Chapter 468: Chapter 465: I’m Afraid You’ll Harm Me

Second Prince Mansion.

The fragrance of eight treasures duck enveloped in steam rose from the blue brick stove; in the vermilion lacquered cupboard, official kiln porcelain bowls were stacked into a tower.

Under the eaves hung dried deer legs, smoked geese, cured meat...

The kitchen maids sliced the prepared dishes into shreds, the silver knives tapping rhythmically on the cutting boards.

Footsteps could be heard from outside.

A maid entered from outside, her face lightly powdered, hair neatly combed, and wrists adorned with heavy gold bracelets.

She glanced around and, disliking the kitchen smoke, stopped at the doorway.

Seeing this, the kitchen maids hurriedly approached with ingratiating smiles: "Zi Juan has arrived? What would the Princess like for lunch?"

Zi Juan lifted her chin: "The Princess has lost her appetite and has eaten little these past few days, looking noticeably thinner. It’s your fault for having such crude skills."

This...

The kitchen maids dared not breathe loudly and put down their work.

Zi Juan, seeing their cowardly demeanor, snorted: "Why are you standing there? Hurry and prepare some refreshing dishes. If they still do not please the Princess, you’ll all be dismissed."

With that, she spat, turned, and left.

For a while, only the bubbling sound of the chicken soup that had been simmering overnight could be heard in the kitchen.

Once she had gone far, everyone exchanged looks.

"What should we do now?"

"If it were a short stay, we could endure it, but the Seventh Princess shows no signs of leaving. Is she planning to settle here?"

"Anyone who doesn’t know might think this is the Princess’s residence."

A black-faced kitchen maid stood dazed in the corner, finally thrusting the kitchen knife into the cutting board with a ’thud’ and taking off her apron as she walked out.

Someone guessed what she intended to do.

"Quick, stop her. Don’t act foolishly, and don’t create more trouble."

"The Mistress rarely manages matters. Even if she wanted, there’s nothing she could do. The Seventh Princess is the Second Prince’s own sister, far closer than a mere bedfellow."

The Second Prince Consort, admired and noble outside.

But everyone knows she does not have an easy life in the mansion.

————

Meanwhile, Yao Ru was amusing the baby in the cradle, gently shaking a rattle in her hand.

The matron behind her, noticing Yao Ru’s gentle expression, felt that the gloom that had been suppressed for years seemed to have dispersed quite a bit, like a dusty piece of jade rediscovering the sunlight.

The matron was particularly uneasy.

The lady had fainted directly upon hearing of Prince Yan’s death.

After waking, she refused to see anyone.

It seemed as if she no longer cared for the beloved little master, wanting to follow Prince Yan in death.

Yet...

On that day.

For some reason, the mistress suddenly became well.

She no longer grieved.

Even ate half a bowl more of rice at dinner than usual.

The matron and several maids serving in the room thought Yao Ru had been driven insane by the blow.

After observing these days, the matron felt differently.

She asked cautiously.

"Does the Mistress have some happy news?"

"This old servant notices your spirits seem lifted these days."

At hearing this, Yao Ru only slightly lifted her eyes.

There was a smile on her lips, no longer the usual somber look.

"Indeed... there is good news."

But she had no intention of elaborating further.

The matron did not insist on probing.

Even after thinking over the past few days, no strange incidents had occurred.

However.

A person’s mood can alleviate half of their ailments.

"Mistress."

The maid Xun Zhu entered from outside: "Miss Yang is here again."

Yao Ru frowned.

She wasn’t fond of Yang Jingshu.

Among the yet-unmarried noble ladies, Yang Jingshu was considered steady. But Yao Ru had seen too many types; Yang Jingshu was unimpressive to her.

She was still young, yet to learn restraint, with too much opportunism in her eyes.

Yang Jingshu had visited several times, without gaining favor from Yao Ru, but she got along well with the Seventh Princess.

"If she seeks the Seventh Princess, she need not specially call on me; just have someone escort her there."

"She’s here to see you, Mistress."

Xun Zhu: "The General’s wife and the second daughter of the Gu Family are also here."

Yao Ru put down the rattle.

She had no more than nodding acquaintances with Gu Wu.

As for Yu Tingwan...

Her brow eased: "Please invite them in quickly."

"Yes."

Yu Tingwan was waiting outside the Second Prince Mansion for clearance. She stood on her toes, casually glancing at the neighboring place.

Tsk.

They were really close.

When Xun Zhu respectfully came to lead the way, she stepped into the Second Prince Mansion.

Yu Tingwan didn’t wander around.

She was rather busy.

First, she chatted with Xun Zhu.

"Did your lady properly observe the postnatal confinement? Has she seen a doctor?"

Xun Zhu was surprised that she would ask such a question.

But recalling the time during the Crown Prince’s funeral procession, it was the General’s wife who didn’t find it proper and had Tan Jiang support the mistress.

It was no longer surprising.

The General’s wife was truly a kind person.

"We consulted a doctor."

"Her health has improved a lot, but it’s still not like before."

Standing for a long time wore her out; she often experienced backaches, and was sensitive to cold.

Yu Tingwan acknowledged understanding.

She then looked at Yang Jingshu.

"Miss Yang."

Yang Jingshu: ???

She was a bit guarded.

Yu Tingwan: "You’re too close to me."

Yu Tingwan looked innocent: "I’m afraid you might harm me."

Gu Wu: !!

She quickly stepped in to separate Yang Jingshu and Yu Tingwan.

Her gaze was fierce, with a hint of coldness.

She was aware of the sordid details within the Yang family’s inner quarters.

"Yang Jingshu, I advise you not to entertain inappropriate thoughts."

Yang Jingshu: ???

She was almost amused by anger.

"Why would I harm her for no reason?"

"You’re venomous."

"With so many people around, how could I..."

Gu Wu was impatient: "Enough, who’s listening to your nonsense."

Too many words!

After speaking, she turned to look at Yu Tingwan.

Her tone softened instantly.

"Elder sister, don’t be afraid."

Yang Jingshu’s expression briefly twisted.

The weak Yu Tingwan nodded obediently, blinking her eyes while taking out a walnut, peeling it as she walked.

Before long.

"Miss Yang."

Yang Jingshu didn’t want to respond to her.

Why did Yu Tingwan have so much to fuss about!

Yu Tingwan frowned: "Now you’re too far from me."

Isn’t this what you requested!

Yu Tingwan’s voice was meek: "This might lead others to misunderstand me, thinking I’m difficult to approach, isolating you, or snubbing you."

Her reasoning was quite sound.

Gu Wu found it very logical.

She interrogated.

"Yang Jingshu, are you deliberately trying to ruin my elder sister’s reputation?"

"I don’t expect you to be generous, but at least behave like a decent person. Has my elder sister wronged you?"

Yang Jingshu: ???

She’s always bothering me!

Are you blind!

Her hands were trembling.

She was genuinely amused by the audacity of these two rascals.

Meanwhile, Yao Ru was already waiting in the courtyard.

She wasn’t familiar with Yu Tingwan, but owed her a debt of gratitude.

Just as she heard some commotion outside, Yao Ru lifted her eyes.

But it wasn’t Yu Tingwan and her group.

It was the cook from the kitchen, stopped by the servants guarding the courtyard.

"Mistress!"

"Let me go, don’t stop me!"

Three or two kitchen maids came chasing after her, pulling her back.

"Zhang Guizi, come back with us, don’t stir up trouble again. The Seventh Princess won’t pardon you if you say anything untoward about her."

The black-faced woman wouldn’t listen: "Let go!"

The place was in an uproar.