Unbridled Medical Expert Consort: Demon Prince, Be Good - Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Jealous

“Her Highness mentioned it a bit. I also can’t say for sure. If Father’s Concubine can’t make the decision, then I had better go ask Father.”

Even though she was only speaking nonchalantly in front of Wang Xue Ru, Luo Qing Luan herself could tell that it wouldn’t be long before Empress Wang truly and possibly would grace the General’s Mansion with her presence. It was only a matter of her putting a few things in order.

Seeing Luo Qing Luan walking away, Wang Xue Ru immediately pulled her back. “Ok. Don’t go looking for your father. I can manage this kind of thing just fine.” How would she dare to allow Luo Qing Luan to go see Luo Cheng. If she truly went to see him, it’s very possible that with a few words, this girl could use the Empress’ status to have him lay down the big bucks to build her a brand new courtyard from scratch. When that time came, she’d need to spend even more money.

“Alright. Alright. Isn’t it just a matter of remodeling your courtyard? Your father’s concubine can handle these things just fine. You’ll surely be satisfied. Good now, right?” Wang Xue Ru couldn’t help it. She could only be more generous while cursing Luo Qing Luan in her heart.

Sure enough, this girl was becoming more and more unbridled. Wielding the Empress’ little bit of favor upon her, she was already so undisciplined and out of control. If in the future, she truly became the crown prince consort, wouldn’t this girl step all over her and Qing Shuang?

No, she absolutely couldn’t let this kind of thing happen.

“Nanny Li, watch her carefully for me. If there’s any wind blowing or grass moving, immediately tell me about it.” Deep hatred flashing through her eyes, Wang Xue Ru knead her hands, tightening one finger after another.

Rarely had she stepped into Flowery Frost Courtyard before, Luo Qing Luan knew that she wouldn’t be living here for long and didn’t even walk around the rest of the premises. She merely looked around Luo Qing Shuang’s previous bedroom. “Dai Yue, have you changed everything?”

“Please be at ease, My Lady, besides the furniture previously used by the Eldest Lady, I’ve changed everything that you habitually use. I even had the butler find me a few people to change your bed. With a look, you can tell that this is the bed that you’ve been sleeping in.” Dai Yue answered smilingly.

Luo Qing Luan nodded, pleased. “En. You’re the smart one.”

Dai Yue nodded. “I know that you won’t be able to sleep in the Eldest Lady’s bed. Me too,” she started muttering as she continued speaking, “I also don’t like to sleep in Chunmei’s bed. Who knows whether she is dirty or not, has taken a shower, or if she has lice?”

With a ‘pffft’, she laughed out loud. Luo Qing Luan shook her head. “You. Stop thinking about such exaggerated stuff. You just feel uncomfortable, that’s all, then it might truly become dirty.” *

*TN: Sorry, I read this a few times over and somehow still don’t get what Luo Qing Luan was trying to say here.

She put her personal belongings in order, especially those items which were concealed within the secret compartment in her headboard. It started getting dark not long after.

Eating dinner at Flowery Frost Courtyard, she surveyed the scenery all around. The tall, dark green bayan looked like an imperial crown. In a corner, pink little flowers were blooming, set off by rows upon rows of neatly pruned flowerbed. Luo Qing Luan felt that this could be considered a form of benefit.

Standing at the window looking outside, the sunset reached as far as the eye could see, dying the sky a golden yellow color. The setting sun’s fading glow gradually darkened.

“My Lady, I’m going to boil water for your bath, alright?” Dai Yue just finished speaking when her expression changed. “Hey, why’s that person acting so sneakily? My Lady, look!” She pointed outside the window, but saw that the other person seemed to have sensed something and disappeared in a flash.

“Huh? Gone?”

Luo Qing Luan smiled faintly. This was hardly unexpected.

Who sent that person? Was that still a question? Who could it be apart from Graceful Orchid Courtyard which was close by. Can’t believe her father’s concubine was still so deeply guarded against her. In the end, was it because she was afraid something would be discovered, or was it because there was some other secret motive. That’s why she secretly paid close attention to her actions?

“No need to bother with it. We haven’t done anything anyways. What are you worried about?” Luo Qing Luan paused, then continued, “But Dai Yue, if you discover that there’s really a little thief who can’t keep their hands and feet to themselves and dared to come in here, don’t hesitate to call someone to beat them to death. That’s certainly not overdoing it! If there’s any consequences, I’ll stand behind you, understand?”

She raised her voice when saying the last few sentences, purposefully allowing certain people to hear her.

Even thought she knew that Wang Xue Ru absolutely wouldn’t allow her to act at will under her nose, it was still a good idea to scare her sometimes. Perhaps the other person might really unmask her true nature as a result!

…………

Crown Prince’s mansion.

Beaded curtains rocked, producing melodious tinkling sounds. A maid in dark clothes held a pot of aged ice flower wine as she respectfully placed it on the table top. After that, she bowed and withdrew, not daring to be neglectful in the slightest.

There was nothing superfluous on the table. Three white jade plates, three dishes of food looked somewhat simple and crude. However, only someone who personally tasted these three dishes would know what it meant to prepare food with utmost care, what was meant by exotic delicacies.

“Ziqing, come, taste this sparrow tongue soup. Reportedly, this is indeed a cooking method which only exists in Dongwan country. It’s the new cook who recently came who made this. I feel the flavor is acceptable.” As Nangong Qing ate, he spoke. Even though his table manners was graceful, consuming food neither quickly, nor slowly, if other people were to see this, they’d still be shocked.

The high and mighty crown prince was actually so casual in private as well? Not speaking while eating was an old adage. Surprisingly, he didn’t pay attention to this at all?

But with a look at that person sitting beside him, perhaps things would be made clear. If there was anyone in Western Chu who could say a few things to the cold faced Prince Nalan Ye, then maybe there was none other than Crown Prince Nangong Qing.

With regards to Nangong Qing’s good intention, Nalan Ye nevertheless didn’t say anything in reply. Apart from the half filled cup of ice flower wine in front of him, he didn’t even touch the three dishes worth more than a thousand taels.

“Don’t like it?” Nangong Qing appeared muddled as if he hadn’t slept and pointed to another dish. “Then try this one? Even though this is a vegetable dish, don’t look down on it, ok? Merely the main course of jade lotus abalone is not something you can find just anywhere, not to mention this accompanying dish that uses a hundred fragrant leaves paired harmoniously. Yes, even though I feel that it’s not bad, if she’s here, she would most likely still be able to find fault with it.”

Once he thought of what happened that day at the restaurant, Nangong Qing still savored the lingering memories. A smiling expression appeared on his face as he said, “Ziqing, you weren’t there at the time and didn’t witness the second Miss Luo’s graceful bearing. I simply never thought that there was still such an erudite and multi-talented woman in the world. Not only does she play the zither, she also paid so much attention to culinary delicacies.”

As he spoke, he looked again at the three dishes on the table before sighing. “Alas, I wonder how she would evaluate these three dishes that I had the cook especially prepare? Sigh, Ziqing, can you give me some critique in advance……”

“You’re very happy aren’t you?” Suddenly, and indifferent voice came from Nalan Ye’s mouth, without the slightest warmth from his eyes.

Not sensing the other person’s indifference at all. Even with a trace of jealousy, Nangong Qing immediately replied. “Exactly! Ziqing, you and I are rare pals and soul mates. There are some things I won’t hide from you.

As he spoke, he smiled. He seemed to see that young lady dressed in snow white in front of his eyes, one smile, one frown, could actually attract him so much. Each expression, each word, each movement, could linger in his memory like that.

Nangong Qing said while half awake, in a muddled state, “I can declare that the woman I want to find in this lifetime is her. She’s so special, so beautiful. If I didn’t know that she’s the general’s second daughter, I’m afraid I would suspect that she’s a goddess from heaven visiting the earth……”

“A little, silly girl, nothing more, yet you make her out to be so incredible?”

Nalan Ye’s statement again coldly interrupted him, so much so that there was even mocking and disbelief in his tone of voice.

Finally sensing that his close friend seemed to misunderstand Luo Qing Luan a bit, Nangong Qing explained in deadly earnest. “No no, Ziqing, you must have been deceived by those rumors about her before. If you can truly interact with her, you’ll discover what kind of person Miss Luo is.”

“Exceptionally intelligent, gentle and kindhearted, a character like orchids and a heart like lilies (clean and fragrant in character and pure in heart)……”

Nalan Ye sneered in his mind. That girl, when was she ever gentle and kindhearted? She was so ruthless towards him, itching to break his leg with a stomp, even visited the brothels and drink with courtesans. How was she like an honorable noble lady? Saying that she’s intelligent, a character like orchids and a heart like lilies? More like crafty in multiple ways and scheming in endless ways, right?

“In the past, I’ve never thought about whether I’d fall in love with a woman someday, but now, I understand.” The corners of his mouth curved upwards, brimming with a tender, beaming smiling expression. Nangong Qing’s gaze was resolute as he raised a cup of ice flower wine before him and spoke one word at a time. “Ziqing, let me tell you. I must marry her as my crown prince consort!”

Was that right? This woman was the same as a little wildcat. You’re certain she’s suitable to be the crown prince consort?

Nalan Ye smiled coldly in his heart, yet not a trace was visible on his face, appearing as indifferent as before. However, an unconcealable feeling of anger flashed through the bottom of his eyes, then instantly disappeared.

This stinky girl, haven’t seen her for barely a moment, yet she met up with another man to eat and drink already. Was it possible that she didn’t comprehend the reserveness that a woman should have in the least? If he didn’t properly disciple her, he’s afraid she’d only be more and more unbridled in the future!

“I still have things to do, leaving.” Thinking to this point, Nalan Ye stood up and left.

“Hey, Ziqing, where are you going?” The other person already walked out of the door before Nangong Qing reacted, so it was already too late.

Having left the crown prince’s mansion, Nalan Ye, dressed completely in dark clothes, seemed to be a spirit blending into the night. He disappeared noiselessly into the large street. Even if someone stared intently at him, they still wouldn’t be able to tell when he disappeared, or where he was going.

Only feeling as if a blaze was ignited in his heart, Nalan Ye only thought about capturing Luo Qing Luan and properly reproaching her as he jumped on a rooftop. How could she be so casual and actually just share a meal with Nangong Qing so easily.

Could it be she liked him? And also wanted to be crown prince consort?

Once he thought of this, he couldn’t help but heat up, unable to control himself.

Putting to full use his light foot skills, Nalan Ye very quickly already found the General’s Mansion. With familiarity, he arrived at that shabby, simple and crude little courtyard. But with one look, he could tell something was off. It simply didn’t look like someone lived here. Obviously, Luo Qing Luan wasn’t here.

This clearly was her little courtyard, but where was she?

The gears in his mind spinning, this little snag could not stump him. He looked all around and very quickly saw Luo Qing Luan’s figure at Flowery Frost Courtyard.

Through the opened window, her head was bent over, as if she was writing something. Her snow white neck was as slender as a swan’s. Her feathery eyelashes hung down softly, red lips pursed, as if smiling somewhat.

Standing on the top of the wall, all of the fury in Nalan Ye’s heart dissipated into nothingness.

Such elegant serenity, what a moving scene. She held a brush moving rapidly, obviously already planned in advance what to write down. From time to time, she even smiled, clearly in a very satisfied manner. He suddenly became very curious. What in the world was she writing and also drawing?

What Luo Qing Luan was writing was naturally her new little romance novel.

She didn’t sense that she was being watched at all and was only immersed in her own world, looking upon each single written word as if looking at money. Once she thought of this, she was filled with enthusiasm. Even though the night had already deepened, she still hadn’t stopped.