After playing two more games, Jiang Wang stood up and said, "I still have some memorials to read. You should get some rest."
After saying that, he left Changchun Palace with his men.
Song Jingxi didn't have the energy to be angry right now; all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep!
When the news got out, it became known that His Majesty had spent the whole day with Consort Song in Changchun Palace, and only left reluctantly when it was time to go to court.
How the news got out remains to be verified, but Shen Mingzhuang heard about it at the villa. She didn't say a word for a long time and didn't ask any more questions about the palace.
Since Jiang Wang can be with other women, why should she sacrifice everything to stay in the palace? The world is vast, she has everything now, she can roam freely!
She was in a bad mood and hadn't slept all night. When Pei Jingzhou came over, he saw that her fair skin was covered with dark circles from lack of rest, and the circles under her eyes were even more pronounced.
"Didn't you sleep well?" He smiled and pointed to his eyes. Shen Mingzhuang smiled slightly. "The mountain wind was too strong outside at night, it kept me awake."
Little did she know that this excuse was too lame. Pei Jingzhou smiled and did not expose her.
After studying the sheet music for a while, Shen Mingzhuang started yawning incessantly. Pei Jingzhou couldn't help but smile. This Shen Mingzhuang seemed more real than the aloof and flawless Consort Ming.
"Go and rest if you're sleepy. I'll continue after you wake up."
He gently persuaded her, and his eyes, which had been dulled by alcohol these past few days, regained some of their luster.
Shen Mingzhuang thought for a moment and felt that this was not appropriate. She glanced outside and saw that it was snowing lightly and the plum branches were swaying. She suddenly smiled and said, "Why don't we go to the garden to admire the plum blossoms?"
"That's fine too. Searching for plum blossoms in the snow has its own unique charm."
Shen Mingzhuang smiled a little embarrassedly. She just wanted to go for a walk because she was too tired. Going out for some fresh air would make her feel much better.
After the morning court session ended, Jiang Wang finished discussing matters with the ministers and then heard that Pei Jingzhou had gone to the North Garden again. He then crushed a sandalwood wolf-hair brush in his hand.
"Put your carriage at Beiyuan."
Shen Mingzhuang was tiptoeing, smelling the fragrance of plum blossoms, when he heard that Jiang Wang had arrived. He almost lost his balance and twisted his ankle. Fortunately, Pei Jingzhou was quick-witted and pulled him back. Holding the warm and soft little hand in his own, he was reluctant to let go.
"Let go." Shen Mingzhuang frowned, and as soon as he spoke, he saw Jiang Wang's angry figure.
Jiang Wang had such good eyesight, how could he not see the hands that were hastily separating? He froze in his tracks and suddenly felt that his haste was somewhat ridiculous.
"Is it my bad timing that I've come?" His voice was calm, but beneath that calmness lurked an undercurrent of turmoil.
"Your Majesty has misunderstood, I merely..."
"Pei Jingzhou, you should leave." Jiang Wang coldly interrupted him. He knew Pei Jingzhou would definitely have to explain, but he didn't want to hear any explanation from Pei Jingzhou.
Shen Mingzhuang could tell that he had misunderstood her and Pei Jingzhou and thought they had some kind of affair. But his refusal to listen to her explanation made her feel very depressed and uncomfortable.
"Just now, it really was just..." Her thin lips moved slightly, wanting to explain, but seeing the veins on Jiang Wang's forehead and the anger that seemed about to erupt at any moment, she suddenly couldn't say anything.
Why should she explain that if Jiang Wang could spend the night in Changchun Palace, why couldn't she find someone to keep her company?
She didn't want to say another word. Her slender back was ramrod straight as she walked straight past Jiang Wang.
"Your Majesty..." Tan Yonglin wanted to smooth things over between the two, but Shen Mingzhuang was in a hurry and didn't give him the chance.
Jiang Wang laughed in exasperation and stood in the cold wind for a long time without moving.
Tan Yonglin was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pacing back and forth. What would happen to the affairs of the court if His Majesty fell ill!
"Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
His voice was trembling with cold, but he had no choice but to persuade Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang closed his eyes, took two deep breaths, and then turned and headed in the direction Shen Mingzhuang had left.
A trail of footprints was left in the snow, and everyone was still very uneasy, not knowing which innocent bystander would be caught in the crossfire of their masters' anger.
In the cold wind, only the winter plum blossoms remained unaffected and bloomed in the cold. Shen Mingzhuang went straight back to the main room, with Manhuan anxiously following behind. "Your Majesty, please don't be angry with His Majesty. His Majesty has misunderstood you and Young Master Pei. If you explain a few words to His Majesty, he will calm down. Doing this will only make your loved ones suffer and your enemies rejoice."
She knew Man Huan was right, but she just couldn't bring herself to bow down to Jiang Wang. She had already bowed down to him and was willing to stay by his side, but his temperament had changed drastically. He went back to the palace without warning and even spent the night in Changchun Palace. Since he didn't care about his bottom line, she didn't need to care about anything anymore. At worst, she could just let Jiang Wang depose her as Consort Ming. She had never cared about this title anyway.
Jiang Wang pushed open the door and went inside. Man Huan glanced at Shen Mingzhuang before turning around and leaving.
Seeing that no one was in the room, Jiang Wang took a few steps forward, grabbed her waist with his large hand, and forcibly pulled her into his arms. He said in a deep voice, "Do you really still have Pei Jingzhou in your heart?"
Seeing the fury in his eyes, Shen Mingzhuang found it amusing, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips. "If I say yes, what will Your Majesty do?"
"I want to kill him."
Jiang Wang's eyes were red, and his voice was frighteningly calm.
As Shen Mingzhuang listened, she couldn't help but swallow. She had no doubt about the truth of what Jiang Wang said, but his brutal methods made her feel uncomfortable like never before.
It turns out that the true nature of a relationship is not fully revealed when everything is peaceful. Only when conflicts arise will we discover that even the closest people can be so sharp-tongued when facing each other.
"If I like someone, Your Majesty will kill that person. If I like everyone in the world, wouldn't Your Majesty have rivers of blood and corpses stretching for miles?"
Jiang Wang stared intently into her eyes, the sarcasm in them like a sharp blade, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
Does his liking seem so ridiculous and laughable?
"Shen Mingzhuang, I will only say this once: you are not allowed to see Pei Jingzhou again."
Shen Mingzhuang was not one to back down, especially when facing Jiang Wang at this moment. She was stubborn and wouldn't be satisfied until she let loose.
"Your Majesty, why don't you just kill me too? Wouldn't that be more satisfying?"
Jiang Wangji disliked her stubbornness, so he grabbed her chin and kissed her. He wanted to see how those exquisite, enviable lips could utter words that made his heart ache so much.
Shen Mingzhuang refused to be intimate in this atmosphere. She tried to push Jiang Wang away, but Jiang Wang was too strong for her to push. The rough plundering between their lips and teeth made her even angrier. She was so angry that she slapped him. Only when she heard the sound of the slap did she come to her senses and realize what she had done.
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