Chapter 68: Spring Search in the Enclosure, Lure the Tiger Away from the Mountain
The Prince Duan's Mansion was shrouded in a thin layer of mist in the early morning. The gilded imperial edict was still spread out on the table in the main hall, and the bright yellow satin shone coldly in the morning light. The emperor issued an edict to go to the hunting grounds outside the capital for a spring search in three days, and ordered Xiao Jin to accompany him, and he could bring a relative with him.
Shen Qingyue, dressed in a lilac-colored skirt, had been waiting in the main hall early in the morning, clutching a handkerchief embroidered with orchids. Her eyes were slightly red, and she looked pitiful. "Your Highness, the spring search is in three days. I...I want to go with you." She took a step forward and gently pulled Xiao Jin's sleeve. Her voice was as soft as cotton. "I always feel stuffy staying in the palace. I want to go out for some fresh air. And...I also want to be with Your Highness."
Xiao Jin looked at her reddened eyes, and the tenderness in his heart was instantly touched. He had originally wanted to take Shen Qingyue with him—the Spring Festival was an important event for the royal family, and taking her there would not only make her shine, but also announce her status to everyone. He was about to agree when Yun Zhi walked in with breakfast, still wearing the same gray servant's uniform, and her steps were as light as a cat.
"Your Highness, Miss Chen, breakfast is ready." Yun Zhi placed the lunch box on the table, lowered her head, and spoke in a calm voice as if she hadn't heard their conversation.
However, Shen Qingyue deliberately raised her tone and said softly to Xiao Jin, "Your Highness, just promise me, I promise I won't cause you any trouble. When we get to the enclosure, I can even make tea for you." As she spoke, she glanced at Yun Zhi provocatively - she just wanted to let Yun Zhi know that Xiao Jin only had her in his heart, and even things like showing up in Chunsou were not the turn of Yun Zhi, the "stand-in".
Xiao Jin was about to nod when Yun Zhi suddenly "accidentally" knocked over the teacup beside her, and the tea spilled onto the hem of Shen Qingyue's skirt, leaving a large wet mark.
"This servant deserves death!" Yun Zhi immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, "This servant did not mean to do it. Please forgive me, Miss Shen!"
Shen Qingyue's face instantly darkened. She swung Xiao Jin's sleeve away, pointed at Yun Zhi's nose and angrily shouted, "You did it on purpose! You just can't stand the fact that the prince took me to the Spring Search, so you deliberately knocked over the teacup to get back at me!"
"I dare not!" Yun Zhi lowered her head even lower, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of grievance. "I just...just heard Miss Chen say she was going on the spring search. I remembered that Miss had a cold a few days ago and she still hadn't recovered. The wind was so strong in the enclosure, and I was afraid that Miss's condition would worsen. I was distracted for a moment and knocked over the teacup...I really didn't mean it."
These words were like a needle, accurately piercing Xiao Jin's concerns. He remembered that Shen Qingyue had indeed said a few days ago that she had "caught a cold." Although she seemed to be better these days, the enclosure was located in the suburbs, with strong winds and large temperature differences. If her condition really worsened, he would not be able to explain it to Prime Minister Shen, and Shen Qingyue would also suffer.
Shen Qingyue also panicked and quickly explained: "I...my cold has long been cured! I'm in good health, there's no problem going to the enclosure!"
"But when I went to the kitchen to get something yesterday, I heard Aunt Zhang say that Miss Chen had the maid make ginger soup to ward off the cold." Yun Zhi lowered her head, her voice low, but just loud enough for Xiao Jin to hear. "Aunt Zhang also said that Miss Chen's cold might not have fully healed yet, so she asked the kitchen to prepare some more warming food."
Xiao Jin's brow furrowed. He looked at Shen Qingyue with a look of scrutiny in his eyes. He hadn't heard about Shen Qingyue drinking ginger soup last night. If she really wasn't fully recovered and forced herself to go to the enclosure, what if something happened?
Shen Qingyue was speechless, her face turning pale and red. She hadn't drunk the ginger soup last night, and Yun Zhi had deliberately made it up! But she couldn't say it out loud—if she did, it would be like admitting she had just lied, and it would make Xiao Jin feel that she had neglected her health in order to go to the Spring Search, and that she had ended up being inferior.
"Qingyue," Xiao Jin's tone softened, but with unquestionable determination, "You've just recovered from a cold, and the wind in the enclosure is so strong that it's really not suitable for you to go. You should stay in the palace this time. Next time the weather warms up, I'll take you out for a walk to relax, okay?"
Shen Qingyue looked at the concern in Xiao Jin's eyes and knew that he was truly worried about her. She could only grit her teeth and nod, but in her heart she hated Yun Zhi to the core - it was this bitch again! She had ruined her plans!
Xiao Jin comforted Shen Qingyue and turned to look at Yun Zhi, who was still kneeling on the ground, his brows still furrowed. "Get up. Since Qingyue can't go, you can come with me to the enclosure."
Yun Zhi's body suddenly stiffened, as if she couldn't believe her ears. She raised her head, her eyes full of "shock" and "fear": "Your Highness... your servant? I'm just a criminal slave. How can I go on a spring search with Your Highness? This... this is against the rules!"
"Rules?" Xiao Jin sneered, "What I say is the rule. If I tell you to go, you go." He had a clear plan in mind - Yun Zhi's status was low, so taking her there would not cause any controversy; and she was "docile" in nature, so it would be easier to control her by bringing her around, and he could also see if her recent obedience was just an act.
Yun Zhi's fear gradually turned into flattery. She knelt down again and kowtowed to Xiao Jin: "Thank you for your grace, Your Highness! I will serve you well and will never cause you any trouble!"
Seeing Yun Zhi's "tears of gratitude", Xiao Jin's doubts were slightly reduced. He turned around to deal with the matters of Chunsou, and did not notice the cold light that flashed in Yun Zhi's eyes when she lowered her head - the first step was successful.
Shen Qingyue watched Yun Zhi stand up and leave, her nails digging deep into her palms, her eyes filled with murderous intent. She would never let Yun Zhi follow Xiao Jin on the Spring Search in such a glamorous manner! She certainly wouldn't let Yun Zhi cause any trouble while staying at the palace! She turned and hurried to the backyard—she would immediately send a letter to Prime Minister Shen, asking him to send someone to keep an eye on Yun Zhi and take action immediately if they saw anything unusual!
As night fell, the lights in the west wing remained on. Yun Zhi sat at the table, using candlelight as a guide, writing on a thin piece of paper: "Act in three days, follow the plan." She then rolled the paper into a thin strip and stuffed it into a hollow bamboo tube.
She walked to the courtyard wall and blew a soft whistle outside the wall - this was the secret signal she and Liu Zhong agreed on. Soon, a dark figure poked its head out from outside the wall. It was Ali, an old subordinate of Liu Zhong.
"Give this to Uncle Liu and have him pass it on to Doctor Xie immediately." Yun Zhi handed the bamboo tube over, her voice very low. "Tell Doctor Xie that Shen Qingyue's stay in the palace will definitely increase security. Tell him to be very careful. After obtaining the evidence, immediately evacuate through the secret passage and don't linger in the battle."
"Don't worry, Miss Yun!" Ali took the bamboo tube and quickly disappeared into the night.
Yun Zhi closed the courtyard door and returned to her room. She fished out the key pattern she had copied from under the bed and examined it carefully by candlelight. The pattern was clear, and the copied key should be able to open the secret room. She hid the pattern again and took out the sharpened dagger, placing it under her pillow. During the spring search, she not only had to keep Xiao Jin steady, but also had to be prepared for any possible danger.
In the study room of the main courtyard, Xiao Jin read the secret report delivered by the secret guards. It read, "Shen Qingyue sent someone to deliver a letter to Prime Minister Shen today. The specific content is unknown." His brows furrowed. Why did Shen Qingyue suddenly send a letter to Prime Minister Shen? Was she worried about Yun Zhi, or... did she have another purpose?
He picked up the wine glass on the table and took a sip of the cold wine, his eyes dark and unclear. No matter what Shen Qingyue was planning, he would keep an eye on the spring search this time - he wanted to see who was pretending, Yun Zhi or Shen Qingyue.
As the night deepens, the palace is silent, yet undercurrents surge. A battle centered on the spring search in the enclosure and the palace's secret chamber is about to begin. And at the center of this vortex, Yun Zhi is steadily embarking on her path of revenge, each step steady, precise, and ruthless, leaving no room for retreat.
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