A beautiful woman by my side
That afternoon, the sunlight struggled to pierce through the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth. Seeing that she looked like a wilted eggplant, even having tossed aside her favorite "The Domineering Prince Falls in Love with Me" series of novels, Chun Tao and Qiu Ju mustered their courage and made a suggestion.
"Miss, the weather outside is quite nice today. I heard that a new caravan of merchants from the Western Regions has arrived in the West Market, bringing many novelties, such as boxes that can sing by themselves and mirrors that can paint people so realistically that they look lifelike! Why don't we go out for a stroll and change our mood? Consider it... market research!"
Jiang Wanzhi slumped on the soft couch, waving her hand weakly: "No interest, my energy is exhausted..." But then she thought that if she continued to lie flat in the mansion, she would only fall into a vicious cycle of emotions. It would be better to go out and absorb some of the atmosphere of the human world.
"Never mind, I'll just consider it a chance to replenish my dopamine levels." She struggled to get up.
The market was indeed bustling with activity, teeming with people. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, chatting, and the clatter of carriages mingled together, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life. Jiang Wanzhi tried to focus her attention on the dazzling array of goods, attempting to dispel the gloom in her heart.
However, the rumors she tried to avoid seemed to have legs and were everywhere.
Just as I stopped in front of a cosmetics stall, I overheard two well-dressed women talking in hushed tones.
"Have you heard? His Highness Prince Heng is returning to the capital soon, and he's accompanied by that princess from Beiyuan Kingdom!"
"Indeed! My master had a message from an acquaintance at the front that said the princess is extremely beautiful and a superb horseman. She's been very attentive to His Highness Prince Heng all the way here!"
"More than that! I heard that she has been very caring towards His Highness Prince Heng along the way, showing concern for his well-being. It seems she has secretly fallen for him."
"This marriage alliance is probably a done deal."
"Alas, speaking of which, His Highness Prince Heng is of marriageable age. A marriage alliance between our two countries would be a wonderful thing. I'm just afraid that Prime Minister Jiang's daughter..."
"Shh! Keep your voice down, this is not something we should be discussing..."
Jiang Wanzhi's hand trembled, and the ambergris balm almost slipped from her grasp. She silently put it down, her inner monologue: A stunning beauty? So attentive? This script sounds like the villainous supporting character is about to appear, and the empress is about to be eliminated! Thumbs down!
After walking a few steps, at a resting place outside the teahouse, I heard several young men who looked like scholars talking loudly.
"The intention of the Northern Abyss Kingdom in sending a princess to accompany them is all too clear! In my opinion, this marriage alliance is almost certainly going to happen!"
"Your Highness Prince Heng is a man of both literary and military prowess, and the princess of Beiyuan Kingdom is of noble birth. If they could truly form a marriage alliance, the border could enjoy several years of peace, which would be of great benefit to the country and its people!"
"I just wonder... how will Miss Jiang, who is betrothed to His Highness, conduct herself..."
"How can a marriage agreement be compared to matters of state? I'm sure Prime Minister Jiang can understand..."
Jiang Wanzhi: "..." Thank you! She felt like a "redundant asset" that was about to be optimized away, and her mood plummeted instantly.
Pale-faced, she practically fled into a secluded lakeside alley, leaning against a damp wall, panting heavily. A wave of resentment, bitterness, and a sense of powerlessness—being used as a "price"—overwhelmed her.
The public opinion guidance of this generation of Beijing residents truly gave her a taste of what "social death" means.
It turns out that the entire capital city seemed to have accepted the fact of the "marriage alliance" and even began to feel sorry for her, the "former" fiancée.
"Wanzhi?" A gentle, clear voice sounded from the side, carrying just the right amount of concern.
Jiang Wanzhi looked up and saw Prince Zhao, Zongzheng Zhaoran, standing at the alley entrance, still with that same serene and elegant demeanor. She quickly straightened up and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Your Highness Prince Zhao, what a coincidence."
Inner monologue: I'm being surrounded by people witnessing a massive social death scene!
Zongzheng Zhaoran looked at her forced composure and the disheveled look in her eyes, and understood. He was naturally aware of those rumors.
He approached slowly, his tone more like that of an old friend than a prince: "Wanzhi doesn't look well. Is it windy in this alley? There's a teahouse up ahead. The ambiance is quite nice. Why don't you go and have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up?"
His invitation was natural and considerate, without questioning or pity, simply offering a safe haven. Jiang Wanzhi needed to calm down at the moment, and was also somewhat curious about this prince who seemed to be "one of her kind," so she nodded: "...Then I'll bother Your Highness for a moment."
The tea house's private rooms are situated by the water, with a shimmering lake outside the window, weeping willows swaying gently, and the occasional passing painted boat carrying the faint sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments, which can indeed bring a sense of tranquility.
Zongzheng Zhaoran personally brewed tea, his movements fluid and graceful. He didn't discuss those unpleasant topics, but instead told interesting stories from the capital, such as an old Hanlin scholar who insisted on writing memorials in oracle bone script, leaving His Majesty the Emperor completely baffled.
Hearing this, Jiang Wanzhi couldn't help but burst out laughing, complaining, "This person is stuck in 'path dependence,' doesn't know how to keep up with the times, and provides a terrible user experience!"
“Path dependence?” Zongzheng Zhaoran’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, which then turned into a deep smile and inquiry. He nodded. “Brilliant! Wanzhi always hits the nail on the head. Indeed, those who are bound by conventions and do not know how to adapt will eventually be eliminated.”
His tone carried a sense of感慨 beyond his years, as if he had witnessed many such examples firsthand.
Jiang Wanzhi's mental radar started beeping: It's confirmed! This is definitely the perspective of a reborn big shot! She became even bolder and started to let her imagination run wild: "That's right! The world is so big, and there are so many choices, why hang yourself on one tree? Maybe if you change tracks, you'll discover a blue ocean market?" She was implying something, subtly pointing to a certain "domineering CEO".
Zongzheng Zhaoran finally couldn't help but chuckle softly, his laughter clear and pleasant, no longer the standard gentle smile: "Wanzhi's words are truly... refreshing." He found that chatting with her was like digging for an endless treasure, always bringing him surprises.
The atmosphere instantly lightened, becoming like a modern tea party. However, joy turned to sorrow as a gust of lake wind swept in, choking Jiang Wanzhi and causing her to cough violently: "Cough cough cough... Karma's coming back to bite me. Talking behind people's backs is definitely not a good thing..."
Zongzheng Zhaoran immediately stopped smiling, got up to close the window, handed over warm water, and frowned slightly: "Have you caught a cold?"
Jiang Wanzhi coughed until tears streamed down her face. She waved her hand and didn't forget to laugh at herself, "It's nothing... Maybe my stupid server was overloaded and suddenly crashed..." Before she could finish speaking, she coughed even more violently, making her dizzy, cold all over, and almost unable to sit up.
Zongzheng Zhaoran's expression hardened. He didn't bother to ask what the "server" was. He quickly reached out and touched her forehead. It was burning hot to the touch!
"It's so hot!" Zongzheng Zhaoran's expression changed slightly. "You have a fever. We must return to the manor immediately to have a doctor examine you. We can't delay any longer."
Jiang Wanzhi herself felt it; her body was chilling, yet her forehead and cheeks felt burning hot, and her consciousness was becoming somewhat blurred. She nodded weakly.
Jiang Wanzhi's memory of the ensuing chaos is somewhat hazy. She only remembers that King Zhao quickly arranged a carriage and carefully supported her, his movements steady yet filled with undeniable concern.
After getting into the carriage, she shivered from the cold, feeling as if she had been thrown into an ice cellar or roasted over a fire.
In a daze, a cloak carrying the delicate fragrance of cold plum blossoms and the warmth of body heat wrapped tightly around her, followed by an even warmer and more solid embrace, and she was carefully pulled into an arms.
The embrace was steady and warm, dispelling the chill in her bones, and the gentle patting seemed to soothe her chaotic "system processes".
Like a kitten finding a source of warmth, she unconsciously shrank back, her forehead pressed against the source of warmth, and she could even hear the other person's somewhat disordered heartbeat.
The two were instantly very close, Jiang Wanzhi's hot breath spraying against Zongzheng Zhaoran's neck, bringing a slight tingling sensation. Her faint, sweet scent also lingered around his nose.
Zongzheng Zhaoran could clearly feel the softness and heat of the delicate body in his arms, as well as her faint yet rapid heartbeat. His own heartbeat also quickened involuntarily, becoming exceptionally clear in the quiet carriage.
He soothed her in a low, gentle voice, "Bear with it, we'll be at the manor soon. The doctor will be here shortly."
…………
Back at the Prime Minister's residence, another chaotic scene ensued. The doctor examined her pulse and diagnosed it as "worry damaging the spleen, allowing external pathogens to invade," prescribing a calming and fever-reducing formula. Under the influence of the medicine, Jiang Wanzhi slept in a daze for several days.
A few days later, the high fever finally subsided. Jiang Wanzhi leaned against the headboard, sipping the white porridge that Qiuju fed her. She felt as if she had been formatted and restarted, weak but clear-headed.
"Miss, the Prince Zhao's residence has sent more medicinal herbs, as well as top-quality bird's nest," Chun Tao reported, her tone filled with gratitude towards Prince Zhao.
Jiang Wanzhi hummed in agreement, her heart filled with complex emotions. It was Prince Zhao who had extended a helping hand when she was at her lowest point. That understanding and subtle care from a "kindred spirit" warmed her heart deeply.
After resting for two more days, she was able to get out of bed and walk around. The sun was shining brightly that day, and she was sitting on a soft couch by the window, basking in the sun and replenishing her energy through "photosynthesis" when Chun Tao came in to announce, "Miss, His Highness Prince Zhao has come to visit you in person."
Jiang Wanzhi was somewhat surprised and quickly tidied her hair and clothes.
Zongzheng Zhaoran walked in, carrying an exquisite porcelain jar. Seeing that her complexion had improved, a genuine smile appeared in his eyes, a smile different from his usual gentle one, carrying a hint of relief: "It seems Wanzhi is recovering well, so I'm relieved." He put down the porcelain jar, "This is Sichuan fritillary and loquat syrup, from the palace, very good for stopping coughs. I thought you might need some, so I brought some."
"Your Highness, are you... an angel investor? I will repay your life-saving grace once I recover." Jiang Wanzhi tried to express her gratitude in a lighthearted tone.
Although Zongzheng Zhaoran didn't fully understand the specific meaning of "angel investment," he could guess it roughly from the context. He smiled and followed her words: "So, Miss Jiang, how do you plan to 'monetize' it? I'm really looking forward to your 'business model'."
Jiang Wanzhi was amused by his witty remark, and her pale face finally regained some vitality: "Your Highness, you've become naughty! You're even answering questions first now!"
Zongzheng Zhaoran looked at her and smiled, and couldn't help but smile too. He found that being with her seemed to make him let go of many burdens, allowing him to laugh easily and respond to some harmless "quirky remarks."
This relaxed and stress-free interaction was an experience he had never had since his rebirth. He became increasingly convinced that Jiang Wanzhi was the most vibrant and precious color that had unexpectedly appeared on his dark path of rebirth.
Jiang Wanzhi also felt that chatting with King Zhao was particularly comfortable. She didn't have to pretend to be a lady from an ancient family, and she could occasionally use a few modern words. He always seemed to understand and could even respond humorously.
This tacit understanding and ease between "kindred spirits" was something she could never experience with Zongzheng Hengyu.
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