Chapter 431: Volume 1 Chapter 431 Hostage X Spoiled Princess (11)

"What is it?" Yan Shizhou's ink-black eyes held no trace of warmth, the gloom settled in his brows and eyes deep and merciless.

The black shadow in charge of inner cabinet intelligence, Qing Feng, said: "Crown Prince Jiang Chu is preparing to go to the Return Capital to find you."

Jiang Chu and the Sixteenth Princess had deep feelings; naturally he was unwilling to obey and marry her into the Xun Chi Tribe. At this moment he urgently wanted to find the Cloud-Dragging Pavilion to get the answer he sought.

"Pavilion Master, do you wish to meet with him?"

Yan Shizhou: "No."

Having said that, he took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Qing Feng.

"Deliver it into the hands of Crown Prince Jiang Chu."

Qing Feng was startled, quickly reacted and received it.

The Pavilion Master had long anticipated that there would be a marriage alliance.

…

All the way to the Hall of Nurturing Heart.

She had come running, her steps hurried, her face flushed.

"Is Elder Brother in the hall?"

The old eunuch saw her and hurried forward to respond: "His Highness the Crown Prince is speaking with Minister Cui."

At that moment.

A figure stepped out from the Palace Interior, his gaze landing on her, his expression slightly stunned, he bowed: "Your servant pays respects to Princess Shumu."

Jiang Zhi heard this, raised her brows, her thoughts entirely on the marriage alliance, she no longer felt the former enthusiasm toward him.

"Minister Cui, greetings."

Cui Wenluo saw her anxious expression and involuntarily soothed: "The marriage alliance has not yet been confirmed; Princess, you need not worry."

Over these years, the number of times they have met can be counted on one hand; most of the time he could only gaze at her silhouette from afar.

Clearly, when they met, her gaze toward him differed from that toward others, yet she never had the chance to speak to him first.

When Cui Wenluo heard the Xun Chi Tribe's marriage proposal, he felt panic for the first time. She should not go to such a barbaric land, nor should she marry the rough and tyrannical leader of the Xun Chi Tribe.

Jiang Zhi maintained her princessly demeanor: "Thank you, Minister Cui; I am aware."

Cui Wenluo was dazed for a moment.

He could no longer recall when she began to address him differently; the affectionate reliance of "Brother Cui" seemed to have vanished, buried deep in his heart like countless needles, pricking his chest with unbearable pain.

"Then I will not disturb the Princess; your servant takes his leave."

After Cui Wenluo left, Jiang Zhi strode into the Palace Interior.

…

"The Sixteenth Princess met Minister Cui outside the Hall of Nurturing Heart."

Yan Shizhou, seated at the jade desk practicing calligraphy, heard this; his fingers suddenly froze, the brush tip ink staining the xuan paper, spreading into a blot.

The secret agents reported the two's conversation in full to the Pavilion Master.

Yan Shizhou put away his brush, then tore the xuan paper on the desk to shreds.

His eyes were deep as unfathomable ink, both heavy and dark.

Whether in this life or the previous one, she still liked her Brother Cui.

"Tell Lao Wu, we can move now."

The secret agents, having received the order, withdrew.

The room fell into silence once again.

…

【Main Plot Mission Activated: ① Confess feelings to Cui Wenluo. ② Help the villain Yan Shizhou leave the city.】

After waking early, Jiang Zhi opened her eyes and immediately heard the God Pillar System's notification.

She belatedly said: "It seems the plot for Yan Shizhou to leave is coming up so soon."

777 said: "The task of saving the villain is sixty-eight percent complete."

This world has two tasks total: maintaining character and following the original main plot, which she is nearly finished with; the second task is to save the villain.

Over the past four years, she secretly helped Yan Shizhou in the shadows, preventing princes and palace servants from bullying him. His Cold Moon Palace had also been tidied up, no longer crude and bare, and since she had once served as his study companion, the palace attendants dared not deduct his provisions.

It can be said that over these four years he has lived smoothly and comfortably.

The mission developed as she wished, and she was also pleased.

Moreover, she had done her best to avoid contact with Yan Shizhou; the villain's attitude toward her was now normal, not like those previous worlds where he was perverse and possessive to a terrifying degree.

Once the villain goes to the Lofty Far Kingdom to ascend the throne, perhaps they will never see each other again.

Jiang Zhi just wanted to live comfortably for two years; after the country falls, she will fake her death and flee to a remote corner to spend the rest of her life.

"Really smooth."

777 also sighed: "Yes, this is the smoothest world."

Just as the two salted fish were happily oblivious to everything, the voice of the great fool God Pillar System appeared untimely.

【Plot Mission Time Limit: Please, Host, confess your feelings to Minister Cui within twenty-four hours.】

Jiang Zhi helplessly said: "Don't rush, Pillar Brother, there's still time."

【……… Don't get too excited too soon; once the villain returns to the Lofty Far Kingdom, he will personally lead troops to crush the Jiang Kingdom, and you too will be beheaded by his blade!】

Jiang Zhi shivered: "Pillar Brother, don't scare me."

【You're not allowed to call me that!】 As the God Pillar System, how could someone like her cozy up to me?

Jiang Zhi: "Okay, Pillar Brother."

【………】

After teasing the foolish God Pillar System for a while, Jiang Zhi washed up and changed. Her light pink dress complemented her porcelain-white skin, the sash at her waist a deep crimson, her black hair flowing like a waterfall down her back, the skirt swaying, embroidered with dense flower petals, her lips pink as peach blossoms—her gorgeous face was breathtakingly beautiful.

…

A few days ago, Crown Prince Jiang Chu received a letter from the Pavilion Master of Ye Yun Pavilion.

Only four words were written on it.

Awaiting good news.

Jiang Chu didn't quite understand the meaning of those words, but he could no longer seek the Pavilion Master who was said to know everything under heaven, so he could only wait.

The officials at court were still advising, proposing to marry the Sixteenth Princess off.

Jiang Chu claimed illness outwardly; those ministers had no recourse and could only seek an audience outside the Palace Gate.

Jiang Zhi had her personal maid Xiao Lian deliver a message to Cui Wenluo.

She wanted to meet him.

Xiao Lian had served her for years; she naturally knew her feelings and felt heartbroken.

The princess ought to marry the one she loves, but now she must marry into the grasslands.

These days Cui Wenluo has been running about for the Sixteenth Princess's affair, several nights without sleep; after discussing with Crown Prince Jiang Chu, he finally left the Hall of Nurturing Heart.

A palace maid waited outside; upon seeing him, she stepped forward and handed him the letter.

"Sir, this is from the Princess."

She said that and hurried away.

Cui Wenluo hesitated for a moment; the letter in his hand gave off a faint plum fragrance, tugging at his heart.

"Prin…princess…"

His fatigue vanished instantly, his light pupils flickering.

Upon opening the envelope, seeing the elegant script, he couldn't help but lift the corners of his mouth.

All I wish is to see you.

This is the last line; the signature is her nickname, Zhizhi.

Cui Wenluo's heart jolted violently; joy like honey filled his chest.

Though he was usually gentle and calm, he could not restrain his excitement and delight.

…

Summer night.

The cicadas' chirping faded, leaving an insect song like a chanting melody.

Jiang Zhi wore a light pink dress; her silk-like long hair hung at her shoulders, her complexion surpassing snow, her curled, long eyelashes dusted with a gauzy moonlight, revealing a hint of nervousness and shyness.

Unhurried footsteps came from not far away; a faint blush rose on her ears, and she instinctively looked toward the sound.

In the thick night, that tall figure drew nearer; the cool evening breeze brushed past, gradually revealing an extraordinarily handsome face, his dark hair lifted by the night wind, his thin lips breaking into a dazzling smile.

"Princess, are you waiting for someone this late?"

That was the first time Jiang Zhi saw Yan Shizhou smile.

She had thought he never smiled and didn't like to smile, but it turned out his smile was extremely beautiful.

Jiang Zhi, however, felt the person before her was very dangerous.

Like a lethally venomous snake lurking in the darkness, eyes gleaming.

She averted her gaze, speaking firmly: "It has nothing to do with you."

A vague uneasy feeling arose in her heart.

And Cui Wenluo?

After all this time, why hasn't he come yet?

"He won't come." Yan Shizhou said softly.

Jiang Zhi was filled with shock.

Yan Shizhou walked to within two steps of her and stopped, "Princess, do you wish to ask me, your subject, how I came to know?"

Jiang Zhi remained silent.

Yan Shizhou: "I also wish to ask the Princess why she favors him so."

What good is Cui Wenluo, that she would set aside her princess status to meet him secretly?

Jiang Zhi pressed her lips tightly.

She felt Yan Shizhou tonight was utterly unfamiliar, as if he had become another person.

Yan Shizhou stepped closer: "Princess, please tell me, your subject, all right?"

Jiang Zhi stepped back, shouting sternly: "Yan Shizhou, what are you intending? This palace is the princess of Jiang State!"

She stepped back; he stepped forward.

"I know."