One, two, three… eight.
Sheng Sanlang silently counted again.
One, two, three… still eight!
That wasn’t right. He clearly remembered there being nine.
Sheng Sanlang frowned: “It seems one June persimmon is missing.”
This concerned the important matter of seasoning. He had to ask clearly.
“I ate one.” Wei Han said with a completely calm expression.
Sheng Sanlang’s eyes suddenly widened, then he looked toward Luo Sheng.
Hadn’t cousin sworn that Prince Kaiyang didn’t like eating June persimmons?
Luo Sheng was already speechless.
She had truly underestimated this glutton!
Wei Han silently watched the cousins exchange glances, his brow slightly furrowed.
He had only eaten one June persimmon. What was wrong with them?
“Miss Luo, the deer meat is cleaned, and the June persimmons are washed too.”
Luo Sheng nodded coldly: “The Prince can just put them there.”
Wei Han put the things down, his dark eyes gazing at her.
In this instant, Luo Sheng actually detected a hint of obedience.
This discovery made her both angry and amused. Finally, she sighed inwardly.
Forget it. Prince Kaiyang was probably only steadfast and persistent about food. As long as he kept his mouth shut like last time, then so be it.
If not that way, there didn’t seem to be much she could do…
After all, she couldn’t actually silence him permanently.
It was just that in the future, it would be better to stay away from this pervert with astonishing perception.
“What shape should the deer flank meat be cut into?” Wei Han asked.
Luo Sheng’s expression was indifferent: “The Prince need not worry about this. Xiu Gu will handle it.”
“Is Miss Luo not making it?” Wei Han was slightly surprised.
Luo Sheng looked at him deeply, her tone cold: “Has the Prince forgotten that Xiu Gu is the head chef of Youjian Wine Shop?”
Since when had this person started taking it for granted that he could eat her cooking?
Wei Han was silent for a moment before saying: “What Xiu Gu makes is also delicious.”
Just far less delicious than what Miss Luo made.
Luo Sheng glanced at him sideways.
So, was Xiu Yue’s hands also within his observation?
Luo Sheng lifted her foot and walked forward.
Seeing this, Wei Han silently followed.
Leaving Sheng Sanlang confused, scratching his head.
What riddles were cousin and Prince Kaiyang playing?
Never mind. As long as someone was still cooking, it was fine.
Sheng Sanlang picked up a June persimmon and waved it at Xiu Yue: “Xiu Gu, are there enough June persimmons?”
Xiu Yue was silent for a moment, then said: “If anyone else eats one, there really won’t be enough.”
Sheng Sanlang reluctantly put the fresh and plump June persimmon back in the bamboo basket, secretly harboring a bit of dissatisfaction toward a certain someone who had stolen and eaten the June persimmon.
How could a dignified prince steal food?
Luo Sheng stopped and asked with furrowed brows: “Why is the Prince following me?”
“Did the Crown Prince come by?”
Luo Sheng was stunned.
Seeing her reaction, Wei Han understood that he had indeed come.
“Just now when I was by the stream, the Crown Prince was there too.”
Wei Han had originally felt there was no need to mention irrelevant people, but he also worried that if Miss Luo found out, she would be angry. So it was better to mention it.
Luo Sheng’s expression darkened: “Did the Crown Prince hear our conversation?”
Wei Han shook his head slightly: “He couldn’t hear. He doesn’t have dog ears.”
If he could have heard, he wouldn’t have turned a blind eye.
While Luo Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, her anger remained: “Since the Crown Prince came, why did the Prince have no reaction?”
And still desperately clung to her hand?
Wei Han answered honestly: “The Crown Prince only came after I had already grasped Miss Luo’s hand…”
Did he, as an uncle, need to consider his nephew’s thoughts when holding a girl’s hand?
The corner of Luo Sheng’s mouth twitched.
Was Prince Kaiyang’s meaning that since he had already been seen, it didn’t matter?
Collecting her emotions, Luo Sheng coldly warned: “In the future, I ask the Prince to conduct yourself with propriety.”
This was the second time he had held her hand.
The first time could still be attributed to drinking too much. This time could only be classified as scoundrel behavior.
“If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being impolite.”
“Understood.” The man looked at her, his expression gentle, his tone tender.
Seeing his attitude, Luo Sheng couldn’t very well continue being aggressive and turned to walk back.
Wei Qiang returned to the traveling palace but didn’t go directly to see Zhaohua. Instead, he entered the study, sat on the low couch, and fell into a daze.
Scenes flashed through his mind—sometimes Princess Qingyang, sometimes Miss Luo.
Stirring his mind into restless confusion while also generating an indescribable sense of excitement.
Just like a solitary boat that had been tossing for a long time finally finding a harbor, at last having a place to anchor.
Miss Luo—Wei Qiang silently recited this name again.
After quite a while, he finally got up to leave the study and went to Zhaohua’s quarters.
Zhaohua’s good mood came to an abrupt halt when she heard the words “His Highness has arrived.”
It was still early before the hunting ended. Why had the Crown Prince returned?
Suppressing her doubts, Zhaohua rose to greet him.
“Didn’t you say you were injured? Why are you still getting up?” Wei Qiang habitually reached out to grasp Zhaohua’s hand, but after holding it for just a moment, he suddenly let go.
Zhaohua’s face remained composed, but her heart jumped.
This man’s reaction was somewhat strange.
She didn’t dare say she understood this person much, but having followed him for twelve years, she could still sense this kind of change.
It was as if his attitude toward her had suddenly changed.
Zhaohua actually didn’t care what Wei Qiang’s attitude was.
The bracelet had already returned to the Princess’s hands. It could be said that she no longer had any weakness in this gilded cage, and thus didn’t need to care whether she was favored or out of favor.
As long as the Princess wasn’t in danger, it didn’t matter to her either way.
But not caring was one thing; noticing the reason for this person’s change in attitude was another.
Zhaohua’s thoughts raced, but her face remained normal: “It’s just a twisted ankle. Qing’er rubbed it with medicated wine for me, and it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“That’s good.”
“Why did Your Highness return so early?”
Wei Qiang smiled: “I heard from the palace attendants that you injured your foot, so I came back.”
Zhaohua lowered her head: “Affecting Your Highness’s hunting is this consort’s fault.”
“There are still many days for hunting. Missing one or two times doesn’t matter.” Wei Qiang casually sat down and gestured for Zhaohua to sit.
“Did you go to Miss Luo’s place today?”
“Yes, accompanying Imperial Noble Consort together.”
“Imperial Noble Consort?” Wei Qiang couldn’t help but furrow his brow and blurted out: “The Imperial Noble Consort didn’t make things difficult for Miss Luo, did she?”
Zhaohua looked up at Wei Qiang in surprise.
Her inner astonishment was even greater than what showed on her face.
Since when had this person become so concerned about Miss Luo?
She clearly remembered when the Crown Prince first mentioned to her that Miss Luo had taken a liking to the bracelet she wore, his barely concealed helplessness and dissatisfaction.
“What is it?” Seeing Zhaohua silent, Wei Qiang asked with a smile.
Zhaohua quickly shook her head: “It’s nothing. Your Highness asking so suddenly just surprised this consort a bit.”
“Uh, I was just asking casually.”
“The Imperial Noble Consort didn’t make things difficult for Miss Luo. They appeared to be on good terms.”
“What about you? How did Miss Luo treat you?”
Zhaohua’s lashes trembled: “Your Highness, this consort doesn’t quite understand your meaning.”
Wei Qiang finally began to show impatience and spoke directly: “Yu Niang, don’t you really think Miss Luo resembles Luo’er?”
Zhaohua’s heart plummeted, but she tried her best to maintain composure on her face: “This consort remembers Your Highness has asked this question before. Of course not.”