CH 64

Chapter 64

(25.4)

“She’s taking this opportunity to force you to marry her.” Sheng Wenlin laughed again, “However, with her background, it’s really a bit difficult.”

Zhao Zhi’s mind wandered off, no longer listening to him.

After drinking half of the wine, he just didn’t feel like drinking anymore and left early.

On the other side, the people of the Ming family were relieved to learn that the runaway Ming Zhu had been captured and brought back.

The eldest Ming master asked the several girls in the family who had a good relationship with Ming Zhu to take turns going to see her, in order to persuade Ming Zhu to serve the crown prince well and to ask her not to cause any more trouble.

But these few girls couldn’t even get past the door.

After going back home, they told the Ming eldest master about it.

“Even delivering a message wasn’t allowed ?”

“No.” The little lady wiped her tears, truly feeling heartbroken for her fifth elder sister, “I heard that she’s been locked up by the crown prince, this has been going on now for almost a month and she still hasn’t been released, father, how about you send someone to take fifth sister back ? The crown prince is forcibly robbing a subject’s daughter, he doesn’t stand on the righteous side ah.”

The eldest Ming master glared at her, “Don’t talk nonsense, do you want to kill our family or what?”

The eldest Ming master was only concerned about his career, a concubine-born daughter was of no importance.

The next day, Ming Ru personally went to the crown prince’s residence, asking for an audience with him.

She waited inside the carriage for almost two shichen outside the gate before she was able to see the crown prince’s face.

Ming Ru bent down and made a proper greetings befitting of etiquette. She put up a show of concern for her little sister, her eyes containing just the right amount of tears, “Your Highness, my younger sister is young and playful, this time she must definitely have been tricked by others to run away, you must absolutely not blame her.”

On the surface she was pleading for her, but all of her words, inside and out, were throwing quite a lot of dirty water on her.

Zhao Zhi swept two glances at her, without uttering a sound.

“Your Highness, this younger sister of mine has lost her mother since she was young, so she may have a strong mind for scheming, and also may tend to overthink, if she’s lacking some manners, I hope Your Highness won’t hold it against her.”

Zhao Zhi looked at her with a more meaningful gaze.

Coming over today, Ming Ru had specially done her makeup in an exquisite manner, adding to that the silk dress she was wearing, she gave off a very noble aura. She then asked, “Your Highness, could you let meet my younger sister?”

Zhao Zhi coldly rejected her, “She is sick, it’s not convenient for her to see people, you go back.”

Ming Ru was wearing a smile on her face, but inside her mind, she was gritting her teeth in hatred.

His Highness didn’t even rest his eyes on her face for more than a few seconds.

Ming Ru could only say, “Then I’ll be coming back another day.”

Ming Ru left unsatisfied, running away was such a big matter, yet as she saw it, His Highness wasn’t even that angry, he actually didn’t even punish her.

Usually, when a slave escaped, once they were caught, they would be punished with at least thirty strokes of the rod, and after being beaten half to death they would then be sold. How come Ming Zhu’s life was so good when it was her turn ?

Ming Zhu had truly fallen ill.

At first it was just a small cold, but then it turned into a succession of high fevers.

Zhao Zhi nursed her for two days without rest, until her whole body was sweating all over, only then did the fever subside.

Her clothes were also changed with his own hands. Regarding these matters, Zhao Zhi would never leave it into other people’s hands, not even the maidservants.

Lowering his head, Zhao Zhi was looking at her slightly red face, his mind full of thoughts. If he liked one person, he wanted to completely possess that person.

Nothing less would do.

Zhao Zhi liked her, but also didn’t like her that much either. Love was a weakness, and as a crown prince, he didn’t need nor should have a weakness.

In addition, Zhao Zhi, since childhood, had been introverted and indifferent to feelings, even if love seeped deep into his bones, he wouldn’t necessarily be able to notice it.

Zhao Zhi twisted the towel and wiped the sweat off of her face until it was clean. He then gently and softly gathered her hair, tucked her in and then left the room.

In the middle of the night, the study was still bright.

Zhao Zhi called Biying and ordered in a low voice, “Tomorrow, have people remove the wooden boards from the windows of her room.”

What was also to be removed were those two locks on the door.

Biying only assumed that His Highness was finally no longer angry. Miss Ming Zhu really couldn’t be locked up any longer, she now looked like a withered flower, drained of life.

Zhao Zhi had another letter sent to the Ming family.

He was going to take Ming Zhu into the crown prince’s residence as his concubine.

Since Ming Zhu despised the status of an outside mistress.

Then she would enter the crown prince’s residence as his concubine.

(TL’s note : What a great favor he is doing her right?)