Chapter 012
Compared to Zhang and Zhan Shaoying's planning and plotting, Jiashan's days in Changchun Temple were much quieter and more peaceful. After the shocking conversation with Zhao Youze, she was a little absent-minded and wished she could see Pei Yuantang bringing Doctor Kong to her right away.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. There was no news from the Pei Mansion, and Jiashan could only continue to wait passively.
That afternoon, it started to drizzle, so Jiashan did not ask Zhao Youze to come to the room to copy scriptures. Instead, he sat on the couch and read a copy of "The Essence of the Silver Sea".
When Su Yu came in, she saw the princess buried in her study. She stepped forward to refill her tea and said with a smile, "Your Highness, are you planning to teach yourself and personally examine the Fourth Prince's eyes?"
"The Essence of the Silver Sea" is a medical work related to ophthalmology. Jiashan saw it this morning when he went to pay his respects to Princess Ruyang, so he borrowed it.
She laughed and said, "It takes time to learn a medical book. Even if I read it all, I would only learn a superficial knowledge."
"Without ten years of hard work, I'm afraid you can't become a doctor." Jiashan said with a smile.
While the two were talking, Dancui came in. She was always polite, and when she saw Suyu, she bowed to Jiashan and called her "Sister Suyu". Suyu smiled back at her.
Dan Cui just explained her purpose: "Your Highness, Lord Zhan is here and is waiting outside the courtyard."
Jiashan glanced out the window.
There was still a drizzle in the yard, making everything hazy.
What is Zhan Yue doing here at this time?
Jiashan said, "Please ask him to come in."
Dan Cui responded and went to invite him.
Jiashan got up from the couch and changed to a solemn sitting posture. She was wearing an emerald-colored jacket and a waist-length skirt with a front opening like Jingzhi, which made her look like a transcendent and elegant lady, as bright as the moon.
After Zhan Yue came in, his eyes fell on her face for an inch, and then he looked away without looking away.
"Greetings, Your Highness." His voice was ordinary, and he seemed to have the same opening remarks every time.
Jiashan invited him to sit down with a smile, and Dancui poured him more tea.
She looked at him politely: "Sir, why did you come here in the rain? Is there something important?"
Presumably in order to avoid attracting attention after coming to Changchun Temple, Zhan Yue did not wear his official uniform today, but dressed in his usual attire. His face was as rosy as peach petals, and the copper-green clothes made him look even more cheerful and upright. It was as if Ji Shuye, who stood alone like a lone pine tree and was as majestic as a jade mountain about to collapse, was standing in front of Jiashan.
Unlike Zhan Yue's polite behavior, Jia Shan saw Zhan Yue dressed like this for the first time. Her eyes fell on him, with curiosity and interest in her eyes.
Zhan Yue, however, remained calm. He pulled out a written letter from his bosom and said, "Yesterday, Miss Dancui, who is beside Your Highness, gave me a letter and asked me to pass it to Pei's residence. Fortunately, I have fulfilled the mission. This is Pei Shidu's reply."
When Jiashan heard that it was his cousin who had replied to the letter, his face immediately brightened with joy, but he said politely, "Thank you for making the trip in person."
She motioned for Dan Cui to take the letter from Zhan Yue.
Dan Cui took a step forward, however, Zhan Yue's two white fingers were tightly gripping the envelope, and he had no intention of handing it to Dan Cui.
Dancui couldn't help but look at Jiashan. Jiashan smiled at Zhanyue and said meaningfully, "Sir, what do you mean?"
Zhan Yue raised his head and looked at Jia Shan slowly. He had a handsome face, but the look in his narrow eyes was like that of a hawk: "Your Highness, can you tell me what the letter between you and Lord Pei contained?"
"No." Jiashan didn't even look at him. Her eyebrows and eyes were lively and her lips and teeth were sharp.
Zhan Yue's voice was cold, and he said, "Forgive me for not being able to give Pei Shidu's reply to Your Highness."
Jiashan frowned, she stood up from behind the desk and paced towards Zhan Yue.
Jiashan's eyes were bright and clear. She stood in front of Zhan Yue and looked at him without blinking. "It is a good idea to be loyal to someone who has entrusted you with a task. It is not pleasing to see you give up halfway."
Zhan Yue raised his eyes, his expression indifferent, but his gaze always stayed on Jiashan's cherry lips that opened and closed. He said, "Your Highness, please forgive me."
"I was ordered by His Majesty to protect the safety of Your Highness and the Fourth Prince. His Majesty's order," Zhan Yue paused for a moment and said slowly, "may not be as simple as asking me to protect the safety of Your Highness."
Jiashan was slightly stunned, and after a moment he realized that Zhan Yue had a hidden meaning in his words.
In just a moment, a hint of anger appeared on Jiashan's fair face. With a smile on her lips, she stared at Zhan Yue and said, "You mean to say that you think my cousin and I are exchanging love letters under the guise of doing something private?"
She no longer called him "Sir" politely, and it was obvious that she was angry. Zhan Yue pursed his lips slightly and said nothing.
Jiashan snorted and laughed, without explaining, she said coldly: "The innocent will be innocent."
"If you think my cousin and I have any intentions, you can go back to the palace and report to the emperor to see how he plans to deal with it."
Zhan Yue looked up at her and saw that the rouge on her lips and cheeks was rubbed red, which matched with a hint of anger, making her look very charming and lovely.
His lips moved slightly as if he wanted to speak.
Jiashan turned around first and told Dancui, suppressing his anger: "Help me see the guest off."
After he finished speaking, Jiashan paused and added, "Since you miss me so much, please don't come again in the future."
The princess had given instructions, so Dan Cui could only bite the bullet and go to Zhan Yue and say, "Please, sir."
Zhan Yue was silent for a long time, his pupils dark, his eyes fixed on Jiashan's graceful back. After a moment, he pulled out the envelope from his pocket and slowly placed it on the corner of the table.
He tried to open his mouth several times, but finally, his eyelids trembled and he finally said with difficulty, "I'm sorry."
Jiashan was slightly stunned. He probably didn't expect that Zhan Yanqing, who was a third-rank official, would apologize so easily. Su Yu and Dan Cui were still around. Did he not want his power anymore?
Jiashan frowned.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Zhan Yue had no choice but to move forward and follow Dan Cui out, one step deep and one step shallow.
"Wait." Jia Shan spoke slowly, and she finally turned to him. When she raised her head, she was facing Zhan Yue's delicate and fair face.
Jiashan didn't know why, but her face turned slightly red. She turned her head slightly and said, "Forget it. This time, even if you owe me this once. If you make malicious assumptions about me again next time, I will be really angry."
Her voice is clear and melodious, like the singing of an oriole.
Zhan Yue's ears twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but smile.
He looked very pretty when he smiled, and his slightly curved eyes were like the gentle and harmless peach blossoms in March. Jiashan looked at him and suddenly seemed to understand why Feng's eyes were always filled with admiration for him.
For many people, being around such a person, even if he doesn't love them, must be a blessing.
She spoke out, as if she was sighing, "If an ordinary woman could see your smile, I'm afraid she would never lose her temper again."
Zhan Yue was stunned.
Seeing Suyu and Dancui beside him lower their heads slightly, Jiashan said with a smile: "My maidservant's face turned red because of your smile."
Zhan Yue looked at her, but saw that her face was normal, without a trace of shame or joy, so he said: "It seems that Your Highness is not an ordinary woman."
"Of course." Jiashan responded disrespectfully.
Zhan Yue said in a flat voice: "Oh." There was a hint of disappointment in his words.
Jiashan said with a smile: "Your Excellency is good-looking, and I am not bad either."
After hearing this, Zhan Yue's eyes actually fell on Jia Shan's face. He looked at her carefully for a few moments. Seeing that she was smiling all the time, Zhan Yue's long eyelashes trembled, and he nodded and said, "Yes."
Jiashan pursed his lips and smiled, with a carefree and bold look in his smile.
"Since you personally went to Pei's house for me and delivered the letter, I should also see you off." Jiashan said, "It is impolite not to reciprocate. I don't want you to say I am impolite in the future."
Zhan Yue said: "Then there is Princess Lao."
Zhan Yue's courtyard was with a group of Jinwu Guards. Although he was the commander, there was no reason for him to live alone. Jiashan just wanted to show his respect and send him to the gate of the courtyard.
However, when they were about to step out of the courtyard, two people came running from a distance.
Jiashan and Zhan Yue are both people with sharp ears and sharp eyes. When Zhan Yue saw the person who ran over first, his eyes turned slightly cold, and his sharp eyes were firmly locked on that person.
Even Jiashan's pupils shrank slightly. She was silent for a moment and just reached out to touch her belly.
"Sir..." The one who lagged behind half a step was a Jinwu guard who followed Zhan Yue. Seeing that Zhan Yue had a heavy expression on his face, he trotted to Zhan Yue's side and knelt down neatly.
Zhan Yue's eyes fell on him, and he asked in a steady voice: "What's going on?"
Sensing that he was in a bad mood, Jinwuwei said, "This sir said it was your relative who wanted to see you urgently."
The person who came was Zhan Shaoying.
He was wearing a purple robe, with a jade pendant around his waist, and had the aura of a nobleman. However, in front of Zhan Yue, who was half a foot taller than him, Zhan Shaoying was instantly eclipsed.
Zhan Shaoying stood facing Zhan Yue and the others. He saw a brightly dressed girl in jade standing next to Zhan Yue, who was both bright and beautiful, and full of heroic spirit. He immediately realized that she was probably the eldest princess.
When he saw Jiashan's beautiful face, his heart skipped a beat.
The eldest princess...maybe she will become his wife in the future?
Zhan Shaoying's cheeks turned slightly red. He suppressed his emotions and said, "Your Highness, please be well."
Zhan Yue narrowed his eyes and turned his gaze to Zhan Shaoying. His gaze was indifferent, but it was like a very heavy mountain, firmly pressing on Zhan Shaoying's shoulders.
Zhan Shaoying couldn't help but sweat on his forehead as he hadn't received any reply from Jiashan and was being looked at like this by his fourth uncle.
Jiashan was staring at Zhan Shaoying, her eyes devoid of emotion. After a moment, she turned her head and looked at Zhan Yue, saying in a cold tone, "Since you are here to see Master Zhan, let Master Zhan handle it."
Her eyes were wide open, and she said casually, "Your Excellency's family is a little rude. Why did they come into my yard for no reason and add to the noise?"
Lack of manners only adds to the noise.
These few casual words made Zhan Shaoying feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave.
He raised his head slightly, first looking at Jiashan, then turning to Zhan Yue. Zhan Yue's figure was straight and tall, as handsome as a bamboo, which made him look like a little clown.
Zhan Shaoying's eyes were dim, and half of his shoulder had become stiff after hearing these few words.
Does the eldest princess dislike him? Zhan Shaoying asked himself this question, and he lowered his head in a slightly frustrated manner.