Chapter 5 — Crown Prince Competing With Ch?

16 After a moment of silence, he gently touched my hand. “Say something.” I know what to say. I have never experienced this before, my face is hot, my mind is confused. How can I respond? “You…” his voice was as tense as a string, “you don't like me?” “It's not really like that…” I scratched my hand and held it for half a day, “it's just… whoa.” Speechless. He choked, and after a moment, sighed deeply. “Okay,” he pulled me back, gritting his teeth, “you keep tormenting me.” 17 When I got there, Han Triet pulled me to sit and listen to the song. They're all handsome actors and actresses, their grudges and resentments are tangled. A fallen scholar meets a genius, a lovesick woman is betrayed. The hottest sad love story today. Hearing that gives me a headache. It's so absurd. I squeezed Phu Quy's nails and whispered: "This scholar has a problem with his mind? Not worried about exams, just wants to jump into the river." With a "crack" sound from the side, Han Triet crushed the peach seeds. He waved his hand with a black face: "Change to another notebook!" The next play was even more shocking. The rich lady broke up with her family because of the poor gardener, and eventually froze to death on the street. I have difficulty understanding. "What is she after? The inheritance her parents left behind is enough to last for ten generations. Why would she follow someone who can't even support herself?" Han Triet: “…” He looked at me, his eyes were complicated, as if he wanted to find a sign of pretending to be stupid. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, rubbed his forehead, and waved his hand to tell the singers to back down. “Stop it,” he said weakly, “it's a buffalo's ear.” 18 In the end, it was Lu di who came to rescue me. She had a friend in the gang and made friends with a magician. Lu asked that person to act as a bridge, spending a large amount of money to invite a doctor to come check my pulse. The doctor is a quiet old woman with dry but warm fingers. She felt my pulse, opened my eyelids and looked at me for a long time. After pondering for a long time, he slowly said: "You were born weak, your meridians are blocked. Treatment will be troublesome, you will have to endure some suffering." "I will do acupuncture to clear the blood. It will be a little numb." I nodded: "Sorry doctor." When acupunctured, there is a distinct feeling of numbness. But before I could do anything, I heard someone sniffling next to me. Han Triet stood next to him, his eyebrows furrowed, as if a needle was stabbing him. With the second needle, he took a breath and shed tears. Third needle, inhale again, drop a few more drops. When Doctor Ton turned to get the needle, I tilted my head and said softly: "...I'm really okay." He didn't say anything, just let his tears fall drop by drop. Lu Aunt sat next to her, drinking tea, her eyes glanced at him. She put down the cup, the sound was loud. “Look at your poor appearance.” Her voice was faint, "Go to the kitchen to see the medicine." Han Triet stiffened his neck and tried to argue, but was speechless after a glance. He walked slowly, looking back three times as he walked. After the injection, Mrs. Ton packed up her things and the palace staff left. There were only me and Lu Di in the room. The smell of medicine wafted in the air. I held my finger, feeling confused again. “Miss,” I hesitated, “you… don't seem to like Han Triet that much.” At least not in the same way he likes me. Aunt Lu seemed to have guessed that I would ask. She picked ash from the incense burner, her voice monotone: "So what? Do you hate it?" I immediately shook my head: "I don't hate it." “Does he not take good care of you?” "…Very good." “So it's okay.” Lu Di looked up, her eyes were bright, "It's okay if you feel comfortable. Why don't you think too much? It's tiring." That's right. With Han Triet by my side, I feel reassured and familiar. But… “But,” I licked my dry lips, “it's like him So, it's not very fair, is it?" Enjoying the good things he gave me, but not being able to reciprocate accordingly. So that's not okay. Lu Aunt looked at me for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Idiot.” “You two have been together for too long.” She pulled my hand over and patted it. “Move to Phuong Nghi palace to stay for a while.” I was stunned. "Let's be apart for a few days, quiet and think." Lu Di's voice was firm, "There is a distance, there will naturally be an answer." 19 So, I moved to Phuong Nghi palace to stay temporarily. When speaking to Han Triet, he immediately became angry: "Can't you invite Mrs. Ton to come to the Eastern Palace?!" Aunt Lu glanced at him and he immediately lowered his tail. The first day, he arrived very early. Hang around by my side. Asked "Are you familiar with the place?", said "The incense in Phuong Nghi palace is not as fragrant as Dong palace". At Tuat time, Lu di chased him back. On the second day, he arrived just in time to eat. After finishing breakfast and lunch, I planned to stay and wait for dinner. As a result, he was invited away by his father's eunuch. Speaking of chapters piled up like mountains, waiting for the Crown Prince to approve. On the third day, he sat down next to me. “Trac Tu,” his voice was dull, “when will you come home?” I thought for a moment, shook my head: "Wait a little longer." He didn't answer, just sat next to him, panting and leaving. On the fourth day, he became "smarter". “Phu Quy misses you.” He brought the dog back, his voice stiff, "It doesn't eat rice." I didn't reach out my hand, Aunt Lu slowly took it, hugged her and stroked her fur. She looked up at Han Triet: "Then just leave it here for a few days and get some nourishment." Han Triet: "..." He looked at Phu Quy whining in Lu's arms, his eyes desperate. On the fifth day, the wind was calm and the waves were calm. His father and mother gave him a bunch of work, but he couldn't come. Only the little eunuch brought a plate of cinnamon flower cakes. 20 I sat down in the hallway, chewing the last half of the cinnamon cake. My mind was empty, only one thought remained. ——What is Han Triet doing? Reviewing that pile of chapters, frowning, looking impatient? Or pull in some strategist and complain about this and that? Or, could it be that... he is also thinking of me? As soon as that thought occurred, I stopped. Fingers unconsciously scratched on his knees. Suddenly I couldn't sit still anymore. I stood up and made my way to the temple. Lu Di heard footsteps and raised her head. “Di Nuong,” I stopped, my voice a bit dry, “I want to go back to the Eastern Palace.” She didn't speak right away. The page of the book turned, making a very light sound. I licked my lips and added: "I want to go home now." “Hmm?” Lu Aunt put down the book and looked at me, "Got it?" Face gets a little hot. I bow my head. "I can't think of any big reason," my voice was choked, "I just... want to see him." Right now, immediately. Listen to him ramble useless sentences, or argue a few meaningless sentences. In general, I want to meet him. Lu Di seemed to laugh softly. Very fast. “Okay,” she replied simply, “let someone take you home.” I turned around and walked out, my steps were a bit hasty. When she was about to reach the door, she heard her leisurely say one more sentence behind her: "Go slowly, don't stumble. He won't run away.” My face gets hotter.