Chapter 61: Temple Fair 4

You have a lot of friends, but the first one you introduced was somewhat better. By the way, where did he go? How come we haven't seen him since?
"He—" Suddenly, a wall of flesh blocked her view, and Yu Qingyan couldn't help but frown.
"Master He."
He Haozhuo forced a smile and glanced at him. Why did it seem like Gu Yan's friends were all so unfriendly?
"May I ask how this—gentleman should be addressed?"
Chu Yuchuan did not answer. "Zuo Xuan, there are so many people on the street. Why haven't you escorted Master He back to his residence yet?"
"Yes, Your Highness, this subordinate will do it right away."
"Zuo Xuan." Yu Qingyan stepped forward. Zuo Xuan paused slightly, looking toward Chu Yuchuan.
Xiao Liu, who was standing beside He Haozhuo, lost his temper. "Who do you think you are? Our young master will go back whenever he pleases. It's none of your business!"
"Zuo Xuan, what are you still standing there for!"
Yu Qingyan glared at him before turning to He Haozhuo. "You should head back first. We'll meet another day."
"But—"
Yu Qingyan reached out and took an object from Xiao Liu's arms. "I'll accept this. Thank you."
He Haozhuo's eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll head back first. I just bought this person—it looks quite pretty, hehe. I'm leaving now."

After seeing He Haozhuo off, Yu Qingyan lowered her head and tore open the paper bag containing the figurine. The person in her hand was unmistakably molded in her own likeness.
Yu Qingyan couldn't help but chuckle. This He Haozhuo...
Beside her, Chu Yuchuan's expression darkened. Chu Shiyao had been watching for a long time and had sensed something was amiss, but clearly, this was a man. "Brother Chuan—"
Chu Yuchuan flicked his sleeve and walked away. Yu Qingyan picked up the figurine in her hand and gave it a lick. It was sweet, and the taste wasn't bad; she did have a sweet tooth. Then she lowered her head and took an unceremonious bite.
Zuo Xuan glanced over secretly, thinking that the Princess Consort was truly savage. The head was already gone, and she had just bitten off her own likeness...
The temple fair snacks began with human-shaped figurines. Ignoring the lovey-dovey display of the two people ahead of her, Yu Qingyan ate her way through the street stalls. Lacking the heavy chemical additives and preservatives of modern times, these treats had a more rustic charm. The taste was passable, and overall quite good.
"I'm heading back first. You two carry on."
"Where are you going?"
"Back to the manor, of course."
Chu Yuchuan frowned. "Shiyao, I must leave now. You can continue looking around by yourself."
"There's no need. I'll take my leave first."
Without waiting for a reply, Yu Qingyan turned and walked away. Behind her, Chu Yuchuan quickly caught up. "Qingyan."
"..."
Chu Yuchuan sighed softly and silently followed behind her.

By the time they returned to the estate, noon had long since passed. Meixiang and Luju had already laid out lunch, but she had long since eaten her fill. Chu Yuchuan, having followed her, hadn't eaten much either.
Yu Qingyan said nothing, and Chu Yuchuan remained silent as well, making the atmosphere somewhat stiff.
Yu Qingyan looked out the window. The winter sunlight seemed decent enough, so she simply decided to go outside and scrambled up onto the rooftop in a few swift movements. The warm winter sun felt truly pleasant shining down on her.
Lying halfway across the tiles, she turned her thoughts to the mental cultivation technique given to her by Gu Jinshi. Lately, Chu Yuchuan had been haunting her like a ghost, leaving her with little energy to devote to this matter. There were still many parts of it she didn't understand, and she would have to ask him the next time she ran into Gu Jinshi.
Chu Yuchuan did not follow her up. He stood in the courtyard, staring blankly at a few clumps of emerald bamboo in front of the yard.
"Your Highness."
Chu Yuchuan took the slip of paper that Zuo Xuan handed to him.
"Tell Zuo Shen to be careful."
"This subordinate understands."
At dinnertime, Yu Qingyan glanced at Chu Yuchuan sitting beside her. "Why aren't you eating?"
"Not hungry."
"..." Yu Qingyan didn't eat much either. Throughout the entire afternoon, the only words the two of them had exchanged were those few spoken just moments ago.