Chapter 16
THE SUN CLIMBED into the sky.
At first, Jiang Suizhou wanted to get some more rest, but because he had rested too well the night before, he unexpectedly couldn’t fall asleep again after lying back down. He decided to get up early instead, and Meng Qianshan prepared breakfast earlier to accommodate.
Huo Wujiu also rose very early.
Even though they were sharing a bedroom, there was almost no communication between them. After Meng Qianshan finished helping Jiang Suizhou wash up, Huo Wujiu went by himself to the rear chamber to do the same. Once he had propelled himself back to the bedroom, Sun Yuan took over and guided him to the dining area.
The table was already covered in a spread of dishes. Jiang Suizhou was sitting at the table, leisurely reading a book.
He didn’t feel too strongly about waiting for Huo Wujiu so they could eat together, but the dining etiquette he had been taught as a child told him that he should wait until everyone was present before beginning to eat.
Seeing that Huo Wujiu had arrived, Jiang Suizhou set down the book and picked up his chopsticks.
Even sitting across from each other and sharing a meal together, neither of them spoke.
But today, for some reason, Jiang Suizhou kept getting the feeling that something was a little off.
He had the distinct impression that Huo Wujiu kept looking over at him repeatedly, but Jiang Suizhou couldn’t catch him in the act. Every time Jiang Suizhou glanced over, Huo Wujiu’s eyes were downcast, and he was merely eating. He didn’t even spare him a single look.
It was quite odd.
Meanwhile, Meng Qianshan had noticed from his position nearby that his master had been sneaking looks at Madam Huo all morning. He simply assumed that his master was having a hard time controlling his feelings in front of his beloved.
At a time like this, as a good subordinate, his master’s concerns were naturally his own concerns.
As such, Meng Qianshan piped up with a cheery smile.
“Master, the carpenter came by yesterday. Since your servant remembered you specifically mentioning how awfully cumbersome Madam’s wheelchair is, your servant told him to make haste with the order. In fact, the carpenter just sent a message saying that he would be able to deliver the new wheelchair to our courtyard before the end of the day.”
Jiang Suizhou lifted his head just in time to see Meng Qianshan wink aggressively at him.
He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Meng Qianshan’s intent was to indirectly showcase his master’s kindness and benevolence to Huo Wujiu.
He was somewhat dumbfounded. But really, this was just a different path to the same destination. He decided to think of it as Meng Qianshan trying to help him get on Huo Wujiu’s good side.
“Good, good,” Jiang Suizhou said mildly, accepting the help. “If it arrives early, you should push it around the courtyard a little to see if it’s easy to use.”
It was perfect timing. Meng Qianshan had nobody else to blabber to while Jiang Suizhou was at work in the Ministry of Rites, so he might as well help Jiang Suizhou out by pushing Huo Wujiu outside to get some fresh air.
Beaming, Meng Qianshan readily agreed.
“If Your Highness comes back early, you two can even go out for a walk together!” he said.
…Now that was going a little overboard.
Jiang Suizhou cast him a look of warning.
Meng Qianshan quickly shut his mouth, still grinning.
As Jiang Suizhou lightly withdrew his gaze, he abruptly locked eyes with Huo Wujiu.
Huo Wujiu was looking directly at him, brow furrowed. His eyes were still rather cold, but there was now a trace of something complicated in them that Jiang Suizhou couldn’t understand.
Startled, Jiang Suizhou watched as Huo Wujiu pointedly looked away from him again.
Jiang Suizhou was a bit baffled.
Had he…had he said something to aggravate him just now?