“Yes, yes! We’ll go back immediately and report to Steward Yu!”
The two servants hurried away. Jiang Zhuoying then heard the deliberately lowered, shrill voice of a eunuch: “Your Highness, are you alright?”
“Unharmed.”
“Fortunately Your Highness noticed in time, or you would have had to endure it again.”
The man only frowned, staring at the small fiery red figure in the distance: “It might be difficult to maintain peace from now on.”
Probes like today’s would only increase.
“Your Highness, you have bided your time for years. The long-awaited opportunity should be arriving.”
The man pressed his lips tightly together: “No matter what happens, we must protect Zhuozhuo.”
“Rest assured, Your Highness. We understand.”
As Jiang Zhuoying listened to these meaningful words and began to speculate wildly, another person arrived in the backyard.
She hadn’t seen this person before, but based on his self-introduction when paying respects, Jiang Zhuoying remembered him.
It was Yu Ji.
“Your Highness, according to my investigation, the Zanthoxylum ailanthoides in the lunch was secretly added by the new kitchen helper who started yesterday.”
“They said… they said his nephew heard from somewhere that Your Highness prefers spicy food.”
Chu Yixin furrowed his brows, his voice shriller than usual due to excitement: “Where did this kitchen helper come from? How could an outsider enter our courtyard?”
The man named Yu Ji bowed: “The original kitchen helper requested three days leave due to a family emergency, so I temporarily found a replacement.”
“I thoroughly investigated the new helper’s background as well. This… this matter is ultimately my failure in duty. I beg Your Highness for punishment.”
Only a few close servants knew that their master was allergic to Zanthoxylum ailanthoides.
To avoid exposing too much, the dishes prepared for the master were always mild.
But the Third Prince’s spies were everywhere, and somehow obtained some hearsay, wanting to use it as a test.
And they actually managed to hit the mark by chance.
The man in the pavilion sat on the stone stool, silent for a moment upon hearing this, then spoke calmly: “Then investigate along this line.”
“Yes, I understand.”
So it seems this Second Prince cannot tolerate even the slightest bit of spiciness?
The fiery red carp in the pond pressed close to the pebble-lined stone wall, trying to hear these people’s conversation more clearly.
“In a few days it will be my mother’s death anniversary. I need to take Zhuozhuo to the Osmanthus forest to stay for a few days. Just the two of you will accompany us.”
…
Osmanthus forest?
The Second Prince’s mother was the former Consort Wan. Why would they go stay in the Osmanthus forest for Consort Wan’s death anniversary?
“Your Highness, will Zhuozhuo be the same as usual?”
The man nodded: “Yes.”
Jiang Zhuoying: “?”
She quietly lay by the pond’s edge, hearing the entire conversation.
But these people’s words were like riddles – she had to half-listen and half-guess.
Just like that previous statement “the same as usual” – what exactly did it mean?
Couldn’t they speak more clearly?
…
In the blink of an eye, Jiang Zhuoying had already spent five days in this fish pond.
She saw this Second Prince several times every day. With so many encounters, Jiang Zhuoying had somewhat figured out his temperament.
This Second Prince had deep thoughts and was shrewd, completely unlike the mediocre and incompetent figure from rumors.
His expressions rarely revealed joy or anger, only occasionally showing barely detectable relaxation when facing her.
He displayed no sharp edges, but was profoundly unfathomable inside, absolutely not the incompetent person rumors made him out to be.
This morning, the sky was clear for miles.
Jiang Zhuoying was awakened by the noise. Early in the morning, the servants in the courtyard were bustling about, constantly busy.
What were they up to again?
She had stayed up late last night counting the Night-Shining Pearls and was utterly exhausted.
In her frustration, the little plump carp swung her tail fiercely.
She had been in this pond for over five days, counting the Night-Shining Pearls in the pond every day, but she still hadn’t managed to get an accurate count.
It wasn’t that the number of Night-Shining Pearls was endless; rather, the water in the pond kept flowing due to the water wheel.
The Night-Shining Pearls she had painstakingly counted would soon be carried away by the current and disappear from sight…
“Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!”
Jiang Zhuoying originally wanted to scold them, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she started blowing bubbles.
“Come, come, come, be careful!”
It was the eunuch’s voice. Jiang Zhuoying listlessly floated to the surface and happened to see Chu Yixin leading several servants toward the pond.
Just like last time, the servants were carrying a ceramic vat together as they approached.
Jiang Zhuoying hadn’t seen this ceramic vat before; it wasn’t the blue-and-white ceramic vat she had been in last time.
This vat was noticeably much smaller, probably not much larger than her own body length.
“Alright, place it right here.”
Chu Yixin spoke in a hushed voice, then turned and happened to meet Jiang Zhuoying’s eyes peeking above the water. He immediately broke into a smile.
“Zhuozhuo, you’ll have to bear with it for a while.”
Jiang Zhuoying wagged her tail: “?”
Had she only enjoyed a few days of freedom in this pond, and now they were going to put her back in a vat?
Something felt off…
Jiang Zhuoying suddenly recalled the conversation she had overheard a few days ago between the master and his servants.
Was it about the Osmanthus forest related to Consort Wan?
Perhaps today was the day of departure?
“Eunuch Chu, how should we catch Zhuozhuo this time?” A servant standing nearby looked at the fiery red figure in the pond and posed the crucial question.
Chu Yixin also turned his gaze to Jiang Zhuoying, clearing his throat slightly. “We’ll wait for the master to catch her.”
Every year at this time, it was always the master who personally lured Zhuozhuo ashore.
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in dark clothing appeared at the end of the stone path.
The man strode over in matching black boots.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Rise, all of you.”
With a wave of his sleeve, Qi Fan walked straight to the pond’s edge. Behind him, Yu Ji promptly opened the food box…
Jiang Zhuoying swayed in the water. She had thought they would use some exotic object to lure her.
Was it just this bit of food?
Never mind, never mind, she might as well go have breakfast.
The fiery red carp in the pond, upon seeing the man, immediately paddled her pectoral fins and swam over, wagging her tail.
Chu Yixin on the shore smiled kindly at the sight. “Look how much Zhuozhuo adores Your Highness. She’s so delighted to see you.”
Jiang Zhuoying abruptly halted at the water’s surface. How could this eunuch fail to see the obvious?
She was only doing it for the sake of breakfast!
This man’s thoughts were unpredictable, and she preferred not to interact with him unless necessary.
She wondered when she would be able to uncover the truth about her mother’s death, and she had no idea what condition her own body was in now.
Jiang Zhuoying cooperated as she was placed into the ceramic vat. For ease of transport, the vat wasn’t filled with much water, so her range of movement was extremely limited.
During the journey, she carefully listened to the conversations of those around her and diligently observed the changing environment above.
Were they really going to the Osmanthus forest mentioned by the Second Prince just by carrying the vat like this?
Sure enough, before long, she was carried into a carriage.
After settling into the carriage, someone came to add more water to her jar, allowing her to stretch her limbs and loosen her muscles slightly.
Jiang Zhuoying had long noticed that the Second Prince’s subordinates were exceptionally efficient.
Soon, the eunuch and the Second Prince stepped into the carriage, and she immediately felt the water sway.
Thus, the journey began.
“Your Highness, news from the palace: the Imperial Concubine has already petitioned the Emperor to appoint Jiang Ying, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Rui’s main branch, as the Third Prince’s consort.”
The man pushed open the wooden window, gazing at the separate residence growing smaller in the distance. “Hmm.”
Chu Yixin studied his expression. “With this, the Third Prince gains another powerful ally. Your Highness, perhaps you—”
“Chu Yixin.”
The full name was uttered with an authoritative tone that needed no anger, the man’s face dark as water, his voice frozen like ice.
“This servant has overstepped. I beg Your Highness to calm your anger.” Chu Yixin rose and knelt at Qi Fan’s feet.
The carriage interior was already cramped, further occupied by a large ceramic jar, leaving him barely any space to kneel.
Qi Fan glanced sideways out the window. He needed no such assistance to secure that position.
Others might not understand, but he knew his third brother best.
If that man were to learn the truth about their mother’s death…
Their conversation was, as usual, overheard by Jiang Zhuoying.
The fiery red carp lay curled quietly at the bottom of the jar.
She made no sound, not wanting to draw the attention of the two men. She cared little about the matters of the Third Prince or Jiang Ying.
What she wanted to hear was news about the Duke’s Manor, about her mother.
“Rise. What of Fei Ying?” The man’s tone softened slightly.
The eunuch on the floor slowly stood. “Your Highness, Fei Ying has yet to send definite news. The long interval suggests it may require more effort.”
“Hmm.”
Qi Fan nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the shrinking separate residence, now no larger than a sesame seed.
Jiang Zhuoying flicked her tail. Fei Ying?
She remembered that name.
The last time news about her Duke’s Manor was mentioned, it had come from this person.
According to this Eunuch Chu, there was still no news about her mother.
Chu Yixin remained silent for a few breaths, thinking to himself that since his master had brought it up, it must be of concern.
A sharp, soft voice suddenly broke the quiet carriage. “Your Highness, do you suspect that Madam Jiang Zheng’s death is related to the main branch?”
Inside the ceramic jar, Jiang Zhuoying’s fish body trembled. Her uncle?
How could that be?
She pressed closer to the jar wall, straining to listen intently.
“Let’s wait for Fei Ying’s news before making any plans.”
This came in the Second Prince’s voice—neither confirming nor denying.
Jiang Zhuoying felt as if struck heavily in the chest.
Agitated, she suddenly thrashed her tail, and a “crack!” sound echoed.
It sounded like ceramic splitting.
Jiang Zhuoying: “?!”
What was that noise?
Such a loud noise naturally caught the attention of the two men in the carriage.
Chu Yixin immediately stood up, calling out sharply, “Halt!”
“Yes!”
Outside, Yu Ji, who was driving the carriage, promptly reined in the advancing horses.
The sudden shout startled Jiang Zhuoying, making her involuntarily thrash her tail again.
“Crrack~” followed by an even clearer splitting sound.
Yu Ji respectfully inquired from outside, “Your Highness, has something happened?”
Jiang Zhuoying curled into a ball. It wasn’t the Second Prince who was in trouble—it was clearly her!!!
This was terrible, absolutely terrible! She was currently nothing but a red carp!
The pottery jar had cracked, the water was gone—how could she survive now?
How could the quality of pottery jars in the Second Prince’s residence be so poor!
“The jar is cracked.” A man’s cold voice came from above.