Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 83 - 80: Today There is Color and Fragrance
Chapter 83: Chapter 80: Today There is Color and Fragrance
Chu Yu was completely unaware, but Huan Yuan’s expression slightly trembled. Moments later, he felt the warm and soft touch on the back of his hand and, somewhat unnaturally, he withdrew his hand and whispered, “Princess, Rong Zhi’s abilities far surpass mine.” Although reluctant, he had to admit it.
He slowly said, “Princess, my talents are insufficient. These matters should still be left to Rong Zhi to handle.”
Truly a case of saying one thing but meaning another.
Chu Yu leaned forward, supporting herself on the long table and bent over the low desk, her face less than a foot away from Huan Yuan’s. She stared intently at him. “If I say you can do it, then you can. I do not want to hear you belittle yourself again. How long have you been handling these matters? And how long has Rong Zhi been doing it? It is inevitable that you face difficulties given your lesser experience. If you do not strive to improve, that would indeed be the real defeat!”
His face suddenly loomed large before her eyes, and Huan Yuan involuntarily held his breath. His gaze lingered on Chu Yu’s lovely face for a moment before he uncomfortably averted his eyes and leaned back slightly. “Yes, Princess.”
Why did a sudden, uncontrollable joy well up in his heart? Secretly rejoicing?
...
How shameful.
No, between him and her, it was merely a transaction. He gave his loyalty, and she granted him freedom. His earlier hesitations and fear were only because he was afraid she would go back on her word.
It must be so.
Gathering his thoughts, Huan Yuan lowered his eyes and said solemnly, “Yes.”
Although Chu Yu did not understand why his tone had changed so suddenly, she was very tired by now. Having been busily resolving matters involving Huan Yuan, she felt a wave of fatigue. Not wanting to dwell on it, she stood up and gestured dismissively, “Just don’t bring this matter up again. I am not only going to keep you from being replaced by Rong Zhi, but in a few days, I will also have an important task for you. Just wait for it.”
More tasks?
After Chu Yu spoke, she got up and left, leaving Huan Yuan sitting still, like a wooden sculpture. He slightly regretted, “Had I known this would happen, I should have been more firm in resigning my duties earlier.”
*************************
Having slept until he naturally awoke, it was already noon. Chu Yu lay in bed, watching the sunlight filtering through the window screen, knowing it was late, but her body felt too lazy to move.
For several days now, she had spent her time like this, dealing with necessary matters but mostly lying in bed, lost in thought.
Normally at this time, she would have already been in the palace, bonding with the little emperor. However, after that day, she particularly did not want to see Liu Ziyue’s face.
The plans concerning Liu Ziyue had also been temporarily halted due to Tian Rujing’s refusal to cooperate, necessitating a new strategy.
Chu Yu turned over, sighed deeply, thought about it, and got out of bed. She called You Lan and Fendai to help her freshen up.
The three days of punishment had passed, and Chu Yu had reinstated You Lan by her side. After all, this skillful maid performed her duties very well. However, due to You Lan’s three days of confinement, she had also promoted Fendai to stay by her side.
Dressed casually and wearing wooden clogs, Chu Yu dragged her feet to visit Huan Yuan, as usual, to offer some words of encouragement. Then she headed to Muxue Garden, only to find Rong Zhi was not there.
Chu Yu thought for a moment and slowly made her way to Spring Warm Garden. Before she even approached the courtyard gate, she heard a piercing scream, “Ah!” After the scream, Liu Se’s indignant voice came out, “It hurts, Rong Zhi! Can’t you make Hua Cuo put down that bamboo stick? What did I do to deserve this? Why must you let him hit me?”
Chu Yu pushed the door open with a smile, treading lightly to avoid startling anyone inside. She only heard Rong Zhi calmly say, “You just miscounted a figure; of course you deserve to be beaten. If you have any objections, I’ll have Hua Cuo double the punishment.”
Liu Se’s voice weakened, but he was still deeply resentful, “You can beat me, but please don’t hit my face. How can I face anyone after being hit like this?”
Rong Zhi chuckled lightly, “Why fear this? If you cherish your looks, I have excellent medicine for wounds here. Once you finish today’s studies, I will apply the medicine.”
Afterward, the voices inside the room became muffled, probably Liu Se’s low complaints, yet in the end, he had no choice but to submit to authority.
Chu Yu walked into the room.
The windows were open, and sunlight filtered in from outside, making the room appear very bright and clean. Hua Cuo was leaning by the window, holding a thin bamboo pole about two meters long, the tip of which rested on the edge of a long black table. Rong Zhi and Liu Se were sitting beside the table with several old account books spread in front of them. Rong Zhi leaned against a beam behind him, his eyes half-closed, while Liu Se twisted his face, marked with blue and purple bruises, in pain as he went through the account books.
Hearing the sound of Chu Yu’s wooden clogs, Liu Se looked up, revealing the scars on his face to Chu Yu—eight interlaced marks of blue and purple, vaguely forming the character for “flower.”
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Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the sight, feeling a bit sorry for him, but his expression was just too amusing. Liu Se hurriedly covered his face with his hands, not wanting her to see such an unsightly sight. After a moment, he suddenly remembered that even if his face were unharmed, the Princess wouldn’t favor him anymore.
His expression dimmed slightly, and Liu Se slowly lowered his hands and stood up to bow, “I have seen the Princess.”
Seeing him in such a miserable state, Chu Yu felt somewhat reluctant to see him treated so harshly. She looked at Rong Zhi, her eyes questioning whether he could be a bit less severe.
Rong Zhi smiled and shook his head, “Princess, you are unaware, although Liu Se is exceptionally talented, I have noticed that he tends to shun work and seek pleasure. Without pushing him, trying to get him to learn something is harder than scaling the heavens. He fears pain and hardship, so this method is the simplest way to control him.”
If it were not for his laziness and hedonism, Liu Se might have managed a comfortable life by merely inheriting his father’s business. He, however, didn’t want to work hard and chose to present himself as a concubine and engage in theft and corruption in the Princess Mansion, all for a secure and pleasurable future.
Chu Yu thought about it, and if Liu Se didn’t hurry up and learn to manage the accounts of the mansion, it would be difficult for her to free Huan Yuan for other tasks. She herself was also short on manpower, so she decided not to question Rong Zhi’s methods of discipline further.
Remembering her own affairs, Chu Yu glanced at Rong Zhi unconsciously. Catching the cue, he lightly tapped the table and said, “Let’s take a short break. Hua Cuo, please apply the medicine for Liu Se. I will go out with the Princess for a while.”
The two walked into the garden, then heard a scream from the room, “Hua Cuo! Lighter, lighter! It’s killing me!”
They exchanged a smile, and Rong Zhi asked Chu Yu, “Does the Princess have any problems?”
Chu Yu thought for a moment and decided to voice her concerns, “Indeed, I’ve encountered a difficult matter. I want to acquire a quiet residence in the city or its suburbs, but I must do so under another person’s name, not mine.” To ensure total secrecy and prevent anyone from knowing the owner’s identity, even the household staff must be completely new and unrelated to the Princess Mansion.
This may sound easy, but when it comes to execution, it proves inconvenient. Not to mention hiding and forging identities—just finding a quiet residence is not so straightforward.
Rong Zhi casually said, “Why not seek help from Wang Yizhi, Princess? With his wealth and connections, he is top-notch. If Wang Yizhi is willing to help, whether it’s a false identity or a quiet residence, everything can be easily managed.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu was stunned. She stared at Rong Zhi for a long time before reluctantly pouting, “Is there anything you don’t know?” She had only recently gotten acquainted with Wang Yizhi, yet it seemed nothing escaped Rong Zhi’s notice, which frustrated Chu Yu.
However… since he knew, it didn’t matter anymore. There was no need to hide it from him, and she might even rely on his help.
Rong Zhi smiled again and calmly said, “If the Princess is willing to trust me, you can leave this matter to me. I will discuss it with Wang Yizhi another day and ensure it is to the Princess’s satisfaction. Besides, apart from Liu Se, I would like to recommend someone else to assist Huan Yuan.”
“Then I leave it to you,” said Chu Yu, getting back to business. She asked, “Who is it?”
Rong Zhi calmly replied, “Moxiang.”
