Chapter 336 – Ten Miles of Red Wedding Dress (9)
“Mn—”
Hui Jun’s face quickly flushed, her brows furrowed as if enduring immense pain.
She clutched Jiang Pengji’s sleeve, her entire body curling up like a shrimp, a thin layer of sweat coating her skin, making her look utterly helpless and pitiful, stirring feelings of compassion… Jiang Pengji blinked, her wavering heart once again steadied.
The System remarked, “Host, you’re digging your own grave. You’ve seen her at her worst, aren’t you afraid she might turn against you when she gains power?”
“You must know that some people in this world are worthy of trust, and some are not.” Jiang Pengji smirked, confidently stating, “Clearly, Hui Jun deserves my trust. Those I trust will not be doubted, unless they betray me.”
To maneuver against Jiang Pengji isn’t an easy feat.
“You saying such naive things just proves your lack of understanding of human nature.” The System coldly narrated, “Human nature is complex, and this person before you is clearly not a paragon of virtue. You’ve pulled her out of life’s abyss, and while she may be grateful and feel the need to devote herself to you, once she reaches a high position, this experience will become a dark history she desperately wants to erase.”
Jiang Pengji chuckled derisively, “You, a system, teaching me about human nature?”
The System was momentarily choked by her words.
If it had a face, it would surely be a dark shade of deep gray, heavy enough to drip water.
After a while, the System spoke in a sarcastic tone.
“Actually, Host, you shouldn’t have indulged her request just now—she already knows your gender.”
Jiang Pengji asked, “Why?”
The System explained, “According to system data analysis, this woman admires you and worships you. If the Host hadn’t actively revealed your gender, she would have remained in her delusion. Numerous facts show that women who have feelings for someone are much easier to control than those who are unattached. If she truly falls for you, she will serve you selflessly. Yet here you are, destroying your own wall, not even worried she might turn dark and stab you in the back.”
At this, Jiang Pengji smiled.
She thought she was shameless enough, only to find the System’s true nature even more detestable.
“I think you seem to have misunderstood.” Jiang Pengji shook her finger, her expression serious. “Firstly, what I have with Hui Jun is a fair transaction. I grant her wealth and ease, paving her path, and in return, she helps me achieve my goals—how could this be more fair? If I deceive and control her with false feelings, that would be emotional fraud. In my eyes, that’s a tactic only scum would use.”
The System claimed Hui Jun had feelings for her, and Jiang Pengji had already noticed that earlier.
It was precisely because of this that she agreed to Hui Jun’s request, thus cutting off any misguided intentions.
If she were unaware, that would be one thing. But to know Hui Jun has feelings for her while pretending to be oblivious, leading her on as the accompanying bride of Liu Residence, following the “country-wrecking seductress” plan—what else could this be but scum?
Jiang Pengji certainly lacked a moral compass, yet she wouldn’t inflict such emotional manipulation on the weak.
Conversely, proposing such a suggestion—that System…
Heh, the mindset and methods aren’t worth fearing.
Hui Jun slept soundly through the night, almost dreamlessly until dawn.
Since she could remember, she had never realized she could sleep so peacefully, so effortlessly.
As she drowsily got up, the unfamiliar blanket slipped off her body, causing her to freeze momentarily.
Looking around, she found the surroundings wonderfully tidy, with a faint aroma of incense lingering in the air.
This hardly resembled a young woman’s boudoir.
“Miss, are you awake?”
A strange female voice came from outside, Hui Jun pursed her lips, replying cautiously, “Mn.”
She had already guessed whose room this was.
Ta Xue pushed the door open, followed by several maidservants carrying copper basins and towels, silently serving Hui Jun as she washed up.
“Miss is truly beautiful.”
One maidservant stared, murmuring softly, a hint of infatuation in her eyes.
Hui Jun frowned, a bit puzzled.
She knew she was attractive, but was it really enough to render the servants of Liu Residence this dazed?
Gazing at the woman in the mirror, Hui Jun noticed an inexplicable quality about herself; her usual beauty seemed to have taken on an even more captivating charm since yesterday.
After freshening up, Hui Jun’s heart raced with uncertainty.
“Yesterday, I offended the Young Master; please forgive me.”
When Hui Jun appeared on the livestream screen, Jiang Pengji felt as if she heard countless howls of wolves.
She smiled, unaffected by that enchanting aura, her gaze remaining clear.
“You are innocent, so there’s no need for forgiveness. Would you like to sit down and dine with me?”
“With the Young Master inviting, how could I refuse?”
In ancient times, breakfast was quite limited; even among nobles, it was a bit finer, yet the audience in the livestream seemed to find it endlessly enjoyable. Especially today, with a classical beauty present, visually enticing enough to feast upon several meat buns.
The two silently finished breakfast, and Jiang Pengji dismissed the other servants.
“Do you know what to do from now on?”
Hui Jun pondered for a moment, saying, “Support the Second Young Lady, strive for the Fourth Prince’s favor?”
After all, being an accompanying bride, that was about all she could think of doing.
However, if that were all, it didn’t explain the energy Liu Residence had invested in her.
“No, the truth is, this has nothing to do with my younger sister.” Jiang Pengji said flatly.
Nothing to do with her younger sister?
Upon hearing this, Hui Jun’s heart stirred, vaguely realizing something.
She might not know about the fateful struggle for the crown prince, nor which prince might have a better chance at the throne, but since she was to play the part of the “country-wrecking seductress,” she would surely need to stay close to the king, attracting his complete focus, causing him to become infatuated to the point of neglecting state law.
Liu Residence assigning her the role of accompanying bride could not be merely to invest in the Fourth Prince.
“I’ve heard that His Majesty the Emperor is in good health…” she cautiously inquired.
In good health meant the Emperor had many years left to live, not yet time for several princes to covet the throne.
If her speculation was correct, it meant she was to seduce the Fourth Prince and then step over Wu Ma Jun to get closer to the king?
Hui Jun’s eyes flickered, her expression shifting slightly; Jiang Pengji knew she had grasped the truth and slowly nodded.
“I understand now.”
She took a deep breath, revealing an expression akin to that of a hero making a difficult decision.
“The Second Prince’s legitimate wife is the Northern Border Princess, named An Yina. Though this woman is your age, she possesses great cunning.”
Jiang Pengji intentionally threw in a comment, and Hui Jun understood.
“I will be cautious in dealing with this person.”
Jiang Pengji reassured her, “There’s no need to fear; just enjoy yourself. As for everything else, act according to your whims.”
“I’m not scared; even an extra day of enjoyment is worth it…”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Jiang Pengji clarified, word by word, “What I meant to say is—there’s no need for fear. Once the dust settles, I will ensure your safety.”
