Good Night, Mr. Ghost - Chapter 101

The maids entered one by one, carrying trays and placing the dishes on the table.

The meal was quite lavish.

Steamed egg with shrimp, sweet and sour ribs, corn and pork hock soup, red-braised pork meatballs, blanched rapeseed greens with hot oil dressing, and scrambled eggs with green peppers.

There was also a small, delicate white steamed bun.

Six dishes for two people seemed a bit extravagant.

But each portion wasn’t large.

The Prince Regent and Meng Loudi took their seats.

The round table wasn’t big, and with Loudi deliberately sitting close, they were quite near each other.

Jiang Chenyi had just finished looking at some confusing things, and his mind was in turmoil.

Meng Loudi, as if nothing had happened, naturally served a bowl of soup to Chenyi, saying, “What are you thinking about? Let’s eat. Don’t you like these dishes?”

“Ah, yes.” Jiang Chenyi awkwardly picked up his chopsticks. Indeed, the dishes on the table were all his favorites.

So, Prince Fu’an really put a lot of thought into this.

Ah, he might as well just go along with it.

Jiang took the bowl of soup from Loudi’s hand.

After all, he had no reason to refuse.

Meng Loudi watched the young man eat uneasily, refraining from mentioning anything else, gently serving him food as if nothing had happened.

Although acting so hastily wasn’t his usual style, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

He needed to have Chenyi, to satisfy his own desires.

Even if it might scare him.

After the meal, the palace attendants cleared the dishes and silently left.

Meng Loudi watched the young man, who was holding a picture album and lost in thought, and said gently, “I’ll go read the memorials first. Chenyi, feel free to do as you like. If you don’t want to look at these, you can read other books.”

Jiang Chenyi lowered his head even further, murmuring, “Um, Prince…”

“What is it?”

“Is there any balm…?” The young man’s head dropped lower, as if he was too embarrassed to speak.

The Prince Regent was momentarily surprised, then smiled knowingly, “Balm? There’s some in the hot spring pool.”

“Okay.” Jiang, clutching the picture album, hurried towards the hot spring pool.

He really couldn’t take it anymore; if this continued, he might just die of embarrassment.

He had actually asked such a… question.

Jiang lifted the curtain, leaned against a pillar, and sat on the ground.

Looking at the picture album in his arms, his heart raced.

But if he were to do those things with Prince Fu’an, it might actually be quite pleasant.

He did like the prince, after all.

With his noble status, exceptional looks, eloquent speech, and even a body that seemed meticulously crafted.

Could anyone not like such a perfect person?

Jiang rubbed his face, trying to calm himself down. No matter what, he had to get through this hurdle first.

What should he do?

Meng Loudi watched Jiang Chenyi flee, standing there for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Had he accepted it?

Had he finally given up struggling after figuring it out?

So adorable.

He elegantly walked towards the desk, feeling a bit expectant.

After some time, Jiang Chenyi felt it was about time.

He wasn’t sure how long a man needed to prepare, but…

It was better to be ready early.

Jiang Chenyi cleaned himself in the bath barrel, then looked at the cabinet. Draping himself in a robe, he stepped out of the bath barrel and walked to the cabinet, examining the bottles and jars.

One wooden box had some words engraved on it.

[Jade Dew]

For some reason, he suddenly remembered that night when Meng Loudi had brought him over, and the Prince Regent had teased him, saying: “Jade dew teases the flower’s grace.”

Was it this?

The young man swallowed, trembling as he took it down.

Meng Loudi was reading the last few memorials when he suddenly heard a pained groan.

Startled, he tossed the memorial aside and rushed towards the hot spring pool.

There, he saw the young man kneeling on the ground, the wooden box opened beside him.

The young man’s clothes were disheveled, tears in his eyes as he looked at Loudi, at a loss.

Everything was in disarray.

“Prince, I…”

He hadn’t expected it to be so difficult; he simply couldn’t do it.

Meng Loudi took a breath, pushing his long hair back to reveal a face exuding a predatory allure, “This is maddening.”

“Ah.”

“Couldn’t you wait a little longer? It was almost over. Were you deliberately trying to seduce me?” Meng Loudi strode over, picking up the box of balm with one hand and grabbing the young man’s wrist with the other, dragging him into the bedroom.

Jiang Chenyi stumbled behind him, feeling a bit panicked, and couldn’t help but call out, “Loudi?”

Meng Loudi paused, taking a breath.

“Really, ah, as expected…”

Jiang Chenyi sensed a dangerous aura from him.

He looked at Loudi timidly, “What’s wrong?”

“Get on the bed.” Meng Loudi didn’t look at him, just commanded.

“Okay.”

Prince Fu’an looked at the obedient young man and sighed again, “You brought this on yourself.”

Obedient, compliant, without resistance.

So, you invited this.

The man’s body loomed over him.

Jiang closed his eyes nervously.

The next day, Meng Loudi once again flamboyantly skipped the morning court session.

The reason lay in the person in his arms.

Although he had cleaned up thoroughly afterward, the young man still had a fever.

Now, for Meng Loudi, nothing was more important than this person, so naturally, he wouldn’t attend the morning court.

He held Chenyi tightly.

The warmth of his body made Jiang Chenyi even hotter.

The young man, feeling dizzy, suddenly remembered something. Perhaps emboldened by sleep, he asked, “Prince, weren’t you… unable to?”

Meng Loudi chuckled softly, placing a kiss on his forehead, “Those are just rumors, not to be believed.”

“Oh.” Jiang pulled the blanket up to his chin.

He had thought it was true, but it turned out to be false.

Heaven knows how vividly those rumors were painted.

Meng Loudi looked at the quiet young man and couldn’t help but say, “From now on, just call me Loudi. Don’t call me Prince anymore.”

“Loudi.”

“Yes.” The Prince Regent replied with a smile.

Jiang Chenyi’s face began to heat up again. He looked at Loudi and asked, “Aren’t you going to the morning court today?”

Judging by the sunlight outside, it seemed quite late.

“No, missing one person won’t matter.” Meng Loudi’s eyes were filled with tenderness.

“Oh.” Jiang lowered his gaze, his heart in turmoil.

“Still tired? Get some more sleep.” He reached out, brushing the young man’s hair gently.

The young man pursed his lips, “I’m okay.”

“Then stay with me a little longer.” Meng Loudi hugged his waist, nuzzling him, his tone unconsciously carrying a hint of coquettishness.

“Okay.” Jiang Chenyi’s heart softened.

After the events of last night, their relationship had truly changed.

The young man’s breathing gradually steadied.

Meng Loudi opened his eyes.

Although reluctant, he couldn’t indulge in such things.

The warmth of the bed was tempting, but he couldn’t neglect his duties.

The Prince Regent got up, dressing quietly. Looking at the person on the bed, his heart felt full.

Initially, it had felt strange.

After bringing him back, things had developed beyond expectations.

Being invaded by another in his own space.

But now, this feeling wasn’t so bad?

Meng Loudi leaned down, planting a kiss on Chenyi’s forehead, and left the bedroom.

Outside, Qingxiu was waiting.

The Prince Regent, with a calm demeanor, asked, “Have you found it?”

“Yes, My Lord, the Xiongnu¹ spy is at General Jiu’s Mansion.”

“Speak.” He walked forward at a leisurely pace.

Qingxiu and four others followed behind, “Arrived three days ago. It’s said there’s an exotic woman at General Jiu’s Mansion, and General Jiu has connected with the Xiongnu through her.”

Meng Loudi smirked, “Is that so? General Jiu hasn’t started preparing yet, has he?”

“No, My Lord. It’s said that in two days, General Jiu’s wife will host a banquet.”

“Is that so? That’s quite convenient.” Meng Loudi headed towards Meng Xiujin’s Wankang Palace, “Then let me see who dares to challenge the Song Dynasty’s rule.”

The man stepped into the palace, greeted by the sight of a young man writing diligently.

The young emperor, dressed in a golden robe, looked up at the sound of the door opening, “Uncle?”

“Yes, I came to see you.” He gestured to the soft chair nearby.

A red-clad guard swiftly unfurled a piece of white silk from a bamboo tube, spreading it over the chair.

Once done, the Prince Regent nodded, and the guard retreated.

The young emperor wasn’t surprised.

He was used to such things.

Meng Loudi sat in the chair, leaning back lazily, and asked expressionlessly, “Did they say anything since I didn’t attend today?”

“Say what?” The young emperor frowned, “Nonsense.”

He didn’t like others speaking ill of Meng Loudi.

Others might not know, but he did.

In this world, the only person he could fully trust was his uncle.

Meng Loudi nodded, “Oh, then let it be.”

He wasn’t concerned.

Once Meng Xiujin could take on his responsibilities, he would naturally step back.

He had no interest in rumors.

“Uncle, why did you come today?”

Meng Xiujin tilted his head, curious.

Usually, his uncle wouldn’t seek him out unless it was for assessments, and failure meant punishment.

“Oh, tonight, come to my place for dinner. There’s someone I want you to meet.” Meng Loudi said casually.

Jiang Chenyi was special to him, so naturally, he wanted his only nephew to meet him.

Meng Xiujin was his only blood relative now.

“Who is it?!” The young emperor was intrigued.

When did his uncle meet someone he didn’t know?!

Or was it the person he saw that day?

“Don’t ask too much. You’ll know when the time comes. Now, let’s see how well you’ve been studying these past few days.”

“…” Meng Xiujin looked resigned, putting down his pen.

As expected, nothing had changed.

Footnote:

1. Xiongnu(匈奴):An ancient nomadic people who inhabited the Eurasian Steppe, north of China. They were frequent adversaries of various Chinese dynasties, particularly during the Han Dynasty.