Chapter 97: Harmonious and Beautiful
While others would dress up and adorn themselves to appear radiant and captivating, striving for a dazzling presence.
Xiao Zhao, however, was completely different.
She dressed Xue Sui to look plain.
Her bright and lively eyes were lightly dusted with a faint dark green on her eyelids, instantly diminishing their luster. Her dark hair was simply tied into a bun, with a few stray strands casually falling by her cheeks. Her fair skin was skillfully veiled with a layer of cosmetic powder, obscuring its natural glow…
A bright pearl covered with dull dust.
Once fully dressed, she seemed to lack spirit, as if she hadn’t slept in a long time.
Xiao Zhao leaned close to the mirror, a mischievous look on her face.
“Young Lady, are you satisfied with how you look?”
Xiao Zhao understood Xue Sui well, knowing that her Young Lady did not wish to share the Prince’s bed.
But Xue Sui had truly not expected this approach.
Li Huan wasn’t a fool; how could he not see through such an obvious little trick?
However, seeing Xiao Zhao’s earnest effort, she smiled and indulged her.
“Very good. You’ve worked hard.”
Xiao Zhao beamed upon hearing this, not noticing the hint of amusement in the words.
Jinshu watched her revel in her “masterpiece” with a proud expression. Her chest vibrated slightly as she suppressed a laugh. She exchanged a look with Xue Sui, and they understood each other without a word.
Jinshu steadied her emotions before smiling and asking Xue Sui for instructions.
“Young Lady, the Prince is coming for a meal. What should we prepare?”
Xue Sui pondered for a moment. “Just ordinary dishes.”
Though called ordinary, they weren’t quite so.
This was because among the “Old Mausoleum Swamp Ten Arts,” one of them was “Cooking.”
A person’s life is nothing more than food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Mastering superior cooking skills was undoubtedly a crucial way to survive.
The Nine Treasures Cake Xue Sui made last time was merely a small demonstration of her skills.
Normally, even with the same ingredients, the few of them, mistress and maids, could create many innovative and uniquely flavored dishes in the small kitchen.
Jinshu received the order and hurried off to make arrangements.
By dinnertime, Li Huan stepped into Tan Qiu Courtyard, and the dishes had just been served.
This was Li Huan’s first time visiting.
The red silk, wedding character, and large red lanterns from the wedding day had long been removed from the courtyard. The festive window paper-cuts on the windows were also gone, leaving no trace of a celebratory atmosphere.
The entire courtyard was simple and clean. Perhaps due to its proximity to the lake, by night, the mist would rise, and a gentle breeze would carry a unique freshness. The slight chill made it exceptionally cooler than other places.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
Xue Sui led the maids out, standing respectfully in the courtyard, and bowed to him.
Li Huan calmly withdrew his gaze, waved his hand gently, signaling them to rise, and then, led by Xue Sui, walked towards the dining hall.
The dining hall was meticulously cleaned, simple and elegant.
As he sat down, a maid promptly brought a copper basin to serve him as he washed his hands.
Li Huan accepted the service gracefully, his expression unchanging throughout.
Only after picking up his chopsticks and tasting the first dish did the furrow in his brow slowly relax, and a visible appreciation appeared in his dark eyes.
“The fragrance lingers in the mouth. The Sixth Young Lady’s cook is quite good.”
He still called her Sixth Young Lady.
Xue Sui smiled slightly, her demeanor dignified.
“Your Highness is too kind.”
Li Huan asked, “The cook at Mu Yue Residence was also trained by the Sixth Young Lady, wasn’t she?”
His tone was casual, yet carried certainty.
Xue Sui had never imagined these matters could completely deceive Li Huan.
She didn’t hide anything and frankly admitted it.
“Xue Liu hopes that Eldest Sister and Brother-in-law will eat heartily, live in harmony, and have a loving marriage. May their future days be smooth, worry-free, and blessed with many children and good fortune…”
Li Huan’s eyebrows rose as he listened. His dark eyes fixed on her face, which was dimmer than usual, with a knowing and gentle smile.
“You have married into the Prince’s Mansion, yet you still call me Brother-in-law?”
Xue Sui tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and lowered her eyes, smiling faintly.
“Brother-in-law is Brother-in-law. From the day Your Highness married my Eldest Sister, he became my Brother-in-law.”
What a cunning woman.
Dressed like this, it was clear she didn’t want to share his bed.
Li Huan didn’t expose her. He lowered his gaze, picked up the soup bowl, and took a shallow sip.
The soup was fragrant and delicious. He raised his eyebrows, saying nothing more, the faint smile still on his lips. He looked up and gestured to the maids standing by.
“You may all leave. I do not like to be served while I eat.”
Jinshu and the others glanced at Xue Sui, responded with “Yes,” bowed, and withdrew.
Only Li Huan and Xue Sui remained in the dining hall.
Xue Sui remained silent, personally serving Li Huan dishes.
Li Huan looked at her fair, slender hand and, for some reason, felt a peculiar, indescribable flutter in his heart.
It wasn’t tender affection, nor was it a ripple of emotion; it was simply a unique sense of novelty.
Most women around him were obsequious, but Xue Sui’s actions were natural and special, like an unknown variable suddenly entering his life, causing him unease and making it difficult for him to be as composed as he was with other women.
Thus, this woman easily disturbed his usual calm state of mind.
He had not touched Xue Liu all this time, not because he disliked her appearance or for any other reason, but out of caution.
Li Huan’s ability to stand out among many Imperial Princes was not solely due to Emperor Chong Zhao’s favoritism towards Consort Xiao, but more so because he was meticulous and cautious in his actions.
Xue Liu’s ten years in the Old Mausoleum Swamp must have forged intricate connections with the people there.
He had always been extremely careful and vigilant about this.
But even the most meticulous plan can have flaws, let alone sharing a bed?
He did not want to fall into eternal damnation due to a moment of carelessness.
More than indulging in carnal desires, he valued his life.
Li Huan put down his chopsticks, his eyebrows subtly rising.
“Sixth Young Lady, do you still remember what I said to you at the Xue Mansion last time?”
Xue Sui was placing a crystal-clear shrimp into his dish.
This was their second private conversation.
The first time was in the octagonal pavilion in the Xue Mansion’s garden.
Upon hearing his voice, Xue Sui paused and calmly replied, “That day at the Xue Mansion, Your Highness suspected me of being the murderer, so I asked Your Highness to present evidence according to the twenty-eighth decree of the reformist laws…”
She looked up, a gentle smile on her face.
“Has Your Highness found any evidence?”
Li Huan coughed lightly. “It’s not about that.”
Xue Sui looked up. “Is there something else?”
Li Huan said, “I said that regarding matters of the Old Mausoleum Swamp, I might need you to act as a liaison. I have come today because there are some things I wish to ask you…”
Xue Sui ignored the probing gaze from Li Huan, her eyes curving slightly, appearing as a woman who had just married into the mansion and was facing her husband with some embarrassment.
“Your Highness, why be so polite? Please ask whatever you wish. Xue Liu will certainly tell you everything she knows.”
Li Huan’s brow did not relax; instead, it furrowed even tighter.
Xue Sui stared at him, knowing he was hesitating and choosing his words carefully.
She placed another piece of emerald and white jade roll onto his dish, her movements slow and serene.
Li Huan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and after a moment of silence, slowly spoke.
“I am looking for an Imperial Envoy from the Old Mausoleum Swamp.”
His voice was calm and steady, without a hint of emotion, but his gaze was extremely sharp, scrutinizing Xue Sui’s face intently.
Not the slightest subtle change in her would escape his eyes.
Xue Sui’s expression remained calm.
However, when he mentioned the antique merchant, she let out a knowing smile.
Prince Duan looked down on the person before him, yet he sought out a swindler…
