Xiao Tong returned to the study, and the leader of the Secret Guards placed everything that had happened at the General's Estate yesterday upon the desk.
Xiao Tong read through all the reports, his brows gradually furrowing.
"Have the people sent to the Jiang Estate returned with any news?"
The leader of the Secret Guards replied in a low voice:
"Reporting to Your Highness, the Secret Guards stationed at the Jiang Estate have found no signs of collusion between the Jiang Estate and any other princes. Everything at the Jiang Estate is as usual."
Xiao Tong's brows furrowed even deeper.
Everything as usual?
Then how was Jiang Wumei's transformation over the past six months to be explained?
And what of yesterday's incident at the General's Estate? On the surface, it appeared to be an adopted daughter of the General's Estate attempting to murder the Old Lady, while mistakenly injuring the Crown Prince's Concubine and two noble elderly matrons.
In reality, however, an expert was orchestrating events behind the scenes, drawing three estates into the fray, with the sole purpose of eliminating that adopted daughter of the General's Estate.
To go to such great lengths, all for a mere ant of an adopted daughter from the Huo Estate.
Who was the hand behind the scenes?
Xu Junjun?
Or... Jiang Wumei.
A murderous chill flashed in the depths of Xiao Tong's eyes, and he issued a cold command:
"Continue watching the Jiang Estate, and additionally dispatch more men to monitor Xu Junjun, the Young Madam of the General's Estate. Report immediately if anything is amiss."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The figure of the Secret Guard vanished from the study in an instant, as if he had never appeared at all.
Xiao Tong stared at the characters for "Jiang Wumei" on the paper, his mind suddenly conjuring her appearance in the warm chamber just moments ago.
Her pale face, slightly bloodless red lips, and the lingering, hidden anxiety and terror deep within her eyes truly evoked pity, stirring a desire to ravage her.
"Jiang Wumei, do not harbor delusions about things that do not belong to you. As long as you obediently play your part and serve as a shield for Yurong, there will still be a place for you in the inner court once I ascend the throne. If you dare to harbor any crooked thoughts, I will have no choice but to send you off to the netherworld ahead of time."
That night, Jiang Wumei once again spent the night alone.
For someone who had missed her monthly period, this could be considered quite a rare occurrence.
However, not having to wait on Xiao Tong, that god of death, Jiang Wumei was more than happy for the ease.
If she could, she would gladly have Xiao Tong and the Empress in the palace forget her completely, allowing her to peacefully get through the next few months.
Alas, heaven does not always grant one's wishes.
By the evening of the following day, after Jiang Wumei had finished her medicine and was playing with the tiger cub in the warm chamber, Xiao Tong arrived.
Seeing her doting on that little beast yet again, Xiao Tong felt a deep sense of disgust, and he strode past the two of them straight into the bedchamber.
Glancing at his icy-block face, Jiang Wumei hesitated for a moment before picking up the tiger cub and following him inside.
As Xiao Tong was having his outer robe changed by a maidservant, Jiang Wumei set the tiger cub down on the floor, stepped forward to take the robe from the maid's hands, draped it over Xiao Tong's shoulders, and, reaching behind him, freed his trapped black hair. She said in a sweet voice:
"Has Your Highness partaken of the evening meal?"
"Not yet."
Accepting Jiang Wumei's service with a clear conscience, Xiao Tong's face remained as devoid of fluctuation as ever.
Accustomed to this by now, Jiang Wumei smiled, nodded, and instructed Qingzhi:
"Have them serve the meal."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Qingzhi acknowledged the order and stepped out of the chamber to summon the meal. The tiger cub seemed deeply curious about this newcomer, trotting in circles around Xiao Tong's heels, its little head marked with the character for 'king' repeatedly rubbing against Xiao Tong's lower leg.
Seeing its round little tiger eyes, Jiang Wumei let out a soft laugh, bent down to scoop up the tiger cub, and held it out before Xiao Tong:
"Your Highness, Xuetuan is very fond of you. Would you like to hold it? Its fur feels wonderful."
Jiang Wumei's alluring, watery eyes stared unblinkingly at Xiao Tong, full of expectation.
Looking at the two pairs of equally hopeful eyes before him, Xiao Tong spoke coldly:
"I have no fondness for furry beasts. Throw it out."
Jiang Wumei's smile froze, and the light in the depths of her eyes instantly extinguished.
Seeing Xiao Tong's displeased expression, Jiang Wumei stiffly forced out a smile:
"Since Your Highness does not like it, I shall have someone take Xuetuan elsewhere to play. Someone come."
Another maidservant hurried forward, and Jiang Wumei handed the tiger cub over to her, instructing her softly:
"Take Xuetuan to get some food, and once it has eaten, hold it and let it play in the conservatory to help it digest. Be attentive, and don't let this little fellow run off and get lost."
Listening to her meticulous instructions, Xiao Tong's brows furrowed deeply.
Since when was a mere beast worthy of such attentiveness from her?
Gazing at the tiger cub in the maid's arms, Xiao Tong's expression grew increasingly chilling, frightening the attending servants into breathless silence.
Sensing his low pressure, Jiang Wumei's smile did not falter, though inwardly she was so annoyed she wished she could smash something right against his forehead.
Hanging that Judge of Hell face all day long, you'd think someone had stolen your position as Crown Prince!
Bitchy people sure love to put on airs!
Especially men who were sensitive, suspicious, and mercurial—they were the crème de la crème of bitches!
The evening meal was promptly brought into the room, and Jiang Wumei smilingly seated herself beside Xiao Tong, fulfilling her role as a favored concubine by serving him food, ladling soup, and showing him every tender consideration.
Xiao Tong disliked speaking during meals. After uttering a couple of sentences at the beginning, Jiang Wumei remained quietly by his side, attending to him in silence.
Not until Xiao Tong had finished eating did Jiang Wumei set aside the ivory chopsticks she had been using to serve him, pour him tea to rinse his mouth, and present a damp cloth for him to wash his hands.
"Your Highness, have you dealt with that culprit sent over from the General's Estate yesterday?"
Chen Yue'er had bullied Xu Junjun quite a few times over the previous half-year, and she was also the true white moonlight of that Huo Qiming; unless she saw her die with her own eyes, Jiang Wumei would never feel entirely at ease.
Hearing her bring up the Huo Estate's adopted daughter, Xiao Tong lifted his eyes, a look of scrutiny in his gaze:
"My beloved places great importance on this adopted daughter of the Huo Estate. Would you like me to have her skeleton sent to you for a look after she's sliced to pieces?"
Detecting the displeasure in Xiao Tong's tone, Jiang Wumei had no idea how she had managed to provoke him again.
Secretly grinding her teeth, Jiang Wumei lost her temper as well:
"There's no need for a skeleton. This humble concubine's constitution is weak, unlike Your Highness's, and I'm afraid I'd have nightmares if I saw it."
Xiao Tong turned his head slightly, his gaze upon Jiang Wumei carrying a trace of astonishment; she actually had the nerve to get angry.
Over the past half-year, he had watched coldly as she walked on eggshells, measuring every step to serve him, never imagining she would lose her temper.
"If you're afraid of nightmares, then behave yourself. You should understand, Jiang Wumei, that I do not like people who think themselves clever."
Issuing this mild warning, Xiao Tong's deep gaze remained fixed upon Jiang Wumei's face from beginning to end.
Catching the underlying meaning in Xiao Tong's words, Jiang Wumei kept her expression smooth, though her fingertips curled inward within her sleeves.
This damned man was indeed not so easy to deal with.
The play she and Junjun had put on yesterday must have been seen through by him.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, Jiang Wumei plastered on an even brighter smile, leaned against Xiao Tong's side, and said in a coaxing voice:
"This concubine doesn't understand what Your Highness is talking about. I only know that Your Highness is my heaven, and whatever look Your Highness likes on me is the look I shall have."
Just endure a little longer, endure a little longer. Treat it as dealing with a mental patient.
Jiang Wumei constantly reminded herself in her heart.
He who endures the bitterest of hardships will rise above the rest.
For the sake of her and Junjun's future happy life, she would swallow this damned man's threats hook, line, and sinker for now.
When the time came for her to leave, she would pay him back with a massive surprise!