Chapter 61

Chapter 61: How Could Huo Qi Be Prince Chang’an?

Huo Qi went to work under Prince Chang’an and began leaving early and returning late every day.

Chun Zhi still got up before dawn to work. With Lucky Fortune helping to turn the mill and grind the beans, her workload was much lighter. But Huo Qi demanded too much of her at night. She could only nap a little before she had to get up to make tofu, and more than once she almost overslept. They tried to talk about doing it less often, but he would not agree, so she had to make up sleep in the afternoons when business was slow.

Time passed like this for more than a month, and summer arrived.

Feeding Lucky Fortune every day and having him turn the mill, Chun Zhi soon had him well trained. Donkeys are hardworking and easy to keep. She liked him very much, treated him like a treasure, tied him in the yard, and worried that the sun was too strong. Afraid the heat would hurt Lucky Fortune, she built him a small straw shed with her own hands so he would not suffer sun or rain.

Huo Zheng traveled back and forth between Nanzhou City and Linshui Town every day. Sometimes he had so much to do that he could not come back.

Chun Zhi had always thought she was used to being alone. But after living with Huo Qi, whenever he did not come home, the house felt empty, as if it had lost its warmth.

Sometimes Chun Zhi talked to Lucky Fortune. Sometimes she took a walk on the street, bought a few things, and even bought two bolts of cloth to make new clothes for both herself and Huo Qi.

Life went by peaceful and good.

As for Lu Jing Yun, the longer he stayed in Nanzhou City, the more anxious he was to meet Prince Chang’an. But no matter how many letters he sent or how often he requested an audience, there was no reply. Prince Chang’an was in Nanzhou City every day and had received many local officials, yet he saw everyone except Lu Jing Yun.

Lu Jing Yun did not know what mistake he had made, not until the day of Prince Ning’s birthday banquet. All the officials and gentry of Nanzhou, the rich and the noble, came to offer birthday wishes. Even Prince Chang’an, Huo Zheng, arrived.

On the day of the banquet, the Prince’s Manor was lively from top to bottom. Lanterns were hung everywhere, and when the night feast began, the lights glowed bright as day. Musicians played zithers, beauties sang and danced.

As the newly ranked top scholar, Lu Jing Yun was praised by everyone and wrote a congratulatory verse for Prince Ning on the spot.

While everyone was admiring the verse, a call of “Prince Chang’an has arrived” drowned out all noise.

Prince Ning smiled and told the Heir Apparent to lead everyone out to welcome the guest. Lu Jing Yun joined the crowd of officials and gentry in going forward to pay respects.

The Prince’s Manor was lavish and full of silk and brocade, but it could not match the noble air and natural bearing of that one man.

Everyone knelt and saluted, saying: “Your servant greets Your Highness, Prince Chang’an!” Others said: “This commoner greets Your Highness, Prince Chang’an!”

Huo Yu, the Heir Apparent of Prince Ning, went up with a smile and said: “Seventh Brother, you finally came. Father was just talking about you.”

In his usual calm voice, Huo Zheng said: “It is my Imperial Uncle’s birthday. This prince should come to offer congratulations.”

Talking as they walked, the two of them moved forward together.

Kneeling on the ground, Lu Jing Yun looked up at Prince Chang’an. The moment he saw him, his face changed.

Huo… Huo Qi!

[Huo Qi! How could Huo Qi be Prince Chang’an?]

Terror rose in Lu Jing Yun’s heart. He could not accept it at all. He even thought he must be seeing things. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. It was still the same face; still the same person.

Prince Ning and his son treated Prince Chang’an as an honored guest. Uncle and nephews chatted happily together.

Prince Ning smiled and asked Huo Zheng: “Seventh, how are the beauties of Nanzhou? Do any catch your eye? This prince will send you two.”

Huo Zheng said: “No need.”

Huo Yu joked: “Seventh Brother does not chase women. Everyone in the Capital knows that. Father, if any girl could move Seventh Brother’s heart, she must be an Immortal Maiden from the heavens.”

Everyone laughed at that. Only Lu Jing Yun could not laugh.

Huo Qi was Prince Chang’an. How could Prince Chang’an marry Chun Zhi?

He could not wait for the banquet to end. He left first, rode a carriage straight back to Linshui Town, and went to Peach Blossom Lane.

When Lu Jing Yun knocked, Chun Zhi was inside, sewing by lamplight. It was late. Hearing the noise, she thought Huo Zheng had returned, and she hurried to open the door. But when she opened it, she saw Lu Jing Yun standing there, pale, as if something huge had happened.

“Why is it you?” said Chun Zhi. The moment she saw him, she started to close the door.

Seeing this, Lu Jing Yun stepped forward, pressed on the door, and called: “Chun Zhi.”

His expression was grave as he said: “Don’t rush to close the door. I have something very important to tell you.”

Chun Zhi said coldly: “There is nothing for us to talk about.”

“No,” said Lu Jing Yun as he pushed the door and stepped over the threshold. “This is no small matter. I must tell you.”

He looked worried and added: “I cannot stand by and watch someone lie to you.”

Chun Zhi did not know what he meant, but he was already inside and she could not close the door. So she let go of the door and said: “Say it fast, then leave.”

Even now, Lu Jing Yun could not accept how coldly Chun Zhi treated him. He asked her: “Today was Prince Ning’s birthday. Do you know who I saw at the banquet?”

Chun Zhi held back the urge to roll her eyes and said: “Speak plainly. Don’t keep me guessing.”

“Huo Qi. I saw Huo Qi at Prince Ning’s banquet,” said Lu Jing Yun. “Do you know that he—”

“I know,” said Chun Zhi. “Huo Qi now works under Prince Chang’an. What’s strange about going with his lord’s household to the banquet?”

[So his busy days were not for nothing. He won Prince Chang’an’s trust so fast. He even went to such an important banquet. Huo Qi is pretty capable.]

Realizing she had misunderstood, Lu Jing Yun tried again: “He isn’t working under Prince Chang’an. He is—”

At the key moment, a carriage galloped up and stopped at the gate. Chun Zhi looked up and saw the lantern hanging in front of the carriage swaying, the firelight flickering. The strikingly handsome Huo Zheng lifted the curtain and stepped out.

He strode into the yard, put an arm around Chun Zhi’s waist, and frowned at Lu Jing Yun as he said: “My business is not yours to manage.”

In the past, Lu Jing Yun would have argued with Huo Qi. But now that he knew Huo Qi was Prince Chang’an, he could not say anything.

Lu Jing Yun fell silent.

“Huo Qi, you’re back,” said Chun Zhi, happy to see him. “Have you eaten? Are you hungry? Do you want me to cook a bowl of noodles?”

Huo Zheng answered in a low voice: “All right.”

He had seen Lu Jing Yun at the banquet and knew at once that this might turn bad. He had planned to warn him after the feast, but the man left halfway and came straight to Peach Blossom Lane to find Chun Zhi. After the Shadow Guard reported it, Huo Zheng rushed back at once.

Chun Zhi whispered to Huo Qi: “Then send him off. I’ll go cook the noodles.”

Huo Zheng said: “Mm.”

Chun Zhi turned and went to the stove to boil the noodles.

“Chun Zhi,” called Lu Jing Yun, but she did not look back.

Huo Zheng gave Lu Jing Yun a glance and said: “Let’s talk outside.”