Chapter Seventy-eight: One May Insult the Crown Prince, But Never the Grand Tutor

“Do you all bathe in the dining room?” Song Yunmo stood at the doorway, peering inside and looking around for a wooden wash tub.

“What on earth are you up to?” Su Jingluo was in no mood to see Song Yunmo right now.

“I saw you all eating so merrily, and thought I might join in for a meal.” Song Yunmo looked aggrievedly at Su Jingluo, then at the table, where the food had been thoroughly ravaged.

“You haven’t eaten? Well, have the guest hall prepare a separate table for the Grand Tutor, then. Don’t come mingling with us women.” To come uninvited and ask for food—what a shameless man.

“I’ve already eaten. I’m still a bit full, actually,” Song Yunmo waved his hand as if to say it wasn’t necessary.

Clearly, he’s so full he has nothing better to do. Su Jingluo rolled her eyes. The interruption left her with little appetite as she surveyed the remains of the meal, the dishes now just a shadow of their former selves.

“Clear it away, I’ve lost my appetite,” Su Jingluo set down her chopsticks.

“A’lan, bring me a damp towel. I’ll wipe my face and go check on Miss Lin.” Su Jingluo would rather feel nauseated facing Lin Wanwan than chat with Song Yunmo; he was liable to make her lungs explode with fury.

“Not going to chat a while?” Song Yunmo swaggered in, unabashed, and sat down as if he owned the place.

“A healer must have a parent’s heart—one mustn’t keep a patient waiting,” Su Jingluo replied with utmost sincerity. If not for their part in her feast, both A’lan and Ruihuan would have thought their princess the very soul of nobility and virtue.

“Ah, right, where’s my son?” Su Jingluo suddenly remembered Ruihuan had said Yunbai was with Song Yunmo.

“He’s practicing calligraphy. Xiao Jingxuan asked me to tutor Yunbai,” Song Yunmo lifted his chin, full of pride.

“Ah, you’re not going to lead my son astray, are you?” Su Jingluo, about to leave, immediately pulled back, a hint of anxiety in her voice.

“What are you saying? I’m the Crown Prince’s Tutor,” Song Yunmo had always considered himself flawless in his teaching, and was put out to find Su Jingluo questioning his abilities.

“No wonder Xiao Chengze always seemed a little… off.” Su Jingluo had finally located the root of the Crown Prince’s lack of wit and sense.

“You may insult the Crown Prince, but you mustn’t insult me,” Song Yunmo’s handsome face clouded with anger. Insult anything you wish, but never his teaching.

“All right, all right, I’ll discuss it with Xiao Jingxuan. I must go save my patient now—do as you please.” Su Jingluo thought Song Yunmo would never lose his temper; he always seemed so unserious whenever they met. Whether he did or didn’t, she wanted to keep her distance.

Su Jingluo strode toward the door, and Song Yunmo matched her pace behind.

“Why are you following me?” she asked after a while, seeing he was still there.

“Didn’t you just tell me to do as I please?” Song Yunmo was no longer angry, his phoenix eyes sparkling with a mischievous smile.

“Yes, so why follow me? I’m going to treat a patient.” How could such an incorrigible rogue become the Crown Prince’s Tutor?

“I know. I’ve decided that what I please is to follow you and see a bit of the world.” Song Yunmo grinned, as if to say, “I’m coming with you, what can you do about it?”

Su Jingluo jogged toward the Scarlet Moon Pavilion, and Song Yunmo, shameless as ever, jogged after her, eager for a glimpse of “the world.” To avoid him, Su Jingluo didn’t even bother with the servants’ corridors and ran straight to the main hall.

But as it turned out, she had picked the worst possible moment. At some point, Xiao Jingxuan had returned. Lin Wanwan, wearing a veil, was clinging to Xiao Jingxuan’s neck, sobbing softly. Xiao Jingxuan himself stood awkwardly, hands at his sides, his brow furrowed with discomfort.