C5. Over the Shoulder.
Nice figure.
Yuan Li's mind drifted for a moment in envy, then he furrowed his handsome brow.
He keenly sensed Chu Hechao's suspicion towards him.
What exactly is Chu Hechao suspicious of him?
The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, and the courtyard of Wending Courtyard was silent.
The night in March was not as cold as the end of winter. The servant watched as Yuan Li's nose turned red from the wind and quietly closed the door.
With a creak, Yuan Li snapped back to reality.
Yuan Li couldn't figure out what connection he had with Chu Hechao. He was only eighteen this year, still two years away from coming of age.
Even though he had done some things secretly in Ruyang County, it wasn't to the extent that would arouse Chu Hechao's suspicion. Besides, Chu Hechao had just returned to Luoyang, so when would they have had a chance to become enemies?
In terms of reputation, Yuan Li was highly regarded. In terms of duty, Yuan Li was willing to fulfill Chu Hechao's brother's wishes for good luck. Even in terms of relationship, Yuan Li was Chu Hechao's sister-in-law.
Yuan Li couldn't fathom the situation, but at the moment, Chu Hechao wasn't important. What mattered was the soap formula in his mind.
Thinking of the soap formula, Yuan Li felt excited.
He said, "Lintian, lock the door."
Lintian quickly ran out, and soon the main gate of Wending Courtyard was tightly shut.
In the candlelit bedroom, Yuan Li dismissed others and, alone by the candlelight, silently wrote down the soap formula on paper. After finishing the writing, he set the paper on fire.
The rewards from the system had been treated with great humanity, turning into something that could be produced in the current era. From making simple soaps to more complex ones, every step was detailed.
Even the most ordinary soap in modern times was superior to the widely used wood ash and soapberry in this era.
The paper turned to ashes, falling on the table. The candle flame flickered for a while, then gradually died down.
Yuan Li let out a sigh, blowing out the candle, his heart filled with excitement, he lay down on the bed.
The soap had a pleasant fragrance, pure white and delicate. By carving it into exquisite shapes like plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, it would surely gain a foothold among the literati and aristocrats.
However, for Yuan Li at present, both soap and white sugar were not easily accessible.
The world was too chaotic now, without guarantees, it was like a child holding gold coins in a crowded market.
The double-layered bed curtains woven with red gauze gently swayed, the sachets hanging at the four corners of the bed frame emitted a pleasant fragrance.
Yuan Li couldn't sleep, swatting away mosquitoes and pondering on things on the bed.
The best option now was to cooperate with the Prince Chu Mansion.
He had already "married" into the Prince Chu Mansion, that was a fact. Even if Chu Mingfeng passed away, the relationship between him and the Prince Chu Mansion would not easily be severed.
In the eyes of outsiders, he was already a part of the Prince Chu Mansion.
Yuan Li himself knew that working with the Prince Chu Mansion was the best outcome.
But the way Chu Hechao treated him made Yuan Li hesitate.
However, Yuan Li quickly realized and laughed helplessly, patting his forehead, "Yuan Li, you're really foolish."
The person in charge of the Prince Chu Mansion was not Chu Hechao, but the frail old guard, Chu Mingfeng. Even if Chu Hechao disliked him, what could he do?
As long as Yuan Li was his sister-in-law, he had to address him as such. They say, an elder brother is like a father, an elder sister-in-law like a mother. If Chu Mingfeng really couldn't handle it in the future, Yuan Li could easily become Chu Hechao's father!
In terms of seniority, what was there to worry about?
Yuan Li's mind suddenly cleared, a smile forming on his lips as he drifted into a contented slumber.
The next morning.
Yuan Li was awakened by his internal clock. After washing up, he went for his daily morning run.
The Prince Chu Mansion was grand, with small bridges and flowing water, bamboo gardens and courtyards, willows swaying, rocks and springs arranged naturally. Yuan Li jogged around the vicinity of Wending Courtyard, breaking into a light sweat.
The ancient air was cool and refreshing, with a higher oxygen content than in the future. Yuan Li stood by the pond, stretching his muscles, his delicate face dampened by the moisture, tiny droplets forming on his hair.
As he walked around the lake, Yuan Li heard the crisp clash of weapons in the distance.
His ears perked up, and he followed the sound to the training ground.
In the spacious and leveled training ground, someone was practicing with a sword, their bare arms glistening in the sunlight.
With tan skin, muscles rippling on their back like mountain ranges as they moved, a narrow waist tucked into their pants. Beads of sweat clung to their back, dripping slowly down.
It was Chu Hechao.
Upon hearing footsteps, Chu Hechao lazily looked back while holding the sword handle, his eyes carrying the morning chill.
Seeing Yuan Li, his expression remained unchanged as he turned back to pull out the sword from the target, resuming his movements.
Yuan Li wasn't important to him.
Yuan Li didn't mind, observing with interest the intensity of Chu Hechao's training. While managing logistics, he occasionally oversaw military training and knew exactly how each individual should train, the optimal training quantity, and the limits.
Regardless of their talents, everyone had strengths and weaknesses in a unified training program. If there was a versatile talent, they would be a prized asset.
Chu Hechao, known as the Northern Zhou War God, had remarkable achievements. Yuan Li anticipated his remarkable physical fitness. At first, his expression was calm, but as time passed, Yuan Li could no longer hide his astonishment.
This was too exaggerated.
A normal person would have reached their limit by now. But Chu Hechao seemed unchanged, only breathing heavily and sweat soaking his waistband, yet each swing of his arm remained sharp and swift as at the beginning.
Half an hour passed unnoticed, and Yuan Li's forehead glistened with a thin layer of sweat. He felt that continuing to watch would only undermine his self-confidence, so he turned to leave.
Clang!
A steel sword flashing with cold light plunged into the ground in front of Yuan Li, smashing the grasses and sinking half of its blade into the earth, its body trembling lightly.
Yuan Li halted in his tracks.
Chu Hechao's voice came from behind, tinged with danger, "Sister-in-law has been watching for so long, what are you looking at?"
Not wanting to argue with him at that moment, Yuan Li pretended not to hear and swiftly walked around the blade, preparing to leave. However, a hot hand suddenly landed on his shoulder, gripping with force as if trying to crush his bones.
"Sister-in-law," he sneered, "where are you going?"
Yuan Li instinctively grabbed the arm and performed a shoulder throw. Chu Hechao's expression changed for a moment, but quickly caught Yuan Li's neck. As they fell to the ground, Yuan Li too was brought down by the immense force.
His mouth hit Chu Hechao's arm, tasting a mouthful of the salty blood, scraping his flesh and leaving blood in his mouth.
"Ouch."
Yuan Li's teeth ached from the impact with the hard muscle, his nose also taking a hit, making his tear ducts sting momentarily.
A hand yanked Yuan Li by the back collar roughly, pulling him up. Chu Hechao's face turned pale, about to say something when he saw Yuan Li's pale face as he covered his lips, traces of blood on his lips and chin, his eyes seemingly filled with a layer of moisture from the pain.
"..."
Chu Hechao's expression was strange, mocking and disdainful, "Sister-in-law, did you cry from the pain of cutting your lip?"
The blood on Yuan Li's mouth was from Chu Hechao. He wiped his mouth and mumbled, "No."
Chu Hechao didn't believe him, staring at Yuan Li for a moment, then let out a sneer and, unwilling to bother Yuan Li any longer, he picked up the knife and returned to the training ground.
Yuan Li watched his figure inexplicably.
He sniffed, the soreness in his nose gradually fading away, the moisture in his eyes suddenly disappearing completely. Yuan Li rubbed his nose again, spat out a couple of blood specks, unable to bear the taste of blood in his mouth, he turned and quickly walked back to Wending Courtyard to rinse his mouth.
In the evening.
A servant came to call Yuan Li for dinner. When Yuan Li arrived in the main hall, two tables had been prepared.
At the central table sat the Prince Chu and Chu Hechao, while the other table was separated by a landscape screen and occupied by three lady masters led by Yang shi and three young ladies of the Chu family of varying ages.
Yuan Li took a quick glance and politely withdrew his gaze, sitting beside the Princd Chu at his invitation.
Across from Yuan Li, Chu Hechao was nonchalantly swaying his tea bowl, broad shoulders held straight, his long legs almost stretching the length of the table. Hearing Yuan Li's movements, he lazily glanced at him, his eyes containing a mocking sneer.
Yuan Li's lips twitched.
He couldn't understand what Chu Hechao had imagined, how his arm got scraped by him, and yet here he was mocking him?
The Prince Chu was a warrior, acting with the straightforward and reckless charm of a warrior. He beckoned, "Quick, bring the food, I'm starving!"
Yuan Li apologized, "Apologies, Your Highness, blame it on me for being late."
"Li'er, it's not your fault," said Yang shi sitting on the other side nonchalantly, "It's the fault of the steward's incompetence, forgetting that our big son had gotten married yesterday, and we now have a legitimate master in our home. If they had not informed you in time, of course, you would be late."
Next to her, Lady Zhao's face blushed, half complaining and half wronged, "Madam, I've been too busy these days. The dinner time was fixed, and I forgot that young Master Yuan didn't know."
"You have indeed been quite busy these days," Yang shi turned to her, speaking warmly, "Since Feng'er has married, I'll leave the stewardship to Li'er. You and I can enjoy leisure together."
Surprised, Lady Zhao exclaimed, "Madam!"
Despite not being Prince Chu's official wife and initially a complete concubine. Lady Zhou had diligently managed the household during Yang shi's absence caring for Chu Mingfeng.
In ancient China, household management held significant importance, reflecting a woman's capability and status within the family. Having finally mastered this responsibility, relinquishing it wouldn't be easy for Lady Zhou.
How could she be willing?
She immediately raised her voice, "Prince, you--"
The Prince's impatient response, "Just do as Madam said."
Lady Zhao, likely sensing the tension and potential for further offense, wisely chooses silence.
Yuan Li, innocently pulled in, chuckled, "Madam, I'm not suitable..."
"Li'er, don't worry," Yang shi softened her tone but remained firm, "Since you're part of our family now, you'll have to learn these things sooner or later. I'll be with you every step of the way, it's all simple."
For Yuan Li, managing a mansion was indeed simple, matching another professional field.
With the conversation reaching this point, Yuan Li could only temporarily agree. Yang shi wouldn't be unaware of his deal with the Prince Chu Mansion for his education and career.
By speaking openly like this, she might be trying to reclaim the stewardship using his name.
As the conversation died down, the Prince Chu prompted, "Let's start eating."
The dishes on the table were plentiful. At that time, cooking with an iron wok wasn't prevalent, so meals were often steamed or boiled in clay pots, and the nobility also enjoyed some roasted dishes.
Regardless of steaming, boiling, or roasting, the flavors were similar. Due to the scarcity of spices, mainly soy sauce and salt were used, and the salt carried a hint of bitterness, leading to similar methods of handling ingredients.
When Yuan Li first arrived in this world, everything had adapted well except for the food habits. The meals at the Prince Chu Mansion didn't differ much from the common dishes in taste.
Due to the preciousness of the ingredients, they were handled more delicately, tasting better and more refined.
Especially a grilled meat dish, a meat soup, and a seasoned pork dish, all tasted excellent, so Yuan Li had more than his share.
During the meal, Yuan Li witnessed the Prince Chu and Chu Hechao's father-son dynamic eating habits.
The Prince Chu didn't adhere to the aristocratic eating etiquette, quickly finishing a bowl of rice and meat before asking for more rice. In contrast, Chu Hechao ate slowly and methodically, his movements not slower than his father's.
The father and son duo were hearty eaters, devouring the dishes rapidly, leaving only the bottom of the bowls.
Beside them, Yuan Li, accustomed to a slightly larger appetite due to his developmental phase, appeared somewhat indecisive.
Eventually, the Prince Chu slowed down and decided to converse, "Yuan, have you met my eldest son?"
Chu Hechao quietly ate, as if he hadn't heard.
Shaking his head, Yuan Li replied, "I haven't met the eldest son yet."
The Prince Chu stroked his beard, his aged face filled with a mix of affection and sorrow, "He's in poor health. He has never left the backyard since falling ill. If you have time, you should visit him more often. Feng'er likes talking to young people, and there are many scriptures to read with him. You know how precious scriptures are, I won't say more. Yesterday, I obtained a spot for you at the Imperial Academy. Before you start studying, visit him to read the scriptures, it will be very beneficial to you."
After earnestly listening, Yuan Li smiled lightly, "I'll keep that in mind, Your Highness."
Yang shi on the other side of the screen smiled and asked, "Li'er, how was your meal?"
"Madam, I had a satisfying meal," Yuan Li gently placed down his utensils, and immediately a servant brought a warm towel for him to clean his hands.
"That's good," Yang shi stretched her eyebrows and eyes, "Tomorrow is the day you return home, I have prepared everything for you. Since Feng'er can't accompany you back to Ruyang, let Ciye accompany you."
Yuan Li was surprised for a second, realizing, Ciye was referring to Chu Hechao.
His eyelids twitched, promptly declining, "General has just returned yesterday, he must rest well these days and can't accompany me back to Ruyang, right? It's only a hundred miles from Luoyang to Ruyang, I can return alone."
Yang shi didn't agree, saying, "That's not appropriate."
The Prince Chu jested, pointing at Chu Hechao, "Don't worry about him, this kid is very robust! He can run a thousand miles and recover in a night. Since he called you sister-in-law, you command him as you please!"
Chu Hechao's expression remained indifferent.
The attitudes of the Prince Chu and Yang shi towards Chu Mingfeng and Chu Hechao differed significantly.
Well, it was natural as the eldest son was physically weak yet intelligent and strategic, making his parents more concerned.
Yuan Li silently hoped that Chu Hechao would refuse, "General must have urgent matters and cannot accompany me to Ruyang, right?"
Chu Hechao raised his head, deep gaze, slightly pressed lips, but then suddenly smiled, the arch cold and icy, "What a coincidence, I've been thinking of visiting Ruyang County for a while."