Chapter 38 Don't be too hasty

Jiang Zhi was startled again.

The princess Xiao Xuanyou mentioned was his own sister, Princess Zhaohui, who was deeply favored by the emperor.

The princess's study companions were all unmarried women from the princes' and nobles' close ministers, who were all of outstanding character and literary talent. Once one could become a princess's study companion, one's status would rise accordingly, making one look favorably upon by one's future husband's family, and there was also the possibility of getting to know the royal family. It was a position that all the unmarried women in the capital would fight tooth and nail for.

Although her father was the Minister of Rites, her mother had passed away early. Wang Yuru only cared about her daughter and had spent countless efforts in recent years, but she still couldn't make Jiang Yunqian a study companion as she wished.

Now Xiao Xuanyou is so casually offering to bestow the spot upon her.

However, Jiang Zhi didn't feel particularly flattered.

In the past, she would have been overjoyed by this, but having been given a second chance at life, she had no other thought than revenge, and Shen Ci'an was not someone who valued such empty fame.

She didn't want to get involved in these pointless struggles anymore.

Moreover, although Xiao Xuanyou appears to be naturally noble and gentle on the surface, he is a person with an extremely strong possessive desire at heart.

Although he placed her in a brothel in his past life, he secretly sent countless people to monitor her and never allowed her to have contact with other men.

If she inadvertently exchanged a few extra words with a man and he found out, all that awaited her was a long and unspeakable night of intimacy in bed. Only when she begged for mercy and truly could not bear it any longer would he reluctantly let her go.

When she was first reborn, she thought she would make Xiao Xuanyou pay the price, but now she only feels that she was naive.

As the crown prince and the future ruler, how could I possibly retaliate against him unless I rebelled?

As long as I stay far away from him, I won't repeat the mistakes of my past life.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi lowered her head even further. "This humble woman is not well-versed in her studies and has a stubborn and unruly nature. I am unworthy of Your Highness's favor. I beg Your Highness to choose someone else."

Xiao Xuanyou took a step closer to her.

Jiang Zhi knelt upright, and he could only see the top of her head and a small section of her fair neck exposed as she lowered her head. Her posture was humble, as if he could control her at will.

But Xiao Xuanyou knew that the person in front of him was stubborn and unruly, and would not even care about his life in order to escape his control.

This time he must be very careful and not rush things and scare her.

Fortunately, given her uncertainty about the future, he can proceed cautiously.

"Since Miss Jiang is unwilling to accept, I will naturally not force her," he said in a kind and approachable manner. "However, I should reward you in some way. If you do not wish to be a princess's companion, then I will ask my father for an imperial decree to grant you a marriage. I wonder if Miss Jiang has someone she likes? As long as you speak, no matter how great the difference in your status is, I will fulfill your wish. What do you say?"

The dark room was silent. After Xiao Xuanyou finished speaking, he waited quietly for her to speak.

Jiang Zhi's back was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat. Xiao Xuanyou's tall shadow cast a tangible shadow on her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She didn't know why Xiao Xuanyou would ask such a question, but her past experiences with him told her that this was a test, and she absolutely couldn't tell the truth.

Once he is told about Shen Ci'an, given Shen Ci'an's current status, he will definitely not be able to save his life.

Her head was almost touching the ground. "This humble woman is of marriageable age and observes proper etiquette. I have never had a lover and truly do not know how to reply to Your Highness. If Your Highness truly wishes to reward this humble woman, please grant her some gold, silver, and land."

As she finished speaking, the air remained silent for a long time, then a soft laugh suddenly rang out, and the pressure on her head dissipated.

Xiao Xuanyou bent down, his long, slender fingers, with distinct knuckles like jade bamboo sculpted from solidified cream, grasped her wrist through her sleeve, and helped her up.

"Then I will certainly grant Miss Jiang's wish." Only now did he finally restore the dignity and prestige of a crown prince.

Jiang Zhi tried to subtly pull her hand away from his, but Xiao Xuanyou only gripped it tighter, his phoenix eyes fixed on her as if he were recalling something.

"Your Highness, please let go," Jiang Zhi reminded him, frowning.

Xiao Xuanyou seemed to realize his rudeness only then, "Miss Jiang looks very familiar to me. Have we known each other for a long time?"

Jiang Zhi's heart pounded, and she didn't dare to look into his probing and scrutinizing eyes. "Your Highness is joking. As the Crown Prince, how could you possibly know a woman like me?"

Xiao Xuanyou nodded, "That makes sense. I must have misremembered."

Jiang Zhi really couldn't understand why Xiao Xuanyou had brought her here today, and fearing that saying too much would lead to trouble, she dared not ask any more questions. She could only bite the bullet and say, "If Your Highness has no other instructions, I will take my leave now."

Surprisingly, Xiao Xuanyou did not refuse, but nodded, "I'll have Lu Yuan take you."

"I dare not trouble Lord Lu, I can go back by myself."

Xiao Xuanyou asked her, "Don't you want to know what will happen to Yan Wenkang?"

Jiang Zhi's eyes lit up, but then she realized that she was facing Xiao Xuanyou, a man whose temperament was completely unpredictable. She could only suppress the surging curiosity in her heart and asked cautiously, "This matter concerns assassins. I'm afraid it's not good for me to know too much."

“It’s alright, you’re one of the witnesses too, no need to avoid suspicion,” Xiao Xuanyou said, a smile creeping onto his lips as he watched her finally lose her previous respectful yet aloof demeanor. “Let Lu Yuan tell you himself.”

He was well aware of Yan Wen's wicked intentions. In his dream, Yan Wenkang had succeeded today, bringing Jiang Zhi into the Zhongqin Earl's mansion to torment her.

Although she was a virgin when she was with him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy whenever he thought about how Yan Wenkang had used such despicable means against her and had briefly been her nominal husband.

In the dream, the person was deeply involved in a treason case in the Zhongqin Earl's mansion. After Yan Wenkang was sent to the north, he was specially instructed not to let him have an easy life.

In reality, although Jiang Zhi escaped this ordeal for some unknown reason, she still cannot absolve Yan Wenkang of his guilt.

For both public and private reasons, he would not easily let go of the Earl of Loyalty and Diligence's mansion.

When Jiang Zhi came out of the dark room, her inner shirt was already soaked with cold sweat.

Yu Jun has disappeared without a trace, and Lu Yuan has taken her place.

"Thank you for your help today, Lord Lu." Jiang Zhi bowed to him sincerely.

In any case, Lu Yuan had helped her a lot today.

"You are now a witness, and I have an obligation to ensure your safety," Lu Yuan said coldly. He led her out, offered her his arm for support as she boarded the carriage, and then personally drove it back.

As darkness fell, the carriage moved slowly along the official road, its clatter echoing.

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but ask, "How is my sister?"

Lu Yuan's voice came from outside the carriage, "I just scared them a little and then put them back."