After a few seconds of eye contact, Liang Jue almost thought the other party would refuse his proposal, but the latter nodded and smiled, saying, “Well, it seems I’ve come at a good time. I’d love to taste the cooking skills of your household.”
In that moment, Liang Jue couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful, but words spoken cannot be taken back, so he reluctantly adjusted his features and squeezed out a somewhat sincere smile to entertain this uninvited guest.
Originally not expecting him to come so early, Liang Jue himself had been drinking white rice porridge made in the small kitchen. His taste differed greatly from Shen Meng’s, but there were still some similarities, such as their shared preference for simple white rice porridge.
Liang Jue served himself a bowl of white porridge as breakfast and was about to instruct the servant to fetch some hearty dishes from the main kitchen. However, Xue Ning waved his hand, signaling the attendant to stop the servant who was about to act.
Without saying a word, the person serving beside him expressed his wishes very considerately, “There’s no need to go out of your way. Our Highness and Mr. Liang can share the same food.”
Liang Jue pointed to the bowl of porridge and a small dish of radish pickles in front of him, “If that’s the case, Your Highness will have to eat the same as I do.”
Xue Ning asked him in return, “Between us, there’s no need for formalities. Do you think eating this is not good?”
Liang Jue quickly adjusted his speech, “I don’t think so. I like to eat this kind of thing in the morning, but it’s a bit too bland. I’m afraid Your Highness might not be used to it.”
Xue Ning smiled, “That’s just a coincidence. I also like to drink simple white porridge. There’s nothing I can find fault with.”
Liang Jue quietly closed his mouth, no longer intending to say much to the other party. Eating in this delicate atmosphere was indeed not pleasant, especially when he realized that Xue Ning’s thoughts were not on breakfast at all. It made him feel even more uncomfortable. Even the usually fragrant white porridge couldn’t whet his appetite.
After finishing breakfast, Xue Ning and Liang Jue exchanged a few Tai Chi moves back and forth. If it was just speculation at the beginning, now Liang Jue could almost be sure that the other party came for Shen Meng. Almost everything Xue Ning mentioned, directly or indirectly, was related to Shen Meng.
Moreover, several times, even though he had changed the topic, the other party quickly circled back to Shen Meng. Even someone as straightforward as Liang Jue would become extremely cautious when dealing with matters related to the person he deeply cared about, let alone someone as sensitive as Liang Jue.
However, there were some things that he couldn’t directly confront unless he pierced through that thin piece of paper. No matter how obvious the other party’s intentions were, he couldn’t directly speak out. For example, in the current situation, even though he was clear that the other party had ulterior motives.
But just because Xue Ning was the third prince, Liang Jue had to smile and lead the way for him, while trying his best to avoid topics related to Shen Meng.
Watching Xue Ning wandering around the courtyard that belonged to him and Shen Meng, occasionally touching the places where memories were left behind by Shen Meng, Liang Jue tried hard to suppress his dissatisfaction.
When Xue Ning was about to touch the ceramic memories created by Shen Meng and him together, the last straw finally fell. Liang Jue, who had been trying to remain calm and quiet as a background board, finally couldn’t help but speak up, “Your Highness…”
Xue Ning withdrew his hand, turned his face to look at him, still wearing a mask of a smile.
Liang Jue cleared his throat, “There are some things I want to talk to you about. Please follow me.”
—
1. “Tai Chi”, also known as Tai Chi Chuan, is a Chinese martial art that is practiced for defense training, health benefits, meditation, and stress reduction. It involves slow, gentle movements, deep breathing, and meditation.