Chapter 3: Privilege

Fu Shileng snorted coldly, his eyelashes drooping slightly.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into that woman today; no matter what I say, she refuses to take the medicine.”

Mu Chi’s expression turned slightly cold as he shook the folding fan in his hand. “Could it be that she’s discovered something?”

Fu Shileng clenched his fist and shook his head. “Impossible.”

Except for Chun Zhi, everyone around Jiang Ning had been replaced by him. Even if he drugged her daily, that fool wouldn’t notice anything.

Mu Chi stepped forward and patted his shoulder. “Sigh, actually, Jiang Ning is quite pitiable.”

“The Crown Prince sent me a sudden message yesterday. He means that Jiang Ning cannot die yet.”

“He wants to use Jiang Ning to stabilize Pan Bang.”

Fu Shileng pressed his lips together, his expression complicated. “The Crown Prince wants Jiang Ning to enter a political marriage?”

Mu Chi nodded.

“That’s right. For now, you don’t have to keep drugging her.”

For some reason, the image of the girl’s shimmering, watery eyes suddenly flashed through Fu Shileng’s mind.

After a moment of silence, he sneered, “The newly appointed heir apparent of Pan Bang is already over fifty years old.”

“If Jiang Ning marries him, she’ll surely endure endless hardships.”

Mu Chi, surprised by his words, looked disdainful. “What, are you feeling sorry for her?”

Thinking of that woman’s usual behavior, Fu Shileng frowned in disgust.

“You’re overthinking it. Though Jiang Ning is no good, the Crown Prince isn’t exactly a gentleman either.”

“Using a woman to get what he wants is despicable and shameless.”

Mu Chi disagreed, “No matter what, the Crown Prince did save us once. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to easily get rid of Jiang Ning.”

Fu Shileng lowered his head, tore the token from his waist, and tossed it to him.

“Relying on the Crown Prince isn’t a long-term plan. After this is over, he’ll inevitably betray us. So, we must prepare early.”

——

The next morning, an imperial edict from the palace gave Jiang Ning a headache.

Why on earth did the emperor insist that she bring Pei Heng into the palace?

Seeing the girl’s listless expression, Chun Zhi gently set down the comb in her hand. “Princess, you look unhappy. Did Minister Fu upset you last night?”

Jiang Ning furrowed her brow, staring at herself in the bronze mirror.

“It’s not about him. Where’s Pei Heng? Bring him here!”

Just as she finished speaking, heavy footsteps echoed nearby.

Feeling that familiar oppressive aura, Jiang Ning slowly turned around.

At the moment she looked up, Pei Heng’s gaze met hers.

His eyes were cold, piercing with a chill that seemed to cut right through the girl.

Jiang Ning tightly gripped her thigh, feigning composure. “Pei... Pei Heng, who allowed you to enter without knocking?!”

Looking at the girl’s exquisite face, Pei Heng sneered coldly.

“Wasn’t this your privilege to grant me, Your Highness?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ning twitched the corner of her mouth. “Is... is that so?”

Whether it was Pei Heng’s illusion or not, he felt this woman seemed even more beautiful than before.

Though her features were unchanged, she appeared more radiant than before.

Noticing Pei Heng’s scrutinizing gaze, Jiang Ning stammered, “Later, you will enter the palace with me.”

Fixating on the girl’s full, rosy lips, Pei Heng asked on a whim, “Only bring me, not them?”

Jiang Ning didn’t give it much thought and absentmindedly replied, “Yes, just you.”

A faint smile curved Pei Heng’s lips; his icy eyes seemed to melt like spring water, holding a vast ocean within.

This woman seemed much more interesting than before.

Since he had nothing better to do lately, playing along with her wasn’t a bad idea...

After a brief silence, Pei Heng stepped forward and took Jiang Ning’s hand.

The moment their skin touched, an inexplicable sensation surged in Pei Heng’s heart.

So soft, so delicate.

Did this woman usually not eat?

Such tender wrists—he could break them with ease.

Unexpectedly, this madwoman actually took the initiative to hold his hand. Jiang Ning gasped and quickly pulled away.

“Without my permission, you are not allowed to touch me!”

Having said that, Jiang Ning tidied her loose collar and raised her head, feigning calm.

Noticing the marks on the girl’s neck, Pei Heng’s expression darkened as he recalled last night...

Though this woman was venomous, he had to admit she was stunningly beautiful.

Whether it was her face or elsewhere.

Unfortunately, he had no interest in women; otherwise, he might have spared this fool out of pity.