"What? Why are you looking for him?"
Although the boy had not yet come of age, he stood tall in front of Yan Ruoxu, towering over her.
Yan Zhe received a letter in the afternoon and was surprised that his sister, who usually "disliked" his noisy nature, had called him to the palace of her own accord, and he was overjoyed. He followed Zui Er into the palace.
With a look of joy on his face, he grabbed Yan Ruoxu's sleeve as soon as he entered, saying loudly, "I've learned a new sword technique in the camp. Let me show you."
Yan Ruoxu, helpless, had to follow him to the courtyard, watching this energetic young man wield his sword while she mentioned her request.
Sure enough, Yan Zhe's expression visibly turned sour.
He let go of the sword, kicked a few potted plants under the railing, looking unhappy, "I knew you only think of me when you have something to ask for."
Yan Ruoxu quickly signaled for Zui Er to move the few unfortunate potted plants, then approached Yan Zhe, pulling him to sit in the cool pavilion in the corner of the courtyard.
Yan Zhe let out a snort and complained, "What kind of secret could you have that you need me for?"
The weather had been hot for the past few days, and the sun was scorching. Zui Er had already brought chilled sour plum soup and grapes to the table.
Yan Ruoxu took a bowl and placed it next to Yan Zhe, "Are you willing to help me deliver this letter?"
Yan Zhe tossed the silver sword in his hand onto the table. He picked up the bowl of sour plum soup and drank it all at once. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and reluctantly said, "Alright, alright."
Then he scratched his head and looked embarrassed, "I heard that Lu Yuanzhe... he..."
Yan Ruoxu had already sent someone to bring ink, paper, and inkstone, and was about to write a letter. She raised her head in puzzlement and asked Yan Zhe, "What's wrong?"
It seemed that Yan Zhe felt a bit nauseous, as if he had swallowed a fly. "I heard he is devoted to the male aesthetic, not interested in women, and has a handsome young male servant by his side. They... are a pair."
Before the founding of the Great Yan, the former Chen country had a thriving male aesthetic culture, where men were considered beautiful if they were delicate and feminine, cohabiting and sleeping together became a norm.
After the downfall of Chen, the Great Yan vowed to eradicate this chaotic practice, advocating for everyone to practice martial arts and fitness. Slowly, the male aesthetic became despised by everyone.
Although Lu Yuanzhe was the eldest son of the Supreme General Shenwei, he was looked down upon by the aristocratic children because of this rumor. Perhaps Yan Zhe was also concerned about this and feared being ridiculed for contacting him privately.
Seeing Yan Zhe's hesitant appearance, Yan Ruoxu found it somewhat amusing for a moment. She couldn't help but take the pen and jokingly poked Yan Zhe on the head, intentionally putting on a surprised expression, "He just prefers the male aesthetic, it's not like he admires you, why are you ashamed?"
"Ah sister!" Yan Zhe, as if his backside was on fire, stood up and paced back and forth in the small pavilion, "I helped you with good intentions, why are you teasing me?"
Zhu'er smirked on the side, grinding ink for Yan Ruoxu, and with curiosity, asked Yan Zhe, "Is what the young lord said true?"
"How could it be false!" Yan Zhe raised his hands, looking disdainful, "That servant looks like a painting, even more beautiful than a girl."
Yan Ruoxu was focused on writing, and upon hearing Yan Zhe's words, she stopped writing and smiled slightly, "Little brother unexpectedly knows that the girl is beautiful. Tell me, which girl's beauty do you think is the best?"
Yan Zhe collected his thoughts, folded his hands behind his back, and pondered for a moment, "I think sister is the most beautiful."
Although she knew he was deliberately trying to please her, Yan Ruoxu felt genuinely pleased. "You sweet-talker."
She finished writing the letter, sealed it with wax, and handed it to Yan Zhe with great solemnity. Despite the royal communication network spread across the country, she still didn't trust it completely. She believed more in the private messenger in Yan Zhe's residence.
The night sky of June was beautiful, with countless stars shining brightly and magnificently, bringing vitality to the otherwise quiet night. Yan Ruoxu lay comfortably on the cool chair, carefully examining a ledger under the candlelight.
If she wanted to live a second life and not be constrained by others, the first thing she needed to solve was money, as money could make the ghosts grind. In the future, there would inevitably be situations where money would be needed. The chief eunuch in her palace was insatiable, and over the years, had swallowed up a lot of good things. She needed to go over the accounts in detail and consider how to settle the score with him.
Just as Yan Ruoxu was lost in thought, Zhu'er hurriedly approached her. "The princess has arrived; the maid said you were resting and didn't want to leave the door."
Again? Yan Ruoxu closed the book and put it aside. She had underestimated Yan Yushan's shamelessness.
"Let her in," Yan Ruoxu nodded at Zhu'er.
After a few days of rest, Yan Yushan looked quite well. Before she had stepped into the room, her cheerful laughter had reached Yan Ruoxu's ears.
"Sister Ruoxu." Yan Yushan smiled as she greeted Yan Ruoxu, as if nothing had happened, and sat affectionately beside her. "I am entrusted by someone to bring you something."
Yan Ruoxu glanced at her, picked up the clear tea on the case, and took a sip. "What is it?"
"Look, sister." Yan Yushan took out a delicately carved sandalwood box and pushed it towards Yan Ruoxu, full of smiles. Yan Ruoxu glanced at the box and saw a wooden comb about three inches long, set with a ruby, along with a letter.
"This was sent by Prince Wang. I saw his sincere intentions and couldn't refuse, so I promised to pass it on to you. Please don't blame me for being impulsive," Yan Yushan handed the wooden comb to Yan Ruoxu. "The ruby inlaid on the comb is a specialty of Persia, extremely rare. Prince Wang is also considerate."
Yan Ruoxu smiled reluctantly and admired the precious ruby on the comb. "He sent this to me?" She threw the comb back into the box and stared at Yan Yushan, her eyes showing displeasure.
Unfortunately, Yan Yushan seemed to be oblivious to Yan Ruoxu's emotions. She continued to smile and play her role, "In a few days, the daughter of the Prime Minister's family is holding a poetry gathering, and we are all going. Prince Wang wants to have a private conversation with you on that day."
Yan Ruoxu's brows furrowed deeply, a surge of anger rose within her. Yan Yushan meddled in her marriage, and now she was interfering in her personal affairs.
The prince Wang was named Wang Zhuo, the son of a high-ranking official in the court, indulgent and inexperienced. Apart from relying on the family's fortune for pleasure, he was incapable of anything else. It was unclear when Yan Yushan became acquainted with the Wang family, but she had been speaking highly of Wang Zhuo for a long time, attempting to matchmake him with Yan Ruoxu.
Yan Yushan had her own calculations in doing so.
She wanted to facilitate a marriage alliance between the Wang family and the royal family. If this happened, the Wang family would gain glory and favor, and Yan Yushan would have a powerful patron.
Yan Ruoxu had already endured being deceived by others too many times.
She smiled slightly, suppressing the surging anger in her heart. "Alright."
Upon hearing her words, Yan Yushan's relieved expression clearly showed in her watery eyes. "Then, sister, rest early. I'll take my leave." Yan Yushan left, and as she walked away, she muttered to herself softly, "Since you love acting, I'll play along with you."
Author's note: Have a great weekend, everyone~
---