Chapter 9 I Don't Need You
Jiang Shuifu didn't know what he meant. She looked at him with her watery eyes, feeling utterly helpless.
"I remember telling you that being my Crown Princess is hard work. There's a lot to learn, and you need to be skilled, capable, and wise. But it's also very simple: you just need to do one thing well..."
Shen Jizhao paused, then fixed his sharp gaze on the woman who was clearly at a loss.
Jiang Shuifu was visibly flustered. He was dissatisfied with her, so much so that he would waste his most precious time to warn her.
"Behave yourself, know your place. Don't do what you shouldn't do, don't fantasize about what you shouldn't fantasize about, and don't infringe upon what you shouldn't infringe upon. Your identity is only that of the Crown Princess!"
She is the Crown Princess, not his wife, and certainly not his lover.
Although she didn't know why he was angry, Jiang Shuifu received all the messages that Shen Jizhao wanted to convey.
She had tried her best to control herself, and didn't even dare to send a greeting to him. Why did he say such a thing about her?
She just wanted to be an ordinary couple with him, and her only wish was to be loving and devoted to him for the rest of her life.
Jiang Shuifu felt a surge of moisture rushing up rapidly, its momentum so strong it was about to engulf her entire eye socket.
Her tears were always unruly, so she quickly held them back.
"My lord, the cat only wants to please you. It doesn't dare to ask for more, and it will never harm you. It won't show its claws to hurt you. It knows its limits, so you don't need to worry."
Shen Jizhao's eyes were like a cold, deep pool, staring straight at her. Ripples spread across the surface of those pools, subtly reminding her of his demands:
"I like cats that can scratch people, and their claws have to be useful."
Knowing one's limits is not enough; one must also be useful.
A raccoon must have sharp claws and teeth and be aggressive towards the outside world, but it cannot be directed at its master. In front of its master, the raccoon must be obedient and follow its rules.
Jiang Shuifu listened to his reminder and lowered her eyes helplessly, her fingertips trembling. Did he think she was useless? Did he think she couldn't help him? Did he think she could only do these womanly things?
She just wanted to do her part and let him taste her cooking; that's how ordinary people live.
Shen Jizhao stood up and looked at her distraught expression. He didn't know if she had heard him or not, but he didn't want to repeat what he had said a second time.
"I hope you will remember what I said today. I know you learn quickly."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have made her the Crown Princess for so long.
Shen Jizhao patted his clean clothes and dusted them off.
He then quickly got up, put on the robe placed on the rack, and left. His steps were strong, and as he passed Jiang Shuifu, he only stirred up a cold wind.
"Don't cook anymore. This kind of thing should be done by the kitchen staff."
These words were like a wake-up call, chilling her to the bone.
It's not that I think she can only cook, it's that I think she cooks.
Preparing food in the kitchen is their duty.
When someone else cooks, it's a test.
The fact that she prepared a large number of dishes to his liking only compounded her crime, implying that her motives were impure, simply because he was the crown prince.
She shouldn't have pried into the Crown Prince's preferences and intruded into his private affairs.
This is going too far.
He clearly separated him from her; she was just one of many people who couldn't know the Crown Prince's preferences and needed to be guarded against by him.
He was always fair in rewarding and punishing; he would mercifully taste her food as compensation, and he would ruthlessly warn her as punishment.
He could always exonerate himself completely, leaving her alone in a sorry state.
Jiang Shuifu understood that his action just now was not superfluous at all; he was brushing away the smell of cooking food from her dishes.
He remained untouched by worldly dust, forever sitting alone on his high platform, unwilling to endure even the slightest speck of dust.
Jiang Shuifu sniffed the hem of her clothes.
It was all the flavors he disliked.
He had just left when a heavy rain fell that night, bending the thick branches of trees outside the temple.
Fresh, tender leaves and petals fell in large quantities, trampled under the man's feet, and crushed to dust.
*
The rain drizzled for half a month, but the Eastern Palace was bustling with activity.
The royal hunting season is fast approaching.
Following his warning not long ago, Jiang Shuifu stayed quietly in the East Palace, rarely going out except to handle official business.
She remained the virtuous and wise Crown Princess, the woman he described as quick to learn manners.
After cutting the clothes and packing the necessary items, it was already the day before departure.
The peach hesitated before speaking:
"Your Highness, are you really not going to bring the riding clothes that Master prepared for you? He prepared them for you a long time ago."
Jiang Shuifu shook her head. She didn't want to cause trouble; it wasn't appropriate for the Crown Princess to show her face in public.
"But the Crown Princess looks really good in it. Even if the Master isn't going, he'll be happy to see you wearing the clothes he gave you!"
Jiang Sheng has been sent to Yangzhou to handle court affairs and cannot go with them at this time.
"He doesn't like it..."
With just four words, Pan Tao harbored resentment towards Shen Jizhao again. The lady clearly loved the riding clothes that the master had given her; she couldn't take her eyes off them once she saw them.
She could tell that her wife really wanted to go hunting, and horseback riding was both her hobby and her forte.
That prince is a real scoundrel. He humiliated my wife like that just a few days ago. He's worse than a complete scoundrel.
One day, he will get his comeuppance.
The following day, a large procession of imperial carriages, symbolizing the nobility of the royal family, drove out of the palace gates in a grand procession, with powerful and wealthy families waiting outside the palace, their carriages following closely behind.
Hunting was a grand event, and besides the royal family, powerful nobles were also a major force.
People on the roadside curiously leaned out to look.
If there's one thing the common people most want to see, it's the Crown Prince Shen Jizhao, who is wholeheartedly devoted to the people, seeking their survival, and reforming the system.
Shen Jizhao disliked sitting idly in a carriage, so he rode a tall horse to follow the emperor on both sides and protect him.
Many women were handkerchiefs being handed over, while the men were reciting poems.
This makes for a truly magnificent view.
This shows that his status and reputation were simply unshakeable.
The remaining princes, who were eager to compete, were absolutely furious.
Jiang Shuifu could only gaze at Shen Jizhao, who was respected by everyone, from afar while in the carriage.
She felt proud and honored, but also a sense of alienation.
The hearts of ordinary people are the most sincere. They look up to and admire the prince for his great achievements, and when it comes to the wife that such an outstanding prince married, everyone feels regret and sighs.
Jiang Shuifu did not have a good reputation among the people.
Acting on impulse and summoning courage can only be seen as a violation of social norms and etiquette, audacious, and dissolute.
It is not tolerated by the world.
Two days later, they arrived at Namgi Seongwon, a hunting ground in the suburbs, which was very well prepared.
This wasn't Jiang Shuifu's first time attending such a grand event, but this time she was there as a member of the royal family, so her experience was somewhat different.
The strict hierarchy was evident everywhere in the venue.
As the Crown Princess, Jiang Shuifu straightened her posture and behaved impeccably.
Shen Jizhao returned to his tent late at night.
Although the tent was spacious and luxurious, it contained only one couch.
When Shen Jizhao came in and saw the situation, he frowned, but Jiang Shuifu pretended not to see his reaction.
"My lord, you have been protecting Father Emperor these past few days and must be exhausted. I have prepared some hot water for you, so please go and relax. We have a hunt tomorrow, so I have prepared some ointments for you, just in case."
"My lord, I have prepared many riding outfits for you. Which one would you like to wear? I will iron it for you now."
...
Whether he was exhausted or in a bad mood, Shen Jizhao didn't say a word and went straight to take a bath.
He was stunned when he entered. A light blue dress was draped nakedly on the screen. The dress was large and was now bulging out.
It's easy to imagine how full-figured the person wearing it must be; and upon closer inspection, it even exudes a subtle fragrance.
He closed his eyes and quickly submerged himself in the water, his mind blank. He was indeed very tired, but as he soaked, he began to feel irritable. Her scent was really annoying, with a girlish affectation.
His breath was filled with a sweet scent; was she made of sugar? He'd never heard her this sweet when they slept together normally.
After a while, the water temperature gradually cooled down. Thinking he was still in the East Palace, he subconsciously spoke up:
"Change the water."
Jiang Shuifu, who was outside, heard his call and hesitated, feeling conflicted. The camp was not as grand as the palace, and at this moment, she was all alone.
"Why aren't they here yet?"
He called out again, and she had no choice but to bite the bullet and go inside.
She slowly approached him, carrying a small half-bucket of hot water. He was now completely naked, and she could see his strong, muscular back and well-defined arms. She blushed.
Slowly, I poured the water in.
She finally finished piling it all up and had seen enough. She had such a great figure; every part of her body was enough to make one's nose bleed.
Hard and upright.
Her face turned as red as a crab's; she couldn't bear to look anymore. She was about to leave, but fate had other plans:
"Scrub back".
Shen Jizhao asked her to rub his back!
She was startled; he had never made such a request before, and her hands were at a loss.
Shen Jizhao frowned. "Aren't you listening to me?"
Jiang Shuifu dared not dawdle any longer and touched his muscle with the cloth.
It's firm yet elastic, and feels really good. I can't believe she got to experience something like this.
She served him diligently and was very happy.
"Front."
What did he say?!
He was about to frown again when she immediately realized what was happening and tremblingly moved to his chest.
The front was even more alluring, with defined abs and a sexy collarbone; she was practically steaming.
The room was filled with a misty atmosphere, and he seemed like a male demon conjured from a cave. She couldn't help but swallow.
"Husband, should I wipe down there too?"
At this moment, ten thousand wild horses galloped, reveled, and went mad in Shen Jizhao's heart and eyes.
He suddenly opened his eyes and saw the most incredible person.
"Who let you in!"
Jiang Shuifu knew he had misunderstood her, and pouted slightly, feeling wronged:
"How dare I do this without my husband's permission?"
Shen Jizhao also realized the cause and effect; he had lost his mind and been too relaxed.
The fragrance in the room hadn't dissipated yet, so when she arrived, he couldn't detect her presence.
"My lord, shall I continue?"
He immediately turned to the side, covering his body.
"Get out, get out! I don't need you, I don't want your service."
Jiang Shuifu had expected this. She nodded. Although it was probably a misunderstanding, she still got a good look at the sight.
She is content.
She turned to leave, but just as she was about to go out, Shen Jizhao unexpectedly told her not to go:
"etc!"
Her eyes widened instantly. Could she continue touching him, no, serving him?
"Take your heart out!"
...
When she fell asleep, Jiang Shuifu lay down next to him, her whole body turned to face him, which was her habit.
She suddenly asked:
"My lord, may I ride a horse tomorrow?"
She was met with silence; he disagreed, and she couldn't go.
Having married him, she had no right to indulge in playful behavior.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Okay, Shen Jizhao, remember what you said: you don't need a baby, you don't need a baby to serve you. I bet you can't hold out!
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