Chapter 296 Only Power Can Protect You
Jiang Zhi was stunned, but since someone was eavesdropping, she could only stand on tiptoe and whisper in his ear, "Your Highness, we never discussed marriage proposals before, what are you doing?"
Xiao Xuanyou smiled and pressed his cool lips to her earlobe. "A spur-of-the-moment decision, to lay the groundwork for the final event. Have you forgotten?"
The final thing...
Xiao Xuanyou was referring to the same old trick, whereby he abducted her to the Eastern Palace once again.
Jiang Zhi remained silent for a moment, but ultimately did not dwell on the matter. She simply sighed, "Next time, please let Your Highness know in advance. You startled me."
Although Xiao Xuanyou's personality has changed a lot, at least he no longer gets close to her without regard for her wishes as he used to.
Even though they were together for so long in their past life, she still couldn't avoid the shadows in her heart.
"Yes, Princess Qinghe." Xiao Xuanyou readily agreed.
The two were very close at the moment. To prevent others from hearing, Jiang Zhi leaned closer to speak to him, her soft breath brushing against his cheek, its fragrance intoxicating.
Xiao Xuanyou's Adam's apple bobbed, and the hand on her waist tightened unconsciously.
But he did not take any further action, restraining himself tightly.
We must be very careful.
We can't scare people away anymore.
"Princess Qinghe, please follow me." Seeing that she had put away the dagger, Xiao Xuanyou took her hand and walked into the depths of the bamboo forest.
Unable to break free, Jiang Zhi could only walk away with a stern face, "I have already accepted the dagger. What exactly does Your Highness want to do next?"
"You'll understand once you come in with me."
What appeared before Jiang Zhi was a small bamboo house, with Wen Quan guarding the door.
After Xiao Xuanyou led Jiang Zhi inside, Wen Quan stood guard at the door, preventing anyone from approaching.
Tea was brewing on the stove inside the bamboo house. Xiao Xuanyou asked Jiang Zhi to sit down and poured her a cup himself. "This tea is brewed with mountain stream water. It has a unique rustic charm. Try it."
Jiang Zhi thanked him and accepted the gift. "Does Your Highness have any instructions?"
With Wenquan guarding the place, Xiao Yunheng's men were naturally unable to get close enough to investigate.
Xiao Xuanyou took a brocade box from the bamboo rack and placed it in front of Jiang Zhi. "Since Princess Qinghe has agreed to my marriage proposal, I will naturally send you betrothal gifts."
The sandalwood brocade box is exquisitely carved, with the body lacquered in vermilion and the gold thread outlining the intertwined branches pattern delicate and full. Even without seeing what's inside, this brocade box alone is priceless.
Jiang Zhi didn't answer. "No one will hear us here, so Your Highness doesn't need to waste your time acting, right? I've been out for a while, I should go back now."
"Princess Qinghe, please take a look at the contents of this box." Xiao Xuanyou opened the brocade box.
There was a thick stack of papers lying inside.
At the very top was a land deed, and the three characters "Qifenglou" made Jiang Zhi's pupils tremble involuntarily.
“This is…” she couldn’t help but slow her breathing.
Seeing the light in her eyes, Xiao Xuanyou knew he had made the right choice with his "betrothal gift".
"The dagger was just a decoy; this is what I truly want to give you," he said with a smile, his voice clear and resonant. He pushed the brocade box towards her with his long, slender fingers. "Qifeng Tower is yours now."
Jiang Zhi's eyes widened.
She never expected that Xiao Xuanyou would give her something like this.
Qifenglou was the largest brothel in Kyoto.
It is said that the mastermind behind the scenes has connections to the highest levels and wields immense power.
Jiang Zhi had stayed at Qifeng Tower for so long in her previous life, yet she still didn't know who the real owner was.
It turns out it was Xiao Xuanyou's business.
But she quickly came to her senses.
In his previous life, Xiao Xuanyou was drugged and found her at Qifeng Tower, where he has been raising her ever since.
If it weren't his business, why would he feel so at ease?
"Why did Your Highness give me this?"
He couldn't possibly be unaware of what Qifeng Tower represents.
Brothels are a melting pot of all sorts of people, making them the easiest places to gather information.
From high-ranking officials to ordinary peddlers, every word uttered in bed can weave the best information network.
As the crown prince, Xiao Xuanyou needs to keep abreast of the political situation at all times, and Qifeng Tower can only be of the greatest use in his hands.
Xiao Xuanyou simply said, "I have other channels for obtaining information. It would be a waste to keep Qifeng Tower in my hands, so I might as well give it to you."
He took out the items from the brocade box one by one.
Below the land deed are the house deeds, and below that is a stack of deeds for all the people at Qifeng Tower.
Xiao Xuanyou showed her the bottom booklet.
"These are news items compiled by Qifenglou in recent years, including official secrets and private matters. You can find everything you want."
Jiang Zhi was truly shocked by Xiao Xuanyou.
She couldn't resist picking up the booklet and flipping through it.
The more I look at it, the more alarmed I become.
From the highest-ranking officials to the lowest-ranking ones, there were countless unspeakable secrets and shady dealings within the household, things that Jiang Zhi would never normally hear about in the inner quarters.
Although Jiang Zhi was very tempted, she declined after calming down, saying, "I appreciate Your Highness's kindness. But once the matter of the Prince of Xiang's heir is over, I will be leaving the capital, and this Qifeng Tower will not be of much use to me."
Xiao Xuanyou seemed to know her plan and was not surprised.
"What happens after you leave the capital? Even if Lu Yuan is with you, without the power of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he can't fight against so many people. How can he protect you? Have you forgotten how you were brought from Xuzhou to Yaocheng?"
Jiang Zhi was speechless for a moment.
Xiao Xuanyou was calm and composed, his noble air, honed from years in a high position, gave him the air of someone in control of the world.
"When faced with fierce winds and frost-covered swords, only power and influence can protect you."
"I hope that you have enough power on your own, so that you don't have to depend on others, and that no one will dare to look down on you, bully you, or humiliate you."
Jiang Zhi was shocked by his words and could not calm down for a long time.
Can she become that kind of person?
Xiao Xuanyou knew she had taken his words to heart.
He didn't believe that after witnessing her power to turn the world upside down, she would still be content to live a secluded life with Lu Yuan or other men.
He didn’t mind nurturing her ambition, because he would become power itself.
"It's inconvenient for you to carry this brocade box today, so I'll send someone to deliver it to your residence tomorrow. You don't need to refuse it; consider it a thank you gift for helping me deal with Xiao Yunheng."
When Xiao Xuanyou escorted Jiang Zhi out of the bamboo house, she was still somewhat dazed.
With Xiao Xuanyou's help, she mounted the horse, which, without needing to be urged, swayed and carried her back.
Jiang Zhi was immersed in the shock of becoming the owner of Qifenglou when her path was suddenly blocked by several people.
They were four girls dressed in narrow-sleeved riding outfits, their clothes either ornate or simple.
They rode on horseback, holding the reins, and scrutinized her from head to toe with a critical eye.
"Are you Madam Shen?" asked the girl in the maroon riding outfit who was at the head of the group.
Jiang Zhi frowned. "Yes, you are the second young lady of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion?"
The girl in the maroon riding outfit raised her chin. "Good to know. My good-for-nothing fifth sister was outshone by you, wasn't she?"
Jiang Zhi immediately understood.
This is to vent my anger on behalf of my family.
She had expected this to happen, and her mood was surprisingly calm.
"May I ask what brings Miss Zhao here?"
Zhao Nianzhen pointed the riding whip at her and said, "Although my fifth sister is useless, she is not someone that can be bullied by anyone. You and I will have a horsemanship contest. If I lose, this matter will be over. If you lose, you will kowtow to my fifth sister in front of Lord Shen to apologize. How about that?"
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