Chapter 463: Side Story - Each Finds Joy 6
Chu Changsheng held He Jingru's hand.
Her voice softened as she said, "My brother is actually quite willful at heart. Things he dislikes, he absolutely won't accept; people he dislikes, he'd never keep by his side. Even to appease his ministers, he wouldn't randomly choose someone to be Empress. My brother... he likes you, Sister He."
He Jingru's eyes widened in disbelief: "How could that be..."
"Why couldn't it be?" Chu Changsheng tilted her head. "What man wouldn't admire a woman like you, Sister He?"
He Jingru responded with a bitter smile.
A woman without family background, an older woman, a woman with numerous younger siblings to care for—what man wouldn't shy away from such circumstances?
The Emperor liking her?
It was utterly absurd.
Just as she was about to speak, a sharp cry echoed from nearby.
"That's my brother's voice!"
Chu Changsheng sprang to her feet and dashed toward the sound, with He Jingru close behind.
The busy study companions nearby also gathered upon hearing the commotion.
There was a large pit, likely dug by local hunters as an animal trap, into which Chu Hongyu had fallen while foraging for wild vegetables.
Chu Changsheng urgently asked, "Brother, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Chu Hongyu looked up to see multiple concerned faces peering down at him from the edge of the pit, including He Jingru's.
He raised a hand to his forehead in embarrassment: "So humiliating, utterly humiliating."
To fall into a pit while gathering wild vegetables—was there any emperor in the world more unfortunate than him?
"Your Majesty, I'll rescue you!"
Without hesitation, Lin Dongdong jumped into the pit, had Chu Hongyu climb onto his shoulders, and the study companions above worked together to pull the Emperor to safety.
The once impeccably dressed Emperor was now covered in grime from head to toe, his hair disheveled with mud.
Chu Hongyu felt too ashamed to face anyone.
"Your Majesty, it's nothing serious," Chen San quickly reassured him. "We've all done far more embarrassing things together before. There's no need to dwell on it."
Lin Dongdong added: "Remember when we were kids, Your Majesty sneaked out of the palace to visit my house? While setting off firecrackers, you burned a hole in your trousers and had to return to the palace bare-bottomed. That wasn't embarrassing either..."
"Lin Dongdong!!!"
Chu Hongyu could no longer maintain his composure, glaring fiercely at Lin Dongdong.
"It's fine, Your Majesty, we're all close here," Chen San interjected. "My cousin isn't one to gossip either, right cousin?"
Chu Hongyu: "..."
Why did they have to bring that up now?
Suppressing a laugh, He Jingru took a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to Chen San: "Here, help His Majesty wipe the mud from his face."
As Chen San accepted the clean handkerchief, Chu Hongyu snatched it away and said coldly, "All of you, come with me over there."
The eight study companions followed the Emperor to a nearby grove.
Shortly after, He Jingru saw the Emperor return wearing different clothes—Chen San's upper garment and Lin Dongdong's trousers... This outfit momentarily reminded her of Yu Hong.
If she viewed the Emperor as Yu Hong, her nervousness eased. He was just a child around her cousin's age, nothing to be intimidated by.
The group returned to the riverside and began roasting the venison, along with two small rabbits and three fish.
Chu Hongyu selected the largest and plumpest fish, intending to grill it for He Jingru. He wanted her to understand his feelings.
After all, he still had nine years left.However, she was growing older and could not afford to wait any longer.
"Your Majesty, let me help you grill the fish," Lin Dongdong offered as she approached.
Chu Hongyu waved his hand dismissively. "No need, I'll do it myself."
But as the emperor, he had rarely ever done such tasks himself, and the fish ended up burnt.
In his haste, he tried to peel off the charred part with his fingers, only to burn himself. He immediately sucked in a sharp breath.
Chu Changsheng turned to him. "Brother, what's wrong?"
Chu Hongyu concealed his injured finger, maintaining a calm expression. "It's nothing. Pass me some seasoning."
Before Chu Changsheng could move, Chen San handed the nearby spices to Chu Hongyu.
Then, Chen San continued to fawn over Chu Changsheng: "Which part of the venison does Your Highness prefer? Allow me to grill it for you."
Chu Changsheng felt a headache coming on.
Ever since they met as children, this fellow had always clung to her side. She hadn't understood why when they were young, but how could she not know now?
She had no particular feelings for Chen San and wanted to flee whenever he approached.
But she couldn't leave He Jingru alone among all these men, so she forced herself to be patient and replied, "That won't be necessary. Lin Dongdong's grilling is quite good."
"Thank you for the praise, Princess!" Lin Dongdong preened, shaking his head proudly. "Wait and see, I'll show you my skills!"
Chen San shot Lin Dongdong an annoyed glare, wondering if the princess could possibly be interested in such a fool.
Meanwhile, He Jingru noticed the blister swelling on Chu Hongyu's raised index finger.
Frowning, she picked up a water flask and walked over. "Your Majesty, please extend your hand."
Normally sharp-witted, Chu Hongyu found himself momentarily dazed by He Jingru's close proximity and blankly offered his hand.
"Not that one, the other hand," He Jingru sighed, then poured cool water over the blister. "Your Majesty should stay away from the fire since you're injured. Let me grill this fish for you—I promise it will be perfectly done."
The cool water soothed the blister, and Chu Hongyu snapped back to reality. "You're quite knowledgeable, Miss He," he remarked, unable to hide his admiration.
His heart fluttered with hope.
She had noticed his injury—did that mean she was paying attention to him too?
Perhaps this wasn't as difficult as he had imagined.
"My younger brother was often injured as a child, so I picked up a few things," He Jingru explained. "Your Majesty is about the same age as my eldest brother."
Chu Hongyu's heart instantly sank.
So she really did see him as just a younger brother...
He Jingru took the burnt fish, peeled off the charred skin, sprinkled on seasonings, and began carefully grilling it.
Everyone bustled about, and by the time the sun began to set, the food was finally ready. The group sat on the ground, pouring wine and preparing to eat.
Before Chu Hongyu lay the fish grilled by He Jingru.
He had originally intended to grill it for her.
Unexpectedly, she ended up grilling it for him.
Ah, he had truly become the younger brother she looked after.
Just as he was about to start eating, a hand suddenly shot out from the side.
"Elder Brother, Elder Sister! How could you eat and drink behind my back? That's too much!"
It was the twelve-year-old Prince Yan, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. He snatched the fruit wine from Chu Changsheng and grabbed the grilled fish from Chu Hongyu, promptly devouring the fish belly.He couldn't help but comment, "The grilled fish tastes really good, much better than the steamed fish from the imperial kitchen."
"Chu Hongyu!!" Chu Hongyu fumed with rage, "Give me back my grilled fish!!"
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