By the time he emerged from the study, it was already dark outside. He handed the confidential letter to Meng Qianshan, who then tucked it into his robes in one practiced movement.
Jiang Suizhou withdrew his gaze, reassured.
His complexion seemed to worsen whenever he sat still for long stretches of time, perhaps because his body was on the frailer side to begin with.
“You must be tired, Master,” Meng Qianshan said, noticing that his lips were a bit pale. “Would you like your servant to draw a bath for you?”
Now that Meng Qianshan brought it up, Jiang Suizhou immediately felt the fatigue catch up with him.
He nodded, and Meng Qianshan swiftly complied.
Jiang Suizhou returned to his room to see that the evening meal had already been prepared. Huo Wujiu sat at the table, reading in the gentle glow of the lamplight.
What kind of books were in his room? They were all books that Meng Qianshan had brought over for the original prince to occupy himself with before sleeping. The original prince favored those dense, ancient Confucian texts about principles of effective governance and the like. Jiang Suizhou was used to reading classical texts, so it wasn’t boring to him, but he thought it safe to assume the same couldn’t be said for Huo Wujiu.
Those who wielded swords and blades would hardly have the patience to read such books.
“Reading?” Jiang Suizhou asked as he sat down at the table.
He kept his voice very flat, clearly displaying his disinterest in whatever the answer might be. In fact, he didn’t expect Huo Wujiu to pay any attention to him, let alone answer. That was perfectly fine, though; he was simply setting the scene for his next remark. He was about to instruct Meng Qianshan to bring Huo Wujiu some lighter reading when a deep, mellow voice suddenly spoke.
“Just skimming,” Huo Wujiu said.
Startled, Jiang Suizhou looked over at Huo Wujiu in disbelief, only to find him calmly minding his own business and now eating his dinner.
His carefully phrased follow-up command to Meng Qianshan stalled in his mouth, and for a moment, he said nothing.
Then Huo Wujiu lifted his gaze and glanced indifferently at him.
Jiang Suizhou couldn’t shake the impression that the antagonism in Huo Wujiu’s eyes had faded markedly. Even though his expression was still cold and overwhelmingly unapproachable, the aura of oppressiveness and complete loathing had mostly dissipated.
In fact, Huo Wujiu’s eyes were so placid that Jiang Suizhou was sure he must have been imagining things.
He quickly covered up his astonishment by coolly looking down to pick up a bite of food.
“I see. What sort of books do you usually read?” he said casually. “I’ll have Meng Qianshan bring some over for you.”
As he spoke, he shot a meaningful look at Meng Qianshan, who stood some distance away.
Meng Qianshan understood and bobbed his head eagerly.
“No need,” Huo Wujiu said.
There was a beat of silence while Huo Wujiu looked at Jiang Suizhou steadily.
“I’m not used to being taken care of,” he added.
They both knew he wasn’t just referring to the books, but to everything that had happened over the past few days. It was Huo Wujiu’s way of acknowledging the sacrifice that the Prince of Jing had made in the court and the way he had allowed letters to be passed along to him.
If the Prince of Jing was determined to like him, he couldn’t do anything about that. However, he refused to accept the preferential treatment and goodwill being forcefully lavished upon him.
Receiving someone’s kindness meant he should return the same to them, but it was impossible for him to return such feelings.
Across from him, Jiang Suizhou glanced up. A fleeting trace of surprise flashed across his eyes, immediately extinguished by a sneer.
“Oh? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m simply keeping you busy so you don’t cause trouble for me.”
Internally, Jiang Suizhou was filled with glee.
Now, now, that attitude won’t do! I’d like to keep my head attached to my neck, so I certainly don’t intend to stop. In fact, I’m going to be taking care of you in many more ways in the future, so you better get used to it, buddy!
Huo Wujiu frowned. Just as he was about to answer, Meng Qianshan interrupted.
Nodding enthusiastically, the eunuch assured his master that he would bring an assortment of books over for Madam in a bit so he could choose from among them.
Evidently, neither member of this master-servant duo planned to listen to Huo Wujiu’s opinion on the matter.
He cast his eyes down, and Jiang Suizhou didn’t speak again either. Once they were done eating, they each retreated to opposite sides of the room to drink tea and digest their dinner.
Jiang Suizhou was in a fairly good mood.
As evening shifted into night, Meng Qianshan sidled up to him and informed him that the bath in the rear chamber was ready for him.
Nodding, Jiang Suizhou set aside his book and headed to the room in the back.
As he circled around the silk folding screen, steam drifted lazily across his face. Lit candles glimmered beneath numerous layers of gauzy curtains, adding an ethereal, almost romantic element to the hazy scene.
A copper bath decorated with carvings sat in the center of the room, sunken in the floor. It wasn’t particularly large, measuring approximately three by five feet. The bath had already been filled with hot water, and there were even petals strewn across the surface, suffusing the air with their faint, delicate fragrance.
Several maidservants stood to the side, seemingly waiting to attend to Jiang Suizhou as he bathed.
…That would be highly improper.
Averting his gaze, Jiang Suizhou waved his hand and gestured for them to leave.
The maidservants obediently withdrew from the room. They didn’t make any noise as they moved, their footsteps silent, and it wasn’t long before they had all exited.
Jiang Suizhou looked back at Meng Qianshan.
“You’re also dismissed.”
“Huh?” Meng Qianshan blinked in surprise.
Since when did his master ever bathe without anyone attending to him? Well, apart from when he was at Madam Gu’s… Oh.
A sudden realization washed over Meng Qianshan.
How could he have been so thoughtless as to assume he’d be the one to serve His Highness when there was a mistress right outside?
“Yes, Master!” he responded with obvious delight, nodding repeatedly. “Your servant will withdraw at once!”
Maybe it was just Jiang Suizhou’s imagination, but for some reason, something about Meng Qianshan’s expression was almost a little…well, perverted.
After Meng Qianshan left, Jiang Suizhou walked over to the bath and stooped to test the temperature. Then he started to shed the many layers of clothing he was wearing, placing the robes on a nearby rack.
Now that he was completely alone, he was finally able to relax, and he began mulling over his future plans once more.
In a few days, it would be time for another Grand Assembly. Before then, he should make the time to discuss the contents of that letter with his two most personal advisors…
He continued to undress as he pondered. As he untied the sash of his inner robe, about to shrug it off his shoulders, he heard a distinct noise from behind him.
Jiang Suizhou turned.
There was Huo Wujiu, looking much like a statue of Buddha that’d been rolled in; he was sitting upright and proper in his wheelchair, his face completely and utterly devoid of any expression. Behind him, Meng Qianshan’s smile was sly and lecherous.
Jiang Suizhou’s thoughts screeched to a halt. Instantly, he understood what kind of foul scheme this blasted Meng Qianshan had cooked up. The sheer audacity of it was truly mind-blowing.
Seriously, how dare he set him up for a couple’s bath with Huo Wujiu?!