Chapter 26: Standoff - The relationship between the two reaches a freezing point.
Instantly, the icy lake water filled my nostrils, feeling like several tiny thorns piercing my body at the same time.
Shi Wan's consciousness was somewhat blurred. Her heavy clothes kept pulling at her, causing her to fall. She instinctively struggled a few times and managed to break free of the gold jewelry she had always worn.
The world at the bottom of the lake was bizarre and fantastical. Through the rippling water, she vaguely glimpsed Jiang Xu standing calmly on the shore, his gaze fixed on her. Then, she suddenly lost consciousness.
Jiang Xu stood on the shore, coldly watching the spot where Shi Wan jumped. A ripple suddenly appeared on the lake surface, but it stopped abruptly in a moment and returned to its previous calm.
After a long pause, he cursed inwardly, and with a muffled, thunderous splash, he sank to the bottom of the lake.
The armor, soaked by the lake water and stained with moisture, felt incredibly heavy. So when Wan'er was embraced, her body felt as light as a feather, floating on air, and had no weight at all compared to the armor.
Her long eyelashes were tightly closed, her brows were furrowed in pain, and she seemed lifeless.
Jiang Xu almost immediately kissed her, trying to breathe into her, but as soon as his lips touched hers, they remained tightly closed, refusing to move an inch.
He used a clever technique, and instantly, strings of tiny, pearl-like bubbles surged in, mixed with the smell of blood and rust, filling their chests in an instant. Before they knew it, their bodies were pressed tightly together.
Wan'er's clothes were tightly entangled by the water plants at the bottom of the lake. Perhaps she had intended to do so, because it seemed that she had not struggled at all. Jiang Xu hesitated for a moment, then simply took the blade and cut off the lower half of the hem.
He had seen it earlier; Wan'er had changed into men's clothes, a black and gray straight robe that covered her entire body, giving her a unique and novel look.
Once the two were ashore, the guards beside them immediately stepped forward. Jiang Xu lowered his eyes indifferently, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "Come back with me immediately." He then straightened Shi Wan, lifted her back, and gently patted her back.
After a while, seeing that she had vomited a lot of water and her complexion had improved somewhat, he picked her up, put her on the horse's back, and wanted to ride with her.
To everyone's surprise, the person in his arms slowly opened their eyes and softly called his name, "Jiang...Xu".
The man's heart tightened, and he subconsciously looked up, only to catch a glimpse of her stubborn brows and eyes, filled with tears, pale and weak, limp beside him.
This was a stark contrast to her resolute yet infuriating demeanor just moments before.
Just as he was about to speak, the other person fainted again.
......
*
After a long and arduous journey, they found a doctor in Pingsu and received some simple treatment before Shi Wan finally regained consciousness.
She was in much better spirits. Seeing Jiang Xu standing guard beside her, she reverted to her sharp-tongued self and called out to him, "Your Majesty."
This feeling was quite novel to Jiang Xu.
Just now, on horseback, Wan'er's murmur made him feel a sudden sense of unfamiliarity. Perhaps it had been a long time since anyone had dared to be so disrespectful and call him by his name to his face. At this moment, he looked at her with a strange gaze. "I have not said anything about what I want to do to you. You don't need to be so wary."
Didn't they say what they were going to do to her?
It's just a matter of time before he's executed in the autumn.
“I lied to Your Majesty, so how can you believe me now?” Shi Wan said sarcastically, swallowing the itch in her throat. “Begging and acting cute is useless, isn’t it?”
Jiang Xu stared at her, his expression growing colder. "Since you know it's a deception, you should be more sincere." He chuckled, his words carrying a hidden meaning. "Didn't you do a very good job before?"
"Why can't you do it now?"
Jiang Xu's character hadn't reached that low point; he would never do something like selling her to a brothel. Furthermore, he hadn't yet engaged in any intimate acts with her and still harbored desire for her. Therefore, he wouldn't be willing to accept it at the moment.
Shi Wan was not afraid at all, and even raised the corners of her lips, "If Your Majesty really did this, you wouldn't have played those childish games with me in the first place." Her beautiful smile was full of charm, but unfortunately her face was pale, which made her lose some of her beauty.
"Put this on." Jiang Xu took the fox fur that had been prepared in advance from the side. The snow-white fur had a fine, smooth luster, which was enough to show that it was of excellent quality.
Seeing this, Shi Wan simply turned her head away, adopting an absolutely defensive posture, and said, "No need."
"It's summer now."
"Summer?" Jiang Xu was amused by her and said sternly, "Don't you want to take a good look at your face when you get back to the manor?" In the morning, the fog on the river was damp and cold. She was not dressed much. Even though his outer robe blocked some of the cold, she had been traveling all the way and had gone into the water. She had barely managed to stay awake for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn on the journey. Her face was already pale, even worse than when she first met him.
Only after he said that did Shi Wan belatedly realize that the anger in her heart had subsided somewhat, and the lingering chill in her body quickly spread up.
She couldn't help but cough several times, and just as she was about to speak, she was suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace.
Jiang Xu took the fox fur coat and wrapped it around her completely.
The worries in my heart finally came to fruition at this moment.
Now, Shi Wan was completely certain that Jiang Xu's interest in her had not waned. Going back today would likely not bring her any good results. She would become like many others at Willow Terrace, their appendages, enjoying fleeting pleasure and favor before growing old.
Born in a chaotic era, even a moment of favor is enough.
Shi Wan almost brainwashed herself, and after several attempts, she slowly exhaled and evened her breathing. Unfortunately, the itching in her throat intensified, causing her to cough involuntarily. Even with her entire body slightly bent, she couldn't avoid it.
After several rounds, some physiological tears welled up.
Once it starts, it's like a torrent of water pouring out; it's hard to stop the flow. You can only let it flow freely, and over the years, it gradually becomes a trickle before drying up.
But seeing only tear stains, one cannot know whom the heart resents.
Shi Wan subconsciously wrapped her fox fur coat tighter around herself, pinched her palms, and forced back the urge to cough. Her hands were wet, which instantly soaked her cloak.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Xu's tone became even colder, "You'd better watch yourself." After saying that, he got up and walked out.
Almost as soon as he left, Shi Wan subconsciously curled up, overcome with drowsiness, and finally couldn't stay awake any longer and fell asleep.
The next day.
When she woke up, her vision was still a little blurry.
A faint scent of soapberry wafted from inside the tent, the kind she often used, only this one, besides its pleasant fragrance, also carried a hint of bitterness.
This place is completely different from the prefectural governor's residence in Jichuan.
Could it be Pingsu? Jiang Xu's private residence? Shi Wan pondered for a moment, and just as she had a tiny clue, she couldn't help but put her hand to her forehead. She had been exposed to too much cold wind and soaked in cold water these past two days. In addition, the physical exhaustion and the worries in her heart kept pressing on her, and her health, which had just started to improve, had fallen ill again. Now, she couldn't afford to think any further.
Shi Wan couldn't help but cough lightly twice. The female doctor guarding outside the door heard the noise and immediately lifted the curtain to come in. "Miss, please lie down quickly. You are weak and it looks like you have cold in your body. Let me take your pulse first so I can prepare medicine for you."
On this side, Jiang Xu was in the main tent, listening to the report from his personal guards.
“Miss Wan’er has been called by this name ever since she appeared at Willow Terrace eight years ago. The madam’s reply was consistent with the previous one, saying with certainty that Wan’er is her real name.”
"Real name? If that's the case, how could the master in Yun'an Temple not be able to calculate it?"
Jiang Xu was aware of Wan'er's unusual behavior and small actions, but they were just clumsy tricks that posed no threat whatsoever. He was originally willing to play along.
That's strange, she lied to him.
"Once a man is unfaithful, he will never be trusted again." Even a young child understands this principle, so how could Jiang Xu not know it?
Thinking of this, Jiang Xu continued to examine the silver ingot in his hand. Similar to the Wu family's ingot, it had a small "Zhang" character stamped on the edge.
They really are pampered sons of the wealthy and powerful; they make such a grand show of themselves right away.
Jiang Xu said coldly, "Have you found out anything about that kid from the Zhang family?"
Upon hearing this, the guard hurriedly said, "Zhang Yiwen is a member of a collateral branch of the Zhang family. He has just turned twenty this year and has come to Jichuan to find you."
Jiang Xu was taken aback. Just then, a soldier came to report that Wan'er had woken up. The man immediately waved his hand and got up to go to the tent.
This place is called a military camp, but it is actually just a gentle slope by the water. The soldiers used their waist knives to cut down the reeds and clear a space for camping. Not far ahead is the Huai River area. Only after crossing it can they advance straight to attack the Turks.
Jiang Xu returned to his tent without any obstacles. As soon as he entered, he saw Wan'er lying on the couch, completely still and seemingly unaware of anything.
When the female doctor saw Jiang Xu arrive, she quickly bowed and said, "This young lady has been worrying too much, and her health is poor. She also caught a cold, which caused her to suffer from many minor illnesses. She will need to rest for at least three months."
"You absolutely mustn't do anything to upset her, and she shouldn't engage in strenuous exercise either." She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "This young lady has an old wound in her chest, and this illness originated from her heart. If there's any further mishap, I'm afraid..."
We need to be very careful!
Jiang Xu listened carefully before waving for the others to leave so he could prepare the medicine.
Inside the tent, Shi Wan still had her back to Jiang Xu, refusing to acknowledge anyone.
"What?" Jiang Xu's expression grew even more unpleasant at her differential treatment. "Since you're awake, why pretend to be mute?"
Shi Wan had recovered some of her energy by now, and her body stiffened upon hearing this. "I was afraid I had said something that Your Majesty would not like to hear, and that it would offend your ears."
Her words were barbed, and Jiang Xu's anger flared up again. "Have you already done all the things I don't want to hear, and the things I can't bear to see?"
"Yes, so I am at Your Majesty's mercy."
Jiang Xu said coldly, "Why don't you beg me?"
Beg? Even now, he still wants her to beg him!
“I’ve said this before, pleading is useless.” Shi Wan laughed mockingly. “Your Majesty, I originally begged you to save my life, to get some protection, and to avoid being sent back to Huzhou.”
"But now, all of that is useless."
She will no longer be sent away and will be able to save her life for a short time. Jiang Xu will even "protect" her.
At least in the eyes of outsiders, those petty scoundrels, she was still his woman.
That's enough.
"Useless?" The word lingered on Jiang Xu's lips, uttered with a hint of lewdness. "Now that you have nowhere to escape, you can only stay by my side. If venting your anger makes you feel better, then so be it."
He wouldn't stoop to arguing over such trivial matters with a young woman.
"There's plenty of time; you'll figure it out eventually."
Shi Wan naturally understood the threat in the man's words. How could she not know that she might suffer even greater humiliation in the future because of these words?
But... she wasn't born lowly.
When a young girl is in love, doesn't she also dream of being loved by the man she loves and living happily ever after with him?
But this is undoubtedly too vague and unrealistic.
Now, she no longer asks for anything more.
She just wanted a better life, to be freer.
You can take control of your own life.
That's all.
Jiang Xu, what right does he have to threaten her like this again!
As she was feeling sorrowful, she suddenly heard Jiang Xu ask her, "Wan'er, when you were at Willow Terrace, did you ever change your name?"
Shi Wan immediately came to her senses, recalling the words Jiang Xu had mentioned during their confrontation that day. He had said that her name was a "fake name," so he must have found out something.
The relatives who adopted her have all passed away, and no one knows anything about this anymore. Shi Wan has always been careful and has never revealed her surname.
She said, "Your Majesty has already examined my experiences since childhood, so why ask me again?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu simply looked at her without saying a word. His eyes flickered with light and shadow. After a long while, he softened his tone and said, almost as if teasing, "The name Wan'er is not good."
Shi Wan was taken aback, pursed her lips and remained silent, knowing that the other party had not gotten the answer he wanted and was mocking her. After a moment of stalemate, she slowly turned around to look at him.
In just a few words, Wan'er's complexion worsened.
"As the saying goes, 'What is your name?'" Jiang Xu paused for a moment after seeing her like this, but still asked, "You must tell me your full name."
This statement could almost be considered a step backward, yet the person opposite him remained silent for a long time.
Just like their relationship at this moment, which is gradually reaching its lowest point.
Through the fine mist, it seemed to gather again as soon as it was parted.
It will be hard to dissipate.
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The author says: "I see only tear stains, but I don't know who I hate in my heart." This is from Li Bai's "Lament".
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