Chapter 68: A Heart No Longer Like Still Water
Everyone in the Princess Mansion knew the Princess had a Prince Consort. But they knew even better that the Princess and the Prince Consort had a poor relationship. The Princess treated the Prince Consort with utter disdain, even keeping him in a state of semi-confinement. As a result, the servants spoke freely, so long as they didn’t speak ill of the Princess.
The anger in Lu Yanzhi’s heart burned as fiercely as the wound on his face. He was the Princess’s husband, yet these servants acted as if he didn’t even exist.
"Princess."
"Princess..."
Two voices called out at the same time. One was cold and suppressed with anger; the other was full of twists and turns, its mournful undertones laced with seduction.
Lu Yanzhi looked over and saw that the male actor had finished his song. With a face painted to look enchanting and seductive, he approached the Princess. His eyes were filled with affection, openly trying to charm her, and he completely ignored the Prince Consort standing beside her.
Xiao Li, however, seemed to enjoy his performance. A pleased, faint smile graced her features as she reached out, took a few golden leaves, and handed them over. "Well sung. Your reward."
The male actor joyfully accepted the golden leaves, placing them over his heart as if they were a priceless treasure. Then, looking at her with cautious expectation, he asked, "This humble one is not in the next scene. May I stand by the Princess’s side?"
The male actor’s intentions couldn’t have been more obvious. Xiao Li saw right through him, but she was in a good mood and didn’t feel like spoiling the fun.
She had someone bring him a stool. "Sit."
"Thank you, Princess, for allowing me to sit."
The male actor happily sat down, not once glancing in Lu Yanzhi’s direction. It was as if Xiao Li hadn’t heard his voice at all.
’I’m a grown man standing right here. How could she not see me? She’s just ignoring me.’
He wanted to call out to her, but his lips moved and moved again, and in the end, he swallowed the words.
He knew the Princess was in a bad mood because she hadn’t seen the Lu family suffer, and she was taking it out on him.
’The Princess these days always wears her emotions on her sleeve. It makes her easy to read, but she never listens to reason.’
One act followed another. The maids’ enthusiasm never waned, but Xiao Li grew tired. She rose to leave, but the male actor, now in a different costume, rushed out and grabbed her sleeve, his eyes full of things left unsaid. "Princess, this humble student has prepared a dance. I beg the Princess to watch it before you go."
Xiao Li looked at him with a faint, ambiguous smile. Her fingertips traced his cheek as she murmured, "Very well."
"Thank you, Princess."
The male actor went joyfully to prepare. He had already changed his clothes; this time, he was dressed as a handsome young General. A moment later, the sound of drums and music began, and he came out with a sword, performing a swift and clean sword dance.
His body was more flexible than the average man’s. He possessed both masculine strength and a feminine, dashing air. The dance had little combative power but was highly entertaining to watch, especially when paired with his melodious singing—a feast for both the eyes and ears.
After about fifteen minutes, the dance was over, and Xiao Li stood up again.
Using the last few movements of his dance, the male actor arrived before Xiao Li and dropped to his knees. He gazed up at her pleadingly. "This humble student has used the gold the Princess gifted me to buy my freedom. I can never repay the Princess’s great kindness. From now on, I wish to serve the Princess as your attendant. I beg you to grant my wish."
Lu Yanzhi’s anger finally boiled over. "Princess, he’s just an actor—"
"Very well," Xiao Li’s voice rang out without a hint of hesitation, cutting off whatever Lu Yanzhi was about to say.
’He’s shocked.’ This actor’s intentions are clearly malicious! His acting is so clumsy—can the Princess not see it?
The male actor was also surprised that the Princess had agreed so easily. Words of gratitude were on the tip of his tongue when he heard Xiao Li laugh and add, "Hong Yue, prepare a generous gift for Madam Lu. Tell her I am very fond of the present she sent me."
Dropping this bombshell, Xiao Li strode away, leaving everyone who heard her standing frozen in place.
Lu Yanzhi stared at the male actor in disbelief. He wanted to demand if his mother had really sent him. But upon seeing the deathly pale face beneath the makeup and the shocked, guilty look in the actor’s eyes, the answer was painfully obvious.
’How could something so absurd happen?’
He staggered back two steps, then left in a rage.
「The Lu Family」
Lu Yanzhi went straight to his mother’s residence. His heart felt like it was being seared by flames, but he didn’t forget his decorum or his respect for his mother. He suppressed his fury and waited for her to come out and see him.
Madam Lu, apparently having encountered some good news, had a lingering smile on her face. When she saw Lu Yanzhi, her smile grew even brighter.
"Yanzhi, what brings you here? Have you eaten?"
"Mother."
Lu Yanzhi just looked at her without speaking. Madam Lu was frightened. "What is it? What happened? Did that Princess torment you again?"
Lu Yanzhi’s words came out with difficulty. "Mother, was it you who had that actor get close to the Princess?"
Madam Lu’s expression stiffened slightly before she immediately shook her head. "I did no such thing. What actor? Where did you hear such gossip?"
’Some things don’t need a confession. Her reaction just now made the truth perfectly clear.’
"Mother, if the Princess truly does get involved with that actor, I will become the laughingstock of the entire world."
Madam Lu pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
"I have my own plans for dealing with the Princess. Mother, please don’t do the wrong thing out of worry."
Lu Yanzhi didn’t say a single harsh word and even bowed before he left. Yet, Madam Lu looked as if she had suffered a terrible blow, swaying on her feet, nearly unable to stand.
"The second time... That’s the second time he has spoken up for that vicious Princess..."
A mother knows her son best.
Lu Yanzhi was no longer as cold as he had been before; his heart was no longer as still as water.
Madam Lu was utterly heartbroken, even more so than if her son had defied her. How could he possibly be developing feelings for that vicious Princess Xuanyang?
Yet she didn’t dare scold him. She was afraid it was just a budding thought, and that her words might be the very thing that made him realize it.
’No, I can’t let this continue. I must nip it in the bud.’
Lu Yanzhi rushed to the Lu family estate and back, only to learn that the acting troupe had already left, but Shuang Han had stayed behind.
Shuang Han was the male actor. Not only had he been kept behind, but he had also been given quarters next to Xiao Li’s.
When Lu Yanzhi went over, he didn’t see anyone. He said to Hong Yue, "I need to see the Princess. Would you please inform her, Miss Hong Yue?"
Hong Yue, holding a blanket, gave him an indifferent glance. "The Princess has gone to the palace."
Lu Yanzhi didn’t know what had come over him, but right now, he just wanted to see the Princess immediately. He turned to head to the palace but saw a tall, slender woman walk in carrying a basin.
Although she looked like a woman from every angle, this person was clearly the male actor.
Lu Yanzhi grabbed him. "You, come with me!"
"I’ll give you money. Leave the Princess Mansion immediately."
Shuang Han looked at him calmly. "Does the Prince Consort have the authority to make decisions in this Princess Mansion?"
Seeing Lu Yanzhi hesitate, a derisive smile slowly formed on his lips. "The Prince Consort doesn’t believe the Princess kept me here because she’s taken a fancy to me, does he? Heh. Quite the opposite. She hasn’t taken a liking to me from the very beginning. Just as she’s never taken a liking to the Prince Consort."