lcionline Chapter 304 Your Highness, your corner-peeling is far too blatant!
Chapter 304 Your Highness, your corner-peeling is far too blatant!
The air inside Jing'an Residence is filled with a delicate aroma of tea.
Chu Ruohan had just finished breakfast and was sitting on the soft couch watching Yu Ling and Song Ruyan playfully fighting.
A servant's respectful announcement came from outside the courtyard.
Prince Su requested an audience.
Chu Ruohan paused slightly in her teacup, her delicate brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
She put down her teacup, her voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
"He comes quite often."
Yu Ling stood to the side, her face showing undisguised dissatisfaction, muttering under her breath.
"Young mistress, this servant thinks that His Highness Prince Su has ulterior motives."
Chu Ruohan didn't reply, but said, "Please invite him in."
Before long, Prince Su, dressed in a brocade robe, stepped in with a perfectly gentle smile on his face.
"I heard that today is the Lady's birthday, so I have come to offer my congratulations," said Prince Su in a gentle voice.
He waved his hand gently.
The attendant behind him immediately stepped forward, holding an exquisite gift box in his hands.
"I have prepared a small gift, which is of little importance."
Chu Ruohan curtsied slightly, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Prince Su did not immediately have the servants put down the gift box. His gaze remained fixed on Chu Ruohan's face as he continued speaking.
"I have prepared a simple meal at Zuixianlou, and I hope that Madam Gu will do me the honor of joining me."
Upon hearing this, Song Ruyan, who was standing next to him, could no longer contain herself.
She was a free spirit, straightforward and outspoken, and couldn't stand this kind of hypocritical flattery.
"Your Highness, isn't your corner-peering a bit too blatant?"
Song Ruyan crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow at Prince Su, and spoke with obvious sarcasm.
"Her husband is still in Pingzhou, fighting valiantly for your Zhao family's empire!"
"Ruyan!"
Chu Ruohan raised her voice slightly, with a hint of reproach, interrupting Song Ruyan.
She turned to Prince Su and quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "People in the martial arts world are used to being carefree and don't know how to speak properly. Please don't take offense, Your Highness."
Then, she turned her gaze to Song Ruyan, her tone becoming slightly more forceful.
"Hurry up and apologize to the Prince."
Song Ruyan pouted and reluctantly bowed to Prince Su.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness."
Prince Su showed no anger on his face; instead, he waved his hand magnanimously.
"Miss Song is a woman of true character, and I am not a petty person."
His gaze returned to Chu Ruohan. "Madam Gu, there's no need for such formalities. General Gu is away fighting for the country and is not in the capital. As a member of the royal family, it is my duty to take care of you on his behalf."
"It's just a simple meal, Madam, there's no need to worry about it."
Seeing his insistence, Chu Ruohan knew that refusing again would only seem deliberate.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.
"In that case, we shall respectfully comply."
When she went out, Chu Ruohan took Song Ruyan and Yu Ling with her.
Zuixianlou is a famous restaurant in the capital. It was noon and bustling with people.
Prince Su had already reserved the best private room upstairs, away from the hustle and bustle.
He personally welcomed Chu Ruohan inside, showing her great warmth and attentiveness.
Inside the private room, the table was already laden with exquisite dishes, their aroma filling the air.
"Madam Gu, this is the new chef from Yangzhou at Zuixianlou. He is an excellent cook of Huaiyang cuisine. Please try this Squirrel Mandarin Fish."
Prince Su served Chu Ruohan food with great care, his words conveying his best intentions.
Chu Ruohan only scratched the surface, responding appropriately but always maintaining a distance.
The meal was finished in a slightly awkward atmosphere.
Prince Su put down his ivory chopsticks, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and spoke again.
"I have heard that a new Kunqu opera troupe has recently arrived in the south of the city. Their singing is melodious and beautiful, and they are quite famous."
"How about I take my wife to see a play to relax?"
Just as Chu Ruohan was about to decline, she heard a cold voice coming from downstairs.
"Second brother, what a coincidence!"
Chu Ruohan looked up at the stairwell.
A young man dressed in a blue monk's robe was seen climbing the steps with unhurried steps.
The smile on Prince Su's face faded slightly, and his brows furrowed unconsciously.
He looked at Zhao Yunci's monk's robes, which seemed out of place with her surroundings, and his tone was clearly displeased.
"Third brother, what are you doing here?"
"Why aren't you at the Cining Palace accompanying the Empress Dowager, reciting scriptures and praying for her blessings? What are you doing here in this chaotic restaurant?"
"Shouldn't monks be celibate, devoid of wine and women?"
The Third Prince seemed oblivious to the displeasure in Prince Su's tone, and didn't even glance at him.
His gaze passed over Prince Su and landed directly on Chu Ruohan, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
"I thought my brother was drinking alone here, but I never expected to run into Madam Gu here."
"It's a pleasant surprise."
Chu Ruohan felt a slight chill in her heart, but remained outwardly calm as she rose and bowed again.
"This humble woman greets the Third Prince."
For some reason, she always felt that there was a hint of hostility hidden in the Third Prince's gaze towards her.
They had never met before, nor had they ever crossed paths in their past lives.
This unfounded hostility made her wary.
The Third Prince nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Chu Ruohan for a moment before turning to Prince Su, his tone calm and even.
"Your Majesty's pleasure in hosting a banquet for Madam Gu here is indeed presumptuous of me."
Prince Su gave a forced, insincere smile.
"Third brother, you flatter me. It was just a small drink to celebrate Madam Gu's birthday."
He gestured to Zhao Yunci with his eyes, "If you have nothing else to do, why don't you sit down and have a cup of tea with me?"
The Third Prince clasped his hands together and shook his head slightly.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Majesty. I must return to the palace to accompany Your Majesty, so I will not disturb Your Majesty and Madam Gu's enjoyment any longer."
He looked at Chu Ruohan again, and deep within those seemingly gentle eyes lay a subtle scrutiny.
"Madam Gu, farewell."
After saying that, he turned and drifted away, as if he had just happened to be passing by.
Song Ruyan frowned, watching the Third Prince's departing figure, and muttered to herself.
"This monk looks strange."
The smile on Prince Su's face vanished completely. He picked up his teacup, drank the cold tea in one gulp, and a shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes.
Chu Ruohan felt a chill in her heart. His gaze was all too familiar, exactly the same as Gu Chengyan's in her dream.
"Your Highness, it's getting late, and I should return to my residence."
"Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness. However, I am unwell and am afraid I am not able to enjoy the opera. Please forgive me."
Prince Su put down his teacup and his gaze fell on Chu Ruohan's face.
Chu Ruohan's palms were sweaty, but her expression remained unchanged.
A moment later, Prince Su put on a gentle smile again.
"Since Madam is unwell, I will not insist. I would like to invite Madam to join me another day if there is an opportunity."
He stood up. "I will see the lady off."
Chu Ruohan shook her head slightly and curtsied.
"I dare not trouble Your Highness. I can return on my own."
She took Yu Ling and Song Ruyan and left the private room without lingering.
Prince Su stood there, watching Chu Ruohan's departing figure until it disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a cold, thoughtful expression.
"Investigate," he coldly commanded the air. "Why did the Third Prince appear at Zuixianlou today?"
A shadowy figure hidden in the darkness silently agreed and then vanished.