Fear in the Eyes
Wei Jiuzhao felt a tightness in his chest, his handsome eyes filled with deep helplessness.
“You can’t see it, and I can see even less.”
Jiang Zhaoying’s Divination Hexagram was more than just bizarre; upon closer inspection, its inner workings were turbulent, like a dead end yet also a path to life, leaving one caught in between, both terrified and uneasy.
In the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau.
They prided themselves on having some small abilities, yet Zhaoying’s fate was something they could not decipher at all. Xu Zhiyan stared intently at the Divination Hexagram on the table, his thick, long lashes lowered, concealing the fear in his eyes.
At first glance.
He actually saw that Jiang Zhaoying had already died, and her Resentment Qi was extremely heavy.
At the second glance.
Jiang Zhaoying’s fate suddenly transformed into a thick fog, impossible to see through or touch.
Wei Jiuzhao took a sip of hot tea. He thought that Xu Zhiyan might be able to see a little, but he himself truly saw nothing.
Xu Zhiyan pointed to the two subordinates beside him.
These were the two subordinates who had just beaten Song Chengyu and Shen Yuefu. They appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, one male and one female, both with very good looks.
“These two are the people I’ve left for you. She is called Feicui, and he is called Si Nan. Both are seventeen years old.”
“Greetings, Miss.”
Feicui and Si Nan stepped forward to bow, then looked up and smiled at Jiang Zhaoying. Their obedient demeanor was unlike the ferocity they had shown when beating people earlier.
“They’ve both been beaten thoroughly, with heavy hands. Both are now unconscious.”
“Well done. Reward them.”
Jiang Zhaoying raised her hand, and Shu Yun handed two bulging fortune pouches to them. Feicui and Si Nan thanked her and held them in their hands, then both looked somewhat surprised.
Inside were actually gold coins, and as much as fifty taels.
“Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, I will be especially careful. Please don’t worry about me. Eldest Senior Brother, I also ask that you look after Father. Second Senior Brother, I also have something I’d like to ask for your help with.”
“Speak.”
Jiang Zhaoying then told them about the matter concerning Aunts Taxue and Tamei. Afterward, she had Shu Yun bring out a detoxification pill and continued.
“Judging from their appearances, they should come from a good family, with decent parents. If their father doesn’t receive treatment soon, he likely won’t make it through tonight. But if he does, he should have a lifespan of at least seventy.”
“This is a small matter. I’ll arrange it immediately.”
A few lamps in the courtyard were extinguished, and the bright yellow light outside the window dimmed slightly.
Seeing that the time was about right.
Xu Zhiyan and Wei Jiuzhao were about to rise and take their leave when Jiang Zhaoying smiled and said to them.
“Tonight, the Guanhe Tower seems to have some Providential Fortune. I’d like to go take a look. Will you two senior brothers join me?”
Xu Zhiyan naturally nodded.
“Alright.”
Wei Jiuzhao stood up, his majestic and handsome appearance truly pleasing to the eye. He smiled slightly and said.
“I’ll return to the Jiang residence to discuss some matters with Master. If there’s still time, I’ll come find you at Guanhe Tower.”
“That’s fine.”
Thus, Jiang Zhaoying saw them out of the mansion.
On her way back, just as she reached the entrance of the courtyard where Kongliu Xiaoxuan was located, she saw Nanny Liu from Madam Song’s side and a maid holding a lantern waiting for her there.
Jiang Zhaoying originally intended to ignore them, but Nanny Liu stepped forward and bowed.
“Madam Heir, the mistress wishes to take away the two servants who carried out the punishment.”
Truly despicable.
They had made the most meticulous arrangements, yet for some reason, both assigned individuals had vanished and still hadn’t been found. It took quite some effort to discover that the ones who actually carried out the beating were arranged by Jiang Zhaoying.
That little wretch was settling a personal grudge, nearly beating the young master and Miss Shen to death. Now the child was lost, and Madam Song was furious to the point of madness, insisting on killing those two who carried out the punishment.
“Those are the personal guards His Highness the Crown Prince gifted me. Is Nanny Liu certain you wish to take them away?”
Nanny Liu’s expression immediately shifted, and she lowered her gaze to offer a bow.
“In that case, it won’t be necessary.”
Watching coldly as she left, teeth gritted, Jiang Zhaoying then turned to Shu Yun with a smile.
“Have all the physicians in the capital been invited to Guanhe Tower?”
“Yes, they are all at Guanhe Tower. Princess Tingyun and His Highness the Crown Prince are also there.”
Jiang Zhaoying pursed her lips slightly. As long as the consultation fees were high enough, she could hire as many physicians as needed.
In her previous life.
Princess Tingyun heard that the delicacies at Guanhe Tower were even more exquisite than those in the palace, so she pestered the Crown Prince to accompany her there. Midway through the meal, Princess Tingyun suddenly fell ill. The imperial physician arrived half an hour late, and Princess Tingyun died there.
Later.
When she faced difficulties in the palace, Princess Tingyun’s mother once helped her. So in this life, she thought, if she could help the princess, that would be good.
Before all the physicians set out, the servants would describe the symptoms Princess Tingyun was about to experience and instruct them to bring medicine, hoping they could work together to help Princess Tingyun avoid this calamity.
However.
Jiang Zhaoying still felt somewhat uneasy. She had to bring medicine herself. If the princess was fine, she would quietly withdraw. If the princess still fell ill, she would present the medicine.
Tonight.
Song Chengyu and Shen Yuefu would search everywhere without finding a single physician. She wanted these two to suffer through the entire night.
A servant returned stealthily in the dark, hurriedly bowed upon seeing Jiang Zhaoying, and stepped forward to report.
“Miss, chaos has erupted over there. That little wretch’s child is already lost, covered in blood, and now running a high fever. The young master is unconscious. Both are severely injured. I hid in the shadows and saw Madam Song fly into a rage, after which over a dozen people rushed out of the Song residence.”
“Let them have their commotion.”
Jiang Zhaoying led them toward the side rooms while giving instructions.
“Close the courtyard gate tightly. Have A-Si and A-Wu prepare some hot pots. It’s been a long day, and you’re all tired. Have a hot, filling meal.”
“Also, make sure to secure all valuables and keep a close watch. Don’t let anyone from over there steal them.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Shu Yun and Shu Yu carefully observed their mistress’s expression. Seeing she was in good spirits, they finally confirmed she was unaffected and felt greatly relieved. They promptly gave orders to have half a leg of lamb, half a leg of venison, a pheasant brought in, along with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and pastries.
In less than half an hour.
The courtyard was bustling with activity, filled with the rich aroma of meat.
The servants were initially somewhat apprehensive, but seeing their mistress dressed in splendid nobleman’s attire, preparing to go out with Shu Yun and Shu Yu similarly dressed as men, they rose to express their gratitude and finally set their minds at ease.
“If you want anything else to eat, just go to the storeroom and take it. After I leave, remember to guard the courtyard well. Don’t let those from the other side come and snatch things. If they try to force their way in, just drive them out. Don’t be afraid—I’ll stand up for you. But remember one thing: protect yourselves and each other. You must stick together, understand?”
Looking at their familiar faces one by one, Jiang Zhaoying felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. In her previous life, all the servants she had brought with her had died because of her. So in this life, she would protect them all and bring them back safe and sound when the time came.
“We understand, miss.”
Hearing her words, the servants straightened their backs one after another. The hot pot was spicy and scalding, making their blood boil with fervor, and tears welled up in their eyes.
For the first time,
they realized that as servants, they could protect themselves.
Feicui and Si Nan changed into simple, practical clothes suitable for fighting and followed closely behind Jiang Zhaoying. The five of them slipped quietly out of the mansion through a side door.