DTBCF Chapter 28

Prince Long Heng stormed out in anger, fuming that his woman would lie to protect someone else, withholding the truth. As a seasoned soldier who lived by strict principles of right and wrong, and who clearly distinguished between allies and enemies, Long Heng believed that those close to him should never lie or hide anything from him. His reaction was fueled by this belief.

However, after seeing his mother, he calmed down. The household was not a battlefield, and his wife wasn’t one of his soldiers. If she trusted him that much, there shouldn’t be a reason for her to lie.

As he was contemplating this, he noticed Song Jiaoyue approaching with his entourage. Walking toward him with a smile, Song Jiaoyue greeted him, “I’ve just visited the old lady. My mother plans to leave tomorrow. How about you?”

“We’re planning the same,” Long Heng replied, nodding but still deep in thought, his brows furrowed.

Song Jiaoyue noticed his friend’s troubled expression and asked, “Is something wrong with your wife’s injury?”

Waving off his attendants and signaling for Long Heng’s people to back away, Song Jiaoyue pressed further.

“She’s… fine,” Long Heng replied. Being friends, he didn’t hesitate to tell the truth.

“Oh? I didn’t expect that Miss Lin’s cousin would be so shameless. Not only did he aid his cousin in her mischief, but he also hurt Lady Bai.” Song Jiaoyue’s words trailed off when he saw Long Heng freeze in place, his expression brimming with fury.

“It was him? How exactly did he harm Lady Bai?” Long Heng asked, his voice cold and dangerous, eager for more details.

Song Jiaoyue was taken aback. “Didn’t you hear what happened last night?”

Long Heng stood there, stunned. Only then did he realize that he had been present when she was injured the previous night but, in the heat of the moment, had failed to register it. His heart raced, and after a brief cough, he admitted, “I was in a rush to return home and didn’t hear it.”

Song Jiaoyue, unaware of what had distracted Long Heng the previous night, proceeded to explain the situation in detail.

Piecing together the information, Long Heng quickly realized that Lady Bai had concealed the truth about her injury to protect Miss Lin’s reputation. If the truth—that Miss Lin had attempted to flee with her cousin—were to spread, it would ruin Miss Lin’s honor. Eloping and running away were two very different things.

“She… she hid the fact that an outsider had injured her just to protect Miss Lin?” Long Heng shook his head in disbelief. How foolish, yet how loyal. He couldn’t help but feel a strange admiration for her.

Having misunderstood her, he felt the need to make amends. He called for his servant, but noticing his friend still present, he paused and instead said, “Go check if Lady Bai is feeling better. She still needs to pay her respects to my mother.”

Pay respects? She’s injured, how could she? But the words were already out of his mouth, and it was too late to take them back.

Song Jiaoyue, sensing his friend’s inner turmoil, decided it was best to leave. “I need to return and help my mother with her prayers. I’ll leave you to it.” He led his people away, chuckling to himself as he went. His friend was as awkward as ever—worried but expressing it in the most backward way possible. If Lady Bai tried to pay her respects in her current state, Long Heng would probably be heartbroken.

As Song Jiaoyue left, Long Heng turned back to his servant, only to see that the boy had already raced toward Lady Bai’s chambers. How was he so fast today? Usually, he dragged his feet. Irritated, Long Heng used his light footwork to quickly catch up, grabbing the servant before he could knock on the door, and startling several passing monks in the process.

They had never seen someone move so quickly, causing the wind to knock over some of the food they were carrying to the noblewomen staying in the temple.

The servant, terrified that he had somehow angered Long Heng, stammered, “I-I was just—”

“No need to go,” Long Heng interrupted, letting out a breath. She should rest. Turning around, he spotted monks gathering the spilled food and asked, “What is that?”

“It’s breakfast for the lady inside, my lord. She needs to eat before taking her medicine,” one of the monks replied, answering politely as they sensed Long Heng’s imposing presence.

So, it was for her. She needed to eat before taking her medicine—something that couldn’t be delayed.

“Prepare another serving for her,” Long Heng ordered curtly. Though polite, his tone left no room for negotiation. The monks didn’t mind; they were used to the arrogance of nobility.

“My lord, we’ve already distributed the meals, and preparing more will take some time,” the monk replied, sensing a growing chill in the air.

“Shu’er, go down the mountain and buy something to eat. Be quick about it,” Long Heng instructed his servant, knowing he could move fast enough.

The servant, nicknamed Shu’er, widened his eyes in horror. He was going to have to run down the mountain, again? And he had little money on him, barely enough for a few meat buns. He regretted not asking his mother for more money before leaving.

He managed to purchase five large meat buns, figuring they’d be enough for two people. But as he raced back up the mountain, he dreaded the thought that his meager offering might anger his master.

When Shu’er returned, Long Heng stood outside, waiting. Without asking questions, Long Heng said, “Bring it in.” Leading the way, the servant followed with no choice but to obey.

Inside, Lady Bai Xiangxiu was feeling famished. She had waited for the monks to deliver food, but none had come, and the medicine Xiao Shi held was already growing cold. Lady Bai frowned and said, “Let me go check.”

Opening the door, she found herself face to face with Long Heng, who raised his hand as if to knock. Startled, Xiao Shi dropped to her knees in panic. “Greetings, my lord.”

Long Heng, recalling their last awkward encounter, had decided to knock this time. Annoyed at being interrupted by a nervous maid, he frowned. “What’s with all the fuss?”

“It’s my fault, please forgive me,” Xiao Shi stammered, trembling.

Not bothering to respond, Long Heng stepped past her into the room and saw Bai Xiangxiu struggling to get out of bed. “There’s no need to get up if you’re injured,” he said. “Shu’er, give the food to Lady Bai.”

Shu’er’s heart sank when he heard his master refer to her as “Lady Bai.” She held a special place in his heart. Reluctantly, he placed the meat buns on the table, opened the package, and revealed the modest breakfast.

“…” Long Heng silently cursed his servant, resisting the urge to cut him to pieces.

“…” Bai Xiangxiu stared at the meal in disbelief. The prince had sent… meat buns? She had no idea how to even begin eating them.

What now? She needed advice urgently. How was she supposed to eat this?