Chapter 9 Interests "Your Majesty...why bother toying with this servant..."

Shi Wan naturally believed it.

The wound in her chest has not fully healed. Even now, when she is emotionally agitated and has to suppress it, a faint, throbbing pain still rises in that area, as if it is being gnawed by insects.

Shi Wan was no longer so afraid of him, but she still trembled instinctively because of his words.

As dawn broke, the rain from the previous night was illuminated by the bright sunlight, and the contrast between cold and heat gave her a strange feeling of being caught between ice and fire. "This servant has no ill intentions, please, Your Majesty, investigate thoroughly!"

Having been abducted here for so many days, she had no intention of escaping unscathed anytime soon.

She was cautious all day long and never contacted anyone outside, so why wouldn't Jiang Xu give her even the slightest bit of trust?

If you already treat her like a stray cat or dog, then why are you being so demanding?

Shi Wan didn't understand, but that didn't stop her from lowering her head and continuing to endure. "If Your Majesty has any doubts, you can verify them at any time."

In today's chaotic world, people's desires are amplified infinitely in this disorderly environment, especially among the capable. In this situation, choosing the best among the worst, the other party's treatment of her was actually quite kind.

Judge by actions, not intentions.

Last night's events were like a ray of dawn, gently shining on Shi Wan, giving her a glimpse of another possibility for a moment.

Should we try a different approach with Jiang Xu?

Shi Wan forced a smile and was about to speak when she met Jiang Xu's chilling gaze, and she was startled instinctively.

The suffocating feeling in her neck brought her back to her senses. Her lips parted slightly, but no word came out. Phlegm-like tears welled up quickly, salty and almost blurring her vision. "Cough..."

Jiang Xu's fingers gradually tightened.

Under the crushing force of absolute power, she appeared even more like an ant that could be crushed at any moment, small and seemingly about to disappear.

Shi Wan's body went limp, and she lost her footing in an instant, leaving her no choice but to let the other party do as they pleased. "Your Majesty."

Seeing her in such pain, Jiang Xu felt much more pleased. He quietly admired her for a while before suddenly letting go at the last moment.

Shi Wan hurriedly breathed in the fresh air, lying awkwardly on the ground. The fear that had not yet completely subsided in her heart was quickly replaced by another similar fear.

She couldn't help but open her mouth, her gaze fixed on the ground, trying to avoid the man standing in front of her.

The next moment, Jiang Xu bent down slightly and half-squatted down, lifting her chin. Shi Wan had no choice but to meet his gaze.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Xu's mockery and sarcasm were unmistakable. The corners of his lips curved into a clearly visible arc as he asked her with a smile, "What?" He seemed puzzled, but it was more like he was doing it on purpose. "Didn't you say that you would let me verify it at any time?"

"That's not enough?"

"Your Majesty...why bother to tease this servant?" Shi Wan spoke very softly, but since the two were so close, Jiang Xu naturally heard her without any difficulty.

He exerted a little force, gently pinching Shi Wan's face and turning it towards him. "Playing around?" His tone was gentle. "I'm just giving them a taste of their own medicine."

Shi Wan lowered her eyes in fear, biting her lip tightly.

During these days, she never neglected her duties, partly because she was afraid of being considered useless and abandoned, but more so because Jiang Xu did not have any concubines by his side.

Back in the days at Willow Terrace, those men never concealed their physical desires in front of her. If it weren't for the people that Mother Wu specifically assigned to guard her, she probably would have become one of them satisfying their desires long ago.

Although this was also to sell her as a virgin for a good price, Shi Wan was still grateful.

After all, she genuinely enjoyed the benefits.

The same applies now.

Using her title as "Prince Jingbei's personal maid," Shi Wan enjoyed many preferential treatments, both openly and secretly. Logically, this should offset the harm she suffered.

She was just a maid.

Can......

Shi Wan was unwilling to accept this.

Born in a chaotic era, it would have been fine if she had been born ordinary, but heaven gave her this beautiful appearance.

It was precisely because of her appearance that Jiang Xu became interested in her.

However, he was somewhat different from the guests that Shi Wan had served in the past.

He is very changeable and can become unhappy at any time, leading to certain behaviors.

Shi Wan originally felt that he could take her life at any time.

Jiang Xu still seemed to have some interest in her and was unwilling to kill her immediately.

If that's the case...

Only by putting oneself in a desperate situation can one survive.

Shi Wan lowered her eyelashes, concealing the complex emotions in her eyes. When she looked up at Jiang Xu again, she had that pitiful and charming look, and said with a hint of timidity, "This servant will not deceive Your Majesty. This servant is really just... scared." After speaking, she staggered forward.

He gently placed his hand on his heart. The woman's slender, white fingers, despite the hardships of the past few days, still retained the delicate softness nurtured over the years. Jiang Xu's gaze swept along her neck and noticed the red marks on her neck.

He had just pinched it; the faint red mark resembled a mottled plum blossom petal fallen amidst the pure white snow.

It was extremely abrupt.

Why are you so delicate?

He clearly didn't use any force.

Shi Wan rubbed her chest before saying, "Since I came to Jichuan, I have been living in dire straits. Although Your Majesty is kind, I can't help but worry a lot. I know that many people here regard me as an outsider."

Her tone softened considerably, as if she were involuntarily murmuring to herself, "Even... regarded as a spy, a traitor, and constantly on guard against."

Even if I did nothing.

Seeing that she had brought up the topic, Jiang Xu remained noncommittal, saying, "If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason."

"Now that Your Majesty has verified it, your doubts can be temporarily dispelled."

Her sobs turned into exhalations, revealing a distinct tremor. "This servant... does not ask for longevity, but only for these few days."

The woman's words were choked with sobs. The grievances that had been buried deep in her heart for many days finally had an outlet, but she only dared to complain in small, insignificant ways, like a pet cat that had suddenly scratched someone but stayed nearby, observing its owner's reaction.

Jiang Xu was speechless for a moment.

The surrounding trees cast dappled shadows, and a gentle breeze had picked up again, carrying a slight coolness.

The man's shadow was once again blown about by the cool breeze, appearing somewhat unsteady.

Just then, a gust of wind blew down the tear that was hanging on Shi Wan's face, leaving a faint tear stain. After a long while, a warm, brief, and forceful sensation suddenly came from her left cheek.

The warmth from Jiang Xu's fingertips traveled rapidly, instantly melting into the spring breeze.

*

Peach Blossom City.

This place belongs to one of the thirteen cities of Youzhou. Although it is named Peach Blossom Spring, it has been like a living hell for the past few months. The city is full of broken and dead tree branches. It should be the season of rejuvenation, but now it is completely shrouded in an atmosphere of death.

As Xiao Chijie headed into the city, all he could see were shacks made of rags and withered branches, with a few tattered straw mats on the ground covered with people huddled up, their fates unknown.

Like festering scars growing on the earth, spreading in the spring breeze, accompanied by a putrid stench.

Upon closer sniffing, Xiao Chijie even detected a faint, rancid body odor emanating from somewhere. His expression remained unchanged as he covered his mouth and nose and continued walking forward.

Before long, they stopped at a certain place and looked at the person in front of them. His eyes were sunken, his cheekbones were high, and there was no flesh on his face. He was so hungry that he was just skin and bones.

He murmured to himself, his face filled with hope, "Prefect Shen is coming soon!"

"Release the grain! The Shen family are sons of bitches...Release the grain!"

There are many people like this.

Xiao Chijie searched around for a while longer and, finding the information he had gathered to be true, immediately sent someone to stir up trouble. After spreading the news, he found a place to hide.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), the sun was gradually setting, but the sunlight still carried a hint of heat.

Under the vast shadows, the southwest direction opposite was brightly lit, as if it had been split into two places.

Shen Huan stood smugly in the light and shadow, looking down at the refugees not far away. After a moment, he raised his voice and said, "Come, follow me to inspect the area!"

The aide beside him smiled obsequiously, “My lord, please wait a moment. The master has ordered you to go to the south of the city to ‘inspect the distribution of porridge.’ This task should be recorded by a few painters!”

Having just gained the favor of Shen Qing, the head of the Shen family, Shen Huan waved his hand impatiently upon hearing this, "Just call a few painters, the important thing is the guards. Choose some with outstanding skills, so as not to mess things up." He walked down from the viewing platform and muttered, "However, I don't think those lowly commoners would dare to cause trouble."

Yes! Yes!!

The staff's response faded into the wind.

Before long, a procession slowly approached Xiao Chijie. The leader was surrounded by about twenty guards, his eyes, barely slits in the sky, peering around.

This man was the only son of Shen Guoyu, the largest grain merchant in Youzhou.

Behind him, a pair of green eyes gleamed, lurking in the shadows and watching the group intently, like vicious dogs waiting to tear their prey apart.

Moments later, as soon as the carriage stopped, it was surrounded by a dense crowd of refugees.

Shen Huan realized something was wrong and quickly gave a signal. His aide immediately lifted the curtain and stepped out, shouting, "How dare you! Get back right now!"

"Governor Shen has been ordered to distribute porridge; do not be late!"

These two sentences undoubtedly ignited the crowd.

Instantly, cries, wails, and curses erupted.

The noise grew louder and louder, and before anyone knew it, someone started pushing and shoving.

Order was lost, and chaos ensued.

The carriage was quickly destroyed by a few refugees, leaving Chen Huan with nowhere to hide, like a fish on a chopping board.

In a flash, the scroll in his sleeve was shoved out and landed on the ground with a crisp "click".

Seeing his chance, Xiao Chijie immediately raised his arm and exclaimed, "Something fell out!"

Among the group of refugees, someone immediately chimed in, "It looks like a book!"

The surrounding noise immediately decreased, paused for a few breaths, and then erupted.

Like water reaching its extreme temperature, it boiled instantly. "The contract!!"

The decision was final.

The news spread to many people: "This is a contract for buying an official position!!!"

A note from the author:

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