Chapter 37 – Not for You to Eat

Cheng Lingwei paused slightly, hesitating.

“Greetings, Old Madam, Miss Lu,” came a voice, interrupting the conversation. Cheng Lingyun stepped out from the room.

The Old Madam turned toward him and asked, “Has the shizi woken up?”

Cheng Lingyun smiled faintly and replied, “He’s awake. Would you like to go in and see him, Old Madam?”

The Old Madam nodded quickly. Supported by her cane and accompanied by Lu Wei, she entered the bedroom.

Liu Hexiao raised his eyes and, upon seeing his grandmother, immediately sat up.

“Grandmother.” His tone was calm, and seeing that he was in decent spirits, the Old Madam was somewhat reassured.

Still, she scolded him gently, “How did you suddenly fall ill? If someone hadn’t come to inform me, I would’ve been completely in the dark… You child…”

Liu Hexiao’s lips curved into a smile, but his voice carried a hint of coldness. “Whoever had the nerve to run their mouth and worry Grandmother deserves punishment.”

Standing to the side, Lu Wei froze briefly but quickly regained her composure, flashing a delicate smile. “Brother Hexiao, are you feeling better now?”

Liu Hexiao’s expression remained indifferent. “Mm.”

Used to his aloof demeanor, Lu Wei maintained her sweet smile. “Then I’m relieved.”

Her gaze lingered on him—his pale face carried a touch of weakness from illness. Though he remained as cold and distant as ever, his appearance was strikingly handsome. Watching him for too long, she felt a blush grow on her cheeks.

The Old Madam inquired, “Why didn’t you come straight back yesterday? Where did you go to get caught in the rain?”

Liu Hexiao replied casually, “I was just wandering around. With such heavy rain yesterday, it wasn’t hard to get wet wherever one went.”

Without revealing much, he sidestepped her question. The Old Madam chuckled and refrained from pressing further.

“Brother Hexiao, what have you been busy with lately? I heard you opened a horse farm and raised some fine steeds… May I come visit someday?” Lu Wei’s shy tone was that of a young lady in admiration.

Liu Hexiao gave a faint smile, his expression unreadable. “Sure.”

Lu Wei’s eyes lit up with excitement.

But then Liu Hexiao added, “Do you plan to groom the horses or feed them?”

Lu Wei’s face stiffened, her embarrassment clear. She glanced toward the Old Madam for support, seeking help.

The Old Madam coughed lightly. “Hexiao!”

Liu Hexiao lazily withdrew his gaze. He had always treated Lu Wei with indifference, yet she insisted on clinging to him.

The Old Madam, attempting to smooth over the moment, said, “Lu Wei was kind enough to help support me earlier. Sit down and rest, child. Have something to eat.”

She gestured to a plate of pastries on the table, inadvertently catching sight of them herself.

The pastries were an enticing shade of red, slightly translucent, neatly stacked in square pieces—quite unusual.

Lu Wei forced a smile and sat by the table. Spotting the pastries, she brought up a new topic. “Brother Hexiao, what are these?”

Liu Hexiao replied softly, “Hawthorn jelly.”

Intrigued, Lu Wei reached out to take one.

The moment Liu Hexiao saw her move, he abruptly sat up. “Wait! Those… aren’t for you.”

Lu Wei froze, her hand suspended midair, before quickly retracting it as if scalded. Her face turned red with humiliation.

Liu Hexiao coughed lightly and said, “If you’re hungry, I can have the kitchen make something else for you.”

Lu Wei barely managed to maintain her smile. “There’s no need… Who sent such a special treat?”

Liu Hexiao paused briefly. “Someone you don’t know.”

Lu Wei: “…”

The Old Madam, sensing the awkward atmosphere, interjected, “Lu Wei, you’ve been out for a while. Your aunt might send someone looking for you. Go check on her.”

Reluctantly, Lu Wei glanced at Liu Hexiao one last time, only to find that he hadn’t even lifted his head. Her expression darkened further, and she could only force a smile.

“Yes, Old Madam… Brother Hexiao, take care. I’ll leave now.”

At last, Liu Hexiao offered her a genuine smile. “I won’t see you out.”

With measured steps, Lu Wei left the room.

The Old Madam glared at Liu Hexiao. “What’s the meaning of this? The girl came to visit out of kindness!”

Liu Hexiao chuckled derisively. “Oh? Wasn’t she the one who passed the message to Grandmother?”

The Old Madam hesitated for a moment before saying, “Whether it’s her or not, isn’t she still doing it for you?” She looked at Liu Hexiao and continued, “Hexiao, you’re not young anymore. I’ve heard that the Cao family is already arranging a marriage for Cao Shixun. It’s time to start considering your marriage as well.”

Liu Hexiao quickly waved his hand. “Grandmother! Please spare me…”

The Old Madam frowned. “I just don’t understand. What’s wrong with Wei’er? Why do you dislike her so much?”

Liu Hexiao chuckled nonchalantly, though his words were sharp. “I don’t like pretentiousness.”

The Old Madam mulled this over for a moment, then asked suspiciously, “Then what kind of person do you like? I’ll help you find someone.”

Liu Hexiao replied casually, “I don’t know.”

Despite his calm response, his gaze instinctively drifted toward the plate of hawthorn jelly on the table.

The sweet-and-sour flavor of the hawthorn jelly was irresistible.

*****

Lu Wei left the Shuiyue Courtyard and headed toward her aunt’s Lingxiu Pavilion.

Along the way, she maintained a dignified smile, nodding to passing servants, exuding the grace of a noble lady.

Yet beneath her sleeves, her fingers were clenched tightly, almost digging into her palms.

She feared that if she loosened her grip, her tears would spill uncontrollably.

Her chest felt stifled. Why was Liu Hexiao so cold to her?

What was it about her that wasn’t good enough? She couldn’t figure it out.

When they were younger, back when Liu Hehao was still alive, Liu Hexiao had at least followed his elder brother’s example and shown her some care.

But now, he couldn’t even be bothered to give her basic courtesy.

Feeling disheartened, she arrived at Lingxiu Pavilion without realizing it.

Inside Lingxiu Pavilion, Lu Wei’s aunt, Secondary Consort Lu, was standing by a long table.

Her elegant brows were slightly furrowed as she held a wolf-hair brush in her slender hand. Her silk sleeves were neatly rolled up, and she was practicing calligraphy.

“Aunt…” Lu Wei called softly, her voice carrying a trace of sobbing.

Secondary Consort Lu looked up in surprise. Her meticulously styled hair was coiled neatly atop her head, adorned with two understated gold hairpins. She appeared poised and dignified, embodying the grace of an elegant noblewoman.

Seeing Lu Wei’s aggrieved expression, Secondary Consort Lu was momentarily taken aback. “Wei’er, what’s wrong?”

Lu Wei’s eyes reddened. “Aunt… why does Brother Hexiao dislike me so much?”

Secondary Consort Lu sighed softly, recognizing the rejection Lu Wei had once again faced.

“Wei’er,” she said gently, “why do you insist on liking him?”

Lu Wei hesitated, then bit her lip and said, “I… I don’t know. Ever since I first saw him at the age of ten, I’ve been hopelessly in love.”

That spring, Lu Wei had accompanied her father to Shengjing after his promotion. They had visited the Prince’s Mansion to see her aunt, and it was there she first met Liu Hexiao.

At twelve years old, Liu Hexiao had been like a stalk of elegant bamboo—pure, refined, and with a touch of youthful innocence. Following behind his elder brother, he exuded a quiet warmth. He rarely spoke to strangers, offering only a faint smile.

Lu Wei had felt as though she were bewitched, a seed planted deep in her heart.

Over the years, that seed had sprouted, nurtured by her growing admiration, and it had begun to form tendrils of hope, longing to blossom into brilliant flowers.

But Liu Hexiao never responded to her feelings.

Secondary Consort Lu looked at her niece’s expression and sighed. “Wei’er, listen to me. Hexiao is not a good match.”

Lu Wei refused to accept this. “How can you say Brother Hexiao isn’t a good match?” She paused and added, “Brother Hexiao has always been exceptional, even as a child. But because he’s younger than Brother Hehao, everyone only knows Liu Hehao and not Liu Hexiao.

“After Brother Hehao’s death, Hexiao was deeply affected, yet he has never hurt anyone. Even though so much time has passed, he’s the only one who still remembers.”

“When Grandmother’s maid was kidnapped by harasser, Hexiao rushed to save her. To protect her reputation, he refused to explain why he fought the men and was severely punished by the Prince. Doesn’t that show he’s compassionate and righteous?”

Hearing this, Secondary Consort Lu’s expression grew complicated. “Even so,” she said, “whether he’s a good person and whether he likes you are two different things.”

Lu Wei pouted, unwilling to give up. “I know Brother Hexiao doesn’t like me now, but I’ll make him like me eventually.”

Though her heart was heavy with disappointment, she still held onto the hope that one day she could occupy a place in Liu Hexiao’s heart.

Secondary Consort Lu hesitated for a moment before saying, “Wei’er, one-sided love is difficult. Even if you marry him someday, it will be a hard life for you.”

Lu Wei met her aunt’s gaze and said firmly, “I’m not afraid.”

Secondary Consort Lu’s expression stiffened; the conviction in her niece’s voice sounded all too familiar.

Lu Wei lowered her eyes and said softly, “Aunt, please help me. Won’t you?”

Secondary Consort Lu sighed deeply. “Fine… Let me think of something. After all, you are my niece.”

Lu Wei’s eyes lit up with a smile. “Aunt, you’re the best!”

After Lu Wei left, Secondary Consort Lu’s warm demeanor vanished.

Her eyes turned cold as she asked, “When will the Young Master return?”

Secondary Consort Lu had a son, Liu Heran, the Prince Qi’s (Liu Yin) third child, who had been sent to study at a prestigious academy in Lingnan. He returned to the family estate only once a year.

A maid replied softly, “Madam, the Young Master sent word that he’s changed his route from water to land so he can explore the scenery along the way. He hasn’t given an exact date for his return.”

Secondary Consort Lu’s expression darkened. “That boy! How dare he make such decisions without consulting me?” She turned to the maid. “Where is he now? Can we reach him?”

The maid shook her head. “The Young Master is traveling alone, without any attendants. We’re unable to contact him.”

Secondary Consort Lu’s face grew even more unpleasant.

The court had recently been in turmoil, with officials frequently being reassigned. She had intended to bring Liu Heran back to secure a suitable government position for him.

But now, he was off travelling in the countryside!

The thought left Secondary Consort Lu both frustrated and annoyed.

Secondary Consort Lu stood by the window, silent for a long time.

It wasn’t just her son’s situation that weighed on her mind. Every time she thought of Lu Wei’s heartbroken expression, pained by unrequited love, a wave of irritation surged within her.

Lu Wei’s resolute words—“I’m not afraid”—continued to echo in her ears.

She had once uttered those exact same words.

The Lu family held great influence, but since the previous dynasty, they had been exiled from Shengjing and had yearned to return ever since.

The late emperor, intending to support the Lu family, arranged for the Lu family’s eldest legitimate daughter to marry the Prince Qi as a consort. The Prince, though reluctant, couldn’t refuse.

At first, Secondary Consort Lu had felt regretful about not being able to become the main wife. Yet, from the moment she laid eyes on the Prince, she knew her heart would never hold anyone else.

Even knowing the Prince and his main wife shared a deep and loving bond, she still rushed into the marriage, like a moth drawn to the flame.

But if time could be turned back, would she still be so unwavering and resolute in her decision to marry the Prince?

After a moment of contemplation, she summoned a servant and instructed, “Prepare some refreshments and deliver them to the Shuiyue Courtyard…”

Translator’s Note: Hey guys, from this week onwards we will have 2 chapters each alternate day. That is Mon, Tue, Wed.

Also did anyone of you tried the recipes ?