Chapter 48: On Top of the Tree
While the stars were twinkling in the night sky, Chen Chang Sheng and Luo Luo were sitting on the floor enjoying their late night snack. It contained a few types of delightful desserts and two bowls of herb gruel with a side of salted meat. It delicious so the master and apprentice enjoyed themselves and didn’t speak a word during the meal.
After finishing the gruel and dessert, Luo Luo finally took a break and spoke. Thinking back to the carriage she saw near the side door of the Heavenly Academy, she couldn’t resist but ask while chewing her salted meat. “Master, what kind of relationship do you have with the Dong Yu General’s Mansion?”
Chen Chang Sheng knew curiosity couldn’t be oppressed for a long time and was mentally prepared for her question. He casually answered a few sentences and wanted to switch the topic – his preparation was to fool her and use his status as the master to skip the questioning. It seemed like an easy task.
But tonight’s view was too beautiful and Luo Luo couldn’t resist her curiosity. She knew he didn’t want to answer and her black pupils started to move from one side to the other. She tried a few different possibilities, such as the trivial plots of a son of a friend or family feuds.
Chen Chang Sheng never knew her imagination was so rich and didn’t know how to answer. Therefore he kept his silence.
Luo Luo stared at the night sky full of stars above the Tradition Academy and thought. She picked up a small green orange that she previously got from the woods and chewed it. Suddenly, she let out a voice.
Chen Chang Sheng thought she was surprised by the sourness of the fruit and shook his head, “I told you it was too sour and inedible. Plus it is not good for the stomach.”
Luo Luo swallowed the green orange and she didn’t seem to be bothered by the sourness. She looked at Chen Chang Sheng surprisingly and said, “Master, are you vowed to marry to Xu You Rong when you were an infant?”
Chen Chang Sheng opened his mouth slightly and didn’t know what to say. On the side of respecting her imagination, he couldn’t help but to admit to the fact.
“Ah…..”
Before he made an response, Luo Luo waved her hands and embarrassment filled her face. “Silly me, how could I even think of such nonsense. How could it be possible? It’s that Xu You Rong we talking about.”
Chen Chang Sheng grew even more silent because he didn’t know what he should say. His mouth was closed bitterly and thought to himself ‘this marriage vow was way too ridiculous.’ Even Luo Luo, who had nothing but utmost respect for him, would think like this too? Why is it impossible between him and Xu You Rong?
“Go back to sleep,” He thought for a second and told Luo Luo, “I have some business to take care of tomorrow, don’t come here too early.”
Luo Luo was nervous and said insecurely, “Master, are you angry?”
Chen Chang Sheng said, “Did you do anything today that would make me angry?’
Luo Luo thought hard and found she didn’t do anything that would anger her master. Previously on the Ivy Festival her actions are arrogant and not nice as usual, but since her master said he wouldn’t blame her, then of course he wouldn’t blame her.
Never did she realize that a causal word of her had hurt Chen Chang Sheng’s self-pride.
Since she said it causally, therefore he was hurt deeply.