Chapter 90: The Night of Return
In the days of waiting for her lord's return, Sun Jiaojiao had imagined ten thousand scenarios for the Crown Prince's arrival.
Perhaps he would be riding a warhorse, returning triumphantly, majestic and spirited, passing through the capital's streets amidst the screams and gazes of a crowd of girls and women?
Or perhaps he would have a grand imperial procession, first entering the palace to receive his reward, then, wearing his crown prince robes, arrogantly come to the Minister's Residence to see his future Crown Princess?
In short, as arrogant as he was, he would definitely put on a full display, returning like a flamboyant male peacock.
But reality was completely different from her imagination.
The night the Crown Prince returned, Sun Jiaojiao had just finished washing up and obediently rolled into her boudoir bed. Ever since the personal soldiers from the Crown Prince's Residence had surrounded the Minister's Residence to protect her, Sun Jiaojiao had stopped letting Xiao Er and Xiao Si come to her room to spend the night. If word of such scandalous affairs reached the arrogant Crown Prince's ears, what kind of terrifying consequence would there be? Sun Jiaojiao couldn't bear to imagine.
Just as Sun Jiaojiao had blown out the lamp and climbed into bed, there was suddenly the sound of people kneeling outside, completely silent.
"Father, what are you doing here so late?" Sun Jiaojiao thought it was her Minister father. Annoyed, she got out of bed and threw on an outer robe. It was hot in the summer. Although there were blocks of ice in the room to cool it down, it was still unbearably stuffy. Sun Jiaojiao was only wearing a thin chest wrap, covered by a light gauze outer robe. If one looked closely under the light, one could vaguely see the two small red dots inside the chest wrap, trembling with the movement of her body.
Sun Jiaojiao pulled open the door. She didn't expect to see her Minister father. Instead, a heavy man fell towards her without a sound, nearly crushing her.
"Who is it?"
Sun Jiaojiao managed to steady the man, spitting out in annoyance. She was about to see which blind fool dared to press against her, Young Miss Sun, when she found the man's handsome profile extremely familiar.
It was-the Crown Prince?!
Sun Jiaojiao had only seen the Crown Prince's face once. The day before he went on his expedition, he had specially come to the Minister's Residence and taken her again in the reception hall.
Sun Jiaojiao didn't actually remember the Crown Prince's appearance clearly, but she would never mistake that arrogant air that emanated from his bones, or that "strangers keep away" look on his face.
The man before her, although travel-worn and pale, seemed to be seriously injured as he collapsed into her arms. But those tightly pressed thin lips all showed this man's coldness and loneliness.
Sun Jiaojiao quickly steadied the Crown Prince, carefully glanced outside, and saw the Crown Prince's trusted aides following behind. Only then did she give them a reproachful, coquettish look. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and help! Help His Highness inside!"
The Crown Prince's trusted aides were also travel-worn, panting heavily, in no better state than the Crown Prince. While helping him, they boldly complained to the future Crown Princess.
"His Highness was worried about your safety, so he ignored the military advisor's objections and forcibly ordered an attack. He went on a killing spree at the border for a whole day and night, pacifying the few rebellious tribes in the fastest time possible, and rushed back to see you. Mistress, look at the blade wounds on His Highness. He didn't even bandage them properly or rest for two days before riding back posthaste. Three 'thousand-li' horses died of exhaustion. His Highness hasn't rested for a moment these past few days, he's been on the road the entire time. He hasn't closed his eyes for three days and three nights..."
Sun Jiaojiao looked at the man who didn't seem to be putting on a show, who truly seemed overdrawn, as if he would fragilely turn to dust in the next second. Her heart instantly filled with pity. Had this Crown Prince really fallen for her, both in body and heart?
Overcome with guilt, she helped the Crown Prince to the bed and dismissed his two aides.
"I can take care of His Highness. You're tired from the journey, go and rest!"
The two aides acknowledged and withdrew.
Sun Jiaojiao looked at the bed, at the man whose blood was still faintly seeping through his clothes. She sighed and reached out to undo his outer clothes, wanting to check his wounds.
Unexpectedly, the moment her hand touched his chest, the man's eyes snapped open. He grabbed her wrist, nearly breaking it, his tone as sharp as ever: "Who?"
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