Chapter 24: You Will Need Me

Noticing the man’s peculiar expression, Jiang Ning stepped back and pulled out a soft handkerchief to carefully wipe her hands.

The young girl’s look of slight disgust left Fu Shi somewhat bewildered. Jiang Ning—how could she look at him with such eyes? Didn’t she like him very much?

After a long moment of contemplation, Fu Shi raised his hand and touched the spot where the girl had slapped him. "Your Highness, I..."

Before the man could finish his sentence, Jiang Ning impatiently interrupted him. "Get out! I never want to see you again for as long as I live!"

Hearing the girl’s resolute tone, Fu Shi bent his knees and knelt on the ground. "As for poisoning the Princess, I deserve death."

The man paused, then added, "However, I ask that you grant me a chance to atone for my crimes."

Noticing the look of guilt on his face, Jiang Ning felt puzzled. "Atone for your crimes? How do you intend to do that?"

Had this man lost his mind? Shouldn't he be thrilled to be leaving the Princess’s estate?

Meeting the girl’s confused gaze, Fu Shi let out a long sigh and spoke slowly. "In two days, the results of the imperial examination will be revealed. I am confident that I will become the top scholar of this dynasty."

Jiang Ning chuckled softly, her beautiful brows arched in disdain. "Even if you become the top scholar, what does that have to do with me?"

Fu Shi looked up, his eyes holding a profound depth. "Outsiders only know that the Princess is a golden branch and jade leaf of noble status, but I understand that you have no one to rely on in this world."

Not expecting him to say this, Jiang Ning stood up and feigned anger, slapping the table. "Shut your mouth! My brother is the Crown Prince of this dynasty—how could I have no one to rely on?"

Watching the flustered look on the girl’s face, Fu Shi curled his lips. "Does the Princess truly believe that His Highness the Crown Prince would be your pillar of support?"

Jiang Ning frowned, clenching her fists tightly. "What do you mean by that?"

Seeming to sense the girl’s unease, Fu Shi pursed his lips and said, word by word, "If the Crown Prince truly regarded you as a sister, how would I have ever had the opportunity to poison you?"

A simple sentence completely tore away the reality of Jiang Ning’s current situation.

Jiang Ning gave a delicate huff, staring at him expressionlessly. If it had been the original Princess who heard this, she surely would have lost her composure. But she was not her.

Meeting Fu Shi’s intense and direct gaze, Jiang Ning’s eyelashes fluttered as she spoke in a soft, sweet voice.

"Fu Shi, there is no need for beating around the bush. What exactly do you want?"

Fu Shi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stared fixedly at her beautiful face. "Your Highness, I can be your pillar of support."

"Once I enter the court as an official and hold real power, I can protect you."

His words left Jiang Ning feeling incredulous. "You, protecting me? Fu Shi, what kind of joke is this?"

"You have already poisoned me—what face do you have to say such things?"

Fu Shi lifted his robes and slowly stood up. "Initially, you disregarded my wishes and forcibly abducted me into the Princess’s estate to be your paramour."

"I harbored hatred in my heart. I hated that you broke my wings, and I hated your high-handedness even more."

As he spoke, Fu Shi actually laughed aloud. "To vent the dissatisfaction in my heart, I secretly poisoned you."

"In truth, I did not want you to die; I only wanted you to be weary and heartbroken, unable to be close to me..."

After arriving at the estate, he had been following his plan meticulously. However, he had never calculated that he would eventually lose his heart to Jiang Ning.

Thinking of the original owner’s past atrocities, Jiang Ning twitched her lips, feeling somewhat helpless. "It was my fault for forcing you to be my paramour before."

"Now that you have poisoned me as well, our grievances can be considered settled."

Upon hearing her final words, Fu Shi raised his head, the veins on his hands bulging. The girl who once looked at him with eyes full of adoration was now looking at him with such indifference...

In her eyes, there was no longer any affection or love for him. He could not understand how someone’s feelings could change so quickly. Why had Jiang Ning suddenly stopped liking him?

Seeing that Fu Shi remained silent for a long time, Jiang Ning cleared her throat and spoke again. "By the way, I am a person who detests those who like to play dirty tricks behind people’s backs."

"I do not need your protection."

Watching the girl’s expression, which was both innocent and heartless, Fu Shi tightened his jaw, his eyes cold to the bone. "Your Highness, some things should not be said with such absolute certainty."

"You will need me."

Sensing the oppressive aura radiating from the man, Jiang Ning shuddered, feeling inexplicably creeped out. Why did Fu Shi seem so strange? Could he have gone mad?

***

That night, Chunzhi, having returned from the back courtyard, rushed over to report to Jiang Ning.

"Your Highness, Attendant Fu went to accept his punishment on his own initiative just now."

Jiang Ning was eating a milk cake as she replied, "As long as he accepted the punishment, he is at least sensible."

After saying this, she wiped her mouth. "Have him pack his things and leave immediately. I never want to see him again."

Hearing this, Chunzhi said with some difficulty, "Your Highness, Attendant Fu... he has been beaten into unconsciousness."

Jiang Ning dropped the pastry in her hand, looking shocked. She had forgotten that the thirty lashes in this ancient era were severe enough to kill a person!

Watching the worried look on the girl’s face, Chunzhi tentatively asked, "Would the Princess like to go check on Attendant Fu? His condition seems quite serious."

Jiang Ning ran her hands through her hair, annoyed. "Since he is unconscious, go and call a royal physician immediately! I am not a doctor; there is no use in me going to see him!"

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Chunzhi stammered in response. "Then... then shall this servant go call the physician now?"

Jiang Ning let out a long sigh and waved her hand at her. "Go quickly, do not delay! If he dies, wouldn't I be the one at fault?"

Having received Jiang Ning’s order, Chunzhi did not dare to delay and hurried off.

Watching Chunzhi’s retreating back, Jiang Ning slumped into her chair, clutching her head. "It’s over. Now I have completely offended Fu Shi."

Once this guy makes a comeback, she would surely be subjected to his ruthless revenge...

At this moment, the more she thought, the more anxious she became, and a bold idea suddenly sprouted in her mind.

If she took this opportunity to kill Fu Shi, would the trajectory of the plot change?

Just as she was preparing to convince herself to carry out this plan, a cold, clear voice halted her train of thought.

"Jiang Ning, what have you done today?"

Jiang Ning looked up, following the voice toward the doorway. "Pei Heng, why are you here?"

The man was tall and imposing, his expression calm. Dressed in ink-colored robes, he appeared extraordinarily handsome and dignified.

Meeting the girl’s dazed gaze, Pei Heng chuckled softly.

"May I not come to visit the Princess?"