Chapter 269: Jiang Kui Comes To The Crown Prince’s Manor
Suddenly, a chilling voice came from behind them, “All of you shut up.”
Everyone was frightened and turned around, seeing Liu Ye with a face full of gloom. They all lowered their heads, not daring to say another word.
Liu Ye stepped forward and slapped each of them once.
Even after being slapped, they didn’t dare make a sound.
“Next time if I hear anyone talking nonsense, I’ll pull out her tongue.”
Liu Ye’s gaze shot toward them like a sharp sword.
Everyone was scared into trembling.
Liu Ye turned around and left directly.
But what they didn’t know was that one palace maid had quietly left the crowd.
The palace maids looked at each other, all seeing fear in one another’s eyes, but none dared to speak.
As soon as Liu Ye returned to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, she told the Empress everything the palace maids had said.
The Empress, who was drinking tea, immediately stopped, her gaze turning icy cold.
She heavily placed the teacup on the table, “Go investigate for me, find out exactly who is spreading the rumor.”
Liu Ye was also frightened by the anger emanating from her, trembling as she said, “Yes.”
The Empress felt very uneasy in her heart.
The matter of her not having a noble fate was known only to Madam Yu and her own father, but they had all died. This was a secret, no one should know, but why was such a thing spreading now? Could it be that bitch hadn’t died?
Thinking that the bitch hadn’t died, the terror of the rumor being exposed was instantly overtaken by anger.
“Someone come, go check for me if that bitch is truly dead?” the Empress ordered coldly.
At some unknown time, a man in black appeared in the room, kneeling beside the Empress and saying, “Yes.”
With the fall of this voice, the man in black disappeared from the room, as if it had never happened.
＊＊
Crown Prince’s Manor.
“Crown Princess, the message we spread has already reached the Empress’s ears,” Yushui happily reported everything.
Jiang Ruanxi, who was cracking melon seeds, smiled and said, “Well done. Starting this month, I’ll add five taels of silver to your monthly salary.”
“Really? Thank you, Crown Princess.”
Yushui was so happy she danced with joy.
Jiang Ruanxi nodded.
“Grand Tutor has arrived.”
Suddenly, from outside the door came Wan Qing’s voice raised several times louder, with a hint of flattery, “Grand Tutor, why do you have time to come to our Crown Prince’s Manor today?”
Jiang Kui had a cold face, a flash of disdain in his eyes, but he still spoke, “His Majesty sent me in his place to check on the Crown Princess.”
Wan Qing pretended not to see it, still smiling brightly, “Oh, this concubine thanks His Majesty and Grand Tutor on behalf of the Crown Princess.”
Jiang Kui’s face showed clear impatience, and Wan Qing, being perceptive, moved aside a bit to let his wheelchair pass.
But in the place they couldn’t see, she rolled her eyes and pursed her lips.
Jiang Ruanxi, who was cracking melon seeds, was stunned.
Her mind was full of why Jiang Kui had come.
Yushui reacted first, grabbed Jiang Ruanxi’s collar, dragged her to the bedside, placed her on the bed, and covered her with the quilt—all in an instant.
By the time Jiang Ruanxi reacted, she was already on the bed.
Hearing the sound of the wheelchair, Jiang Ruanxi quickly closed her eyes.
After Jiang Kui entered, he glanced around, his gaze settling on the melon seeds scattered on the floor, a profound smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He quickly shifted his gaze and came straight to Jiang Ruanxi.
Wan Qing, who entered behind, saw Jiang Kui staring straight at Jiang Ruanxi and, fearing he would notice something, hurriedly came over, “Grand Tutor, we don’t know what poison the Crown Princess has been afflicted with. You shouldn’t get too close, or else if the unknown poisonous gas contaminates you, that wouldn’t be good.”
Jiang Kui didn’t even lift his head, not sparing her a glance.
The man who had been pushing Jiang Kui’s wheelchair the whole time glanced at Wan Qing, making her feel as if a venomous snake was crawling on her body. She quickly jumped aside, not daring to speak carelessly again.
She could only silently pray in her heart that Jiang Ruanxi would be safe and sound.
Suddenly, Jiang Ruanxi reached out her hand toward the bedside. Wan Qing, fearing exposure, hurriedly blocked in front, “Grand Tutor, if you have any instructions, this concubine will serve you.”
Interrupted, Jiang Kui glared at Wan Qing with a face full of chill.
“Get out of the way.”
This woman reeked of cheap perfume, making him want to vomit just from the smell.
And the Crown Princess’s Zhaoxun was just a servant in his eyes, not qualified to stand before him, let alone block him now.
Wan Qing was very afraid in her heart, her hands at her side clenched tightly to keep her inner fear from spilling out. Gathering her courage, she said, “The imperial physician said that our Crown Princess’s poison has some contagiousness, so it’s best not to get too close. So Grand Tutor, it’s better if you don’t get too close.”
A mocking smile hung at the corner of Jiang Kui’s mouth; he wouldn’t believe her nonsense.
“This Grand Tutor is Emperor Qin’s Grand Tutor; all demons and devils dare not approach me. Do you think I’m afraid of mere poison?”
Wan Qing was stunned, her mind racing, but just as she was about to speak, Jiang Kui’s guard grabbed her wrist and flung her a zhang away.
Wan Qing stumbled and nearly fell, but Yushui on the side timely supported her, preventing her from falling.
Wan Qing gratefully glanced at her, then frowned tightly at Jiang Ruanxi on the bed.
The guard lifted a corner of Jiang Ruanxi’s quilt, and Jiang Kui reached toward Jiang Ruanxi’s wrist.
Jiang Ruanxi didn’t even dare to breathe, for in her previous life, though she rarely saw Jiang Kui, she had heard from the Jiang Family that aside from his inability to walk, Jiang Kui was proficient in many things, including medicine.
She wasn’t poisoned; if Jiang Kui took her pulse, she would be exposed.
As Jiang Kui’s hand drew closer, Jiang Ruanxi’s heart leaped to her throat.
“Crown Prince, why have you returned?”
Suddenly, Wan Qing’s voice came from behind.
Wei Chang was back?
Wasn’t he still in Lingnan?
Jiang Kui thought Wan Qing was throwing up more smoke to obstruct him and paid it no mind, continuing to extend his hand.
Just as his hand reached Jiang Ruanxi’s wrist, his own wrist was suddenly grabbed heavily and lifted.
Soon, piercing pain set in.
Jiang Kui frowned deeply and looked up, discovering that the one grabbing his hand was none other than Wei Chang.
He saw exhaustion between Wei Chang’s brows, but his gaze shot toward him like an arrow.
“Grand Tutor, is my Crown Princess someone you can touch?”
Being pinned with such a big hat, Jiang Kui’s face also turned ashen.
His wrist shifted to the right, using some clever technique, making Wei Chang’s hand go numb and reflexively release him.
“Crown Prince is overthinking it. This Grand Tutor knows a bit of medicine and merely wants to take the Crown Princess’s pulse to see if I can help.”
Jiang Kui had already composed his emotions, returning to his usual aloof demeanor.
