Chapter 4

“Mother, you spoke to her at such length and she didn’t answer once. Now she dares contradict you! She should be punished severely for such disrespect!”

Princess Zhaoyang strode toward me imperiously.

She had never liked me much. Learning that I did not want to marry the crown prince had made her despise me even more.

While I had remained silent, she could only make a few barbed remarks.

Now that my first words had been in Shen Yi’s defense, she naturally seized the chance to make a scene.

Cuixi hurriedly pulled me to my feet and knelt on the floor with me.

“Please don’t be angry, Your Majesty, Your Highness. That isn’t what my lady meant.” Cuixi knocked her forehead to the floor, pleading for me.

“You lowly maid! Who gave you permission to speak?” Princess Zhaoyang glanced at a palace maid behind her. One hand on her hip, she pointed at Cuixi. “Someone slap her!”

The maid stepped forward. Just as she raised her hand to strike Cuixi, I shoved her away.

She staggered back two steps and nearly trod on Princess Zhaoyang’s foot.

The hall descended into confusion.

Furious, Princess Zhaoyang looked as though she wanted to devour me.

“Enough.” The empress sighed heavily.

Princess Zhaoyang stamped her foot. “Mother! Just look at Jiang Shu. She used to hide behind her cousins, timid as a rabbit, never daring to say an extra word. She’s barely entered Prince Yan’s household, and already she has no respect for you!”

The empress’s gaze darkened a little, her fine brows drawing together.

“I have indulged you too much. That’s why you have no manners.” I wasn’t sure whether she meant Princess Zhaoyang or me.

I knelt to one side with my head lowered and went on playing mute.

“Prince Yan’s consort has indeed forgotten her manners as well. Since I have some time today…”

Before she finished, a man’s voice sounded outside. “My wife needn’t trouble Your Majesty.”

Recognizing Shen Yi’s voice, I turned in pleased surprise.

He was already behind me, blocking most of the sunlight from outside.

Summer was almost upon us, yet he seemed to have brought a chill with him.

He looked down at me and frowned. “Get up.”

Without waiting for me to react, he took my hand and led me out.

His fingers were cool. The light calluses brushing my wrist tickled a little.

Dazed, I let him pull me out of the Palace of Eternal Spring.

“Mother! What does Shen Yi think he’s doing? He has no respect for you at all! I’m going to tell Father!” Princess Zhaoyang’s furious voice followed us.

Only then did I lift my head. All I could see was Shen Yi’s rather lonely back.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to feel.

We walked like that all the way to the palace gates.

Only in front of the carriage did Shen Yi let go of my wrist.

“My la… Your Highness.” Cuixi drew up beside me and gave a little cry at the red marks on my wrist.

Shen Yi lowered his eyes to them, too.

Something shifted in his gaze. “Why didn’t you say I was hurting you?”

“It doesn’t hurt,” I said quietly in my own defense.

Actually, it did.

Just not until after I got into the carriage.

It hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes.

When Shen Yi climbed in, he caught me blowing on my wrist with a red nose.

But a woman’s word was her bond.

Once he had settled into his seat, I hid my wrist and smiled at him.

“My wrist is a little warm.”

I wanted to sew my mouth shut the instant I said it.

Perhaps I had played mute for so long that even my lies had become ridiculous.

I didn’t dare look at him, only steal a glance from the corner of my eye.

And met his gaze squarely.

Unless I was mistaken, much of the coldness had left his face. There even seemed to be a hint of amusement at the corners of his eyes.

After a long pause, he asked,

“Jiang Shu, what exactly are you after, coming to me?”