Chapter 238: I Like You
Gong Changan knew that barbarians were naturally forthright; if they gave you something, they truly meant to give it to you, and being overly hesitant would be unseemly.
So he accepted it readily and said, “It’s only natural to help someone in need. In fact, it was these two who asked me to help this young lady.”
He pointed to Ying Tong and Ying Bai.
The barbarian youth cupped his hands towards them in thanks.
“Alright, alright, everyone disperse!” the guards ordered, clearing the crowd.
“What’s your name?” the barbarian girl asked Gong Changan as she approached.
“I am Gong Changan.”
“Oh! Where did you get that bug of yours? Can you sell me one?” the girl asked earnestly.
“You’ve been deceived, young lady. It’s just an ordinary bee that can find scents,” Gong Changan said with a smile. “Look, do you see that person who stole my money pouch? Isn’t he doing just fine now?”
At that moment, the person who had stolen Gong Changan’s money pouch earlier, and had been curled up on the ground, got up.
“Hey, didn’t he die?!” the maid beside the girl exclaimed.
“He didn’t die; it was all an act before,” Gong Changan explained.
It turned out that before acting, Gong Changan had arranged with the little eunuch attending Ying Tong to take his money pouch and blend into the crowd.
Then, he himself pretended to have his money pouch stolen and searched for the thief.
He had raised that bee for several years, originally to help Wen Mingqian find scents. Because it was well-fed, it had grown exceptionally large.
Now that Wen Mingqian no longer needed it for finding scents, Gong Changan kept it as a pet.
This time, to scare people, he had temporarily named it Suo Zhen and fabricated a story about its special abilities.
As for why it landed on the little eunuch’s head, it was because Gong Changan had smeared honey on the eunuch’s head beforehand.
The bee, having fed on this scent for years, was extremely familiar with it.
So, as soon as Gong Changan released it, it naturally flew towards the scent.
Then, the little eunuch acted as if he had been bitten and poisoned. Those who didn’t know would inevitably believe it.
The rest followed naturally.
“You’re a true Bazan!” the girl gave Gong Changan a thumbs-up. “Your ideas are as numerous as the stars in the sky.”
Bazan was a word in their native tongue, meaning the most intelligent person.
“Zhuola Han, I haven’t even spoken to you yet. Who told you to run off without bringing anyone?” the barbarian youth scolded his sister. “You made me so worried.”
“Alright, stop lecturing me. I’ve had enough grievances today,” Zhuola Han retorted indignantly, showing how doting her brother was towards her.
“Changan, it’s getting late, we should head back,” Ying Tong called out to Gong Changan.
Gong Changan quickly agreed and started walking back.
“Wait!” Zhuola Han called out to him.
Gong Changan turned around. Zhuola Han ran over, took off the coral beads from her neck, and put them on Gong Changan. She then kissed him on the cheek.
“I like you! Wait for me, I’ll come find you again.”
With that, she ran off.
Gong Changan’s face turned completely red, and for a moment, he was unable to react.
Ying Bai couldn’t help but tease him, “Changan, Changan, you’re so young and already accumulating romantic debts.”
Upon returning to the palace, it was already time for dinner.
Wen Mingqian was waiting for her son.
“You were out for so long today, where did you go exploring?” Wen Mingqian asked while wiping his face with a handkerchief.
“I experienced quite a lot today.” Gong Changan recounted everything that happened that day to Wen Mingqian, omitting the part where Zhuola Han kissed him.
“The Liu family is accustomed to being arrogant. After suffering a loss this time, they will still hold a grudge against us,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile.
“Who cares! They hold a grudge against us, and we hold a deep hatred for them!” Gong Changan scoffed. “We’ll deal with them sooner or later.”
The next day, Prince Chu and Princess Consort Chu both entered the palace.
Princess Consort Chu wanted to pay her respects to the Empress but met Gong Changan and her son Ying Bai on the way.
“Finished with morning class?” Princess Consort Chu asked with a smile. “Why don’t I see Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent?”
“The Empress is speaking with the Heir Apparent. We were about to go to Jingzhong Pavilion to see His Majesty,” Gong Changan said with a smile. “Since you’re here, let the Heir Apparent speak with you!”
“No need, seeing His Majesty is more important,” Princess Consort Chu said quickly. “I’m not in a hurry to leave, we can meet again later. His Highness has also gone to Shenzhong Pavilion, you should hurry over!”
“If Princess Consort wishes to stroll, you can have my mother accompany you,” Gong Changan said. “She’s in her room!”
“Alright, I haven’t seen her in a while either, and I was just thinking of chatting with her!” Princess Consort Chu said with a gentle smile.
After Gong Changan and the other two left, the maid beside Princess Consort said, “This Gong Fourth Young Master is truly a clever child. He knows the Empress is not convenient to see us now, so he’s sending us to his mother’s room.”
“Yes, this child, though young, is extremely sensible. I wonder what his mother ate while carrying him to be so precocious,” Princess Consort Chu couldn’t hide her admiration.
“However, this servant always feels that Gong Fourth Young Master seems to be closer to our Heir Apparent,” the maid whispered, glancing around. “It seems he gets along better with our Heir Apparent.”
“Who knows? Perhaps he’s naturally adept at dealing with people, making everyone feel close to him, no matter who he’s with!” Princess Consort Chu smiled. “His mother, however, clearly favors Princess Consort Zhao.”
As the mistress and servant spoke, they indeed bypassed the Empress’s Imperial Chamber and headed towards Wen Mingqian’s residence.
Xiao Yue was outside hanging handkerchiefs. Upon seeing Princess Consort Chu arrive, she quickly paid her respects.
She deliberately raised her voice a little higher so that Wen Mingqian inside the room could hear.
“I didn’t expect Your Ladyship’s visit, please forgive my rudeness,” Wen Mingqian hurried out.
“Are you doing needlework?” Princess Consort Chu asked with a smile. “I met Bai’er and Changan earlier, and they said you weren’t attending to the Empress, so I came to find you for a chat.”
“The Empress is currently questioning Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent, so it’s not appropriate for me to be present,” Wen Mingqian said, lifting the curtain to invite Princess Consort Chu in. “Your Ladyship’s noble feet have graced my humble dwelling, and I fear my room is rather beneath you.”
“Look at what you’re saying. It’s enough that you don’t mind my uninvited visit,” Princess Consort Chu said as she walked in. She saw that although Wen Mingqian’s room was not large, it was clean and tidy, with a faint, elegant fragrance that brought a sense of peace.
Xiao Yue had already brought tea. Wen Mingqian said apologetically, “My tea isn’t the best, but please have some to moisten your throat, Your Ladyship.”
“You are a person of refined taste, and everything you use is exceptionally elegant. I can’t really discern the quality of tea, but I can tell if the person I’m drinking with is congenial,” Princess Consort Chu was also quite eloquent.
“The weather is getting cooler. I asked Xiao Yue to decoct some red dates to make tea. Please try it and see if it suits your taste,” Wen Mingqian personally handed the tea cup to Princess Consort Chu.
“Otherwise, why would they say you are clever and skillful? This red date tea smells warming to the heart,” Princess Consort Chu took the tea cup and raised her eyebrows with a smile.
