The Hidden Beauty

Chapter 2 The Bitter Meat Scheme

In his drowsiness, the words of Jiang's father instructing him on the art of war were still ringing in his ears.

"People don't harm themselves, and the harm they suffer must be real. False truth and false truth can be achieved through intermediary."

"It's late. On the battlefield, if we take the fake as real, the enemy will definitely believe it without a doubt. Only in this way can the plan of inflicting pain on oneself be successful."

"In fact, this is also true of human relationships."

"..."

After drinking the medicine, Jiang Shiwan broke out in a sweat. When she woke up in a daze, she heard Yun Shang and Xue Ying's happy voices: "Girl, you are finally awake."

Jiang Shiwan suddenly half sat up, frowning uncomfortably because of a splitting headache.

Yun Shang handed over a cup of warm tea: "Girl, have a drink."

"Where's the governor?"

"Let's go back to the Governor's Mansion. Young lady, the Governor has ordered that you must not do anything stupid again, otherwise it will be the fault of the servants."

"Did he leave any message?"

"No."

Jiang Shiwan said "Oh", then lay down on his side and stopped talking.

No rush, she can wait.

For several days in a row, Yunchang and Xueying stayed close to Jiang Shiwan, and Meng Tingzhou never set foot in Wanyuan again.

Governor's Mansion.

Pei Qingzheng reported the intelligence he had obtained after a careful investigation: "Song Huaizhi, the commander of the Jiangning Army, is the son of a family friend of the Jiang family. When the Song family was in trouble, Jiang Xingyuan took good care of Song Huaizhi."

"Song Huaizhi?" Meng Tingzhou tapped the armrest with his knuckles. "This governor remembers this person."

He had heard people mention that Jiang Xingyuan loved him deeply, and he also knew that he had lived in the Jiang family for two years.

Thinking of this, he clenched his fists and his knuckles cracked.

"Are you married?"

"Not yet."

Meng Tingzhou sneered: "The two of them are childhood sweethearts. But even though Jiang Xingyuan thinks highly of him, he didn't let him be his son-in-law."

Pei Qing naturally knew who they were referring to, and hurriedly lowered his head: "Commander-in-chief, Deputy Envoy Xu asked whether Jiang Shinian should be sent to the border."

Meng Tingzhou did not speak, but stood up and said, "Let's go to Quhefang."

Quhefang is the most famous music hall in the capital, where princes and nobles often drink tea and listen to music.

When passing by one of the rooms, Meng Tingzhou heard a sound from inside.

"Mr. Shen, now that the Jiang family has been convicted, what are your plans?"

"She came to me for help before because of her father's matter, but I didn't agree."

"What a pity. I've seen Jiang Shiwan's appearance before. If he was always by my side, I would be fascinated by him."

"The Jiang family is guilty, so it is impossible to marry her legally. Would you like to take Shen as your concubine?"

Shen Yunqi's eyes flickered: "If she knows what's interesting, it's not a bad idea."

As soon as the news of Jiang Xingyuan's suicide came out, he wanted to take Jiang Shiwan for himself, but the Jiang siblings seemed to have disappeared these days. He didn't know whether they were hiding or arrested and interrogated by the government.

It won’t be too late to ask your father indirectly after the storm has died down in a few days.

Standing outside the door, Meng Tingzhou strode away expressionlessly.

Pei Qing and Yu Feng looked at each other and followed closely.

The moonlight is dim and the night wind is slightly chilly.

Jiang Shiwan, who had just recovered from a cold, took off all his clothes and slumped over the table.

Meng Tingzhou straightened her up, holding her slender waist with one hand and pinching her chin with the other, breathing heavily.

"You are quite capable. In addition to being engaged to Shen Yunqi, you also have a childhood sweetheart, Song Huaizhi. I believe that people outside will soon know that I am your backer in exchange for your body."

His strength was so fierce that it seemed as if he wanted to devour her alive.

Jiang Shiwan panted slightly, "My marriage to the Shen family was arranged by my parents and the matchmaker. Song Huaizhi was once my father's student, so I wanted him to take care of Shi Nian."

Seeing Meng Tingzhou's eyes seem to see through something through the bronze mirror, Jiang Shiwan closed her eyes, then hugged his head with both hands and bit his lips. Meng Tingzhou seemed to be unexpected, and then kissed her red lips passionately.

With a series of "clangs and clangs", everything on the table fell to the ground.

Having such a beautiful person by your side all the time is truly enchanting.

I don't know how long it took before the person waiting outside came in with his head down to serve.

The room was filled with a strong aroma of tea.

The mottled red marks on the governor's body were particularly eye-catching.

Yunchang tidied it up for her as if nothing had happened, but Xueying lowered her head and couldn't bear to look at it.

After everything was packed, Meng Tingzhou lifted the curtains and saw that she was still blushing on the bed and her hair was slightly wet. He reached out and gathered her hair and said, "In a few days, someone will be sent to escort your brother south to join the Jiangning Army. Whether he can make a name for himself in the future depends on his own luck."

"Of course, I am not a good person." He stared at her, "You must stay by my side and don't have any second thoughts."

He wanted to see what this woman was planning!
Hearing this, Jiang Shiwan knew that his self-torture scheme had succeeded.

She smiled sincerely, half-raised herself and leaned on Meng Tingzhou's shoulder, whispering, "I am extremely grateful to the governor for taking pity on a humble servant like me. I only hope to be able to stay by his side forever, and I dare not have any improper thoughts."

"You agreed straightforwardly."

"He who knows the current situation is a hero. Besides, Xiaonian is my only relative in the world. Protecting him well will not be in vain for our brother-sister relationship."

Jiang Shiwan stroked the calluses on his palms: "After this separation, I don't know when we will meet again. Governor, can you allow me to make some snacks for Xiaonian?"

Meng Tingzhou lifted her chin. Her pitiful face seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, which was far from her usual clear and cool demeanor. He said word by word, "Don't go too far."

She was obedient: "Forget it, I'll listen to the governor in everything."

Meng Tingzhou chuckled, and his fingertips traced down her fair neck: "It's not impossible, it depends on how you behave."

Jiang Shiwan bit his lip calmly, then smiled knowingly.

She turned around and leaned over him, took off her thin shirt, and reached out to unbutton his clothes.

Meng Tingzhou suppressed his emotions and said hoarsely: "You are two completely different people when you are wearing clothes and when you are in front of me."

When he went to court, although Meng Tingzhou tightened the collar of his official robe, the sharp-eyed Yu Feng still saw the mark on his neck.

Secretly puzzled.

"Commander-in-chief, there is news from the palace that the imperial concubine is pregnant."

"It's good for her."

Jiang Shiwan got Meng Tingzhou's promise to let Xiaonian come to see her. Although he could only stay for half an hour, it was enough for her.

On that day, she got up early and went to the kitchen to mix the dough and sauce...

After working for a whole morning, I packed the snacks in boxes and waited patiently.

Until Yunchang came with delicate footsteps to report: "Miss, Master Jiang is here."

Jiang Shiwan hurried out to greet him, and when he heard the young man's voice coming from afar, his heart was moved.

After not seeing him for some time, he looked darker and his face looked much thinner.

Even though they knew they had to hold back their emotions, the siblings couldn't help themselves when they looked at each other.

"Sister!"

"Xiao Nian!"

Jiang Shinian didn't know he would see her here, and was surprised and happy: "Sister, I was so worried about you, why are you here?"

Jiang Shiwan squeezed his wrist and motioned to him calmly: "Come into the house first, I'll tell you slowly."

Just as she was about to close the door, Yu Feng signaled from a distance: "The governor has ordered, Miss Jiang, please open the door."

Jiang Shiwan knew that Meng Tingzhou was on guard against him, so he stopped insisting.

While pulling Jiang Shinian to sit down, she whispered in his ear: "Do you remember the hidden puzzle game we played when we were kids?"

"Ah."

"You must remember every word and every action I say next."

(End of this chapter)