Chapter 423: Volume 1, Chapter 423: Hostage X Spoiled Princess (3)

This palace is named Jingxi Gong, with red walls and green tiles, a row of plum trees planted along the walls, green branches sweeping over the high walls; the late autumn night is dark and somber, the Palace Interior floor is covered with a thick soft carpet extending into the inner chambers, where a faint orchid fragrance permeates the air.

The girl leading the way skipped and jumped, her eyebrows dancing with joy, her beautiful almond eyes endearing, the half-exposed lotus-root-like arms porcelain-white and lustrous, a physique that easily leaves marks.

She lay bonelessly on the chair, which was cushioned with a soft pad and its edges wrapped in plush, all to prevent her from bumping into things, indulged to the extreme.

"You will serve this Princess dinner." the girl said lazily.

The nearby palace attendant, hearing this, hurriedly said: "He's a coarse person, surely unable to serve the Princess well; let a servant do it."

Jiang Zhi pouted: "I say he can, so he can!"

The other palace attendants dared not speak further.

The table was filled with various dishes, dazzling to the eye, complete in color, aroma, and flavor, all her favorites; the braised fish placed in the center was exactly the fish the youth had caught in the pond.

All the fish bones in the braised fish had been removed, leaving fresh, fragrant meat with a rich aroma. This fish had been shipped a thousand miles from the south to be raised in the pond; it is a rare and expensive variety, with tender, delicious meat, a rare delicacy.

Jiang Zhi pointed at the fish: "This Princess wants to eat fish."

The youth approached the table, washed his hands, picked up the long chopsticks, carefully extracted the fish meat, placed it in a porcelain bowl, and then set it before her.

The girl lying on the chair opened her mouth, looking as if she wanted to be fed.

The youth gripped the long chopsticks, paused a few seconds, then moved them, picking up a large piece of fish meat and bringing it to her lips.

She ate it in one bite; the fish meat was tender and melted in the mouth, so delicious it made one want to swallow their own tongue.

"So good!!" the girl exclaimed, so happy she could barely speak clearly.

With the youth feeding her, after half an hour she finally finished the meal.

Glancing at the leftover dishes on the table, her bright, clear eyes flashed with a hint of mischief.

The youth's back stiffened, the fingers hidden in his sleeves involuntarily clenched.

Just as he thought she was considering how to torment him……

"Mute, I now order you to eat this Princess's leftovers!"

The little princess thought she had found a way to tease him, her delicate brows and eyes suffused with deep joy.

The youth stared at her, standing still without moving.

"Hurry up!" she urged impatiently.

Even Wang Cai, who lives in the palace, has never eaten her leftovers, so this punishment will surely make him wish he were dead!

The youth tightened his lips, hesitated a moment, then stepped forward, picked up the long chopsticks, and ate all the remaining dishes on the table, leaving nothing—not even the side dishes, chilies, or garlic.

"Not bad, not bad." She crossed her arms, nodded like a little adult, and after praising him couldn't resist mocking: "Hmph, someone like you is only fit to eat my leftovers!"

The youth took a deep breath; whether in Chongyuan State or Jiang State, he had never truly eaten his fill. Returning to Han Yue Palace, his daily morning, noon, and evening meals were whatever leftovers the servants had finished eating.

Scraps and cold leftovers; at best there would be half a bowl of rice and two stalks of greens, usually just half a steamed bun tossed onto the plate.

Nothing like this before.

The girl eats little, so there is plenty of food left on the table, the amount nearly whole—far from being leftovers.

Hearing that the plot task was completed, Jiang Zhi curved the corners of her eyes, her clear pupils holding brilliant cool stars.

Xiao Lian finally returned from the Empress's Palace.

She brought the news Jiang Zhi wanted.

As a hostage in this imperial palace, his status was lower than that of the palace servants; moreover, in recent years Chongyuan State has declined, and Jiang State pays it no heed. As the most cherished precious daughter, whatever she wishes, the Emperor and Empress will comply.

Let alone being her reading companion, even if they were to be her servants, they would agree.

Jiang Zhi rested her chin on her hand and said: "Place him…… in this Princess's side hall! This Princess wants to see him at all times!"

Xiao Lian glared at the youth, full of resentment.

What merit or ability does he have to earn the Little Highness's favor? Even we servants have no qualification to appear before the Little Highness day and night.

The entire palace, up and down, feels both envy and jealousy toward this hostage.

The palace attendants took the youth to the side hall to wash up and change his clothes; when he appeared again before Jiang Zhi, he had already transformed.

He is now a person of Jingxi Gong, so he naturally ought to wear finer clothes; otherwise, going out would lose face for the Little Highness.

Jiang Zhi felt drowsy, yawned several times, her eyes reddening: "You are this Princess's reading companion, so this Princess's homework is also for you to do!"

The teacher's lessons are soporific, and the homework assigned after class is plentiful; since he is her reading companion, this duty should fall to him.

Xiao Lian handed him a stack of xuan paper, expressionless, saying: "If you don't finish it, there's no need for you to continue as a reading companion."

The Palace Gate closed.

Standing on the steps, the villain Yan Shizhou retreated two steps; the clear, faint moonlight fell on the xuan paper in his hand, his cold, lacquer-dark eyes reflecting a glint of light.

"Jiang, Zhi, Zhi."

He enunciated each syllable of the Sixteenth Princess's name.

His voice dissipated into the late autumn night wind, as if it had never sounded.

…

Academy.

The teacher had once been honored as the Imperial Tutor, but after growing old he resigned his post and came to Lin Feng Academy to teach the children of princes, princesses, and court officials.

This teaching stint has lasted five years.

What troubles him most is the Sixteenth Princess.

As soon as class begins she falls asleep, as if she could sleep forever.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived——!"

A sharp, thin voice came from outside the door.

The people inside the room instantly perked up, sitting upright and gazing toward the door.

Upon seeing the Emperor in his dragon robe and yellow garments enter the door, they all respectfully knelt on the ground.

Paying respects to the Emperor.

No need for formalities.

Jiang Zhi, who was sleeping soundly with her head on the desk, was awakened by the voice, rubbed her eyes, and saw the Emperor approaching.

Father.

The Emperor's eyes held no blame, only helplessness, as he said, 'Xiao Zhi, you didn't sleep well last night, did you?'

Jiang Zhi shook her head, rubbed her forehead against his palm, and said, 'Your subject slept very well.'

It was exactly when class let out.

The Emperor had them leave, leaving only the tutor to discuss some matters.

Jiang Zhi walked out of the academy and stretched.

Crown Prince Jiang Chu walked over and said, 'Sixteenth sister, the Imperial older brother just got an odd-eyed cat; do you want to go see it?'

Jiang Zhi replied uninterestedly, 'No.'

Jiang Chu had only this one sister, whom he doted on; he would send her any new novelty, but this time he hadn't expected to be refused.

Watching his close sister walk toward that lowly hostage, he flared with anger: 'Sixteenth sister, I heard you let Yan Shizhou be your study companion—is that true?'

Jiang Zhi said while walking, 'Yes.'

Jiang Chu, unable to contain his anger, said: 'Imperial older brother, why not find a better study companion than him? He is absolutely stronger than such a frail hostage.'