Lingxi dropped by He Yu's study, finding him completely absorbed in his reading. She walked up to the desk and set down the box of pastries. He Yu looked up, closing his book to give her his full attention.
"What brings Your Highness here?" he asked.
"I brought you some pastries," she said, leaning in with a smile.
She opened the box and pulled out a plate of cream-colored treats. Picking one up, she leaned closer and held it to his lips. He Yu stared directly into her eyes, ignoring the food.
"What? Is Your Highness afraid to eat it?" she teased, her smile unchanging.
"You shouldn't eat whatever a stranger gives you," He Yu replied.
"Oh? Does Your Highness consider me a stranger?" She teased and then took a bite of the pastry herself.
He Yu did not answer but instead started writing on a blank sheet of paper.
She leaned closer to see, "your calligraphy is beautiful. It looks quite elegant", she commented and looked up at him.
He Yu did not think she was complimenting him. He did not answer so she did not press further.
"Your grandnephew asked me for a favor", she started.
He Yu smiled lightly, "he is quite fast" Lingxi smiled back with her hands folded on the table and her chin resting on them.
"Your highness", they heard Jun Jie's voice.
He came in carrying a small bowl of medicine and spoon on a tray. He set it before He Yu and greeted them. He Yu folded the note he had been writing and put it in a small dragon scroll tube.
He handed it to Jun Jie, "pass it to Xiao Han" Jun Jie bowed and left.
Lingxi, on the other hand, remained in her position and watched as He Yu slowly drank the medicine. When he was done, he stood up, "I'm tired. I'll go rest"
Lingxi looked at the bowl of empty medicine. She was not curious about the message just sent out but the medicine in front of her. She reached for the bowl in front of her and lifted it to her nose but then a thought struck her. What if he left it there on purpose?
But that didn't stop her. She inhaled the scent and was able to deduce four ingredients which, of course, were not ordinary. She picked the bowl and went straight to the kitchen.
"Your highness, you shouldn't do such work", the butler said receiving the bowl from her.
"Are you the one who usually brews His Highness's medicine?" she asked.
"No. Guard Jun Jie personally brews it", Butler Lu answered.
"I see"
"Your highness, is there a problem?"
"No. I was just asking casually. You seem busy", Lingxi changed the subject.
"Not as much as you will be", he responded.
Lingxi did not understand what he meant.A few minutes later, stacks of ledgers and a bunch of keys were given to her.
"This is..."
"These are all His Highness's property and land deeds along with various shops he owns. Those are the keys to every lock in the mansion", Butler Lu explained.
Lingxi opened them and started reading one by one.
By the fifth one, she commented, "His Highness sure has a lot of properties"
"Our grand prince is well versed in every art", Butler Li praised.
Lingxi paused and looked up at him, "does he know martial arts too?" she had not forgotten his silent footsteps.
"I haven't seen him practice martial arts before. I don't think so"
"Is that so?"
Lingxi looked deep in thought as she held the ledger.
"But you shouldn't underestimate His Highness. He is exceptionally skilled in archery"
Butler probably thought she was disappointed in He Yu for his lack of martial skills.
'So much wealth that could almost rival that of the Mu family. He Yu, who are you really?' she thought.
She reclined back on her chair, "he sure is exceptional".
[Chiyun Hall]
"Mother", He Yan greeted.
He was summoned by Shen Ruihua. She did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
"I've heard what happened in court today", she started.
"What are mother's thoughts on this?" He Yan asked sitting down.
"We almost won today. Who would expect Liu Feng to wag his tongue at the last minute?" she said.
He Yan did not respond. She faced him, "but we have an advantage. No one is competing with you for this position. I heard you visited the grand prince residence, how was it?"
"I wasn't let through", He Yan responded.
"He Yu has always been cautious. No matter how hard I try I can't even get a fly in. He didn't give me face as well"
She had not yet forgotten the day she had gone to visit his residence and was not allowed in. He Yu did not even bother to come out and pay respects to her.
"But I did meet with his consort", He Yan added referring to Lingxi.
"You met with her?"
"Yes and she has agreed to help out", He Yan said though his voice was laced with some probability.
"Not too long ago, I had her kneel for quite some time. I do not trust her"
"Mother, there are many ways to show authority. You shouldn't use methods that will cause someone else to be vengeful", He Yan said calmly before adding, "Anyways, I don't think she is the one with time to avenge petty tricks"
[Li Mansion]
"How was court today", Madam Li asked. "We almost won today but Liu Feng just had to speak", he said as his wife helped him hang his robe.
"Didn't Gu Zi speak on Second Prince's behalf", she asked. "He did but His Highness distanced himself from the matter. Who knows what he's
thinking?" Li Changsheng said sitting down. Madam Li served him tea, "Is Second prince planning to focus on the Prime Minister's case? "Yes"
"What if he finds out our..."
Li Changsheng put his hand up signaling her to keep quiet.
"I covered my tracks neatly. No matter how hard he tries, it is bound to be in vain". Madam Li said nothing more.
[Grand Prince Residence]
Lingxi walked into the room a bit tired. She had been reviewing the accounts and was not close to being done.
She met He Yu lying sideways with his elbow resting on the bed and his head supported by his hand. She also wanted to rest but didn't want to disturb him so she went to her workspace and rested her head there.
He Yu opened his eyes and found her sleeping on the table. He watched her for a while.
"Come here", he finally said.
Lingxi heard him but didn't move at first.
"If your highness keeps resting there, it would be uncomfortable for your neck", she heard again.
Lingxi opened her eyes and lazily stood up with sleepy eyes and walked up to him.
He tapped the empty side of the bed, "rest here"
Lingxi did not argue. She climbed the bed and laid down next to him and immediately fell asleep. She was truly tired. The butler came in a few minutes later.
"Your highness", he called referring to Lingxi.
He Yu answered him, "what do you want?" "Your highness", he bowed, "I wanted to ask Her Highness what she would like for lunch", he answered.
"We won't have lunch", He Yu responded.
The butler bowed and left leaving both of them to rest.
******
The afternoon nap was such a long one and Lingxi stretched in satisfaction as she woke up.
"Come and have some tea", she heard He Yu's voice.
She stood up and sat opposite him. He served her tea.
"Thank you, your highness", she smiled as she accepted the tea.
She drank leisurely before noticing that outside was already dark.
"It's already dark. Why didn't your highness wake me up earlier? How am I supposed to sleep tonight?"
"You were sleeping soundly. I didn't want to disturb you", He Yu responded calmly.
Just then, two maids came in with a set of dishes. They set them down, bowed and left.
Lingxi picked up her chopsticks and scanned the dishes, "this is...."
"....your favorite dishes", he completed
"How did you know?" "Qin Yan told me" Lingxi smiled happily, "you truly treat me well".
She used the chopsticks to pick up a piece of Laziji, a crispy chicken buried under piles of dried red chilies, and held it on front of him, "since you prepared all this, the first bite should go to you"
They stared at each other for a long while before He Yu opened his mouth and ate the food.
Lingxi smiled brighter, "how is it? Is it good?"
"It's spicy", He Yu answered. "I love spicy foods and sweet desserts. Isn't that complementary?"
He Yu did not answer and started eating quietly.
Lingxi also ate quietly for some time before breaking the silence, "Butler Li told me your highness was exceptionally good at archery"
He Yu remained silent.
"I would like to learn from you", she added.
He Yu paused and dropped his chopsticks, "you want to learn?"