The poetry gathering continued as planned.
After all, it had been prepared in advance, and they couldn’t just disperse because of Xiao Yanchen’s sudden appearance.
However, this time, no one mentioned asking Jiang Zhiyu to compose a poem.
Ruan Qingwu was filled with resentment.
This was clearly a perfect opportunity to embarrass Jiang Zhiyu.
But she dared not!
The title of Prince Chen, the “Demon King,” was not just for show.
Offending him would certainly have dire consequences.
Prince Chen was clearly protecting Jiang Zhiyu, so even if she was resentful, she could only suppress her anger.
News of what happened at the Xu residence quickly reached the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion.
Fan Suwan listened to the whole story, her smile incredibly bright.
Excellent!
As expected of her own daughter!
She’s truly capable!
Whether it was due to the Empress Dowager’s influence or his own, Prince Chen had undeniably taken Jiang Zhiyu to heart!
Overjoyed, Fan Suwan completely ignored Jiang Zhiyu’s words about her parents’ death.
The happier Fan Suwan was, the angrier Jiang Jingshu became.
Three days had long passed.
But even with the silver at the Zhexian Tower, Steward Chen still couldn’t buy the medicine!
That damned Steward Yang said there was a delay at Shennong Manor, and the medicine wouldn’t arrive for another three days.
These past few days had been unbearable; she couldn’t eat or sleep, and her body ached constantly, whether standing, sitting, or lying down.
And she had to endure this for another three days!
If she hadn’t been poisoned, she would surely have shone brightly at the poetry gathering today.
But now?
Jiang Zhiyu was being fiercely protected by Prince Chen at the poetry gathering, and no one dared to provoke her.
She, on the other hand, was confined to the courtyard, probably long forgotten.
Just thinking about it made Jiang Jingshu furious.
“Amber!”
Amber rushed forward, “Miss!”
“Where’s the poison I asked you to buy from the Ghost Doctor?”
There’s a black market outside the capital; for enough silver, you can buy anything!
The Beauty’s Dimples were bought from the Ghost Doctor at that market.
Amber lowered her head, her voice low, “Miss, the Ghost Doctor hasn’t returned…”
A few days ago, after Jiang Jingshu gave the order, she had already made a trip to the black market.
But the Ghost Doctor was nowhere to be found; the dilapidated house was empty.
Several days had passed, and he was still nowhere to be seen.
Hearing this, Jiang Jingshu felt incredibly angry.
“Haven’t returned? Where did he go! If he doesn’t come back, can’t you send someone to look for him?”
Amber lowered her head even further, not daring to offer any rebuttal.
Her mistress was in a fit of rage; saying anything now would be useless.
Jiang Jingshu smashed the newly replaced porcelain in the room, venting her anger before calming down slightly.
“We can’t count on the Ghost Doctor for now, but we can’t just sit here and wait to die. Go and arrange for people to ambush and kill Jiang Zhiyu in the street while she recovers.”
“Miss!” Amber was startled. “Young Master is with her…”
“Just tell them not to hurt Zhenzhou! Today, Jiang Zhiyu must die!”
How dare she steal her thunder!
Trying to take everything that belongs to her!
Jiang Zhiyu must die!
“But what about Prince Chen—”
If Prince Chen sends Jiang Zhiyu back to the manor, no matter how many people we arrange, it won’t be enough for him to kill.
Jiang Jingshu was silent for a moment.
“Then keep an eye on her. If Prince Chen sends her back, don’t make a move yet. If Prince Chen doesn’t send her back, we must take her dog’s head today!”
Knowing that Jiang Jingshu wouldn’t change her mind, Amber could only resign herself to her fate and go to give the orders.
…
Xu Mansion, in the garden.
Xu Wanqing and others were commenting on the poems they had written today.
Regardless of whether these people actually wrote the poems themselves, they were indeed written by their own hands.
Now, when they commented, each of them spoke quite eloquently.
Jiang Zhiyu listened listlessly, then turned her head to the left and saw Jiang Zhenzhou, whose eyes were equally vacant.
This wasn’t hard to understand.
Jiang Zhenzhou’s mind was blank; he couldn’t understand anything, hence his listless eyes.
Turning her head to the right, she saw Xiao Yanchen toying with a cup in his hand.
The cup was small and elegant, the color of a sky blue after rain.
He held it with his slender fingers, staring intently at it, as if flowers were blooming on its surface.
Just then, Ling Shuang returned and whispered something in Xiao Yanchen’s ear.
A glint flashed in Xiao Yanchen’s eyes, and he slammed the cup heavily on the table with a crisp sound.
The people who had been discussing poetry had actually been secretly watching Xiao Yanchen the whole time.
Seeing his sudden reaction, they were all somewhat shocked and fell silent, their gazes filled with suspicion.
Xu Yanqing walked over with a smile, “Your Highness, what’s wrong? Is there something you’re not satisfied with?”
Xiao Yanchen looked at Xu Yanqing.
Although he was sitting and could only look up at Xu Yanqing, his imposing aura still completely overwhelmed him.
“It’s not that I have any complaints, it’s just that my maid Ling Shuang encountered an interesting person when she went to the restroom.”
As soon as Xiao Yanchen finished speaking, Xu Yanqing’s expression changed.
Xiao Yanchen looked at Xu Yanqing with interest, “Why did your expression change, Young Master Xu? Did you guess who I was talking about?”
“How could that be…” Xu Yanqing forced a smile, “I’m just curious, who in our manor would find interesting, Your Highness?” ”
There are quite a few people who would find interesting, for example, the son of the former Governor-General of the Two Rivers, Pei Wenxuan, whom I’ve been searching for for so long without success.”
As soon as Xiao Yanchen finished speaking, Xu Yanqing’s face turned deathly pale.
“I heard that when Young Master Xu went out to study, he encountered bandits and was fortunately rescued by Pei Wenxuan, thus saving his life. After that, the two of you became close friends.” ”
Pei Jingzhi was secretly hoarding iron ore and forging weapons, intending to rebel. He was arrested by me two months ago. But his son, Pei Wenxuan, can’t be found anywhere. So he’s living in the Xu family’s house!” ”
I sent people to search for his whereabouts, but he hid in the capital, right under the Emperor’s nose. What a convenient place! I was blinded by my own limited perspective!”
“I’ve heard that Young Master Xu is learned and talented, and now it seems he is indeed so. Not only is he a gifted writer, but he is also well-versed in military strategy, bold yet meticulous—truly a potential general!”
With each sentence Xiao Yanchen spoke, Xu Yanqing’s face paled further, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
Seeing him like this, everyone understood.
Xiao Yanchen was telling the truth!
Xu Yanqing had actually harbored Pei Wenxuan!
Xu Yanqing was incredibly audacious!
For a moment, many people avoided Xu Yanqing.
Only Xu Wanqing forced herself to step forward, “Your Highness, my brother isn’t that kind of person—” ”
Does Miss Xu mean that Pei Wenxuan hid in your residence on his own, and no one in your household knew?”
“To allow someone to hide in your residence for two months without being discovered, is Grand Tutor Xu’s household management so lax? If he can’t even manage his own household, Grand Tutor Xu probably doesn’t have the energy to share the Emperor’s burdens!”
Xiao Yanchen’s tone was chilling.
It was like a pair of scissors piercing every bone in Xu Yanqing’s body.
Xu Wanqing’s face was also pale, but she still forced herself to stand firm, “Your Highness said the person is in our residence, so the person is in our residence? Perhaps Guard Ling Shuang made a mistake—”
“Ling Shuang, did you make a mistake?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate was also afraid of making a mistake, so I have already brought the person here.”
As Ling Shuang’s voice fell, two Imperial Guards escorted a young gentleman over from the moon gate.
The young nobleman’s clothes were torn, his hair disheveled, and his face bruised.
Those present who recognized Pei Wenxuan immediately spotted him.
“It really is Pei Wenxuan!”
“Xu Yanqing dares to harbor a traitor!
“Are the Xu family and the Pei family accomplices? Is the Xu family also plotting a rebellion?”
Exclamations of surprise rang out, and everyone moved further away from Xu Yanqing.
Xu Yanqing could no longer hold back and hurriedly explained, “Your Highness! My father was unaware of this matter. Please do not implicate him!”
“Whether Grand Tutor Xu was aware of it or not, I will find out for myself. I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”
Xiao Yanchen’s voice was icy, and his expression was even more chilling.
“Ling Shuang, please let Young Master Xu return to the Embroidered Uniform Guard with you.”
Xu Wanqing hurriedly stepped forward to stop them. “No, you can’t take my brother away! My brother is innocent! Brother, please speak!”
Xu Yanqing shook his head. “Wanqing, tell Father about this. This matter has nothing to do with Father, so he doesn’t need to go to great lengths for me.”
Xiao Yanchen clapped his hands. “Good! Very good! Although Young Master Xu is a weak scholar, he dares to take responsibility! Then please!”
Saying this, Xiao Yanchen slowly stood up. “I have to go now. Will you continue to participate in the poetry gathering, or will I send someone to escort you back to your residence?”
Jiang Zhiyu was watching the show when she heard this and looked up at Xiao Yanchen.
This Xiao Yanchen!
He really knows how to act, even she was tricked!
He came to the Xu residence today initially for Pei Wenxuan!
But Xiao Yanchen used the excuse of coming to see her to lull Xu Yanqing and Pei Wenxuan, who was hiding in the residence, into a false sense of security.
He actually used her!
“She’s not so easily manipulated!”
Jiang Zhiyu thought to herself, but her smile remained bright. “No need to trouble Your Highness, my cousin and I can go back on our own.”
Xiao Yanchen nodded. “In that case, I’ll take my leave!”
Xiao Yanchen truly left without hesitation, cleanly and decisively.
With the eldest young master of the Xu family gone, the poetry gathering could not continue.
Xu Wanqing’s face was deathly pale. Although she tried to force a smile, it looked utterly pathetic.
“I’m so sorry, the poetry gathering can’t continue…”
Everyone was eager to leave and didn’t mind. After a few polite words, they all hurriedly took their leave.
Ruan Qingwu, who had been holding Xu Wanqing’s hand and calling her “sister” repeatedly, was now leaving faster than anyone else.
Jiang Zhiyu and Jiang Zhenzhou also left the Xu residence with the others.
This time, Jiang Zhenzhou didn’t ride a horse but instead sat in a carriage with Jiang Zhiyu.
Seeing Jiang Zhenzhou’s furrowed brows and grave expression, Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “Big cousin, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Zhenzhou looked up, his eyes serious. “How come I never noticed before that Brother Yanqing is so loyal!”
Jiang Zhiyu, “?”