Chapter 151 Even magic can't defeat a man's heart
Lianye pulled Aoxue to sit on the soft couch to the side and began to massage her in various ways to relax her muscles and tendons. Being served like this, Aoxue felt comfortable all over.
"How does the skillful technique suit you, Lady Aoxue? It's not bad, is it? In the past, I would help the Princess warm up her body after each practice session. From now on, I can help you after each martial arts practice session. I guarantee that you will have a curvaceous figure and a pretty face." Lianye had a sweet tongue and was also very cute.
Ao Xue suddenly raised her head and glanced at Jiang Fenghua. She was holding a book and leaning against the soft couch. She looked even more serene, with a face as clear and beautiful as jade. She was even more beautiful and moving than the beauties in the paintings.
Aoxue wondered to herself: Is the princess's curvaceous figure also due to Lianye's massage?
She knew the princess was a good person. Just from what she did every time she went to Jishantang, she admired her. The children at Jishantang all liked her. When she taught them to read and write, she was like a strict teacher. Although strict, she was genuinely admirable. But once she left the school, she was like their friend.
Ao Xue couldn't help but think of herself, who was also an orphan. She was sold as a child and only met Lord Wu at the end. They taught her martial arts, and she fought hard to stand out among the many students.
From childhood to adulthood, she only learned one survival rule: survival of the fittest. Those who are not strong will be eliminated in this world, unable to survive, or become lowly and humble.
She had carried out many missions and met many people. She had experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships more deeply than anyone else. But she never felt the same way she did at the Prince Heng's mansion. They were always smiling and kind to people. When she was with them, she only felt one thing: warmth, the warmth of home.
A slight smile played on her lips, tinged with pride. She felt she finally had a home.
-
Xie Shang finally returned in the evening. Jiang Fenghua, like a virtuous wife, stepped forward to remove his cloak. The cloak was icy cold, as if covered in ice beads. His cheeks and palms were also icy cold. Jiang Fenghua rubbed them to warm them up before handing him a hot towel. "Your Highness, please wash your face with hot water first. After you have dinner, your stomach will be warmer, so you can change into clean clothes. Your hands are so cold. Your Highness must have had a hard time handling cases outside!"
Her eyes were full of heartache.
Xie Shang spoke softly as always, “The barbarians are harassing the borders of the Great Zhou, and there are many trivial matters in the court. The world is about to become unstable, and I may have to leave the capital again.”
"Is war about to break out?" Jiang Fenghua asked.
"Probably!" Xie Shang had long wanted to fight the Hu people again, because ten years ago he captured the Hu king alive and won the battle for the Great Zhou. Then he directly killed the barbarians who had humiliated the Great Zhou, for which he was scolded by the emperor.
Thinking of this, Xie Shang suddenly felt depressed. He frowned and remained silent.
Jiang Fenghua asked, "What's wrong, Your Highness? Are you worried about the border?"
He took her hand and pulled her to sit down at the table. “When war breaks out, bloodshed is inevitable. If we don’t fight, the barbarians will become more and more emboldened. It was the same back then. They almost stormed Shengjing City, burning, killing, looting, and doing whatever they wanted. Now, after ten years of silence, they’re stirring up trouble again. This time, they’ve made thorough preparations. There are many voices in the court advocating peace, but very few who support war. Even Father is hesitant. The floods in Jiangnan have just subsided, and now war has broken out again. Everyone says that another war would be detrimental to the Great Zhou.”
"What is Your Highness thinking?" Jiang Fenghua asked.
“Not fighting is definitely the best option, but if they really want to come and die, Great Zhou is not afraid of them.” Xie Shang’s eyes were deep and ruthless. “The voices of the court officials advising for peace are louder than those advocating for war. Those old fools don’t realize that the more we retreat, the more presumptuous the Hu people become. They will think that Great Zhou is afraid of them, and this matter will never end.”
Jiang Fenghua spoke in a relaxed tone, her eyes sparkling like stars. She even acted like a lovesick fool, blindly worshipping him, which made Xie Shang think that she had nothing but him in her heart and eyes, satisfying his male chauvinism.
A confident smile played on her lips as she said, "Your Majesty, I believe you can protect the people of Great Zhou. If we really have to fight this battle, Great Zhou may not necessarily lose. I unconditionally support Your Majesty. Even if things go wrong, we still have Jishantang. While you were away, the Third Princess and the Second Princess, along with the women of the capital, donated money to Jishantang. We can help with any military expenses. I have a lot of personal wealth, which can also help Your Majesty. War is just a waste of money, so let's burn it. However, with such terrible weather, I'm afraid the soldiers will suffer on the road. I'll have Jishantang, together with the major embroidery workshops, ask my second brother-in-law to help us quickly sew some warm clothes and quilts..."
She could say that because she knew Xie Shang could win the battle and become famous throughout the world because of it.
With Jiang Fenghua's encouragement, Xie Shang felt as if spring water was rippling in his heart. "Who wants your little woman's private stash of money? The national treasury is not short of silver. However, I am very happy to have Ruan Ruan supporting me and cheering me on."
He pulled Jiang Fenghua to sit on his lap and said in a deep voice, "Since the barbarians dare to invade our borders, I, the king, am going to defy all objections and request permission to go to war. I will make them know that the power of my Great Zhou is not to be underestimated."
Jiang Fenghua leaned against his chest and murmured, "Mmm."
Just then, Su Tingwan's maid, Yinxing, arrived at Lanyue Pavilion. "Your Highness, the concubine has suddenly fallen ill, please..."
Xie Shang glanced at the maid and said coldly, "I know, I'll be there in a bit."
Yinxing glanced at him discreetly and thought that the prince and princess had a really good relationship. "Yes."
Jiang Fenghua tried to get up from his lap, but Xie Shang held her firmly and pulled her into his arms. His deep, magnetic voice rang in her ear, "Wanwan was brought back by me personally. Right now, the Great Zhou Kingdom needs the Su family."
Jiang Fenghua stared intently into his eyes, feeling that they were unfathomable. Was he trying to explain something to her?
From beginning to end, how deep and profound was Xie Shang's sincerity towards Su Tingwan, or rather, were his feelings for all the women around him genuine?
Xie Shang placed her on a stool, gently stroked her cheek, and said, "Let the child keep you company while you have dinner. I have business to attend to tonight."
Jiang Fenghua's eyes were clear and her expression was calm and composed. She already understood Xie Shang's meaning; he would stay at the Sandalwood Courtyard tonight.
It seems even magic can't overcome a man's mind!
He changed into clean clothes and put on a new cloak and cape, and said calmly, "This time, I will have Jiang Jinyan go with me on this expedition." He meant that he wanted to cultivate the Jiang family members to serve him, and he trusted the Jiang family enough to do so.
Immediately afterwards, he instructed the maid to take good care of the princess before leaving Lan Yue Pavilion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
