ASTRP -Chapter 22 The Prince Dresses Himself as a Maid

With utmost respect, he said to her:

“Your Highness, everything has been arranged. Please follow me.”

After speaking, the waiter led the way, and Feng Jinge followed.

Just as Xiao Jinghan took a step forward, he suddenly felt as if someone was watching him from behind.

He turned around and followed the gaze.

Across the street, on the third floor, a man in white stood by the window of a room.

When the man saw him looking over, he neither hid nor avoided it. Instead, he smiled at him, as if they knew each other.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

Ning An’s lowered voice sounded by his ear.

“Nothing.”

Xiao Jinghan replied coldly, then turned and headed upstairs.

As his figure disappeared from the white-robed man’s line of sight, the smile on the man’s face instantly vanished.

A servant stepped out from behind him. “Master, judging by Feng Jinge’s reaction, she doesn’t seem to recognize you.”

“She’s currently serving at Xiao Jinghan’s side. Naturally, she has to pretend she doesn’t know me.”

“Find an opportunity to pass her a message. Tonight, I’ll be waiting at the usual place.”

“Yes!”

—

“My heavens! My dear Xiao Jinghan! Why aren’t you here yet?! If you don’t show up soon, I’m going to starve to death!”

“You have no idea what it’s like standing guard outside the emperor’s bedchamber all night!”

“You promised to treat me to a grand feast, but I’m practically starving and still haven’t seen you!”

“My life is so miserable~”

The moment the private room door was opened, Su Xiu’s wailing and exaggerated cries could be heard from inside.

Feng Jinge had three black lines appear on her forehead. No wonder she hadn’t seen Su Xiu after court earlier—he had slipped away first.

Hearing the door open, Su Xiu jumped up from his seat, rushed around the screen, and immediately saw Feng Jinge—currently in the Regent Prince’s identity.

He froze for a moment, then glanced behind her, not seeing Xiao Jinghan.

Subconsciously, he blurted out, “Why is it—”

The moment Feng Jinge heard that, she knew he was about to slip up. With the waiter still present, she shot him a cold glare, cutting him off.

“What? Surprised to see this prince?”

Su Xiu quickly reacted, plastering a flattering smile onto his refined face.

“Oh my, Your Highness the Regent! You’re so busy with state affairs—who would’ve thought you’d come in person? I thought you were joking with me!”

As he spoke, he guided Feng Jinge toward the table, pressing her down into a seat.

Then he turned to the waiter standing nearby.

“Now that His Highness has arrived, shouldn’t the dishes be served?”

The waiter ignored Su Xiu and instead looked at Feng Jinge, cautiously asking: “Your Highness, shall we serve the dishes now?”

Seeing himself completely ignored, Su Xiu’s face instantly turned green.

Feng Jinge almost laughed, but for the sake of maintaining her persona, she endured it.

With an expressionless face, she coldly said, “Serve them.”

“Please wait a moment, Your Highness.”

The waiter responded, bowed, and quickly retreated.

After confirming through the screen that the waiter had left, Su Xiu hurried over, shut the door, then turned around and grabbed Feng Jinge by the collar, his face dark and voice filled with cold fury.

“Where’s Xiao Jinghan? What have you done with him?”

Feng Jinge looked straight at him, noticing the anger rising in his eyes—and that fleeting hint of red.

She let out a light chuckle, then her gaze suddenly turned icy. Raising her hand, she grabbed his wrist in return and yanked hard.

In the blink of an eye, the situation reversed.

Su Xiu was pinned against the table, half his face pressed flat against it, completely stunned.

His mind went blank.

What just happened?

What did he just do???

Looking down at him from above, Feng Jinge said, “Young Master Su, you should just talk when you talk. Why resort to force?”

“As the saying goes, a gentleman uses words, not hands. Since you made the first move, don’t blame me for responding.”

She wore a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes—her gaze was icy cold.

Su Xiu looked utterly confused, then suddenly shouted: “I hit you? Are you joking?!”

“No matter how bad I am, I would never hit a woman!”

Feng Jinge raised a brow. “Denying it after the fact? That’s behavior worse than a petty villain.”

“I—”

Before he could finish, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Through the gauze screen, Feng Jinge saw Xiao Jinghan and Ning An enter one after the other.

She released her grip and sat back down.

Freed, Su Xiu immediately sprang up and retreated several steps, putting distance between them as he stared at Feng Jinge with wary eyes.

Feng Jinge ignored his gaze and calmly sipped her tea.

The moment Xiao Jinghan entered, he sensed something was off.

Before he could look at Feng Jinge or Su Xiu, Su Xiu lunged toward him.

Xiao Jinghan’s expression turned cold as he stepped back, easily avoiding him.

“Young Master Su, have some self-respect.”

“….”

Missing his target had already made Su Xiu feel miserable.

Hearing Xiao Jinghan’s words was like adding another stab to his wounded heart.

His lips trembled as he said hoarsely: “It’s only been a few months since we last met, and you’re already this heartless toward me?”

Seeing his act, Xiao Jinghan knew Su Xiu had slipped into theatrics again.

He shot him a cold glance. “If you don’t shut up, the consequences—”

“Alright, alright!” Sensing danger, Su Xiu quickly changed his tone. “Your Highness, don’t be angry, I was just joking!”

Xiao Jinghan ignored him and turned his gaze to Feng Jinge.

Seeing “himself” holding a teacup with unfocused eyes, dark circles under them, and an exhausted complexion—

His expression shifted slightly.

Just as he was about to speak, Su Xiu interrupted again: “Your Highness, why are you standing there? Sit down!”

Feng Jinge snapped out of her thoughts and looked up, seeing Xiao Jinghan and Ning An still standing nearby.

Honestly, with Xiao Jinghan’s current outfit and bare face—

Standing beside Ning An, there was no sense of mismatch at all.

A dignified young lady had been completely dressed up by Xiao Jinghan to look like a maid.

Su Xiu seemed to notice this as well.

“I’m just saying, Your Highness—even though you’ve become a woman, and even if you dislike this body, can’t you at least dress like a proper noble lady?!”

As he spoke, he circled Xiao Jinghan once, then tugged disdainfully at his dress.

“Look at these tacky clothes—and this face—”

He even reached out to pinch Xiao Jinghan’s face, but under Xiao Jinghan’s killing glare, he quietly withdrew his hand.

Swallowing, Su Xiu quickly changed the subject: “Weren’t the dishes supposed to be served immediately? It’s already been the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!”

Feng Jinge added faintly, “If they don’t serve soon, I’ll starve.”

Xiao Jinghan frowned slightly. “Ning An, go check.”

“Yes.”

Ning An left the room and returned shortly after, his face dark.

Seeing this, Feng Jinge felt a bad premonition arise.