Chapter 24 The fat rat itself hadn't timed things well...

She admitted that she hadn't timed things well, but she had at least asked for leave before leaving, right?

Jiang Zhuoying remained silent, but as she thought about it, she felt a little guilty, wondering if Zhuozhuo had eaten lunch yet.

"...It was this servant's fault for not being able to return in time. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

The little girl was genuinely sorry, and her tone was full of fear.

Qi Fan pursed his lips, and just as they were at an impasse, a servant boy came running in from inside.

"This servant greets Your Highness!"

That tone of voice… Jiang Zhuoying slightly raised her eyes and looked over.

It really was Zhao Xiping.

"What's the matter that you're in such a hurry?" the man asked in a calm tone.

"Your Highness, I don't know what's wrong with Zhuozhuo. Just like last time, she refuses to eat. I'm worried that there's something wrong with the pool water, so I rushed here to report to Your Highness."

And you refuse to eat?

Jiang Zhuoying subconsciously began to suspect the pool water as well. Last time, it was because of the crab meat that Zhuozhuo behaved strangely.

But this wasn't in the small courtyard in that osmanthus grove.

The Second Prince's villa, while not completely surrounded like an iron barrel, was still guarded by quite a few guards.

Surely... it shouldn't be that easy for bad people to get in, right?

"What are you still standing here for?" A cold voice reached my ears.

Jiang Zhuoying snapped out of her daze and curtsied again: "This servant will go and see."

She carried a pile of bundles as she walked inside, Zhao Xiping walking beside her, extending his arm as he said, "Miss Jiang, let me help you?"

Jiang Zhuoying breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, "Thank you, Brother Zhao."

She had been carrying this pile of bundles for a long time, and her hands were starting to feel weak, plus her arms were already uncomfortable.

The two quickened their pace, talking as they walked toward the backyard.

When Jiang Zhuoying handed the bundle to Zhao Xiping, a jar of ointment fell out from a cloth bundle.

With a soft 'thump', the two hurried to the backyard, neither of them noticing anything.

But the master and servant behind them witnessed this scene firsthand.

Chu Yixin stepped forward, picked up the porcelain jar, and handed it back to Qi Fan, saying, "Master."

"Return"

The man assumed it was some kind of rouge used by young women, but a casual glance revealed the words "Baofu Medical Clinic" on the jar.

This is the clinic where Gu Yunci's heir apparent's wife resides...

Are you sick?

"Master?"

Chu Yixin called out again, and the man reached out and took the porcelain jar into his palm: "Go and see Zhuozhuo."

"yes."

...

The group walked to the edge of the pool, where a food box on the shore contained lunch prepared for Zhuozhuo.

Qi Fan stepped forward, intending to feed Zhuozhuo as usual.

But the red carp in the water completely ignored him, and kept leaping and poking their heads toward Jiang Zhuoying.

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She lowered her eyes, somewhat embarrassed. This was the red carp that the Second Prince had raised for ten years!

But right now, all he wants to do is stay close to her...

She didn't dare to meet his deep eyes.

"Ahem, what are you waiting for, Miss Jiang? Why don't you give it a try?"

It was Chu Yixin urging them on.

Jiang Zhuoying nodded, took small steps forward, and, under the gaze that was hard to ignore, picked up the porcelain spoon that Zhuozhuo used.

The fiery red carp eagerly poked its head out of the water and swallowed the food the girl had fed it.

...

Zhao Xiping escorted Jiang Zhuoying back to her room, his face beaming with undisguised excitement.

"Miss Jiang, I never imagined you would be so beloved by Zhuozhuo!"

Recalling the shocking scene just now, Zhao Xiping couldn't help but speak his mind: "Miss Jiang, could you have been the Red Carp Fairy in your past life?"

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She couldn't be sure about her past life, but in this life she had experienced things that were unimaginable to ordinary people.

Even if she said it, probably no one would believe her.

"Hehe, perhaps it's fate that I'm connected with Zhuozhuo, otherwise I wouldn't have been given this job."

Jiang Zhuoying smiled. She was about to reach her house. She was about to say goodbye to Zhao Xiping when she saw that tall figure standing at her door!

...

"This servant greets Your Highness."

Although she was extremely unhappy, she still spoke softly and pretended to be obedient.

Having traveled to Luoyang today and walked so far, she was already exhausted and didn't want to force a smile and be insincere.

She lowered her head and looked at the ground, her voice soft and gentle: "I wonder what business Your Highness has with me here?"

The man remained silent, glancing at Zhao Xiping standing beside the girl.

The latter suddenly sensed some invisible intention to drive him away, but all the things hanging in his hands belonged to the girl beside him.

"Ahem, this servant still has important matters to attend to, Miss Jiang, these things of yours..."

"Brother Zhao, just return it to me."

Jiang Zhuoying nodded knowingly and reached out to take the bundles.

A strong, powerful arm suddenly appeared between Jiang Zhuoying and Zhao Xiping.

Jiang Zhuoying blinked and looked up in disbelief.

Is she hallucinating?

The Second Prince, who was always cold and indifferent and didn't even flinch when she fell, actually took the initiative to help her carry her bundle.

Zhao Xiping didn't dare to delay and quickly handed all the bundles in his hands to Qi Fan before turning around and leaving in a hurry.

"...Your Highness?"

Jiang Zhuoying spoke in a daze, and the man looked down at her.

The little girl looked incredulous, and upon closer inspection, even appeared somewhat fearful and uneasy.

The man pursed his lips slightly; why was he so timid in front of him?

Clearly, when she was in Luoyang, she was very comfortable with the men around her, without the slightest restraint.

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

The petal's lips parted slightly, uttering a few soft words that instantly brought Qi Fan back to his senses from his memories.

Yes, that's her fiancé, so naturally they get along very well.

"Go in."

"oh……"

Jiang Zhuoying was speechless. Her temperament was really too strange. Could it be because she was too old?

It's fine if he says he doesn't want to get married, but if some gentle and kind young lady falls into his hands, she'll be weeping every day...

"Thank you for your help, Your Highness. Please just place these bundles on the table."

"Um."

With a curt, one-word reply, the man glanced around and quickly frowned: "This is the house you cleaned?"

Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback, and she followed the man's gaze...

It was just a rag casually placed on the table. The dusty octagonal table was only wiped in one corner because she needed to use that corner to place the teapot and teacups.

Only one teacup was cleaned, the floor was covered in dust, and there was even a spider web in the corner.

The girl swallowed hard, and within moments she had a quick wit and found an excuse.

And so, in the room that was almost filthy and messy, the little girl's sobbing could be heard.

She sounded extremely aggrieved.

The man paused, his brows furrowing even more: "Why are you crying?"

Jiang Zhuoying shook her head while crying, and whispered her apology: "It's my fault. I only injured my arm, but I didn't clean the room properly."

"I apologize for making this room an eyesore, Your Highness. Please forgive me."

Qi Fan remained expressionless: "..."

He came specifically to return the porcelain jar she had left behind.

The ointment from Baofu Medical Clinic wasn't for an illness, but for an arm injury.

She had injured her arm, yet her fiancé made her carry all these things back by herself.

Qi Fan pursed his lips, his expression inexplicably colder than before.

Jiang Zhuoying glanced at him, puzzled as to why the man's face had darkened again.

She bit her lip, feigning fear, and said, "It's all my fault, I'm so useless. I couldn't even catch Zhuozhuo. I'm just too weak..."

Qi Fan: "..."

"Shut up."

The girl immediately stopped talking, her thin shoulders trembling as she sobbed.

The man frowned, his Adam's apple bobbing several times before he finally spoke, "No one blames you."

With a 'thump', Jiang Zhuoying looked at the table and suddenly realized that the small porcelain jar that the Second Prince brought was so similar to the one Ayou had given her.

"Keep it safe, don't lose it again."

"yes……"

So this was originally hers; no wonder it looks so similar.

The man looked at her from across an octagonal table, from a downward angle.

There was nothing he could do; Jiang Zhuoying's size was simply no match for him.

The girl took small steps forward, grasped the small porcelain jar in her hand, and then looked around, probably looking for a suitable spot.

Before long, she put the small porcelain jar back on the table.

Unlike before, Jiang Zhuoying placed the small porcelain jar in the corner that had been wiped clean.

Qi Fan: "..."

He pinched the bridge of his nose: "Put it in the drawer."

Jiang Zhuoying froze, somewhat hesitant. She hadn't cleaned the cabinet at all, let alone the drawers.

However... this dark-faced demon was standing there staring at her, and she couldn't get rid of him.

"yes."

Seeing the girl nod, the man put away the porcelain jar and walked to the top cabinet next to the bed.

Jiang Zhuoying opened the cabinet door, her fingertips instantly covered with a thin layer of dust, then she opened the drawer...

"ah--"

The girl jumped back two steps in a panic, and the porcelain jar slipped from her hand and was thrown straight into the drawer.

Then came another 'crack' sound, the sound of porcelain shattering...

The man standing firmly to one side: "?"

Jiang Zhuoying was breathing heavily, still clutching her chest in shock. The scene in the drawer had left her almost completely disoriented...

The man had already approached, and when he saw what was inside the drawer, he suddenly fell silent.

A large, plump rat was lying in the drawer...

Scattered around the mouse were broken pieces of porcelain, perhaps from being knocked unconscious.

The man turned to look at the girl, who was clearly still shaken, with glistening tears in her eyes.

Jiang Zhuoying struggled to process her thoughts, and said in a hoarse voice, "I...I didn't mean to forget to sweep..."

The man remained silent.

After a few breaths, he spoke softly, "Come with me."

Jiang Zhuoying looked up and met his gaze, then nodded hesitantly.

She followed behind the man, feeling somewhat guilty: "Your Highness, where are you taking me?"

Jiang Zhuoying had a few rough guesses.

Tell her to get out of the villa?

Or should she be punished by having to sweep the entire yard?

Surely I can't just go out and have a heart-to-heart talk with her?

...

The two of them left the room one after the other, and Chu Yixin stood by the bushes not far away.

Seeing his master come out, he followed him over.

"Master?"

The man glanced at him and said, "Have someone clean it up."

Chu Yixin glanced at the little girl who was crying behind his master, and nodded in agreement.

Jiang Zhuoying wiped away the tears clinging to her eyelashes and quickly thanked him, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The man remained as cold as ever: "You were injured while saving Zhuozhuo, so there's no need to thank me."

Jiang Zhuoying nodded. She understood. It was all because of Zhuozhuo. This was to prevent her from having any unrealistic expectations.

But she didn't care what he thought at all; she had her own goals, and a few words couldn't dissuade her.

"This servant understands, thank you Your Highness for thinking of this servant."

With red eyes, she timidly thanked the man, raising the corners of her mouth, her dimples making her face look even more beautiful.

The man turned his gaze away indifferently.

...

Chu Yixin arranged for several servants to come and clean Jiang Zhuoying's little house thoroughly, inside and out, in no time.

Now when you walk in, your shoes won't get dusty at all.

Jiang Zhuoying was satisfied and thanked him with a smile: "Thank you very much, Eunuch Chu."

"Hey, why are you thanking me? You heard it too, it was the master's order."

"If Miss Jiang has nothing else, I'll take my leave now?"

Jiang Zhuoying nodded: "Alright, Eunuch Chu, please take care."

In the afternoon, she felt a little tired and wanted to take a nap.

Chu Yixin smiled and led the people away. She closed the door of the small house and then curled up on the tatami mat.

*

Inside the main house of the detached courtyard.

"Send someone to Baofu Medical Clinic to fetch another dose of the medicine she picked up today."

Chu Yixin agreed, but then thought for a moment: "Master, what about the hairpin from Yuanbaolou?"

He was naturally referring to the turquoise hairpin.

The hairpin was ultimately not sold, but judging from the girl's expression at the time, she was quite satisfied with it.

Qi Fan glanced at him indifferently, and the latter lowered his head: "Then this servant will take his leave."

After Chu Yixin finished speaking, she turned and left.

Just as he was about to step out of the room, a cold voice came from behind him: "Retrieve the hairpin."

"Yes! This servant understands!"

Chu Yixin's voice suddenly grew louder in response, and she happily went out the door.

Before he could take a few steps, he slapped his thigh again.

Hey! What's he laughing about again? After all, she's someone else's girl, and has nothing to do with his master!

...

Chu Yixin pondered the timing of sending someone from the palace, and after thinking for a long time, she personally went to Luojing City.

Two hours later, he returned to the villa with an inscrutable expression and went straight to the main house.

The tall, upright man sat behind his desk, holding a military treatise in his hand.

Chu Yixin bent down, her eyes and brows lively, and vividly told him the story.

"Sir, you didn't see it! That heartless man didn't hesitate for a second before tucking the hairpin directly into the woman's hair."

"Tsk tsk, they seem quite affectionate, but they don't look like they're reluctant to spend money during the day at all..."

Chu Yixin pursed her lips and shook her head: "I never thought that girl Jiang would run into such a person! Look at all those bundles she happily carried back, but they don't even add up to the price of this turquoise hairpin!"

With a 'thud,' the man threw down the military treatise, his expression unchanged: 'Get out.'

"……ah?"

Chu Yixin paused for a moment, then said, "Sir, perhaps you..."

Such a good opportunity, if we just expose this matter, then...wouldn't that be the perfect chance to take advantage of the situation?

Pshaw, what is he thinking?

How can this be called taking advantage of a weakness?

That was showing care to the heartbroken little girl.

Despite his inner turmoil, his master showed absolutely no interest...

Undeterred, he tried again, "Ahem, sir?"

"go out."

"Why!"

Chu Yixin immediately lowered her head and left.

But a strange feeling crept into his heart. Could it be that his master really didn't have those feelings for Jiang?

*

In the evening, Jiang Zhuoying finished feeding Zhuozhuo by the pond and was about to carry the food box back.

But then he bumped into someone...

"Eunuch Chu?"

"Miss Jiang, have you finished feeding him?" He smiled broadly, looking very happy.

Jiang Zhuoying nodded blankly: "Yes."

Eunuch Chu had never spoken to her on his own initiative.

"Here, take this. This is something the master specifically instructed me to bring for you."

Jiang Zhuoying immediately reached out and caught it. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was the bottle of ointment that she had smashed.

The girl smiled and said, "This servant thanks Your Highness."

"I will go back and tell the master for you."

Jiang Zhuoying nodded and was about to go back when Chu Yixin blocked her with her arm.

"Eunuch Chu?"

The girl asked in a puzzled tone, "Is something the matter?"

Chu Yixin coughed a few times, then suddenly changed her expression, looking solemn and reluctant: "I have something to tell you."

"W-what's wrong?"

Jiang Zhuoying was stunned by his words. Could it be that her secret had been exposed?

“Miss Jiang, this matter will likely cause you great distress for a long time, but I witnessed it with my own eyes, and I truly cannot bear not to tell you.”

"...The same goes for Master."

Jiang Zhuoying blinked: "?"

"Eunuch Chu, please stop beating around the bush. What is it?"

She couldn't help but urge him, wondering what could possibly warrant such a strange commotion.

"Ahem... I, and my master, know everything that you and that man did in Luoyang today!"

Chu Yixin emphasized her words, causing Jiang Zhuoying's heart to skip a beat, and she suddenly clenched the pleats on her skirt.

"Wh-what?"

Jiang Zhuoying frowned subconsciously. Could it be that this person was looking for something she had done wrong to settle scores with her?

But his expression doesn't seem to match!

Chu Yixin coughed twice more and lowered her voice: "Miss Jiang, come with me, let's sit down and talk slowly!"

Jiang Zhuoying swallowed hard and nodded shakily, "...Okay, okay."

The eunuch before her, with his unassuming expression and strange tone, seemed to be setting a trap for her to fall into.

Jiang Zhuoying followed them into the pavilion in the courtyard.

“Miss Jiang, please sit down, and make sure you sit tight.”

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She placed the food box on the stone table, then sat down, clutching her skirt, and cautiously inquired, "What exactly is it?"

"Ahem... Just now, my master ordered me to make a special trip to Luoyang!"

...

"Miss Jiang? Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Zhuoying stood there, stunned. What had she just heard?

Her fiancé?

Her fiancé had other lovers?

What kind of hairpin?

She also told her not to be sad or heartbroken...

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

Author's Note: [Dog head with rose in hand]