Hongyunlai is famous far and wide. Its annual net profit is enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for a lifetime. He doesn't care for it, and she's unwilling to give it to him!
The sixteen-year-old girl was inexperienced and easily lost her composure. In her eagerness to escape the embarrassing situation, she unwittingly stepped into the trap: "Your Highness, why don't you just tell me what you want?"
To avoid wasting time guessing.
"Hmm, anything you want is fine?" Chu Yao chuckled.
Jun Wushuang quickly added, "As long as I can afford it and do it, I will do my best."
If he wanted mountains of gold and silver, or flying dragons and colorful phoenixes, she couldn't conjure them up!
"Actually, what I think you need to do is very simple," Chu Yao said unhurriedly. "I'm taking a bath and need someone to help me scrub my back."
Back rub?
Is it that simple?
Jun Wushuang was furious and wanted to punch someone.
It's just rubbing someone's back; anyone can do it with one hand. It's incredibly simple and not difficult at all.
But men and women are different. Even if they are engaged, how can she help him scrub his back?
"What? Didn't you say you would do it if you said you would? You want to go back on your word right after you said it?" Chu Yao stared intently. "Young lady, since you are so untrustworthy, I'm afraid I have to reconsider whether those things are really true."
Half a month ago, a scholar surnamed Lin came to the door, claiming that he and Jun Wushuang were deeply in love and had secretly pledged their lives to each other, even producing her undergarment as evidence. Jun Wushuang didn't know him at all and naturally denied it. But Scholar Lin spoke with absolute certainty, even listing the dates of their secret meetings, which happened to match the dates Jun Wushuang had been away from home. Her cousin immediately placed Scholar Lin under house arrest to prevent the affair from leaking out and to find out what his motives were. Unexpectedly, he was quite capable and escaped, spreading the news throughout the capital, causing quite a stir. Her second aunt, resentful that Jun Wushuang had tarnished the reputations of the other girls in the family, sent someone to deliver a bowl of medicine, intending to make Jun Wushuang "die suddenly." Fortunately, her older cousin tipped her off, allowing her to escape in time and save her life.
When faced with two evils, choose the lesser; when faced with two benefits, choose the greater.
Compared to being wronged and forced to death, what is a back rub?
To find out the truth and clear her name, she first needs to survive, and then she needs someone to believe her and help her.
The fact that we were able to run into Chu Yao outside the city means that this was a golden opportunity.
Anyway, he's her fiancé, and they'll get married sooner or later.
Besides, it's just a back. Everyone has one, and so do birds and beasts. What's the big deal about seeing it?
Jun Wushuang gritted her teeth, turned around, and darted around the four screens in a few steps. She grabbed the loofah from the low stool next to the bathtub, closed her eyes, turned her head, and scrubbed hard.
Chu Yao is the Emperor's own nephew, highly favored and wielding immense power. However, at the age of twenty-seven, he is still unmarried, and it is said that he has no concubines in his palace. The official explanation is that he has been busy serving the Emperor and has not paid attention to his marriage. As for the truth, well, who knows if he has some hidden ailment?
"Put in a little more effort," Chu Yao instructed. "Didn't we have someone send over a roasted lamb leg for dinner? Aren't you full yet?"
Jun Wushuang had no choice but to use both hands at once.
Chu Yao waited for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before calling for a stop.
Jun Wushuang shook her aching arms, turned around and opened her eyes. Just as she was about to take a step away, she was suddenly pulled into the bathtub from behind.
Chu Yao's bathtub, like his felt tent, was tall and spacious. Jun Wushuang, who was petite, choked on two mouthfuls of water before she could stand up.
The already ill-fitting men's clothes were completely soaked, while the thin summer fabric clung to the girl's body, outlining her beautiful curves.
She reacted quickly, immediately crossing her arms in front of her to cover her exposed skin.
The anger of being wronged, the injustice of having her reputation ruined, the heartbreak of being killed by her loved ones, the bewilderment and helplessness of not knowing what the future held… all the pressure that had been building up for days, coupled with the humiliation of being unjustly humiliated, exploded at once. Jun Wushuang could no longer care about being respectful or ingratiating, and angrily questioned, “What is Your Highness doing? You say you believe in my innocence, but in reality you treat me like a shameless woman…”
He suddenly stopped halfway through his speech, tears welling up in his eyes. He had to bite his lip hard and forcefully restrain himself.
She must not shed tears in front of those who bullied her, absolutely not!
Her delicate skin flushed red with anger, her bright, star-like eyes misted over, and tiny, glistening water droplets clung to her long eyelashes.
The girl in front of me looked exceptionally beautiful and also exceptionally pitiful.
Chu Yao gazed at her for a long time before softly asking, "If you want to cry, just cry. Why hold it in?"
Jun Wushuang remained silent, biting her lip, then turned around and crawled out using both hands and feet.
The edge of the bathtub was level with her shoulders, and the tub walls were slippery, offering no foothold. Jun Wushuang tried many times, but each time she ended up with her feet falling back to the bottom of the tub.
"Actually, I'm quite satisfied with you," Chu Yao said.
The inexplicable words made Jun Wushuang stop what he was doing and quietly wait for what would happen next.
However, that's all...
The sound of water behind her and the shadow cast on the ground clearly told her that the wretched man had gotten out of the bathtub and was drying himself and getting dressed.
"I'm going to the council tent now to discuss the rewarding of the soldiers with some generals. I won't be back tonight, so you can sleep here."
Chu Yao spoke casually, as if he were merely instructing someone on a trivial matter.
The marriage was arranged for six months, which was enough time for him to investigate everything about Jun Wushuang.
As the legitimate daughter of a marquis, she came from a noble family. Unfortunately, her parents died early, and her title fell into the wrong hands. Without brothers to support her, it was undoubtedly a shortcoming for a woman. However, Chu Yao was not a despicable person who would rely on his wife's family's power, so this matter didn't bother him much.
She was very beautiful, and no man dislikes a beautiful woman, but Chu Yao was most satisfied with Jun Wushuang's temperament.
To fight against injustice, to never give up in adversity, and to be strong and unyielding—these are precisely the qualities his wife needs. After all, he is away from home most of the year, and the vast royal palace must be managed by the princess; her character cannot be weak or easily bullied.
Furthermore, her clear likes and dislikes set her apart from her mother, a typical well-bred lady who was always lost in thought, which was the icing on the cake.
As for the so-called private matter, it wasn't that he easily believed Jun Wushuang's one-sided story, but rather that he would be incredibly stupid to believe what Lin Xiucai said.
They had been in love for two years, but he had never openly proposed to the Marquis's family, nor had he revealed any trace of their relationship. If he was so cautious, why did he make the matter public knowledge only after Jun Wushuang was betrothed? It was as if he wanted to kill her. Even if revenge could be justified, he never considered that he himself was highly likely to die as a result. This was not the behavior of a meticulous person.