Chapter 25 I'm too ashamed to face you

Upon seeing Jiang Zhi, the worry in his eyes lessened somewhat. He was about to go up and talk to her when Jiang Zhi dropped the branch she was holding and turned to leave as soon as she saw him.

It was as if she was avoiding him.

Xie Qi had no choice but to chase after him.

He was tall and had long legs, and had practiced martial arts for many years, so winning over a young lady from a wealthy family was a piece of cake.

"Miss Jiang, please forgive me, but I have something to discuss with you." He reached out and blocked Jiang Zhi's path.

Jiang Zhi stopped and glanced at him, then turned around and said in a muffled voice, "Thank you, Your Highness. Please let me leave."

Xie Qi asked in surprise, "Miss Jiang knows my identity?"

Jiang Zhi smiled bitterly, "If I still didn't know your identity by now, I would have lived all these years in vain."

She sighed and continued, "I didn't keep your jade pendant safe and someone stole it. I tried many methods but still couldn't get it back. I have no face to see you."

Xie Qi hadn't expected her to care about this, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

He guessed correctly; the jade pendant in Miss Jiang's hand had indeed been snatched from Miss Jiang a long time ago.

No wonder the mother mistook someone for someone else.

This second Miss Jiang is so arrogant and domineering that she even dares to openly steal her own sister's things. It seems that the eldest Miss Jiang is not having an easy time in the Jiang family.

“Miss Jiang, there’s no need to worry,” he said, taking the dragon-shaped jade pendant out of his pocket to show her. “Look, I’ve already retrieved the pendant.”

The jade pendant, with its warm and smooth texture and tassels, swayed and danced in the sunlight.

Jiang Zhi's face immediately showed a look of surprise, "How did it get back into your hands?"

Xie Qi raised an eyebrow and smiled, slowly recounting how his mother mistook him for her benefactor and how he met Jiang Yunqian at the teahouse, but consciously skipped over the fact that Jiang Yunqian had confessed her feelings to him.

There's no need to elaborate on such arrogant and domineering people.

Jiang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I was worried about how to explain this to you."

“There’s no need to explain to me,” Xie Qi said solemnly. “I’m giving you this jade pendant; it’s yours now.”

He handed the jade pendant to Jiang Zhi, saying, "Now it's returned to its rightful owner."

Jiang Zhi glanced at the jade pendant, then at Xie Qi, and finally took a step back to create some distance between them. She curtsied to him and said, "That night I was unaware of Prince Xie's identity and spoke carelessly. Please don't take my words seriously, Prince Xie. As the heir apparent, your position is of great importance. You don't need to risk your life for a small promise."

"How can this be considered a small matter?" Xie Qi was a little anxious because he hadn't expected her to refuse. "A gentleman's promise is as heavy as a thousand pounds. I will do what I promised you. What kind of person does Miss Jiang take me for?"

Jiang Zhi shook her head again.

"This has nothing to do with Prince Xie, but it's a case of 'possessing a treasure is a crime.' Even if I accept your jade pendant, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep it. Today's events serve as a warning..."

Her gaze fell on the lotus pond not far away, and her face showed lingering fear. "If I hadn't been on guard, I would probably have already fallen victim to their and Yan Wenkang's evil deeds today. How could I be standing here talking to you in good health? If Prince Xie really wants to help me, you should stay away from me."

Xie Qi's expression turned serious.

The one thrashing about in the pool right now is Yan Wenkang.

He originally sent someone to invite Jiang Zhi under the guise of his mother, but the person he sent returned saying that Jiang Zhi's skirt had been stained by tea and that she had been led away by a maid to change her clothes.

The servant waited for a long time but she didn't return, so he had to come back and report.

Xie Qi had a bad feeling and got up to look for Yan Wenkang at the table, but he was nowhere to be found.

Not daring to disturb others, he had to go out and search on his own, and sure enough, he found Jiang Zhi and Yan Wenkang here.

He had initially thought that Yan Wenkang had planned this all by himself out of lust, but now, judging from Miss Jiang's words, it seemed that others were involved.

Xie Qi recalled that the servant had mentioned that Miss Jiang's clothes were soiled by the tea that Miss Jiang had spilled.

This Miss Jiang is incredibly audacious! She dares to frame her elder sister and ruin her reputation in the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion!

Xie Qi's dislike for Jiang Yunqian intensified.

"It was my oversight." Xie Qi put away the jade pendant, then thought for a moment and took out another item from his bosom. "Then please accept this from Miss Jiang."

Jiang Zhi stared intently.

It is a gilded silver ring with an antique pattern and a simple, ordinary design, like a trinket casually bought from a roadside vendor.

"This is..." Jiang Zhi was puzzled for a moment.

Xie Qi explained to her, "It's something I figured out on my own. Don't let its unassuming appearance fool you; it actually has some hidden secrets."

He demonstrated it to Jiang Zhi.

Suddenly, a silver light shot out from inside the ring, disappearing silently into the grass opposite him in an instant.

Jiang Zhi's eyes also lit up.

"This is a protective ring, and it can be adjusted to fit your finger," Xie Qi said, repackaging the gilded ring and handing it to her. "It won't attract attention when worn, making it perfect for surprise attacks. I hope Miss Jiang will accept it."

This thing isn't expensive, but its strength lies in its clever concealment, making it perfect for self-defense.

Jiang Zhi didn't stand on ceremony and reached out to take it, saying, "Then thank you very much, Your Highness."

Xie Qi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was willing to accept it, and then remembered the purpose of his visit to her today.

"As for Yan Wenkang, I would like to hear Miss Jiang's thoughts," he said seriously. "Although we cannot take his life immediately, there are still many ways to sabotage the marriage alliance between the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion and you. I wonder if Miss Jiang has any plans."

When Jiang Zhi saw that he had finally brought up the matter, she pretended to frown and think for a while before saying, "Since we can't kill Yan Wenkang, I only have two paths left to take."

"I would like to hear the details."

Jiang Zhi's eyes turned serious. "Firstly, if I casually find a commoner to marry, no matter how frivolous Yan Wenkang is, he won't force me to marry him."

"Secondly, it is to bring down the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion. Once Yan Wenkang loses power, Father will certainly not force me to marry into their family again."

Xie Qi felt a chill run down his spine.

He hadn't expected this Miss Jiang to have such a do-or-die spirit, which made him take the matter seriously.

The first option was obviously not an option; he couldn't just stand by and watch Miss Jiang ruin her future.

As for bringing down the Loyal Earl's Mansion, that was exactly what he wanted to do.

The assassination attempt on the crown prince served as a wake-up call for the Marquis of Wuyi's household.

The establishment of a crown prince does not mean that the overall situation is settled. Many people are eyeing that chair, especially the third prince, who is eager to try his luck with the help of his maternal family's power and has been making countless underhanded moves in the dark.

With the Crown Prince still unconscious, many court officials are secretly leaning towards the Third Prince, clearly regarding him as the next heir apparent.

If something happens to the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion, the Third Prince will lose the support of his wife's family, which will surely dampen his arrogance.

"I can lend Miss Jiang a hand in bringing down the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion," Xie Qi said solemnly.

Jiang Zhi's face showed surprise. "Is what you say true, Young Master Xie?"

She had long anticipated that Xie Qi would make this choice.