ASTRP -Chapter 4 The Prince Lures the Snake Out of Its Hole

The porcelain bowl on the tray fell to the ground with a crash, shattering into pieces as ginger soup splashed everywhere.

Feng Jinge: “……”

Was that… a bit too much?

She secretly glanced toward Xiao Jinghan.

Xiao Jinghan still wore that deadpan expression, completely unmoved.

Seeing this, she silently spat in her heart—what a scumbag!

Liu Qingqing sat frozen on the ground, staring at the ginger soup spilled all over. She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong, and an inexplicable surge of resentment rose within her. She suddenly lifted her head, about to question him—

Only to accidentally notice that there was another woman in pink standing inside the room!

It was like she had been struck by lightning. The color drained entirely from her face, leaving it as pale as a sheet of paper.

“So… the reason Your Highness treats me like this… is because of her?”

Feng Jinge: “?”

Following Liu Qingqing’s gaze, she looked over at Xiao Jinghan. Before she could speak, Liu Qingqing, looking pitiful and wronged, said softly, “I understand now. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, she got up from the ground and walked out.

Feng Jinge: “……”

That’s it?

Wasn’t there supposed to be a dramatic catfight?

The moment Liu Qingqing left, Qing Shan rushed into the room right after. His first sentence was: “Your Highness, did you give anything away?”

Neither Feng Jinge nor Xiao Jinghan spoke. The atmosphere turned heavy.

Qing Shan frowned. What just happened?

After a while, Ning An entered and reported to Xiao Jinghan, “Your Highness, Miss Liu has already left.”

“She left? Are you sure she’s gone?” Feng Jinge spoke first.

Ning An looked at her with slight displeasure but still nodded.

Seeing that, Feng Jinge plopped back into the grand armchair. With one hand holding the teapot and the other a cup, she poured herself three cups of tea and downed them all in one go.

Then she sprawled lazily across the chair, glancing at Xiao Jinghan, who sat upright with his back straight as a pine, then at herself.

Her face grew a little embarrassed.

She straightened up and called out, “Hey.”

Xiao Jinghan, who had been sipping tea, lifted his eyes and glanced at her.

Feng Jinge frowned. “Don’t you think we went a bit too far just now? I mean, after all, she is your wife—”

Before she could finish, Xiao Jinghan shot her a cold glare, killing intent surging. Feng Jinge immediately shut up.

Xiao Jinghan stared at her for a moment before turning to Qing Shan. “Qing Shan.”

“Your subordinate is here.”

“I remember you once recorded my taboos?”

“Yes.”

Xiao Jinghan pointed at Feng Jinge. “Bring them out for her.”

Feng Jinge was confused. “Why give them to me?”

Xiao Jinghan stood up, his cold gaze locking onto her as he walked closer.

Sensing danger, Feng Jinge tried to escape—but was a step too late.

In the next instant, Xiao Jinghan had already reached her. He pressed one hand onto her shoulder, forcing her back into the chair.

“From today onward, once you step out of this door, you are Xiao Jinghan—you are me. Only when you return to this room can you be Feng Jinge.”

Feng Jinge raised an eyebrow. “I can do that, but can you? Besides, your current demeanor doesn’t match my persona at all. What kind of young lady walks around with a cold face all day? It’s like someone died at home.”

“……”

“My persona doesn’t matter,” Xiao Jinghan said flatly. “What matters is you. The Regent Prince’s image cannot have the slightest flaw. My habits, my behavior, everything—you must learn it.”

“Does it have to be this complicated?!” Feng Jinge pouted. This wasn’t just acting him out!

It was basically replacing him entirely—speech, behavior, eating habits, everything!

Xiao Jinghan ignored her complaint and glanced at Qing Shan.

Understanding immediately, Qing Shan left in a flash. When he returned, he carried a thick stack of books in his arms.

Feng Jinge stared at the pile, stepped forward, and measured it with her hand.

It was nearly a meter tall?!

How could one person have so many taboos?!

This guy definitely has something wrong with his head.

She shot Xiao Jinghan a suspicious look, muttering internally.

Xiao Jinghan, as if he didn’t see her disdainful expression, said calmly, “Study them first. I’ll come find you after nightfall.”

Feng Jinge: ???

Why after nightfall?

She was just about to ask when Xiao Jinghan had already left the room. The next moment, Qing Shan shut the door behind him.

Were they locking her up?

No way!

How could she become a caged bird?

Feng Jinge dashed to the door, reaching out to pull it open—but it wouldn’t budge.

Clearly, it had been locked from the outside.

“Xiao Jinghan! If you want me to read, fine—but why lock me up?! You think I won’t kick this lousy door down?! Xiao Jinghan, you bastard! You turtle grandson—!”

Her curses echoed clearly into the outer room, reaching the ears of the three men outside. Qing Shan’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He couldn’t take it anymore and turned to go teach her a lesson.

If this woman hadn’t pushed the prince into the water, would this bizarre soul-switching even have happened?!

Not only did she not reflect on herself, she even dared to insult the prince!

Ning An reached out and grabbed Qing Shan’s arm.

Qing Shan turned back angrily, glaring at him.

Ning An said coldly, “This isn’t the time to act on impulse. If you offend her and she refuses to cooperate, what then?”

Qing Shan glared. “So we just let her be?”

“And if she refuses to follow the prince’s behavior or obey his instructions later? Inside the manor, we might still be able to keep an eye on her—but what about outside? How would we restrain her then? Besides, we still can’t confirm that Feng Jinge has nothing to do with this. We’re the passive side here.”

Xiao Jinghan remained calm. He glanced at Ning An. “Ning An, has Su Xiu been notified?”

Ning An looked at Qing Shan.

Qing Shan immediately replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, he’s already been informed—same as usual.”

“Mm.” Xiao Jinghan acknowledged lightly. “Go inform the manor physician. Announce to the outside that I fell into the water, caught a chill, and am running a high fever—possibly life-threatening.”

Ning An and Qing Shan exchanged a glance.

The prince… was planning to lure the snake out of its hole?

The incident of him falling into the water had clearly been sealed off immediately by both the Feng family and the manor—yet the entire capital somehow learned of it.

Various factions must already be watching in secret. Once this news spread, the situation would surely shift dramatically.

Xiao Jinghan lifted his teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, then continued:

“Spread the word: Feng family’s eldest daughter, Feng Jinge, caused me to fall into the water. As punishment, she is to serve as a maid in the manor, caring for me to atone for her crime—for one year. Qing Shan, go inform Feng Qiancheng at once.”

“Yes.”

Qing Shan accepted the order and left swiftly.

“Ning An, have the steward prepare Qinxin Residence. Until I recover, I’ll stay there.”

“Yes.”

Just as Ning An was about to withdraw, Xiao Jinghan suddenly added:

“It occurs to me… it’s been quite some time since I last played a game of chess against myself.”