Prince Heng, it's been a long time.
"Miss, where are you going?" Chuntao asked.
"Let's go check out the shop!" Jiang Wanzhi waved the letter in her hand, her smile bright. "Our 'Leisure Pavilion' is about to take a substantial step forward!"
She thought for a moment, then said to Qiuju, "Go and prepare a... um, prepare a portion of the honey osmanthus cake that I tried making a few days ago, and pack it in a food box."
She remembered that he seemed to have a sweet tooth, and perhaps she should share the progress of this "business plan" with this "chief consultant"? And, by the way... express her gratitude.
Half an hour later, Jiang Wanzhi's carriage stopped at the side gate of Prince Zhao's residence. After being announced, she was quickly led inside.
Zongzheng Zhaoran was handling official business in his study when he heard that she had arrived. He was somewhat surprised, but more than that, he felt a sense of expected joy. He put down the files he was holding and quickly went out to greet her.
"Wanzhi? What brings you here?" His gaze softened naturally when he saw her.
Jiang Wanzhi was wearing a pale yellow dress today, which made her look radiant, like a forsythia basking in the morning sun. She smiled and handed over the food box in her hand: "Here's a 'project progress report' for Your Highness, along with some 'tasting samples'."
Zongzheng Zhaoran took the food box, amused by her words, and led her to the small living room next to the study: "Oh? I want to taste this 'sample'."
After taking their seats, Jiang Wanzhi couldn't wait to tell Zongzheng Zhaoran her analysis and choices, focusing on the advantages of the first shop and her considerations regarding the rent pressure.
Zongzheng Zhaoran listened attentively, nodding occasionally. After she finished speaking, he pondered for a moment and said, "Your analysis makes a lot of sense. I also believe that the location at the entrance of East Market Alley is the best choice. As for the rent..."
He looked up at her, his gaze filled with support and a hint of barely perceptible indulgence. "If you feel too much pressure in the early stages, I can..."
"No need, no need!" Jiang Wanzhi quickly waved her hand, her attitude firm. "I still have the start-up capital! Your Highness has already helped me a lot, I can't let you spend any more money. I believe that as long as 'Xianqu Pavilion' is up and running, we'll break even soon!"
She didn't want to incur too many "favors" from the start, especially as her feelings for him were soaring; she wanted to maintain some financial independence.
Zongzheng Zhaoran looked at the independent stubbornness and confidence in her eyes, and his admiration for her grew even stronger. He stopped insisting and smiled, "Alright, since you're confident, then so be it. Would you like me to accompany you to take a look at the shops?"
“If Your Highness has the time, that would be wonderful!” Jiang Wanzhi’s eyes lit up. “With an ‘expert’ like you overseeing things, I’ll feel much more at ease.”
"How about tomorrow?" Zongzheng readily agreed.
“Okay! Tomorrow it is!” Jiang Wanzhi happily agreed.
With business concluded, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Zongzheng Zhaoran opened the food box, took out the plate of tempting honey osmanthus cake, tasted a piece, and nodded in praise: "Sweet but not cloying, with a rich osmanthus aroma and a soft, chewy texture. Wanzhi's cooking skills are indeed excellent."
"I'm glad Your Highness likes it!" Jiang Wanzhi smiled smugly. "There will be even more delicious food when 'Xianqu Pavilion' opens!"
After chatting for a few more minutes, Jiang Wanzhi noticed that there were still official documents piled up on his desk, so she got up to take her leave.
Zongzheng Zhaoran personally escorted her out of the mansion. As they reached the corner of the corridor, there was a small patch of wet water on the ground. Jiang Wanzhi was so engrossed in talking that she didn't notice her footing and almost slipped.
"Watch out!" Zongzheng Zhaoran reacted quickly and grabbed her arm.
His warm, strong hand steadily supported her. Jiang Wanzhi, still shaken, instinctively grabbed his shirt, almost leaning against him. In an instant, they were incredibly close, so close they could feel each other's warm breath.
Jiang Wanzhi looked up and met his eyes, which were close to hers, filled with concern and a hint of nervousness. Her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she straightened up as if burned, releasing her grip on his clothes.
"Thank you... Your Highness." She lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye.
Zongzheng Zhaoran slowly released his hand, his fingertips still seemingly retaining the delicate, soft touch of her arm. Looking at her flushed cheeks and her shy, helpless expression, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and ripples of emotion stirred within him. His voice unconsciously deepened: "It's good that you're alright. The ground is slippery, be careful when you walk."
"Mmm..." Jiang Wanzhi responded softly, feeling the heat on her face linger for a long time.
Even after she boarded the carriage to return to the manor, Jiang Wanzhi's heart was still pounding. She touched the arm he had supported earlier, where the warmth of his palm still lingered, along with the fresh and pleasant scent of his body from that brief moment of closeness.
…………
On the afternoon that Jiang Wanzhi and Zongzheng Zhaoran had arranged to go see the shop the next day, a series of rapid hoofbeats and deafening horn sounds shattered the tranquility of the capital like thunder.
"His Highness Prince Heng has returned in triumph!"
"The Northern Abyss delegation has entered the capital!"
The clamor pierced through the high walls and crashed directly into Jiang Wanzhi's ears. She was making final revisions to several drafts of the "Leisure Pavilion" menu when her hand holding the brush suddenly trembled, and the tip of the brush drew an abrupt ink mark on the rice paper, as if it had also pierced her heart.
He's back.
This realization was like a boulder thrown into the still waters of her heart, which she had finally managed to calm down, instantly creating a turbulent storm.
A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her, like a spilled bottle of mixed flavors. There was an undeniable flutter in her heart, the hurt of being hurt by rumors, the curiosity and bitterness about the princess of Beiyuan beside him, and a hint of panic and guilt that she herself was unwilling to admit, arising from her growing closeness with King Zhao.
Chun Tao stumbled in, her face a complex mix of excitement and worry: "Miss! His Highness Prince Heng's army has returned to the capital! They've already entered the city, and many people are out in the streets to see them!"
Jiang Wanzhi forced herself to calm down, slowly crumpling the stained menu into a ball, but her fingertips trembled slightly uncontrollably.
She looked up, trying to remain calm, but the turmoil in her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Oh, really?" Her voice sounded a little dry.
"Miss, aren't you... going to take a look?" Qiu Ju asked softly, her tone tentative.
What are we going to see? To see how majestic he is? To see how the Princess of Beiyuan walks "side by side" with him? To see how the people cheer for "hero and beauty," "a match made in heaven"?
Jiang Wanzhi felt as if her heart had been pricked by tiny needles, a dense, tingling pain spreading through her.
She recalled his forceful yet tender kiss before he left, and his deep, lingering "Wait for me." These images, intertwined with the rumors circulating in the streets about him and another woman, disturbed her peace of mind.
"I'm not going." She finally shook her head, her voice tinged with weariness. "There are too many people, it's too crowded."
She tried to numb herself with busyness, spread out another sheet of paper, and wanted to continue writing the menu, but found that the handwriting in front of her was somewhat blurry.
That dark, aloof figure, and those deep, sharp eyes, swirled uncontrollably in her mind. She had to admit that despite her grievances and resentment, Zongzheng Hengyu had left a mark on her heart.
However, another gentle and refined figure also appeared. It was King Zhao's smiling eyes, his patient listening, his meticulous care, and his relaxed conversation that resonated with her soul.
The feeling of being respected, understood, and able to be completely herself was like warm moonlight, soothing her anxieties caused by Prince Heng.
She felt as if she were standing at a crossroads, with the scorching, domineering sun on one side that made her heart race but also brought storms, and the gentle, inclusive moonlight that made her feel at ease, comfortable, and like-minded.
Two completely different emotions were pulling at her heart, plunging her into unprecedented confusion and struggle.
As evening approached, the discussions outside about Prince Heng and Princess Beiyuan intensified, with every detail like a small hammer striking her sensitive nerves.
Just as she was in a state of utter confusion, the gatekeeper announced that His Highness Prince Zhao had arrived.
Jiang Wanzhi's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sense of panic, as if she had been caught red-handed. She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and then got up to go out to greet them.
Zongzheng Zhaoran stood in the twilight, still as gentle and refined as jade. He looked at her, his keen gaze catching the lingering melancholy between her brows and a hint of barely perceptible evasion.
"Wanzhi," he said gently, with concern, "you don't look well, but are you feeling unwell again?"
His concern warmed Jiang Wanzhi's heart, but it was followed by a deeper sense of guilt. She forced a smile: "No, I'm just... a little tired."
Zongzheng Zhaoran didn't press the matter, but simply chatted with her as usual about looking at the shop tomorrow, trying to dispel her unease with a normal tone. However, Jiang Wanzhi's response seemed somewhat absent-minded, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the door, as if she were expecting something, or as if she were afraid of something.
Zongzheng Zhaoran took in her unease, understanding her feelings but also feeling a slight pang of bitterness. He knew that the person's return had stirred up waves in her heart.
He suppressed his emotions and said gently, "Wanzhi, no matter what happens in the outside world, just follow your own heart."
Jiang Wanzhi looked up at him and saw understanding and tolerance in his eyes, which made her feel even more ashamed.
Just then, the familiar sound of horses' hooves, carrying a cold and murderous aura, came from afar, like the drumbeat of fate, striking heavily on Jiang Wanzhi's heart.
She froze, instinctively clenching her fingers.
Zongzheng Hengyu reined in his horse and stopped a short distance away, his black armor gleaming coldly in the twilight. His gaze swept over her as if it were tangible, first locking onto her intently, his expression so complex that it chilled her to the bone.
Then, her gaze shifted to Zongzheng Zhaoran beside her, instantly turning icy cold and filled with undisguised hostility.
The air seemed to freeze.
Jiang Wanzhi could feel her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. Looking at the cold, aloof man on horseback, at the invisible tension between him and Prince Zhao, a profound sense of powerlessness and panic gripped her.
Zongzheng Zhaoran stepped forward half a step, gently shielding her behind him, and calmly greeted her: "Ninth Brother, you have returned in triumph. You must be tired."
Zongzheng Hengyu did not respond; he didn't even dismount. He simply gave Jiang Wanzhi one last, deep look with his unfathomable black eyes, his gaze seeming to say, "I'm back. Are you ready to face me?"
Then, he abruptly turned his horse around, his black cloak fluttering in the wind, and galloped away, exuding a chilling aura and unwavering resolve.
Watching that departing figure disappear into the distance, Jiang Wanzhi's legs went weak, and she almost couldn't stand up. The soreness and confusion in her heart reached their peak.
He returned. He brought with him the winds and sands of the North, his glorious military exploits, and a powerful presence that unsettled her, along with her tangled emotions of past and present.
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