Chapter 27 Attracted by Her
No matter how much Jiang Fenghua knocked on the door, it was completely silent outside.
Neither Lianye nor Hongxiu were there, and Granny Xu pretended to be deaf and dumb. Lin Feng, having been bribed by Lianye, was even less likely to step forward to help.
Jiang Fenghua was somewhat embarrassed. "It's all my fault for spoiling them too much, which has made them unruly. Your Highness, please have a seat. Lianye will probably be here soon. I'll wait for her... and I will definitely punish her."
Xie Shang suddenly asked, "Besides dancing, what else do you usually do by yourself?"
"My father is a teacher who educates people, and naturally I often get spanked by him. Young Master Jiang's spankings are really painful." Jiang Fenghua's face showed a mischievous look.
Xie Shang immediately understood. The Jiang family was a scholarly family, so her talent was naturally not low. Except when she was dancing, she was hot and seductive, but at other times she was quiet and dignified. Her mother said that she needed such a princess.
"I heard that you also designed Tingxue Pavilion. What an elegant and unique name."
"If Your Highness is pleased, that's all that matters. It's my duty as a wife," she blurted out.
When the word "wife" is mentioned, she blushes, her eyes turn shy, and she becomes charming and alluring.
Jiang Fenghua avoided him and moved to the other side to avoid embarrassment.
Xie Shang also felt awkward. Seeing a chessboard on the desk, he said, "How about you play a game of chess with me? I slept very well in the bedroom that the Princess Consort arranged. Now I'm wide awake."
Jiang Fenghua smiled sweetly, "If Your Highness wants to play chess with me, please don't cry and turn into a snotty worm if you lose."
Her words startled Xie Shang slightly. He looked up at Jiang Fenghua, and the image of the little girl from his dream flashed before his eyes. Unfortunately, it had been so long that her appearance had become blurry. The only thing he remembered was her missing front tooth.
She was already sitting upright at the chessboard, smiling, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highness, please sit down."
What she wanted was to appear as pure as a blank sheet of paper in Xie Shang's eyes.
When playing chess, Jiang Fenghua is very focused and quiet. She possesses all the qualities of a chess player: she is calm, undisturbed, and even composed, making it impossible for her opponent to understand her emotions.
Gradually, Xie Shang also got into the zone. He felt that he had met his match with Jiang Fenghua, and he was even a little overwhelmed. The more he learned about her, the more attracted he became to her.
"Your Highness, you have lost. I'm sorry to have let you win." Jiang Fenghua knew how to play chess and knew that Xie Shang was a master.
In her past life, she spent twenty years researching how to win Xie Shang's favor, but no matter how hard she tried, it was all in vain.
In this life, she only needed her looks to attract his attention, and he was even attracted to her.
He keeps saying he cares about inner beauty, not outward appearance, which is truly laughable!
Xie Shang's eyes widened in surprise, "Who do you usually play chess with? Young Master Jiang's chess skills shouldn't be this good!"
She said, "My elder brother traveled extensively and was very knowledgeable. He often collected chess scores. When I was bored, I would study a little bit, and gradually I defeated my elder brother. He was not convinced, so he sought out more profound chess games for me to solve. Over time, I learned the rules and principles."
Xie Shang understood. Jiang Fenghua was the third in line, Jiang Rumeng was nine years older than her and ranked second, and she also had an older brother who was twelve years older than her and was the eldest son of the Jiang family. He asked, "Isn't your older brother in Shengjing?"
"Yes, he likes to travel around and is often away from home. My eldest brother also dotes on the three of us sisters and often brings us back many good things. Your Highness, you saw the flowers in the courtyard? They were all sent back to Shengjing by my eldest brother. He specially gave them to me, saying they were a wedding gift for me."
Jiang Fenghua took the initiative to explain, dispelling Xie Shang's doubts. Xie Shang was lazy and didn't like to spend time on women. He would never ask if he didn't ask, but he would mind.
Xie Shang's mood inexplicably improved when he heard that the potted plants in the garden were a gift from her older brother. He didn't point it out, but asked, "Your older brother is often away from home. Who do you usually play chess with?"
"It's the same as myself!"
Xie Shang asked, "How can I play against myself?"
Jiang Fenghua held a black piece in her left hand and a white piece in her right. The black piece was placed on the board, and then the white piece followed closely behind. Gradually, the board was filled with black and white pieces. Xie Shang stared intently, his pupils showing shock.
Jiang Fenghua was simply too dazzling. Her eyes were clear and innocent, like a spring, confident and charming.
She was stunningly beautiful; he thought any man would be captivated by her!
Fortunately, the Jiang family hid her well, and fortunately, she married him. Xie Shang suddenly felt possessive; he wanted to possess such a beautiful woman.
The game went on for a long time, and both players were so focused that they didn't notice the time and soon it was past midnight.
Jiang Fenghua was playing against herself and couldn't determine who was better. To do this, she had to have two chessboards in her mind at the same time; otherwise, it would be impossible.
As the game progressed, Jiang Fenghua's eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint, and her brows furrowed. "I usually prefer the white pieces, finding them lovely and silvery-white, but today the black pieces have been dominating, and I'm truly not convinced."
She was playing a double dragon chess game, which no one could break. Jiang Fenghua studied it for a long time before she figured it out.
Xie Shang snatched the black piece from her left hand and moved it slightly, deliberately giving the white piece a chance to win. "Isn't that better?"
Seeing that the game was over, Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Your Highness also seems to favor the white pieces." Her words had a double meaning; was he starting to favor her as well?
Xie Shang's lips curled slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. His features were exceptionally handsome, captivating all who beheld him. Unfortunately, Jiang Fenghua had already seen through him; these were merely appearances.
The night was deep, and Xie Shang made an excuse to beat Jiang Fenghua, saying he wanted to play another game. Jiang Fenghua had no choice but to play along.
Because she never stays up late.
For some reason, Xie Shang was constantly losing ground tonight, becoming more and more frustrated with each battle.
The sound of the night watchman's drum came from outside again. Jiang Fenghua reminded him, "It's already the fourth watch, Your Highness."
Xie Shang put down the chess piece. "So fast?"
"Your Highness has been so engrossed in the chess game that you've forgotten the time. It's so late. If you don't go back, won't Consort Su misunderstand again?"
Xie Shang almost forgot he had to go back and coax Su Tingwan. Seeing her nonchalant expression, he suddenly became determined again. "It's so late. Doesn't the princess want me to stay? On our wedding night, she begged me to stay."
Jiang Fenghua's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head slightly. "I had no choice."
Xie Shang stood up and said cryptically, "The game isn't over yet, let's continue next time."
Jiang Fenghua was stunned, thinking that he was finally leaving, and was about to respectfully see the prince off.
He said in a cold, authoritative tone, “Consort Su has already gone to sleep, so I won’t wake her. I’ll just rest here for a while.” He added in the same cold tone, “I need to go to the yamen very early tomorrow morning. My official robes are available at Lan Yue Pavilion.”
It means that this is my territory, and it is only right for me to live here.
"Please make yourself at home, Your Highness," Jiang Fenghua replied gently.
After Xie Shang walked towards the side hall, Jiang Fenghua got up from her seat and walked to the door. She gently pulled the door open.
She closed the door again. If Xie Shang wanted to leave, how could a door stop him? He was a hypocrite. How much genuine affection did he have for Su Tingwan in the face of her beauty?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
