Love at First Sight Chapter 53 I'm Not a Fool

The study was filled with the scent of hotpot; when Kang Qi and his companions opened the door, some of the aroma finally drifted out, but the chill from outside also swept in. Liu Yi was the last to enter, hastily dropping the curtain and gently closing the door. He glanced at the table laden with dishes and shook his head quietly.

Tong’er hurried forward, catching the green cloak as Zun You removed it, folding it neatly to the side, her head bowed and silent.

“Your Highness... Since you’ve returned, would you care to join us?” Wen Yueqing greeted Zun You warmly.

She had calmed down now; moments ago, she had been nervous, mainly because his return was so sudden.

“What is this? Are you treating my study as a dining hall?” Zun You walked to her side and looked down at her.

“Let me remind you, this room holds my collection of books and paintings. Many are irreplaceable. What if you set something alight? How would you compensate me?”

Wen Yueqing tilted her head, her expression mischievous. “That won’t happen. I am very careful. If a fire did break out, I’d risk my life to rescue your treasures. Would that suffice?”

“That’s more like it. With such a promise, I’ll forgive you.” Liu Yi thought to himself, “Is that all? Indeed, no rule stands firm before Miss Wen.”

Zun You smiled. “Tong’er, bring me a handkerchief.”

Seeing that His Highness wasn’t angry, Tong’er quickly produced her own handkerchief and handed it to him with both hands.

With gentle eyes, he looked at Wen Yueqing’s face and wiped the corner of her mouth with the handkerchief, all the while complaining, “Look at you—your mouth is covered in sauce; you should be more careful.”

This time, she did not dodge, letting him wipe away the sesame paste.

Only after he set the handkerchief aside did Wen Yueqing speak. “It’s pointless to wipe now; I haven’t finished eating.”

“Heh, is the hotpot really that delicious? Then I’ll join you for a bit more.” Zun You took a seat beside her; truth be told, he was hungry.

“Tong’er, hurry to the kitchen and have them prepare more slices of meat. Tell them His Highness hasn’t had supper yet.”

Wen Yueqing issued the order, and began mixing dipping sauce for him.

Tong’er replied and dashed out.

Kang Qi and Liu Yi, seeing the others leave, followed suit. After a long day’s running about, they were exhausted.

“Here, try this—my family’s special dipping sauce. One bowl leaves you craving another and so on,” Wen Yueqing said cheerfully, placing a bowl before him.

“Oh? Then I must taste it well.” He picked up a slice of meat and ate it.

Wen Yueqing watched him closely, waiting for his verdict.

Zun You ate a few bites; it was indeed delicious, and he was about to praise it, but her intense stare made him uncomfortable. He set down his bowl, turned his head, and frowned seriously. “Why are you gazing at me so intently? Hurry and eat.”

Wen Yueqing nearly laid her face on the table. “Honestly, what nonsense are you saying?”

She muttered, “I give up on you,” and then picked up her own bowl and began to eat.

He looked triumphant and burst out laughing.

The bubbling hotpot steamed, and from the kitchen came four more plates of meat, along with some dishes Zun You liked.

“You know, this really is tasty—hotpot like this is fragrant, and the spicy, savory broth is unlike anything I’ve tried before,” Zun You remarked, seeing her focused only on eating.

“Hmph, naturally. Isn’t it so? The more you eat, the more you want. Eat once and crave it again,” Wen Yueqing replied with a smile.

On this cold winter’s night, the two chatted as they cooked, their bodies warmed through.

“Ah, I’m so full,” she said, putting down her chopsticks and rubbing her rounded belly.

“Let’s have this again in a few days. Eating hotpot in winter is pure enjoyment.”

Zun You was feeling stuffed as well; the hotpot was truly satisfying, and even after finishing, the flavors lingered on his lips, which tingled slightly, prompting him to drink water nonstop.

“Alright, whenever you want, we’ll have hotpot.”

He rarely ate spicy food, but following her lead, he found himself addicted.

“By the way, I won’t be at the residence on New Year’s Eve. How do you plan to spend it?”

Zun You worried she would be bored and sought to arrange something for her, wondering what she might want.

Wen Yueqing thought for a moment, finding nothing of interest, and replied casually, “I don’t know, probably just spend it with Tong’er.”

“I’ll have the kitchen prepare something delicious for you. When the palace feast is over, I’ll come back and accompany you. We can watch the fireworks together—how about it?”

It would be their first New Year’s Eve since meeting, and he did not want to miss this special day.

“Doesn’t the palace feast last until very late? If I wait for you to return, how long will that be?” She paused, then a bright idea flashed across her face. “Why don’t you take me to the palace feast? Let me see what the palace is like.”

“That won’t do. The palace isn’t like our residence; not anyone can enter. Besides, if I brought you, I couldn’t explain it to Father and the others.”

Zun You waved his hand. At the moment, Wen Yueqing was just a maid—she wasn’t even a concubine, much less eligible to attend the palace banquet.

“No matter. I’ll disguise myself as your little eunuch. It’ll be fine, won’t it? Please take me with you,” she pleaded.

Zun You still refused, shaking his head. “No, it’s impossible.”

“Oh, are you really so heartless, leaving me here alone while you go celebrate with your family? I’ll be here, waiting in loneliness,” she said, feigning pitifulness.

“You’re impossible to argue with. Fine, but let me tell you—when you’re in the palace, you must follow the rules; don’t act out.”

He hadn’t wanted to agree, but her persistence wore him down, and he finally relented.

“Of course I know. I’m not a fool. Anyway, I’ll just stay close to you. Don’t worry—Liu Yi will be there, too. If you bring another little eunuch, no one will pay attention.”

Overjoyed at his consent, Wen Yueqing hurried to promise she would not cause trouble.

“Then prepare yourself these next couple of days. Learn the rules from Liu Jiu. If anyone asks, say you’re new. Don’t go saying anything you shouldn’t.”

Zun You’s concern lingered, and he kept reminding her.

“Yes, yes, yes, as you command. I’ll study hard and never disgrace Your Highness,” she replied, nodding.

Zun You ordered incense to be lit, and the study’s windows were opened wide. It took a whole night for the lingering aroma to finally fade away.