Chapter 10: The Chancellor's Pact

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Luo Yunyao quickly stood up. “Prime Minister, you must not say such things. Our Emperor still needs your help! Your Highness will need the Prime Minister’s guidance in the future! The people of the realm still rely on the Prime Minister!”

Then, she cupped her hands and bowed to Xiao Limo, saying, “Your Highness addressing this humble servant as ‘brother’ leaves me utterly flustered. I beseech Your Highness not to address me in such a manner. The rites between ruler and subject must not be discarded.”

Having spoken thus far, Luo Yunyao cautiously looked up at Xiao Limo, but only met his amused gaze.

This man simply regarded her with playful interest but gave no response. Originally, Luo Yunyao planned to evade the matter with her words, neither confirming nor denying joining their faction. But he waited silently for her to make a stand.

Inwardly cursing this noble young master for being so difficult, Luo Yunyao steeled herself and said, “Your Highness… I am quite frightened to hear such words. Writing poetry about the moon and idle chatter should be reserved for the Crown Princess, no?”

“...ahem!” Prime Minister Lu, sipping his tea, choked unexpectedly, taken aback by Luo Yunyao’s unorthodox reply.

Prime Minister Lu thought perhaps he was getting old and couldn’t keep up with the younger generation’s pace. Here they were, supposed to be discussing politics, yet suddenly the topic shifted to matters of love and leisure. The struggle for political positioning had turned into romantic whimsy.

His lapse in composure did not attract much attention. Luo Yunyao, forced to speak in such a manner, had already lowered her head in embarrassment and now wished she could bury her face in her collar.

Xiao Limo was initially surprised by Luo Yunyao’s words.

To be frank, her tone was almost like, “Oh, Your Highness, are you confessing to me? I’m so shy—are you sure you’re really confessing?”

It reminded him of when Yue Liuxi had come to visit and complained that Qin Jinghao treated Luo Yunyao differently, and Luo Yunyao’s demeanor was peculiar as well. Yue Liuxi had concluded that Luo Yunyao might be a ‘broken sleeve’—a term for a same-sex affection.

The Crown Prince suddenly mulled over many thoughts. If this delicate youth truly was a ‘broken sleeve’, did he still want him? Such a thing could be trivial or monumental, and no conclusion could be drawn lightly.

Xiao Limo remained expressionless but found the situation amusing.

Luo Yunyao had buried herself in silence, a most entertaining sight. The Crown Prince let out an ambiguous “Hmm?”

Luo Yunyao truly admired the Crown Prince’s skill at winning people over and his tolerance—it was astonishing he could endure such things!

Terrifying. Maybe it would be better to keep a distance from him in the future.

Luo Yunyao could no longer muddy the waters and decided to speak honestly: “This humble servant has studied diligently for ten years. In this life, my only wish is to serve His Majesty and speak up for the people.”

She clarified her neutrality. She was on the Emperor’s side, the side of justice, and the side of the populace. If the Crown Prince or the Prime Minister ever acted against the people’s interests, Luo Yunyao would not hesitate to plead for the common folk.

She also wished Xiao Limo an early ascension to the throne, promising to serve him loyally when that day came.

This refusal was tactful and clearly stated her stance. As long as Xiao Limo cared for the people, Luo Yunyao would stand with him. Blessings and hopes were conveyed, ensuring no offense was given.

After these words, the day was growing late. Luo Yunyao and Xiao Limo discussed poetry and academia briefly before returning home.

Luo Yunyao’s new appointment was still in its early fiery days.

Then she received an invitation from Xiao Limo. The reason given was to congratulate Luo Yunyao on her new position.

Luo Yunyao had been in office for some time; this congratulation was late, clearly just an excuse from Xiao Limo.

Although the invitation seemed insincere and Luo Yunyao was a million times reluctant to go, duty as a subject compelled her to accept.

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After settling matters for the day, Xiao Limo’s sedan chair had been waiting for some time.

Along the bumpy journey, Luo Yunyao first lifted the curtain to observe the people’s conditions, then, exhausted, she fell sound asleep inside the sedan.

When Xiao Limo drew aside the curtain, he saw a pale, delicate-looking youth leaning inside, nodding off.

The sedan was no longer shaking; Luo Yunyao slowly woke up. Struggling, she blinked her long lashes and finally defeated sleep to open her eyes slightly.

Previously, Xiao Limo had seen Luo Yunyao as clever and sharp—her poetic expressions, her witty refusals. But now, in this state, he saw her simply as a younger boy.

Startled upon recognizing Xiao Limo, Luo Yunyao abruptly jumped up and said, “This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Xiao Limo laughed teasingly, “Why so flustered?”

“I was rude,” Luo Yunyao tried to explain, “Waking up to see Your Highness while still half asleep surely made Your Highness smile at me.”

This was Luo Yunyao’s way of blaming Xiao Limo for startling her awake.

“That is my fault. I feel guilty disturbing Minister Luo after a long day and came early to apologize. I suppose I was overthinking.”

His words made Luo Yunyao feel like someone who didn’t understand others’ feelings.

He was her superior; she couldn’t retort, yet being spoken to like that left her uncomfortable.

A moment of silence followed.

Xiao Limo broke it first, stepping back and inviting her, “Minister Luo, do you intend to speak with me here in the sedan? This is hardly poor hospitality.”

Luo Yunyao: “...” She had no response to such teasing from an unfamiliar superior.

With Prime Minister Lu as her uncle, the Crown Prince’s residence was similar in style to the Prime Minister’s. Though the Crown Prince appeared humble and refined, his royal ambition was evident.

For a moment, Luo Yunyao thought of Qin Jinghao’s residence, which she genuinely admired. She wondered which designer he had employed, planning to seek recommendations when designing her own home. It had been some time since she last saw General Qin—she wondered how he was faring with Yue Liuxi’s persistent attention.

Lost in thought, feeling rude for not observing her surroundings, Luo Yunyao kept her head lowered.

Only when she found herself at the lakeside pavilion did she realize it.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince; greetings, Minister Luo,” a maid’s voice at the pavilion brought her back.

Looking at the dishes on the table—few but exquisite—Luo Yunyao was touched.

Xiao Limo understood how to enjoy life. Each dish could serve as decoration, yet he was not extravagant. The modest spread for two was just right, far better than those who prepared lavish feasts for appearances.

“You may wait by the lake; I will call for you if needed.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Limo gestured politely to the wooden-still Luo Yunyao. Seeing her dazed expression, he wondered what she was scheming. “Simple fare, but sincere. Minister Luo, please don’t disdain it.”

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“Please, Your Highness, please,” Luo Yunyao dared not sit first. “Your Highness is too kind. The food is exquisite; this humble servant fears I shall feast heartily.” Her face was eager with anticipation.

Strangely, Xiao Limo thought. Every movement of this youth captivated him. Just looking at Luo Yunyao compelled a smile to tug at his lips.

This acquaintance left Xiao Limo somewhat stunned. Such feelings directed at a man were improper. He reminded himself not to indulge. Though he was Crown Prince, there was still Xiao Ming lurking nearby, watching jealously. Though Xiao Ming was a simpleton, if the Crown Prince were a ‘broken sleeve’, what mattered was that Xiao Ming was normal. When the time came, ministers and people might favor Xiao Ming...

Pouring wine for Luo Yunyao, Xiao Limo reminded himself not to act rashly or be swayed by emotion. The realm was his eternal goal.

Luo Yunyao, of course, was unaware of the Crown Prince’s inner thoughts. She only felt a chill and thought his gaze was strange.

She laughed quietly at herself for overthinking. Had Xiao Limo ever looked at her normally? She always felt his gaze was like a trap laid for prey—though today’s was odd, the effect was the same: unsettling.

Still, an uncomfortable gaze was nothing...

“Please, Your Highness, after you,” Luo Yunyao barely restrained the expression on her face as she watched the wine pour into her cup. She had a very low tolerance for alcohol. According to her friends, her drinking manners weren’t very good... Well, she hadn’t seen it herself; maybe her friends were exaggerating.

Lost in thought, Xiao Limo did not notice her changing expression. Raising his cup, he was about to drink...

“Your Highness, please slow down...” Luo Yunyao placed her hand over his, “I just recalled my family’s physician said drinking on an empty stomach is harmful. This unworthy belly of mine is hungry. May I eat first and then savor the wine? I fear tasting wine in such a poor state would spoil its flavor.”

Seeing Xiao Limo about to drink, she panicked and grasped for time. Worrying her excuse was insufficient, she gestured to the beautiful scenery beside them: “In such pavilions and groves, by the clear lake and fragrant willows, we only wait for the moon to rise. Only then can the wine truly be enjoyed.”

She regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, scolding herself for speaking nonsense. Fortunately, the locals didn’t know the famous verse, “The moon climbs the willow branches; lovers meet after dusk.”

Feeling the cool, slender fingers resting on his hand, Xiao Limo’s heart skipped a beat. He said in a low voice, “Luo Yao…”

Don’t seduce me, he restrained the words but did not pull away.

The wine had yet to intoxicate, but the man was already drunk.

Xiao Limo resolved to hold back. When he ascended the throne, he would hide this youth away.

Luo Yunyao was startled by Xiao Limo’s words, worried she might have misspoken.

The atmosphere froze.

“Minister Luo, please enjoy the meal.”

As she ate, Luo Yunyao cautiously observed Xiao Limo, sensing his complexion was less than ideal.

At first, Luo Yunyao kept an eye on Xiao Limo, but as a foodie, her true nature surfaced. With such delicacies before her, what else mattered?

Originally, Luo Yunyao thought that after dinner, with nightfall approaching, she would leave, and Xiao Limo, by reason and feeling, would not detain her. Thus, she might escape the ordeal of drinking altogether.