Chapter 76 Reunion (2) "Yes, yes, how could this servant understand..."

"Yes, yes, how would this servant know..." Xiangyue replied with a smile.

...

"Hehe, how about it? I haven't been speaking recklessly, have I?"

Liu Li had already withdrawn her gaze at the opportune moment, and turned her head slightly, only to see that the man, whose expression was originally cold, was staring intently at the carriage outside the window, his face as if it had been tempered with ice.

He was slightly taken aback.

The Second Prince has always been cold and aloof, and he had long been used to it.

But his expression right now was not just ordinary aloofness; it was more like lava covered in frost, with cracks already appearing on the surface, ready to burst forth at any moment.

Jiang Zhuoying didn't know what was going on, but her heart suddenly tightened, and her feet slipped, the soles of her shoes sliding directly over the edges of the steps.

"Miss!"

His arms and waist were promptly stabilized from the side and back respectively.

"Miss, are you alright?" It was Xiangyue's anxious voice.

Jiang Zhuoying subconsciously moved her ankles, then shook her head blankly: "It's nothing."

She quickened her pace: "Let's go inside quickly."

I felt some discomfort in my chest, and that inexplicable feeling of my heart racing came back.

"Why!"

...

Unbeknownst to anyone, the moment the delicate young girl slipped, the man's fists, hidden in his sleeves, clenched tightly, his knuckles bulging.

"Chu Yixin".

The clear, crisp tone was tinged with a barely perceptible tension.

Chu Yixin immediately stood up, and without even having time to explain to Liu Li, rushed out of the room...

"Your Highness, what is this?"

Liu Li raised an eyebrow as he looked in the direction the door had closed. As experienced as he was, he naturally sensed that something was amiss.

But he only asked in a low voice, which suggests that there was still room for maneuver in what he had just said.

The man's expression had returned to normal, his gaze slightly stern as he looked at him with a solemn face, his thin lips parting slightly.

"Eunuch Liu, to be honest, I fell in love with this Miss Jiang at first sight."

...

Jiang Zhuoying followed the maid up to the second floor and went straight to her room.

Fu Ce met her here again.

The door opened, and Fu Ce gave him a deep bow. The girl raised an eyebrow, went inside, and took her seat without any hesitation.

"Alright, don't be too happy yet. Your aunt doesn't like this marriage at all."

She casually picked up a piece of pastry, and... it melted in her mouth, with just the right amount of sweetness, which suited her taste perfectly.

Fu Ce's expression remained unchanged, still as relaxed as ever, and he even raised his lips slightly: "The imperial decree has been issued, what can she do if she's not happy?"

He had specifically begged the Emperor to grant him an imperial decree to expedite the marriage, for which he was punished with ten strokes of the cane and even made to kneel for an entire night.

Jiang Zhuoying raised her eyes, narrowed her peach blossom eyes and looked him up and down. Gone was her previous hesitation and anxiety; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was radiant.

Apart from his slightly pale lips, there was no indication that he had been punished.

What do you want with me?

She asked directly.

"Of course I came here specifically to thank you. If it weren't for you, Ah Ying would probably have..."

Fu Ce's face suddenly turned gloomy, and his eyes turned cold. He had been too hasty and had not thought things through. He had not expected Zhao's risky move.

He slightly raised his right hand, and the attendant beside him immediately nodded and withdrew.

Jiang Zhuoying twirled her hands together, and Xiangyue behind her immediately handed her a handkerchief: "Miss, please wipe your hands."

"Um."

The attendant quickly led in several maids, each carrying a tray filled with silks and jewels.

Fu Ce walked up to her and said, "These are all material possessions. I know that someone of your status would certainly not lack them, but I still have to express my gratitude."

Jiang Zhuoying glanced at them and saw that they were from Yuanbaolou, but none of them contained the items that Qi Fan had given her in the villa last time.

Why am I thinking of him again?

The girl frowned slightly, then suddenly felt another pang of fear...

"A-Zhuo?"

Seeing that she was lost in thought, the man called her name again.

*

At the same time, the two people arrived at the streamside pavilions on both sides of Zhuying Lane, which are opposite the Yunqi Tea House.

"Our young master has instructed that you may do as you please, Your Excellency."

The servant led the two men and gave them a brief introduction to the small pavilion by the stream.

Like Yunqi Tea House, this is also one of their young master's properties. Just now, these two distinguished guests suddenly mentioned wanting to come to this streamside cottage, and he naturally agreed immediately.

Chu Yixin led the way with a slight bow. After reaching the second floor, he pushed open the door of a side room and then turned to instruct the servant to bring some tea.

The servant glanced subconsciously at the man who exuded a cold aura. He looked extraordinary and was the nobleman that their young master had mentioned.

Such a person naturally dares not slack off.

Seeing that the man had already walked inside with his hands behind his back and had not given any further instructions, he respectfully withdrew.

Qi Fan walked to the window. It was just a short distance away, a small alley, and he could clearly see the two people in the opposite room.

The girl had beautiful features, her eyes sparkled, and every move she made attracted attention.

She was sitting in a round-backed chair, talking to a tall man standing not far away.

With her eyebrows dancing and cheeks puffed out, she looked incredibly charming.

Chu Yixin closed the door, looked around the room, and then walked up behind Qi Fan.

When he finally saw the scene in the opposite room, he was overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions that were hard to describe.

The master led his men to search for her at the bottom of the cliff, regardless of the passing day and night, but Jiang was sitting there unharmed, chatting and laughing with other men.

It is a great joy that this person is still alive.

But then it became connected to Prince Fu...

Chu Yixin felt a sharp throbbing between his brows. He turned to the side cautiously and said, "Master? This girl Jiang is still alive. That's a good thing!"

Qi Fan remained silent for a long time. The autumn wind outside the window brushed against her face. She didn't know how much time had passed, so long that Chu Yixin had forgotten her earlier probing.

His voice could be heard from inside the room.

“…Good, excellent.”

The man's speech was sometimes fast, sometimes slow, his tone cold and hard, tinged with a tremor.

Chu Yixin turned her head and saw his slightly red eyes. She froze on the spot, then subconsciously turned to look at the little girl opposite her who was laughing heartily...

Until a cold, indifferent voice came from beside me.

"What do you think those two were talking and laughing about?"

Chu Yixin immediately straightened her back, frowned and carefully observed, cautiously probing: "Judging from the gifts those maids are carrying, in my opinion, Young Master Fu is thanking Jiang for saving Miss Jiang!"

Although it was the master who saved Miss Jiang a few days ago, according to Fu Shizi's confidants, Miss Jiang also contributed a lot to the rescue.

Given Fu Shizi's temperament, it is only right that he expresses his gratitude.

But... the two young ladies of the Duke of Rui's mansion had a relationship with the young master Fu since they were young, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were childhood sweethearts.

Now that Miss Jiang is betrothed to Prince Fu, what about Miss Jiang the Second...?

He swallowed hard, knowing he could never bring himself to say such a thing.

*

Jiang Zhuoying did not want to accept the gift; she had not saved Jiang Ying for such a small thing.

Given her current situation, she will inevitably need Fu Ce's help in the future. Accepting this gift would only make things worse and seem distant.

The girl smiled faintly: "No need for a thank-you gift. Ah Ying has already done me a favor. You can keep these things for her."

"Hey, don't worry about it. I've already prepared everything for Aying, all of them are top-quality items from Yuanbaolou! She'll be so happy to see them."

Jiang Zhuoying's smile froze slightly, and she slowed her speech: "Is that so?"

"ah!"

The man seemed oblivious, nodding as he strode over, his movements suggesting he intended to sit beside her.

Jiang Zhuoying glanced at Xiangyue, who took the opportunity to move her chair back. The next moment, a muffled groan came from the room.

Fu Ce was caught off guard and plopped down on the floor tiles.

Given his original skill level, he shouldn't be in such a sorry state, but after taking so many blows, his reactions were much slower than usual.

Seeing his restrained expression, afraid of crying out in pain and losing face, Jiang Zhuoying couldn't help but burst into laughter, a genuine, hearty laugh.

Not only her, but also the other maids in the room and the servant beside Fu Ce couldn't help but smile.

"Xiangyue did not do it on purpose, and hopes that Prince Fu will forgive her."

Fu Ce was not a fool; after a moment's thought, he realized what he had done wrong.

Even when they were young, Ah Zhuo was bold and spoiled, and was the most quick-witted of the three.

Even though he was being "bullied," Fu Ce was not angry. He just scratched the back of his head. He already knew that he had said the wrong thing.

"Why aren't you helping the young master up?"

Jiang Zhuoying knew when to stop, and winked at the attendant beside Fu Ce...

In contrast to the laughter and cheerful chatter filling the room, the atmosphere in the streamside cottage across an alley was cold and heavy, so oppressive that it was almost hard to breathe.

Chu Yixin quietly looked up at the man. His face was ashen, his eyes were dark, and he stared straight ahead without blinking, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.

Qi Fan dared not blink. Even though he had confirmed it in his mind again and again, he still couldn't help but feel fear.

If I close my eyes and then open them again, will it all just be a dream?

He only narrowed his eyes when he saw the figure he had been longing for slowly get up and even wanted to help the other man himself.

The surrounding air seemed to have frozen into ice, filled with a chilling atmosphere that instilled fear.

The scars are fake, the identity is fake, the fall off the cliff is fake...

Did she ever tell him the truth?

"Master?"

Seeing that the two people opposite were already saying goodbye to each other, Chu Yixin couldn't help but ask a question softly.

Should we stop this person or not?

The man glanced at him, his eyes filled with malice, and his voice was icy cold: "Bring Fu Ce over."

"……Why!"

Chu Yixin quickly retreated, inwardly sweating for the young master Fu...

*

It had been quite some time since Jiang Zhuoying last saw Fu Ce. Jiang Ying had gotten married yesterday, and during this time, Fu Ce had not contacted her again.

Jiang Zhuoying knew that all of this should be carried out after Jiang Ying got married. Although Fu Ce had promised her that Zhao would be severely punished, she should avenge her mother herself.

Furthermore, she wouldn't entrust this important matter to an outsider; some things had to be done by her personally.

She had secretly had Wujiu collect many letters between Zhao and the Imperial Concubine, some of which even mentioned the reason for the Crown Prince's death several years ago.

Zhao was originally one of the Consort's henchmen outside the palace, and she had been involved in this matter.

She was too clever for her own good, fearing that the benefits promised to her family by the imperial concubine would not be fulfilled, so she deliberately left these pieces of evidence.

Jiang Zhuoying stared blankly at the letters on the table...

She has the evidence, but how can she deliver it to the Emperor?

Even if she were to fall into the Emperor's hands, would the powerful Consort Gui really be punished?

She knew nothing about the intricate web of power in the palace, and she wasn't even sure if the evidence would serve its intended purpose.

"Miss, why don't you just hand these letters over to Lord He?"

Xiangyue whispered a reminder from the side. She was thinking too simply. Lord He was the young lady's maternal grandfather and an upright and incorruptible imperial censor. He must know more about the situation in the court than her young lady did.

But the girl glanced at her and shook her head: "No, it's not time to involve my grandfather and the others yet."

If her maternal grandfather found out that the cause of her mother's death had changed, she feared she would lose control of the current situation.

"Can……"

Xiangyue wanted to persuade him again, but suddenly a noise came from outside the door, followed by Xiangxing's panting shouts.

"Miss, something's happened! Something's happened!"

Jiang Zhuoying immediately looked towards the door. Xiangxing was usually very steady, and this was the first time he had acted so impulsively. She was also curious about what it was all about.

Compared to her, Xiangyue was even more eager, already heading towards the direction from which the voice came from...

"What is it? Xiangxing, tell me quickly!" she urged impatiently.