At that moment, a young maid brought a bowl of fruit slush and placed it in front of Xiao Zimo.
The slush in the bowl was colorful, with various fruits cut into small pieces evenly scattered throughout, looking absolutely mouthwatering.
“Try it and see how it tastes,” Shen Jingyi said gently, then picked up her own bowl and continued enjoying it.
Xiao Zimo had felt uncomfortable from the heat during the walk, and when he saw Shen Jingyi’s bowl of slush, he was tempted.
But out of politeness and restraint, he didn’t dare ask for any.
However, when he saw the bowl prepared especially for him, his eyes lit up, and all his hesitation vanished instantly.
After all, he was still just a child, and it was hard to resist such a temptation.
Still, he was polite and first said, “Thank you, Stepmother Consort.”
Then he picked up the spoon and happily scooped a bite into his mouth.
The cold texture and sweet flavor made his eyes brighten immediately.
He couldn’t help but eat one spoonful after another, completely absorbed in this unexpected treat.
Each bite brought a refreshing coolness and sense of satisfaction, and the heat he had felt all over his body gradually dissipated as he finished the bowl.
“Stepmother Consort, this is really delicious. It tastes a little different from what I’ve had before,” Xiao Zimo said after putting down the bowl.
Shen Jingyi looked at him gently. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, I do,” Xiao Zimo nodded vigorously.
“Even if you like it, you can’t eat too much. You’re still young. You can only eat this much at a time, or you’ll get a stomachache. If you want more later, come to me, and I’ll have someone make it for you.”
Shen Jingyi looked at the pretty, obedient Xiao Zimo in front of her, tempted to pat his head, but she decided against it and spoke softly instead.
“All right, I’ll definitely come bother you later, as long as you don’t mind me being a nuisance.”
At this moment, Zi Juan respectfully reminded him, “Young Master, you should go back. Stepmother Consort and the Little Princess are waiting for you!”
“Understood.”
Xiao Zimo stood up, bowed, and said, “Stepmother Consort, Zimo will take his leave now. I’ll come visit you another day.”
“All right, come by again when you have time. I have plenty of delicious treats here,” Shen Jingyi said warmly. She liked this child quite a lot.
She then turned to Chun Tao and instructed, “Chun Tao, see off the Third Young Master.”
“Yes, Consort,” Chun Tao replied.
Shen Jingyi watched them leave until they completely disappeared from sight. She then slowly withdrew her gaze and said, “Have all the delivered items thoroughly inspected.”
Xia Zhu, standing nearby, looked puzzled. “Consort, these were personally delivered by the Third Young Master. After all the trouble today, they shouldn’t dare do anything suspicious, right?”
“Who knows? It’s better to be cautious. You can never let your guard down, at any time.”
Xia Zhu quickly nodded. “Yes, Consort. I’ll have Qiu Ju and Madam check them immediately.”
After speaking, she picked up the items and left.
Not long after Xia Zhu left, Chun Tao returned.
“Master, it seems you quite like the Third Young Master.”
Shen Jingyi was in a good mood. “Yes, I like all things beautiful and lovely. Enough talk—go get me another bowl.”
Chun Tao, worried, cautioned her, “Master, you shouldn’t eat more. If you overdo it, you’ll feel uncomfortable when Kui Shui arrives.”
Shen Jingyi suddenly remembered—it was around that time. She sighed helplessly and relented, “All right, I won’t eat anymore. Bring a bowl to Prince Wang in the front courtyard.”
Chun Tao responded immediately, “Yes, Mistress,” and left.
After she left, Shen Jingyi lay down again and continued reading.
During dinner, Prince Xuan returned. They ate together, then went out to the rear garden for a walk. But it was too lively—someone was playing the zither, someone else was digesting their meal—so they returned soon after.
As they entered the courtyard, they saw Qiu Ju and Madam Qin, who were supposed to be resting in their rooms, sitting under the corridor, clearly waiting for them.
Seeing Shen Jingyi and Prince Xuan, both hurriedly stood to greet them.
“Do you have something to report?”
Prince Xuan, seeing their serious expressions, went to the study first, leaving the space for them.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Once inside the inner room, Madam Qin spoke urgently, “Consort, there’s a problem with the bird’s nest,” then glanced at Qiu Ju to continue.
Qiu Ju caught Madam Qin’s gaze and said, “On appearance and smell, it seemed fine, but I wasn’t convinced. So I soaked it in water for an hour and then boiled it. That’s when we discovered it was a herb from the northern borders. This herb is colorless and tasteless, but if consumed, it can make women infertile. Even if one becomes pregnant, the fetus cannot survive and can cause severe internal bleeding.”
“What a vicious scheme! I can’t believe they tried this so soon after I arrived.”
“They probably thought the young mistress of the mansion was enough of a target.”
Shen Jingyi took a deep breath to calm herself and then said, “Take the items—we’re going to see Prince Wang.”
Both women hurriedly carried the bird’s nest and followed Shen Jingyi.
Shen Jingyi, meanwhile, was bracing herself emotionally.
Since she wasn’t crying and the walk was short, she had to rub her eyes hard before entering. Then she led the two women inside.
Prince Xuan was writing at his desk. Hearing the footsteps, he looked up and saw them entering with a container in hand. He thought of the bowl of slush delivered at noon.
A small smile curved his lips. “Have you been experimenting with a new dish again?”
“No.”
Hearing the unusual tone in Shen Jingyi’s voice, Prince Xuan noticed her eyes were red, as if she had been wronged and wanted to report it.
“What’s wrong? Weren’t you fine just a moment ago?”
“Prince, you must act on my behalf. I’ve only been in the mansion a few days, yet someone already can’t stand my being well. This is the second time there’s been an attempt to poison me.”
Prince Xuan was instantly alarmed at the word “poison.” He hurriedly came forward to support Shen Jingyi, asking anxiously, “You were poisoned? How serious is it? Are you okay?”
Shen Jingyi replied gloomily, “I’m fine for now. No poison has entered my body yet.”
Relieved, Prince Xuan asked, “Then what do you mean by ‘attempted poisoning’?”
Shen Jingyi took a steady breath. “Today, the Third Imperial Grandson came with Consort Su to pay their respects, bringing bird’s nest and a ginseng root. I thought it best to be cautious and had the items inspected—and indeed, we found a problem.”
Hearing this, Prince Xuan’s face darkened. He clenched his fists tightly, though his voice remained calm. “Go on.”
Shen Jingyi turned to Qiu Ju. “Qiu Ju, tell Prince Wang how you discovered it.”
“Yes, Consort.”
Qiu Ju then repeated everything she had explained to Shen Jingyi earlier.
After listening, veins bulged on Prince Xuan’s forehead, his face full of anger. “How dare Su Wan do this, again and again… Is she challenging me? Or does she feel invincible?”
His voice was filled with fury and disappointment.