Chapter 22 Your Highness wants to leave this servant to fend for herself? "Ahem, Aunt Jiang..."
"Ahem, what job did Miss Jiang do in the manor before?"
Jiang Zhuoying was prepared for this. She replied timidly, "This servant is dull and cannot do many tasks well. I only help Miss take care of the fish pond by being close to the fish."
Chu Yixin thought for a moment, "Isn't this just a coincidence?"
He nodded: "Then you will continue as before. In this mansion, you only need to take care of Zhuozhuo."
"From now on, you will be in charge of feeding Zhuozhuo. You will observe its every move every day, and if there is anything unusual, you should report it in time."
"Well? Does Miss Jiang have any objections to this job?"
Her voice was high-pitched and delicate, yet it carried a smile and was polite.
Jiang Zhuoying naturally had no objection to this, as it was the most ideal job in her plan.
She can easily and leisurely spend her days playing with a single koi fish.
The young woman nodded repeatedly, "This servant understands, thank you for your care, Eunuch Chu."
Chu Yixin forced a smile: "There are no maids to serve you in the master's villa. Come with me."
Jiang Zhuoying responded shyly, but was inwardly shocked.
She had stayed here for a while before, and she didn't recall ever seeing any maids.
Is it really... that there isn't a single one?
Chu Yixin led her to a room in the back of the house: "Since there are no other maids in the mansion, Miss Jiang will have a room by herself."
Jiang Zhuoying nodded again: "Okay, thank you for your help, Eunuch Chu."
...
Chu Yixin walked away with a smile, holding her whisk.
Jiang Zhuoying turned and went into the house. The house must have been uninhabited for a long time and no one had cleaned it. Dust filled the air, making her cough.
She stood in front of the door, unsure of where to begin...
As a daughter of the Duke's family, she was always taken care of by a large number of people in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation. She had never seen such a scene before.
Although I've never actually swept or cleaned it, I've seen it before.
Given the current situation, it seems we should first go find a broom?
There was nothing of that kind of thing in sight.
Jiang Zhuoying turned around, intending to search elsewhere.
Coincidentally, as soon as she turned the corner, she saw a servant boy sweeping with his head down.
What he's holding, isn't that a broom?
Jiang Zhuoying stepped forward: "...This one..."
She hadn't decided how to address him yet, but as soon as she spoke, the man looked up.
Jiang Zhuoying's pupils dilated slightly; she recognized him!
He was the servant who had been guarding her by the pool after the Second Prince left that day.
That day, because of the crab meat, she had caused him a lot of anxiety.
Therefore, she felt somewhat guilty.
"girl?"
When the man saw her, his eyes were full of surprise: "Miss, are you... a guest at my residence?"
This was also the first time he had ever seen a woman in the Second Prince's residence.
With such looks and bearing, one could easily believe she was a noble lady from some wealthy family, but her clothing and attire were not those of a noble lady.
Jiang Zhuoying smiled, her eyes crinkling: "From today onwards, I will take care of Zhuozhuo in the manor."
"Could I borrow your broom for a moment? I need to clean the house."
Jiang Zhuoying lowered her eyes and glanced at the broom in his hand.
"sure!"
The man immediately handed her the broom, saying, "If you don't mind, you can call me Brother Zhao from now on."
Jiang Zhuoying nodded, took the broom, and smiled back: "Thank you, Brother Zhao. My name is Jiang Zhuo."
Zhao Xiping scratched his head: "Miss Jiang, you go back first. I'll go get some water for you. You'll need it when you're cleaning."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhuoying was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, "Okay, thank you, Brother Zhao!"
This time, her smile was genuine, her peach blossom eyes filled with laughter, and two dimples appeared on either side of her lips.
"No, there's no need for thanks. Since we both work at your residence, it's only right that we help each other out."
Zhao Xiping was dazzled by the bright and beautiful figure before him, and it wasn't until the slender figure turned the corner that he slowly came back to his senses...
Although Jiang Zhuoying retrieved the broom, she didn't know how to sweep.
Although it's true that "even if you've never eaten pork, you've seen pigs run," when she actually tried it herself, her movements were somewhat strange.
And it also makes one feel restricted and not at all efficient.
A short while later, Zhao Xiping arrived carrying a bucket of water, and also brought a few extra rags.
He glanced at her twice, then hesitated, realizing that the girl before him was indeed clumsy and awkward in her actions...
He couldn't bear to watch any longer when the girl coughed from the dust blown by a gust of wind.
"Ahem, Miss Jiang, shall I help you?"
"Cough cough cough... Ah?"
Jiang Zhuoying turned her head, her nose still covered in ash, it was unclear where it had come from.
Zhao Xiping stepped forward, took the broom from her hand, and began to sweep cleanly and efficiently.
“Miss Jiang must have rarely done this kind of cleaning work before? When using a broom, you can’t do it like you did just now. You should hold it tightly with both hands, like I did…”
Jiang Zhuoying stood aside, watching the man in front of her quickly clean the doorway in no time.
...
Chu Yixin subconsciously looked at the man who was walking one step ahead of him.
After most of the day had passed, the girl's identity had been confirmed. Unexpectedly, she had a tragic past, which contrasted sharply with her incongruous face.
With such beauty, even if she were engaged, it's uncertain whether her fiancé would be able to keep her.
Jiang Zhuoying had her back to the two of them and was unaware that someone had arrived.
It was only when she met Zhao Xiping and paid her respects that she realized the Second Prince was right behind her.
"This servant greets Your Highness." She also turned and bowed.
"Can't you even do simple cleaning?" the man said coldly, frowning.
Jiang Zhuoying's throat tightened; what he said was actually true...
She was originally there to be a maid. Tell me, what kind of household would have a maid who needs help even to clean her own room?
"Your Highness, it was this servant who volunteered to help Miss Jiang with the cleaning. I saw that she was just a weak woman and had just arrived at the manor, so I thought I would help her."
Upon hearing this, Qi Fan's expression turned even colder.
It's someone from his household again. First it was Xie Ling, and now it's a servant.
Jiang Zhuoying glanced at him, completely baffled as to why this guy always looked like he was about to cause trouble at any moment.
She cleared her throat: "Your Highness, it's because I'm clumsy and not very good at sweeping. Brother Zhao couldn't stand seeing me like this, so he came to help me."
Brother Zhao?
Qi Fan frowned. Did her fiancé know that she called everyone "Big Brother"?
The man said coldly, "The servants in this mansion all have their own duties. If you let Zhao Xiping help you, then his duties will fall behind."
Does this mean... that she disturbed Brother Zhao's work?
Jiang Zhuoying immediately took responsibility: "If I have disturbed Brother Zhao's work, I will make up for it for him."
Qi Fan pursed his lips: "..."
He glanced at the girl's double buns: "Whatever you like."
Jiang Zhuoying curtsied again, watching the man leave.
She secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This big ice shard was so difficult to deal with; she couldn't guess what he was thinking at all.
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, something inexplicable always goes wrong.
"Your Highness is acting strangely today."
These words came from the man behind her. Jiang Zhuoying raised an eyebrow and turned around: "Brother Zhao, what makes you say that?"
Zhao Xiping gave her a simple smile: "Miss, you are new here and may not know this, but although His Highness is cold by nature, he is also very considerate of his subordinates. He has never been like this before..."
Like today, his words were barbed.
"Perhaps His Highness has encountered some troublesome matter and is in a bad mood today."
He added that it seemed only this explanation could account for Qi Fan's unusual behavior today.
...
Jiang Zhuoying had probably finished cleaning and tidying her house by then, and most of the day had passed.
She rubbed her calves, feeling a little uneasy.
If she were at home, her thoughtful companions, Xiangyue and Xiangxing, would come to massage her shoulders and legs...
"Why."
She sighed softly and glanced at the sky outside the window.
It's about time to feed Zhuozhuo. I wonder if I'll run into the Second Prince if I go now.
Jiang Zhuoying went to the kitchen, only to be told that Zhuozhuo's dinner had already been taken away.
She asked one more question and learned that the man was Eunuch Chu, who served the Second Prince.
Jiang Zhuoying hesitated for a few moments, but still decided to hurry up and see the Second Prince.
After all, my ultimate goal is to gain his trust, so I need to see him more often.
That's how you build trust, isn't it?
*
As dusk settled and darkness fell, Jiang Zhuoying leisurely strolled to the backyard.
She knows her own fishpond very well.
Looking into the distance, she saw a tall, dark figure standing by the pool. She took a deep breath and tiptoed toward the edge of the pool.
About ten feet from the edge of the pool, before Jiang Zhuoying could even offer her greetings, the dark figure suddenly moved.
The man's figure was like a ghost; she could only utter a single syllable before her throat was grabbed.
She tripped and fell, and the dark figure in front of her pressed down on her like a mountain, leaving her powerless to fight back.
"Your Highness..." the girl uttered with difficulty, her peach blossom eyes filled with tears.
When Qi Fan grasped that smooth and delicate neck with his hand, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
Now, with the light from the lanterns under the eaves, I could see the bright red face of the melon seed clearly.
As soon as he loosened his grip, the girl beneath him coughed violently, clutching her throat.
He withdrew his hand: "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Zhuoying covered her throat, coughing so hard she could barely breathe, but she still pretended to be sensible and well-behaved.
"Ahem, it's my fault. My job is to take care of Zhuozhuo. I came here specifically to see Zhuozhuo, but I didn't expect to disturb Your Highness's peace and quiet."
"I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
"Cough cough cough..."
The man looked down at the girl in his eyes with a blank expression.
Jiang Zhuoying was sitting on the ground curled up in a ball. Her thin shoulders trembled from coughing, and her fair, oval face turned completely red.
The man's hands were hidden in the shadows, his fingers slightly curled, and he stared at her expressionlessly, taking in every change in her expression.
"Stay away from me in the future."
Jiang Zhuoying choked and coughed even more violently.
Despite her stunning beauty and her constant attempts to appear weak and obedient to please him, she is still disliked by him.
The girl pleaded in a strained voice, "Yes, I understand."
Qi Fan didn't respond. Jiang Zhuoying glanced at the food box a few steps away and immediately had an idea.
"I wonder if Zhuozhuo has finished her dinner tonight? Perhaps I can feed her the rest?"
The man narrowed his eyes as he glanced at her, his expression unfathomable.
Jiang Zhuoying pretended not to understand, clutching her neck and biting her lip: "Your Highness?"
She genuinely felt that the man was quite ill, and wondered if he still harbored any suspicions about her at this moment.
First, there was Zhuozhuo's affair, then he suspected she was there to seduce him.
What about now?
He's so suspicious all the time; I wonder if he's tired...
"Go."
"yes."
Jiang Zhuoying stood up, clutching her neck, and bowed again, saying, "This servant was too frightened just now and did not hear clearly. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
To her surprise, her words elicited only a soft chuckle from the man.
Jiang Zhuoying felt a chill run down her spine, sensing something strange about his laughter that sent shivers down her spine.
She pursed her lips, suppressing her impatience, and said softly, "Then shall I go?"
According to her thinking, if she could get along well with Zhuozhuo, she would eventually gain the Second Prince's trust.
"...Hmm." The man's voice was unusually lazy.
The girl walked briskly to the edge of the pond, and the red carp in the pond jumped out of the water repeatedly with joy when they saw her.
Until she reached out her hand, Zhuozhuo took the initiative to stick her hand out of the water and rub it against her palm.
The man's dark eyes were fixed on the scene before him.
It was already dark, and the moonlight was bright and soft, like a hazy, luminous veil covering the girl and the red carp.
The girl's interaction with the red carp was so harmonious and natural, like a red carp fairy from a mythological book.
...
Jiang Zhuoying could certainly feel Zhuozhuo's affection for her. She had some inexplicable connection with this red carp, perhaps it was a predestined opportunity.
It belongs to her, and also to this red carp.
Jiang Zhuoying fed it with a porcelain spoon, and now it was willing to poke its head out of the water and bite the spoon directly.
The second prince didn't have much food left, and Jiang Zhuoying finished feeding him in no time.
But Zhuozhuo kept swimming around her, unwilling to leave...
Jiang Zhuoying sighed helplessly and could only pat its head, saying, "I'll come again tomorrow~"
After saying that, she patted her knees and straightened up, but the red carp in the water seemed extremely reluctant to part with her, and suddenly leaped out of the pond...
Just like last time in the osmanthus grove, he jumped straight into her arms.
Caught off guard, Jiang Zhuoying could only instinctively reach out to catch it.
"Hmm..."
The sudden, rapid impact caused her to stagger backward uncontrollably...
Just as her right foot stepped on a pebble and she was about to fall backward uncontrollably, a strong arm suddenly came across her waist.
Qi Fan tightened his grip, the waist in his palm as slender as a willow.
The last two times he carried her back to her room in times of crisis, he deliberately shifted the angle of his hand, but he never had such a direct feeling as he did today.
It's so soft and delicate that it can be held in one hand.
Before Jiang Zhuoying could even breathe a sigh of relief after her body was steadied, she felt a lightness in her arms, and then the iron arm that had stabilized her body disappeared...
"ah--"
She collapsed to the ground, feeling dizzy and disoriented, her face filled with confusion.
When a dull pain came from her shoulders, back, and buttocks, Jiang Zhuoying finally opened her mouth, and tears uncontrollably spilled from her eyes.
With a "thud," the man threw Zhuozhuo back into the pool.
Jiang Zhuoying was still sitting on the ground, incredulous at what had just happened.
"Ugh... Waaah... Sob sob sob..."
She had never suffered such injustice before.
As a young lady from the Duke's mansion, she was always surrounded by servants.
Who would dare treat her like that?!
The man stared at the red carp that occasionally poked their heads out of the water, then turned away, frozen in place.
The girl sitting on the ground was crying uncontrollably, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
He frowned and curled his still stiff palms.
Men and women should not touch each other, and she also had a fiancé.
He's just...
"Step down."
Jiang Zhuoying looked up in disbelief. She blinked her tear-filled eyes. What did he say?
Step aside... shall we?
This is absolutely outrageous!
There's no way she'll walk back from here by herself today!
"Waaaaah...it hurts so much..."
The man remained unmoved with a stern face, only asking, "Where does it hurt?"
Listen closely to the tone of voice; it seemed a bit more unsteady than usual.
The girl's eyes were blurry with tears, and her voice was hoarse: "My whole body aches, I can't walk anymore..."
Another silence fell. Qi Fan met those tearful peach blossom eyes, which seemed to hold a hint of resentment and were full of accusation.
The man pursed his lips, then narrowed his eyes. The wistful resentment that seemed like an illusion vanished completely, replaced by a pitiful, dependent look.
Yes, that girl is extremely timid. All she knows how to do is cry when something happens. Where would she get the courage to show that kind of expression?
But the scene before me was ultimately a mess...
"Miss Jiang? What are you doing here?"
A familiar male voice suddenly rang out from behind the dim bushes. Jiang Zhuoying stopped crying abruptly and looked up as well.
It's Zhao Xiping.
"Brother Zhao?"
She had just cried, and her voice was soft and mushy, which made Zhao Xiping's ears burn.
But after he took a few steps across the bushes, he suddenly realized that there was a man standing in front of him who could not be ignored.
"Your Highness is here too? This servant greets Your Highness."
The man said calmly, "Get up."
"yes."
Zhao Xiping stood with his hands clasped in front of him, but his eyes kept glancing diagonally downwards.
Jiang Zhuoying had been crying for a while, and now she inexplicably hiccuped.
It would have been better if they hadn't started fighting, but once they got going, it just wouldn't stop.
"Hiccup... hiccup... hiccup..."
Jiang Zhuoying was so ashamed and indignant that she covered her lips with her two folded hands, burying her head and refusing to look at anyone.
This commotion naturally and easily attracted the attention of the two men.
Zhao Xiping couldn't help but ask, "Why is Miss Jiang sitting on the ground?"
Jiang Zhuoying covered her mouth and stammered, "I accidentally tripped and fell..."
"Ah..." He scratched his head, "If Miss Jiang doesn't mind, I'll carry you back?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the temperature around him drop considerably, as if the air around him had suddenly frozen into ice.
"Step back."
Zhao Xiping immediately shut his mouth and dared not say anything more. He could only bow and take his leave.
The rustling sound that swept through the grass gradually faded away, and Jiang Zhuoying gradually recovered.
A girl's soft voice rang out from the darkness, tinged with obvious fear: "Your Highness does not wish for Brother Zhao to escort me back..."
"Is there something I've done wrong that Your Highness wants me to fend for myself here?"
-----------------------
Author's note: Yingbao: Stay away from you?
Qi Gou: ...
Big Fat Zhangye [Panda Head]
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