Chapter 11: Liu Shunhua, Are You Out of Your Mind…

At dusk, Liu Huan’an came to deliver lotus seed cakes. Pausing under the corridor, he stared at the parrot in surprise.

He always felt this parrot looked somewhat familiar.

Afraid he might recognize it, Liu Shunhua hurriedly pushed him into the main room.

After sitting down, Liu Huan’an still asked, “When did you start keeping a parrot?”

Liu Shunhua poured him a cup of tea. “I bought it at the market today, something to amuse myself with in idle moments.”

Liu Huan’an accepted the teacup and took a few small sips.

Liu Shunhua moved behind him, massaging his shoulders. “Brother, was your first day at the new post going smoothly?”

Rubbing his forehead, Liu Huan’an replied, “The feudal lords have been arriving one after another. I’ve been busy with arrangements all day, hardly able to catch my breath.”

Liu Shunhua said, “If it’s this hectic on the very first day, won’t it be difficult to see you from now on?”

Liu Huan’an nodded. “In two more days, when all the feudal lords have gathered in Chang’an, that’s when the real busy period begins.”

Liu Shunhua smiled. “Even with such a packed schedule, you still found time to buy lotus seed cakes. It makes me seem inconsiderate.”

Setting down his cup, Liu Huan’an said, “It was on my way. Did you think I’d go out of my way just for your trivial request?” He then took out an invitation from his sleeve. “I came mainly for this.”

Liu Shunhua accepted it and opened it it was an invitation from the Prime Minister’s residence, requesting her attendance at the Old Madam’s birthday banquet.

She stared at the invitation for a long while.

The Old Madam… calculating the days, she should be returning soon.

Liu Huan’an continued, “This banquet is for the Prime Minister’s mother. Since it’s customary to invite female guests, and you’re the only woman in our family, the invitation naturally goes to you.”

Liu Shunhua closed the invitation. After her argument with The Rongxuan yesterday, the Prime Minister’s residence sent this invitation today. To anyone observing, it was clearly a gesture of goodwill from the Prime Minister’s residence, showing great respect to their Liu family.

If she declined, it would appear she held a grudge over yesterday’s incident, openly rejecting the Prime Minister’s olive branch. That would make things difficult for her brother in the future.

She hadn’t expected to be put in such an awkward position.

Personally, Liu Shunhua had no desire whatsoever to attend the Prime Minister’s banquet.

But under these circumstances, she had no choice.

She asked, “What do you think, Brother?”

Liu Huan’an said calmly, “In official circles, social engagements are unavoidable. If one can’t navigate a single banquet safely, how can one assist the emperor in greater matters later?”

After pondering for a moment, Liu Shunhua thought that since her brother had made this decision, she trusted he could handle it properly.

She nodded. “In that case, I’ll write a reply and attend the banquet with you when the time comes.”

Liu Huan’an thought for a moment and said, “You needn’t worry about the Prime Minister’s daughter, He Rongxuan. At her grandmother’s birthday banquet, she likely won’t cause any trouble.”

Liu Shunhua knew perfectly well that He Liushan valued filial piety highly. No matter how arrogant He Rongxuan usually was, she wouldn’t dare make a scene at her grandmother’s celebration.

She said, “Don’t worry. I’ll keep my distance from her. Who cares what she does?”

When Liu Huan’an left, Green Jade suddenly squawked several times, making him glance back repeatedly. Liu Shunhua quickly moved to block the parrot from view.

They had originally agreed to keep it for only two days, but after that period, He Xuandu still hadn’t sent anyone to retrieve it.

Liu Tanghua, being childlike and usually having few amusements, now treasured this rare creature like a precious gem. He played with Green Jade under the corridor every day. Gradually, Green Jade grew accustomed to him and now preferred Liu Tanghua’s company over Liu Shunhua’s.

Worried that Liu Tanghua would grow too attached to Green Jade if this continued, Liu Shunhua could only hope He Xuandu would come soon to take the parrot away.

One spring morning, a gentle rain fell, and after it ceased, the clouds dispersed, revealing a bright sun.

Liu Tanghua, fond of sleeping in, had yet to rise.

Liu Shunhua leaned alone against the corridor, lazily flipping through a book, wondering if He Xuandu would visit today.

Suddenly, a clear whistle sounded. Liu Shunhua looked up and saw Green Jade fluttering its wings as it flew over the courtyard wall.

Panic seized her if Green Jade flew away, how would she explain it to The Xuandu?

Without a second thought, she dragged over the ladder Fangcao used for trimming flower branches and propped it against the wall.

The ladder wasn’t tall enough; the top rung still fell short of the wall’s edge.

Taking a deep breath, she leaped with all her might, grabbing the edge of the wall and hauling herself up.

After much effort, she finally made it to the top, only to be pressed down by a lush branch of apricot blossoms. She reached out to push it aside, but as she turned, her hand froze mid-air.

Beneath the flowering branches stood He Xuandu, dressed in a crimson wide-sleeved robe, with Green Jade perched on his shoulder. His handsome face was tilted upward, a playful smile curling at the corners of his lips as he watched Liu Shunhua with keen interest.

Perched at the wall, Liu Shunhua felt embarrassment for the very first time in her life.

Xuandu stepped forward and extended his hand. “Miss Liu, do you need assistance?”

Quietly, Liu Shunhua swung her other leg over, sitting sideways on the wall, half-hiding her flushed face among the blossoms.

“No need. It’s quite nice up here.”

Xuandu withdrew his hand. “As you wish, Miss Liu.”

Hastily, Liu Shunhua explained, “I saw Green Jade fly out and grew worried, so I came up to check.”

He Xuandu chuckled. “Thank you for looking after Green Jade, Miss Liu. I owe you two favors now and have no way to repay you. But I wonder, what do you like? Jewelry, accessories, or cosmetics?”

Liu Shunhua thought for a moment, then leaned forward. “I don’t want anything. I only ask that you agree to one thing.”

He Xuandu raised his eyebrow carelessly. “And what would that be, Miss Liu?”

As the son of the prime minister, he was accustomed to people seeking his help, usually for personal gain.

Liu Shunhua parted the dense blossoms and met his gaze. “I want you to…”

He Xuandu’s heart leaped, his eyes widening.

So, her repeated appearances before him had indeed been to catch his attention.

Was she interested in him? Did she want to marry into the prime minister’s household?

“…copy the characters I gave you one hundred times.”

He Xuandu stared blankly. “Copy what?”

“Copy the characters,” Liu Shunhua said firmly. “The ones I gave you yesterday. One hundred times.”

Xuandu took a step back. “Liu Shunhua, have you lost your mind?”

Seeing his resistance, Liu Shunhua realized that nothing could be accomplished overnight. When she practiced calligraphy, it hadn’t been mastered in a day or two.

She softened her tone. “Eighty times, then. Persistence is what matters.”

Xuandu’s expression darkened, a cold laugh echoing in his heart.

He had thought she might be different.

But she was no different from the others, intent on mocking him.

Furious and humiliated, he snapped, “I see it now. You’re not just crazy—you have a grudge against me.”

Liu Shunhua had no choice but to compromise. “If that’s too much, then fifty. Surely fifty is acceptable?”

He Xuandu could bear it no longer. Pointing at her, he roared, “Liu Shunhua, if you’re sick, go see a doctor. Tomorrow, I’ll send you five thousand coins for treatment!”

He turned away in a rage. Liu Shunhua had gone too far.

Seeing him about to leave, Liu Shunhua grew frantic. “Wait, don’t go! We can discuss this just listen to me…”
In her haste, she forgot she was still perched on the wall and stood up abruptly. Her feet slipped, nearly tumbling down.

“He Xuandu, don’t go! Help me!” Liu Shunhua cried out anxiously.

Though she was usually adept at climbing trees, dangling like this left her strength useless, leaving her no choice but to call for assistance.

Hearing her, Xuandu turned back, laughing so hard he could barely straighten up.

Liu Shunhua clung to a thick branch with both hands, her entire body suspended mid-air like a large fluttering moth, swaying back and forth incessantly.

He Xuandu approached and looked up provocatively, “Do you still want me to practice writing?”

Liu Shunhua shook her head, “That matter isn’t so urgent after all.”

Xuandu circled around her, “Didn’t you just say it was quite nice up there? Since it’s so pleasant, why not hang there a bit longer.”

Liu Shunhua pleaded, “He Xuandu, I can’t hold on much longer.”

He Xuandu ignored her, “Serves you right for teasing me. You deserve to be left hanging.”

Thinking of how her elder brother and others treated him, Liu Shunhua gradually realized he’d endured years of ridicule under his reputation as a ne’er-do-well. Her impulsive suggestion about practicing calligraphy must have been misinterpreted due to his past experiences.

Struggling, Liu Shunhua explained, “He Xuandu, listen to me… I only wanted to help you.”

Xuandu scoffed, “Help me? Forcing me to copy texts a hundred times is your idea of help? You…”

Before she could finish, Liu Shunhua’s grip failed, her hands slipped uncontrollably.

The tree branches shook violently, apricot blossoms fluttering down like snow. Green Jade started into flight.

The scent of orchid perfume drifted from her sleeves, filling the air with an intoxicating fragrance. Liu Shunhua’s feathery lashes fluttered as she gazed at The Xuandu’s face so close to hers. Only when she felt his warm breath in her ear did she realize she was lying completely on top of him, their position becoming extremely intimate.

Blushing, she hurriedly urged, “Get up quickly!”

Xuandu’s face twitched, “Miss Liu, you’re on top of me.”

Looking down, Liu Shunhua confirmed this was true. Flustered, she scrambled off him and stood aside with bowed head.

Xuandu rose while supporting his waist, “Liu Shunhua, did you do this on purpose?”

Liu Shunhua murmured, “Truly not. I already said I couldn’t hold on anymore.”

Xuandu pointed at her angrily before slowly lowering his hand, “Considering how you helped me yesterday, I’ll let this pass. Also, I’ll have someone deliver Green Jade’s expenses for these two days to you. Liu Shunhua, don’t let me see you again.”Liu Shunhua blocked his path, anxiously saying, ‘He Xuandu, I truly didn’t mean to mock you.’ It’s just… you mentioned some days ago that you wanted to practice calligraphy.”

Xuandu stared coldly at her, “What does my desire to practice calligraphy have to do with you?”

Liu Shunhua fell silent. Her wish for him to practice writing stemmed from hoping he would return to his former self sooner, but the current He Xuandu clearly couldn’t be changed in a day or two.

Convinced she intended to humiliate him, Xuandu no longer believed any explanation she offered.

Liu Shunhua looked up at The Xuandu, clear and bright, face sincere, “I know you’re suspicious of me, but I truly mean no harm. Hi Xuandu, what must I do to make you believe me?”

Her gaze was earnest; her fair face slightly flushed with emotion. The pearls on her earlobes swayed gently like morning dew on petals, ready to scatter with the wind.

Standing against the breeze, she appeared fragile enough to break, yet she stubbornly remained before him.

Xuandu felt an inexplicable softness in his heart, unable to utter any of the harsh words that had come to his lips.

He muttered gloomily, “I’m just a good-for-nothing. Why bother getting so close to me?”

It seemed it was time to find a suitable reason to dispel all his doubts.

Liu Shunhua let out a long sigh. “Because of a rabbit.”

He Xuandu was incredulous. Previously, she had claimed it was because of Green Jade, and now she was talking about some rabbit.

Liu Shunhua spoke softly, “When you were six years old, you went out to play and found a rabbit by the wall of the chancellor’s residence, didn’t you?”

He Xuandu froze. How could she know about something from his childhood?

Liu Shunhua continued slowly, “That rabbit was called Little White.”

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