The housekeeper led them to East Park, where he had arranged for their rooms. A large pavilion, with two rooms on either end bracketing a reception hall, would do nicely.

Doesnt it look like the layout of a tavern flat? Ji Yunshu could not possibly be happy. She turned to the housekeeper and asked, Dont you have another room?

The old housekeepers waist was hunched. He was wearing mourning clothes and a matching mourning hat on his head. His head ever faced the ground; it was absolutely impossible to see his face.

With reverent and respectful gestures, the old housekeeper replied, Teacher, in East Park, these rooms are the cleanest. You are our precious guests, so I cannot allow any neglect as per milords commands.

But

Jing Rong interrupted, Teacher Ji, its only for one night. Theres no need to trouble yourself so much. This place is not that bad: calm and peaceful. Our sleep wont be disturbed at night. As soon as his words fell, he turned to the old housekeeper and continued, This place no longer needs you. Hurry and leave.

Yes. Then, I wish you a good rest. Ill send the servants to attend both of you.

The housekeeper kept his head down as he retreated from the East Parks courtyard.

What Ji Yunshu loathed the most were those types of lords like Jing Rong. She was unable to stop herself from saying, This isnt the Rong Estate. When your highness ordered the Zhou familys servants about, it seemed as if you were at your residence.

That little guy, his speech is really amusing! Jing Rong laughed. He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked into the anteroom, his gown fluttering with each step. Right before he entered, he slyly turned around to throw a sentence at her. Wash your hands before going inside. This Prince doesnt want to smell that corpse scent all over the place.

Ji Yunshu didnt retort. If she had any rotten luck, she would have spread it to that two-faced cheap prince first!

She washed her hands in the water basin outside before entering the pavilion. Inside, she saw Jing Rong sitting in the reception hall, studying her as she entered.

Did you wash them properly?

Ji Yunshu remained silent. She barely kept herself from beating him to a pulp. Instead, she spread her hands in front of him.

Jing Rong narrowed his eyes as he looked at her still damp palms. Under the light, they sparkled, almost translucent.

After a moment, he pinched her exquisite wrist. His mouth hooked into a pondering smile. They say that mens hands are rough, wild and powerful. But why are Teachers hands so soft and tender? Are you maybe using cream?

When her wrist was suddenly grabbed, Ji Yunshu instinctively clenched her hand into a fist and twisted her wrist to free herself.

May I ask Prince to let go of my hand?

Im not letting go.

It hurts.

Where?

My hand.

I still wont let go.

He absolutely intended to tease her. That alone was clear from the nefarious smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He pulled on her wrist with one hand, causing Ji Yunshu to fall toward him. As she fell, he took the opportunity to grab her slender shoulder with his other hand. Then, he started to methodically evaluate her. What a small frame. Is it possible that you didnt get to eat when you were young? Nevertheless, have you had such a bad temper since you were young? Was it because you got beaten up a lot?

He talked too much like a modern stand up comedian!

Ji Yunshus body was now very close to him. Merely a fists distance separated them now. She was a head shorter than him, so when she looked straight, her line of sight fell directly on his chest. She could feel the heat of a mans body at the tip of her nose, causing her heart to tighten from the shock. She quivered and used all her strength to push him away.

Your Highness, dont go so over the line. This humble one is bearing with you.

Bearing? A Bear?

Jing Rong reckoned that such a word doesnt exist. His smile was absolutely despicable. With a body like that, you think youre a bear? From what I see, you look more like a cat with its claws out, all bluff but no power.1

You-

Ji Yunshu was so furious that she nearly stomped her feet. But she ended up gritting her teeth in order to maintain her cover. Unfortunately, she was unable to do anything to him.

Now, she finally understood that philosophical quote from ancient times: I like the way you look when you hate me but cant bear to push me away!

Jing Rong saw her sullen expression from enduring him. He made an arrogant I won expression.

Fortunately, right at that moment, several maidservants came in while carrying food, breaking the gunpowder-like atmosphere.

The leader of the group stepped forward and greeted them. Milord has instructed us to bring you your supper. If the food is not to your taste, we will redo them again.

With fish and meat in plate after plate, each dish was more sumptuous than the Ji familys food.

Ji Yunshu suddenly grew gloomy. She asked the maidservant, Girl, your miss only had Qiaoxin as her maidservant?

No. Theres also Suyun.

Oh? Then, where is she?

The maidservant shook her head. Several days ago, Suyun returned home because of an emergency. I believe that she will be back tonight. Teacher, do you have any other commands?

No. You can go take a rest. I dont need to be served. Ji Yunshu waved her hand.

The several maidservants bowed and left.

Ji Yunshus expression sank further. She was in the middle of pondering when she found Jing Rong looking at her with a strange expression.

Your Highness, not only do you have the habit of grabbing peoples wrist, do you also have a fondness for staring at other people like this? Ji Yunshus tone gave away her bad mood.

Jing Rongs frivolous appearance had vanished. In a solemn voice, he asked her, Did you find something?

1. This part is a very Chinese pun/joke that doesnt make sense in English. Whats more Its a double layer joke! Let me explain.

= (accurate translation) This humble one is suffering(/shou).

= (accurate TL) Suffering? Beast? (Both characters have the same pronunciation)

= (accurate TL) With a body like that, you think youre a beast?

= you look more like a cat with its claws out

To sum it, first layer of the joke, Jing Rong didnt understand the shou meaning suffering and thought Yunshu was describing herself as a beast if she was anger. So, he was jeering at her and saying she was more of a cat than a beast. Second layer of joke is probably the author joke and a BL joke at that. The current situation is too men hugging, the Yunshu used could also means bottom in BL, and beast iswell.. You know. And finally, you got the cat reference. Lets stop the explanations here.