Chapter 39-Part 1

Jiang Xiurun was unaware of the Crown Prince’s calculations. She could only feel the thin layer of calluses on his large hand, accustomed to holding a bow, now gently rubbing against her raised collar. Fortunately, the collar’s fabric protected her, or the fish skin covering her Adam’s apple would have been rubbed off.

If it had been Qin Zhao holding her neck like this without applying pressure, it would have been seen as taking advantage of her. But with Feng Liwu, Jiang Xiurun’s mind was filled with the terror of an executioner’s blade hanging over her head, not wasting energy on the possibility that the cold-faced Crown Prince might be taking liberties with her.

With his noble and beautiful appearance, why would Feng Liwu need to trifle with any woman in this or any other life?

Feng Liwu himself didn’t feel like he was taking liberties at all. In fact, ever since he went to the academy to fetch Jiang Xiurun and found he had escaped with his brother without warning, he felt his heart and lungs were soaked in some inexplicable poison, initially burning with uncontrollable anger.

As his subordinates investigated and uncovered the boy’s meticulous and secretive planning, his burning heart felt like it was being plunged into an ice-cold abyss, sending chills down his spine.

He rarely trusted anyone, and now all his trust has been misplaced on this ungrateful boy. Despite all his kindness and favor, he couldn’t win the genuine loyalty of a hostage from a weak state?

Feng Liwu thought that if he could capture the boy, he would harden his heart and kill Jiang Xiurun, ending it once and for all, as if he had never met him.

But when his men investigated all the routes to Bo, they found no trace of the group.

Days passed, and the entire household watched as the already gloomy and stern Crown Prince grew even more lifeless.

The Crown Prince, who never fussed over food, erupted in anger and overturned a full table of dishes because he found the food unpalatable!

Feng Liwu himself grew increasingly irritable, even calling out Jiang Xiurun’s name several times when thirsty while reading.

When there was no response, he vented his frustration by tearing down countless bamboo scrolls…

The more elusive Jiang Xiurun became, the more intense Feng Liwu’s feelings of disappointment and hatred grew. This cycle of burning and freezing emotions, initially driving a desire to kill, gradually faded, replaced by an increasing resentment toward the boy’s betrayal!

When he finally caught Jiang Herun by the neck, he genuinely wanted to frighten him. But as he drew closer and inhaled the familiar scent from the boy’s neck, he couldn’t restrain himself and wanted to tear off his clothes and do as he pleased…

But what did “doing as he pleased” even mean? Feng Liwu’s mind was a confused mess.

Jiang Xiurun, expecting the prince’s deadly blow, nervously turned her head slightly and found the prince’s high-bridged nose right next to her face.

Feng Liwu flipped his hand and pulled the boy, making him stumble and fall into his arms. Nose to nose, he coldly asked, “Was it you who impregnated the Bo hostage?”

Jiang Xiurun, focused solely on survival, was baffled by Feng Liwu’s sudden question.

“I don’t know which sister of mine is the hostage from my motherland; how could I… how could I get her pregnant?”

“If it wasn’t you, why did you run without reporting it? Of all places, why go to my mortal enemy and flatter Liu Pei, let him put his arm around your shoulder and touch your face… Truly disgraceful!”

Recalling the detailed reports from the spies about Liu Pei’s behavior towards the boy, Feng Liwu’s anger flared again. He forcefully pushed Jiang Xiurun to the ground.

The back of Jiang Xiurun’s head hit the ground with a thud, clearing her mind a bit.

She had been lost in the fear of being discovered by Feng Liwu, failing to notice that the Crown Prince was more enraged by her defection to Liu Pei’s camp.

After flattering him for so long, Jiang Xiurun figured out that Feng Liwu would occasionally have a childish mentality, that is, “My toys; others can’t play with them!”

As his aide, her defection to Liu Pei was a blow to his pride.

Realizing this, Jiang Xiurun felt a surge of boldness and began to cry loudly.

She knelt and rushed forward, hugging the prince’s leg wrapped in his dark golden robe, and sobbed, “I was afraid of being abandoned by you, Your Highness. If I were to be cast aside and mocked because of the indiscretions of my sister, what would be the point of staying at the prince’s residence? It would be better to pack up and leave secretly, saving the household resources…”