Chapter 46 – “I Quite Like It”

Shu Ruohua was helpless.

She really wanted to tell Eunuch Lin not to bother; she could always come back another day.

Time passed slowly, yet Eunuch Lin still hadn’t come out.

He was probably still trying to persuade Xiao Che.

Shu Ruohua stood at the doorway holding the food box, looking around curiously.

This was her first time walking so openly within the Eastern Palace.

So this was how big the Eastern Palace was.

Qian Ning stood by anxiously.

She was really worried. What if the Crown Prince no longer wanted to see her lady? What then?

She glanced at Shu Ruohua’s indifferent demeanor and nearly lost it. She’d truly exhausted herself worrying about this unmotivated girl.

Just then, Consort Jing suddenly walked over.

Consort Jing wore a simple and elegant off-white long dress today, which made her look delicate and frail.

Qiuyue, walking beside her, also carried a food box.

Even from a distance, Shu Ruohua could faintly smell the scent of meat wafting from their box.

It had been ages since she’d last eaten meat.

Her eyes, full of longing, kept drifting toward the box in Qiuyue’s hands.

Consort Jing seemed to notice something.

“Oh my, how come elder sister has gotten so thin lately?”

From the first time she had gone to Lengfeng Pavilion, Consort Jing had noticed something was different about Shu Ruohua, but couldn’t quite pinpoint what. Now she finally realized—Shu Ruohua had lost weight.

Shu Ruohua couldn’t be bothered to respond.

She turned her head and pulled Qian Ning a few steps away, trying to keep some distance from Consort Jing and her entourage. That way, she wouldn’t have to keep smelling the drool-inducing aroma of meat.

Consort Jing, however, smiled faintly and stepped closer.
“Could it be that you’ve been suffering at Lengfeng Pavilion?”

Her words were laced with veiled sarcasm.

Fortunately, Shu Ruohua was already used to this tone of hers. She treated her like air and simply ignored her.

Finally, Eunuch Lin came out.

He opened his mouth to speak, but when he saw Consort Jing had also arrived, he choked a little.

He gave her a polite bow, then turned to Shu Ruohua and said,
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince has agreed to see you. Please, come in.”

Shu Ruohua suddenly lost her nerve.

Consort Jing, on the other hand, immediately headed toward the hall.

Eunuch Lin quickly stepped in to block her path.
“Consort Jing, the Crown Prince only said he would see the Crown Princess. Please allow this old servant to report your presence first.”

The implication was clear: if you want to enter, I need to ask for permission.

How could Consort Jing allow herself to be made a fool of in front of Shu Ruohua?

“No need. His Highness favors me the most,” she said proudly, giving Shu Ruohua a haughty glance before striding inside.

Eunuch Lin could only sigh helplessly.

Under Qian Ning’s incessant muttering, Shu Ruohua also stepped inside.

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Inside the sleeping quarters.

Xiao Che had already put away his military strategy books. He was sitting by the table, seemingly waiting for Shu Ruohua’s meal.

But the first person he saw was Consort Jing.

Xiao Che’s dark eyes narrowed. “Why are you here?”

Consort Jing replied sweetly,
“This concubine made hometown-style crispy pork and pine nut sweet and sour fish today, and thought to bring them for Your Highness to try.”

As she spoke, she began taking the dishes out of the food box.

Xiao Che remained expressionless.

Shu Ruohua slowly walked in.

She bowed. “This concubine greets Your Highness.”

Xiao Che cast her a cold glance. “Bring it here.”

If Eunuch Lin hadn’t just pleaded for her, he wouldn’t have allowed her inside at all.

Shu Ruohua stepped forward. When she saw the fish and pork Consort Jing had laid on the table, she paused slightly.

Xiao Che noticed this subtle change immediately.
“Open it.”

His tone softened ever so slightly.

Shu Ruohua gave him a timid glance and opened the food box, revealing shredded potatoes and plain rice.

Consort Jing immediately laughed.

“This is what elder sister brought for the Crown Prince? Are you feeding a beggar?”

Shu Ruohua had no words.

Xiao Che, however, pulled Shu Ruohua’s dishes toward himself.

He picked up a pair of chopsticks, took a bite of the shredded potatoes with the rice.

He completely ignored Consort Jing’s meat and fish.

“This is the fresh potato you mentioned?”

Shu Ruohua lowered her gaze and quietly nodded. “Yes.”

“Hmm. I quite like it.”

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(End of Chapter)