The Hostage Girl - Chapter 70-Part 2
Chapter 70-Part 2
While in Bo, Jiang Xiurun had once seen Ji Wujiang at a palace banquet, though at the time she had been just a thirteen-year-old girl.
Now, four years later, she thought her appearance had changed slightly.
Dressed as a man, she assumed that this noble Ji would not recognize her.
Thinking this way, she felt at ease.
Pretending to be an ordinary customer, she simply picked out some jewelry and provided specifications for customization.
However, when Ji Wujiang saw the styles Jiang Xiurun had selected, he smiled faintly, bypassed the red gemstones she had chosen, and picked up a light blue one instead.
Handing it to her, he said, “This shade, like the calm of water and the color of life, suits you better.”
Jiang Xiurun’s heart skipped a beat.
Back at the banquet years ago, she had worn a light pink dress.
While playing in the garden, she accidentally smudged her chest with yam cake, staining the dress with a bluish hue.
Being a young girl who adored beauty, she was devastated that her outfit had been ruined and had nearly burst into tears.
But Ji Wujiang, who had been accompanying her brother Jiang Zhi to enjoy the flowers, had teased her lightly, saying, “This shade, like the calm of water and the color of life, suits Lady Jiang better.”
At the time, she had found his comment amusing and had laughed despite herself.
She never imagined that after so many years, in a foreign land, he would repeat those very words upon their unexpected reunion.
Did this mean he had recognized her?
Jiang Xiurun took a calming breath and replied nonchalantly, “The color is indeed lovely, but I’m not a woman. How could it suit me? This hairpin is for my sister-in-law. Her style is elegant but overly plain, so red is a better match.”
Ji Wujiang merely smiled and said no more.
He chose the red gem, carefully setting it into the hairpin’s clasp with expert precision.
Jiang Xiurun had known Ji Wujiang’s skill at seal carving from years ago—her rudimentary teacher had been him.
But she hadn’t expected that his craftsmanship extended to creating fine hairpins, which he did with great finesse.
Could it be that before seeking out his brother, Ji Wujiang had been eking out a living here?
When Ji Wujiang handed her the finished hairpin in a box, Jiang Xiurun’s sharp eyes caught a piece of fine silk tucked within, likely a note.
Remaining composed, she pocketed the hairpin, paid the silver, and left.
Back at the temporary residence, she changed into loose robes, removed her hairpiece, and let her hair fall freely before retreating to the bath behind the folding screen.
Only then did she pull the silk from the box.
There were only a few words: he urged Lady Jiang to remain calm and wait, assuring her that he and General Sheng would do their utmost to bring her brother Jiang Zhi back to Bo.
It was clear that her disguise as a man had been thoroughly seen through by this Ji.
She did not doubt the loyalty of Ji Wujiang and General Sheng.
Years ago, had her mother’s heart not been misplaced, deceived by her father’s sweet words, she would have been betrothed to General Sheng as the daughter of the former emperor of Bo.
Though fate had denied them, General Sheng had endured the disgrace of betrayal and humiliation to protect her mother.
He never married, treating her and her brother with fatherly care and love.
But General Sheng’s wish to have her brother return to Bo went against her plans after her rebirth.
She knew far more than others.
The fall of Bo was inevitable, and her brother, if caught up in it, would likely repeat the tragic fate of dying for his country.
After weighing the options, Jiang Xiurun burned the silk in the incense burner, watching it slowly turn to ash.
In this life, she hoped her brother could forget his identity as the prince of Bo.
Her desires were simple.
The treacherous political games of countries and the bloody struggle for power—she wished for her brother and herself to remain untouched by them.
When Feng Liwu returned to his chambers after a day of official duties, he expected to be greeted by Jiang Xiurun’s cheerful smile.
Instead, he learned that concubine Yao was feeling unwell.
Jiang Xiurun was indeed unwell.
During the day, she had indulged in a bowl of chilled jelly to cool down, only to find it upset her stomach. Upon returning to the residence, she suffered from stomach pain.
Her stomach had always been somewhat sensitive.
While her mother’s meticulous care had improved it greatly, worry or distress would quickly manifest as discomfort in her digestive system.
The unexpected encounter with Ji Wujiang had unsettled her, making her fear that all her prior efforts might have been in vain—that she could not change the fate of her brother and herself.
After hearing Qian’er’s account of Jiang Xiurun’s street-side snack, Feng Liwu furrowed his brows and strode to her bedside.
Placing his large hand over her stomach, he said, “Are you still a child? Eating as if you have no restraint!”
Jiang Xiurun, weakly, replied, “I even packed a portion for Your Highness. It was jelly topped with honey and red beans—very refreshing!”