Jiang'er would never stand idly by and watch someone deceive the princess, not even Cui Xiaoqiu, whom the princess liked.
Therefore, under Cui Xiaoqiu's pointed "threat," she silently accepted the fan and stood aside with her head down.
Cui Xiaoqiu went out.
Jiang'er wanted to go out with them, but she didn't dare.
After all, she wasn't a princess; she wouldn't treat Cui Xiaoqiu like a sickly person.
That day, he and the prince subdued the unruly princess. Their moves were skillful and agile, unlike what he claimed to be a dabbler in martial arts.
He's a master.
Therefore, Jiang'er would not presume to go along.
She thought for a moment. The princess told him to go find the prince, so she decided to go find the prince directly.
If discovered, just say the princess woke up for a while and she was worried.
After a while, seeing that Yanran was sleeping soundly, Jiang'er got up and quietly went out the door.
The guards on duty for twelve hours only kept an eye on Yanran, and did not stop others from entering and leaving.
They even exchanged a few words with Jiang'er.
Jiang'er dealt with the situation and went straight to the Linlin outer study.
Since it's two men discussing matters, it's inappropriate and disrespectful to do so in a room in the inner courtyard, especially with the Princess Consort present.
But when she arrived at the outer study, she found it completely dark.
Just then, Zhao Qing walked to the door with a lantern in hand. Upon seeing her, he exclaimed in surprise, "Jiang'er, what brings you here? Is something the princess needs?"
"Is the Prince not here?" Jiang'er asked anxiously.
She also had to be careful that Cui Xiaoqiu didn't come back, and that he would find fault with her and drive her away if she wasn't there.
"No, she's in the Princess Consort's room." Zhao Qing waved the file in his hand. "She just told me to come and fetch something."
"In the Princess Consort's room?"
Zhao Qing chuckled softly, "Now, the Prince spends his evenings with his Princess Consort, reviewing official documents in her room."
The two of them had an incredibly harmonious relationship.
When we reach a certain age, we'll definitely be able to consummate our marriage immediately.
The Emperor no longer needs to start with himself, making him "betray" the Prince's romantic progress.
Although imperial orders are hard to disobey, Zhao Qing still felt a sense of betrayal towards his master every time he secretly provided the emperor with similar information.
Jiang'er asked, "Where is Young Master Cui? Wasn't he supposed to be here to discuss matters with the Prince?"
"Young Master Cui? No, he hasn't been here."
"Oh, maybe I misheard." Jiang'er turned and was about to run back.
She felt as if she had jumped into a trap.
Could it be that Cui Xiaoqiu is plotting to get herself into a trap, then kick her out so she can do whatever she wants with the princess?
Zhao Qing grabbed Jiang'er: "What happened? Wasn't Young Master Cui always with the princess?"
"It's nothing, I probably misheard." Jiang'er didn't explain further and hurried away.
It was too dark on the road, and she fell twice, looking quite disheveled.
Despite this, Jiang'er dared not stop.
When she returned to the entrance of Yanran's courtyard, her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.
Composing herself, Jiang'er pretended nothing was wrong and asked the guard at the door with a smile, "Has Young Master Cui returned?"
If Cui Xiaoqiu is indeed inside, waiting to find something against her, then she should run to the Prince right now.
--The prince is so intelligent, perhaps he can understand my good intentions.
But that's not necessarily true, after all, Cui Xiaoqiu is too good at pretending.
Therefore, this path should not be taken unless absolutely necessary.
Just as she was feeling extremely nervous, the guard chuckled and said, "Not yet. Miss Jiang'er, did you fall?"
Jiang'er breathed a long sigh of relief.
Either he's overthinking it, or Cui Xiaoqiu hasn't had a chance to make a move yet.
That's good.
"It was dark and the road was slippery, I slipped and fell, but it's nothing serious," Jiang'er said. "You've all worked hard, I'll make some hot tea for you later."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, she composed herself before returning to her bedside to guard Yanran once more.
She wanted to see when Cui Xiaoqiu would return.
After waiting for about an hour, Cui Xiaoqiu finally returned, entering the house with a chill in her body.
Jiang'er rose and bowed.
It's already past 1 AM, and he's been gone for so long. He wasn't going to the Prince's place, so where did he go?
Cui Xiaoqiu didn't look at her much, but simply told her to go and rest.
Jiang'er curtsied and withdrew.
Over the next few days, she noticed that Cui Xiaoqiu went out every night, and her departure and return took two hours each time, very punctually.
Jiang'er's curiosity and doubts sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, impossible to stop.
In the end, she couldn't hold back any longer.
One day during the day, Yanran sent her to the kitchen to get something.
Jiang'er went directly to find Linlin.
With great excitement, she told Linlin about her "major discovery" over the past few days and asked him to help Yanran.
However, Linlin replied, "I sent him on this mission."
Jiang'er looked at Linlin in disbelief.
Why does she still find it so unbelievable?
However, reason told him that the prince couldn't possibly favor Cui Xiaoqiu over the princess.
So, let's just believe it for now?
But Jiang'er still couldn't convince herself.
She just felt that Cui Xiaoqiu's behavior was strange.
One time when Cui Xiaoqiu returned home late at night, Jiang'er even smelled a special fragrance.
It's definitely unlike any other fragrance ever used in Princess House.
Yanran, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, even smiled and told her that she must be very worried lately because she always had dark circles under her eyes.
Jiang'er spoke modestly, but in her heart she thought, "She's not just worried, she's practically heartbroken."
Before we knew it, it was time for Qu Jingjing's full moon celebration.
Qu Nian was so eager for others to know that he had a daughter and hosted a banquet with over two hundred tables.
Ren Yingying was shocked when she heard the number.
"Qu Nian, people will think you're desperate for money and trying to make a quick buck!"
"Just this once, I don't want Jingjing to suffer."
Ren Yingying: I really don't want to live with an idiot anymore.
Even Dog Meat vendors wouldn't do something like this.
Have you ever heard the saying, "A tall tree catches the wind"?
But the invitations have already been sent out, what can she do?
All I could do was grumble and curse while cooperating.
However, Qu Nian didn't need her cooperation; if someone could afford to entertain guests, they could afford to take care of everything.
Qu Nian brought Yuanyang back to help Qu Hua.
--Qu Hua was in full charge of the women's affairs.
Surprisingly, Qu Hua did not slap Qu Nian, but instead happily accepted the task.
She felt that girls deserved to be treated this way too, and she was happy.
Unexpectedly, Jinse also came back to help two days before the full moon celebration.
Ren Yingying became very nervous. "Get out of the way, are you alright?"
Jinse said, "There shouldn't be any more Gu makers. Gu makers aren't like cabbages; they're very difficult to cultivate. Besides, they hold grudges, so they haven't appeared for so long. There shouldn't be any nearby."
"This isn't me being pessimistic. It's better to be safe than sorry," Ren Yingying said. "How about we call Yanran over too, so you can keep an eye on things?"
"I wouldn't dare," Jinse replied truthfully. "No one can easily subdue the princess. Don't worry, nothing will happen."
Why do I feel so uncertain?