16 FIFTEEN (1/2)

His trusted taijian had to travel before him to set up his lodging and the most important part was amusement for him. Lou Che liked them young and strong. Most of them did not even like to do it with a man. But Lou Che has the power and a lot of money to spend on them. All of them always ended up addicted to getting into Lou Che's bed after they found it was easy money. Their sensual activity even enlights some of them. They found their own true self and became Lou Che's regular partner whenever Lou Che was in town.

The entourage has reached the biggest city in Jiangnandong province. Lou Che was excited to enter the boarding house that had already been prepared because he needed a good warm bath. He liked to take care of himself.

He liked it when he heard the women inside the harem praised his face. He liked it when other royal family members praised his body build. Anything related with appearance, he did not mind to try.

His carriage stopped right in front of the boarding house that was situated on the main road. Even though he never put any royal banner to act low, people on the busy street acknowledge the entourage must be related to the royal family.

Lou Che jumped out from the carriage and straight away entered the boarding house. He has stayed there before so he knew exactly where to go. Ignoring the boarding house owner and their employees who greeted him, Lou Che stormed up to the stairs, walked along the alley and met his taijian that was already waiting for him right in front of the bedroom that was assigned to be his this time.

”Have you prepared my bath?” Asked Lou Che as he took off his winter cloak.

The taijian received the heavy cloak then bowed a little deeper than usual. ”Nu has prepared the bath. But…”

The atmosphere was strange. Lou Che always thought of the worst that could be. Lifting up his chin, straightening up his back, Lou Che took a long breath before the taijian lifted up his face and continued.

”The Grand Chancellor's fu has sent a New Year gift for Fuma.” The old taijiang said it carefully.

At that moment Lou Che became reluctant to enter the room. He never liked The Grand Chancellor and The Grand Princess. The pair always seemed intimidating. Just like this, finally he got the spine-chilling gift from them like they wanted to let Lou Che know that they have been watching him closely.

A large tub was filled with warm goat milk. A familiar young lad stood next to it. Very familiar in his eyes until Lou Che gasped. The same lad that he used a few weeks ago was not like the very first time he met.

The lad looked just like the son of some wealthy family. His clothes were clean. His face was no longer pure and naive.

”Gongzi, I am your gift. I am here to serve you.” The young lad kneeled down with both hands thrust a letter up.

Lou Che stepped forward but did not touch the letter. Instead, he just looked closely at the seal that was used to glued the letter. The red marks got even clearly as he was getting closer. The symbol of The Grand Chancellor's fu.

***

Her husband's return was sooner than she had expected. By the time Lou Che's taijian reached their mansion and informed that soon Lou Che would enter the city, Li Xi Shi was not ready yet. She has been very determined that the moment Lou Che reached home, he would be astonished by her appearance. Therefore she quickly changed dresses, applied some makeup, and made sure her hair was perfect before she stood and waited in the front hall.

Her effort seemed to be useless. Lou Che's reaction was not like she had expected him to be. The moment he jumped out from the carriage, Lou Che looked very much haggard. There were dark circles under his eyes.

When Lou Che reached her hands, Li Xi Shi was shocked that the tips of his fingers were so cold. There was no smile on his smile. Lou Che took a look on her face, then came down to her dress, before returning his eyes back on Li Xi Shi's face.

”Apparently, my wife has been using some cream that I left behind.” Lou Che titled his head to give a closer look. ”The skin is getting radiant and the spring dress is beautifully made perfect for the body.”

”Husband, please get inside. Both your hands are cold. Your face looks thinner than before you left. You make me worry.” Li Xi Shi pulled his hands as she led towards the main chair in the room.

”The weather is still cold. Was the journey rough? The servants did not serve you well?!” As soon Lou Che took his seat, Li Xi Shi poured warm tea in a cup and then passed it to Lou Che's hand. She did not take her seat and stood in front of him while waiting for his response.

Just staring at the cup on his hands, Lou Che locked his lips tightly. Fine wrinkled lines appeared on his forehead. Naturally Li Xi Shi touched it and pondered how hard it was for Lou Che to do his business.

”Everything was fine.” Lou Che let Li Xi Shi caress him. He knew how she adores him. He adored his wife too but not in the same kind of love like she was over him.

Straightening her back, Li Xi Shi turned her head to check their people who were moving Lou Che's trunks. The head steward along with Lou Che's taijian were arranging which trunks need to be stored at the storeroom, which trunks need to be unloaded at the main hall.

Her eyes stuck at one person she never knew was working for neither her or Lou Che before. A young man wore neat clothes and stood idle beside the head steward and the taijian.

”Who are you?” Li Xi Shis question stopped the conversation between head steward and personal taijian. The young man bowed his head deeply towards Li Xi Shi.

Instead of kneeling down, he lifted back up his head and tried his best to reply to Li Xi Shi's question. ”My name is Ah Ke, furen.”

”Why did you not give proper respect toward gongzhu?!” Dai Mao mama stepped forward. Her intonation made Ah Ke awkwardly kneeled in confusion.

Actually Li Xi Shi was not angry over something this simple. She was not a person who did not know compassion toward people bellowed her. It was just Lou Che's reaction after her question which made her hint something was dubious.

Lou Che put down the cup in a rush until the cup spilled all over the table. He jumped up from the chair and stood beside Li Xi Shi all of a sudden. Li Xi Shi caught him acting strange as sweat appeared on his forehead.

”Both of you should teach him proper respect.” said Lou Che towards the head steward and his personal taijian. After that he turned to Li Xi Shi, took her hand, gave gentle taps on her hand and smiled widely.

”I took him from the port at the southern province. He is just a poor orphan but seems to have the intention to work hard. I bought him from the boarding house there.”

Lou Che tried to cover Li Xi Shi's gaze on Ah Ke by lifting his cloak and embraced Li Xi Shi under his arms. He led her to leave the front hall.