Chapter 51
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Xue Fangli said, “… Hand.”
Jiang Juan wasn’t going to let him off the hook. “No, you explain first.”
Being pinched on the face was an experience Xue Fangli had never had before. After all, no one had ever dared to be so bold in front of him before—unless they were seeking death.
Xue Fangli stared at Jiang Juan without any expression, but Jiang Juan wasn’t intimidated. He even asked sympathetically, “Your Highness, do you need some time to think of a plausible excuse?”
Jiang Juan wasn’t stupid. The jade pendant was awarded by the master, not by him, so it had to be Xue Fangli. The only reason he hadn’t mentioned it before was because he disliked Marquis Anping and wanted to give Xue Fangli some face. Now that Marquis Anping had left, Jiang Juan couldn’t hold back any longer.
Xue Fangli asked, “Are you upset?”
Jiang Juan slowly replied, “Guess.”
Xue Fangli calmly placed his hand over Jiang Juan’s. “It’s just a jade pendant. There are many more in the treasury. If you want one, you can go and get another.”
The key wasn’t whether he could get another jade pendant. Jiang Juan emphasized, “Your Highness, you’re lying again.”
Seeing that Jiang Juan was still fixated on it, Xue Fangli was silent for a few seconds before slowly saying, “I also don’t know about this matter.”
“That day, I handed the jade pendant to Gao De to be put in the treasury. You were present at that time. Don’t you remember?”
Jiang Juan recalled that there had indeed been such an event. He said, “Yes, I was there. But—” Xue Fangli continued nonchalantly, “Later, I rewarded him and allowed him to pick something from the treasury. He must have chosen this jade pendant.”
Jiang Juan glanced at him, not speaking, as if he was somewhat convinced. Xue Fangli took Jiang Juan’s hand and spoke sincerely, “It is my fault. He only mentioned taking a jade pendant. I didn’t ask further and didn’t realize he had given it away.”
In reality, Xue Fangli’s words were a complete deception. From start to finish, he had been lying to Jiang Juan. There was not a word of truth.
He knew very well what kind of person Gao De was. Xue Fangli had given the jade pendant to Gao De precisely because he was lecherous. He knew that within a couple of days, this jade pendant would end up at the Hongxiu Pavilion because it was an eyesore—being the token between Marquis Anping and Jiang Juan.
Xue Fangli had thought it would take some time for Marquis Anping to see it. He hadn’t expected to run into him today.
What a coincidence. Jiang Juan, still doubtful, asked, “Really?”
Xue Fangli nodded, “Yes.”
Jiang Juan still felt something was off but decided to trust him, so he said, “… Okay.”
Xue Fangli: “So we’re going back to the residence?”
Jiang Juan:, “Oh.”
Jiang Juan nodded and took a few steps. He noticed that at the dance platform, due to the recent events, the women were all kneeling. The lead dancer, who had been accused, lowered her head, looking tearful as she stared at the shattered jade pendant and tried to piece it together.
The pendant wasn’t stolen, yet it was smashed to pieces. She was the only victim today, and it was an unjust calamity. As he thought about it, Jiang Juan’s brow furrowed in concern.
He remained still, and Xue Fangli stopped as well, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Juan sighed, “She’s so unlucky.”
Xue Fangli lowered his gaze, observing Jiang Juan for a moment. The young man’s brow was slightly furrowed, and he looked genuinely sympathetic.
Xue Fangli was very familiar with this look. In the past, it had been him receiving such attention from Jiang Juan, and he had enjoyed it immensely.
With a subtle frown, Xue Fangli didn’t want to share everything about Jiang Juan with others. He asked casually, “Has the little bodhisattva developed a sense of compassion?”
Jiang Juan looked at him and protested, “Don’t call me that. It sounds weird.”
Xue Fangli smiled and rephrased, “Would you like to help her?”
This time, Jiang Juan nodded honestly and hesitated, “I want to help her, but…”
Jiang Juan hadn’t figured out how to help yet. The jade pendant could be repaired, but even if it were restored to its original state, its value would be diminished since it had been shattered once. Giving her another pendant wasn’t out of the question, but—“I didn’t break the jade pendant myself. I could give her another one, but it feels like I’d just be compensating for the Marquis, which I’m not too keen on.”
Jiang Juan was conflicted, looking at Xue Fangli for help, his gaze full of trust. When Xue Fangli met his eyes, any displeasure and dissatisfaction he had vanished in an instant. He smiled slowly.
“Then help her,” Xue Fangli said cheerfully. “Whoever broke the pendant should be the one to compensate.”
With that, Xue Fangli approached the woman, whispered a few words to her, and handed her a token. He then returned to Jiang Juan and glanced at him, indicating for him to follow. “Let’s go.”
Jiang Juan looked back at the woman, who had indeed managed to smile through her tears. He caught up and asked curiously, “Your Highness, what did you say to her?”
Xue Fangli gave him a sidelong glance, turned Jiang Juan’s face with his hand, and said casually, “You’ll find out in a few days.”
Still being coy, Jiang Juan pushed a few times but couldn’t move Xue Fangli’s hand. To his surprise, Xue Fangli mimicked Jiang Juan’s earlier action and pinched his face.
Jiang Juan, feeling disgruntled, said, “…Your Highness, let go.”
Xue Fangli not only didn’t let go but also pinched a few more times, leisurely commenting, “It feels nice.”
Jiang Juan: “Should I say thank you?”
Xue Fangli: “Since you’re so polite, why not let me pinch a few more times?”
Jiang Juan, genuinely, said, “Your Highness, you can pinch yourself. The sensation is just as good, really.”
Xue Fangli lazily said, “Is that so?”
He lifted his crimson lips and spoke in a deep, pleasant voice, “But I prefer the feeling of my wife’s hand.”
Jiang Juan: “???”
Jiang Juan: “…”
Stunned by the term “wife,” Jiang Juan remained quiet for a while, struggling to regain his composure. He finally managed to say, “Your Highness, you really have a strong sense of revenge.”
Pinching his face, Xue Fangli was now pinching back. After a slip of calling him “husband,” Xue Fangli used “wife” in return. Jiang Juan said slowly, “Can’t you be more magnanimous?”
Xue Fangli looked at Jiang Juan with a smirk and asked, “Hasn’t this prince been generous enough to you?”
Jiang Juan shook his head, “Where’s the generosity?”
Xue Fangli didn’t say much, only chuckling softly, “Greedy.”
Unaware of how spoiled he had become, Jiang Juan was still complaining about Xue Fangli’s lack of magnanimity.
He had truly spoiled him.
Back at the residence, Steward Gao was waiting outside.
“Your Highness, Your Royal Consort.”
He greeted respectfully. After the carriage stopped, the curtain was lifted, and Jiang Juan was once again carried out by Xue Fangli. He clung to Xue Fangli’s shoulder and glanced at Steward Gao, recalling something, he said, “Steward, you…”
“Go ahead and light the way.”
Xue Fangli gave a bland order. Steward Gao smiled at Jiang Juan, took a lantern, and jogged ahead. Jiang Juan didn’t think much of it and continued, “Steward, it’s just…”
“If you have something to say, do it later.”
Xue Fangli, maintaining his expression, interrupted Jiang Juan again. Jiang Juan wondered, “Why wait until later?”
Xue Fangli, seemingly disinterested, asked, “What do you want to tell him?”
Jiang Juan whispered, “Isn’t Steward the one who is close to the lady? She suffered an unjust calamity today. Shouldn’t he go comfort her?”
Xue Fangli: “…”
It seemed he had overthought it.
After a moment of silence, Xue Fangli smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, “Telling him now will only distract him. Later, when his lover is sent back, I’ll talk to him again, and he can go directly to find her.”
Jiang Juan thought this made some sense and simply said, “Oh,” not speaking further. Instead, Xue Fangli looked at Jiang Juan for a few moments and then said slowly, “You are quite kind-hearted.”
Jiang Juan, feeling a bit down, said, “Your Highness, every time you say that, it feels like you’re making fun of me.”
Xue Fangli, with a relaxed demeanor, asked, “Why would you think that?”
Jiang Juan mumbled, “I don’t know why, it just feels that way.”
Xue Fangli smiled and said in a languid tone, “I would never make fun of you. The kinder you are, the more pleased I am. After all—” I get to show more compassion.
He couldn’t ask for more.
When they arrived at Liangfeng Courtyard, Jiang Juan was placed on the couch. Xue Fangli, without looking back, instructed Steward Gao, “I’ve brought back a cook. See to his accommodation.”
Steward Gao responded, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Jiang Juan didn’t think much of it, and after Xue Fangli sent Steward Gao away, he went to bathe. Jiang Juan took out his nine-link ring and started playing with it. Before he could do much, someone returned.
“Your Royal Consort.”
Steward Gao, looking guilty as if caught in the act, lowered his voice, “Is there something you wish to discuss with me?”
Having served Xue Fangli for years, Steward Gao understood that Xue Fangli’s repeated interruptions were to prevent Jiang Juan from talking to him.
In the past, Steward Gao would have carefully avoided Jiang Juan to prevent being caught. However, times had changed, and Steward Gao had figured things out.
— His Highness would do anything for His Royal Consort, and even His Highness had to cater to him, let alone the servants.
If the Royal Consort had something to say, it was naturally worth listening to.
Even if it was behind His Highness’s back, it had to be listened to carefully.
When His Highness said to speak with Steward Gao later to avoid distractions, Jiang Juan asked, “Have you finished your tasks?”
Steward Gao cheerfully replied, “Yes, I’m done, of course.”
Jiang Juan hesitated for a moment, briefly explaining what happened at Chengde Hall that day, and then told Steward Gao, “The jade pendant was shattered, and she seemed very upset.”
Steward Gao was surprised that Jiang Juan shared this with him and quickly responded, “Thank you for informing me, Your Royal Consort. If I have time, I’ll go check on her.”
Worried that Steward Gao might be too concerned, Jiang Juan added, “Don’t worry too much; His Highness said he would help her.”
Steward Gao knew that His Highness was not usually this kind-hearted; it had to be related to the Royal Consort. Feeling quite grateful, he waited with a smile for Jiang Juan to continue.
However, after waiting and waiting, Jiang Juan did not say anything further and focused on his nine-link ring. Steward Gao hesitated for a few seconds before asking, “Your Royal Consort, do you have anything else to discuss?”
Jiang Juan, looking puzzled, responded, “Ah? Is there anything else?”
His Royal Consort wanted to speak with him, but His Highness repeatedly interrupted, which made it seem like His Highness was hiding something from His Royal Consort. It wasn’t just that His Royal Consort wanted to remind him that Hongyu had suffered a grievance today.
Steward Gao, scratching his head, gently reminded, “Your Royal Consort, besides that, is there something else you want to inquire about?”
Jiang Juan shook his head, “No, not really.”
Steward Gao looked at him for a moment, feeling that Jiang Juan seemed even more confused than himself. Steward Gao found it strange and wondered if he had misunderstood, but the appearance of His Highness was all too familiar.
— He had always seen His Highness maintain such a calm and composed demeanor when dealing with the Royal Consort whenever he decieve him.
Since His Royal Consort said there was nothing else, Steward Gao couldn’t press further. He had considered that even if His Royal Consort did ask something about His Highness having deceived him, he would still have to cooperate and avoid exposing anything, so he was relieved.
He casually said, “When His Highness threw the jade pendant to me, I also thought it might not be good if the Marquis saw it. However…”
He wouldn’t miss a good deal.
Jiang Juan picked up on a key point and slowly lifted his head, “His Highness threw it to you?”
Steward Gao realized something unusual and hesitantly asked, “Your Royal Consort, what’s the matter?”
Jiang Juan pondered for a few seconds, distractedly adjusting his nine-link ring, “Why didn’t you ask him to get you another jade pendant?”
Steward Gao cautiously replied, “I thought this piece of jade was fine. I take whatever His Highness gives me, without being picky.”
Jiang Juan: “……”
He was silent for a few seconds, gently putting down the nine-link ring, and said softly, “His Highness was indeed lying to me. He said this jade pendant was picked out by you from the storeroom, and he didn’t know about it.”
Steward Gao felt a pang of anxiety and thought to himself that he might have put His Highness in a difficult position.
Before long, Xue Fangli returned to his room.
He was wearing a complicated dark robe, with drops of water still falling from his black hair, and his shoulders and the hem of his robe were soaked. When Xue Fangli pushed open the door, he found Jiang Juan was not there, only Steward Gao standing nervously by the side. Xue Fangli raised an eyebrow, “Where is Your Royal Consort?”
Steward Gao, feeling guilty, replied, “He’s gone.”
Xue Fangli gave him a questioning look, and Steward Gao, steeling himself, said, “His Royal Consort said you were lying to him, and that you lied twice. He told you to—” “Sleep alone tonight.”
Xue Fangli: “……”
Steward Gao covertly assessed him a few times, swallowed hard, and then said, “Your Highness, do you have any further instructions? If not, this servant will take his leave.”
Xue Fangli asked with a cold, forced smile, “Where do you intend to go?”
Since death was inevitable, one might as well take a chance. Steward Gao mustered his courage and said, “His Royal Consort has asked this servant to meet with someone. He also said, if you do not permit this servant to go or hold a grudge against him, then—” Xue Fangli interrupted, “Then what?”
Steward Gao replied slowly, “Not only will you have to sleep alone, but if you die in the future, he will not be there to see you off.”
Xue Fangli: “…”
A glance from Xue Fangli made it unclear whether he was laughing in anger or something else. His crimson lips curled slightly, his aura icy and chilling.
The pressure was so intense that Steward Gao barely dared to breathe. After an indeterminate amount of time, Xue Fangli finally uttered two words: “Get lost.”
Steward Gao quickly performed a bow and fled, fearing that His Highness might change his mind and have him punished.
However——Steward Gao nearly thought he was done for!
It’s said that it’s good to have the support of a big tree, and indeed, the Royal Consort had become quite influential.
Steward Gao marveled in his mind, realizing something.
The Royal Consort’s status was rising, and he had clearly become the most influential person in Prince Li Residence!
They might soon have to rename Prince Li Residence as Prince Li’s Royal Consort Residence.
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