Chapter 114 His tense jawline relaxed slightly as he looked directly at her…
His taut jawline relaxed slightly as he looked directly at her and said in a low voice, "The Crown Princess is incredibly considerate."
This means she understood his feelings.
Jiang Zhuoying felt lighthearted, with a sweet sense of satisfaction.
She leaned close to Qi Fan's ear and whispered softly, "Not only that, but Crown Prince is so good; he will grant you whatever you desire."
The man's gaze deepened, and his voice lowered: "Does A-Zhuo know what I desire in my heart?"
Jiang Zhuoying gave a soft "hmm" and curled her lips slightly: "Right now... the whole world should know."
The arms that had been loosely protecting her lower back gradually tightened, pulling her closer and closer. Qi Fan also whispered to her, "They only know one side of the story, not the other."
Secondly?
Besides wanting the throne, what other reason could there be?
"Does the Crown Princess know what the second one is?"
Jiang Zhuoying met his eyes, and it was as if the ice and snow in his eyes had melted away. The sliver of soft light that she had just managed to glimpse through the broken ice broke through the cracks and illuminated the beautiful face before her.
Jiang Zhuoying noticed the change in his gaze, and the answer in her heart was about to be revealed, but she suddenly didn't want to say it.
The beautiful girl blinked, her bright, clear peach blossom eyes sparkling. She gently shook her head.
"I don't know."
As Jiang Zhuoying thought, since she said she didn't know, and the conversation had come to this point, Qi Fan should at least answer her question.
But the man looked away and picked up the book that described the scenery of Jiangnan again, his voice calm.
"If you don't know, then so be it."
That's it? How can you just say that and call it quits?
Jiang Zhuoying disagreed.
She curled up on Qi Fan's lap and tugged at his clothes: "No, Your Highness, I just want to know. Can't you answer my question right away?"
Qi Fan glanced at her, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down: "We'll talk about it later."
These words were already on the tip of her tongue, and Jiang Zhuoying had already grasped the glimmer of hope that had finally emerged.
How could we let him off so easily?
If we wait until next time, who knows when we'll be able to go?
Right now, she wanted him to admit it.
The spoiled girl tugged at the fabric on his chest, forcing Qi Fan to lower his eyes.
Was it me?
"Um?"
Jiang Zhuoying poked his chest, her delicate fingertips slightly red: "The second reason is for me... huh?"
It wasn't that she was being arrogant; it was just that this was the message the man was conveying to her.
Since he couldn't say it, then she would ask him.
After asking, she felt a little embarrassed and added to herself, "Indeed, with my beauty, intelligence, and courage, I must have many admirers..."
After speaking, she met Qi Fan's ambiguous gaze again: "...Your Highness doesn't believe me?"
The man chuckled lightly: "What the Crown Princess says is quite right. Otherwise, why would I risk competing with my third brother?"
adventure?
To contend with the third brother?
Did he just admit it like that?
Jiang Zhuoying felt her cheeks burning hot, they must be incredibly red...
She buried her face in his abdomen, excluding herself from his presence: "Your Highness is too cunning. Don't think I don't know. You have been plotting for this position as Crown Prince for a long time. Even without me, Your Highness would still have done these things."
"How could you risk your life for me? I can't possibly carry such a heavy burden."
Qi Fan put down the book in his hand, stroked the top of her head, and his eyes deepened: "It is my greed that prevents you from being touched by others, so I can only intensify my plans."
Whether it was his third brother or Xiao Wei, once she was involved, he lost his proud composure.
His brief explanation shocked Jiang Zhuoying even more, as this was the first time she had heard Qi Fan analyze her feelings.
She unconsciously squeezed herself further in, wanting to calm down and properly process what she had just heard.
Unexpectedly, the man grunted, his tone suddenly turning dangerous: "The journey back to the manor is still long. Doesn't the Crown Princess want to rest?"
Jiang Zhuoying, completely unaware of the situation, nodded without thinking, "No more resting, no more resting, it's all Your Highness's fault..."
Before she could finish speaking, she was pulled out of someone's arms. Qi Fan hooked his arm around her waist and pressed her down onto the cushion.
"Then so be it."
Under Jiang Zhuoying's shocked gaze, her face flushed red, the imposing black figure loomed over her...
*
Jiang Zhuoying was awakened by Xiangyue and the others.
I awoke from a daze to find myself surrounded by red silk curtains and the soft whispers of the maids.
"Miss? It's almost noon, shall we get up and have something to eat?"
In the past, Xiangyue and Xiangxing would not have woken her up when she was fast asleep.
But things are different now. Their young lady is pregnant, and not only are they taking even better care of her, but even His Highness the Crown Prince has given her special instructions.
Jiang Zhuoying was helped to her feet, and she vaguely recalled what had happened in the carriage earlier...
She said that the imperial physician had instructed her not to act recklessly.
He said he would follow the doctor's advice.
Based on his consistent personality and his concern for her and the child in her womb, Jiang Zhuoying believed him.
But what happened next?
She trusted a hypocrite!
The doctor's orders were followed, but the absurdity was not diminished at all.
Jiang Zhuoying had completely recalled everything. She pursed her lips and glanced in the direction of the beaded curtain.
Where are they?
Her tone was displeased, but even though she didn't name names, the two maids knew who she was referring to.
Xiangxing paused for a moment: "After His Highness escorted you back to your residence, he went out again."
Jiang Zhuoying looked up, somewhat surprised: "You went out?"
"Yes, I didn't rest at all. I only drank half a cup of tea before leaving the mansion."
She knew better than anyone that Qi Fan hadn't slept a wink last night; after escorting her back to her residence, he went out again.
Jiang Zhuoying's tightly pursed lips relaxed slightly, knowing that he was busy running around for her sake.
"Miss, His Highness instructed before he left that you should have your meal and rest for a while. I reckon he will be going to the palace around dusk."
The anger Jiang Zhuoying felt earlier vanished in an instant. She knew that a major event was approaching, and whether she could protect the Duke of Rui's mansion depended on what happened next.
Not long after finishing her lunch, she nestled on the couch to rest, and slept straight through until dusk.
Not long after she regained consciousness, news came from the palace that the Emperor had suddenly fallen seriously ill and ordered her to come to the palace immediately.
*
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The concubines in the harem knelt on the ground, and Jiang Zhuoying was among them.
After kneeling for what seemed like half an hour, the emperor finally woke up.
Soon, Eunuch Liu came out to deliver a message, instructing all the concubines to return to their own chambers, as there was no need for so many people here for the time being.
Faced with such a somber and oppressive atmosphere, the concubines naturally dared not say a word and all bowed respectfully to take their leave.
Jiang Zhuoying also spotted Consort Ling among the crowd. The two exchanged a glance and nodded slightly before Consort Ling was helped away.
The emperor's concubines had all left, but Jiang Zhuoying remained standing there, unlike the other concubines who had a place to rest.
As Liu Li watched the hall gradually rise into the air, leaving only the one person in the middle, she bent slightly and hurried forward.
He lowered his head and bowed respectfully, and perhaps because of the current situation, his face did not show his usual smile.
"Your Highness has arranged for Her Highness to stay in the West Annex Hall. Please come with me."
Jiang Zhuoying nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Father-in-law."
She and Liu Li were on the same page; as the emperor's personal eunuch, Liu Li naturally couldn't hide this grand scheme from him.
Xiangyue and Xiangxing were waiting for her outside the hall, and the group went to the west side hall together.
Liu Li adopted a very humble posture: "Everything in this palace was prepared by my servants. If Your Highness is not satisfied with it, please feel free to give me your instructions."
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at Xiangxing, who quickly stepped forward to help Liu Li up and slipped him a few gold coins.
"Oh dear, how can this be?" The high-pitched voice was slightly flustered.
Jiang Zhuoying smiled and said, "Please accept it, Eunuch Liu. I've been busy lately, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of me."
Liu Li then truly looked up at her and saw that although the beautiful girl was delicate, she did not lack dignity.
He sighed inwardly. He had spent many years in the palace, but back when he was at the Duke of Rui's mansion, he had really misjudged this young girl.
"Your Highness, rest assured, His Highness will probably be busy for a while longer."
Jiang Zhuoying nodded: "Alright, then I won't trouble you with this matter, Eunuch."
After watching Liu Li leave, Xiangyue stepped forward and closed the door.
Jiang Zhuoying turned and walked inside, looking for a comfortable seat. Her knees were aching from kneeling for so long.
Passing through the floor-to-ceiling screen into the bedroom, one sees dozens of bundles of various sizes piled on the carpet.
Jiang Zhuoying's eyes widened immediately: "What are you doing?"
Xiangyue, who was squatting on the carpet sorting through her bundles, looked up upon hearing this: "These were all brought to you by Eunuch Chu and his men when you were still in the hall."
As Xiangyue spoke, she opened a bundle beside her: "The gold chopsticks, jade cups... and this silver basin that you've been using in the mansion..."
Jiang Zhuoying paused for a moment: "Could it be that you packed the entire Kunning Palace into a bundle and sent it here?"
Upon hearing this, Xiangxing behind her smiled and gently replied, "Of course! Eunuch Chu said that His Highness is now concerned about everything you do and is not at ease with anything he sees. It would be better to use our own things."
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at it and saw that in addition to the usual utensils for drinking water and eating, even bedding, bed curtains, and soft pillows had been delivered.
Even that chaise lounge she was used to using...
I don't know how she was sent to the palace. When she left the Crown Prince's residence, everything was exactly the same.
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
"Bang bang bang~"
Jiang Zhuoying glanced sideways, but Xiangyue, who was still on the ground, had already stood up: "This servant will go and see, Miss, please sit down."
The door opened, and walking at the front was none other than Qi Fan, followed closely by Imperial Physician Yu, who was carrying a medicine box.
The man's expression was not good. He strode through the floor-to-ceiling screen and stopped in front of Jiang Zhuoying.
"Why are you here?"
"Why won't you listen to my arrangements?"
The two spoke at the same time, and Jiang Zhuoying was taken aback.
His arrangements?
Just now in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Liu Li did indeed signal to her to get up and not kneel anymore.
However, Jiang Zhuoying did not feel anything unusual about her body, so she did not do anything special in front of the emperor and his concubines.
The man first examined her complexion and, seeing that it was not much different from usual, then turned his head and gestured for Yu Jin to come forward.
"Let Yu Jin take your pulse." This was not a suggestion.
Jiang Zhuoying had no objection to this.
A moment later, Yu Jin bowed and reported, "Your Majesty's pulse is stable, and there are no abnormalities in the fetus."
Qi Fan's indifferent expression finally softened a little.
The door opened and closed again, leaving only the two of them inside.
Jiang Zhuoying glanced in the direction of the door, then looked up at him and asked, "Didn't Eunuch Liu just say that you were still busy there?"
The implication was, "How come you have time to come see her?"
The man glanced at her indifferently and said, "Send someone to deliver the decree."
"Oh~" Jiang Zhuoying nodded. It seems that Jiang Lang will soon enter the palace.
Jiang Zhuoying watched as Qi Fan poured himself some tea, drank half of it, and his expression didn't improve much.
She pursed her lips, covered her face with her sleeve, curled her legs up on the chaise lounge, and turned her back to the outside.
She didn't care whether the man was looking at her or not.
Jiang Zhuoying pulled out a handkerchief from her waist and lightly covered her face. Her thin, slender shoulders trembled with each movement.
After waiting in silence for a moment, Qi Fan finally spoke.
"What's wrong?"
She choked back tears softly, "It's nothing."
She listened intently to the sounds behind her, knowing that the man had put down his teacup and was walking towards her, stopping behind her.
A moment later, a dark shadow flashed past in her peripheral vision...
Jiang Zhuoying, however, was prepared. She covered her face tightly and cried out the moment the other person grabbed her wrist.
"Your Highness, please don't touch me."
Jiang Zhuoying paused slightly in her grip on her slender wrist, and seized the opportunity to continue: "It was my own idea not to cause trouble, so I didn't make an exception in front of all the concubines. I didn't expect to displease Your Highness."
"It's all my fault."
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