Chapter 23: Trying to Drive Me Away?

Facing the girl’s tear-filled eyes, Pei Heng let out a soft scoff. "Whether I am speaking the truth or not, you will know as soon as you investigate."

"As it stands, Fu Shi and Mu Chi are already men of the Crown Prince. If I were you, I would certainly find a way to drive them both away."

After saying this, the man used his thumb to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. "Stop crying. If tears could solve problems, there wouldn't be so many miserable people in this world."

Observing the man’s profound gaze, Jiang Ning pursed her lips and rubbed her reddened nose.

"Pei Heng, why are you telling me all this?"

Pei Heng curled his lips with a playful smirk and said concisely, "Simply because I find you pitiful."

Hearing the slight mockery in his tone, Jiang Ning’s eyelashes trembled, and she let out a long sigh.

"Pei Heng, you should leave. I wish to be alone for a while."

At this moment, Jiang Ning looked exceptionally fragile. Her long, ink-black hair draped obediently over her slender shoulders, and upon closer inspection, traces of unshed tears remained in the corners of her eyes.

Watching her pitiable appearance, Pei Heng weighed his words before speaking. "The Grand Princess need not be too upset; it is a good thing to see the truth clearly sooner rather than later."

Jiang Ning lifted her lovely face and offered a forced smile.

"Pei Heng, thank you for telling me all this."

Seeing her so heartbroken, Pei Heng raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder. "It is getting late; you should rest."

With that, he pulled his hand back. "I shall take my leave now."

Jiang Ning nodded without saying a word.

Once Pei Heng had left, Jiang Ning wiped away her tears, her expression turning blank. Acting was truly a technical skill. Fortunately, she suffered from a condition that made her prone to involuntary tearing, allowing her to cry whenever the situation demanded it.

...

The next morning, Jiang Ning deliberately threw a massive tantrum in her chambers.

Seeing the girl’s furious state, Chunzhi tried to soothe her gently. "Grand Princess, what is the matter?"

"Getting angry is bad for your health; please calm yourself."

Jiang Ning struck the table and raised her voice. "Chunzhi, go and summon Fu Shi and Mu Chi to me!"

Chunzhi opened her mouth, looking confused. "Does the Grand Princess wish to call for both of them?"

After a long moment of silence, Jiang Ning waved her hand.

"Call Fu Shi first."

She had to deal with these two men one by one.

Once she drove Fu Shi away, it would not be too late to deal with Mu Chi...

—

Upon learning that Jiang Ning had flown into a rage that morning, Fu Shi was quite astonished.

Looking at Shi Tou, who had come to report the news, he asked in a leisurely tone, "Why did the Grand Princess lose her temper?"

"Could it be that that fellow Pei Heng provoked her again?"

Shi Tou shook his head silently. "This... your subordinate does not know."

Just as Fu Shi was about to say more, a knock sounded at the door.

"Vice Minister Fu, are you there? The Grand Princess requests your presence."

Hearing this, Fu Shi set down his brush and signaled for Shi Tou to open the door. Shi Tou donned his face mask, rose quickly, and opened it.

Seeing Chunzhi standing outside, Fu Shi walked forward gracefully. "Chunzhi, what does the Grand Princess need of me?"

Chunzhi twitched her lips in a polite smile. "I dare not guess the intentions of the Grand Princess." She lifted her gaze. "The Grand Princess does not like to wait. You had best go quickly, Vice Minister."

Fu Shi nodded and replied in a calm tone, "Very well."

...

Upon arriving at Jiang Ning’s courtyard, Chunzhi stopped and stood by the door. "Vice Minister Fu, the Grand Princess is inside."

"Please mind your words and actions later; do not provoke her anger."

Fu Shi curled his lips and bowed his head submissively. "Thank you for the reminder, Chunzhi."

Seeing the man enter, Jiang Ning propped her chin on one hand and scrutinized him carefully. Today, Fu Shi was dressed in a dark cyan robe, looking exceptionally cold and noble. If she did not know his true nature, she might have actually mistaken him for an upright and honorable gentleman.

Meeting her angry gaze, Fu Shi stepped forward and considerately poured her a cup of tea. "Who has been so blind as to anger the Grand Princess?"

Jiang Ning let out a cold snort, her full red lips parting slightly.

"That blind person is nowhere far away; he is right in front of me."

Noticing the girl’s slightly flushed earlobes, Fu Shi smiled faintly without changing his expression. "Is the Grand Princess referring to me?"

Not expecting him to be so calm, Jiang Ning lifted her chin, looking at him with a questioning gaze.

"Fu Shi, ever since you entered the manor, I have never treated you poorly, have I?"

Fu Shi raised his eyes, staring directly at her delicate, beautiful face.

"Indeed, the Grand Princess has been very, very good to me."

Hearing the man’s insincere words, Jiang Ning nearly laughed out loud. "Since I have treated you so well, why have you betrayed me?"

Faced with her accusation, a flicker of feigned confusion crossed Fu Shi’s eyes.

"What is the meaning of the Grand Princess’s words?"

Jiang Ning rubbed her forehead, her pale cheeks puffed out. "Stop playing the fool with me! Don't think I am unaware of what you have done!"

She stood up and walked toward him step by step.

"A while ago, there was a chronic poison in the medicine I was taking."

"And you were the one who brought that medicine to me every single day!"

Meeting her fiery, indignant eyes, Fu Shi feigned calm. "Does the Grand Princess suspect that I poisoned your medicine?"

Jiang Ning let out a cold laugh.

"It is not a suspicion; I am certain that you were the one who did it."

Fu Shi furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "What proof does the Grand Princess have to prove that I was the one who poisoned it?"

Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes and leaned slowly toward him.

"Whether you poisoned it or not, you know it in your heart."

She poked his chest forcefully with her finger. "Fu Shi, the reason I tolerated you time and again in the past was only because I held some affection for you."

"Now that you have committed such an outrageous act, it is truly intolerable!"

Looking at her fair, delicate fingertips, an indescribable desire suddenly surged in Fu Shi’s heart...

She smelled so fragrant. How could anyone be so fragrant?

Seeing the man remain silent, Jiang Ning stamped her foot in frustration. "Fu Shi, for the sake of the time you have spent with me, I will not sentence you to death."

"However, while the death penalty is spared, you cannot escape punishment. Go to the backyard and take thirty lashes, and after the punishment is finished, get out of the Grand Princess's Manor!"

Hearing her resolute words, Fu Shi asked in disbelief, "Does the Grand Princess mean to drive me away?"

Jiang Ning stood on her tiptoes and slapped his face, as if to humiliate him.

"Exactly. You should be grateful that I am only driving you away."

With that, she gathered her strength and struck him hard across the face. "If I were to tell my father the Emperor about this, you would surely die!"

Feeling the stinging pain on his face, Fu Shi felt a strange sense of pleasure. Her palm was soft and tender beyond measure. If he smelled carefully, a lingering, sweet fragrance still seemed to remain on his cheek...