Chapter 1 Parting

Outside the Imperial City, the grass and trees were lush.

Jiang Chen and Yang Muxi strolled side-by-side around the stone pavilion, whispering occasionally.

"Jiang Yan, recruiting talents from the Four Academies, reforming taxes... were these things your idea?"

Jiang Chen nodded, without any guilt, and said, "That's right, they all came from this Prince."

A look of admiration flashed in Yang Muxi's beautiful eyes, and her affection for Jiang Chen grew stronger, making her feel more and more that he was different from ordinary aristocratic sons.

Caring for the common people, relieving their suffering, this Jiang Yan is truly my soulmate!

Just as Yang Muxi's heart was surging and she was about to exchange more views on the conditions of the people with Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen preemptively said, "Alright, it's rare to meet, let's talk about something else."

"Also, quickly take off that bamboo hat. It's really tiring talking to you with that thing in the way." Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows.

This time, Yang Muxi didn't object. She took off the hat and asked doubtfully, "If we don't talk about the people, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Jiang Chen looked at her fair and flawless face, ethereal and beautiful, and his heart stirred.

This kind of pure and holy beauty was truly tempting, making one unable to resist the urge to defile and tarnish it.

To bring that fairy high in the clouds down to earth, to be tainted by worldly desires, to be stained with the scent of love from the inside out.

Jiang Chen suppressed the agitation in his heart and restrained himself, saying, "We can talk about something light and happy, like..."

Before he could finish, Yang Muxi interrupted him with a cold voice, "Jiang Yan, you're starting to get improper again!"

"If, if you continue like this, I'll be impolite!" Yang Muxi said, her pretty face flushed with shame and annoyance.

Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows, feigning innocence, and joked, "Tsk, Headmaster, your reaction is a bit too much, isn't it?"

"The light and happy things I was talking about refer to poetry and songs! Your face is so red; did you misinterpret something? Hmm, I didn't expect you to be that kind of person!"

Yang Muxi was both ashamed and embarrassed, and her serene state of mind instantly collapsed. She stammered, "Jiang Yan, if, if you continue to tease me, I really won't be polite!"

Jiang Chen was not afraid at all, certain that Yang Muxi wouldn't act over such a small matter.

He continued to tease, "Headmaster, it's okay if you misinterpreted, I don't mind. Why are you so anxious?"

"Don't worry, I'll keep today's events a secret and won't spread them, so as not to ruin your image in the martial world!"

"No, I, I didn't..."

Unfortunately, Yang Muxi had lived in the mountains for a long time and rarely interacted with others, so how could she be Jiang Chen's match?

With just a few words, she was teased until her face was red and her mind was in chaos.

Seeing Jiang Chen becoming more and more excessive, Yang Muxi impulsively reached for her waist and drew her self-defense weapon.

*Swish!*

A long sword was drawn from its scabbard.

The cold gleam of the sword caused Xu Mu and the other guards, as well as the shadow guards, to change their expressions drastically, and they rushed over immediately.

But Jiang Chen raised his hand at this moment and stopped them, "Halt! All of you, go back to your posts!"

Xu Mu and the others looked grim, their legs a little weak as they stared at the sharp point of the sword aimed at Jiang Chen.

If anything happened, they wouldn't need to return to the palace. They might as well commit suicide on the spot, which would be more pleasant.

But Jiang Chen was fearless, even looking at Yang Muxi with a teasing smile, and joked, "Headmaster Yang, you're probably the only one in the world who can threaten me with a sword."

Yang Muxi glared at him with beautiful eyes, her voice clear and gentle, "I'm threatening a scoundrel like you!"

"If you dare to speak rudely to me like today in the future, I won't hold back anymore."

Jiang Chen raised his eyebrows, a mischievous smile on his lips, "I was just telling the truth. How was that rude?"

"Wasn't the Huai River Poetry Meeting a light and happy event? You're the one who's misinterpreting things, but you insist on blaming it on me. I'm wronged!"

Yang Muxi vented her anger, and her temper had subsided quite a bit.

She simply sheathed her sword, gazed at the scenery in the distance, and ignored the 'provocation' of the person beside her.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen had no choice but to put away his improper appearance and leaned closer, saying, "Headmaster Yang, the scenery around here is not bad. Would you like to go for a spring outing with me?"

"No, go by yourself."

"Then shall we go boating on the Huai River? Rent a painted pleasure boat and travel all over the Imperial City?"

"No, go by yourself."

"Then, shall we go to Wangjiang Tower? I remember you like the snacks there."

"Thank you, but no need."

"..."

After several suggestions were rejected, a surge of anger rose in Jiang Chen's heart.

If she didn't want to do anything, why did she ask him out? Was she playing with him?

Just as Jiang Chen's face was gradually darkening, Yang Muxi spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of reluctance.

"Jiang Yan, actually, I asked you out this time to say goodbye."

"During this period, the tyrant has changed a lot of his bad habits, and he has been more attentive to the people than before. I have changed my mind and am not going to kill him."

"I plan to set off back to Yu Province in the next few days. The mountains are high and the road is long, and we may never see each other again."

Jiang Chen's face sank, "Return to Yu Province?"

"Isn't the Imperial City good? Why must you return to Yu Province?"

Yang Muxi's expression was calm as she looked at Jiang Chen beside her and explained, "I am the current leader of the Taiping Dao, and also the headmaster. If I don't go back, am I going to keep relying on the Imperial City?"

Jiang Chen frowned, feeling a little anxious.

Yu Province was not close to the Imperial City. If Yang Muxi really left, he was afraid that it would be difficult for him to see her again.

At that time, wouldn't this refined, otherworldly, innocent, and pure fairy headmaster be deceived by some other wild man?

Thinking of this possibility, Jiang Chen's face instantly darkened.

Immediately, he said, "Headmaster Yang, in this Prince's opinion, you can't leave yet!"

"Actually, my royal brother is not someone who listens to advice. If you want him to get on the right track and become an enlightened ruler, there must be someone who can keep him in check."

"Therefore, I hope you can stay and spur him on and supervise him for the sake of the people."

Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Yang Muxi's face.

She was perceptive and easily heard the reluctance in Jiang Chen's words, which gave her a strange feeling.

Subconsciously softening her voice, she said, "It's okay, if you need me in the future, just send a letter."

"As long as I receive your letter, I will rush to the Imperial City as soon as possible. It won't be a problem."

Jiang Chen felt a little stifled. That wasn't what he wanted.

Otherwise, should he just drug Yang Muxi?

Take her back to the palace, directly consummate their marriage, and then she would have no room to escape.

As he thought about it, a strange color appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes, which made Yang Muxi's spine tingle.

She rubbed her arms with her jade hands and asked doubtfully, "Jiang Yan, do you feel like it's suddenly gotten colder around here?"

Jiang Chen didn't answer, his deep eyes scrutinizing Yang Muxi beside him.

After a long while, he sighed regretfully.

Forget it, given this woman's personality, using force would only lead to enmity. He still had to think of other ways...