Chapter 16 Does His Highness Dislike His Servant? Chu Yixin: "..." "Ahem..."

Chu Yixin: "..."

"Ahem, sir, Guard Xie is at the age where romantic feelings are just beginning to stir, there's no need for that..."

"Go immediately." The words were interrupted by a cold, sharp voice.

Chu Yixin shut her mouth and could only lower her head: "Yes, this servant will go right away."

...

Xie Ling arrived quickly, kneeling on one knee in the center of the room with a cold and serious expression: "I wonder what Your Highness has summoned me for?"

The intense gaze on his scalp made him feel a little uneasy.

Did I do something wrong?

Qi Fan sat behind the octagonal table and tapped the surface: "Did she just ask you to take her back to her room?"

"ah?"

Xie Ling was slightly taken aback, but after a few breaths he finally realized that His Highness was asking about that fairy-like girl.

He was still regretting that he hadn't been able to ask her name earlier.

"Your Highness, it was I who offered to take her back. I felt guilty because I saw that she was injured, so I offered to take her back to her room."

Upon hearing this, the man pursed his lips into a straight line.

Standing beside him, Chu Yixin desperately suppressed the corners of her lips from turning up, and asked again, feigning seriousness, "Did Miss Jiang say anything to you?"

Miss Jiang?

So her surname is Jiang?

Two taps on the table snapped Xie Ling back to reality.

"Don't you remember? Or are you unwilling to say?"

The man's voice was cold and harsh, sending chills down his spine.

Xie Ling shook his head slightly: "Your Highness, I met Miss Jiang in the kitchen..."

Xie Ling recounted every single word he had said to Jiang Zhuoying verbatim.

This includes his attempt to bring her food, which was refused, and her asking about the shoe print.

After speaking, he remained kneeling on one knee, waiting for his lord's signal.

"Go down."

Xie Ling was somewhat conflicted. Why was His Highness asking these questions?

He did not get up immediately, but instead cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, although I have not known Miss Jiang for long, I find her to be kind, gentle and timid, unlike those cunning spies who are full of schemes."

Upon hearing this, Qi Fan suddenly met his eyes, his gaze sharp.

The latter paused, then continued, "This is merely my opinion; Your Highness is free to investigate and verify it."

"Step back." This time, the tone was more displeased than before.

"yes!"

...

After Xie Ling left, Chu Yixin glanced at Qi Fan. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately could not utter a sound.

"What, you're going to speak up for that girl too?"

Chu Yixin sighed softly: "Master, I know your temperament. I won't say anything else, but I hope you won't trap yourself in that invisible cage forever."

"How can Your Majesty be at ease if you see yourself like this?"

He offered a few words of advice, then turned and left...

*

Jiang Zhuoying understood. Her timing was too coincidental. She claimed to be skilled at raising koi, but as soon as she arrived, Zhuoying had an accident.

It just so happens that she discovered the clues, and Zhuozhuo happens to be close to her...

The way these things happened together was too coincidental to be normal.

Big Ice Shard was inherently suspicious, so it's no wonder he had doubts about himself.

So... we need to find a way to dispel his doubts about himself.

As for the shoe print?

The person who wanted to harm Zhuozhuo must not be an ordinary person. If it were a servant from a wealthy family, their clothing would be uniformly purchased.

I wonder if we can find something by starting from here?

After finishing her meal, Jiang Zhuoying went openly to the back door, intending to see the legendary shoe print.

Unexpectedly, she ran into Xie Ling and Pei Yun here again.

When Xie Ling saw her, his face showed obvious surprise and delight: "Miss Jiang, where are you going?"

Jiang Zhuoying gave a slight bow and took half a step back: "I have been thinking about this matter, and it is something that is really troubling me, so I thought I would like to go and see the shoe print you mentioned."

"Would you two be so kind as to take me to see it?"

"This..." Xie Ling scratched his head, but his gaze was directed toward what was behind her.

"You want to go?"

The man's voice behind me was so distinctive, cold and clear, as if it could pierce right through my heart.

Jiang Zhuoying froze, then immediately turned around and bowed: "Your Highness."

The man nodded slightly and strode forward, his grey robes carrying the scent of sandalwood that brushed past her nose.

He didn't let her get up...

Jiang Zhuoying pursed her lips, her voice soft and gentle, and explained softly, "Your Highness, I am destined to meet Zhuozhuo. I am really worried about the situation in the pool, so I wanted to go and see the shoe print."

After she finished speaking, she waited patiently, but no one around her responded.

She could feel the scrutinizing gaze of the other person.

Her slightly bent leg muscles were stiff and sore, and Jiang Zhuoying gritted her teeth. She was about to give up.

Without hesitation, she feigned dizziness and stumbled to the side...

She staggered to her feet, then quickly knelt down, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was rude."

This time she simply squatted down, which was much more comfortable than squatting in mid-air in the middle of the air.

"Get up." The man's voice was faint and ethereal, as if he hadn't noticed her discomfort at all.

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She suppressed her displeasure and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Jiang Zhuoying was furious. She slowly stood up, supporting herself on her knees.

For a moment, she even considered giving up on the task.

This second prince is so difficult to get along with.

But he possesses something she desires, and she is confident she can overcome this setback in order to obtain the truth she seeks.

Jiang Zhuoying narrowed her eyes. She didn't believe that even if she tried her best, she still wouldn't be able to gain his trust.

She's determined to be this maid!

"Come on."

It was that familiar, cool voice again. Jiang Zhuoying quickly nodded: "Yes."

She followed a group of people out of the courtyard and headed straight north.

After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xie Ling and Pei Yun, who were leading the group, stopped under an osmanthus tree.

"Your Highness, the footprints closer to the courtyard have all been deliberately erased, except for this spot."

After saying that, the two men stepped aside so that their master could get closer and observe.

Jiang Zhuoying also joined in. She didn't disturb the others. Being petite, she only chose a small gap to squat down.

The soles of the shoes are imprinted in the mud, with intricate patterns.

Jiang Zhuoying recalled the unfamiliar servant who fed her crab meat that day; he was dressed in the uniform of the servants of the Second Prince's residence.

What about the soles?

"What did you notice?"

A cold voice suddenly rang in my ears.

Jiang Zhuoying ignored her; she didn't think they were talking to her.

"Miss Jiang, is the master calling for you?"

"Huh?" Jiang Zhuoying looked up in confusion, and her eyes met the Second Prince's dark and deep gaze.

"This servant... Your Highness is asking about this servant?"

Among the people here were not only Xie Ling's guards, but also his personal eunuch.

It's hardly my place to ask a mere maid for her opinion, is it?

But the man just stared at her, his expression unreadable: "Since you volunteered, you should be able to come up with some ideas."

Jiang Zhuoying took a deep breath; this person's opinion of her was even greater than she had imagined.

The girl shook her head slightly, lowered her eyes, and pretended not to dare to look the other person in the eye: "This servant is dull-witted and cannot see anything. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Her voice was pitiful and tinged with disappointment. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her face showed a mixture of panic and apprehension, as if she feared being punished by the person in front of her.

"Your Highness, in my opinion, this person is certainly well prepared..." Xie Ling reported, bowing with his hands clasped, his voice loud and clear.

"When did I ask you that?"

The man suddenly interrupted Xie Ling, his face darkening.

"Your Highness, Miss Jiang is just a weak woman, why must you..."

Xie Ling frowned and hesitated, originally wanting to say, "Why make things difficult for me?"

But His Highness is His Highness after all, and he cannot overstep his bounds.

Jiang Zhuoying felt a surge of gratitude; she hadn't expected Xie Ling to speak up for her.

She glanced up discreetly and noticed that the Second Prince's expression wasn't very good.

Indeed... his own guards were actually speaking up for a maid from out of town.

If she were the second prince, she would definitely feel dissatisfied as well.

It seems that Xie Ling truly felt guilty towards her and wanted to express his apology in this way.

But she didn't want to tarnish Xie Ling's image in Qi Fan's mind because of this.

At that time, he would have received the news and left, but Xie Ling would be Qi Fan's bodyguard and would still have to make a living under his control.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhuoying suddenly spoke up, breaking the awkward silence.

"Your Highness, I have just carefully examined the shoe prints in the mud. I believe that since this person dared to sneak into the courtyard without being discovered, they must have been well disguised."

"For example, he may have changed into the clothes of a servant in His Highness's residence, and his shoes may also have been changed into those of a servant in His Highness's residence."

"I suppose the servants' clothing in Your Highness's residence is all made and purchased by special people, and the quantity is fixed. I wonder if we can start by investigating this in detail?"

Jiang Zhuoying blurted out all her guesses, though she wasn't sure if what she said made sense.

But she just wanted to change the subject and get herself out of Xie Ling's mouth.

After she finished speaking, not only did Chu Yixin look at her with surprise, but Qi Fan's expression also changed slightly, and Xie Ling looked shocked.

In fact, Jiang Zhuoying's guess was correct.

In the morning, Pei Yun had already searched the surrounding area along the shoe prints, but after half a day, he still found nothing.

What baffled them even more was that the pattern on the shoe print was exactly the kind that was uniformly customized and purchased by the Second Prince's residence.

Those who accompanied His Highness to the Osmanthus Grove this time are all His Highness's trusted confidants; there is absolutely no one who would betray His Highness.

Qi Fan glanced at Xie Ling indifferently: "Did you hear that?"

"I'll go investigate right away!"

Pei Yun and Xie Ling took their leave and departed first, with the latter glancing back halfway down the road.

The little maid under the osmanthus tree was still kneeling in the same spot, her figure petite and thin.

When the bleak autumn wind blows, it seems to shiver visibly, making it hard not to feel a sense of protectiveness.

"Don't blame me for not warning you, she's not someone you can covet."

A cool voice sounded in his ear, and Xie Ling turned his head: "What do you mean?"

Pei Yunmu said with a blank face, "She has no feelings for you."

Xie Ling's expression immediately turned ugly. He frowned and clenched his fists: "Miss Jiang is shy and timid... She just helped me out of a predicament. Besides, how did you know?"

Pei Yun glanced at him as if he were an idiot: "I thought... anyone with eyes could see that."

"you!"

"Don't dwell on this," Pei Yun reminded him one last time before turning and walking forward.

Xie Ling clenched his fists even tighter, not taking Pei Yun's words to heart.

Pei Yun is just like him, unmarried, so how come he's the only one who understands a girl's thoughts?

He didn't believe it.

*

Jiang Zhuoying was still kneeling under the tree. After she expressed her guess, the man in front of her ignored her.

She couldn't get up either, but luckily the soil beneath her was soft, so kneeling was less strenuous.

Qi Fan glanced at the little maid kneeling in front of him. She had only stayed in his courtyard for a day and met Xie Ling twice, yet she had already managed to provoke his trusted guard into such a state.

A face that is too beautiful.

Staying too long might cause some trouble.

The man's dark eyes were utterly indifferent: "Are you feeling any better?"

Jiang Zhuoying was stunned. How could such a question come from this man's mouth?

She lowered her head and spoke softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Wait a minute! The Second Prince suddenly asked such an illogical question; there must be something fishy going on!

Jiang Zhuoying suddenly recalled those words, telling her to recover fully before going back...

'Are you feeling any better?'

Her eyes flickered slightly. They had only just finished lunch, and they already wanted to send her back to the manor?

"Since you voluntarily left the yard and still have the mind to analyze this shoe print, you must be out of danger."

She hadn't even responded yet, but the man had already finished the sentence for her.

Jiang Zhuoying was secretly furious, but she suppressed her anger and said softly, "Yes, Your Highness is very perceptive. This servant does feel much better."

"Get up first." His voice was cold and emotionless, as always.

Get up? She can't get up so easily!

But for now, she still only has the option of pretending to faint.

Jiang Zhuoying nodded, then rubbed her forearms together a few times, indicating that she felt a little cold.

She hunched over and slowly stood up. Before she could straighten up, she suddenly clutched her forehead, her voice extremely weak.

"Your Highness... Your Highness, please forgive me..."

Before she could finish speaking, her knees buckled, and she collapsed straight down...

The soil under the tree is soft, so a fall wouldn't be a big problem, but I'll have to change my clothes again.

Before she even touched the ground, a large, burning hand grabbed her waist. The force of the hand was so great that she almost bit her tongue before she managed to hold back her cry.

Did the sun rise in the west?

She never imagined that this man would catch her, and even lift her up in his arms...

"Master?"

"Hmm, take a look at the shoe prints on the ground, are they still intact?"

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

"No! The shoe print is perfectly fine."

"Then let's go back."

"Alright! By the way, Miss Jiang, how about I go and fetch another doctor?"

"No need." As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Zhuoying felt a vibration in her chest.

The arms around her waist were strong and powerful, supporting her steadily.

Jiang Zhuoying, following the momentum, turned her face to face his chest, and at the same time, she slightly opened her eyes and secretly glared at him.

She knew from the start that this second prince was heartless!

She fainted right in front of him, and he only cared about the footprints, but he wouldn't even call a doctor for her!

"The doctor prescribed a medicine for her last night, and I had the kitchen prepare it and send it over."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll go right away."

Footsteps could be heard leaving; it must have been Eunuch Chu going to the kitchen.

Jiang Zhuoying was being carried horizontally. She felt the surrounding light dimming, and realized that she must have been carried into the house.

Then, she felt something soft against her shoulders and back, and realized she had been placed on the bed.

Immediately afterwards, there was no sound from inside the house, not even a footstep.

Clearly, this person did not leave; instead, he remained standing in front of her bed.

Jiang Zhuoying dared not make any rash moves. She tried her best to keep her breathing steady, and she didn't even dare to tremble her eyelashes.

Qi Fan lowered his eyes and looked at the girl on the couch with her eyes closed. He had thought that her peach blossom eyes were the most alluring, with her pupils like clear spring water.

Even with her eyes closed, her pointed face, her fair and almost translucent skin, her slender shoulders and waist were enough to make people envious.

The man, his face expressionless, finished scrutinizing the girl on the bed, then suddenly turned and flicked his sleeve toward the window...

Jiang Zhuoying heard footsteps approaching the window quickly, and she silently opened her eyes a crack.

Through the hazy bed curtains, she saw with her own eyes Qi Fan heading towards the drawer...

broken!

Jiang Zhuoying's heart was pounding. The cursive script she had dried the ink on was right there in the drawer.

If the Second Prince sees this...

"Cough cough cough..."

In the quiet afternoon, a girl's soft cough suddenly broke the silence of the house. The coughing continued without ceasing, growing louder and louder, as if the bed curtains were trembling.

A chilly autumn wind blew in through the window, causing the bed curtains to sway in the breeze.

The inside is printed with the thin, frail silhouette of a young girl, her slender waist so delicate it could be encircled with one hand. As her coughing intensifies, her waist trembles even more.

Jiang Zhuoying coughed desperately, glancing up every now and then.

The figure outside the tent showed no sign of moving, remaining standing in the same spot, unmoved.

She bit her lip, and suddenly an idea came to her.

The coughing stopped intermittently, followed by the girl's weak, hoarse voice: "Your Highness, does Your Highness dislike this servant?"

"I don't know where I went wrong that I inadvertently displeased Your Highness."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chilling voice finally came from the shadows outside the tent: "Where did you go wrong?"

A note from the author:

----------------------

Hehe, it's Sunday today, so here's another chubby chapter!

Yingbao: This is outrageous! I'm so weak and pitiful, why won't he fall for it?

Qi Gou: ...