flattery
"Arun, I should go back, or I'll be in trouble!" Jiang Yan struggled slightly, hoping that Chen Run would understand her pain and let her go.
Chen Run didn't make things difficult for her. He hugged her tightly for a while longer before letting go.
"Ruyi, when can we meet again? I have so much to say to you, so many questions to ask you." Just like a little kid who is about to be separated from his loved ones, he is uneasy and anxious.
Jiang Yan didn't know when she would have another chance to come out. She bit her lower lip and thought for a while before speaking.
"You're often here, right? I'll come see you when I have time."
"Okay! It's a deal, you can't lie to me anymore!!"
Jiang Yan really wanted to tell him, "If you're afraid I'll lie to you, fine, let's pinky swear for a hundred years and see who's the bastard in the end!"
But after thinking about it, I decided it was best not to get involved in these modern things, otherwise he would start overthinking and cause more trouble.
Jiang Yan and Huang Ying rode in his carriage back to the Duan Prince's Mansion.
Throughout the journey, Jiang Yan pondered Chen Run's words. Because she lacked Liu Ruyi's memories, she couldn't be certain how much of what he said was true, how much was false, or whether it was all false and all true.
The oriole knew what was troubling her, so it stayed obediently by her side.
After getting off the carriage, Jiang Yan thanked the coachman who had brought them back, and led Huang Ying through the gate of the mansion, heading towards Pear Blossom Residence.
The two women, mistress and servant, remained silent throughout the journey, returning to Pear Blossom Residence under the dim moonlight and listening to the occasional chirping of insects.
Around 9 PM, Jiang Yan thought that Pear Blossom Residence must have quieted down by then, but little did she know that they were still busy cooking.
Are they mind readers, able to tell she hasn't eaten all day?
Just as Jiang Yan was about to make a joke, Fuqu ran over quickly from the side and whispered before Jiang Yan could speak.
"My lord, the prince has been waiting for you in the room for most of the day."
What?
Why is he waiting for her here?
Does he have something to tell her?
Or did his people actually find her, and discover that she had left with Chen Run?
No, no, no, Jiang Yan hurriedly shook her head, shaking off her wild thoughts, telling herself not to panic and not to lose her composure.
Impossible, it can't be such a coincidence. How could his men have seen her?
Yes, she was very careful the whole time, and no one else seemed to notice her.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yan's chaotic mind and uneasy heart calmed down a little.
She instructed Huang Ying that if she heard the sound of a cup breaking outside, she should run inside immediately and shout "Fire!"
Huang Ying didn't understand why she gave such instructions, but she still reliably agreed.
Jiang Yan, like a general going to his death, stood tall and proud, climbed the steps, pushed open the door, and went inside.
The room was filled with incense, which smelled like wood, but had a subtle floral scent in the aftertaste. It was light, not overpowering, but quite pleasant.
Shangguan Zeyu was dressed in a dark blue robe with exquisite embroidery of silver bamboo, but even so, he still seemed unapproachable.
His long, dark hair was not hanging down naturally as usual, but was neatly combed into a bun on top of his head and tightly bound with a silver hair crown.
His expression was calm, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to reveal a hint of aloofness and sorrow.
He held a book in his left hand, his right hand resting naturally on his thigh, his eyes fixed straight ahead as he read line by line.
Why did he wait for her at Pear Blossom Residence for so long?
What exactly was it about?
Jiang Yan subconsciously tried to recall what had happened in the past few days, but couldn't remember what she had done to upset him or anything out of line. So why was he acting this way?
Jiang Yan didn't think he was there to persuade her to move to Baihuayuan!
She stood there blankly for a while, and when Shangguan Zeyu didn't look in her direction, she slowly walked over with questions and unease.
"Your Highness, I apologize for keeping you waiting." He approached Shangguan Zeyu and said softly in an almost ingratiating voice.
But whether it was because Shangguan Zeyu was too engrossed in reading or because her voice was too soft, Shangguan Zeyu didn't react at all.
Jiang Yan took another deep breath, raised her voice slightly, and said softly with a smile, "Your Highness."
But Shangguan Zeyu still didn't react at all.
What's wrong?
Are you deaf?
Why are you deliberately ignoring her?
Did she provoke him?
Just say what you want to say.
But Jiang Yan wasn't stupid, nor did she take Shangguan Zeyu's trivial matter as gospel. She knew that Shangguan Zeyu was a prince, a man who held the power of life and death, and could make her wish she were dead if he was unhappy. So, she adjusted her mindset a little and used her tried-and-true method to attract Shangguan Zeyu.
"Your Highness, it was my fault, I know I was wrong! Please don't be upset!" Her voice was deep, gentle, and tender, like a soft breeze caressing one's face, making one feel very comfortable.
Shangguan Zeyu's left hand, which was holding the book, trembled slightly, but he quickly pretended to be nonchalant.
Jiang Yan kept her eyes down, preoccupied with how to sway his cold heart, so she didn't notice his subtle changes.
She added, "Your Highness, I had no idea you would come to see me today. If I had known, I would have waited for you at home. Your Highness, I truly know I was wrong, and I will not run away again."
Jiang Yan is a straight woman, and a very straight woman at that.
She used to hate it when girls tried to ingratiate themselves with men, finding it undignified. But now, she had no choice but to do the same, even with a man she somewhat disliked, so she despised herself.
Shangguan Zeyu was moved, but he forced himself to remain unmoved, continuing to read the book intently as if he hadn't heard anything.
Jiang Yan was truly terrified now!
If she could still rely on his previous affection for her and not be so subservient just now, she no longer had the energy to maintain any pride.
Her life was now in the hands of the man before her! And if things went wrong, he would cruelly take her life!!
She didn't want to die, nor did she want to be punished in any way!
Just thinking about the day Xiao Yiqing had caned her made her buttocks burn with pain, so much so that her mind went blank and her heart trembled uncontrollably.
Sigh, let's beg him again!
Don't those in power all want to be looked up to and worshipped?
Is it alright for her to kowtow to him now?
As Jiang Yan thought this, her knees were already on the ground.
"Your Highness! I know I was wrong! Please don't be angry. Getting angry will harm your health!!" Fearing that Shangguan Zeyu would still be unmoved, Jiang Yan shamelessly pressed her forehead against his feet.
What can she do if he still doesn't budge after all this?
Jiang Yan was confused and at a loss.
If there is one person in this world whom no matter what happens, Shangguan Zeyu can only think of Jiang Yan.
His indifference and neglect towards her stemmed from his deep concern for her. He hoped she would greet him with a sweet smile, just as she did with Chen Run, to express her affection for him.
However, little did he know that his indifference and deliberate suppression would not only fail to achieve his goal, but would also cause him even more pain and suffering.
She could chat and laugh with Chen Run, so why was she so stiff and distant with him, her husband?
Could it be that she still can't let go of Chen Run?
Just as Zhang Qin had found out, they had once been so deeply in love, making vows of eternal love.
Shangguan Zeyu felt as if a huge boulder weighing a thousand pounds was pressing down on his heart, causing him chest pain and difficulty breathing.
He looked at Jiang Yan, who was kneeling humbly at his feet, with a sorrowful expression, and his heart ached even more. He said nothing, closed the book, got up, and left.
Jiang Yan remained kneeling obediently on the ground, not trying to stop him, until he left the house and walked for quite a while before she dared to sit up shakily.
Ignoring the pain in her knees, she was preoccupied with wondering what Shangguan Zeyu meant. Was he letting her go? Or did he find her annoying and not want to see her? Or did he want to go back and calm down before deciding how to punish her?
Regardless of which possibility it is, Jiang Yan was hurt by his indifferent reaction.
Not long ago, he was showering her with sweet words, saying he liked her and doted on her. Now, in the blink of an eye, he's become so cold and indifferent. What kind of behavior is this?
Does your speech sound like farting?
Jiang Yan was very distressed and frustrated. She sat on the ground and silently cursed Shangguan Zeyu for his heartlessness and hypocrisy.
Huang Ying returned shortly afterward and saw her sitting on the ground, looking distraught. She rushed over, helping her up as she said, "My lady, why are you sitting on the ground? It's cold there, it's not good for your health!"
But Jiang Yan changed the subject, saying, "We're almost dead, what's there to worry about? It'll hurt our health." He gave a bitter smile.
Huang Ying was puzzled by what she said, so she helped her sit in the chair that Shangguan Zeyu had just been sitting in and said.
"Master, what do you mean? How could you die? I don't understand."
Jiang Yan smiled bitterly as he looked at her, then suddenly shouted in an unusual way, "He wants my head! How can someone be so fickle? He said he loved me just a day ago, and now he wants my head! What kind of person is this? Is he crazy? Huh?"
Huang Ying understood now and couldn't help but laugh.
"My lord, are you blaming the prince?"
Jiang Yan rolled her eyes at the air, annoyed, and said aggrievedly, "Who would dare? Who is he? Am I stupid?"
Huang Ying laughed and said, "My lady, you've misunderstood the prince! The prince doesn't want your head! He treats you very well and cares about you a lot!"
"Stop dreaming! If you had seen his icy side just now, you would definitely regret what you just said! You would regret it terribly!!"
Huang Ying continued with a smile, "My lady, please don't be sad. Let me finish what I have to say."
Jiang Yan slumped in the chair like a lump of mud, looking like the sky was about to fall and she couldn't go on living. Hearing what she said, she only shook her head slightly as a symbolic gesture.
Huang Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then said in a serious tone, "When the prince left just now, he said that you, my lord, had been running around all day and were too tired. He told me to serve you and let you rest well, and that he would come to see you again tomorrow. He also said that you must be hungry, and told the servants to quickly prepare a meal for you. My lord, do you think the prince wants your head?"
Jiang Yan stared wide-eyed in shock, looking at Huang Ying in disbelief, as if what Huang Ying said was a fairy tale, unreal.
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