Chu Yixin fell silent. With the eldest branch of the Jiang family having arranged a marriage with the Third Prince, this legitimate daughter from the second branch likely intended to set her sights on his master. This was something easily deduced with a little thought.
He knew this maid had been sent by the Jiang family’s young lady to seduce his master, but he observed that the girl’s nature wasn’t truly bad.
“Your Highness, servants often have no choice in their actions. That girl is so docile and gentle—when provoked, she only knows how to cry.”
“Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone a person. It’s perfectly normal for her to have some ulterior motives.”
Qi Fan shot him a glance, and Chu Yixin immediately understood, closing his mouth.
He had nearly forgotten again—that young lady was already engaged.
…
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhuoying was crouching outside the window, her mind reeling from the shock.
So that was it!
She had always thought the Second Prince merely suspected her involvement with the drugged pond water.
She never imagined the real reason was here all along…
She was actually suspected of deliberately coming to seduce him?
Having lived this long, Jiang Zhuoying felt, for the first time, that she had no way to defend herself.
Was it now her fault for being beautiful and skilled at raising carp? And did that actually intensify the suspicions against her?
Moreover… why would she even need to seduce him?
After all, everyone believed the Second Prince was disliked by the Emperor and unfit for important duties.
How conceited!
Though she inwardly complained quite a bit, she still needed to find a way to resolve this situation.
Now that she understood why the Second Prince disliked her, she would have to adjust her strategy…
Jiang Zhuoying lowered her gaze and pondered further, fiddling with the small blades of grass near her embroidered shoes before giving a faint nod.
…
With a plan in mind, Jiang Zhuoying still proceeded according to her original arrangement to seek out the Second Prince.
She tiptoed to the door of the chamber, then knocked boldly: “This maid has come to bid farewell to Your Highness, and also wishes to see Zhuozhuo one last time. May I enter?”
Hearing her voice, Chu Yixin glanced sideways at his master: “Your Highness?”
Qi Fan gave a slight nod, and Chu Yixin strode out with his horsetail whisk in hand to lead Jiang Zhuoying inside.
Jiang Zhuoying kept her head lowered as she walked to the center of the room, then knelt properly according to etiquette: “This maid has specially come to bid farewell to Your Highness. Thank you for taking me in and summoning a physician for me.”
Qi Fan, holding a scroll of book, lifted his eyes to glance at her, his tone indifferent: “Mm. Once you’ve packed your things, Pei Yun will see you home.”
Jiang Zhuoying remained silent for a few breaths before performing a deep bow: “As you wish.”
Biting her lip, she stood up and glanced toward the direction of the ceramic vat, her voice soft and delicate: “Might this maid see Zhuozhuo one last time? I feel a special connection with it.”
“After this parting, we’ll likely never meet again in this lifetime.”
As she spoke these words, her tone carried sorrow, and upon closer listening, one could detect a hint of choked tears.
Chu Yixin looked at her. If anyone else had said this, he would have been ninety-nine percent certain they were trying to curry favor.
But when this girl said it, he felt there was some genuine sentiment behind it—after all, he had witnessed how affectionately Zhuozhuo behaved toward her.
“Go ahead.”
Qi Fan was uncharacteristically accommodating, perhaps feeling that since she was about to leave, granting some small favor wouldn’t hurt.
Jiang Zhuoying bowed again and made her way toward the ceramic vat on her own.
Just like last time, as soon as she leaned her head over the vat, the red carp inside suddenly became lively.
The fiery red carp eagerly poked its head above the water, continuously trying to nuzzle its head against her palm.
Jiang Zhuoying curved her lips into a sincere smile and patted Zhuozhuo’s head. “This servant must leave now. May Zhuozhuo live freely and joyfully in the days to come~”
The man behind the desk glanced at her.
“Your Highness, this servant shall now depart. These past days under Your Highness’s protection have been most comfortable—a true blessing for this humble servant.”
“Hm.” His voice was cold, his eyes never leaving the scroll in his hands, clearly indifferent.
Jiang Zhuoying performed a slight curtsey, turned neatly, and began to leave. But after taking three steps, she suddenly glanced back.
Her eyes were clear, tears glistening like crystals.
Just then, they met with a pair of profound, detached eyes.
The young girl flusteredly averted her gaze and quickened her pace to depart.
The man behind the desk slowly closed his eyes and let out a soft, derisive chuckle.
Chu Yixin, unaware of the underlying tensions, watched Jiang Zhuoying’s retreating figure with some regret.
Jiang Zhuoying’s steps were light as she left.
Originally, she hadn’t been very confident, but that final exchanged glance as she departed…
The Second Prince didn’t seem to detest her that much after all. If he knew she was in trouble and had misunderstood her, he would most likely still come to her aid!
Returning to the estate wasn’t so bad—it would be a good opportunity to see Xiangyue and Xiangxing and ask if anything had happened to them recently.
Jiang Zhuoying brought nothing with her, wearing only the same dress she had arrived in, as she followed Pei Yun back to her estate in the eastern suburbs.
All the servants at the estate were her trusted aides, who had firmly remembered her previous instructions.
When outsiders were present, they were to treat her as a maid.
Jiang Zhuoying alighted from the carriage and stood beside it. “Servant Pei, thank you for escorting me all this way. As I am merely a maid, I won’t invite you inside.”
“Miss Jiang, you’re too kind. Then I, Pei, shall take my leave now.”
Pei Yun cupped his hands in a salute, his expression cool yet not impolite.
Jiang Zhuoying nodded. “Very well, Servant Pei, travel safely.”
As Pei Yun drove the carriage away, Jiang Zhuoying turned and entered the estate.
Xiangyue and Xiangxing, having received word, were already waiting behind the gate.
As soon as the carriage moved into the distance and Jiang Zhuoying stepped across the threshold, both maids urgently gathered around her.
“Miss! Miss, have you been well these past few days?”
“Miss, your chin seems even more pointed—have you lost weight again?”
“We’ve been worried sick about you…”
Jiang Zhuoying had someone close the main gate of the estate and led the two maids back to her room.
In the room filled with the fragrance of pear-blossom incense, Xiangyue was massaging Jiang Zhuoying’s shoulders.
Xiangxing had just hurried from the kitchen with a food box, having fetched some snacks that Jiang Zhuoying usually enjoyed.
…
“So, you mean to say your plan hasn’t succeeded yet, Miss?”
Xiangyue, who was kneading Jiang Zhuoying’s legs, looked up.
Jiang Zhuoying held a piece of Osmanthus Cake in her hand. It was currently the season of blooming osmanthus flowers, and this cake, made with fresh petals, was fragrant, soft, and delicious.
She nodded, a trace of resentment in her heart. “Yes, the Second Prince is too deep and suspicious—he’s truly difficult to approach.”
Xiangyue puffed her cheeks. “Miss, why not forget it? You’re so delicate and precious—how can you work as a maid?”
“If you ask me, the Second Prince is blind! You’re perfect in every way—he’s just shallow!”
“Pfft—”
Jiang Zhuoying burst into laughter. These past few days at Qi Fan’s place, she had indeed endured some frustration.
Hearing Xiangyue’s words, she nodded with feigned seriousness. “You’re right. He really is blind!”
The bronze mirror on the dressing table nearby reflected the smiling faces of the mistress and her maid.
“But,” Jiang Zhuoying’s tone shifted, “this matter cannot be left half-done. Xiangxing, go summon Wujiu.”
Xiangxing bowed: “Yes, I’ll go right away.”
“Miss, why are you calling for Wujiu?” Xiangyue grew somewhat concerned.
Wujiu was the shadow guard left to the young lady by the master, yet he hadn’t been performing shadow guard duties lately, merely doing cleaning work around the estate.
For her young lady to suddenly summon him—could something major be about to happen?
Jiang Zhuoying took a bite of Osmanthus Cake, smiling radiantly: “Naturally, it’s to make that blind fool… take the bait!”
…
Wujiu arrived swiftly, standing outside the bead curtain separating the bedroom from the main hall, with lowered eyes and bowed head.
Jiang Zhuoying looked him up and down before tentatively speaking: “Wujiu, you haven’t neglected your martial arts these years, have you?””
“Reporting to Miss, although this subordinate has remained at the estate these years, I still rise at mao hour daily to practice martial arts, without missing a single day.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying nodded satisfactorily, then lowered her voice: “If I send you to surveil the Second Prince, are you confident you won’t be discovered?”
“…Ah?”
Even Wujiu looked up in surprise, but the noble young lady behind the bead curtain was too imposing for him to look directly at.
In the next instant, he swiftly lowered his gaze again.
“Ahem~” Jiang Zhuoying also cleared her throat lightly, suddenly feeling somewhat embarrassed.
She took a sip of tea and began explaining her reasons: “This is no jest—it relates to my sudden contraction of the Pox disease earlier. I need to investigate this matter thoroughly. Can you help me?”
Upon hearing this, Wujiu understood the matter’s importance. His very presence by the young lady’s side was meant to protect her safety.
He immediately cupped his hands: “This subordinate would dare die ten thousand deaths without refusal!”
Jiang Zhuoying’s brow twitched.
“I don’t need your life. I only need you to watch the periphery of the Osmanthus forest. If you see the Second Prince heading back to his separate residence, return and inform me.”
“Can you manage this?”
Wujiu nodded: “This subordinate would even risk my life to fulfill the mission without disgrace!”
Jiang Zhuoying frowned. She hadn’t spoken much with Wujiu before and didn’t know if he always spoke in such ‘life-risking’ terms.
She pressed her lips: “I don’t need you to risk your life. Your safety comes first in everything. If you can’t manage it, that’s fine too—I’ll just think of other methods.”
“Understood?”
Jiang Zhuoying worried Wujiu might be as stubborn as her younger brother.
“Yes, this subordinate understands.”
“Good, then go at once.”
After Wujiu left, Jiang Zhuoying turned and patted Xiangyue’s arm: “Go look through the chests for old clothes—are there any torn ones?”
Xiangxing intercepted Xiangyue before she could leave, bowing to say: “Miss, how could there be such clothing in the manor?”
“When we were at the Guogong Fu, servants’ clothing followed set regulations. Since coming to this estate, we’ve never lacked silver for expenses either.”
Jiang Zhuoying fell silent, then reconsidered: “Then bring me your old worn clothes. I’ll pick through them.”
Xiangyue and Xiangxing exchanged glances—it seemed their young lady was determined to approach that Second Prince.
Xiangyue fetched some old clothing, from which Jiang Zhuoying picked and chose, selecting a sandy-colored pleated skirt and a beige embroidered blouse.
She observed that the Second Prince’s clothing mostly featured understated color schemes, so she followed suit to cater to his preferences.
As for the embroidered gown, it was adorned with a red plum blossom, which stood out strikingly against the light-colored fabric and served as a perfect finishing touch.
After selecting her attire, she rose and seated herself before the dowry. Over the past few years, she had paid little attention to grooming and owned few cosmetics or rouges.
“Xiangyue, go to Luo Jing and buy every shade of rouge and lip color currently available on the market.”
“…Huh?”
To Xiangyue, her mistress seemed rather peculiar. Asking for their clothes was one thing, but why did she need so many rouges and lip colors?
“Go now, and make haste. You’ll understand their purpose upon your return.”
Xiangyue nodded. “Yes, I’ll go at once.”
Xiangyue, skilled in martial arts and horseback riding, managed to bring everything Jiang Zhuoying requested back to the estate before nightfall.
“Miss, you’ve finally taken an interest in dressing up…”
Xiangyue was nearly moved to tears.
Over the years, her mistress had endured much sorrow. Although the servants deeply lamented the fate of the master and madam, the living must carry on with their lives.
She handed the bundle to Xiangxing, who stood nearby.
“Miss, from now on, we will stand by you and live well together!”
She eagerly envisioned the future—their young lady not only living a good life but also marrying a fine gentleman, with everything proceeding smoothly henceforth.
They would live on for madam’s sake too! Perhaps one day, the master and young master might even return…
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at her. “Enough, such words can be spoken anytime. You and Xiangxing come quickly and help me experiment…”
“Experiment?”
Xiangyue and Xiangxing stepped forward, gathering around…
Jiang Zhuoying had her own plans, and this time, she was determined to succeed.
Thus… she needed to take drastic measures.
For instance, with this pile of rouges…
She plotted to use the rouge to paint what appeared to be a wound.
Wouldn’t it evoke more pity if she inadvertently revealed it in front of the Second Prince?
The three of them worked through the entire night before barely managing to create a wound that satisfied Jiang Zhuoying.
None of them had ever suffered such a severe injury, and having never seen one, it was naturally difficult to recreate.
“Xiangxing, do you think it’s convincing?”
Jiang Zhuoying looked up at Xiangxing. She didn’t ask Xiangyue because that girl only knew how to praise her.
No matter what she did, Xiangyue always wore an expression of “Miss can do no wrong” and “Miss is always right.”
For something this important, she needed to hear the truth.
Xiangxing examined it carefully. Her young lady’s forearm was now adorned with a large, blood-streaked wound, painted using several shades of lip color, rouge, and powder.
“This… I think it should be, um…”
She stammered, hesitating to speak, and Jiang Zhuoying understood at once from her troubled expression.
With a wave of her fair hand, she instructed Xiangyue to fetch Wujiu.
It was late, and Wujiu had already returned from the Osmanthus forest.
After hearing Jiang Zhuoying’s explanation, he pondered for a moment. “The wound is painted too severely. If the Second Prince summons a physician, it might be easy to expose the deception.”
“Why not paint it to look like an old scar—faint and indistinct, making it harder to detect?”
Jiang Zhuoying’s eyes lit up. “You’re right! Xiangxing, readjust the colors to make them lighter!”
“Yes.”
The oil lamp in Jiang Zhuoying’s room burned until midnight, and she finally achieved satisfaction.
Xiangyue, feeling sorry for her, tidied the cluttered desk while urging, “Miss, you should rest now. It’s already midnight.”
“In my opinion, why must you rush so much? These matters could be done tomorrow after you wake…” she chattered on, pressing Xiangxing to help her wash up.
Jiang Zhuoying smiled gently. “The Second Prince is extremely cunning, so more preparations are necessary. Alright, both of you should go rest now.”
The two maids attended to her washing and settled her into bed…
The next day.
While Jiang Zhuoying was still deep in sleep, she was abruptly shaken awake.
“Miss! Miss, wake up quickly! Wujiu has returned and says the Second Prince is returning to his separate residence this morning… Miss!”
Jiang Zhuoying jolted awake from her dreams, her eyes flying open. “This morning?”
Author’s note:
Yingbao has made full preparations, ready to make a comeback…