Chapter Sixty: A Misunderstanding

After gazing at each other for a long time, Lu Jue looked at Gunaro’s unreasonable antics and sighed helplessly. “I am willing, and have never regretted it.” As he spoke, he bent down to gather the scattered pieces of wood and resumed his work.

Gunaro watched Lu Jue, finding him dull and uninteresting, and felt somewhat disappointed. She then looked around, and as her gaze wandered, she suddenly spotted some peculiar wooden objects. She picked them up without hesitation. “What is this? How strange it looks—could it be for assembling something?” Gunaro, curious and mischievous, toyed with the item in her hand, her face full of wonder.

Lu Jue heard her question and immediately turned, anxiety written all over his face. What Gunaro held were crucial parts of his gift. He rushed forward to stop her. “Don’t touch that! Give it to me!” Gunaro, initially only curious, became even more interested upon seeing Lu Jue’s flustered reaction. She dodged him playfully, laughing as she asked, “Don’t be so anxious. Why don’t you tell me what this is first?”

Gunaro smiled slyly and hid the wooden piece behind her, refusing to return it without an answer. Lu Jue was growing anxious from her teasing, but, constrained by propriety, could not force her. Thus, the two became more entangled.

As luck would have it, just as Lu Jue and Gunaro were tussling, Feng Yewu and Han Yue entered from outside and happened upon the scene. Feng Yewu had been reflecting, wondering if she had been too harsh with Lu Jue. After all, her own family had been annihilated, and anyone would avoid speaking of such matters. Though Lu Jue’s hobbies left her somewhat helpless, they were hardly a vice. With the upcoming birthday banquet in mind, Feng Yewu had brought Han Yue along, finding an excuse to visit the carpentry workshop.

No sooner had they arrived than they heard laughter and chatter from within. Feng Yewu paused, surprised, while Han Yue looked resigned. How could Young Master Lu be so tactless? Even if he wished to amuse himself with others, why do so here? Did he not realize this was a special residence granted by His Majesty?

The closer Feng Yewu approached, the more grim her expression became. The voice sounded familiar; after listening a bit longer, she realized who it was. When Feng Yewu stood fully at the entrance, she saw Lu Jue reaching out to grab something, while Gunaro laughed joyously, dodging around him.

Yet Feng Yewu’s vantage was awkward; she couldn’t see what Gunaro held behind her. Lu Jue’s back was to her, making it look as if he was embracing a coy Gunaro. At that sight, any trace of guilt she had felt vanished, replaced by anger and a cold smile. “Young Master Lu, you are truly fortunate—what delight to have the princess of the tribes as your companion in craft!”

Feng Yewu’s words interrupted their quarrel. Hearing her voice, Lu Jue’s heart skipped a beat. Clearly, Feng Yewu had misunderstood him yet again. Unable to explain, he quickly snatched the item from Gunaro’s hand, then turned and knelt before Feng Yewu. “Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty.” Gunaro, seeing Feng Yewu arrive, ceased her playful antics and turned to bow. Just then, Lu Jue managed to reclaim the item, his face flushed with embarrassment and urgency, which made Gunaro giggle.

To Feng Yewu, watching this scene, it seemed no less than flirtatious banter. She felt the pair were far too bold—Lu Jue behaved so even in her presence. Her heart ached with disappointment. “Princess, I recall your residence is not near here. Why are you in this place?”

Gunaro eyed Feng Yewu and the flustered Lu Jue, her large eyes rolling craftily. She smiled lightly, clearly understanding the dynamics. Yet, eager to trouble Lu Jue, she would not let this chance slip away. Hearing Feng Yewu’s question, Gunaro thought, since Lu Jue won’t tell me, I won’t make it easy for you either. “Replying to Your Majesty, I was simply bored. The only acquaintance I have in the palace is Lu Jue, so we were just reminiscing.”

Reminiscing? Hearing this, Feng Yewu’s heart burned. Did they think her a fool? She was furious—reminiscing, and already so intimately. Lu Jue, hearing Gunaro’s answer, inwardly cursed his luck. He was busy with his woodwork, unwilling to reminisce at all. Now, with the princess’s words, he feared Feng Yewu would misunderstand him even more.

“Your Maj—” Lu Jue hurried to rise and explain, but Gunaro, quick and clever, grabbed his arm and held tight.

The gesture was intimate. “Young Master Lu was just telling me something delightful when Your Majesty arrived; that’s why we didn’t notice you.” Lu Jue was startled—her actions only deepened the misunderstanding. He tried to pull free, but the princess clung tighter, refusing to let go.

“Very well, very well, then you two may reminisce at leisure. I have other matters to attend to.” Feng Yewu, looking at the pair, was so angry she laughed, repeating her words thrice before turning and leaving in a huff.

“What are you doing?” Lu Jue watched Feng Yewu’s departing figure, his heart filled with conflicting emotions and unable to justify himself. He turned angrily to Gunaro, his voice raised in frustration. Gunaro, unfazed by his anger, replied confidently, “You refused to tell me, so now you want to? I won’t listen.”

With that, Gunaro turned away in a feigned pout, arms crossed and lips pursed proudly. Lu Jue looked at the tribal princess, feeling utterly exhausted. Unwilling to argue further, he simply turned back to his work. At this point, chasing after Feng Yewu to explain was futile; better to finish the gift and let actions speak.

Gunaro sulked for a while, but soon realized Lu Jue was ignoring her, busying himself alone. Her displeasure grew, so she rushed up to confront him. “Lu Jue, do you truly dislike me so much?” Her gaze held a hint of grievance, like a spurned lover.

Lu Jue ignored her words, turning away to work. Seeing him leave, Gunaro hurried after him, standing close to press further. “Will you not say even one word to me?”

Lu Jue still remained silent. Gunaro, growing irritated, stamped her foot in place. Yet suddenly, her expression softened, a smile returning to her eyes.