Chapter 3: The Peony Gentleman

After Wu Rui’an finished dressing, he walked out of his room. At this time, Di Jiang and Wen Yao were no longer outside. He descended the wooden stairs and pushed aside the curtain to the backyard, where he saw several people sitting under a tree having breakfast.

“Good morning...” Wu Rui’an grinned, prompting everyone to stop eating, stand up, and greet him with formal courtesies. Wu Rui’an immediately stepped forward to help Di Jiang up, saying, “I’m not the Prince right now—the Prince is hundreds of miles away. Don’t be so formal. Treat me as... a neighbor, yes! Just think of me as your neighbor!”

Di Jiang smiled again, nodded, and said, “Hungry? Sit down and have something to eat. Zhu Chai—bring another set of chopsticks and a bowl.”

“Yes,” Zhu Chai responded from the kitchen. He quickly opened the door, placed a set of utensils in front of Wu Rui’an, and then returned to the kitchen to continue working.

“Who’s that...?” Wu Rui’an asked curiously, watching his retreating figure.

“He’s our cook. His cooking skills are quite impressive. My Lord, please give it a try.” As Wen Yao spoke, she enthusiastically placed a three-colored dumpling into his bowl.

“Thank you.” Wu Rui’an nodded, and after taking one bite, he couldn’t resist grabbing two more, stuffing them into his mouth. He didn’t even have time to say how delicious it was, only nodding repeatedly. His voracious eating made it look like he hadn’t eaten for three days.

“My Lord, eat slowly. No one’s going to snatch it away. If it’s not enough, I’ll have Zhu Chai make more. Don’t choke yourself,” Di Jiang chuckled, giving Shuxiang a meaningful glance. Shuxiang immediately understood and went to the kitchen to assist Zhu Chai.

Wen Yao and Wu Rui’an ate with similar ferocity, like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey, as if they wanted to devour the entire plate.

Di Jiang observed him closely. His face had aged, his eyes showing less innocence and more determination. His whole demeanor and presence had undergone a complete transformation. She silently praised: The battlefield truly is the best place to temper a person. It can make a man more mature and unbreakable.

Soon, Shuxiang and Zhu Chai brought out a pot of old-fashioned egg noodles. They each served themselves two large bowls, which were quickly devoured. Di Jiang and Shuxiang watched in amazement, while Wen Yao and Wu Rui’an simultaneously let out loud burps of satisfaction: “Burp... So delicious!”

“Is this really the Prince Wu Rui’an I know?” Di Jiang exclaimed. “I remember the former you wouldn’t let a speck of dirt touch your clothes, never spoke while eating, and wouldn’t take more than three bites of any dish, no matter how good it was. This... it seems the military food wasn’t very good?”

Di Jiang laughed as she spoke. Though her words carried a teasing tone, her eyes radiated admiration.

She might appreciate such a free-spirited lifestyle more. Some royal etiquette, in her view, was unnecessary—it stifled one’s nature and locked people in an invisible prison, gradually causing them to lose themselves, becoming mindless shells devoid of any illuminating aura, leaving behind only oppression.

And she was glad that Wu Rui’an’s changes over these three years could be described as a complete metamorphosis, vastly different from his previous indulgent and playful self.

At this moment, Wu Rui’an sighed deeply, his tone tinged with委屈 (a sense of grievance). “The Anxi camp was stationed deep in the desert, where supplies were limited. On normal days, having a single piece of naan to stave off hunger was considered good fortune. During battles, we resorted to eating raw meat and drinking blood... Take this recent invasion by the Turks, for example. Our army was trapped at Mount Mo for five whole days! If reinforcements hadn’t arrived in time, I would likely have died there.”

Di Jiang and Wen Yao listened, wide-eyed.

Di Jiang could imagine the scene, but Wen Yao looked bewildered. The only thing she understood was that Wu Rui’an had endured great hardship—immense hardship.

Wu Rui’an continued, “I haven’t eaten a proper meal in three years. This meal here, at your place, is my first one since returning.” With that, he viciously bit into another steamed bun.

Di Jiang’s face softened with sympathy, imagining silver spears, gleaming blades, and soldiers fighting without mercy. A prince who once couldn’t even lift a finger now bore countless scars after surviving such conditions for three years…

After Wu Rui’an and Wen Yao polished off four sets of dumplings, a full basin of noodles, and an extra bowl of porridge, they finally leaned back, satisfied, and put down their chopsticks.

Wen Yao sat close to Wu Rui’an, her face filled with admiration, and asked, “My Lord, why did you come to us first after returning?”

“I obviously came for Di…” Wu Rui’an paused abruptly, cleared his throat, coughed twice, and then said, “I’ve missed the delicacies of Taiping Prefecture dearly, so I hurried back to the capital on horseback.”

“Ah, I see…” Wen Yao teased with a grin, “But was it the food you missed, or the beauty?”

As she spoke, she winked at Di Jiang, only to receive a fierce glare in return.

“Both, both,” Wu Rui’an chuckled awkwardly, his face flushing red. “During these three years I’ve been away, has anything unusual happened in the capital?”

“Not really! The most unusual event was your great victory over the Turks and your impending triumphant return. Your fame has already spread throughout Taiping Prefecture, and everyone is waiting for you to return victorious, ready to welcome you back with a ten-mile-long celebration!”

Wen Yao spoke animatedly, while Di Jiang and Wu Rui’an remained relatively quiet.

Di Jiang was undoubtedly happy, but whenever her gaze met Wu Rui’an’s, she felt a strange unease.

Changing the subject, Di Jiang said, “During these three years you were gone, the title of the capital’s number one gentleman changed hands.”

“Someone more suave and debonair than me?” Wu Rui’an’s teacup trembled. He never expected such words to come from the usually detached Di Jiang and became intensely curious about this mysterious person.

“Which young master?”

“The young master of Huanyi Pavilion,” Di Jiang replied with a chuckle, adding, “The top courtesan.”

Wu Rui’an’s heart sank. The name didn’t sound like a respectable place, and he was surprised. Seeking confirmation, he asked, “What kind of place is Huanyi Pavilion?”

Di Jiang suppressed a laugh and lowered her head, remaining silent.

Wen Yao took over, explaining, “Huanyi Pavilion is located in the western corner of Changle Ward, next to the red-light district. However, they don’t serve men; they only cater to female guests. The male escorts listed in Huanyi Pavilion are all fair-skinned beauties with rosy lips and enchanting gazes!”

“Pfft—” Wu Rui’an sprayed a mouthful of tea onto Wen Yao’s face.

“Oh no, My Lord, what happened!” Wen Yao frantically wiped her face.

“Sorry, sorry. I just didn’t expect that Madam Di would be interested in such things—I was too shocked.” Wu Rui’an’s eyes widened as he stared intently at Di Jiang.

At this moment, Di Jiang glared at Wen Yao and scolded, “You always seem useless, but today you’re spouting idioms effortlessly?”

“I was just repeating rumors I heard on the streets…” Wen Yao muttered, excusing herself to go change her clothes.

The courtyard was left with only Wu Rui’an and Di Jiang.

After last night, Wu Rui’an felt somewhat strange facing Di Jiang. Though she was smiling brightly, he couldn’t shake the feeling that her smile carried a hint of eeriness, as if she might transform into a giant mantis at any moment, opening its bloody jaws to swallow him whole.

Wu Rui’an shook his head, trying to banish the thought from his mind. After steadying himself, he said, “Madam Di, I’d like to impose on you for a while during this period.”

“Why?” Di Jiang was taken aback.

Wu Rui’an sighed and explained, “The main army is still hundreds of miles away and will take some time to reach Taiping Prefecture. If I return to the palace now, it will surely cause an uproar, so…”

“You want to stay here?” Di Jiang interjected.

“Precisely.” Wu Rui’an nodded.

“This…” Di Jiang hesitated, her reluctance evident.

But Wu Rui’an acted as if he hadn’t noticed and said, “I’ll pay rent, ten times the market rate.”

“This…” Di Jiang’s heart skipped a beat, tempted by the offer.

“Twenty times.” Wu Rui’an held up two fingers, waving them in front of Di Jiang.

Di Jiang’s eyes lit up, swallowing hard, but she still shook her head.

Wu Rui’an then spread all five fingers, laughing, “Madam Di, let’s not beat around the bush. Fifty times! That’s enough to cover half a year’s income for you.”

“Deal!” Di Jiang nodded firmly. This wasn’t just half a year’s income—it was closer to three years’ worth.

She extended her right hand and said, “Payment upfront, one month’s deposit and three months’ rent.”

“…” Wu Rui’an looked stunned and replied, “I don’t have money right now, but as long as I’m here, do you really think I’d skip out on paying?”

“Though you’re a prince, one can never be too sure. What if you leave one day and I can’t find you? The palace is vast—how could I just wander in? Moreover, as someone who travels the world, I prefer cash in hand because only when the money is in my pocket does it truly belong to me. Otherwise, I always feel uneasy, like something is hanging over my head.” Di Jiang shrugged apologetically, “Sorry, My Lord, small businesses don’t offer credit.”

“You…” Wu Rui’an lowered his head, silent for a moment. Then he pulled out a small bag from his chest.

The small bag was entirely a coarse yellow color, clearly a rudimentary item unfit for display. While Di Jiang wondered why a prince would carry such a pouch, he opened it and took out a milky-white bracelet, placing it in her hand.

Di Jiang examined it. Though it appeared pure white, delicate golden threads swirled within, creating a mesmerizing, smooth texture.

“What is this?”

“I found this in an oasis in the Gobi Desert. It was originally a raw piece of golden-thread jade. I spent my free time polishing it myself. Surely, Madam Di wouldn’t refuse such a stone? Consider this bracelet as my rent.”

Di Jiang’s heart warmed. To say she wasn’t touched would be a lie. The cool sensation in her hand brought her back to reality. She said, “A broken stone can’t possibly be worth a thousand gold pieces.”

“Don’t underestimate this bracelet—it saved my life.” Wu Rui’an picked up his teacup and smiled mysteriously.

Curious, Di Jiang carefully examined the bracelet. After rubbing it a few times, she discovered a tiny hole on one side, barely visible to the naked eye but easily felt with her fingers—it was a defect.

Seeing that she had noticed it, Wu Rui’an explained, “I’ve carried it with me every day these past few years. That day, when we were trapped at Mount Mo, it blocked an arrow aimed at my chest.”

“This pit was left by a feathered arrow?” Di Jiang was startled, then laughed, “My Lord, don’t joke. Ordinary bracelets would have shattered into pieces upon impact.”

“That’s why it’s no ordinary bracelet. I believe it brings me good luck. Today, I’m giving it to you as a deposit. When I return to the palace, I’ll bring a thousand gold pieces to settle the rest.”

“This…”

“Madam Di, please don’t refuse,” Wu Rui’an cleared his throat and coughed. “Actually, I always intended to give this to you. You said emeralds weren’t suitable, so this golden-thread jade should suffice. It’s one of a kind, crafted by me personally and imbued with my imperial aura for three years. It’s unique.”

“Alright, if that’s the case…” Di Jiang wrapped the bracelet carefully and tucked it into her sleeve.

Seeing that Di Jiang had quietly stored the bracelet, Wu Rui’an looked surprised and exclaimed, “Aren’t you going to wear it?”

“Wear it where?” Di Jiang was puzzled.

“A bracelet is meant to be worn on the wrist!” Wu Rui’an grumbled. “If you keep it in your sleeve, what if you lose it one day?”

“Don’t worry about that. My things won’t get lost.” Di Jiang gave a secretive smile, shook her sleeves vigorously in front of her, and indeed, nothing could be seen bulging from her wide sleeves, nor was there any risk of anything falling out.

Wu Rui’an sighed. Though slightly dissatisfied, he had no choice but to let it be.