When the matter was exposed, Wei Shu was furious.
"Where are we going?" Looking at the ever-approaching Nine Directions City, Jiang Jin completely didn't understand Wei Shu's intentions.
"Are we going to walk right into a trap?" Jiang Jin stopped in her tracks, refusing to move forward. "Where are we going to stay in Jiufang City? Don't even think about staying at my teahouse!"
"I secretly had Zhou Cong buy a courtyard. Don't worry, the residence has been changed, and it definitely won't cause any trouble." Wei Shu walked ahead, and Jiang Jin had no choice but to follow him into the city.
Wei Shu glanced at the man in the white brocade robe beside him, then took Jiang Jin's hand and followed behind him.
"Slow down!" Jiang Jin whispered to Wei Shu, covering her veil that was being blown up by the wind.
The three of them turned into a small alley, and led by the person in front, after several turns, they arrived at a low-key courtyard.
"The general has arrived." After glancing around to make sure no one was following, the man quickly left the courtyard.
"Come in." Wei Shu took out his key, and with a click, Jiang Jin finally saw the true face of the courtyard.
"This place is somewhat like the Wang family's villa, but much smaller." Jiang Jin's gaze was immediately drawn to the peonies in the corner as she entered.
"They even grow peonies here! Who did Zhou buy them from?" Jiang Jin squatted down and touched the peonies.
"These flowers aren't ordinary; could he have bought them from the Wang family?"
“That’s right, the previous owner of this courtyard was Governor Wang.” Wei Shu locked the courtyard and climbed over the wall.
“You guys are quite bold, daring to do such petty things right under his nose.” Jiang Jin frowned as she looked at Wei Shu. “But he is indeed too busy to take care of himself right now, and this courtyard is probably not something he can control.”
“That’s right. This courtyard was originally given to his mistress by Wang Juesong. Later, that mistress, being well-informed, started selling the courtyard. But don’t worry, he has many mistresses and isn’t in the mood for such things now, which is why we had this opportunity.” Wei Shu picked up the bundle and put it inside the house.
"I had Zhou Cong throw away all the original things in this room, and I don't know if you'll like the replacements." Jiang Jin waved her hand dismissively. "It's not like we're staying here all the time. As long as it's habitable, it's fine."
Jiang Jin took off his outer robe and placed it on the wooden stool. "How is Wang Juesong now? Surely he's not still pinning his hopes on the Wang family or the two factions?"
"Nobody can read his mind, so of course we don't know his current plans. However, currently only his study in the entire Wang family is heavily guarded. I heard that quite a few assassins infiltrated the Wang family last night, but Wang Juesong managed to thwart them all." Wei Shu fetched water to wash his hands and warmed the pear soup on the stove.
"I really don't know why you insisted on bringing this bowl of pear soup. You treat things given to you by Princess Zhaoyang like precious treasures." Although Wei Shu said unpleasant things, he still heated up the pear soup for Jiang Jin.
“What the princess gives is never bad. Besides, I was perfectly fine after eating the Five Blessings Cake, so this pear soup will be fine too.” Jiang Jin carefully sipped the pear soup with a spoon. Lou Xuan was very thoughtful; even the spoon was the kind Jiang Jin liked.
"One day you'll realize how terrifying Princess Zhaoyang truly is." Wei Shu didn't stop Jiang Jin any longer, thinking that letting her suffer a lesson would prove his words true.
"Then I'll wait and see. I don't want you to make your move before I even get to see that day." Jiang Jin finished the rest of the pear soup, then went to the courtyard to draw water from the well to wash the dishes.
"I thought you were lazy and didn't know anything about farming, but I never expected you could even draw well water." Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin's skillful movements and couldn't reconcile her with her reputation as a noble lady from the capital.
“My father only became famous in the imperial examination when I was three years old. Before that, although our family had enough to eat and drink, we couldn’t afford servants, so we had to do everything ourselves.”
Jiang Jin rubbed the soup bowl with dirt and then put it in the water. "We used to wash dishes like this when we didn't have soap. Later, when my father got an official position, we were able to relax a bit."
Seeing Jiang Jin diligently washing the dishes, Wei Shu suddenly burst out laughing, "I always thought you only knew how to ride horses and shoot arrows, and that playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting was just to appease the world. I never expected you would also know these things that ordinary people use."
"No one can guarantee that they will always be in a high position. If they fall from grace in the future, they can always get through it."
Jiang Jin picked up the bowl, shook it, and went inside. "You may seem glamorous, but it's all just a facade. If I ever fall on hard times, I can't possibly not even know how to wash dishes or fetch well water."
"You can ask to go..." Wei Shu had just finished speaking when he remembered the rumors circulating in the capital.
"Judging from your expression, you must have guessed it already. We've been bound together for a long time. If you fall on hard times and I go to seek refuge, wouldn't that be suicide?" Jiang Jin looked at Wei Shu as if he were an idiot.
"I'd rather stay by your side than be tormented by your political enemies. However, I'm the kind of person who'd rather die than surrender. Wei Shu might kill you to save my own life." Jiang Jin's expression turned cold for a moment before returning to normal.
"You can't kill me." Wei Shu approached Jiang Jin step by step. "Perhaps you're good at riding and archery, but you're an amateur at killing. Jiang Jin, if I wanted to kill you, you could die a thousand times over." Wei Shu held a blade to Jiang Jin's throat.
"You have no chance of resisting me." Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin with great interest, wanting to see what dangerous schemes she could come up with.
"Is that so?" Jiang Jin scoffed and slashed his throat towards the blade. Wei Shu's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly stepped back, looking at Jiang Jin with a hint of fear.
"Are you crazy? She's being held hostage because she wants to live, you're just looking for death!" Wei Shu threw away the razor blade, grabbed Jiang Jin's shoulders, and stared intently at her neck. At that moment, a dagger was pressed against his heart.
"Wei Shu, if someone else were to hold me hostage, I wouldn't dare risk my life, but you and I would. Wei Shu, you should know that a knife with a weakness isn't sharp!"
Jiang Jin whispered in Wei Shu's ear, "Wei Shu, no one is stupid. Those people can tell whether their feelings are genuine or fake. I don't want to put myself in danger because of your feelings."
"Jiang Jin, you shouldn't have done this." Wei Shu said softly, squeezing her hand and dropping the dagger from her grasp.
"Shouldn't you be happy? You are my weakness, and I have feelings for you. So, aren't you a useful person to your prince?"
"What Your Highness?" Jiang Jin frowned as she looked at Wei Shu. "I don't know what you're talking about?"
"You kept calling out 'His Highness' when you had a fever, why are you denying it now that you're awake?" Wei Shu grabbed Jiang Jin's hand and pulled her into his arms.
"Jiang Jin, don't you understand? Your Highness marrying you to me means he has already given up on you. You're a discarded pawn. Wouldn't it be better to stay by my side?"
"Wei Shu, if you're going to act crazy, don't do it in front of me! You actually believe my mutterings when I'm sick!" Jiang Jin pushed Wei Shu away in one breath, looking at him with displeasure. "I don't want to see you right now!"
"Fine!" Wei Shu sneered, reaching out to grab Jiang Jin's chin before pressing his lips against hers. The punishment, which had been intended as a kiss, now took on a tender tone. Jiang Jin was startled and struggled frantically, tears falling into Wei Shu's hand, causing him to momentarily lose his composure.
A loud slap echoed in the courtyard. Jiang Jin covered her mouth and took a few steps back, tears streaming down her face. "Wei Shu, you're such a bastard!"
"Jiang Jin, you are a discarded pawn. If it weren't for me, your prince would have abandoned you long ago. Doesn't he know that if you marry me, you have to fulfill your responsibilities as my wife?"
Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin with a mocking expression, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed.
"Wei Shu, your provocation won't work on me. I don't know anything about His Highness, nor do I understand your meaning. Our marriage was ordained by His Majesty. Are you questioning His Majesty's decision?" Jiang Jin suppressed her panic and confronted Wei Shu alone.
"So everything was fake? Even the promise of being husband and wife with me was fake!" Wei Shu sneered, his body shrouded in a gloomy aura. "So it was all a deception from beginning to end. Just how many lies have you told!"
"Didn't the general say that all that's needed is a title?" Jiang Jin's heart tightened, and she hurriedly tried to cover it up, but Wei Shu, with years of experience in using torture to judge people, could easily see through the lie.
"Just answer me whether it was all a lie from the beginning. Your coming to Yuezhou with me, being shot by the arrow, the drug test—wasn't that all a staged performance by you? You're satisfied with making me look like a fool!" Jiang Jin wanted to retort, but seeing Wei Shu's bloodshot eyes, the lie that was on the tip of her tongue wouldn't come out.
"I already know your answer, Jiang Jin. You called me a bastard, but aren't you one too?"
Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin with disappointment. The intimacy, trust, and unity he had imagined as husband and wife had all turned out to be a meticulously planned deception. Wei Shu held back his tears and left the room, while Jiang Jin slumped onto the couch.
"Yi-yi, Yi-er, go tell His Highness, and also tell the people in the teahouse to evacuate immediately, and be quick!" Jiang Jin didn't know what Wei Shu might do in his rage, so she could only catch up with him.
"Wei Shu, I love you!"
Wei Shu paused, and Jiang Jin took the opportunity to open the armlet and release the sleeping potion. Seeing Jiang Jin's actions, Wei Shu's disappointment deepened. Before closing his eyes, he only heard a faint apology. Jiang Jin dragged Wei Shu into the room and carried him to the bed.
"My lady, the people at the teahouse have already been notified, and they have already left the city in batches." Yi Er glanced at Wei Shu on the couch and sighed, "My lady, are you going to retreat? His Highness has arranged a way out for you."
Jiang Jin smiled and shook his head. "No need. With matters in Bianzhou unresolved, I cannot leave at this crucial moment."
"What if he wakes up and tries to kill you?" Yi Er asked, looking at Jiang Jin sitting by the bed, puzzled. "Aren't you afraid, my wife?"
"I'm scared, but I really did wrong him." Jiang Jin sighed deeply. "I knew the day would come when things were exposed, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon."
"My lady, His Highness means you should retreat. She will handle the rest." Yi Yi hurriedly returned and frowned when he saw Wei Shu on the bed. "This drug won't keep you unconscious for long. If we don't leave now, it will be too late."
“You should leave. I can’t let Her Highness cover this hole for me. The self-inflicted injury was my own idea. Her Highness has already done enough for me in the capital. I can’t drag her down with me.”
Jiang Jin pushed Yi Yi and Yi Er out the door, then took out the antidote and placed it under Wei Shu's nose.
After waiting for a while, Wei Shu still didn't move. Jiang Jin then let him smell the antidote, but there was still no reaction. Jiang Jin couldn't help but feel a little scared. "Could we have gone too far and killed him?"
Jiang Jin grabbed Wei Shu's wrist and began to take his pulse. "There's nothing wrong with him, why isn't he waking up?"
"I thought you wanted me to sleep a little longer?" Wei Shu's gloomy voice rang in Jiang Jin's ears, followed by a dizzying sensation as the two of them collapsed onto the bed.
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