Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Shui Rong picked up the teacup on the table, his fingertips tracing the warm porcelain surface. His gaze fell softly on her face, noticing a mixture of unease and anticipation in her expression. He slowly said:

"Mrs. Lian is in charge of the Rongguo Mansion's vast assets. She works tirelessly inside and outside the mansion, and her mind and spirit are strained day and night. Her illness is ultimately caused by liver qi stagnation and blood deficiency."

He paused, his voice remaining calm.

"As for how you found out, Second Madam Lian, you don't need to delve into it. My husband, Mr. Jiang Zhushan, is a highly skilled physician, especially adept at treating these kinds of difficult and complicated illnesses caused by emotional distress. I already instructed him the other day that you can come to the Prince's Mansion for a consultation when you have time. If you can be cured, it will be a good thing for you and for the Rongguo Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up immediately. She looked up at Shui Rong, her phoenix eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your compassion, Your Highness! If I can truly recover, your humble servant and the Jia family will be eternally grateful! However..."

She changed the subject, a hint of hesitation in her voice, "If outsiders find out about this, it will likely cause a lot of gossip. Does Your Highness have a way to handle this?"

Shui Rong's gaze fell on Wang Xifeng's face, his eyes deep and unfathomable, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he slowly spoke:

"What you should be worried about is the reaction of Second Madam Lian's husband after he finds out about this, not the gossip of others."

He paused, then changed the subject, his tone indifferent, "As for me, who in and around the capital doesn't know that I was assassinated some time ago and have been recuperating in seclusion for a long time? How could I have the leisure to concern myself with the gossip of others?"

As he spoke, he looked up at Wang Xifeng, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "By the way, you should know that Master Zhen went to the palace to meet the Emperor today, right?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face immediately broke into her usual charming smile, her phoenix eyes curving into crescents, her fingertips still twirling the peach-pink handkerchief, as she smiled and said:

"Your Highness is too kind. How could I not know about such an important matter? It's just that I've troubled Master Jia Zheng to make this trip in person because of a sordid and trivial matter in the household."

Before she finished speaking, she suddenly leaned forward, the pearl hairpin at her temple swaying gently, and a sweet fragrance wafted over with the snowy air, reaching right to Shui Rong's ear.

Her voice was extremely soft, gentle and melodious, with a hint of teasing:

"I never expected Your Highness to have become so cunning. I still remember when Your Highness attended the banquet at the royal family, you were a clear-eyed, innocent young man. How come you've now... become tainted by these vulgar notions of love and romance?"

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong remained calm and composed, only slowly turning her head away.

The two were already close by, and when they turned their heads, their noses almost touched. Their breaths mingled, carrying the scents of their clothes and incense, creating an ambiguous atmosphere that made one's heart race.

Wang Xifeng felt her cheeks instantly burn, burning hot, and she hurriedly turned her face away, her ears turning bright red, and scolded:

"How could Your Highness be so tactless, toying with a woman like me like this!"

Although she complained, she secretly glanced at Shui Rong out of the corner of her eye. Seeing his handsome features and the mature composure amidst his youthful spirit, she couldn't help but feel a slight stirring in her heart.

Shui Rong looked at her flushed profile, his smile deepening, and slowly said:

"I did hear a funny story about a young lady in the capital. After giving birth to a girl, her husband gradually became distant and cold towards her. However, there was a brother in her clan who had been coveting this lady for a long time. Although he hadn't succeeded, he always found excuses to get close to her. The ambiguity in his eyes was obvious to everyone, but the lady herself pretended not to know."

As he spoke, his gaze was fixed on Wang Xifeng, and his tone carried a hint of amusement, "Spicy Feng, tell me, who is the woman in this story?"

The color drained from Wang Xifeng's face instantly, leaving it as white as paper, and she almost crushed the handkerchief in her hand.

Isn't this "interesting story" about herself? After giving birth to Qiao Jie, Jia Lian was not as warm towards her as before, and often stayed out, leaving her alone in her empty room.

As for Jia Rui, that scoundrel, relying on being from the same clan, he repeatedly spoke frivolously to her and made advances towards her. Although she sternly rejected him, she did help him with a few small favors. Unexpectedly, outsiders found out about it, and it even reached the ears of the Prince of Bei Jing.

Seeing her like this, Shui Rong said no more, only smiling lightly, "It's just gossip circulating in the streets, don't take it seriously. Why is Feng Lazi so pale? Could it be that your hidden ailment has flared up again?"

Wang Xifeng steadied herself, pressed her hand to her chest, took a deep breath, and barely managed to calm herself.

She looked up at the young prince who had just come of age. He wore a moon-white brocade robe and a jade belt, his features were exquisite, yet his eyes were deep and sharp, possessing a penetrating insight that stirred her heart.

Just then, the carriage suddenly jolted violently, presumably because the wheels had run over some pebbles on the side of the road.

Caught off guard, Wang Xifeng staggered and fell straight into Shui Rong, who was admiring the snow by the window.

Shui Rong felt a softness in his arms, and a rich fragrance mixed with the woman's unique soft scent wafted over him, instantly shattering his feigned composure.

Her soft body pressed against his side, and through the thin fabric, he could almost feel her warmth. A strange restlessness welled up inside him and grew wildly like weeds.

Wang Xifeng was completely flustered. As she fell, she instinctively reached out and grabbed at things haphazardly, trying to steady herself. Her fingertips accidentally brushed against his waist belt and touched a warm, cool jade pendant.

Its texture is delicate and translucent, far from ordinary.

The sudden touch froze her in place; her fingertips trembled slightly, and she felt the coolness from the jade pendant seep straight into her heart. She completely forgot how to react.

She lowered her head, not daring to look at the person opposite her, feeling her face burning hot, as if even the snowstorm outside the window was being melted by the heat.

Her usual boldness and competence had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented awkwardness and shyness.

The two remained in this awkward position, and the carriage was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Only their slightly hurried breathing mingled together, enveloping the room in an indescribable, enchanting atmosphere, lingering in this small space isolated by wind and snow.

Wang Xifeng could clearly feel the warmth emanating from Shui Rong's body, as well as the slight rise and fall of his chest. Her heart pounded like a deer, and she felt helpless, even her fingertips felt hot.

After a long while, she suddenly came to her senses, hurriedly let go of her hand, and struggled to straighten up. The hairpin at her temple was already crooked, and a few strands of hair were scattered and stuck to her cheeks, making her rosy face even more charming, yet also carrying a bit of a flustered and embarrassed look, adding a touch of pitiful appearance.

She looked up at Shui Rong, her eyes swirling with a complex mix of shyness, timidity, and allure, and for a moment she was at a loss for words.

Shui Rong couldn't hide her embarrassment either; her ears turned slightly red, and her usual composure vanished. She felt her heart burning and hurriedly called out loudly towards the car:

"Zhao Zhong! Quickly, drive back to the manor! I have important matters to discuss with Mr. Jiang Zhushan!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Hearing the prince's urgent tone, Zhao Zhong, standing outside the carriage, dared not delay. He immediately whipped his horse, and the carriage sped off towards the Prince of Beijing's residence.

Inside the carriage, the two sat down, but neither spoke.

Wang Xifeng lowered her head, twisting the handkerchief between her fingers. Her cheeks were still burning hot, as if the touch from before still lingered in her palm, making her uneasy.

Shui Rong turned her face away, pretending to continue admiring the snow, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused. The fragrance lingering around her nose was hard to shake off, and the restlessness in her heart could not be calmed for a long time.

The carriage traveled in silence until it smoothly entered the gates of the Prince of Beijing's residence, finally bringing this thrilling encounter to a close.

Shui Rong felt restless and hot all over, as if a fire was burning in his chest. Ancient men were known for their precocious nature.

Because of his social status, he had never married, but he understood the subtle emotions between men and women.

As for Wang Xifeng, she was only in her early twenties and had a son, but she was at the peak of her beauty. The awkward touch in the carriage earlier had already disturbed his mind.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of the vermilion gate of the Prince of Beijing's mansion, he didn't have time to think. He lifted the curtain and jumped down hastily, without even leaving a word of instruction to Zhao Zhong. He strode into the mansion, the hem of his moon-white brocade robe sweeping across the snow in front of the gate, stirring up fine snowflakes. His back view even revealed a hint of haste.