chapter 51

Chapter 51: Truly Amazing

By the time Zhong Hong and the others returned with the ice basin, the food was already laid out.

Shen He was sipping his sour plum soup, feeling refreshed after a few gulps.

He despised the heat, so during the summer, he often sought coolness. After two bowls, he didn’t want to eat but intended to pour another bowl for himself.

Qi Zhuoyun gently pulled him away and guided him to sit at the table, "Eat your meal and cut back on these cold drinks."

Shen He pouted and murmured as he reluctantly sat next to Qi Zhuoyun, "It's too hot; I don't have an appetite."

Qi Zhuoyun's eyebrows raised playfully, replying with a smirk, "Really? If you don't have an appetite, perhaps you should go and mingle with the guests. After all, you're today's host and this banquet is for you. It wouldn't be proper if you didn't show up. I won't force you to dine with me."

As he finished speaking, he picked up a piece of stir-fried vinegar lotus root.

After savoring the piece, he commented, "The chef from the Duke's residence is quite skilled, to my taste. I should send my palace chefs to learn from him."

Shen He: "..."

While he may not have been ravenous, his "lack of appetite" just meant having two and a half bowls of rice instead of three.

Shen He shamelessly salivated.

Picking up his chopsticks, he defended himself, "I don't want to go out and mingle. It's too hot outside. I'd rather stay here and have lunch with you. Is it tasty? Can I try?"

The lotus root was crisp, its sour and spicy taste perfect for the summer heat.

His eyes widened in delight as he voraciously sampled from one end of the table to the other.

Occasionally, he would also offer Qi Zhuoyun a bite, making his presence known.

After lunch, Shen He grew restless. He wanted to find Liu Zheng and the others but didn't want to venture out into the heat.

So, he sent a young servant to find them for him.

Shen He crouched by the ice basin, and upon hearing from the steward what Jin Yuan had sent as a birthday gift, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Struggling to maintain a straight face, he gestured, "If he's given it, why let it sit unused? Use it now!"

This is much easier than using a hand fan.

Qi Zhuoyun gazed downward, observing the amusing expressions on the young man's face. Holding a cup of tea, he took a sip, revealing a soft smile.

He quietly watched Shen He's antics, occasionally chiming in when the boy muttered something.

Though Qi Zhuoyun had been back for some time, he was often busy. Today, he had taken a significant part of the day off just to be with Shen He.

Not like before, when he'd multitask, balancing his duties while being with Shen He.

During those times, Shen He felt as though he was intruding, being quite impolite.

He would keep to himself, trying to remain as quiet as possible.

Now that Qi Zhuoyun was free to entertain his ramblings, Shen He spoke freely, spouting whatever fun anecdotes came to mind.

As the saying goes, the desire to share is the best bond in friendship.

Shen He, being the younger brother, was no exception!

After sharing, Shen He was quick to ask Qi Zhuoyun about his recent activities and any interesting stories.

Sharing should be a two-way street, after all!

It should be give and take!

Qi Zhuoyun was accustomed to Shen He's inquiries.

Anyone else wouldn't dare ask him such things, as his movements and actions were so confidential. Even Zhong Hong, if he were uncertain, wouldn't venture to ask.

Shen He, however, lacked such restraint. Crouching by the ice basin, feeling the cool air on his face, he leaned forward with both hands supporting his chin, looking utterly content.

Qi Zhuoyun, with a gentle tone, recounted some amusing stories he'd made a note of, for Shen He.

The boy half-crouched, clutching the hem of his robe, looking up at him with bright and earnest eyes.

Qi Zhuoyun's voice became even softer.

It wasn't until the servants returned that Qi Zhuoyun paused and looked up.

Zhong Hong first set up the mechanical fan sent by Jin Yuan. Following the steward's instructions, he wound it up and released.

The fan blades began whirling, causing Shen He's hair to flutter and stick to his face.

Brushing away the ticklish strands, he looked at the servant curiously, "Why haven't my cousins come?"

The servant replied in a hushed tone, "Young Master Shen, Master Liu and the others said it's getting late. They had taken leave to attend the banquet and have already departed. Their gifts are in the eastern room. Please inform His Highness on their behalf."

Shen He was perplexed. They were invited, so why leave halfway through to study?

He grumbled, "Today is my birthday, and they left without even showing their faces. Quite inconsiderate!"

He hadn't even had the chance to inform them about the bet!

He had been eagerly anticipating today, just to share the bad news with his younger cousins and witness their reactions.

He had been holding onto this news for days, and not being able to share it now was incredibly frustrating!

Seeing his vexed expression, Qi Zhuoyun remarked, "Why the fuss? You can always tell them in a few days. In the meantime, think about how to hold them to their bet."

Shen He found the advice quite sensible.

By evening, as the banquet was almost set and the sun began to set, the servants slowly started loading the gifts onto the carriages.

At the Duke's mansion, Shen He spent time with his grandparents, completely forgetting about his unworthy father.

As he was leaving, he waved to Shen Yan, "See you in a few days, brother!"

Shen Yan nodded in acknowledgment.

He stood quietly at the mansion's entrance, watching Shen He board the Crown Prince's carriage, which then rolled away.

Turning, Shen Yan assisted the elderly Duchess inside. Behind his ear was a sharp scratch, resembling one made by a fingernail, a subtle mark concealed within his hair.

……

Shen He felt somewhat drained.

Despite not being involved for long, such occasions always exhausted him.

All he wanted was to take a bath and get some rest.

The only thing keeping him energized was the birthday gift Qi Zhuoyun had prepared for him.

Shen He's curiosity was utterly piqued.

Ever since the Crown Prince returned to the capital, he had been secretive. Shen He had probed many times, but the Prince always pretended not to catch his drift!

So infuriating!

As soon as they reached the Eastern Palace, Shen He was in a rush to disembark.

His carriage was filled with birthday gifts, so he rode in Qi Zhuoyun's carriage.

In his eagerness to disembark, he moved too hastily. Qi Zhuoyun, acting on instinct, reached out to steady him, grasping his hand, "Slow down. The items in your chamber won't sprout legs and run off."

Shen He merely chuckled, and after laughing, he leaped down from the carriage, his youthful silhouette reminiscent of a graceful bird.

He ran swiftly, his robes fluttering behind him in the wind, making him appear as though he was about to take flight.

Qi Zhuoyun shook his head. Zhong Hong whispered, "Your Highness, before Master Liu left, he had someone deliver this. Where should we put it?"

Qi Zhuoyun gestured, signaling the young eunuch behind him to retrieve the set of women's attire from the rear carriage, laid upon a wooden tray.

It was a bright apricot-yellow dress, its color radiant, reminiscent of ginkgo leaves shining in daylight.

Qi Zhuoyun gazed at the dress, the warmth in his eyes gradually fading, becoming mysteriously deep.

Because the hue of the dress, if just a bit redder, would resemble the eye color of Shen He by the pondside, or perhaps, the Shen He in his dreams who gazed up at him.

His expression darkened abruptly, catching Zhong Hong off guard.

Zhong Hong wondered, "Why does His Highness keep this dress? Could he be upset over the bet between the young lord and Master Liu and his group?"

...In the past, when they were just a group of children causing minor ruckuses, the Crown Prince never favored anyone.

Such small wagers were harmless back then.

After all, the young lord himself didn’t seem to mind, especially now that he hasn't lost anything. It was Master Liu and his group who lost the bet.

With these thoughts swirling in his head, Zhong Hong couldn't figure it out. He sighed quietly, thinking that the Crown Prince had been unusually moody these days, perhaps due to the absence of a crown princess.

Zhong Hong felt the urgency to investigate the potential candidates for the crown princess soon. If there's a lady His Highness favors, it would be best to initiate the marriage talks early.

As Zhong Hong was pondering, he heard Qi Zhuoyun say in a calm tone, "Put the dress at the bottom of the chest. And about the people you are investigating, hurry up. The court has been pressing about this. You can make a bit of noise to let them know, so they can relax for a while."

Zhong Hong nodded respectfully, instructing his apprentice to store away the dress.

Qi Zhuoyun, hands clasped behind his back, strolled towards the side hall. Before entering, he heard the sound of a young man strenuously dragging a chest inside.

He gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength.

Hearing footsteps, he released the chest, looked up, and exclaimed, "Brother, you didn't give me the key!"

Can you imagine his excitement rushing back only to find the chest beside his bed locked? How would he feel?

Especially with the protagonist strolling over so leisurely now.

He did it on purpose! Such wicked humor!

As Qi Zhuoyun approached, he draped an arm over his shoulder, chuckling, "Hehe, why are you dragging the chest out?"

Shen He retorted with pride, "I'm moving it aside, so it doesn't block my way."

Qi Zhuoyun was utterly amused.

He felt a peculiar sensation in his heart.

Shen He always had a way to lift his spirits, regardless of the preceding upset or its reason.

Just witnessing Shen He's free-spirited demeanor instantly lightened his mood.

He gently held the back of Shen He's neck, apologizing, "Is it alright if I admit my fault? I shouldn't have kept you in suspense like that. Given how impatient Lord He is, he can't wait even a moment."

Shen He thought, "You're really pushing it, trying to turn the tables on me like that!"

Who keeps someone in suspense for this long?

Drawing it out with constant twists and turns.

Utterly exasperating.

Qi Zhuoyun, being tall with surprisingly strong arms, pressed down on Shen He's shoulders and neck, making it impossible for Shen He to slip away.

Shen He struggled to reach behind his neck, trying to pry off Qi Zhuoyun's hand. Qi Zhuoyun cooed, "Here, I'll give it to you now. Next time, I promise I won't do this."

Shen He responded, "Next time is another matter; right now, it's about this moment."

After much effort, Shen He couldn't free himself from Qi Zhuoyun's grasp and instead found himself being drawn into Qi Zhuoyun's embrace.

Qi Zhuoyun dangled a tiny key before Shen He's eyes, saying, "Here you go. If you're dissatisfied with the gift, there's still time to be upset. Take a look first."

Shen He was burning with curiosity, as if a cat was scratching at his heart.

He could resist showing his annoyance.

But with such cajoling from Qi Zhuoyun, Shen He's curiosity won out. He eagerly snatched the key.