Chapter 22 I won't be absent from your birthday celebration...
"Shuifu, I heard that the Crown Prince is going to throw a big birthday banquet for you. The Eastern Palace has been searched thoroughly, but I never expected him to do such a thing. Did he do something to upset you?"
The Empress squinted and teased Jiang Shuifu.
Jiang Shuifu was surprised that the news had reached the Emperor and Empress's ears so quickly, and she smiled shyly.
"Mother, we will not hold a grand celebration. The people are struggling financially right now, how can the Crown Prince's Palace waste money?"
Her trip to the countryside gave her a profound understanding of the hardships faced by ordinary people. For them, simply having enough to eat was already a great achievement.
She understood this principle, and Shen Jizhao, as the crown prince, understood it even more.
As soon as Shen Jizhao entered Kunning Palace, he overheard their conversation and echoed it without hesitation:
"The Crown Princess is right; it is not appropriate to hold a grand celebration at this time."
The Empress nodded, indicating that she had misunderstood.
Although Jiang Shuifu did not show any displeasure, Shen Jizhao still noticed her slight disappointment. He changed the subject and said, "However, it is still possible to invite some relatives and friends for a simple meal."
Jiang Shuifu's eyes lit up instantly. Of course, it's more lively with more people than to celebrate alone. The last time she celebrated her birthday was when she came of age.
Seeing how happy she was, Shen Jizhao continued, "Governor Jiang will be back soon. How about we invite him to the palace for a chat then, Your Highness?"
Please ask Father? After entering the Eastern Palace, one is not allowed to see one's maternal family without an imperial edict; this is the rule.
Jiang Shuifu could barely contain her smile. She really missed her father. He had been away from the capital for over a month, and she hadn't seen him in a long time.
Jiang Shuifu looked at the Empress, as if seeking her consent. The Empress naturally hoped that the two of them would have a good relationship. Only when the principal wife wins the man's heart will the other concubines not overstep the rules.
"Alright, Your Highness, don't worry. Leave everything to the Crown Prince. I will definitely prepare a grand gift. I just wonder when I will receive it myself?"
The Empress's eyes were fixed on Jiang Shuifu's belly.
The Empress was not kept in the dark about what was happening in the Eastern Palace. She knew that they were consummating their marriage more and more often, and she was increasingly happy because she knew that her grandson had something to look forward to.
Shen Jizhao looked at Jiang Shuifu, who couldn't hide her joy, and shook the teacup in his hand, causing the tea to bubble.
Although he wasn't particularly keen on having children, she really wanted them, and he suddenly wondered whether the child would be a boy or a girl, and what names to give them. Hmm? The first child of the Crown Prince must have a powerful name.
Jiang Shuifu had no idea about the Empress's urging her to have a child; all she could think about was how quickly her birthday would arrive. Now, she was truly looking forward to it.
This was her first birthday banquet since entering the Eastern Palace. Although she had lived a good life in the previous years, Shen Jizhao never shortchanged her in this regard. But she was like a mission to him, receiving gold, silver, jewelry, and fine silks and satins, things she had never lacked.
She held a birthday banquet, inviting her father and friends. She actually had a few close friends when she was still a young lady, but after she went to pursue Shen Jizhao, those friends stopped contacting her.
This dynasty was filled with rules and regulations for women.
Jiang Shuifu showed concern for the Empress, gave her several calming sachets, and the two women chatted for a long time in a very harmonious atmosphere.
Shen Jizhao had already left, and it was already late at night. She should have gone back to the East Palace, but she decided to stay a little longer and have dinner first.
Tranquil moments always seem so fleeting. She was enjoying her meal when a figure slowly strolled in through the palace gates. Shen Jizhao's gaze seemed to pierce her very soul as he softly uttered:
"Your Highness, are you ready to return to the East Palace now? I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Just as Jiang Shuifu was about to suggest spending more time with the Empress, the Empress patted her thigh and exclaimed, "Oh dear!"
"Shuifu, you should go back with the Crown Prince. It's so late, don't delay. The Crown Prince should also be kind to her; after all, she's a woman, and her strength can't compare to yours..."
What delay? What lack of strength? Jiang Shuifu's face was flushed. It turned out that the Empress had known she was hiding all along. Shen Jizhao, who was standing next to her, refrained from mocking her and took her hand and went out.
Under the cool moonlight, a long silver shadow was cast on the passageway. The surroundings were pitch black, and the two people in the passageway seemed to be wearing noble and solemn crowns, supporting each other as they walked step by step up the road ahead.
Shen Jizhao became even more determined to become emperor. Becoming emperor had always been his goal in life. Only by becoming emperor could he be free from constraints, have enough say, and not have to pretend to be polite to the emperor every day.
He couldn't help but look forward to that day, when he could be worshipped and cheered by thousands of people alongside Jiang Shuifu. He knew that the road would be difficult, and she had once said that she would accompany him all the way. Now he felt that it was not impossible.
He broke the silence first: "Why hide from me?"
Jiang Shuifu panicked, her eyes looking extremely unnatural. In fact, after her mother said those words urging her to give birth, he secretly and casually touched her leg with his own, but she didn't react.
He reached out and lightly brushed her fabric again, a gesture he always made before planting the seed.
Jiang Shuifu simply turned away and ignored him. He looked nothing like the man who used to be aloof from women. She suddenly missed the cold man she knew.
Why was she avoiding him? Didn't he know? Ha! He really didn't know. Someone as arrogant as him would never let anyone doubt him!
She could only continue to play dumb: "Your Majesty, I do not know what you are saying."
Shen Jizhao wasn't in a hurry and didn't expose her lie, maintaining a serious demeanor at the moment:
"Does the Crown Princess not understand what I mean?"
Jiang Shuifu nodded, insisting she didn't understand what he could do.
Shen Jizhao smiled almost imperceptibly. She couldn't decipher his smile; he was a late bloomer in this area, and she really had no way to deal with it.
For the first time ever, he began to reflect: "It's my fault. If I hadn't said it, how would you have understood?"
Jiang Shuifu had no idea what he was up to, and instinctively took a few steps back.
Shen Jizhao let her retreat, but just as she was about to escape his control, he suddenly grabbed her wrist and strode into her territory, pushing her backward repeatedly with his powerful and irresistible force.
With each step, the other advanced while I retreated, attacked while I defended, each step tightly packed together, leaving no gaps between them.
Until, with a "thump," Shen Jizhao slammed the frail man against the wall.
He didn't stop walking, his body pressed against her slightly trembling skin, his face almost touching the tip of her nose, the distance between them less than an inch.
He laid his cards on the table with her:
"Do you understand now? That's what I mean."
Jiang Shuifu nervously swallowed. Before she could think of a solution, his erection shifted, forcefully threatening her. He wanted to break free of his cage, and it would be difficult for her to pretend to be stupid.
Fortunately, it was a corner, and no one was passing by or paying attention. Her face flushed, and a pink blush spread across her cheeks.
The man holding her captive maintained this position with an ambiguous expression, emitting breaths that blurred her vision, descended to the tip of her red nose, and finally landed on her lips.
"Your Highness, I am hungry."
Jiang Shuifu lowered her head, speechless. She didn't want to do that with him anymore; she really needed to learn his technique.
Moreover, I water so much every time that I can't kill all the little seeds. What if they actually grow?
Shen Jizhao's lips curled up even more as he looked at her embarrassed expression. She always got shy, it seemed that he was too strong. She had come to a deep understanding of him.
"If I were to be too lenient, the Crown Princess would go hungry."
Jiang Shuifu stared at his ambiguous expression. These past few days, she had truly seen something new. It turned out that even the most aloof man couldn't escape the temptations of sex; he had a wicked sense of humor when it came to that kind of thing, and he could say dirty things without batting an eye.
She forced herself to swallow those real feelings. He was in the middle of a good time, and if she rashly refuted him, he would lose face, and she would be the one to suffer.
But she was sure she wouldn't suffer anymore these next few days, and her heart was at ease. Thinking about his expression later, she suddenly found it a little funny.
Bihua Palace.
Shen Jizhao's face darkened as he looked at the large table of food in front of him. Was that what he meant? He wouldn't give up until he hit a brick wall!
He got angry, pulled her body away, and the servants, seeing this scene, buried their heads and stared wide-eyed before quietly retreating. Pan Tao didn't dare to stay any longer either, her eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness. Who could have imagined that the two of them would gradually have their feelings reversed?
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Shuifu sat on his lap. Because it was so unexpected, she hooked her arms around his neck to steady herself.
He's becoming increasingly domineering. He'll tease her whenever he's unhappy. Is she someone who's easy to manipulate? She got angry too.
"I've waited so long, and this is what the Crown Princess gives me? Isn't that too cruel?"
Jiang Shuifu pouted and refused to look at him, her eyes darting around but never landing on him: "Husband, you can only eat this tonight. I'm on my period, so I can't eat it."
Shen Jizhao frowned and said, "Wasn't it supposed to be in a few days? Has it been brought forward?"
Jiang Shuifu's gaze returned; he actually remembered her menstrual period.
Shen Jizhao knew that the woman hadn't been in a good mood these past few days, but she had been acting childish and teasing him for so long, he had to get his revenge.
He squeezed her hand, and she was immediately stunned. How could he... how could he do this!
She would never have imagined such a thing before, but now he does it so fluently.
At this moment, having vented his anger, the man raised his hand to summon the imperial physician:
"Please have the imperial physician examine you; your time is not today."
He wondered if he hadn't been eating well in the countryside and had ruined his health, which was no small matter.
Jiang Shuifu immediately refused: "No!"
Her decisive tone made Shen Jizhao glance at her again. No one could change his mind about what he insisted on: "No, I need to know the reason."
She gave him a reproachful look: "Husband, just look down at yourself and you'll know why!"
Shen Jizhao indeed lowered his head. Okay, he got up, but what does this have to do with the early menstrual flow? His expression was confused and puzzled. He had only asked a few more times, hadn't he?
Jiang Shuifu didn't know if he suspected anything, but she did blame him. The reason her period came early this time was because of the contraceptive medicine. He needed it every day, and one dose wasn't even enough to fill his teeth. Didn't she have to take more?
Thinking of this, she became angry again: "Is my husband made of black iron?!"
It won't soften.
Seeing that she looked unwell, Shen Jizhao sighed, stopped teasing her, and let her go back.
"I won't touch you. Take a good rest these next few days. I will be with you on your birthday, barring any unforeseen circumstances."
Jiang Shuifu blinked: "Husband, you don't need to force yourself. I know you're busy."
Why are you still sulking with him? He gently stroked her hand again: "I will try my best to make time for you. I won't be absent on your birthday. Don't you believe me?"
Jiang Shuifu didn't know what he was doing with his current promise-making manner. It really made her past three years seem like a joke. Her feelings were somewhat complicated and tearful.
However, who doesn't like to hear nice things? So she reluctantly believed him this once.
That night, Shen Jizhao still clung to her and wanted as much as he wanted.
"I'm still hungry."
"Does my husband intend to fight a bloody battle?"
"No, I have heard that there are other methods."
"What method?"
Jiang Shuifu cursed him as she worked, and he tormented her in many ways. Her hands and chest were red and swollen, and he was still vividly alive. She refused to serve him anymore.
He understood her helplessness and decided to let her go: "After this is over, I will get my revenge."
She was truly on the verge of tears, so she hugged the jade pillow, buried her head in it, and fell down, turning her back to him so she wouldn't want to look at him again.
*
The birthday banquet proceeded smoothly. Jiang Shuifu watched as the Eastern Palace was completely transformed. Last time, Shen Jizhao hunted many rare prey, and this time he would kill and eat them all at the birthday banquet.
The servants carried the game into the kitchen, and her eyes suddenly lit up—wild geese!
It was the wild goose she demanded from Shen Jizhao!
Shen Jizhao promised to bring her the wild geese!
She thought he had forgotten about it, since the hunt had gone on for so long without any activity. It turned out she had misunderstood him.
The wild geese have always been in the Eastern Palace.
She felt that she would receive a gift she liked on her birthday.
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Author's Note: The next chapter marks a significant turning point; after this point, the Crown Prince's good days will truly be over.
My mom's back, and I'm afraid to write this. It's so uncomfortable to be doing it secretly, sob sob...
Have any of you ever eaten rat meat? I ate some last time. My elders said it wasn't cheap, so I tried it, and I felt unwell the next day.
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