Sixty-Nine: Different Treatment

Lingran felt entirely innocent, her eyes blinking as she stared blankly at the enchanting prince. At last, Wang Shen and Lu Zigao realized what the prince meant. Wang Shen hurried to answer, “Your Highness, the ladies have already visited. The third lady said she would send someone to make new clothes for her, but now she doesn’t know what to wear.”

Chu Yu frowned. “So, when I am not here, anyone can freely enter Danhuai Hall?”

Wang Shen replied, “Well… Your Highness hasn’t given instructions, and we dare not make decisions ourselves.”

“Remember this in the future?”

Wang Shen quickly said, “I obey, Your Highness.”

Chu Yu strode inside, followed by a long trail of attendants. He lifted his robe and sat down on the sandalwood couch where Lingran had awakened that morning. A little eunuch promptly presented him with a cup of tea.

Lingran followed behind Lu Zigao, lowering her head and trying to make herself invisible. Yet, after Chu Yu took a sip of tea, he fixed his gaze on her, his tone filled with disdain, “Who was it last night, wailing to me that even second-class maids have no place to bathe? Now, after I’ve been gone half the day, you’re still standing here like a molting hen? Is there no water in Danhuai Hall?”

This prince was truly perverse, even meddling in a maid’s bath. Lingran glanced around but saw no sign of her bundle. Helpless, she stepped forward and bowed, “Your Highness, none of the stewards know where I should stay, so I don’t know where to go to bathe… I beg your guidance.”

“Must I be asked about such things?” Chu Yu set his teacup down with a heavy thud, frightening all the eunuchs into kneeling.

In fact, Lingran had touched on the crux of the matter. Last night, Chu Yu, in a moment of impulsiveness, brought her back, only to realize that all his attendants were eunuchs or servants. Luckily, Danhuai Hall was staffed entirely by eunuchs, but he couldn’t have her, a young woman, share a room with them. So he had let her sleep in the outer chamber for the night. Today, the solution was simple: send a few eunuchs elsewhere and free up a room for her.

Chu Yu thought: This girl may still be attached to Hongxiao, but she must be made to witness my charms in every respect, so she’ll be utterly devoted at my feet. Then, when she begs to become my thirteenth consort, I’ll torment her thoroughly!

With this in mind, he no longer wished to have eunuchs vacate a room. “You shall stay in my eastern chamber. It will be convenient for you to serve me.”

The prince’s words settled Lingran’s lodging. Wang Shen, Lu Zigao, and Qin Ziling were all baffled, but none dared show surprise. Each lowered their heads, immersed in their own thoughts.

Wang Shen, inwardly astonished, pondered: This girl is treated exceptionally. If the prince likes her, he could simply take her in—why all this trouble? If he doesn’t like her, why put a woman in his own quarters? Best to wait and see, and not offend her.

Lu Zigao’s heart was sour. The eastern chamber was adjacent to Chu Yu’s bedroom and usually unoccupied. He and Qin Ziling would occasionally keep night watch, wandering around with other eunuchs, stamping their feet to keep warm. Now this girl had taken his place, and her status was higher too. If he fell out of favor with the prince, as a eunuch of no rank, how could he survive in the palace?

Qin Ziling, simple-minded, only knew to obey the prince. He thought: Whoever the prince favors, I shall favor. Since the prince wants this girl to serve him, I can shirk some duties, and spend leisure time playing cards or drinking with others. Not bad.

Lingran, hearing she would sleep in the eastern chamber, was unbothered. She casually asked, “Your Highness, may I borrow your bath?”

Chu Yu paused slightly, then waved his hand. “Go ahead!”

The eunuchs began to sweat profusely.

Few knew, but among them it was clear: the prince was not only fastidious, but rarely agreeable. Not even a consort could hope to spend the night in his room, let alone a maid borrowing his bath! What fortune had this girl amassed in a previous life to earn such favor?

Yet the one so favored had no idea, thinking it all quite ordinary. She thanked him politely, and as soon as she stepped outside, began humming a tune.

Wang Shen glanced at the prince’s expression, finding him in good spirits, even raising his brow to signal him to leave.

What for?

The old eunuch, slow to react, bowed and withdrew. He found the maid, still humming, scratching her head and wandering the corridor. Only then did he realize the prince’s intention, and hurried to call Lingran.

“Eunuch Wang, do you know where my bundle went?”

Wang Shen flicked his whisk downward. “Go ahead and tidy up. I’ll send someone with hot water and fresh clothes. Your original belongings will be placed in the eastern chamber.”

Lingran was overjoyed, nearly jumping, “I didn’t expect you to be so kind, Eunuch Wang!”

Wang Shen was secretly pleased; no one had ever called him so kind. This girl had a sweet tongue.

Lingran enjoyed a comfortable bath, washing her hair as well, then changed into simple, light clothes. She twirled lightly, feeling that her outfit was on par with Yongxue, the head maid in Sun Min’s room; she was quite satisfied.

When she stepped out, a stranger waited in the bamboo grove, bowing from afar. “Miss, please hurry. The meal is being served.”

Lingran’s eyes brightened at the word ‘meal,’ and she quickly pinned up her damp hair with a peachwood hairpin, following him at a brisk pace.

Upon reaching the main hall, the eunuch said, “His Highness is waiting in his chamber. Please go in.”

Wasn’t the meal being served? Lingran was puzzled, but entered. Lu Zigao and Qin Ziling stood stiffly inside. Qin Ziling smiled, showing two sharp teeth, and pointed inward.

Lingran tiptoed through several rooms, finally spotting Chu Yu reclining on the kang near the window in the innermost chamber.

The room was warm-toned. Chu Yu, clad in plain white, lay atop a scarlet mattress, instantly capturing Lingran’s gaze—a perfect image of a handsome man in spring slumber! She was smitten at first sight.

She found Chu Yu’s usually icy eyes, now closed, even more endearing.

How lovely! His complexion was like peach blossoms, his face like the autumn moon, and that god-kissed profile left her dazed, her thoughts drifting wildly.

“What are you standing there for? Come here and help me change.” Chu Yu, eyes shut, knew Lingran had arrived. He was supremely confident in his looks and imagined her stunned expression. Ha! Just don’t drool.