“Head Seamstress Fu, you are really lucky. Recently, the Emperor and Empress has been advocating to be frugal and a lot of corridors are not lit at night. If not for this, there would be no use begging Chief Cao.” The one speaking was Yang Bo.
When Fu Rou heard that Sheng Chumu was going to be sent out to battle, she gave up her winnings and begged Chief Cao to help her think of a way to meet Sheng Chumu. Chief Cao was initially troubled on how he would pay Fu Rou. But now, in less than an hour, all he needed to do was to pull some strings and get someone to open one of the palace gates.
“Thank you, Yang Bo.” Fu Rou was filled with gratitude.
“It is nothing, you don’t have to thank me.” Yang Bo admired Fu Rou. She was one of the few capable people. “Later when you meet him, hurry and say what you need to say. Just say a few short sentences. Even with Chief Cao, this is still against the palace rules and if we get caught, the punishment is death.”
Fu Rou lowered her head and made a sound of acknowledgement. She could hardly hide the excitement in her eyes. They had already reached the gate and Sheng Chumu was on the other side.
Yang Bo opened a small door and greeted the guard that was standing guard outside. The guard had made sure that there would not be anyone at this time. They then stood as a lookout. Yang Bo let Fu Rou out.
A black figure immediately rushed in front of her before coming to a stop. Fu Rou looked at the face, still slightly bruised from the fight. Her fingers curled into a fist to conceal her concerns as a warm smile appeared on her face.
“Rou’er!” Sheng Chumu was excited. Yang Bo jumped and immediately shushed him. “Oh my god, lower your voice.”
Sheng Chumu listened to him and lowered his voice. “I thought I wouldn’t get to see you before I leave.”
Fu Rou bit her lip. “I am scared.”
Sheng Chumu held onto Fu Rou’s hand and realised that she was clenching her fists. He gently pried opened her fingers and placed his palm against hers. “I am not scared.”
Glancing at Yang Bo by the side, Fu Rou took back her hands. Sheng Chumu murmured, “After you entered the palace, you won’t even let me touch your hands. Luckily I managed to kiss you that night and got some benefits.”
Fu Rou muttered, “As long as you return safely, I will let you take advantage of me all you want.”
Sheng Chumu’s ears perked up. “What?”
“Nothing.” Fu Rou took out a spice pouch. “Here.”
Sheng Chumu took the spice pouch and flipped it over, examining the embroidery. “What love letter have you hidden in this?”
Fu Rou laughed. “Indecent.” He was so smooth. Even when he goes to the battlefield, he should be able to survive.
Sheng Chumu grinned. “You haven’t seen me when I am indecent. When I get back, you will find out.”
Fu Rou stared deeply into his eyes. “Are you promising me that you will return?”
Sheng Chumu raised his hand up to the sky. “I swear.”
Yang Bo noticed that the guards patrolling the area were heading towards them soon as he rushed them. “Let’s go. Stop being clingy. You said what you needed to say and gave what you wanted to give. It is not like you can leave together.”
Seeing how Fu Rou did not move, Yang Bo's heart pounded and he had no choice but to drag her with him.
Fu Rou kept looking back, unwillingly to leave. She silently mouthed the words - I will wait. Sheng Chumu held the spice pouch tightly in his hands and brought it to his heart, nodding wordlessly. They solemnly exchanged promises.
Chapter 13.3: Tiger Cub
The Crown Prince was riding wildly in the forest, feeling extremely troubled and confused.
Yesterday was his mother’s birthday but his father, the Emperor, kept on praising Prince Zhou. The Emperor kept saying that Prince Zhou reminded him of himself and even criticised the Crown Prince for being too hasty. This morning, his mother had requested for him to enter the palace and reprimanded him. His father was biased and everything Prince Zhou did was right, whereas everything he did was wrong. What could he do about it?
Unknowingly, his horse had run out of the woods. A dark-blue secluded lake lay before him with a dense mountain in the background, seeming like the light at the end of a tunnel. The Crown Prince’s heart slowly settled into a peaceful state. He dismounted and started to take a stroll by the lake. All of a sudden, he saw someone fishing leisurely by the lake. The tip of the bamboo rod jolted slightly and the person immediately pulled on the fishing rod. A ripple formed on the surface of the water as a fish appeared.
However, the Crown Prince did not expect the tug on the rod to be so strong such that the fish would end up flying towards him. The fish hit him, wetting his clothes and left him smelling like fish.
The Crown Prince was about to get angry but saw that Chen Ji was the person that was fishing.
Chen Ji recognised the Crown Prince and froze. He suddenly remembered that he had to greet him, “Gree—”
The Crown Prince waved his hand. “There is no need for formalities.” He sat on the spot that Chen Ji had occupied earlier. “Just treat me like everyone else.”
Chen Ji hesitated.
“I came out to distract myself, you may continue fishing.” The Crown Prince patted the grass patch beside him.
“I have finished fishing and would not wish to disrupt your peace.” Chen Ji wanted to leave. He did not know why he kept bumping into this person wherever he went. Was there anywhere in Chang’an that was still peaceful?
“Sit down.” The Crown Prince lowered his voice. Chen Ji made an mmhm sound before sitting, but secretly rolled his eyes. He arranged his rod and continued fishing.
Soon, another ripple appeared on the surface of the water. The Crown Prince shouted, “There’s a fish!”
Chen Ji shook his head. “It is not a fish.
“What do you know!” The Crown Prince grabbed the fishing rod and lifted it. There was nothing at the end of the line. Chen Ji was speechless. If he, an experienced fisherman, knew nothing, then was this esteemed prince supposed to know better?
“Even fishes in a lake can be so sneaky.” The Crown Prince shoved the fishing rod back into Chen Ji’s hands. “Continue.”
Chen Ji took his time. “I think—” we should forget it.
The Crown Prince cut him off, “Continue until you catch a fish. Haven’t you heard of perseverance?”
Day was turning to night as a sunset covered the sky. The Crown Prince refused to give up as he tried repeatedly to pull at the fishing rod. However, no fish fell prey to the rod. On the other hand, his stomach started to growl. Chen Ji glanced sideways.
“Don’t look at me. I am the Crown Prince. Even if I was hungry, my stomach would not growl in an uncivilised manner.”
Chen Ji’s face twitched. “Fine, that was me.”
The Crown Prince ordered, “Go and prepare the fish.”
“The fish is so small. What is there to prepare?” At this moment, Chen Ji really missed the Han Mansion.
“Just prepare it. Who ask you to be so lousy at fishing.” The Crown Prince had been looking forward to gorging himself.
“My fishing skills are poor? Who is the one that kept pulling on the fishing rod and scaring away all the fishes?” Chen Ji felt wronged.
“I am the Crown Prince. Why would I pull on someone else’s fishing rod without reason?”
“You…” Chen Ji forced himself to say, “Fine! You are the Crown Prince. Everything you do is right.” He stood up and lifted a small bucket. He could only accept his fate.
The Crown Prince watched as Chen Ji carried over dry twigs, creating a roasting rack. As he started the fire, the Crown Prince looked on curiously. But when Chen Ji asked if he wanted to help, he replied with, “A nobleman does not step into the kitchen.”