The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 36
36
When faced with immense trauma, some people selectively forget past memories, some numb themselves by repeatedly revisiting the past, and others use physical pain to alleviate mental torment.
But Shen Zhuwan experienced none of these.
Five years ago, a series of events struck one after another, yet they seemed to have no impact on Shen Zhuwan. To others, she appeared coldly composed, almost ruthless.
She handled everything methodically, as if her parents’ deaths were no different from the passing of strangers.
Everyone called her heartless and indifferent, unmoved by her parents’ demise. But only Shen Zhuwan herself knew the truth.
For her, every stormy night served as a relentless reminder, forcing her to recall those buried, fragmented memories.
Like relentless waves crashing in, they seeped into every crevice, drowning her in a cold, dark abyss.
Just as she felt on the verge of suffocation, the warmth of a girl pressing close from behind drove away the chilling darkness.
In the silence, the girl’s words struck like a heavy hammer, shattering the tightly sealed darkness and letting light pierce through to her long-parched heart.
How did she know?
Shen Zhuwan stared into the endless darkness before her, her hand slowly reaching to grasp the girl’s wrist.
After a long silence, the girl’s steady breathing came from behind her neck. Shen Zhuwan slowly closed her eyes and released her grip.
Let it be, then.
The next morning, Shen Zhuwan awoke to find the space beside her empty, with only the lingering scent of citrus reminding her that someone had indeed been there the previous night.
Rubbing her temples, Shen Zhuwan was about to call for Jinxi when she heard voices conversing outside.
“Is the princess awake?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh, then I’ll go have breakfast first.”
Shen Zhuwan quietly watched the silhouette of a “young man” turn and leave through the shadow cast on the door. After a moment, she called out, “Jinxi.”
Jinxi hurried in, observing Shen Zhuwan’s expression carefully to ensure she wasn’t unwell before letting out a sigh of relief.
“Princess, you’re awake? The prince consort was just here looking for you.”
Shen Zhuwan was well aware. She stood and asked, “What time is it now?”
“About seven in the morning.”
Shen Zhuwan paused slightly. Seven? Had she really slept so long?
Seeing her princess fall silent, Jinxi quickly began helping her dress, saying, “There’s still an hour until the scripture lecture. There’s no rush, Princess.”
Shen Zhuwan wasn’t anxious, just caught in a complex web of emotions, slightly disoriented.
On stormy nights, she either stayed awake all night or slept restlessly. Never before had she slept as deeply as she did last night.
After breakfast, Ji Rongjin wandered around the temple, with Shadow One trailing closely behind.
Guoan Temple was the most solemn and grand temple in Daqian, sprawling over a vast area with over a thousand monks. Statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, large and small, were enshrined in various courtyards.
The main hall housed the largest Buddha statue, drawing the most worshippers.
Behind the main hall stood an ancient ginkgo tree, tall and lush, its branches adorned with red ribbons that fluttered in the breeze like a bride in a red wedding dress.
With nothing else to do, Ji Rongjin strolled over to read the messages written on the ribbons.
One read: May my family be healthy and all things go well.
Another: May my daughter soon find a good match.
Yet another: May my husband’s career flourish.
Ji Rongjin thought for a moment, then spent some money to buy a red ribbon. She solemnly wrote her wish: Get rich soon, get rich, get rich.
After writing, she handed it to Shadow One with a serious expression. “Hang it high.”
Shadow One took the ribbon. “How high?”
Ji Rongjin: “The very top, is that possible?”
Shadow One: “…It’s possible.”
From below, Ji Rongjin watched as Shadow One leaped to the treetop in a few swift moves, hanging her ribbon at the very top. She couldn’t help but feel envious.
Having martial arts skills was amazing—flying wherever you wanted.
Satisfied, Ji Rongjin gazed at her unique red ribbon at the treetop and sighed softly. “If there really is a god, my wish will surely come true first.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
Ji Rongjin answered matter-of-factly, “Because mine’s hung the highest, closest to the gods.”
Only after explaining did she realize something was off.
Turning, she saw a woman in dark robes standing behind her, amusement spilling from the eyes behind her mask.
“Miss Ye,” Ji Rongjin said, slightly embarrassed. She coughed lightly, then suddenly patted her head. “Oh, right, Miss Ye, I haven’t returned the five thousand taels I borrowed from you last time.”
With that, Ji Rongjin pulled a stack of silver notes from her sleeve and handed them to the woman.
Ye Lu froze for a moment, then her lips curved slightly as she accepted the notes.
Ji Rongjin looked away, her heart aching.
What kind of god is this? I just wished to get rich, and now I’m handing over five thousand taels.
Ye Lu noticed her expression and, with a subtle shift in her gaze, said, “I’m Ye Lu. If you don’t mind, you can call me by my name.”
Suppressing her heartache, Ji Rongjin cupped her hands and said, “I’m Ji… Xiaobao.”
She swallowed her real name after a brief hesitation. It wasn’t that she meant to be insincere, but the name Ji Rongjin was too recognizable—everyone knew it belonged to the Eldest Princess’s consort.
She didn’t care much herself, but if others found out the dignified prince consort was borrowing money, it would be Shen Zhuwan who lost face.
Besides, what she’d done with the borrowed money could easily be misunderstood.
In her past life, her nickname had been Xiaobao, so technically, she wasn’t lying—she was even generously sharing her childhood nickname.
Ji Rongjin comforted herself inwardly, oblivious to the woman’s expression across from her.
Ye Lu was momentarily surprised, then chuckled softly. “Alright, Young Master Ji.”
The name sounded fake no matter how she heard it. She assumed the person before her was just cautious—after all, she herself had been like that as a child.
“Young Master Ji, please have a seat.” Ye Lu gestured toward a stone table nearby. Noticing Ji Rongjin’s puzzled look, she explained, “I’d like to discuss a business deal with you.”
“A business deal with me?” Ji Rongjin sat down, confused. “My family doesn’t do business.”
“But mine does. To be frank, my family is currently working on a deal…”
Ye Lu paused, glancing at Shadow One nearby.
Ji Rongjin understood immediately and said to Shadow One, “Wait for me over there.”
Shadow One nodded, giving Ye Lu a discreet once-over before stepping back to a distance where he couldn’t hear their conversation but could still rush over if needed.
Once he was gone, Ji Rongjin said, “Miss Ye, you can continue.”
Ye Lu nodded and began discussing the matter.
Meanwhile, at the back entrance of the main hall, Shen Zhuwan stood watching the two chatting happily under the ginkgo tree, lost in thought.
Jinxi cautiously observed her princess’s expression while sneaking glances toward the prince consort.
It did seem like the two were getting along well. From afar, Jinxi saw the prince consort hand a stack of silver notes to the woman, who, while accepting them, casually brushed a ginkgo leaf from the prince consort’s head.
And the prince consort was still grinning foolishly, talking nonstop with the woman.
Jinxi didn’t dare look anymore. She stole a glance at her princess’s face—expressionless, but somehow, it felt a bit cold.
On the other side, Ji Rongjin was beaming as she finalized the business deal with the woman, feeling utterly delighted.
Ye Lu was clearly from a wealthy family—lending five thousand taels without hesitation and not rushing to collect it. Only someone from a truly affluent household would lend such a sum to a near-stranger.
Luckily, Ye Lu’s family was short on liquid funds, giving Ji Rongjin this chance to invest.
With just five thousand taels, she’d secured a deal that promised continuous dividends in the future.
This deal was worth it.
Miss Ye was truly a good person.
Seeing Ji Rongjin’s joy, Ye Lu’s lips curved slightly, but then she pressed them together faintly.
It seemed Ji Rongjin wasn’t living happily in the princess’s residence.
First, she must be short on money. Second, Shen Zhuwan, with her cunning nature, might appear to care for Ji Rongjin for the sake of her father, the Grand Tutor, but in reality, she likely wasn’t that kind.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let Ji Rongjin ride in His Majesty’s carriage to draw attention away.
Ye Lu pondered quietly, then heard the girl ask, “Miss Ye, are you here at Guoan Temple to pray as well?”
Snapping back to the moment, Ye Lu nodded. “Yes, I was just about to go. Would Young Master Ji like to join me?”
Ji Rongjin thought for a moment. The prayer time was approaching, so she happily agreed.
The two walked side by side, keeping a polite distance, chatting and laughing.
After a few steps, Ji Rongjin glanced up and saw a woman standing at the entrance. She paused, instinctively wanting to walk toward her, but remembering the person beside her, she stopped herself. Instead, she waved toward Shen Zhuwan.
Ye Lu had already noticed the woman at the entrance but pretended not to. She observed Ji Rongjin’s expressions and actions closely.
Seeing the girl wave, Ye Lu naturally glanced over.
Their gazes met in the air.
Ye Lu looked into Shen Zhuwan’s calm eyes, and the smile on her lips gradually faded.
She turned back and asked, “Young Master Ji, who is that?”
Ji Rongjin’s smile widened as she whispered, “That’s my wife.”
Leaning closer, she covered her mouth with her sleeve, her tone a bit proud. “Pretty, isn’t she?”
Ye Lu paused, her peripheral vision catching the genuine smile on the girl’s lips. After a moment, she said softly, “Young Master Ji and your wife seem to have a good relationship?”
“Of course.” Ji Rongjin replied, lowering her hand and grinning toward Shen Zhuwan. “Famously good.”
Ye Lu fell silent, giving Ji Rongjin a complicated look, wanting to say something but holding back.
Finally, she responded to the earlier comment. “She’s a beautiful woman, like a fox.”
And just as cunning as one.
Ye Lu sighed inwardly. As a child, A’Jin had been wary, but because of that wariness, once she let her guard down, her trust was absolute.
It seemed Shen Zhuwan, that fox, had already earned A’Jin’s trust.
But how could she tell her that Shen Zhuwan wasn’t someone worth trusting or loving?
Due to Ji Rongjin’s earlier boast, the two had drawn closer, but Ji Rongjin didn’t notice.
As they neared the princess, she politely bid Ye Lu farewell and walked straight toward Shen Zhuwan.
Ye Lu watched her eager figure, then shifted her gaze to Shen Zhuwan. After a moment, her lips moved silently, mouthing: “All is well, Your Highness.”
She was warning Shen Zhuwan that exposing her identity as the head of Xuange would also reveal their deal to Ji Rongjin.
Shen Zhuwan understood the message.
But in truth, with her own hidden motives, she had never intended to expose Ye Lu’s identity from the start.
The woman in dark robes soon entered the Buddha hall. Shen Zhuwan calmly withdrew her gaze, looking at the girl now standing before her, an inexplicable irritation stirring within her.
“Who is she?” Shen Zhuwan’s tone was light.
“A new friend I made,” the girl replied, beaming. “Miss Ye is a great person.”
“A new friend?” Shen Zhuwan’s eyes flickered with thought before returning to calm.
Looking at the grinning girl, her gaze was serene yet tinged with a trace of coldness. “What’s so funny, Prince Consort? Prayer calls for solemnity.”
Little Ji (retracting her wide grin, confused and aggrieved): Why’s she suddenly upset?