“Ahem, Miss Jiang…”
“Ahem, what duties did Miss Jiang previously perform in the manor?”
Jiang Zhuoying had long prepared for this question. She timidly replied, “This servant is dull-witted and incompetent at many tasks. I only relied on my affinity with fish to help the young mistress tend to the fish pond in the manor.”
Chu Yixin pondered for a moment—wasn’t this perfect?
He nodded: “Then you shall continue as before. In this manor, you only need to take care of Zhuozhuo.”
“From now on, you will be responsible for Zhuozhuo’s meals. Observe its every move daily and report promptly if anything seems amiss.”
“How about it? Does Miss Jiang have any objections to this assignment?”
His sharp, thin voice carried a smile, yet remained proper and courteous.
Jiang Zhuoying naturally had no objections—this was the most ideal assignment in her plan.
Playing with a carp every day would be effortless for her, and it offered leisure and freedom.
Thus, the young girl nodded repeatedly: “This servant understands. Thank you for your consideration, Eunuch Chu.”
Chu Yixin smiled: “There are no maidservants attending in the master’s separate residence. Follow me.”
Jiang Zhuoying shyly agreed outwardly, but inwardly she was astonished.
She had stayed here before for a while and indeed recalled never seeing any maidservants.
But truly… not a single one?
Chu Yixin brought her to a room in the rear annex: “Since there are no other maidservants in the manor, Miss Jiang shall have a room to herself.”
Jiang Zhuoying continued nodding: “Alright, thank you for your care, Eunuch Chu.”
…
Chu Yixin departed cheerfully, whisk in hand.
Jiang Zhuoying turned and entered the room. It appeared no one had lived there or cleaned it for a long time—dust filled the air, making her cough repeatedly.
Standing at the doorway, she was momentarily at a loss about where to begin…
As a young lady from the Guogong Fu, where every aspect of daily life was attended to by numerous servants, how could she have ever encountered such a scene?
Although she had never personally cleaned before, she had seen it done.
Given the current situation, it seemed she should first find a broom?
But looking around, there was no such item in sight.
Jiang Zhuoying turned around, intending to search elsewhere.
Coincidentally, as soon as she rounded the corner, she spotted a young servant diligently sweeping with his head down.
Wasn’t that a broom in his hand?
Jiang Zhuoying approached a few steps: “…Um…”
She hadn’t yet decided how to address him, but the moment she spoke, he lifted his head.
Jiang Zhuoying’s pupils dilated slightly—she recognized him!
He was the young servant who had stayed by the pond watching over her after the Second Prince left that day.
Because of the crab meat incident, she had caused him considerable anxiety.
Thus, she felt somewhat guilty toward him.
“Young lady?”
Upon seeing her, his eyes also filled with surprise: “Are you… a guest at the manor?”
This was his first time seeing a woman in the Second Prince’s residence.
With her appearance and bearing, she could easily be mistaken for a noble young lady from some prestigious family, except her attire wasn’t that of nobility.
Jiang Zhuoying smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons: “Starting today, I’ll be taking care of Zhuozhuo in the manor.”
“May I borrow your broom? I need to clean my room.”
Jiang Zhuoying glanced down at the broom in his hand.
“Of course!”
The young man immediately handed her the broom: “If you don’t mind, you can call me Brother Zhao from now on.”
Jiang Zhuoying nodded, took the broom, and returned a smile: “Thank you, Brother Zhao. My name is Jiang Zhuo.”
Zhao Xiping scratched his head: “Miss Jiang, you go back first. I’ll fetch some water for you—it’ll be useful for cleaning.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying felt even more delighted. She nodded repeatedly: “Alright, thank you, Brother Zhao!”
This time her smile was genuine, her peach blossom eyes brimming with amusement, revealing two dimples at the corners of her lips.
“No need for thanks. Since we both work in the estate, helping each other is only natural.”
Zhao Xiping was momentarily dazzled by her radiant beauty, only snapping out of it when her slender figure disappeared around the corner…
Though Jiang Zhuoying had retrieved the broom, she had no idea how to sweep.
While she’d “seen pigs run even without eating pork,” when actually attempting the task herself, her movements appeared rather awkward.
She fumbled constrainedly, lacking any grace or efficiency.
Soon, Zhao Xiping arrived carrying a wooden bucket of water, even bringing extra rags.
After watching for a moment, he hesitated to speak—the young woman before him was truly clumsy with her work…
When a gust of wind blew dust into her face, making her cough, he could no longer stand by.
“Ahem, Miss Jiang, perhaps I should help you?”
“Cough… Huh?”
Jiang Zhuoying turned her head, her nose tip smudged with dust from who-knows-where.
Zhao Xiping stepped forward, took the broom from her hands, and began sweeping swiftly and methodically.
“Miss Jiang probably hasn’t done much cleaning before? You can’t hold the broom like you did earlier—you need to grip it firmly with both hands, like this…”
Jiang Zhuoying stood aside, watching as the man worked with practiced efficiency, cleaning the doorway spotless in just a few strokes.
…
Chu Yixin instinctively glanced at the man walking one step ahead of him.
After most of the day, the girl’s identity had been confirmed—unexpectedly, she came with a tragic background that starkly contrasted with her incongruously exquisite appearance.
With such beauty, even if betrothed, one wondered if her fiancé could truly protect her.
Jiang Zhuoying had her back to the two men, unaware of their arrival.
She only realized the Second Prince stood behind her when she saw Zhao Xiping bowing in greeting.
“This servant pays respects to Your Highness.” She turned and curtsied as well.
“Can you not even handle basic cleaning?” The man frowned, his voice cold.
Jiang Zhuoying’s throat tightened—he wasn’t wrong…
She was here to serve as a maid. What kind of maid needed help cleaning her own quarters?
“Reporting to Your Highness, this servant voluntarily came to assist Miss Jiang with cleaning. Seeing she’s just a delicate woman new to the estate, I thought to lend a hand.”
Hearing this, Qi Fan’s expression turned several degrees colder.
Yet another person from his household—first Xie Ling, now this servant.
Jiang Zhuoying glanced up at him, genuinely puzzled why this man always seemed ready to find fault.
She cleared her throat: “Your Highness, this servant is indeed clumsy and inexperienced at cleaning. Brother Zhao only stepped in because he couldn’t bear to watch.”
Brother Zhao?
Qi Fan frowned. Did her fiancé know she addressed every man as “brother”?
The man’s face remained stern: “Every servant in this estate has their own duties. By having Zhao Xiping help you, his tasks are being neglected.”
The meaning behind those words… Was he implying she had disrupted Brother Zhao’s work?
Jiang Zhuoying immediately took responsibility: “If this servant has disrupted Brother Zhao’s duties, I will help him make up for it.”
Qi Fan pressed his lips together: “…”
He glanced at the girl’s double snail buns hairstyle: “As you wish.”
Jiang Zhuoying bowed again, watching the man depart.
She secretly let out a breath. This great block of ice was truly difficult to serve, completely impossible to guess what was going through his mind.
Just when she thought she had everything under control, some inexplicable mishap would always occur.
“His Highness seems rather peculiar today.”
These words came from the man behind her. Jiang Zhuoying raised an eyebrow and turned: “Why do you say that, Brother Zhao?”
Zhao Xiping gave her a simple-minded smile: “You’ve just arrived and wouldn’t know, miss. Although His Highness has a cold temperament, he’s always been considerate of his subordinates. Never like today…”
Like today, where his words carried barbs.
“Perhaps His Highness encountered some troublesome matter and is in poor spirits today.”
He added this, as if only such an explanation could account for Qi Fan’s unusual behavior today.
…
By the time Jiang Zhuoying finished roughly cleaning her room, most of the day had already passed.
She massaged her calves, feeling somewhat disheartened.
If she were back at the residence, her attentive Xiangyue and Xiangxing would be here to massage her shoulders and legs…
“Ah.”
She sighed softly, glancing at the sky outside the window.
It was about time to feed Zhuozhuo. If she went now, she wondered if she might encounter the Second Prince.
Jiang Zhuoying went to the kitchen, only to be informed that Zhuozhuo’s evening meal had already been taken.
Upon further inquiry, she learned it had been collected by Eunuch Chu from the Second Prince’s retinue.
Jiang Zhuoying hesitated for a few breaths, but ultimately decided to seize the opportunity to see the Second Prince.
After all, her ultimate goal was to gain his trust, which required frequent meetings.
How else could trust be cultivated?
In the hazy twilight, as darkness began to fall, Jiang Zhuoying leisurely made her way to the rear courtyard.
She was quite familiar with the exclusive fish pond where Zhuozhuo stayed.
Looking from afar, she could indeed see a tall dark figure standing by the pond. She took a light breath and crept quietly toward the pond’s edge.
When she was about ten feet from the pond’s edge, before Jiang Zhuoying could offer her greetings, the dark figure suddenly moved.
The man’s form moved like a ghost. She had barely uttered a single syllable when her throat was seized.
Tripped off her feet, the dark figure before her pressed down like a great mountain, leaving her completely helpless.
“Your High…” the girl managed with difficulty, her Peach Blossom Eyes misty with tears.
The moment Qi Fan’s hand closed around that smooth, delicate neck, he sensed something was wrong.
Now, with the illumination from the lanterns under the eaves, he could clearly see the flushed, delicate face beneath him.
His grip loosened, and the girl beneath him covered her throat, coughing violently.
He withdrew his hand: “What are you doing here?”
Jiang Zhuoying covered her throat, coughing so hard she could barely catch her breath, but still pretended to be understanding and obedient.
“Cough, it’s this servant’s fault. This servant’s duty is to care for Zhuozhuo. I came specifically to check on Zhuozhuo, never expecting to disturb Your Highness’s peace.”
“I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”
“Cough, cough, cough…”
The man looked down from above, his expressionless eyes fixed on the girl below.
Jiang Zhuoying sat curled up on the ground, her slender shoulders shaking from coughing, her pale, delicate face now completely flushed red.
The man’s hands were hidden in the shadows, fingers slightly curled, his expressionless gaze fixed on her as he took in every shift in her demeanor.
“Stay away from me from now on.”
Jiang Zhuoying choked, coughing even more violently.
With her stunning beauty and playing the delicate, obedient role tailored to his preferences, how could he be so dismissive of her?
The young girl feigned grievance, pitching her voice higher: “This servant understands.”
Qi Fan gave no response. Jiang Zhuoying glanced at the food box a few steps away and suddenly had an idea.
“Might Zhuozhuo have finished her evening meal? If there are leftovers, could this servant feed her?”
The man narrowed his eyes, his gaze inscrutable.
Jiang Zhuoying pretended not to understand, clutching her neck and biting her lip: “Your Highness?”
She genuinely thought this man was seriously ill—could he still suspect her at this point?
First, there was the matter of Zhuozhuo, then he suspected she was here to seduce him.
And now?
Always paranoid and suspicious—she wondered if he ever grew tired of it…
“Go ahead.”
“Yes.”
Jiang Zhuoying rose, still holding her neck, then bent in a curtsy: “This servant was too frightened earlier and failed to hear clearly. Please forgive my offense.”
Unexpectedly, her words drew a light laugh from the man.
Jiang Zhuoying felt a chill, sensing something eerie in his laughter that made her spine tingle.
Pressing her lips together, she suppressed her impatience and softened her voice: “Shall this servant go now?”
In her mind, building a good relationship with Zhuozhuo would eventually earn the Second Prince’s trust.
“…Hmm.” The man’s voice held a rare hint of laziness.
The young girl walked cautiously but quickly to the pond. The red carp in the water leaped joyfully back and forth upon seeing her.
As she extended her hand, Zhuozhuo actively surfaced to nuzzle her palm.
The man’s dark eyes deepened, fixed intently on the scene.
By now, night had fallen, the moonlight bright and soft like a hazy, luminous veil draping over the girl and the red carp.
The interaction between the girl and the carp was so harmonious and natural, reminiscent of the Red Carp Immortal from mythic tales.
…
Jiang Zhuoying could clearly feel Zhuozhuo’s affection for her. She shared an inexplicable bond with this red carp, perhaps a fateful connection ordained by destiny.
It belonged to both her and the carp.
Jiang Zhuoying fed it with a porcelain spoon, and now it willingly surfaced to bite directly onto the utensil.
The Second Prince hadn’t left much food, and soon Jiang Zhuoying had finished feeding it all.
But Zhuozhuo continued swimming around her, unwilling to leave…
Jiang Zhuoying sighed helplessly, stroking its head: “I’ll come again tomorrow~”
After speaking, she patted her knees and straightened up, but the red carp in the water seemed utterly reluctant to part. It suddenly leaped up, soaring out of the pond…
Just like last time in the Osmanthus forest, it jumped directly into her arms.
Caught off guard, Jiang Zhuoying only had time to instinctively catch it.
“Oof…”
The sudden, forceful impact made her stagger backward uncontrollably…
Just as her right foot slipped on a pebble, sending her tilting helplessly backward, a strong arm abruptly wrapped around her waist.
Qi Fan tightened his grip—the waist in his palm was slender as a willow.
During the two previous emergencies when he carried her back to her room, he had deliberately adjusted his hold. Never before had he felt it so directly as today.
A grasp so delicate it seemed weightless, soft as boneless silk.
Jiang Zhuoying steadied herself, but before she could even catch her breath, she felt a sudden lightness in her arms, followed by the disappearance of the iron-like grip that had stabilized her…
“Ah—”
She tumbled to the ground, instantly feeling dizzy and disoriented, her face blank with confusion.
Only when a dull ache spread through her shoulders, back, and buttocks did Jiang Zhuoying part her lips, tears uncontrollably welling up and spilling from her eyes.
With a “thud,” the man tossed Zhuozhuo back into the pond.
Jiang Zhuoying remained seated on the ground, unable to believe what had just transpired.
“Mm… sob… whimper…”
When had she ever suffered such humiliation?
As the young lady of the Guogong Fu, she had always been surrounded by servants.
Who would dare treat her like this?!
The man, staring at the red carp occasionally surfacing in the water, stiffly turned around.
The girl sitting on the ground was weeping uncontrollably, as if deeply wronged.
He furrowed his brow, clenching his still-rigid palm.
Men and women should maintain proper boundaries, and she was already betrothed.
He had merely…
“Withdraw.”
Jiang Zhuoying looked up in disbelief, blinking through tear-filled eyes. What did he say?
Withdraw…?
This was utterly intolerable!
There was no way she would walk back from here on her own today!
“Sob… it hurts…”
The man remained expressionless and unmoved, merely asking, “Where does it hurt?”
If one listened closely, his tone seemed slightly unsteady compared to usual.
The girl, her vision blurred by tears, replied hoarsely, “Everywhere… it hurts all over. I can’t walk…”
Another silence fell. Qi Fan met those tear-filled Peach Blossom Eyes, which seemed to hold a trace of resentment and accusation.
The man pressed his lips together, narrowing his eyes slightly. The seemingly illusory resentment vanished, replaced by a pitiable, delicate vulnerability.
Indeed, this girl was extremely timid, knowing only to cry when faced with trouble. How could she possibly muster such an expression?
But the scene before him was ultimately improper…
“Miss Jiang? What are you doing here?”
A familiar male voice suddenly emerged from the dim thicket behind them. Jiang Zhuoying abruptly stopped crying and looked up.
It was Zhao Xiping.
“Brother Zhao?”
Her voice, still thick from crying, was soft and sticky, causing Zhao Xiping’s ears to grow warm.
But as he stepped through the thicket, he suddenly noticed the imposing man standing nearby.
“Your Highness is here too? This humble servant pays respects to Your Highness.”
The man’s voice was indifferent. “Rise.”
“Yes.”
Zhao Xiping stood with clasped fists, but his gaze kept drifting downward.
Jiang Zhuoying, having cried earlier, suddenly let out an involuntary hiccup.
Once it started, it became relentless, utterly unstoppable.
“Hic… hic… hic…”
Mortified, Jiang Zhuoying covered her mouth with both hands, burying her head and refusing to meet anyone’s eyes.
The commotion easily drew the attention of both men.
Zhao Xiping couldn’t resist asking, “Miss Jiang, why are you sitting on the ground?”
Jiang Zhuoying, still covering her mouth, mumbled in response, “I… I fell…”
“Ah…” He scratched his head. “If Miss Jiang doesn’t mind, I could carry you back?”
As soon as he spoke, he felt the temperature around them drop sharply, the air seeming to freeze solid in an instant.
“Withdraw.”
Zhao Xiping immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word, and could only bow in retreat.
The rustling sound of brushing through the grass gradually faded into the distance, and Jiang Zhuoying slowly regained her composure.
In the darkness, a girl’s soft voice emerged, tinged with palpable fear: “Your Highness does not wish to have Brother Zhao escort this servant back…”
“Has this servant done something wrong? Does Your Highness intend to abandon me here to fend for myself?”
Author’s Note: Yingbao: Stay away from you?
Qi Dog: …
Extra-long chapter, yay [Panda head]