Chapter 271 She really looks like a flower slave

She curtsied to Xiao Yunheng, "I suddenly remembered that I have something to attend to at the manor, so I'll take my leave now. Oh, and I've already settled the bill at Shuyu Tower. It wouldn't be right for you to have to spend money again since the young master was injured for me, would it?"

She didn't even glance at Xiao Yunheng before turning and leaving.

Xiao Yunheng smiled as he watched her retreating figure.

The bloodstains on his lips only accentuated his eerie appearance.

Looking at his master's condition, the guard wondered if he had hit his head.

"Tingzhu, do you see? She really looks like Hua Nu."

Xiao Yunheng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his fingertip and said slowly, "You still remember Hua Nu, right?"

Tingzhu felt a chill run down her spine.

Hua Nu was a tabby cat that her master rescued when it was young. It was starving and on the verge of death, but it was wild and untamed.

The master named it, fed it, kept it by his side every day, and even condescended to bathe it himself.

It had been raised for a long time, but when its owner petted it, it still managed to scratch the owner.

The master didn't get angry; instead, he smiled and fed it its favorite dried fish.

The next day, Hua Nu was found drowned in the lotus pond.

Everyone assumed that Hua Nu had accidentally fallen into the pond and drowned.

But Tingzhu witnessed firsthand how her master calmly held the tabby cat in the water, ignoring its struggles, and watched it slowly and helplessly die.

Thinking of this, a chill ran up from the soles of my feet.

It seems that Madam Shen can only pray for the best.

＊

When Jiang Zhi returned to the mansion, Shen Ci'an was already there.

"Why is the Master back so early today?"

Shen Ci'an skillfully took her cloak and helped her through the door. "Well, I happened to have some free time, so I thought I'd come back early to keep you company. What did you buy?"

“I didn’t find anything I liked,” Jiang Zhi almost forgot about that. “I just went out for some fresh air, it’s not like I necessarily have to buy anything.”

Shen Ci'an nodded. "My lady is extremely beautiful whether she wears light or heavy makeup—why is there some dust on her sleeve?"

"We probably bumped into each other when we got off the carriage," Jiang Zhi said somewhat guiltily, changing the subject. "I'm a little hungry. I wonder what delicious food the kitchen made today?"

Hearing her slightly coquettish tone, Shen Ci'an's expression softened, and he wiped the dust off her sleeves with his fingertips.

"Honey-soaked mutton jelly, sweet and sour fish, and steamed duck with fermented rice wine," Shen Ci'an listed several dishes, "all made according to your taste and preferences."

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I'm going to eat two big bowls today."

Shen Ci'an couldn't help but laugh along, and ordered the servants to serve the meal.

But the next day, when Shen Ci'an heard that the Crown Prince of Xiang had been injured the day before, he couldn't help but think of Jiang Zhi.

Upon returning to the manor, he finally couldn't help but ask her, "Did you do the thing about the Prince of Xiang's heir?"

Since Shen Ci'an had asked, Jiang Zhi didn't intend to hide it from him. "Mm."

Shen Ci'an frowned deeply. "Are you injured?"

"Don't worry, Master, I'm very careful," Jiang Zhi reassured him. "See, I'm perfectly safe and sound in front of you."

Shen Ci'an couldn't help but sigh.

He knew that the young lady wasn't the type to sit still for long.

But he couldn't help worrying that she might suffer at Xiao Yunheng's hands.

"I have discussed the matter of the Prince of Xiang's heir with the Crown Prince and Lu Yuan. You are not fully recovered yet, so it is not advisable for you to overthink or exhaust yourself."

Jiang Zhi, however, did not think so. "You have your battlefield, and I have mine. If I were to stay in the manor and watch Xiao Yunheng helplessly, that would be what would make me feel depressed."

Shen Ci'an knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise.

"Then you have to promise that you won't act impulsively and won't have too much contact with him."

Xiao Yunheng and Xiao Xuanyou are different.

No matter how crazy Xiao Xuanyou is, he loves Jiang Zhi at his core and would not do anything that would disregard her life.

Xiao Yunheng was different.

From the several things he did to harm Jiang Zhi, it's clear that he's ruthless and only cares about achieving his goals, completely disregarding Jiang Zhi's life or death.

Jiang Zhi naturally agreed.

Then, the next day, while Shen Ci'an was at court, he went to the Prince of Xiang's residence to find the Princess of Xiang.

Princess Xiang was worshipping Buddha at Jingxin Garden as always. When she saw Jiang Zhi come to visit, she even gave her a Buddhist scripture that she had personally copied. A rare smile appeared on her face.

"Madam Shen has just recovered from her injuries and is already copying Buddhist scriptures; she is truly thoughtful," Princess Xiang said, rising from the swirling sandalwood incense and taking a sip of tea served by a servant. "If Madam Shen is interested in Buddhism, why not come with me and convert to Buddhism?"

Jiang Zhi smiled stiffly.

Princess Xiang nodded. "I almost forgot that you and Lord Shen are married but have not yet had any children. I was being presumptuous."

After exchanging a few casual words, Jiang Zhi cut to the chase, "I wonder if Granny Chen is free today? I borrowed a prescription from her last time, and I'll return it to her while I'm here."

Princess Xiang then had someone invite Granny Chen over.

Before leaving, she also asked Granny Chen to give her some ginger and gardenia.

"I noticed that the Prince Xiang's residence has always been so deserted. Are there only the Princess and the Prince as the two masters in the residence?" Jiang Zhi asked Chen Mama on the way out.

Xiao Yunheng was born to the Princess Consort of Xiang, so the Princess Consort of Xiang naturally protected him with all her might.

However, if there are other concubines or maids of the Prince of Xiang in the mansion, there might be an opportunity to win them over and deal with Xiao Yunheng together.

But Granny Chen shook her head. "I've been in this manor for so long, and all I've heard is that the Prince of Xiang dotes on his wife. There have never been any concubines or maids in the manor, let alone any illegitimate sons or daughters."

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"But I've heard other old men in the manor mention that before the prince got married, he seemed to have a confidante at Qifeng Tower, but she was too low in status to enter the manor, and then she disappeared."

Jiang Zhi asked casually, "Does Granny Chen know what that confidante's name is?"

"This old servant does not know."

Jiang Zhi did not insist.

It seems it's time to go to Qifeng Tower to find Jiangxue.

However, Qifeng Tower is a place frequented by all sorts of people, so Jiang Zhi naturally cannot go there in her current identity.

The disguise techniques he learned after faking his death came in handy.

She deliberately chose a day when Shen Ci'an would be busy with court affairs and would definitely return very late. Yi Wanrong put on a veil and a veil, and went out with Ru Ying and An Yue.

Meanwhile, the Northern Garrison Command.

Lu Yuan put down the case file in his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose.

He had stayed up several nights in a row for Xiao Yunheng's case, and his eyes were now bloodshot.

Yu Jun handed over a cup of hot tea. "Boss, your neck injury hasn't fully healed yet. Even if you're concerned about the case, you should take care of yourself."

Lu Yuan frowned slightly, somewhat annoyed. "What do you want?"

“Um, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with, boss,” Yu Jun scratched his head. “There’s a person involved in an embezzlement case who invited me to have drinks with him today, but I just received a letter from home saying that his wife is vomiting non-stop, and I have to rush back to check on her.”

Lu Yuan thought for a moment, "Your wife is already three months pregnant, isn't she?"

“Yes,” Yu Jun’s expression softened as he spoke of his wife, but he still had to show an impatient look. “She is very delicate. If I’m not by her side when she’s feeling unwell, she will definitely make a fuss when she gets back. I’m really afraid of her.”

"But it's really difficult to change the time with that person, and the others aren't familiar with this case, so—could you please go to the appointment for me, boss?"

Actually, it's not that Lu Yuan is indispensable.

But seeing that the eldest brother had been buried in case files these past two days, I was afraid he would ruin his health, and there was no one around to care for him like I did.

It's good to let the eldest go out and relax.

Lu Yuan nodded. "Okay, tell me the time and place, and I'll go for you."

Yu Jun chuckled.

Actually, he still had his own selfish motives.

If his wife found out he went to such a place, she would never forgive him.

The eldest son is different; he is all alone and doesn't have the worries of having a family, so he can go anywhere.

"Tonight at the hour of You (5-7 PM), at Qifeng Tower."