Punishment for being spoiled
When Jiang Jin opened her eyes again, she saw Wei Shu sitting by the bed, occasionally checking the temperature of her forehead.
"I..." Jiang Jin was about to speak when a tickle in her throat caused her to cough.
"I had someone make some lily and pear soup; you can drink some to soothe your throat." Wei Shu helped Jiang Jin up, then opened the lid of the pear soup and scooped some out with a small spoon.
"By the way, I think I know who the county constable of Zhuxi County is working for." Jiang Jin looked at the spoon at her lips and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I can do it myself."
"Are you sure you have the strength right now?" Jiang Jin tried to raise her hand but found it limp and weak; she probably couldn't hold the bowl full of pear soup.
"Then I'll have to trouble General Wei." Jiang Jin opened her mouth, and the warm pear soup went down her throat, instantly soothing her dry throat.
"How did you find out?" Wei Shu blew on the pear soup and then held a spoon to Jiang Jin's lips.
"It's a bit of a coincidence," Jiang Jin said. "The Dou family was bullying people down there, so I scared them off and then deliberately sent someone to summon the county magistrate." Jiang Jin took another sip of pear soup.
“But the people who came weren’t as excited as I had imagined. Instead, they seemed a little scared or rather, quite troubled.” Wei Shu nodded. “If they were the Third Prince’s men, they would be eager to find something to hold against the Dou family.”
"Yes, so the Third Prince can be ruled out. Of course, he could also be His Majesty's man. Then there's no point in Elder Qin having him watch you meet with him. After all, the message needs to be relayed to the two princes so that they can dispel their suspicions and wariness of you, proving that you and Elder Qin don't have a good relationship and you won't have a chance to become a secret guard."
Seeing that Jiang Jin had finished speaking at length, Wei Shu timely placed the spoon to her lips.
"Have a little more. I'll have the waiter prepare something light for you later. Take your medicine after you finish your meal." Jiang Jin shook her head. "I don't have much of an appetite. Can I not eat for now?"
"No, you still need to eat something. I'll have them make you some wontons." Wei Shu left no room for negotiation, so Jiang Jin had no choice but to agree.
"But how did you get in? I remember locking the door." Jiang Jin coughed a few more times, the blush on her face still lingering.
“Of course we go through the window,” Wei Shu said to Jiang Jin confidently. “I can’t just break down the door, can I?”
“That’s true…” Jiang Jin, feeling better after a nap, told Wei Shu, “The couple who had lunch with us at the inn this morning were from the Fu family.”
"The Fu family of the North, those 367 people?" Wei Shu instantly thought of the case that had shocked the court and the public.
"It shouldn't be that branch." Jiang Jin noticed Wei Shu's changed expression and quickly interrupted his guess.
"That young man doesn't seem to be someone who carries a deep-seated hatred. Besides, if he were truly a descendant of that branch, he wouldn't be so blatantly flaunting the surname Fu in public. However, it seems that Elder Qin is indeed the only surviving old minister who personally handled that case."
Jiang Jin found it strange at the time, which is why she arranged for Yi Yi to investigate.
“Don’t worry, I’ll have Zhou Cong investigate their backgrounds. But according to the Ministry of Personnel’s records, that branch of the family has no descendants. However, records are one thing, facts are another. Actually, there were two infants who went missing back then. The late emperor sent people to investigate thoroughly, but they never found anything.” Wei Shu glanced at Jiang Jin sideways.
"Aren't you afraid of going up against the Dou family?" Wei Shu looked at Jiang Jin with a half-smile. "He's not Wang Juesong's son, but a member of the Dou family who has grown into a towering tree."
"What's there to be afraid of? If His Majesty wants to punish the Dou family for his reckless remarks about the succession, it's not impossible. So I don't think Lord Dou would dare to report this to His Majesty." Jiang Jin coughed a few more times.
"We've embarked on a path of no return. Since we've decided to forge ahead, we have no right to be afraid." Jiang Jin looked at Wei Shu with bright eyes.
"You get some rest. I'll go downstairs and check when the wontons will be ready." Jiang Jin nodded upon hearing this, and as Wei Shu closed the door, Jiang Jin called out to Yi Er.
"Has any news come from the capital? Where is Commandant Chang now?" Although Jiang Jin didn't want to imprison Chang Yi, he had to suppress his dissatisfaction because Chang Yi was ordered to assist him.
"We've already left Bo City and should reach Bianzhou soon. The news of your injury, medicine testing, and sleeping outdoors late at night has reached His Highness." Yi Er dared not look up at Jiang Jin, only silently taking a few steps back.
"How could His Highness know about our sleeping outdoors, Ah Sui!" Jiang Jin's face showed a hint of regret. "Oh no, I'm starting to get scared."
"My lady, there are actually two more pieces of news. I don't know if they're good or bad for you," Yi Er added quietly from the side.
"Tell me, I can still hold on," Jiang Jin said, clutching the quilt and looking at Yi Er.
"The first piece of news is that His Highness is unaware of your cold. The second piece of news is that His Highness should find out soon, because His Highness and Commandant Chang came to Bianzhou together."
"What!" Jiang Jin jumped out of bed, threw on her cloak, and quickly stuffed the pear soup into her mouth.
"Where are the wontons Wei Shu made? And bring the medicine over quickly! If I add up all the old and new grievances, His Highness will definitely scold me to death!"
When Wei Shu brought the wontons up, the pear jar on the table was already empty.
"Wei Shu, wontons!" Jiang Jin picked up the wontons and hurriedly started eating them without paying attention to anything else.
"Slow down, no one's going to take it from you. There's more if you need more." Wei Shu reached out to pat Jiang Jin's back to help her catch her breath.
"Has my medicine been properly prepared?" Jiang Jin swallowed the wonton in her mouth and looked at Wei Shu earnestly.
"Don't worry, I've already had the workers start cooking." Although Wei Shu was surprised by Jiang Jin's change, he didn't ask any further questions.
Four days later, Jiang Jin's condition improved somewhat, but she still had a heavy nasal voice. Wei Shu was worried about Jiang Jin and wanted to secretly send her to Old Master Qin's place, but Jiang Jin refused.
"I'm all better now. I can go with you to see Commandant Chang." Jiang Jin, wearing a veil, grabbed Wei Shu's arm, preventing him from leaving.
"Your cold hasn't healed yet. What if the heat makes your condition worse?" Wei Shu still wouldn't budge.
"Don't worry, I won't. Besides, General Wei and his wife are inseparable, so what if I leave you to go see Commandant Chang alone?"
Perhaps it was Jiang Jin's description of their inseparable bond that pleased Wei Shu, for he somewhat relented, tying Jiang Jin's cloak securely before leading her out of the inn.
"Not only is Commandant Chang Yi here today, but Princess Zhaoyang has also come with him. However, Princess Zhaoyang is always compassionate towards the people, so even if you have done something wrong, she will not punish you too severely," Wei Shu carefully instructed Jiang Jin.
"Why did Princess Zhaoyang come with Commandant Chang? Was it His Majesty's decree?" A hint of excitement flashed in Jiang Jin's eyes, which she then suppressed.
"Yes, but His Majesty's intention is that with the wedding date approaching, he wants the two of them to cultivate their relationship."
Although Wei Shu felt the excuse was somewhat far-fetched, no one could refute the Emperor's word.
"I see." Jiang Jin already had an idea in mind, but first followed Wei Shu to a small courtyard by the lake outside the city. There were a few ordinary people scattered outside, but their eyes were always on the two people walking towards them.
Chang Yi nodded almost imperceptibly, and then the group dispersed outside the courtyard.
"General Wei, I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, you are indeed extraordinary." Chang Yi bowed respectfully, and Jiang Jin also slightly curtsied.
"Her Highness the Princess is inside. Let's go in and talk." Chang Yi welcomed the two in. Wei Shu and Jiang Jin stood side by side.
"Your subject Wei Shu pays respects to Your Highness the Princess."
"This humble servant, Jiang Jin, greets Your Highness the Princess."
Lou Xuan, sitting at the head of the table, smiled and had Wei Shu and Jiang Jin helped up. "General Wei is a pillar of the state, no need for such formalities. Xueya, please take a seat."
Jiang Jin sat down next to Wei Shu. "Why is Madam Wei wearing a veil?"
Lou Xuan's gaze fell on Jiang Jin. She seemed flustered, sensing that His Highness's tone was somewhat angry.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness. My wife has a cold and was afraid of passing on her illness to you, so she wore a veil."
Wei Shu explained on Jiang Jin's behalf, and the other two only breathed a sigh of relief the moment Lou Xuan's gaze left Jiang Jin.
"It's alright, Xueya. You should help Lady Wei to the inner room to rest properly. Don't tire yourself out outside."
Jiang Jin glanced at Lou Xuan's expression and knew she couldn't escape a scolding today, so she casually left with Xue Ya.
"Xueya, how has His Highness been these past few days?" Jiang Jin asked Xueya softly, hoping to get some answers from her.
"My lady, it's just a scolding, just bear with it. There's nothing else this servant can do for you." Xueya gave Jiang Jin a helpless look, and Jiang Jin wanted to run away.
"Good Xueya, just give me a little hint, so I have some idea." Jiang Jin took off her veil and placed it on the table.
“My lady, you should listen to your voice now. Since you left the capital, you have been either shot by arrows, poisoned, or testing medicines, or you have been traversing mountains and valleys alone. His Highness has almost left the capital himself. Now you have even caught a cold. You will have to suffer some scolding today.”
Xueya softened a bit upon hearing Jiang Jin's voice, "Your Highness has been in a good mood lately. If you soften your tone, this will pass quickly."
"Thank you, my dear Xueya!" Jiang Jin hummed a song as she sat on the soft couch. "You have no idea how wonderful my life has been these past few days."
"My lady, if you continue to get carried away, His Highness might really get angry." Xueya said helplessly, tearing the jade dew ball into small pieces and feeding them to Jiang Jin.
"Xueya, don't say such discouraging things. His Highness is so magnanimous, how could he be angry with me?" Jiang Jin crossed her legs, enjoying Xueya's care.
"Madam Wei, you have quite the airs, daring to have my personal maid serve you like this." Lou Xuan appeared outside the door with a cold face, and Xue Ya tactfully closed the door for the two of them.
"Your Highness, I am guilty! Please punish me!" Jiang Jin immediately knelt down, appearing remorseful and repentant.
"What wrong have you done? Besides, you are now Lady Wei. What right do I have to scold you?" Lou Xuan sat down in Jiang Jin's original seat and snorted coldly.
"Of course! Your Highness will always be my subordinate, and Your Highness always has the right to punish me!" Jiang Jin sat down obsequiously next to Lou Xuan.
"Your Highness, look, I still have the scars on my arm. It hurt so much back then." Seeing that Lou Xuan hadn't moved away, Jiang Jin took another step closer, hugging her arm and acting coquettishly.
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