Chapter 152 No Waste

Chapter 152: Can't Afford to Waste It

Zhou Mingqi rubbed his temples: "From tomorrow, both of you will go to Grand Tutor Lin and have your coursework doubled!"

Zhou Zhan: "!!!"

Zhou Yinyun: "???"

Cheng Ge, seeing he had finally brushed them off, breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly catching Yun Xunyu's enigmatic smirk, those phoenix eyes narrowing as if they could see through one's soul.

His heart skipped a beat, thinking that this creep was nothing like those two simpletons; he was more cunning than a hornet's nest.

It was best to leave this place quickly, slip away...

"Uh... didn't the Third Prince mention that the meal was ready? Then I should go eat first." With that, he bowed to Zhou Mingqi and the others, preparing to leave.

However, before he could take a few steps, Yun Xunyu grabbed him.

"What's the hurry, my dear?" With a gentle flick of his finger, Star Frost obediently slid back into Cheng Ge's sleeve.

Cheng Ge was about to sass this creep, but saw Yun Xunyu already crouching down, his slender fingers picking up the brocade boots from the floor.

Cheng Ge: "???" What's he up to now?

Yun Xunyu looked up, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye particularly enchanting in the candlelight: "Lift your foot."

Cheng Ge froze in place, his toes unconsciously curling up, saying nothing.

"What?" Yun Xunyu chuckled softly, "Wasn't my dear just in a hurry to eat?"

The gazes of everyone in the room were like needles pricking his back. Cheng Ge steeled himself and lifted his left foot.

Yun Xunyu's palm cradled his ankle, his fingertip accidentally grazing the sole, sending a shiver through him.

Cheng Ge: "!!!"

"Don't... the Third Prince is of noble birth," Cheng Ge's voice tightened. "I'd better do it myself..."

Yun Xunyu acted as if he hadn't heard, leisurely slipping on the silk sock and tying the boot lace.

As he rose, the tassel of his jade pendant swept across Cheng Ge's wrist bone: "The other one."

Cheng Ge's Adam's apple bobbed; he mechanically lifted his right foot.

Looking at the back of the head before him, he discreetly flipped him off with his toe.

Yun Xunyu noticed his little move and chuckled softly.

He gently pinched the plump big toe twice between his fingers.

Cheng Ge: "!!!"

*Damn it! If it weren't for the others, I'd shove this foot in your mouth and make you taste it!*

Cheng Ge, caught off guard by the sudden touch, stiffened all over, his toes instinctively curling up.

He tried to pull his foot back, but the other held his ankle firmly, immovable.

Zhou Zhan stared at Yun Xunyu's actions, his hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched for no reason.

He took half a step forward, then stopped dead, sneering: "The Third Prince is quite skilled at this menial work!"

Yun Xunyu shot him a glance and didn't deign to reply, continuing his movements.

"My dear saved our lives at the hunt, and now he's ill in bed.

Not to mention helping him change clothes and put on boots—even if it meant walking through fire for him, it's only right."

Zhou Mingqi lowered his eyes and took a sip of tea, the sharp clink of the cup lid against the rim unusually loud in the silent room.

He set down the teacup, tapping two soft taps on the table.

Cheng Ge felt like needles were pricking his back, the atmosphere in the room unbearably strange.

He let out a forced laugh to break the awkwardness: "Well... I can do it myself..."

Before he finished, Yun Xunyu had already leisurely put on the other boot.

As he stood, his fingertip grazed the inside of his ankle as if by accident, nearly making him jump.

"Done." A hint of a smile played on his lips, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces.

"Wasn't my dear going to eat? This prince is hungry too. Do I get the honor of sitting with you?"

Cheng Ge: *Damn it! I barely have enough for myself!*

Cheng Ge was about to refuse, but Zhou Zhan spoke up first: "I'm also a bit hungry."

Zhou Yinyun immediately chimed in: "I'm going too!"

Zhou Mingqi set down his teacup leisurely: "I've been craving Funiang's cooking."

Cheng Ge watched everyone suddenly decide to come eat, his heart aching.

Lü Rou, upon seeing the room full of nobles, was visibly taken aback, then promptly performed a proper curtsy.

Seeing the varied expressions on everyone's faces, she assumed they were there to check on his illness and didn't think much of it.

"Master," she asked softly, "shall we dine in the hall or in the courtyard?"

Cheng Ge looked at the steam rising from the food box and resignedly closed his eyes: "The courtyard."

Better air circulation—at least he wouldn't suffocate to death...

He straightened his clothes, forced himself to steady his nerves, and walked out, shaking out his wrist.

Cheng Ge sat at the dinner table, eating ravenously like he hadn't eaten in a week.

He frantically shoveled rice into his mouth and grabbed dishes, completely ignoring the others.

Lü Rou ladled a bowl of soup and set it before Cheng Ge, saying softly: "Master, eat slowly, be careful not to choke."

"Thanks, Sister Lü Rou." Cheng Ge smiled at her.

"Heh..." A cold laugh came from across the table. Cheng Ge looked up, locking eyes with Zhou Zhan's cold stare.

Shooting a glance to the left, Zhou Yinyun was also watching him meaningfully, then turned his gaze to Lü Rou beside him.

Zhou Mingqi sat on Cheng Ge's left side, with a cup of steaming clear tea in front of him, but the food before him was barely touched.

Yun Xunyu, on the other hand, sat on Cheng Ge's right side, and as if nobody else existed, picked up a piece of braised pork belly with chopsticks and put it into his bowl.

Cheng Ge's heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously licked the corner of his mouth and swallowed the food in his mouth with difficulty.

Then he picked up that piece of braised pork belly to calm himself, and quickly buried his face in the bowl again.

It was only when Cheng Ge scooped up the last grain of rice into his mouth that he remembered them.

Cheng Ge was the first to look at Zhou Mingqi, hesitantly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, won't you have some?"

Zhou Mingqi glanced at the plates on the table that were spotless, and replied expressionlessly, "It's fine, I have already eaten my fill."

Cheng Ge nodded in understanding.

Then he stealthily picked up the last piece of smoked fish from the emperor's plate and put it into his own bowl, muttering to himself.

"Every single grain is the farmer's sweat and blood; we mustn't waste any, you know." Everyone: "..."