First kiss with King Heng!
That brief yet impactful embrace at Luoxia Slope played on repeat in her mind, day and night. The strength of Zongzheng Hengyu's arms, the warmth of his chest, the deep voice in her ear, even his serious "Be careful not to catch a cold" after he let go, all replayed in high definition in her mind.
"Ugh! How pathetic!" She buried her face in the basin of cold water for the nth time, trying to cool herself down physically. "It was just a hug! The subway is packed with people every day! Jiang Wanzhi, wake up!"
However, reason crumbled before the surge of hormones. She had to admit that the occasional, restrained yet domineering tenderness that the cold, icy man revealed struck a chord with her... well, her aesthetic sense? Or rather, her pleasure?
"I must be crazy..." She slumped on the tatami, her eyes vacant. "I actually think that an iceberg is more attractive than a warm man... What kind of new masochistic tendency is this?"
Just as she was engaging in deep self-criticism, Chun Tao brought another bombshell: "Miss! His Highness Prince Zhao has sent an invitation, inviting you to the royal hunting grounds for the autumn hunt in three days!"
Autumn Hunt? Jiang Wanzhi sat up with a start. That was a large-scale social event, attended by members of the royal family and noble ladies.
To go or not to go?
Jiang Wanzhi clutched the exquisite invitation, feeling its immense weight. This time, it wasn't a simple private date, but a political signal involving public alignment.
She paced restlessly in the room. Reason told her she should go. King Zhao was the safer choice, the one that met everyone's expectations. But emotionally, the figure of that icy man and the sunset over Luoxia Slope drew her in like a magnet.
However, before Jiang Wanzhi could make a decision, another unexpected message arrived. His Highness Prince Heng also sent a set of riding and archery attire, with the message: "The autumn hunt is approaching; please make preparations as soon as possible."
They sent an archery uniform without an explicit invitation! The implication couldn't be clearer!
Jiang Wanzhi looked at the invitation from Prince Zhao and the exquisite riding and archery uniform sent by Prince Heng, which were placed side by side on the table, and felt like she was about to crack!
Were these two men conspiring to force her to her death?! One openly invited her, the other hinted—were they trying to force her to make a choice in front of everyone at the hunting grounds?!
"What should we do? What should we do?" Jiang Wanzhi paced anxiously. "If we go, we'll offend Prince Heng! If we don't go, we'll offend Prince Zhao! Pretend to be sick? Yes! Pretend to be sick!"
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Chun Tao weakly added, "Miss, the master just sent word that the autumn hunt is a grand event for the royal family, and you must attend and not be impolite..."
Jiang Wanzhi: "..." Well, even the option of faking illness has been blocked by her father.
Now they're really in a precarious position.
...
Inside the Prince Heng's residence, Zongzheng Hengyu listened to Yan Cheng's report and learned that Prince Zhao had extended an invitation to Jiang Wanzhi for an autumn hunt. His expression turned grim. He stroked the jade thumb ring on his thumb, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
"It seems my good brother is impatient," he said coldly. "In that case, how can I let him have all the credit?"
Sending him riding and archery attire was a decision he had carefully considered. It wasn't as hasty and ostentatious as King Zhao's approach, yet it clearly expressed his intentions. He wanted to see what choice that young woman would make.
The probing at Luoxia Slope gave him a vague sense that she wasn't indifferent, but that wasn't enough; he needed a clearer signal.
...
In Prince Zhao's residence, Zongzheng Zhaoran naturally learned of the news that Prince Heng had sent him riding and archery attire. The gentle smile on his face faded, and a shadow crossed his eyes.
"Ninth Brother... as expected, he won't let go." He muttered to himself, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. Autumn Hunt was his home turf, and he had to seize this opportunity to completely secure victory. He not only wanted Jiang Wanzhi to come, but he also wanted her to stand beside him in the most dazzling way.
...
On the eve of the autumn hunt, Jiang Wanzhi couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned in bed, her mind filled with two little voices arguing incessantly.
Finally, as dawn approached, she made an almost desperate decision: since she couldn't avoid it, she would go! But she wouldn't be anyone's companion! She would go alone as the Prime Minister's daughter! She would play it by ear, avoiding trouble if possible, and slipping away if she could!
As for the riding attire… she looked at the well-fitting and dashing Hu clothing that Prince Heng had sent her, gritted her teeth, and changed into it! The reason was simple: this outfit was indeed much better looking than the one she had prepared herself! In such public settings, image management is crucial! (This lazy bum absolutely refuses to admit it was because it was a gift from the Iceberg!)
However, Jiang Wanzhi was too naive. She thought she could blend in quietly with the crowd, forgetting that she was already at the center of the storm.
On the day of the autumn hunt, the royal hunting grounds were adorned with fluttering banners and bustling with activity. When Jiang Wanzhi appeared alone in the hunting grounds, dressed in an exquisite riding and archery outfit clearly from the Heng Prince's residence, almost everyone's eyes were instantly drawn to her!
That outfit was undoubtedly a silent declaration of her extraordinary relationship with Prince Heng!
Upon seeing her attire, Prince Zhao Zongzheng Zhaoran's smile instantly froze, and his fingers tightened slightly around the reins. Meanwhile, on the high platform, Prince Heng Zongzheng Hengyu's gaze swept over her indifferently; though his expression remained blank, a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
Feeling the probing, surprised, and even ambiguous gazes directed at her from all directions, Jiang Wanzhi wished she could disappear into the ground. She finally understood that from the moment she stepped onto this hunting ground, she had no choice but to be drawn into the heart of this war without gunpowder, led by two men.
The Royal Hunting Grounds are bathed in the crisp autumn air, with horns sounding their long blasts.
Prince Zhao, Zongzheng, rode up in a gleaming silver-white riding outfit, his bearing exceptional. He naturally moved closer to Jiang Wanzhi, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable force: "Wanzhi."
"Your Highness." Jiang Wanzhi nodded slightly.
“It’s inevitable that you’ll be a bit rusty since this is your first time hunting. Just stay by my side today. I’ve already instructed the guards to clear out a safe area. Let’s take it slow and there’s no need to be nervous.” King Zhao’s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet his tone carried an undeniable tenderness, as if he had already arranged everything for her, leaving her no room to refuse.
As the hunt began, King Zhao stayed close by her side. He first meticulously explained to her horsemanship techniques, how to gently squeeze the horse's belly with her calves, and how to guide the direction with the reins.
His horse rode alongside her, so close that Jiang Wanzhi could smell the faint, elegant fragrance emanating from him.
"Look over there, the grass is rustling, there might be a wild rabbit." King Zhao suddenly lowered his voice, moved closer to her, almost half-encircling her in his arms, and pointed in the direction she was looking.
His warm breath brushed against her earlobe, sending a slight shiver down her spine. Jiang Wanzhi instinctively tried to pull away, but he seemed oblivious, continuing to whisper in his captivating voice, "When drawing the bow, keep your shoulders down, your arms steady, and your eyes fixed on the target... Yes, that's it."
He even reached out and gently adjusted the way her fingers were holding the bow. Their fingertips touched briefly, then separated, but it made Jiang Wanzhi freeze.
This overly intimate "guidance" stood out starkly under everyone's gaze. She could feel the stares around her growing even more intense, mixed with hushed whispers and laughter.
"Your Highness, I...I'll try it myself." Jiang Wanzhi's cheeks flushed as she tried to break free from the overly ambiguous atmosphere.
"It's alright, safety is the most important thing." King Zhao's smile remained unchanged, his eyes gentle yet firm, his arm still subtly protecting her side, forming a protective posture, and also an invisible confinement.
Throughout the morning, King Zhao took care of almost everything for Jiang Wanzhi. The first rabbit she shot was largely due to King Zhao's secret help; he personally dismounted to pick it up and praised her with a smile as "extraordinarily talented."
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, and he immediately handed her a silk handkerchief soaked in spring water; she merely pursed her lips slightly, and he considerately offered her a water pouch... His care was meticulous and perfect, yet it was like a gentle net, wrapping Jiang Wanzhi layer by layer, making it hard for her to breathe.
During a break, several noble ladies from the royal family gathered around, laughing and joking.
"His Highness Prince Zhao is truly considerate and attentive to Miss Jiang!"
"Yes, look at how inseparable they are, it's truly enviable."
King Zhao smiled but remained silent, looking tenderly at Jiang Wanzhi. To outsiders, his gaze was full of acquiescence and doting affection.
Jiang Wanzhi felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She wanted to explain, but didn't know where to begin. She could only lower her head awkwardly, inwardly groaning.
She secretly glanced up, trying to find that figure in black, but found the platform empty. Prince Heng had left sometime earlier. A strange sense of loss and unease welled up inside her.
During the afternoon hunt, Jiang Wanzhi was even more distracted. King Zhao's thoughtfulness remained, but she felt that gentleness was like a shackle.
The more intimate he acted, the more she thought of that cold, icy man, of the occasional, unusual look in his eyes, and of that brief, yet heart-pounding, close encounter at Sunset Slope.
She could sense that King Zhao was using this method to declare his existence to everyone, especially to that figure in black.
Zongzheng Hengyu sat high on his horse, coldly looking down. He watched how Prince Zhao protected Jiang Wanzhi, keeping her close by, and observed the subtle stiffness and flinching of her slender figure as Prince Zhao approached.
His face was calm and composed, except for the white knuckles of his fingers gripping the reins, from excessive force. An unprecedented restlessness surged deep within him. His people, even if they didn't yet belong to him, he wouldn't tolerate others coveting them in this way.
Throughout the day, Jiang Wanzhi was exhausted from dealing with King Zhao's meticulous "care" and the inquisitive and ambiguous gazes of those around her. As evening approached, taking advantage of King Zhao being distracted by others, she immediately spurred her horse and galloped towards the edge of a secluded forest, seeking only a moment's respite.
The trees in the forest grew denser, and the light dimmed. A cool breeze caressed her burning cheeks, allowing her to breathe a slight sigh of relief. However, in that instant of relaxation, her horse, startled by something, suddenly let out a terrified neigh and reared up on its hind legs!
Caught off guard, Jiang Wanzhi cried out in surprise as she was thrown off her horse by the immense inertia! Just as she thought she was about to crash heavily to the ground, a swift, dark figure rushed over from the side, a strong arm grabbing her waist and pulling her roughly to the side!
At the same time, a muffled "crack" followed by a suppressed groan of pain exploded in her ears!
Jiang Wanzhi was still in shock when she looked up and bumped into Zongzheng Hengyu, who had fallen into the hunting pit behind him. One of his ankles was stuck in a cleverly disguised hunting trap. Hearing the faint sound coming from him, he must be seriously injured.
"Your Highness!" Jiang Wanzhi's heart clenched suddenly, and she hurriedly reached out to try to pull him back.
"Don't move." Zongzheng Hengyu's voice was low and cold, with his usual commanding tone. He tried to use his strength to get up, but he groaned due to the sharp pain in his ankle. He had no choice but to endure the pain and forcefully pull out the hunting device from his ankle. The excruciating pain made cold sweat instantly seep from his forehead.
He tore off a strip of cloth from the corner of his clothes, bandaged her up simply, and leaned against the pit wall. His face was pale, his brows slightly furrowed, but his eyes remained sharp as a hawk's as they swept over her panicked face. "I'm fine. Wait for Yan Cheng and the others to rescue me." His words were concise and emotionless, as if he himself were not the one injured.
The sky darkened rapidly, and the forest fell silent except for the sound of the wind. The two, one above the other, remained quiet.
"Your foot..." she couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with a worry she herself didn't realize.
Zongzheng Hengyu raised his eyes, his gaze locking onto her precisely in the dim light. Instead of answering, he asked a question, his tone flat yet carrying an invisible pressure: "Today, Prince Zhao treated you very attentively."
Jiang Wanzhi's heart tightened, and she subconsciously explained, "It wasn't my wish, it's just..."
“I did not ask for your consent.” Zongzheng Hengyu interrupted her, his voice still cold, but his unfathomable eyes seemed to see through people’s hearts. “Just remember, whose person you are.”
These words were domineering and direct, making no attempt to conceal his possessiveness. They were a reminder that she was betrothed to him by imperial decree. Jiang Wanzhi's cheeks flushed; she was somewhat annoyed by his overbearing attitude, yet also inexplicably felt a pang of fear.
Before she could finish speaking, she became so emotional that the loose stones under her feet gave way, and she lost her balance and slid down!
Zongzheng Hengyu's pupils contracted sharply. Almost instinctively, ignoring the excruciating pain in his ankle, he stretched out his long arm and caught the falling figure tightly in his arms!
The two fell heavily to the bottom of the pit, Jiang Wanzhi burying herself in his strong, broad chest, held firmly by his steely arms. The pit was narrow, their bodies pressed tightly together, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats pounding clearly in the silence.
"Let go..." Jiang Wanzhi was filled with shame and embarrassment, and struggled to get up.
"Don't move." Zongzheng Hengyu's voice was unusually low and hoarse, filled with gasps of pain.
She was in his arms, her soft body warm, her eyes filled with panic, her faint fragrance emanating from her, and the pent-up restlessness and anger he had felt during the day due to King Zhao's various actions. Like lava beneath an ice layer, it crashed down on his proud self-control.
Jiang Wanzhi looked up and met his eyes, which were so close to hers. Those deep eyes, which were always icy and distant, now seemed to be burning with dark flames, churning with extremely intense and complex emotions that she couldn't understand: lingering anger, suppressed pain, and a kind of... almost broken longing.
Their eyes met, and time seemed to freeze. Everything around them blurred and faded away, leaving only their burning breaths and deafening heartbeats.
The undisguised possessiveness and deep-seated emotion in his eyes were like an invisible net, binding her tightly and making her forget to struggle, leaving her only able to stare at him blankly.
Looking into her misty, watery eyes and slightly parted red lips, Zongzheng Hengyu's last shred of reason snapped. He suddenly lowered his head, with a resolute, almost desperate air, and covered her lips with his.
The kiss, initially carrying a slight chill and a tentative touch, quickly deepened and ravaged.
Unlike King Zhao, who was gentle and courteous, it was filled with an irresistible domineering and possessive nature, as if it wanted to devour her whole and integrate her into its very bones. Beneath its cold exterior lay scorching magma, suppressed for too long, suddenly erupting.
Jiang Wanzhi's mind went blank, a sudden buzzing sound. Her lips felt his burning heat, a slightly awkward yet forceful assault, and that indescribable, refreshing scent that belonged only to him.
Her body felt weak and her limbs were powerless; she could only passively endure this sudden... yet seemingly long-awaited kiss.
How much time had passed, until faint shouts and torchlight reached their ears in the distance, did Zongzheng Hengyu slowly release her. His forehead was still pressed against hers, his breathing heavy, his deep eyes swirling with unspoken emotions, and his voice low and hoarse, almost broken:
"Now, do you remember?"
Jiang Wanzhi slumped in his arms, her lips swollen and red, her eyes glazed, her heart pounding like a drum. His words weren't a question, but a declaration. The lingering heat on her lips and his intense masculine scent were etched deeply into her heart.
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