Chapter 59 He pried open her door
Outside the window, there were a few knocks, not loud, as if they were being knocked on a specific person.
These past few nights, in addition to the mistress and servant, there has also been a younger sister in the boudoir. Jiang Shuifu gave her chaise lounge to the younger sister, who was lying on it, shaking her head, wiggling her little feet, and drinking the clear dew of lotus leaves that Jiang Shuifu was feeding her.
Jiang Shuifu was used to the commotion outside and paid it no mind. She ignored the person completely, simply wiping her younger sister's mouth, and then, adopting a more authoritative older sister demeanor, said in a serious tone:
"No sugary drinks today, so I'll just add a little milk for you. It'll have a touch of sweetness, but you can't push your luck, little sister! Otherwise, I'll tell on you!"
Mei Bao nodded and ate happily. Ever since she ate too many sweet treats at the last banquet, her mother had declared that she couldn't touch anything sweet for half a month.
She had been holding back for a long time, her mind filled with images of various kinds of crispy cheese, so she ran to find her older sister.
At first, Jiang Shuifu thought that Meibao had come to ask her to keep her company, so she let her stay for a few days. But every night, Meibao would start to make a fuss, saying that she wanted to eat crispy mountain, but only a little bit.
Jiang Shuifu then realized that she had been tricked. Meibao was a clever little devil, very witty and mischievous, and had tricked her into giving her food.
Jiang Shuifu was at her wit's end by her antics. Who could resist the tantrums and tears of such a cute and adorable little girl?
She made her some refreshing drinks that were low in sugar and cooling, and Mei Bao was overjoyed.
The window kept making noises, and the people outside seemed to be getting impatient. Jiang Shuifu ignored them, which was actually one of the reasons she let her younger sister stay with her for a few days.
Shen Jizhao knocked on her window almost every day.
A few days ago, she could roll her eyes and tell him to leave, but he became more and more outrageous, coming more often and even wanting her to open the door for him so he could come in and sit down!
She grew increasingly annoyed, so she brought her younger sister along to see how arrogant he could still be!
What he does is all shady. If he's so capable, he should make a scene that the whole mansion knows about it, and then see if he can still get into the Jiang mansion!
Shen Jizhao's knuckles were already broken from knocking so many times. She hadn't seen him for several days, so he had to come again and again to knock on her knuckles.
He could hear everything that was happening inside the house. This little girl was really persistent, not giving him a single chance.
Their daughter must never be so clingy in the future!
He must see her today!
Shen Jizhao pushed the window open forcefully, intending to go in through the opening. He frowned, pushed again, this time with all his might, but he failed!
Jiang Shuifu smiled with satisfaction. She had nailed the windows shut long ago to keep out this scoundrel!
When she ran out of dew, she read bedtime stories to her younger sister to lull her to sleep.
But the noise by the window never stopped. Seeing that he couldn't get in, Shen Jizhao coaxed her, "Shuifu, I won't go in. Can you come out?"
Jiang Shuifu ignored him and picked up the hidden crispy mountain to eat. One bite and it was so refreshing! Of course, eating crispy mountain meant reading a storybook!
She flipped through the storybook, becoming more and more engrossed in reading. The noise outside gradually subsided, and she thought, "They've probably left like before."
Just as she was enjoying herself, a faint sound suddenly came from outside the house, which she thought was quiet:
"Don't eat anymore, be careful not to upset your health. I brought you some food, eat mine!"
The words were forceful, yet the tone carried a hint of helplessness, like a child being misbehaved and being coaxed helplessly.
Jiang Shuifu's eyes widened suddenly, her pupils dilating slightly. "You were peeking at me!"
Shen Jizhao was even more helpless and explained, "The crispy mountain is so sweet that the cold air has dissipated from a great distance. It's not like I can't smell it."
Jiang Shuifu didn't believe it. He was a despicable and shameless man who was capable of breaking into her boudoir and sending people to monitor her. What else wouldn't he do?
She stormed to the window, added another block of wood right in front of him, nailed it in, and huffed at him:
"This is specifically designed to keep thieves out! You sachet thief, don't try to deny it! I don't want to see you, and I certainly won't let you in. You're utterly depraved and morally bankrupt. Tell me, how long have you been spying on me!"
The thought that he might be spying on her while she was sleeping filled her with anger and fear. Even though they were no longer together, he was doing things that only intimate people would do.
They've already divorced!
"Shen Jizhao, can't you understand human language? You look like a dog right now! I can't shake you off! You're disgusting! Where is your dignity and self-respect? Where is your status as the Crown Prince? I'll tell you one more time, not only can I no longer like you, I only feel disgust and revulsion towards you. You and I will never live under the same roof in this lifetime! I will only say more and more hurtful things to you. If you have any dignity, get the hell out of here right now!"
She had made a harsh statement, truly intending to never speak to him again. Her chest heaved with anger, but she still had to consider her sleeping sister and dared not continue to yell at him.
This was the first time Shen Jizhao had been called a beast. Before, everyone had been respectful and flattering to him.
In all his years, this was the first time someone had pointed their finger at him and insulted him. He was a proud man, but her words were like a knife stabbing him in, completely piercing his noble pride.
Most importantly, it was the person he loved who stabbed him; his dignity slowly, slowly, shattered.
His fists clenched, veins bulging, and his temples throbbed and twitched violently, pulling and swaying back and forth.
He took a step, his steps firm and heavy, full of power, as he left the window.
Jiang Shuifu breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally gone and probably wouldn't come back. She felt at ease and could finally live her peaceful life.
Before a moment had passed, the mahogany door began to move. After listening to the noise for a while, her eyes widened.
He didn't leave; he was trying to break in!
Jiang Shuifu quickly ran to the door to block it, trying to stop him from succeeding, but if Shen Jizhao really used his strength, how could she resist?
Shen Jizhao restrained himself from making any noise, and used his internal force to pry open the door with a creak.
Jiang Shuifu was thrown backward by the force of the mahogany door, but Shen Jizhao caught her in time.
His eyes still flickered with a burning flame, burning and burning again, as he kept staring at her, forcibly leading her several steps into the house.
"Someone come here!"
Jiang Shuifu called for help while pushing him, but he grabbed her hand. She tried to slap him, but he grabbed her other hand, and soon both of her hands were under his control.
She couldn't move; the large hand around her waist was extremely hot, burning her to the extreme.
Suddenly, he lowered his head, instantly closing the distance between them until his nose touched her forehead. He didn't stop there, continuing downwards…
Jiang Shuifu tried to dodge left and right, but she could never escape his embrace.
Just as he was about to touch her lips, suddenly!
"Whoa!"
The whistle blew!
This is a summoning of Shen Jizhao!
But he didn't stop; he continued to slowly lower his head.
"call!"
Shen Jizhao continued his actions, ignoring everything else, and resolutely headed towards his destination.
"grown ups!"
The whistle was almost worn out from blowing it so much that he finally called out to Shen Jizhao when he still didn't come out.
Shen Jizhao was only an inch away from her, his nose touching the back of her ear, his breath falling on her neck.
Jiang Shuifu was both furious and terrified. She wanted to rebuke him but was also afraid he would go mad. So she decided to give up and stared at him with disdain.
"Shen Jizhao! Is this all you've got? Are you trying to use force?"
Shen Jizhao neither agreed nor denied, but stared at her for a while before continuing.
Jiang Shuifu turned her face to the side and then kicked his lower body with her foot.
"Pfft!"
Suddenly, all the candles in the room went out, plunging the room into darkness. He blew out the candles!
What does he want to do?
Is he really going to go crazy?
Shen Jizhao released her, his gaze sharp enough to see her clearly even in the darkness.
Therefore, he saw her fear and anger, and his tone softened slightly:
"I know that the candle in your room has always been extinguished late. A few days ago it was at 9 PM, sometimes at 11 PM, but these past few days it's been earlier. You put the baby to sleep around 7 PM. I've counted them all. I just watch the candle from afar. When the candle is burning, I know you've been engrossed in reading storybooks. When the candle goes out, I know you've finally fallen asleep..."
He was explaining to her her unease and anger that he had spied on her, but not on her private body or sleeping face, only on the candlelight; he wanted to know if she was sleeping peacefully.
"So, I brought you jujube and peach paste soup, red bean and yam cake, and lotus seed and rose milk... all of them are warm and good for replenishing your body's energy and blood."
Therefore, he repeatedly told her not to eat anything cold.
He gently placed the food box in front of her and then walked out.
The man on the roof had somehow jumped down and was now guarding the door. Shen Jizhao only gave him a look, "Speak!"
Jiang Shuifu stared at the things on the ground for a moment, then scoffed and took the food box out to throw it away.
No matter how good his things are, she won't want them!
.
In the following days, Shen Jizhao would still come from time to time, but he dared not stay for a while and leave as before, and would never visit again late at night.
She was afraid, so he had to restrain himself.
He still brought her pastries and drinks, a few different kinds every day, changing the variety of delicious treats he brought her. However, she couldn't eat anything cold. If she did, he would definitely warn her and barge in to take away her cold drinks.
To avoid him, Jiang Shuifu stopped eating.
He came almost every day without fail, and whenever he stayed too long, or made a move to barge in like that day, that annoying whistle would sound.
Shen Jizhao's face grew darker and darker. Each time, he would turn away and leave, glaring at the man with annoyance. If he didn't give a reason, he would skin him alive.
That night, Shen Jizhao stood upright, his body turned to the side, his superior, straight nose and angular jaw reflected in the window.
He knew she liked his face; it was this face that had won her favor and captured her heart.
Therefore, when he came to her courtyard, no matter how tired he was, he would never squat or sit, but would pay great attention to his posture.
He asked the people inside the house in a gentle, soft voice:
"I can't come tomorrow, I'll come again in a few days. What would you like to eat, Shuifu? I'll bring it to you."
The person inside didn't reply to him, but he wasn't discouraged. He smiled gently and said, "I know you've thrown away everything I gave you, but I'll still keep sending them. I've never pursued anyone before, so this is all I can do."
After speaking, he leaned closer, his face suddenly looming large, and probed her earnestly, "Why don't you teach me?"
Jiang Shuifu raised her chin, her eyes narrowing as if she were making a decision: "You... really want to pursue me?"
Upon hearing this, his eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded: "Of course! I guarantee you'll love what's in a few days!"
He then tried even harder to get closer to her, his foot almost touching the mahogany door; he was just one step away from going in.
"If you like, may I come in? I... just want to see you!"
His feet were itching to move...
At that moment, another figure appeared. Shen Jizhao slowly turned his head and stared at him with a deep gaze... He lowered his head under immense pressure.
Unfortunately, Su Yang's actions were not solely motivated by Jiang Shuifu.
.
"You stay kneeling! You can get up when you've figured things out!"
Jiang Wanwan was forced to kneel by Li Shi. To be precise, she had been punished for a long time. She was stubborn and refused to bow her head or admit defeat.
After kneeling for half an hour each day, the maid would help Jiang Wanwan go for a walk, as instructed by Madam Li. However, she still refused to back down, enduring the pain without showing any sign of it.
And just then, we ran into Jiang Shuifu.
Jiang Wanwan still had the energy to laugh disdainfully:
"A beautiful appearance is important, isn't it? It allows you to easily obtain things that others crave! But what's so great about having just an empty shell? It can't last! Don't be so smug!"
Her eyes were vacant, and although she was looking at Jiang Shuifu, it was unclear who she was actually looking down on.
Jiang Shuifu nodded:
"Of course, physical appearance is important, otherwise you wouldn't be so eager for it. Not only do you want to be beautiful, but everyone wants to be born beautiful! But physical appearance is also the most useless thing. Otherwise, wouldn't the top courtesan in that building have everything she wants and the most fulfilling life? The key is not physical appearance, but people's hearts. If you win people's hearts, what does physical appearance matter?"
After Jiang Shuifu finished speaking, she left with the peaches, making faces at Jiang Wanwan as she went.
Lately, she hasn't been able to see Shen Jizhao. Even when she does see him, she gives him gifts and smiles at him, but he remains cold and doesn't even glance at her. Therefore, whenever she sees Jiang Shuifu, she sneers at her, opposes her, and causes her trouble.
Jiang Wanwan's expression was blank, but the maidservant asked a question:
"Winning people's hearts? Is it about winning people's hearts first?"
Yes, her eyes were shining; she could win someone's heart as well as their body!
Her legs straightened, and suddenly the pain was gone!
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Author's Note: We've finally reached the next milestone. In the next chapter, Shen Gouzi's good days will be over.
Moral decay? This is just the beginning! My daughter is still too naive.
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