Chapter 10 An Agreement

Outside the city, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, creating a 'susu' sound, like a farewell song.

Beneath the trees, Jiang Chen and Yang Muxi faced each other in silence, a melancholy mood hanging between them, particularly poignant.

In his haste, Jiang Chen didn't know how to persuade her to stay. He could only force a smile and say, "Since you're determined to leave, I won't say any more. But remember to look me up when you come to the Imperial Capital in the future!"

"That private room at Wangjiang Tower will always be reserved for you. As long as you go, I'll know you've arrived."

Hearing this, a complex emotion flashed in Yang Muxi's beautiful eyes. She lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, then took out a jade talisman from her sleeve.

The jade was clear and black as ink, with mysterious runes engraved on both sides.

"You not only helped me but also helped the people of the world by advising the emperor to exterminate the Mei family and pardon the taxes of the poor!"

"This jade pendant was given to me by my master when she passed away. It's been passed down for generations, and it's the only one in the world, representing the authority of the Taiping Dao leader."

"As long as you hold it, everyone who has received favors from the Taiping Dao will help you to the best of their ability. This also represents a promise from me."

After saying that, Yang Muxi placed the jade pendant in Jiang Chen's hand. "Take it. You deserve it."

Jiang Chen held it in his palm, the jade warm to the touch, as if still carrying the warmth of its former owner.

"You're really willing to give me something so important?"

Yang Muxi nodded, her eyes full of trust. "I said you're the friend I've recognized, and I believe you won't use it to do bad things."

Jiang Chen was stunned for a moment, then smiled. "It's an honor to have such trust from Leader Yang."

"However, I have a request now. I wonder if Leader Yang is willing to grant it."

Doubt appeared on Yang Muxi's pretty face, and she frowned. "Tell me. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I'll definitely do it."

Jiang Chen smiled slyly. "It's very simple. My request is that Leader Yang settle in the Imperial Capital and not return to Yu Province!"

"This request isn't difficult, is it?"

Yang Muxi didn't speak, looking at Jiang Chen disapprovingly, as if she were looking at a fool.

After a long while, she sighed. "Do you, do you know how precious this jade pendant is? You're planning to use it like this?"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, without the slightest hesitation. "Yes! That's exactly what I plan to do!"

"Or are you saying you can't do it and are planning to go back on your word?"

Yang Muxi didn't fall for Jiang Chen's provocation. She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then frowned. "It's impossible for me to stay in the Imperial Capital forever. Yu Province is my hometown. I'll definitely go back."

Jiang Chen didn't object to that. He explained, "I didn't say you couldn't go back. What I mean is, I'll give you a residence to settle down in. If you miss home, you can occasionally return to Yu Province."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi hesitated, looking at Jiang Chen in confusion. "Why do you insist on me staying in the Imperial Capital?"

Jiang Chen grinned and struck a Romantic Emperor pose, saying flippantly, "Well, Leader Yang is so beautiful that she makes people forget the mundane. Naturally, I want to be close to a celestial being like you."

Yang Muxi's delicate body trembled, and her white jade-like ear tips instantly turned red.

This, this reckless fellow!

Her red lips were tightly pursed, and her heart was pounding wildly. If it were anyone else who dared to tease her like this, she would have sent them out on a stretcher.

But facing Jiang Chen, she couldn't bring herself to take action at all. She was just at a loss.

After a long while, she said in a trembling voice, "You, what you just said, was that the truth?"

Jiang Chen raised his head and puffed out his chest. "I never lie!"

"Then, if one day I find out you're lying to me, what should I do?" Yang Muxi pressed.

"If there really is such a day, I'll let you hit and scold me until you've completely vented your anger. How's that?" Jiang Chen's tone was sincere.

"Okay, since you can make such a promise, I'll believe you're not lying to me!"

After saying that, a trace of vulnerability appeared on Yang Muxi's otherworldly pretty face, and she added, "Jiang Yan, you, you must never lie to me. Don't let down my trust."

"Don't worry, I definitely won't!" Jiang Chen responded with a hearty laugh, showing no signs of unease, but a trace of guilt arose in his heart.

Deceiving such a pure and flawless girl who trusted him wholeheartedly made Jiang Chen's few remaining shreds of conscience ache.

But things had already reached this point, and there was no room for turning back. He could only put it off for as long as possible.

Once enough time had passed and their relationship had progressed further, perhaps there would be room for redemption.

Pushing aside the thoughts in his mind, Jiang Chen raised the jade pendant. "After saying so much, has Leader Yang agreed to my request to settle in the Imperial Capital?"

Yang Muxi was stunned by the question, her mind a complete mess.

This unfamiliar emotion gave rise to a bad feeling.

Could it be that I've really fallen for this talented and compassionate prince?

The more she thought about it, the more flustered and confused she became. In the end, she could only force herself to change the subject, pretending to be calm. "My Taiping Dao has always kept its promises. Naturally, I won't go back on my word."

"Since you want me to stay in the Imperial Capital, then I'll stay. It's just that I'll have to trouble you to find a place for me to live."

Seeing Yang Muxi agree, Jiang Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and put down the heavy weight in his heart.

Now that he had her within his territory, what was there to fear?

With his experience from two lifetimes, he believed that it wouldn't be long before Yang Muxi obediently married into the palace and became his woman.

After chatting for a while, Yang Muxi seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "By the way, which prince are you exactly?"

"I've been asking around in the Imperial Capital these past few days, and there's no prince named Jiang Yan!"

Jiang Chen's scalp tightened, and he quickly added, "There are many imperial descendants. How could they all be known by the people?"

"Besides, although I'm a prince, I come from a collateral line, so naturally I have no reputation."

After listening, Yang Muxi felt that Jiang Chen's reason was quite reasonable, so she didn't continue to delve into it, nodding to show that she understood.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject. "By the way, Leader Yang, what kind of residence do you like?"

"Since you're going to settle in the Imperial Capital in the future, you naturally have to live comfortably. While it's still early, why don't we go back to the city and take a look at some houses?"

If it were any other woman who heard a nobleman was going to give her a courtyard in the Imperial Capital, she would probably be willing to offer herself in marriage.

But Yang Muxi shook her head and refused, saying calmly, "No need. I have my own place to live. In Qingwa Lane, outside the Imperial Capital, there's a two-courtyard house. I'm very happy living there, and there's no need to change it."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen didn't try to persuade her further.

Yang Muxi wasn't an ordinary woman. As the current leader of the Taiping Dao, she had her own principles and insistence, and he couldn't force her.

After the two reached an agreement, they chatted for a while longer until dusk before taking a carriage back to the city.

Along the way, Jiang Chen exhausted all his efforts to persuade Yang Muxi to let him in for a short visit.

Imagining the boudoir of this leader, Jiang Chen's eyes revealed a strong anticipation…