PNB Chapter 165 Unable to Control My Emotions
Chapter 165 Unable to Control My Emotions
Jiang Wan could feel his rapid heartbeat, each beat faster than the last.
It almost overlapped with her own heart.
She suddenly couldn't tell if this person was crazy, or... just really too lonely.
These hands once fought against wild beasts.
Are those old wounds on your body from back then?
Did he know that his biological mother was still alive?
Does he want to see her? Will he hate her?
Jiang Wan suddenly felt that Xiao Hengzhi was like a fire wrapped in sharp spikes.
It burns others, and it also hurts yourself.
Her breathing became increasingly labored, and her mind was a jumbled mess.
For some reason, she raised her hand and gently hugged him back.
Even she herself was taken aback by the action.
Xiao Hengzhi froze for a moment, his ears filled with the sound of heartbeats, like thunder exploding into his bones.
He slowly leaned closer, his voice almost humble: "You...you're not angry with me?"
Jiang Mian's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not answer immediately.
She didn't know which one he was referring to.
There are too many things to blame him for.
They bullied her, imprisoned her, used her, and manipulated her.
Every single event from past and present lives is etched in my heart.
But what good would it do to say it?
The bitterness-relieving powder is still lingering in the body.
The only thing that matters now is to survive and break free from the shackles.
If you continue to hesitate and waver, you will only suffer in the end.
As if making up her mind, Jiang Mian took a deep breath and changed the subject: "Xiao Hengzhi... the day after tomorrow is New Year's Day."
She spoke calmly, her voice as light as the wind.
"I promised to celebrate your birthday with you."
Xiao Hengzhi released her and stared into her eyes: "You still remember?"
"Of course, I was the one who brought this up in the first place, and I will definitely keep my word."
She smiled calmly, with a serene and detached air.
There was not a trace of resentment.
Xiao Hengzhi was stunned.
He hadn't seen her smile like that in so long.
Bright, charming, gentle—all the beauty radiated from the corners of her lips.
Once the thought arises, emotions become uncontrollable.
He stared at her intently, and right there in the corridor, in front of everyone, he brazenly leaned in and kissed her.
Jiang Mian didn't dodge, letting him linger on her lips several times.
He kissed her forcefully, as if clutching at a thread of salvation to keep living.
She endured it silently, her eyes filled with only calmness.
Servants would take a detour when passing by.
At the banquet in the side hall, Wen Yin was still carefully pouring wine and passing cups.
"Your Highness, you look so refreshed and energetic. Anyone who didn't know you would think you were a general on the battlefield."
"The rules in the Prince's mansion are very strict. Yin'er is still learning. If she says anything wrong, I hope the old prince will forgive her."
She moved around Xiao Jizhong's side, her words growing more and more respectful.
Xiao Jizhong stroked his beard and smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes appearing kind and gentle.
"You're quite the talker, young lady. No wonder the Empress Dowager likes you."
"What Yin'er said is the truth." She smiled sweetly as she poured the wine. "From now on, when I become family with Your Highness, Yin'er will definitely be a dutiful wife, know when to advance and retreat, and be filial to you."
She spoke sincerely, her tone so soft it was almost sweet.
Xiao Jizhong nodded and said, "My Xiao family has never had any rules to restrict women, so you may feel free to do as you please..."
As he spoke, he stood up, leaning on his cane: "I'm old and can't hold my liquor. I'll go and rest first."
Wen Yin quickly got up to help him, saying, "Let me see you out."
Xiao Jizhong waved his hand: "No need, no need, you young man, please do as you please."
He waved his hand and called for servants to help him back to his room.
Wen Yin was the only one left sitting at the table.
She held her wine glass, glancing at the few empty seats out of the corner of her eye.
For some reason, I always feel uneasy.
Xiao Hengzhi and Jiang Mian had been away from their seats for quite some time.
She looked in the direction the two had left, as if a great temptation was drawing her there.
After hesitating for a moment, she got up and walked over there.
Turning past the eaves, I walked through the snow.
She had dressed lightly today to appear more alluring, but the cold wind seeped in through her collar, making her teeth chatter.
"I don't know what they're talking about, it's been going on for so long..."
She walked and muttered to herself, then stopped abruptly by the withered branches under the eaves.
In the distance, under the eaves of the side gate, a pair of figures could be seen embracing and kissing.
It was Xiao Heng's harmony...
And ginger delivery...
Right in front of everyone, right in the Prince's residence, openly and blatantly...
Her knuckles turned white from clenching her fists, and she clenched her teeth.
Xiao Hengzhi is her only support now, and if even he is taken away by Jiang Wan.
She dared not think about whether the Prince's Mansion would still tolerate her after the Empress Dowager passed away.
"Jiang Mian..."
She murmured the name, her eyes filled with an intense, venomous resentment.
She retreated step by step, almost grinding her back teeth to powder.
They must get married as soon as possible.
If we wait any longer, there is a risk of complications arising.
The next day was chilly; icicles hung from the eaves of the Prince of Beiqin's residence, the cold still lingering.
Duan Zhian, arm in arm with Wen Qian, gracefully arrived at the door, just as Jiang Mian was about to leave.
"Grand Tutor?" Jiang Wan smiled gently. "Grand Tutor visited the Prince's residence just yesterday, and you're here again today. Is there something important?"
Duan Zhi'an stepped forward with a smile: "I have indeed come to your residence today on some important business."
"That's unfortunate, the prince left early this morning and we don't know when he will return."
"It's alright, I'm here to see the old prince today."
Jiang Mian was curious and was about to ask again when she heard Duan Zhi'an say, "By the way, I brought someone with me. I suppose you two have something to say to each other."
After saying that, he lifted the curtain of the sedan chair behind him and reached out to help one person down.
Jiang Wan looked in the direction he was looking, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Qianqian?!"
"Sister Man." Wen Qian stepped down from the sedan chair and ran to her. "Are you alright?"
Jiang Wan held her hand: "I'm fine, but what about you? The Emperor ordered you to stay in the palace, why did you risk coming out?"
"I wanted to see you, so I specifically asked my uncle to bring me out."
Jiang Wan thought to herself, "It's so good to have a Grand Tutor uncle, and it's even better to have one who dotes on me."
Duan Zhi'an draped a cloak over Wen Qian and said, "Alright, you two go to the warm pavilion and have a good chat. I'll go invite the old prince to join us."
"Ah."
The two looked at each other and smiled. Duan Zhi'an walked to the backyard, leaving Jiang Mian and Wen Qian on the front porch.
The warm room was cozy with the warmth of burning charcoal, and the air was filled with the fragrance of wood.
Jiang Mian helped Wen Qian sit up and asked, "Are you feeling any better? How are the people in Qingxin Palace?"
"Yes, much better. Everyone in the palace treats me very well."
"That's good."
After a moment of silence, Wen Qian said, "Sister Wan, there is actually another matter I came here today."
"What's the matter?"
Wen Qian lowered her head, handed over a letter written in red ink, and said softly, "This letter is specially for you."
"Letter to me?"
Jiang Wan took the letter and opened it; it contained only a short sentence—
"Yuan Day, north entrance of Hualing Street."
Wen Qian began, "This letter is from Your Highness..."
“I know,” Jiang Wan interrupted her. “I know whose it is.”