At night, Ruan Jiu tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.
Her mind was filled with the upcoming contest with Zhao Shiliu in three days.
Just then, she suddenly heard a strange noise by the window.
The corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up slightly.
This Xie Jingchu was really something. He even dared to climb through the window of the Prince Song's Mansion.
Although she murmured softly in her heart, her eyes curved into two beautiful crescents.
Then she flipped over and got up.
However, the moment she lifted the bed curtain, in the faint moonlight, Ruan Jiu unexpectedly met a pair of cold eyes.
The smile instantly froze on her face.
She said irritably, "Why are you here?"
At this moment, in the quiet air, came Xiao Wang's heavy breathing.
Ruan Jiu didn't need to think to know that Xiao Wang was trying his best to suppress his anger.
"Why did you do this?" Xiao Wang said coldly.
Ruan Jiu smiled. She was quite happy to see Xiao Wang like this.
She reached out her hand, picked up an outer robe and put it on.
Then she scoffed, "Isn't His Highness the Crown Prince very smart?"
He boasted that he was a chess player who could manipulate the pieces on the chessboard at will.
Hearing this, Xiao Wang's gaze sharpened. "Aren't you afraid if you do this..."
"Are you still trying to threaten me?" Ruan Jiu immediately interrupted Xiao Wang. "You should know that when you laid your hands on A Jing, your threats became meaningless to me."
After saying that, Ruan Jiu stood up, took a few steps forward, and then continued, "Actually, I should really thank Your Highness. It made me realize that if I always let you manipulate me, then how could the so - called cooperation you mentioned be fair?"
"What do you mean?" Xiao Wang's eyebrows furrowed even deeper.
"I was worried about A Jing being exposed, and I was also worried that you would go after the Shen family. But then I thought, aren't you also afraid that the Queen and Song Yanran will find out that you've been secretly planning to avenge Song Qingyu?"
Hearing this, there was a turbulent undercurrent in Xiao Wang's eyes, as if he would devour someone the next moment.
"Are you trying to threaten me?" Xiao Wang's tone was cold, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
"Hey, Your Highness misunderstood." A glint of light flashed in Ruan Jiu's eyes. "Since ancient times, only when there is mutual restraint can cooperation last. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Xiao Wang caught his breath.
His body stiffened, and the corners of his eyes tightened.
He had underestimated Ruan Jiu!
That's why Ruan Jiu had gradually slipped out of his control.
After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Fine, I promise you that I won't threaten you anymore. But, could you please not... not marry Xie Jingchu..."
Ruan Jiu thought that Xiao Wang was worried that after she married Xie Jingchu, she would no longer help Song Qingyu take revenge.
So she quickly explained, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Since I've already promised to help Song Qingyu take revenge, I will definitely not go back on my word."
Moreover, they still had a common enemy.
Suddenly, Xiao Wang's face changed. "But you're wearing A Yu's face now!"
Ruan Jiu pursed her lips. So this was what he was concerned about.
Xiao Wang was not only an infatuated man, but his love was also an unrequited and bitter one.
Ruan Jiu let out a long sigh. "But Song Qingyu is already dead. Why do you have to be so obsessed with this face?"
"No!" Xiao Wang's eyes suddenly darkened. He grabbed Ruan Jiu's wrist tightly and said fiercely, "You are Song Qingyu!"
Ruan Jiu frowned.
Could this person change his attitude so quickly?
No!
What he just said...
Could it be that because she was wearing Song Qingyu's face, he had some other thoughts.
Thinking of this, Ruan Jiu's fingers curled involuntarily.
Then she carefully probed, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, I will eventually return to being Ruan Jiu, and you will marry other women. After this matter is over, there will be no more connection between you and me."
"No! I only want you!"
Xiao Wang's blurted - out words made Ruan Jiu's heart tremble.
She immediately broke free from Xiao Wang's grip on her wrist and took several steps back.
Her fingertips tightened involuntarily. She raised her hand to smooth the loose hair by her temple to hide her panic.
Seeing Ruan Jiu's alienation, Xiao Wang realized that he had lost his composure just now.
He lowered his eyelids and hid his hands in his cuffs. His fingertips turned white.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I'm going to sleep. Please go back."
Without waiting for Xiao Wang to say anything, Ruan Jiu immediately got back into bed.
She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, leaving only a pair of eyes exposed.
Xiao Wang looked up, peering at Ruan Jiu through the bed curtain. She seemed to be shrouded in a mist.
He opened his mouth slightly, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.
Just as he turned around and took a few steps forward, he heard Ruan Jiu's voice from behind the bed curtain.
"Please let Lanyu leave. After all, I don't like being monitored."
After Xiao Wang left, Ruan Jiu couldn't fall asleep even more.
Her mind was in a complete mess.
It was not only because of the upcoming contest with Zhao Shiliu in three days, but also because Xiao Wang had actually developed other feelings for her!
Oh my god!
It seemed that she had to finish this matter quickly and stay far away from Xiao Wang.
-
Three days later.
The Chonghua Tower was packed with people.
Everyone had heard that the two great talented women in the capital were going to have a contest here, so they all wanted to come and watch the fun.
Ruan Jiu and Xie Jingchu had already taken their seats. Prince Song was also sitting beside Ruan Jiu.
Prince Song was rubbing his hands eagerly, as if he was the one who was going to participate in the contest later.
His eyes were full of expectation. He couldn't wait to see his daughter shine in front of everyone.
However, Zhao Shiliu didn't show up.
It was almost time for the appointed hour, but there was still no sign of her.
Many people who were waiting to watch the show couldn't sit still anymore.
They all craned their necks, looking extremely eager.
Ruan Jiu, however, calmly poured herself a cup of tea and slowly brought it to her lips.
Just then, a young servant rushed over.
"Esteemed guests, my young lady is not feeling well today. I'm afraid she won't be able to come to the contest."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the people present.
They had waited for so long, and now she wasn't coming just because she was not feeling well?
Xie Jingchu was also very surprised at the servant's words.
Then he turned to look at Ruan Jiu and saw that she was calm and composed. She gently put down the teacup in her hand.
Her thin lips parted slightly, and she said softly, "Since she's not feeling well, she should stay at home and take good care of herself. But does your young lady still remember that if she misses today's contest, it will be regarded as giving up the engagement with Young Marquis Xie?"
The servant nodded. "My young lady said that it was her shallow fate with Young Marquis Xie. She wishes Miss Song the Second and Young Marquis Xie a harmonious and happy marriage."
Ruan Jiu smiled brightly. "Then I'll thank Miss Zhao. A Yu also wishes Miss Zhao a speedy recovery."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes were filled with disappointment, and they all dispersed one after another.
There was also a hint of disappointment on Prince Song's face. He had been looking forward to bringing glory to the Prince Song's Mansion today.
Only Xie Jingchu looked at Ruan Jiu playfully.
No wonder she had been so calm all along. It turned out that she had already made a plan.
So Xie Jingchu leaned over and whispered in Ruan Jiu's ear, "Did you do something to make Zhao Shiliu sick?"
Ruan Jiu couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Do I look like that kind of person?"
Xie Jingchu nodded repeatedly.
"Yes!"