support
Jiang Heng?
It turns out Jiang Heng is back?
Shen Wenqiu never expected that Jiang Heng, who had been away for so long, would appear in front of him without warning and even help him solve his current predicament.
He could barely contain his excitement, but he couldn't let himself lose control in front of the other person, so he forced himself to suppress his emotions and smiled, saying in a voice that was tinged with tears, "Your Highness, you're finally back."
Upon hearing Shen Wenqiu's voice, Jiang Heng ceased his confrontation with the Marquis of Huai'an.
If it weren't for his Qiuqiu, he wouldn't even bother to glance at someone like the Marquis of Huai'an, as he would consider it a waste of time.
So, Jiang Heng simply shook off the Marquis of Huai'an's hand, glanced at him with a sinister look, turned around and smiled at Shen Wenqiu, looking as obedient as ever.
But Shen Wenqiu always felt that something was different.
He still looked like the same well-behaved boy, but after not seeing him for a while, it felt like there were many differences in Jiang Heng.
It has only been a few months, but it feels like several years have passed.
Perhaps due to exhaustion, she looked much thinner than before she went.
But he looks a bit taller, and his body is much firmer, so maybe he does a lot of things personally over there.
The biggest difference is their overall demeanor.
He looked much more mature and composed than before, but when facing Shen Wenqiu, he was still like a well-behaved young master.
Thinking of this, Shen Wenqiu felt somewhat happy again.
It's very good for Jiang Heng to grow through the experience of handling tasks.
Moreover, this action might earn Jiang Heng a good impression in front of the emperor, and he might be granted some kind of fiefdom, allowing him to retire and live out his days in his fiefdom.
As Shen Wenqiu contemplated this best possible outcome, his gaze toward Jiang Heng became even more excited.
Jiang Heng had no idea what Shen Wenqiu was thinking; he only knew that his return had made his Qiuqiu very happy.
So he pretended that no one around him existed, and looked into Shen Wenqiu's eyes with a smile, saying, "Qiuqiu, were you worried sick? I know you must be lonely in the palace, so I came back as soon as I finished my business."
Shen Wenqiu was even happier to hear this. He reached out to tidy Jiang Heng's hair, tugged at the cloak on his shoulder, and said with a smile, "It's good that you're back. I... I was alone in the palace, focused on my studies, and didn't think too much about it. However, I copied down the lessons taught by the Grand Tutor during this period for Your Highness. I'll show them to Your Highness in a little while."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng's smile deepened. He grasped Shen Wenqiu's hands tightly and said, "Then thank you very much, Qiuqiu. I'll need your help with my studies."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu smiled and shook his head, saying, "I am your study companion, it is my duty, there is no need to trouble you."
Jiang Heng smiled, took Shen Wenqiu's hand, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "Before I came, I went to see my father. He said he wanted me to study for another month or two, and then go to court to listen to the government and assist His Highness the Crown Prince. It would also be a way for me to learn something from my elder brother."
Mentioning Jiang Yunyan, Shen Wenqiu couldn't help but feel worried.
Jiang Yunyan is intolerant of others. There are some things that the officials of the Eastern Palace understand, the Emperor understands, but the Crown Prince may not understand.
For example, regarding the floods in the south, the emperor's intentions were all too clear.
It wasn't about how much the Emperor valued Jiang Heng; he was simply keeping an eye on the other princes who were eyeing him covetously. He also wanted Jiang Heng, the Ninth Prince who wasn't involved in the princes' power struggles, to get closer to the Crown Prince so that he could become an asset to the Crown Prince in the future.
However, Jiang Yunyan is narrow-minded and has always disliked Jiang Heng. Now that the floods in the south have occurred, it's hard to say whether he will try to trip up Jiang Heng again.
However, there were some things that couldn't be said directly in the Marquis of Huai'an's residence, so Shen Wenqiu could only suppress his worries, nod reluctantly, and pretend to know about it without saying anything more.
Upon hearing these words, the Marquis of Huai'an, who was standing nearby, immediately formed a plan in his mind.
He was initially slightly dissatisfied with Jiang Heng's obstruction of his teaching Shen Wenqiu a lesson, but now that he heard the Emperor planned to give the Ninth Prince an important position and summon him to the palace to follow the Crown Prince, he thought that this Ninth Prince might have a bright future.
After all, even though Jiang Heng's maternal clan was destroyed, they are now completely helpless.
However, the fact that the Emperor arranged for Jiang Heng to stand on the Crown Prince's side shows that he also has some potential.
If they can't curry favor with the Crown Prince, can't they at least curry favor with the Ninth Prince?
The son of the Marquis of Huai'an is the Ninth Prince's study companion. As long as they don't offend Jiang Heng, they are naturally on the Ninth Prince's side. If the Ninth Prince rises to prominence with the Crown Prince in the future, they will also benefit from it.
With this thought in mind, the Marquis of Huai'an felt much better and was even prepared to invite Jiang Heng to stay at his home for New Year's Eve dinner.
Just then, Aunt Yan spoke up.
"As a prince, the Ninth Prince should be talking more with our Marquis when he comes to our manor. Why is it that from the moment he entered, he only held onto Shen Wenqiu? Anyone who didn't know better would think you two were... having an affair!" Aunt Yan frowned, her tone dissatisfied, but her eyes also held a hint of smugness, as if she thought the Marquis of Huai'an wouldn't hold it against her.
Homosexuality?
Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow and glanced at Shen Wenqiu.
Seeing his flustered expression, as if he were thinking about how to refute Aunt Yan, I felt a surge of annoyance.
Jiang Heng wasn't very angry when people called him a homosexual.
However, this person's purpose in saying that they were gay was simply to find fault with him and Shen Wenqiu, which was naturally very inappropriate to him.
However, before Jiang Heng and Shen Wenqiu could make a move, the Marquis of Huai'an turned around angrily and slapped Aunt Yan hard across the face.
Confused and resentful, Aunt Yan covered her face and looked up at the Marquis of Huai'an, asking in a trembling voice, "My lord! You actually hit me!"
Marquis Huai'an was so angry he was panting. He cursed the fool in his heart, but he couldn't give Concubine Yan any face on the surface. He said, "Ignorant fool! The Ninth Prince has come to our house, which is an honor for us! Wenqiu is the Ninth Prince's study companion, so she should talk to him more! When did it become your place to point fingers!"
Aunt Yan used to be able to do whatever she wanted in the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, but now that the Marquis of Huai'an had humiliated her in front of outsiders, she was so angry that her chest heaved violently and she couldn't speak for a long time.
Jiang Heng watched the farce unfold before him with a cold eye, then took Shen Wenqiu's hand, squeezed his palm, and gestured for him to relax.
Then, Jiang Heng spoke with a cold smile, saying, "The Marquis of Huai'an doesn't need to act so strict in disciplining the women in his household."
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Huai'an looked at Jiang Heng with trepidation and asked in confusion, "Your Highness, what is this...?"
Jiang Heng didn't keep her in suspense. He glanced coldly at Consort Yan and said sarcastically to Marquis Huai'an, "Consort Yan dares to be so presumptuous in front of guests, which shows how arrogant she is in the household. If it weren't for your deliberate indulgence as the master, I ask you, which concubine would dare to act like this?"
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Huai'an was greatly alarmed and was about to explain when Jiang Heng added another sentence.
Jiang Heng said, "They say that Aunt Yan didn't know the rules and said the wrong thing, but in the end, it's all because you're backing her up that she's become so arrogant and lawless today."
Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Huai'an was speechless for a moment, swallowing the words that were on the tip of his tongue and remaining silent.
Jiang Heng didn't want to waste any more words with the Marquis of Huai'an. He simply held Shen Wenqiu's hand tightly, raised their clasped hands for the Marquis to see, and said, "Qiuqiu is about to take the imperial examination. In order to prevent your chaotic manor from affecting his studies, I bought him a new house that is not far from the palace. It will be perfect for bringing him and Aunt Qin there together."
These words shocked everyone present.
Shen Wenqiu never expected that Jiang Heng would buy him a house, especially one so close to the palace.
You should know that the houses there are not only expensive, but also not something ordinary people can afford.
Aunt Qin was also extremely shocked, and she was very grateful to Jiang Heng for thinking of her son.
She had guessed that Jiang Heng would make plans for Shen Wenqiu, but she never expected that she would also be involved in those plans.
Aunt Yan gritted her teeth, her dissatisfaction growing even stronger.
She couldn't help but fantasize that if her son had been the Ninth Prince's study companion, would she have received the same treatment?
With the prince's backing, she could even move out and live in a large mansion with her son.
The smile on the face of the Marquis of Huai'an could not be maintained. Shen Wenqiu was his son, so it was fine for him to leave. It was like he was separating from the family and establishing his own household.
But Aunt Qin is still his concubine. If she is taken away like this, how will he get along in the capital in the future?
Thinking this through, the Marquis of Huai'an was even more displeased. He immediately stood up to object, saying, "Your Highness, I understand Your Highness's good intentions for Wenqiu's sake, and I am also very worried and anxious about Wenqiu's examinations and studies. But this Concubine Qin is, after all, my concubine. Isn't it inappropriate for you to take her away like this?"
Jiang Heng glanced coldly at the Marquis of Huai'an and retorted with a sneer, "What's wrong with that? Aunt Qin is Qiuqiu's biological mother. This time, by moving out with Qiuqiu, she can take good care of Qiuqiu's daily life and also show concern and encouragement for Qiuqiu's studies."
Marquis Huai'an frowned, suppressing his dissatisfaction, and said with a smile, "But these things... can be done by buying a few maids to serve in the mansion. If Your Highness is worried that the maids will not serve well, you can also choose from the capable maids you are used to at home. If you are worried that they are not attentive enough, you can also choose a few beautiful ones. When Wen Qiu is surrounded by gentle and fragrant women, she will be in a good mood, and perhaps her studies will improve by leaps and bounds."
Hearing this, Jiang Heng's expression grew even colder, his eyes instantly turning sinister as he asked viciously, "He's about to take the imperial examination, and you still want him to become a good-for-nothing playboy, spending his days mingling with women? I wonder if you're hoping your son will pass or fail!"
When Jiang Heng said this, his aura was as if he wanted to devour someone.
Marquis Huai'an was so frightened that he dared not mention it again and hurriedly lowered his head, saying, "That's not it! Your Highness has misunderstood! I was just worried that Wen Qiu would be too tired from studying! Since Your Highness thinks that Consort Qin would be better able to take care of her, then let her go."
Jiang Heng glanced at the Marquis of Huai'an, not wanting to say anything more. He simply took Shen Wenqiu's hand, looked at Aunt Qin, and said, "Aunt Qin, let's go. The carriage is ready."
Aunt Qin nodded quickly and followed the two.
Shen Wenqiu was led away from the Marquis of Huai'an's residence by Jiang Heng's hand and boarded a carriage to the new house.
Along the way, Shen Wenqiu seemed somewhat dazed.
It wasn't until Jiang Heng led her by the hand, got off the carriage, and saw the new house that she finally saw it.
His sense of unreality intensified, adding to his dazed state.
Is this a dream?
Shen Wenqiu looked at the house in front of him and smiled.
He was very happy and grateful to Jiang Heng.
"Do you like it?" Jiang Heng stood beside Shen Wenqiu, smiling as she looked at him.
Shen Wenqiu suddenly turned his head and stared at Jiang Heng.
He looked into those deep eyes and sensed a hint of doting affection within them.
That's insane.
How could you think that way?
Jiang Heng's feelings for him were at most those of a friend; how could he have such emotions?
Shen Wenqiu cursed himself for overthinking, and after a long while, he nodded.
Faced with Jiang Heng's good intentions, Shen Wenqiu was at a loss, knowing that acquiring this house would not be easy.
Jiang Heng, who had just left Yaoyue Palace not long ago, somehow managed to amass so much money that he was able to buy such a courtyard.
Shen Wenqiu was at a loss for words. He looked deeply at Jiang Heng and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I really don't know how to thank you. You have been too kind to me."
Jiang Heng smiled at Shen Wenqiu, shook his head, and said, "I've already said, you don't need to address me as 'you' in front of me."
Shen Wenqiu lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She slowly raised her eyes to look at Jiang Heng again and asked, "Your Highness, why are you so good to me?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com