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Early in the morning, Jiang Mian remembered Fu Niang's instructions. After leaving the house, she wanted to go find Fu Niang, but the other party had already left. The bedding was neatly folded, and the house seemed to have been cleaned.
At this time of day, Fu Niang would not have gotten up yet, so it was quite surprising that she left so early today.
Jiang Mian went to the painting shop, but the shop assistants there didn't see Fu Niang either. Just as she was wondering what was going on, the shop assistant in charge of delivering the painting suddenly called out to her: "This is for Zhang Xiang's residence. Zhang Xiang is off today, so we need to hurry back."
"Oh, okay." Jiang Mian looked at the valuable paintings by famous artists and stopped thinking about Fu Niang.
The group worked quickly and soon loaded the scroll onto the cart. The Prime Minister's residence was not far from here, and this was Jiang Mian's first time here. As soon as she entered, she was attracted by the bustling scene before her.
"Don't look around, or you'll lose your head."
She only looked away when someone reminded her.
I've heard that the Right Chancellor has an eccentric personality and is prone to selling out his servants. To avoid trouble, it's best to be careful.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"I am from Shengping Painting Shop on Dongping Street. Half a month ago, the Prime Minister ordered a batch of paintings, and I came to deliver them to him."
The steward of the Prime Minister's residence saw the carriage behind him, hesitated for a moment, and said, "The Prime Minister is receiving distinguished guests today. You will enter through the west gate. Remember, you must not disturb the distinguished guests."
"yes."
Jiang Mian walked cautiously with her head down, unable to see the butler's face clearly.
As the group tiptoed through the west gate, someone suddenly placed a hand on Jiang Mian's waist. The unfamiliar touch frightened her, and just as she was about to turn away, the person leaned closer and said, "Beauty, which courtyard are you from? I've never seen you before."
"Please forgive me, sir. I am from Shengping Painting Shop on Dongping Street. I have come today to deliver a painting to the Prime Minister." Jiang Mian immediately took several steps back. The man in front of her was dressed in fine clothes and lived a life of luxury. He was probably one of the good-for-nothing sons of the Prime Minister's mansion.
Sure enough, the steward caught up: "Second Young Master, these people are not from the manor."
Zhang You's gaze was fixed on Jiang Mian's face, and for a moment he didn't hear what the butler said.
"Little beauty, what's your name?"
“This humble woman…” Jiang Mian gritted her teeth. She never expected that such a thing would happen.
"You'er, don't be silly."
Just as they were at a loss, someone suddenly called out. Zhang Xiang had appeared there at some point. Not far away, a man dressed in a magnificent robe had a somewhat familiar face.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is here."
The crowd knelt on the ground in a huge mass. Jiang Mian didn't look up, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a pair of black boots slowly approaching. She pursed her lips, and the fingertips hidden in her sleeves tightened secretly.
"Miss Jiang, we meet again."
Xie Zheng used his folding fan to lift her chin, and his smiling eyes instantly came into view.
This is... Song Mingyan's friend?
"Your Highness..." Zhang You stammered, looking at Xie Zheng and Jiang Mian's familiar scene, and regretted his rashness, which seemed to have offended the Crown Prince's people.
“Miss Jiang, it’s quite an surprise to see you here again after our parting in Jeju.” Xie Zheng closed his folding fan and gently waved it in front of him. He gazed at Jiang Mian with tender affection, completely forgetting that the girl in front of him was the sweetheart of his “friend”.
"You...I..."
"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?" Xie Zheng feigned anger.
Jiang Mian's mind was in a mess. He was actually the Crown Prince. Well, to become friends with Song Mingyan, he must be a high-ranking official. But Jiang Mian never expected that the other party would be the current Crown Prince.
"Your Highness, I dare not presume to be your equal."
Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow. He had been feeling a bit bored these past few days. This young lady had a graceful figure and an extraordinary appearance. Since Song Mingyan was already going to marry Xiao Qi, he might as well... grant his wish.
"You're being too polite. I helped you back then, and now we meet here. It's clear we're destined to meet. Why don't you come into my residence with me and let's fulfill this destiny?"
Zhang Xiang remained silent throughout the scene. He looked at the beautiful woman below with no emotion on his face until his gaze shifted downwards, at which point his expression changed drastically.
"How could you have..."
Zhang Xuan suddenly stepped forward. Before anyone could react, he pulled the jade pendant from Jiang Mian's waist, his expression complex and unpredictable.
"Tell me, where did the jade pendant come from?"
The Prime Minister, who had just been watching the show, suddenly turned cold and stern. Jiang Mian suddenly remembered Fu Niang's expression last night, as if something quickly flashed through her mind. Before she could catch it, she heard, "Your Highness, I'm sorry, this girl has dirty hands and stole valuables from my residence."
The change came so suddenly that no one had time to react.
"No, it was there when I arrived," Jiang Mian defended herself.
Zhang Xuan glanced at her coldly: "This jade pendant bears the seal of my Zhang family. Where did you get it from?"
Zhang family seal?
Jiang Mian's mind went blank; she knew nothing. When Fu Niang handed her the jade pendant, she didn't say anything either.
"Zhang Xiang, have you seen this clearly? Is there any misunderstanding?"
Xie Zheng leaned closer. He had seen the Zhang family seal before, and the pattern on the jade pendant did indeed bear some resemblance.
"Please, Your Highness, do justice for this old minister."
Xie Zheng hesitated for a moment, then immediately withdrew his friendly attitude towards Jiang Mian.
"Miss Jiang, is there anything you'd like to say?"
"I don't know, this jade pendant was given to me by the owner of Shengping Painting Shop."
Zhang Xuan's expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural.
"Since that's the case, I will definitely investigate carefully. Miss Jiang, come with me. If you are innocent, I will clear your name."
Xie Zheng smiled and strode away.
Jiang Mian was taken away by him just like that.
The remaining group of people stared in disbelief. Zhang Xuan stroked the jade pendant, his expression indifferent.
"Father, His Highness the Crown Prince..."
"Slap!" With a loud thud, Zhang You covered his ears and looked at Zhang Xuan in disbelief: "Father, why did you hit me!"
"Disgraceful." Zhang Xuan took a deep breath: "If it weren't for me today, how many heads would you have to dare to snatch someone from His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Who knew that little slut had hooked up with the Crown Prince? If I see her again, I will definitely not let her off easily."
"Shut up." Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, realizing for the first time that his son was a fool. The Crown Prince had come at the worst possible time, when the Emperor was seriously ill, which showed that he was suspicious of him. Today was meant to be a warning. If he hadn't had a flash of inspiration just now and helped the Crown Prince achieve his wish, he would have been skinned alive today.
He truly hadn't expected that this jade pendant would end up on a woman.
Zhang Xuan lowered his eyes, his fingertips clutching the jade pendant, and suddenly a person came to mind.
**
Where are you taking me?
Standing on the side of the street, Jiang Mian watched Xie Zheng warily.
Xie Zheng stopped in his tracks, his charming eyes sweeping over Jiang Mian before he approached and said softly, "Miss Jiang, you seem to have forgotten that you are now a suspect. Come back with me, and only then can I clear your name."
Now that things have come to this, what is there that she doesn't understand? All of this is just a convenient excuse to kidnap her. Although she doesn't know what Fu Niang's intention is in giving her the jade pendant, in the current situation, a direct confrontation would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
Thinking of this, she lowered her eyes, her eyes reddening: "Your Highness knows I have been wronged."
The beauty shed tears, and Xie Zheng couldn't bear to see such a scene.
He longed to rush forward, pull the person into his arms, and comfort them, but that wasn't his style.
He enjoyed taming wild and unruly women, patiently guiding them until they willingly submitted.
"Be good, as long as you listen to me, I will treat you well." The white jade folding fan gently landed on Jiang Mian's chin. The cool touch and unfamiliar aura rushed over at the same time. She avoided it without leaving a trace, but her heart was in turmoil.
"Return to the residence."
The servant who was driving the carriage took Jiang Mian to the Crown Prince's residence.
Crown Prince Xie Zheng appears to be a virtuous and upright gentleman, but in reality, he is power-hungry. His birth mother was the deceased Empress Zheng, and he was made crown prince from birth. However, as the years have passed, Xie Zheng has become mediocre. In private, he has been cultivating relationships with powerful officials. It can be said that half of the court is now under his control.
But that's not enough; the most important military power is still uncertain.
If Xie Zheng wants to ascend the throne smoothly, he will inevitably have to win over General Su, who is guarding the border. However, General Su is upright and incorruptible, loyal only to the court, and detests forming cliques and engaging in corruption. Xie Zheng is currently troubled by this matter.
"Please stay here for now."
The steward gave her a key: "Two people will be coming later. Without His Highness's permission, you are not allowed to enter the courtyards on the west side. As for the rest, Miss Jiang, please feel free to do as you please."
"Did Your Highness say when you would let me leave?"
However, the housekeeper seemed not to hear her and walked further and further away.
Not long after, two maids were sent over.
"Your servants are Wan Tao and Wan Li, here to serve you, young lady."
Jiang Mian looked at the two maids kneeling in front of her and felt her mind go blank. Had she been locked up again?
"You all get up first."
Despite her reluctance to admit it, the scene before her clearly told her that she had fallen into Xie Zheng's hands.
Xie Zheng was not like Shen Ji; he was truly absurd. Although he was already married, he had many concubines in his household. At first, Jiang Mian had only heard about it and never imagined that she would end up like this.
"What are your orders, young lady?"
Wanli's eyes were kind as she spoke eagerly.
"You guys go down first, I want to be alone," Jiang Mian said weakly.
After the two left, she hurriedly thought of a way to get out.
But no matter what she thought, it seemed like a dead end.
The only solution was for Xie Zheng to actively reject her, but she had heard that any woman rejected by Xie Zheng would not have a good ending.
Thinking about it this way only makes me feel more hopeless.
Just as Jiang Mian was feeling helpless, a voice suddenly came from outside: "Miss, His Highness requests your presence in the front courtyard."
**
The Crown Prince's Residence.
In the bamboo pavilion in the front yard, Xie Zheng stood with his back to her. Hearing footsteps, he turned around.
"sit."
"No need, I'll just stand."
Xie Zheng smiled, not forcing her, and poured himself a cup of wine, slowly playing with the wine cup between his fingers. After a while, he suddenly looked up and said, "Miss Jiang, after we parted in Jizhou, I heard that you died, but now..." He glanced at Jiang Mian up and down, and made a knowing look: "It is obviously a rumor."
"What does Your Highness want to say?" Jiang Mian asked somewhat uneasily.
"It's heartbreaking to see such a beautiful woman like Miss Jiang confined to a painting shop. Why don't you... come and work for me?" Xie Zheng said casually, slowly swirling the wine in his glass.
"I……"
“Zhang Xiang saw with his own eyes that you were holding his jade pendant. If I were to punish you, no one would dare to say anything. But I have always been compassionate towards women and know that you are innocent, so I would like to give you a chance.”
Jiang Mianxin felt her heart sink. At first glance, she only knew that Xie Zheng was no good, but today she realized that he was much more than that.
"What does Your Highness want me to do?"
"Enter the palace and help the emperor obtain the military defense map."
"My father is old and the palace urgently needs a happy occasion. I will select ten women to enter the palace to accompany him. At that time, you will be my eyes and ears. My father will divide the military power into five parts. Apart from the three parts held by the General of the State, the remaining two parts will be controlled by the Imperial City Guard. If you can successfully retrieve the map, I will not only clear your name, but also allow you to rise to a high position and live a worry-free life."
“Miss Jiang, this deal is a sure thing.”
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