Jian Hong was stunned for a moment before realizing who she was referring to.
Jian Hong didn't know how to comfort him, so he finally raised his hand and rubbed Jian Yang's head: "You two were bound to get to this point sooner or later. Since it has happened, accept it calmly. Everything will pass."
This scene was witnessed by Wang's maid, Dongmei.
Dongmei originally wanted to check if the Prime Minister and his son had finished their conversation, but she was surprised to find that Jian Hong was so patient and doting on a crying little maid. She had a feeling that this matter was not simple.
So Dongmei hurriedly ran back to Wang's room.
"Well, have they finished their conversation?" Wang was sitting in front of her dressing mirror, applying makeup.
She knew that she had gone to great lengths to return to the manor, so she was determined to win over the Prime Minister's heart.
Dongmei, panting heavily, said, "Madam, I saw that the young master was very affectionate towards his maid. He patted her shoulder, touched her head, and even raised his hand to wipe away her tears."
Wang snorted coldly: "I thought it was something big. The young master is already in his twenties. It's perfectly normal for him to have a woman or two."
“No, Madam,” Dongmei quickly said, “I clearly heard the young master call that maid A Yang.”
Wang paused in applying her eyebrows, then turned sharply to look at her: "What did you say he shouted?"
“A-Yang!” Dongmei said with absolute certainty.
Wang was completely taken aback.
“No, impossible,” she shook her head. “That girl died long ago and is still lying in the imperial mausoleum. It can’t be her.”
Dongmei hadn't thought of it that way before, but after being reminded by Madam Wang, she immediately became suspicious and said, "Now that I hear what you've said, I realize that the maid's height and voice are exactly the same as the eldest young lady's."
"Are you sure you didn't misremember?" Wang's face was grave.
Dongmei nodded and said, "I've been by your side since I was a child. I may not have any other skills, but I do know how to recognize people."
Wang agreed with this point, but then she asked with doubt, "But the appearances don't match at all..."
“Madam,” Dongmei interrupted, “I’ve heard that there’s a kind of disguise technique in the martial arts world. By covering one’s original face with another face, one can change one’s appearance. I suppose Miss must have used this disguise technique.”
The more Lady Wang thought about it, the more likely it seemed. "Then why would she give up being the Empress and disguise herself to run away from the palace?"
This was beyond Dongmei's comprehension, and she shook her head: "This servant does not know."
Once the seed of doubt was planted, Wang tried every means to investigate.
The next day, after having breakfast, Jian Yang planned to go out and spend lavishly.
She was in such a terrible mood that she had to spend money to find some entertainment to relieve her pain.
As soon as she stepped out of Jian Hong's courtyard, she saw Wang Shi walking towards her with her maids and nannies.
Jian Hong entered the palace today, and there was no one in the courtyard to support her.
Jian Yang quickly adjusted her posture, bending over and trying to look like a maid.
Wang finally stopped in front of her.
Jian Yang quickly lowered her voice and greeted her, "This servant greets Madam."
Madam Wang nodded and said, "No need for formalities. I came to see you to ask what illness the master has and what medicine he should take."
Jian Yang rambled on and on.
Madam Wang smiled and praised, "Young lady, you possess such excellent medical skills at such a young age, it is truly admirable. May I ask where you are from, and who your teacher is?"
Jian Yang frowned. This stepmother was being far too nosy. It wasn't like she was checking his household registration; why was she asking so many questions?
But she still respectfully lied, "This servant is from Baihua Town in Nanzhou, and I learned my skills from my father."
"Oh?" Madam Wang asked with a puzzled look, "Since she is from the South, why did she become Hong'er's maid?"
“My father is a military doctor,” Jian Yang replied without changing his expression.
"But the girl's accent is clearly that of a Beijinger."
Jian Yang: "..."
Damn it, she finally realized that Wang wasn't checking household registrations; she was just suspicious of her!
Fortunately, she was not afraid at all.
“This servant has been by the general’s side for many years, so naturally I have learned the general’s accent.”
Wang was at her wit's end.
Finally, she nodded: "In that case, we'll have to trouble you to take good care of our Hong'er."
"Madam, you are too kind. Taking care of the young master is my duty."
As soon as Jian Hong returned at noon that day, Jian Yang rushed into his room.
"Brother, I need your help urgently!"
"Slow down, don't fall," Jian Hong said with a smile. "I was only gone this morning, what happened?"
Jian Yang immediately told Jian Hong about Wang's investigation of her.
Jian Hong frowned slightly after hearing this, then reassured him, "Don't worry, I will send people to protect you at all times and keep Wang Shi away from you."
Just as he predicted, Jian Yang discovered that there were suddenly more guards in the courtyard. Whenever Wang Shi wanted to enter the courtyard to find Jian Yang, the guards would prevent Wang Shi from entering on the grounds that there were confidential letters in the courtyard. Jian Yang finally had some peace and quiet.
However, just as things calmed down on the Wang family's side, the Second Prince Zhou Jing'an started causing trouble again.
Zhou Jing'an kept a close watch on everything happening in the capital. Ever since Jian Hong returned to the capital, he had sent people to keep an eye on the Prime Minister's residence.
However, due to the tight security at the Prime Minister's residence, he could not find out more information, only that Jian Hong had brought two people back, one of whom was a doctor.
Upon hearing that it was a doctor, Zhou Jing'an perked up his ears.
"Is the doctor a woman?" he asked the scout who had come to report the news.
The scout replied, "Your Highness, it is indeed a woman."
Zhou Jing'an suddenly curled the corners of his mouth and immediately instructed the official beside him, "Steward, go to the Prime Minister's residence and say that I am ill and ask to borrow the doctor who just arrived at their residence."
The steward immediately obeyed and went to the Prime Minister's residence.
As the prince's steward, the Prime Minister's residence dared not neglect him.
Prime Minister Jian was bedridden and unable to receive guests, so Wang, as the mistress of the house, naturally had to receive him personally.
Upon learning that he had come to borrow a doctor, he immediately nodded and ordered someone to go to Jian Hong's courtyard to fetch one.
When Jian Hong learned that Wang had agreed, he was furious.
"Ayang, don't go. Zhou Jing'an is definitely up to no good. I'll go and turn him down."
Jian Yang stopped him, saying, "Brother, let me go. Aunt Wang has already agreed. If we suddenly return at this time, it will only arouse the Second Prince's suspicion. Let me go and meet him."
She wanted to see what kind of trouble Zhou Jing'an was up to.
If he ever harbors any ill intentions, she will surely throw a handful of poison powder at him.
Jian Hong finally nodded and sent two guards to accompany him.
As soon as Jian Yang stepped out of the Prime Minister's residence, she saw a man standing at the gate.
Just by looking at his back, she recognized him as the emperor she hadn't seen for many days.
Her heart started racing uncontrollably.
The emperor turned around when he heard the sound, his face still covered by the human skin mask.
Jian Yang unconsciously stepped forward and asked, "You, what brings you here?"
The emperor said calmly, "As your assistant, I will naturally accompany you to the patient's home for consultation."
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