CHAPTER 023
"Your Highness, Prince Yun, has the young lord been acting strangely these past few days?" Chen Si quickly entered the study, her face full of concern as she directly voiced her question.
"You're here," Su Bai responded, her expression calm as water. She raised her eyes to look at the visitor, then returned her gaze to the chessboard, speaking unhurriedly, "Come play a game with me."
Su Bai and Chen Si were close in age, with Su Bai only a year older. Though they shared a master-servant relationship, their bond was deep, akin to that of sisters.
Back then, Su Bai had no choice but to enter the palace as a hostage, while Chen Si worked as a lowly medical officer in the Imperial Hospital. The male concubines in the palace constantly competed for favor, and their method of doing so was to produce a royal daughter.
Everyone in the harem knew that a father's status depended on his daughter's, so they resorted to all manner of dirty tricks to secure the crown. The medical officers in the Imperial Hospital had to tread carefully, knowing that a single mistake could cost them their lives.
Chen Si, having just entered the palace and lacking experience, was shunned and mocked by other medical officers because of her infertility. As a healer who couldn't cure herself, she was scorned by the male concubines fighting for favor, who had little regard for her medical skills.
It was at this time that Su Bai arrived in the palace, often feeling unwell due to acclimatization issues. Chen Si was assigned to serve her, and the two quickly became close. Chen Si has been with her ever since, though she lost her medical skills due to persecution.
"Aren't you the least bit worried?" Chen Si frowned, sitting down at the chessboard and speaking to herself, "In my opinion, the young lord might be in love. He's been acting so differently these days, you must have noticed. And that girl he likes—what is she like? What kind of person is she? We don't know anything about her. The young lord is simple-minded, unaware of the ways of the world, and clueless about matters of the heart. We must investigate this girl! I'm worried that someone might deceive him."
"That won't happen," Su Bai remained unfazed and asked, "Will you play with black or white?"
"I'll play black," Chen Si replied, glancing at the chessboard. She wasn't in the mood to play, so she placed a black piece on the board carelessly and asked anxiously, "How can you be so sure? The world is full of dangers, and people's hearts are hard to fathom. If someone has ill intentions toward the young lord..."
Despite the distance between them, Prince Yun was deeply concerned about the young lord, ensuring no harm came to him. When the young lord was saved after falling into the water, Prince Yun spent three days and nights fasting in front of the main lord’s shrine.
Yet today, she seems unusually calm. I can't figure it out.
"It's your turn," Su Bai reminded her, placing a white piece on the board.
Chen Si placed another black piece on the board, her brows furrowing as she asked, "You're really not worried?"
"No, I'm not. As long as Qingwan is happy, that's all that matters. Besides, you should know Qingwan's character well," Su Bai paused, then smiled calmly and returned the chess pieces to the box, "Forget it. Since you're not focused on the game, help me invite an important guest."
"A guest? An important one?" Chen Si was startled. This was the first time she'd heard such a thing.
There were never any guests at Prince Yun’s residence, apart from the current emperor. Even when the nobility of the court personally visited, they were turned away at the door. So what guest could there be?
Puzzled, Chen Si asked, "Who?"
Su Bai smiled and replied succinctly, "Scholar Lu from the Imperial Academy, Lu Yun'er."
What? Lu Yun'er?
A flash of realization crossed Chen Si's mind, and her eyes widened slightly as she remembered the character "Yun." She asked, "You've known all along that the person the young lord likes is Lu Yun'er."
Su Bai’s lips curved into a meaningful smile, and she nodded.
Yes, she had known for some time. After further investigation by Hua Ying, she learned that Qingwan's savior was Lu Yun'er. To be honest, Lu Yun'er had impressed her.
After Qingwan's accident, Su Bai had sent people to protect him in secret, never expecting that Qingwan would develop feelings for Lu Yun'er. It was time to consider Qingwan’s future.
Chen Si recollected herself. Prince Yun had told her that it was Lu Yun'er who had saved the young lord's life and had not asked for any reward, not even mentioning the incident. In this world, so many people are power-hungry and desperate to climb the social ladder. Countless wealthy and powerful figures in the capital had tried to align themselves with Prince Yun, only to be turned away.
But Lu Yun'er's actions were indeed puzzling. Was she truly without ulterior motives, or was she just pretending?
Given her connection to the young lord, Chen Si was curious to meet this person.
Lu Yun'er turned to face the newcomer, a middle-aged woman with a kind face and a sturdy build. The fabric of her clothing was high-quality silk, and her demeanor was graceful, indicating she was someone who understood etiquette.
Lu Yun'er searched her memory and confirmed she didn’t know this person, so she asked, "Yes, that’s me. And you are?"
When Lu Yun'er turned around, Chen Si's heart skipped a beat, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes. She had been observing Lu Yun'er ever since she stepped out of the carriage. Dressed in a blue robe, Lu Yun'er exuded grace from a distance, her every movement elegant.
Especially those clear, cold almond-shaped eyes—if she were to smile, it would undoubtedly be a sight of extraordinary beauty.
Her features were exquisite, naturally beautiful, needing no rouge or powder to enhance them. Her lips were naturally red, her eyebrows naturally green. From the inside out, she exuded the grace and elegance of a cultured scholar, yet with a cool, distant aura.
Indeed, Lu Yun'er possessed an otherworldly beauty, no wonder the young lord...
Chen Si slightly lowered her eyes and replied politely, "I am Chen Si, the steward of Prince Yun's residence. Today, I am here on behalf of Prince Yun to invite you to the residence for a visit."
Prince Yun? A visit to the residence?
What could this be about? Lu Yun'er was momentarily stunned. Prince Yun wouldn't invite her without reason, unless...
Meanwhile, Qiuyi was in disbelief, her eyes wide open. This was the esteemed Prince Yun! Known by everyone in the capital, this Prince Yun was a prominent figure, and it was said that many high-ranking officials and nobles had tried to associate with him, only to be turned away.
She couldn't believe that today, Prince Yun had personally sent someone to invite her master. Qiuyi's eyes flickered as she suddenly recalled the connection between the young lord and her master. Perhaps it was due to the young lord's recommendation to Prince Yun.
Seeing her master lost in thought, Qiuyi held back her excitement and quickly whispered into her ear, "Master, it's time for you to respond."
Lu Yun'er came back to her senses and asked uncertainly, "Steward Chen, may I ask what business Prince Yun has with me?"
Hearing this, Qiuyi became anxious. If Prince Yun is looking for you, just go! Why ask why? This is a rare opportunity, and asking this might make others think you're ungrateful. How could the master be so confused at this moment?
Chen Si was slightly taken aback but then replied directly without any pretense, "It's about the young lord, Prince Yun says you know the reason."
Lu Yun'er lowered her lashes, her expression difficult to read. It seemed that this matter had become more complicated.
At Prince Yun’s residence.
Lu Yun'er followed Steward Chen into the residence, and as soon as they entered, the servants began to sneak glances at her. It was rare for a guest to visit, especially one as attractive as this. The servants couldn't help but wonder why this woman was here.
They walked along a winding corridor, with the surrounding scenery fully visible. Servants bustled back and forth, while the pavilions and towers in the distance were imposing and majestic, harmoniously built to blend with the surrounding mountains and waters.
They were just about to pass through a back garden filled with blooming flowers, fragrant air, and lush greenery.
"Sister Yun'er!" A clear, pleasant voice called out from afar. The voice arrived before the person.
Lu Yun'er frowned slightly. The young lord had forgotten his manners again. As a modern person, she wasn't too concerned with etiquette, and being addressed as "sister" by someone younger than her didn't bother her much. But in Prince Yun's residence, where rank and respect were paramount, this was different.
She stopped following Chen Si, her face darkening as she looked in the direction of the voice.
Chen Si also heard the young lord’s affectionate call to Lu Yun'er, a sweet and familiar "Sister Yun'er." A smile played on her lips as she too came to a stop.
The surrounding servants were momentarily stunned by what they saw, but they quickly resumed their tasks, though their glances continued to discreetly dart toward them.
At that moment, with the sun setting in the west, Su Qingwan was running toward them from the other side of the corridor, his bright eyes brimming with joy and affection. The soft, lazy sunlight bathed him in a gentle glow, making him look radiant and charming.
"Sister Yun'er," Su Qingwan hurried over to Lu Yun'er, stopping just in time, slightly out of breath. His eyes, which had been smiling, noticed the distant expression on Lu Yun'er's face, and he immediately became cautious. He quickly corrected himself, "Dr. Lu, why... are you here today?"
His soft voice trembled slightly, and despite himself, he couldn't help but steal glances at Sister Yun'er out of the corner of his eye. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, nervously clenched together.
He hadn't seen Sister Yun'er for a few days and had missed her terribly... but now that they were face-to-face, he had upset her again.
Chen Si noticed the young lord's sudden change in demeanor. Although she was puzzled, she quickly stepped forward and spoke with concern, "Young lord, you ran over so quickly. Please catch your breath. Dr. Lu is here at the invitation of Prince Yun for a visit. It’s just a casual meeting between women to play chess, chat, and drink some wine..."
"No!" Su Qingwan panicked at the mention of wine and immediately stepped between the two, shielding Lu Yun'er behind him. Recalling the last time Sister Yun'er got drunk in the carriage, his face flushed as he softly said, "Dr. Lu... she can't drink." As he spoke, he shyly lowered his head, his voice growing quieter.
The young lord’s actions clearly showed he was protecting Lu Yun'er, which surprised Chen Si. She could see there was something indescribable between the two.
She didn’t think she had said anything wrong. After all, it was perfectly normal for women to chat and drink together. Besides, with Prince Yun’s refined taste, he would surely enjoy a small drink.
But she hadn’t expected the young lord to be so protective of Lu Yun'er. How did the young lord know that Lu Yun'er couldn’t drink? She cast another glance at the young lord's flushed face. Could it be...
Just as Su Qingwan was blushing and didn’t know what to do, the person behind him spoke up, "Indeed, I can’t drink. I have class tomorrow, so it wouldn’t be appropriate."
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