Breakfast wasn't held in the same grand dining hall as last night's banquet.
Instead, Zhu Yan had arranged it in his private courtyard, a more intimate setting, with only Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing, and Lu Feng invited. The atmosphere was warm, almost familial.
Two beautiful maids bustled about, serving dishes with practiced ease.
From the way Zhu Yan's gaze lingered on them, it was clear he had spent the night in their company.
Neither Zhu Zhuyun nor Zhu Zhuqing batted an eye at this. It was nothing unusual.
Zhu Yan had personally selected these maids, not just to serve him, but to warm his bed and fulfill any of his needs.
If they earned his favor, they might be promoted to concubines.
If not? They'd remain as maids until their youth faded, at which point they might be married off to some commoner or worse, cast aside into the pleasure houses.
Men like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had a particular taste for such discarded women.
But a slave? That was the lowest of the low, beneath even maids. No freedom, no rights. Their lives belonged entirely to their masters.
That was why Zhu Zhuyun had fought so fiercely against becoming Lu Feng's slave, why she had refused to acknowledge their bet.
Until now, the thought had gnawed at her.
She'd been forced to accept the terms, agreeing to serve as his slave temporarily but Lu Feng had never specified when that would begin.
Yet after last night… something in her had shifted.
If I've already been with him like that… what's left to hide?
Today, she carried herself with the same haughty grace of a future empress—only now, she carefully avoided meeting Lu Feng's eyes.
"Hahaha! Come, Feng'er, sit here!"
Zhu Yan was in high spirits, beckoning Lu Feng warmly, his tone almost fatherly.
Just then—
"You're having breakfast with the children… and didn't invite me?"
A smooth, melodious voice drifted in as Xu Ruyun stepped into the courtyard.
She wore a flowing, pale-yellow dress, a crimson brocade cloak draped over her shoulders, her red heels clicking softly against the stone.
Xu Ruyun had her own private residence.
As a spirit master, she needed a quiet space for cultivation and as the princess of the Xu family, her status was far above Zhu Yan's ordinary concubines.
Today, her alluring phoenix eyes carried a sharp edge, lingering on Lu Feng just a fraction longer than usual when her gaze swept over him.
Of course she's in a mood, Lu Feng thought. I stood her up last night.
She had assumed seducing a hot-blooded young man with a known weakness for beauty would be effortless.
In her experience, all men were the same, there wasn't a cat in the world that didn't crave fish.
And she'd pulled out all the stops, confident in her charms.
A mature, stunning woman like her? She was sure her allure far outshined Zhu Zhuqing's youthful innocence.
But she'd been wrong.
Lu Feng never showed up, leaving her waiting in vain.
Now, meeting her accusatory stare head-on, Lu Feng grinned like nothing had happened. "Good morning, Thirteenth Aunt."
Zhu Yan blinked in surprise. "Ruyun, didn't you say last night you'd personally escort Xu Wei back to Nanwo?"
After suffering two crushing defeats at Lu Feng's hands, the humiliated prince had refused to stay in Star Luo City a moment longer, demanding to return to the Duchy of Nanwo the moment he could move.
Xu Ruyun's lips curved into a light smile. "I changed my mind. I decided to stay and see Zhuqing and Feng'er off myself. I sent others to escort my nephew back."
She emphasized "Feng'er" just slightly, a subtle jab only Lu Feng would catch.
Zhu Yan nodded. "Ah, that's considerate. But then, where were you last—?"
Without missing a beat, Xu Ruyun slid herself between Zhu Yan and Lu Feng, her hips swaying as she took her seat. "Oh, I just went to the old district to get my hair done. Came back quite late."
Hearing her words, Lu Feng nearly choked on his food.
Hair styling… seriously? Even here?
It seems no matter the world, the excuses of bold, flirty women never change.
Xu Ruyun, graceful, elegant, yet secretly seductive, had a charm that hit hard, her contrasting allure practically radiating from her every glance.
Sitting next to her was nerve-wracking.
He was half-expecting her to start with those sneaky foot moves again.
But with Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Yan watching, would she really dare try anything?
Just as Lu Feng was mulling this over, a red high heel pressed down on his foot.
Damn, she actually went for it…
But that's all, right?
He stole a quick glance from the corner of his eye.
Then he saw Xu Ruyun "accidentally" knock a silver spoon to the floor with her elbow, the clatter echoing.
A maid moved to pick it up, but Xu Ruyun waved her off. "No need, I'll get it."
She casually flicked her long red brocade cloak and bent down to retrieve the spoon from under the table.
By "coincidence," the cloak draped over Lu Feng's lower body, shielding everything below his waist from view.
Under the cloak, a delicate white hand adorned with a ruby ring made its move.
Oh—!
Lu Feng nearly spat out his food again.
Thankfully, she didn't push it too far, just a quick grab before she stood up, silver spoon in hand, smoothing her cloak like nothing happened.
Damn it!
She really did that?
So blatant!
Her need for payback was intense.
This little stunt was her way of saying she wasn't backing down.
A temptress—a full-on enchantress.
But Lu Feng was brimming with resolve and wouldn't fall for her tricks!
Besides… he was out of here this afternoon.
He and Zhu Zhuqing had already planned to sneak off to Suotuo City together.
"The blackberry cake today is exquisite. Everyone, try some." Xu Ruyun rose gracefully, distributing slices with the poise of a matriarch, all smiles and elegance.
"Zhuyun, why are you sitting sideways? Are you uncomfortable?"
Her question made Zhu Zhuyun stiffen. "No." She adjusted her posture instantly, forcing a smile.
In truth, she was clenching her jaw against the soreness, then shot a wary glance at Lu Feng.
Unlike Dai Weis, who could bed women freely, she had no such luxury.
The imperial family demanded their crown princess remain untouched before marriage, with court ladies conducting a verification on the wedding night.
Yet last night, through a twist of fate (and alcohol), she'd gotten a taste of what she shouldn't have.
Lu Feng kept his eyes down.
Xu Ruyun's question confirmed his suspicions.
The system's prompt also told him he'd won Zhu Zhuyun's heart.
Big kitty, we're parting ways today, and it'll be a while before I'm back. Will you miss me?
A poem from his past life popped into his mind, its lines about the pain of separation fitting perfectly.
This is it, the poetry and the distance I've been chasing!