Chapter 430: Volume 1, Chapter 430: Hostage X Arrogant Princess (10)

In recent years, Jiang State's border warfare has been incessant, with bandits and rebels causing the populace untold suffering. The Emperor's health has deteriorated; he is immersed in Daoist cultivation and health preservation, and most state affairs have fallen to Crown Prince Jiang Chu. Over four years, his temperament has become much more restrained.

Yan Shizhou remained a hostage; after she stopped attending the academy, he moved out of Jingxi Gong and was no longer her study companion. Their meetings became exceedingly rare.

In recent years, Crown Prince Jiang Chu has led troops in battle, and his relationship with Yan Shizhou has grown closer. One reason is that earlier, the hostage Yan Shizhou served as a study companion for the Sixteenth Princess in Jingxi Gong. The Sixteenth Princess is the Crown Prince's full sister, so their bond is naturally deeper than with his other brothers.

On the grasslands far from prosperous cities, tribes have risen; the terrain is superior, breeding strong horses. Ruled by the Xunchi tribe, they are brutal and vicious, committing arson, murder, and plunder without end. They repeatedly invade Jiang State's borders, and countless Jiang State soldiers have died at their hands.

Two days ago they seized Tan Prefecture, cutting off the reinforcements.

They even sent envoys delivering arrogant words.

"If we can marry Princess Jimu to the Xunchi tribe, we will surrender Tan Prefecture and guarantee no further invasions for ten years."

"Jimu" is the Sixteenth Princess's title; what they desire is Jiang State's Emperor's most beloved Sixteenth Princess, Jiang Zhi.

This news spread through the court.

A large portion of officials agreed to the Xunchi Great Khan's deal. If the Sixteenth Princess were married to the Xunchi tribe, many wars could be avoided. These years, Jiang State has expended too much manpower and wealth. The treasury is empty, disaster relief in the capital has consumed half, and Jiang State is far less formidable than four years ago. Moreover, the Emperor spends all day on the Daoist platform, indifferent to state affairs. If this continues, Jiang State may well perish.

Only a tiny fraction are the Empress and the Crown Prince's faction; they are few and weak, unable to exert much influence.

"I will absolutely not allow my younger sister to marry into the Xunchi tribe!"

This path is essentially sending her to her death.

Just as Crown Prince Jiang Chu was furious,

Chancellor Lin proposed: "Rumor has it that the Trailing Clouds Pavilion knows all things; Your Highness the Crown Prince, why not pay a visit? You would likely obtain the answer you seek."

Minister Lin has served in office for many years, a senior figure; even the Emperor yields him three points of respect. His words met with no objection from the court officials.

The Trailing Clouds Pavilion belongs to the largest organization in the jianghu, involved in intelligence, assassination, and many other matters.

But it remains hidden in the jianghu; even Crown Prince Jiang Chu cannot begin to seek it.

Minister Lin perceived his difficulty and said: "I have heard that the chief of the Trailing Clouds Pavilion recently appeared in Returning Capital; Your Highness the Crown Prince may send people to search there."

Jiang Chu felt profound gratitude: "I thank you, Minister Lin."

…

News of the Sixteenth Princess's impending marriage to the grasslands spread throughout the rear palace.

Qingwan Palace.

Consort Yuan smiled smugly.

"No one can block my child's path any longer."

Everyone knows that once the Sixteenth Princess marries there, it is a dead end.

"Congratulations, Your Highness; congratulations, Your Highness."

The palace maids also beamed with joy.

Mainly, over these years in this palace, the Nineteenth Princess has constantly been a head shorter than her, suffering endless grievances.

Now at last she can hold her head high.

…

Jingxi Gong.

Jiang Zhi, seated comfortably in a soft chair by the pond, leisurely fished for amusement.

In the midsummer heat, cold ice was brought from outside the palace; as the palace attendants turned the wooden fan, a cool breeze blew upon her, dispelling all warmth.

She held a fruit shaved ice made from ice blocks, and comfortably narrowed her eyes.

Another happy day.

"Not good! Something terrible has happened, Your Highness!"

A palace attendant rushed over, face full of panic.

Xiao Lian saw this, furrowed her brows, and scolded: "What is there to be so panicked about?"

The attendant spoke incoherently.

Xiao Lian stared at her in shock.

"But is it true?"

The attendant, eyes tearing up from anxiety, said: "I heard the court officials say it themselves; it's true."

Now Xiao Lian could barely keep her footing.

Jiang Zhi's hand holding the bowl loosened; the porcelain bowl smashed to the ground, shattering into several pieces, and the shaved ice melted into water upon contact.

She turned her head and said: "How could…"

"How could Father send her to marry on the grasslands…"

Jiang Zhi lifted her skirt lightly and ran out of Jingxi Gong.

She had not run far when she saw Yan Shizhou walking toward her from ahead.

She tried to run past him, but her wrist was seized.

"Let go!" Her face turned pallid, the corners of her eyes slightly reddened.

Yan Shizhou released his hand: "Your Highness, are you worried about the marriage alliance?"

Jiang Zhi had not seen him for half a year.

After the youth left Jingxi Gong, they rarely met; their last encounter was during the Shangyuan Festival.

——Shangyuan Festival,

She disliked banquets, running to the lakeside of Yuhua Yuan, hiding behind the shrubbery to watch palace attendants secretly release lanterns for blessings. The lanterns glowed with candlelight, illuminating the entire dark lake like a Milky Way, brilliant and dazzling.

He walked to her side, holding a peach-blossom-colored lantern, its wick of gold, exquisitely crafted, clearly made with care.

"Your Highness, would you like to release a lantern?"

She turned her head and saw his beautifully jointed fingers, white as jade, bearing thin calluses, yet this did not detract from their beauty.

She looked up and saw Yan Shizhou's extremely handsome face, a faint moonlight spread over his dark pupils, coated with a gentle light.

Jiang Zhi flicked away his outstretched hand, stood up, gave him a glare, and said coldly, "As Your Highness, I would never deign to release flower lanterns for blessings; only a fool would do that."

Although she said that, her gaze still involuntarily fell on the flower lantern in his hand.

It was truly too beautiful, more beautiful than any flower lantern she had ever seen.

Who would have thought that this reclusive, taciturn Yan Shizhou could make such an exquisite and beautiful flower lantern.

Yan Shizhou lowered his eyes and said lightly, "If that's the case, then this flower lantern is of no use to me either; I'll just leave it here."

Having said that, he placed the flower lantern on the ground and walked away from her sight with steady steps.

After she could no longer see his back, Jiang Zhi hurriedly crouched down to pick up the flower lantern, then placed it on the dark lake surface, letting it drift slowly along the water across the long bridge, fading into the distance.

The fool Jiang Zhi covered her face and smiled, praying and making a wish.

Meanwhile, Yan Shizhou, hiding in the shadows behind the tree, calmly watched this scene, his brows and eyes deep and dark, his thin lips slightly curled.

The memory came to an abrupt end.

Yan Shizhou's voice sounded again: "I can help you."

He always made her feel safe.

Jiang Zhi did not want that, for he would eventually leave Jiang State, and they should have no involvement.

"How could you help?" she said sarcastically, "Just by being a lowly hostage? Tell me, how could you help me?"

After she spoke, she no longer glanced at him, saying coldly, "Yan Shizhou, Your Highness does not wish to see you again."

The marriage alliance is of great importance. He is not yet the emperor of Chongyuan State; soon he will leave Jiang State for Chongyuan State, and during this period there must be no mishaps.

Yan Shizhou watched her receding back.

A black shadow appeared out of nowhere, standing behind him, and said bewilderedly, "Pavilion Master, she doesn't appreciate your kindness at all; why bother helping her so much?"

Over these years, it has been the Pavilion Master who has cleared obstacles for this Sixteenth Princess behind the scenes, letting her suffer no grievance. Yet she still acts this way—truly cold-hearted.