Jiang Zhiyu secretly rolled her eyes.
Good fortune?
Should she even accept this good fortune?
Fan Suwan assumed Jiang Zhiyu was just shy. “I’m just giving you a heads-up. Be more careful when you’re with Prince Chen in the future. If you could get him to petition for you to become his princess, that would be even better!”
Jiang Zhiyu suppressed the urge to curse and nodded shyly. “Aunt, I understand.”
Fan Suwan smiled with satisfaction. “You’re tired today, and you’ve been frightened. Go back and rest early! You still need more clothes and jewelry. Tomorrow I’ll take you to Linglong Pavilion to buy some.”
Linglong Pavilion was a shop specializing in clothes and jewelry, but it was different from ordinary shops.
Linglong Pavilion’s jewelry was more exquisite and valuable, and its clothing styles and fabrics were also unique, highly sought after by the capital’s elite.
Jiang Zhiyu’s previous clothes and jewelry were mostly from Linglong Pavilion, so she knew how expensive they were.
Now, Fan Suwan is actually taking her to Linglong Pavilion to buy clothes and jewelry.
It seems that Fan Suwan, including Jiang Zhong, really want her to marry Xiao Yanchen!
…
Yilan Courtyard.
Liuli hurriedly returned and saw Amber coming to greet her, looking troubled.
Seeing Liuli not speaking, Amber urged in a low voice, “How did it go? Did it go well?”
Liuli shook her head.
Amber felt a wave of dizziness.
“What exactly happened? Didn’t we find dozens of people? We spent five thousand taels of silver, but it didn’t work out? What were those people doing?” ”
They didn’t expect that Prince Chen would secretly send people to follow them, catching them off guard, and that’s why…”
Amber took a deep breath.
It’s no use talking to Liuli about this now.
Even if she has to bite the bullet, she has to go in and report.
Amber clasped her hands tightly together before entering the room.
Jiang Jingshu had been waiting for the results. Seeing Amber return, she hurriedly asked, “How is it? Is Jiang Zhiyu dead?”
“Miss, Prince Chen sent people to protect her secretly. Most of them were killed or injured, and they failed…”
The expectation in Jiang Jingshu’s eyes vanished instantly, and her face turned grim.
After a long while, she gritted her teeth and asked, “What about the rest? Did they escape successfully? They don’t know my identity, do they? If they are caught, will they implicate me?”
“Don’t worry, Miss! They don’t know the employer’s identity. Even if they are caught, they will definitely not implicate you!”
Jiang Jingshu breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Jiang Zhiyu was lucky this time. I don’t believe Jiang Zhiyu can always be so lucky.”
As she was speaking, she saw Amber looking troubled.
“What’s wrong? Is there anything else?” Jiang Jingshu asked impatiently. “Just say it. It’s come to this, what can’t I hear?”
“News came from the main courtyard. Madam said she’s taking Miss to Linglong Pavilion tomorrow to buy some clothes and jewelry…”
Amber said, almost bowing her head to her chest.
Jiang Jingshu was stunned for a moment.
But soon, she sneered.
“It’s just buying some clothes and jewelry, what’s the big deal? Every piece of my clothes and jewelry was bought from Linglong Pavilion. Go away!”
Amber didn’t leave immediately, but looked at Jiang Jingshu with some worry, “Miss—”
“Get out!”
Jiang Jingshu’s voice was cold and unquestionable.
This time, Amber didn’t dare to hesitate and immediately left.
The door closed, leaving only Jiang Jingshu in the room.
Jiang Jingshu gritted her teeth, her eyes surging with overwhelming anger.
The
next morning.
Not long after Jiang Zhiyu finished breakfast, Chunfa, the maid from the main courtyard, came.
Chunfa was even more respectful than usual, her voice gentle as she spoke, her smile as warm as a spring breeze.
“Miss, Madam sent me to check on you. She said if you’ve already had breakfast, you can come over now. We’re about to head out!”
Jiang Zhiyu stood up. “Then let’s go!”
On the way, Jiang Zhiyu casually asked, “Why haven’t I seen Granny Bai these past few days?”
Granny Bai was Fan Suwan’s dowry maid and had always been highly trusted by Fan Suwan, practically always by her side.
But ever since the day of the flower-viewing banquet, when Granny Bai deliberately dressed her up to embarrass her, Jiang Zhiyu hadn’t seen Granny Bai again.
“Granny Bai caught a cold. Madam took pity on her and told her to rest well and come back to serve her when she’s better.”
Chunfa’s smile remained unchanged.
However, she herself didn’t realize that her voice was a little strained as she spoke.
“So that’s how it is!” Jiang Zhiyu pretended not to understand, nodding with a smile. “Auntie is so good to Granny Bai!”
It seems Granny Bai was punished by Fan Suwan!
And quite severely!
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have remained silent for several days.
Jiang Zhiyu wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Fan Suwan was punishing Granny Bai for her sake.
Fan Suwan simply couldn’t accept that her most trusted person would obey someone else’s orders.
If her trusted confidante, on whom she entrusted important responsibilities, dared to betray her and obey someone else’s orders, it would be tantamount to handing her life over to someone else.
This was something no superior could tolerate.
Soon, they arrived at the main courtyard.
Not only was Fan Suwan there, but Jiang Zhenzhou was also present.
Jiang Zhenzhou was somewhat impatient. “Mother, if you want to take her to buy clothes and jewelry, just go. Why do you want me to come along?”
Fan Suwan looked at Jiang Zhenzhou reproachfully. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You just want to take advantage of the fact that your father and I aren’t in the manor so you can run off and play? You’d better come with me obediently today, or I’ll tell your father!”
Jiang Zhenzhou was terrified of Jiang Jiangzhong, and
upon hearing this, he immediately became obedient.
Fan Suwan then stood up, walked to Jiang Zhiyu’s side, and affectionately took Jiang Zhiyu’s hand. “Zhiyu, come on, I’ll pick out some nice things for you today.” The
group walked out.
Just as they stepped out of the main courtyard, they saw Jiang Jingshu, dressed neatly, walking towards them.
“Jingshu?”
Fan Suwan looked at Jiang Jingshu in surprise.
“Why didn’t you stay in your room? Why did you come over?”
Jiang Jingshu’s gaze flickered across Fan Suwan and Jiang Zhiyu’s tightly clasped hands, her smile gentle and radiant.
“Mother, I’m all better now. I heard you’re taking my cousin to Linglong Pavilion to buy clothes and jewelry, so I thought I’d go with you and offer some advice. Cousin, you don’t want me to go, do you?”
Jiang Zhiyu’s smile was even brighter than Jiang Jingshu’s. “What are you saying, cousin? How could I not want you to go? I’d love for you to come with us! It’s more fun with more people!”
Others might not know,
but Jiang Zhiyu knew perfectly well. Although several days had passed, Jiang Jingshu’s injuries showed no improvement.
She couldn’t eat or sleep well, was restless, and suffered constantly.
Usually, when she was indoors, she only wore loose undergarments to avoid rubbing against her wounds and aggravating the pain.
Now, Jiang Jingshu was dressed exquisitely and beautifully.
But this exquisite attire also became a double-edged sword, making every step she took feel like walking on a mountain of knives, every inch of her skin screaming in pain.
It must be said, Jiang Jingshu was incredibly resilient.
Even in such pain, she could still smile and laugh, her expression unchanging.
She was a ruthless character!
Of the four mistresses present, only Jiang Zhenzhou was genuinely happy for Jiang Jingshu.
“Elder sister! You’re all better? That’s wonderful!”
Jiang Jingshu nodded with a smile, “Much better, I can go out now. Mother, can I go?”
Fan Suwan frowned slightly, but ultimately didn’t refuse, “Since you want to go, then let’s go together!”
Although she outwardly agreed, she was somewhat displeased.
Jiang Jingshu was practically playing with her health!
She used to think Jiang Jingshu was intelligent, sensible, gentle, and virtuous, but how had she become so restless these past few days?
How far could someone with such a temperament go in the harem?
Fan Suwan got into a carriage by herself.
Jiang Zhiyu and Jiang Jingshu rode in the same carriage.
Jiang Zhenzhou rode ahead on horseback.
Inside the carriage, Jiang Jingshu smiled gently, her gaze fervent. “Cousin, how was yesterday’s poetry gathering? There are quite a few poetry and tea parties like this in the capital. If you enjoyed it, I’ll take you more often!”
“I can’t write poetry, so I didn’t really feel anything, but watching the play was quite nice!” Jiang Zhiyu said honestly.
The capital was indeed the capital—crowded and lively, much more interesting than at Shennong Manor!
If every poetry and tea party could be as lively as yesterday, she would be willing to go!
Jiang Jingshu smiled slightly, about to speak, but Jiang Zhiyu interrupted her.
“Cousin, what are you wearing on your hands? It’s so hot, why are you so covered up? What if you get heatstroke?”
Jiang Jingshu’s smile instantly froze. Jiang Zhiyu was really
hitting a nerve
! Didn’t Jiang Zhiyu know why she was wearing gloves?
Jiang Jingshu stared directly into Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes, but Jiang Zhiyu neither flinched nor flinched, showing no remorse whatsoever.
This made Jiang Jingshu doubt herself.
Could it be that Jiang Zhiyu really didn’t administer the poison?
But if it wasn’t Jiang Zhiyu, who else could it be?
Various thoughts swirled in Jiang Jingshu’s mind, and for a moment, she lost the will to continue speaking.
Seeing that Jiang Jingshu had finally quieted down, Jiang Zhiyu was finally satisfied.
She wondered where Jiang Jingshu got so much to say!
Did their relationship really need to be so long-winded?
A quarter of an hour later.
Linglong Pavilion.
The clothes and jewelry at Linglong Pavilion were very expensive, but business was booming.
Those who came were mostly the families of high-ranking officials and wealthy people.
They weren’t short of money, and they even competed with each other.
Their scrambling and fighting made Linglong Pavilion incredibly wealthy.
Jiang Zhiyu had previously had people inquire about the owner behind Linglong Pavilion,
but ultimately failed to find out, suggesting a very powerful background.
As soon as they entered Linglong Pavilion, a familiar face approached with a smile.
“What a coincidence! I’ve only been here a short while, and you’ve all arrived too!”
The speaker was none other than Princess Shunhua, whom they had met at the flower-viewing banquet.
Princess Shunhua and Fan Suwan were quite familiar with each other, but whether their relationship was truly good or bad was known only to the two of them.