142 The Villain

His call made my entire body tremble. At that moment, I did not want to face him; I always felt so nervous in his presence that I couldn't think straight or find the right words. I would rather have chosen to run away.

But since he had called out to me, I had no choice but to stop.

I turned around, clutching my food box, and bowed to Jiang Xuan. "This servant greets the Ninth Prince."

"Look up!"

Those cloud-patterned boots drew closer, stopping right before my eyes.

I had no choice but to lift my head, look at him, and ask, "Does the Ninth Prince have any instructions?"

"Regarding what happened yesterday, do you have nothing you wish to say to me?"

Upon hearing this, I replied, "I was at Huayang Palace and could not come. I offer my congratulations to the Ninth Prince."

"Congratulations?" Jiang Xuan let out a cold snort. "Is that all you have to say to me?"

I didn't want to offer congratulations either, but what else could I say now?

I added, "If I have the chance, I hope to have a cup of your wedding wine."

"Xiao Xiaozi!" Jiang Xuan growled, "Do you think that is what I want to hear?"

I realized then—was he looking for news about Jialin? People were coming and going, and if someone saw us here, it would be bad. The incident with the palace maid was already hanging over us. The Empress and Jiang Yun had set their sights on both me and Jiang Xuan; they certainly would not let it go. I could not afford to take any more risks with him.

I thought for a moment and said, "Lady Jialin is sweet and lovely, and her background is pitiable. She has suffered much in this palace. Being with the Ninth Prince will surely—"

"Xiao Xiaozi!" Jiang Xuan roared, silencing me.

"So that she can live a good life, you think I should marry her? Is this what you want to see?"

I looked at him, biting my lip hard.

"I am asking you, is it or is it not?"

"It is." My heart gave a sharp, painful twinge.

Things having reached this point, what did it matter whether I wanted to see it or not?

Jiang Xuan pinched my chin and said, "Do you think I don't know what I was fed? I just wanted to see how you would treat me. Now, I see clearly—ha! You would rather push me to someone else. Am I just a fool in your eyes? Or are you simply trying to gain some benefit from me?"

My heart ached. To hear Jiang Xuan say such things—it truly hurt.

Perhaps since entering the palace, my goal had been to protect myself so that I could climb higher. Perhaps to outsiders, whether I clung to Zhang Bitong or this Ninth Prince, it was all for my own sake. But with Jiang Xuan, I knew deep down that I never held such intentions. I grew close to him without ever wanting to gain anything; my motive was simple: I just wanted to be by his side.

Forget it. This is for the best. It was never possible between Jiang Xuan and me. If I were a eunuch, he could never be with me. If my identity as a woman were discovered, he would be dragged down with me. My crime was already one punishable by death.

"It is!" The second "yes" was uttered with ironclad resolve. I kept my face impassive. "I am but a lowly servant. Naturally, I want to protect myself. The Ninth Prince knows full well what kind of life the eunuchs and palace maids lead in this place. If I have the Ninth Prince as my patron, at least no one will make things difficult for me. Even if they do, can the Ninth Prince not help me?"

Jiang Xuan’s grip tightened, as if he intended to crush my chin. It was better to provoke him; at least then he would quickly cast me aside.

"You, Xiao Xiaozi, say that again!"

I said, "If the Ninth Prince commands me to repeat it, I dare not refuse. But if I say it again, the answer remains the same!"

"Xiao Xiaozi, you truly have spoken your heart."

Even though the pain was intense, I managed a smile. "Did the Ninth Prince perhaps overestimate me before?"

Jiang Xuan stared at me fixedly, finally pushing my chin away and releasing his grip. Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and slammed me against the palace wall, pressing his entire body against mine so that I could not move.

I was terrified, my soul nearly leaving my body. Jiang Xuan had been truly provoked, but I never expected such an action. Although I had drunk some wine yesterday, I still remembered everything Jiang Xuan had done to me when he entered the Lingbo Palace. It was different in the Cold Palace; if someone saw us now, all my efforts to play the villain would have been for nothing.

*Jiang Xuan, you cannot throw your life away because of me!*

"Ninth Prince, do you really want someone to see this? Do you want the Empress or the Crown Prince to witness it? Your forbearance yesterday, your willingness to marry Lady Jialin—was that not to protect yourself? You are so clever; do you not know the purpose behind everything that happened yesterday? You knew there was medicine in the wine, yet you drank it. It was to preserve brotherly ties, and you knew you could control yourself. You have the ability to protect yourself, but I am different. As I just said, I cherish my life. I do not want to die. Please, Ninth Prince, let me go!"

Perhaps my words brought Jiang Xuan to his senses, or perhaps they infuriated him further, but he did not take any further action.

"Xiao Xiaozi, you truly have no heart." With that, Jiang Xuan turned and walked away.

I nearly stumbled to the ground, catching myself against the palace wall.

If I have no heart, so be it. In this situation, what else could I say? I didn't want to push Jialin onto you, but how else could I escape? Once I walked away, the rumors between us would be confirmed by the Empress and Jiang Yun, and the outcome would be far worse than this.

Jialin was a girl I had always sympathized with. Now that she was with Jiang Xuan, though he was reserved and not good with words, he would at least not treat her too poorly. She could be considered to have escaped the sea of misery.

If this is the best ending, then what does it matter if I play the villain?

Jiang Xuan, you are the Ninth Prince, and I firmly believe I have not misjudged you. You will have a great future. Why should I be the one to stand in your way now?

Once I calmed my nerves, I took the food box and returned to Huayang Palace.

In the courtyard, Han Feiyue sat eating osmanthus cake.

Jiang Chen walked over, looking as humble and refined as ever.

"This servant greets the Sixth Prince."

"Mm, rise. Third Sister-in-law, are you eating osmanthus cake? I smelled the fragrance from quite a distance."

Han Feiyue said, "You have a sharp nose. Xiao Xiaozi, bring some over for the Sixth Prince."

"As you command!"

I served some to Jiang Chen. He said to me, "A palace maid named Jialin is looking for you outside the palace. If you wish to see her, I will bring her in."

Jialin? I had not expected her to come to Huayang Palace to find me.

I glanced at Han Feiyue. Jiang Chen said, "Xiao Xiaozi, why don't you go to the eunuchs in my palace to get a box of tea leaves? I will stay here and chat with your mistress."

Hearing this, Han Feiyue said, "Xiao Xiaozi, go ahead."

"As you command!"

I walked to the palace gate and found Jialin waiting by the side. Upon seeing me, she ran over, beaming.

"Xiao Xiaozi."

"Lady Jialin."

Seeing me, Jialin burst into tears.

I hurried to say, "Why are you crying? Surely these aren't tears of joy?"

Jialin replied, "They are not. I still don't understand what happened. We were drinking peacefully, then the Ninth Prince arrived, and later the Emperor and the others... Where did you go?"

Hearing this, I quickly said, "Lady Jialin, please never mention what happened yesterday again. Especially my presence. It could bring a death sentence upon us."

Frightened, Jialin nodded immediately.

I continued, "Just wait to go to the Ninth Prince's residence. Think about how no one will ever bully you like Lady Ya did again, and how you will live a life of luxury. You should be happy. Don't think about anything else, and don't mention it. The Ninth Prince is a good man; he will not treat you poorly."

Jialin asked weakly, "But I have only seen him a few times. And I am afraid of him; he doesn't seem to like me."

I guided her, "Lady Jialin, love will come with time. What matters now is changing your circumstances. Do you want to remain with Lady Ya and live that kind of life forever?"

Jialin shook her head. "I don't. I don't want that anymore. When I went back yesterday, my mistress found out about this, but she only scolded me a few times; she didn't beat me."

"That’s right. Your status has changed, and she dares not treat you like that anymore. When you get to the Ninth Prince's, serve him well. If you bear him a child, your future will be secure. Lady Jialin, I leave you with these four words: Contentment brings joy. The inner palace is not like other places; if one is too greedy, one will only dig their own grave. Remember this, and your life will not be bad."

I am not sure if Jialin understood, but she nodded. "I will remember. Xiao Xiaozi, I know you have my best interests at heart. Since you are from the Cuiwei Palace, I can visit you often when I am settled."

"Once you go there, you will be a mistress. We must maintain a proper distance."

"Yes, yes, I will remember. Hearing you say this, I feel much better. Xiao Xiaozi, what about you? Where did you go? Does your head still hurt?"

"I am perfectly fine; do not worry about me. Go back and prepare. Are you not supposed to move to the Ninth Prince's residence in the next few days?"

Jialin nodded. "The Emperor's intention is to forgo a wedding ceremony. I know that as a palace maid, I am not worthy of those things, so long as the Ninth Prince does not despise me. The Emperor sent some gifts to Yuexian Palace today, and tomorrow I will move to the Ninth Prince's."

"Even so, being a secondary consort is a wonderful thing."

Jialin said, "Not a secondary consort. The Emperor's decree is that I am to be a Lady."

"A Lady?"

That was enough to be content with; the Emperor must have been very concerned about Jialin's humble background.

"If there is nothing else, you should head back. At a time like this, you shouldn't be wandering about."

"Then I will return now. Xiao Xiaozi, I will come to find you again."

"Mm."