Chapter 39-Part 2

She wiped her nose and continued, “But after I left, I truly missed Your Highness’s kindness every night. In my dreams, I often called out to you… How could Liu Pei compare to your highness? Today, I seized an opportunity to escape. Even if I hadn’t met you here, I planned to return to the capital, kneel before you, and beg for your forgiveness…”

Feng Liwu, knowing that this boy’s words were a mix of truth and lies, was too angry to believe him. He raised his long leg and kicked the boy to the ground again.

Jiang Xiurun was now clutching not just a leg but a lifeline. After being kicked to the ground, she scrambled up to hug him again.

After several attempts, the Crown Prince seemed to tire of it and let Jiang Xiurun hold on, sobbing.

Feng Liwu glanced at the boy’s tear-streaked, white face, resembling a white rabbit kept in the mansion for soup, and noticed that Jiang Xiurun had lost weight.

It seemed that the boy had indeed suffered a lot on this journey. Yesterday, he was caught by bandits when Liu Pei took him.

This indicated that Jiang Xiurun’s regret wasn’t entirely false. Besides, Feng Liwu himself had often dreamt of Jiang Xiurun in the mansion. If the boy had any conscience, it was normal for him to think of him on cold nights…

As a young man alone in Luo’an City, constantly on edge, he would naturally be terrified. Hearing suddenly about the hostage girl from Bo giving birth at the post station, he would certainly flee.

Understanding this, Feng Liwu’s nearly two-week-long fury miraculously dissipated.

He looked down at the tearful boy, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, lifted the skinny boy, and wiped his tears. “Are you hungry? Shall I call for some food?”

Jiang Xiurun, still hiccupping from crying, feared that the Crown Prince might be suggesting a last meal before execution and didn’t dare to agree.

Seeing his hesitation, Feng Liwu ordered the cook on the boat to bring steamed fish, egg custard, and two bowls of rice, inviting Jiang Xiurun to eat with him.

As half the plate of fish disappeared into her stomach and the Crown Prince kept placing meat in his bowl, Jiang Xiurun blinked her swollen eyes, beginning to believe that the life-threatening danger had passed and the Crown Prince had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

Later, Jiang Xiurun learned that the Crown Prince had received reports of improving relations between the states of Liang and Han, preparing for border trade. Liang’s betrayal meant that Han could not afford any more issues. Thus, he personally led his elite guards to the Liang-Han border to assassinate Liu Pei.

Entering Han in disguise, Feng Liwu realized that, given Jiang Xiurun’s cautious nature, he wouldn’t attempt to return to Bo through the heavily monitored routes. If not heading to Bo, he must have gone to…Liang.

The Crown Prince ordered the covert agents of Qi stationed in Han to continue monitoring Liu Pei’s movements while also searching for Young Master Jiang.

Soon, they indeed found Young Master Jiang, but he was beside Liu Pei.

Thus, a few days ago, they achieved their dual objective with a single action.

Jiang Xiurun, having known Feng Liwu’s vengeful nature, was still shocked by his determination. Why would the Crown Prince personally carry out an assassination? Yet, Feng Liwu had treated it like an exhilarating hunt, personally planning and executing it until he saw Liu Pei struck by a heavy crossbow bolt, avenging the ambush he had faced on the hunting grounds.

With the main vendetta settled, Feng Liwu had no reason to stay near the Han border. The black merchant ships quickly sailed out of Han territory and entered Qi.

Upon reaching Qi, they rested overnight at a post station.

When Jiang Xiurun heard that the Crown Prince wanted him to share his bed and have a long talk, she was stunned. Stammering, she thanked the Crown Prince but mentioned her poor sleep habits and fear of disturbing him.

“It’s fine. Didn’t you say you missed me day and night? Tonight, I want to see if you call my name in your sleep.”

As he spoke, Feng Liwu, with his long hair loose, wore a simple linen robe, half-reclined on the bed, with a bamboo scroll in hand. His muscular chest peeked through the robe in the dim light, gleaming with a youthful sheen.

Jiang Xiurun dared not let her eyes wander and knelt before Feng Liwu, hesitantly saying, “Your Highness, I truly have poor sleep habits…”

Feng Liwu impatiently responded, “Haven’t you ever stayed up talking with friends? You’re a grown man; what’s there to be shy about? It seems your earlier words about missing me were all lies!”

Looking at the nearly burned-out candle and thinking about the journey starting before dawn, it was only a few hours. Glancing at the spacious bed, Jiang Xiurun steeled herself and decided to spend the night with the Crown Prince of Qi.