Chapter 9
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Xue Fangli was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.
At first, he chuckled softly, perhaps finding it genuinely amusing, but later, his laughter became more hearty.
How could someone be so naive?
After a moment, Xue Fangli lowered his gaze and spoke with a hint of malice, “But I am indeed such a person.”
Jiang Juan lifted his eyes and said earnestly, “No, you’re not.”
His gaze was clear, his tone affirmative. Xue Fangli locked eyes with him, and unexpectedly, he recalled the hand he held during his worst moments.
It was soft and warm.
He gripped it tightly, as if grasping for his last connection to humanity, even feeling a hint of longing.
But it couldn’t be.
Xue Fangli closed his eyes.
He seemed too accommodating and interested in this Third Young Master.
What the youth liked, what he sought by entering Prince Li Residence, regardless of how compassionate one might be, what did it have to do with him?
He wouldn’t keep him for too long.
Being so sickly, he couldn’t hold on for much longer.
When he opened his eyes again, Xue Fangli impassively stepped into the carriage. He adjusted his robe and sat down with a colder demeanor.
Jiang Juan noticed but didn’t pay much attention, assuming Xue Fangli was feeling unwell, so he quietly sat beside him.
The sound of carriage wheels rolling, the clatter of horse hooves on cobblestones, gradually faded away from the towering palaces and entered the bustling streets, where the clamor of the market rose.
Jiang Juan recognized the place he had wanted to visit in the morning. He lifted the curtain to look outside, then glanced at Xue Fangli. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to give up on the idea.
Forget it.
He could come back another time.
Jiang Juan released his grip, and the curtain fell back in place, the beads jingling softly as he absentmindedly played with them.
Xue Fangli had expected Jiang Juan to mention something, but he didn’t. Instead, Jiang Juan remained unusually quiet. Xue Fangli stared at him expressionlessly.
Sensing his gaze, Jiang Juan looked back, puzzled. “What’s wrong, Your Highness?”
Xue Fangli remained silent, only lowering his eyelids.
After a while, Xue Fangli finally spoke, but not to Jiang Juan.
“Go to the country manor.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Juan accidentally jostled the bead strings, creating a tinkling sound.
Oh, the country manor.
It seems like something is about to happen in the plot.
The coachman began to turn the carriage around at the mention of the country manor. The narrow streets were almost filled, and pedestrians hurried to make way. Everyone knew it was the carriage from Prince Li Residence – adorned with gold, jade, and exquisite glass decorations, displaying unparalleled luxury.
“Whoa——!”
At the same time, another carriage approached head-on. The coachman tightened the reins and veered aside just in time. Inside the carriage, a young man asked in a low voice, “Why did we stop?”
“Master, there’s a carriage from Prince Li Residence up ahead.”
“Prince Li Residence…”
The young man’s face paled, as if remembering something horrifying, and his fingers trembled uncontrollably.
The maid named Dian Cui noticed his abnormality and asked with concern, “Second Young Master, are you alright? Is it because of the recent incident when you fell into the water, and your body hasn’t fully recovered yet?”
Second Young Master.
That’s right, he was still the Second Young Master of the Minister Residence, not Prince Li’s Royal Consort.
The young man, Jiang Nian, slowly breathed a sigh of relief and finally calmed down. He shook his head and forced a smile, saying, “I’m fine.”
Dian Cui still felt somewhat uneasy and kept staring at him, but as she continued to look, she became distracted.
Before entering the residence, Dian Cui had heard that the Second Young Master was considered the most beautiful person in the capital. But when she saw him for the first time, she didn’t find him that beautiful. Later, she secretly asked a few sisters, only to realize that she was too superficial.
— Beauty lies in the bone, not in the skin. Their young master, while not stunning, was pleasant to look at and had excellent temperament. This little genius was no joke.
Dian Cui couldn’t read a single big character, and she still couldn’t see the beauty of the Second Young Master. However, since everyone in the capital praised the young master’s beauty, then he must be beautiful, and she just considered herself ignorant.
Noticing her gaze, Jiang Nian asked with a smile, “Why are you looking at me like that again?”
Dian Cui replied, “Young Master looks good, after all, you’re considered the most beautiful person in the capital.”
Jiang Nian chuckled softly and gently stopped her, “Don’t say such things randomly, it’ll make people laugh.”
Dian Cui stuck out her tongue, “But everyone says so.”
Jiang Nian couldn’t help but feel helpless, but his mood was quite good.
In his previous life, he was assigned to serve Prince Li, and now he was trembling with fear as he stayed in Prince Li Residence, not daring to leave the courtyard for fear of encountering Prince Li’s madness again and being caught in the crossfire. This was completely different from the relaxed state of chatting and laughing with the maidservant now.
Yes, his previous life.
Fortunately, Jiang Nian, after a lifetime of suffering, was granted a chance to start anew.
This time, armed with the memories of his previous life, he would not leave any regrets for himself again.
For example, fostering good relationships with his classmates and several princes.
For example, accepting Marquis Anping’s courtship.
In his previous life, to everyone’s surprise, the throne eventually fell to Marquis Anping, making him the most esteemed person in the world.
As long as His Majesty agrees, he will await the palace’s decree of marriage.
He, too, will become an esteemed person beyond measure.
.
The country manor is located in the suburbs of the capital.
While the valley below had already bid farewell to the blossoms of spring, the hillsides were still adorned with a sea of wisteria flowers.
Upon arrival, Jiang Juan was accommodated in a separate courtyard. Once everything was arranged, Steward Gao paid a visit.
Upon learning that His Highness was staying at the country manor, Steward Gao promptly brought a box of spices up the hill. And of course, he also brought along the wolf cub that Jiang Juan had rescued.
“The physician has examined him, and there’s nothing serious. He just needs some time to recuperate,” Steward Gao said.
Jiang Juan nodded and squatted in front of the cage. The young wolf seemed to recognize him, resting its head against the bars, quietly shedding tears.
Jiang Juan sighed. “So pitiful.”
He asked Lan Ting for a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the tears from the young wolf’s eyes. Lan Ting felt it was inappropriate and whispered, “Young Master, let me do it.”
Jiang Juan shook his head. “No need.”
The wolf cub seemed to be in a lot of pain, shedding too many tears to wipe away. Jiang Juan patted its head, while Steward Gao watched with confusion.
After all, it was just an animal. Why bother personally attending to it? This Third Young Master was truly a peculiar person.
Despite his thoughts, Steward Gao didn’t show any signs of confusion on his face. He smiled and said, “Your Royal Consort, if there’s nothing else you need, I’ll take my leave.”
“Alright,” Jiang Juan replied, then suddenly remembered something and called out to him again, “Wait.”
Jiang Juan asked, “Is His Highness doing okay?”
Steward Gaohesitated for a moment, then replied vaguely, “….He’s fine.”
In reality, he wasn’t doing too well.
Steward Gaohad been in the residence for several years and knew that His Highness wouldn’t easily come to this country manor unless his condition had deteriorated to the worst.
——Continuous hidden pain, intense agony during outbreaks, and prolonged inability to rest – even a great immortal would find it hard to endure.
Jiang Juan responded with a simple “Oh,” then continued to wipe away the tears from the young wolf’s eyes as Steward Gao withdrew.
As Lan Ting watched, she whispered softly, “Actually, this little wolf cub isn’t as pitiful as it seems. At least, it has met the Young Master.”
Just as Lan Ting finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something. ‘Ah!’ she exclaimed in regret. “Young Master, tonight you should take a medicinal bath.”
Jiang Juan was taken aback. “A medicinal bath?”
Before he transmigrated, besides regular hospital visits, he had always used medicinal baths to nourish his body.
However, recalling the plot, Jiang Juan understood.
His character feigned heart disease, but congenital deficiency was indeed real. Taking a medicinal bath wouldn’t be surprising.
But right now, in the mountains, where would they find medicinal herbs? Jiang Juan said uncertainly. “Maybe we should do it another day?”
“No, we can’t,” Lan Ting shook her head, not daring to joke about this. After a moment’s thought, she said, “I’ll go ask Steward Gao.”
With that, Lan Ting hurriedly got up and went to catch up with Steward Gao.
Steward Gao’s pace was quite fast, and in just a short while, he had disappeared from sight. Lan Ting had no choice but to continue forward. She ran along the path, and just as she stepped onto the stone bridge, someone turned the corner and they collided.
“Oops——!”
The person stumbled, and the wooden box they were carrying slipped from their hands. Lan Ting was about to apologize when she looked up and realized it was Steward Gao.
“Steward, our Young Master needs regular herbal baths. Do we have any herbs on the country manor?”
“Do you realize what you’ve done?”
Steward Gao interrupted her with a pale face. The wooden box lay open, fallen into the lake, and the sliced incense cakes inside were gradually getting wet, scattered and ruined, clearly unusable.
Lan Ting was startled by his reaction. “I, I…”
Steward Gao moved his lips, fear rendering him unable to utter a word. After a long while, he stammered, “These are the spices His Highness needs. You’re going to get us all killed!”
“I didn’t…” Lan Ting said anxiously, “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know.”
Steward Gao’s face turned pale. “His Highness doesn’t care about that, he just wants the spices.”
But the spices were soaked in water and unusable.
And now was the worst time for His Highness’s condition. Without the soothing effect of the spices, he would only become more irritable, even crazier!
With this in mind, Steward Gao’s hair stood on end, completely unsure of what to do.
In the midst of the deadlock, a voice sounded.
“What’s going on?”
It was Jiang Juan who had arrived.
After waiting for a while without seeing Lanting return, Jiang Juan came out to find them. However, he was met with a despondent Steward Gao and tears in Lan Ting’s eyes. Jiang Juan asked her, “Why are you crying?”
“It’s about His Highness’s spices…”
Lan Ting lowered her head in self-blame, explaining the situation, with Steward Gao adding, “His Highness is very particular about scents, only accustomed to the smell of these spices. But now—”
“Alas!”
Steward Gao sighed heavily, and seeing Lan Ting’s tearful reaction, he knew they were in big trouble. Tearfully, she lowered her head. Jiang Juan was always uneasy when girls cried, so he quickly comforted her: “Don’t cry. Let’s think of a solution together.”
Steward Gao: “…..”
What else could they do?
Fretting, Steward Gao racked his brain. Meanwhile, Jiang Juan, after consoling Lan Ting, suddenly remembered something. He quickly asked, “Lan Ting, is the sachet you gave me this morning still with you?”
“It’s here,” although puzzled, Lan Ting still took out a sachet from her pocket, “Here.”
Jiang Juan breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s good then.” He suggested to Steward Gao, “Why don’t we give the sachet to His Highness first?”
Steward Gao hesitated a bit.
Not every scent would suffice; His Highness only favored this particular fragrance. Moreover, its calming effect could even help His Highness fall asleep if more was applied, although the side effects were not insignificant.
Once asleep, he would be completely unaware, and the next day he would remain drowsy.
Of course, Steward Gao wouldn’t mention these effects to Jiang Juan.
Steward Gao hesitated, saying, “It might not be feasible.”
Jiang Juan insisted, “Let’s give it a try.”
When he entered the palace in the morning, Xue Fangli had asked about the scent on him and even commented it was acceptable, so he shouldn’t dislike the scent of the sachet.
Steward Gao hesitated greatly. He had already made a grave mistake, and now he was about to use a sachet belonging to the nuisance. He really won’t live well.
Jiang Juan, seeing his hesitation, decided, “I’ll go ask His Highness myself.”
Steward Gao looked at him in astonishment but readily accepted, relieved to have someone else take responsibility. He quickly responded, “Please, Your Royal Consort—this way.”
Leading the way, Steward Gao guided them to a pavilion in no time.
It was still daytime, but the bamboo curtains were fully drawn, and the heavy drapes obscured all light, leaving the room dim and shadowy, with only a gilded and jade-inlaid screen visible.
“Your Highness…”
“Where’s the fragrance?”
Upon hearing this, Steward Gao struggled for some time to articulate a coherent response. Unable to endure the awkward silence, Jiang Juan intervened on his behalf, stating, “Your Highness, your fragrance cannot be used anymore.”
“It’s all fallen into the lake…”
Jiang Juan said softly, then quickly added, “But remember this morning you asked about my fragrance sachet? I have it with me. How about making do with it for now?”
Steward Gao: “…….”
Making do with it.
His heart filled with regret. He thought bitterly. In truth, His Highness might just leave him with his life intact, but now he feared he might not even have his ashes scattered.
Steward Gao nearly opened his mouth in exasperation.
Xue Fangli remained silent, not uttering a word.
Silence prevailed, enveloping the room entirely.
After what felt like an eternity, the two maids standing on the side moved aside the screen, revealing the man rising from the couch. His cascading long hair blended with the intricate black and gold robe.
“The fragrance sachet?”
He spoke slowly, his voice languid.
Jiang Juan took a few steps closer, reaching out. In his pale, delicate palm rested a sachet. “This one. You mentioned this morning that the scent was tolerable.”
Xue Fangli took it with an air of weariness. In the dimness, his pale and slender fingers wrapped around the crimson cord, lifting it to his nose for a gentle sniff.
It carried the fragrance of white peony, autumn orchid, and cassia seed.
Apart from that, it carried a faint but incredibly sweet scent.
“Not it was not this scent.”
With a flick of his finger, Xue Fangli released the sachet, letting it fall to the ground. He lifted his gaze to Jiang Juan, beneath the dense bloodshot eyes, a surge of blood-colored emotions.
Xue Fangli chuckled casually, “I suppose it won’t do.”
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