Chapter 84 Extremely Ambiguous and Shameful

In her panic, Jiang Zhi missed her target and fell sideways into the bathtub.

But soon a hand reached into the water and bent down to grab her waist.

The force was not heavy, but it carried an irresistible steadiness.

Water splashed everywhere, creating ripples that mirrored her flustered and unsettled state of mind.

She was half-hanging in Xiao Xuanyou's arm, leaning back awkwardly. The hand on her waist was so strong, the burning heat of his palm searing her skin like a branding iron, and she could clearly feel the bulging muscles on his arm.

How could he come here so recklessly?!

Jiang Zhi was both angry and anxious, and in a fit of shame and indignation, she reached out and slapped him across the face.

A soft "snap" sounded.

Xiao Xuanyou was stunned.

Jiang Zhi was also stunned.

No matter how impolite his behavior may be, he is still a crown prince of noble blood, the future ruler of the country.

Anyone who dares to hurt him will not only risk their own life, but also implicate the entire Jiang family.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, and she lowered her head to avoid looking at him.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Qingxing's voice came in, "Miss, are you still washing? What was that sound just now?"

Jiang Zhi was startled. Seeing Qing Xing about to look over the screen, she quickly called out, "Don't come any closer!"

Qingxing stopped in her tracks. "What's wrong, Miss?"

“I’m not wearing any clothes,” Jiang Zhi said.

Qingxing said helplessly, "Miss is joking. In the past, I always helped you change your clothes while you bathed."

Jiang Zhi bit her lower lip. "What I mean is, the water is a bit cold. Could you go and boil another kettle of water for me?"

Qingxing then agreed, "Okay, I'll go now. Please take care not to catch a cold, Miss."

Jiang Zhi felt a great weight lifted off her shoulders.

But thinking about my current awkward and embarrassed state, my heart jumped again.

"Are you calm now?" A soft laugh came from above, the laughter carrying a playful and indulgent tone.

Jiang Zhi, however, was tense all over and would rather he get angry.

Such intimate, lover-like tone of voice—I've only ever heard it since I was with him in my past life.

But now they have absolutely no relationship.

Jiang Zhi was suspicious, but she didn't show it on her face. She just covered her chest and said, "This humble woman accidentally injured Your Highness. I deserve to die. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Seeing her feigned obedience, Xiao Xuanyou couldn't resist teasing her.

"So how do you plan to make me forgive you?"

His voice was very low, and his hot breath sprayed onto his head.

Jiang Zhi felt a tingling and weak sensation down her spine. If Xiao Xuanyou hadn't been supporting her, she probably would have slipped back into the bathtub.

The two were in an extremely ambiguous and shameful position at that moment.

She was completely naked, her loose black hair soaked with water and clinging to her neck and shoulders, barely concealing the rise and fall of her chest.

Xiao Xuanyou reached one hand into the bathtub, leaned over and put his arm around her waist, while the other hand rested casually on the edge of the tub, as if admiring a painting of a lady he had collected.

She bit her lip in frustration, unsure how to begin.

Xiao Xuanyou lowered his eyes and smiled again, "How about I make you my Crown Prince's Consort? I'll take the slap I gave you just now as a playful joke between my beloved concubine and I won't hold it against you."

Every word he uttered struck her taut heartstrings like a heavy hammer blow.

Consort of the Crown Prince.

In her past life, she wanted him to help her escape from the hellish situation and had even brought it up with him.

However, Xiao Xuanyou changed the subject and refused to agree readily.

She probably felt ashamed of her lowly status and tarnished reputation, believing she wasn't even worthy of being his concubine.

Only then did she make up her mind to escape his control.

Now, when I suddenly hear him mention it, I no longer feel the same way I did back then.

Seeing the panic in her eyes, yet her forced composure, Xiao Xuanyou suddenly lost interest.

He withdrew his hand reluctantly, speaking casually, "I was just joking, Miss Jiang, there's no need to panic."

He regretted it as soon as he opened his mouth.

If Chanyi refuses, then there will be no room for negotiation between them.

He didn't want to pressure her any further unless absolutely necessary.

Jiang Zhi also breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness."

Xiao Xuanyou reached out and took a handkerchief and clothes for her, then went back behind the screen, reverting to his virtuous and refined demeanor.

When Jiang Zhi came out after getting dressed, she found the house empty; Xiao Xuanyou had already left sometime earlier.

So what is the purpose of his visit to her today?

Jiang Zhi was puzzled, and then she remembered something else, and her expression suddenly turned cold.

"Into the shadow, dark moon."

She called out, and in the next instant, two black figures landed in front of her.

"What are your orders, young lady?"

Jiang Zhi was still damp from her shower, but her expression was far from friendly.

"Did you let the Crown Prince in?"

With Xie Qi's personal guards standing at the door, Xiao Xuanyou was able to enter without any hindrance, which must mean there was an "insider".

Ruying and Anyue immediately knelt down, "Young Miss, the Crown Prince has given an order, and we dare not disobey."

“Very well,” Jiang Zhi sneered, “then you can go back to the Crown Prince’s place. I can’t afford to use you.”

Ruying and Anyue panicked immediately. "Young Miss, our mission is to protect you closely. If you don't want us, we will never be able to return to the Crown Prince."

Jiang Zhi remained unmoved. "Then you should go find the other masters."

She didn't want Xiao Xuanyou to be able to sneak in silently again next time.

"Young Miss!" Ruying and Anyue kowtowed repeatedly, "Please forgive us this time, Young Miss, we will never dare to do it again."

“I said before that if you consider me your master, you must obey my orders. If the Crown Prince can easily order you around, then go back to the Crown Prince’s side.”

Shadow Step and Dark Moon are indeed very useful; they are highly skilled in martial arts and efficient in handling affairs.

But if someone isn't loyal enough, she'd rather replace them.

“Young Miss, your subordinates truly know their mistake. From now on, we will only obey your orders. We will no longer listen to anything the Crown Prince says and will always put you first. Please, Young Miss, let us stay.”

She sensed something was wrong when the Crown Prince arrived, but she was used to obeying his orders, so she subconsciously did as he said.

Looking back now, their actions were tantamount to betraying their master.

The fact that the young lady didn't kill them is already considered merciful.

She pulled hard on the figure next to her.

Ruying also realized what was happening. "Like Anyue, I will always put Miss first. If I ever act on my own again, I will be willing to give my life to atone for it."

"My subordinates are the same."

“Alright, I can give you one last chance,” Jiang Zhi nodded. “If there is a second time, then leave on your own.”

*

The ancestral hall was dark and damp, and Wang Yuru had been imprisoned inside for an unknown period of time.

She wanted to say that she had been framed and that she had not betrayed the master, but no one answered her no matter how hard she shouted.

Suddenly there was a noise outside the door.

The steward entered with two servants.

"Did the master send you to let me out?" Wang Yuru was immediately overjoyed.

However, the steward just kept a stern face and winked at the two servants beside him.

The two servants then stepped forward and pinned her to the ground, one of them taking out a white silk ribbon from his hand.

"The master said that the lady died of her illness, and we have come to send her on her way."

Wang Yuru couldn't believe it.

"Impossible! I managed the Jiang household for Master Jiang and bore him children. How could he be so heartless? I want to see Master Jiang!"

"But the master doesn't want to see you, madam. You can only blame yourself. Rest in peace on your journey."

A white silk ribbon was put around her neck, and she was held down tightly, unable to struggle at all.

As the air in her chest dwindled, Wang Yuru kicked her legs, the fear of death shattering her spirit.

No, she can't die, she can't die!!

Just as she was exhaling her last breath, a frantic voice came from outside the door.

"Master has ordered that Madam's life be spared! The eldest young master has returned to the manor!!"

As the pressure on her neck eased, a light shone from Wang Yuru's dying eyes.

It's Zheng'er, her Zheng'er is back!