Chapter 30 Prince Zhenbei

Chapter 30: The Prince of Zhenbei

"What do you think?" Cui Ji asked, his tone a mix of amusement and ambiguity.

A chill ran down Cheng Ge's back, like he was carrying a cold, venomous snake instead of a person.

"Well..." Cheng Ge wanted to say "walk on his own two feet," but when he looked down, he remembered this guy was still crippled.

Ugh—should've just left him in the pavilion. Being too nice was a curse.

The old steward watched from the side, totally confused, wondering what kind of new game his prince and this young guy were playing.

"Uh... well, fine." Cheng Ge gritted his teeth and gave in. No choice—when you're under someone's roof, you gotta bow your head.

He trudged toward the carriage with Cui Ji on his back. When they got there, he carefully bent down to help him in.

The carriage looked fancy outside, and inside, it was anything but plain.

As he set Cui Ji down on the soft seat, he was about to get up when he met Cui Ji's cold, sharp stare.

Cheng Ge froze, his mind spinning, trying to figure out what he'd done to piss off this big shot.

He snuck a glance at Cui Ji, and after a moment, it finally clicked.

His hand naturally reached for a nearby thin blanket, and with exaggerated care, he draped it over Cui Ji's knees, even tucking the edges in.

Cui Ji: "..."

Cheng Ge thought his move was super heartwarming—surely Cui Ji would be touched to tears by now.

He figured this should be enough to bury the hatchet.

With that, he cheerfully turned to get out of the carriage.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cui Ji suddenly spoke.

Cheng Ge: "..." Where? Duh, wasn't it obvious? Back to our own homes, to our own moms!

Did he really expect to go with him? As if...

"My mom... uh... my mom called me home for dinner," Cheng Ge said dryly, his stomach conveniently letting out a loud growl.

The atmosphere got a little awkward.

Cui Ji's lips curled up slightly. "It's still raining outside. Come back with me to the mansion."

Cheng Ge's mouth twitched, and a thousand horses stampeded through his mind, but he didn't dare defy this lord.

He could only grimace and reluctantly crawl back into the carriage, sitting across from Cui Ji with his hands neatly resting on his knees.

Once the old steward saw they were both settled, he ordered the driver to move on.

The carriage started moving slowly, and the silence inside was suffocating.

Cheng Ge occasionally snuck a glance at Cui Ji, who had his eyes closed, maybe asleep.

His eyes darted around, and when Cui Ji wasn't looking, he quietly reached out and snagged a piece of osmanthus cake.

Cheng Ge could handle almost anything except hunger, and he had a huge appetite.

Cui Ji had noticed the second Cheng Ge took the first piece of cake, but he didn't bother to stop him.

Seeing no reaction, Cheng Ge got bolder, grabbing with both hands.

In no time, half the plate of osmanthus cakes was history.

But just as Cui Ji expected him to polish off the whole plate, Cheng Ge suddenly pulled back.

When something's off, there's gotta be a catch. Cui Ji opened his eyes and gave Cheng Ge a lazy look.

Seeing Cui Ji suddenly awake, Cheng Ge quickly dropped his head, pressing his hands hard against his knees and pursing his lips.

One second... two seconds... three seconds...

"Burp—" Cheng Ge's body jerked as he let out a loud burp.

Cui Ji: "..."

"Burp—" Cheng Ge's chest felt painfully tight, but afraid of getting caught snacking, he tried his best to hold it in.

Maybe he was straining too hard, his face turning bright red, looking almost scary.

Cui Ji, worried he might choke, silently poured a cup of tea and slid it over to Cheng Ge.

Struggling with the hiccups, Cheng Ge spotted the tea and downed it in one gulp without thinking.

The tea soothed his throat, easing the bloated feeling a bit.

He then grabbed the teapot and poured himself another full cup.

After downing four cups in a row, he finally managed to stop the hiccups.

He sneaked a glance at Cui Ji, and seeing his calm expression, breathed a sigh of relief.

The carriage swayed along as Cheng Ge stared longingly at the remaining half-plate of osmanthus cakes, swallowing hard.

Cui Ji seemed to notice his gaze and pushed the plate toward him.

Cheng Ge was startled at first, then his eyes lit up, but he still refused politely, "No need, I'm not that hungry."

"Alright, if you don't eat it, the steward will throw it away later."

"Can't waste it then. I'll force myself to have a little." Cheng Ge picked up the plate and placed it on his knees, nibbling slowly.

He'd heard that ancient nobles were super particular about dining etiquette, so it was best to be careful.

Cui Ji watched him without comment, took a sip of tea, and said nothing.

The pastries were delicate and few in number, and since Cui Ji rarely touched them, there wasn't much prepared. Soon, the plate was empty.

But just as Cheng Ge finished the last piece, the carriage finally arrived at the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion.

The old steward lifted the curtain and said respectfully, "Your Highness, we've arrived."

Cheng Ge reluctantly set down the porcelain plate and followed Cui Ji out of the carriage.

"Well then, Muyu takes his leave," Cheng Ge said, making a formal bow to Cui Ji.

"You're not staying for dinner?"

"Nah, I better not..."

Cui Ji nodded, then turned to the steward and asked, "What's for dinner tonight?"

The old steward had no clue what his lord was playing at, but he stepped forward nonetheless.

He answered respectfully, "My lord, tonight's dinner includes steamed sea bass, braised lion's head meatballs, scallion chicken, drunken goose, Jade and White Jade Soup, and sweet and sour spare ribs."

Honestly, Cheng Ge was a total glutton—the moment the first dish was announced, he was instantly locked in, like his feet were superglued to the floor.

"Hmm, tell the kitchen to throw in a few more meat dishes," Cui Ji said expressionlessly.

The steward's eyes darted between his lord and Cheng Ge, then bowed and replied, "Yes, my lord."

Cui Ji turned to look at Cheng Ge. "The chef here is decent. After we eat, I'll have someone take you back."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly... well, if you insist..." Cheng Ge jumped at the chance, afraid that if he hesitated, the other might change his mind.

His mind was filled with the dishes the steward had just listed, and he could already feel his mouth watering.

He placed his hands on Cui Ji's wheelchair and, like a bolt of lightning in the night, whisked him into the mansion in a flash.

That insane G-force was something Cui Ji had never experienced in his life. If the mansion's paths hadn't been so smooth, he might have gotten motion sickness.