Chapter 26 So you think I'm dead?
Shen Jizhao's hand completely encircled her, unconsciously increasing the force. Jiang Shuifu's sleepiness vanished instantly, and pain gripped her wrist, making her feel as if her blood was about to stop flowing.
He stared at her intently, his gaze unwavering and unyielding, as if he wouldn't let go of her until she looked at him. His domineering presence left her no choice but to obey, and given the disparity in their power, she couldn't resist him.
After a moment, she could only give him a perfunctory reply: "Mm."
Huh?! She only said one word! Shen Jizhao frowned even more, and the force in his hands became even more uncontrollable.
Why would she react like that!
In the past, she would have happily pounced on him, smiling sweetly, then hooked the hem of his clothes with her delicate fingers, signaling her desire to get closer to him, and then said some intimate things, thinking she had controlled herself well, but in reality it was both embarrassing and cloying.
Shen Jizhao couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with her. Had she lost her mind? Her face was indeed a little red.
Without hesitation, he pulled the woman in front of him into his arms, and bent down to get close to her, his profile pressing forcefully against her small earlobe.
He felt her temperature and breath, and the sweet scent emanating from her soft body; for a moment, he was somewhat bewildered.
Jiang Shuifu was shocked by his action. The next moment, her earlobe tingled, and her eyes widened instantly.
Shen Jizhao felt increasingly dizzy, and by the time he came to his senses, his lips were already on hers, and both of them shuddered.
Her face visibly fell, and she immediately pushed him away forcefully. Then, she cautiously raised her eyelids and gave him a light, fleeting look.
"But my birthday banquet has already passed."
Shen Jizhao tightened his grip on her palm, his fingers almost turning white. His eyes gleamed with a deep, heavy light, and upon closer inspection, one could clearly see a hint of fear hidden within them—fear that she meant it was too late and there was no way to make up for it.
But he was unaware of this emotion, let alone valued it; he remained arrogant and thought it was a trivial matter.
"It's only been a day, I will make up for it many times over."
Jiang Shuifu looked at him calmly, but...?
Yes, to him, it makes no difference whether her birthday is yesterday or today. He can come if he doesn't want to, and if he feels guilty or embarrassed, he can make up for it by giving her something. It's just a few things he doesn't need. The Crown Prince says he will make up for the birthday gift, so she has to cherish it.
Seeing that she did not refuse and was looking forward to his gift as usual, Shen Jizhao suddenly became a little nervous. His eyes darted around unnaturally, and his hands under his sleeves fidgeted restlessly.
After hesitating for a few moments, he took a small breath and temporarily suppressed his ever-present arrogance.
Strictly speaking, this was the first time he had personally given a woman a birthday gift. Like any ordinary man, he couldn't help but feel nervous, hoping to see her satisfied expression.
Just as he was about to take something out, his gaze was drawn to her bare wrist. Where was the jade bracelet? Why wasn't she wearing it? Did she not like it anymore?
Shen Jizhao probably didn't realize that a clear smile had appeared on his lips, let alone that the bracelet he looked down on would later become the fuse that ignited the most heart-wrenching crematorium in his life.
At this point, he successfully added fuel to the fire for his own crematorium:
"That bracelet is fine to discard; it's heavy and old, and it'll fall apart in a few more years. It's not good enough for you. I know you like it, so..."
Jiang Shuifu immediately raised her head, the calm in her eyes slowly disappearing, replaced by a burning sense of indignation and resentment.
The old, worn-out bracelet he mentioned was something she had worn for many years; it was once her most treasured possession. How could something not become old after being worn for so long?
The bracelet was indeed heavy, and her hand bones were small, so she often bumped and bruised it at first. But she wore it for three years.
Shen Jizhao was always so aloof. He looked down on the bracelet, and at the same time, he despised her for being stupid and lacking taste. Such an unrefined bracelet, yet she had been wearing it all this time.
His words laid bare all the embarrassment and foolish hopes she had harbored over the past few years.
How foolish she was! She misunderstood for so long. It was just a piece of junk, yet she foolishly wore it close to her body every day, hoping to let a cold and indifferent person see her affection for him at all times, in order to make their relationship beautiful.
At this moment, Jiang Shuifu fully acknowledged her past shame. She was like a clown, desperately trying to please the onlookers. But the onlookers were best at watching the show indifferently, without investing any emotion. She recognized this fact, but the onlookers still wanted to tear off her fig leaf.
She was a person of strong likes and dislikes; her likes and dislikes were intertwined, waxing and waning. Therefore, she confronted him completely:
“I don’t want it anymore. From now on, I don’t want it anymore, my husband. I don’t like bracelets anymore, and I don’t like them either.”
Jiang Shuifu clearly told him her feelings, just like when she fell in love with him at first sight and expressed her love for him. If she no longer liked him, she should also tell him.
Shen Jizhao, who was carefully rolling up his sleeves, stopped when he heard this. She said she didn't like it, so he silently put the birthday gift back.
At the same time, Shen Jizhao felt strange and uneasy. Why did he see the words "liberation" and "letting go" in her eyes?
She seems to have stopped caring, stopped caring about certain things.
And you don't want it anymore? It's just a bracelet, why are you saying it like you're cutting ties with him?
At that moment, Shen Jizhao did not understand her last few words. He was too proud and confident; he could not believe that she did not like him.
As for the bracelet, he admitted that he didn't like her wearing it. She was usually very simple, but she never took the bracelet off her wrist. He had given her so many priceless jewels, but she didn't seem to like them much.
In other words, he might be a little jealous, just a tiny bit, but he would never admit it.
Shen Jizhao clutched the birthday gift in his hand helplessly, unable to give it to her no matter what he did. In the end, he gave up. If she didn't like it, he would just give her something else.
After gathering his thoughts, he promised her, "I will send it tomorrow. I have said that I will not be absent from your birthday gift."
Jiang Shuifu didn't respond to him. She didn't care whether he gave her a gift or not; it wouldn't change anything. She believed that they could treat each other with respect now.
She was going to take a bath, but before that, she asked him if he wanted to stay and rest.
He answered decisively, "I have other matters to attend to."
This answer was expected; she knew him too well, and only knowing the answer allowed her to ask.
"good."
Shen Jizhao was surprised by Jiang Shuifu's answer. He had heard so many words of pleas and concern, but this was the first time he had heard such a brief and emotionless word from her.
But he did have important business to attend to immediately. If it weren't for thinking of her and wanting to comfort her, he wouldn't have left his study tonight.
The next morning, Jinqing came in carrying a large box of treasures. Jiang Shuifu knew what was inside just from the familiar sight of it.
Jinqing opened the box for Jiang Shuifu to see. Jiang Shuifu glanced at it casually and then accidentally laughed out loud: "Alright, go back and report."
She didn't know what to say. It was exactly the same as her previous birthday gifts, all kinds of precious jewelry necklaces, some even with the same design. You could tell at a glance that they were from the Treasure Pavilion.
Over the years, Shen Jizhao has become a major client of Zhenpin Pavilion, and the Crown Prince's warehouse receives a new batch of goods every year on her birthday.
This time was no exception; the peaches were thrown into the box, and the warehouse was covered in dust again.
The difference is that she no longer takes it out from time to time to wipe and care for it.
To live in darkness is the final resting place they deserve.
.
Jiang Shuifu has been living a very peaceful life these past few days. She spends her days tending to the flowers and watering the plants, going out of the palace to buy cosmetics, and occasionally drinking tea and watching plays. She is quite content.
She used to be so stubborn, insisting on living those dark, boring, and exhausting days. Now, her life has become much brighter, and most importantly, she can eat heartily again. She even feels like she's gained a little weight.
Shen Jizhao's life became much harder. He was busy with all sorts of things, interrogating prisoners and dealing with the He family. He felt like he was going to be split in two.
The worst part was that after working for several days and nights, he finally had time to go to Jiang Shuifu's place to keep her company, but he couldn't find her.
The person had already gone to sleep. Shen Jizhao stood outside the Bihua Palace, staring at Pan Tao, their eyes locked in a tense standoff.
Pan Tao naturally didn't want to let him in, but because of her status, she still opened the door for him.
After Shen Jizhao went inside, he quickly washed up and lay down next to the person he hadn't seen for many days. He hadn't noticed it before, but now that she was there, he slept much better.
He slipped into her bed, initially sleeping side by side, but he felt it wasn't enough, so he moved closer to her arm. This was much better; her unique fragrance made him feel at ease.
As she slept, he wasn't satisfied. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest. In this position, neither of them felt cold; it was only natural for husband and wife to be like this.
When Jiang Shuifu woke up the next day, she saw the man who was standing close to her turn his head away with some weariness and pull away.
She kicked him a few times and pinched him as she left; how despicable, taking advantage of someone in distress.
Next time, Shen Jizhao wasn't so lucky. Jiang Shuifu dismissed the night watchmen, and he stood outside the door once again.
The night wind was chilly, making his hair stand on end. He stared intently inside like a grumpy little dog, then finally lowered his dark eyes and went back to his study.
For several days in a row, the dignified Crown Prince couldn't even get into his wife's room. This is outrageous and too much!
Today, Shen Jizhao decided to inform her in advance that he was coming. He was convinced that she would not go to bed early and would be waiting for him.
Jiang Shuifu did this on purpose. She didn't want to play along with him. She made it clear to him that she didn't like him anymore, so she wouldn't be foolish like before and wait for her husband to leave.
As night fell, Jiang Shuifu, having finished her body care routine, happily went to bed and asked Pan Tao to extinguish the candles.
Pan Tao was somewhat intimidated, after all, Shen Jizhao was the Crown Prince, who could deal with everyone in the Eastern Palace without even opening his mouth: "Does the Crown Princess really not wait for the Crown Prince?"
Jiang Shuifu didn't want to hear the word "wait," so she put on airs and said, "I have been waiting for him for three years. He is legless and cannot come. I will just consider myself a widow."
As soon as he finished speaking, the door was suddenly kicked open, revealing a gilded cloak fluttering wildly in the wind, indicating that the person had just returned.
What followed was a furious, grinding voice: "Your Highness, you've got some skills and a good temper! Do you think I'm dead?!"
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