Nan Yunze woke up in the study room the next morning.
The sunlight pierced through the window, stinging his eyes. After sobering up, his head was splitting with pain.
He rubbed his aching temples and pressed on his neck that had grown numb after a night of leaning forward.
He got up and called for someone to bring water to wash, dress, and tidy the room.
The servant boy came in from outside, a worried look on his face.
"Master, are you feeling better?"
Nan Yunze endured his headache and responded with a faint "Mm."
The servant boy continued.
"Master, Maternal Aunt Tan came again yesterday; I didn’t dare let her in!"
Nan Yunze was somewhat surprised.
"She came?"
Servant boy: "..."
You refused her yourself, my lord!
But given that the master was drunk yesterday, it’s normal for him not to remember.
The servant boy then described in detail what Nan Yunze did yesterday.
Though it was quite absurd, and although... it wasn’t his style at all, however...
Nan Yunze felt no remorse nor did he intend to comfort anyone.
He simply instructed.
"No need to stop her if she comes again!"
The servant boy nodded in agreement and then asked.
"Master, where will you have breakfast?"
Nan Yunze pondered for a moment, initially wanting to say in the study.
But thinking of the rumors that were getting more heated recently, he felt a surge of anger and gritted his teeth saying.
"The main courtyard!"
The servant boy gasped.
"Yes!"
Then turned around to make arrangements.
...
Yilan had been living quite comfortably lately.
With these rumors causing the old madam’s annoyance, she even skipped the morning and evening greetings.
At the moment, she was happily sleeping in.
"County Princess, County Princess, something’s wrong!" Li Hua rushed in.
Yilan turned over, not even opening her eyes, sounding very impatient.
"What’s wrong now!"
"If the sky falls, there’s someone taller to hold it up, why panic!"
She was completely indifferent now.
Nan Yunze wants to take a concubine? Fine, take as many as you like!
The old madam wants to force pregnancy? Fine, I’ll resist secretly with a sea lantern.
The servants gossiping? Fine, I’ll just not listen.
Besides making her mother lose face a bit, she had no regrets at all.
When the storm comes, she blocks, if she can’t block she hides, if she can’t hide she simply bears it, if she can’t bear it she simply won’t listen.
If worse comes to worst, she’ll divorce and then go live a monastic life with Wei Yu.
She has her salary and her land, won’t starve to death in her lifetime, and from then she’ll be free to do whatever she wants.
If she likes pretty boys she’ll flirt with them, if she likes traveling she’ll travel, if she likes eating or drinking she’ll do as she pleases, no one will control her anymore.
The thought of such a life was already tempting, so what was there to be afraid of?
Of course, she was not afraid, Li Hua wasn’t as enlightened.
She hurriedly spoke.
"County Princess, the Master Prince is coming here, and wants to have breakfast with you!"
"The servants are already bringing in the dishes, please get up quickly!"
Yilan was taken aback for a moment but soon regained her composure.
"If he’s coming, he’s coming. Just tell him the truth, won’t you?"
Previously, she maintained their relationship out of courtesy and pride, but now it was unnecessary.
If he wants to eat here, let him.
If he wants her company, let him wait.
If he wants her to get up right now to welcome him? Sorry, no way!
Li Hua was a bit anxious.
"County Princess!"
"I’m worried about you!"
"The Master Prince might be very angry; I’m afraid he might be harmful to you!"
Yilan scoffed lightly.
"Harmful? How harmful could he be! He won’t resort to violence!"
"But... if he does resort to violence, that’s great, I could immediately report it to the Empress and request a divorce!"
In matters regarding the marriage of royal women, the Empress has the right to intervene.
And the Empress is wise and righteous, despises men hitting women, so...
If he indeed resorts to violence, it would suit her perfectly.
Li Hua couldn’t argue with her master, so she had to turn around and leave.
First, arrange the breakfast and then talk.
Yilan, on the other hand... turned over and continued sleeping, letting it be!
...
When Nan Yunze entered, Yilan was still blissfully asleep.
His face darkened on the spot.
"County Princess, you are quite elegant!"
Yilan lazily turned her head over and replied with a playful smile.
"Stayed up late reading last night, slept in a bit today, why... Does the Master Prince have business?"
Nan Yunze was momentarily speechless, holding back for a while before saying.
"Can’t I come without any business?"
After saying that, he sat down at the exquisite round table outside.
The delicate dishes were brought one by one, the aroma of delicious food instantly filled the room.
Feeling a bit stuck, Nan Yunze had no choice but to sit down and eat with little enthusiasm.