangli had already picked up Jiang Juan and stepped off the carriage, indifferently saying, “No need.”
Zhang Gonggong was taken aback and looked back at Xue Chaohua.
Xue Fangli’s action was undoubtedly a slight to him. Although displeased, Xue Chaohua had a favor to ask, so he could only joke, “Old Five, you carried your Royal Consort at Baihua Garden last time, and today you’re still carrying him to the banquet. Is your Royal Consort so good to hold? I see you really are—” “Liking him so much that you are unable to let him go.”
Jiang Juan: “…”
Being carried around by His Highness was not his choice. He lightly pushed Xue Fangli a few times, “Your Highness, please put me down.”
Xue Fangli ignored him. After waiting a while and seeing no intention of being put down, Jiang Juan softly added, “I have dignity too.”
What does “good to hold” and “Liking him so much that you are unable to let him go” even mean?
Note: they are idioms and Jiang Juan does not know the implication.
It sounded so strange.
Xue Fangli glanced at him and finally spoke, but not to Jiang Juan.
“Whether my Royal Consort is good to hold or not, what does that have to do with you?”
Xue Fangli coldly asked, “Eldest Brother, don’t you have your own Princess Consort? Why are you so interested in mine?”
Xue Chaohua: “…”
His smile stiffened, and he almost cursed “Are you crazy?” out loud, but he held back and grudgingly said, “I misspoke. I shouldn’t have joked like that.”
Xue Fangli didn’t respond and instead asked Jiang Juan, “Is this better?”
Jiang Juan: “Huh?”
Xue Fangli: “Didn’t you say you have dignity too?”
Jiang Juan: “…”
His idea of dignity was to walk on his own, not to have His Highness support him.
Seeing Jiang Juan remain silent, Xue Fangli spoke again, “Eldest Brother.”
Hearing this, Jiang Juan quickly hugged Xue Fangli tightly, fearing another misunderstanding and another insult to the Eldest Prince. He hurriedly said, “It’s fine, Your Highness, really, it’s fine.”
Xue Fangli hummed in acknowledgment, while Xue Chaohua turned back with a gentle question, “What’s wrong?”
Xue Fangli replied indifferently, “Nothing.”
Xue Chaohua: “…”
Veins bulged on his forehead. Zhang Gonggong approached, looking worried. Xue Chaohua waved him off and, nearly grinding his teeth, said, “It’s fine if there’s nothing.”
Xue Chaohua personally led them, and soon they were at the banquet.
As the Eldest Prince, Xue Chaohua always valued grandeur. Today’s banquet was no exception; he had put in considerable effort. Once Xue Fangli and Jiang Juan were seated, he introduced with a smile, “This is the Feast of Gold and Jade.”
“It features flavors from various regions, prepared in a variety of ways including frying, steaming, and braising. The dishes are diverse, with salty, sweet, sour, and spicy options, and a mix of meat and vegetables, with very fine ingredients.”
Jiang Juan had only heard of the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast and was curious about the Feast of Gold and Jade. He lowered his head to take a closer look.
Xue Fangli, with one arm around him, asked, “Do you have an appetite?”
The Feast of Gold and Jade smelled good, and the dishes looked appealing, but Jiang Juan couldn’t even finish a bowl of plain porridge earlier, let alone this feast. He shook his head, “No appetite.”
Xue Fangli lifted his gaze, “Eldest Brother.”
Xue Chaohua was still enthusiastically describing the wonders of the Feast of Gold and Jade when he was abruptly interrupted. He asked somewhat regretfully, “What’s the matter?”
Xue Fangli: “Can you still make Lotus Leaf Soup here?”
Xue Chaohua was taken aback, “Huh? Lotus Leaf Soup?”
When his Princess Consort was pregnant, she suffered from severe morning sickness and couldn’t eat anything. Since it was the first grandchild, Emperor Hongxing was also quite concerned and had specially invited a renowned chef from Jiangnan. Lotus Leaf Soup was the chef’s specialty.
Although puzzled, Xue Chaohua replied, “Of course we can.”
Xue Fangli nodded, “Then serve a bowl of Lotus Leaf Soup.”
Xue Chaohua: “?”
He forced a smile, “Fifth Brother, Lotus Leaf Soup is easy to make and can be enjoyed anytime, but this Feast of Gold and Jade was not easy to prepare. Won’t you try it?”
Xue Fangli remained indifferent, “Lotus Leaf Soup will suffice.”
Xue Chaohua: “…”
He almost blurted out “ungrateful,” but held back and merely gave Zhang Gonggong a look.
Being a person who valued face and had a rocky relationship with Xue Fangli, he naturally made the banquet as grand as possible. After meticulously preparing for an entire day, Xue Fangli only wanted a bowl of Lotus Leaf Soup, rendering all his efforts in vain.
The more Xue Chaohua thought about it, the angrier he became. He wanted to say something, but when he turned around, he saw Xue Fangli leisurely chatting with Jiang Juan.
“This place only has decent Lotus Leaf Soup. It’s light and refreshing. Since you said you have no appetite, I specifically brought you here to try it.”
Xue Chaohua: “…”
Does he think this is a restaurant?
Xue Chaohua took a sip of wine, repeatedly telling himself not to get angry. He shouldn’t argue with this lunatic. However, he couldn’t help but notice how genuinely Xue Fangli cared for his consort.
It was indeed surprising that even Old Five had learned to be considerate. This gave Xue Chaohua more confidence in his plan involving Marquis Anping.
Thinking of this, Xue Chaohua looked out at the distant lotus pond.
Jiang Juan also looked up, but instead of the lotus pond, he gazed at the night sky. What had been a clear, moonlit night was now covered by a layer of dark clouds. Jiang Juan said softly, “Your Highness, it looks like it’s going to rain.”
Xue Fangli: “En, it won’t last long. We’re indoors, so it won’t be an issue.”
Reassured, Jiang Juan turned his attention back to the table. Before long, his Lotus Leaf Soup was served, accompanied by Xue Chaohua’s Princess Consort, Su Miaoyin.
“You must be Prince Li’s Royal Consort?”
Su Miaoyin said with a warm smile, “You’re truly a delightful person. Just seeing you brings me joy.”
Jiang Juan: “…Thank you?”
He smiled politely before looking down at the Lotus Leaf Soup. Su Miaoyin added, “This Lotus Leaf Soup is something I can never get enough of.”
“The lotus seeds are crushed, shaped into small beans, then cooked in a rich broth with fresh lotus leaves added, giving it a light and fragrant taste.”
With His Highness describing it as sweet and refreshing and the Princess Consort calling it light and fragrant, Jiang Juan was quite curious. Unfortunately, the soup was still too hot, having just been served. He stirred it a few times but couldn’t eat it, letting out a sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Xue Fangli asked.
“It’s too hot,” Jiang Juan responded.
Xue Fangli covered Jiang Juan’s hand that was holding the spoon, took the spoon from him, and began stirring the soup himself. His tone was calm as he said, “I’ll do it.”
Jiang Juan responded with an “Oh” and didn’t think much of it, but others had different thoughts.
Was it really true that Prince Li would serve someone their meal?
As a Princess Consort, Su Miaoyin had interacted with Prince Li before. His Highness was known for his violent temper and unpredictable mood, yet here he was, carefully stirring a bowl of lotus leaf soup for a young man he held in his arms.
It was impossible not to be surprised, but Su Miaoyin, coming from a distinguished family, managed to suppress her shock. She smiled and said, “Since the lotus leaf soup is still hot and the Royal Consort cannot eat it here, why don’t…..you come take a walk with me instead?”
Jiang Juan: “A walk?”
Su Miaoyin nodded, “Within the Chengde Hall, there is a lotus pond. The young lotus buds have just started to show, and they are quite lovely. Would you like to go see them?”
Jiang Juan:, “I’d rather not.”
He wasn’t keen on walking after a meal, let alone before one. Jiang Juan shook his head and honestly said, “I’d prefer to sit here and wait for the soup to cool down. I don’t want to take a walk.”
Su Miaoyin: “………..”
Su Miaoyin chocked and glanced awkwardly at Xue Chaohua. She then said, “Your Highness and His Highness are likely to discuss important matters today. Those topics are rather tedious to listen to. If you do not want to walk, perhaps you could just come sit with me?”
“I have had a small boat tied up in the lotus pond. It’s quite relaxing to sit on the boat when there’s nothing else to do.”
Jiang Juan sincerely replied, “His Highness is perfectly fine to sit with. There’s no need for me to join you.”
He was just too lazy to move, but to Su Miaoyin, it seemed like he was being uncooperative. Suppressing her irritation, Su Miaoyin teased, “You truly can’t bear to be apart from His Highness for a moment.”
After a pause, she continued slowly, “There’s a saying, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder.’ So, you shouldn’t cling to His Highness too tightly.”
Jiang Juan thought for a few seconds and decided to humor her, saying, “Mm, you’re right.”
Xue Fangli, on the other hand, lazily asked Jiang Juan, “When have you ever clung to me?”
Before Jiang Juan could respond, Xue Fangli added, “Which time has it not been me clinging to you?”
“If you were willing to cling to me, not leave my side even for a moment, I’d be much happier than I am now.”
His tone was leisurely as he spoke to Jiang Juan, but his gaze slowly shifted to Su Miaoyin, growing cold and chilling. Su Miaoyin’s heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes, realizing something.
— Prince Li was warning her.
He seemed to have sensed something.
Indeed, if Prince Li hadn’t noticed anything by now, he wouldn’t be Prince Li.
Su Miaoyin forced a smile and shook her head at Xue Chaohua. She excused herself from the banquet and hurried to the lotus pond.
Marquis Anping had been waiting for a long time again. According to their agreement, Su Miaoyin was supposed to bring Jiang Juan with her. Seeing that only Su Miaoyin had arrived alone, Marquis Anping’s expression grew somber. “Is His Royal Consort…. not coming to see me?”
Su Miaoyin explained, “I made an excuse to come to the lotus pond for a walk, but His Royal Consort refused twice. Since Prince Li was present, I didn’t dare to insist.”
So, he was unaware of his presence here.
With that in mind, Marquis Anping took a floating lotus leaf, marked it with the character “zhao”, and handed it to Su Miaoyin. “Have someone give this to His Royal Consort. He will understand when he sees it.”
Su Miaoyin said, “Well… Marquis, you might have to wait a bit longer. Prince Li seemed to have noticed something.”
Marquis Anping nodded. “I understand.”
Su Miaoyin turned and left. Moments later, Zhang Gonggong arrived with a smile, carrying the lotus leaf and said to Jiang Juan, “Your Royal Consort did not go for a walk, so the Princess Consort had this lotus leaf picked for you.”
Jiang Juan took the lotus leaf and, after examining it briefly, heard Xue Fangli say, “The Lotus Leaf Soup is ready to drink.”
As usual, Xue Fangli fed him. Jiang Juan took a small sip and found it indeed fresh and delicious. Even though he wasn’t very hungry, he enjoyed it and promptly set the lotus leaf aside to focus on his meal.
Meanwhile, outside the hall, the wind suddenly picked up and rain began to pour heavily.
The torrential rain fell with a roar. Inside the Chengde Hall, only the sounds of wind and rain could be heard. But at the lotus pond, with no shelter from the wind and rain, Marquis Anping stood drenched, his brow furrowed deeply.
Why wasn’t he coming?
The rain grew heavier and heavier, soaking him through and blurring his vision. Marquis Anping considered leaving several times but couldn’t help but hold on, remembering Su Miaoyin’s words.
— Jiang Juan might have received the lotus leaf and was trying to come over.
He decided to wait a little longer.
Author’s note: Some are making PDA, while others are waiting in the rain (?)
His Highness’s fishing philosophy: A little drink to please the mood.
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