Chapter 94 - 5: The Laid-back Princess Refuses to Be Cannon Fodder (Part 5)

So damn excessive, being ugly is one thing, but meeting a miserable end is another.

"Jiang Ling’s biological parents were the former Monarch and Empress of the Chu Country. Later, your father led troops to kill Emperor Chu and the Queen of Chu, supporting a Vassal King to the throne. Jiang Ling escaped with the help of his deceased father’s general who sacrificed himself to protect him. He disguised himself as a refugee among the crowd, approached your father’s army, and was then adopted by your father as a foster son.

So, his real name is Emperor Xiu of Chu, who is also the male protagonist of this story, the most perfect and powerful man, the official match for the female protagonist Luoyang, and the future tyrant who will display your parents’ heads on the city gates."

"What a backstabbing white-eyed wolf!"

"He’s bearing a deep-seated vendetta, what do you even know!"

"I’m damn well going to chop him up right now."

Killing others can be considered revenge.

But killing her, what’s the logic in that?

When will these protagonists finally stop dragging innocent people into their bad habits?

Jiang Lai clenched his fists, and then heard Little Buding’s cool voice in his ear.

"He can crush you with just one finger."

"I know martial arts too, okay?"

"Self-defense Skill versus killing technique, who do you think is stronger?"

So damn excessive.

Can’t even win a fight.

Jiang Xiong has raised such a wolf by his side and can actually live a few more years, that’s really his luck.

But one of Jiang Lai’s tasks is to protect the Jiang Family, so currently, the biggest threat to the Jiang Family isn’t Luoyang, it’s Jiang Ling.

It seems the reason Luoyang was able to find so much evidence to prove Jiang Xiong’s treason is probably thanks to Jiang Ling’s handiwork.

And Jiang Ling’s purpose for lying low all these years was obviously not just for Jiang Xiong’s family. After all, a few years after Jiang Xiong’s downfall, the Murong Family, who had been controlling the state, quickly collapsed and became a vassal state of the Chu Country. Murong Dun came to power, becoming the new Monarch.

Turns out, all these signs were there long ago.

Jiang Ling, Luoyang, and Murong Dun, these three must have colluded together for a long time.

With three wolves lurking around, each wanting to feast, Jiang Lai sighed, feeling a bit of a headache.

The next day, Murong Dun sent a maid in front of Jiang Lai.

At first glance of Luoyang, Jiang Lai thought that the original owner’s head was just merely decorative.

This woman with absolutely stunning looks, superior temperament, and regal demeanor, how does she resemble a maid? Standing with the original owner, she would likely look more like the mistress.

Just like that, Murong Dun’s simple statement, "This is a maid I brought from the Imperial Palace," fooled the original owner.

Luoyang lowered her eyes submissively, curtseyed.

"Slave Aluo, greets the Princess."

Jiang Lai acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, directly walked over and tugged Murong Dun’s sleeve, seemingly pouting playfully.

"You didn’t come back last night, I had nightmares all night, dreaming that a wolf took you away, and I cried chasing after it all night long."

Xiao Lian chimed in from the side.

"No wonder the Princess was crying in her nightmares last night, it was because she missed the Prince too much."

Murong Dun found her dream helpless yet amusing, so he let her tug on his sleeve and sit down, a bit of laughter in his voice.

"I’m such a big man, how could a wolf possibly take me away? It should be you, frail and small, daring to chase after."

"Of course, I’d chase. You’re my husband. Whether it’s a wolf or a tiger, if anyone dares to bully you, I’ll bully them right back!"

As she said this, Jiang Lai put on a bit of a fierce expression, but it wasn’t much fierce, instead full of innocent clumsiness, her pure appearance made Murong Dun unable to help but laugh.

Just as he was laughing, he suddenly realized something, coming to his senses and remembered there was still someone standing outside the door.

He quickly corrected his tone.

"Jiang Lai, let Aluo come in and serve."

Jiang Lai also pretended to just realize, turning around to beckon Luoyang.

"Get up, from here on, follow Xiao Lian, learn the rules, and when you’ve learned them well, then come to serve me."

Upon hearing this, Luoyang couldn’t help but frown, but she couldn’t say anything, and Murong Dun beside her voiced his dissatisfaction.

"Don’t you trust the maid I’ve found for you?"

"What does it have to do with you? Even if she used to serve the Empress in the palace, everyone has their own habits. No matter how considerate she is, if she doesn’t know what I like to drink or eat, what time I bathe or go to bed, she’s not a good maid. By following Xiao Lian and learning my daily rules, wouldn’t she be more convenient and handy for me later? Husband, am I wrong?"

Every word was full of the owner’s arrogance, completely treating Luoyang like an object.

Luoyang gritted her teeth, enduring, waiting for Murong Dun’s words.

But after waiting a long time, there was still no response from him.

Murong Dun had nothing to say, after all, this maid was a role Luoyang had to play. He couldn’t say too much, as it might cause Jiang Lai to suspect, which would ruin Luoyang’s plan.

And so, Murong Dun’s silence tightened Luoyang’s grip.

Jiang Lai took the opportunity to add another line.

"Aluo... Aluo, that name doesn’t sound nice. Like Xiao Lian, from now on, you’ll be called Xiao Hua. Lotus flower, lotus flower, husband, doesn’t it sound nice?"

Murong Dun furrowed his brows.

"Isn’t it a bit too casual?"

"My mother said, a simple name is good for surviving. Maids are born into poor circumstance, and if they catch a cold or become weak, they might be dismissed or sold by the master. So, I’m giving her an easy name, also hoping she’ll stay healthy."

Jiang Lai always had an unending stream of irrefutable reasons.

Moreover, Murong Dun had his own ulterior motives, so he casually nodded.

"So be it."

"Alright then, let’s eat."

Over the meal, Jiang Lai ate with great precision and high standards, and just as Murong Dun was about to say something, he heard Jiang Lai leisurely speak.

"Prince, back at the General’s Mansion, my father always peeled shrimp for me, saying, ’In a family, only if the women live comfortably and happily, can the family be stable.’

With that, Jiang Lai pushed the plate of shrimp in front of Murong Dun.

"Peel them."

Murong Dun had never done such menial tasks of serving others, just as he was about to refuse, Jiang Lai looked at him with those captivating eyes, filled with expectation and affection, soft to the point of ridiculousness, making him feel inexplicably that if he rejected, the woman before him might cry.

He hated it when women cried, so he resignedly started peeling the shrimp for her.

"Feed me."

The woman slightly parted her lips, shaped beautifully, and because she leaned forward, her pretty face was extremely close. Looking at her closely, Murong Dun noticed her skin was smooth and fair, fine without a hint of flaw, as if heavily powdered, yet still giving off a rosy luster, her breath all fragrant.

He reached out and brought the shrimp to her mouth, his fingertip accidentally brushing against Jiang Lai’s lips, a touch of soft warmth that nearly burned his hand, making his fingers tremble as he withdrew.

"Brazen!"

He scolded in a low voice.

Jiang Lai glared at him in displeasure.