Chapter 13 The Perverted Hands in the Imperial Garden
The Imperial Garden was now a scene of utter devastation.
The once meticulously trimmed exotic flowers and plants were trampled and scattered about, with broken wine jugs and porcelain shards strewn on the ground. Not far away, beside the artificial hill, a young girl in a pink palace dress sat slumped on the ground, her clothes disheveled, covering her face and sobbing softly, surrounded by several bewildered palace maids.
The culprit—the Second Prince Shen Yu—was standing unsteadily in the middle of the road.
He reeked of alcohol, his clothes were wide open, he was holding a half-empty jug of wine, his face was flushed, and his eyes were cloudy and lewd.
"Cry? What are you crying for!"
Shen Yu let out a hiccup, pointed at the girl, and cursed, "It's your good fortune that I've taken a liking to you! So what if you're the Grand Tutor's granddaughter? If I ascend the throne in the future... you'll be... you'll be that... what kind of concubine!"
The eunuchs and palace maids around them knelt on the ground, trembling, but no one dared to step forward to stop them.
Everyone knows that the Second Prince, relying on being the son of the Imperial Concubine and the Emperor's elder brother (although born out of wedlock), is used to being arrogant and domineering.
When Jiang Mianmian and Shen Jin arrived, they saw this scene of bullying men and women.
[Tsk tsk tsk, is this the legendary Second Prince?]
Jiang Mianmian stood beside Shen Jin, her gaze scanning Shen Yu like an X-ray.
[Puffy eyes, unsteady gait, dark circles under the eyes. This isn't just kidney deficiency; it's like his brain's been slicked over! Publicly harassing an innocent woman—does he find the current battle for the throne too boring and want to quit early?]
Shen Jin coldly stared at the drunkard not far away, a hint of disgust flashing in his eyes.
"stop."
A deep, cold voice, like ice breaking, instantly pierced through the clamor of the Imperial Garden.
Shen Yu turned around in a daze, squinted for a long time, and finally recognized the person.
"Oh...isn't this...the Imperial Uncle?"
Shen Yu grinned, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow by wine. He made no attempt to bow, instead stumbling over. "Why is Uncle Royal out here too? Is the singing and dancing inside too boring... so you've come out to have some fun?"
His gaze passed over Shen Jin and landed on Jiang Mianmian beside him.
Tonight, Jiang Mianmian, dressed in a cloud-brocade palace gown, was breathtakingly beautiful under the moonlight and lamplight. Her delicate yet lively temperament instantly captivated Shen Yu's lustful heart.
"Hey...who is this beauty?"
Shen Yu's eyes widened instantly, and the image of the Grand Tutor's granddaughter vanished from his mind. He staggered forward a couple of steps, extended a greasy hand, and pointed at Jiang Mianmian, "She's... really beautiful... much better than that crying one from before..."
His usually composed gaze instantly turned icy, and the atmosphere around him was frighteningly oppressive.
Anyone who knew him would have already knelt down and begged for mercy by now.
But Shen Yu was so drunk that he had no recollection of what was happening and was completely unaware that the Grim Reaper's scythe was already at his neck.
"Beauty..." Shen Yu chuckled, emboldened by the alcohol, and boldly reached out to touch Jiang Mianmian's face, "Come... have a drink with this prince..."
The hand, reeking of alcohol and stained with unknown dirt, drew ever closer.
Jiang Mianmian stood there, seemingly stunned, but in reality, she was conducting a violent physics calculation in her mind.
[Distance 0.5 meters, light wind. Target: Right hand. Option A: Over-the-shoulder throw, dislocate his spine. Option B: Cripple his genitals, castrate him. Option C: Break his fingers, teach him a lesson about why flowers are so red.]
Which one should I choose? These hands are too dirty, I don't want to touch them. Or should I just kick them away? Anyway, I have the "natural superhuman strength" persona to back me up...
Just as Jiang Mianmian slightly twitched her right foot, preparing to give the Second Prince a "physical wake-up call"—
A long, powerful hand with distinct joints suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Crack".
A crisp, teeth-grinding crack of bone rang out clearly in the silent Imperial Garden.
"ah--!!!"
Immediately following was Shen Yu's heart-wrenching scream.
Shen Jin expressionlessly grabbed Shen Yu's wrist, which was about to commit a crime, and with a slight twist, the hand drooped down at an odd angle.
"The imperial nephew is drunk."
Chen Jin's voice was so calm that it was as if he had just broken not the prince's hand, but a withered tree branch. "I'll help you sober up."
"Ah! My hand! My hand is broken!"
Shen Yu was in excruciating pain, breaking out in a cold sweat. He sobered up instantly. Clutching his wrist, he knelt on the ground, his face contorted in agony. Pointing at Shen Jin, he cursed, "Shen Jin! You...you dare to hurt me! I am a prince! I will denounce you...I will tell Father...no, I will tell the Empress Dowager!"
"Report?"
Shen Jin looked down at him with mockery in his eyes, "Then you can try it. See if the Empress Dowager will protect you, a good-for-nothing who flirted with your aunt in public, or protect the dignity of Da Gan."
Teasing his aunt.
If this charge is leveled against them, not only would losing a hand be an injustice, but being demoted to a commoner wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Shen Yu's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Jiang Mianmian watched in stunned silence, then a surge of fervent joy erupted within her:
[Awesome! Explosive! This is the right way to portray a villainous boss! Ruthless and taciturn, his attacks are always devastating! A crisp crack, clean and decisive! Listen to the sound of bones breaking, it's even more melodious than the songs of Phoenix Legend!]
[Shen Jin, even though you stole my monster just now, I still have to give you a thumbs up! This kind of scum deserves to know what the harsh realities of life are like!]
Despite the cheers, Jiang Mianmian didn't forget her professional ethics—she was now a delicate little white flower.
Shen Jin's move just now was too ruthless. According to her character, she should have been frightened.
So, Jiang Mianmian took a deep breath, her body went limp, and she fell into Shen Jin's arms.
"Your Highness..."
She gripped Chen Jin's clothes tightly with both hands, buried her face in his chest, and said in a trembling voice, "I was so scared... The Second Prince... he's so fierce... his eyes are so terrifying... I thought he was going to hit me..."
【Oh, Shen Jin's pectoral muscles feel so good against me. Let me take this opportunity to give them a few more squeezes. Second Prince, keep screaming. The more pitiful your screams, the more they highlight my weakness, pitifulness, and helplessness.】
Shen Jin looked down at the woman in his arms, who had been thinking of kicking someone with a "child-crushing kick" a second ago, but turned into a "frightened little rabbit" the next.
Especially when he heard her inner thought, "Take the opportunity to touch me a few more times," his eye twitched slightly.
But instead of pushing her away, he reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace.
"Don't be afraid."
His usually reserved voice instantly switched to a gentle tone, though this gentleness carried a hint of chilling murderous intent towards the Second Prince: "With me here, no one can hurt you."
Then, he looked up at Shen Yu, who was writhing on the ground in pain, his tone as cold as the King of Hell:
"It seems my royal nephew not only has restless hands, but also doesn't want his eyes anymore? Since he's frightened my queen..."
Shen Jin paused for a moment, then instructed Ying Yi behind him:
"Shadow One, escort the Second Prince back to the palace. By the way, tell the Consort that the Second Prince behaved improperly while drunk and disturbed the Regent's wife. This hand... consider it an apology. If the Consort has any objections, tell her to come directly to me."
"yes!"
Yingyi accepted the order and dragged the Second Prince up like a dead dog.
"Chen Jin! You just wait! You just wait!" Shen Yu screamed and threatened, her voice fading into the distance.
The Imperial Garden has finally regained its tranquility.
The granddaughter of the Grand Tutor had already been taken away by her family, and the palace servants around her had also tactfully retreated to a distance.
Jiang Mianmian remained nestled in Shen Jin's arms, refusing to get up.
[This embrace is warm in winter and cool in summer, giving me an overwhelming sense of security. Should I just let him carry me home like this? It'll save me the trouble of walking.]
Shen Jin sighed helplessly and reached out to pinch her not-so-plump cheek:
"Your Highness, have you finished your act? Everyone's gone."
Jiang Mianmian reluctantly raised her head, rubbed her eyes (though not a single tear fell), and said coquettishly, "Your Highness is so unromantic. I was truly frightened."
[Hmph, you straight man! What's wrong with a hug? It's not like you'll lose a piece of flesh. I just played along with you in a dramatic "fighting for your lover" act, helping you establish your "doting husband" persona. You should be thanking me!]
Looking at her self-righteous demeanor, Shen Jin suddenly felt that the anger he had felt just moments before had dissipated considerably.
"Then, in the Queen's opinion, how should I thank you?" He suddenly felt like teasing her.
Jiang Mianmian's eyes darted around.
[Thanks? That has to be genuine!]
"I've heard," Jiang Mianmian swallowed, "that the Imperial Kitchen has a special kind of 'Golden Thread Jujube Paste Cake,' which is limited to ten servings per day..."
He chuckled silently.
It's about eating again.
Is there anything else in this woman's mind besides eating and cursing?
"Granted." Shen Jin waved his hand. "Have it delivered to your residence tomorrow."
"Long live the Prince!" Jiang Mianmian cheered, this time genuinely happy.
Just as the two were about to leave the Imperial Garden, a cold wind blew by.
Chen Jin's figure suddenly swayed slightly, his steps faltered, and his originally rosy complexion instantly turned ashen. He raised his hand to press his temple, his brows furrowing tightly, as if he were enduring immense pain.
"Your Highness?"
Jiang Mianmian was startled and quickly helped him up.
Upon touching it, the arm muscles were taut and cold as ice.
[What happened? He was fine just now, why is he suddenly so weak? Could it be that he used too much force when he broke the Second Prince's wrist and strained his back? No, these symptoms... look like a headache?]
Shen Jin was indeed enduring excruciating pain at that moment.
The palace banquet was crowded and chaotic, and countless thoughts buzzed in his mind like flies. Coupled with his anger earlier, the toxins in his body could no longer be suppressed, and the side effects of the mind-reading ability erupted.
At this moment, it felt like a thousand needles were pricking his mind, and the noise around him was amplified several times, driving him almost to madness.
"Walk……"
Shen Jin gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse, "Return to the manor..."
Seeing his pained expression, Jiang Mianmian felt a strange sense of panic, even though she usually scolded him.
[Hey, Shen Jin, don't die! If you die, won't I lose my long-term meal ticket as the Regent's Consort? And I'll become a widow? Remarrying is a real hassle for widows!]
Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Although I don't know what's wrong with you, can I sing you a song? Or tell you a joke?
Jiang Mianmian helped Shen Jin walk out, while mentally starting her own "stand-up comedy" routine:
Once upon a time, there was a mountain, on the mountain was a temple, and in the temple lived an old monk… Wait, that's too boring. Let me tell you a joke: One day, a rare steak was walking down the street when it suddenly met a medium-rare steak, but they didn't greet each other. Why?
Shen Jin leaned against her, his consciousness, which was on the verge of collapse, was suddenly pulled back by this clear, absurd yet vibrant voice.
He subconsciously asked himself: Why?
Because—they're not familiar with each other! Hahahaha!
Shen Jin: "..."
It's so cold.
It's so cold.
Strangely, as the lame joke landed in his mind, the sharp, stinging pain miraculously subsided. Jiang Mianmian's thoughts were like a cool spring, washing away the murky depths of his consciousness.
He buried his head deep in the crook of Jiang Mianmian's neck, smelling the faint fragrance of osmanthus cake on her body, and listening to her continuing to tell the joke of "Penguin Playing with Beans" in her mind.
The violent urge to destroy the world gradually subsided.
"princess."
With his eyes closed, Shen Jin's voice was weak but tinged with dependence, "Don't stop."
Jiang Mianmian: ? ? ?
【Don't stop? What don't stop? Don't stop walking? Or don't stop telling jokes? Dude, you're asking for too much! I'm racking my brains, it's exhausting!】
Despite complaining, Jiang Mianmian obediently continued to mentally search for jokes she had read before, like a human-shaped reading machine, escorting the suddenly fragile regent towards the palace gate.
The moonlight lengthened their shadows.
In this palace filled with intrigue and scheming, this couple, each with their own thoughts yet relying on each other, unexpectedly stumbled upon a peaceful and idyllic existence.
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