Chapter 16: Why Haven't I Seen Brother Li Today?

"Sir, didn't you say you didn't catch any game? Turns out you ate it all yourself first." Haizi questioned Li Rui unceremoniously. There was no meat left at home, and though he'd said he would take Haizi hunting today, he'd been squeezed out by Zhang Xiaolan. Now, Li Rui had come back empty-handed after eating the meat himself.

Li Rui didn't reply. He simply tossed the horse's reins to Haizi and, smiling, teased him, "Don't pout. Lead the horse back and remember—"

But Haizi, already familiar with his way of speaking, interrupted ahead of time, "Don't forget to give it night feed—I remember all that! If only you remembered to bring back even a pheasant!"

After finishing his first sentence, Haizi led the horse away, and then, moving at his own slow pace, added the last remark. This child only ever thinks of eating meat! Li Rui wasn't annoyed; he just shook his head and walked into the house.

The next day, Zhang Xiaolan didn't get up until the sun was high in the sky. In any case, even if she rose early, there was nothing for her to do. She had offered to help Xiaolian with the chores, but Xiaolian wouldn't hear of it, insisting that Zhang Xiaolan not take her work. In reality, she simply didn't want Zhang Xiaolan to wear herself out.

Judging by Zhang Xiaolan's delicate, slender fingers, it was clear she wasn't someone used to manual labor. How could Xiaolian bear to let her help? She only asked Zhang Xiaolan to keep her company and chat while she worked.

"Why haven't I seen Brother Li today?" Zhang Xiaolan only just realized she hadn't glimpsed Li Rui at all.

"Sir has returned to the capital. He'll be gone for two days," Xiaolian replied while busy with her tasks.

Zhang Xiaolan nodded in understanding and continued to idly watch Xiaolian work. Xiaolian picked up the mop and bucket, then turned to ask, "I'm going to clean Sir's room. Would you like to come along and have a look?" Her tone was meaningful, and she winked playfully at Zhang Xiaolan.

"Sure, let's go together."

With that, she put her arm around Xiaolian's shoulder and they walked off together. Xiaolian kept giggling to herself, leaving Zhang Xiaolan rather puzzled by the girl's thoughts.

Inside Li Rui's room, while Xiaolian tidied and cleaned, Zhang Xiaolan followed. It was her first time entering his bedchamber, and she was immediately struck by the scholarly atmosphere—the scent of books and ink pervading the space. Calligraphy and paintings occupied much of the room, and for once, Zhang Xiaolan couldn't help but marvel.

Who would have thought that beneath such a bold and vigorous exterior, Li Rui was in fact a cultivated man, well-read and skilled with brush and ink? One would never have guessed it. It was just as the saying goes: one cannot judge a person's character by their appearance alone.

"Brother Li is quite a refined gentleman. It's such a contrast with his looks," Zhang Xiaolan remarked admiringly as she leafed through his collection.

"There are far more books in Sir's residence in the capital. What you see here is but a drop in the ocean," Xiaolian said with evident pride in her master.

"Indeed, impressive. May I borrow a few books from here to read?"

Zhang Xiaolan offered her praise and selected a few volumes, intending to study the literature and script of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

"Take them, by all means! If it's you, Miss, Sir certainly won't object," Xiaolian replied, cackling mischievously. Who knew what was always turning in that little girl's mind?

The following day, Li Rui returned, and no one was happier than Haizi, for Li Rui brought back a bounty of fresh and cured meats. How could Haizi not be overjoyed? There was never this much meat to be had at the prince's residence. This was why, every year, Haizi most looked forward to accompanying Li Rui to the Xinyan Retreat for the summer.

Here, not only did he eat his fill of meat and do less work, he could also occasionally join Li Rui for night hunts in the woods. This was his taste of freedom, for each year Li Rui came here with only a handful of servants and maids at most.