Xiangyue turned her head and burst into a chuckle: “Very well, very well, this servant will go at once.”
She hurriedly fetched a bronze mirror from the nearby dowry chest and held it up for Jiang Zhuoying to see.
The mirror immediately reflected a weary face with peach blossom eyes and a melon-seed shape—a countenance that should have been strikingly beautiful but was now utterly pale.
There were no rash blisters on her face, though faint traces of pockmarks remained on her neck.
Upon closer inspection, subtle signs could still be discerned.
“Miss, both Doctor Yu and the imperial physician have examined the pockmarks on your arm and confirmed they are harmless. In a few more days, they will vanish completely.”
“Moreover, these blisters only appeared during the first two days after you fainted. They are far less severe than true Pox disease. Thanks to timely treatment, no new ones have emerged since.”
“Doctor Yu stated this is one reason for concluding you do not have Pox disease.”
Jiang Zhuoying, relieved after her false alarm, heard Xiangxing’s voice from outside announcing Doctor Yu’s arrival.
She instructed Xiangyue to secure the silk bed curtains before allowing him to enter.
In the short time since waking—barely long enough for a stick of incense to burn—she had already formed a plan.
Since this Doctor Yu from the Second Prince’s retinue had never met her, it suited her intentions perfectly!
Jiang Zhuoying extended her wrist through the gauzy curtain for Yu Ji to take her pulse…
“Miss Jiang is now fully recovered, though your body remains weak. With proper recuperation, you will soon return to your original state.”
Jiang Zhuoying deliberately suppressed her voice to disguise her natural tone: “Thank you for saving my life, Doctor Yu.”
“You are too kind, Miss Jiang. Strictly speaking, it was His Highness who dispatched me. If thanks are due, they should go to the Second Prince.”
Jiang Zhuoying secretly curled her lips—this was precisely the response she had hoped for.
Ahem, I heard the Second Prince keeps a red carp by his side, treating it as his most cherished companion?”
A hesitant male voice came from beyond the curtains: “…Indeed. Might I ask why you inquire about this?”
Jiang Zhuoying coughed lightly twice more: “Do not trouble yourself, Doctor Yu. Since the Second Prince saved me, it is only natural I wish to repay his kindness.”
After a pause, she added: “I have a maid skilled in carp keeping. Should the Second Prince ever require assistance, please do not hesitate to summon her.”
Xiangyue shot a bewildered glance toward the silk bed curtains—since when did their young mistress have such a person?
The estate’s lone pond only grew lotuses—where would carp come from?
“I shall relay your message faithfully to the Second Prince upon my return.”
Jiang Zhuoying twisted her handkerchief, aware she must not appear overly eager lest she arouse suspicion.
She nodded: “Very well. I trouble you with this, Doctor Yu.”
“In that case, since Miss Jiang is well, I shall take my leave.”
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at Xiangxing: “Xiangxing, escort Doctor Yu out.”
“This servant understands.”
As the two departed and the door creaked shut, Jiang Zhuoying threw the bed curtains open with a swoosh.
“Quickly, Xiangyue! Go to the storeroom and fetch some gold and jewels. I recall there’s a ‘Carp Leaping Over Dragon’s Gate’ sculpture there?”
“…What?”
Xiangyue looked utterly confused: “What are you planning, Miss?”
Already sliding off the bed into her embroidered shoes, Jiang Zhuoying gripped the bedside to stand—only to nearly collapse as her legs buckled beneath her.
“Miss!”
Xiangyue rushed over and supported her arm: “Why are you so flustered, Miss? Do be careful.”
After all, it had been too long since she last walked on solid ground. Jiang Zhuoying sighed softly and relaxed as she sat back down on the edge of the bed.
She patted Xiangyue’s arm: “First, go do what I just instructed you. Remember to select some valuable small items from everywhere except the ‘Carp Leaping Over Dragon’s Gate’ statue. Later, we need to send them to the Second Prince’s residence.”
Hearing this, Xiangyue understood.
So it was to be delivered to the Second Prince’s residence. Miss’s life-saving grace indeed needed proper gratitude!
She nodded with a serious expression: “This servant understands. Please rest well, Miss. This servant will go now!”
When Xiangyue returned from busily working in the storeroom after carefully selecting numerous items, she saw her mistress sitting before the dowry chest while Xiangxing behind her was styling her hair into double snail buns.
Jiang Zhuoying had already noticed Xiangyue’s utterly confused expression in the bronze mirror.
She tilted her head slightly: “Have you selected everything?”
Xiangyue nodded, taking two steps to the side to reveal the items behind her.
Jiang Zhuoying swept her gaze over them and nodded with relative satisfaction.
Xiangyue had followed her instructions—aside from the conspicuous jade carving, there were various exquisite small items.
There were brush rests, jade pendants, thumb rings, inkstones…
The reason for selecting so many small objects wasn’t due to stinginess, but because she needed to personally deliver these to the Second Prince’s residence later.
If they were too heavy, she simply wouldn’t be able to carry them…
“Miss, what are you doing?”
Xiangyue stepped forward to stand before Jiang Zhuoying: “Why are you styling double snail buns?”
Jiang Zhuoying gave her a mysterious look: “Later I’ll be leaving this manor to go to the Second Prince’s residence, and I’ll need to stay there for some time.”
“You two must guard this manor well for me. Instruct the servants not to reveal even half a word about my departure.”
“What?”
Xiangyue’s eyes widened, her pupils immediately filling with panic and helplessness: “How can you, Miss!”
She suddenly lowered her voice, covering her mouth: “How can you… how can you… do this?”
She stammered for a long time, unable to repeat what her mistress intended to do.
This was truly absurd!
If the master found out, she and Xiangxing would undoubtedly receive caning.
And most likely, Miss would also be caned!
Jiang Zhuoying lowered her voice: “Keep your voices down, you two. Regarding my poisoning, I’ve already found some clues. Now I’m going to investigate my suspicions…”
She casually fabricated an explanation, ultimately not revealing that she had once turned into a red carp.
The matter was too unbelievable. Although she trusted Xiangyue and Xiangxing, having too many people know wouldn’t be good.
“Anyway, you trust me, right?”
Xiangyue and Xiangxing exchanged glances, both nodding: “Miss, even if you asked us to sacrifice our lives for you, we would be willing.”
Jiang Zhuoying waved her hand: “Don’t speak such inauspicious words in the future. Following me will surely bring you good days.”
“Everyone on this manor is trustworthy. You must keep my departure secret…”
Jiang Zhuoying had repeated all the considerations she could think of.
“In addition, if anything happens at this estate, or if something occurs at the Guogong Fu, Xiangyue, you must personally come to the Second Prince’s residence to find me. Just say… say that Miss Jiang is summoning me back for questioning.”
“Understood?”
Xiangyue swallowed and nodded, accepting this important task.
After arranging all matters, Jiang Zhuoying had Xiangyue drive the carriage to take her to the Osmanthus forest.
…
When the carriage stopped, Xiangyue helped her slowly alight, then turned to place the “Carp Leaping Over Dragon’s Gate” sculpture on a tray along with the other miscellaneous items.
Hesitating, she hadn’t yet handed the tray to Jiang Zhuoying: “Miss, your health hasn’t fully recovered. Perhaps this servant should accompany you?”
Jiang Zhuoying peered through the faint shadows of the Osmanthus forest and spotted that simple, unadorned residence.
She shook her head: “No need. Return quickly, and remember to work with Xiangxing to complete the tasks I’ve assigned.”
Xiangyue nodded in agreement, watching with growing concern as her young mistress’s figure receded into the distance.
…
Jiang Zhuoying carried the tray, walking slowly toward the residence nestled within the Osmanthus forest.
The closer she got, the more clearly she could hear clamorous voices from the courtyard, as if some urgent matter had arisen.
She suddenly thought of Zhuozhuo, and an uneasy premonition rose in her heart.
The more anxious she felt, the quicker her footsteps became.
About thirty feet from the entrance to the residence, she was stopped by two guards holding blades.
Jiang Zhuoying paused briefly – this was, after all, within her expectations.
“Young lady, this is no place for you. Best return quickly,” one guard stated expressionlessly.
Jiang Zhuoying steadied her rapidly beating heart and deliberately raised her head with feigned panic and fear.
Her face full of timidity and fright, she spoke in a soft, delicate voice: “Honorable sirs, this humble maid was sent by Miss Jiang to deliver congratulatory gifts to His Highness the Second Prince.”
“I beg your indulgence.”
Both men froze for a moment upon seeing Jiang Zhuoying’s face, then exchanged glances, recognizing mutual wariness in each other’s eyes.
“Miss Jiang? What Miss Jiang?” the previously speaking guard frowned.
His Highness had always kept his distance from women, and there had never been any woman close to him.
This suddenly appearing woman with such bewitching, gorgeous features was like a seductive spirit meant to cloud men’s minds – nothing like a genuine maid.
Could this be the Third Prince’s scheme using feminine charms?
At this thought, he tightened his grip on his sword hilt, his expression turning even colder: “Regardless of who you are, this is not a place you may enter. If you value your life, leave immediately!”
Jiang Zhuoying clenched the tray in her hands. Pressing her lips together, she negotiated with trembling uncertainty.
“Honorable sirs, this humble girl speaks no falsehood. His Highness the Second Prince previously sent Doctor Yu to treat my young lady – this happened just two days ago.”
“Might Doctor Yu be in the residence? I humbly request that you inquire within and you will know.”
According to Jiang Zhuoying’s thinking, a brief confrontation with Doctor Yu would verify her identity.
But she never anticipated that Yu Ji hadn’t returned to this residence at all!
Thus, barely had her words fallen when she heard the shing! of metal.
In the next instant, an unsheathed blade pressed against her neck.
Jiang Zhuoying’s hands trembled, and the tray full of items crashed to the ground.
Followed immediately by the crisp shatter! of breaking jade.
Jiang Zhuoying didn’t dare look down, but she knew the jade sculpture of Carp Leaping Over Dragon’s Gate must have shattered.
“Who sent you? And how did you uncover Steward Yu’s whereabouts?”
Xie Ling was utterly astonished, yet his eyes gleamed with excitement.
If he could capture this beautiful spy and extract information about the mastermind behind her, wouldn’t that count as a meritorious deed?
Perhaps he could even earn recognition from His Highness in the future!
Author’s Note:
The first glimpse of the little Green Tea