Chapter 15: Swayed by Attraction?
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Gazing at the girl’s pale, delicate neck, Pei Heng let out a low chuckle, his voice hoarse as he said, “Is that so?”
“Princess, why don’t you tell me—what exactly has changed about me?”
Jiang Ning brushed his hand away and took a step back. “Before, you never took the initiative to get close to me.”
“But now, you’re cheerful and amiable every single day.”
Hearing the girl’s tone of reproach, Pei Heng raised an eyebrow with a meaningful smile. “If the Princess had been as charming as you are now back then, I certainly wouldn’t have treated you coldly.”
Meeting the man’s deep, shadowed gaze, Jiang Ning felt a chill run through her.
After a long silence, she suddenly pushed him away.
“What nonsense are you spouting again? Wasn’t I the same princess before as I am now?!”
With her arms crossed, she looked at him warily. “Pei Heng, have you suddenly taken a liking to me just because of my looks?”
Pei Heng’s temple twitched in surprise at her words.
“Taken a liking? Princess, you sure know how to flatter yourself.”
Though this fool was indeed quite handsome, he wasn’t so blind as to be moved by her…
She was merely a pet to pass the time.
When he was pleased, he would show her some smiles.
When displeased, he could just as well kill her.
Everything depended solely on his mood.
Catching the mockery in his tone, Jiang Ning stamped her foot, a little angry. “Hey, what do you mean by that? After all, I am a beauty!”
“In this entire world, only a blind fool like you would look down on me.”
Watching the girl’s delicate lips purse and part, Pei Heng half-closed his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
Tsk, Jiang Ning when angry was quite alluring in her own way.
Seeing the man remain silent for so long, her long lashes quivered, and she lifted her snow-white, radiant face. “Pei Heng, I’m telling you, even if you begged me on your knees from now on, I would never like you again!”
Pei Heng chuckled softly, inexplicably amused.
Where did this woman get such confidence to say something like that?
Seeing his disdainful look, Jiang Ning cursed herself for speaking so boldly.
Good heavens.
What nonsense had she just said?
According to the story’s setup, Pei Heng would only ever fall for the heroine.
In his eyes, other women were no more than invisible.
She had truly lost her mind to speak such reckless words!
Noticing the girl’s gaze dimming, Pei Heng, for some unknown reason, said on impulse, “If that day ever comes, I hope the Princess won’t be too cruel to me.”
Hearing this, Jiang Ning was stunned.
What did Pei Heng mean by that?
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Logically, he should have laughed at her for such fanciful thoughts…
Seeing the girl’s dazed expression, Pei Heng gently tapped her forehead with his fingertip. “Let’s go, fool.”
After saying this, the man turned and strolled forward at a leisurely pace.
Watching his tall, upright figure, Jiang Ning frowned and hurried to catch up.
“Pei Heng, you’re bullying me again!”
At that moment, snowflakes danced in the wind.
Pei Heng and Jiang Ning walked slowly, one after the other, through the vermilion palace alley.
—
After returning to the palace, Jiang Ning fell gravely ill.
The timing of the illness was just right.
Even Jiang Chuyi, who wanted to push Jiang Ning aside, had to be mindful of her health…
During this period, Pei Heng deliberately spread rumors that Jiang Ning wouldn’t live long.
Pan Bang’s envoy, disgusted by Jiang Ning’s ill fortune, refused to accept her as a bride.
This forced Jiang Chuyi, who had planned to marry her off, to hastily choose someone else.
And that chosen one—
Was none other than Jiang Xue, who had spoken rudely to Jiang Ning that day…
On the Lantern Festival, the princess’s residence was unusually silent.
Fu Shi, who had just returned from an errand, paused as he passed by Jiang Ning’s courtyard.
Seeing the man’s thoughtful expression, a nearby guard curiously asked, “Master, what’s wrong?”
After a long silence, Fu Shi looked uneasy and asked, “Has the Princess not yet recovered?”
The guard shook his head. “No. The kitchen staff say that the Princess hasn’t stopped taking medicinal soups recently.”
Upon hearing this, Fu Shi furrowed his brow.
“What on earth have those imperial physicians been doing? The Princess has been ill so long, yet shows no sign of improvement.”
Seeing his expression, the guard braced himself and said, “Consumption is a difficult disease to cure. Even the best imperial doctors, or even if Hua Tuo were reborn, it would still be hard to heal the Princess so quickly.”
After speaking, he cautiously asked, “Master, why have you suddenly taken such an interest in the Princess?”
Realizing his slip, Fu Shi clenched his fists and cleared his throat.
“Nonsense. How could I possibly care about her?”
With that, the man flung his sleeves and strode away briskly.
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At that moment, his unsteady steps seemed to betray his inner turmoil…
Upon hearing of Fu Shi’s return, Mu Chi hurried to his courtyard.
“Fu Shi, you finally came back!”
Fu Shi sat down leisurely. “What is it?”
Mu Chi stepped forward, grabbed a cup of tea, and gulped it down.
“I’m telling you, Jiang Ning isn’t seriously ill. She just caught a cold!”
Fu Shi lowered his head, fingers tightening around the teacup. “Impossible. Didn’t the palace doctors say she had consumption?”
Mu Chi twisted his lips in displeasure.
“We’ve all been played by Jiang Ning. She set this up just to avoid the marriage.”
“Those palace doctors were probably bribed by her!”
Fu Shi found this strange. “How could Jiang Ning have such power?”
“We know her background well enough.”
After calming down, Mu Chi narrowed his eyes. “You’re right. Someone as foolish as Jiang Ning couldn’t pull this off.”
Fu Shi sipped his tea, his expression grave.
“Lately, Pei Heng has been very close to the Princess.”
After saying this, he put down the cup. “Could it be that all of this was orchestrated by Pei Heng?”
Mu Chi widened his eyes, confused.
“You’re overthinking it. How could Pei Heng help the Princess with such schemes?”
Fu Shi scoffed coldly. “If it’s him, checking will prove it.”
—
Nightfall.
Spring Branch, coming out from the small kitchen, quietly carried a food box into Jiang Ning’s bedroom.
At this moment, the Princess, who outwardly claimed to be seriously ill, was happily reading the most popular novel of the day.
Seeing the girl’s rosy, healthy face, Spring Branch sighed. “Princess, I’ve brought you the braised prawns, chestnut cake, lotus leaf chicken, and crab roe noodles you wanted.”
Caught by the enticing aroma, Jiang Ning quickly tossed the book aside.
“Good, Spring Branch. I’m glad I’ve cared for you well!”
Seeing the girl’s hearty appetite, Spring Branch helplessly said, “Princess, you should eat less these days.”
“If the kitchen staff notice anything, won’t your illness be exposed?”