Chapter 045: I Insist on Giving It to Her!

Xiao Yue is truly heartless and inhuman!

Wu Tan was on the verge of tears.

Although the elders present were all round-faced, kindly, and seemingly benevolent, she couldn’t help but feel awkward. Still, after spending years coaxing her grandmother at home, she had honed a glib tongue, and her skill at flattering elders came in handy now. It didn’t take long before the room echoed with cheerful laughter and lively conversation.

Wu Tan entertained Xiao Yue’s elders until the banquet finally began, her face so numb from smiling that she could hardly feel it.

With no mistress in the Prince Sheng’s household, the seat of honor naturally went to the eldest present, Princess Huyang.

Wu Tan was seated at the very end, near the door.

Just as the maids served the appetizers, Xiao Yue appeared outside.

There were still male guests to greet in the front hall, so naturally he couldn’t dine with the ladies; he had only come by to pay his respects.

Wu Tan shrank closer to the door, watching him—so dignified and proper—exchange pleasantries with the elders and sisters-in-law, thinking all the while what a hypocritical beast in gentleman’s clothing he was.

“The battlefield is a terrifying place—I shudder just to hear about it. Your cousin told me you were gravely injured this time, which gave me quite a scare. Thank heaven you’ve recovered,” sighed Princess Huyang after everyone had inquired about Xiao Yue’s injury, her tone full of heartfelt concern. “The court is not lacking in generals. Now that you are back, you should stay in the capital and rest.”

“It was mere carelessness on my part. I’m sorry for worrying all of you.” Xiao Yue’s manner was humble and respectful; he neither contradicted nor promised anything. “The banquet is about to begin in the front hall, so I must attend to the guests there. Forgive me for neglecting you all; please, make yourselves at home.”

“Go on, then!” Princess Huyang laughed, but, being elderly, she couldn’t help but nag a bit more. “Now that you’re recovering in the capital, it’s the perfect time to choose a wife. Marry soon, so you’ll have someone to oversee your household—then you won’t have to run yourself ragged next time.”

“You are right, Aunt. I will remember,” Xiao Yue replied, playing the dutiful nephew.

Wu Tan paid no attention to their conversation, and, to avoid drawing Xiao Yue’s notice, kept her head down and pretended to eat.

The chef at Prince Sheng’s residence was skilled, but she was used to being picky at home. Now, she simply stirred her bowl of sweet rice wine dumplings over and over with her spoon.

Xiao Yue had been watching her from the corner of his eye for a while, and just before leaving, he suddenly asked, “Wu Tan, is the food here not to your liking?”

He hadn’t expected the girl to be so bold—or so particular—that she would even be fussy about her meals.

“Ah!” Wu Tan, the only one present who didn’t dare address him while seated, shot to her feet and blurted, “No, not at all! It’s delicious… very delicious!”

He even found fault at the dining table! What sort of person was this?

Xiao Yue saw her forced response and couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Meals in this household are not for just anyone to enjoy. Since you like the food, do entertain the elders well on my behalf.”

“Oh,” Wu Tan muttered, keeping her head down, not daring to look at him.

Satisfied with the last word, Xiao Yue departed.

His tone with Wu Tan had carried a hint of mockery, but since she was still young, the women present thought nothing of it.

Princess Huyang, seeing Wu Tan still standing listlessly, beckoned her with a smile. “Come, sit and eat. That child—he picked up some rough ways after years on the battlefield. His manner can be abrupt, but pay it no mind.”

“Your Highness, if you say so—but my father’s temper is far worse than Prince Sheng’s,” Wu Tan replied with a wide, carefree grin.

“You child…” Princess Huyang, recognizing her humility and wit, only laughed more heartily.

Xiao Yue did not return after that. When the banquet ended, Wu Tan followed the noble ladies out of the manor.

She had sipped some fruit wine, and her cheeks were flushed. Fearing that Wu Qinglin would scold her if he saw, she lagged behind to sober up. As she walked through the garden in the front court, Xiao Yun suddenly appeared, blocking her path with a cold, stern expression.

“Wu Tan!” His tone was harsh.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!” her two maids quickly curtsied.

Wu Tan, a bit tipsy and slow to react, had barely opened her mouth when Xiao Yun demanded coldly, “What are you doing here?”

“I…” Wu Tan glanced around and blurted out, “I got lost!”

But Xiao Yun pressed on, refusing to let it go. “I asked why you’re at Prince Sheng’s residence today.”

Wu Tan fell silent.

Should she say she was here purely thanks to rotten luck and a chance encounter with him?

When the Crown Prince asked a question, she had to answer. Rousing herself, Wu Tan replied, “My brother came for the banquet. I’d never been to Prince Sheng’s residence and wanted to have a look. I got lost and accidentally wandered into Prince Sheng’s study.”

She had no wish to elaborate. Xiao Yun clearly distrusted his powerful uncle, and no amount of explanation would change his mind—so why waste her breath?

Xiao Yun clearly didn’t believe her.

Yet, after clashing with Wu Tan twice, he understood her nature well enough. She was a stubborn brat—impossible to intimidate, always playing along on the surface but refusing to yield in truth. There was nothing more to be gained by questioning her.

He glared at her for a long moment before finally storming off, flinging a last warning over his shoulder: “Don’t let me find out you’re lying!”

Wu Tan stared at the ground for a while, then shrugged indifferently and, feeling much relieved, led her two maids away.

An uncle like that was bad enough; the nephew was just as rotten. The entire Xiao family was nothing but scoundrels!

Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Yue had witnessed the entire exchange from behind a nearby thicket, but did not reveal himself.

“The Crown Prince is likely growing suspicious of your connection with the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household. Shall I have someone keep an eye on him?” Lei Ming asked, watching Xiao Yue’s expression.

“Let him investigate all he likes. Do you really think you can hide anything from him?” Xiao Yue replied coldly, his eyes flashing with a dark, icy light. He flicked a branch that had been pressed under his finger, sending it springing back.

Turning toward the rear courtyard, he ordered, “Go to Feng Qi and get two bottles of medicinal wine for bruises and injuries.”

Lei Ming understood, but hesitated. “Does the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household really lack medicinal wine? And the Crown Prince—”

But Xiao Yue cut him off coolly, “Whether she needs it or not is her business. I intend to send it to her—do you have an objection?”

“No, Your Highness!” Lei Ming, hearing the change in his tone, dared not say another word and hurried off to fetch the medicine.

Xiao Yue continued on his way, his steps unhurried, a look of amusement flickering in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Wu Tan returned home with Wu Qinglin. After a nap, she awoke at dusk, momentarily forgetting the injury on her shoulder. As she turned over and winced in pain, Xingzi entered, carrying a bottle of medicinal wine.

This book is published exclusively; please do not reproduce without permission.