Chapter 262 The Secret Known Only to the Crown Prince and Jiang Zhi

After leaving Jiang Zhi's room, Lu Yuan went to find Xiao Xuanyou.

If Xiao Xuanyou could step in, things would definitely go much more smoothly.

Besides, it was Xiao Xuanyou who harmed Azhi to this extent; it's already too lenient of him not to pay the price.

Xiao Xuanyou's injuries have not fully healed. Although he can walk, he still needs someone to help him.

Upon learning that Jiang Zhi wanted to return to Kyoto, Xiao Xuanyou nodded thoughtfully, "Since Chanyi wants to go back, I will naturally grant her wish."

This was the first time Lu Yuan had heard this title from Xiao Xuanyou. "Why does Your Highness call her Chanyi?"

He had never heard Jiang Zhi mention this name before.

Xiao Xuanyou raised an eyebrow, as if he had just realized that it was inappropriate to address her like that. "This is just a special way of addressing her between us. I hope you will forgive me, Lord Lu."

Lu Yuan frowned, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Xuanyou discreetly.

He had always wondered, given Xiao Xuanyou's status, what kind of woman couldn't he have? Why did he have to choose Jiang Zhi?

When Yan Wenkang got into trouble at the Jiang family's banquet, it was Xiao Xuanyou who ordered him to take Jiang Zhi to the imperial prison to see him.

But she clearly remembered that the two of them had never met alone before.

Is there anything about this that you don't know?

Compared to Shen Ci'an and Xie Qi, the one who posed the greatest threat to him was actually Xiao Xuanyou.

Lu Yuan coldly curled the corner of his lips, "Cicada Robe? Is there a reason?"

“It’s not convenient to tell Lord Lu about this,” Xiao Xuanyou said leisurely, putting down his teacup. “After all, this is a secret between her and me.”

“It’s alright,” Lu Yuan said, his eyes lowered and his expression indifferent. “I’ll go ask A-Zhi.”

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Xuanyou smiled as if he had heard a joke, "Then I'm afraid Lord Lu will be disappointed."

"Chanyi will absolutely not tell you this."

Lu Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Why is Your Highness so certain?"

"I advise Lord Lu not to waste his energy," Xiao Xuanyou said, his eyes narrowed, his demeanor composed and elegant, yet revealing a hint of wickedness. "Do you believe that Chanyi will keep this matter a secret forever? In the end, it will only be Lord Lu who is heartbroken. Why bring shame upon yourself?"

"Lord Lu, you would be better off pretending you never heard what I said today. That would be the most acceptable thing for you."

The incredible fact of rebirth is a secret known only to herself and Chanyi; she would never reveal it to a third person.

Lu Yuan thought that by being close to her, he could know everything about her.

That's incredibly naive.

He was just waiting for him to be smashed in and bleed profusely, suffering terribly.

Lu Yuan's Adam's apple bobbed as he coldly took his leave.

*

Upon learning that Jiang Zhi was leaving Yaocheng for the capital, Xie Qi was the one who was most reluctant to part with her.

"Zhizhi, since you love freedom so much, why do you want to go back to a place like Kyoto? Wouldn't it be better to stay in Yaocheng with me?"

Xie Qi came specifically to persuade Jiang Zhi.

He was ordered to guard the city and could not leave without an imperial edict, so naturally he could not go back with Jiang Zhi and the others.

“Now that the Provincial Administration Commission is about to collapse, with me guarding Yao City, you can do whatever you want here. I won’t restrict you like others do. You can do whatever you want with me,” Xie Qi frowned, staring at her with some melancholy. “Why do you have to leave?”

Jiang Zhi sighed, "General Xie, as long as Xiao Yunheng keeps an eye on me, I will never have a moment's peace. I don't want to live like this."

Xie Qi's thin lips were pressed tightly together, and his peach blossom eyes now had only the form but no spirit, drooping as if ravaged by wind and frost.

"Then what about that night in the cave? You were clearly happy too, you clearly didn't resist me." Xie Qi felt as if a piece of his heart was empty, and even breathing became difficult.

As the heir of the Marquis of Wuyi, he was the center of attention from a young age, full of vigor and ambition, and was seen by everyone as the pride of heaven.

His mother felt sorry and distressed that he was unable to return to the capital because he was guarding the city in the harsh and cold place of Yaocheng.

But only he knew that he did not like the power struggles and deceit in Kyoto.

He actually preferred to stay here, fighting on the battlefield and drinking with his brothers.

He had hardly experienced any setbacks in his life, and now that he had finally found the woman he loved, he discovered that her heart was not with him at all.

Jiang Zhi blushed at his blunt words. "But it was purely out of necessity. Didn't I say that I would forget about that night once I left the cave?"

"But I can't forget it."

Xie Qi's face was full of pain. "Zhizhi, tell me, do you even have me in your heart? Even if you can't compare to Shen Ci'an or Lu Yuan, just a little bit will do."

"I don't want any title or recognition, and I don't need your response. I'd be perfectly content if you just said you liked me even a little bit."

He spoke with an almost humble tone, casting aside all his pride.

Jiang Zhi's heart also felt like it was being squeezed.

In her memory, Xie Qi should be full of fighting spirit and have a sharp edge that has not been worn down by the world, not someone who lowers himself down for the sake of love.

She gritted her teeth and shook her head.

"No, not at all. I only have admiration for General Xie for fighting on the battlefield and protecting our country, and gratitude for his repeated protection of me. I have no romantic feelings for him whatsoever."

Xie Qi could barely stand.

"I've always wanted to ask, why? I'm clearly more suitable for you than Shen Ci'an. If you had chosen to marry me, how could you have encountered so many problems?"

This question had been weighing on his mind for a long time.

When she was looking for a place to stay, the Marquis of Wuyi's family was powerful and influential, and her mother liked her, so they wouldn't make things difficult for her.

As long as he takes over the Wuyi Marquis's mansion in the future, she will be the only female master of the mansion.

Why did she choose Shen Ci'an?

Jiang Zhi took a deep breath. "General Xie, the hopes of the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion rest on your shoulders. How can I delay you because of my own selfishness?"

Seeing that Xie Qi wanted to deny it, Jiang Zhi waved her hand to stop him, "Let me finish speaking first."

"The Marquis of Wuyi's mansion is indeed a good place to settle down, but it is not suitable for me. I know your mother has no prejudice against me, but what about Her Majesty the Empress?"

"As your aunt, and you being the Crown Prince's right-hand woman, would she allow you to marry a woman who doesn't want to have children?"

"Then an imperial edict will be issued ordering you to divorce your wife, and neither of us will be able to resist."

Jiang Zhi had some understanding of the Empress's personality in her previous life.

The mother of a nation is dignified and majestic, and what she dislikes most are those who do not abide by etiquette and have no manners.

If she becomes the wife of the Marquis of Wuyi's heir, she will likely live in his shadow for the rest of her life.

Xie Qi's lips twitched, but he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

Because he knew Jiang Zhi was right.

He seemed to have all his strength suddenly drained away, leaving him feeling dejected and lost.

"I understand, Zhizhi."

"Go back to Kyoto, I won't force you."

"But remember, the Marquis of Wuyi's mansion will always be your support. If anyone ever makes you sad, you can always come to me."

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but smile, "Okay."

Xie Qi felt a pang of sadness in his heart and finally couldn't help but open his arms and hug her.

His Zhizhi must be happy.

But he wasn't going to give up so easily.

Don't let him find a chance to return to Kyoto.

He refused to believe it. He could fight such a difficult battle, so how could he not win a single Zhizhi?