The Hostage Girl - Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Jiang Xiurun hadn’t expected that even wearing men’s clothing wouldn’t save her from being dragged onto the soft couch.
For a moment, she was stunned by the Crown Prince’s boldness and could only press her hand against his chest, saying, “Your Highness, how can you act like this! Your reputation should be as clear and untainted as flowing water… If word gets out that you spent the night with a man, it could damage your pristine image!”
Feng Liwu captured the young tutor’s cherry lips, his tongue swirling vigorously.
Only when the person in his arms had gone limp and collapsed against his chest did he whisper, “So, if you truly care for my reputation, you should change back into women’s clothing as soon as possible, to avoid giving others fodder for gossip!”
Jiang Xiurun, who had always prided herself on being a virtuous and loyal subject, naturally couldn’t allow the Crown Prince’s reputation to be tarnished.
In the end, she changed back into women’s clothing and spent the night in the Crown Prince’s place.
Meanwhile, Lady Jing, who had offered a rare piece of jade, still couldn’t get close to the Crown Prince. Feeling wronged, she cried all night. However, the next day, perhaps feeling that he hadn’t earned the gift, Jiang Xiurun returned the jade to Lady Jing, apologizing and saying that although he had tried to persuade the Crown Prince, Concubine Yao had recently gained the Crown Prince’s favor, and his interest in her hadn’t waned yet.
He promised to help Lady Jing in the future when the opportunity arose.
Lady Jing could only accept this.
After all, Jiang Xiurun was Concubine Yao’s half-brother, so it was natural for him to side with his sister. However, with this promise, Lady Jing took the opportunity to befriend Concubine Yao, securing an ally and ensuring she wouldn’t be bullied by Concubine Tian when entering the Crown Prince’s residence in the future.
When Jiang Xiurun tried to return the jade, Lady Jing firmly refused, insisting that she keep it.
Seeing that Jiang Xiurun was currently in favor, Lady Jing also noticed that she seemed to be having trouble with her waist and legs, so she kindly offered him some medicinal oil she had brought, suggesting she try it.
Jiang Xiurun accepted it with a smile, admiring the young girl’s determination to advance her position.
She hoped she would one day be as favored as Concubine Tian had been in her previous life.
At that time, making Concubine Yao lose favor would be more effective than a hundred bottles of medicinal oil!
Thinking of Feng Liwu’s insatiable appetite the previous night, Jiang Xiurun gritted her teeth in frustration.
She felt that she didn’t need anyone to help her secure the Crown Prince’s favor—what she urgently needed was to share that favor.
She hoped that the beautiful concubines from Han would be competitive enough to help her cool off and become less sought after.
After several days of travel, the Crown Prince’s party successfully returned to Luo’an City. The Crown Prince’s proposal to build a canal had faced significant opposition in the court, especially from some of the older ministers who feared that such a large-scale project, which would alter the flow of water, might disrupt the feng shui and destiny of the Great Qi.
As the canal project began and the treasury’s expenses mounted, the opposition grew even stronger.
However, Emperor Duanqing seemed pleased with the situation.
On one hand, he couldn’t make the decision himself, and on the other, he hoped his son would stumble over the canal project.
This would highlight the Crown Prince’s lack of experience and maturity, allowing the emperor to reassert his authority and potentially depose the Crown Prince at the right moment.
Privately, the emperor’s close aides calculated that the canal would take years to recoup its costs, and the annual maintenance would require continuous investment. When Feng Liwu found himself strapped for cash, he would inevitably increase taxes to fill the treasury, leading to a loss of popular support.
The emperor waited contentedly for his detested son to embarrass himself.
Facing such criticism, Feng Liwu had a lot to deal with after returning to the capital from Shunde.
He often stayed at the government offices, discussing matters with officials late into the night, and rarely returned to the Crown Prince’s residence.
Jiang Xiurun breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that she might finally escape dying on the Crown Prince’s bed.
However, even though the Crown Prince wasn’t around, the residence was still bustling with activity.
After the three beauties, Han had sent three more beauties, filling the residence with a variety of stunning women, each more captivating than the last.
Concubine Cao and Concubine Tian, who had been waiting for the Crown Prince’s return for over half a month, were heartbroken to find that he had brought back even more women.
They each wept in their own courtyards, especially Concubine Tian, who was furious with her father for sending these beauties to curry favor with Feng Liwu.
With so many women, even if the Crown Prince distributed his favors equally, how much would be left for her?
Perhaps because the Emperor of Han had agreed to the canal project, Feng Liwu became more lenient with Concubine Tian.
After returning from Shunde, he allowed her to leave her courtyard.
When Concubine Tian and Lady Jing, half-sisters from the same family, met, their interactions were filled with tension.
During several tea gatherings of the Crown Prince’s concubines, their words were sharp and laced with hidden barbs.
Jiang Xiurun wasn’t accustomed to such scenes of women bickering.
After attending one such gathering, she excused herself from future events.
As the Crown Prince’s favored concubine, she had accompanied him to Shunde and had received countless “showers of favor.”
Concubine Tian subtly inquired about her menstrual cycle, so Jiang Xiurun made sure to hang her menstrual cloths all over the courtyard during her period, announcing to the world that she had not conceived despite the Crown Prince’s attentions, sparing the other women their worries.
She then claimed to be ill, excusing herself from further gatherings.
While Feng Liwu was busy, she wasn’t idle either.
Changing back into men’s clothing, she busied herself with managing goods and delivering them to her sister-in-law’s shop.
Her sister-in-law, Wenniang, was touched by her thoughtfulness.
Despite being of noble birth, Jiang Xiurun was surprisingly practical and capable, unlike her husband, Jiang Zhi, who was completely clueless about household matters.
Wenniang didn’t mind, believing that a man should focus on his studies and leave the mundane tasks to her.
But Jiang Xiurun, though young, was experienced and efficient.
This time, she had managed to procure high-quality goods at low prices, and by using the Crown Prince’s fleet, she even saved on shipping costs.
The goods sold out quickly, and the small shop was thriving.
Jiang Xiurun had expected Wenniang to expand the business, but Wenniang had no such plans. She believed that since her husband and brother-in-law were both political hostages and favored by the Crown Prince, they were under constant scrutiny in the capital.
Expanding the business too much might attract jealousy and trouble.
It was better to keep a low profile, quietly making enough money to support the family.
Impressed by Wenniang’s foresight, Jiang Xiurun felt relieved.
With such a wise and capable sister-in-law, she could worry less about her brother’s well-being.
During a visit to the hostage residence for a meal, she secretly told Wenniang about Ji Wujiang, warning her to keep a close eye on her brother and prevent anyone with ulterior motives from getting close to him.
Wenniang’s expression turned serious.
She didn’t want her husband to return to Bo and compete for the throne.
When she married him, she knew he would likely spend his life in Luo’an, living a peaceful life.
If he were to return and become emperor, the constant scheming and political intrigue would be unbearable.
Wenniang immediately promised to question Jiang Zhi’s servant the next day to see if there had been any unusual activity, vowing not to let anyone use her husband for their own ambitions.
Seeing that Wenniang shared her concerns, Jiang Xiurun felt at ease and enjoyed her meal.
Noticing that Jiang Xiurun seemed thinner and paler after the trip to Shunde, Wenniang insisted she take a large jar of homemade liver paste back to the Crown Prince’s residence, telling her to mix a spoonful with her rice for a nourishing and delicious meal.
She pointed out how plump Jiang Zhi had become from eating it.
Jiang Xiurun smiled wryly, knowing that her lack of energy wasn’t due to poor nutrition but rather the result of being drained by a certain insatiable man.
However, she couldn’t explain this and simply accepted the gift with thanks before returning to the Crown Prince’s residence.
Feeling too full to sit comfortably in the carriage, she decided to walk through the bustling market with her guards.
As they strolled, they eventually found themselves near the government office where the Crown Prince worked.
She hadn’t intended to go there, but when the guards at the office greeted her, she realized where she was.
Just as she was about to leave, Feng Liwu emerged from the building.
It had been three days since the Crown Prince had returned to the residence.
He had deliberately stayed away, knowing that with so much work to do, returning home would only distract him with thoughts of the little temptress.
He had decided it was time to temper his desires.
While he still intended to show favor to Jiang Xiurun, he needed to treat her and the other concubines equally.
Using his busy schedule as an excuse, Feng Liwu had stayed away to discipline his wandering thoughts.
But over the past few days, Jiang Xiurun hadn’t sent so much as a word or a dish! While the other concubines had sent food and soup, Concubine Yao hadn’t even sent a shred of meat.
And Jiang Xiurun, his trusted tutor, hadn’t shown her face either.
This should have been in line with Feng Liwu’s plan to curb his desires, but instead, it only made him angrier! Today, as he left the office, he was ready to return and demand an explanation.
But as soon as he stepped out, he saw her standing there in men’s clothing, looking as charming as ever.
All his anger instantly dissipated—she must have missed him so much that she came looking for him!~~~( T/N: the Crown Prince is Delululu..hehe)
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lol Feng Liwu has met his match. So excited that I get to read more!! Thanks!