062. Who Made Such Ugly Pastries?

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"Yuan Tianci, it's the first time I've realized you're this kind," Le Qianxue said, feeling a touch of emotion.

But Yuan Tianci replied, "I'm trying to please you—so could you teach me the methods for treating gu poison?"

Le Qianxue saw through his true colors. She turned her head away, genuinely unwilling to pay Yuan Tianci any more attention. "Honestly, that's enough from you! I need to rest, get out."

Yuan Tianci pouted, feeling a bit aggrieved. "Alright, alright, you rest first. Tomorrow, we'll figure out how to deal with Yu Guhan, and we certainly won't let him off!"

Le Qianxue simply murmured her assent and let him leave. She was exhausted; having narrowly escaped death, she understood the perils she faced this time even more keenly.

Yet what she couldn't fathom was why, though Yu Guhan seemed to like her, it wasn't genuine affection—she wasn't so oblivious as to miss that. So why would Yu Guhan resort to such means? Did he truly want to possess her? Was it really that simple?

Her instincts told her otherwise. After all, Yu Guhan was the Crown Prince—what kind of woman could he not have? Even though she was the eldest daughter of a general's household, Yu Guhan knew that Le Yongcheng's loyalty lay solely with the Emperor; his attempts to win her over might well prove fruitless.

Could it be that there was some benefit to be gained from her herself?

Le Qianxue felt irritable; after all, she'd been schemed against this time, and she was still seething inside. With a humph, she turned over and tried to sleep.

No matter what, she would remember this grudge—it wouldn't be so easy for Yu Guhan to escape her reckoning.

That night, her sleep was restless; her body was still uncomfortable.

Early the next morning, maids came to wake her.

Le Qianxue, having slept fitfully, woke up and, remembering she was in the Prince of War’s residence, didn’t fuss and quickly got up.

"What is it?"

Several maids entered, each carrying trays with washing implements and fresh clothes.

"The Prince has instructed us to help Miss Le wash and dress."

Le Qianxue had sweated profusely the night before, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. A proper wash was most welcome.

She nodded promptly and enjoyed a thorough washing.

When she changed into the clean clothing, she couldn't help but wonder whether Zhan Lianjing was wealthier than a nation—the fabric he provided for her clothing was flowing cloud brocade!

That meant this outfit alone was worth at least three thousand taels!

For a moment, Le Qianxue felt she herself was worth very little, but her clothes were worth a fortune.

With no makeup on her face, she was nonetheless fresh and radiant.

"Miss Le, you are truly beautiful," one of the maids exclaimed in admiration.

Looking down, she saw the splendid hem of her dress quietly brushing the floor, like the rosy clouds at the horizon, the embroidered flowers on the skirt so vivid that each petal seemed alive, as if infused with the spirit of heaven and earth.

Le Qianxue stroked the fabric. Not only did it feel pleasant to the touch, it looked beautiful as well.

She smiled. "You really have a sweet tongue. By the way, where is your Prince?"

"The Prince is waiting for Miss Le to join him for breakfast," the maid replied. "Please follow me, Miss."

Le Qianxue acknowledged with a sound and followed the maid.

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It was her first time truly touring the Prince of War’s residence, and it was indeed vast. With the map in her mind, she knew that ahead lay a bamboo grove.

However, the maid stopped outside the bamboo forest and did not lead Le Qianxue further in.

"Please wait here, Miss Le. Miss Haoyue will come to escort you."

"Why can't you lead the way?" Le Qianxue asked curiously.

"This bamboo grove is forbidden to me. Only Miss Haoyue and Young Master Zhuixing may enter."

Le Qianxue nodded and waited.

Soon, Haoyue arrived. Seeing that Le Qianxue looked well and that the flowing cloud brocade set off her beauty, Haoyue led her inside. Le Qianxue realized that although the bamboo grove appeared ordinary, it concealed hidden designs—there were elements of the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams array.

She asked, "Haoyue, who designed this bamboo grove?"

"It was designed six years ago by an elderly gentleman. Miss Le, you are perceptive to have noticed its secrets."

Le Qianxue smiled; it seemed Zhan Lianjing indeed had many capable people under his command.

But suddenly, Haoyue paused, looking somewhat hesitant.

Le Qianxue, noticing this, asked directly, "Haoyue, if you have something to say, just say it."

"I won't hide it from you, Miss Le. The Prince now regards you as one of his own. He treats his companions as family, but he cannot tolerate betrayal. If you ever wrong the Prince, I will be the first to kill you," Haoyue said solemnly. "Besides, the Prince truly values you greatly!"

Le Qianxue paused, frowning. "I know the Prince saved me, but I don't think there's anything so extraordinary about me that would make him value me so highly, is there?"

She was genuinely puzzled by this.

Haoyue sighed. "The Prince does value you. He was even wounded this time, and when you were unconscious, he was ready to seek out the Crown Prince. Do you know how much that would disrupt his plans? It shows how important you are to him! I won't say more—just hope you understand."

A warmth bloomed in Le Qianxue's heart. She did not expect that, though Zhan Lianjing seemed cold, he could be so kind.

She nodded. "Alright, I won't do anything to harm the Prince."

Although she had her own agenda, it hardly counted as betrayal.

Haoyue said, "That's good. The Prince cannot tolerate betrayal; I’m only giving you an extra warning."

Le Qianxue understood—she cherished her life, after all.

They continued walking. Before long, they reached a bamboo pavilion where Zhan Lianjing sat.

Today he wore dark robes, his hair loose and flowing, the black strands occasionally lifted by the breeze, lending him a touch of gentleness.

As she drew nearer, she could see his features more clearly. Le Qianxue’s heart beat faster; Zhan Lianjing truly possessed a beauty capable of toppling cities—one glance could enchant all.

On the bamboo table lay an array of breakfast dishes. Zhan Lianjing, seeing her approach, spoke in his usual calm tone, "Sit."

He glanced at her, her face still a bit pale but overall much improved.

Le Qianxue eyed the fragrant breakfast spread—she was indeed hungry.

Pressing her lips together, she asked, "Prince, have you invited me here for breakfast?"

But where was Yuan Tianci? Was it just the two of them? That felt a little strange.

Zhan Lianjing replied, "Yes."

He had been injured and had little appetite, so he only ate a bit of millet porridge.

Le Qianxue asked, "Why not invite my teacher Tianci to join us?"

Zhan Lianjing suddenly felt that Le Qianxue was missing the point. "I don't like crowds. Why must you talk so much when having breakfast with me?"

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Le Qianxue quickly fell silent—after all, this was the Prince of War’s residence, and everything depended on Zhan Lianjing’s mood.

She ate quietly by herself. Most of the breakfast dishes were light; she only intended to fill her stomach.

But suddenly, Zhan Lianjing said, "There’s more later. Don’t eat too much now."

"Prince, you truly are wealthy. Even breakfast is so elaborate," Le Qianxue remarked with a sigh.

Zhan Lianjing replied, "If you lived in the Prince of War’s residence, you could have a different spread every day."

"Alright, I’d love that," Le Qianxue said. "Since my teacher Tianci is here, I could come every day and freeload."

"You certainly don’t lack for nerve."

Zhan Lianjing gave her a glare, then placed a plate of pastries before her.

Le Qianxue glanced at them and immediately pulled a face of disdain. "Prince, I thought you’d have something better for me. These pastries look so unappealing I don’t even want to try them. Does your chef have no skill? Even a simple pastry is ruined."

She didn’t notice Zhan Lianjing’s expression darken considerably.

Oh, he was the pastry chef—these ugly pastries were his handiwork.

But despite her complaints, Le Qianxue picked up a small piece to taste.

Suddenly, her expression changed to one of surprise. "The taste is quite good, not overly sweet."

She took another piece, nodding in approval.

Zhan Lianjing watched her and ventured, "Is it really good?"

"Really, it’s just the appearance that needs work. Next time, pay more attention to that," Le Qianxue said.

Zhan Lianjing suddenly smiled, his mood greatly improved.

Without looking up, Le Qianxue said, "Prince, since I’m now on your side, do you have any tasks for me?"

She was eager to quickly verify Zhan Lianjing’s identity and resolve Yin Susu’s doubts.

To her surprise, Zhan Lianjing said, "You don’t need to do anything."

"Why not?" Le Qianxue asked. "Do you look down on my abilities?"

"Not at all," Zhan Lianjing replied, his gaze dropping. "Just focus on learning medicine with your teacher Tianci—that’s enough."

Le Qianxue felt a pang of disappointment—so this was all she was good for.

She asked, "So the Prince only lacks a physician?"

"Exactly," Zhan Lianjing said. "You lack both literary and martial talent—being a physician suits you, doesn’t it?"

Le Qianxue was struck again, but thinking of Zhan Lianjing’s caution, she knew it was impossible for him to trust her so soon, so she had to give up for now.

Now that she knew Young Master Yuan was Yu Guhan’s man, she and Yin Susu could investigate along those lines—and she’d make sure to give Yu Guhan his comeuppance!

What she didn’t know was that, after this ordeal, Zhan Lianjing no longer wanted her to take risks. That was the real reason.

Unfortunately, Le Qianxue failed to understand and never even considered it.

They spent nearly an hour over breakfast. Le Qianxue tried several times to sound out Zhan Lianjing, but he always deflected her questions.