Chapter 41: Grow Old Alone – “Young Master, Don’t Be So Harsh with the Lady…”

Yihuan held her nose, rubbing the sore spot where it had bumped painfully. She looked up at Liu Hexiao with an expression of innocent surprise.

“Your Highness? Are you already feeling better?” she asked, her voice tinged with unexpected relief.

Liu Hexiao offered a faint smile. “This prince has a charmed life. Naturally, I recover quickly.”

Yihuan smiled back. “That’s good… I was worried…”

“Worried about what?” Liu Hexiao inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Yihuan hesitated, then deflected, “Nothing much… Just worried there’d be no one to taste-test my cooking in your absence.”

Liu Hexiao let out a “Oh,” but his expression dimmed ever so slightly.

He changed the subject with a playful smirk. “And where are you headed with all this silver? Running away?”

“Just heading to Qingmu Zhai to restock supplies,” Yihuan replied matter-of-factly.

Liu Hexiao nodded thoughtfully. “Very well. Let’s go.”

He gestured toward the carriage behind him.

Yihuan blinked in surprise. “Your Highness… you’re coming too?”

Liu Hexiao straightened his collar with an air of nonchalance. “Naturally. As the co-owner of Shengjing Dessert Shop, it’s only fitting I lend a hand.”

Yihuan couldn’t help but inwardly grumble: Co-owner? Since when?

Seeing her hesitate, Liu Hexiao chuckled. “Come on, get in.”

Before she could object, he firmly guided her into the carriage.

*****

In the Carriage

The interior was lavish, with intricate carvings and soft cushions. Yihuan’s gaze lingered on the decorative flowers in one corner, her thoughts elsewhere.

“Fascinated by the carvings, are we?” Liu Hexiao teased, his tone full of amusement.

Yihuan snapped out of her daze. “No… not at all…”

The carriage was spacious, yet the air inside felt stiflingly close with just the two of them seated together.

After a moment of silence, Liu Hexiao remarked casually, “The hawthorn jelly was delicious.”

Caught off guard, Yihuan stammered, “W-what?”

Liu Hexiao looked directly at her, his gaze warm and unrelenting. “The hawthorn jelly you sent me. It was very good.”

Yihuan’s face flushed. She quickly murmured, “I’m glad you liked it.”

Satisfied, Liu Hexiao leaned back without another word.

The atmosphere felt strange to Yihuan—something unspoken hung between them, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

To ease the tension, she brought up her recent success. “Your Highness, I’ve secured a collaboration with Madam Tian at Qianjiao Pavilion for their courtesan competition.”

“Oh?” Liu Hexiao seemed intrigued. “What’s the arrangement?”

Yihuan explained, “I’m providing desserts at a low price so they can raise ticket prices. In return, I’ll get to advertise Shengjing Dessert Shop during the event, and they’ll feature my desserts during the courtesan parade.”

Liu Hexiao raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. The parade is sure to draw plenty of attention from Tianshui Alley’s regulars. But for the main event, what desserts will you serve?”

“I’ve settled on cheesecake as the main offering,” Yihuan said thoughtfully, “but I haven’t decided on the beverages yet.”

Liu Hexiao smirked. “You’ll need wine.”

“Wine?” Yihuan repeated in surprise.

Liu Hexiao’s smile deepened. “A little wine makes the view all the more enchanting. A tipsy gaze upon beauty is the perfect complement.”

He picked up a teacup and drank from it as though savoring wine, his peach blossom eyes glimmering mischievously.

Clearly, he was just drinking tea, but Yi Huan felt that his gaze carried a hint of intoxication. Those almond-shaped eyes seemed to speak, and when they fixed on her, she felt a bit flustered and at a loss.

Yi Huan lightly cleared her throat and said, “Understood. When the time comes, I’ll brew more wine, then.”

Liu Hexiao added, “It’s best if the wine isn’t too strong. If you want them to remember the events of that evening, they can’t drink too much.”

Yihuan felt her cheeks flush again. She coughed lightly to regain composure. “Alright. I’ll prepare some light wine for the occasion. Thank you for the suggestion, Your Highness.”

Liu Hexiao’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Just then, the carriage jerked to a sudden stop, causing the interior to sway violently.

Unprepared, Yihuan was flung toward the carriage door.

“Careful!” Liu Hexiao’s sharp reflexes saved her in an instant. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back—perhaps with too much force.

She tumbled into his chest, her soft cheek pressing against his firm, warm torso.

For a moment, neither spoke. The sound of their breaths filled the small space.

Yihuan’s cheeks were flushed, a warm hue blooming against her skin as she gathered herself from the jarring sway of the carriage. The soft silk of her robes felt soothing yet fleeting amidst the brief chaos. When she looked up, she found herself face-to-face with a pair of deeply concerned eyes.

Liu Hexiao was still holding her. His tall frame and steady grip anchored her in place, and his eyes, with their dark, captivating depths, seemed to search hers.

For a moment, his thoughts wandered. She’s truly beautiful…

Outside the carriage, Cheng Lingwei’s voice rang out, breaking the spell.
“Your Highness, is everything alright inside? A reckless carriage sped past—it nearly collided with us!”

“Nothing to worry about,” Liu Hexiao replied calmly, but his gaze never left Yihuan.

The two remained close, their breaths mingling in the intimate space of the carriage. Time seemed to stretch, leaving them both momentarily speechless.

Finally, snapping back to reality, Yihuan hastily returned to her seat. Liu Hexiao released her with a composed air, his other hand carefully setting a displaced teapot back onto the table.

Yihuan noticed the faint redness in his palm, where he had shielded the pot from spilling.

She frowned slightly. “Are you alright?”

Their voices overlapped as Liu Hexiao asked the same question,“Are you alright?”

Both froze, glancing at each other, before a hint of embarrassed color rose to their faces.

“I’m fine…” Yihuan murmured, breaking the awkwardness.

“Good,” Liu Hexiao replied with a faint smile.

Though his expression seemed calm, his pale cheeks bore the faintest hint of a flush. Thankfully, the dim light inside the carriage concealed it well.

Liu Hexiao’s breathing moved slightly, and he couldn’t help but feel that his clothes seemed to carry a faint trace of her hair’s fragrance.

He couldn’t help but smile.

Yi Huan saw his calm expression and asked, “Shizi, is your hand burned?”

Liu Hexiao shook his head and said, “For someone who practices martial arts, how could I be that fragile?”

Yi Huan said nothing, but she clearly saw a patch of redness on Liu Hexiao’s palm.

The carriage soon slowed to a halt in front of Qingmu Zhai, the renowned general goods supplier. Sitting at the entrance was Shopkeeper Hu, whose stern countenance remained as unyielding as ever.

Yihuan turned to Liu Hexiao and whispered, “Shopkeeper Hu has a bit of a temper, but he’s truly a kind person. If anything seems strange, please don’t take offense.”

Liu Hexiao’s brows furrowed slightly, but he nodded without comment.

As Yihuan greeted Shopkeeper Hu with a cheerful, “Good morning, Shopkeeper Hu!” the gruff man lifted his head.

“It’s you… Where’s that little maid of yours, Ah-miao?” he grumbled.

“Ah-miao’s looking after the shop today,” Yihuan replied with a smile. “I’ve come to stock up on supplies myself.”

Shopkeeper Hu gave a curt nod and gestured for her to enter.

Only then did his gaze shift to the tall figure following Yihuan. Liu Hexiao stood out, his height and presence impossible to ignore.

Shopkeeper Hu squinted, clearly sizing him up.

Before the stare could become any more uncomfortable, Yihuan interrupted, “Shopkeeper Hu, is Granny Qiao in today?”

Her question jolted Shopkeeper Hu back to the moment. He looked away, his gruff tone softening. “She’s upstairs. Not talking to me, though.”

Yihuan raised a brow. “Why not?”

“She says I was… harsh with her. But I only raised my voice a little!” Shopkeeper Hu’s indignation was almost comical.

Yihuan chuckled, offering a consoling remark, “You should try to make amends, Shopkeeper Hu. After all, couples quarrel at the head of the bed and reconcile at the foot!”

To her surprise, Shopkeeper Hu’s cheeks flushed.

Just then, the subject of their conversation appeared. Granny Qiao lifted the curtain with an air of dignity, her serene face carrying a faint trace of annoyance. “Who’s a couple with him? Yihuan, don’t get the wrong idea!”

Yihuan blinked in surprise. “You’re not?”

Shopkeeper Hu coughed awkwardly, mumbling, “I’ve proposed over thirty times, but she has rejected me every time…”

The dramatic turn of events left Yihuan momentarily at a loss. She quickly steered the conversation back to her purpose for visiting.

Granny Qiao’s sharp gaze landed on Liu Hexiao. Her eyes lit up with recognition.

“You’re… the Young Master! Ah, no, the Heir Apparent, the Shizi!” she exclaimed.

Liu Hexiao tilted his head slightly, bemused by the sudden excitement.

Granny Qiao’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Not bad… Polished through trials and time. Though, perhaps it’s still a bit early…”

Her cryptic words left him puzzled.

Sensing his discomfort, Yihuan interjected, “Granny Qiao, I’m here to stock up on supplies.”

She handed over a detailed list, which Granny Qiao scanned quickly.

“Two hundred jins?!” Granny Qiao’s brows shot up.

Yihuan nodded confidently. “Yes. With such a large order, could we perhaps negotiate a better price?”

From the side, Shopkeeper Hu’s mustache twitched with indignation. “You’re really trying to bargain!?”

Granny Qiao silenced him with a glance.

Turning to Yihuan, she said kindly, “My dear, I’m happy to see your business growing, but placing such a big order carries risks. What if something goes wrong, and you lose everything?”

Before Yihuan could respond, Liu Hexiao’s cool voice cut through the room.

“With me backing her, there’s no need to worry.”

His words carried an unmistakable authority.

Granny Qiao broke into a broad smile. “With the Shizi as her guarantor, we have no concerns!”

She turned back to Yihuan. “Very well. We’ll finalize the payment now, and the goods will be delivered to your shop within two days.”

Yihuan nodded and followed Granny Qiao to the counter.

——

Left standing with Liu Hexiao, Shopkeeper Hu crossed his arms and scrutinized him with a peculiar expression.

Finally, unable to hold back, Shopkeeper Hu muttered, “Shizi, if you’re too harsh with women, you’ll end up growing old alone… like me.”

Liu Hexiao’s face darkened.

Shopkeeper Hu continued undeterred, “Especially with a lady like Yihuan. She’s beautiful, capable, and full of ideas. Suitors will be lining up for her. If you’re not careful, you’ll have no chance.”

Liu Hexiao’s expression froze, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“Perhaps you should focus on your own affairs, Shopkeeper Hu,” he said coolly. “Like preparing for your next proposal attempt.”

Shopkeeper Hu huffed in frustration and stomped off.

——

When Yihuan returned, she noticed Shopkeeper Hu storming away. “What happened to him?” she asked curiously.

Liu Hexiao shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing important.”

He glanced at the bags of goods Yihuan was carrying and frowned.

“Let me help,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “Must you insist on doing everything yourself?”

Yihuan blinked at him, momentarily taken aback.

Before she could reply, Liu Hexiao had already taken the bags from her arms and turned toward the carriage.

Watching his retreating figure, Yihuan couldn’t help but smile.

As they climbed into the carriage, Liu Hexiao cleared his throat, trying to shake off the awkwardness of her amused gaze.

“Where to next?” he asked gruffly, his usual composure slightly frayed.

Translator’s Note: Byee Byee guys !! See you next week.