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Chapter Nineteen
In the twenty-first century, there is a term called: 'Mary Sue'.
'Mary Sue' is not a person, 'Mary Sue' is not a pastry (pastry in Chinese is sū / 酥), 'Mary Sue' is a disease.
Every person is suffering this disease 'Mary Sue', it is but a matter of how serious it is.
If minor, then that is called occasional self-appreciation, to those living in the hectic urban city, it is instead a kind of normal self-regulation.
If serious, that is 'princess' or 'prince' disease, chest full of strong self-confidence and self-centredness, this symptom usually appears in those so-called favoured children of God, to put it bluntly, it is nothing but narcissism.
And this guy, Meng Shao Jue, clearly belongs to the latter.
Towards his behaviour of seeing himself as a 'swan', I am already unaffected by it, I wait until I could stand steadily before taking a little step back, tilting my head in puzzlement, saying: "Young Master?"
Meng Shao Jue spreads open the purple jade fan with one gentle wave of his hand, it is unclear how genuine his words are as he says: "Young Master? No no no, this addressment of yours is overwhelming this commoner with more than what I deserve, Fifth—Prin—cess."
Those last three syllables were spoken with extreme slowness, incomparably mysterious, my eyes curls into smiles, as I shyly say: "Now you know, it's no longer interesting, not fun anymore."
A bright light flashes past Meng Shao Jue's long and narrow phoenix eyes, before he slowly says: "Not fun anymore?" He suddenly steps towards me, extending his hand to hold a lock of my hair, as he delicately plays with it, his thin lips lets out a few sounds of soft laughter, "From what I see......not necessarily."
His hand loosens, no longer playing with my hair, yet those black orbs were set dead on me, "I originally wanted to have you stay in the Meng Estate for a few more days, after all, a maid as interesting as you is not easy to find, but who knew this person - Guan Yue - would suddenly jump in midway, forcing me to hand you over so early, how disappointing. But......" He half narrows his phoenix eyes, expression looking rather evil, "Ah-Lan, I still need to thank you this time, had I not encountered you, I would still have to go around in another circle......believe me, all has only just begun, in future, there will be many fun situations, I can only hope that when that time comes, you would still be able to smile like you are now, so......so 'naively'."
On his handsome face, there is still that dashingly unrestrained smile, but for some unknown reason, there is an underlying mysterious feeling. I believe my intuition is correct, Meng Shao Jue has long known who I am, and made appropriate use of me, achieving some sort of purpose. And this purpose could perhaps be to discuss with Eldest Cousin, the grand opportunity to be put in charge of the army's food supplies.
Of course, I am only saying perhaps.
Towards the 'baffling' 'indicative' words he speaks of, I show no reaction whatsoever, only speaking with slight dismay: "You know now, Cousin knows now, that means I can't go to the Meng Estate anymore."
Meng Shao Jue lightly twitches his phoenix eyes, "En? Are you going to miss me?"
I look at the ground as I speak in self-absorption: "Can't go to the Meng Estate anymore, which means I can't see Ying Lu anymore, which means I can't see Xiao Hei anymore, which means I can't eat that little pear tree that's filled with little pears in Young Master's courtyard anymore."
I feel that the me right now, is really so sad, so sad ah.
Meng Shao Jue did not show much of a reaction when I said the first few points, but as soon as I said 'that little pear tree that's filled with little pears', his expression suddenly changes.
"Ah-Lan." His voice seems to be very calm, "What's this about the little pears and little pear tree you spoke of just now?"
I honestly answer: "In the little garden you keep the golden cricket, there's a very small pear tree."
"And?" His voice is still very calm.
I blissfully recall it and say: "The little pear tree is covered in pretty little pears."
"En, so?" His voice seems to be, possibly, most likely, is still calm.
"The little pears......" I look at him and grin, speaking crisp and clearly: "Are so sweet."
I think I know why Meng Shao Jue's incomparably handsome face had immediately turned vaguely grim and troubled, is it not just because that little pear tree costed him over twenty thousand taels of gold?
"Fifth, Prin-, -cess." Meng Shao Jue finally reveals a more good-natured smile to me, just that his words sounds a bit like gnashing teeth, "That is not a pear tree, it is a rare celestial fruit tree found on the snow mountain in the southern area."
Ai~, I sigh and think, you tell me then, why does this celestial fruit looks so much like pears? It is its own fault that I thought of it as pears and ate it.
Really, this cannot be completely my fault.
I reach out to comfortingly pat his shoulder, "Not bad, it is indeed very tasty, even tastier than all the pears I have ever eaten before."
Silver ah, gold ah, those are all worldly possessions, all are but only passing clouds ah, passing clouds, we must not be overly calculative in regard to them.
Meng Shao Jue suddenly laughs instead of erupting in anger, his words seemingly genuine as he says: "Say, should I be placing this onto Gentleman Yuwen's account?"
At this time, a cold and pleasant-sounding voice is heard, "I hear my name as soon I get here, don't know what you two have said about me?
Ah, Yuwen Rui is here, Yuwen Rui vs Meng Shao Jue.
My right eye uneasily twitches, could it be, these two, black-belly against black-belly, but the one to suffer misfortune is me?
Yuwen Rui's figure appears within my line of sight, today, he is dressed in a body of silver brocade robes, his cuffs decorated with a few clouds, black hair held up in a silver crown, his waist wrapped with a belt made of crushed agate stones, a refined and handsome noble gentleman, with an entire body exuding an air of brilliance, I secretly sigh, at this day and age, being an animal is not shameful, what's shameful is a dressed animal that looks nothing like an animal.
Tut tut, truly is far too much of a f*cking waste of feelings.
Yuwen Rui's face carries a refined smile as he looks at Meng Shao Jue, saying: "I have been bound with some matters at hand just now, apologies for Gentleman Meng's long wait."
Meng Shao Jue is also just as courteous as he replies: "I too, have just arrived at the study room, only upon entering did I know Princess is also here, seeing Princess' reaction, I assume I was too abrupt."
I remain silent whilst thinking, this not one dressed animal, but two disgraces of refined men.
Yuwen Rui indifferently glances at me upon hearing this and says: "Speaking of abruptness, I should offer Gentleman Meng my apologies, my younger sister is unruly by nature, and must have brought Gentleman Meng many troubles during this time, may Gentleman Meng pardon us."
I feel rather weird as I listen to these words, unruly by nature? Who? Who is unruly by nature? Me? How laughable, how could I possibly? I'm but a fool ah, an incomparably harmonious fool.
"What is Gentleman Yuwen saying, the matter of Princess hiding her identity has indeed given me a great shock, but in the end, it is still the Meng family's honour, so where is the need in an apology?" Meng Shao Jue reasonably speaks: "In fact, it is I who should be ashamed by my younger sister's rudeness, truly a reckless lass, I have already told her to apologise to that young man, ai~, it truly is I who have lacked in enforcing discipline, lacked in enforcing discipline ah."
I grow rather curious upon hearing this, looks like Ying Lu has caused some trouble, just that, don't know what she did to the Yuwen family's 'young man'? Of course, the questions in my heart were not answered, in fact, these two people are practically treating me like I'm invisible, just conversing amongst themselves.
Yuwen Rui faintly hooks up his lips, "From the sounds of it, we're in a similar situation, since that is the case, we need not be so courteous anymore, Gentleman Meng, please." (the please here, is an invitational gesture, politely telling the guest to come in/ take a seat etc. )
Meng Shao Jue also gracefully responds: "Please."
And so, then, after, they both 'sink into a world of their own', completely, thoroughly, neglecting me.
I sit on the little stool with cheeks resting in hands, thinking, exactly what is going on here, but a long time later, when I had yet to come up with an answer, Yuwen Rui's words pulls in my attention.
He says: "It is no longer early now, I've told the servants to prepare a meal, Gentleman Meng should stay to eat too."
Meng Shao Jue does not argue against the suggestion at all, nodding his head, "To accept is more respectful than to decline courteously."
In fact, in my very superficial and firm definition, when there are guests staying for a meal, then that means there will be great dishes, which also means, delicious.
Alright, I admit I am indeed a food lover. ╮(╯▽╰)╭
Sitting at the round table that isn't big, but is suitable for a small banquet, I feel very happy, because each dish coming one after another, are all well rounded in looks, scent and taste, the most important thing being, most of them are meat, my favourite, my most desired, meat.
I'm already not listening to the two people's pleasantries, my eyes set on those mouth-watering dishes. I am not one to like those light and bland dishes, I especially love those rich, colourful and juicy ones, all this, braised pork belly, sweet and sour ribs, fried pork fillet slices with sweet and sour sauce, which of these are not my favourite?
Yuwen Rui, you indeed know me best.
All dishes have finally been served, when Meng Shao Jue opposite me, suddenly speaks with a smile: "Looks like Gentleman Yuwen really knows Fifth Princess very well, these are all what Princess likes to eat."
I look down, Yuwen Rui knowing what I like to eat is no surprise, but why are you speaking like you also know very well too?
Yuwen Rui's voice follows after, indifferent, carrying the means of helplessness, "This lass has been a meat eater since young, should there be a meal with no meat, she wouldn't even touch her chopsticks, unable to change no matter what is said. So I simply go by her likings, as long as she's happy."
The meaning in Meng Shao Jue's long and narrow phoenix eyes is unclear, "Gentleman Yuwen sure treats this younger sister with great care and love, such strong and deep feelings between brother and sister is very rare, Princess truly is fortunate, to have such an older cousin that spoils you so much."
Eh, is this my misconception? Why do I feel like there's an underlying meaning in his praising?
Yuwen Rui slightly narrows his fox eyes, the smile at his lips unchanging, "Naturally, having such a lovable younger cousin, of course I cannot help but to cherish her. Don't just see her dull nature, in fact, she has quite the temper running deep in her, if unfamiliar to her, she would simply not spare you a glance, nor does she accept the nice treatment from others, truly a lass that does not know to accept favours."
"Oh?" Meng Shao Jue's ink-deep eyes is touched with a smile, "I'm afraid it is but a matter of time, after a while, she will know who is really nice to her."
Yuwen Rui's good-looking face is completely unaffected, "Perhaps......that is the case. Look at this, only focused on speaking, we've forgotten to touch our chopsticks, Gentleman Meng don't constrain yourself, please."
Meng Shao Jue lightly nods, "Then I shall not hold back."
I suck in a breath from the side, feeling that these two people truly are boring, being courteous back and forth, being pretentious back and forth, speaking with hidden meanings, replying with hidden meanings, really are boring, nonsense, meaningless.
Just as I was about to grab a sweet and sour rib with my chopsticks, Yuwen Rui's chopsticks had already been brought to my bowl, a piece of crispy rib is thus securely lying on top of my white rice, I raise my eyes to cast a few glances at him, only to see him give me a bit of several other dishes with extreme familiarity, the intimate action with no trace of avoidance is absolutely not met with any hesitance or pauses caused by Meng Shao Jue's presence. As for me, I am saved from the effort, as I lower my head in preparation to eat the rib, but that Meng Shao Jue truly is a restless one, look at this, just has to open his mouth to speak again.
"En, Princess, wasn't your stomach not feeling very well these past few days, it's best to eat less of such oily food." Meng Shao Jue says with extreme consideration.
Right after Meng Shao Jue had spoken, Yuwen Rui's action comes to a stop, then coldly looks at me and says: "Stomach not well? Don't tell me you ate some sort of unclean thing, have I not told you before that the food outside are not reliable, you just never listen do you, now you know that you must pay attention to this in future?"
I blankly look at him, I'm innocent, when the heck did my stomach not feel well, my body is great and strong, whatever I eat is delicious to the mouth.
Meng Shao Jue's long and slender finger uses the jade chopsticks to pick up a little green vegetable, "Princess liking to eat meat is a good thing, but sometimes you still have to try other things, perhaps the taste would bring to you endless aftertastes, more so than meat."
I solemnly say to him: "I love meat." So don't mention any other food to me.
I raise my chopstick, preparing to grab a rib from my bowl, only to find that my bowl of rice, filled with different types of meat, had unknowingly become a clean bowl of white rice, I then turn my head, unsurprisingly seeing my own bowl sat in front of Yuwen Rui.
"Since Young Master Meng says your stomach has been unwell, you will eat some vegetables today." He points at those few plates of emerald green vegetables.
Meng Shao Jue also lazily narrows his phoenix eyes and chimes in, "En, how about Princess have a taste."
I look at the two of them back and forth, finally deciding to ignore them. Just that when I was about to grab my target, there would always be someone's chopsticks who gets it before me, then snatches away 'the flesh of my heart'. (Flesh of my heart or 心上肉 / xīn shàng ròu - the character for flesh also shares the meaning of meat - another play on word to show that she's so attached to meat that taking it from her is like taking a piece of her heart)
Yuwen Rui's long fox eyes indifferently looks at me, neither warm nor cold as he says: "What, did you not hear Young Master Meng's words, you never know if other tastes are better than that of meat."
As the saying goes, do not do something more than three times, the first time I temperately tolerated it, the second time I temperately looked over it, the third time I hold back my temper in ignoring it, the fourth time......
I rapidly snatch back my own bowl from him, hurriedly stuffing the rib into my mouth, slowly chewing it up, not caring for the widely different looks I got from the two handsome men.
I spit out the bone, steadily looking at Meng Shao Jue, saying: "I only love meat."
A cold flash sweeps past Meng Shao Jue's face, followed by an arousal of interest as he lowers his phoenix eyes, "Oh? You only love meat? I for one, am looking forward to a day Princess falls in love with another dish......"
I once again spit out a completely clean bone, flatly affirming, "I, only love meat."
Yuwen Rui suddenly starts to chuckle, speaking in a pampering tone that carries helplessness, "My sister is very stubborn, how laughable to Gentleman Meng."
"How could I possibly, this is precisely what makes Princess adorable." Meng Shao Jue smiles as though he doesn't mind, "Just that, it is simply too fascinating if there's someone in this world who is so adamantly faithful to one, I hope that Princess will be that fascinating existence."
An unclear feeling flashes past Yuwen Rui's long fox eyes, "Then, we shall wait and see."
I bite onto a piece of rib thinking, indeed, the clash of you two king meet king, means misfortune for me.
Because, the dishes have all gone cold. (-_-###)
Not long after finishing lunch, Meng Shao Jue stands and bids his leave, saying to me before he did so, "Ying Lu is not yet aware of your situation, I think, it is better for you to tell her yourself."
I think this guy's words are reasonable, regarding Ying Lu, I must find an opportunity to clearly explain myself to her.
After snapping out of a daze, Meng Shao Jue had already left, Yuwen Rui is sat on the chair at the side, holding a teacup as he takes a sip every now and then, I walk up to his side, grabbing a peach from the plate, just as I was about to bite into it, I hear him say: "Ah-Lan, it's about time for you to return."
I understand, presuming that Father Emperor has already almost recovered."Oh."
He suddenly pulls my cheek with one hand, asking: "You really only love to eat meat?"
That abnormally twisted mouth of mine spits out a sound of, "Mm."
He slightly narrows his eyes, "Mm?"
I say: "Perhaps."
He raises his brows: "Perhaps?"
I then say: "Supposedly."
His tone slightly rises, "Supposedly?"
Fine then, "En."
He lets go, elegantly drinking a mouthful of tea, "En."
I silently look at the refined and handsome man in front of me, feeling extremely depressed at heart.
Heng, black bellies, I just can't get used to you all.
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