green tea
Five days later, at dusk, Ziyuan was outside the governor's mansion, clinging to Yiyi and refusing to let go. "I'm in a hurry to find Ajin, Yiyi, lead the way!"
"Lady Ziyuan, Lady Jiang is changing General Wei's dressings and it's really inconvenient for her to see you right now." Seeing that Ziyuan still wouldn't let go, Yi Yi quickly said, "Lady wants to eat rice porridge, why don't you accompany me to the kitchen?"
"Alright then, let's go!" Ziyuan finally let go of Yiyi. "But why did you have Ajin change his dressing? There's a doctor here, why make Ajin go through all that trouble?" Ziyuan said with a hint of complaint.
"Lady Ziyuan, after all, it was General Wei who saved you, so it's only right that you take care of him." Yi Yi, fearing his mistress might utter another outrageous remark, quickly changed the subject.
"Lady Ziyuan, has anything happened in the capital? I'm very concerned about you all."
"It's nothing serious, just some impeachments or poetry gatherings. Nothing interesting. Beizhou is much more interesting, with killings and assassinations. I heard His Majesty was furious when he found out about it." Ziyuan cheerfully went to the kitchen and comforted Yi Yi, who had a worried look on his face.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious for us. As for the person behind it all, it depends on whether His Majesty wants to deal with them." Zi Yuan stared at the maids busy in the kitchen and asked Yi Yi, "How much longer until I can see A Jin?"
"Once this porridge is ready, Ziyuan can personally serve it to her. I think she will be very happy." Yiyi understood the affection between the two and continued, going along with Ziyuan's thoughts.
"Then I'll change into a maid's clothes and give her a good scare!" Zi Yuan's eyes lit up with a sudden idea.
"Be careful, your wife will scold you." Yi Yi could tell at a glance that Zi Yuan had come up with some wicked idea.
"How could that be? Ah Jin loves me the most, how could she bear to scold me!" Zi Yuan beckoned to a maid, "Could this lady please get me a set of your clothes? This is a thank you gift."
Ziyuan took out a gold bean and placed it in the maid's palm. "Don't worry, I'm not a bad person."
The maid looked at Yi Yi, whom she recognized as a guard by Jiang the Registrar's side. Yi Yi nodded in agreement, "This is a good friend of Jiang the Registrar. He just wanted to play a joke on the Registrar. There's no need to be afraid."
"Don't worry, Ah Jin and I have been friends for many years and grew up together. I'm not an assassin or a bad guy. If you're really worried, you can have everyone in the kitchen vouch for you."
"Then I'll lend you a set of clothes, but I can't accept these gold beads." The maid returned the gold beads to Ziyuan and then handed her a new set of her own clothes.
"Then please help me put on my clothes, madam." Without further ado, Ziyuan pulled the maid into the adjacent room.
"Does Madam have any instructions for me?" The maid looked at Ziyuan and thought she didn't seem like someone who couldn't dress herself.
"Take this gold bean. Don't worry, I'll pretend I never gave it to you, and you can pretend you never received it." Ziyuan patted the maid's shoulder and walked behind the screen. "Money can solve many problems, so don't refuse money as long as it comes from legitimate means."
Ziyuan changed her clothes and came out. She saw the maid standing with her head down in the same spot. "Let's go. Don't keep the people outside waiting."
"Thank you, madam." The maid touched the gold bead tassel at her waist and bowed respectfully to Ziyuan.
"Why are you thanking me? I don't know anything about it." Zi Yuan pushed open the door and saw Yi Yi standing outside holding a tray.
"Great! The porridge is ready! I can go find Ajin now!" Ziyuan took the tray and followed Yiyi into the courtyard.
"My lady Ziyuan, please don't go too far, or she'll be angry." Yi Qian repeatedly warned and hoped that Ziyuan wouldn't do anything out of line.
"Yi-ichi, I'm a very sensible person!" Zi-yuan said with a silly grin, holding the tray. Yi-ichi, with a heavy heart, led Zi-yuan to Jiang Jin's courtyard.
"The lady has just finished changing the general's dressing. You should go in quickly." Zhou Cong glanced at the unfamiliar Zi Yuan standing behind Yi Yi with some curiosity.
"Okay." Yi Yi pushed open the door and saw Jiang Jin sitting by the couch embroidering a handkerchief, while Wei Shu looked at her with a smile on his face.
"Having a sachet isn't enough, I have to embroider a handkerchief too!" Jiang Jin muttered, but her tone was full of coquettishness.
Zi Yuan placed the tray down and immediately pulled out a dagger, attacking Jiang Jin. Wei Shu instinctively pulled Jiang Jin into his arms to protect her. Zi Yuan chuckled and sheathed the dagger.
"Ah Jin, I'm here!" Jiang Jin's eyes lit up when she heard the familiar voice, and she stepped out of Wei Shu's embrace. Wei Shu gave a soft hum.
"What happened? Did you aggravate your wound?" Jiang Jin asked anxiously, looking at Wei Shu's pale face.
"It's nothing, it probably aggravated the wound. Ah Jin, you go catch up with your friend, I'm fine." Wei Shu pitifully covered her wound, while Zi Yuan stared wide-eyed at everything before her.
"Ah Jin, I didn't mean it, don't be angry." Zi Yuan realized what was happening, squatted down, and tugged at Jiang Jin's skirt.
"Ziyuan, you can't do that again. Wei Shu's injuries haven't healed yet. If you scare him, his old injuries might flare up again. How will you make up for that then? I need to take care of Wei Shu now. You go to your room with Yi Yi and rest." Jiang Jin rubbed Ziyuan's head and comforted her for a few moments.
"Remember to drink the porridge I made for you. Don't overwork yourself, or we'll be very sad." Zi Yuan glared at Wei Shu from the shadows, then reluctantly followed Yi Yi out of the room.
"I told you not to go too far, and now look what happened, you've been kicked out." Yi Yi crossed his arms and looked at Zi Yuan with smug satisfaction.
"Wasn't Wei Shu supposed to be cold-hearted and ruthless, with a deep mind? How did he turn out like this? I should have known better than to test him like that!" Zi Yuan said with regret, lamenting that it was all in the past.
"Ziyuan, let's go. I'll take you to your room." Yi Yi looked at Ziyuan with sympathy and comforted her. "General Wei was injured while saving you, so you'll definitely be more attentive to him."
"Don't think I can't see it. Ah Jin isn't just concerned, she's completely devoted to that person!" Zi Yuan had never seen Jiang Jin speak to a man in that tone before.
“Actually, General Wei is quite good too.” Yi Yi retorted softly, but was glared at by Zi Yuan. “Yi Yi, you’ve betrayed us! Were you bribed by Wei Shu? Have you forgotten what happened when A Jin first met him?”
"Lady Ziyuan, you've arrived at your room. You must be tired from the journey; you should rest!" Yi turned and ran off; he didn't want to be stuck between the two of them.
"I think you've been bribed!" Zi Yuan said through gritted teeth, watching Yi Yi's retreating figure. Yi Yi quickly returned to Jiang Jin's room and whispered, "My lady, I've already taken you back to your room."
"Okay." Jiang Jin was carefully blowing on the hot porridge and feeding it to Wei Shu. "What else would you like to eat? I'll have someone make it in the kitchen."
"Right now, all I want is to look at you, as long as you're by my side." Wei Shu looked earnestly at Jiang Jin.
"Okay, I'll stay with you." Jiang Jin put down her bowl and lay down next to Wei Shu, gently patting his shoulder just like her mother used to lull her to sleep.
"Ah Jin, thank you." Wei Shu held Jiang Jin's hand and hugged her. "I understand your confusion and helplessness. It's okay. You just need to stay by my side. You don't need to do anything else."
"Wei Shu, I want to try to believe you." Jiang Jin looked into Wei Shu's eyes but ultimately didn't say those words.
"Okay, I'll stay by your side." Jiang Jin leaned against Wei Shu's chest, listening to his heartbeat, as if she could feel his intense love.
"Go to sleep." Wei Shu tucked Jiang Jin in, and the two fell into a deep sleep in the dim candlelight.
The next morning, Zi Yuan arrived early at Jiang Jin's door. When Zhou Cong arrived, he saw Zi Yuan sitting on a stone bench, staring intently at the door.
"Aren't you the maid from yesterday? Didn't anyone tell you not to come to this courtyard so casually?" Zi Yuan ignored Zhou Cong, who had suddenly appeared in front of her, and continued to look at the door, waiting for Jiang Jin to wake up.
"If you don't leave, I'll have someone kick you out!" Zi Yuan was already holding back her anger, and now seeing the arrogant attitude of the people around Wei Shu, her blood boiled even more. She drew her dagger and attacked Zhou Cong.
"You know martial arts!" Zhou Cong drew his sword and blocked Zi Yuan's dagger. "I'm right here, so fight me if you dare!"
Zi Yuan fought ruthlessly without holding back, while Zhou Cong, wanting to capture Zi Yuan alive, held back somewhat. The two fought back and forth until the door was opened, and Jiang Jin looked helplessly at the messy courtyard before her.
"Ziyuan, Zhou Cong, you two stop right now!" Jiang Jin walked towards the two of them.
"Madam, this suspicious maid has been spying on you and the General." Zhou Cong quickly stepped in front of Jiang Jin as she came out, watching Zi Yuan warily.
"I was looking openly and honestly, and besides, when I met Ah Jin, your general was still nowhere to be found!" Zi Yuan retorted, not to be outdone.
"Alright, what a commotion this morning!" Jiang Jin poked Zi Yuan's temple with her finger. "What did you make Yi Yi do?"
"I just asked him to go to the kitchen and watch over the breakfast; I didn't do anything out of line!" Zi Yuan sheathed her dagger and shook Jiang Jin's arm.
"Ah Jin, can you stay with me today?" Jiang Jin shook her head helplessly upon hearing this. "No, Wei Shu is not well yet and I need to take care of him. Don't run around. It's not safe in Beizhou right now. It wouldn't be good if those people targeted us."
"Oh dear, let him take care of him, he's his general anyway!" Zi Yuan said coquettishly, pointing to Zhou Cong standing behind Jiang Jin.
"No, by the way, is there any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?" Jiang Jin watched as Zi Yuan's expression gradually turned serious.
"Let's go inside and talk." Zhou Cong watched as Zi Yuan's playful demeanor instantly transformed into a composed one, and he was momentarily amazed by her ability to change her expression.
The three returned to the house. Ziyuan closed the door and looked at Jiang Jin, saying, "I had people investigate Gaoyun Pavilion and the Fourth Prince. At first, there were no problems. Later, you suggested starting with the fabric, so I had people infiltrate Gaoyun Pavilion."
Zi Yuan's face darkened further. "Those who went there have all disappeared without a trace, so I went there myself. At night, Gao Yun Pavilion is just an ordinary brothel, but it has many hidden rooms."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com