Chapter 104 It's not your tabby cat.
Just as Jiang Zhi was about to turn her gaze away to avoid suspicion, Xiao Yunheng noticed her gaze and turned his head back.
Their eyes met.
Jiang Zhi immediately apologized, "This humble girl was rude, please forgive her, Your Highness."
The curtain fell, and Jiang Zhi could no longer see the expression on his face, only hearing his cold voice, "It's alright. Miss Jiang, is there something you need to see me about today?"
Xiao Yunheng was too perceptive; she hesitated for only a moment before he noticed her intentions.
However, this is not something that is difficult to talk about.
"Yes, my daughter does have a favor to ask."
"Please wait a moment, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Zhi waited in the outer room for a while before a soft voice finally came from inside, "Come in."
Xiao Yunheng had already finished his medicinal bath and dressed. He was sitting in a wheelchair with his legs below the knees exposed. Doctor Xue was cursing as he performed acupuncture on him.
His calves were thin and fair, and although the muscles were thin, they did not appear to have atrophied. Apart from being thinner than the average person, he looked normal.
It must be because someone is constantly massaging and acupuncturing the patient.
Jiang Zhi glanced at him and then looked away. "I didn't mean to pry, but there's something I really need to ask for your permission, Your Highness."
"Please feel free to speak."
After Doctor Xue finished acupuncture for Xiao Yunheng, he left. Qingxing and the servant also tactfully withdrew.
Jiang Zhi then bit her lower lip and asked somewhat awkwardly, "Is there an old woman named Chen Cuiru in the Prince of Xiang's residence?"
But Xiao Yunheng raised an eyebrow. "Yes, what's wrong?"
"Years ago, she served my mother in the Jiang family. After my mother passed away, she was expelled from the Jiang family and came to the Prince of Xiang's residence. Now I suspect the cause of my mother's death and want to inquire about some old matters. I wonder if the Prince would allow Granny Chen to leave the residence?"
"Miss Jiang, are you trying to find out about the old women in my household?"
"They will only ask about things that happened in the Jiang family in the past, and will not ask any more questions." Jiang Zhi also knew that such things were taboo in wealthy families.
As expected, Xiao Yunheng did not agree. "Chen Mama is currently serving my mother closely at the Prince of Xiang's residence. My mother is in poor health and cannot be separated from her every day. I'm afraid she cannot grant Miss Jiang's wish."
Princess Consort of Xiang lived a secluded life, setting up a Buddhist shrine in the Prince of Xiang's residence. She devoted herself to Buddhist teachings and chanted scriptures every day, rarely interacting with others. She even refused to attend banquets hosted by the Emperor and Empress.
It was widely rumored in the capital that she was so grief-stricken by the death of King Xiang that she renounced worldly life and entered a Buddhist monastery.
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Is this the end of the road for Granny Chen?
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yunheng continued, "However, if Miss Jiang really wants to ask, she can come directly to my Prince Xiang's residence."
Jiang Zhi's eyes lit up. "Is that alright? Won't that disturb the Princess Consort of Xiang's peace and quiet?"
Xiao Yunheng laughed, "It's alright. The Prince Xiang's mansion hasn't had any distinguished guests for a long time. Although my mother prefers peace and quiet, she will be happy if this can help Miss Jiang."
Jiang Zhi hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
And Dr. Xue's medicine was indeed very effective. After applying it, my ankle, which was still a little swollen and painful, immediately felt cool, and I was able to walk a few steps in no time.
The next day, she prepared gifts and brought Qingxing to visit.
The Prince Xiang's residence was quiet, with only the Princess Consort and Xiao Yunheng as its two masters. The servants were all doing their jobs and did not inquire much about her arrival, making it seem like a place of strict order and discipline.
Xiao Yunheng brought Jiang Zhi to Jingxin Garden, a Buddhist hall specially set up for the Princess Consort of Xiang.
Jiang Zhi was helped inside by Qing Xing, and there she saw a slender figure kneeling on a prayer mat, dressed in a plain Hangzhou silk brocade jacket, holding prayer beads in her hand, half of her face hidden in the shadow of the ever-burning lamp.
"Mother, I've brought Miss Jiang to see you."
Jiang Zhi also bowed and greeted the Princess Consort of Xiang.
Princess Xiang then raised her head.
It was a plain and aloof face, with very light eyebrows and eyes, like a landscape painting blurred by clear water. The bridge of the nose was straight and elegant, and the eyes were calm without any trace of worldly turmoil.
"Get up. Heng'er has already told me about you. If you have any questions, just ask."
He then instructed the maid beside him to summon Granny Chen.
Jiang Zhi had prepared herself for the Princess Consort of Xiang to be aloof and unapproachable, but she was surprised to find her to be so kind and approachable, which made her feel flattered.
She took out a Buddhist scripture from her sleeve. "I have heard that Princess Xiang is devoted to Buddhism. This is a Buddhist scripture that I copied by hand. The handwriting is rough, but I hope that Princess Xiang will not find it offensive."
Princess Xiang took it and opened it. Her calm eyes revealed a look of satisfaction. "Miss Jiang is not old, but her handwriting is calm and composed, without any impetuousness. It is clear that she has a clear mind. I will accept it."
Xiao Yunheng, in his wheelchair, looked up at Jiang Zhi and said, "Mother is very satisfied with your gift."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
Soon after, Granny Chen was brought up.
She was already quite old and slightly overweight. Upon seeing Jiang Zhi, she became excited and knelt down in front of her with a thud.
"Young Miss, is it really you..."
When Granny Chen left the Jiang residence, Jiang Zhi was still young and didn't have much of an impression of her.
But now that the living people are right in front of me, the scenes from my childhood gradually become clearer.
"Granny Chen, get up quickly." Jiang Zhi hurriedly went to pull her up.
“There’s a quiet room nearby; you can talk there,” Xiao Yunheng said.
"Yes." She apologized to Princess Xiang and Xiao Yunheng, and then went to the quiet room with Granny Chen.
Princess Xiang watched Jiang Zhi's departing figure, her voice as faint as if it came from the ends of the earth, "Why did you suddenly think of bringing a woman into the manor?"
“I just found it interesting,” he said, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the beaded string on his hand. “When I pulled her out of the lake, she was soaking wet, disheveled, and pitiful, just like Hua Nu.”
Princess Xiang glanced at him and said, "Heng'er, she is a person, not the tabby cat you keep."
Xiao Yunheng used to have a tabby cat named Hua Nu, but it was found drowned in a lotus pond less than two years later.
Since then, Xiao Yunheng has never kept a pet again.
“Your son knows, of course,” Xiao Yunheng smiled. “I was just teasing him when I had nothing else to do, Mother Consort, you don’t need to worry.”
At this moment, a servant came and said that Crown Prince Xiao Xuanyou had arrived with the Emperor's rewards.
Xiao Yunheng's gaze darkened. "Then I'll take my leave."
He was pushed in a wheelchair to the front hall, where Xiao Xuanyou had already been served tea by servants. Seeing him come over, Xiao Xuanyou put down his teacup and said with a smile, "How have you been lately? Your father misses you very much. You should come to the palace more often to keep him company."
Xiao Yunheng replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will definitely come to the palace to pay my respects once I am feeling better."
"I haven't had a chance to thank you properly for the antidote you gave the Crown Princess last time, so I'm sending it along with Father Emperor's reward this time."
Xiao Xuanyou had the items inventoried and left behind. He inquired about the health of the Princess Consort of Xiang and then asked, "I heard from the servants that there were guests in the manor today? That's quite unusual."
The Prince of Xiang's residence has been closed to visitors for many years, and the Emperor himself has forbidden any casual visits. It has been a long time since any outsiders have been heard of visiting.
"It's Miss Jiang who came to ask the old woman by my mother's side about some old matters. Your Highness, thank you for your trouble." Xiao Yunheng said indifferently.
“I see,” Xiao Xuanyou raised an eyebrow and stood up, saying, “Speaking of which, the Empress Dowager is also worried about the Princess Consort’s health. I’ll go over and pay my respects.”
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