Chapter 31 The sound of steady footsteps, as if feigning a sprained ankle, continued, then stopped…
The steady footsteps continued, stopping in front of the desk. The tone was ambiguous: "You're the one who organized this desk?"
Jiang Zhuoying, with her head down, had a bad feeling and felt uneasy.
She nodded slightly, her voice a little flustered: "Yes, but this servant is illiterate, Your Highness... Your Highness, please calm down, should this servant not have touched your desk?"
Her words could be described as delicate and pitiful, right?
She even began to doubt whether she had misheard him. Did this guy really like obedient, weak, and timid women?
Why has she made no progress in getting a son despite trying for so long?
However... Jiang Zhuoying thought again, hadn't she already successfully become his personal maid?
It's probably just that this person is too suspicious and difficult to approach.
She just needs to keep up her efforts, and she will definitely succeed!
Are you afraid of me?
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
She paused, then slowly raised her head in a soft voice: "Your Highness is both awe-inspiring and incredibly kind to me. Rather than feeling fear, I feel more reverence for Your Highness."
The man's expression was a half-smile: "Admiration?"
Jiang Zhuoying opened her pair of almond-shaped eyes, which were pointed at the front and rounded at the back, and nodded vigorously with a sincere and innocent look in her eyes.
Is she well-behaved enough?
Meeting such clear and pure eyes, Qi Fan's eyes darkened slightly, and his gaze turned to the person still standing at the door, his eyes becoming cold.
"Your job?"
Chu Yixin's heart skipped a beat. His Highness was speaking up for Jiang Yatou!
Before he could say anything, Jiang Zhuoying inside bowed first and said, "It was this servant who begged Eunuch Chu to give me this job. This servant just wants to do as much as possible for Your Highness."
"Please do not blame Eunuch Chu, Your Highness."
Chu Yixin was so moved that he almost cried on the spot, if he hadn't been in front of Qi Fan.
How long has it been since he heard such heartwarming words?
Qi Fan's face darkened even more instantly. In her eyes, he was such a violent and indiscriminate person.
"Step back."
"Yes, this servant will take her leave."
Jiang Zhuoying bent over again, then prepared to get up.
"I wasn't talking about you." The man pursed his thin lips.
Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback. She looked behind her and saw Chu Yixin giving a slight bow before quickly turning around and leaving, clutching her whisk.
She lowered her eyes and turned back, only to see the pair of black boots stopped in front of her.
"Get up."
"yes."
Jiang Zhuoying nodded slightly and slowly stood up...
"From now on, you will not need to bow or kneel beside me."
Jiang Zhuoying: "?"
She was halfway up when she was startled by those words and stumbled forward.
Just then, a strong and sturdy arm wrapped around her from behind, and a cold voice came from above her head: "Why are you so clumsy?"
Jiang Zhuoying collapsed into someone's chest, thinking she had just imagined it.
She blinked in disbelief: "What Your Highness meant just now?"
"Can't read, and can't even understand what's being said?"
Jiang Zhuoying: "???"
Suppressing the sudden surge of anger in her chest, she gritted her teeth and forced a soft voice: "This servant...this servant was just flustered for a moment and couldn't believe it."
He didn't get a reply yet. Instead, his waist was tightened, and he was picked up and carried to the only soft couch in the study.
Jiang Zhuoying's heart pounded, not with embarrassment, but with shock.
Why does she always feel a chill run down her spine?
The man knelt down in front of her, looking directly at the girl sitting on the soft couch.
Jiang Zhuoying then noticed that his pupils were very dark, and although his expression was as indifferent as ever, his eyes revealed a hint of gentleness.
"From now on, you will not need to greet anyone in this courtyard."
"You don't need to fight for the cleaning and tidying of this study anymore; you don't need to do these things."
Jiang Zhuoying was shocked: "!!!"
Could it be that her previous efforts have worn away the stone, and accumulated water has formed a deep pool?
However, her first reaction was...
"That won't do!"
Meeting the man's slightly somber gaze, she looked away: "This servant... this servant means that this servant wishes to stay and serve Your Highness..."
If she's allowed to do nothing, how is she supposed to gather information?
"I was surprised to find that you are a grateful person."
The man hesitated for a moment, then looked at her with a deep gaze: "From now on, you can stay by my side at all times."
Jiang Zhuoying was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "Then what will this servant do?"
Just stand there and let him see?
"Just stay by my side."
Jiang Zhuoying swallowed hard, her eyes darting around.
Is there really such a good thing?
Perhaps noticing the vacant look in her eyes, the man didn't say anything more for the time being, but simply got up and left the study.
With that oppressive feeling gone, Jiang Zhuoying's mind instantly became active...
Everyone has their own purpose in doing things; she came here to get close to this guy and elicit information.
Then what is the reason for the Second Prince's actions?
Her gaze swept across the desk, and the words that had almost made her lose her composure resurfaced in her mind...
Jiang Zhuoying suddenly hugged her chest tightly with both hands.
Could it be because of her?!
Once the idea popped into her head, she thought about it more deeply and found it increasingly possible.
After all, with her looks, she was among the best in the entire capital.
And these days she's been putting in a lot of effort to become more timid and obedient...
Could this person be a beast in human form?!
Jiang Zhuoying grew increasingly alarmed as she thought about it. Given her current status as a maid, wasn't she just walking into the lion's den?!
No, no, she has to think of something right away...
"Sprained your ankle?"
A clear, crisp voice came from above, and Jiang Zhuoying froze, unable to hear his footsteps.
Looking up slightly, the man was holding a small porcelain bottle containing ointment.
That's really true!
This person is arrogant and has never shown any emotion.
He must be trying to curry favor with her through this...
He only needed to feign concern and personally apply the medicine to her; effortlessly, he won the heart of the innocent young girl.
Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, her prominent eyebrows slightly furrowed, Qi Fan assumed that she was timid and afraid of pain, and dared not respond to him.
So he reached out and grabbed the girl's ankle, his voice slightly stern: "Speak."
“…Eek…Eek…”
The man's movements froze abruptly. After a moment of silence, his Adam's apple bobbed: "...It hurts?"
Did he pinch her too hard?
The girl suddenly raised her head, looked up at him, her eyes red and clear: "Your Highness... Your Highness, this servant truly only wants to repay Your Highness's kindness."
At this point, she suddenly pulled up her two small legs that were hanging over the edge of the couch, knelt on the soft couch, and lowered her head.
"This servant does not covet wealth and honor, and has absolutely no improper thoughts about Your Highness."
"I hope Your Highness will... treat me as a mere maidservant."
After Jiang Zhuoying finished speaking, she knelt down in front of him as usual, looking weak and obedient. She even deliberately trembled her shoulders, pretending to be scared and weak.
Her delaying tactic.
After a moment of silence, a cold, icy voice suddenly rang out: "You think... I have feelings for you?"
The girl slowly raised her head, glanced at him timidly, and then quickly lowered it again.
Qi Fan: "..."
He understood the look in her eyes at that moment.
Jiang Zhuoying frowned as she stared at the black boots on the ground. She wanted to say, "Isn't that right?"
But this statement doesn't fit her current image.
The man placed the small porcelain bottle heavily on the small table, then turned and left.
Jiang Zhuoying trembled and immediately looked up, her gaze following him.
Qi Fan walked up to the floor-to-ceiling screen, suddenly turned around, his face ashen: "You think too highly of yourself."
"Don't forget, you begged for this personal maid yourself."
After saying that, the man strode away.
Jiang Zhuoying felt a sudden pang of panic; it was true that she had begged to become this personal maid.
But she still wants to keep doing it!
If I had known she would say those words more tactfully...
Jiang Zhuoying immediately grabbed the small porcelain bottle and followed after him out of the study.
The tall, slender figure had long since disappeared from sight, but Eunuch Chu appeared out of nowhere and carefully supported her arm.
"Jiang girl, His Highness said you sprained your ankle? You mustn't run like that."
Jiang Zhuoying paused for a moment, then suddenly looked at Chu Yixin, whose eyes were wrinkled, and tentatively asked uncertainly, "Did His Highness say that?"
Chu Yixin nodded without hesitation: "Yes, His Highness also instructed that you be sent back. You... just rest well and come back to work when your foot is healed."
He tried his best to comfort the girl.
Jiang Zhuoying was unsure whether she would ever return after leaving.
But she had no other choice at the moment, so she could only be sent back to her room in a daze.
It wasn't until Ah Liu came over to apply the medicine that Jiang Zhuoying shook her head and refused.
She stared at the porcelain bottle in Ah Liu's hand: "I... I'm not used to being served like this. I can do it myself."
Ah Liu nodded upon hearing this and handed her the ointment he was holding.
The medicine was naturally useless, because Jiang Zhuoying hadn't sprained her ankle at all.
However... when Eunuch Chu brought her back, she still didn't forget to limp, because Eunuch Chu would definitely report her situation to the higher-ups.
*
“Master, judging from the way Jiang walks, her foot injury must be quite serious.”
Qi Fan's gaze then shifted to the other person inside the room.
Ah Liu lowered his head slightly: "Miss Jiang said she wasn't used to being served, so she applied the medicine herself."
"Oh dear, how can this be allowed?" Chu Yixin immediately cried out in a shrill voice.
The man gave him a stern look: "Then you're going?"
Chu Yixin: "..."
Chu Yixin turned her back and secretly slapped her own mouth.
As for matters of power and scheming, he naturally couldn't see what the master was thinking.
But when it comes to matters of love and romance, he sees things very clearly.
He had overheard the entire conversation that had just taken place in the study.
Isn't this just sullen anger and embarrassment because a young girl saw through my thoughts?
Such a loss of composure is unprecedented.
He shook his head, and as his gaze shifted, his expression changed slightly, as if he had noticed something.
Qi Fan's study had windows at both the front and back. Looking out from the hinged windows, one could see Zhao Xiping pacing back and forth at the door of the west wing, occasionally peeking into the room.
"This... Ah Liu, go and see her quickly. Jiang girl has difficulty moving around. Go and ask Zhao Xiping what she's here for?"
Ah Liu naturally went to see what her master meant. Upon seeing that dark and stoic face, she wisely lowered her head, pretending not to hear.
The master has always been indifferent and aloof, so such restrained anger is truly rare.
Since these words were spoken by Eunuch Chu, then let him go if he wishes.
*
Zhao Xiping called out "Miss Jiang" a few times, and Jiang Zhuoying, who was nestled on the couch, hurriedly limped out to greet her.
If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way and not let anything slip.
She rested her left hand on the doorframe: "Brother Zhao, you were looking for me? Did you manage to buy those tea leaves?"
Zhao Xiping took out a cloth bag from his bosom: "That's right, Miss Jiang. The list you gave me includes Longjing tea, which His Highness is used to, and we have it in the manor. I also bought Biluochun, Zhengshan Xiaozhong, Da Hong Pao, and Tieguanyin."
"There's only one problem: the jasmine flowers are past their blooming season. If you like them, Miss Jiang, I'll go out of the manor tomorrow to find some for you."
Jiang Zhuoying took the cloth bag, then shook her head: "No need, this is enough. Thank you, Brother Zhao."
Zhao Xiping smiled sheepishly: "Oh, it's nothing, no need to thank me. If you ever need help in the future, Miss Jiang, just come to me."
After saying that, he returned the remaining silver to the girl in front of him.
Jiang Zhuoying shook her head and declined, saying, "I've troubled Brother Zhao to run errands for me, so please accept the rest."
Zhao Xiping felt a surge of comfort and joy in his heart. If only he could be fortunate enough to have such a kind and considerate woman…
He pinched his palm, then turned to ask, "Miss Jiang, what happened to your leg?"
...
The next day.
Jiang Zhuoying got up early, at dawn.
She felt uneasy and didn't sleep well at night.
Last night, she went to feed Zhuozhuo dinner, but Eunuch Chu told her to heal her foot injury first, so she wouldn't need to feed Zhuozhuo for the time being.
She wasn't sure about this matter, mainly because the Second Prince was too unpredictable.
Yesterday, she was indeed confident and felt that he had ulterior motives towards her, which is why she said those things.
But when she thought about it again at night, she felt that it wasn't entirely true.
If he really had feelings for her, then after what she said yesterday, shouldn't he have comforted her by taking a step back?
There are two possibilities given that she injured her leg and was ordered to stop what she was doing.
First, the other party genuinely cared about her injured foot; second, they simply used this as an excuse to make her leave.
Recalling the cold-faced, ruthless man's attitude towards her all along, Jiang Zhuoying felt that this was most likely the second type.
Sigh... It's all because she spoke too quickly yesterday, and now I can see that his attitude towards me has improved.
If she were to accept those benefits and perform well to become the most favored maidservant by the Second Prince's side, wouldn't it be easy for her to obtain those information?
Jiang Zhuoying's mind was in a state of chaos, and several ways to remedy the situation flashed through her mind.
Ultimately, I have to cater to his preferences and then apologize properly later.
Having roughly come to an idea, Jiang Zhuoying limped out of the side room and lingered until she reached the main room.
Perhaps because she arrived early enough today, she bumped into Qi Fan, who was just getting up to practice martial arts.
She quickly curtsied and bowed, her voice barely audible: "Your Highness."
"What is it?"
Jiang Zhuoying: "..."
She slightly raised her eyes and met those indifferent eyes: "Yesterday, this servant promised Your Highness that I would do my best to be your personal maid."
The man's icy gaze slowly warmed, his eyes lingering on her feet: "How are your injuries?"
Jiang Zhuoying felt a little relieved and said in a gentle voice, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm fine now."
Qi Fan's gaze continued upwards, lingering on her abdomen where her hands were clasped together.
Jiang Zhuoying brought the tea bag from yesterday, which she had crumpled into a ball.
She witnessed firsthand how the man's eyes, which had regained some of their softness, instantly turned icy cold.
What did she just do?
Shouldn't the right hand be placed in front of the left hand?
"go back."
The faint scent of sandalwood wafted past her nose, and she immediately turned around: "Your Highness? Does Your Highness no longer wish for me to serve you?"
Her peach blossom eyes, tinged with red, dared to look him directly in the eye; this was the first time Qi Fan had ever seen her so bold.
"A string of lies."
It felt like ice cubes were hitting the ground, and Jiang Zhuoying's heart clenched suddenly.
She immediately lowered her head, no longer daring to look directly into those all-seeing, sharp eyes.
Seeing that she stood there stunned and hadn't said a word in rebuttal, the man's face turned ashen.
He turned around in a few steps and walked up to Jiang Zhuoying: "Want to repay your kindness? You only want to be a good personal maid?"
Jiang Zhuoying's breath caught in her throat, and she only dared to nod slightly: "Yes."
Qi Fan closed his eyes again when he saw that her double buns were crooked and she was still tightly holding onto the pouch.
"From this day forward, you no longer need to come to the main house. Your job is to take good care of Zhuozhuo."
“I will not keep anyone here who is solely focused on matters of love and romance.”
The man turned and left.
Jiang Zhuoying slowly raised her head: "?"
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