Chapter 79 The nice words about sovereignty were said to Jiao Jiao; the real thought was...
Sitting in the carriage on the return journey, Shen Yujiao hesitated several times, as if she wanted to speak but then stopped. Jiang Chen knew she wanted to ask why he had refused to speak with Prince Huan. After holding back for a while, he finally spoke first—
"Didn't you ask me before why both the King of Zhao and the King of Huan sent people to look for General Qi? When He Zhiju was in Liaodong Prefecture, he thought that the group chasing us was the private soldiers of the royal family."
"You mean—" Shen Yujiao subconsciously tightened her grip on Jiang Chen's arm, "...Prince Huan and Prince Zhao..."
Jiang Chen raised his other hand and pinched his brow, then shook his head and said, "I'm not entirely sure how much Prince Huan was involved, but after the incident, I didn't see any intention of talking to us. At least that shows his attitude of protecting Prince Zhao."
“Even…” Jiang Chen turned to look at Shen Yujiao with a playful smile in his eyes, “he didn’t come to explain to you either.”
"Jiang! Xiao! Chen!"
With a forced smile, Shen Yujiao pinched Jiang Chen's arm. The pinch wasn't strong, but Jiang Chen still made a face and grimaced. The carriage bumped against a stone halfway through the journey, and Jiang Chen fell into Shen Yujiao's arms. He stopped playing with her and just lay quietly on her arm.
Seeing that he suddenly fell silent, Shen Yujiao asked softly with some concern, "What's wrong?"
The noise outside the carriage gradually subsided, and the carriage had already driven some distance away from the bustling city. Jiang Chen suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes, his gaze meeting Shen Yujiao's with intense intensity. He did not answer, but countless answers were in his heart.
Every time he saw the way Huan Wang looked at Shen Yujiao, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger in his heart. The feeling of jealousy fermenting in his chest was all too clear. Today was different from the past. In the past, he could still convince himself that he had no right to interfere with who Shen Yujiao loved, even if Jiaojiao was the one he loved.
But now...
Jiang Chen propped himself up and slowly sat up beside Shen Yujiao. He felt her slightly retreating movement, so he put his hand around Shen Yujiao's hair and pressed it against her neck. The force from the back of her neck made it impossible for Shen Yujiao to retreat any further.
The stirrings in his heart spread and grew like vines, and with each inch it climbed upward, Jiang Chen could clearly hear a silent clamor from the depths of his heart: He was Jiao Jiao's man.
A cold wind rushed into the carriage through the window, and the lights inside flickered and dazzled. Shen Yujiao glanced at it subconsciously, but she couldn't move and could only watch helplessly as the light inside the carriage was swallowed by darkness.
When everything is pitch black, one's senses are amplified. A warm breath, carrying the scent of sandalwood, slowly approached her. She raised her hand to support herself between the two, but could not stop them in the slightest. The moment Jiang Chen bent down, Shen Yujiao felt as if all the blood in her body had stopped flowing.
In that instant, her mind went blank, and she felt as if she were suspended in a vacuum. She lost all her senses, and the only person she could reach was Jiang Chen.
"Jiaojiao..."
Jiang Chen didn't give her any chance to respond. The moment his lips covered hers, she subconsciously gripped the front of Jiang Chen's shirt. Her lips were covered by Jiang Chen's burning kiss, and the back of her neck was covered by his hot hand. She was tightly imprisoned and trapped by Jiang Chen, as if she was about to be mashed into his body.
This was their first kiss.
Clearly, both of them were too inexperienced in this regard. Although Jiang Chen kissed her instinctively, he was completely clueless about the next step. His lips stopped on Shen Yujiao's lips, and the two exchanged breaths in the darkness, both filled with trepidation about the next second.
After only a moment's hesitation, the carriage slowly came to a stop, and the two men were startled at the same time.
Mu Jin stood by the carriage, intending to help the Crown Princess out of the sedan chair as usual, but before she could even extend her hand, she saw the Crown Princess help the Crown Prince out of the carriage. Then the Crown Prince took the Crown Princess's hand and went straight into the mansion, not giving them a second glance along the way.
Shen Yujiao followed behind Jiang Chen, her eyes involuntarily glancing at their clasped hands. Although she couldn't see what had happened in the carriage, the flutter of their lips touching was vividly etched in her mind. She let Jiang Chen lead her all the way to the study, almost losing all ability to react.
"I have important matters to discuss with the Crown Princess, and no one is allowed to remain in the courtyard."
After giving Zhu Yu this instruction, Jiang Chen led his men into the study. Before Zhu Yu could ask if they wanted the lights on, the study door was slammed shut.
The moment the door closed, Shen Yujiao was spun around and pinned against the door. Jiang Chen's hand cushioned her head, so she didn't feel any pain, but she still couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
Unlike the previous light touch, this time Jiang Chen didn't just touch her lips with his. His lips were now lightly pecking and tasting, his sucking and biting movements were extremely gentle, as if he were savoring a dessert. His hot fingertips caressed the back of Shen Yujiao's ears and neck, as if he were extending an alluring invitation to her.
"River......"
The words she wanted to say were cut off the moment she opened her mouth. Jiang Chen tentatively licked the corner of her lips, and in that instant, an electric current ran through every cell in her body, leaving her stunned on the spot.
There were no lights in the study; the only light source was the moonlight streaming through the window. Shen Yujiao's bright eyes were shimmering with tears, and her cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, as if she were slightly tipsy. Jiang Chen's gaze deepened. He picked her up and carried her to the desk, where he put her down. Their eyes met, intertwining with an unspoken, unspoken tension.
Jiang Chen tightened his grip on Shen Yujiao's waist, his throat bobbing as if he were suppressing some torment: "Jiaojiao, may I kiss you?"
The kiss had already happened, and the meaning behind his question now was self-evident. Shen Yujiao placed her hands on Jiang Chen's shoulders and neck, her palms slightly clenched, her eyes avoiding his gaze, and she lowered her head to softly hum in agreement.
Almost the instant she lowered her head, the rest of her words were drowned out by a passionate kiss that seemed to overflow with affection. Jiang Chen's lips and teeth rubbed against her tongue, and their hot, lingering breaths made her completely lose her senses. At this moment, she could only rely on instinct to hold onto the back of Jiang Chen's neck to avoid falling backward.
"Jiaojiao..."
Jiang Chen's breath fell on the crook of her neck, and his soft murmur made her tremble slightly. His hot kisses traveled down from her earlobe, igniting all her reason. In her panic, she touched the man's Adam's apple with her hand, and the moment her fingertips brushed against it, his warm lips kissed her again.
She didn't remember how long they stayed in the study, only that after the long kiss ended, the warmth of Jiang Chen's breath seemed to linger on her ear.
"Jiaojiao," he called her name again, his voice low and hoarse, unlike before, the deep affection still lingering within it. Their foreheads touched, her fingertips still warm from running through his dark hair. He sighed softly, "Why do I like you so much?"
Unlike her previous blank mind, Shen Yujiao's bright eyes were now clear. Hearing Jiang Chen's soft sigh, she buried her face in his chest, unable to avoid it. She wanted to say something to him, but after hesitating for a while, she finally only murmured an "Mmm".
The two embraced, their minds filled with completely different thoughts.
Shen Yujiao pressed her forehead tightly against Jiang Chen's neck. In the dim light, she closed her eyes and savored the silence and tenderness of the moment.
The kiss just now made her truly feel Jiang Chen's affection. All the uncertainties that had shaken her heart in the past vanished at this moment. She had never been so truly immersed in happiness as she was today.
Unlike Shen Yujiao, Jiang Chen's eyes still held an unreadable emotion.
Sweet words are for Jiaojiao, but the true thoughts should be kept in one's heart.
Why does he like Jiaojiao so much? He likes her so much that whenever someone looks at her with admiring eyes, he can't control the jealousy in his heart. That kiss just now was not only his joy for her, but also a way of venting his possessiveness. He wanted to openly declare his ownership to everyone.
Shen Yujiao belongs to him alone, and not just for that one moment.
After leaving the study, Shen Yujiao followed Jiang Chen obediently and docilely, like a child who had done something wrong. They returned to the main courtyard, where they saw the two children playing with the trinkets they had just bought from the market.
Are they playing hide-and-seek?
With amusement, Shen Yujiao stepped forward and scooped Yong'an out of the bamboo basket. The little girl looked up at Shen Yujiao with bright eyes, clearly having had a blast. Shen Yujiao took out a handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped the fine sweat from her forehead.
"It's almost past 7 PM, and the night is getting chilly. If you get a cold from all that sweat, go take a shower and stop playing around."
Even though she was in the middle of a good time, Yong'an didn't try to bargain with her. Instead, she nodded heavily, turned around, and went to find Shi Yang to return to the East Side Hall.
After coaxing the little girl, Shen Yujiao turned to look at Qi Zheng. Qi Zheng was standing next to Chu Rou at the moment. When he saw her looking over, he immediately bowed. His sensible appearance made Jiang Chen unable to resist giving him a snort on the head.
"Alright, you should go back and rest with Liangdi too."
"yes."
The laughter and chatter in the courtyard subsided. Jiang Chen suppressed his smile, walked up to He Zhiju, who had a serious expression, and raised an eyebrow slightly: "What happened?"
He Zhiju glanced in the direction of the courtyard gate, seemingly hesitant. Seeing this, Shen Yujiao stepped forward and pulled Jiang Chen towards the main hall: "Brother, you've been freezing outside for so long. Come in and have a cup of tea with His Highness."
The three exchanged glances, and without saying a word, they entered the main hall with smiles on their faces.
After the palace doors were closed heavily, a worried look appeared on He Zhiju's face: "I just received news that tonight, Prince Huan and Prince Zhao are hosting a banquet for their officials at Baizhenfang. All the officials attending are of the fourth rank or above. In addition, since the palace banquet has been canceled this year, the Qi family is preparing to hold a banquet with the Liu family for the New Year... All the garrison commanders in the capital who are not on duty during the New Year period are invited."
Although he lowered his voice for the last sentence, Shen Yujiao still looked warily towards the door. Jiang Chen pondered for a moment and asked, "What about the Prince of Han?"
"King Han didn't make any moves before the New Year, but the banquets and poetry gatherings after the New Year have been scheduled from the third to the tenth of the month. The imperial examinations are coming up soon, and countless new nobles and talented scholars in the capital are waiting for them. It is said that King Wei will be accompanying him at the banquets."
Prince Wei, the seventh prince Jiang Cheng, was an anomaly among his brothers. While the others were plotting grand schemes, he devoted himself to compiling books in the Hanlin Academy.
In his early years, the emperor did not value him, so he became engrossed in history and literature. He even secretly participated in the imperial examinations. The examiner recognized him but did not expose him. Instead, he secretly reported it to the emperor and was granted permission to continue taking the exams. He was initially thought to be just playing around, but he eventually made it all the way to the palace examination.
If the emperor hadn't wanted him to avoid wasting a place in the academy, the Great Xia Dynasty might have produced a prince who ranked third in the imperial examinations. After the emperor discovered this, he placed him in the Hanlin Academy.
This is why, although his birth mother was not favored in the palace, he still held a position in the Hanlin Academy. Firstly, he was of noble status, and secondly, he had genuine talent and learning. The fact that he was invited to accompany the King of Han at his banquet speaks volumes.
Jiang Chen nodded slightly after hearing this, poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp. It seemed that while he was in the northern border, the princes in the capital had not been quiet either. Taking advantage of the fact that no grand banquet was being held in the palace, they were openly gathering people, which was no different from forming cliques for personal gain.
"Your Highness," He Zhiju asked, puzzled, seeing that Jiang Chen still appeared calm and composed, "Aren't we going to make any plans?"
“No plans,” Jiang Chen put the empty teacup back on the round table, looked up and smiled at He Zhiju, and replied, “Let’s just have a peaceful New Year.”
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Author's note: My little darlings, I'm taking a day off tomorrow. I'll be going on a business trip at the end of the month, and I'll have to work overtime tomorrow. If I don't update the day after tomorrow, I'll post a leave notice. I'll be back as early as next Monday, and at the latest, I'll be back during the May Day holiday!
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