When the screen was lowered around Liu Yushu, completely shielding her from view except for the side facing the main seat where Du Gu Fuya sat, Liu Yushu finally understood that he was trying to rescue her from an awkward situation.
She wanted to express her gratitude, but when she cast a look in his direction, he averted his eyes. Then he picked up his wine cup and said to the ministers on both sides, "Thank you all for coming." His tone was neither overbearing nor humble.
The dignitaries all politely and humbly raised their wine cups in response. "Thank you, Your Highness, for gracing us with your presence." They all had such obsequious looks on their faces that it seemed as if they were eager to kiss Du Gu Fuya's feet. Especially the Third Prince, with a sycophantic smile on his face, stepped forward to offer a toast to Du Gu Fuya.
Du Gu Fuya secretly glanced at Liu Yushu from the corner of his eye. There was a hint of disappointment on her face.
Liu Yushu sighed inwardly. She couldn't figure out what this noble Prince Yu was up to. In public, he clearly treated her differently, but when she tried to be proactive, his attitude became aloof and he ignored her.
"..." Well, since he was ignoring her, she might as well just bury her head in her meal. The chefs in the prince's mansion were really good. The dishes were exquisitely prepared and delicious.
"Third Brother, you seemed to be smiling very happily just now. Did you hear any funny jokes? Share them with me so that I can have some fun too." Du Gu Fuya's tone was soft, but there was an obvious oppressive command in his words.
Du Gu Fuya was clearly questioning the Third Prince about the joke he had made at Liu Yushu's expense.
The Third Prince's face changed slightly. Under everyone's gaze, he said awkwardly, "Your Highness has really seen through me. You are even more perceptive than a hermit." He quickly flattered Du Gu Fuya.
Liu Yushu couldn't help but burst out laughing. She almost spat out the wine in her mouth. It was so satisfying to see the high - and - mighty Third Prince acting so obsequiously. Well done, Your Highness Yu.
Her admiration for Du Gu Fuya increased a bit.
Du Gu Fuya saw Liu Yushu's cute smiling face. With a smile, he ordered the Third Prince, "Hurry up and tell me." He continued to make things difficult for the Third Prince.
The Third Prince couldn't find any way to get out of it. He gritted his teeth and made up a really lame joke. After he finished, there was complete silence. He felt so humiliated that he had to slink back to his seat.
Looking at the Third Prince like this, it was hard to imagine that he could ever be a wise emperor in the future. Moreover, he was colluding with Feng Ziyang, the hostage from Nanling. If he became the emperor in the future, Yong Country might not even know how it was destroyed.
As for the Crown Prince, although he wasn't as obsequious as the Third Prince, he was too submissive to the Queen. And the Queen only knew how to preserve her own interests. In the end, it would be difficult for her to assist the Crown Prince to achieve great things.
Liu Yushu had been focusing on one dish. Before she knew it, she had finished it all. The maid beside her immediately removed the plate and replaced it with a larger one, filled to the brim with plum - powder crispy pork.
Liu Yushu embarrassedly put down her chopsticks and pretended to be full. When she looked up, she happened to meet Du Gu Fuya's eyes. He was looking at her playfully and smiling, "Are you full?"
"Yes, I'm full." Liu Yushu answered in a low, embarrassed voice. Oh no, this was so embarrassing. She had forgotten the rules for a moment and gobbled her food up in front of Du Gu Fuya.
The education she had received since childhood was that no matter how much she liked a certain food, she shouldn't eat it all up. She should leave some on the plate, otherwise, it would be considered impolite in the eyes of others.
Before, Qin Nuan'er had told her that Du Gu Fuya's weakness was "playing hard - to - get". In other words, he liked women who played hard - to - get the most.
All of Liu Yushu's behaviors were just an act.
The maid poured wine for her. Du Gu Fuya tilted his head, propping his temple with one hand and holding a wine cup with the other. He squinted his eyes, looking a bit tipsy, and the smile on his lips was unfathomable.
Liu Yushu quickly picked up her wine cup and offered a toast to Du Gu Fuya. She tilted her head back and gulped down the wine in one go. It was really good wine, but she couldn't hold her liquor well. The spiciness made her scrunch up her face.
When she looked at Du Gu Fuya again, he simply threw his wine cup on the table without even taking a sip. Instead, he folded his hands on the table and rested his chin on them, watching with great interest as Liu Yushu was spiced up by the strong liquor.
He was deliberately teasing her. Liu Yushu looked embarrassed. Even though she was annoyed, she couldn't lose her temper in front of Du Gu Fuya.
Moreover, she shouldn't forget that her purpose for coming here was to win Du Gu Fuya over.
Since he liked to see her act like an innocent little rabbit, she would just act for him.
So, Liu Yushu put down her wine cup. Her cheeks were flushed and she seemed very drunk. "Your Highness, I'm being impolite..." Before she could finish her sentence, she slumped on the table in a daze.
Du Gu Fuya picked up his wine cup contentedly and drank it all in one gulp. Nanny Lu tactfully told the maids to help Liu Yushu to a guest room in the prince's mansion.
Actually, Liu Yushu was wide awake. She was just pretending to be drunk.
It was late at night and the room was completely quiet. The banquet outside had long since ended.
The voice of a maid sounded at the door, "Concubine Gu, His Highness has given the order that Miss Liu is resting and no one is allowed to enter and disturb her."
Oh? Du Gu Fuya had actually given such an order. Liu Yushu knew what was going on. She was sure that Du Gu Fuya had "amorous intentions" towards her. Otherwise, why didn't he send her back? Instead, he had kept her in the mansion.
This ambiguous situation would surely lead to gossips.