Upon reaching the eastern garden, the steward settled them into their accommodations—a large pavilion with two rooms on the left and right, connected by an interior hall in the middle.

Wasn’t this just the layout of a hotel suite?

Ji Yunshu was not pleased about this and said to the steward, “Are there no other rooms available?”

The old steward was hunched over, wearing mourning clothes with a mourning cap on his head, so that when he bowed his head, his features were completely invisible.

He replied respectfully, “Sir, these two rooms in the entire eastern garden are the cleanest. You are honored guests, and the master has ordered that you not be neglected.”

“But…”

Jingrong spoke up. “Scholar Ji is only staying one night. Why make such a fuss? I think this place is quite good—very quiet. We won’t be disturbed during our rest tonight.” Having said this, he told the old steward, “We don’t need you here anymore. Go attend to your duties.”

“Yes. Then you two rest well. I’ll have the servants come over shortly to attend to you.”

The steward kept his head lowered and retreated toward the courtyard exit.

Ji Yunshu was most annoyed by Jingrong’s lordly manner and couldn’t help saying, “This is not Prince Rong’s Manor. When the prince gives orders to the Zhou household servants, why does he act as though he’s in his own home?”

Little fellow, her words were truly amusing!

Jingrong smiled, clasped his hands behind his back, lifted his robes, and strode into the room.

He didn’t forget to casually toss out a remark: “Wash your hands before entering. This prince cannot stand that corpse smell.”

“…”

She must have had terrible luck for eight generations—how else could she have ended up with such a stuffy yet shameless prince!

After washing her hands in the basin outside, Ji Yunshu entered the room to find Jingrong sitting in the interior hall, looking her up and down.

“Are they clean now?”

Ji Yunshu was speechless. Suppressing her urge to beat him senseless, she simply spread both hands open before him.

Jingrong narrowed his eyes, seeing the water marks still on her palms, gleaming with a crystalline translucence.

The next moment, he reached out and grasped her delicate wrist, his lips curving with a playful smile. “They say a man’s hands are rough and strong. How is it that Scholar Ji’s hands are smooth and tender? Could it be you’ve applied rouge and powder?”

When her wrist was suddenly grabbed, Ji Yunshu instinctively clenched her fists and struggled to twist her wrist free.

“Please release me, Your Highness.”

“No.”

“It hurts.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“My hand hurts.”

“Still not letting go.”

He had clearly made up his mind to tease her. The mischievous smile on his lips grew more pronounced. With a forceful pull, he drew Ji Yunshu before him, his other hand smoothly moving to grip her lean shoulder.

He analyzed methodically, “This frame is quite small too. Could it be you didn’t have enough to eat growing up? Or perhaps you had a bad temper as a child and were beaten regularly?”

A living, breathing modern-day comedian!

Ji Yunshu’s body was pulled against his, separated by no more than the width of a fist. She was a head shorter than him, her gaze landing directly on his chest. The man’s scorching body heat rushed toward her nose, making her heart suddenly tighten.

With a shudder, she pushed him away forcefully.

“Your Highness is going too far. This humble one is not a bottom.”

Bottom? Beast?

Jingrong pondered this word for a moment and gave a disdainful laugh. “With your build, you want to call yourself a beast? This prince sees you’re nothing more than a cat with sharp claws—looks good but serves no purpose.”

“You…”

Ji Yunshu was so angry she nearly stamped her foot, her teeth grinding audibly.

But there was nothing she could do about him.

She finally understood that ancient philosophical truth!

I just love how you can’t stand me yet can’t get rid of me!

Seeing her looking somewhat aggrieved from holding back her anger, Jingrong wore an expression of smug superiority, as if to say “I won.”

Just then, several maids suddenly entered carrying food, breaking the tension of this smokeless battle.

The lead maid curtsied. “The master has ordered dinner prepared for the two gentlemen. If the food is not to your taste, we servants will prepare something else for you.”

The dishes were placed on the table one by one—fish and meat—far more sumptuous than the meals at the Ji household.

Ji Yunshu’s expression suddenly darkened, and she asked the lead maid, “Miss, did your young mistress only have Qiao Xin as her maid?”

“No, there’s also Su Yun.”

“Oh? Was she here earlier?”

The maid shook her head. “Su Yun went home several days ago for an urgent family matter. She should be back tonight. Does the gentleman have any instructions?”

“No, you all go rest. No need to attend to us here.” Ji Yunshu waved her hand.

The maids lowered their heads and left.

Ji Yunshu’s expression grew somber as she pondered something. When she turned her eyes, she saw Jingrong watching her with a strange look.

“Not only does Your Highness have a habit of grabbing people’s wrists, but you also love staring at others like this.” Ji Yunshu’s tone was unfriendly.

Changing from his previous frivolous manner, Jingrong asked her seriously, “Have you noticed something?”