FBC – Chapter 328 Likes Him?

The next day, Gu Hua met Min Dongsheng.

He had rushed back directly from the military camp.

Lord Mu had not returned to the manor for several days, and Gu Hua had no idea how things were progressing on his side.

“Your Highness, what urgent matter do you have for me?”

Min Dongsheng didn’t even have time to change his clothes and hurried anxiously into the prince’s residence.

Gu Hua was surprised when she saw the dust on his clothes and the stubble on his face.

Even when Min Dongsheng had been imprisoned before, he kept himself neat and tidy, with his hair meticulously combed. Why was he so unkempt now?

“Sir, please sit. You must be tired from the journey.”

Gu Hua was about to tell Dong Qing to fetch some snacks when she noticed that Dong Qing was already bringing in a tray of tea, followed by maids carrying three types of pastries.

“Look at you, Dong Qing. You’re the chief maid now. Why are you still personally serving tea and water?”

Gu Hua joked.

Dong Qing blushed. While handing the tea bowl to Min Dongsheng, she softly said, “Your Highness is teasing this servant. I just happened to pass by and saw that Master Min had arrived. His shoes were muddy and his robe unchanged—he must’ve rushed here. It’s just past lunchtime, so he surely hasn’t eaten. So I ordered the kitchen to bring some ready-made snacks.”

Min Dongsheng glanced at Dong Qing in surprise.

After a few months apart, she seemed to have matured a lot—and she was far more observant now.

When he lowered his gaze to look at his shoes, they were indeed covered with mud, leaving prints all over the carpet. He quickly tucked them beneath his robe.

His face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

“Apologies for dirtying the carpet.”

Dong Qing quickly replied, “It’s no matter at all. Once Master Min finishes speaking with Your Highness, I’ll have someone clean it.”

“Thank you.” Min Dongsheng glanced at her again, feeling that the young girl seemed more radiant than before.

Gu Hua’s gaze shifted between their reddened faces. Since when did Dong Qing observe someone so closely and even think to guess he might be hungry?

Did they… have some deeper interaction before?

Min Dongsheng smiled gratefully. “Chief maid? So Dong Qing has become the chief maid now? Congratulations.”

Gu Hua smiled. “She’s very capable now. In time, she’ll be able to take over Sister Zhilan’s position as the true head female steward.”

Min Dongsheng gave Dong Qing a thumbs-up. “Wonderful. I always said she’s clever and thoughtful. She will certainly achieve what she hopes for.”

Dong Qing’s ears turned bright red. She quickly bowed. “This servant will take her leave.”

“Dong Qing, didn’t you say Master Min hasn’t eaten? Go personally and ask the kitchen to prepare something good for him.”

“Yes.” She nodded, then gestured for the other maids to withdraw. She carefully closed half the door and instructed the maids to stand ten steps outside—close enough to see movement, far enough not to overhear.

Min Dongsheng’s gaze followed her the entire time. Watching her give detailed instructions before hurrying off, he couldn’t help smiling.

“Your Highness is remarkable—cultivating one capable girl after another.”

Gu Hua replied, “It’s not me. They’re the ones with ambition and willingness to work hard.”

Min Dongsheng nodded. “Miss Dong Qing is a girl with lofty aspirations.”

Gu Hua, curious beyond restraint, asked, “Master Min seems to understand Dong Qing quite well?”

“Oh, not particularly. It’s just that whenever Your Highness summons me, it’s Dong Qing who comes to deliver the message. Sometimes as we walk, she asks questions. Seeing that she’s eager to learn and literate, I’ve given her a few books. Occasionally, when we meet, she asks me about things she didn’t understand in them. Over time… we’ve become somewhat familiar.”

Gu Hua let out an “Ah.”

“So that’s how it is.”

No wonder Dong Qing had grown so rapidly these two years.

Though quiet, she was increasingly efficient. Whenever Zhilan was busy, Dong Qing reported matters to Gu Hua—clear, organized, thorough. It was no wonder Gu Hua felt she could one day replace Zhilan.

So it was Min Dongsheng who had guided her.

Gu Hua returned to the main topic. “How are things with the prince?”

“Your Highness, so far recruitment is going very well. Six thousand new soldiers have already joined, and Dali has sent five thousand excellent warhorses. The weapon-forging camp has been reopened. I also learned that Your Highness has begun recruiting female soldiers—this is outstanding. Truly, the princess is not inferior to the men!”

Gu Hua quickly waved a hand. “Sir, let’s skip the flattery. I summoned you to discuss something serious.”

She briefly explained the situation with the Pei family.

“Since the Pei family has noticed something, then Bianjing surely knows as well. The prince’s plans must proceed.”

Min Dongsheng nodded. “His Highness wants to delay until after Your Highness gives birth.”

“I know he’s worried about me, but some things cannot wait. As we take action, Bianjing is surely taking action too. We must lay groundwork early and secure the people’s support.”

Min Dongsheng looked at her. “Your Highness already has a plan? Please, share it.”

At that moment, Dong Qing appeared outside the door, positioned exactly where Gu Hua could see her.

Gu Hua beckoned her in. Dong Qing entered with a food box, head lowered.

“Place it here,” Gu Hua said, pointing at the tea table.

Dong Qing set down the box, opened it, and reached for the large bowl inside.

Min Dongsheng noticed it was a big bowl of noodles, steaming hot—likely very hot to touch.

Seeing Dong Qing’s slender white fingers reaching in, he feared she’d burn herself. He quickly stood up, saying, “Let me,” and reached for the bowl.

Dong Qing blushed and instinctively pulled back her hand—just as their fingertips brushed lightly past each other.

Min Dongsheng didn’t seem to notice and continued taking the bowl out.

Dong Qing reacted as if shocked by electricity, swiftly withdrawing her hand and stepping back. Her delicate white face turned as red as a ripe apple.

Min Dongsheng exclaimed happily, “Wow, this is a huge bowl—looks delicious. Thank you, Miss Dong Qing.”

Flustered, Dong Qing bowed and fled like a startled rabbit.

Gu Hua watched her run—faster than she’d ever seen. The normally meek, small-step-walking Dong Qing looked like a completely different person.

She glanced at the noodles. Even she felt her mouth watering.

The noodles were the finest silver-thread egg noodles, topped with braised pork mince, two perfectly poached eggs, and a plate of bright green vegetables on the side.

Min Dongsheng flushed with embarrassment and set the bowl down. “Your Highness, let’s finish our discussion first.”

“Eat while it’s hot. You need strength to talk properly.”

Gu Hua sipped her tea with a smile.

Min Dongsheng’s stomach growled loudly. He hadn’t even eaten breakfast to rush over, and he’d been staying up late every day discussing strategies and drawing maps. He had been eating rough soldiers’ meals and had a bigger appetite now.

“In that case, I shall obey.”

He began eating ravenously. One bite swallowed half a poached egg, golden yolk oozing out.

Gu Hua raised a brow. “Dong Qing made this herself. She cooks poached eggs better than anyone. She always gets the timing perfect—they’re half-cooked.”

Min Dongsheng slurped noodles and nodded. “Delicious, truly delicious.”

Gu Hua looked out the window. Dong Qing had already disappeared.

She couldn’t help smiling, taking another sip of tea.

She suddenly wanted a poached egg too.

Later, she would ask Dong Qing to make her a small bowl of poached-egg noodles.