Ch76.2 - Your Highness, You Misunderstood

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.”

Lu Xingwang knew full well that “just one more” wouldn’t actually be the last—Jian Mei had already used that excuse earlier. Still, as the crown prince, he wouldn’t resort to something as undignified as snatching the fruit platter away. Instead, he set his chopsticks down leisurely and said, “This fruit may be sweet and tasty, but people in the palace don’t eat too much of it. Do you know why?”

Jian Mei blinked. “Why?”

“Because if you eat too much, you’ll have nightmares.” Lu Xingwang’s gaze swept over Jian Mei’s round little face as he added, his tone calm, “At least ten beasts will come after you.”

…?

Jian Mei was dumbfounded!

The fruit slipped from his fingers and landed on the plate with a soft plop. His small face scrunched up. “Are there really beasts?”

Lu Xingwang remained expressionless. “That’s what the rumors say.”

Jian Mei instantly set the sweet fruit aside and turned to the vegetables instead. “Maybe I should balance my diet a little.”

Lu Xingwang leisurely picked up some greens and placed them on Jian Mei’s plate, looking quite pleased. “Eat more.”

If a servant had walked in at that moment, they would’ve been so shocked their jaw might have hit the floor. Since when had His Highness ever served food to anyone? He was always strict about decorum and never spoke during meals.

And yet, sitting across from him was Jian Mei, who barely followed any of the royal family’s rigid dining etiquette. If it had been anyone else, they would have been reprimanded long ago. But with this kid, His Highness wasn’t just indulging him—he was even coaxing him into eating his vegetables.

After the meal, tasting the familiar flavors of his past, Jian Mei couldn’t help but think of home.

He sat at the dining table and asked, “Dazhuang-ge, do I still have a chance to return to Earth?”

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As the crown prince, how much risk had he taken?

At that thought, Jian Mei wasn’t sure why, but a strange, bittersweet emotion rose in his chest. For a moment, he felt deeply moved.

But Lu Xingwang assumed that he was simply feeling sad and reassured him. “I’ll make arrangements as soon as possible.”

Surprisingly, it was Jian Mei who comforted him instead. “It’s okay, take your time. I’m actually getting used to life here. There’s no rush.”

As Lu Xingwang watched him say this, a faint smile lingered on Jian Mei’s face. Yet no one knew how much hardship and sorrow hid beneath it. He had once thought that after they reunited, Jian Mei might complain or cry to him. But what he hadn’t expected was that the little boy who used to cry all the time had, in the years he’d been away, slowly grown up.

His emotions were mixed. He wasn’t as happy as he had imagined. Instead, a faint emptiness settled in, as if something had quietly slipped away.

After finishing his meal, Jian Mei asked with a hint of concern, “Ah, do I need to go back to school? I think classes start tomorrow.”

Lu Xingwang asked, “How did you end up in the SA class?”

Jian Mei briefly explained what had happened. Then, frowning slightly, he said, “Honestly, I have no idea why the principal put me in that class. It’s not like I have any special abilities.”

Lu Xingwang had a general idea of what was going on, but he couldn’t be certain just yet. No matter what, he had once been absent from Jian Mei’s life, leaving him to endure hardships on his own. But now that they had reunited, he would protect Jian Mei and never let him suffer again.

“The SA class has top-tier teaching resources. You’ll learn a lot there,” Lu Xingwang told him. “Just focus on your studies, I’ll handle everything else.”

Everything else?

Jian Mei couldn’t think of anything besides school, but since Dazhuang-ge didn’t seem inclined to explain, he chose not to ask.

Not wanting to disrupt his schooling, Lu Xingwang stood up. “Let’s go. I’ll take you back.”

Lu Xingwang walked ahead, and Jian Mei hurried to keep up. As they stepped out of the front hall, Jian Mei took in the sight before him for the first time. The palace was vast—grand and imposing from the outside, but now, standing within its walls, he could truly feel its overwhelming authority.

A row of servants bowed in unison as they entered the courtyard, their heads lowered in silent reverence, awaiting their presence.

A short distance away, on the main garden pathway, a carriage stood parked. In front of it stood an older woman, her attire noticeably different from the others. Her palace robes were more intricate, her jewelry more abundant and lavish, exuding an air of refinement. Yet, despite her noble appearance, her face carried a warmth and kindness that made her seem approachable.

However, when her gaze landed on Jian Mei, an inexplicable feeling crept over him. There was something about her eyes—too intense, too sharp. It wasn’t hostility, nor was it simple curiosity, but it unsettled him in a way he couldn’t quite put into words.

Lu Xingwang boarded the vehicle first. It was Jian Mei’s first time encountering such a luxurious car—one that floated in mid-air. Dazhuang-ge leaped inside effortlessly, but Jian Mei hesitated below, unsure how to follow.

Lu Xingwang extended a hand toward him. “Come.”

The step was too high for Jian Mei to reach, but when he met Lu Xingwang’s calm, unwavering gaze, an inexplicable sense of reassurance settled over him. Trusting that hand, he placed his own in Lu Xingwang’s.

With a slight pull, Lu Xingwang lifted him with ease. For a brief moment, it felt as if an invisible force carried him upward. The sudden motion threw him off balance, and before he could steady himself, he stumbled forward—colliding into Lu Xingwang’s chest. The Crown Prince reacted instantly, holding him steady without effort.

As Jian Mei settled into his seat, he let out a small sigh of relief. “So this is how you get in? I had no idea.”

Lu Xingwang’s expression softened. In a quiet voice, he said, “I didn’t know how at first, either.”

Jian Mei’s face brightened with a smile. “Really?”

“Mhm,” Lu Xingwang murmured.

Jian Mei finally relaxed, no longer feeling embarrassed about what had just happened. But then, he reconsidered—Dazhuang-ge was undoubtedly much smarter than him and even possessed divine power. There was no way he would’ve struggled to get into the car. He must have said that just to put him at ease.

With that thought, Jian Mei stole a glance at Lu Xingwang, who sat across from him, quietly reading a book. Despite his cold and distant appearance, almost like a stranger, Jian Mei couldn’t shake the feeling that Dazhuang-ge hadn’t really changed. Beneath it all, he was still just as gentle as before.

……

The car slowly descended onto the academy grounds. The small grove nearby was quiet, and outside the SA class building, it was rare to see anyone all year round.

Jian Mei stepped out of the car and was immediately greeted by the cool evening breeze. He shivered slightly before steadying himself and jumping down, landing firmly on the ground.

Lu Xingwang followed, stepping down behind him.

The school roads were lined with dim yellow streetlights. The air still carried a hint of chill, a reminder that summer had yet to arrive. Beneath the streetlights, tiny insects fluttered about, their transparent wings catching the glow, creating an unexpectedly delicate and beautiful scene.

Jian Mei turned back. “The dormitory is just up ahead.”

Lu Xingwang gave a slight nod. “I know.”

As one of the academy’s most distinguished graduates, having spent years here, how could he not?

Jian Mei stood under the streetlight, looking neat and delicate, a good half a head shorter than Lu Xingwang. In a soft voice, he asked, “Then… I’ll head back now?”

Lu Xingwang said, “I’ll walk you there.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” Jian Mei waved his hands, not wanting to trouble him. “I can manage on my own.”

Lu Xingwang didn’t insist.

Yet, even after saying he would leave, Jian Mei didn’t move. He had turned halfway but hesitated before jogging back. “I want to give you something.”

Lu Xingwang asked, “What is it?”

Jian Mei pulled a small sachet from his pocket. It was slightly worn and not very pretty, but it had clearly been well cared for. “I made this myself,” he said. “It’s a sachet to help with sleep. If you put it next to your pillow, it works really well.”

As the sachet rested in Lu Xingwang’s palm, it still carried a lingering warmth.

Lu Xingwang was slightly surprised—he hadn’t expected Jian Mei to give him something like this. But Jian Mei stood before him, calm and forthright, his voice soft as he said, “I noticed faint dark circles under your eyes today. Then, when I passed by your study, I saw piles of paperwork stacked on your desk. I figured you weren’t getting much sleep. So… this sachet is for calming the mind. Maybe it’ll help.”

Even though they were in a foreign place, even though their statuses were worlds apart, even though Lu Xingwang was of noble birth and lacked nothing—Jian Mei still saw him. Truly saw him.

When Lu Xingwang didn’t respond, Jian Mei grew nervous. He hesitated, debating whether to take the sachet back. “It’s kind of old… maybe I should just give you a new one next time instead…”

“No need.” Lu Xingwang accepted the sachet and carefully tucked it away, treating it with rare solemnity. “I like it.”

That spring night, the boy’s quiet words brushed past like a gentle breeze. Jian Mei suddenly felt warmth spreading through him, his face heating up. The cold had completely disappeared.

“Then…” Jian Mei stammered, flustered. “I-I’ll head back to my dorm.”

Lu Xingwang hummed in response.

Just as Jian Mei was about to turn away, Lu Xingwang’s voice came from behind. “I added myself to your communication terminal. If you ever need anything, just contact me.”

Jian Mei froze in his tracks. He turned back to look at Lu Xingwang, his eyes glistening.

Mistaking his reaction for happiness, Lu Xingwang pressed his lips together and added, “Even if there’s nothing urgent, you can still reach out.”

The air was unusually still, making his words all the more distinct. Jian Mei hadn’t expected this, but he was genuinely touched. Still, there was one small problem. “A-adding you as a friend is fine, but… it’s a bit inconvenient.”

Lu Xingwang assumed he was worried about classmates or others noticing. He wasn’t the type to offer reassurances, so he simply said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. It won’t be a problem.”

……

Jian Mei hesitated.

This wasn’t about fear. The real problem was—how was he supposed to tell Lu Xingwang that he couldn’t read?