Chapter 10: Let’s Make a Deal

Actually, when she first realized that both she and Wanwan had switched places, she even wondered if the actors from the short dramas they filmed together had also switched.

But now, looking at Jiang Jingchen, she knew that wasn’t possible—because he didn’t have the unique sparkle that only a corporate worker would have in his eyes.

Noticing her gaze, Jiang Jingchen’s expression softened as he said,
“Yunhe, are you accustomed to life in the prince’s mansion?”

Jiang Huaiyue lowered her eyes cautiously, afraid of slipping up, and replied,
“Yes, Your Majesty, I’m used to it.”

“That’s good. The regent prince is no longer young. If he still has no heir, he should hurry,” Jiang Jingchen advised.

Jiang Huaiyue’s mouth twitched inwardly—she wanted to say, “You’re just a big kid yourself, yet you’re rushing things.”

Since entering, Pei Ji hadn’t said a word, and Jiang Huaiyue realized he was genuinely arrogant. Even when Jiang Jingchen was silent, Pei Ji just casually found a place to sit.

No wonder people disliked him and wanted to get rid of him. With an attitude like that, who else would they go after?

“Your Majesty should worry about yourself first. If the position of Empress Dowager remains vacant and you don’t appoint an empress soon, it might cause turmoil like in the previous dynasty,” Pei Ji said carelessly, holding a teacup.

Jiang Jingchen, sitting above, clearly understood the meaning behind his words. The whole court pressured him to appoint an empress, but he only wanted one particular woman to be his queen.

If it weren’t for Pei Ji’s tight control of the court affairs, how could he not even manage to make the woman he loved the empress?

Thinking of this, a ruthless gleam flashed in his eyes. His frustration nearly overflowed.

Pei Ji seemed to sense something and lifted his eyes to look at him:
“What are you thinking about, Your Majesty?”

He caught the resentment in his eyes and smirked. Apparently, he really hated him—his murderous intent was obvious.

“Nothing. As I said, with the war against the Northern Rong ongoing and tense, we’ll wait for good news before deciding on the empress,” Jiang Jingchen said, quickly regaining his composure.

Pei Ji just smiled silently, gently setting down his cup. After there is good news, he feared there might be no chance to appoint an empress at all.

Jiang Huaiyue stood in the hall, listening to their back-and-forth, utterly bored.

After all, she was a princess, yet Jiang Jingchen didn’t even offer her a seat. She was standing until her legs were sore.

“Yunhe, since you’re already in the palace, why not stay the night before leaving?” Jiang Jingchen’s gaze fell back on her.

Jiang Huaiyue met his look and sensed hidden meaning. At the same time, she noticed a burning gaze from the front-left—Pei Ji was staring at her too.

“Your Majesty, maybe another day. I’ve already made plans with the prince to dine at Yunxiang Tower,” she said, lowering her eyelids, cheeks flushed with some shyness.

Compared to the palace, she preferred to stay at the regent prince’s mansion. After all, although Jiang Jingchen had the male lead aura, Pei Ji was still the bigger threat to her.

Pei Ji watched her pretending to lie and smiled deeper.

Jiang Jingchen’s face darkened briefly at her rejection. Well, it had only been a few days since she married in, and she’d already forgotten who she belonged to.

“Food can be eaten anytime. I heard you haven’t been feeling well. Stay the night in the palace and have the imperial doctor take good care of you.”

His seemingly caring words sounded like a threat to Jiang Huaiyue.

Especially when he immediately turned to Pei Ji and asked,
“The regent prince wouldn’t mind, right? Or maybe the regent prince should stay as well?”

Pei Ji lightly tapped the jade pendant he was playing with and said, “Your Majesty knows well that the position at Yunxiang Tower isn’t guaranteed. If you truly miss Your Majesty, I can let Your Majesty enter the palace to accompany you another day.”

“The Regent Prince speaks quite reasonably.” Under the desk, Jiang Jingchen clenched his fist tightly. The angrier he got, the calmer his face looked. “Yunhe, if that’s the case, you can enter the palace another day and stay longer then.”

“Yes, elder brother.”

Seeing that Pei Ji did not expose her, Jiang Huaiyue suddenly relaxed.

After some casual conversation, Jiang Huaiyue and Pei Ji left the palace.

Inside the imperial study, watching the two leave, Jiang Jingchen suddenly slammed his fist on the table, his face very unpleasant.

“Damn it! Just a few days, and my little sister has completely sided with that Pei Ji. It’s really frustrating.”

Originally, he had married Jiang Huaiyue off to Pei Ji because he thought she was soft and easy to manipulate, and obedient—she would never refuse any request he made.

But now, after only three days, she had completely thrown away everything he said before her marriage, as if she had changed into a different person. Could it be that she had been pretending all along in the palace?

Just then, Yu Yanyan brought over a cup of tea. “Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. You are the supreme sovereign. There will be many chances to see Your Majesty. If she refused once, she surely can’t refuse the second time.”

Jiang Jingchen leaned back in his chair, exhausted, his gaze fierce. “Fortunately, I left a backup plan. Tonight I will send someone to deliver a message. Within half a month, I must see the Soldier’s Token of the Divine Strategy Army; otherwise, consequences will follow.”

The Divine Strategy Army was responsible for guarding the capital and palace. When the previous emperor was alive, the Soldier’s Token was entrusted only to his most trusted confidants. But now, it was firmly in Pei Ji’s hands.

Jiang Jingchen was restricted by Pei Ji in every way. Once Pei Ji held the token, he had to find a way to deal with him.

“Yes, servant will go at once.” Yu Yanyan bowed respectfully.

Jiang Jingchen waved his hand. When the grand imperial study was left with only himself, he took out a matching heart-shaped jade from his chest.

Thinking of that gentle and refined woman, he murmured softly, “Xier, wait a little longer for me. I will definitely make you my empress.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Huaiyue lifted the curtain and watched the carriage leave the palace gate, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

She turned and caught Pei Ji’s gaze, her heart skipping a beat. “Why is the prince looking at me like that?”

“Why lie?” Pei Ji’s eyes carried inquiry.

Though he doubted her recent behavior, he couldn’t quite understand her motives.

Was her acting really that poor, or was she not truly Jiang Huaiyue?

Jiang Huaiyue unconsciously clenched her hands on her lap and softly said, “Prince, why ask such questions? The elder brother’s purpose in marrying me to you was never pure; everyone knows that. Since I’m already married to you, naturally, I belong to you.”

Pei Ji studied her expression carefully. The woman before him had clear eyes and tightly pressed red lips, speaking earnestly.

He didn’t say whether he believed her or not—he just kept staring at her.

Seeing this, Jiang Huaiyue continued, “Prince, let’s make a deal.”

She had thought it through—rather than letting Pei Ji continue to suspect her, it was better to be honest, sincerely telling him everything in detail.

“Oh? Do tell,” Pei Ji leaned back on the couch, his tone enigmatic.

“The elder brother’s mission for me is to monitor you and report your whereabouts. If I refuse to stay, he will send people to find me. I’m willing to stand by your side—only asking that you spare me a way out.”

Jiang Huaiyue spoke sincerely.