Chapter 5. The fragrance caught the eye, and the woman's slender, snow-white neck was exceptionally delicate. ...

The atmosphere, which had been on the verge of exploding, suddenly turned suffocating.

Wu Qiyuan seemed to have all his strength drained away in an instant. His lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word. After a long while, he finally said, "Since you've disappeared, then... when and where did you disappear?"

With the master present, Ah Ling naturally couldn't go into the details. However, she didn't know when or where Shi Wan had gone. Fear gripped her, and her knees trembled uncontrollably as she knelt on the ground.

Seeing the increasingly terrifying gazes from above, Ah Ling had no choice but to lower her head even further, close her eyes, and say, "Yesterday at midnight, in... in Pingsu."

Pingsu? Isn't that a small town bordering Huzhou? How could someone have arrived in Jichuan in just half a day?

But now, no matter how they got there, the outcome is already decided.

Wu Yunzhi casually glanced at the person beside him, noticing his eldest son's sudden clenched fist, and said with a meaningful expression, "In that case, my son can be trusted."

"She disappeared at midnight last night, more than a day ago." His tone took on a hint of allure. "A frail woman escaped from Huzhou, entered the territory of the Prince of Zhenbei alone, and is still alive..."

“Father!” Wu Qiyuan suddenly spoke, his facial muscles twitching almost imperceptibly. “This matter… your son understands.”

"My son will set off for Youzhou early tomorrow morning to consult the Grand Marshal."

Wu Qiyuan's voice carried a hint of stubbornness. Wu Yunzhi listened intently for a long time before slowly exhaling a breath of stale air, "Qiyuan."

"The Grand Marshal of Youzhou and the Prince of Jingbei are sworn enemies. Once we draw our bows, there's no turning back."

Wu Qiyuan glanced to the side, and with his movements, the twitching of his facial muscles intensified, as if he had reached his limit. "What's done is done, there's no use in regretting it."

......

*

Jichuan City.

After finishing her breakfast, Shi Wan followed the guard Jing Yin towards the servants' quarters. This was the same guard she had seen in the prison earlier. He looked to be only about twenty years old, very taciturn, and silently led the way with his head down. Occasionally, he would utter a word or two to answer Shi Wan's questions.

"Guard Jing, I've noticed that the scenery in Jichuan and Huzhou is quite different. I've heard that some people in the city are even friends with the soldiers. Is that true?"

"Under the King's command, nothing is impossible." His tone remained calm, subtly conveying an air of self-evident certainty, but to Shi Wan, it was nothing short of a thunderclap.

In this world, whenever a large army enters a city, the people stranded there have to hide and flee. She understands this simple truth.

But judging from Jing Yin's words, the Jingbei Army is quite different.

The other party was Jiang Xu's confidant. If she tried to ask more confidential questions like before, the other party would definitely ignore her. It was better to continue with this topic. Having made up her mind, Shi Wan said again, "Your Majesty is a hero among men. I imagine your rule is also outstanding."

"I just don't know..." Shi Wan paused slightly, thinking of Jiang Xu's actions, "Are there any other servants brought by the king in the prefect's mansion?"

"I was clumsy when I did my job today. If I had any suggestions, I could learn from them."

Shi Wan spoke quite sincerely, but unexpectedly, Jing Yin seemed to be thinking about something and hesitated. Before Shi Wan could figure it out, she heard him say, "Miss, just focus on doing your own thing. There's no need to ask any more questions."

Jing Yin's tone was gentle, but the pair of eyes that met hers inexplicably made her pause.

"Your Majesty saved my life, and I will certainly repay you properly," Shi Wan said dryly, but couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Why do all of them seem to be on guard against her?

The two remained silent the entire way.

Fortunately, the feeling of being disliked didn't last long and it dissipated. When Shi Wan returned to the servants' quarters, the people who had arranged it were already waiting for her there.

The maid Liu Tian was among the first group of people to come out and greet the Jingbei Army after they entered Jichuan. In order to appease the people and because there was a shortage of manpower, she was naturally assigned to the position of manager.

The maids in the mansion all called her Steward Liu.

Shi Wan said politely, "I have not done a good job. I will have to trouble you in the future."

Knowing that she was the maidservant appointed by the king, Liu Tian naturally wouldn't make things difficult for her. He politely smiled and said, "Not at all. You have to learn your duties gradually. The world is in chaos now. You just didn't have the opportunity before."

While Shi Wan was sizing up Liu Dian, he was also observing her.

Liu Tian was secretly surprised by Shi Wan's good looks. Seeing that the king's personal guard had specially told him, his smile became even more sincere. "I will tell you the main points. As for the rest, you will need to practice day after day."

"I'll find someone to take you later."

Upon hearing this, Shi Wan nodded and then remembered it with peace of mind.

After Liu Tian finished explaining her tasks, she leisurely strolled around the courtyard. She had been in a tense state for the past few days and her body had not yet recovered. She felt uncomfortable after walking for a while.

But this is clearly not the time to whine and cry in pain.

She walked along, stopping frequently, until she reached the artificial hill, where she bumped into a young maid who was peeking out. The maid looked to be about the same age as Yu'er. Shi Wan's heart stirred, and she was thinking of using a copper coin to find out more information when her gaze shifted and she stopped right there.

When the maid realized she had been discovered, she quickly turned her back, hiding most of her face in her arms as she hurriedly wiped herself. From behind, it looked like she was using a lot of effort.

"I saw you came from the direction of the small gate on the west side." The maidservant came forward, casually brushing a few stray hairs behind her ear, and pursed her slightly swollen lips. "Did Steward Liu send you?"

Shi Wan pretended not to notice these strange occurrences and responded without changing her expression.

Seeing that she responded, the other party said somewhat casually, "Alright, then come with me."

*

In the main courtyard.

Jiang Xu was sitting upright at his desk. After listening to Shi Wan's reply, he briefly glanced at the bed he had been on that morning.

It is smooth and soft, without a speck of dust, and upon closer inspection, it carries a faint orchid fragrance.

These past few days he's been busy with affairs outside the city, often leaving early and returning late. Before he knew it, several days had passed, and he hadn't expected that his skills as a spy would have improved so much.

Overall, they weren't that stupid.

If that's the case, then perhaps the person was also playing hard to get in the first two tests?

Jiang Xu snapped out of his reverie and said, "The tidying up today was alright." He picked up his teacup, and instantly, the delicate aroma of green tea filled his mouth. The temperature was just right, and he took a couple of light sips, feeling extremely comfortable.

Upon receiving the praise, Shi Wan quickly replied that she dared not accept it, and continued to stand obediently.

Seeing this, the man's gaze gradually stopped, and he looked thoughtful.

Sleeping for only two hours a day before going to work is something even an iron man couldn't endure, let alone a young woman like Shi Wan.

Jiang Xu looked at him and felt that this person looked even worse than he had seen a few days ago.

It's like he'll die tonight.

He couldn't help but ask, "Have you thought about serving somewhere else these days?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wan was startled and immediately became extremely serious, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, is it because I have not done well enough?"

She has made great progress in all of these areas.

Why is this guy still trying to find fault with her?

Well, when you're under someone else's roof, it's best to keep your head down.

Shi Wan lowered her head even further, "Please, Your Majesty, do not hesitate to offer your guidance."

The woman's fair neck was fully exposed, the plain gauze collar flowing inwards, somewhat wide, which made her slender neck appear even more delicate. Or perhaps the dress didn't fit her quite right, being loose and baggy from top to bottom, making a certain part of her body appear even more exquisite.

Jiang Xu's gaze lingered briefly on Shi Wan's waist, and he paused slightly before saying, "I don't have many rules." As if afraid the other person wouldn't understand, he added at the end, "It was just a casual question, you don't need to be so formal."

She looked like a frightened bird, as if he had been criticizing her all day.

In early April, temperatures gradually rise and the sun shines brightly.

The window wasn't closed tightly, and large swathes of light flowed in with the gentle breeze, rippling out in bright circles.

Shi Wan was enveloped in the halo, the sunlight mingling with the man's deep gaze as it slowly flowed past her. After a while, Jiang Xu's breathing involuntarily became disordered for a couple of seconds.

Shi Wan was completely unaware of the situation, only noticing that the silence had been rather long this time. She immediately replied, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, and this servant is deeply grateful." She couldn't let her mistress's words fall on deaf ears.

"Everything is at Your Majesty's discretion." This also expresses her loyalty.

Unable to leave this place for the time being, besides being kind to others, the most important thing is to obey the master's wishes. In fact, compared to some of her previous difficult customers, Jiang Xu is already much better.

One should be content.

After some mental preparation, she still hadn't heard a sound from the other person for a long time, and the gaze in front of her became increasingly irritating. Helpless, Shi Wan had no choice but to raise her eyes and meet his gaze.

The blinding sunlight, like the finest painter, brushed against the man's jawline, casting a neat shadow that subtly softened his sharp features.

Jiang Xu stared at her for a long time, a rare hint of doubt in his eyes.

Shi Wan pursed her lips, "Your Majesty?"

"Speak," the man's voice was two decibels lower than before, and to Shi Wan's ears, it sounded strangely like the tone of someone being interrogated in a torture chamber, "Is this the king's decision?"

The incense in the burner made a soft rustling sound. It had been lit early in the morning, but what entered Jiang Xu's nostrils at this moment was the scent emanating from the person in front of him—an ordinary, faint fragrance.

It was as if it deliberately wanted to drill into a person's very bones.

His tone held a moment of hesitation as he asked, "What... kind of incense are you using?"

A note from the author:

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

I used the budget to commission character designs for the characters. I'm still not very skilled at commissioning art, but I found an exceptionally good artist!! So happy! [laughing emoji]