Mount Sumeru was quiet. Along the way, there were no other travelers in sight—only the low calls of birds and the sound of rain pattering against leaves.
Both the Shen residence's guards and Prince Yong Manor's guards stood watch around the carriage. Just by the window alone, there were two people stationed. Shen Wan didn't dare look for long—after only glancing briefly at Lu Zhan, she lowered the curtain again.
Inside the sealed carriage, with the mountain road stretching endlessly ahead and Qing Su sitting at the front beyond a thin carriage door, driving the horses, Shen Wan and Liu Mu dared neither touch anything inside nor chat casually. They could only look at each other in boredom. Shen Wan in particular couldn't stop worrying about Lu Zhan's condition. The sound of rain outside never ceased, and to her ears it all transformed into anxiety.
Fortunately, the prince's carriage was far swifter than ordinary ones. Half an hour later, Qing Su tightened the reins and, following Lu Zhan's lead, stopped the carriage at a teahouse at the foot of the mountain.
With the rain pouring down, there were no customers inside the teahouse. It looked empty and rather desolate. The shopkeeper had been standing at the counter doing his accounts when he heard the sound of horses and carriages and looked up.
Whenever Lu Zhan went up the mountain to pray on behalf of the Empress, he would always rest at this teahouse at the foot of the mountain. The shopkeeper already knew him well and greeted him with a broad smile the moment he entered. "Greetings to Your Highness. The private room upstairs has always been kept for you. Would you like to go up and change into dry clothes first?"
"No need," Lu Zhan said, flicking water from the hem of his robe as he casually took a seat. "Go boil more ginger soup and prepare some refreshments."
"Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I'll get right to it," the shopkeeper replied cheerfully. Turning around, he slapped the dozing attendant leaning against the counter awake, and the two hurried into the back kitchen.
Lu Zhan remained seated, withdrawing his gaze and looking toward Qing Su outside the door. Understanding at once, Qing Su jumped down from the carriage, placed the stepping stool securely, and then helped Shen Wan and Liu Mu down.
The rainy sky was dim, and dusk was approaching. The teahouse had already lit its candles. As Shen Wan stepped down from the carriage using the low stool, she looked up and happened to meet Lu Zhan's eyes, faintly illuminated by candlelight.
The soaked cloak he had worn earlier had already been removed and set aside. He was dressed in a slightly thin black robe, its cuffs and waist sash embroidered with fine silver cloud patterns. Now that his clothes were wet through, the abstinent elegance of wide sleeves and flowing robes was gone. Instead, with damp hair, a slightly pale complexion, and reddened lips, he carried a temptation reminiscent of someone who had just broken sacred restraints.
Yet Lu Zhan's gaze remained calm and clear, like a pool of pure, transparent water. The contrast was striking.
The strange dissonance stirred Shen Wan's imagination, her thoughts spinning wildly in an instant. Fortunately, the thin thread of reason left uncrushed by those fancies still struggled on. She didn't forget her manners and properly bowed.
"Sit," Lu Zhan said lightly, glancing at Shen Wan before looking away once he saw her healthy color. "The Shen residence's carriage hasn't arrived yet. Stay here for a while—have some ginger tea and snacks before leaving."
As he finished speaking, Qing Su happened to come in from outside, holding a set of spare clothes kept in the carriage. Only then did Lu Zhan recall how bedraggled he must look. Still, he sat upright with composed elegance and nodded to the two women unhurriedly. "I'll rest for a bit. If the two ladies need anything, speak to Qing Su."
His manner was so natural that Shen Wan noticed nothing amiss and immediately agreed.
No sooner had Lu Zhan gone upstairs than the shopkeeper and attendant emerged from the kitchen carrying several bowls of ginger soup. Seeing different people now inside the teahouse, they exchanged glances, both momentarily stunned. Qing Su stepped forward, took the bowls, and placed them in front of Shen Wan and Liu Mu, offering a silent salute.
"These… are all for us?" Shen Wan frowned slightly and asked instinctively. "What about His Highness?"
At her words, Qing Su seemed to think of something. A strange smile flickered in his eyes before he forcibly suppressed it. Clearing his throat, he picked up one bowl and said, "Many thanks, Miss Shen."
Shen Wan hadn't expected him to thank her in return and froze for a moment, only able to watch as Qing Su carried the bowl upstairs.
Zhi Chu didn't dwell on it, her attention fixed on Shen Wan's health. Seeing her distracted, she tugged at her sleeve. "Miss, drink the ginger soup quickly—it'll go cold soon."
Shen Wan lifted the bowl and sipped the ginger soup in small mouthfuls.
The rain gradually eased. After Shen Wan and Liu Mu finished their soup and waited about another quarter hour, the Shen residence's carriage finally arrived outside the teahouse. Hearing the commotion, Qing Su came back down from upstairs. "His Highness is feeling unwell and will rest here for a while. The two ladies may depart first, but there is one more matter…"
Shen Wan and Liu Mu exchanged a look, suppressing their guilt over having caused Lu Zhan to get soaked, and said softly, "Please speak."
"About His Highness lending his carriage to the two ladies—please do not mention this to anyone else. His Highness has other arrangements."
Shen Wan was wholeheartedly supportive of Lu Zhan, and Liu Mu also had matters in which she sought his help. Though both were curious about the warning, neither objected. "Naturally. Please rest assured."
Qing Su let out a breath of relief and forced the facial muscles he rarely used into a strained smile. He personally saw the two ladies onto the carriage, carefully checked the horses and wheels, and only then had the driver set off.
Once everything was done, Qing Su wiped the sweat from his brow. Turning back to the shopkeeper and attendant, his face returned to its usual cold indifference. "What happened today must not be told to a third person. If anyone from the palace comes to inquire, you are not to reveal a single word. Remember this."
The shopkeeper smoothly accepted the silver from his hand and cupped his fists solemnly. "Understood."
The attendant looked a little muddled but knew the gravity of the matter and nodded vigorously.
Reassured, Qing Su took the stairs two at a time and returned upstairs. As he pushed the door open, damp air rushed toward him. The private room's window was half-open, rain-soaked greenery outside sending in the scent of wet leaves mixed with moisture. Lu Zhan had already changed clothes and was reclining on a chaise, eyes closed. The ginger soup on the small side table beside him had been completely finished.
After closing the door, Qing Su reported in a low voice, "My lord, everything has been arranged according to your instructions. The two ladies and the Shen residence guards won't speak carelessly, and the shopkeeper and his people have all taken it to heart."
"Understood," Lu Zhan replied softly, opening his eyes slightly. "In another half hour, send someone to the palace to apologize to Father Emperor and Mother Empress. Say that after leaving the temple I caught a chill and must take leave for the next two days."
—This had been his plan from the start.
Prince Ping, Prince Cheng, and Prince Shun had repeatedly made moves against him. Lu Zhan had long since lost patience, but he had never found conclusive evidence. Earlier, using the plan of splitting into two groups when leaving the capital with Shen Wan, he had captured an assassin alive. Not only had he identified Prince Ping as the mastermind, he had also taken the opportunity to sow discord between Prince Cheng and Prince Shun.
But Emperor Zhaowen was advanced in years and soft-hearted. After Prince Ping's birth mother pleaded at his side for several days, he could no longer bring himself to punish Prince Ping harshly. Lu Zhan had anticipated this and intended to use the chance of returning to Huguo Temple to repay vows as a pretext—feigning that his injuries had not healed, then catching a chill and falling ill, to harden Emperor Zhaowen's resolve.
What he hadn't anticipated was that Shen Wan would want to see him—and would arrive at Huguo Temple early.
He had no intention of entangling her in this matter, nor did he wish to see her risk danger descending the mountain in the rain. He had no choice but to lend a hand. Fortunately, no one else was encountered on the way down, as if even Heaven itself stood on his side.
For no reason at all, Lu Zhan suddenly recalled something the Empress had once said: "The Shen family's young lady may well be your benefactor." He lightly savored the word "benefactor" and smiled silently.
Qing Su hadn't left after reporting and naturally noticed that smile. As his personal guard, he knew better than most that although Lu Zhan told outsiders he was merely feigning illness, he was far too cautious by nature to take risks. From the beginning, he had truly intended to catch a chill. Qing Su disagreed inwardly but knew persuasion was futile.
Lu Zhan's outright refusal earlier when the ginger soup was ready had only confirmed this. Thankfully, Shen Wan had been attentive enough to raise the concern herself. Qing Su had offered the soup merely on a trial basis—and had not expected Lu Zhan to actually drink it.
Qing Su felt grateful to Shen Wan, yet still worried. After being soaked in the rain for so long, a single bowl of ginger soup might not be enough to dispel the cold. Seeing that Lu Zhan was clearly in high spirits, Qing Su gathered some courage. "Your Highness, perhaps we should have the shopkeeper bring up another bowl of ginger soup?"
Lu Zhan's finger, tapping lightly on the table, paused. He looked at Qing Su with a cool, emotionless gaze.
It felt like having a basin of icy water poured over his head in the dead of winter. A chill ran down Qing Su's back, yet he persisted. "You were already injured before to substantiate the assassination incident, and now you've been caught in the rain again. It's harmful to your health."
Lu Zhan turned his head away, his indifferent calm even more merciless than outright refusal.
Suddenly, inspiration struck Qing Su. "My lord, if you fall ill, the Empress will surely worry. Besides, Miss Shen was also very concerned just now. If you truly become sick, Miss Shen will certainly feel guilty."
Lu Zhan froze, then cast a thoughtful glance at the porcelain bowl on the side table.
Sensing the shift, Qing Su was about to rack his brains for more words of persuasion when Lu Zhan said lightly, "Go. Bring up another bowl of ginger soup."
Author's Note:
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Second edition, after ancient vocabulary becomes richer:
Qing Su: My lord, drink the ginger soup?
—Lu Zhan gives him a cold look.
Wanwan: Your Highness, drink the ginger soup?
—Lu Zhan lifts the bowl and drinks it all in one go.
Qing Su coughing blood: A massive double standard!!!
I hope all of you lovely readers can understand. Thank you sincerely—much gratitude, bows.
Thanks to Blackcurrant Milk for the landmine—far too generous. Thanks as well to Rare Cutie, Blackcurrant Milk, and Passerby for the nourishing support. Mwah~