Even though Jiang Tian was wearing a veil, Zhao Jing was the kind of person who could spot a spy from an enemy country who had lived there for many years, married, and had children, from the slightest clues. He recognized her at a glance.
When Zhao Jing discovered that Pei Ziye and Jiang Yuqin were with her, a surge of anger welled up in his chest, and his eyes blazed with fury.
He pulled on the reins, and the horse neighed. His men, not understanding why, watched as he changed direction and galloped towards the riverbank.
When Zhao Jing arrived, Jiang Tian was releasing river lanterns with the two of them. Pei Ziye and Jiang Yuqin had smiles on their faces, and the admiration in their eyes was unmistakable.
When he arrived, everyone was startled.
Before anyone else could speak, Zhao Jing walked straight up to Jiang Tian and leaned down to get close to her.
"You're so dashing."
He uttered a dark sentence, and before Jiang Tian could respond, he picked her up and threw her onto the horse's back. Ignoring the anxious shouts of the others, he whipped the horse, and the horse shot away like an arrow, quickly leaving the once picturesque place.
As for Pei Ziye and Jiang Yuqin, Zhao Jing didn't give them a single glance the entire time.
After a bumpy journey back home, Zhao Jing carried Jiang Tian, attracting many strange looks, but he ignored them all.
The door was stomped open with one foot, trembling slightly.
Zhao Jing raised his hand and took off her veil, threw her onto the bed, and stared down at her with his dark eyes.
Jiang Tian lay half-reclined on the couch, her hair slightly disheveled, glancing sideways at Zhao Jing, her voice remaining calm: "What's wrong with the General?"
Zhao Jing's eyes were incredibly deep: "Have you forgotten that we are still husband and wife in the eyes of others?"
Jiang Tian flicked her sleeve and looked back at him: "Of course I remember, that's why I wore a veil."
Zhao Jing gave a curt smile, his face expressionless: "If I can recognize you, then others can too."
"So what if they recognize me? Everyone knows I'm a slut who's been rejected by her husband and a promiscuous woman. Those two are my ex-lovers. It's perfectly normal for me to meet with them. You're still wearing two green hats."
Her casual tone completely enraged Zhao Jing.
He bent down abruptly, his eyes blazing with fury: "I asked you to help me manage the household and protect you, not to cause trouble every time and drag me down with you!"
"General, are you perhaps jealous?"
Jiang Tian suddenly curled the corners of her lips, her eyes revealing a hint of charm. She tapped his chest, her voice becoming somewhat seductive.
Zhao Jing's breathing quickened immediately, and he stared intently at Jiang Tian.
She is naturally beautiful, and it's perfectly normal for a beautiful woman to be favored by men.
But since she lives in his general's mansion and is still nominally his person, she can't act recklessly or challenge his authority!
Jealous?
He was heartless and loveless towards everyone in his life, and the only bit of warmth he had was about to be worn away.
She really enjoys patting herself on the back!
After briefly calming his anger, Zhao Jing's gaze swept over Jiang Tian.
Compared to her previous slender figure and noble demeanor, she is now more plump. Her hair is loose, revealing a section of her fair neck, and her face is flushed.
She was aloof yet stunningly beautiful.
She used to be like a figure in a painting, flat and stiff. After the two fell out, she became outspoken and sharp-tongued, so much so that it was hard to keep up, but she also became much more lively.
Zhao Jing narrowed his eyes, as if he was thinking about something.
He didn't change his position, and the two were very close. Jiang Tian turned her head away impatiently: "Stay away from me."
Zhao Jing suddenly reached out and pinched her chin. He seemed to have made a decision, and the calm and collected look in his eyes returned.
"Once my important matters are settled, I will take you as my concubine. But you must behave yourself and not cause any more trouble."
Her innocence was ruined, she had been a servant, and her family had lost their support. If she were to wander out into the wild, the wolves would tear her apart. The fact that he was willing to turn back and give her the position of a concubine was already more than enough.
If Zhao Jing ascends the throne, Jiang Tian will at least be made a concubine.
Zhao Jing has already treated a person with an even more complicated family background than an orphan girl very kindly.
In chaotic times, survival is the most important thing.
He never treated her as a wife, but only as a pawn, someone he could discard at will.
Now, he is willing to give her another chance. A woman he approves of will naturally be well protected by him.
After he finished speaking, Jiang Tian remained silent for a long time.
Zhao Jing saw her give a cryptic smile, her face now clouded with a hint of anger.
"Are you willing?" he asked in a deep voice.
Jiang Tian did not answer, but instead asked another question: "Why do you want to take me as a concubine? As far as I know, you have always regarded me as a disgrace. Now I am even more unbearable than when I was remarried, but you have suddenly changed your mind. Have you lost your mind?"
A sudden glint of anger flashed in Zhao Jing's eyes: "Why do you ask? We're surrounded by wolves. I'm already dealing with court affairs, and now I have to worry about you causing trouble outside. If I didn't want you to live peacefully in the inner quarters, why would I offer you the position of a concubine!"
Jiang Tian suddenly smiled.
Her smile made Zhao Jing feel uneasy: "What are you laughing at?"
"Although I survived thanks to the head of the tyrant and the imperial seal, I am nothing but a chicken rib to you. Once you overthrow the new emperor, my existence will be of no use."
"You just need to wait a while until the new emperor forgets about me. At that time, even if I die suddenly from an illness, the new emperor will only scold you a few words. After all, everyone will think that you have been wronged."
"It's just a matter of waiting for a while, so why do you offer me a position to be your woman, deepening our ill-fated relationship? General, your reasoning is too weak."
The expression in Zhao Jing's eyes was unreadable.
He was not shocked by Jiang Tian's guess that he was plotting a rebellion, but by Jiang Tian's detailed analysis.
Yes, she's right. He has a million ways to make Jiang Tian shut up and stop embarrassing him, thus saving his face.
Even if he wanted Jiang Tian to "die of illness" tonight, the new emperor would not punish him.
After all, he was the emperor's sword on the battlefield.
But instead of choosing these easy ways, he took a different path: making her his own and ensuring her loyalty to him.
This path is clearly more complex and less stable.
But he still chose it.
Jiang Tian's voice rang out again: "It's not that I'm being delusional, it's just that the general would rather abandon his principle of only wanting flawless jade, and would rather abandon the path of keeping me silent forever, than not take me as his concubine—"
"I can't think of any other reason besides the fact that you've developed romantic feelings for me."
Zhao Jing tightened his grip on her chin, his eyes deep as he stared intently at her: "You take yourself far too seriously."
Jiang Tian's contempt remained unchanged: "You're just getting angry out of embarrassment."
Zhao Jing's chest trembled. He looked at Jiang Tian's flawless face, which was impeccable even up close, and after a long while, he reached out and gently stroked it.
He regained his usual composure and even smiled: "You're right. Why should I make so many concessions? If I ruin your face, I can achieve my goal immediately... What do you say?"
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