Chapter 45 Anxiety: You are the only thing that puts my mind at ease.
As noon approached, the heat in the air intensified. Unlike the capital, the wind was stronger in Jiangnan, and the heat was mixed with moisture, making the whole city feel like a giant steamer.
Zhu Yu, carrying large and small bags, walked ahead and pointed to the largest restaurant in the city: "Young master, we've arrived."
Jiang Chen, who was following behind with Shen Yujiao and Mu Jin, was also covered in sweat. Looking at the huge plaque with "Qinghuanlou" on it, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
As its name suggests, this restaurant is unlike the luxurious and grand restaurants in the capital. From the moment you enter, the decor reflects the beauty and elegance of the Jiangnan region. Every table and tea set is exquisite. It is not hard to see that Zhu Yu has put a lot of effort into catering to the Crown Princess's preferences.
"Excellent, Zhu Yu. I'll reward you with a generous red envelope when we return to the capital!"
A cool breeze greeted them as soon as they entered. Shen Yujiao was extremely satisfied with this temporary place to stay. The group was ushered into a private room on the second floor by the waiter. Although they could feel the heat outside from the window, the room was decorated with an iceberg and a fan, and a slight coolness occasionally swept over them, making them feel comfortable.
Seeing that she liked it, Jiang Chen suggested, "Why don't you stay here tonight?"
"Excellent!"
Firstly, Shen Yujiao was extremely satisfied with the facilities in Qinghuan Tower. Secondly, they had discussed this before arriving in Jiangnan Prefecture. Although the Crown Prince's villa in Jiangnan was secretly built, they had been away from the capital for more than a month, and the news had spread to who knows where. If someone knew the Crown Prince's whereabouts in advance, it would be inconvenient for them to investigate secretly.
After receiving the order, Zhu Yu left the private room with the waiter who served tea, and soon returned with the waiter who took the order.
"Young Master, Young Master Cousin, there are only two rooms left in this top-tier residence. Would you like to stay separately or..."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao exchanged a glance, then said in unison, "Let's live separately."
No matter what, they are now traveling as cousins. What kind of situation is it for two grown men to live together?
Shen Yu smiled and looked at Mu Jin: "We can't let Mu Jin live with you."
"Oh no, no, no," Zhu Yu quickly waved his hand, this was a huge misunderstanding, "This servant can stay in the most ordinary guest room with Mu Jin."
"How can that be?" Shen Yujiao reached out and pulled Mu Jin into his arms, looking every bit the dashing young nobleman: "Mu Jin is now my favorite maid."
Mu Jin wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. Their prince was becoming more and more unreliable. He could be somewhat restrained in the capital, but once he left the capital, he was like a wild horse that had broken free.
Seeing them chatting and laughing, Jiang Chen tapped the menu on the table expressionlessly: "Are you still going to eat?"
"Of course I want to eat! What would you like to eat, Xiao Jin'er?"
Seeing the Crown Prince's darkening expression, Mu Jin felt her hair stand on end. She nimbly slipped out of the Crown Princess's arms and said, "Your Highness... whatever you wish to eat, Mu Jin will eat."
"You have such a sweet tongue."
However, the smile that was just a moment ago froze the moment she saw the menu. Even though she was somewhat prepared, she could no longer smile when she saw the prices of the dishes.
A plate of stir-fried vegetables costs two or three qian of silver, while a plate of meat dishes costs between seven or eight qian and more than ten liang. Dongpo pork is even sold by the piece, with each piece costing one qian of silver. Not to mention dishes with soup or broth. If you didn't know better, you would think you were eating a state banquet.
"Even Michelin isn't this outrageous." After giving the waiter a polite scolding, Shen Yujiao ordered a few things and then handed the menu to Jiang Chen.
Although he had just seen the change in Shen Yujiao's expression, Jiang Chen's heart sank when the menu was handed to him. The two of them remained silent after ordering, while the waiter was all smiles.
After he left, Jiang Chen said, "No wonder there are only a few customers in the restaurant even though it's lunchtime." The prices are comparable to what the royal family and nobles in the capital eat.
Shen Yu's delicate white fingers circled around the rim of the teacup, the tea aroma filling the air, yet she seemed listless: "I was thinking, if it weren't for the things that the Censorate impeached and brought to light, who knows how much longer the common people would have to suffer under these circumstances."
But even if it gets involved, what then? Unlike Shen Yujiao's compassion, Jiang Chen felt for the first time that the burden on his shoulders was too heavy, so heavy that he could hardly breathe and felt that he would be crushed at any moment. After seeing the people in such a situation with his own eyes, he understood his identity for the first time.
Crown Prince, heir apparent, cornerstone of the nation—his high position represents the hopes of countless people. Regardless of what the people of Great Xia think, he is acutely aware that the Crown Prince is not the master or ruler of the people, but rather their trust and reliance.
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.
The two of them barely tasted their food during the meal. Although Qinghuanlou's cooking skills were top-notch, with such heavy thoughts on their minds, they only ate whatever they could find to fill their stomachs.
The afternoon is the hardest time of day. In the height of summer, the temperature is only comfortable after the sun sets. Even the birdsong outside the window sounds drowsy. Shen Yujiao leans against the bed railing, but she can't fall asleep no matter what.
Unlike Jiang Chen, she had her own concerns on this trip. Jiangnan Prefecture was where Miss Shen grew up. When the two of them officially appeared in front of everyone, her identity as Young Master Jiang would probably be impossible to hide. She needed to find a way to understand Miss Shen better.
Shen Yujiao turned her head to look at the scenery of Jiangnan and felt that the question she hadn't asked in the capital was now the perfect opportunity. With the scenery evoking her feelings, Mu Jin might not refuse.
“Hibiscus,” she called softly, “After that fire, I don’t remember many things clearly. Can you tell me about them?”
Mu Jin stiffened upon hearing this, feeling both conflicted and tender. According to protocol, she shouldn't say too much to His Highness, but recalling how the Crown Prince had bluntly revealed a secret from years past when His Highness fainted, she hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking: "His Highness was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age, and his elders valued him greatly..."
"Let's not talk about that. What I want to know is what my relationship with my father and mother was like when I was a child?"
"The Duke is certainly not as close to you as the Madam is, but he is just as strict with the young masters of the clan. Please don't blame him."
What's so strange about it? I'm not his daughter.
"Are there any other brothers or sisters in the clan who are on good terms with me?"
This question... Mu Jin's lips trembled, and her eyes, filled with unbearable heartache, looked at her. "No, it's only our young master who is close to you."
Born with a phoenix-like destiny, the Shen family cut off Shen Yujiao's social interactions from childhood. This way, there would be no quarrels or jealousy among the sisters, and she wouldn't get too close to any brother and try to seize power as a maternal relative in the future. It seems that He Zhiju also had fewer restrictions because she was from a maternal family.
But this means that Miss Shen has never had any playmates since she was a child.
Shen Yujiao's eyelashes trembled slightly. She never dared to imagine what her life would be like without Jiang Chen. It would probably be... a colorless oil painting.
"Then... what about Prince Huan?" The scene of Miss Shen's last moments vaguely appeared before her eyes, and Shen Yujiao's voice was very soft: "I vaguely remember someone, her name is Muxi?"
Upon hearing the name, Mu Jin trembled instantly, her eyes filled with tears, and when she opened her mouth, she felt a lump in her throat and could not utter a single word.
"Didn't you rest well at noon?" Seeing that Shen Yujiao looked dazed, Jiang Chen reached out and touched her forehead with some concern. When he found it was warm, he withdrew his hand.
"It's nothing." Shen Yujiao shook her head, her smile somewhat forced. "Where are we going tonight?"
"I was planning to wander around with you and investigate the prices in Jiangnan Prefecture more thoroughly, but you don't seem to be feeling well right now. Why don't you go back and rest first?"
Meeting Jiang Chen's worried gaze, Shen Yujiao remained silent for a moment, then reached out and tugged at Jiang Chen's sleeve: "Then can you come with me somewhere?"
The river flowed gently, and further ahead was a small ferry crossing. The unfathomable river water reflected the moonlight, creating ripples. Shen Yujiao led Jiang Chen through a bamboo forest and walked to the river, slowly closing her eyes.
"Jiang Chen, this is the only place Miss Shen ever managed to survive."
Seeing her sorrowful expression, Jiang Chen didn't know what had happened, but he still reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, waiting for her to continue.
“Miss Shen once had a maid named Muxi. Compared to Mujin, Muxi was the one who grew up with Miss Shen since childhood, and their relationship was roughly as deep as that of Consort Chu and Ajun. She was shot and killed here while covering Miss Shen’s escape.”
Muxi died while accompanying Miss Shen on her escape to freedom.
"Because she is the future Crown Princess and Empress, Miss Shen would stay in the palace for a period of time every year since she was a child. It was during that time that she met and became acquainted with Prince Huan. Prince Huan, Miss Shen, and the former Crown Prince Yu were once a close trio."
Shen Yujiao opened her eyes, her expression complex. She recalled the past events that Mu Jin had recounted that afternoon and suddenly realized that she might have misunderstood Prince Huan at the time.
“Jiang Chen, do you know? The match between Prince Huan and Miss Shen was even arranged by the late Crown Prince Yu. The three of them had agreed since childhood that when Jiang Yu inherited the throne, he would issue an edict to marry Jiang Yu and Miss Shen. Perhaps this was just a joke between children, but he never grew up until the late Crown Prince Yu died.”
According to Mu Jin, Jiang Yu and Jiang Yu were kindred spirits, evenly matched opponents, and even more so, a case of "Why did Heaven create both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang?"
"Among them, there seems to be no right or wrong. The one who is wrong is always the Shen family's ambition to become the Empress's maternal family. Jiang Chen, regardless of whether the Shen family was involved in the embezzlement case, investigate the Shen family thoroughly. I want to give Miss Shen an explanation."
Born with a phoenix destiny, this is the reason the story begins and the root cause of the ending. In the end, it is the Shen family's ambition that makes Shen Yujiao the core of the tragedy. From the moment she was born, she never had any choice.
"good."
Contrary to Shen Yujiao's expectations, Jiang Chen's gaze at the river was deep. The past was gradually being revealed to them like peeling back layers of an onion. But the clearer the events of that year became, the more puzzling he felt. Why were he and Jiaojiao involved in this story?
A gentle evening breeze stirred, causing their hair to flutter in the air. Jiang Chen reached out and took Shen Yujiao's hand in his. Unlike usual, his fingertips slipped between Shen Yujiao's fingers, marking the first time their fingers had intertwined.
No one could understand their feelings about being in another world, the secrets of their original bodies, and the pressure they were under. As these feelings became more and more real, Jiang Chen and Shen Yujiao became more and more apprehensive. Only when they were by each other's side could they clearly feel at peace.
“Let’s go,” Shen Yujiao said, pulling Jiang Chen back. The moonlight shone on her, illuminating the smile on her lips. “Come with me to stroll through the night market in Jiangnan.”
Jiang Chen looked down at their clasped hands, his eyes full of tenderness: "Okay."
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