Jiang Zhenzhou wasn’t the only one shocked; Jiang Jingshu was too.
Jiang Jingshu’s gaze shifted back and forth between Xiao Yanchen and Jiang Zhiyu.
Why was Prince Chen so cold to everyone else, yet treated Jiang Zhiyu differently?
Could it be that the two knew each other before?
No!
Impossible! How could
Zhiyu, a peasant girl raised in the countryside, possibly know the high and mighty Prince Chen? Jiang
Having ruled out the possibility of them knowing each other, only one possibility remained!
Jiang Jingshu looked at Jiang Zhiyu’s face.
Although she didn’t want to admit it, she had to.
Jiang Zhiyu was truly beautiful!
Especially her aura, which was different from the noble ladies of the capital.
Perhaps Prince Chen had grown tired of the high-born ladies, which was why he had developed a greater interest in this country flower.
Believing she had seen through the truth, Jiang Jingshu finally felt a little relieved.
“Cousin, although His Highness is kind-hearted, we cannot be ignorant of etiquette. If you’ve eaten your fill, please leave now! Don’t delay His Highness’s business!”
“It’s alright,” Xiao Yanchen said calmly. “Since I said I’d invite Miss Jiang to dinner, I
naturally want her to eat her fill. You may leave now; I will escort Miss Jiang back!”
Jiang Jingshu was shocked again.
Prince Chen actually wanted to escort Jiang Zhiyu back to her residence?
How could this be allowed?
Jiang Zhiyu had just arrived in the capital today, and Prince Chen had already shown her such respect. If the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence knew this, wouldn’t they also value Jiang Zhiyu more?
Jiang Jingshu pinched her palms hard, trying to calm herself down.
“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness! But we accompanied my cousin out here,
how can we leave her alone to return to the manor? Perhaps she should come with us!”
Xiao Yanchen’s eyes instantly turned cold as he looked at Jiang Jingshu indifferently.
“Are you trying to teach me how to behave?”
Stared at by Xiao Yanchen like that, Jiang Jingshu felt a tightness run through her body, and cold sweat broke out on her back.
“This humble woman wouldn’t dare…”
“Good that you wouldn’t dare.” Xiao Yanchen waved his hand. “Ling Shuang, ask them to leave.”
“Yes!”
Ling Shuang respectfully replied, quickly walking to Jiang Jingshu and Jiang Zhenzhou’s side.
“Please, both of you!”
Jiang Jingshu and Jiang Zhenzhou’s expressions were not good, but they could only turn and leave.
Reaching the gate, Jiang Jingshu glanced back and saw Jiang Zhiyu still eating.
Although her movements were unrestrained, they didn’t detract from her beauty, nor did they seem rude.
Jiang Jingshu felt a sting in her eyes and instinctively closed them.
Why!
Why isn’t this face hers!
Why isn’t she a descendant of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family!
“Elder sister!”
Jiang Zhenzhou spoke softly.
“Let’s go!”
Hearing Jiang Zhenzhou’s voice, Jiang Jingshu slowly opened her eyes, smiled gently at Jiang Zhenzhou,
“Okay!”
…
Although she was being watched by Xiao Yanchen, Jiang Zhiyu’s appetite was not affected in the slightest, and she still ate with relish.
Only after she was full did Jiang Zhiyu put down her chopsticks, smiled at Xiao Yanchen,
“I’m full, will Your Highness take me back now?”
“Of course.”
Before long, the two were sitting in the carriage.
The carriage looked black and inconspicuous on the outside, but it was very comfortable inside.
Jiang Zhiyu leaned against the soft pillows, her posture relaxed, showing no tension.
“The eldest daughter of Shennong Manor has transformed into a cousin of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family, how interesting!”
Xiao Yanchen suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the carriage.
His voice was indifferent, making it impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Jiang Zhiyu wasn’t nervous. She shifted into a more comfortable position and leaned back before smiling at Xiao Yanchen.
“Is Your Highness planning to go to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence to expose me?”
“I’m not that idle,” Xiao Yanchen shook his head. “However, shouldn’t you share half of the bet you just won with me?”
“Why?” Jiang Zhiyu retorted. “I won it with my own skill, why should I share half with you?”
Xiao Yanchen stared intently at Jiang Zhiyu, his eyes sharp, his aura imposing. Anyone else
would have been trembling with fear.
But from beginning to end, Jiang Zhiyu’s expression remained unchanged.
A few breaths later, Xiao Yanchen’s aura vanished, and he suddenly smiled.
“Not only did you dare to take advantage of me, but you also dared to deny it afterward. You’re truly audacious.”
“So-so!” Jiang Zhiyu smiled brightly. “Your Highness is magnanimous, please don’t hold it against me. At worst, I’ll charge you less next time Your Highness needs me.”
Xiao Yanchen didn’t speak, but gave Jiang Zhiyu a deep look.
Silence returned to the carriage.
Only the sound of the wheels rolling forward could be heard.
A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence.
As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Jiang Zhong led his family to the door.
Jiang Zhong took the lead in bowing to the carriage,
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
Jiang Zhiyu lifted the curtain and stepped out,
“Uncle, Aunt, no need for such formalities, please rise!”
Jiang Jingshu immediately looked up and saw Jiang Zhiyu standing on the carriage shaft, looking down at her.
In an instant, Jiang Jingshu’s cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes blazing with anger.
She had actually bowed to Jiang Zhiyu!
Jiang Zhiyu dared not!
Jiang Zhong and Fan Suwan also straightened up, looking at Jiang Zhiyu with displeasure.
“Get down now!” Jiang Zhong glared.
The carriage shaft was quite high, but Jiang Zhiyu didn’t use the ladder; instead, she leaped and landed lightly on the ground.
Seeing this, Fan Suwan’s brows f urrowed so deeply they could almost trap a fly.
Such rudeness, acting like madness, was a disgrace to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion!
“You—”
Before Fan Suwan could finish speaking, the carriage curtain suddenly opened, and Xiao Yanchen saw her.
“Miss Biao is quite lively, unlike the women in the capital.”
Hearing Xiao Yanchen’s words, Fan Suwan was somewhat surprised, but a realization quickly flashed through her mind.
Jingshu was indeed right!
Prince Chen, accustomed to the rigidly rule-abiding noble ladies of the capital, was intrigued by Jiang Zhiyu’s rustic manner.
This was not bad at all!
Prince Chen and the Emperor were born of the same mother, and Prince Chen was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, holding a high position and great power.
If Jing Shu could enter the palace as a concubine, and Jiang Zhiyu could enter Prince Chen’s residence, then their Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion would be completely bound to the royal family!
Thinking of this, Fan Suwan’s dislike for Jiang Zhiyu lessened somewhat. “Thank you for the Prince’s praise. It’s her good fortune to be valued by the Prince. Zhiyu, why don’t you quickly thank the Prince?”
Jiang Zhiyu looked puzzled. “It’s his business if he wants to value me. Why should I thank him?”
“What are you saying!” Jiang Zhong glared at her. “You don’t know any manners! How could you be so disrespectful to the Prince! Didn’t anyone teach you manners?”
Jiang Zhiyu sighed. “No! After all, I haven’t been with my biological parents since I was little, so naturally no one taught me these manners. If I had biological parents to raise me, maybe I could be as well-mannered and polite as my cousin!”