At this, Yu Zhu was truly dumbfounded. Ever since her lady begged His Majesty five years ago to release the Fifth Prince from the Cold Palace, the two had been as close as one person.
Now the Fifth Prince was fostered under Consort Yan. Though only seventeen, he had already caught His Majesty’s eye. Two years ago, he and the Fourth Prince, Xiao Moyuan, were both granted titles: the Fourth Prince as Prince Xuan, the Fifth Prince as Prince Jing.
In the past two years, the Fifth Prince had been valued even more, having been sent by His Majesty to train in the military. Now, after several months away, he had returned to the capital—yet the young lady showed not the slightest joy?
In the past, whenever news of the Fifth Prince arrived, the young lady would be so eager that she wished time itself would fly faster until they met.
“Miss, this servant means the Fifth Prince, Prince Jing.”
“How could I not know he is Prince Jing? From now on, if he comes, just pretend you don’t see him.”
“Yes, Miss. This servant will remember.”
Jun Ning closed her eyes, unwilling to speak further. Xiao Yunjie had better pray she didn’t run into him too soon, or she might not be able to resist killing him. She had the power to rescue him once, and she had the power to kick him back into that man-eating Cold Palace again.
The next day, Madam Lou and her daughter indeed brought the so-called culprit who had poisoned the tea to the Yunfei Courtyard.
Though it was not yet noon, the sun outside was already scorching.
“Second Miss, our Madam and Miss have been waiting outside for the time of one incense stick. Madam’s health is weak, and this sun is fierce. Please, Second Miss, show kindness and let our Madam inside.”
The speaker outside was Nanny Wang, Madam Lou’s attendant.
Because she had once served Jun Ning’s mother, Nanny Wang always carried herself with a certain air of authority when facing Jun Ning, like a wet nurse.
Little did she know, Jun Ning was no longer the same person she once was.
Jun Ning pinched the yellowed pages, carefully studying the obscure and difficult content of the ancient medical text, not taking in a single word Nanny Wang was saying.
Yu Zhu stood nearby, thoughtfully fanning away the summer heat for her mistress.
Outside, Nanny Wang waited in vain for a response. Growing both anxious and angry, her tone became heavier.
“Second Miss, this servant knows you may be upset, but Madam Lou is now the mistress of the household, in charge of the family affairs. If you refuse to give her face like this, it will sound unpleasant if word spreads.”
At these words, Jun Ning flipped the medical book face-down onto the table and lifted her gaze toward the plump silhouette behind the screen.
“It’s only been a few days, yet Nanny Wang has grown ever more insolent. Today you dare threaten me—tomorrow will you dare to ride on my head?”
Her voice did not rise or fall much, yet it made Nanny Wang’s heart suddenly lurch. She panicked and dropped to her knees, hastily explaining: “Second Miss, this servant did not mean that, I would never dare.”
This look of the Second Miss was exactly like her mother, Madam Tao. Nanny Wang’s eyes darted nervously—after all, the Second Miss had never spoken like this before.
“I think there’s very little you wouldn’t dare.” With those words, Jun Ning slowly stepped out from behind the screen. She was still the same Second Miss, yet Nanny Wang only dared glance once before her heart leapt into her throat.
Jun Ning stopped before her, looking down from above.
“Nanny Wang, without my permission, who allowed you to step into Yunfei Courtyard, hmm?”
Nanny Wang’s heart trembled, mumbling: “In the past, Miss also…”
“In the past? Speaking of the past—you stole the jewelry my mother left behind. For the sake of your years of service to her, I did not pursue it. But now you’ve grown bolder and bolder—that is my mistake.” As she spoke, Jun Ning slowly crouched down, reaching out to tuck the stray hair at Nanny Wang’s cheek behind her ear.
“I’ve long heard that you have a daughter, fresh and delicate. By now, she should be of marriageable age. Why don’t I take charge and arrange a match for her? What does Momo think of that?”
Nanny Wang had long lost her husband, with only her daughter, Xing’er, by her side. Everyone in the household knew Xing’er was Nanny Wang’s lifeblood.
“This servant knows her mistake, this servant knows her mistake! Second Miss, please show mercy—it is all my fault. Xing’er is still young. I beg you to forgive! As long as you spare me, this servant is willing to do anything!”
Nanny Wang wore a bitter expression, knocking her head against the ground again and again.
Jun Ning rose to her feet, her gaze falling upon the mossy stone path. She lifted her foot and pressed it against Nanny Wang’s forehead, already streaked with blood, halting her desperate kowtows.
The delicate embroidered shoe touched the wound, and sweat streamed down Nanny Wang’s face. Yet she dared not show anger.
The next words from Jun Ning froze her blood, as though she had been cast into an icy abyss.
“You’ve dirtied my ground. Even ten of your Xing’ers wouldn’t be enough to pay for that. But since you claim you’re willing to do anything. Why don’t you go die?”
With that, Jun Ning turned to head back inside. Nanny Wang, unwilling to accept death, clutched at her skirt like a drowning woman grasping at straw.
“Second Miss, this servant’s life is worthless—but Xing’er is still small, she cannot live without her mother!”
Jun Ning remained unmoved, about to call for attendants. Panic seized Nanny Wang.
“Second Miss! I know everything about Madam Lou and the illegitimate miss!”
Jun Ning paused mid-step. Nanny Wang’s eyes lit up, and she blurted out without hesitation, “The illegitimate miss wants to harm you!”
Jun Ning smiled faintly. “Speak, then. Let me hear it.”
Nanny Wang faltered, but at this point, she had no choice but to spill everything, even if she suspected she had walked straight into a trap Jun Ning had set long ago.
Jun Ning settled into her rosewood chair, sipped her fragrant tea, and only after setting the cup down did she glance at the kneeling Nanny Wang, who looked utterly uneasy.
“You’re saying she intends to poison my medicine?”
“Second Miss, it is absolutely true. This servant would never dare deceive you.”
“But why should I believe you? No matter what, she is still my half-sister.”
Jun Ning’s expression was troubled, no different from before.
Nanny Wang was shrewd enough to know what Jun Ning wanted to hear. “Second Miss, this servant heard it with my own ears. Yesterday, the illegitimate miss ordered her maid Caihe to do it. If you doubt me, when the medicine arrives today, you can have a physician examine it. I would never dare lie about this.”
Jun Ning pondered for a moment. Her ears twitched—someone was approaching. She waved her hand. “Go back for now. And remember—know what should be said, and what must not be said.”
“Yes, yes, this servant understands.” Nanny Wang, already advanced in years, staggered as she rose.
Just then, from outside the door came the clear sound of jade pendants clinking together.