"Sure."
Lu Wanning was taken aback. "What?"
Sheng Jinyu reclined on the bench, propping his head up with his hand. He drawled, "Your two elder brothers are quite capable. In fact, it would be better for your father and the Lu family if he stayed in the capital. However, your father can't stay idle. If we don't find something for him to do, he probably won't be able to settle down."
Lu Wanning stared blankly at Sheng Jinyu. He always sat upright in public and had never looked so languid before. Even when he took a rest in the tree last time, he was very proper. Now, reclining like this, he exuded a strange kind of beauty.
The beautiful young man had picturesque features, flawless jade - like skin, and his long black hair was scattered on his shoulders. With his eyes closed, every movement of his was slow and captivating.
At least, it captivated her.
Not getting a response, Sheng Jinyu opened his eyes and looked at her. "Huh?"
Lu Wanning's heart was pounding wildly. She quickly got up and walked to the window, opening it. The wind from outside blew in, making her a bit more sober.
However, in an instant, the window was closed.
Sheng Jinyu had walked over, his tone tinged with annoyance. "Blowing like this will make you sick. If it's stuffy in the room, just open the window a crack and sit in a sheltered place. Your face is very red. Drink some ginger soup when you get home."
The gentle voice sounded beside her ear. Not only her face but also her ears turned red. Was he... caring about her like this?
Sheng Jinyu returned to the table and sat down. He continued, "It's getting late. He Nanfeng should be back soon, right?"
Lu Wanning covered her red face and stood by the window for a while. She responded vaguely, then quickly walked to the door and opened it. Sure enough, she saw Sheng Songyan and He Nanfeng approaching.
"Cousin, aren't we going to the Jiang family? Shouldn't we go?"
He Nanfeng nodded, greeted Sheng Jinyu, and then left with Lu Wanning.
Sheng Songyan returned to the room, gently fanning his feather fan. He sat down next to Sheng Jinyu and asked, "So, how's it going?"
Sheng Jinyu glanced at him. "How's what going?"
Sheng Songyan pointed at him with his fan, then pointed in the direction of the door. "The progress between you two!"
"I've already told her. She's very smart. I think she'll soon come up with a way to find something for Lu Hongxi to do."
Sheng Songyan looked at Sheng Jinyu in confusion. "I'm asking about the progress between you two, not about politics."
Sheng Jinyu looked up again, his gaze sharp. "What have I always said?"
Sheng Songyan covered his forehead and sighed. "Come on, Your Highness. Can't you tell that the girl has feelings for you? I've gone to great lengths to create opportunities for you two. Don't you want to seize them?"
Sheng Jinyu lowered his eyes. "Don't talk nonsense."
Sheng Songyan immediately pointed at Qingniang. "Qingniang, tell me. Does the princess have feelings for the prince?"
Qingniang's eyes were bright and lively. She reached out to pour tea for Sheng Jinyu, but Sheng Jinyu just frowned and avoided it. Without showing any sign of displeasure, she just smiled and said, "I can't tell."
Sheng Songyan said, "Come on. If you can't tell, then what were you and Jinyu doing just now, coordinating with each other? He Nanfeng is a fool and blind, but I'm not."
Qingniang laughed even more merrily. "The princess is the smartest person I've ever met."
Sheng Songyan clutched his heart and said, "Oh, Jinyu, Jinyu. I've tried so hard to get you two alone. Who is Lu Wanning? She's the Princess of Zhaoyang. Since she has feelings for you, with your abilities, it would be easy to win her over. If you get the support of the Lu family, why worry about the future?"
Sheng Jinyu looked up coldly. "Sheng Songyan, have you forgotten all the things I've told you? Using a woman as bait is something only Sheng Chenyi would do."
He stood up and walked out of the room.
Sheng Songyan scratched his nose. It took him a while to come to his senses. "Humph, is he saying I did something wrong? Using a woman as bait? Last time, it was clearly him who insisted on using the Princess of Zhaoyang as bait to draw out the Prince of Xiao."
Qingniang laughed even more happily. She offered the tea to Sheng Songyan. "My Lord, the prince is avoiding suspicion."
Sheng Songyan didn't understand. "Avoiding suspicion? What suspicion? What does he need to avoid with the Princess of Zhaoyang?"
Qingniang shook her head. "He's avoiding the suspicion in his heart."
Lu Wanning was sitting in the carriage, her heart still pounding. Oh my god, was she in love? She had felt that fluttering feeling on the horse last time, and now it was even stronger.
If he hadn't opened his eyes just now, she might have even been tempted to touch his eyebrows...
Oh no, how could she think like this? He was a dying man with only two years to live. How could she fall in love with a dead man? No, no.
However... hadn't she already made up her mind? She had planned to find out about his illness and make him live a good life. Now he didn't trust her enough and couldn't be completely honest with her. If she could be with him, he would probably tell her his situation on his own initiative. Then she could prescribe the right remedy and come up with a solution, right?
So, it wasn't impossible to be with him...
"Cousin, cousin, what are you thinking about? Get out of the carriage."
It was He Nanfeng's confused voice outside the carriage window. Lu Wanning came back to her senses and saw Jiyue looking at her in surprise.
"Princess, are you not feeling well? Your face is so red. Are you sick?"
Lu Wanning slapped her hand away. "No... Maybe it was a bit stuffy in the room just now. Let's go. It's getting late. I'm going to see Sister Jiang."
She lifted her skirt and jumped out of the carriage without anyone's help. She lowered her head and ran towards the Jiang family, afraid that others would see the lovesick look on her face.
Jiang Shishi was extremely nervous when she heard that He Nanfeng had managed to get a prescription. When she saw Lu Wanning, she didn't even care about being shy in front of her friends. She asked in a hurry, "How is it? Has my father relented?"
Lu Wanning grinned. "How could it be that easy? You know very well that Imperial Scholar Jiang is notoriously stubborn. Once he says something, not even ten bulls can pull him back."
Jiang Shishi became even more anxious. She even wanted to run to the front hall to welcome He Nanfeng in.
Lu Wanning picked up the teacup and gulped down a large mouthful of water before she felt better. She then said, "But I think your father's expression has softened a lot. If my cousin persists, he will surely win your heart and take you home."
Jiang Shishi blushed and glared at her. "You're getting more and more fond of talking nonsense. When I see the princess later, I'll surely tell her about this."
Lu Wanning burst out laughing. "How will you tell on me? Will you say that I can't wait for my cousin to take you home soon?"
Jiang Shishi wasn't satisfied and started to playfully fight with her.
The maid ran in out of breath. "Miss, miss, it's bad..."
Jiang Shishi paused and asked, "What happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"
The maid said, "It's bad, miss. Master is extremely angry and wants Young Master He San to kneel in front of the mansion gate..."
Jiang Shishi was shocked. The silk handkerchief in her hand fell to the ground. She immediately stood up and asked, "How could this happen? Even if father is angry, he shouldn't treat him like this."