Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Lu Yuanhui moved in that very night.

I intentionally arranged for his quarters to be at the westernmost end of the estate. A pond and two rockeries separated his residence from my main courtyard.

However, that didn’t stop him from using his own two legs to come over.

The next day at noon, I had just opened my eyes when I heard a maid report in a low voice, “Princess, Lord… Lord Lu is waiting outside.”

Lu Yuanhui was dressed in plain, casual robes, holding a food box in his hand.

“Princess.” He held it out to me.

When the lid was lifted, several kinds of exquisitely made pastries were revealed inside.

The osmanthus cakes were translucent, the glutinous rice balls were perfectly round, and there was a plate of shortbread with layer upon layer of flaky pastry that looked incredibly crisp.

I didn’t take it.

I just stared at him.

He paused, picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, and took a bite himself.

He swallowed it slowly.

Then he looked up. “It’s not poisoned.”

“…This Princess never said it was.”

I took the food box and pinched a piece of shortbread to taste.

It was decent; the fragrant, flaky crust was wrapped around a jujube paste filling, and it was just the right amount of sweet.

Lu Yuanhui stood there, straight as a pine tree.

“Your servant will be handling the Princess’s daily needs from now on.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I ask that the Princess inform me of your usual meals, flavor preferences, and any dietary restrictions.”

I felt a spark of interest.

Fine, you want to serve me? So be it.

“I don’t eat onions, ginger, or garlic,” I said, counting on my fingers. “Neither raw nor cooked.”

He nodded.

“I don’t eat mutton; it’s too gamey. Fish must only be steamed; braising is too greasy.”

He nodded again.

“I only eat crisp fruits and vegetables; I won’t touch anything mushy. The tofu must be tender, the shrimp must be peeled, and I don’t like eggs or leeks…”

I spoke faster and faster, watching his brows knit together bit by bit.

A bit of mischief bubbled up in my heart.

My dear Top Scholar, your books of sages certainly didn’t teach you how to deal with a picky eater.

When I finally finished, I waited to see his expression change.

Lu Yuanhui remained silent for a good while.

Then his brow smoothed out, and he simply said:

“Understood.”

I was actually the one stunned.

That was it? No follow-up?

How boring.

I turned to leave.

After taking two steps, I suddenly remembered I hadn’t taken the box of pastries.

My footsteps faltered as I pondered how to turn back without losing face.

A slight sound came from behind me.

I turned my head, glimpsing out of the corner of my eye.

Lu Yuanhui had already handed the food box to a nearby attendant.

The attendant jogged over and held it out to me.

I gave a huff, took the box, and headed into the house without looking back.