Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Guan Siming had assumed Meng Shuping was offering advice as a gesture of deference, only to realize he’d been played. "You’re messing with me?" he snapped, furious.

Meng Shuping looked at him as if he were an imbecile. "Isn’t it obvious? Why does he even need to ask? Tsk, tsk, could he really be that dense?"

"And he’s the son of a princess? Is he always this naive?"

Guan Siming’s face turned ashen with rage at Meng Shuping’s words. Through gritted teeth, he retorted, "Don’t forget your place. I am Jiang Cihe’s own maternal cousin! Do you believe I can have him throw you out as soon as he returns?"

The moment he spoke, Jiang Cihe’s voice echoed from behind him. "Throw out whom?"

Guan Siming’s expression froze. He turned slowly, finding Jiang Cihe standing right there.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Meng Shuping cut him off. "Your Highness, he said someone of my status doesn’t deserve to stay in a room like this—that I should sleep in the woodshed! And that he should be the one sleeping in your bed!"

"Is he trying to tattle before I can? No, no—I can’t let him beat me to it!"

Guan Siming stared in disbelief. How could this guy twist things around so shamelessly? When did he ever say he wanted to sleep in the woodshed? But since he and Jiang Cihe were relatives, even if Meng Shuping complained first, surely Jiang Cihe wouldn’t take his word over mine, right?

Just as Guan Siming was about to look smug, he saw Jiang Cihe glowering at him. "You want to sleep in the same bed as me?"

Guan Siming quickly denied it. "Cousin, no, that’s not what I meant!"

Even if he did want the best room, he wouldn’t have phrased it like that. Why did it sound so strange when Meng Shuping said it? He just didn’t want to squeeze in with so many others. Jiang Cihe’s room was spacious and comfortable—far better than the others.

Despite his denial, Jiang Cihe’s expression remained stern. "Good. If there’s nothing else, go back to your room. I’m tired."

Seeing Jiang Cihe’s irritation, Guan Siming didn’t dare say more. But as he turned to leave, he heard Meng Shuping’s voice again. "Uh-oh! Didn’t they say he has no boundaries? Wouldn’t the people sharing a room with him be in danger? Yikes… Should I warn them? But I’m not really close to them..."

Guan Siming clenched his fists. Sure, he had no boundaries, but he wasn’t that indiscriminate! Those other young nobles on the trip—everyone knew what they were like. Did they really think he’d be interested?

He decided to ignore Meng Shuping, but as he took a step, Jiang Cihe stopped him. "Wait."

Guan Siming stiffened and turned back. "What is it?"

Jiang Cihe said sternly, "The men sharing your room are not your servants or commoners. You can’t just do as you please. I’ll have someone tidy up the woodshed. You’ll sleep there tonight."

Guan Siming was incredulous. "How could I be interested in them? Have I lost my mind?"

Meng Shuping sneered inwardly. "Who knows? You can’t judge a book by its cover. If he’s desperate enough, would he even be picky?"

Jiang Cihe smirked imperceptibly before resuming a serious expression. "Ling Feng, take him to gather his things. And remind the others as well."

Ling Feng promptly replied, "Yes, sir."

Guan Siming tried to protest, but Jiang Cihe ignored him, entering the room and closing the door. Immediately, he heard Meng Shuping’s gleeful laughter. "Hahaha, still trying to compete for the room? He claims to be the prince’s cousin, but it doesn’t seem to count for much!"

Guan Siming’s face flushed with alternating shades of green and white. He never expected Jiang Cihe to humiliate him like this. Ling Feng, indifferent to Guan Siming’s mood, said mockingly, "Young Master Guan, after you."

After a long pause, Guan Siming turned away resentfully. That Meng Shuping was far too arrogant!

After closing the door, Jiang Cihe turned to Meng Shuping, frowning slightly. "Why did you open the door dressed like that?"

The thought of Guan Siming seeing Meng Shuping in such a state made him deeply uncomfortable. He wondered how long Guan Siming had been staring.

Meng Shuping glanced down at himself. "Isn’t this how everyone looks right after a bath?"

"Blame the princess’s son for that! Who told him to pick this exact moment to cause trouble?"

Hearing this, Jiang Cihe’s dislike for Guan Siming grew. Suppressing his anger, he said to Meng Shuping, "Get into bed first. I’ll take a bath too."

Meng Shuping gave an "oh" and quickly slipped under the covers. Jiang Cihe went behind the screen and washed up briefly using the same water Meng Shuping had bathed in. Soon, he lay down beside Meng Shuping, damp and fresh.

Meng Shuping pretended to sleep, curled motionless under the quilt. After a long while, hearing no movement, he couldn’t resist opening his eyes—only to find Jiang Cihe propped on one elbow, smiling at him.

Startled, he shut his eyes again. But the next moment, he felt a warm pressure on his lips as Jiang Cihe kissed him.

His eyes flew open in surprise as he passively accepted the kiss. Only when he was breathless did Jiang Cihe pull away, panting slightly, his voice husky. "Sleep."

Seeing Jiang Cihe actually lie down to sleep, Meng Shuping secretly tilted his head to glance at him. "Strange. Last time we slept together, he only kissed me and didn’t do anything else. Could he be… incapable? Should I take the initiative?"

Jiang Cihe’s temple twitched. He rolled over and pinned Meng Shuping beneath him. "If you’re not tired, shall we do something else?"

Meng Shuping’s breath hitched. He shut his eyes tightly. "No, no, no! I’m exhausted from riding all day!"

Watching Meng Shuping’s face slowly redden, Jiang Cihe chuckled softly. "Don’t worry. I’ll wait until you’re older."

That little moneygrubber was still too young. He’d have to wait another year or two.

Meng Shuping silently burrowed deeper under the covers. Soon, his breathing evened out in sleep.

The next day, as the group prepared to leave the post station, Meng Shuping overheard the young nobles discussing. "Why do you think the prince made Guan Siming sleep in the woodshed?"

"Was it to warn us? Are we next?"

"Hmph, I bet it was that Meng Shuping’s doing. Everyone knows he has a grudge against Guan Siming."

Meng Shuping was speechless. "How is it my fault? The prince was just worried that Guan Siming might take advantage of his roommates in the middle of the night. If they don’t appreciate it, fine, but how can they blame others?"

Wu Qing was taken aback. If even Prince Zhao was concerned about this, could Guan Siming really have ill intentions toward them? That would be utterly unscrupulous! Weren’t they all sons of officials? Wouldn’t he fear retaliation? Even as the son of a grand princess, he couldn’t be that arrogant, could he?

Regardless, it was better to be cautious. Continuing the journey with Guan Siming would be too risky otherwise.

Thus, Guan Siming noticed with confusion that the few companions who had been friendly with him were now cold and distant. His expression darkened. What did they mean by this? Were they isolating him?

Then he heard Meng Shuping’s voice again. "Why does it feel like everyone is avoiding the princess’s son? Could it be they’ve already heard about his lack of boundaries and are afraid he’ll make a move on them?"

Guan Siming was furious. Even if he had no boundaries, he wasn’t that desperate! What were these people thinking?

After traveling a while longer, the group finally reached Yunzhou. Upon hearing of their arrival, Yunzhou Prefect and other local officials waited early at the city gates.

Fortunately, Meng Shuping didn’t need to engage in much small talk. He simply followed Jiang Cihe, who exchanged a few words with the officials before they entered the city.

Once settled at their accommodations, Jiang Cihe summoned Yunzhou Prefect for a briefing. After paying his respects, the prefect subtly scanned the room. The more he looked, the more puzzled he became. Hadn’t he heard that aside from an older censor, the party only consisted of Prince Zhao and one young man?

Yet here were several young men in the hall. Even more surprising, they seemed frivolous and undisciplined—nothing like government officials, but rather like spoiled nobles.

Jiang Cihe glanced at Yunzhou Prefect. "Prefectural Governor Wu, one person is enough to receive me. Given the relief efforts underway, the others should return to their duties."

Yunzhou Prefect hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes. We were all busy with disaster relief, but we rushed here upon hearing of Your Highness’s arrival."

Meng Shuping wondered, "That can’t be right. If they came in a hurry, why are his clothes so clean? They look meticulously maintained! And he seems radiant—hardly like someone overwhelmed by relief work. Is he neglecting his duties?"

Yunzhou Prefect was startled. Who would dare speak so boldly in front of the prince? He glanced around but couldn’t identify the speaker. He speculated that the blunt tone couldn’t belong to the innocent-looking one—it must be one of those unruly young men.

Guan Siming, having been avoided by the others and repeatedly bested by Meng Shuping, was seething with pent-up anger. He now vented it on Yunzhou Prefect.

He snorted. "Prefectural Governor Wu, you don’t look like you’ve been busy with relief work. More like you’ve been enjoying music in your residence. Dressed so impeccably—since when do officials in disaster zones look like this?"

Yunzhou Prefect quickly addressed Jiang Cihe with feigned panic. "Your Highness, I assure you I have been managing the relief efforts. But appearing before you disheveled would be disrespectful!"

He couldn’t fathom what he had done to offend this haughty young man, who had publicly shamed him. Yunzhou Prefect wondered silently: Could this be one of the imperial envoys?

But he didn’t seem like someone here on serious business. Yunzhou Prefect dismissed Guan Siming as a hanger-on seeking credit. His gaze held a hint of contempt. This young man had little capability but plenty of arrogance.