Song Jiuning watched from the window.
As Shen Wenjing was blocked from leaving, Pei Yu immediately placed his sword against Xun Mo’s neck. “Who are you?”
Xun Mo neither cowered nor acted arrogantly, presenting a token instead. “Your Highness, my lady requests your presence for a conversation.”
Shen Wenjing followed Xun Mo’s gaze.
There stood Song Jiuning by the window, vigorously waving at him.
Shen Wenjing’s brow furrowed slightly.
This woman—did she not realize her posture resembled that of someone soliciting customers?
Song Jiuning’s eyes followed him as he ascended, the hem of his cloud-patterned robe brushing against the railing, until he finally came to a stop before her.
He did not take a seat, standing tall and straight before the table like an upright jade pine, quietly observing her.
Song Jiuning felt an inexplicable pressure and straightened her expression, personally pouring tea for him. “Your Highness, please sit.”
Shen Wenjing’s lips curved slightly as he took a seat beside Song Jiuning. He lifted the teacup to his lips but did not drink, his expression inscrutable as he looked at her.
Suddenly, he set the cup down and asked calmly, “What urgent matter brings the Princess Consort to summon me so hastily?”
Song Jiuning had already concluded that this man was a reserved prince. Expecting him to take the initiative in certain matters seemed unlikely, so she decided to be straightforward herself.
Song Jiuning took out the jade pendant and held it up for Shen Wenjing to see. “Your Highness, do you recognize this?”
The familiar pattern, and the small, hidden character “Ting” nestled within the design.
Shen Wenjing’s expression darkened abruptly. “My tenth brother is quite attentive to my Princess Consort, even entrusting such an important jade pendant to her care.”
He emphasized “Princess Consort” with each mention, a term that should have been affectionate but instead carried a chilling coldness, as if laced with ice shards.
“Is this meant to tell me that you and my tenth brother are mutually enamored, and you regret the agreement made that day?”
Shen Wenjing’s gaze seemed to carry daggers, his words merciless. “I have no intention of taking what belongs to another. Everything shall be as you wish.”
Song Jiuning: “…”
This man!
Could he not let her finish speaking?
Song Jiuning felt her scalp tingle. Seeing his indifferent expression veering toward the uncontrollable, she hurriedly spoke the rest of her words.
“I am not here to renege. I gave you this jade pendant because the incident of my near-drowning has caused quite a stir, and I fear there may be rumors detrimental to Your Highness. With this, many matters can be handled more easily.”
Shen Wenjing’s deep gaze fixed on Song Jiuning’s eyes.
Seeing her meet his gaze without flinching, he slowly averted his eyes. “The Princess Consort’s change of heart is so swift. How can I believe you are not trying to assist him in some scheme?”
Song Jiuning sighed inwardly.
Not to mention Shen Wenjing—even she herself would never believe such an absurd turn of events.
“The Song Jiuning who was infatuated with Shen Yunting died after that near-drowning incident. The current Song Jiuning admires only the one who pulled her out of the mire.”
Song Jiuning met his gaze without evasion, pressing the jade pendant into his hand. “Your Highness, do you know where this jade pendant came from?”
A flicker passed through Shen Wenjing’s eyes. “Not from you?”
Song Jiuning sneered. “It was precisely the younger sister I protected.”
With the Yellow Springs Pavilion at her disposal, even if she did not disclose the exact origin of the jade pendant, Shen Wenjing would likely uncover it.
Given this, it was better to take the opportunity to appear cooperative.
Song Jiuning’s small hand rested over the jade pendant in Shen Wenjing’s palm. “Your Highness, do you believe me now?”
The jade pendant between their palms was already warm with sweat.
She hesitated, wanting to withdraw her hand, when Shen Wenjing’s slender fingers suddenly closed, grasping both the pendant and her hand in his palm.
Song Jiuning lost her balance and stumbled forward.
The moment she made contact with Shen Wenjing, she softened her body, leaning against him as if boneless.
With one hand braced against his chest to steady herself, she could feel the heartbeat beneath her palm quickening noticeably.
This man was not as calm as he appeared on the surface.
This discovery eased Song Jiuning’s mind and emboldened her.
It seemed there was hope!
Her delicate fingertips traced the cloud patterns on his collar, slowly moving upward until they grasped the fabric of his robe.
With a gentle tug, she used the momentum to lift herself, forcing Shen Wenjing to lower his head until their eyes met.
Shen Wenjing’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and he instinctively supported her waist to keep her from falling.
Song Jiuning pursed her lips into a smile, meeting his gaze directly as if wanting to lay bare all her thoughts. “Your Highness.”
Shen Wenjing looked down at her.
Song Jiuning gritted her teeth and quickly leaned close to his ear. “I only wish your heart is like mine, then I will not fail this longing.”
Shen Wenjing stiffened, his gaze deepening as it fell upon her, and the hand on her waist tightened abruptly.
Before he could react further, Song Jiuning abruptly straightened up, smoothing the wrinkled collar she had grasped. “The item has been delivered, Your Highness. Until we meet again.”
She turned and left her seat, glancing at Pei Yu guarding the stairway before descending with a cheerful smile.
Only after stepping out of the tavern did she let the smile fade from her face.
Shen Wenjing’s accompanying guard seemed to harbor deep hostility toward her.
“Master.”
Pei Yu watched Song Jiuning leave before quickly approaching Shen Wenjing, only to find him still in the same posture as when she had departed.
He seemed lost in thought, unresponsive to Pei Yu’s voice.
The Ninth Miss of the Song Family appeared to have a significant influence on his master.
Pei Yu’s vigilance heightened, and he hurriedly reminded, “This subordinate believes Miss Song Jiuning is full of suspicious points and cannot be trusted.”
Shen Wenjing seemed not to hear his words, his left hand still hovering in the air as if still lingering on the soft touch of that slender waist.
His right hand still clutched the fine jade pendant.
This item was not something easily obtained—a personal jade pendant possessed by each of the princes, sometimes even allowing one to act with the authority of its owner for certain conveniences.
With this pendant in hand, there were many things that could be weighed and balanced.
Song Jiuning, oh Song Jiuning, which one is the real you?
Pei Yu, still without an answer, frowned deeply.
His master’s heart was actually unsettled.
What ill intentions was this Miss Song Jiuning hiding?
“Achoo—”
Just after returning to the General’s Manor, as Song Jiuning was preparing to warm up in the courtyard, she suddenly sneezed.
Which scoundrel was cursing her behind her back again?
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the gate, and Xun Mo hurried over. “Miss, someone from the Tenth Prince has arrived.”
Song Jiuning gritted her teeth in frustration.
She knew nothing good would come of it.
It was indeed that petty Shen Yunting, muttering about her behind her back.
“What does he want?”
Song Jiuning glanced at the long sword placed nearby.
This sharp blade had accompanied her through eight years of battlefield campaigns. If she were to face Shen Yunting, she could easily pierce him three times, leaving six holes.
“I do not know, the servant boy only delivered this.”
Xun Mo produced a bamboo tube the size of a thumb, marked with Shen Yunting’s seal, which she recognized all too well.
Song Jiuning took it, removed the wax seal, opened the lid, and shook out a small slip of paper.
Midnight, Feng He Garden, the pavilion at the center of the lake. I will wait until you come.