Chapter 11 Distracted: "It's all his fault."

Shi Wan immediately understood the sharp edge in Jiang Xu's words.

However, she couldn't answer that question.

As one of the top courtesans at Willow Terrace, she had entertained at least a hundred guests. Shi Wan knew she had a beautiful face, so she always used it as leverage, accompanied by a few sweet words.

There are countless examples of people "secretly pledging their lives to each other".

She said cautiously, "This servant did say that, but I had my reasons."

“Mother Wu is quite strict with us, and... in places like Willow Terrace, it’s often impossible to go against the guests’ wishes. Many people, after drinking a few cups of wine, will hold onto their servants and won’t let go.”

"If, if I hadn't done what they wanted and said some nice things, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived to this day."

Shi Wan spoke with aggrieved words, her voice trembling with sobs at the end. But after crying for a long time, Jiang Xu didn't react in any other way. When she looked up, she realized that he had started staring at her again, just like before.

Seemingly finding it amusing, a rare hint of curiosity appeared in his eyes.

"I am well aware of your silver tongue and your ability to exonerate yourself, but I never expected that a mere singer would dare to try to outsmart me time and time again."

He chuckled softly, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes. "I've only ever asked about one person." The short laugh sent a chill down Shi Wan's spine.

The man's eyebrows were slightly curved, even appearing to be smiling, but in Shi Wan's eyes, it seemed even more terrifying than when his expression was unclear just now.

Inside the celadon vase on the table, a few peony blossoms were inserted at an angle, with a few drops of morning dew clinging to the edges of the petals, almost falling off. When the warm sunlight outside swept over them, they reflected an amber-like translucent color.

Wan'er's eyes were also bright and sparkling, a color between pale yellow and light brown.

Jiang Xu's gaze paused briefly on the peony flowers before returning to the person in front of him.

Although he was about the same age as Wu Qiyuan, he became famous at a young age. Even though he was younger than Wu Qiyuan, no one in the world would associate him with the Wu family, let alone compare them.

Therefore, when he saw Wan'er's reaction today, the jealousy that had just begun to surface intensified even more.

She and that servant from the Wu family, two frail women, traveled through the night to Pingsu, where they were highly likely to encounter misfortune along the way. If Jing Yin hadn't been with them, they might have been broken off like weeds long ago.

Jiang Xu didn't believe Wan'er couldn't figure out the key to it, but...

She remained evasive and unwilling to tell the truth, stubbornly protecting that fool from the Wu family.

Is this behavior truly just a stopgap measure?

Does someone like Wu Qiyuan even deserve to be called a scumbag?

If he had received Wan'er's promise, he would never have let her fall into such a dangerous situation.

Thoughts vanish in an instant, disappearing with each breath.

However, before such an absurd idea could even surface, Jiang Xu was stunned by its transgression and impulsiveness. For the first time ever, a few beads of sweat, almost imperceptible, seeped from his palms.

Apart from himself, no one else noticed.

The window lattice was not completely closed, and a gentle breeze occasionally slipped in, causing the peony flowers in the vase to sway gently. The pale yellow light and shadow fell on the screen, followed by a rustling sound.

Just like his heart, swaying with the wind.

Shi Wan stood with her head bowed. Upon hearing Jiang Xu's hint, she asked seriously almost without hesitation, "Your Majesty, are you referring to the eldest son of the Wu family in Huzhou?"

“I did have some feelings for him in the past, but it was definitely not something between a man and a woman.”

Jiang Xu gazed at the person before him quietly, and seeing that she showed no shame in bringing up matters of love between men and women, his eyes grew increasingly intense.

Shi Wan spoke frankly, completely unaware that Jiang Xu's gaze had subtly changed in tone. Fearing he wouldn't believe her, she continued patiently, "I was originally a singer, and it's perfectly normal for me to act on stage."

“The Wu family… is such a distinguished family, this servant has never had the slightest improper thoughts.”

A thought flashed through her mind, and she added, "Besides, the young master of the Wu family is not my type."

This silence was much shorter. After a moment, Jiang Xu spoke softly, "As you said, then... he misunderstood?"

Shi Wan respectfully replied, "Your Majesty is extremely discerning!"

"Hmm." Jiang Xu casually fiddled with the flowers that were in full bloom and said, "It's all his fault."

That sounds a bit odd.

But at this moment, Shi Wan clearly had no time to think about so much.

With the crisis over, her taut back gradually relaxed, and she complimented Jiang Xu a few more times without changing her expression before stepping forward to add tea and grind ink for him.

When she entered the room, she caught a glimpse of him reading a military newspaper, and she figured he would write something down later.

As expected, upon seeing her thoughtfulness, Jiang Xu's murderous aura quickly dissipated, replaced by the peace and solemnity that Shi Wan was familiar with.

Like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, it happens silently, yet harbors hidden secrets.

For a moment, the only sound in the room was the soft creaking of the inkstone, which, round and round, gradually soothed the many anxieties in Jiang Xu's heart.

He glanced at Shi Wan, then changed the subject, asking, "Why have you been wearing your old clothes these past few days?"

Clothes are meant to serve people; if they are given away but not worn, they lose their original purpose.

Furthermore, these clothes... were meant to be seen by outsiders so that it would be clear to them that Wan'er worked under him.

It's...his person.

Jiang Xu's mood, which had just calmed down, was showing signs of turning bad again. Fortunately, Shi Wan was now quite familiar with the situation and immediately said, "Ever since the King gave me these clothes, I have been taking good care of them every day. I was worried that they would be inconvenient to wear on weekdays and that I would get them dirty, so I haven't worn them yet."

After the maid Liu Yaran was killed, the servants in the prefect's mansion immediately fell silent, and all their petty thoughts disappeared. However, at the same time, rumors began to circulate.

As a result, Shi Wan also received some unusually VIP treatment when doing chores.

It was as if... Liu Ying and her aunt Liu Dian were acting with a kind of arrogant and domineering air.

If she were suddenly given a few more outfits that were far beyond her means, her salary would be insufficient to afford them...

That's really... impossible to defend myself against.

Although Shi Wan had been prepared for this, at this moment, the disadvantages of this matter undoubtedly outweighed the advantages.

Wouldn't this confirm everyone's suspicions?

It's no longer the kind of half-hearted speculation of the past; it's now an undeniable fact.

Her words and actions are probably not as free as before, with many people watching her like spies, both openly and secretly.

Unaware of her inner thoughts, Jiang Xu said casually, "Go to your room later and change into that scarlet and turquoise one."

Crimson? Crimson and turquoise are indeed trendy colors right now, but this is far too bright and eye-catching, and doesn't look like something a maid would wear at all.

Or to put it another way... very few of the clothes Jiang Xu sent were in colors she could wear.

This man is truly a scoundrel who fights wars.

No matter how many books you read... if you don't address the root cause, you'll undoubtedly end up looking unsophisticated when it comes to women's clothing.

And you still complain about her taste?

Shi Wan carefully considered her words before advising, "Green and pale yellow are also popular colors. I remember that among the clothes His Majesty gave me was one just like that. It's fresh and elegant, and I think... it suits you quite well." Instead of contradicting her mistress, she offered a new example.

"It just so happens to be early summer, which is very fitting for this scenery." This is further corroborated, implying something more.

"What does Your Majesty think?" Finally, he stepped aside and asked his master for a decision.

Jiang Xu already knew that Shi Wan didn't want to wear that bright red color ever since she started chattering. Now, seeing her mouth babbling on and on, he couldn't help but pause for a moment.

Two delicate lips, like flower stamens, open and close in the sunlight. With each rustle, they resemble a peony bud about to bloom, carrying a few drops of morning dew, swaying in the gentle breeze.

As Wan'er spoke, her lower lip unconsciously tucked in slightly, revealing a patch of white between her lips and teeth. Perhaps because she had spoken several sentences in a row, her smooth little tongue inadvertently rolled over her lower lip, bringing out a bit of moisture.

Suddenly, his throat bobbed slightly.

"...Your Majesty?"

Jiang Xu suddenly came to his senses. "Well, then I'll do as you say." He then picked up the teacup beside him, took a couple of sips, and paused for a while before suddenly saying, "...It seems there's been a peasant uprising in Youzhou."

Is this to discuss politics with her?

She's not good at this.

Furthermore, Shi Wan knew in her heart that she had come here by chance, and she probably had already been mistaken for some kind of spy.

Even casual conversation shouldn't go this way, right?

he......?

Shi Wan looked frightened and said, "Your Majesty, this servant does not understand these things."

"It's alright, you're one of us." Jiang Xu saw through her thoughts and remained noncommittal.

But at this moment, Shi Wan felt a sense of unease.

Or rather, she felt that Jiang Xu's current state was... somewhat strange.

She would always find an opportunity to say something she couldn't argue with.

And then there are these "insiders"...

The person beside her was calm and collected, casually swirling his teacup. When she noticed him glancing at her, he calmly took a sip of tea, then looked back, his dark gray eyes blinking slightly.

Sure enough... was she overthinking it again?

She had enjoyed a lot of preferential treatment these days, but she had frequently misunderstood Jiang Xu. Shi Wan couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She chuckled and lowered her head to hide her embarrassment, while she worked even harder to grind the ink.

She didn't look up, completely unaware that Jiang Xu was also feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Beneath a few strands of thick black hair, a hint of red had crept onto her earlobes.

A note from the author:

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Female lead: (Small mouth, babbling)

Male lead: I can't hear you, but I want to kiss you.