Chapter 27 Miss, you've lost weight again. Jiang Zhuoying touched her own...

Jiang Zhuoying touched her chest: "Your Highness? Why is your face so dark?"

After she finished speaking, she belatedly realized that she was still disguised as a maid.

When you encounter this cold-faced devil, you have to be obedient and sensible and bow respectfully...

Thinking this, she slowly rose and knelt on the couch again: "This servant greets Your Highness."

Feeling utterly exhausted, the young woman slumped onto the couch as soon as she finished her greetings.

Fortunately, it was soft, and she used all the extra blankets to pad herself.

The man's face seemed several shades darker than before, and his voice was extremely cold: "Don't you know you're sick?"

Jiang Zhuoying shivered again: "Your Highness, please forgive me, this servant... knows."

The man frowned and pulled the brocade quilt from under the bed to cover Jiang Zhuoying completely.

The girl under the quilt was still shivering: "It's so cold."

The man turned and glanced at Chu Yixin, who immediately walked towards the top cabinet. Normally, a room should be equipped with three quilts.

But when he opened the cabinet door, it was completely empty...

“This…sir, it’s empty inside.”

The man frowned even more deeply: "Where are the bedding in your room?"

Could it be that someone withheld her money?

"The bedding... is on the tatami."

"What?" A look of disbelief flashed across the man's eyes. Was he delirious from the fever?

The little girl reached out from under the covers, then lifted a corner of the blankets, and weakly replied, "They're all on the tatami mat..."

This hard bed is too hard; I can't fall asleep no matter what I do. It's not on purpose.

Qi Fan: "..."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, then turned and ordered, "Have Yu Ji come over and fetch two more quilts."

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

Chu Yixin left in a hurry, feeling anxious herself.

I haven't seen him for several hours, how did he become like this?

Jiang Zhuoying's eyes were half-closed. She saw the man looking down at her, his face ashen.

"It seems that there is indeed a reason why Jiang Zheng's daughter sent you away from the manor."

Jiang Zhuoying was shivering from the cold, curled up in a ball, when she suddenly heard these words. She was stunned for a moment and subconsciously asked, "What?"

"You're not cut out for this job."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Jiang Zhuoying's head.

She was already feeling unwell, shivering with cold, and her throat was sore and dry. Usually, her two personal maids would run errands for her, and everyone in the courtyard was at her beck and call.

Whenever she had a cough or a cold, people would immediately surround her to offer their concern and care, which caused her to lose control over the progression of her illness.

When has she ever suffered such injustice?

In her dazed state, a surge of annoyance welled up within her, revealing her true nature.

"Then I won't take the job!"

"Since Your Highness dislikes me so much, then I will not take this job!"

"This servant is extremely grateful for Your Highness's hospitality these past few days. Once I recover, no, there's no need to wait until then, I'll leave now!"

Despite her discomfort, Jiang Zhuoying abruptly threw off the brocade quilt, got out of bed in her nightgown, and hurriedly slipped on her embroidered shoes before heading out...

After taking a few steps to the door, a cool autumn breeze blew in, and I suddenly realized something.

If she leaves like this, when will she be able to find out the cause of her mother's death on her own?

But... the girl frowned, knowing she could only resort to the old method...

Her knees buckled and Jiang Zhuoying fell to the ground, but the expected pain did not come.

She fell down following the force that was supporting her, and was then put back onto the bed.

Chu Yixin returned carrying several clean quilts and witnessed this scene.

His eyes widened: "Master? What's this?"

The man just pursed his lips, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

Chu Yixin glanced at the girl on the bed with her eyes closed, then quickly took two steps forward and covered Jiang Zhuoying with the bedding she had brought.

Qi Fanli stood to the side, pursing his lips as he helped to tuck the corner of the blanket.

The little girl was thin and frail, but these few quilts...

Qi Fan frowned: "Why are these bedding so thick and heavy?"

Amidst her busy work, Chu Yixin chimed in, "Master, this is a cotton quilt that we just retrieved from the treasury. Naturally, it's not as light and warm as your goose down quilt."

The man pursed his lips: "In winter, change her bedding to goose down."

Chu Yixin paused slightly, then quickly replied, "Yes! This servant has remembered."

*

Jiang Zhuoying pretended to faint at first, but later she actually fell asleep.

When she woke up again, she felt sweaty all over, hot and uncomfortable.

She was alone in the room. She tried her best to lift the heavy blankets covering her, but after a long time, she couldn't budge them.

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

"Cough cough..."

She coughed twice, choked by the choking. What happened?

The girl struggled to crawl out from under the covers and wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead.

She looked around and then realized that the four corners of the bedding were tied to the four bedposts with ropes.

Jiang Zhuoying was speechless.

Who came up with this idea...?

She had sweated a lot and her fever should have subsided by now; her mind was much clearer than before.

"hiss!"

The girl patted her forehead, forgetting the bruise on her forehead from the earlier collision, and suddenly cried out in pain.

Why did she lose her temper with the Second Prince?

How could I have lost my temper? I must have been out of my mind.

"Why……"

Now that things have come to this... No, she absolutely cannot let this end in vain!

With a muffled creak, someone pushed the door open and entered.

Jiang Zhuoying looked towards the door. In fact, she didn't see the other person's face clearly at first glance, but she could tell just from their figure.

This person is the second prince.

The girl frowned; could it be that they'd come to send her away?

Never mind, I'll admit my mistake first!

We need to shut him up.

The girl knelt obediently on the couch. Because of the fire and the lack of water in time, her voice was a little hoarse and sore.

"Your Highness, I was out of my mind and did something wrong just now. I hope Your Highness can forgive me."

The man did not answer her immediately, but strode over to her and handed her the bowl of medicine.

Jiang Zhuoying didn't know if he was still angry, but she couldn't refuse to reach out and take his hand...

"Drink the medicine and I will not pursue this matter any further."

Before she could finish speaking, with a "thud," Jiang Zhuoying loosened her grip, and the medicine bowl overturned onto the couch.

Then the porcelain bowl rolled down the edge of the couch and shattered on the floor with a loud crash.

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."

She quickly lowered her head: "It's because I'm weak and have failed Your Highness's kindness."

She wasn't weak in her hands; she was simply startled by what the man had just said.

What does it mean to say "once you take the medicine, we won't pursue the matter further"?

This tone sounds like they're trying to coax someone, which feels really strange...

"Oh dear, what's going on now?"

A high-pitched, thin voice came from the doorway.

Jiang Zhuoying lowered her head, unable to help but sigh inwardly that Eunuch Chu was truly a master strategist, always appearing at the perfect moment.

She swallowed hard, trying to ease the discomfort in her throat: "It was this servant who accidentally knocked over the medicine bowl."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Jiang girl, you're being far too paranoid!"

"You agree, sir."

Chu Yixin looked over with a smile, her eyes full of anticipation.

He had just given his master a thorough explanation, hoping that his master would stop scaring the girl.

The man pursed his lips and changed the subject under Chu Yixin's expectant and ardent gaze.

"Go to the east wing to rest."

A sentence without beginning or end.

Jiang Zhuoying dared not be presumptuous. She waited silently for a few moments, but did not hear a reply from Chu Yixin, so she finally accepted it.

"……yes."

As it is the east wing, it is naturally much more comfortable than the small room in the rear wing. Not only is it spacious, but the various furniture and utensils are also more exquisite and pleasing to the eye.

Jiang Zhuoying followed Chu Yixin to the side room, where the latter chuckled and said, "Jiang girl, rest well. I'll head back now."

"Yes, Eunuch Chu, please take care."

Chu Yixin took a few steps, then suddenly turned back and said, "That's right, the kitchen staff will bring you the herbal soup when it's time to take your medicine, so you can rest assured and focus on getting better."

Jiang Zhuoying felt a warmth in her heart and slowly nodded: "Yes, thank you, Eunuch Chu."

"Hey, why thank me? This room was prepared in advance by the master. If you want to thank someone, thank His Highness!"

Jiang Zhuoying obediently replied, "What Eunuch Chu says is true. When I see Your Highness next time, I will definitely thank you."

Although she had caught a cold, she remained clear-headed.

How could the Second Prince care about her so much? It's most likely that it's because of Eunuch Chu's care for her.

Just like that money pouch embroidered with the character 'Chu' last time.

Watching Chu Yixin leave, Jiang Zhuoying turned and went into the bedroom.

The utensils and furniture were spotless. She drew back the bed curtains, revealing intricate floral and bird patterns embroidered on the brocade quilt.

She roughly touched it and could clearly feel that the texture was different.

Eunuch Chu is truly a good person...

Thinking this, she lifted the covers and snuggled into the cot, pondering what was to come, before falling asleep once more.

*

After one night, she felt much better.

Although she looks thin, she has been physically strong since childhood.

She caught a cold these past few days, probably because no one was watching over her at night.

In the past, Xiangyue or Xiangxing always took meticulous care of her, so it was easy for things to go wrong when she was suddenly separated from them.

I must go see Xiangyue today.

Jiang Zhuoying changed her clothes and put her hair up in a simple bun before going to ask Chu Yixin for leave.

...

"Jiang girl, are you feeling better? Why don't you rest for a couple more days?"

Jiang Zhuoying shook her head: "I am much better now. I just want to see him as soon as possible and have a clear talk with him."

Chu Yixin nodded, then, as if she had thought of something, lowered her voice to remind him.

“Jiang girl, you’d better keep your eyes open. If he doesn’t admit it, you’d better be careful. I really saw it with my own eyes and I’m not lying to you.”

Jiang Zhuoying nodded: "Yes, this servant understands."

Chu Yi watched the girl's petite figure leave before turning and stepping into the main room.

...

"Sir, what if Jiang girl is so naive and gets deceived again?"

"She's practically one of our household members now, and you've always been protective of your own, so perhaps you should..."

He deliberately paused there, but failed to get the answer he was looking for.

The man stared intently at the military treatise in his hand, his expression unchanged: "If you are so easily deceived, then you are not fit to be a member of my household."

Chu Yixin: "..."

He pursed his lips and glanced at his cold, aloof master.

He wondered if his master would remain as calm as he was today if that day truly came.

*

The side room on the second floor of the post station.

Jiang Zhuoying was held tightly by Xiangyue and cried softly...

"Miss, I've seen you! You've gotten so thin!"

"Has the Second Prince's household been skimping on your food?"

“When did you ever wear clothes made of such material? Waaah… My lady has suffered so much…”

Jiang Zhuoying rubbed her temples: "Get up quickly, I caught a cold a couple of days ago and I'm still not better. The noise is making me dizzy."

Xiangyue's eyes widened in surprise, and she stood up abruptly: "What? How did you catch a cold again?!"

"This servant just feels that the Second Prince is incompatible with you, oh right..."

Xiangyue suddenly picked up the huge bundle that was placed on the table.

Jiang Zhuoying's gaze followed suit...

She was also a little curious about what could possibly be inside such a large bundle that looked big enough to fit Xiangyue...

After Xiangyue opened the bundle, the contents were revealed.

There were several thick winter dresses, as well as capes and cloaks, and even embroidered shoes lined with rabbit fur. There were also the teapot and water cups that Jiang Zhuoying was used to, along with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones...

Everything that could be moved was brought to her by Xiangyue.

The girl was speechless for a moment: "..."

Xiangyue rummaged through the pile of winter clothes and finally her eyes lit up. She took out a purse from the inside.

As she opened her purse, she began to chatter on and on to Jiang Zhuoying.

"Miss, this is what I went to Fu'an Temple with Xiangxing yesterday to get for you. There are two amulets inside. If you accidentally lose one, you still have one left..."

Jiang Zhuoying immediately became interested when this matter was mentioned.

She took the purse and raised an eyebrow: "Wu Jiu was there yesterday too?"

Xiangyue's eyes widened immediately, and she stammered, "...Miss, how did you know?"

"Your young lady certainly possesses abilities you're unaware of."

Xiangyue swallowed hard: "Miss, you already know that Wujiu gave the amulet he obtained to Xiangxing."

"Oh." Jiang Zhuoying nodded slowly, it seemed that Wu Jiu's words were true.

She pinched Xiangyue's cheek: "And what about you? Now that Xiangxing and Wujiu are together, do you have someone you like?"

The latter shook her head frantically, then rushed over and hugged Jiang Zhuoying's waist tightly: "This servant will follow you for the rest of my life! Wherever you go, this servant will follow!"

"My life was given to me by you, sir. I belong to you for life!"

"Waaah... Miss, your waist has gotten even thinner. Does that mean the Second Prince won't allow you to eat?"

Jiang Zhuoying: "..."