Chapter 14: BeatenWhat great acting!If Jiang Yiyue hadn’t known that Rufang was a spy, she would have been moved.She sneered inwardly but showed nothing on her face, saying, “Yes, I’m back.”“This servant searched the mountainside with the guards for a long time but found nothing.“I thought…“I never expected you to return, miss.“Truly, heaven has blessed us!” Rufang clasped her hands together, thanking the heavens.“Miss.” Xiangcao came out from the courtyard and exclaimed, “You’re injured!”“Mm.” Jiang Yiyue nodded.“This servant will fetch the manor physician for you.” Xiangcao immediately turned to leave.“No need. I’ve already applied medicine and need to rest.” Jiang Yiyue walked into the courtyard.It was a small, single-courtyard residence.On the left were some flowers and plants, lush and verdant; on the right stood a silk tree, beneath which was a stone table.A bluestone path ran down the middle, leading directly to two main rooms and a side chamber.Simple yet elegant.“Miss, please be careful.” Xiangcao stepped forward to assist.Rufang roughly pulled Xiangcao aside and whispered harshly, “Get away.”Xiangcao immediately dared not follow any further.Rufang said, “Miss, this servant has already prepared your bed.”Xiangcao muttered, “But I was the one who made it.”Rufang turned and glared at Xiangcao.Xiangcao quickly lowered her head.Jiang Yiyue observed their little exchange but said nothing.Having spent the past few days fleeing for her life, she was utterly exhausted.She went straight to her bedroom, took off her clothes, and fell into a deep sleep.She woke in the evening, ate a hasty dinner, and went back to sleep.She slept until noon the next day.“Miss, you’re awake.” Rufang said with an ingratiating smile.“I am.” Jiang Yiyue felt well-rested now, comfortable both physically and mentally.“This servant will help you get up.”“Mm.”“Xiangcao.” Rufang called.Xiangcao brought in water: “Miss.”Jiang Yiyue got up, washed, and then sat before the dressing mirror, finally getting a clear look at her own appearance.Fair skin, a slender waist.A face with smooth, delicate features.Large, dark, sparkling eyes, a straight and elegant nose, and rosy, full lips.Naturally graceful yet with a touch of delicate softness.Truly beautiful.She couldn’t help but cup her lovely face and say, “Ah, I’m so pretty!”“Yes, miss is the prettiest!” Xiangcao replied without hesitation.Rufang shot Xiangcao a displeased glance.Xiangcao instinctively fell silent.Rufang then added, “Miss is the number one beauty in the capital, of course she’s beautiful.”Jiang Yiyue glanced at Rufang and said, “Do my hair.”Rufang had always been favored by Jiang Yiyue.Whenever she praised Jiang Yiyue, it would bring a smile to her face.But now, Jiang Yiyue simply changed the subject.What was going on?She immediately glared at Xiangcao beside her.Both Xiangcao and Rufang were Jiang Yiyue’s personal maids.They held equal status.However, Xiangcao was clumsy with words and honest, not as favored as Rufang.She usually didn’t bother arguing with Rufang.But today, she hadn’t done anything wrong—why was Rufang pulling her aside and glaring at her again?“Do my hair.” Jiang Yiyue said with slight displeasure.Rufang was startled and quickly began styling Jiang Yiyue’s hair.Once her hair was done and she changed clothes, Jiang Yiyue looked radiant, captivating to the eye.Xiangcao couldn’t help but say, “Miss is so beautiful.”Seeing her sincerity, Jiang Yiyue smiled and said, “Let’s eat.”“Yes.” Xiangcao went to fetch the meal.Rufang, meanwhile, moved closer to Jiang Yiyue to serve the dishes."No need to serve me, I can eat on my own." Jiang Yiyue picked up her chopsticks and began serving herself.Rufang instinctively turned to look at Xiangcao.Xiangcao quickly lowered her head, pretending not to notice.Rufang withdrew her gaze and ladled soup for Jiang Yiyue.Jiang Yiyue couldn’t help but frown. "I said no serving.""Yes." Rufang hastily set it down, her expression visibly displeased.Jiang Yiyue pretended not to notice. After lunch, she strolled around the courtyard.In the afternoon, she reclined on a lounge chair, lost in thought.After dinner, she had Xiangcao assist her with bathing.Rufang stood outside, uneasy and anxious, feeling as though she was falling out of favor.As soon as Jiang Yiyue emerged, she hurriedly said, "Miss, let me apply the medicine for you.""No need, Xiangcao already did." Jiang Yiyue returned to her bed."Let me help you into bed."This time, Jiang Yiyue did not refuse.However, once in bed, she ignored Rufang completely.Rufang and Xiangcao left the bedroom together.She turned to Xiangcao and demanded, "What’s wrong with Miss?""What do you mean, what’s wrong with Miss?" Xiangcao asked, confused.Rufang asked unhappily, "Did you speak ill of me in front of Miss?"Xiangcao retorted, "What ill words could I have said?"Rufang pressed further, "What did you and Miss talk about in the bathing room?"Xiangcao thought for a moment and replied, "I said nothing.""Then why is Miss suddenly so cold toward me?" Rufang’s tone grew increasingly sharp."How should I know? I need to go prepare my bedding." Xiangcao turned and walked away."You…" Watching Xiangcao’s retreating figure, Rufang was furious.She muttered resentfully, "Just you wait. I’ll make sure you regret this!"Xiangcao returned to fetch her bedding for the night watch.The next morning, she brought water for Jiang Yiyue as usual.Rufang combed Jiang Yiyue’s hair and said, "Miss looks radiant today.""Indeed." Jiang Yiyue also felt she looked more beautiful than the day before."Yes, if Young Master Cui saw you, he would surely praise you," Rufang added.At the mention of "Young Master Cui," Xiangcao immediately grew alert.Not wanting her mistress to suffer humiliation again, she quickly interjected, "Miss must pay respects to the Countess today."Jiang Yiyue looked at Xiangcao."Don’t forget, Miss." Xiangcao lowered her head after speaking.Jiang Yiyue smiled and nodded. "Alright."The topic of "Young Master Cui" was abruptly cut off, leaving Rufang seething with anger.But she refused to give up.After Jiang Yiyue finished dressing, while Xiangcao tidied the dressing table, Rufang walked out of the bedroom with Jiang Yiyue.She took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Jiang Yiyue. "Miss, for you.""What is it?" Jiang Yiyue asked."A letter from Young Master Cui," Rufang replied."For me?" Jiang Yiyue was surprised.Rufang explained, "Yes, during the days when Miss’s fate was uncertain, not only were the Second Master and Madam worried, but Young Master Cui also inquired about your whereabouts multiple times. It shows he truly cares for you."Jiang Yiyue quickly took the letter, tore open the envelope, and began reading.Just as expected!Rufang knew Jiang Yiyue still harbored feelings for Cui Lianqing. Whenever it came to matters concerning him, she lost all reason.Rufang was convinced she could manipulate Jiang Yiyue once again.After quickly scanning the letter, Jiang Yiyue looked at Rufang and asked, "Where did this letter come from?""A servant handed it to me at the back gate," Rufang said proudly.Slap! Jiang Yiyue raised her hand and struck Rufang across the face.Xiangcao emerged from the bedroom and froze at the sight.Rufang never expected Jiang Yiyue to react this way.She stumbled, crashing into the doorframe with a loud thud, and looked up in astonishment. "Miss?"

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried