Chapter 500 - 13: The Cannon Fodder Vase in the Scheming Novel (Part 13)

"I’ll count to three, unless you want that girl of yours to die miserably."

Watching as more than a dozen black-clad men appeared out of nowhere on the boat, Jiang Lai waved her hands repeatedly.

"No need, no need, I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself."

Saying this, she slapped the back of Little He’s head.

"This is the Second Prince! Open your eyes wide and take a good look! Wait outside while I have a chat with him."

"Second Prince?!"

Hearing this, Little He was so frightened that she immediately knelt down.

It didn’t matter who the Second Prince was, he was the Emperor’s son, someone who could have her killed with just a word.

As soon as she got on the boat, a fragrance hit her, the contrast between hot and cold making Jiang Lai sneeze uncontrollably.

She then saw Chu Yunci expressionlessly cover his nose with his hand.

He stared at Jiang Lai with a glance that seemed to be appraising her.

"You’ve gotten quite thinner lately."

Hearing this, Jiang Lai’s mood improved greatly, and instantly she found him a lot more pleasing to the eye.

"Yes, my husband thinks of ways to kill me day and night, I can’t sleep at night, and food has lost its flavor, so naturally, I’ve become thin."

Though Jiang Lai spoke sincerely, Chu Yunci felt that seven or eight out of every ten things this woman said were lies.

"The fire at the teahouse earlier was set up by you."

Not even phrased as a question.

Jiang Lai, continuing her lazy persona, slouched on the cushion, grabbing the dried fruits in front of her and stuffing them into her mouth.

"He doesn’t want me alive, I have no choice, have to find a way out for myself, Your Highness can understand that, right?"

"You see things clearly, quite different from the rumors."

Seeing her persona about to crumble, Jiang Lai continued to eat without showing any reaction.

"Your Highness is so clever, how can you believe those rumors? I’ve even heard that you’re weak and frail like a monkey, yet that night I saw clearly, Your Highness was robust and powerful, nothing like the rumors."

The moment Jiang Lai mentioned that night, a murderous aura immediately surrounded her.

She didn’t panic, knowing that no matter how angry Chu Yunci was, he wouldn’t harm her near the Taishi Mansion.

"How did you know I was around here?"

Chu Yunci didn’t want to waste time, cutting straight to the point.

The only thing he couldn’t figure out was how Jiang Lai managed to track both his and Chu Yunxuan’s movements, using his own actions to dismantle Chu Yunxuan’s support.

This was no ordinary act for a young lady from a noble family.

"Ah... Your Highness truly has no impression of me, huh... Early this spring, we shared a painting boat to enjoy the scenery, from then on, I knew that you would surely come here to rest in the middle of each month.

You didn’t come yesterday, so today or tomorrow you would definitely be here, just a lucky guess."

Jiang Lai spoke with a mournful tone, her gaze towards Chu Yunci filled with an unexplainable longing.

Chu Yunci felt a chill down his spine, his brow furrowed, instinctively wanting to whisk the woman before him away with a wave of his sleeve.

"Such bold courage you have!"

"Maybe someday I’ll lose my life, not saying it makes me uncomfortable."

Chu Yunci kept a straight face.

Thinking to himself, saying it makes me uncomfortable.

"Enough, get out."

"Brother, you called me in, and now want me out before I’ve even finished a cup of tea, how embarrassing."

"If you keep spouting nonsense, be careful I sew your mouth shut."

Jiang Lai pursed her lips.

"If you want me to shut up, fine, Your Highness, you’re so formidable, surely Chu Yunxuan is no match for you, how about this, I’ll have my father pledge loyalty to you?"

"You, the Eighth Brother’s woman, want your father to pledge loyalty to me?"

Jiang Lai nodded.

"The separation isn’t far off, soon I will have nothing to do with Chu Yunxuan, the Emperor wishes to be remembered fondly, thus he trusts my father greatly; if we conspire quietly, hehe... we could catch Chu Yunxuan off guard!"

"Have all the books you’ve read gone to the dogs? Can’t speak properly, just keep your mouth shut."

Jiang Lai’s straightforwardness strangely took some of the hostility away from Chu Yunci.

He didn’t like beating around the bush, nor did he like wasting time.

Jiang Lai seemed to understand his character, laying all her ideas and conditions on the table.

There were certainly things she hadn’t said, but the benefits she proposed were already enough for Chu Yunci to consider.

"Does your father know you came to find me today?"

"He doesn’t know, nor does he need to know; everything he does is for me, at first wanting me to become Empress, now just wanting me to live, ah... such is the heart of a parent.

Oh, that remark wasn’t targeting you, haha."

"Crack!"

The teacup in his hand cracked, tea trickled out, soaking the man’s entire hand.

Jiang Lai quickly used her handkerchief to help him wipe it off.

"In such cold weather, if you don’t wear more and catch a cold, what will you do? You really should find someone attentive to care for you."

Chu Yunci watched Jiang Lai busy herself with cold eyes.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?"

"Not afraid, you kill me, with so many people seeing me board your boat, my father will find you and fight you to death.

Though my father holds no real power, the Emperor trusts him.

My mother is also a tough character, the Prime Minister uncle dotes on her and me the most, even the Empress aunt cherishes me.

In short, killing me would be a huge bother for you.

Besides, I’m just a bit talkative, with your wisdom and power, surely you wouldn’t take a life for such a petty issue."

Jiang Lai smiled innocently.

Chu Yunci pursed his thin lips, his voice low.

"You know you have a strong backing, why trouble yourself with me."

"Only you can contend with Chu Yunxuan, at least you’re a man of integrity, Chu Yunxuan on the other hand is vile and vicious, worse than a beast, he even wants to abandon his wife, ah... I must’ve been blind, with so many Princes in the palace, why did I choose him."

As she said this, Jiang Lai’s eyes remained fixed on Chu Yunci.

"Don’t even think about it, I have no interest in you."

"I’m not in a rush."

"Get out."

"Hmm, it’s cold outside, remember to wear extra pants under your robe."

"Get out!"

——

"Why so submissive! Just a man, don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for him!"

Little Buding’s tone was dissatisfied, feeling that Jiang Lai had changed.

In the previous world, she was a pure-hearted warrior, so how’d she become a sycophant in this one?

On the way back, Jiang Lai hugged some sunflower seeds, cracking them as she walked.

"You know nothing."

"I know you! What’s going on with you! Spill it, what are you up to!"

Jiang Lai wasn’t one to easily wrong herself.

Though Chu Yunci was handsome, he was a cripple, and their initial meeting wasn’t pleasant, there was no way Jiang Lai would have a good impression of him.

"Shallow, you’re too shallow, can’t you see he takes to kindness rather than aggression?"

"He’s so brutal, can he really take to kindness?"

"That’s why your mind is slow, and eyes too. His brutality is what the author wrote, what outsiders spread.

That guy is indeed fierce and merciless, but likes hearing sweet words.

You call that getting things done by just moving your lips?

Learn something, dog son!"