Repaying the Prince with the courtesy due to his rescue
Jiang Wanzhi felt like she was about to split apart. For the two days after returning from the Prince Heng's mansion, she felt like she was living on a hot plate.
On one hand, her body still remembered the feeling of that embrace. Zongzheng Hengyu's burning body temperature, his firm chest, and even the subtle movement of him unconsciously brushing against her shoulder were all branded into her senses, popping up from time to time to remind her of his presence, making her blush, her heart race, and her limbs go weak.
Especially that indistinct "Jiang Wanzhi," it was like a demonic chant echoing in her mind day and night. She desperately told herself that it was just delirium caused by a high fever and shouldn't be taken seriously, but a secret, damnably sweet feeling couldn't help but rise up in a corner of her heart.
On the other hand, the guilt she felt towards Prince Zhao, Zongzheng Zhaoran, gnawed at her conscience like a leech. The image of Prince Zhao's gentle, smiling eyes kept flashing before her eyes, and she recalled his seemingly casual yet subtly jealous probing at Qingfeng Tower. She had sworn to "be mindful of propriety," yet she had turned around and done something even more outrageous, making her feel like a complete liar and a scumbag.
"Ugh! So annoying!" Jiang Wanzhi buried her face in the pillow for the nth time, letting out a painful groan. She tried to analyze it with modern rationality: Heng Wang was the villain in the original story, with a high risk factor! Zhao Wang was a reborn ally, someone she knew well, safe and reliable! Wasn't it obvious who to choose?
But if emotions could be analyzed rationally, where would all these lovesick men and women come from?
Just when she was so agonizing over her decision that she was about to pull her hair out, the gift from Prince Zhao's residence arrived.
The person who came was not an ordinary servant, but Xiao Yi, a trusted guard of Prince Zhao. He personally presented a carved sandalwood box to Jiang Wanzhi with a respectful attitude: "Miss Jiang, this was sent by His Highness. His Highness said that he had a very pleasant tea gathering the other day and mentioned that Miss Jiang likes novelties. He happened to have this item and felt that it was very suitable for Miss Jiang, so he specially gave it to Miss Jiang to play with."
Jiang Wanzhi's heart skipped a beat, and she had a bad feeling about it. She carefully opened the brocade box, which was lined with soft red velvet, and on it lay a pure white jade hairpin.
The jade is warm and delicate, and the hairpin head is carved into a budding gardenia. The shape is lifelike and the craftsmanship is exquisite. It is clear at a glance that it is of great value.
Most importantly, the gardenia... perfectly matches her name, "Late Gardenia".
This gift is so thoughtful and so meaningful.
Jiang Wanzhi held the jade hairpin, feeling her palms burning. This was no "novelty" at all; it was clearly King Zhao's subtle expression of his feelings, a reminder of their "pleasant" tea gathering, and of her proper stance.
"Your Highness...you're too kind. I feel unworthy of such a generous gift." Jiang Wanzhi tried her best to make her voice sound calm, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her unease.
The head guard seemed oblivious to her lapse in composure and continued respectfully, "His Highness said that if Miss is pleased, then so be it. May Miss take care." With that, he bowed and took his leave.
Holding the heavy jade hairpin, Jiang Wanzhi's feelings became even more complicated. King Zhao's "gentle offensive" was even more unbearable for her than a direct interrogation.
The more considerate and trusting he was, the more she felt despicable and shameless.
She couldn't even imagine how the Prince Zhao would react if he knew that she had not only gone to the Prince Heng's residence last night, but also had such intimate contact with the Prince Heng.
...
The atmosphere at Prince Heng's residence was completely different.
After Zongzheng Hengyu's high fever subsided this time, he recovered faster than before. After carefully examining his pulse, the skilled physician finally revealed a relieved smile: "Your Highness is blessed with great fortune! This time was extremely dangerous, but you have finally pulled through! The pathogenic factors that caused the infection have mostly dissipated. Now you only need to rest and take your medicine on time to gradually recover."
Zongzheng Hengyu leaned against the headboard. Although his face was still pale, his eyes had regained their former clarity and sharpness, and even had a deeper, more unfathomable look than before his illness.
He listened to Yan Cheng's detailed report, including how Jiang Wanzhi came again despite the late hour and how she took care of him without sleep or rest.
Yan Cheng's report was objective and concise, but Zongzheng Hengyu was no ordinary person; how could he not understand the key point? She not only came, but also used that method to warm him.
Some extremely blurry fragments surfaced in my mind: a warm and soft embrace in the cold darkness, and a faint fragrance lingering at the tip of my nose... and a gentle comforting sound that seemed to be ringing in my ear.
Zongzheng Hengyu lowered his eyes, his long, thick eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions within. His fingertips unconsciously twirled the corner of the blanket, and the image of the woman named "Jiang Wanzhi" became clearer and more complex in his mind than ever before.
He had never owed anyone such a great favor, especially a woman. A single act of saving his life was already difficult to repay, but this second act was a true act of kindness in his time of need, even at the cost of her reputation.
A strange, unfamiliar thrill stirred within him.
"Prepare a generous gift." After a long silence, Zongzheng Hengyu spoke slowly, his voice regaining its usual coldness. "Send it to the Prime Minister's residence for Miss Jiang. Tell her... I thank her for her two acts of kindness."
"Yes." Yan Cheng accepted the order, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Your Highness, what should the gift list be prepared according to?"
Zongzheng Hengyu remained silent for a moment, then said calmly, "Prepare in accordance with... the merit of saving Prince Jiuzhu."
Yan Cheng was shocked. Comparing this to the merit of saving Prince Jiuzhu? This gift was truly heavy! It was practically announcing to the outside world that the Hengwang Mansion owed Jiang Wanzhi an immense favor! He dared not ask any further questions and quickly replied, "Your subordinate understands."
...
The Prime Minister's Residence, Wanzhi Pavilion.
Jiang Wanzhi was torn between the white jade hairpin sent by Prince Zhao and the image of Prince Heng in her mind, so troubled that she felt like mushrooms were about to grow on her face, when her maid came to report again: Prince Heng's mansion has sent someone to deliver a thank-you gift!
Jiang Wanzhi nearly jumped out of her chair! Why was he here too?! And with a thank-you gift?! Was he trying to make things worse for her?!
She reluctantly went out to receive the gifts. Good heavens! The procession from the Prince Heng's residence was even more impressive! There were eight guards carrying the gift chests, and the gift list was so long it could be used as a scroll!
Century-old ginseng, pearls from the East China Sea, coral tree screens, antiques and calligraphy... a dazzling array of priceless treasures!
The head steward respectfully said, "Miss Jiang, His Highness Prince Heng has sent me with a small gift to express his gratitude for your tireless care on two separate occasions. His Highness said that the Prince Heng's Mansion will remember this kindness and sentiment."
Jiang Wanzhi stared at the mountain of "small gifts," her scalp tingling. This wasn't a thank-you gift; it was a hot potato! If she accepted them, how would she explain it to Prince Zhao? What would outsiders think of her?
"This...this is too precious! I have only done my bit and I really cannot accept such a generous gift from Your Highness..." Jiang Wanzhi tried to decline.
The steward, however, remained resolute: "His Highness instructed that Miss must accept it. Otherwise, I will have no way to explain myself when I return. His Highness also said that he will personally visit to express his gratitude once he has recovered."
To personally visit and express gratitude?!
Jiang Wanzhi's vision blurred, and she nearly fainted. One man offered a gift as a subtle hint, while the other directly stated he would come to her door! Were these two men conspiring to drive her to her death?!
…………
The grand and imposing gift from Prince Heng's mansion, comparable to the merit of a prince saving the emperor, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves in the Prime Minister's mansion and even the upper circles of the entire capital.
Jiang Wanzhi initially intended to handle the situation discreetly, locking those troublesome gifts deep in the storeroom and pretending nothing had happened. But how could such a display possibly fool the shrewd Prime Minister Jiang?
On the very night the gifts were delivered, Jiang Wanzhi was "invited" to Prime Minister Jiang's study.
Inside the study, candlelight shone brightly. Prime Minister Jiang sat upright in his armchair, his face somber, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he stared intently at his clearly distraught daughter. On the table lay a copy of the shocking gift list sent by the Prince Heng's residence.
"Zhi'er," Prime Minister Jiang spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, yet carrying an inherent authority, "what is the meaning behind the lavish gifts sent by the Prince Heng's residence today?"
Jiang Wanzhi was inwardly groaning, knowing there was no way to avoid it. She had no choice but to bite the bullet and explain, as casually as possible, the story of Prince Heng's serious illness and her two visits to visit and take care of him, omitting all the ambiguous details.
Finally, she emphasized, "I just felt that Your Highness had helped me before, and it was only right and proper for me to stand idly by. I didn't think too much about it. Who knew that Your Highness would be so...polite."
After listening, Prime Minister Jiang remained silent for a long time, his sharp gaze sweeping over his daughter's face as if trying to discern the sincerity in her words. Having been in officialdom for so long, how could he not see the deeper meaning behind this "politeness"?
Heng Wang Zongzheng Hengyu, what a cold-hearted and aloof man he was, uninterested in women! Yet now he is showing such great gratitude to the daughter of a subject, which in itself is an extremely strong signal.
"Zhi'er," Prime Minister Jiang's tone softened, a hint of subtle worry lingering in his voice. "You're not young anymore, and there are things your father must remind you of. His Highness Prince Heng is of noble status. Although you and he are engaged by His Majesty... they're still unmarried. How can an unmarried woman, so disregarding suspicion, repeatedly enter and leave Prince Heng's mansion? How can you be so disrespectful? How will the court officials view our Jiang family? How will His Majesty feel?"
"Father, I know I was wrong!" She quickly lowered her head and admitted her mistake. "At the time, I was only thinking about saving people and didn't think about the consequences. Please punish me, Father!"
Seeing his daughter's frightened expression, Prime Minister Jiang sighed and softened his tone, "Zhi'er, your marriage is not only a matter of your life, but also concerns the rise and fall of your family. His Highness Prince Heng... is not the safest choice in my heart. He is in a dangerous situation, and his future is uncertain."
He paused, observing his daughter's reaction, and continued, "I know you've been getting quite close to Prince Zhao lately. Prince Zhao is kind and gentle, with an excellent reputation in court, and His Majesty values him highly. If you're willing... I might be able to mediate between you. After all, the imperial decree hasn't been issued yet, so anything is possible."
Her father's words struck Jiang Wanzhi like a thunderbolt. It was practically a blatant declaration that he wanted her to choose Prince Zhao, even going so far as to use his connections to try and change the emperor's decree of marriage!
“Father…I…” Jiang Wanzhi was in a state of utter confusion, unsure how to respond. Her feelings for Prince Heng were complex and difficult to describe, and she did indeed have a good impression of Prince Zhao, but suddenly being pushed to such a crucial decision, she only felt panic.
"Alright," Prime Minister Jiang waved his hand, closing his eyes wearily, "Go back and think it over carefully. Remember your father's words, be careful with your words and actions, and don't make another mistake!"
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