Jiang Zhuoying trembled uncontrollably. She was well aware of this matter… was there really a need to emphasize it further?
When lives were at stake, how could this Second Prince remain so composed?
Wasn’t this said to be the red carp left to him by Consort Wan during her lifetime?
Wasn’t it supposed to be extremely precious?
Could it all be false?!
“Your Highness, this earthen jar probably won’t last much longer. We originally chose it for its lightness, but had we known Zhuozhuo would be so mischievous, we should have used a porcelain jar instead.”
Jiang Zhuoying curled up at the bottom of the jar, not daring to move at all.
What a smooth-talking eunuch! He had smiled so obsequiously before her earlier, and now he was making excuses after the fact.
If this jar really cracked, how would she survive?
Why wasn’t he hurrying to find a solution for her!
“Hmm, have someone bring a replacement jar.” A calm, indifferent voice sounded from above.
Jiang Zhuoying: “?”
A replacement jar?
There was actually a second jar of this size along the journey?
“Yes, this servant will immediately have someone bring a replacement jar.”
Chu Yixin quietly left the carriage, leaving only one person and one carp inside.
Jiang Zhuoying curled into a ball, doing her best to protect her face.
She feared the earthen jar might suddenly shatter—what if the broken pieces injured her face?
The man stared at the scarlet carp curled up in the earthen jar and slowly spoke: “My mother once said you possess great spiritual nature. Since that is so, then bless me in accomplishing this great undertaking.”
This unexpected whisper startled Jiang Zhuoying, sending chills down her spine.
What great undertaking?
She couldn’t help but speculate in the most unbelievable direction, curling herself even tighter the next moment.
Heavens, could this Second Prince who was marginalized in court possibly have such audacity?
Although this red carp was anciently known as the immortal fish, rumored to indeed possess spiritual nature…
Since inhabiting this red carp’s body, she had never learned how to bless anyone.
Don’t call on me, don’t call on me…
Fortunately, before long, Chu Yixin returned with people to replace her jar.
That high-pitched, soft voice both directed the operation and praised her: “Zhuozhuo’s tail fin is so powerful, the strength is growing greater by the day.”
Jiang Zhuoying remained rigid and motionless, but still blew a few bubbles toward him.
[Flatterer.]
After speaking, Chu Yixin turned his head: “Your Highness prepared for unforeseen circumstances by having people prepare extra earthen jars in advance—they’ve indeed proven useful.”
The man had already taken his seat, holding a book on military strategy. Without looking up at these words, he lazily said: “Prepare one more jar next time, to take precautions.”
“This servant understands.”
Jiang Zhuoying heard this too—prepare one more jar?
Just how fragile were these jars?
…
The carriage wheels soon began rolling again. Jiang Zhuoying very much wanted to look outside, but her earthen jar didn’t come with windows.
Bored and listless, she lazily lay at the bottom of the water, having to restrain herself from excitedly jumping around to avoid damaging this fragile jar again.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, a report came from outside.
“Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”
They were here already? Jiang Zhuoying suddenly perked up.
The journey had taken only half an hour—apparently the Osmanthus forest wasn’t far from the Second Prince’s residence.
The earthen jar was lifted by servants carrying it on poles, then escorted off the carriage.
Jiang Zhuoying didn’t dare move recklessly inside the jar, hoping she would soon be released back into the pond.
She remained in the ceramic vat, trembling with fear and lingering apprehension.
“Your Highness, the Second Prince! Your Highness, in your benevolence, please save my young mistress!”
Suddenly, a sharp, impassioned cry reached her ears.
That voice?
Jiang Zhuoying’s carp form quivered—it sounded remarkably similar to Xiangyue’s voice!
“What is this disturbance?” The man’s voice remained detached, cold as ice.
“This servant will go investigate immediately.”
Chu Yixin gave a brief salute and headed toward the stopped girl ahead.
The girl was dressed peculiarly, with a cloth covering most of her face…
Jiang Zhuoying’s heartbeat quickened. She couldn’t have misheard—that was Xiangyue.
She had just cried out to save her young mistress. Could something have happened to her original body?
…
After the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, Chu Yixin had gathered the general details and brought the maid-attired girl before Qi Fan.
“Your Highness, this young woman claims to be the personal maid of the legitimate daughter from the second branch of the Rui Guo Gong Manor.”
Jiang Zhuoying’s heart jolted—it really was Xiangyue!
As soon as Xiangyue approached, she dropped to her knees with a “swish” before Qi Fan, repeatedly kowtowing: “Your Highness, the Second Prince! In your mercy, please save my young mistress!”
The man narrowed his eyes slightly: “Jiang Zheng’s daughter?”
“Indeed! My young mistress is named Jiang Zhuoying, Lord Jiang’s only legitimate daughter. I beg Your Highness, in consideration of the great merits Lord Jiang has rendered for the Kingdom of Rong, to save her!”
The man looked down at the kneeling girl. She maintained careful distance from others and wore a face covering concealing most of her features.
“Remove your face covering.”
Xiangyue broke into anxious sweat. With reddened eyes, she suddenly knocked her forehead against the ground.
Gravel scraped her brow, but she paid it no mind, gritting her teeth as she revealed the truth: “Your Highness, this servant cannot remove the face covering!”
Understanding flashed in the man’s eyes, though his expression remained unchanged. His voice turned icy.
“Speak the truth, and I shall spare your life.”
Xiangyue clenched her jaw: “This servant did not mean to conceal anything. Ten days ago, my young mistress suddenly lost consciousness, followed by a high fever throughout her body. The physician said… she has contracted the pox disease!”
She prostrated on the ground, bowing deeply: “But this servant had the pox in childhood and cannot be infected again. I’ve been careful to avoid contact with Your Highness’s people. Before coming, I soaked in medicinal baths and wore this face covering.”
Inside the ceramic vat, Jiang Zhuoying was astonished—so she had contracted the pox disease!
It was true she had never had pox in her life. To prevent accidents, her parents had assigned both Xiangyue and Xiangxing—who had survived pox infections—to serve her.
She hadn’t left the estate recently. How could she have inexplicably contracted pox?
“If you’ve already summoned physicians, why come to me?” The man’s tone softened slightly.
Xiangyue felt immense relief—the Second Prince hadn’t punished her.
It seemed the unfavorable rumors about the Second Prince weren’t entirely accurate.
Steadying herself, she replied: “Your Highness, we sent word to the Guogong Fu, but not only did no imperial physician arrive—we found the estate surrounded.”
“They said… they said we must not let the pox spread…”
“The medicinal decoction prepared earlier has been used up, but it had little effect on my young mistress. Thus, I dared to seek Your Highness’s assistance.”
After Xiangyue finished speaking, Jiang Zhuoying suddenly understood everything.
A few days ago, the main household had sent her many items, ranging from silks and satins to jewelry and ornaments.
She had examined most of them, and among them was a handkerchief embroidered with the peony pattern her mother had loved most in her lifetime. She had held it and gazed at it for a long time.
Could this be the reason?
But… she instinctively refused to believe this possibility.
“Yu Ji.” The man turned his head and called out a name, then instructed, “Follow this maid.”
“Yes.”
The man who had been following at a distance stepped forward and stood before Xiangyue: “Miss, please rise. I have some medical skills and will accompany you to see your young lady.”
“Yes, yes! This servant thanks Your Highness, thanks the young master!”
Xiangyue wept with joy, quickly rising to lead Yu Ji away.
After the two departed, the man turned and gave another order to Chu Yixin: “Send a carrier pigeon to the head of the Imperial Hospital. Inform him that someone in a manor east of Luo Jing is suspected of having contracted the pox disease. As imperial physicians, they should know how to handle this matter properly.”
Chu Yixin’s heart sank, but he nodded in acknowledgment.
His master and the subordinates nearby had all survived the pox disease and naturally had no fear of it.
But if Miss Jiang truly had the pox, this would likely cause quite a stir.
Jiang Zhuoying naturally understood how dangerous the pox disease was. Her constitution wasn’t particularly strong—if she couldn’t pull through…
Would she never be able to return?
The red carp listlessly curled up at the bottom of the tank.
Both Qi Fan and Chu Yixin noticed the red carp’s unusual behavior.
Since being placed in the pond, the fiery red carp had remained curled in a corner, showing no response no matter how others tried to engage it.
Chu Yixin looked anxious: “Your Highness, could it be that Zhuozhuo was frightened earlier?”
Ever since the ceramic jar showed signs of cracking, Zhuozhuo hadn’t been as active as before.
“This servant will immediately fetch some of Zhuozhuo’s toys!”
Chu Yixin hurried away…
Jiang Zhuoying was somewhat moved. Though the eunuch was accustomed to flattery, he might genuinely care for her.
But weighed down by worries, she truly couldn’t muster any energy.
After Chu Yixin rushed off, Qi Fan simply sat on the ground.
The residence in the Osmanthus forest couldn’t compare to his separate residence—it was merely a single courtyard house.
The fish pond wasn’t constructed with the same refinement, yet some thought had still been put into it.
In previous visits, Zhuozhuo had never shown such symptoms.
The man pressed his lips slightly together, his gaze fixed intently on the fiery red figure in the water: “Since you’re under my care, just live as unrestrainedly as you wish.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying lifted her head.
Through the water, she looked up at the tense jawline on the shore.
Live unrestrainedly? Didn’t he just say he wanted her to help him achieve his goals?
“Gurgle, gurgle…”
She blew a few bubbles. There was truly no other way now, but she couldn’t blame the Second Prince for this.
On the contrary, she ought to thank him—he had sent Yu Ji to accompany Xiangyue. Now, she could only hope she had the strength to pull through.
Chu Yixin soon returned with a tray of toys, which included several Night-Shining Pearls.
Jiang Zhuoying showed little interest, but she politely swam a few laps and flicked her tail toward the two men.
Chu Yixin breathed a sigh of relief and turned: “Your Highness, Zhuozhuo seems to be recovering.”
“Hmm.”
The man nodded, then stood up: “If there is any news of Yu Ji, inform me immediately.”
“Your servant understands.”
Chu Yixin certainly understood—this was a matter of great importance.
The man stood with his hands behind his back, turning sideways away from the direction of the fish pond as he instructed: “Send another letter to the Chief of the Imperial Hospital, ordering him to find a way to preserve the life of Jiang Zheng’s daughter at all costs.”