Jiang Zhuoying froze in place, not daring to move recklessly—blades had no eyes.
Having lived this long, she had never been held hostage like this before.
The young girl appeared trembling with fear, her face deathly pale, but in her heart she was calmly analyzing the current situation.
If she insisted she was sent by “Miss Jiang,” yet the guard didn’t believe her and stabbed down with his sword…
How could she possibly survive?
The guard holding the sword against her neck exchanged a meaningful glance with another guard.
The latter nodded, then pulled a hemp rope from his robe.
It looked thicker than Jiang Zhuoying’s thumb.
He moved behind the girl and was about to bind her wrists when a shrill voice suddenly came from behind: “What’s going on here?”
It was the voice of the eunuch serving the Second Prince!
Jiang Zhuoying’s pupils dilated slightly. Before she could speak, she suddenly felt a sharp pain at her neck.
“Stay still,” Xie Ling threatened her with a dark expression.
Only after frightening the girl into complete rigidity did he withdraw his hand, clasping his fists in salute toward the front.
“Your Highness, this female spy was sent by someone unknown. She actually learned of Steward Yu’s whereabouts and came specifically at this time—she must have ulterior motives.”
“Me?” Yu Ji frowned.
The young girl suddenly turned around and knelt on the ground, her slender waist straight.
With a trembling voice full of tears, she said: “This servant was sent by Miss Jiang to deliver gratitude gifts to His Highness the Second Prince. I am not a female spy. I beg Your Highness to see the truth.”
Having said this, she raised a face that shocked everyone present.
Not only were her eyes red, but teardrops shimmered in her peach-blossom eyes. Her slender willow-like waist trembled slightly with her sobs, making her appear even more delicate.
“Doctor Yu, my lady said she had informed you beforehand.”
Yu Ji stiffened all over, forcing himself to turn back: “Your Highness, this… seems… to indeed be the case.”
He just hadn’t expected Miss Jiang to send someone over directly. Didn’t they agree to wait until he returned to discuss plans?
Could this be the maid Miss Jiang mentioned who’s exceptionally skilled at raising carp?
He had glanced unintentionally moments earlier.
A beauty shedding tears—who wouldn’t feel compassion?
Why did he get the feeling this Miss Jiang had ulterior motives?
Jiang Zhuoying cautiously looked up toward the tall, straight figure standing among the crowd, like the only snow-capped mountain among the peaks—cold and steep, solitary and lofty.
But the man didn’t even glance at her.
Qi Fan only gave Yu Ji a look without saying anything, his face indifferent as he stepped forward.
From her peripheral vision, Jiang Zhuoying saw the blue-gray robe hem getting closer and closer, causing her to lower her head.
“Obedient and simple, delicate and timid.” These were her eight-character mantra for approaching this great block of ice.
The scent of eaglewood drifted from far to near, seeming to brush past the tip of her nose before fading away again…
This was the customary fragrance carried by the Second Prince.
Seeing his master leave, Yu Ji hurried forward to approach Jiang Zhuoying.
He was caught in a dilemma—neither appropriate to help her up nor to leave her kneeling—and scratched the back of his head.
“Ahem, Miss, please rise quickly. Ordinary people aren’t permitted in this courtyard. You should return quickly.”
Jiang Zhuoying remained kneeling on the ground, contemplating how to discreetly inquire about Zhuozhuo’s condition.
That familiar shrill voice sounded beside her again: “Yu Ji! Hurry and summon Doctor Wang.”
Jiang Zhuoying suddenly looked up, just in time to see the eunuch had already run back.
“Doctor Wang? Has something happened to Zhuozhuo?”
Chu Yixin was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead. He nodded: “Exactly, Zhuozhuo has started acting frenzied for no apparent reason! His Highness is extremely worried!”
“Then I’ll go immediately—”
Before Yu Ji could finish speaking, Jiang Zhuoying suddenly stood up: “Might I ask you gentlemen, has the Second Prince’s red carp fallen ill?”
“You girl, this matter is none of your concern. Don’t pry into things you shouldn’t.” Chu Yixin scolded her with a stern face.
But Yu Ji suddenly raised a hand to stop him, turning to examine Jiang Zhuoying: “Are you the maid Miss Jiang mentioned who is exceptionally skilled at raising carp?”
Jiang Zhuoying nodded repeatedly, unable to contain her urgency: “Yes! This servant is highly proficient in carp care. If you allow me to take a look, I guarantee I can restore Zhuozhuo to its original state.”
“Such bold claims—even the palace veterinarians wouldn’t dare make such promises.” Chu Yixin looked skeptical, narrowing his eyes and frowning.
Jiang Zhuoying spoke respectfully: “Honorable sir, further discussion is pointless. It would be better to let this servant take a quick look immediately. Physician Chu can also go find a doctor right away, so we won’t waste any more time.”
Yu Ji nodded in agreement: “What this maid says makes sense.”
He looked at Chu Yixin beside him: “Take this maid inside to have a look. The current situation is urgent—His Highness won’t blame us.”
Chu Yixin hesitated for a few breaths before finally nodding: “Follow me.”
…
“If His Highness asks any questions later, just speak the truth. Don’t be afraid. Though His Highness may appear aloof, he isn’t harsh toward servants.”
“This servant understands.”
Jiang Zhuoying nodded, bowing her head as she closely followed Chu Yixin through the courtyard gate.
She had arrived too late—she didn’t know how much crab meat Zhuozhuo had already eaten.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she hurried toward the fish pond.
A plump, fiery red carp was thrashing wildly and erratically in the pond. Her heart tightened, and she immediately cried out anxiously: “Quickly rescue it!”
Qi Fan turned upon hearing her voice, his gaze sharp.
Extremely anxious, Jiang Zhuoying could only offer a brief explanation in her fluster: “Reporting to Your Highness, there must be something wrong with the pond water! Zhuozhuo is crying for help!”
The man stared at her for a few breaths, then turned and ordered: “Prepare the water vat and bring the long-handled net.”
The servants, well-trained, quickly prepared the required items.
But the frantically leaping carp in the pond seemed to have lost its senses—it couldn’t be caught with a long-handled net.
Both Qi Fan and Chu Yixin entered the pond one after another, yet Zhuozhuo, for some reason, became even more panicked and erratic upon seeing people.
Despite facing the master who had raised it for over a decade, it seemed not to recognize him anymore.
Jiang Zhuoying watched the scene before her, her heart burning with anxiety.
She knelt at the pond’s edge, leaning forward and stretching out her arms: “Zhuozhuo, don’t be afraid! Come to me…”
She had only intended to try, since she had quite a history with this red carp, but she didn’t know if calling it would elicit any response.
“Zhuozhuo, come here quickly, don’t be afraid.”
“Zhuozhuo, don’t be scared…”
After she called three times, the carp—which had been darting chaotically before hiding deep within the lotus pads where no one could reach it—actually poked its head out.
The man’s tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed, a strange light flashing in his dark eyes.
Jiang Zhuoying spread her arms toward the red carp, but when the fish—as long as one of her arms—swam to a distance of about two or three feet from the shore, it suddenly stopped advancing.
“Zhuozhuo? What’s wrong?”
Jiang Zhuoying spoke softly, afraid of startling it.
Yet Zhuozhuo remained in place, continuously swaying its tail and pectoral fins but not moving forward an inch.
Jiang Zhuoying bit her lip. The pond water only reached the Second Prince’s knees, indicating it wasn’t deep.
She coaxed the red carp in the water gently, “Shall I come in then?”
Lifting her skirt, Jiang Zhuoying stepped into the pond…
It was already autumn, and the day was growing late. The pond water was piercingly cold.
As her embroidered shoes soaked in, Jiang Zhuoying couldn’t help shivering.
No one in the courtyard made a sound; all held their breath, waiting for her next move.
Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself and slid fully into the water.
She knew how to swim—her father had taught her along with her younger brother during childhood.
“Zhuozhuo? Come quickly.”
Jiang Zhuoying opened her arms.
The pond was still shallow. The plump, fiery red carp suddenly leaped without warning, landing right in her embrace.
“Ah!”
Zhuozhuo was as long as Jiang Zhuoying’s arm. The sudden weight was more than she could bear!
Knocked backward by Zhuozhuo’s momentum, Jiang Zhuoying fell into the water with a splash.
Fortunately, she could swim, and this unexpected incident didn’t leave her flustered.
However, her dress was now completely drenched…
“Everyone withdraw.”
A man’s cool voice suddenly sounded by her ear.
“Yes.”
The irrelevant people in the courtyard quickly departed, and even Chu Yixin hurried toward the main room.
The hem of his lower garment was still dripping water…
Jiang Zhuoying’s face flushed slightly. “Please turn around, Your Highness. This servant will place Zhuozhuo in the water tank.”
The man remained silent for a few breaths before asking abruptly, “Can you carry it?”
“…Huh?”
Jiang Zhuoying looked at Zhuozhuo still circling her incessantly and fell silent.
“This servant… could try?”
Fortunately, Zhuozhuo was no longer panicking and darting about wildly.
“Unnecessary.”
The man refused her succinctly.
Jiang Zhuoying then heard footsteps wading through water and nervously shrank deeper into the pond.
As an unmarried noble lady, this situation was highly improper, yet she had nowhere to hide.
“Won’t look at you.”
The chilly tone made Jiang Zhuoying pause, and she suddenly looked up.
She then noticed the Second Prince had come with his eyes closed.
Perhaps martial artists could discern positions by sound. Jiang Zhuoying pressed her lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.
“Move farther away.”
Another cold, commanding voice. Jiang Zhuoying felt a stir of displeasure.
In all her life, no one had ever spoken to her in such a tone!
“This servant understands.” Jiang Zhuoying’s voice stiffened as she began moving slowly sideways.
But to her surprise, no matter where she moved, the scarlet carp in the water kept closely circling her…
Jiang Zhuoying: “…”
Ahem, Your Highness, Zhuozhuo keeps following this servant. Perhaps you could let me try?”
The man stopped mid-step upon hearing this. “…Mm.”
“Hurry up.” He added in a cold voice.
Seeing that his eyes remained closed, Jiang Zhuoying secretly wrinkled her nose at him with downturned lips—a small gesture she used to express displeasure.
Yet her voice came out clear and sweet, sounding utterly docile and obedient: “Yes, this servant understands.”
Author’s Note:
Our daughter and that Qi bastard have finally met [panda head]