113: Crazy Prince Forced Love

That day, on Vermilion Bird Street, Wen Ci was selecting fabric at a silk shop.

Although Xiao Jin was reluctant for her to go out, he couldn't resist her persistent pleas, and finally dispatched eight bodyguards for close protection.

"This smoke-gauze silk is very suitable for the Regent," Wen Ci said, her fingertips lightly caressing a bolt of dark blue fabric, imagining how Xiao Jin would look wearing it.

His skin was cool and pale, and he looked best in dark colors.

The shopkeeper smiled obsequiously: "This young lady has excellent taste; this is a new arrival from Jiangnan—"

"What young lady? She's just a maid, a jinx!" A sharp female voice came from the doorway.

Wen Ci turned and saw a young girl in a goose-yellow ruqun standing at the entrance, her face full of jealousy.

She recognized her as Miss Zhao, the daughter of the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister, who had once admired Xiao Jin in vain.

The shop instantly fell silent.

The bodyguards' hands were already on their sabre hilts.

Before Wen Ci could speak, a dark figure appeared like a phantom at the shop entrance.

Xiao Jin's face was terrifyingly grim, his eyes swirling with murderous intent.

"Regent, Regent..." Miss Zhao's face turned ashen when she saw him, and she staggered back two steps.

Xiao Jin didn't even spare her a glance, walking straight to Wen Ci, and only after confirming her safety did he ask in a cold voice: "Who was just cursing?"

The bodyguards immediately forced Miss Zhao to her knees.

"Jinx?" Xiao Jin repeated the two words lightly, yet it sent shivers down everyone's spine.

"Someone, pull out her tongue."

"Regent!" Miss Zhao shrieked, "My father is the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister! You can't—"

With a single look from Xiao Jin, a bodyguard had already grabbed her chin.

The other customers in the shop had long since fled to the corners in fright, and the shopkeeper had directly collapsed behind the counter.

"Regent," Wen Ci gently tugged on Xiao Jin's sleeve.

It was such a small gesture, yet it made the enraged man instantly turn his head, the ferocity in his eyes not yet fully dissipated, but his voice had already softened subconsciously:

"Hmm?"

Wen Ci sighed: "This isn't good."

Xiao Jin frowned tightly: "She insulted you."

"I know the Regent dotes on me," Wen Ci whispered, standing on her tiptoes next to his ear, her breath brushing his earlobe, "but pulling out a tongue is too bloody. I'll have nightmares tonight."

Xiao Jin's Adam's apple bobbed. He stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly snorted coldly: "Then she'll be punished to clean latrines for three months."

"Pfft..." Wen Ci couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Who would have thought that the all-powerful Regent's method of punishment would downgrade from pulling out a tongue directly to cleaning latrines?

However, she thought this punishment was quite good.

That laugh was quite something.

Xiao Jin's eyes suddenly darkened, and he scooped her onto his shoulder.

"Ah! Regent, put me down!" Wen Ci exclaimed, hitting his back.

"Dare to laugh at me?" Xiao Jin lightly smacked her bottom, his voice hoarse, "Don't even think about sleeping tonight."

*

In the carriage returning to the manor, Wen Ci was confined in Xiao Jin's embrace, unable to move.

"Regent, do you really want me to clean latrines?" Miss Zhao's incredulous voice came from outside the carriage.

Xiao Jin didn't even bother to lift the curtain: "Add another three months."

Wen Ci secretly laughed in his arms, and Xiao Jin pinched her chin: "Still laughing?"

"Not laughing, not laughing," Wen Ci quickly pursed her lips, but couldn't hide the amusement in her eyes.

Xiao Jin stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly lowered his head and kissed her lips.

The kiss was domineering yet lingering, only releasing Wen Ci when she was breathless.

"From now on, you must tell this King before going out," he commanded, his forehead pressed against hers.

Wen Ci blinked: "Is the Regent worried about me?"

"Yes," unexpectedly, Xiao Jin admitted directly, his voice deep, "When I heard someone curse you, here..." He took her hand and pressed it to his chest, "It hurt very much."

Wen Ci froze, feeling the fierce heartbeat beneath her palm.

Her heart began to pound fiercely; after all, who wouldn't be moved by another's concern?

"Then a kiss from the Regent will make it not hurt anymore," she deliberately leaned closer to him.

Xiao Jin's eyes darkened, and he sealed her lips once more.

The carriage slowly drove towards the manor, but the temperature inside grew hotter and hotter.

Xiao Jin closed his eyes; he was completely immersed.

He wanted to marry her, to make Wen Ci his rightful and unique wife.

She was his only weakness.

Even the slightest insult from anyone would make his heart ache.

Although Wen Ci always seemed gentle and bright, Xiao Jin knew that she was delicate-minded and would certainly be aware of others' unsavory thoughts.

She must also be quietly hurting inside, just not wanting him to know.

Three days later, at court.

"The Regent marrying a wife is a matter of national importance, but this Wen family's origins are unknown..." Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites was remonstrating.

At that time, he was toying with the jade thumb ring in his hand, not even raising his head: "Minister Zhao."

"This old subject is here."

"Your daughter publicly insulted this King's fiancée yesterday," Xiao Jin's light words caused an uproar in the court.

Minister Zhao immediately broke out in a cold sweat: "This, this must be a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?" Xiao Jin sneered, "Then Minister Zhao, go home and 'discipline' your daughter properly.

If there's a next time..." He looked up, his gaze like a knife, "Your entire family will go clean latrines."

*

Late at night, Wen Ci leaned in Xiao Jin's arms, playing with his hair.

"Regent, why did you arrive so promptly that day?" she asked casually.

Xiao Jin took her hand and lightly bit it at his lips: "I always had people following you."

Wen Ci looked up in surprise: "Monitoring me?"

"Protecting," Xiao Jin corrected, a hint of discomfort flashing in his eyes, "...afraid something would happen to you."

Wen Ci's heart warmed, and she leaned in to kiss his chin: "Regent, you were so lenient regarding Miss Zhao's matter."

Xiao Jin raised an eyebrow: "Hmm?"

"If it were before..." Wen Ci deliberately drew out her words, "you would have definitely dragged her out and executed her directly."

Xiao Jin flipped over, pinning her beneath him, and narrowed his eyes dangerously: "This King is also very 'lenient' now."

He emphasized the last two words with a suggestive meaning.

Wen Ci pushed him, her face red: "I didn't mean... Mmm..."

Her protests were swallowed by a lingering kiss.

The gauze curtains fell, obscuring the spring-like scene in the room.

Not only was Xiao Jin lost, but Wen Ci was equally immersed in his unique tenderness.

This Regent, who was seen as a ruthless and bloodthirsty madman by others, was now utterly obedient and gentle towards her.

"A' Ci, I want to marry you. Will you marry me?"

As their emotions deepened, Xiao Jin's slightly trembling voice echoed in Wen Ci's ear.

Her pupils constricted slightly, but soon, instead of surprise, tears of emotion rolled down her cheeks.

"Regent, I will. I want to be with you forever and grow old together."

Xiao Jin used all his strength to pull her into his embrace, his voice slightly choked, "Ci Ci, I will give you happiness. I swear by my everything. If I ever go back on my word, I..."

"Shh," Wen Ci raised her hand to stop his lips, deeply moved, "Regent, I believe you."

A thousand words condensed into this one sentence were enough to explain everything.

Xiao Jin's eyes were bloodshot as he fiercely kissed her lips.