Home Post 3734-chapter-64-part-1

3734-chapter-64-part-1

Chapter 64-Part 1

Regrettably, Cao Xi believed she had made a fair statement, but in the Crown Prince’s eyes, these two malicious women had conspired to frame the young master.

What a good face, and it’s been scratched like this!

Feng Liwu could hardly restrain his anger and wished he could kick the maid into the pond again to drown her.

With this thought, his face darkened, and he said, “I respect the wise and gather talents from all over the world, yet rumors will spread that even my aides can’t stroll in the garden without being assaulted by an unruly maid. What kind of decorum is this? Pass on my decree: henceforth, no women are allowed to roam in the garden. All my aides can go straight to my study without worrying about any inappropriate encounters. As for Concubine Tian’s maid, she will be sent to the outer courtyard for punishment by flogging. If she doesn’t learn her lesson, sell her off from the household!”

This pronouncement took both Concubine Tian and Concubine Cao by complete surprise.

The maid, with her mouth bound by rope, could even change her clothes; she was dragged out by the guards, soaking wet.

At this point, Tian Ying began to cry in earnest, both out of shock and grievance.

Setting aside the Crown Prince’s obvious favoritism, would they not be confined to their own courtyards from now on, unable to even enjoy a walk for digestion?

But the Crown Prince’s expression was too severe, and the maid’s fate was still fresh in her mind.

Tian Ying dared not provoke him any further, so she bit her lip and, supported by the other maids, quietly withdrew.

Cao Xi, too, was left stunned, not quite understanding what the Crown Prince had just said.

She blinked in disbelief, then also let the maids escort her out of the garden.

Feng Liwu then walked over to Jiang Xiurun, noticing that her face seemed even more swollen, with the scratches even more visible.

He frowned and said, “Didn’t I teach you some self-defense? How did a mere maid get so close to you? Go to my study later and apply some medicine; otherwise, you’ll be left with scars!”

Jiang Xiurun was also astonished by the Crown Prince’s handling of the situation.

Although the Crown Prince was known to value talent, something about his orders felt off to her.

Hearing his reprimand now, she whispered, “But she’s concubine Tian’s maid. I couldn’t very well break her bones, could I? There are still ranks to consider…”

Feng Liwu didn’t respond, simply tugging her sleeve and pulling her all the way back to the study, where he ordered the servants to bring some medicinal ointment.

The Crown Prince personally applied it, dabbing the oil-soaked cloth on the scratches on her face, his brows furrowed.

Jiang Xiurun, hesitant to burden the Crown Prince, tried to take over, but he sternly said, “You haven’t even accounted for your unauthorized drinking with classmates. Stay still and don’t move!”

Resigned, Jiang Xiurun remained still, waiting for the Crown Prince to finish applying the ointment before saying, “I hadn’t planned on drinking, but I remembered that the grilled fish at that restaurant was quite good. I only had a couple of sips, mainly to buy the bamboo-grilled fish for you to try something new.”

The Crown Prince shot her a sideways glance, thinking: Cunning thing, does she think I don’t know? She returned from the restaurant empty-handed, reeking of alcohol, and fell asleep the moment she hit the bed. Only after sobering up did she send Qian’er to fetch the fish, trying to cover for herself before coming to me to claim credit!

Normally, Feng Liwu would have punished her cunningness, but seeing the fresh scratches on her pale face softened his heart.

For now, he decided to let it go, not wanting to make a fuss over it.

Jiang Xiurun, noticing the Crown Prince’s softened mood, wondered whether she had managed to escape punishment.

After he finished applying the ointment, she had the servants bring in dishes and chopsticks.

She attentively unwrapped the lotus leaf packaging and fed Feng Liwu a piece of grilled fish, asking, “How is it? Isn’t it delicious?”

Feng Liwu claimed that he couldn’t tell from just one bite and asked her to feed him another.

Bite after bite, the entire fish was fed to him, yet he never brought up her unauthorized drinking again, allowing Jiang Xiurun to breathe a small sigh of relief, feeling that she had evaded this disaster.

She then stayed by his side as he reviewed official documents, occasionally helping to check accounts.

Jiang Xiurun knew well that if she didn’t want to rely on her looks alone, she needed to prove her competence so that Feng Liwu wouldn’t think little of her and imprison her in some back courtyard.

Her skills were limited, but she took pride in her ability to handle accounts, a talent that set her apart in Luo’an City.

Thus, she took the initiative to manage the accounts for the canal construction, working daily in the Crown Prince’s study.

At first, she worried that the sound of the abacus might disturb his thoughts, but the Crown Prince reassured her that it was fine.

And so, the lord and his aides often worked in the same room, each occupied with their own tasks, coexisting peacefully.

After a while, Feng Liwu felt his eyes grow tired from reading, so he lifted his head to rest them.

In his line of sight was a graceful figure dressed as a young scholar, sitting upright with her delicate hands skillfully working the abacus beads.

Watching her slender fingers lightly tap and manipulate the smooth beads, his thoughts drifted to other instances where those nimble fingers had deftly touched and grasped…

Before he knew it, the Crown Prince became aware of something wrong below his waist…

Jiang Xiurun, focused on reconciling the accounts, suddenly noticed a discrepancy.

She looked up to ask the Crown Prince, only to find him staring straight at her.

Confused, she walked over with the bamboo scroll to inquire, but as she sat down, her peripheral vision caught sight of the Crown Prince’s apparent… problem.

Of course, she understood what that meant, but why would reviewing official documents evoke such excitement?

Her face flushed with embarrassment, yet she maintained her composure and asked about the accounts.

Feng Liwu, seeing her flustered face with its fresh application of ointment, found her even more endearing and couldn’t resist reaching out to pull her close, planting a kiss on her cheek.

Jiang Xiurun, finally losing her composure, picked up the bamboo scroll and knocked it against the Crown Prince’s head…

But as soon as she saw his dark and sinister glare, she regretted her impulsiveness and immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness.

But Feng Liwu simply grabbed her into his arms, leaning close to her ear and teasing, “Growing bolder by the day, are you trying to assassinate the heir to the throne?”

Jiang Xiurun hurriedly tried to explain, but before she could, he covered her lips with his own, then lifted her up and carried her behind the study’s screen into the inner chamber.

After several rounds of struggle, as her inner robes were about to come undone, Jiang Xiurun, on the verge of tears, prompted Feng Liwu to finally stop, reluctantly releasing her.

He lay there with his broad chest exposed, pulling her into his embrace, saying, “Such a delicate temperament. Were you not taught the pleasures of the bedchamber by the palace women before you left Bo state?”

Jiang Xiurun took a deep breath, deciding to give the Crown Prince a harsh dose of reality to end his affections once and for all.

Mustering her courage, she said, “The truth is, I already have a lover in Bo state. I’ve vowed to remain chaste for him, and we made a solemn oath to be together forever. We’ve met in secret several times… Your Highness is noble and deserves a pure-hearted woman to accompany you. I’m unworthy of your favor…”

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