Chapter 13 The deadline: He is the ladder to freedom.
The candlelight flickered gently along the edge of the table, casting a pale golden glow on the two people in the room.
Seeing that she was standing there motionless, Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong?"
The screen reflected the figures of the two people, who appeared to be intimately intertwined as they drew closer. A ripple of ambiguity spread as the night breeze blew through the window.
The sweet, fruity aroma suddenly became much thicker, and Shi Wan, surrounded by this thick scent, felt as if her hands and feet were bound by an invisible net.
His whole body was stiff and he couldn't move.
Yes, Jiang Xu has given the order.
She dared not disobey, nor could she disobey.
Shi Wan suppressed her panic and walked a few steps in front of him, staring intently at the chilled plum soup. The reddish soup in the bowl was calm and still, reflecting her somewhat nervous expression.
No, that won't work.
That won't do.
She forced a smile, gave Jiang Xu a graceful bow, and explained, "Your Majesty's favor has filled me with trepidation, which is why I stood there, too afraid to come over."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu simply pushed the bowl closer, saying, "Try it." Seeing that she didn't move, he changed his tone and commanded, "Try it."
Shi Wan had no choice but to scoop up a small spoonful. The cool texture, with a hint of the expected sweetness, instantly filled her tongue.
The singers' every word and action was trained. They had to be flexible in their waists and soft in their voices. They learned everything from the arts, such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, which are typical of daughters of noble families, to dining etiquette, and even the smallest details, such as reading people's expressions and matters of the bedroom.
Shi Wan originally thought that as one of the best among them, she would not be nervous or afraid at this moment.
But the man's gaze at that moment made her dare not look at him a second time.
Even though Jiang Xu unconsciously tried his best to hide it, Shi Wan had long since become accustomed to such aggressive advances.
She barely tasted her food, taking a few small sips before putting down her bowl. Her heart was still pounding wildly, the "thump-thump" sound rather jarring in the quiet space.
Seeing this, Jiang Xu finally smiled and asked, "How does it taste?"
Whenever this person laughs like that, nothing good ever comes of it.
Shi Wan looked down helplessly. "What the King bestows is naturally delicious." She gently twisted the hem of her dress. "I just don't know... is this plum soup reserved for me alone, or is it available to everyone else?"
Under the lamplight, the woman's eyes shone with an amber luster, possessing a mesmerizing magic when gazed upon quietly.
These words sounded like a young woman's coquettishness. Jiang Xu had always known that this was a common tactic used by courtesans, but now he was quite pleased that Wan'er could use it on him.
Whether it's trying to please or testing the waters, at least it won't be like the rabbit in the past, leaping three steps away in one bound.
"Does that matter?" he asked instead of answering. "Or do you want to know the answer to this question?"
Shi Wan gave him a deep look, her eyebrows curving in a similar way. "If only this servant can enjoy it, wouldn't that chill the hearts of all the servants?"
Like oil being cooked over a raging fire, flowers bloom in profusion.
Such a road must conceal a bottomless abyss.
She had nothing to offer in exchange except herself.
Jiang Xu found it novel, as if he had finally glimpsed a different color through the clouds. The corners of his lips widened a little more. "The pleasure between men and women is a natural human instinct."
"This has always been the case."
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Or is it that, compared to that brat from the Wu family, I am not worthy to make a lifelong promise with you?"
Although he said "for life," Jiang Xu's expression showed no intention of spending his life with him as he pulled the person toward him.
Shi Wan was not expected that he would suddenly do something like this, and she instinctively tried to back away. However, the difference in strength between the two was too great, and Jiang Xu guessed her intention almost as soon as she moved.
Trying to stop a chariot with one's own arms is futile.
By the time Shi Wan came to her senses, she was already being held tightly in Jiang Xu's arms.
Instantly, a strange aura emanated from the other person, and a very faint scent of sandalwood quickly permeated her, entwining her hair and seeping into her breath.
Shi Wan is about five feet four inches tall, which is already considered a rather tall figure, but next to the person in front of her, she appears especially petite and delicate.
Jiang Xu stared straight ahead at those delicate lips, their white teeth settling into the crimson, just like the plum soup Wan'er had just drunk. The vibrant red was eye-catching, and even seemed to carry warmth, making his breath catch in his throat.
He believed that... he had been quite sincere these past few days.
Unfortunately, Wan'er didn't understand the deeper meaning at all and always avoided it half-heartedly.
Uneasy, fearful, and not at all affectionate.
The difference between how he treated Wu Qiyuan and how he treated Wu Qiyuan is like night and day.
even......
She couldn't compare to those patrons she fawned over.
Jiang Xu recalled the confessions he had uncovered, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes. His tone grew even more gentle, "Wan'er, I now have feelings for you." He spoke as if pleading for his beloved's consent, like an ordinary man asking, "Do you... know that?"
The moonlight outside the window was dim, obscured by a few dark clouds.
Shi Wan's slender waist was held tightly by the man's iron-like body.
My suspicions were confirmed, and my rapid heartbeat stopped abruptly, turning into an extremely slow beating.
Jiang Xu's every word landed in his heart, dancing into a strange melody, and along with the strange things that had happened to him these past few days, they quickly came to light.
The man's gaze was sharp and meticulous, sweeping over her from head to toe, his underlying meaning obvious.
A few shivers crept up the back of her neck, and she unconsciously bit her lower lip, unsurprisingly tasting a hint of rust.
Suddenly, a large hand covered her lips, gently wiping the corner of her lips with its broad, long knuckles, which could almost envelop her entire lips.
The candlelight flickered slightly, and the warmth from Jiang Xu's fingertips was clearly felt.
Unlike the previous gesture of comforting someone by wiping away tears, this time, it carried an added layer of ambiguity and desire.
He approached step by step, "Wan'er."
"You know it." It was like a verdict, a final judgment, "You certainly know my intentions."
"Shh." Jiang Xu held up a finger to her lips, then continued to gaze at her, waiting for her new answer.
The curve of her lips became more pronounced. "You know that."
"I don't want to hear those words."
Don't want to hear this?
At this moment, she probably only has one sentence to say.
The candle wick emitted a faint crackling sound.
Outside the window, moonlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the intertwined shadows of the two people.
Suddenly, there was a series of urgent knocks on the door.
Inside the house, Shi Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
The door opened, and a somewhat unfamiliar young man, who looked somewhat similar to Jing Yin, strode in, probably in a hurry. He quickly finished his greeting and was about to speak when he glanced to the side and abruptly stopped talking.
Jiang Xu glanced at her. "Stay."
Jing Yan observed the whole thing, silently lowering his head even further. After a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, there is an urgent report." He then presented the report to the emperor.
The flickering candlelight instantly quieted down, and the military newspaper appeared somewhat yellowed under the still light.
Jiang Xu picked up his pen and carefully circled the characters "Turk" on the paper. The vermilion color was so bold that it seemed to penetrate the paper.
Once the opportunity passed, he simply abandoned those romantic thoughts and focused his attention on the military report.
'One hundred thousand Turkic cavalry have arrived at Taoshan.'
The Turks have always been warlike. In recent years, Jiang Xu has frequently dealt with them and has gradually figured out their set of rules. Logically speaking, spring and summer are not the best time for the Turks to go on expeditions and plunder.
Coming to his senses, Jiang Xu's face remained calm. "The Turks and our army have a deep-seated grudge, and this battle is inevitable."
Upon hearing this, Jing Yan immediately knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This humble general is willing to lead the troops there!"
Shi Wan stood not far away, subconsciously observing.
This person is probably Jing Yin's twin brother, Jing Yan.
In addition to Xiao Chijie and Wan Houyi, the four of them each commanded one of the four armies of the Jingbei Army.
She silently lowered her breathing, trying to reduce her presence even further.
On this side of the table, Jiang Xu was completely unaware of what Shi Wan was thinking, and didn't care at all.
His gaze lingered on Jing Yan, and he remained silent, pursing his lips.
The timing of the Turkic invasion was so coincidental that it may have been orchestrated by someone else.
On the Southern Yuan side, the emperor's brother-in-law Ning Hong and the Minister of Personnel Pei Sheng have a long-standing feud, and with the army currently in short supply, they should not have such thoughts.
Jiang Xu paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "I intend to lead the expedition myself."
......
*
After Jingyan left, the atmosphere in the room, which had just eased, froze again.
Since it concerned the war, Shi Wan hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and stopped a few steps beside Jiang Xu.
In a flash, she suddenly remembered the dream she had a few days ago.
Shi Wan's eyelashes trembled uncontrollably as she softly asked, "When will Your Majesty set out on the expedition?"
Seeing her approach, Jiang Xu's gloomy expression lessened slightly. "There's still some time to go. The people... need to be settled first."
This was the first time Shi Wan had heard him mention "common people." The man's expression was sincere and solemn, and suddenly, a different hue appeared on his face.
She was different from anyone she had ever met before.
Shi Wan was deeply moved and lowered her eyes, saying, "Your Majesty's sincerity shines like a loyal heart. I am truly impressed by Your Majesty's concern for the people's livelihood."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow after hearing this praise. "Sincere and devoted? That's quite a rare description." He stood up and strode over to Shi Wan.
The man's tall figure completely enveloped her; in the flickering candlelight, only a shadow of one person could be seen.
This time, Shi Wan did not hide.
Instead, she smiled and climbed into Jiang Xu's arms, saying, "Your Majesty's intentions are clear to this servant."
"But... could you give me some time to consider?"
Jiang Xu stared at her silently, his dark eyes dimming for a moment before he finally stepped back and said, "Three days."
"At most three days."
He made a pointed remark, "I only want to hear one answer."
Shi Wan looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes passed through the man in front of her and vaguely drifted out of the window.
Outside the window, the moonlight cascaded down like a waterfall, resembling a long road.
Just like that night when we boarded the boat, the lake rippled and a new life emerged in the air.
A moment later, she heard her own voice, light as a feather, with a hint of deliberate flattery, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"This servant..."
"I am extremely grateful."
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