Chapter 19: What Does That Mean?

By the time the carriage stopped at the Third Prince’s residence, dusk was falling. Back in the main hall, the kitchen promptly served dinner. Rhode sat at the large table, idly prodding a glossy roast with a silver fork. It came with an unfamiliar berry sauce, delicate pastries and thick soup.

His first day after transmigration had certainly been eventful.

He cut off a piece of meat and chewed, frowning. The prince’s food looked abundant and refined, but something was missing. The seasoning was monotonous: salt and the flat sweetness of berries, with no layers of flavor or complex aromas from spices.

Perhaps that was a limitation of the era. If an imperial prince ate like this, commoners outside probably had little better than wood shavings. Dry bread and cold water might count as a good meal.

Rhode rubbed his stomach. In other novels, a transmigrator could introduce monosodium glutamate, brew soy sauce or make hot pot and skewers, take the capital’s commercial streets by storm and earn a fortune. He smacked his lips and put the tempting thought aside. His body was weak enough to be blown over, and two loving brothers wanted him dead. Money and business would have to wait. Staying alive and restoring his health came first.

He sighed, tossed his toothpick onto the table and looked across the hall. Hongye had her back to him, bent over as she wiped a floor vase half her height. She still wore the ridiculous maid’s uniform his predecessor had designed. The skirt barely covered her when she stood; now it had ridden much higher.

He stared. *What a figure.* For all his predecessor’s sins, the man had possessed a sharp eye. Having enjoyed the view, Rhode decided not to curse the unfortunate prince this once.

“Nice assets,” he blurted.

The book in Hongye’s hand dropped with a slap. She spun around, wary. “What?”

“Nothing.” He coughed and beckoned. “Come here.”

She stayed where she was, her face going gray. She twisted her skirt in both hands. He had spoken so grandly in the carriage about self-restraint, yet before it was even dark he was showing his true colors. Not a punctuation mark in a scoundrel’s words could be trusted.

She took a deep breath and approached with heavy steps, resignation in her eyes. “What game do you want to play, Your Highness? On the bed, or here in the chair? Shall I fetch something from the trunk?” Her fingers rested on the tie at her waist.

Her readiness to face the worst startled Rhode. He shrank back and waved. “What are you doing? Put your hands down! Who said anything about a game?”

She stopped, suspicious. “Then why did you call me over?”

“I was a bastard before. I admit it.” He waved irritably, getting to the point. “This is business. From tomorrow, don’t wear that outfit.”

Hongye froze. “What should I wear?” Then her face changed and she covered her chest. “You… you don’t mean nothing at all?”

“Of course not!” Rhode jumped up. “Can you think of your master as a little more normal? Wear whatever you like! Go to a tailor in town and choose. The other maids can do the same. Tell them I’ve grown tired of the old look.”

Hongye stared, mouth slightly open.

“Also,” he continued, “I saw what you could do in the prison. Clear thinking, orderly notes. From now on you’re responsible for the residence’s accounts and finances. You’ll be the chief steward.”

Hongye looked at him, then at her hands. At last she found her voice. “You… don’t have a fever, do you?”

“Watch your mouth.”

She stepped closer, still disbelieving. “I don’t have to wear that outfit?”

“Correct.”

“And I don’t have to… do that?”

Rhode spread his hands innocently. “Do I look like that’s what I want?”

Hongye opened her mouth but no words came. She lowered her head, shoulders trembling. Rhode’s heart tightened. After all she had endured, being treated like a person might have brought her to tears. He searched for something comforting to say, but she looked up with a brilliant smile she couldn’t suppress.

“Your Highness.” Her voice shook slightly, though its familiar edge returned. “If you’ve been replaced by someone else, blink.”

Rhode obliged, blinking twice with great seriousness.

Hongye burst out laughing and covered her mouth. Her eyes shone. She stepped back, turned and headed for the door, almost flying.

“Where are you going?” Rhode called.

“To find the ledgers!” she replied without looking back, unable to contain her excitement. “I’ll have a detailed account for you tomorrow morning! I was only a servant before, so I didn’t feel I could say anything. Do you know how much you’ve borrowed these past few years? Selling this residence might not cover the hole!”

Rhode watched her rush away and shook his head with a smile. At the door, Hongye stopped and turned. “Your Highness?”

“Mm?” He raised his cup.

“That thing you said… ‘assets.’ What did you mean?”

Rhode nearly choked on his water. He put the cup down and looked out the window. “Ahem… I’ll teach you another day.”