Chapter 48 Tattling

Chapter 48: Tattling

Meanwhile, Su Zheng, informed by the system notification, also learned about what had happened in the side hall.

He silently kicked himself for the oversight. He should have immediately found eight or ten maids and eunuchs to serve that Little Wolf up close after his injury healed.

Didn't everyone here like being waited on hand and foot, with a dozen servants fussing over just one person?

It was only because he himself wasn't used to such things that he had forbidden close attendants, forgetting that Luo Yunchen was also a local, and might actually enjoy that sort of service.

Fortunately, the Little Wolf was still obedient enough. There should still be time to make up for it now.

Over the next few days, Luo Yunchen and Su Zheng attended classes, had meals, and practiced calligraphy together.

Apart from that, the rest of their time was mostly spent apart.

In the afternoons, Su Zheng took naps, and after getting up, he would think about what other prescriptions to write down. When he grew tired of thinking, he would eat, drink, and read storybooks.

Luo Yunchen was a bit busier. In the afternoons, he had to nap and complete two assignments. At night, he would go out as soon as it got dark and wouldn't return until just before dawn.

Su Zheng worried that his health couldn't take it, but there was little else he could do except instruct the maids to prepare more nourishing soups and foods for Heir Luo.

In the early mornings and afternoons, after the heir woke up from his nap, the maids would serve him the soup and make sure he drank it.

Luo Yunchen didn't ask any questions, simply accepting the bowls handed to him by the maids and drinking everything.

But one afternoon, Luo Yunchen suddenly ran over to Su Zheng's bedchamber, heading straight for the inner chamber.

Su Zheng was leisurely reclining on a daybed, reading a storybook and snacking on some treats. When he heard the commotion, he looked up.

Luo Yunchen clutched his chest, looking somewhat disheveled. His face full of grievance, he walked up to Su Zheng, grabbed his wrist, and said in a trembling voice, "Crown Prince Brother, I feel terrible!"

Su Zheng was completely baffled. Looking at his teary eyes, he unconsciously softened his tone. "Chen Di, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Just now, a maid insisted on feeding me with her own hands.

I... I suddenly felt nauseous and uncomfortable. I couldn't stop it, and... and I threw up.

Crown Prince Brother, I didn't mean to!

But whenever I think about it, I feel extremely uneasy. It got better only after coming to you, elder brother.

Crown Prince Brother, can I get rid of that maid?

I'm afraid that if I go back and see her, I'll feel sick again!"

Su Zheng: "..."

Luo Yunchen looked at Su Zheng, two tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes, as if he had indeed been really upset.

Su Zheng helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Fine. I'll replace her for you."

Only then did Luo Yunchen seem satisfied. He stayed at Su Zheng's place until after dinner before returning.

Two days later, Luo Yunchen ran back to Su Zheng to report another issue.

He said that a maid had inexplicably thrown herself at him. Thinking she was an assassin, he kicked her aside without a second thought.

Now the maid was injured from his kick and would be unable to work for a while.

Su Zheng had no choice but to replace her with another.

Another two days passed, and Luo Yunchen came running once more to complain.

One maid had said she wanted to grind ink for him, but instead, she ruined the assignment he had just finished for the Grand Tutor, ruining it completely.

Luo Yunchen found this maid clumsy and a total nuisance, so he demanded that she be replaced.

Thus, Su Zheng replaced the maid again.

And again, a few days later.

The three newly assigned maids were all sent away by Luo Yunchen for various reasons and excuses.

It went on until the last day of the two-week period. Of all the maids, only one remained at her post.

This maid, from beginning to end, had never been replaced.

Su Zheng thought that Luo Yunchen must be pretty satisfied with this one.

So that afternoon, while Luo Yunchen was taking a nap, Su Zheng summoned the maid.

She was a woman with a gentle, delicate appearance.

After she paid her respects, Su Zheng said calmly, "I specifically found a few of you to serve as personal maids to Heir Luo, attending to him closely and taking care of him. I'm sure you have some idea of my purpose in doing this."

The maid did not dare to hide anything. She kowtowed and said, "Yes."

Su Zheng continued, "You are the only one who has remained by Heir Luo's side for a full two-week period. Today, I ask you: are you willing to become Heir Luo's chamber maid?"

The maid abruptly raised her head to look at Su Zheng, then hurriedly kowtowed to beg for forgiveness. She prostrated herself on the floor, stammering for a long time without finishing a sentence.

Su Zheng was not impatient. In a calm tone, with a soothing tone, he said, "Don't be nervous. It's up to you whether you're willing or not. I will not force you.

If you are unwilling, I will naturally send you away. No third person will know about today's matter.

If you are willing, then devote yourself wholeheartedly to Heir Luo. In the future, you will naturally not lack wealth and status."

Having said this, Su Zheng's tone suddenly turned stern. "But let me make this clear: if you are unwilling, that's that. But if you come to serve Heir Luo and then do something harmful to him—whether big or small—I will not let you off lightly for any reason, and you will be the first one I punish!"

The maid prostrated herself on the floor, biting her lip in silence.

Finally, after a long moment, she replied in a low voice, "I... I admire Heir Luo. But I fear... I fear that Heir Luo might look down on me."

Su Zheng understood the implication in her words—she was willing, but since Heir Luo had not shown any interest in her, her willingness was useless.

Su Zheng nodded. "As long as you are willing, I'll take care of the rest."

The maid kowtowed. "I will follow the Crown Prince's arrangements."

Su Zheng gave her a small bottle of medicine, explaining what it does and how to use it.

The maid held the medicine, a mixture of shock and panic on her face.

Su Zheng said calmly, "If the heir blames you afterward, just tell him it was on my orders. Tell him to come find me."

Only then did the maid muster her courage, take the medicine, and leave.

That medicine, following the system's instructions again, Su Zheng had Xiaoyunzi secretly buy it from a well-connected matron.

Besides the drug, Su Zheng would also make Xiaoyunzi light an incense stick in Luo Yunchen's inner chamber during the evening meal.

That incense was also directed by the system. Su Zheng tricked Su Qiran into cooperating with him to steal it from Empress Shen.

Neither the drug nor the incense is harmful to the body or will cloud one's mind, but the drug will maximize the desires of the person who takes it.

The incense merely enhances the mood, boosting libido and heightening pleasure.

Su Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the scenery outside the courtyard, and suddenly fell silent, lost in a daze.

He wasn't sure whether it was his natural disposition or being born in the wrong era.

Years of bitter struggle and difficult survival had slowly numbed his heart and gradually drained his emotions.

At an age when his heart should first awaken to love, he had never experienced any thrill or shyness, showing no interest in men or women, nor any interest in being desired by them.

Up until now, he remains devoid of emotions, desires, and thoughts.

But Su Zheng knew that most men have impulses—once they get a taste of it, they can't stop.

From Luo Yunchen's behavior toward him, Su Zheng knew that Luo Yunchen also had desires.

That being the case, it would be better to let Luo Yunchen experience a real taste of carnal pleasure.

Once he has experienced it, he will understand that his feelings toward him were nothing more than a passing fancy, a false illusion of confusing dependence for affection.

It's not too late to cut his losses.