Previous
Fiction Page
Next
Font Size:
Chapter 21: The One in the Painting is His Majesty
Jiang Huaiyue knew he was still upset about the previous matter, so she hurried to explain, “Brother Emperor, you are overthinking it. You are Yunhe’s family—Yunhe may forget others, but she would never forget you.”
Jiang Jingchen scrutinized his imperial younger sister and felt she seemed somewhat different.
“Get up.” Seeing she was still kneeling, Jiang Jingchen spoke.
Jiang Huaiyue quickly stood up when he finally told her to.
She took the military token from her sleeve. “Brother Emperor, I have taken what Yunhe asked for.”
Surprise flashed in Jiang Jingchen’s eyes. Seeing the object in her hand, he was somewhat moved: “You got it? How did you get it?”
She was just a woman with no physical strength; how did she get it from Pei Ji? Could it be a trap?
It wasn’t surprising Jiang Jingchen was suspicious. After all, Pei Ji was handsome, and if he purposely tempted his imperial sister, it was entirely possible she would betray him at the crucial moment.
Jiang Huaiyue saw his excitement and repeated the lie she had long prepared.
“Give it to me.” Jiang Jingchen commanded.
It seemed he underestimated her; perhaps he really could rely on her to overthrow Pei Ji.
Holding the token, Jiang Huaiyue hesitated and asked, “Brother Emperor, about my health…”
Men were never trustworthy. She had brought him what he wanted, but he never mentioned the fact that she was poisoned with a venomous curse.
Jiang Jingchen narrowed his eyes when she mentioned it. “It’s nothing serious. As long as you behave, there will be no problem.”
In the past, he had cursed her to ensure no mistakes would happen, but now he was somewhat relieved.
Jiang Huaiyue understood his meaning—it was clear he intended to continue controlling her with the curse.
“But Brother Emperor, Yunhe is afraid.” She looked at him pitifully, her eyes instantly reddening.
Jiang Jingchen looked straight ahead without wavering: “Afraid of what?”
“Yunhe is willing to do anything for you, but can you please remove the curse?” Jiang Huaiyue pleaded bitterly.
“Don’t worry, sister. What you have is a control curse, not a poison. As long as you obey, the curse will not activate.”
Jiang Jingchen’s meaning was clear—he had no intention of removing the curse on her.
Jiang Huaiyue shivered slightly, her complexion paling. “Brother Emperor, you know I have always been afraid of insects.”
“Yunhe, my patience is limited.” Jiang Jingchen’s gaze sharpened as he looked at her, his tone cold.
Seeing him take on the emperor’s authoritative posture, Jiang Huaiyue knew she couldn’t expect him to willingly remove the curse.
She stepped forward two paces, holding out the military token: “Brother Emperor.”
Jiang Jingchen took it and examined it carefully. Seeing that it was indeed the token of the Divine Strategy Army, joy appeared in his eyes. Good. Having the token brought him one step closer to overthrowing Pei Ji.
Jiang Huaiyue saw his pleased expression and guessed he hadn’t noticed it was a fake. Her tense heart relaxed slightly.
After confirming the token was genuine, Jiang Jingchen looked down again at Jiang Huaiyue standing below.
In the past, his younger sister was weak and easy to bully. He remembered the first time he saw her, when a few palace maids were picking on her and he stepped in to help. Since then, he often saw her appear around him.
Jiang Huaiyue’s mother was selected from the provinces by him, the emperor. She was apparently a woman from Jiangnan, though he didn’t know many details.
“Yunhe, you did well. Brother Emperor still has a task for you.” Jiang Jingchen’s eyes were full of calculation as he spoke.
Jiang Huaiyue was speechless inside. So you’re the emperor with so many subordinates, yet none are useful? You have to get me to do everything?
“Please speak, Your Majesty.” Although she secretly wanted to complain, she didn’t dare say it out loud.
Jiang Jingchen slowly said, “I hope you can make Pei Ji like you.”
Jiang Huaiyue: “…………”
So he really values her, huh~
“Your Majesty, Pei Ji is not some lustful scoundrel, and he’s very cautious. Someone like Yunhe, he wouldn’t even look twice at her,” Jiang Huaiyue deliberately belittled herself, just to avoid having to do this.
Jiang Jingchen glanced at Jiang Huaiyue. The once skinny and timid girl now had lively eyes, moved like a swift rabbit and was as calm as a virgin. Besides, she was the only one who had lasted so long under Pei Ji’s watch.
“Yunhe just needs to put her heart into it. Whether it succeeds or not, I will judge.”
No matter what, she had to try—maybe Pei Ji actually likes that kind.
Jiang Huaiyue clenched her hand tightly inside her sleeve and, pressed by the situation, agreed: “Yes, Yunhe understands.”
Leaving Longqian Palace, Jiang Huaiyue took Qiuchan to the Weiyang Palace where the original owner used to live.
This Weiyang Palace was a new residence Jiang Jingchen gave to the original owner after ascending the throne—not too far from Longqian Palace, but not very close either.
Once inside, she looked up and saw a peach blossom tree in full bloom. The pink flowers on the branches were breathtakingly beautiful.
“Qiuchan, go inside and gather some things casually,” Jiang Huaiyue softly instructed.
They had come to pick up some things, and it would be hard to explain if she returned empty-handed and ran into Pei Ji.
“Yes.” Qiuchan responded and entered the palace. She first picked some jewelry and similar items from the sleeping chamber, then went to the princess’s usual writing desk and took some calligraphy and paintings the princess had made.
But when she took them, she noticed one was missing—a favorite painting the princess used to look at every day was gone.
She searched for a long time but couldn’t find it, so she had to leave.
Qiuchan carried a pile of items out the door, and Jiang Huaiyue was outside folding peach branches. The gentle breeze lifted her hair, making her look like a stunning painting.
Qiuchan approached and said, “Princess, I couldn’t find your favorite painting from before.”
Jiang Huaiyue, struggling a bit to break the branch, casually said, “Just a painting—if it’s gone, then it’s gone.”
“Have you taken everything you wanted?” She held a bunch of peach blossoms and smiled brightly.
Qiuchan replied, “Yes, everything’s ready.”
Seeing the princess seemed unconcerned, Qiuchan hesitated, unsure whether to say more.
Jiang Huaiyue turned and saw the expression on her face: “What’s wrong?”
Could something have happened?
After she asked, Qiuchan looked around cautiously and then leaned in to whisper, “The painting, Princess—it’s a portrait of His Majesty.”
The princess used to sleep hugging that painting every night. Qiuchan worried if others saw it, it might cause unnecessary trouble.
Hearing this, Jiang Huaiyue’s pupils dilated as all the memories about that painting flooded her mind.
Back then, Jiang Huaiyue liked Jiang Jingchen and secretly painted his portrait to soothe her longing.
The worst part was, it wasn’t just a portrait—she had also inscribed a poem on it. If anyone discovered that, it would be a disaster.
“Are you sure you searched everywhere?”
Qiuchan nodded, “Princess, I’ve looked all around, inside and out, but it’s nowhere to be found.”
Jiang Huaiyue quickly put down the peach branches and grabbed Qiuchan’s hand: “Let’s go look again.”
Previous
Fiction Page
Next