Chapter 7 Do you like me?
Lu Ying stopped seeking Shen Yinning and merely left her to herself.
Two months passed like this, and the Duanyang Festival was approaching.
Inside the Eastern Palace study, the pomegranate blossoms outside the window grew increasingly lively, weighed down with vivid crimson blooms that adorned the branches.
Lu Ying was reviewing memorials when he heard a commotion coming from outside, persisting without settling down.
His face turned cold: "Gui Quan!"
Gui Quan quickly entered, gripping his horsetail whisk, and knelt trembling on the ground: "What are Your Highness's orders?"
"What is all that noise outside?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, in two days, it will be the Duanyang Festival. The Crown Princess Consort has called for the concubines—Noble Ladies, Beauties, Baolins—to make rice dumplings together. She mentioned hosting a banquet in the Eastern Palace that evening to let Your Highness taste the dumplings they've made themselves!"
Gui Quan gave his report while nervously wiping cold sweat off his forehead.
For the past two months, the Crown Prince's mood had been growing worse by the day. He no longer summoned anyone to his chambers, spending his time either in the study or at court.
In the past, while reviewing memorials, he was fully focused and wouldn't be bothered by noises outside. Yet today, even far-off disturbances seemed to catch his ear.