Chapter 14: Does His Highness Suspect the Princess Consort of Having Problems?
Judge Lin remembered that when King Zhao was injured, he specially asked the Queen to come and bandage him and apply medicine. Logically speaking, he should not dislike the Queen.
Moreover, it's already remarkable that she doesn't reject someone who seems gentle and warm but is actually cold-hearted.
Aunt Fangchun smiled and said, "His Highness has always relied on you. Your words always carry more weight than ours. Why don't you try to persuade His Highness?"
Judge Lin said helplessly, "I have advised against it, but His Highness must be willing to do so."
He really couldn't understand why His Highness, who was already married and willing to be close to the Princess, wouldn't consummate the marriage.
Yan Gui Lou (Wild Goose Returns Tower).
Yuan De brought out the pastries that had been tested and found to be free of poison and gently placed them on the table.
He knew that his prince was investigating the princess's background. Although the princess wouldn't openly poison the desserts, it was always good to be cautious.
Yan Xuecui caught a whiff of the sweet and elegant aroma of tea, and her brow furrowed slightly: "What is it?"
Yuan De bowed and said, "These are Longjing tea pastries and peach blossom pastries made by the Princess herself. Would you like to try them?"
Yan Xuecui seemed somewhat surprised, "She still has the mind to do these things?"
Yuan De pondered, "Perhaps the Princess Consort wants to ease the tension between her and Your Highness?"
Just then, the secret guards who had been sent out came to report back.
Yan Xue didn't even raise her head. When she heard the person approaching, she casually asked, "What did you find out?"
The guard bowed and said, "The Princess Consort made no unusual moves today. However, her maid Xiangqin returned to the Chi residence, but not to see her mother, Zheng Mama. Instead, she went to see Madam Yin. The two spoke discreetly, and Madam Yin dismissed all the maids in the room. I only vaguely heard that Madam Yin seemed very dissatisfied with the Princess Consort, fearing that the Princess Consort would anger you and implicate the entire Earl's residence. She also told the Princess Consort not to approach you, lest she lose her life..."
Yan Xue raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
The guard paused slightly. "There was one more thing I heard clearly: Madam Yin warned Xiangqin, 'Don't forget who your master is.' As for the rest, I didn't hear it clearly."
Yuan De stroked the whisk on his elbow and said, "Xiangqin seems to be Madam Yin's trusted maid, while the Princess seems to be an outsider."
Yan Xuecui: "Is that so? I heard that the Princess Consort is very pampered at home and gets whatever she wants?"
His smile faded slightly as he instructed the guard, "Continue to keep an eye on the Yin family."
The guards immediately accepted the order and took their leave.
Beside the desk, a corner of the window was propped open, and a cool breeze carrying the scent of spring grass and trees blew in, brushing past the snow veil covering Yan Xue's eyes and gently lifting the ribbons tied behind her hair. The fragrance of Longjing tea and peach blossoms wafted into her nose.
His fingers, which were holding the bamboo slip, twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't touch the snacks at all.
As Yuan De watched the pastries slowly cool down, until the sun set in the west and the flaky crust on top had collapsed, he was certain that his prince would not use them. Just as he was about to take them away, Yan Xuecui reached out, picked up a piece of Longjing pastry, and slowly put it into her mouth.
The aroma of Longjing tea instantly fills the mouth; the flaky pastry is sweet but not greasy, the filling is delicate and soft, the tea fragrance is mellow, and the aftertaste is long-lasting.
Yan Xue smiled and said, "The princess's cooking is quite good."
Yuan De smiled and echoed, "Your Highness is very thoughtful. This Longjing tea pastry uses the earliest pre-Qingming Longjing tea leaves from this spring, and this peach blossom pastry uses fresh peach blossoms picked from the garden today. I heard that a portion was also sent to Shouchun Hall."
"It's well done, but..." Yan Xue took a handkerchief and slowly wiped her knuckles, "Could a noble lady who never lifts a finger have such culinary skills?"
Yuan De paused for a moment, then pondered, "The guards only mentioned that the princess was somewhat skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but they didn't mention cooking. However, although cooking is not as elegant as calligraphy and painting, there are still many ladies from noble families who enjoy cooking for themselves. Having a few special desserts would be the icing on the cake."
Yan Xuecui said in a calm tone, "Hmm, you're right."
Yuan De suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. After hesitating for a long time, he finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Does Your Highness suspect that the Princess Consort has a problem?"
Yan Xuecui lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, not answering directly, but instead asking, "She's been in the manor for almost a month now. Tell me, what kind of woman is she?"
Yuan De kept his previous lessons in mind and dared not comment on the princess's appearance. He also did not include any personal bias and only said what he saw with his own eyes: "The princess is dignified and quiet, gentle and virtuous. She has changed from her former arrogance and is now gentle and obedient, which makes people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze."
Yan Xuecui, however, said, "That's not right."
Yuan De's smile froze on his lips.
Something's not right.
Could something have happened last night? Did the princess reveal her true nature in bed, showing that she harbored intentions to harm His Highness?
But His Highness only said half of what he meant, leaving everyone scratching their heads in frustration.
He prided himself on his ability to read people, but he couldn't see through the princess's character, let alone guess the prince's attitude towards her.
Last night, when he saw His Highness bathing and resting at Shuyu Zhai, he almost thought that His Highness would not return to Yan Gui Lou. Who knew that His Highness would return in the middle of the night with a gloomy face, and even went to the dungeon to severely interrogate two assassins. Yuan De was still a little scared by His Highness's blood-soaked appearance.
But if the princess really had a problem, then the two assassins shouldn't have been the ones tortured last night. Given His Highness's style, regardless of whether she had any ulterior motives, he could pry open even the toughest mouth with repeated torture.
But now he's calmly eating the snacks that were brought to him...
At this point, a servant from Shuyu Zhai came to report that the Princess Consort was having dinner when someone from Shouchun Hall invited her over.
"It was Shuangxi from Shouchun Hall who came. She said that when Consort Zhuang woke up, she saw the snacks sent by the Princess and became somewhat delirious. She forgot that you got married last month and was eager to see the Princess. Aunt Qionglin had no choice but to ask the Princess to coax her and talk to Consort Zhuang."
Yan Xue suppressed the smile on her lips and subtly tightened her grip on her palm.
Yuan De looked over with concern, "Last time Your Highness had a hysterical episode, she only called out the wrong name of her maid. When you went to visit her, she mistook you for Prince Rong and stabbed you with a candlestick..."
Yan Xuecui remained silent for a moment, then stood up, removed the snow-white veil from her eyes, picked up a bamboo cane, and said, "Let's go see Mother Consort."
...
When Chi Ying sent snacks to Shouchun Hall, it was actually with a hint of flattery, making it seem to Prince Zhao that she was also thinking of her mother-in-law.
However, I never expected that I would encounter Consort Zhuang's hysteria.
When Consort Zhuang wanted to see her, Chi Ying naturally wouldn't refuse. On the contrary, Aunt Fangchun was more uneasy than her. She gave her many instructions along the way, mainly about how Consort Zhuang was unpredictable and would talk nonsense when she had a hysterical episode, and that she should pay attention to Consort Zhuang's emotions. She also mentioned that there were many maids and servants in the room, so she didn't need to worry.
Chi Ying wasn't really worried. Compared to those with cruel hearts, a kind-hearted person who is confused is nothing.
Moreover, this is an opportunity for her. By appeasing Consort Zhuang's emotions, she can also leave a good impression on the entire household.
The corridor was brightly lit. Chi Ying followed Shuangxi inside, but to her surprise, the moment Consort Zhuang saw her, the person who had been sitting on the couch suddenly stood up. Her pale, calm face twisted slightly, and she pointed at her with furious glares: "It's you... You dare to come here?"
Even though she was mentally prepared, Chi Ying couldn't help but feel a tightness in her chest and stared blankly at everything.
Upon seeing this, Aunt Qionglin immediately stepped forward and kindly comforted her: "Your Highness, this is the Princess Consort. Didn't you just say you wanted to see the Princess Consort?"
Consort Zhuang was terrified, trembling like a leaf. She couldn't hear anything at this moment. "What princess? She is clearly Consort Ning! It was her son who killed my Xueji! And now she wants to poison me!"
Chi Ying realized that Consort Zhuang had mistaken her for Consort Ning, the mother of Prince Rong.
Qionglin glanced apologetically at Chi Ying, then gestured to Fangchun to ask the princess to leave first, lest the empress accidentally injure someone.
Chi Ying did not leave immediately. She calmed herself down and walked up to Consort Zhuang. She said softly, "Mother, it is I, Yingyue. You have forgotten that I just married into the family last month. Yesterday, I came with His Highness to pay my respects to you."
Consort Zhuang's bloodshot eyes churned with hatred, and she let out a hoarse roar: "Nonsense! You are Ning Qinghe, that poisonous woman! My son defended the land, expanded the territory, and protected the people, risking his life with his blood and sweat. You, on the other hand, enjoy peace in the capital, yet you kill your own brothers for your own selfish gain. You slaughter meritorious officials and harm soldiers. You are nothing but jackals and traitors! You are villains! You are worse than pigs and dogs!"
Chi Ying knew that she was suffering from the pain of losing her child, so she could only let her vent her pain.
When Consort Zhuang touched a sore spot, she lunged forward to attack her. Naturally, she was stopped by Qionglin and two tall, nimble maids. However, Consort Zhuang was of noble status and frail and sickly, so the maids dared not restrain her too forcefully, lest they injure her.
Consort Zhuang was consumed by hatred and completely lost her mind. In her rage, she overturned the flower stand and lamp stand next to her, and the vases, porcelain and glass lamps shattered on the ground. She then threw everything on the dressing table and desk at Chi Ying.
Supported by Fangchun, Chi Ying had no choice but to take a few steps back.
Qionglin looked at her anxiously and asked, "Is Your Highness injured?"
Chi Ying shook her head. With the maidservants protecting her, and given that Consort Zhuang was in a hysterical state and tended to throw things around haphazardly, her jewelry, teacups, and Go sets were scattered all over the ground, so she wasn't seriously injured. Only her ankle was hit by a tea lid, and it hurt a little.
Chi Ying had intended for Qionglin to help Consort Zhuang away to prevent her from accidentally stepping on the broken porcelain, but Consort Zhuang then smashed a rather valuable gilded sandalwood box with a jewel inlay. With a "crash," the box shattered and landed right at her feet. A string of Buddhist prayer beads that Consort Zhuang always carried with her fell out. Chi Ying recognized it and was about to bend down to pick it up when she suddenly felt a weight on her wrist.
Raising her eyes, Chi Ying's handsome face came into view, and her heart skipped a beat. Thinking of last night, she felt a strange heaviness in her heart.
Yan Xue looked down at her and asked, "Are you alright?"
Chi Ying pursed her lips and whispered, "I'm fine."
Yan Xuecui nodded slightly. When she heard Consort Zhuang's voice weaken and the smashing sounds inside the room stop, she instructed Qionglin, "Help Consort Zhuang back to bed to rest. Imperial Physician Lin is already on his way."
Qionglin quickly agreed.
Consort Zhuang's forehead veins bulged, and her face was flushed with an unusual redness. She had fainted from exhaustion.
Qionglin wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, and then two maids helped her back to bed.
The maids hurriedly cleaned up the mess in the room. Only then did Chi Ying bend down to pick up the Buddhist beads on the ground to avoid getting them dirty. However, she inadvertently saw that several black pills the size of mung beans rolled out from the cracked joint of the box.
Out of curiosity, Chi Ying picked up two pills and smelled them. However, perhaps due to their age, they had been imbued with the fragrance of sandalwood and could not be detected.
Yan Xuecui heard her nose twitch, as if she were sniffing something, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Chi Ying then handed him the pills she was holding.
The girl's soft fingertips accidentally touched his palm, where it felt as if an electric current was running through him. Yan Xuecui's hand throbbed with a bulge of veins, and those burning memories from the dark night flooded his mind.
A note from the author:
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Thank you everyone for the nutrient solution! Here's another 30 random red envelopes! [kissing emoji]
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