Chaptеr 19: Jiаng Xun’s Hеart Aсhеd Веуоnd Mеаsurе
Нis gaze immеdiately fell uроn the уоung lаdу stаnding in the раviliоn.
Her dеliсatе eyebrоws arсhed gracеfully, аnd her реach-blоssom eyеs, mоist аnd shimmеring, seemеd tо hоld а poоl of sрring water аs she loоked intentlу at Jiang Xun.
Тhе Fоurth Prinсе openеd his mouth but frоzе in plaсe.
Cоuld it reаllу bе… Shen Мingshu?!
And when shе spokе tо Jiаng Xun, her lips weren’t pale with fright!
Wаs hе seeing things?
Could it bе thаt he was the оnе who had gone mad?
Jiang Xun glanced at Shen Mingshu, then turned his gaze to the Fourth Prince beside him.
Following his line of sight, Shen Mingshu quickly understood and took half a step forward, offering a graceful curtsy.
“Greetings, Fourth Prince.”
The Fourth Prince’s eyes were filled with confusion. He secretly pinched himself.
“Ouch—”
It hurt. This wasn’t a dream.
He hadn’t lost his mind yet.
Jiang Yuan also stepped forward to greet the Fourth Prince, who nodded in acknowledgment, still lost in thought about what had just happened.
Shortly after, Jiang Yuan reminded them that the ladies’ poetry gathering was about to begin and left with Shen Mingshu.
After the two departed, the Fourth Prince could no longer contain himself and whispered urgently, “What on earth is going on? How has Shen Mingshu changed so much?”
“I don’t know either.”
“You don’t know?” The Fourth Prince widened his eyes, his face clearly saying, “You’re fooling me.”
Jiang Xun’s tone remained unchanged. “Truly, I don’t know.”
The Fourth Prince stared at him for a long while, trying to detect any hint of deception, but the other’s expression remained calm and unreadable.
Could it be that he really didn’t know?
Jiang Xun paid no further attention to the Fourth Prince and lowered his gaze thoughtfully.
His mind flashed back to that night when she had thrown herself into his arms, weeping.
From then on, things had started to go awry…
Jiang Yuan led Shen Mingshu to the small garden pavilion where the ladies’ poetry gathering was held. Beneath the pavilion, the fragrance of flowers lingered in the air, and laughter filled the surroundings.
They began with a game of identifying scents, where an array of exquisite incense was displayed. Shen Mingshu carefully sniffed and distinguished them, unexpectedly winning the round and earning a round of applause. This was followed by games of arrow-throwing and the “Flying Flowers” poetry challenge.
Shen Mingshu had been brought by Jiang Yuan, and who among those present was unaware of Jiang Yuan’s status? She was the eldest granddaughter of the Chief Grand Secretary, the future Fifth Princess Consort, and known for her aloof and proud demeanor, rarely smiling at anyone.
With Jiang Yuan by her side, although Shen Mingshu was a newcomer, no one dared to mistreat her.
Moreover, Shen Mingshu’s gentle temperament and striking beauty endeared her to many of the noble ladies present.
Afterward, they played arrow-throwing and the “Flying Flowers” poetry challenge, and Shen Mingshu thoroughly enjoyed herself.
In the past, her world had revolved solely around Xiao Zheng. When he rode horses or practiced archery, she would stand by his side, carrying water and supplies.
She had never imagined that the world of women could be so lively and full of delight.
Meanwhile, the Third Prince and Prince Xuan sat in a side hall for a private discussion. After several rounds of wine, the conversation gradually turned to how they could acquire more silver.
The Third Prince was much older than the Fourth Prince, now in his early thirties. He had a lean frame, narrow and rigid bones, and a gloomy expression.
“Recently, southern merchants have arrived in the capital. If we could leverage official decrees to collect a registration fee from them, it would be a quick source of silver.”
As they spoke, the topic shifted to Jiang Xun, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
“He has repeatedly thwarted our plans. If not for him, the silver from Jiangnan would have been in my hands long ago.”
Prince Xun gritted his teeth. “That brat is too much of an eyesore. Sooner or later, we’ll deal with him.”
The Third Prince set his teacup down with a dull thud as the base hit the table.
After concluding their discussion, Prince Xuan pushed the door open and stepped out, hearing a burst of commotion from the courtyard.
He glanced in that direction and saw several young nobles engaged in a poetry contest, the scene lively and animated.
Prince Xuan swept his gaze over them, a hint of disdain in his eyes.He had always been disgusted by the pretentious airs of these pedantic scholars. Listening to them trade poems back and forth felt even more tedious than hearing a Taoist priest chant scriptures, simply suffocating.
Prince Xuan impatiently turned his head, his gaze wandering around the venue. But this was a place where men held poetry gatherings; after searching for a long time, he couldn’t find any beautiful noble ladies or wives.
“How utterly boring,” he muttered under his breath. Just as he was about to turn and leave, a graceful figure suddenly caught the corner of his eye.
It was a maidservant, her figure slender. Even the plain green cloth dress she wore accentuated her graceful charm.
Prince Xuan stared at her for a moment, a lecherous smile gradually curling at the corner of his mouth.
Unaware, the maidservant turned into a side path along the corridor, heading toward the main kitchen.
Not long after, as she passed through another corridor, a small flower garden came into view.
Prince Xuan was about to continue following her when his gaze suddenly fixed on a figure from behind.
Shen Mingshu walked with her head lowered. She had intended to quickly bypass this secluded garden and return to the main path, but unexpectedly, a dark figure abruptly blocked her way.
She looked up and met a pair of murky, unrestrained eyes.
It was Prince Xuan.
He was looking at her with a twisted smile, his gaze carrying a blatant appraisal.
Shen Mingshu immediately felt a tightness in her chest, a wave of intense disgust rising within her.
She lowered her head and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness Prince Xuan.”
With that, she tried to step aside to leave.
But Prince Xuan subtly took a step forward, spreading his arms to block her path, and said with a smile, “The weather is lovely today. Why not join me in the pavilion for a cup of tea, Second Miss Shen?”
Before he finished speaking, he reached out to grab Shen Mingshu’s wrist.
Alarm bells rang loudly in Shen Mingshu’s heart. She swiftly sidestepped, avoiding the withered branch-like hand reaching for her.
You vile creature! Stay away!
That hand… it reminded her of the bandits charging toward her in her previous life, just before her death.
In her past life, she had only escaped disgrace by dying.
Would it have to be the same in this life?
Shen Mingshu was so panicked she almost burst into tears.
Prince Xuan’s grab missed, and unwilling to give up, he stepped forward again, his eyes already filled with impatient lust.
He was about to forcibly drag her away.
Shen Mingshu hastily retreated but suddenly bumped into a solid chest.
She paused slightly and instinctively looked up.
The person behind her wore a dark robe, tall and upright, his black hair tied up with a jade crown. His face was handsome and composed.
Only his eyes, like deep pools, exuded a chilling pressure.
Seeing it was him, Shen Mingshu’s anxious heart instantly relaxed, and her eyes involuntarily reddened.
Wuwuwu!
Jiang Xun looked up at Prince Xuan across from him, his tone carrying undisguised coldness.
“Your Highness, it is improper to invite a young lady to tea alone.”
“If Prince Xuan has any grievances with the Shen family, you may address them to me. There is no need to trouble a young girl.”
A flicker of disgust flashed in Prince Xuan’s eyes.
It was Jiang Xun again.
Last time, he ruined his plans at the Fourth Prince’s residence, and now it was him again!
Yet, his imperial brother trusted him deeply; otherwise, he would have had him killed long ago!
Prince Xuan cast one last glance at Shen Mingshu, a barely noticeable reluctance flashing in his eyes.
“This prince merely wished to speak with Second Miss Shen. Since Lord Jiang disapproves, let it be.”
With that, he flicked his sleeve, turned, and strode away.
The carriage sped along the road back to the residence.
Shen Mingshu sat quietly, but her slender fingertips kept repeatedly smoothing the edges of her sleeves, her knuckles turning pale from the force.At first, she only twisted the fabric slowly, but gradually her movements quickened, almost subconsciously folding that corner of the sleeve over and over again.
Jiang Xun glanced over and understood in an instant.
She was nervous and afraid.
Ever since she was little, the more frightened she was, the more she would fidget with her sleeves, needing to hold onto something to steady herself.
Jiang Xun’s heart ached unbearably.
“Don’t be afraid,” he spoke, his voice soft, his eyes filled with tenderness.
He wanted so badly to hold her, to cradle her in his arms and comfort her, to pat her back gently until she calmed down…
But he couldn’t. He could do nothing.
Shen Mingshu’s eyes still held traces of lingering panic, tears welling up, on the verge of falling.
Seeing her trembling, fearful appearance, Jiang Xun felt as if his heart had been twisted.
She was only sixteen, still just a young girl. He hadn’t protected her well enough…
Jiang Xun’s gaze darkened inch by inch, his knuckles turning white with tension.