AMLFS Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Prince and the Little Simpleton Sleep in Separate Rooms

Zhang Mama walked around the Ning Wang Mansion several times. The Ning Wang Mansion was decorated in a very grand and luxurious style.

Everywhere there were carved beams and painted rafters, with pavilions and towers visible every few steps.

The flowers and plants in the mansion were also exceptionally precious, with dedicated people taking care of them. However, it was unclear if it was because Prince Zhao Fangye had not been back for very long.

There were not many servants walking around in the mansion; more often, one saw imposing military personnel.

Zhang Mama found Steward Wang in the mansion.

“Steward Wang,” Zhang Mama said, entering the room and greeting him politely.

“Zhang Mama?” Steward Wang raised his head from the desk, his face slightly aged.

He was an old retainer who had followed Zhao Fangye, responsible for managing the affairs in the Northwest. Now, he had returned to the capital as well.

Seeing the person, he paused for a moment and stood up. Although he had only met her once on the wedding day, he knew that this was Zhang Mama, who was by the side of the WangConcubine.

“Why has Zhang Mama come? Is there something the WangConcubine is not accustomed to in the mansion?”

“It’s not that,” Zhang Mama said, carefully considering her words. “I am the only one taking care of the WangConcubine in her courtyard, and we lack a few close attendants. I wonder if there are any available.”

Zhang Mama spoke politely. Although she was someone from the WangConcubine’s side, it was best to be discreet in the Wang Mansion.

“Oh,” Steward Wang immediately understood and hurriedly apologized.

“This is truly my lack of preparation. After Prince Zhao Fangye received the imperial decree for the marriage, he immediately returned to the capital. Everything was prepared somewhat hastily, and we have not yet bought servants to bring into the Wang Mansion.”

“Mostly, there are rough old men brought back from the military. I will immediately call over the maids and young servants in the mansion. Mama, you can choose a few to take back. I forgot about this matter, my fault.”

Zhang Mama quickly waved her hand. “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

After picking a few that looked pleasing to the eye, Zhang Mama led the people back to the courtyard.

Song Huaixi was lying on the couch reading a comic book when he saw Zhang Mama enter. He immediately jumped off the couch.

“Mama, Mama! We can go home the day after tomorrow!”

Staggered by his sudden pounce, Zhang Mama frowned and said helplessly, “WangConcubine, you should wear your shoes.”

“It’s okay, it’s not cold.” Song Huaixi was only concerned with telling her the good news, eagerly asking, “Did Mama hear? Going home!”

“I know, I know.”

Of course, Zhang Mama knew about the homecoming. She was just about to ask if the Prince would also be going when Song Huaixi interrupted her.

Seeing the four people standing behind her, Song Huaixi blinked his eyes. “Mama, who are they?”

“They are here to take care of you.” Zhang Mama said to the people behind her, “Come forward and let the WangConcubine get to know you.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Mama told Song Huaixi to sit down in the chair and put on his shoes.

The four people knelt before him, and Song Huaixi was not used to having people kneel before him. “You can all stand up.”

“Yes.”

The four people stood up, two men and two women in front of Song Huaixi. “What are you called?”

The young girl standing on the left, with a delicate and innocent face. Looking not too old, she seemed quite lively: “Reporting to WangConcubine, my name is Chun Hua.”

Then, another slightly older girl, who had been looking down and seemed quieter, stepped forward: “Reporting to WangConcubine, my name is Zhao Lu.”

The young servant boy then raised his head, pointing to himself and the young man next to him, saying, “My name is Qing Shan, and his name is Qing Yang. We are brothers.”

“Oh,” Song Huaixi nodded. “Your names are very nice. Who gave them to you?”

The young servant boy continued, “Reporting to WangConcubine, the four of us were originally orphans in the Northwest city, on the verge of starvation. It was the Prince who gave us our names and brought us back to the mansion. Now that the Prince has returned to the capital, we have followed him here.”

“Ah?”

Hearing that they were orphans, Song Huaixi felt sorry for them. How pitiful to have no parents.

He stepped forward and said to them, “I don’t want you to serve me, let’s play together in the future!”

The four of them looked at each other. They had never encountered such a master before.

“Alright,” Mama said to them from the side, “You may all go down first.”

After they left, Mama said to Song Huaixi, “You are the WangConcubine, you must be mindful of your words and actions, do you understand?”

“But they are all about the same age as me, it would be good to play with them. Isn’t it like this at home?”

Song Huaixi was puzzled. How come when he got here, this was not allowed and that was not allowed?

In the evening, Song Huaixi was served early to bed by Chun Hua and Zhao Lu.

Chun Hua was tidying up the clothes he had changed out of. Watching her busy, Song Huaixi asked, “Where did the Prince go?”

“Reporting to WangConcubine, the Prince should be handling official business in the study.” Chun Hua placed the clothes aside and tucked in the corners of his blanket.

“Oh.” Hearing this, Song Huaixi pouted. “Then where is Mama?”

“Mama is preparing for WangConcubine’s homecoming. Does WangConcubine need something?”

“No.”

Song Huaixi was just curious as to why Zhao Fangye wasn’t sleeping with him today.

However, this doubt did not linger in his mind for long before he fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the study, Steward Wang saw that the candlelight was still lit and pushed the door open to enter.

Zhao Fangye was looking at the ledger in front of the candlelight. Wang Bo stepped forward: “Your Highness, it’s late. It’s time to retire for the night.”

Raising his head to glance out the window, it was already past Xu time (7-9 PM).

“Has the WangConcubine gone to bed?” Zhao Fangye put down the ledger in his hand and pinched his brow. He felt somewhat weary.

“The WangConcubine has gone to sleep early,” Wang Bo replied.

“Then tidy up another courtyard. From now on, this Prince will live there.”

“Ah?” Wang Bo asked somewhat hesitantly, “Is Your Highness not living with the WangConcubine anymore?”

Receiving no response, Zhao Fangye’s light-colored eyes revealed displeasure.

Wang Bo immediately realized that he had said too much and quickly said, “This old servant was being nosy. I will go arrange it now.”

He had no intention of having too much involvement with Song Huaixi. The wedding night was just to avoid trouble.

Of course, in the future, they would live their own lives separately.

After one night, everyone in the Wang Mansion knew that Zhao Fangye had not spent the night in Song Huaixi’s courtyard.

After learning of this, Zhang Mama anxiously paced back and forth at the door, wringing the handkerchief in her hand, unsure of what to do.

It was only the second day of the newlywed’s marriage, and the Prince and WangConcubine were already sleeping in separate rooms. How would they live in the days to come?

Song Huaixi didn’t care, sleeping soundly until the sun was high in the sky.

Chun Hua came over to help him put on his clothes, and Zhao Lu had prepared all the things for washing up.

Yawning, Song Huaixi dressed properly and saw Zhang Mama, who looked restless.

“What’s wrong? Mama?” Song Huaixi asked, looking at her: “Are you not happy?”

Looking at the Song Huaixi in front of her, who didn’t understand anything, Zhang Mama just sighed softly.

It was not good to say anything to him. She would discuss it with the madam when they returned to the Song Mansion.

Zhang Mama said to him: “It’s nothing, get up and have your meal.”

At the dining table, Song Huaixi looked around for a while. There was some disappointment in his eyes.

Following his gaze, Chun Hua looked around, puzzled, and asked, “What is the WangConcubine looking for?”

“Isn’t the Prince coming to eat?” Song Huaixi said, biting his chopsticks, looking at the food in front of him, feeling a little uninterested.

Since Zhao Fangye had told him yesterday afternoon that he was going back to the Song Mansion, he had not seen him again.

He inexplicably felt his heart empty.

“The Prince has probably already eaten. He should be going to the military camp now.”

Chun Hua had served Zhao Fangye and therefore made a guess.

“Oh,” Song Huaixi replied dejectedly, picking up his chopsticks to eat.