Bai Zhi quickly lowered her head, her heart filled with unease.
"Bai Zhi, you've always been observant. Even you can tell that the Crown Prince has feelings for me, so perhaps he truly does treat me differently from others."
Bai Zhi's heart leaped with joy as she raised her head again. "Miss, I wouldn't dare say anything else, but the way the Crown Prince looked at you just now—there was definitely affection in his eyes!"
Seeing a hint of shyness appear on Jiang Henian's face, Bai Zhi felt even more confident.
"Miss, since you also have feelings for the Crown Prince, why didn't you just agree to him just now?"
Jiang Henian's eyes showed unease. "His Highness and I have only met a few times. If I were so forward, he would surely think I lack propriety…"
She suddenly grew dejected again. "Forget it. With how hesitant I was just now, His Highness must already be angry."
Bai Zhi was frantic with worry. "Miss, don't lose heart! Since the Crown Prince was willing to offer you the position of Side Consort, he must be able to understand your difficulties!"
Bai Zhi's eyes darted around, and then, as if she had made a momentous decision, she spoke.
"Miss, why not meet with the Crown Prince in private?"
Jiang Henian's face was full of shock. "Meet in private? Isn't that a violation of propriety?"
Bai Zhi gently supported her as they walked forward. "As long as you don't tell anyone about it, who would know? If you were to miss out on a man as good as the Crown Prince because of these misunderstandings, I would feel sorry on your behalf!"
Jiang Henian looked deeply troubled. "But…"
"Miss, you needn't worry. I've said it before—as long as you need me, I would walk through fire and water without batting an eye!"
"Since you wish to meet with the Crown Prince, I'll secretly make a trip to deliver the message."
Jiang Henian still seemed hesitant. "This… is it really alright?"
Bai Zhi patted her own chest. "Rest assured, Miss. I will get this done for you, and I won't let a third person know."
Jiang Henian nodded. "Well… alright then!"
As they passed the corner, Jiang Henian suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Bai Zhi, I'm feeling a bit unwell and would like to head back first. Go to the front courtyard for me, apologize to Sister Su on my behalf, and also inform the steward of the Donggong."
Bai Zhi nodded eagerly like a pecking chicken and left without a second word.
Watching Bai Zhi's retreating figure, Jiang Henian let out a cold laugh, then turned and headed toward the rockery she had passed earlier.
How could it be enough to merely turn Lu Huan and Su Ruo against each other?
Of course, she needed to make Lu Huan suspicious of the entire Su family—only then would today's trip have been worth it.
Entering the hidden chamber within the rockery went smoothly, including retrieving what she wanted.
But Jiang Henian never expected that when she emerged from behind the rockery, she would run into Lu Huai again.
To be precise, Lu Huai was standing there with his arms crossed, clearly waiting for her on purpose.
Jiang Yu instinctively took a step back but nearly missed her footing.
Lu Huai almost instinctively reached out and grabbed Jiang Henian's hand.
After a dizzying spin, Jiang Henian's back slammed hard against the rockery wall.
She gasped in pain from the impact.
But Lu Huai suddenly raised his hand and covered her mouth.
Even though she could hear the sound of footsteps passing by outside, Jiang Henian's mind went completely blank at that moment.
This scene had happened just yesterday.
Even though she tried to restrain herself, Jiang Henian couldn't help but recall what had happened last night.
This distance was too close.
Only after the footsteps faded away did Lu Huai release his hand.
Having barely regained her composure, Jiang Henian noticed that Lu Huai's earlobes had actually turned red.
She thought she must have been seeing things, so she raised her eyes to look again.
Lu Huai said calmly, "What? Staring at me like that—could it be that you're thinking of something you shouldn't be?"
Jiang Henian immediately averted her gaze.
Why on earth had she thought that this royal prince, who had survived the War of Succession, could possibly be shy?
Look at him—this sharp-tongued, cold demeanor was exactly what suited his true nature as a treacherous minister.
Once her attention returned, the pain in her back became even more pronounced.
"If Your Highness has no further business, this daughter of the Jiang family will take her leave."
Even spending a moment longer with Lu Huai felt like torture to her.
Especially since the movements between them just now had almost perfectly mirrored yesterday's scene—she was even more agitated.
"I've been waiting here for quite a while, not to hear you bid me farewell."
Jiang Henian considered herself to have fairly good mental fortitude, having been reborn for only two days.
But at this moment, facing Lu Huai, she suddenly felt a panic as if she had been seen through.
"How does a young lady raised in the inner chambers know that there's a secret chamber behind the rockery in the Donggong?"
Lu Huai's tone had completely lost the lighthearted teasing from before.
It wasn't just serious—it carried a hint of menace. As if, if she couldn't come up with a reasonable explanation, she would be killed on the spot…
Jiang Henian's heart was already in turmoil, but she clenched her jaw and held herself steady.
She had assumed that the first person she needed to guard against would undoubtedly be Lu Huan.
Never in her wildest dreams did she expect it to be Lu Huai—the man of immense power and influence, reviled as a treacherous minister.
"Your Highness, if you don't mind, shall we discuss this elsewhere?"
Standing here talking—was she afraid the people of Donggong wouldn't notice?
Besides, if she didn't return soon, Bai Zhi would start to worry.
Thinking of where they were—Donggong—Jiang Henian was confident that Lu Huai wouldn't truly harm her here. She turned and walked out of the Donggong gates without looking back.
It wasn't until she had boarded the carriage that Bai Zhi arrived, unhurriedly.
"Miss, everything is taken care of. Rest assured!"
Inside the carriage, Jiang Henian glanced at the man who had somehow appeared in her carriage, and could only feign an annoyed expression.
"Why so long? Did something go wrong?"
Bai Zhi consoled her softly: "Miss, don't worry. Miss Su was very easy to talk to. When she heard you weren't feeling well, she asked a few questions, which is why I was delayed a bit."
Jiang Henian once again looked at the man who was now sitting in what should have been her seat. Lu Huai lounged there, slouched and at ease, his eyes half-closed, showing not the slightest concern about being discovered.
The powerful minister who dominated the court—truly reckless without restraint.
Jiang Henian ground her teeth, but in the end, she had to yield to his authority.
"Bai Zhi, go to Sheng Tower and buy some yam cake. The yam cake should be fresh out of the steamer at this hour—bring one back with you."
Bai Zhi suspected nothing and nodded before heading off.
As for Uncle Kuan, who was driving the carriage, he was a trusted confidant left by Jiang Henian's mother, so she had no worries there.
Only after the wheels rumbled dully over the bluestone slabs did Jiang Henian turn her gaze back to Lu Huai.
"Your Highness, if you have something to say, you may speak now."
Lu Huai adjusted his position, making himself more comfortable.
"How long have you known Lu Heng?"