Chapter 43a: She’s Doing It On Purpose
A moment ago, behind the flowering tree, Nangong Qing saw everything clearly, but he didn’t know how Luo Qing Luan moved at all.
Seeing his Third Sister taking a big loss, he looked like he couldn’t wait to jump out. He very rarely saw his sister suffer any losses, but Nangong Qing wasn’t angry in the slightest. On the contrary, he became even more interested in Luo Qing Luan.
It was the first time he’d ever met such a clever, unique, young girl. How could he not feel interested?
All at once, he left Nalan Ye and took a shortcut by himself to exit the palace. He especially waited by the side of the General’s Mansion’s horse carriage just for the sake of meeting Luo Qing Luan. Thus, he couldn’t tell what Luo Qing Luan did at all.
The young girl before his eyes had bright eyes and white teeth, gorgeous regardless of whether she’s upset or happy, skin like snow, smiling beautifully. Even though she seemed somewhat stiff and impatient, his heart still jumped incessantly watching her. Nangong Qing understood that since his imperial mother wanted to find a consort for him, then this Miss Luo from the General’s Mansion, how could she not be the best candidate?
As for her previous broken engagement with Fifth Brother, Nangong Qing felt nothing besides feeling secretly happy about it. If the circumstances weren’t like that, how could he have the chance to take Luo Qing Luan for his consort?
He originally had a lot to say, but suddenly hearing Luo Qing Luan saying such a thing, Nangong Qing actually froze in place. “Stable hand? Uh……Miss Luo, I really wanted……wanted……”
Nobody had ever talked to him that way before, surprisingly making fun of him to be a stable hand? He felt that it was both unexpected and special. He just felt that Luo Qing Luan’s entire body exuded a tremendous attractive force, making him want to know everything about her, understand her.
Nangong Qing’s brain could be considered to still work quickly, as he found an excuse. “Isn’t today Imperial Mother’s Flower Bestowment Feast? Yet Miss Luo came and left so hastily. You haven’t even partaken of the feast and are already leaving. It happens to be lunch time right now. I intend to return to my mansion. How about I invite Miss Luo for lunch?”
He wanted to invite her for a meal?
She’s afraid she would’ve fallen for it, if she was another girl. However, Luo Qing Luan had met all kinds of people in her previous life. How could she not recognize this very clumsy method of chasing after a girl?
She didn’t want to provoke Nangong Qing at all, and didn’t want to be his crown prince consort even more, so she had to refuse. “Since you’ve come to attend the Flower Bestowment Feast, why is Your Highness leaving so quickly and not staying here to dine?”
“This……”
One simple question from her made Nangong Qing dumbstruck.
Luo Qing Luan continued, “I won’t hold up Your Highness, then. I still need to return home. Goodbye.”
For the first time, Wang Xue Ru agreed with Luo Qing Luan. She certainly didn’t want this girl to go eat with the crown prince. If the two of them associate with one another and fell for each other, becoming a royal couple, how would that not be the same as stepping on her daughter underfoot?
She was going to help Luo Qing Luan quickly get on the carriage, but Nangong Qing blocked again.
With great difficulty, he came across a girl who moved him. How could he let the opportunity go so easily?
Nangong Qing smiled with incomparable sincerely as he tried again. “Please wait, Miss Luo. I found out that the capital’s most famous restaurant, the Moon Encounter Pavillion recently stocked the freshest, tender, and plump Yellow Tail Perch. It’s boring to eat by myself, therefore……”
“Then Your Highness can just ask someone to accompany you. I’m truly busy, and need to go home. May you allow it.”
Luo Qing Luan truly couldn’t figure it out. She merely played a tune in public today, that’s all. Was it worth it for the crown prince to chase after her so painstakingly? In this entire capital, if there weren’t a thousand young girls who could play the zither, there were at least eight hundred. Why must he insist on finding her?
Having been refused again, not only did Nangong Qing not get angry, he instead was more certain that Luo Qing Luan stood out from the masses.
Which one among the other girls who’d been invited by him wasn’t wild with joy, as they bashfully welcomed him? This goes to show that this Miss Luo truly did not care about his status and wasn’t a tacky girl who clung to power.
She’s truly rare and precious! With a consort like that, what more could a husband ask for?
“I’d really like to invite Miss Luo for a meal today. I wonder if Miss Luo is willing to do me the honor?” Nangong Qing bluntly asked openly.
“You really……” The fact was that Luo Qing Luan was losing patience. She already declined, yet he insisted on entangling himself. So he simply refused to understand a tactful refusal, right?
Her expression immediately turned colder as she replied icily, “What, can it be that Your Highness extends an invitation, so I must go no matter what?”
Since she didn’t want Luo Qing Luan to eat with the crown prince, yet also did not want to offend him, Wang Xue Ru was watching while her heart was burning. She decided that when she returned home, she’d persuade the general to issue a command and forbid Luo Qing Luan from leaving the house in the future.
Seeing that Luo Qing Luan was getting angry, Nangong Qing became alarmed and immediately turned more gentle. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. This……Miss Luo, I am earnest and sincere. I’ve already reserved our seats at Moon Encounter Pavillion, you……”
Panicking somewhat, he truly didn’t know how he could persuade her, but if he were to let her go like this, he also couldn’t bring himself to let go of this hard to come by, great opportunity to spend time alone with her.
Luo Qing Luan was in fact someone who was amenable to coaxing but not coercion. The other person’s temper was so good, so patient, she also couldn’t bring herself to get angry at him. Moreover, the other person was a crown prince, after all, and they were standing right in front of the palace. She really couldn’t make him look bad.
“Please don’t say that, Your Highness. I have things to do at home. It’s not that I don’t want to go……”
She originally was going to give him a way out. Who knew that once Nangong Qing heard this, his eyes brightened. “Miss Luo, can I help you with whatever you’re busy with? If it’s something I don’t know how to do, I’ll help Miss Luo find someone who can. No matter if it’s someone from the Imperial Hanlin Academy, or my teacher, they can all help you.”
Practically speechless now, Luo Qing Luan started to feel defeated.
Chapter 43b: She’s Doing it on Purpose
This Crown Prince was just like taffy candy. Once it’s moistened, it stuck without letting go.
If there was no one around, at worst, she could just throw the blackout powder at him and leave. However, her father’s concubine, Wang Xue Ru was also with them, while there were still so many imperial bodyguards in the surrounding area, how could she conveniently make a move?
It would seem that today, she wouldn’t be able to avoid going, but she truly wasn’t willing to raise Nangong Qing’s hope. Maybe she can still figure something out later. Better to scare him away.
“Forget it, I don’t dare to trouble Your Highness. Since you are inviting me sincerely, let’s go to Moon Encounter Pavillion for a meal.” Luo Qing Luan changed direction sluggishly. It was rare for her not to be interested in eating.
Finally successful at inviting her, Nangong Qing was delighted and immediately helped Luo Qing Luan into his carriage. As for Wang Xue Ru, he only glanced meaningfully at her. How could the latter dare to follow them? She obediently found an excuse and left.
Nangong Qing rode a horse in front. After they arrived at Moon Encounter Pavillion, he immediately notified the manager to personally receive them, respectfully and differentially bringing the two of them to a private room on the topmost floor. Fragrant scent of tea rising in spirals and a pleasant environment more or less improved Luo Qing Luan’s state of mind a bit.
She originally was going to return home to continue drawing the erotic illustrations, but she came up with another good story. When these drawings were done, they’ll be big sellers for sure. It’s just a pity……unfortunately, Nangong Qing had entangled her and was holding her up from making money.
“What would you like to eat?”
Looking at Luo Qing Luan lower her head without speaking, even more elegant in the midst of tranquility, Nangong Qing smiled. “Moon Encounter Pavillion is the most famous restaurant in the capital. All of their dishes are the absolute best, no matter if it’s southern cuisine, or northern cuisine. Even if it’s North Wind country’s coal roasted lamb, or South Yue country’s Golden Snow Lotus Soup, the flavors are all authentic.”
As her mind worked, Luo Qing Luan suddenly had an idea.
Maybe it wasn’t easy to make someone like you. However, to make the other person hate you, there were absolutely as many ways as there were hairs on an ox. Just go with the flow!
Deliberately appearing to be fussy, she answered indifferently. “Is that right? Since Your Highness say that it’s so great, then I really would like to taste them. Otherwise, wouldn’t I betray Your Highness’ kindness?”
How could Nangong Qing know that she already was scheming something as he replied at once, “That’s right, don’t hesitate to tell me what you’d like to eat.”
The manager serving beside them promptly suggested, “There are thirty six signature dishes at my restaurant with all kinds of flavors. Not one of them wasn’t cooked with the utmost care. Please select some of the best exotic delicacies first……”
“There’s no need to choose. Bring all the of signature dishes made at Moon Encounter Pavilion at the same time.” Luo Qing Luan spoke smilingly, without skipping a beat. “There’s a total of thirty six dishes, right? Oh, don’t forget that brick oven roasted lamb from North Wind Country as well as that Golden Snow Lotus soup……”
Once the manager heard this, he was flabbergasted. “Miss, you ordered so much, will you be able to eat them all……”
Luo Qing Luan glanced at Nangong Qing, then knit her brows in reply. “What, a customer drops in for a meal, don’t tell me that they’re not allowed to order more dishes? Then forget about it……”
“Manager Qiao, this Highness came with a friend to Moon Encounter Pavilion to share a meal today, what now? You don’t welcome us, right?” Nangong Qing’s expression darkened.
It was with great difficulty that he was able to invite a beautiful woman here, yet he suddenly lost face in front of Luo Qing Luan. How could he appear stingy, because of a few dishes of food, like slapping himself? Don’t mention Luo Qing Luan ordering a few more dishes, even if she didn’t eat them and dumped everything, he wouldn’t care about it in the least.
“I don’t dare, I don’t dare!” Manager Qiao jumped with a fright. How could he still dare to say another word? He quickly left to prepare.
In the private room, Nangong Qing frequently looked for conversational topics in an attempt to get closer to Luo Qing Luan. Within Moon Encounter Pavilion’s kitchen, five first-rate chefs pulled up their sleeves and grabbed their cleavers to begin cooking. They’re afraid that any delays would be a slight to the crown prince. Manager Qiao directly had people hang a sign to temporarily suspend business as they wholeheartedly waited upon these two VIP’s.
In a short time, hot, steaming dishes appeared like running water. There really were too many. One table wasn’t enough to display them all. All kinds of signature dishes, thirty-six of them, as well as other desserts and refreshments, all kinds of desserts and fruits, soups and so forth, such that the entire private room was spread full of them.
Looking at four additional tables set up around them, completely covered with food, perhaps it would be inconvenient when they started eating. The distance to those dishes was so far, how could their chopsticks reach? Nangong Qing was a bit displeased. “Manager Qiao, is this how you do business? There are so many dishes, don’t you know how to present them in order? How would we eat if they turn cold?”
Seeing him getting angry, the corners of Luo Qing Luan’s mouth curved up. What she wanted was this effect. The angrier he was, the more dissatisfied he was, the less he would be interested in her. This was merely the beginning, in a moment, she’d make him feel even more unwell!
“Forget it, Your Highness, I was inconsiderate and ordered too much food.” Luo Qing Luan’s appearance was as tranquil as before, without showing happiness, yet also not showing unhappiness, as if everything had not way of being of interest to her.
With chopsticks in hand, she picked up the crispy-fried tender braised chicken in front of her. With only a bite, her brows creased.
Focused on her all along, Nangong Qing quickly asked, “How is it, Miss Luo, is it not to your taste?”
“This isn’t chicken, right? Why is it so tough?” Luo Qing Luan swallowed it down with difficulty, after which she criticized everything. “Even though I haven’t eaten at Moon Encounter Pavilion before, I still know that this dish should be crunchy on the outside while tender on the inside, while a fragrant aroma assails the nostrils. But this, um ~ no good. Even biting into it is difficult.”
Nangong Qing’s complexion changed at once. “Manager Qiao, what’s going on? I came to your place to eat, yet you’re surprisingly casually just going through the motions?”
Hearing this, Manager Qiao’s started sweating profusely, as he promptly explained, “No, Your Highness, this crispy-fried tender chicken is our restaurant’s most famous dish. We sell no less than a hundred orders of this everyday. How can it be……”
“Forget it, Your Highness, please don’t blame the manager. Maybe it’s because I ordered too many dishes all at once, so the kitchen didn’t have enough time to prepare. A momentary carelessness, that’s all?” Luo Qing Luan didn’t care about it too much and again tasted another dish.
Chapter 43a: She’s Doing It On Purpose
A moment ago, behind the flowering tree, Nangong Qing saw everything clearly, but he didn’t know how Luo Qing Luan moved at all.
Seeing his Third Sister taking a big loss, he looked like he couldn’t wait to jump out. He very rarely saw his sister suffer any losses, but Nangong Qing wasn’t angry in the slightest. On the contrary, he became even more interested in Luo Qing Luan.
It was the first time he’d ever met such a clever, unique, young girl. How could he not feel interested?
All at once, he left Nalan Ye and took a shortcut by himself to exit the palace. He especially waited by the side of the General’s Mansion’s horse carriage just for the sake of meeting Luo Qing Luan. Thus, he couldn’t tell what Luo Qing Luan did at all.
The young girl before his eyes had bright eyes and white teeth, gorgeous regardless of whether she’s upset or happy, skin like snow, smiling beautifully. Even though she seemed somewhat stiff and impatient, his heart still jumped incessantly watching her. Nangong Qing understood that since his imperial mother wanted to find a consort for him, then this Miss Luo from the General’s Mansion, how could she not be the best candidate?
As for her previous broken engagement with Fifth Brother, Nangong Qing felt nothing besides feeling secretly happy about it. If the circumstances weren’t like that, how could he have the chance to take Luo Qing Luan for his consort?
He originally had a lot to say, but suddenly hearing Luo Qing Luan saying such a thing, Nangong Qing actually froze in place. “Stable hand? Uh……Miss Luo, I really wanted……wanted……”
Nobody had ever talked to him that way before, surprisingly making fun of him to be a stable hand? He felt that it was both unexpected and special. He just felt that Luo Qing Luan’s entire body exuded a tremendous attractive force, making him want to know everything about her, understand her.
Nangong Qing’s brain could be considered to still work quickly, as he found an excuse. “Isn’t today Imperial Mother’s Flower Bestowment Feast? Yet Miss Luo came and left so hastily. You haven’t even partaken of the feast and are already leaving. It happens to be lunch time right now. I intend to return to my mansion. How about I invite Miss Luo for lunch?”
He wanted to invite her for a meal?
She’s afraid she would’ve fallen for it, if she was another girl. However, Luo Qing Luan had met all kinds of people in her previous life. How could she not recognize this very clumsy method of chasing after a girl?
She didn’t want to provoke Nangong Qing at all, and didn’t want to be his crown prince consort even more, so she had to refuse. “Since you’ve come to attend the Flower Bestowment Feast, why is Your Highness leaving so quickly and not staying here to dine?”
“This……”
One simple question from her made Nangong Qing dumbstruck.
Luo Qing Luan continued, “I won’t hold up Your Highness, then. I still need to return home. Goodbye.”
For the first time, Wang Xue Ru agreed with Luo Qing Luan. She certainly didn’t want this girl to go eat with the crown prince. If the two of them associate with one another and fell for each other, becoming a royal couple, how would that not be the same as stepping on her daughter underfoot?
She was going to help Luo Qing Luan quickly get on the carriage, but Nangong Qing blocked again.
With great difficulty, he came across a girl who moved him. How could he let the opportunity go so easily?
Nangong Qing smiled with incomparable sincerely as he tried again. “Please wait, Miss Luo. I found out that the capital’s most famous restaurant, the Moon Encounter Pavillion recently stocked the freshest, tender, and plump Yellow Tail Perch. It’s boring to eat by myself, therefore……”
“Then Your Highness can just ask someone to accompany you. I’m truly busy, and need to go home. May you allow it.”
Luo Qing Luan truly couldn’t figure it out. She merely played a tune in public today, that’s all. Was it worth it for the crown prince to chase after her so painstakingly? In this entire capital, if there weren’t a thousand young girls who could play the zither, there were at least eight hundred. Why must he insist on finding her?
Having been refused again, not only did Nangong Qing not get angry, he instead was more certain that Luo Qing Luan stood out from the masses.
Which one among the other girls who’d been invited by him wasn’t wild with joy, as they bashfully welcomed him? This goes to show that this Miss Luo truly did not care about his status and wasn’t a tacky girl who clung to power.
She’s truly rare and precious! With a consort like that, what more could a husband ask for?
“I’d really like to invite Miss Luo for a meal today. I wonder if Miss Luo is willing to do me the honor?” Nangong Qing bluntly asked openly.
“You really……” The fact was that Luo Qing Luan was losing patience. She already declined, yet he insisted on entangling himself. So he simply refused to understand a tactful refusal, right?
Her expression immediately turned colder as she replied icily, “What, can it be that Your Highness extends an invitation, so I must go no matter what?”
Since she didn’t want Luo Qing Luan to eat with the crown prince, yet also did not want to offend him, Wang Xue Ru was watching while her heart was burning. She decided that when she returned home, she’d persuade the general to issue a command and forbid Luo Qing Luan from leaving the house in the future.
Seeing that Luo Qing Luan was getting angry, Nangong Qing became alarmed and immediately turned more gentle. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. This……Miss Luo, I am earnest and sincere. I’ve already reserved our seats at Moon Encounter Pavillion, you……”
Panicking somewhat, he truly didn’t know how he could persuade her, but if he were to let her go like this, he also couldn’t bring himself to let go of this hard to come by, great opportunity to spend time alone with her.
Luo Qing Luan was in fact someone who was amenable to coaxing but not coercion. The other person’s temper was so good, so patient, she also couldn’t bring herself to get angry at him. Moreover, the other person was a crown prince, after all, and they were standing right in front of the palace. She really couldn’t make him look bad.
“Please don’t say that, Your Highness. I have things to do at home. It’s not that I don’t want to go……”
She originally was going to give him a way out. Who knew that once Nangong Qing heard this, his eyes brightened. “Miss Luo, can I help you with whatever you’re busy with? If it’s something I don’t know how to do, I’ll help Miss Luo find someone who can. No matter if it’s someone from the Imperial Hanlin Academy, or my teacher, they can all help you.”
Practically speechless now, Luo Qing Luan started to feel defeated.
Chapter 43b: She’s Doing it on Purpose
This Crown Prince was just like taffy candy. Once it’s moistened, it stuck without letting go.
If there was no one around, at worst, she could just throw the blackout powder at him and leave. However, her father’s concubine, Wang Xue Ru was also with them, while there were still so many imperial bodyguards in the surrounding area, how could she conveniently make a move?
It would seem that today, she wouldn’t be able to avoid going, but she truly wasn’t willing to raise Nangong Qing’s hope. Maybe she can still figure something out later. Better to scare him away.
“Forget it, I don’t dare to trouble Your Highness. Since you are inviting me sincerely, let’s go to Moon Encounter Pavillion for a meal.” Luo Qing Luan changed direction sluggishly. It was rare for her not to be interested in eating.
Finally successful at inviting her, Nangong Qing was delighted and immediately helped Luo Qing Luan into his carriage. As for Wang Xue Ru, he only glanced meaningfully at her. How could the latter dare to follow them? She obediently found an excuse and left.
Nangong Qing rode a horse in front. After they arrived at Moon Encounter Pavillion, he immediately notified the manager to personally receive them, respectfully and differentially bringing the two of them to a private room on the topmost floor. Fragrant scent of tea rising in spirals and a pleasant environment more or less improved Luo Qing Luan’s state of mind a bit.
She originally was going to return home to continue drawing the erotic illustrations, but she came up with another good story. When these drawings were done, they’ll be big sellers for sure. It’s just a pity……unfortunately, Nangong Qing had entangled her and was holding her up from making money.
“What would you like to eat?”
Looking at Luo Qing Luan lower her head without speaking, even more elegant in the midst of tranquility, Nangong Qing smiled. “Moon Encounter Pavillion is the most famous restaurant in the capital. All of their dishes are the absolute best, no matter if it’s southern cuisine, or northern cuisine. Even if it’s North Wind country’s coal roasted lamb, or South Yue country’s Golden Snow Lotus Soup, the flavors are all authentic.”
As her mind worked, Luo Qing Luan suddenly had an idea.
Maybe it wasn’t easy to make someone like you. However, to make the other person hate you, there were absolutely as many ways as there were hairs on an ox. Just go with the flow!
Deliberately appearing to be fussy, she answered indifferently. “Is that right? Since Your Highness say that it’s so great, then I really would like to taste them. Otherwise, wouldn’t I betray Your Highness’ kindness?”
How could Nangong Qing know that she already was scheming something as he replied at once, “That’s right, don’t hesitate to tell me what you’d like to eat.”
The manager serving beside them promptly suggested, “There are thirty six signature dishes at my restaurant with all kinds of flavors. Not one of them wasn’t cooked with the utmost care. Please select some of the best exotic delicacies first……”
“There’s no need to choose. Bring all the of signature dishes made at Moon Encounter Pavilion at the same time.” Luo Qing Luan spoke smilingly, without skipping a beat. “There’s a total of thirty six dishes, right? Oh, don’t forget that brick oven roasted lamb from North Wind Country as well as that Golden Snow Lotus soup……”
Once the manager heard this, he was flabbergasted. “Miss, you ordered so much, will you be able to eat them all……”
Luo Qing Luan glanced at Nangong Qing, then knit her brows in reply. “What, a customer drops in for a meal, don’t tell me that they’re not allowed to order more dishes? Then forget about it……”
“Manager Qiao, this Highness came with a friend to Moon Encounter Pavilion to share a meal today, what now? You don’t welcome us, right?” Nangong Qing’s expression darkened.
It was with great difficulty that he was able to invite a beautiful woman here, yet he suddenly lost face in front of Luo Qing Luan. How could he appear stingy, because of a few dishes of food, like slapping himself? Don’t mention Luo Qing Luan ordering a few more dishes, even if she didn’t eat them and dumped everything, he wouldn’t care about it in the least.
“I don’t dare, I don’t dare!” Manager Qiao jumped with a fright. How could he still dare to say another word? He quickly left to prepare.
In the private room, Nangong Qing frequently looked for conversational topics in an attempt to get closer to Luo Qing Luan. Within Moon Encounter Pavilion’s kitchen, five first-rate chefs pulled up their sleeves and grabbed their cleavers to begin cooking. They’re afraid that any delays would be a slight to the crown prince. Manager Qiao directly had people hang a sign to temporarily suspend business as they wholeheartedly waited upon these two VIP’s.
In a short time, hot, steaming dishes appeared like running water. There really were too many. One table wasn’t enough to display them all. All kinds of signature dishes, thirty-six of them, as well as other desserts and refreshments, all kinds of desserts and fruits, soups and so forth, such that the entire private room was spread full of them.
Looking at four additional tables set up around them, completely covered with food, perhaps it would be inconvenient when they started eating. The distance to those dishes was so far, how could their chopsticks reach? Nangong Qing was a bit displeased. “Manager Qiao, is this how you do business? There are so many dishes, don’t you know how to present them in order? How would we eat if they turn cold?”
Seeing him getting angry, the corners of Luo Qing Luan’s mouth curved up. What she wanted was this effect. The angrier he was, the more dissatisfied he was, the less he would be interested in her. This was merely the beginning, in a moment, she’d make him feel even more unwell!
“Forget it, Your Highness, I was inconsiderate and ordered too much food.” Luo Qing Luan’s appearance was as tranquil as before, without showing happiness, yet also not showing unhappiness, as if everything had not way of being of interest to her.
With chopsticks in hand, she picked up the crispy-fried tender braised chicken in front of her. With only a bite, her brows creased.
Focused on her all along, Nangong Qing quickly asked, “How is it, Miss Luo, is it not to your taste?”
“This isn’t chicken, right? Why is it so tough?” Luo Qing Luan swallowed it down with difficulty, after which she criticized everything. “Even though I haven’t eaten at Moon Encounter Pavilion before, I still know that this dish should be crunchy on the outside while tender on the inside, while a fragrant aroma assails the nostrils. But this, um ~ no good. Even biting into it is difficult.”
Nangong Qing’s complexion changed at once. “Manager Qiao, what’s going on? I came to your place to eat, yet you’re surprisingly casually just going through the motions?”
Hearing this, Manager Qiao’s started sweating profusely, as he promptly explained, “No, Your Highness, this crispy-fried tender chicken is our restaurant’s most famous dish. We sell no less than a hundred orders of this everyday. How can it be……”
“Forget it, Your Highness, please don’t blame the manager. Maybe it’s because I ordered too many dishes all at once, so the kitchen didn’t have enough time to prepare. A momentary carelessness, that’s all?” Luo Qing Luan didn’t care about it too much and again tasted another dish.
