Visit to express gratitude
Emerging from her father's study, filled with political pressure and warnings, Jiang Wanzhi felt like a cat being pinched by the scruff of its neck, drooping its head and listlessly shuffling back to Wanzhi Pavilion.
As soon as she entered, she dismissed the maids and collapsed onto the soft couch like a sack of potatoes, beginning a rich internal monologue: "Aaaaah! The imperial decree of marriage can be revoked?! I knew transmigrating into a book wouldn't end well! So this was the trap waiting for me! All that hard work and fuss I put into escaping the marriage, was it all just a joke?!"
She rolled around on the couch, thinking, "Jiang Wanzhi, you're such an unlucky girl! When other people transmigrate into a book, they're either the darling of the family or they rise up against all odds. But me? I'm directly dragged into the hellish battlefield of princes vying for the throne, and I'm even stuck with the hot potato of being their fiancé!"
Although... this fiancé is quite handsome, and his physique seems pretty good too. The feeling of wiping his body last time... ugh! What am I thinking! She slapped her burning cheeks hard.
And my father, he actually hinted that I should side with Prince Zhao? Is he trying to make me act out a melodramatic soap opera like "My Fiancée Falls in Love with My Rival"? Or is he trying to make me a spy, playing a double agent?
She sat up, hugging her knees, looking distressed. But I'm just a modern soul who wants to lie down and relax! Why do I have to face this hellish multiple-choice question?
Choosing Prince Heng? Facing that icy face every day, she worried she might freeze to death from his cold aura or be caught in the crossfire of his political enemies. Besides, with his personality, would he even understand what romance is? Wouldn't they just immediately enter a 'respectful yet icy' mode? She shivered.
Choosing Prince Zhao? Gentle, considerate, and understanding—he seems like the perfect match. But… why do I keep seeing that cold, aloof guy with a fever, looking so pitiful? And that name, 'Jiang Wanzhi'…? She clutched her chest, her face a picture of confusion. Do I have Stockholm Syndrome? Do I just like this kind of melodramatic, tragic love story? No, no, that's an illness, it needs treatment!
Good heavens! Could you please give me option C? Like suddenly discovering that I'm a princess who has been lost in the mortal world, or having a reclusive master say that I have a destiny to become an immortal and take me to cultivate immortality? Or even just let me travel back in time! She sighed to the heavens, looking like a salted fish.
The next morning, Chun Tao's voice rang out like thunder outside the door: "Miss! Miss! Get up quickly! His Highness Prince Heng has come to the manor in person, saying he wants to thank you in person! He's already in the front hall!"
Jiang Wanzhi: "!!!"
What?! He came in person?! He's only just recovered from his illness and he's already showing up?! Is this man made of iron?!
She tumbled off the couch in a flurry, rushed to the mirror to fix her hair and clothes, and her inner voice screamed again: Why is he here?! What should I do?! Father must be in the front hall too! Is this a three-way meeting?! What should I say? Should I act reserved? Or be natural? Will he bring up…that night…Aaaaah!
When she forced herself to remain calm and walked to the front hall, she indeed saw Prime Minister Jiang talking to Zongzheng Hengyu, whose face was still somewhat pale.
Today, Prince Heng was dressed in a dark-colored casual robe, which made his pale face appear even more striking. Although he could not hide his sickly appearance, he stood tall and his innate cold and stern aura remained undiminished.
Upon seeing Jiang Wanzhi enter, Zongzheng Hengyu's gaze immediately fell upon her, and a barely perceptible fluctuation seemed to flash across his deep eyes.
"Zhi'er is here." Prime Minister Jiang's tone was calm, but his eyes held a hint of warning.
Jiang Wanzhi bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Father; greetings, Your Highness Prince Heng."
Zongzheng Hengyu nodded slightly, his voice lower and hoarse than usual due to his recent recovery from a serious illness, yet it possessed a unique magnetism: "Miss Jiang, I have come today specifically to thank you for your tireless and meticulous care on two separate occasions. I will never forget your life-saving grace."
His gaze was calm and focused, making Jiang Wanzhi somewhat afraid to look him in the eye. She quickly lowered her head and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It was just a small favor. I don't deserve such a generous thanks and your personal visit."
Prime Minister Jiang smoothed things over, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. My daughter was merely doing her duty. Your Highness is still recovering and should not be exerting yourself."
Zongzheng Hengyu replied, "It's alright. Besides expressing my gratitude, I'd also like to invite Miss Jiang out for a stroll. Would Miss Jiang be willing to join me?"
Prime Minister Jiang frowned slightly, clearly feeling that this was inappropriate, but since Prince Heng had spoken personally, he could not directly refute him for the time being, so he could only force a smile and say, "This... my daughter is dull-witted, and I'm afraid she will disturb Your Highness's peace."
“Miss Jiang is intelligent and kind. I have also been ill for many days and have not left the house. This is a good opportunity for me to go out and get some fresh air. There is no question of me disturbing you.” Zongzheng Hengyu’s tone was calm, but it carried an unquestionable meaning. His gaze turned to Jiang Wanzhi again. “What does Miss Jiang think?”
To go or not to go?
Jiang Wanzhi's heart pounded. In front of her father, she seemed to have no room to refuse, and... she was a little... eager to be alone with Prince Heng... This thought made her ears burn.
"I will leave it to Your Highness's arrangements," she replied softly, which was her way of agreeing.
Thus, under the complex gaze of Prime Minister Jiang, Jiang Wanzhi followed Zongzheng Hengyu out of the mansion and boarded the carriage of the Hengwang Mansion.
The carriage wasn't very spacious, and the two sat facing each other so close that Jiang Wanzhi could clearly smell the faint, refreshing scent of sandalwood emanating from the other person. She was so nervous she didn't know what to do with her hands and feet, so she could only lower her head and pretend to examine the embroidery on her skirt.
"How are you feeling?" Zongzheng Hengyu asked abruptly.
"Huh? Me? I'm fine!" Jiang Wanzhi was flattered and looked up, not expecting him to take the initiative to care about her.
"That's good." Zongzheng Hengyu looked at her, his eyes still deep, but they didn't seem as cold as before. "That night... you had a hard time."
That night! He mentioned that night! Jiang Wanzhi's face flushed red instantly, even her neck turned pink. She hurriedly waved her hands, "It's no trouble at all! It's my duty! Oh no, I mean... I'm just glad Your Highness is alright!" She stammered, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
Seeing her flustered and blushing appearance, Zongzheng Hengyu's lips curved almost imperceptibly, but quickly returned to their straight state.
He didn't continue the awkward topic, but instead talked about the recent situation of Ci'an Hall. His tone was calm, which effectively eased Jiang Wanzhi's tension.
Unexpectedly, his talk of "relaxing her mind" meant taking her to Ci'an Hall. The children were delighted to see Jiang Wanzhi, calling her "Sister Jiang" repeatedly. When they saw that His Highness Prince Heng had also arrived, although they were a little timid, Jiang Wanzhi's encouragement emboldened them to greet him.
Although Zongzheng Hengyu remained expressionless, he did not show any impatience. In fact, when he saw Jiang Wanzhi squatting down and patiently talking to a little girl who had lost a front tooth, his gaze softened unconsciously.
He showed Jiang Wanzhi the newly renovated houses and the increased supplies, which were indeed a significant improvement over the previous ones. Jiang Wanzhi sincerely exclaimed, "Your Highness has truly done a great deed."
"If you hadn't mentioned it that day, I wouldn't have paid attention to it either," Zongzheng Hengyu said calmly, attributing the credit to her.
After inspecting the facilities, the two walked to the old locust tree in the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns. A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling the stray hairs on Jiang Wanzhi's forehead, and she instinctively reached out to brush them away.
Just then, Zongzheng Hengyu also raised his hand, seemingly wanting to point out the bird's nest in the tree. Their hands touched lightly in the air.
A slight warmth touched her fingertips, and Jiang Wanzhi recoiled as if electrocuted, her heart pounding wildly. Zongzheng Hengyu also paused for a moment, then casually withdrew his hand and pointed to the Bird's Nest: "Look over there."
But his ears also seemed to have turned a very faint red.
Jiang Wanzhi looked in the direction he pointed, her heart pounding like a rabbit's. This unintentional touch was more exciting than any deliberate attempt at intimacy.
"Sister Jiang, Your Highness Prince Heng, are you watching the birds?" A few bold children ran over and asked curiously.
Jiang Wanzhi quickly seized the opportunity to cover her embarrassment, squatting down to talk to the children. Zongzheng Hengyu stood behind her, quietly watching her interact with the children. In the sunlight, his tall figure enveloped her, forming a silent protective posture.
After leaving Ci'an Hall, Jiang Wanzhi thought it was time to return to the mansion, but she heard Zongzheng Hengyu instruct the coachman: "Go to Luoxia Slope in the Western Hills."
Jiang Wanzhi was taken aback: "Your Highness, aren't we going back to the manor?"
Zongzheng Hengyu glanced at her, his gaze calm: "The scenery at Luoxia Slope is quite nice. Going there now would be perfect for watching the sunset. Consider this my way of thanking you for taking care of me."
A way to express gratitude? By watching the sunset? Jiang Wanzhi thought to herself, this way of expressing gratitude is quite...unique. But she didn't dare to object, and obediently sat down, a faint sense of anticipation rising in her heart.
The carriage traveled towards the Western Hills outside the city. Luoxia Slope was a relatively secluded hillside in the Western Hills, offering a wide view that encompassed the entire capital city and the distant rolling mountains.
When we reached the top of the hill, it was dusk. The setting sun had dyed the sky a brilliant orange-red, and the clouds looked like burning brocade, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Wow!" Jiang Wanzhi jumped off the carriage and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. The smog and light pollution of modern society meant she rarely saw such a pure and magnificent sunset.
Zongzheng Hengyu followed behind her, his gaze shifting slightly as he looked at her profile, flushed red by the sunset, and her eyes sparkling with surprise.
The wind was quite strong at the top of the hill, causing Jiang Wanzhi's clothes to flutter and her hair to dance in the air. She was engrossed in watching the scene when a strong gust of wind struck, causing her to lose her footing, instinctively cry out in surprise, and stumble backward.
A strong arm caught her waist from behind just in time, bringing her back to her original position.
Jiang Wanzhi's back bumped into a warm and broad chest. Zongzheng Hengyu's hand was still around her waist, with just the right amount of force, carrying an undeniable presence.
"Be careful." A deep voice sounded above her head, its warm breath brushing against her ear.
Jiang Wanzhi froze, her cheeks instantly turning bright red, and she even forgot to breathe. This position... was too ambiguous! She could even smell his unique, cool scent, mixed with the warmth of the setting sun, enveloping her completely.
Zongzheng Hengyu didn't seem to have any intention of letting go immediately. He stood behind her, maintaining a half-embracing posture, as they both looked up at the slowly setting sun on the horizon. His silence only allowed the ambiguous atmosphere to continue to ferment.
Jiang Wanzhi's heart pounded like a drum, her limbs went weak, and she almost couldn't stand. She wanted him to let go, but she also craved this moment of warmth and security. Her throat felt blocked, and she couldn't make a sound.
After a long while, until the sun had completely disappeared behind the mountain ridge and only the magnificent afterglow remained on the horizon, Zongzheng Hengyu slowly released his hand, took a step back to the side, and said in a calm tone: "It's windy, be careful not to catch a cold."
It was as if the intimate hug she had just experienced was merely her imagination.
Jiang Wanzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a strange sense of loss. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him, and whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The two stood side by side atop the hill, watching the sky darken and the lights of countless homes gradually illuminate the night. Neither spoke, but the undercurrent in the air was clearer than any words.
On the way back, the carriage was silent. Jiang Wanzhi leaned against the carriage wall, pretending to rest with her eyes closed, but her heart was already in turmoil.
The carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister's residence. Jiang Wanzhi practically fled from the carriage, and said in a low voice, "Thank you for your company today, Your Highness. I will take my leave now."
Zongzheng Hengyu watched her hurried departure, his eyes deep and unfathomable. Only after her figure disappeared through the gate did he slowly withdraw his gaze and say to the coachman, "Return to the manor."
Back at Wanzhi Pavilion, Jiang Wanzhi collapsed onto the bed, burying her burning cheeks in the blankets and letting out a silent scream.
It's all over! Jiang Wanzhi! You're completely finished! It seems... you've really fallen for that iceberg!
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