When Xiao Zijue saw Jiang Tian's face clearly, his expression also changed slightly.
The two exchanged a glance, and Jiang Tian said with a wry smile, "Your Highness, it's been a long time."
Xiao Zijue nodded to her: "That's true."
After finding a teahouse to sit down, Xiao Zijue looked at the woman in front of him, who was completely different from the concubine in his memory, and was still a little dazed.
Jiang Tian didn't know what to say to Xiao Zijue.
Yesterday's events are like yesterday's death.
Now that she has left the Prince's mansion and her indenture has been returned, she and Xiao Zijue have no further connection.
Whether it was fate or the great fame of her shop, we met here.
"It seems you're doing well."
Jiang Tian's eyes and brows became much more lively, and her usual timid demeanor disappeared, replaced by a smiling gaze.
"I'm actually doing quite well. If it weren't for the prince's kindness in giving me the indenture and relieving my worries, I wouldn't be so at ease."
Xiao Zijue picked up her tea and took a sip. It seemed that Mo Chenyuan had not yet revealed his identity to her.
"It's nothing, just a small favor. I apologize for what happened that day."
That fear had gradually faded with time. Jiang Tian had witnessed Xiao Zijue kill someone that autumn night and knew that he was not a weak scholar. It was normal for him to have some ruthless subordinates.
"Let's not talk about those things. It's fate that we met the prince today. If you want any pastries, just come to my shop and I'll give you half the price."
Xiao Zijue shook his head with a chuckle: "No need."
He comes from a wealthy family and his father left him a vast fortune; he wouldn't be unable to afford even a snack.
Jiang Tian thought for a moment, then there was nothing more to say.
She remained silent.
Xiao Zijue was still somewhat unwilling.
These days, his mother is pressuring him too much; she seems to want to tie him up and force him into marriage right now.
The more he was pressured, the more Xiao Zijue regretted his rash judgment at the time.
"I heard from Young Master Chen that you do not wish to return to the Prince's Mansion. I wonder if what he said is true or false?"
Xiao Zijue clung to his last glimmer of hope, wanting to hear a different answer.
Jiang Tian nodded frankly: "Yes, I don't want to go back."
Xiao Zijue's eyes showed confusion: "You are certainly free outside, but within the Prince's Mansion, you will never have to worry about making a living for the rest of your life."
"Birds in cages don't have to worry about making a living, but they could have soared through the sky, but now they only have a small space left. Are they doing this willingly?"
“In the past, I was not in control of my own destiny, confined in the palace. Now that I have been freed, I am like a bird soaring in the sky. Naturally, I will not miss that small cage.”
Xiao Zijue remained silent for a long time.
He simply drank his tea quietly and said nothing more.
Jiang Tian was worried that the shop assistants were too busy, so after sitting for a while, she said to him, "Your Highness, I'm short-staffed at my shop and can't take care of everything, so I'll go first. If you need anything else, you can come to the shop to find me anytime."
"Wait a moment. Is there anything else you need me to do? You left in a hurry. If there's anything you haven't finished taking care of, I can lend you a hand."
Xiao Zijue abandoned his plan to invite Jiang Tian back to the Prince's Mansion and took the opportunity to concede, saying these words.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Tian's eyes suddenly lit up: "If it's convenient for you, all my belongings are still in my little courtyard. I was hurriedly stuffed into the carriage that day and didn't have time to retrieve them. They're in the ashes of the incense burner at the very bottom. Please send someone to take them out and give them to me."
Xiao Zijue was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll have someone deliver it to you tomorrow."
"Then thank you very much, Your Highness."
Jiang Tian couldn't stop smiling.
Seeing how happy she was, Xiao Zijue was actually a little envious of her.
True to his word, Xiao Zijue sent someone to retrieve Jiang Tian's purse the very next day.
Besides some loose silver, there were also five hundred taels of silver notes inside.
Jiang Tian counted them and was satisfied.
The people from the Prince's Mansion had just arrived in the morning when Mo Chenyuan arrived in the middle of the night, with a sullen face.
Jiang Tian was just about to go to sleep when someone suddenly jumped in through the window, startling her.
Upon recognizing Mo Chenyuan, she asked, "What are you doing?"
"Xiao Zijue has seen you?"
"I've seen him. He returned my money pouch to me, and I can give you the hundred taels of silver right now."
Jiang Tian felt a surge of joy just thinking about it, and she started to rummage through her purse.
Mo Chenyuan pressed her hand down: "No need. He didn't say anything to you, did he?"
What else can be said?
“He had been telling me for a long time that he wanted to find you and bring you back.”
Jiang Tian said with a troubled expression, "You're overthinking it. I'm just a concubine, and I'm five years older than him. He's a prince, what kind of beautiful women hasn't he seen? Why would he be interested in me? We just bumped into each other by chance and chatted for a while."
Hearing that she didn't care, Mo Chenyuan's anger subsided somewhat.
While he was reviewing memorials in the imperial study, he received a message by carrier pigeon informing him that Xiao Zijue had met Jiang Tian and could no longer stay there. He could not settle down if he did not see Jiang Tian.
He took Jiang Tian's hand and sat down on her bed. He gazed at her quietly and suddenly said, "Why don't you come back to my home with me?"
Jiang Tian, who was drowsy, was shocked when she heard this: "What nonsense are you spouting?"
“I’m worried about you being here. There are always people loitering around you. I’m busy with other things and can’t come often, so I’m jealous.”
Hearing him speak of jealousy so openly and honestly, Jiang Tian was speechless.
She sighed and looked at the young man, eleven years her junior: "You told me last time that you were getting married soon. You said that once you got married, our relationship would end. Now you've changed your mind? A gentleman's word is as good as his bond, don't forget that."
Mo Chenyuan's face darkened further as she spoke. He had only made a casual remark at the time, but he had become addicted to her and couldn't live without her.
As the emperor, Mo Chenyuan still felt somewhat uncomfortable having his shortcomings exposed by Jiang Tian. He deliberately brought up other things: "Do you really have to stay here?"
“Of course. My shop is here, it’s my livelihood. I can’t go anywhere else without it. Maybe when the shop gets bigger and I open a branch, I’ll move to another place,” Jiang Tian glanced at him hesitantly. “Don’t you think I’m wasting this nice place by living in the villa? Then I can move out.”
Anyway, she has money in her hands, so she feels confident wherever she goes.
Mo Chenyuan was almost driven mad by her. He pressed down on her shoulder and said, "You stay right here and don't go anywhere!"
"It's all because you keep saying random things that I can only guess."
Mo Chenyuan was furious: "I already said, I'm jealous of others."
"You're too young, your mind isn't settled yet. Once you marry the wife you truly love, you won't care about me as much anymore."
Jiang Tian seemed to be comforting him, but Mo Chenyuan felt increasingly awkward listening to her.
His true desires could not be realized, and this woman kept provoking him.
Mo Chenyuan leaned down and captured her lips, his heart filled with malice. He was determined to teach her a lesson tonight!
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