Chapter 6
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The two casually spoken words left Steward Gao wide-eyed in disbelief.
He agreed?
His Highness actually agreed?
The incident with the wolf cub, it could be considered significant or trivial. For others, if someone pleaded for mercy, they might relent with just a few words. But this was Xue Fangli we’re talking about.
When had their prince ever been so easily persuaded?
What Steward Gao didn’t anticipate was that this wasn’t the end of it; there was something even more surprising to follow.
“If I spare it now, and nurse its wounds to return it to the wilderness, it won’t survive,” Xue Fangli’s voice was calm and low, “I never do things without purpose.”
Jiang Juan breathed a sigh of relief, only to tense up again. “Then…”
“Bring it back to the Prince Residence,” Xue Fangli said calmly, “Since I’ve spared its life, it cannot die again.”
As his words trailed off, Xue Fangli casually instructed, “Gao De, find a beast physician for it.”
Gao De: “?”
He was stunned for a moment, doubting if he was still asleep. So he pinched himself hard, grimacing in pain, and despairingly realized it wasn’t a dream. He quickly responded, “…… Yes, Your Highness.”
Jiang Juan was momentarily stunned, his eyes widening in surprise. He hadn’t expected such a sudden turn of events. He earnestly said, “Your Highness, you really are a good person.”
Xue Fangli glanced at him with a smile that was more of a smirk. “Is that so?”
Jiang Juan nodded without hesitation, his gaze returning to Xue Fangli, pure and trusting, as if he firmly believed in it.
Xue Fangli smiled faintly. “You’re mistaken.”
Jiang Juan blinked. “Huh?”
Xue Fangli didn’t explain, but instead raised his hand, his distinct knuckles touching Jiang Juan’s face. Jiang Juan froze, staring at him in bewilderment.
Ignoring Jiang Juan’s confusion, Xue Fangli gently wiped away a faint blush from the young man’s forehead with his fingertip. Then, he lowered his head and examined him for a moment, saying regretfully, “Indeed, you truly are a little Bodhisattva.”
The bloodstain wiped away, the young man seemed to ascend instantly, his demeanor akin to a bodhi tree, untouched by worldly dust.
Unfortunately, the little Bodhisattva mistook a demon for a good person, just as he—
As the saying goes, even a mud Bodhisattva will find it hard to cross the river without getting dirty.
Xue Fangli chuckled lightly. A handkerchief was handed to him by the residence’s maid, and he wiped his fingers with it. Jiang Juan finally reacted, belatedly saying, “…..Thank you?”
“Hmm.”
With the matter settled, the young wolf was placed within the residence. However, Jiang Juan still had Lan Ting give some silver to the hunter to bury the other wolf.
As the carriage from Prince Li Residence gradually disappeared into the distance, the hunter, clutching the silver, didn’t immediately rise. He was both relieved to have escaped unscathed and couldn’t help but recall the face he saw in his moment of panic.
It was truly beautiful.
Lost in thought for a while, the hunter returned to his stall. He was about to close up and find a place to bury the wolf, but to his surprise, there was nothing on his stall except for a pool of blood.
The wolf and its skin were nowhere to be found.
.
Inside the carriage, it was quiet. The curtain had also been stained with blood, so Jiang Juan moved a little further inside to avoid getting it on himself. No matter how spacious the carriage, the seating was limited, so Jiang Juan ended up sitting close to Xue Fangli.
“I…”
Jiang Juan was about to explain but noticed Xue Fangli had closed his eyes, likely due to the weariness evident between his brows. Jiang Juan fell silent.
In reality, every movement Jiang Juan made was noticed by Xue Fangli, who simply couldn’t be bothered to open his eyes.
And as Jiang Juan drew closer, Xue Fangli caught a faint whiff of his fragrance. It was a blend of various herbs, refreshing like the grass after rain, soothing to the soul.
The subtle fragrance carried immense power.
It dispelled the clamor in the mind and the restlessness that hindered sleep. Xue Fangli, in this moment, experienced tranquility that had been absent for so long. He even went against his usual vigilance and let down all his defenses.
Allowing the young man to come closer, he even permitted him—
The road suddenly became rough, jolting the carriage. After a few seconds of hesitation, Jiang Juan reached out his hand to Xue Fangli, allowing him to lean against his shoulder. This way, he wouldn’t be jostled awake, and could rest a little more during the journey.
After completing all this, Jiang Juan glanced at Xue Fangli again. The man’s skin was pale, but his lips were extremely red. As Jiang Juan looked, he couldn’t help but reach out and touch.
Soft.
The next moment, realizing what he had done, Jiang Juan fell silent.
He just thought the color looked strange.
Did this count as marital sexual harassment?
Jiang Juan withdrew his hand guiltily, immensely relieved that Xue Fangli was sleeping soundly and hadn’t been disturbed. He turned his head and began counting the glass beads on the curtain. Whether it was due to being woken up twice last night or not, as he counted, Jiang Juan also fell asleep.
In the steady sound of his breathing, Xue Fangli slowly opened his eyes, his fingertip grazing his lower lip, then lingering in one spot.
It was where Jiang Juan had touched him just now.
Before long, Xue Fangli withdrew his hand and settled back into his seat. However, the sleeping teenager beside him lost his support and, still sticky and sleepy, leaned against him, tilting onto his shoulder, sleeping completely defenselessly.
Xue Fangli lowered his gaze and glanced at him for a moment, but he didn’t push him away.
The fragrance between breaths seemed even clearer now. He listened to the teenager’s rhythmic breathing, and before long, Xue Fangli himself began to feel a bit drowsy.
This was the first time, without excessive use of fragrances, that Xue Fangli felt drowsy.
He was just about to close his eyes when the coachman cracked his whip, and immediately someone reported to him, “Your Highness, we have arrived.”
“Hmm.”
Xue Fangli pressed his throbbing temple but showed no intention of getting off the carriage. The servants of the residence dared not speak out of turn, so they stood silently to the side. However, Chief Steward Wang, who was waiting at the palace gate, approached quietly and asked, “What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
The servant shook his head and remained silent. Jiang Juan vaguely heard the conversation outside and gradually woke up. He mumbled, “Your Highness, have we arrived?”
As he spoke, Jiang Juan sat up and realized that he had actually fallen asleep leaning on Xue Fangli’s shoulder. Jiang Juan felt a bit embarrassed and said, “The carriage rocking made me so sleepy that I accidentally fell asleep. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“About to wake you up,” Xue Fangli replied calmly. “What’s that smell on you?”
“It’s not too fragrant, just okay.”
Jiang Juan paused, raising his hand to sniff but couldn’t detect anything. Uncertainly, he said, “It might be the sachet. Lan Ting gave it to me this morning, but I didn’t like it, so she put it away. It should have picked up some scent.”
Xue Fangli nodded, then stepped out of the carriage. Jiang Juan followed behind, still not fully awake and walking unsteadily. Seeing this, Chief Steward Wang quickly supported him. Jiang Juan thanked him, saying, “Thank you.”
Chief Steward Wang was taken aback, then chuckled warmly. “What nonsense, Your Royal Consort. When you stepped out, I thought a celestial being had descended to earth. Being able to lend you a hand is a blessing I’ve accumulated over several lifetimes.”
Jiang Juan: “……”
These people, talking about celestial beings and little bodhisattvas, he just wanted to be a salted fish.
“His Majesty has sent me here early to wait,” Chief Steward Wang said with a grin. “I’m sure His Majesty will be delighted to see Your Royal Consort.”
Jiang Juan quickly turned to Xue Fangli and asked, “Your Highness, what should I do later?”
He was a transmigrator and wasn’t quite familiar with palace etiquette. But thankfully, the Jiang Juan in the book was also inexperienced, having grown up in the countryside without much exposure to the city. So Jiang Juan confidently added, “I grew up in the countryside and never entered a city, so I don’t understand many customs.”
Xue Fangli glanced at him casually and said, “There aren’t many rules.”
Jiang Juan: “?”
He thought it shouldn’t be like this and was about to ask further, but Chief Steward Wang interjected, “Our Majesty doesn’t care much for formalities. Your Royal Consort, there’s no need to worry too much.”
“Alright.”
Jiang Juan nodded in agreement, then recalled the plot again.
In the novel, this emperor has limited appearances, he only appeared three times. The first time was when Marquis Anping requested marriage, the second time was during the wedding between Marquis Anping and the protagonist shou Jiang Nian, and the third time was when he passed away due to his obsession with health cultivation techniques.
He’s also a plot device.
Jiang Juan felt relieved, but he also felt like he forgot something. Before he could think about it, they had already arrived at the palace chamber. Chief Steward Wang whispered softly, “Your Majesty, His Highness and His Royal Consort have arrived.”
“Finally, you’re here.”
The door opened from the inside, and a middle-aged man dressed in dragon robes stepped in with a leisurely gait. He wore a smile on his face, but carried the dignity of the royal family. Yet, he seemed just like any ordinary father, teasing his son whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. “Chief Steward Wang, who is this? Why does he look so familiar?”
Chief Steward Wang chuckled, “Your Majesty, I also find him familiar, it seems like… it seems like…”
He didn’t say who it was, and the current Emperor, Emperor Hongxing, glanced at Xue Fangli. “Ever since you established your residence, it has been harder for me to see you than to ascend to the heavens. Today, I have the Third Young Master to thank for this opportunity.”
Xue Fangli smiled gently, “Imperial Father, without matters to attend to, how can I frequently enter the palace?”
It was just an excuse, and Emperor Hongxing naturally understood. He didn’t bother to expose it and instead turned to Jiang Juan with a smile. “Your name is Jiang Juan, right? Come, let me have a look at you.”
Jiang Juan nodded, showing no signs of timidity. Emperor Hongxing looked at him for a moment, growing more satisfied with each passing moment, nodding repeatedly. “Good child, a very good child.”
Emperor Hongxing kindly admonished, “If you encounter any troubles in the future, just come to the palace and let me handle it. Such a good child should not suffer any grievances.”
Jiang Juan blinked, “There is no need to trouble Your Majesty, His Highness can handle it.”
“Really?” Emperor Hongxing was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. He lightly patted Jiang Juan’s shoulder. “Of course, you should go to the younger one, what do you need an old man like me for?”
“Last night, the sixth one was already taken care of by the fifth. And those ignorant servants, eating the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, dare to sow discord in front of the master.”
Huh?
Taken care of by His Highness?
Jiang Juan stared at Xue Fangli with widened eyes, feeling a mix of happiness and concern.
Even if the Sixth Prince was foolish, he was still part of the main characters group. Was it okay to deal with him?
Xue Fangli met his gaze and simply said, “He needs to learn some lessons.”
“The Sixth is indeed useless and needs some discipline,” Emperor Hongxing waved his hand in disdain, then remembered something else and continued, “But as for your eldest brother, you should give him some face. Don’t let him lose his dignity.”
“The last banquet, you two…”
Just as the conversation was about to continue, a report came from outside the hall: “Your Majesty, Marquis Anping requests an audience.”
For a moment, the hall fell silent, and many subtle gazes fell upon Jiang Juan, scrutinizing him openly or covertly. Even Xue Fangli raised his eyes.
Jiang Juan: “?”
Marquis Anping?
This name sounded familiar?
After pondering for a while, it suddenly clicked.
Wasn’t this his former fiancé?
No, it should be his ex-fiancé.
After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Juan also remembered what he had forgotten.
In the original plot, on the second day Jiang Juan was sent to Prince Li Residence – also the second day he bit his tongue and attempted suicide – Marquis Anping entered the palace to request the current Emperor to grant him marriage with the main character, Jiang Nian.
It seemed like they had collided.
Jiang Juan: “…”
How could this be?
He remembered, the cannon fodder with the same name as him really loved Marquis Anping.
Jiang Juan recalled the plot with a tingling sensation on his scalp.
According to the plot, the engagement between Marquis Anping and Jiang Juan was not a secret in the capital. Moreover, since Jiang Juan’s arrival in the capital, wherever Marquis Anping was, Jiang Juan would always be there, wishing he could cling to Marquis Anping at all times.
The sons and daughters of prominent families were naturally not like him. They cared about their reputation and family honor. Jiang Juan became a unique oddity.
He was just clingy, which was actually quite good.
Marquis Anping came from an extraordinary background, handsome in appearance, and had numerous admirers, among whom Jiang Juan was insignificant. Compared to family background, talent, and appearance, he had no advantage except for a marriage contract.
Jiang Juan was already uneasy, and then he found out that Marquis Anping’s attitude towards Jiang Nian was quite unusual. Feeling uncomfortable, he inquired about the marriage contract, but Marquis Anping only said it was inconvenient, and kept postponing the wedding date.
Later on, sensing that Marquis Anping wanted to break off the engagement, Jiang Juan, feeling desperate, first drugged him, then took advantage of his stay at the Minister Residence, climbed into bed with him, but was inevitably discovered.
Several forced marriage attempts not only tarnished the reputation of the Minister Residence but also aroused dissatisfaction in Marquis Anping. Not to mention that he also pushed his own brother, Jiang Nian, into the lake for the sake of Marquis Anping.
Jiang Juan: “…”
He couldn’t understand, but he was greatly shaken.
Is love really like this?
What Jiang Juan was thinking, of course, others didn’t know, but even the Emperor Hongxing had heard about Jiang Juan’s infatuation with Marquis Anping. The Emperor Hongxing feared that if the two met, it would not end well.
After pondering for a long time, Emperor Hongxing asked Jiang Juan, “Good child, should I meet him or not?”
Upon hearing this, Chief Steward Wang couldn’t help but sweat for Jiang Juan.
Not meeting him would mean the Third Young Master is guilty in his heart, how could His Highness tolerate him?
Meeting him would make the Third Young Master show his infatuation again, His Highness won’t tolerate him either.
In fact, Jiang Juan didn’t really want to meet. He just wanted to live a peaceful life, stay low-key, and avoid getting involved with the main characters, otherwise, it would definitely lead to unhappiness.
Now he doesn’t want to disrupt the plot.
Jiang Juan said calmly, “Of course, Your Majesty should see him. Perhaps the Marquis has something important to discuss.”
Xue Fangli glanced at him, Jiang Juan met his gaze and returned an innocent look. A faint smile tugged at Xue Fangli’s lips.
How could he forget? This Third Young Master has someone in his heart.
In his eyes, His Highness was a good person, but what about Marquis Anping?
A great sage?
Xue Fangli chuckled casually, but his expression turned icy.
Before long, Chief Seward Wang’s voice rang out sharply, “Announcing the arrival of Marquis Anping!”
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