Chapter 11 This servant delivers a congratulatory gift to His Highness the Second Prince. Xiangyue turns her head and chuckles…

Xiangyue turned her head and chuckled: "Alright, alright, this servant will go right away."

She quickly took a bronze mirror from the dressing table beside her and showed it to Jiang Zhuoying.

The mirror immediately revealed a haggard face. She had almond-shaped eyes and an oval face, which was originally extremely beautiful, but now it was completely bloodless.

There were no traces of rashes on her face, only faint acne scars on her neck that had not completely disappeared.

If you look closely, you can still see the clues.

"Young lady, both Doctor Yu and the imperial physician have examined the pimple scars on your arms and said they are nothing to worry about. They will definitely disappear completely in a few days."

"And these blisters on your face, which appeared during the two days after you fainted, are far less severe than actual smallpox. Because you received timely treatment, they haven't reappeared."

"Dr. Yu said that this is also one of the reasons why he determined that you did not have smallpox."

Jiang Zhuoying was relieved to have escaped a close call. Xiangxing's voice came from outside, saying that Doctor Yu had arrived.

She had Xiangyue draw the bed curtains before letting anyone in.

In the short time since she woke up, she has already made some plans in her mind.

Since the physician Yu, who serves the Second Prince, has never seen her before, this is exactly what she wanted!

Jiang Zhuoying extended her wrist from behind the gauze curtain, allowing Yu Ji to take her pulse...

"Miss Jiang is now fully recovered, but she is still weak. With proper care, she will be back to normal."

Jiang Zhuoying deliberately lowered her voice so that he couldn't recognize her original tone: "Thank you, Doctor Yu, for saving my life."

“Miss Jiang, you are too kind. If we really want to investigate, it was His Highness who sent me here. If Miss Jiang wants to thank someone, she should thank His Highness.”

Jiang Zhuoying secretly curled the corners of her lips; these were the words she had been waiting for.

"Ahem, I've heard that His Highness the Second Prince has a red carp by his side, and that he considers it his most beloved pet?"

A hesitant male voice came from outside the bed curtains: "...Indeed, may I ask why Miss Jiang is asking about this?"

Jiang Zhuoying coughed lightly twice: "Doctor Yu, there is no need to worry. Since His Highness the Second Prince saved me, I naturally want to repay his kindness."

She paused for a moment and then said, "I have a maidservant by my side who is extremely skilled at raising carp. If the Second Prince ever needs her, please feel free to give her your orders."

Xiangyue glanced in surprise at the direction of the silk bed curtains. When did this person appear by her young lady's side?

The only pond in the village only had lotus flowers planted in it, so where did the carp come from?

"I will certainly report Miss Jiang's meaning to the Second Prince truthfully when I return."

Jiang Zhuoying squeezed her handkerchief, knowing she couldn't be too eager on the surface, or people would easily notice something amiss.

She nodded: "Well then, I'll have to trouble you, Dr. Yu."

"Now that Miss Jiang is alright, I will return to my residence."

Jiang Zhuoying looked at Xiangxing: "Xiangxing, see Doctor Yu off."

"I understand."

The two of them retreated one after another until the door creaked open, and Jiang Zhuoying swiftly pulled back the bed curtains.

"Quickly, Xiangyue, go to the storeroom and get some gold and jewels. I remember there's a 'Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate' statue in the storeroom?"

"……ah?"

Xiangyue looked puzzled: "What are you trying to do, young lady?"

Jiang Zhuoying had already gotten off the bed and put on her embroidered shoes. She stood up while holding onto the edge of the bed, but the next moment she almost collapsed to the ground because her legs went weak.

"girl!"

Xiangyue rushed over and took her arm, saying, "Miss, why are you in such a panic? Be careful."

Having not walked on the ground for so long, Jiang Zhuoying sighed softly and relaxed, sitting back down on the edge of the bed.

She patted Xiangyue's arm: "Go do what I just told you to do. Remember to select some valuable little items from the rest of the statues except for the 'Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate'. You need to send them to the Second Prince's residence later."

Upon hearing this, Xiangyue understood.

It turns out it was meant to be delivered to the Second Prince's residence. The young lady's life-saving grace truly deserves a proper thank you!

She nodded, her face serious: "I understand, Miss. Please rest well. I'll go right away!"

When Xiangyue returned from her busy day in the storeroom, having carefully selected a number of items, she saw her young mistress sitting in front of her dressing table, while Xiangxing was styling her hair into double buns behind her.

Jiang Zhuoying had already seen Xiangyue's bewildered expression in the bronze mirror.

She tilted her head slightly: "Have you chosen everything?"

Xiangyue nodded, took two steps to the side, and revealed what was behind her.

Jiang Zhuoying glanced at it and nodded, seemingly satisfied.

Xiangyue did as she was told; apart from the conspicuous jade carving, there were only some exquisite little objects.

There are pen holders, jade pendants, thumb rings, inkstones...

She chose so many small items not because she was stingy, but because she would have to personally deliver them to the Second Prince's residence later.

If it's too heavy, she simply won't be able to carry it...

"Young lady, what are you doing?"

Xiangyue stepped forward and walked a few steps to Jiang Zhuoying's side: "Why are you wearing your hair in double buns?"

Jiang Zhuoying gave her a mysterious look and said, "I will be leaving this manor later to go to the Second Prince's residence, where I will stay for a while."

"You two guard this estate well for me, and instruct your men not to reveal a single word about my departure."

"What?"

Xiangyue's eyes widened, and in the next instant, her pupils were filled with panic and helplessness: "Miss, how could you!"

She suddenly lowered her voice again, covering her mouth: "Miss, how could you... how could you... do this?"

She stammered for a long time but couldn't recount what her daughter was supposed to do.

This is absolutely absurd!

If the adults found out, she and Xiangxing would probably get a good beating.

And the girl will probably get a beating too!

Jiang Zhuoying lowered her voice: "You two keep your voices down. We've made some progress on the matter of my poisoning. Now I'm going to investigate what's bothering me..."

She gave a casual, evasive answer, but never revealed that she had once been transformed into a red carp.

This matter is too absurd. Although she trusts Xiangyue and Xiangxing, it is not a good thing for too many people to know.

"Anyway, you believe me, right?"

Xiangyue and Xiangxing exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement: "Miss, we are willing to risk our lives for you."

Jiang Zhuoying waved her hand: "Don't say such ominous things in the future. Follow me and I will make sure you have a good life."

"Everyone on the estate is someone I trust. You must keep my departure a secret..."

Jiang Zhuoying had already given instructions on everything she could think of.

"Furthermore, if anything happens in this manor, or in the Duke's mansion, Xiangyue, you should come to the Second Prince's residence to find me in person and say... say that Miss Jiang has come to ask me questions."

"Do you understand?"

Xiangyue swallowed hard and nodded, accepting this important task.

After arranging everything, Jiang Zhuoying had Xiangyue drive her to the Osmanthus Grove in a carriage.

...

The carriage stopped, and Xiangyue helped her down slowly. She then turned around and placed the "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" sculpture on the tray, along with the pile of odds and ends.

She hesitated before handing the tray to Jiang Zhuoying: "Miss, you haven't fully recovered yet, why don't I escort you there?"

Through the faint osmanthus grove, Jiang Zhuoying spotted the simple and unpretentious house.

She shook her head: "No need. You should go back quickly and remember to do the things I asked you to do with Xiangxing."

Xiangyue nodded in agreement, then looked worriedly at her young lady's receding figure.

...

Jiang Zhuoying carried the tray and slowly walked towards the house in the osmanthus grove.

The closer she got, the more she could hear the commotion and noise in the courtyard, as if something urgent and important had happened.

She suddenly thought of Zhuozhuo, and a bad feeling rose in her heart.

The more anxious you are, the faster you walk.

About ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) from the entrance of the mansion, she was stopped by two guards armed with knives.

Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback. Yes, this was something she had expected.

“Miss, you shouldn’t come here. You should go back quickly,” one of the guards said expressionlessly.

Jiang Zhuoying calmed her increasingly rapid heartbeat and raised her head, feigning panic and fear.

Her face was full of fear and timidity, and her voice was soft: "My lords, this servant, this servant was sent by Miss Jiang to deliver a congratulatory gift to His Highness the Second Prince."

"I hope you two gentlemen will be lenient."

The two men were stunned for a moment when they saw Jiang Zhuoying's face clearly. Then they looked at each other and sensed wariness in each other's eyes.

"Miss Jiang? Where did this Miss Jiang come from?" The guard frowned.

His Highness has never been interested in women, and has never had a woman by his side.

The woman who suddenly appeared was so alluring and beautiful that she was like a bewitching enchantress, and she didn't seem like a real maid at all.

Could this be a honey trap set by the Third Prince?

Thinking of this, he gripped the hilt of his knife tightly, his face hardening even more: "No matter who you are, this is not a place you can enter. If you want to save your life, you'd better leave now!"

Jiang Zhuoying gripped the tray tightly, pursed her lips, and tentatively began to negotiate.

"My lords, I am not lying. His Highness the Second Prince sent Doctor Yu to treat my young lady just two days ago."

"I wonder if Doctor Yu is at home? Please ask him if you two gentlemen are able to find out."

According to Jiang Zhuoying, as long as she confronted that Doctor Yu for a while, her identity would be verified.

But to her utter surprise, Yu Ji never returned to this courtyard!

Just as she finished speaking, a 'clang' was heard.

The next instant, the drawn blade pressed against her neck.

Jiang Zhuoying's hand trembled, and the tray of items fell to the ground along with the tray.

Then came another 'crack' sound.

Jiang Zhuoying didn't dare to lower her head, but she knew that the jade carving of the carp leaping over the dragon gate must have been broken.

"Who sent you? And how did you find out about Steward Yu's whereabouts?"

Xie Ling was shocked, and her eyes shone brightly.

If he could capture this beautiful spy and find out who was behind her, wouldn't that be a great achievement?

Who knows, I might even have my name recorded with His Highness someday!

A note from the author:

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The little green tea is beginning to show its potential.