Ch76.1 - Your Highness, You Misunderstood

The room fell into a brief silence.

Jian Mei sniffled, shaking his head slightly before quickly nodding. His flustered back-and-forth made him look both pitiful and a little funny.

Lu Xingwang lowered his voice. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Jian Mei’s voice was hoarse with a hint of tears. He looked up at Lu Xingwang, his red-rimmed eyes brimming with helplessness, and softly said, “I wasn’t feeling well earlier, but… but now I am well.”

Lu Xingwang gently asked, “Why?”

Jian Mei lowered his head slightly and tugged at the corner of Lu Xingwang’s robe. “Because I found you.”

Because I found you.

So, even though I wasn’t feeling well before, now I am.

It was such a simple sentence, yet it melted Lu Xingwang’s heart in an instant, filling him with an aching tenderness.

Not far away, Nangong Xun cleared his throat. “Your Highness, it seems this young master is fine now. I’ll take my leave.”

Lu Xingwang turned his head. He had always been cautious in his actions. Casting a cool glance at Nangong Xun, he said, “You’ve been a great help this time—I truly appreciate it. I recall that your wife has a fondness for red silk, so I had Aruo select some from the warehouse to send over. It’s just a small token of gratitude; I hope you won’t find it lacking.”

His meaning was crystal clear.

If you dare speak out of turn or break the rules, even if you don’t care about yourself, you should at least think of your wife.

Nangong Xun’s expression flickered before he forced a smile and half-knelt in thanks. “It’s both my wife’s and my honor to serve Your Highness. If there’s ever anything you need, please don’t hesitate to command me.”

Lu Xingwang lightly helped him up. “You’re too courteous, Lord Xun. It’s been a tiring day—go home and rest early.”

Nangong Xun dared not linger any longer. He quickly turned and left without looking back.

After this incident, he fully realized the depth of the crown prince’s scheming and ability. To investigate his household so silently and thoroughly—it was truly terrifying. He had never once mentioned his wife to anyone, yet the crown prince had uncovered the truth in such a short time and even hinted at it so subtly. At such a young age… Lu Xingwang was truly worthy of his reputation.

No wonder people said it was best to avoid making an enemy of him. He really was unfathomable.

He might as well continue maintaining his neutrality.

But after this, could he really stay neutral? Sigh, that was uncertain!

……

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Lu Xingwang noticed his discomfort and sat down beside him. Tilting his head slightly, his pitch-black eyes clearly reflected the boy’s figure. He said softly, “No.”

Jian Mei looked up in confusion.

“When I introduced myself to you, I didn’t put it that way,” Lu Xingwang’s voice was low and elegant. “I am Lu Xingwang.”

No one would dare to address the crown prince by name.

Yet, this was the second time he had deliberately emphasized it in front of Jian Mei.

Jian Mei’s fingers curled unconsciously as he hesitated. “But… aren’t you the crown prince?”

“I am the crown prince, but I am also Lu Xingwang.” His gaze on Jian Mei was deep and meaningful. “The title of crown prince belongs to me now, but one day, it might not. However, I will always be Lu Xingwang. Do you understand?”

Jian Mei felt like he understood… but also didn’t.

Still, he didn’t feel uncomfortable. If anything, the way this patient, big-brother-like figure spoke to him slowly brought back a sense of familiarity.

After a moment, Jian Mei asked, “Then… what should I call you?”

Lu Xingwang had initially wanted to tell him that calling him “Crown Prince” outside would be the safer option. But when he looked up and saw Jian Mei’s unfamiliar and cautious gaze, an inexplicable discomfort settled in his chest. In his memory, this child had always been carefree and unrestrained. If he became too reserved, he wouldn’t be happy.

Lu Xingwang parted his lips and said, “It’s up to you. Just call me like you always have.”

Jian Mei visibly relaxed, a smile gradually spreading across his face. In a soft voice, he said, “Then in private, I’ll call you the same as before, but in front of others, I’ll address you as ‘Crown Prince.’”

His response caught Lu Xingwang by surprise.

“I have to save face for you!” Jian Mei puffed out his chest, looking rather pleased with himself. “I know what I’m doing.”

Lu Xingwang, who was usually distant and indifferent, found his heart softening unconsciously at the sight of Jian Mei’s bright and playful demeanor. The boy’s thoughtfulness and natural obedience had a way of melting his hardened heart, over and over again.

Jian Mei gradually quieted, gazing at him.

Lu Xingwang asked, “What’s wrong?”

It took him a moment to realize he was still wearing his mask. In truth, he only wore it for convenience—his appearance had never mattered to him, nor did he care about others’ opinions. He certainly wasn’t bothered by the thought of being disliked because of a few unsightly scars. But at this moment, under Jian Mei’s gaze, Lu Xingwang instinctively looked away. For the first time, he felt a flicker of resistance, an unexpected reluctance to be seen.

Jian Mei’s gaze settled on the mask. He studied it for a moment, his eyes softening before he smiled. “So this is what you look like.”

Lu Xingwang stiffened slightly, caught off guard. After a pause, he spoke in a low voice. “Hmm… Are you disappointed?”

“Why would I be?” Jian Mei’s eyes were clear, free of flattery or falsehood. Meeting his gaze, he said softly, “You look really cool.”

Lu Xingwang shifted uncomfortably. As the crown prince, he handled urgent affairs with ease, yet at this moment, he was clearly uneasy. He lowered his voice. “I don’t actually look cool without the mask.”

Jian Mei didn’t ask to see what lay beneath the mask. It was as if he instinctively understood what mattered to Lu Xingwang, so he chose not to press the issue. Instead, he spoke gently, “It’s okay. You’re still you. You look cool with the mask, and even without it, you’re still you and still just as cool.”

Lu Xingwang’s heart trembled slightly. The weight that had been pressing on his chest suddenly felt lighter. He had always been easily swayed by Jian Mei’s emotions, yet he never minded. The crown prince, feared and revered by all, was like a child before Jian Mei—so easily soothed. His brows relaxed, and a faint smile flickered in his eyes.

However, just as the warm moment lingered, an untimely gurgling sound suddenly broke the silence in the room.

Jian Mei awkwardly lowered his head and glanced at his stomach, which had growled loudly. He flashed Lu Xingwang a sheepish smile. “I think I’m hungry.”

Lu Xingwang stood up. “I’ll have someone bring food.”

Jian Mei tensed slightly at the mention of food. He quickly got up and moved to Lu Xingwang’s side, lowering his voice. “Where are we eating?”

Lu Xingwang’s response was brief. “The front hall.”

“Oh…” Jian Mei nodded lightly. His unease didn’t escape Lu Xingwang’s notice, and the crown prince turned his head to ask, “What’s wrong?”

Jian Mei hesitated, then nervously asked, “W-Who’s in the front hall? You’re the crown prince, so you must have a lot of subordinates, right? If I go out like this… won’t I embarrass you?”

Lu Xingwang replied, “Why would that be embarrassing?”

“Because…” Jian Mei lowered his head, looking at his clothes.

Back in school, people had mocked him for wearing unbranded clothes. He hadn’t cared then—comfort was all that mattered, and expensive brands had felt unnecessary. But that was before.

Things were different now. After a year in this world, he had learned its unspoken rules. He knew how high the crown prince’s status was, and if he suddenly stood beside Lu Xingwang looking so out of place, wouldn’t that make him lose face?

Jian Mei hesitated before murmuring, “Because my clothes aren’t good enough.”

Lu Xingwang turned, his dark eyes deep and fathomless, like an endless ocean. Yet beneath his composed exterior, a storm churned.

In his memory, this child had always been bright and self-assured. What could have happened to make him so unsure of himself? What had this society, this very country of his, done to him? When those words fell, Lu Xingwang’s first instinct wasn’t to glance at Jian Mei’s clothes—it was to feel a boundless, aching sorrow.

It was a complicated situation. He had only intended to see Jian Mei, nothing more. But now, standing before him, his mind was consumed with a single thought—how to protect him. His life had always been about taking power, resources, and control. But in this moment, faced with Jian Mei, all he wanted was to shield him from the world.

“Then we won’t see them,” Lu Xingwang said firmly. “We’ll eat, just the two of us.”

Jian Mei was taken aback. “Huh?”

“Just the two of us.” Lu Xingwang stood in front of him, his tall, imposing figure like an unshakable mountain. He reached out and, with rare tenderness, ruffled Jian Mei’s hair. “No one else.”

The tension that had been lingering in Jian Mei’s heart eased under his reassurance. “Really?”

Lu Xingwang’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Really.”

When they stepped into the front hall, it was indeed empty. The table was set with dishes Jian Mei used to eat all the time. At the sight of them, his eyes lit up, and he nearly cheered. “Sweet fruit.”

He used to have these often, but ever since arriving at Master Jia Si’s residence, he had hardly seen them. Such things were a rarity among commoners, and over time, he had almost forgotten their taste.

Lu Xingwang took a seat beside him.

Jian Mei took a few bites and let out a satisfied sigh. “So good.”

The table was filled with various dishes, but he was a picky eater and only reached for the sweets. Fortunately, Lu Xingwang stopped him. “Eat something else.”

Jian Mei grinned, clearly enjoying himself. “I know.”

But despite his words, he didn’t put the food down.

Instead, after finishing one, he grabbed another, flashing Lu Xingwang a cheeky smile. “Just one more.”

Translator’s Notes:

Starting this week until the end of April, I’ll be posting two chapters a week. Updates will be posted on Mondays and Tuesdays. Enjoy reading!