Chapter 19 Status He couldn't bear to hear any word of refusal.
Outside the window, the sun blazed, and dappled golden sunlight streamed into the room, falling on Shi Wan's bedding and leaving shimmering halos that were quite eye-catching and captivating.
Such a luxurious life was something she had never even dared to dream of just over ten days ago. Back in Willow Terrace, she had never enjoyed such extravagant treatment.
All of this was given to her by Jiang Xu.
It was his so-called love that gave her preferential treatment, making her feel like she was in a dream these past few days.
But what is he saying now?
To become his concubine?
Shi Wan sneered inwardly, but her expression became even more humble and gentle. "Why...did Your Majesty suddenly think of this?"
"Please rescind your order!"
To be honest, Jiang Xu was no different from her previous customers, but Shi Wan also understood that in terms of temperament, status, and power, Jiang Xu was her best choice now.
To outsiders, she was clearly his woman.
No matter how much she tries to explain or prove it afterward, no one will believe her.
However, she didn't want to explain.
How difficult it must have been for a weak woman to survive in a chaotic world! Being the woman of Jiang Xu, the Prince of Jingbei, was indeed a very useful identity.
It can achieve many goals and avoid a lot of trouble.
However, if this is indeed confirmed, it would contradict her thinking.
Shi Wan lowered her eyelashes, her long lashes like fine black brushes, brushing them against Jiang Xu's heart, making him feel itchy.
He said this on impulse, but when the words were actually spoken, he felt a sense of "it should have been done long ago".
I should have asked Wan'er earlier.
I should have kept her by my side a long time ago.
He should have... made her completely his.
The doubts and hesitations of the past seemed to find a foothold at this moment, and then began to pry open his whole heart and mobilize all his senses without restraint.
Jiang Xu almost subconsciously sat on the edge of the bed, propping himself up with his hands, and wrapped his arms around Shi Wan. "Take back your order?" He didn't expect Wan'er to refuse so ruthlessly. His expression was not clear. "But since you and I have already done such intimate things, I should give you a title."
"As for her delicate appearance..." The man's gaze swept across her freely, like the tip of a pen, slowly and meticulously outlining Shi Wan's features.
His eyes were full of seriousness, as if he were truly committed. "Miss Wan'er is too modest. Doesn't she know that your fame is widespread?"
Jiang Xu adored Shi Wan's shy demeanor, her stubbornness that she couldn't resist yet still insisted on meeting him—it was vibrant and bright, unlike how she spent her days scheming to live a peaceful life under his care.
He hadn't wanted to bring these things up, but now that he'd discovered her resistance, he had no choice but to.
He seemed to be joking, then his expression shifted, "You're worthy of the position of concubine." He chuckled lightly, then suddenly asked, "Or are you planning to seek a better position elsewhere?"
Looking for a better job?
Although she was indeed loyal to Cao Cao but secretly loyal to Han, she absolutely could not let Jiang Xu discover this thought; she had to keep it a secret. Shi Wan thought to herself, then said, "This servant just feels that a ruler like Your Majesty must be the most beautiful woman in the world, of noble birth, in short... only the best woman in the land can match him."
She lowered her head even further, so that her loose hair could cover most of her face, paused for two breaths, and completed the second half of the sentence, "not someone like a servant."
Jiang Xu could only guess at her mood from her tone. Hearing Wan'er's sad tone and seeing her dejected appearance, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.
It wasn't anger, it was more like...
A secret joy.
But Wan'er immediately brought up the old topic again, this time with a hint of more determination in her tone, "I beg Your Majesty to retract your order!" As if she knew that she was of lowly status and unworthy to be a concubine, she was about to cry at the end, "...please do not be so harsh on this servant."
As noon approached, the wind seemed to carry a hint of dryness.
Inside a white porcelain vase on the window table, several light pink lotus flowers were soaking in clear water. Although they were not yet fully open, the fragrance of the buds was already quite pleasant.
Jiang Xu unconsciously took a light sniff, and his nasal cavity was instantly filled with a delicate floral fragrance. But besides that, this time, he also smelled another scent.
That scent of soapberry.
Perhaps because the two were so close, he also caught a whiff of the girl's delicate fragrance.
Jiang Xu thought he was quite magnanimous, but he never expected that he couldn't even bear to hear a single word of refusal.
What does she mean?
If she didn't agree, then why did she unconsciously respond when he kissed her lips?
He has already offered a way out, so why won't Wan'er take it?
"A person like you? I know what kind of person you are in my heart. I don't need you to say it, and outsiders have no right to question it."
Whom Jiang Xu chooses to promote is never anyone else's business.
The man's tone was soft and slow, and suddenly, strangely, it carried a hint of coaxing, "Come and become my concubine, I..."
He probably hadn't made such an awkward promise before, and he probably didn't understand how things had gotten to this point. His tone was quite different from usual. After a pause, he said, "I'll treat you well."
This is the second time.
She probably shouldn't have refused.
She should, as she has done many times before, feign gentleness and agree to Jiang Xu's request, and then make other plans.
Just like she did a dozen days ago.
Can......
But then, a sudden pain shot through my heart.
The pain was so intense that she could barely hold back the tears she was deliberately trying to hold back, her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed tightly together.
His knuckles gripped the edge of the bed tightly, a loose hold, a gesture of endurance.
The daughter of Jiang Xu's mentor.
Liu Ying once let slip that Yan Mingjiang was going to marry this person.
If that's the case, how can there be concubines before the principal wife has even entered the household?
Thinking of this, Shi Wan belatedly realized something, her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly looked up at Jiang Xu. The tears that had been welling up at the corners of her eyes fell at that moment, gently sliding down her cheeks and leaving two vertical, symmetrical lines.
Shi Wan felt as if she had fallen into a narrow ice cave, completely trapped inside, unable to move. All the special treatment Jiang Xu had given her in the past now transformed into countless invisible ice shards, growing more and more numerous and pressing in, almost making it impossible for her to survive.
She was so startled by that momentary lapse in concentration that her voice trembled, a tremor she had never felt before.
They even forgot about etiquette and rules, and exclaimed, "You said you would treat me well?"
Shi Wan's chest was being squeezed, and the fine pain was eroding her remaining rationality. In a daze, her breathing became more and more rapid, and her words became somewhat strained, "How will you treat me well? As a concubine?"
She wasn't sure if she was angry at herself for being so absent-minded, or angry at herself for actually changing her mind and wanting to develop the relationship into a long-term commitment.
She was so angry that even the perfect mask she maintained showed a slight crack.
Her last two sentences almost sounded like she was questioning Jiang Xu.
If he were more perceptive, he would probably have followed the clues and uncovered her little schemes.
No, that won't work.
What she relied on was Jiang Xu's indifference, wasn't it?
Shi Wan snapped out of her daze and was about to say something to salvage the situation when she looked up and suddenly met Jiang Xu's eyes.
At that moment, she found it difficult to describe what kind of expression it was.
She was so preoccupied with her own affairs that she didn't realize how close his face had become.
It was so close, almost an instant, that she could kiss his lips again with just a slight movement.
The man's eyes were sharp, carrying the kind of insight that Shi Wan was familiar with and feared, yet the corners of his mouth twitched slightly inexplicably, as if he was enduring something.
What is he suppressing? Anger?
"Do you know what you just said?" Jiang Xu asked.
It was indeed anger. Shi Wan unconsciously swallowed, "This servant spoke without thinking, please punish me, Your Majesty."
It's better to lie down and admit your mistake; don't waste your time playing mind games in such a meaningless place.
Having gotten to know Jiang Xu better, she admitted her mistake exceptionally quickly this time, saying, "This servant has no complaints whatsoever."
Wan'er's usually bright pupils were now completely dull, and she looked like a wilted rabbit with her ears drooping, appearing very listless.
Why are you afraid of him again?
He didn't say... he would punish her, did he?
It's just a young girl being a little cunning and having some minor emotional outbursts.
Ultimately, it's all because they care about him too much.
But if you don't want to be a concubine, then... you want a higher position?
A higher position, like the principal wife?
How could that be?
After figuring out the reason, Jiang Xu couldn't help but chuckle, "When did I say I wanted to punish you?"
He reverted to the way Shi Wan knew him, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Since you're resisting now, I won't force you." Then, he took the initiative to change the subject, "Anyway... there are many things to do right now, and it would indeed be a bit of a disservice for you to come to the manor at this time."
Shi Wan listened silently, her heart pounding, her fingers furtively gripping the blankets, trying to find a foothold.
Seeing her dazed expression, Jiang Xu gently brushed the tip of her nose, and then naturally kissed Shi Wan's lips. He kissed her gently, but the speed was a little too fast. After kissing away the tear stains on both sides of her cheeks, he pulled away a little.
Trying not to frighten the startled little rabbit, he said, "Give me an answer before I go to war, shall we?"
Shi Wan already had a guilty conscience, and after experiencing the ups and downs just now, she was in a state of confusion. Instinctively, she followed Jiang Xu's words and asked, "Has it been decided? When...?"
"The last day."
In other words, he would be going to war in July.
Leaving the prefect's residence, leaving Jichuan, crossing the river, heading to a place hundreds of miles away.
Although it's rushed, there probably won't be such a good opportunity again right now, will there?
The answer is almost obvious.
After a long while, Shi Wan heard her own voice.
It was very light and faint, as if it carried a certain determination.
"Go all in,"...okay.
A note from the author:
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The position of the principal wife will be possible in the future, and you'll be begging for it, but she won't want it, haha [clown] (devil's whisper).
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