The Cloud Armor Pavilion was three stories high. Downstairs, there were scattered tables, but even the diners at these tables were dressed in fine clothes. In the middle of the room, there was a large stage connected to the second floor, and the interior decorations were very luxurious.
After entering, Jiang Nianzhu led Jiang Wan to the second floor and entered a private room with the plaque "Private Room A".
"Sister, order whatever you want to eat."
"Alright, waiter, then I'll have the wine-steamed lamb chops, the creamy goose, the tofu soup, the pickled fish, the date paste pastries, the nine-layered cake, the vegetarian chicken, half a pound of braised beef, and a glass of cherry sweet wine. That will be all."
The waiter quickly took note, responded, and then retreated.
Jiang Wan didn't understand. Was it really just eating alone? Shen Quan wasn't coming? But she felt that things weren't that simple.
"Sister, what are you thinking about? You seem to have something on your mind."
"Nothing. I've never properly looked at the prosperity of this capital city, and I can't help but feel a little emotional."
"It's okay, sister. We have a long time ahead of us."
A moment later, the waiter had filled the table with dishes. Looking at the food, Jiang Wan's stomach rumbled with hunger.
"Sister, don't be in a hurry to eat. The two of us sisters have never had a meal alone like this before. We should also drink a cup of sweet wine to celebrate."
Could there be something wrong with this sweet wine? Why raise a glass for no reason? Jiang Wan had to be wary of Jiang Nianzhu's character.
"This sweet wine doesn't look appetizing. I think my sister's sweet wine is good. I wonder if we can exchange?"
"If you like it, then let's exchange."
Seeing Jiang Nianzhu being so agreeable, Jiang Wan felt that she might be overthinking things.
"A gentleman doesn't take what others like. I'll just drink this cup of mine."
After taking a sip of the sweet wine, Jiang Wan had only eaten a few bites of food when she heard the door open, and Shen Quan walked in.
"Wan'er, have you missed me in the past few days?"
"No."
"Wan'er, what's wrong with you? Have I done something wrong? Just tell me directly, please don't torment me like this, okay?"
"Your Highness, I made myself very clear on the street that day. If Your Highness continues to pester me like this, you will only make me dislike you."
Shen Quan didn't expect Jiang Wan to be so blunt and ruthless. He stopped pretending to be gentle and considerate, and his face became gloomy.
"Jiang Wan, don't be ungrateful. Are you thinking of becoming the Regent King's consort now that Gu Chen has become the Regent King? What's so good about Gu Chen? He's just the Emperor's abandoned son. No matter what position he holds, as long as he is Gu Chen, he will always be a subject. You should think long-term. If you apologize to me, I will forgive you, and I will find a way to cancel the engagement."
"What do you mean? What abandoned son? What subject? I don't understand. I only know that even if you were the Emperor, I would rather die than marry you. Even if Gu Chen were a ninth-rank official, I would still marry him."
Shen Quan seemed to have lost his mind. Staring at Jiang Wan with bloodshot eyes, a strange smile flashed across his lips.
"Jiang Wan, I'm afraid you have no say in this. Don't you feel your body's light, your heart's burning, and your legs' weakness?"
"You... what did you do? Xi Tao, Xi Guo."
"You don't need to call for them. My people have taken them away. Today, I will make you mine. Let's see how Gu Chen can marry you then."
"Shen Quan, you actually put drugs in the food?"
"Wrong, the drug was soaked into the chopsticks you used."
At this moment, Jiang Wan was already limp, her head dizzy, and she slumped onto the table.
"You, step back, Zhuer."
Jiang Nianzhu was incredibly unwilling. She hadn't even gotten her man, yet he was going to be taken by Jiang Wan. But for the sake of the grand scheme, she could only endure it. Clutching her handkerchief tightly and about to leave, she heard a low, hoarse voice filled with killing intent.
"No one is leaving!"
"Gu Chen? What about Quan-gege?"
Shen Quan's face was filled with disbelief. But what could he do? How had Gu Chen arrived? Had Gu Chen sent someone to monitor him?
"Gu Chen, how did you come out from behind the screen? You were here all along? How did you know?"
"You've repeatedly coveted this King's consort. How can I let you off?"
With those words, Gu Chen thrust the long spear in his hand toward Shen Quan.
"Wait, Gu Chen, I haven't done anything to Jiang Wan. If you kill me, Father Emperor won't spare you. Even if this matter is brought before Father Emperor, I'll only receive a few reprimands."
Gu Chen saw that Shen Quan showed no sign of remorse and was even more furious.
"Don't worry. I want to kill you, but I won't. I'll just take a finger as a warning."
As he spoke, Gu Chen raised his long spear and slashed toward Shen Quan, who dodged with a turn.
"Gu Chen, you're truly a madman! Do you know what you're doing?"
Gu Chen didn't want to say another word to Shen Quan. He planted the long spear on the ground, lifted his feet off the ground, and used the spear's force to lie sideways in the air. Then, he quickly kicked Shen Quan's chest.
Shen Quan was kicked to the ground by Gu Chen, a trace of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
"Don't, Gu Chen! I'm your brother."
When Gu Chen heard the word "brother," a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes. He then stepped on Shen Quan's hand. The long spear directly sliced off Shen Quan's little finger, and a trace of blood spurted out.
Shen Quan screamed in pain, letting out a continuous "Ah!" His forehead was covered in beads of sweat, large and small.
"Gu Chen, you lunatic! I'll never let this go. We're enemies until death!"
"You're nothing but a waste. I'll be waiting."
Gu Chen turned to look at Jiang Nianzhu, who was next to him. She was so frightened that she had collapsed on the ground. Gu Chen advanced step by step. Jiang Nianzhu heard Shen Quan say that Gu Chen was his brother and was also bewildered. However, the situation didn't allow her to think too much. Seeing Gu Chen approaching her, Jiang Nianzhu immediately pushed back with her feet, using her body to exert force backward until her back touched the wall and she could no longer dodge. She then began to beg for mercy.
"Your Highness, I was wrong. Please spare my life for my sister's sake. This subject guarantees I won't make the same mistake again."
"Since you're her sister, I won't cut off your fingers."
"Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Your Highness."
Gu Chen's cold expression was mixed with a hint of playfulness and killing intent.
"Then I'll injure one of your toes."
Gu Chen thrust the spear into Jiang Nianzhu's shoes and socks, and in an instant, the pristine white footwear was stained with blood.
Jiang Nianzhu fainted before she could even cry out in pain. Gu Chen, with the bearing of a king, looked down at Shen Quan.
"If you don't send Wan'er's maid back to the Prime Minister's residence later, you should know what will happen."
Gu Chen turned and carried Jiang Wan out of the Cloud Armor Pavilion. The guards waiting for Shen Quan downstairs saw Gu Chen emerge from the room and immediately sensed something was wrong. They hurried upstairs to Private Room A.
Upon entering, the guards saw Shen Quan and Jiang Nianzhu both lying on the ground. Next to Shen Quan was a severed finger, and Jiang Nianzhu's shoes were also soaked with blood.
"Please, Your Highness, forgive us. Please spare our lives."
"Stop talking nonsense! Quickly help me back to the residence to summon the imperial physician, and send Zhuer back to the Prime Minister's residence."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Inside the Prime Minister's residence.
Upon hearing from the servants that Jiang Nianzhu was injured, Jiang's father and Madam Liu were so frightened that their legs felt weak. Seeing the blood still flowing from Jiang Nianzhu's foot, Jiang's father immediately grabbed the collar of the guard who had brought her back.
"Tell me, who injured my daughter?"
"In response to the Prime Minister, it should be the Regent King. This is the physician my lord sent. Since I have delivered the young miss to the Prime Minister's residence, I will take my leave."
"Quick, quick, quick, quickly check if Zhuer is seriously injured!"
After the physician bowed, he immediately removed Jiang Nianzhu's shoes and socks. After examining her, he sprinkled some hemostatic powder on her toes, bandaged them, and prescribed some medicine.
Madam Liu wept by the side, and after seeing the physician's diagnosis, she immediately stepped forward to ask questions.
"How is it? Is anything wrong with my Zhuer?"
"Replying to the Prime Minister's wife, the young lady is fine. She was just frightened and fainted due to the pain in her toes. She will wake up after taking this prescription."
Jiang's father and Madam Liu sighed in relief, as if they had taken a weight off their shoulders. They looked at Jiang Nianzhu, who was lying on the bed, their eyes full of heartache.
"Is Zhuer's foot injury serious? Will it affect her walking?"
"Replying to the Prime Minister, the young lady's toe injury is somewhat serious. It was pierced by a sharp object. She may have difficulty walking for a short time due to the pain, but fortunately, only her little toe is injured. She will be fine once it heals."
"Steward Cao, take the doctor down."
After everyone had left, Madam Liu put on a delicate act, crying like a weeping willow.
"My lord, I don't care. Zhuer has been cherished by us since she was a child. When has she ever suffered such grievances? How dare Gu Chen treat our daughter like this? Does he even have you, the Prime Minister, in his eyes?"
"Madam, rest assured. I will petition the Emperor tomorrow. I don't believe Gu Chen can defy the heavens. I will certainly seek justice for Nianzhu."
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