So she quickly added another line, “Miss Jiang, I know you have no feelings for me, and I won’t force you. If you’re willing, we can just be friends, with no romantic involvement.”
Jiang Rumin finally turned to look at him, “Is Your Excellency serious about this?”
“Of course I’m serious.” Song Yun Chu said earnestly, “However, His Majesty has been troubled by many worries lately. Our matter is clearly insignificant compared to affairs of state. Please be patient, Miss Jiang. Only when His Majesty is in a better mood can I request him to revoke the decree.”
Jiang Rumin nodded, “In that case, I’ll trouble Lord Song to take care of this.”
“But Miss Jiang must also promise me one condition.”
Song Yun Chu deliberately spoke sternly, “Before our marriage arrangement is canceled, you must not associate with Prince Yi anymore. Otherwise, people will inevitably gossip. By then, not only will your reputation suffer, but I will also lose face.”
“Don’t worry, My Lord.” Jiang Rumin responded, her tone carrying a hint of sigh, “He’s now deeply in love with my second sister, so why should I go and make myself miserable in front of them?”
Song Yun Chu naturally noticed Jiang Rumin’s reluctance to let go of Jun Tianyi. She hadn’t expected Jiang Rumin to give up so quickly anyway.
This ill-fated relationship between the two probably wouldn’t be easily broken, but she had to keep trying. After all, Jiang Rumin’s life and death were tied to this world’s survival. The fewer setbacks Jiang Rumin faced, the less trouble she would have.
As Song Yun Chu was pondering this, she suddenly overheard passersby discussing behind her.
“This Jiangyang Bandit Zhu Tao is really something. The authorities have been trying to catch him for so long without success, and the bounty has been raised from three thousand to five thousand taels.”
“Exactly. Whoever catches this scoundrel will strike it rich.”
Song Yun Chu was momentarily stunned.
Jiangyang Bandit Zhu Tao was a minor character who only occupied a few lines in the original story. His appearance was meant to trigger the subsequent plot involving the male and female leads and the Fifth Princess from the neighboring country, Shangguan Yun.
This man was a fugitive from the court. During his escape, he targeted the Fifth Princess of Bei Chen Country who had sneaked out to play. Although the Fifth Princess had changed into commoner’s clothing, she couldn’t change her habit of spending lavishly. Zhu Tao, being penniless, robbed her bundle and fought with her guards. In the chaos, the Fifth Princess accidentally fell from the fourth-floor window and was saved by Jun Tianyi who happened to pass by.
This was where their ill-fated relationship began. In early tragic novels, most female supporting characters fall in love with the male lead, and turning evil for love is an enduring trope. This broken book was no exception. Afterwards, the Fifth Princess and the female lead Jiang Rumin began their dramatic conflict over competing for the male lead.
Song Yun Chu thought to herself that Jun Tianyi had headed in the same direction as in the original story. He would pass by the tavern where the Fifth Princess was staying. The plot of saving the princess probably wouldn’t change. The only difference was that the person by his side had changed from Jiang Rumin to Jiang Yuxi.
If the Fifth Princess and Jiang Yuxi fought each other, Jiang Rumin would temporarily be free from trouble.
Seeing Song Yun Chu lost in thought, seemingly pondering something, Jiang Rumin spoke up, “My Lord, you probably have matters to attend to. I won’t disturb you any further. Farewell.”
Just as Song Yun Chu was about to respond, a question suddenly flashed through her mind.
Wait!
Although Jun Tianyi was following the same route as in the original story, his current physical condition was far worse than before. His injuries had not yet healed, allowing him only to walk normally without being able to fully utilize his internal energy. In such a state, when encountering the Fifth Princess falling from a high building, would he still have the capability to catch her? Would he be able to save her in time?
In the original story, saving the Fifth Princess was merely a trivial matter for him—he could exert his fastest speed effortlessly. But now, he couldn’t easily mobilize his inner strength, nor would he deplete his health for a woman he had never met. If he failed to act in time or chose not to intervene… the Fifth Princess would fall headfirst, either dead or severely injured.
The Fifth Princess became a villain due to her obsessive love, but at her introduction, she had not yet committed any evil deeds. If she were to die or become disabled from the fall today, it would inevitably affect the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Jiang Rumin noticed Song Yun Chu frowning slightly, as if troubled by something, and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Lord Song, why…”
“Miss Jiang, I indeed have matters to attend to. Farewell.”
After saying this, Song Yun Chu turned and left briskly.
Her steps were swift as her gaze swept over all the shops on the right side of the street.
She couldn’t recall the name of the restaurant where the Fifth Princess had her accident in the original story, but she was certain it was a large establishment, much more imposing than ordinary eateries.
As she walked, Song Yun Chu heard a commotion ahead. Looking up, she saw a crowd of commoners gathered by the roadside, looking up at a tall building and discussing animatedly.
“What’s happening up there? It seems like there’s a fight.”
“Yes, and it looks quite intense.”
“Hey, these people are really bold, fighting near the windows without fear of falling…”
Before the onlooker’s words faded, they were interrupted by a woman’s startled cry.
Following the sound, a slender figure in light pink tumbled down from the terrace on the fourth floor of the Drunk Fragrance House.
The crowd below erupted in panicked and sympathetic exclamations.
It was clear at a glance that the falling figure was a young woman. Falling from such a height, her life would likely be in grave danger!
Beyond the crowd, Jun Tianyi happened to be passing by with Jiang Yuxi. He witnessed the commotion at the Drunk Fragrance House and saw the pink figure falling. He initially intended to catch her, but when he tried to channel his energy, he felt a stagnation in his chest. Only then did he remember that the injuries inflicted by Song Yun Chu had not yet healed. If he were to use Qinggong to save her, it might worsen his condition.
In that moment of hesitation, the light pink figure was about to hit the ground.
Some timid women by the roadside had already covered their eyes.
They couldn’t bear to watch the falling girl meet a bloody end.
At the critical moment, a shadow as swift as smoke darted forward. Just as the pink figure was about to hit the ground, it was caught steadily!
Everything happened in an instant. When the crowd realized the woman had been saved, they collectively sighed in relief, praising the rescuer profusely.
“This gentleman has remarkable skills.”
“Thank goodness he acted, or this would have ended in tragedy.”
Song Yun Chu could feel the Fifth Princess trembling slightly in her arms and comforted her softly, “Miss, you’re safe now.”