When the carriage left the palace gates, the sky had already grown mostly dark.
Jiang Zhaoxue wanted to lift the curtain to get some fresh air, but the cold wind made her shiver. Granny Cui quickly pressed the curtain back down.
“Princess Consort, be careful not to catch a chill.”
“It’s fine.” Jiang Zhaoxue rubbed her hands together. “I have a tough life. A little wind won’t be able to blow me away.”
Although she said that, she obediently tucked her hands back into her sleeves. There was no helping it—the cold was truly cold.
Granny Cui looked at her helplessly, stuffed the prepared hand warmer into her arms, and thoughtfully covered her with a blanket.
The carriage turned past the palace walls and entered the main street. Jiang Zhaoxue leaned against the carriage wall and closed her eyes to rest.
“Princess Consort.” Granny Cui asked softly, “Should we report today’s events to the Prince when we return?”
“Report it.” Jiang Zhaoxue opened her eyes. “He isn’t my enemy or anything. Things that should be told must be told.”
Granny Cui nodded. She was mainly worried that the Princess Consort was still young and would take everything upon herself. That would not be good.
The carriage traveled for about the time it took to burn two incense sticks before slowly coming to a stop.
“Princess Consort!” the coachman called from outside.
Jiang Zhaoxue lifted the curtain and saw a blue-canopied carriage parked by the roadside. The curtain was tightly closed, making it impossible to tell whether anyone was inside.
She recognized this carriage. She had thought Xiao Chenghuai was only being polite when he said he would wait, but unexpectedly, he had truly waited outside the palace gates for most of the day.
When Granny Cui saw it as well, her expression instantly changed.
“How could the Prince\… His health cannot withstand waiting like this for so long!”
Jiang Zhaoxue jumped down from the carriage and walked over. She reached out and lifted the curtain.
Inside the carriage, Xiao Chenghuai was covered with a thick blanket and leaning against a soft cushion.
Laifu shrank into the corner and made a “shh” gesture. “The Prince dozed off while waiting. He waited the entire day, so he’s probably tired.”
Xiao Chenghuai seemed to sense something and opened his eyes.
Jiang Zhaoxue stood outside the carriage, feeling no trace of being moved—only speechless!
“Seriously? Why are you still here? Did I tell you to wait? If something happens to your health, I’ll be the one who has to treat you again.”
Xiao Chenghuai ignored her complaint and instead asked, “Did the Empress make things difficult for you?”
This man was sometimes too troublesome. He was so sick that he could barely stand, yet he insisted on waiting in the cold wind for an entire day.
What was he trying to prove?
“We’ll talk when we get back.” Jiang Zhaoxue snorted. “It’s freezing out here.”
After saying that, she turned around and climbed back into the palace carriage. Xiao Chenghuai’s carriage followed behind hers, and the two carriages returned to the Jing Wang Residence one after another.
In the main courtyard’s reception hall, as soon as Jiang Zhaoxue entered, she immediately stripped off the heavy ceremonial robes and changed into a small red jacket. Her entire person instantly became much more lively.
She collapsed into a chair and let out a long breath of relief. “I’m exhausted to death.”
Xiao Chenghuai was pushed in by Laifu. He came to the main seat and sat down, took the hot tea handed to him, drank a sip, and then looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue.
“Tell me.”
Jiang Zhaoxue did not waste time. She recounted everything that happened in the palace from beginning to end.
The only thing she left out was Old Blind Man. As for Xiao Chenghuai, there was no need to go into too much detail. She only needed to mention the important parts.
After listening, Xiao Chenghuai remained silent for a long while.
“So in front of the Empress, you revealed your ability to see people’s fortunes?”
“I only revealed a little.” Jiang Zhaoxue counted on her fingers. “I dug up a doll and said a few polite words. I didn’t say much else.”
“You really are bold.” Xiao Chenghuai frowned. “You even dare to get involved in something like this.”
“I had no choice but to get involved.” Jiang Zhaoxue answered righteously. “I’m a Princess Consort brought in for a lucky marriage. If the Empress fell ill right after I entered the palace, what do you think people outside would say?”
The corner of Xiao Chenghuai’s lips twitched, but he did not argue. She had a point. The people present at the banquet would all be implicated if something happened to the Empress.
“Besides\…” Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes rolled around, and her tone became slightly sly. “I did the Empress such a big favor. She owes me a favor now. I wonder how much money this favor can be exchanged for in the future?”
Xiao Chenghuai: “\…Can you think about something else?”
“Think about what?” Jiang Zhaoxue tilted her head with a smile. “Gold and silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings—I’m fine with any of those. I’m not picky.”
Xiao Chenghuai looked at her helplessly and did not continue the topic.
The reception hall fell silent for a while. The charcoal fire occasionally crackled and popped.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Chenghuai asked, “Can you really see things that other people cannot?”
Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression became unusually serious. She sat up straight. “You guess.”
Xiao Chenghuai was not annoyed. He clapped his hands.
Laifu immediately understood. He turned around and went outside. Not long after, he came back carrying a red lacquer tray with a plate of preserved fruits on it.
Jujube paste, osmanthus-flavored treats, and honey-preserved plums were arranged neatly. At a glance, they were clearly high-quality goods.
“You worked hard today.” Xiao Chenghuai spread his hands. “Here, these are all yours.”
Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the plate of preserved fruits, the corner of her mouth twitching. “Just a plate of preserved fruits?”
“Don’t want them?”
“She wants it!” She snatched the plate over, picked up a preserved plum, and stuffed it into her mouth. Mumbling indistinctly, she complained, “So stingy. You’re trying to get rid of me with just a plate of preserved fruits. At least give me a few ingots of gold.”
Xiao Chenghuai laughed. “No, seriously, you’re also part of this Prince’s residence. Why are you always trying to take things?”
Jiang Zhaoxue rolled her eyes. “Hey, hey, hey, we’re partners. I treat your illness, you give me money. That’s only natural.”
It was late at night when she returned to her room.
Granny Cui appeared from somewhere and quietly said, “Princess Consort, the Prince waited outside the palace gates all day today. He didn’t even eat lunch.”
The hand Jiang Zhaoxue was using to remove her earrings paused slightly. “Oh?”
In front of the bronze mirror, the candle flame flickered, reflecting a young face. Her brows were naturally dark and elegant without needing makeup, and her lips were naturally red without being painted. Her features were exceptionally beautiful, yet her eyes held none of the gentleness expected of a sheltered young lady. Instead, they carried the boldness and confidence she had developed from growing up in the wild.
“Ah\…” Granny Cui sighed. “The Prince has never trusted people easily since he was young. But toward you\… he truly has started to care.”
Jiang Zhaoxue placed the earrings on the table and let out a big yawn. “Alright, alright, don’t get sentimental. Sleep, sleep. I still have to wake up tomorrow to collect debts. The Empress owes me a favor, and the Dowager Consort owes me money. Every single thing needs to be remembered.”
“Oh right, if you have time, go visit the old temple. I want to know whether that blind old man is still alive or not.”
Granny Cui was both amused and helpless. She repeatedly agreed before leaving.
Inside Shoukang Courtyard, Dowager Consort Meng had not slept. She held a newly delivered secret letter in her hand, her face dark with anger.
She sneered, crumpled the letter, and threw it into the charcoal brazier.
“That Princess Consort has not caused enough trouble in the residence, and now she has even run to the palace to curry favor with the Empress?”
Nanny Sun stepped forward. “This old servant heard that today, Princess Consort of Jing showed her abilities before the Empress and personally dug out the object used in the curse.”
Dowager Consort Meng fell into thought for a moment, then suddenly sat up straight.
“Send word to Third Grand Uncle Xiao, Fifth Grand Uncle Xiao, and Seventh Grand Uncle Xiao. Tomorrow morning, have them come to the ancestral hall for a discussion.”
Nanny Sun accepted the order and left.
“Jiang Zhaoxue, I will make you understand that the sky of the Jing Wang Residence has not changed yet.”