Chapter 37

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqi

Proofreader: Sal

Qiao Chu was stunned, and at that moment there was a knock on the door. Prince Xia frowned and told them to come in.

The women were dumbfounded by Prince Xia’s actions, but they soon forgot about it when they heard the knock on the door. They thought it was a ceremonial official who had finally arrived to read the examination questions.

However, they were let down. An old man entered, dressed in thick, old and gray clothes that were so worn out you couldn’t discern the original color. His face was covered in scars and bumps, he was extremely unappealing to look at. A monstrosity.

He held two thick sandalwood incense sticks in his hand, and was about to bow to greet the ninth prince, but the prince was looking at the incense burner. It seemed the incense had already finished burning, “Lao Tie, do not salute, it is inconvenient for you in your old age. Because Eighth brother is kind-hearted, their mansion is full of people like you. Go change it quickly.”

The old man whispered his thanks and walked over to the small incense burners to change them.

His back was bent, and the women instantly realized the meaning behind the prince’s words. It turned out this man was crippled. Their hearts were moved because Prince Rui was also disabled, and he covered his face because of it. They also noticed Prince Xia was still holding his tea cup out for Qiao Chu, and their previous jealousy returned.

Qiao Chu was infuriated with the prince. She didn’t want to get in trouble so she resisted her urge to throw the tea cup in front of her at the prince. She pulled out a small pouch and held it out to him. “Qiao Chu dares not accept the ninth prince’s gift.”

As she said that, she took a date from the pouch and ate it. “Ninth prince should also have a taste,” she smiled, “If ninth prince doesn’t accept, it will be difficult for Qiao Chu to accept the prince’s kindness.”

Prince Xia paused and then smiled as he took the pouch handed to him by Qiao Chu.

Qiao Rong sneered, “Wild dates from the desert? how can sister offer such vulgar things to the ninth prince!”

Qiao Chu frowned and lowered her head slightly.

Prince Xia defended, “There is no harm, right Miss Chu?”

Qiao Chu looked up at the tea that had been offered to her a few minutes ago. She finally reached out and took it.

Prince Xia indifferently told her, “If you are thirsty, drink it.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Qiao Chu twirled the tea, and everyone saw that there was a light tea stain on the edge of the cup. She had gently sipped the tea at the exact same spot from which the ninth prince drank.

Prince Xia was stunned. He was a prince, and his mother, Concubine Hui’s family, was the richest in Jiangnan. When he initially saw Qiao Chu’s plain clothes, he felt contempt towards her and after seeing how calm she was and how she had not approached him, he assumed she was pretending to be noble. He was disgusted. He had obviously offered his tea to her as a joke, but her response caught him off guard. His heart sank as he realized she was an extremely frivolous woman.

Qiao Rong cried out in a resentful voice, “Shameless!”

Her voice was sharp, and all the women looked at Qiao Chu in contempt. Even the old man who had quietly started changing the sandalwood incense turned his head to look at her.

Qiao Chu responded, “Ninth prince should also taste the dates.”

Prince Xia squeezed the pouch and frowned slightly. If he didn’t eat the date, he would feel inferior to Qiao Chu. Without hesitation, he picked one and put it inside his mouth, chewing slowly.

At this time, Qiao chu’s soft voice was heard, “These dates grew up in the deep desert. They’ve been exposed to long years of sun, so they’re too sweet. They are only suitable to make tea, and are not to be eaten.” as she said this she took out a small silk handkerchief from her bosom and spat out the small dates she had in her mouth. She rubbed them and threw them into the jade pot under the table.

Prince Xia’s expression suddenly changed and he felt a sweetness spreading from the tip of his tongue. He reached out to drink some tea to wash away the taste, only to find that he had given it to Qiao Chu.