The announcement fell like a thunderclap, shattering the stillness of the house.
Prince Jing? Not just someone from the Prince’s Estate, but the Prince himself, calling in person?
The smile on Madam Wen’s face froze instantly, a flicker of shock crossing her eyes before she quickly regained her composure.
Seeing Fu Jing'an still standing there in a daze, Madam Wen grabbed her daughter and hurried toward the front courtyard.
"Meet force with force! Keep your wits about you, and mind your manners," she whispered urgent instructions as they ran.
When they arrived at the front courtyard, panting, they saw Count Jingwen bowing with a sycophantic expression before a dashing young man, while Fu Yingzhi stood respectfully behind him.
The nobleman in the center of the courtyard wore a long robe of white silk, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and an ivory folding fan in his hand. With his sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, he possessed an extraordinary air, exuding the unique nobility and majesty of the imperial family. He looked at Count Jingwen with a faint, inscrutable smile.
Madam Wen stared blankly at the straight-backed Prince Jing, then at the Count, whose back was bowed almost to the ground. She couldn't help but twitch her lip.
As for Fu Jing'an, she was already spellbound. Never in her life had she seen such a handsome man. At this moment, was there even a shadow of Xiao Yu left in her eyes?
Noticing this, Madam Wen tugged at her daughter’s sleeve, and the two quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.
Prince Jing nodded slightly, his gaze shifting back to the Count. He spoke slowly: "While passing through Lin'an Alley yesterday, I was suddenly taken ill. I was fortunate enough to encounter the Third Young Lady of your household, who provided timely aid." He paused, adding with deep meaning, "I have come today specifically to offer my thanks."
These few short sentences exploded like a thunderbolt in the hearts of everyone in the Count's Estate.
Seeing the Count still standing there in a daze, Song Xiuyuan raised an eyebrow. He lifted a hand, and the servants behind him immediately carried several exquisite rosewood chests into the courtyard.
"A mere token of my gratitude. I hope the Count will accept it," Song Xiuyuan said in a clear, ringing voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable majesty.
The hall fell into silence.
Count Jingwen finally snapped back to reality. Internally, he lamented: How had he offended this man? The political situation in Ningdu was complex and treacherous; he had only just managed to place himself under the banner of a powerful patron...
Despite his inner trepidation, his face remained wreathed in brilliant smiles. "Your Highness is far too kind! That my daughter could earn your favor is the greatest fortune our family has ever known! If you have any orders, I would go through fire and water for you, never hesitating! To serve you is the ultimate honor, a blessing bestowed by my ancestors!"
This exaggerated display made Song Xiuyuan frown. He nodded expressionlessly, then turned his gaze toward Fu Yingzhi. "Third Young Lady, could we speak in private?" Without waiting for a reaction, he turned and headed toward the main gate.
Fu Yingzhi looked at the Count, but seeing the latter had already dropped his smile and was frowning in deep thought, she hardened her heart and followed quickly behind Song Xiuyuan.
"Your father is, quite frankly... unique." Stopping abruptly at the gate, Song Xiuyuan looked at the young woman before him with a faint, mocking smile.
Fu Yingzhi, following close behind, almost stumbled. She looked up at the man who stood a head taller than her and pouted, "Your Highness is also quite unique. A perfectly good Prince, yet you choose to dress as a guard!"
Song Xiuyuan was momentarily speechless. He watched as the girl lowered her head, took a delicate medicine pouch from her sleeve, and carefully handed it to him.
"I thought you might try feeding me the medicine with your mouth again, Third Young Lady," the man said, a playful glint in his eyes.
Fu Yingzhi chuckled softly. She stepped forward two paces and whispered in Song Xiuyuan’s ear, "Your Highness’s words are truly prone to causing wild imagination. Could it be... that you have taken a fancy to me?"
The faint, elusive scent of magnolia from the girl’s hair wafted over, causing Song Xiuyuan’s breath to hitch, and a thin layer of red instantly dyed his earlobes.
Fu Yingzhi took in his reaction, laughing to herself while maintaining a calm, serious expression as she steered the conversation away. "Three pills a day, after meals. After you have taken them for three days, I shall check your pulse again."
Watching her feigned composure, Song Xiuyuan felt a sudden tremor in his heart, as if something had been gently touched.
"Thank you, Third Young Lady." He bowed to her and climbed into his carriage.
Fu Yingzhi watched the carriage disappear in a cloud of dust, an indescribable feeling rising in her heart...
When Count Jingwen and the others hurried to the gate, they happened to run into Fu Yingzhi as she returned to the estate.
Thinking of the Prince's sudden visit, the Count frowned, his gaze toward his daughter turning more scrutinizing.
"Yingzhi, well done! You have performed a great service for our Estate this time!" He kept his face impassive, though he patted her head with a facade of fatherly affection.
"It was only my duty, Father," Fu Yingzhi replied demurely, flashing an innocent, sweet smile.
Suddenly, her expression shifted. Covering her mouth with her hand, she feigned surprise: "Father, your face!"
The Count’s smile stiffened instantly. He reached up to touch the scratches on his face, a surge of annoyance and anxiety gripping him—he had to attend court tomorrow; how could he appear before the Emperor like this?
He looked coldly at Madam Wen, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Madam Wen!"
Madam Wen shuddered, having no choice but to step forward.
"If you are sick, you must be treated! From today on, you will remain in your courtyard to recuperate and are forbidden from stepping out!" The Count’s tone was cold and final, allowing no room for negotiation.
Madam Wen’s face turned pale as paper, and two trails of tears slid silently down her cheeks. She lightly touched her chest, looking at the Count with eyes full of resentment, her voice trembling: "My Lord, your injuries... allow me to apply medicine for you."
"That will not be necessary. Focus on your recovery!" the Count said coldly.
Madam Wen started to retort, but when she met the Count’s piercing gaze, her heart turned cold. A flicker of malice flashed in her eyes, but she merely shrank back, lowered her head, and replied, "Yes, my Lord."
"As a young lady, you must adhere to propriety and not go out seeking attention!" the Count turned to Fu Yingzhi, admonishing her.
...
Night fell. In the garden of the Count's Estate, a man in black, wearing a veiled hat, crept toward the rockery.
"How could this happen?" the person beneath the veil hissed, his tone full of rage.
"I got her out of the estate! The people you hired were the ones who failed!" Fu Jing'an, having just greeted him, spat back, furious.
The man removed his veil; it was Xiao Yu. His face was ash-gray, his eyes filled with gloom.
Seeing this, Fu Jing'an felt a jolt of alarm. She hurriedly suppressed her anger, assuming a look of grievance as her eyes turned red.
"The plan failed, and I was almost implicated. It’s all Fu Yingzhi’s trickery..." she sobbed, two streams of tears falling to make her look pitiful.
Seeing Xiao Yu’s expression soften, Fu Jing'an quickly promised, "At the Spring Banquet, I will make sure Fu Yingzhi pays! As long as I can gain the favor of Princess Rongjia, I will certainly put in a good word for you, Xiao Lang."
At the mention of "Princess Rongjia," Xiao Yu’s expression finally eased. He pulled Fu Jing'an into his arms, his tone softening: "Princess Rongjia is the Prince's own sister. If I can win her favor, I will surely secure an official position under Prince Jing."
This was the first time Fu Jing'an had been in such close contact with Xiao Yu. Her heart pounded, her cheeks burned red, and even her breathing became shallow; her mind was a complete blur.
Seeing that the person in his arms remained silent, a flicker of impatience flashed in Xiao Yu’s eyes. He spoke nonchalantly, "Jing'an, do you have any bank notes on you?"
Fu Jing'an froze, then snapped back to reality. If last night’s plan had gone smoothly, Xiao Yu would be in possession of a silk shop by now; why would he be so strapped for cash? But since the plan had failed, he was naturally short on money and had come to her to fill the void.
Though she was displeased, she dared not show it. She forced a smile and took a fifty-tael note from her sleeve pocket to hand to him.
Seeing Xiao Yu frown—clearly dissatisfied with the amount—Fu Jing'an gritted her teeth and took the hairpin from her hair. It was a new piece she had specifically made for today’s meeting with Xiao Yu, inlaid with a crystal-clear agate, and was exceptionally delicate.
"This is a new hairpin I had made... I wore it specifically for our meeting today..." she said, her voice filled with reluctance and grievance, yet she still handed it over.
Xiao Yu took the money and the hairpin, a faint smile curling his lips. He reached up to stroke Fu Jing'an’s cheek, his tone perfunctory but gentle: "Jing'an, don’t worry, I will never betray you."
Just as the two were immersed in their intimacy, a sudden "thud" echoed from the bushes.
Fu Jing'an stiffened, subconsciously holding her breath, and looked up at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu also frowned, a flash of vigilance in his eyes. He slowly released Fu Jing'an, moved toward the source of the sound, and pressed his hand silently against the hilt of his sword...