Qi Fan turned his gaze toward Jiang Zhuoying, his eyes indifferent and distant, carrying a subtle scrutiny that was difficult to detect.
Under such a piercing stare, Jiang Zhuoying felt slightly guilty and used her sleeve to cover her face, shielding herself from his gaze.
Why did the Second Prince’s gaze resemble her father’s so much?
His eyes were sharp, as if they could see through all her guilt and little tricks after causing trouble…
“No need to worry too much. This matter was, after all, the fault of my manor’s guards. As for the shattered gifts of gratitude, your young lady will not find out.”
“You may also keep all the rewards mentioned earlier.”
Jiang Zhuoying lowered her eyes in thought. In truth, it was indeed her fault for barging in alone without fully understanding the situation.
If she were truly this servant girl of the Jiang family, she should accept the Second Prince’s offer.
But that was not her goal.
She needed to infiltrate the Second Prince’s side to uncover the truth about the Rui Guo Gong Manor and clarify the cause of her mother’s death.
Thinking of this, she lowered her head again and bowed, pretending to be overwhelmed with joy: “This servant understands. Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life.”
The room suddenly fell silent again. The man behind the desk remained silent, and she did not dare to rise without permission.
“They were just a few broken trinkets. How could it cost you your life?”
Though the man’s tone was cold, it was not difficult to detect a trace of suspicion in it.
Jiang Zhuoying pursed her lips and kept her eyes downcast: “The young lady is extremely strict with us servants. Since I failed to accomplish the important task she assigned me, I fear punishment.”
“Indeed, one should be stern and severe in dealing with servants,” the man behind the desk said slowly, his voice icy.
Jiang Zhuoying couldn’t help but frown: “???”
What did he mean by that?
Was he saying she deserved to be punished?
The young girl bowed slightly: “Your Highness is right.”
“Leave.” His tone seemed to grow even colder.
Jiang Zhuoying: “…”
The situation had deviated from what she had anticipated, but for now, she could only slowly rise: “Yes.”
As she turned around, she keenly realized that her conversation with the Second Prince had not gone well.
It was possible that before she even returned to her room, Eunuch Chu would catch up to her and send her away immediately.
…
With a “thud,” accompanied by Chu Yixin’s exclamation: “Your Highness! That girl has fainted again!”
Qi Fan glanced over, his expression indifferent: “Find two people to carry her back.”
Chu Yixin tried to persuade him further: “Your Highness, she’s just a timid servant girl. You frightened her earlier.”
“When I went to summon her earlier, her face was deathly pale. She could barely stand but still wanted to come and thank you… Even if she was sent by someone, she seems inherently well-behaved.”
The man glanced at him coolly: “You certainly know how to judge people.”
“Ahem…” A weak cough interrupted their conversation.
Both master and servant looked toward the door…
Jiang Zhuoying clung to the doorframe and slowly stood up again.
Holding her temple, she turned and bowed: “Your Highness, please forgive me. My mind went blank just now, and I accidentally fainted again.”
“I am truly dizzy and weak. May I rest a little longer?”
The young girl stood far away, leaning unsteadily against the doorframe, making her appear even more petite and frail.
Qi Fan pressed his lips together slightly: “Go back and rest. I will send someone to inform Miss Jiang. Return to the manor after you have recovered.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Highness.” Jiang Zhuoying breathed a slight sigh of relief, trembling as she performed another bow. “This humble maid will take her leave then.”
She walked slowly, her graceful figure swaying as if about to collapse, her receding back gradually diminishing in the distance…
Chu Yixin lowered his voice, muttering softly: “Such a pitiable girl…”
The man beside him cast him a glance, his eyes holding a meaningful expression.
Chu Yixin immediately fell silent, intending to leave when he suddenly remembered the matter entrusted to him by Eunuch Liu from the Emperor’s side.
After weighing the situation in his heart, he felt today wasn’t an appropriate time to speak frankly with his master, so he too raised his head and departed directly.
Jiang Zhuoying returned to the main chamber, closing the door behind her before slowly walking to the armchair in the hall and taking a seat.
Although the Second Prince had relented, allowing her to recover her health before returning to the mansion, if she failed to uncover the truth within these few days…
It seemed she needed to prepare some alternative strategies.
Outside the window, birds chirped crisply, their “chirp-chirp” trills continuing incessantly.
Drawn by the sound, she glanced over but found her attention captured by a calligraphy piece she happened to sweep her eyes across.
Hanging on the wall of the secondary chamber was a work in wild cursive script, bearing the personal seal of the Second Prince in its signature.
Jiang Zhuoying stared at the calligraphy for a long while before finally revealing a faint smile.
Wasn’t this coincidental?
What she excelled at most was also wild cursive script.
Jiang Zhuoying had begun practicing calligraphy since childhood, during a time when Zanhua Script was popular among young ladies in Luo Jing.
But her father, being a military general, was skilled in cursive script and had expressed his wish for her to live a carefree life, unrestrained and bold.
Her father taught her wild cursive script, while her mother had initially voiced some objections. However, seeing her daughter’s genuine fondness for it, she eventually let it be.
Recalling this, Jiang Zhuoying stood up and walked toward the secondary chamber, standing before the Second Prince’s masterpiece to examine it carefully.
If she were to evaluate it, this piece before her was truly like dragons soaring and snakes dancing, with an irresistible force.
Although she had practiced this script for many years, being a woman with relatively weaker physical strength and limited experience from years in the inner chambers, she could only achieve a flowing, self-satisfied ease.
Given the Second Prince’s caliber and level, imitating her brush strength would likely be effortless for him.
Jiang Zhuoying searched throughout the room and indeed found high-quality Xuan paper, along with brush, ink, and inkstone.
She closed the windows securely, calculated the time, and determined there was at least two hours until lunch—no one would disturb her for now.
Jiang Zhuoying carefully wrote a calligraphy piece, transcribing a poem her father had been fond of.
While waiting for the ink to dry, she cleaned the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone she had found earlier and returned them to their original positions.
“Bang, bang, bang~” Another knocking sound, though it wasn’t yet time for lunch.
Frowning, Jiang Zhuoying placed the calligraphy on the bed, drew the bed curtains on both sides to conceal it, then hurried to open the door.
Standing at the door was Chu Yixin again.
Jiang Zhuoying looked puzzled: “Eunuch Chu? What is it?”
She glanced around and noticed Eunuch Chu hadn’t brought the previously mentioned rewards with him.
Chu Yixin’s expression was both urgent and awkward. He brushed his forehead and forced a smile.
“Miss Jiang, could you please check on Zhuozhuo? For some reason, she’s refusing to eat again, and His Highness is quite anxious.”
Jiang Zhuoying was momentarily stunned, then immediately nodded: “Alright, I’ll go right away.”
She closed her door and accompanied Chu Yixin to the east Xiangfang.
This was the spot where Zhuozhuo’s ceramic vat was currently placed, and also where the Second Prince was resting.
“After the pond water outside was found to have issues yesterday, His Highness ordered the ceramic vat to be moved into the east Xiangfang. With His Highness watching over it, irrelevant people can no longer approach Zhuozhuo.”
Jiang Zhuoying nodded. She was well aware of how much the Second Prince cared for this red carp.
“This servant pays respects to Your Highness.”
As soon as she stepped through the doorway, she spotted that tall, straight-backed figure and immediately curtsied in greeting.
The man didn’t turn around, merely stating directly: “Come let Zhuozhuo take a look at you.”
Jiang Zhuoying: “…”
He called her here not to see Zhuozhuo, but to be seen by Zhuozhuo?
Though inwardly grumbling, she maintained her gentle, delicate tone: “Yes, this servant comes at once.”
Jiang Zhuoying quickly approached the ceramic vat. She leaned forward slightly, allowing Zhuozhuo to see her from its perspective.
“Zhuozhuo? I’m here~”
She smiled at the red carp in the water, and indeed the carp seemed to recognize her, immediately swimming excitedly in circles around the vat.
The man took in this scene completely. He glanced at the young girl’s head before him, his expression turning cold imperceptibly.
Jiang Zhuoying also found it marvelous – Zhuozhuo truly could recognize her, and its fondness for her was evident.
She lifted her eyes, speaking softly: “Your Highness, this servant heard from Eunuch Chu that Zhuozhuo refuses to eat? Might this servant be permitted to try?”
Qi Fan glanced sideways at Chu Yixin, whereupon the latter immediately brought over the meal prepared for Zhuozhuo.
“Miss Jiang, this is the food prepared for Zhuozhuo.”
Jiang Zhuoying nodded gently, then picked up a porcelain spoon and scattered the meat from the dish into the water.
Qi Fan immediately frowned: “You…”
“Hmm? Does Your Highness find something improper?”
The man’s gaze had already shifted to the water, where Zhuozhuo was indeed happily seeking out the food in the water.
After brief analysis, Jiang Zhuoying immediately understood.
These two must still be waiting for Zhuozhuo to proactively surface to eat, just like before.
But the spirit inside this red carp was no longer her, so naturally it would return to its original habits.
“Nothing improper.” Qi Fan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze deep and heavy.
After feeding all the food from the dish, Jiang Zhuoying proactively bowed again, preparing to take her leave.
“If Your Highness has no other instructions, may this servant withdraw?”
The man nodded slightly without another word.
Jiang Zhuoying swept her eyes over his indifferent face before turning to leave.
As she departed, she repeatedly pondered, suddenly realizing something with belated awareness.
This Second Prince was prejudiced against her!
No matter what, she had been that red carp for so long and had interacted with the Second Prince for all those days.
His attitude toward others versus toward her was completely different!
Toward others, though his expression was cold, he remained polite and courteous.
But when it came to her, it was complete cold indifference from inside out…
Which part of her had displeased him?
Jiang Zhuoying couldn’t help touching her cheek – not to boast, but her face was plain for all to see.
As for temperament, she had been acting according to the Second Prince’s preferences too – obedient and delicate, not to mention speaking slowly and softly.
Truly bizarre…
East Xiangfang.
Chu Yixin watched Jiang Zhuoying’s departing figure until she disappeared around the corner before turning back.
“Your Highness, that girl appears obedient and gentle, understanding and sensible. Why must you…”
The man glanced at him and spoke indifferently, “Can you not see her purpose in coming here?”
Chu Yixin fell silent. Undercurrents surged within the Rui Guo Gong Manor. The marriage between the Third Prince and the eldest branch had already been settled, yet the legitimate daughter of the second branch had sent such a pretty maid at this time…
After some thought, he rephrased his words, “A servant cannot choose their master. Even if that Miss Jiang has ulterior motives, this girl is merely a pitiful pawn.”
Qi Fan turned his gaze back to Zhuozhuo in the pottery vat. “Whether she is a pawn or not remains uncertain.”
“Go ask Physician Wang if there is any method that could make red carp more affectionate toward a person.”
Chu Yixin frowned. “Master, are you suspecting…”
The man abruptly changed the subject. “Has the crab meat in the pond been investigated?”
“Well… not yet. We only found suspicious footprints about ten zhang outside the rear gate of the estate.”
“Pei Yun has followed the trail to investigate. There’s no news for now.”
“Mm, you may go.”
Chu Yixin nodded. “Yes.”
As he turned away, he finally understood. Could it be that his master suspected the person who drugged Zhuozhuo… was also sent by Miss Jiang?
But in his opinion, his master had always been overly suspicious and prone to overthinking.
Jiang Zhuoying returned to the main room, unable to comprehend why the Second Prince would treat her this way.
Hadn’t everything been arranged according to his preferences…?
She entered her bedchamber and retrieved the calligraphy scroll from her bed. She still had some time—this scroll could be kept for now and used in a couple of days.
She had to fetch her lunch from the kitchen herself, where she encountered Pei Yun and Xie Ling.
Their conversation drifted in from outside the door—
“Do you think I should go apologize to that young lady?”
“As you wish.”
“I accidentally cut her neck. If I want to apologize to a young lady, should I prepare a gift of apology?”
“As you wish.”
“Tch… Why are you being like this?”
Pei Yun glanced at Xie Ling. “It wasn’t me who injured her.”
Xie Ling: “…”
He narrowed his eyes and changed the subject. “Has there been any progress on the footprints outside the rear gate? Is His Highness blaming you?”
Pei Yun immediately straightened his expression. “Watch your words.”
Xie Ling: “…”
He stopped in his tracks, not following Pei Yun into the kitchen. But within moments, Pei Yun’s voice came from inside.
“Young lady, you’re here too? Xie Ling said he wants to apologize to you.”
Xie Ling: “???”
He hurried into the kitchen and saw Jiang Zhuoying standing by the stove.
His expression turned awkward at the sight of the slender young girl with a bandage wrapped around her neck.
“Young lady, my apologies. I misunderstood you yesterday and caused you injury.”
He looked somewhat embarrassed, his eyes flickering with guilt. As his gaze wandered, he noticed the food tray in Jiang Zhuoying’s hands.
The girl’s wrists were slender and delicate, her jade-like fingers resembling scallions, seemingly unable to bear the weight of the tray.
He pushed past Pei Yun and took two steps forward, his expression earnest. “Ahem, let me help you?”
With that, he directly reached out to take the tray from Jiang Zhuoying’s hands.
Jiang Zhuoying was startled. Since childhood, no unfamiliar man had ever dared to get so close to her.
She immediately released her grip, letting the tray fall into Xie Ling’s hands, then hastily retreated two steps while carefully considering her words.
“No need, I’m perfectly fine. It’s just a minor injury – the bandage looks more serious than it actually is.”
Xie Ling felt even more remorseful upon hearing her words.
He didn’t know what had clouded his judgment yesterday, making him mistake such a kind and timid young woman for a spy.
How could he have judged her based solely on her appearance?
Xie Ling’s heart softened further as he listened, and he kept shaking his head: “No, no, I genuinely want to apologize. Please allow me to do something for you?”
Jiang Zhuoying looked him up and down – a tall, burly man with dark complexion.
She hadn’t noticed yesterday, but today his words made him seem somewhat simple-minded.
He appeared anxious and uneasy, as if desperately hoping for her approval.
Well then… Jiang Zhuoying nodded in agreement.
“Then would you mind delivering it to my room? But remember, by accepting this gesture, I consider your apology given. There’s no need for such formalities in the future.”
“Alright, no problem!”
Pei Yun glanced sideways at Xie Ling with an indescribable expression, then nodded to Jiang Zhuoying before retrieving his own lunch.
Xie Ling let out a sigh of relief and gave Jiang Zhuoying an embarrassed smile: “Shall we go then?”
Jiang Zhuoying also nodded, deliberately keeping some distance from him: “Yes, thank you.”
“My name is Xie Ling. Since you’re staying here, you can call on me anytime you need help.”
After thinking for a moment, Xie Ling added: “How about I deliver your meals during every meal time?”
Jiang Zhuoying refused without hesitation – these were trivial matters she could handle herself.
More importantly, she had other matters that needed confirmation.
As they passed the courtyard pond, Jiang Zhuoying gazed at the water and murmured with slight concern:
“I wonder if they’ve identified what’s wrong with the pond water. It’s really unfair to keep Zhuozhuo confined in that clay jar.”
She spoke just loud enough for Xie Ling, who was two steps away, to hear clearly.
Everyone in the courtyard knew that Jiang Zhuoying had rescued the frantically darting Zhuozhuo yesterday, when even the Second Prince had been unable to handle the situation.
Hearing Jiang Zhuoying’s concern, Xie Ling remained silent for a moment before responding: “Don’t worry, miss. There’s already progress in the investigation. We should apprehend the culprit who contaminated the pond water soon.”
Seeing the conversation had reached this point, Jiang Zhuoying asked directly: “Earlier I overheard you and another guard discussing shoe prints outside the back gate – is that related to this matter?”
“If… if this isn’t something I should know about, you don’t have to tell me.”
Xie Ling shook his head: “Nothing’s confirmed yet, we just have some suspicions.”
With these words, Jiang Zhuoying immediately understood.
Suspicions!
Given the Second Prince’s deep suspicion and cunning nature, of course there would be doubts…
During this brief exchange, they had already reached the main chamber’s entrance.
Jiang Zhuoying offered simple thanks and, not wanting him to enter her room, took the meal tray from Xie Ling.
“Guard Xie, thank you for your help. There’s no need for such courtesy in the future. I’ll consider yesterday’s incident forgotten.”
In the bright light, Xie Ling could clearly see the face of the young woman who stood more than a head shorter than him.
He wasn’t well-educated, but he knew without doubt that this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
“…Mm.” He nodded dumbly.
Jiang Zhuoying gave a slight nod, then carried the meal tray into the room.
……
Eastern Xiangfang.
The man stood by the window frame, his expression indifferent as he stared at the two figures in the distance.
Chu Yixin was setting out the meal inside the room. Only after preparing the dishes did he glance toward the window: “Master? It’s time to eat.”
“Hmm.”
Though he had acknowledged, no footsteps were heard afterward.
Puzzled, Chu Yixin also approached the window. With one look, he understood.
He glanced sideways at the man beside him and cleared his throat lightly: “Ahem, this Miss Jiang has a pleasant temperament and fine looks—quite likable indeed.”
The man gave him a profound look: “Summon Xie Ling.”
Author’s Note:
This chapter is extra plump today~[panda head]
“It’s all Miss Jiang being harsh on this maid~”
Our treasure Ying even roasts herself when she goes all out[melon munching]