Chapter 502: Since When Did He Have Such Wit?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Alright,” replied Xie Heng as he nodded his head.
He actually had not eaten yet. He had rushed back as fast as he could.
Zhao Chuchu also noticed this, so she brought it up.
She took a small table and set it up. She then brought out delicacy after delicacy from her carry-on space. She covered the table with dishes. There were even two bottles of fruit juice.
Xie Heng smiled.
He liked that Zhao Chuchu trusted him enough to reveal her carry-on space in front of him.
“Come, with fruit juice in place of wine, let us drink,” said Zhao Chuchu as she passed a bottle of fruit juice to Xie Heng.
Xie Heng took the bottle, clinked bottles with Zhao Chuchu, and then drank it. The fruit juice was nice and cold. It was perfect for this time of the year.
Xie Heng asked, “Has this been chilled?”
“Hmm, it has. Nice, isn’t it?”
“It is. It tastes so much better.”
“Taste this river snail. I specially got someone to cook them.”
Xie Heng had seen river snails but had never eaten them. He did not know where to start. “How do you eat this?”
“By sucking.”
Zhao Chuchu smiled as she taught Xie Heng how to eat the river snails.
When Xie Heng tasted the tiny bit of snail meat, his eyes lit up. He said, “This dish is interesting.”
“It would taste better with wine. However, it is not good for us to be drinking at our current age,” said Zhao Chuchu. She also really enjoyed river snails. Nothing could beat having some for supper.
Xie Heng learned how to eat the river snails very quickly. It was rare for him to indulge himself. He finished off the plate of snails together with Zhao Chuchu.
Xie Heng wondered out loud, “I remember that there were many snails in the creek by the village. Why didn’t you mention that they could be eaten?”
Zhao Chuchu explained, “Not all snails can be eaten. Some can cause illness if consumed. Although these river snails are delicious, preparing them is quite troublesome.”
“Maybe we can bring some back next time, and I can cook them for you?
“Alright.”
Xie Heng’s culinary skills were excellent. Zhao Chuchu was definitely looking forward to it.
Zhao Chuchu suggested, “Before I return to the capital, why don’t I bring some back with me?”
Xie Heng said, “Alright. However, I need to return tomorrow. I can only spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with you.”
Zhao Chuchu confessed. “It is tiring for you to be traveling non-stop. I never expected that you would come back. However, Da Lang, I like this surprise very much.”
“I just happened to be free these few days, so I could still make a trip back here. Did you meet the Third Heir?”
“No, we never crossed paths. Yesterday, when I came to town, he went to the village I heard that he bought a large order of tofu skins. Did he follow us for Junjun’s sake?”
“Hmm, he is probably worried that you could not protect Junjun.”
Zhao Chuc.hu snorted, “He underestimated me.”
“He is concerned for Junjun the most. His concern clouds his judgment.”
They chatted late into the night.
“It is getting late. You should go rest,” said Xie Heng. They were also almost done eating.
Tonight’s meal was the best Xie Heng had had in a while
Although he was reluctant to leave, Xie Heng did not want to keep Zhao
Chuchu up.
Zhao Chuchu asked, “What about you?
“I plan to return to the capital.”
“So soon?
Xie Heng explained, “The academy will resume classes the day after tomorrow. I cannot stay away from the capital for too long.”
“Alright. ”
Zhao Chuchu put everything away in her carry-on space. She moved next to
Xie Heng and said reluctantly, “I don’t want you to go.”
Xie Hengs passionate gaze locked with hers as he said, “I will be waiting in the capital for your return.”
“Brother Gan is about to get married. I might only be able to return in the
ninth month,” said Zhao Chuchu as she sighed.
“No worries. You can return after the wedding. All is well in the Ruyu Center.”
“I actually wanted to return sooner. However, Brother Gan getting married is a grand occasion. I need to stay back and help out.”
“I know.”
If possible, Xie Heng also wanted Zhao Chuchu to return sooner.
However, as a married couple, they had the social obligation to maintain relationships with other clans. Moreover, the Gan clan had always taken care of them.
“I will return as soon as possible. Wait for me.”
“Hmm.”
Xie Heng laughed softly. He then extended his arms and embraced Zhao
Chuchu.
Zhao Chuchu leaned against him. Like the moon above, they were complete.
After Xie Heng sent Zhao Chuchu back to the Gan residence, he did not return to the capital immediately. Instead, he went to visit the Third Prince.
The latter was shocked by Xie Heng’s sudden visit. He smiled wryly as he said, “Zizhao, are you still wary of me?
Xie Heng explained, “Your Highness, you have misunderstood the intention of my visit. I am not here for trivial matters like romance. Currently in Imperial City, the Great Prince sent someone to Guangqing Province. They have suspicions about your purpose for staying here. Junjun might become their target.”
“He acted so quickly?”
The Third Prince was actually impressed.
Since when did the Great Prince have such wit?
Xie Heng speculated, “It is most likely related to Sikou Ming. Your Highness, you know Sikou Zhendong better than me.”
“This is just nice. I should head back to Imperial City anyway. It is my fault for allowing those people to relax for such a long time.” The Third Prince looked Xie Heng in the eyes and said with a serious tone, “Zizhou, I will leave Junjun to you. Now is not the best time for Junjun to reclaim his rightful position. I’ll need to trouble you to take care of him.”
“Your Highness, worry not. Junjun is also my brother. Protecting him is something I should do as an elder brother,” said Xie Heng as he saluted the
Third Prince with his fists. “However, you should be careful after you return to Imperial City. The Great Prince views you as his biggest menace now.”
“Humph,” the Third Prince sneered. “Him?”
One should not expect a king to put a crown on a clown. The Third Prince had never viewed the Great Prince as an equal rival.
In the past, The Third Prince turned a blind eye to the latter toying with his own power because he had not found Xie Jun. It made no difference to him who reigned the throne since he would soon be dead anyway.
However, things had changed now that he had found Xie Jun. The only person qualified to sit on the throne was Xie Jun.
As for whether or not Xie Heng would manipulate Xie Jun after the latter became the emperor, that was not something within the Third Prince’s concern.
He was not God. He could not possibly arrange everything a decade or a few decades down the road nicely for Xie Jun.
Xie Heng commented, “The Great Prince is not a threat, but all the other princes do not toe the line either.”
‘%izhao, it seems like you understand them well.”
“Not quite. I only met them a few times. I can roughly guess their personalities based on my brief encounters with them, but my understanding of them cannot be compared with yours.”
The Third Prince assured him, saying, “Zizhao, fret not. I do not doubt you.
Don’t worry. They are no threat to me.”
Xie Heng said, “Since Your Highness has everything planned, I can rest my worry. Have a good rest. I shall take my leave now.”
The Third Prince was surprised. He asked, “Why aren’t you going back with
Chuchu?”
“I am busy with my studies in the academy, so I cannot stay for long,” said Xie Heng as he shook his head. “I have delivered the news. I should be going.”
“You didn’t just come here to bring me news, did you?
“Of course not. I just happened to bring news along with me.”
The Third Prince was dumbstruck.
He should not have asked this question. “Farewell. Take care, Your Highness.” Xie Heng did not linger. After he delivered the news, he left.
The Third Prince watched as he left and then shook his head helplessly.
Qiao Heting was already sound asleep, but the Third Prince was not sleepy yet. After Xie Heng left, he came to a desk and sat down. He lifted his calligraphy brush and wrote the name of the Great Prince, Xie Zhen.
That was right. The royal family of the Wei Dynasty also had the surname Xie.
Xie Heng most likely shared a common ancestry with the royal family. However, over time, his bloodline had diluted to the point that they had no relations to the current royal family at all. It was purely a coincidence that the Xie clan had saved Xie Jun.
The Third Prince crossed out Xie Zhen’s name. With a faint smile, he mumbled, “You will never imagine how you will die!”
As he said this, the Third Prince suddenly stopped smiling. He set the paper ablaze over a candle and then threw it into the brazier. He quietly watched the piece of paper burn to ashes.
No one knew everything that had transpired tonight..
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