Physician Ye was absorbed in studying the formula and did not notice Yan Ruoxi’s expression.
Yan Ruoxi’s face shifted from pale to flushed, her fists clenched tight, revealing a look of jealous hatred.
After half a day, Physician Ye finally figured out the formula for the wound medicine. He nodded approvingly: “What a marvelous remedy—when Seven‑Day Grass and Polygonum are used together, they can swiftly stop bleeding…”
Chu Yunli tacitly accepted Physician Ye and Yan Ruoxi’s company, and the group continued toward He Province.
Chu Yunli’s coldness made Yan Ruoxi feel wronged, but she quickly adjusted her state of mind. The road was long, and there would surely be chances to draw closer to Brother Chu.
Her looks were no less than Jiang Ning’s, her medical skill outstanding, and as the daughter of a noble family, she surpassed Jiang Ning in every way.
Chu Yunli’s band of elite soldiers were also on edge. Not long after they passed the winding mountain path, it collapsed behind them. Fortunately, the place where they stood was safe.
“Lord Chu, the mountain slope in the distance has collapsed…” An officer rushed over to report.
Chu Yunli glanced at the mountain above and the village below, then said, “Continue forward.”
In the Marquis’s residence, Ning’an Courtyard, the oil lamps were lit.
At the instant Jiang Ning heard the news, her face turned deathly pale, blood drained away, her body swayed. Though the oil lamps lit the room, her vision darkened in waves, everything blurred.
“The mountain has collapsed…”
Jiang Mengyue stepped into the house; hearing the sounds from the courtyard, she gave a cold smile.
She held command over matters of the future, of great use to the crown prince, who would surely protect her completely.
Even the crown princess could not touch her.
Jiang Mengyue cursed inwardly that the crown prince’s secret guards were useless—letting someone break into her home and even allowing that madwoman to slap her twice.
Where have all the secret guards gone?
“Someone! Where are you!” Jiang Mengyue cried out, shaking all over with fury.
At this moment, Jiang Mengyue still had no idea that trouble was about to arrive, as she was preoccupied with worries about Jin Jingxiu.
She had once thought Jin Jingxiu was like a dog she kept—summoned at a wave of her hand. But Jin Jingxiu had thrown down the house deed and left coldly, and to this day had never come back to her.
Jiang Mengyue tugged at her handkerchief, her expression dark.
Xiuzhu followed the Crown Princess’s instructions and went to Huaya Courtyard.
But when she reached near Huaya Courtyard, her face flushed red with shyness, and she hesitated, unable to move her feet.
It was her first time doing such a thing, and she was nervous. Worse, the place she was going was hardly respectable. When she saw several men entering together, her face flushed so red it seemed blood might drip, and she lowered her head deeply.
Jiang Ning moved all the medicinal herbs prepared by the Fourth Prince to Physician Xue's residence.
As expected of the Fourth Prince; he managed to find many of the rare herbs on the list that aren't even available on the market.
Xue Xiu opened the door to greet them, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw a cart full of medicinal herbs.
When Huaya Garden was brought up, the Crown Princess looked down, her hand resting on her belly. She bit her lip softly, and a trace of unwillingness flickered across her features.
Jiang Ning caught the change in the Crown Princess’s face.
Huaya Garden is a pleasure ground, a place of indulgence, where women are strictly barred.
The next day, Jiang Ning rose early and went to the courtyard to practice with her whip.
She swung it with ease, finding it more and more effective, and couldn’t bear to put it down.
At that moment, a waiter from Qingxin Teahouse delivered a tea box.
Chunlan carried the tea box over; it was made of rosewood, looking very precious.
Jiang Ning had no idea she’d become the target of resentment.
She didn’t know that her casual act of saving Jin Jingxiu would shift something in him—and cause Jiang Mengyue no end of trouble.
She was swinging a whip in the courtyard at that moment.
The whip Jin Jingxiu had gifted her felt just right in her hand. She liked it better than a dagger—whipping suited her more.
When Jin Jingxiu heard Jiang Mengyue mention the Crown Prince, he became even more certain of what he had seen that day.
He took the deed from his sleeve and placed it on the table, saying, “This is the deed to this residence.”
Jiang Mengyue was completely confused and hadn’t reacted yet—why bring up the deed to this residence now? They were talking about the Crown Prince.
Jiang Mengyue sent a maid out to inquire, and right after, someone from the Jin family arrived—a servant of Jin Jingxiu—returning the letter.
Jiang Mengyue couldn’t believe it—the one who came wasn’t Jin Jingxiu, but a servant. He even came just to return her letter.
The servant scratched his head and said, “Second Miss, our young master hasn’t been feeling well lately. A few days ago, he was nearly trampled by a horse while out—he was badly frightened, and he’s still lying in bed…”
Jin Weilan couldn’t shake her suspicions, so she went to the storeroom to keep an eye on Jin Jingxiu. Was he really preparing a proper gift— or was he stuffing the box with snakes and rats under the noble excuse of “gratitude”?
Jin Jingxiu held deep affection for Jiang Mengyue. After her expulsion from the Marquis residence, he laid the blame squarely on Jiang Ning— and once caused a stir at the gates in protest.
Knowing him, it wouldn’t be surprising if he used snakes and rats to frighten Jiang Ning.
Ordinarily, Jiang Mengyue wouldn’t bother reaching out to Jin Jingxiu—he was always the one chasing her, eager to please. But now, she had no choice but to lower herself, however reluctantly.
That fool Jin Jingxiu was easy to sway. A few kind words, and he’d come clinging back without shame.
Foolish as he was, he still had his uses.
Under the flickering oil lamp, Jiang Mengyue’s gaze shimmered with quiet allure. Her face, soft and exquisite, lit up with a faint smile—one that stirred the heart without a word.
The Crown Prince fixed his gaze on the person before him. “You’ve rendered me a great service,” he said. “Now tell me—how might I repay you?”
Jiang Mengyue offered a gentle smile, retrieved the Crown Prince’s teacup, and poured a new serving of tea.
Jiang Ning was taking great risks to persuade Chu Yunli not to go.
She might be regarded as a monster...
Or someone who is considered ominous.
If one follows the approach of self-preservation, it would mean staying silent and keeping this matter hidden so that no one would know her secret.
But if this happens, Chu Yunli will die.
What?
Chu Yunli is going to He Province?
Jiang Ning thought for a moment that she had heard wrong. The person leading the troops to He Province was obviously the Crown Prince, how could it be him?
Chu Yunli nodded, straightened his clothes, and said, "There is a flood in He Province. The Emperor ordered me to lead troops to He Province for disaster relief. It will take about a month to go back and forth, so you don't need to come and change my dressing."
The Crown Prince and Chu Yunli had never gotten along, and he had always wanted to take all achievements from Chu Yunli.
A major event like disaster relief is a great achievement if done well. Everyone is eager to volunteer. The Emperor chooses to send the Crown Prince to go, but the Crown Prince refuses and recommends someone else?
No matter how he thinks about it, He feels something is wrong.
