Chapter 30 Illusion "Even now, you still refuse to believe me..."
Shi Wan was looking forward to the "sweet date" that Jiang Xu had mentioned. Coincidentally, Jiang Xu had indeed been busy these past few days, and she was able to enjoy the carefree days she had previously spent without seeing him for an entire day.
The only drawback was the two maids they had brought last time.
For example, today, as soon as Shi Wan got up, one of them brought out a copper basin from somewhere, wet a cloth, and was about to wash her face, while the other waited by, ready to help her change clothes and do her makeup.
"No need for such meticulousness." Shi Wan stopped the person opposite who wanted to help and said calmly, "You two can just guard outside the tent, nothing else is needed."
The maid who was washing her face was bolder. Seeing that she only looked listless and did not show any impatience, she immediately said, "Madam, then we servants will serve you today."
The word "Madam" sent a chill down Shi Wan's spine. She pursed her lips and corrected him, "Don't call me Madam, just call me Wan'er."
These were all people handpicked by Jiang Xu, and they were extremely loyal to him. They wouldn't obey orders that went beyond their authority, but if it wasn't a serious matter, it wouldn't be a problem.
Now that she's made up her mind to make herself more comfortable, she naturally won't cling to those disgusting names.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the two maids looked extremely embarrassed. They exchanged a glance and then knelt down, saying in unison, "Madam, you are making us feel terrible."
The king had just warned them to please the new queen, but the new queen seemed to be very resistant to it.
"When did you arrive?" Seeing their reaction, Shi Wan changed the subject, saying, "I don't think I've seen you two before."
Upon hearing the lady's question, the two immediately bowed and said politely, "Our name is Hualan, we are fifteen years old, from Jichuan, and we were purchased and brought into the manor about three months ago."
Seeing this, the other person quickly added, "My name is Hua Hui, I am sixteen years old, from Huzhou, and I came to the mansion about two months ago."
A person from Huzhou? Shi Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at the person who spoke behind her. This little maid had an oval face, fair skin, and slender eyebrows and eyes. Upon closer inspection, she was quite pretty.
Her tone softened slightly, "Hua Hui, come closer to speak." Seeing her kindness, the maidservant cautiously stepped forward, bowing her head and saying, "Madam... please speak."
"You're from Huzhou, why did you decide to come to Jichuan?"
Hua Hui hurriedly replied, "My family is poor. My parents heard that the king cherishes the people, and the villagers are all going to Jichuan and the area around Jichuan, so my family came along with them."
Logically speaking, the imperial city of Luoyang, a place of orthodoxy, should be more desirable to the common people. However, Luoyang and Huzhou are far apart, and if the fleeing people insist on going there, they will likely meet with misfortune before they get very far.
As soon as Shi Wan came to her senses, Hua Hui continued, "It just so happened that when the King led his army into the city, the Prefect's Office was recruiting people. I was lucky enough to get a menial job. Until about half a month ago, someone from above suddenly came, and I came here. I am fortunate to be able to serve you."
Upon hearing this, Shi Wan nodded slightly, then looked at the other person. Hua Lan hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Does Miss want to ask about my experiences?"
"No." Shi Wan shook her head. Seeing that Hua Lan was slender and capable, with bright black pupils that hinted at shrewdness, she said, "Do you know that there used to be a maid in the manor named Liu Ying?"
“This…” Hua Lan hesitated upon hearing this, but seeing Shi Wan’s imposing expression, she still said, “This servant has heard about it.”
"How is she? And how is the guard who was with her?"
"They... that guard was beaten with ten strokes of the military rod and is still recuperating in his room. As for Liu Ying, she went back to her relatives' place and is no longer serving in this courtyard."
Yes, Liu Ying has her aunt Liu Tian, and besides, it's already a good thing that the two of them weren't sold off to the mansion.
Ultimately, it was her lack of foresight and naivety that ruined them both.
Shi Wan's heart was in turmoil, and a sudden sadness welled up within her. But after a moment, as if she had thought of something, her expression turned somewhat indifferent. She got up and dressed alone, and was about to get her outer garment when Hua Lan, who was beside her, saw this and hurriedly wanted to help.
"No need." Shi Wan waved her hand, her tone firm. "Thank you." After saying that, she walked straight out.
Outside the tent, the heat was intense, and the dry, dusty smell of the heatwave hit us. Soldiers were passing by in the distance.
Upon seeing Shi Wan emerge, one of them hurriedly stepped forward to inquire, "Madam, are you looking for the King?"
Shi Wan disliked the title, but she also knew that the soldiers' thoughts were even more deeply ingrained, so she could only nod and say, "Indeed, I have something to ask Your Majesty."
The soldier was about to refuse when he saw his king, who had finished his business, walking towards him. Well, never mind, his colleagues said that the king had been very fond of his wife lately, and had even ordered wine to be prepared before the campaign so that the two of them could have a drink under the moon.
The soldiers silently retreated to the sides, watching as Jiang Xu led Shi Wan to another tent.
The tent was not large; it was more like a place for bathing or working. There was a simple bed and table next to it, and behind a screen, there were simple bathing utensils.
"You looked so unhappy outside just now, what happened?" Jiang Xu had probably just finished practicing martial arts; his black outfit was soaked with sweat, clinging to his muscular back, with a dark water stain at the collar. The leather tie holding his hair had come loose at some point, and a few strands of wet hair clung to the side of his neck, trembling slightly with his gradually steady breathing.
Seeing that Shi Wan was just staring without saying a word, he scoffed and said, "Why are you looking at me like I'm your enemy?"
"This truly chills my heart."
Since that time they applied the medicine, their relationship has eased to a delicate cusp, and now they can even exchange a few lighthearted jokes.
Unexpectedly, no one responded to his words for a long time.
Jiang Xu's expression turned cold. He suddenly recalled Wan'er's inconsistent attitude yesterday, and his tone also softened.
"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Shi Wan then looked up and replied, "I have something to say." She stared intently into Jiang Xu's eyes and asked without flinching, "Didn't Your Majesty promise me that you wouldn't punish them too severely?"
Clearly, in the end, the two reached a consensus.
"Are you trying to negotiate with me?"
“I did exchange them, didn’t I?” Seeing his serious tone, Shi Wan couldn’t help but smile, feigning ignorance, “Or is it that Your Majesty is too forgetful and has mixed them up?”
Jiang Xu naturally understood her veiled barb. Seeing her do this repeatedly, he lost his temper and said, "You've been hiding things from me first, do you expect... that I'll continue to indulge you?"
"Accommodate?" Shi Wan almost burst out laughing. "What counts as accommodating?"
Her tone was gentle, even with a hint of a smile, "The King is away on a long journey, and only trusted confidants are stationed in Jichuan City. Is this an opportunity to make an example of someone to warn others? Is this considered a concession?"
"Or did you promise me but then break your promise? Could this... also be considered a concession?"
"I am truly foolish and stupid, and I hope Your Majesty can enlighten me."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu finally looked at him coldly. In the darkness of night, his eyes resembled a deep, tranquil sea, seemingly endless. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Are you questioning me, the king?
Personal feelings should be put after important matters. The fact that he was willing to travel thousands of miles to bring her back and give her a place to live is already quite good.
In today's world, how many young women don't even receive the same treatment as her!
"With your eccentric temperament, even if you went to a brothel, no one would be willing to buy someone like you."
"Me like this? What do you mean by that?" Shi Wan knew Jiang Xu must be furious right now, but how could she not be? After several arguments, she couldn't even maintain the docility she had been pretending to have for the past two days, and she coldly imitated his tone, saying, "Could it be that what Your Majesty said earlier about 'getting it back at a high price' also meant this?"
“Yes.” Shi Wan decided to give up and admitted, “Buying one like me would be too wasteful. Your Majesty should buy those obedient ones. No, that’s not right.”
She scoffed, "A hero as handsome as Your Majesty would have many people to share your burdens and think your thoughts even without spending gold or silver."
Before the army departs, this visit avoids much speculation from others and even earns her a reputation for being "devoted." As for all the trouble, it's all just her, this little woman.
She's ungrateful and doesn't know how to "enjoy good fortune."
The beauty was furious, her face flushed slightly, and her chest heaved rapidly. Jiang Xu still carried the heat of the metal and leather, which mixed with Shi Wan's faint fragrance and body scent, and it didn't seem so out of place.
"That is what I meant," he said. "...You should also calm down."
"Upon arriving in Jichuan, these servants all fawned over him, but it was only because the former governor had run away and they had lost their support. Among them were many cunning people who had followed the former governor to act arrogantly and domineeringly for several years. However... some of them, after some investigation, were found to be servants born and raised in this mansion. Their connections were so deep that they naturally needed an opportunity to be dealt with."
"So, according to what Your Majesty says, this is my chance?" Shi Wan said sarcastically.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu remained silent and said, "My reputation is widespread, and many people come to seek refuge here. If the servants in the Jichuan Prefect's Mansion, which serves as my residence, are all lazy, dishonest, and unruly, then that is naturally unacceptable."
He looked over again, but this time, his tone was slightly gentler, and for a moment, Shi Wan had the illusion that he was explaining something to her, "Do you know... that the servants who were sold because of this matter all had lives on their hands?"
Hearing this, Shi Wan understood everything.
Jiang Xu was far more cunning and calculating than she was, and his thoughts were much more thorough and meticulous. Being caught by him was actually one of the better outcomes for her.
Having encountered such a difficult man, I wonder when she will be able to escape to a distant place on her own?
Shi Wan suddenly thought of the "daughter of her mentor" that Liu Ying had mentioned, and said casually, "In that case, after Your Majesty has dealt with these parasites, you should find someone to manage them properly."
"There are many affairs within the palace. The King's ruthless methods may prevent anyone from daring to show their face for a short time. However, with the emperor far away, it is possible that someone might harbor disloyal thoughts again as time goes on."
After laying the groundwork, Shi Wan then asked, "Has Your Majesty considered... finding a mistress?"
After speaking, Shi Wan looked intently, only to find that Jiang Xu's gaze towards her this time was unusually...strange.
"What do you mean by that?" His tone was unreadable. "...The mistress? Do you perhaps want to be one?"
“Of course not.” She shook her head and said, “Your Majesty has misunderstood.”
"No?" Jiang Xu narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Shi Wan. "If not, then why do you keep bringing this up?"
First, he tentatively asked him how he would take care of her, and then he even brought up the term "mistress".
He didn't quite believe it if you said he had no interest in it at all.
"Don't think about things you shouldn't be thinking about," Jiang Xu said with a hint of warning. "That's what you promised me before."
"Just stay put."
Regardless of who judges these events, Jiang Xu has already shown enough leniency.
"I was just thinking that if His Majesty were to marry a noblewoman soon, then all the affairs of the mansion would be taken care of."
"Wan'er," he chuckled softly, "don't you think there's a hint of sourness in your words?"
"Sour? What am I sour about?" Shi Wan unconsciously mimicked the behavior of the person in front of her again, her eyebrows curving upwards as well. "Learning from you how to use others and then turn around and accuse them?"
As she laughed, her eyes welled up with tears, and she seemed to choke up a little. "You know perfectly well how happy I was when I left the manor." She thought a new life was just around the corner, within reach.
Jiang Xu fell silent after hearing this. "Isn't Jichuan good enough?"
"Jichuan is certainly good; it's peaceful and orderly, something countless people yearn for." She was no exception.
But here, there is Jiang Xu.
This is the person she least wants to see again.
"Even now, you still refuse to believe that I have feelings for you?"
Is there affection involved? Using love as a pretext, he is actually spying on everything about her at all times.
"Is the King's way of expressing his affection to ask me to watch others being punished?"
The words were quite sarcastic; their eyes met, and tension filled the air.
"Didn't I give you what you wanted?" Wan'er was well taken care of in the prefect's mansion, and now that he knew she was a little stressed, he had toned down his temper. Why was she still so ungrateful?
His hands were clenched tightly, loosely forming a fist. Shi Wan had her back to him, so she couldn't see the terrifying expression on his face. She could only hear the condemnation and mockery in his voice.
It was a rebuke of her immaturity, just like before.
Even if this was a brief peace achieved after both sides compromised.
But now, this illusion has been easily shattered.
Jiang Xu's eyes were dark and deep. His slender fingers circled lightly around the edge of her neck, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort that Shi Wan felt as a result.
His hand gripped the back of her neck, his thumb grinding heavily against her trembling skin. Then, he bit down on her neck, a bite that felt like a kiss, but also more like a punishment. The man's teeth broke her lower lip, and instantly, beads of blood mingled with salty tears, sliding into their mingled breaths.
Shi Wan's eyelashes trembled and fluttered wildly. Right now, the more violent Jiang Xu's bites were, the deeper the knife hidden in her chest was twisting, biting and biting, making it hard for her to even breathe.
She suddenly remembered the words this person had said to her a few days ago. She forced herself to suppress her reactions, but Jiang Xu's patience ran out. Seeing that she was stiff and boring, he suddenly got up and went to the table next to him to get something.
Before Shi Wan could fully react, she was once again completely pinned to the bed by the man. Jiang Xu pressed against her back, gazing at her uncontrollably weeping, his tone filled with unprecedented pleasure, "Don't cry."
Sticky and cold.
Like a venomous snake lurking in a cellar, it coiled around her ankles, binding her steps, and everything else.
He grabbed her chin and slapped the silver note onto her bare collarbone. A moment later, he stuffed it into her chest. The vermilion seal on the official note, which read "Equal to one thousand gold coins," was quite glaring.
"Wasn't I... giving you compensation?" Jiang Xu pressed down on Shi Wan, each word feeling like it was pressing on her heart, pounding against her erratic heartbeat. His voice was eerily gentle, and he even chuckled, "Your voice is so beautiful..."
"It's worth the price."
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I've been busy with real-life matters these past few days, so I haven't been able to update. But that won't happen again; I'll try my best to update daily after the paid version starts! [doge emoji with rose in hand]
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