CH 38.1

Cui Han was obviously testing himself, perhaps wanting to acknowledge himself.

But it was unlike the last time when Meng Huan was like a lamb that had left the herd to get a sense of security when he saw the original shou’s friend.

This time, Lin Bozhou offered him something stable.

Meng Huan calmly picked up the cup and turned his face. “Sorry, I have not seen too much play and can not recall a similar song.”

He started learning to be smart and was unsure of this person’s intentions.

He decided not to open his heart for the time being.

In the pavilion, the atmosphere was quiet and harmonious.

Meng Huan deliberately pretended not to understand, but there was some basis in Cui Han’s eyes. After all, Cui Han’s grandfather was a representative of the Zhuoliu Party, and Meng Huan’s father was a member of the Qingliu Party, so it was understandable that he did not trust himself.

Cui Han coughed and decided to come up with some more obvious reminders.

He picked up the fresh water next to the teacup and suddenly dropped it with a flick of his wrist. “Aiya…”

Meng Huan stood up in a hurry.

Clearwater was poured into the tea, splashing liquid. While the orange-colored tea water and clear, plain water mixed, the color became extremely pale, meeting each other, and toppled the floating tea leaves.

Cui Han let out a mysterious laugh. “Your Highness, this junior has acted discourteously. Please forgive me, Your Highness. Ahahaha……”

His metaphor was obvious–clear and turbid met and broke through the obstruction.

However, Lin Bozhou’s people were everywhere in this prince’s residence. If Lin Bozhou knew their motives, the consequences would be unimaginable, and he could only use these actions to imply.

Meng Huan looked at the table full of mess and fell into thought.

Cui Han looked at him expectantly.

Finally, Meng Huan averted his gaze with a face full of confusion. “How can we still drink this tea?”

Cui Han: “……”

Meng Huan frowned and looked very embarrassed, “Forget it. Don’t drink it.”

Cui Han: “Your Highness–”

“I’ll go back to write. See you another day.”

Meng Huan said, did not wait for Cui Han’s reaction, yawned, and walked out of the pavilion.

Cui Han sat in place with an odd expression, truly not understanding how Meng Huan could play dumb so well.

For a moment, his frown eased again.

Probably, it was because he still didn’t trust him.

It seemed that further action would have to be made.

—

The weather was hot and dry. Even when wearing cooler clothes after the summer heat began, the heat still transferred through the clothes.

A few days later, at the lotus pond, the round leaves tumbled, and the green waves fluctuated. The servants spread paper and brush in the pavilion, as well as paints. Meng Huan sat down to draw the scenery. He picked up the brush, compared the scale, lowered his head, and tinted color on the brush painting.

When he was painting, the servants were amazed at his side earlier. Later, they also felt bored sitting like this all day, preferring to play pai gow, cuju, and gossip. They feared disturbing Meng Huan, so they went to the pavilion not far away to chat and crack melon seeds.

Meng Huan was sitting when light footsteps came from behind him.

He did not turn around because he thought a servant was coming to fan him.

After a quarter of an hour, Meng Huan drank tea, only to find a teenager and a young girl standing behind him.

They both wore the court actor’s clothes. The young man appeared heroic, and the young girl looked refined. Meng Huan was stunned. “You are?”

“This servant is the actress whom Princess saved that day.”

“Oh,” Meng Huan remembered. “The pair that were beaten in the courtyard?”

The two were full of shame.

“Are you guys better now? Have you recovered from your injuries?”

“Thank you for Your Highness’ care. The injuries have all healed. The troupe is free today, so we thought we’d come over and thank Your Highness.”

The two people seemed to kneel and kowtow.

Meng Huan hastily squatted down. “In fact, no need to thank me. If you want to thank, thank the prince. After all, they look like they are giving me face again, but they are giving face to the prince.”

The two were brave enough to pursue love, and their age was similar to his. Meng Huan had a good impression of them and naturally felt close to them.

“When did you two fall in love?” After the closeness, Meng Huan began to gossip.

Xue Hong, the teenager, couldn’t help but laugh.

The young girl, Xue Yan, immediately lowered her head in shame.

When they both laughed, Meng Huan felt a little closer and couldn’t help but make small talk with them.

Xue Hong took a wooden flute from his sleeve and said, “Your Highness, this is something this servant made with a knife. As an apprentice in Li Yuan, I have no money, so I can only make my own stuff. I hope Your Highness won’t mind.”

The wooden flute was polished and beautifully made. Meng Huan took it and sincerely said, “Thank you.”

Xue Hong and Xue Yan looked at each other and smiled.

The two said, “Your Highness, we can’t leave Li Yuan for too long, so we’re leaving.”

After the two left the pavilion, they separated, with one ahead and the other behind, to avoid people’s attention.

Looking at their backs and the wooden-colored piccolo in his hand, Meng Huan slowly leaned his head on the stone table and raised it to the sun.

Did this count…… as him making friends?

Putting the piccolo into his clothes and patting it, Meng Huan turned back, picked up the brush, and continued drawing the scenery painting he had not finished earlier.

The sun gradually inclined, and when it was time, Feng Zhi said, “Madam, the prince is estimated to be returning soon.”

When Lin Bozhou returned, Meng Huan would wait for him at the residence gate daily. Hearing these words, Meng Huan put away his brush and went to the basin to wash his hands. “Okay, I’ll go there now.”

Lin Bozhou usually arrived at about 4:30 p.m. Meng Huan calculated the time, waiting for an estimated half an hour. At five o’clock, Lin Bozhou’s carriage had not yet appeared.