Chapter 71 The Second Prince, considering her current situation, directly...

Given her current situation, establishing direct contact with the Second Prince would be the most convenient and effective option.

But now she wished she never had to see him again, so how could she possibly approach him on her own initiative?

Jiang Zhuoying had no choice but to send Wujiu to keep an eye on the movements of Zhao Shi and her uncle. As for herself... she still had Jiang Ying as an option.

Since she returned to the manor, Jiang Ying has never contacted her on her own initiative.

According to what she had learned in the past few days, there had been no changes to the marriage between the Third Prince and Jiang Ying, and everything remained the same.

Based on what Fu Ce said back at the Third Prince's villa, he certainly wouldn't sit idly by and wait for his death.

"Miss! Miss, Uncle Lin has sent a message!"

The sudden shout made Jiang Zhuoying look up abruptly, and those cold and aloof narrow eyes reappeared in her mind. Could it be that Eunuch Chu has come again?

Xiangyue came running in from outside, making a racket. Seeing that she was out of breath, Xiangxing poured her a glass of warm water and handed it to her when she got closer.

Xiangyue gasped for breath a few times: "Miss, Uncle Lin said that the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo sent someone to deliver a message to you."

The heir of the Duke of Zhenguo? Fu Ce?

Jiang Zhuoying's eyes lit up. Wasn't this exactly what she wanted?

Xiangyue had already taken a folded letter out of her purse, and Jiang Zhuoying hurriedly took it from her.

Xiangyue downed the warm water in her cup in one gulp, then curiously peeked out: "Miss, what message did Prince Fu send you?"

She was genuinely curious. In her opinion, Fu Ce was handsome, came from a good family, and could be considered her young lady's childhood sweetheart.

Furthermore, the young lady had just returned to the manor when the young master Fu sent a message. Could this be...?

Jiang Zhuoying knew what she was thinking as soon as she saw her undisguised gaze, and reached out her fingertip to tap her forehead.

Don't overthink it.

After saying that, he turned his head and instructed Xiangxing: "Have someone prepare a carriage and go to Yunqi Tea House."

"Yes, this servant will go and prepare it right away."

...

In the afternoon, the three of them, master and servant, went to Yunqi Tea House together.

Yunqi Tea House is located in Zhuying Lane, a quiet and secluded place, far less bustling than Zhuque Street.

Since Fu Ce wants to see her, he probably has something special to tell her, and this matter must be related to Jiang Ying.

To avoid any unforeseen complications, Jiang Zhuoying wore a veiled hat on this trip.

The carriage stopped, and someone immediately came forward to greet her and led her directly upstairs to the second floor.

The side room was wide open, and inside sat a man with striking features and sharp eyebrows, facing the doorway. It was Fu Ce.

Jiang Zhuoying handed the veiled hat to Xiangyue, who was standing to the side, and took a few steps forward: "Young Master Fu, it's been a long time. I wonder how you have been?"

Those who remained in the side room were all trusted servants of the two, and they were currently busy serving tea and refreshments to the two...

When Fu Ce saw the girl in front of him remove her veil, revealing her stunningly beautiful oval face, he was momentarily stunned, but then immediately stood up.

“A-Zhuo, back then you and A-Ying both called me Brother Ce. So many years have passed, and not only A-Ying, but even you have become estranged from me.”

The girl raised the corners of her lips slightly: "Those are all the names I used when I was a child. If Your Highness doesn't mind, it wouldn't be a problem to call you by them again."

Fu Ce shook his head and gestured for her to sit down. Jiang Zhuoying noticed that the man was in low spirits.

Fu Cetong looks quite different now compared to a few years ago. His features are more handsome and sharp, his skin is much darker than before, and he has broad shoulders and a large build. He is no longer the thin boy he used to be.

Jiang Zhuoying thought for a moment and broke the deadlock by speaking first: "I wonder what brings Brother Ce here to see me?"

"I originally thought you had also met with Aying."

Upon hearing the name, the man's fingers twitched noticeably. He exhaled, gestured for the servants beside him to leave, and then gave the girl a look.

Jiang Zhuoying understood, and turned to ask Xiangyue and Xiangxing, who had come with her, to go out and wait.

In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained in the room.

Jiang Zhuoying waited quietly, then picked up a delicate tea pastry. Since he could meet her here, this Yunqi Tea House must be Fu Ce's territory.

This pastry has a faint orchid fragrance.

If she remembered correctly, orchids were Jiang Ying's favorite.

The girl was slightly lost in thought when the man sitting directly opposite her suddenly stood up...

Jiang Zhuoying's peripheral vision was suddenly covered by a tall, dark figure. She was slightly startled, and then she saw the broad-shouldered man suddenly kneel on one knee, but his posture remained as upright as a pine tree.

"Brother Ce, what are you doing?"

She immediately stood up, not expecting Fu Ce to give her such a grand salute.

Fu Ce's face was tense, his brows furrowed slightly: "A Zhuo, I want to ask you for a favor."

"Just say it directly, there's no need for this. I can't accept this courtesy. You'd better get up quickly."

The girl frowned and sighed softly, "With Brother Ce's abilities, it shouldn't be hard for you to know that I'm already struggling to take care of myself, but if I can help, I will definitely help you."

Fu Ce frowned, his eyes filled with pain and a barely perceptible hesitation as he looked at her.

That look made Jiang Zhuoying furrow her brows even more.

The man's voice was hoarse: "A-Zhuo, please save A-Ying's life."

The girl's eyes widened slightly: "What do you mean by this?"

Fu Ce stared at her intently: "You are now involved in this matter. I will not hide it from you now. The marriage between A Ying and His Highness the Third Prince has not yet been officially decreed. There is still room for maneuver."

Jiang Zhuoying's heart skipped a beat; she hadn't expected Fu Ce to be so bold.

Although no imperial decree has been issued, the matter is practically settled. She remembered hearing Eunuch Chu mention it to Qi Fan before.

It is said that the Imperial Concubine has requested an imperial decree from the Emperor, but the decree has not yet been issued. Could it be that something has happened in the palace?

She originally thought that Fu Ce would wait until the Third Prince's actions were exposed before making further plans, but now, he couldn't wait any longer.

"A-Zhuo?"

The man called out, and Jiang Zhuoying instantly came to her senses. She looked at the man who was still kneeling on one knee.

"you say."

Upon hearing this, Fu Ce felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

“The Third Prince is no good man. I cannot stand by and watch Ah Ying throw herself into a pit of fire. If you agree to this, I will help you find out the truth about your mother’s death back then.”

Jiang Zhuoying frowned; it seemed that Fu Ce did indeed know about this.

She pursed her lips: "I already know the truth about my mother's death, but I'm just struggling to find evidence."

"As for Jiang Ying's matter, just tell me directly."

Fu Ce stared at her intently for a few moments before speaking slowly.

"I will use my military merits in the Northwest to plead for this marriage with the Emperor. I only ask that you protect Aying in the Duke's mansion and prevent her from having any reckless thoughts."

After hearing these words, Jiang Zhuoying was speechless for a long time, feeling as if a wet cotton ball was stuck in her chest, making her feel tight.

Fu Ce thought she was angry and unwilling to respond to him.

“Ah Ying’s parents have indeed wronged you, but Ah Ying has never harmed you and has been doing her best to protect your life.”

"If you agree, I will help you find evidence of He's death."

Jiang Zhuoying closed her eyes briefly: "If you can't get this marriage, you know that your aunt is the daughter of the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary, and the Imperial Concubine is the Prime Minister's daughter. How can you possibly win this marriage?"

"And... what if Ah Ying hates you for helping me?"

"This is my decision. I will marry her even if it costs me my life."

"If all else fails, there's one last desperate path..." The man frowned, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Jiang Zhuoying's heart sank: "Are you crazy? Doing something like this, causing her to lose her innocence and dignity, is worse than losing her life for Jiang Ying, given her personality!"

But Fu Ce stared straight into her eyes: "A-Zhuo, if I can't marry A-Ying before the Third Prince's accident, do you know what will happen to her?!"

Jiang Zhuoying immediately shut her mouth. Fu Ce was right. The struggle between Qi Fan and the Third Prince would eventually come to light. Not only that, but there was also the death of her mother and her father's affairs.

Even she would seek revenge for her mother. What kind of situation would Jiang Ying be in then?

"I must marry her before all these storms affect her."

Misfortunes usually don't afflict women who marry out of the family.

Fu Ce added another sentence, his gaze burning with a resolute determination.

Jiang Zhuoying lowered her eyes slightly. Before the Third Prince's accident?

This urgent demeanor suggests that Jiang Ying's plans and Fu Ce's intentions mean that the Third Prince is about to encounter trouble.

It seems that he and Qi Fan have formed the same camp.

The girl raised her head slightly, her face solemn: "I agree to this."

Fu Ce nodded heavily to her: "Don't worry, there will be justice for your mother."

...

After finishing her conversation with Fu Ce, it was already late afternoon. Jiang Zhuoying had to hurry back to the mansion to have dinner with the old Duke.

Wearing a veil, she walked behind Fu Ce, with Xiang Xing helping her downstairs.

Jiang Zhuoying was focused on the wooden steps beneath her feet when a very familiar, high-pitched voice suddenly rang out from in front of her.

"Young Master Fu?"

Her hand trembled. How could Eunuch Chu have come here?

Through the thin veil, Jiang Zhuoying saw with her own eyes that, apart from Eunuch Chu, the tall and slender person walking beside him was none other than—

My foot suddenly stopped, and I almost slipped down the wooden steps.

"Hey? Miss, please be careful!"

Xiangyue, who was walking behind her, was paying close attention to her every move and didn't notice the two people who suddenly appeared in front of her at all.

Seeing the slender, graceful figure suddenly tremble startled her, and she quickly raised her hand to steady the person.

Jiang Zhuoying lowered her head, biting her lip tightly, and secretly gave Xiangyue a meaningful look...

However, the commotion they made was quite conspicuous in the already sparsely populated teahouse, and it had already attracted the attention of the people at the door.

Chu Yixin was the first to notice something was wrong; he recognized Xiangxing at a glance.

If this maid is someone close to Miss Jiang, then who could the girl wearing a veiled hat that she is supporting be?

"Master!"

Qi Fan looked over at him...

Jiang Zhuoying sensed something was wrong, turned around, and helped Xiangxing upstairs.

At this moment, the two maids beside her also saw Eunuch Chu at the door, and they both fell silent and helped her upstairs.

"A-Zhuo? Where are you going?"

Fu Ce immediately called out to her, his tone somewhat puzzled: "Didn't you say you were in a hurry to return to the manor?"

Jiang Zhuoying slowly closed her eyes: "..."

"Young Master Fu, may I ask who this Miss Azhuo is?"

Chu Yixin hurriedly asked, even though he already knew the truth.

"Oh, this is the second young lady of the Duke's mansion."

Fu Ce was unaware of the subtlety involved and earnestly introduced him to the man.

Moreover, he must inform the Second Prince of what he just said to Azhuo.

Before he could react, Fu Ce had already reached Jiang Zhuoying.

He whispered, "Azhuo, that is the current Second Prince."

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

Author's note: Yingbao is so nervous.