Chapter 19: So What Was She Doing in There?

After returning from the clinic, she thought for a long time. Although she had said that day she wanted to make a deal with Pei Ji, she didn’t dare to gamble since she was infected with the gu poison.

After all, her life was insignificant in Pei Ji’s eyes. Since that was the case, she could only rely on her own methods.

“Wait, bring it here.” Pei Ji suddenly spoke as he watched her turn her back to him.

Jiang Huaiyue was surprised for a moment, not knowing why he suddenly changed his mind.

But spending more time in his study could only be good for her, not bad.

Thinking this, she replied “Yes,” then carried the late-night meal and sat down beside him.

“Prince.”

Pei Ji took the spoon from her hand and slowly tasted the soup.

Jiang Huaiyue blinked and said, “Prince, may I look at your books?”

“Hm.” Pei Ji glanced at her with no expression.

“Thank you, Prince.” Jiang Huaiyue smiled at him, then went seriously to look for books by the bookshelf.

Pei Ji silently watched her, his long fingers lightly tapping on a book, seemingly lost in thought.

Actually, Jiang Huaiyue wasn’t really interested in the books; she just wanted an excuse to look around.

But afraid of raising Pei Ji’s suspicion, she picked two travelogues about local places. Then she looked at Pei Ji again: “Prince, I found what I wanted. It’s late, so I’ll go back first. Please rest early, Prince.”

“Hm.” Pei Ji responded calmly.

After Jiang Huaiyue left the study with the books, Pei Ji put down his spoon and revealed a meaningful smile.

The next morning, Jiang Huaiyue got up and called for Qiuchan.

“Qiuchan.”

Qiuchan quickly pushed open the door and came in, “Princess, you’re awake?”

She came forward and helped Jiang Huaiyue up, then assisted her with washing.

“Has the prince left yet?” Jiang Huaiyue yawned and asked softly.

Qiuchan lowered her voice to answer, “Miss, I personally saw the prince leave the residence.”

The princess had told her before bed last night to watch closely early this morning and definitely see the prince leave.

“Good, get ready then.” Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes flickered as she instructed Qiuchan.

Knowing the princess had things to do, Qiuchan hurried to finish her hair.

Before leaving, Jiang Huaiyue took the book she had taken from Pei Ji’s study last night: “Qiuchan, you don’t have to come with me. Just stay in the courtyard.”

“Princess, I can go with you to keep an eye on people,” Qiuchan said worriedly, thinking about what the princess might be going to do.

“No need. Stay safe. I’ll be back soon.” Jiang Huaiyue patted her hand. It was too conspicuous for them to go together, plus she had her own plans and it was inconvenient to bring Qiuchan along.

In the end, Qiuchan was left behind, and Jiang Huaiyue went out of the yard straight toward the study.

When she arrived at Qing Shui Residence, two guards were standing outside. She hadn’t seen them yesterday; presumably, since Pei Ji wasn’t home the previous day, they had been assigned to guard the place.

Jiang Huaiyue took a deep breath and walked up, asking casually, “Is the prince home?”

“He’s not home. Does the princess need anything?” The speaker was Yushu, a covert guard who usually stayed in hiding. He only came out because of Pei Ji’s orders.

“I took some books from the prince’s study yesterday but realized I took the wrong ones. I want to exchange them,” Jiang Huaiyue said calmly.

In a place where no one could see, her palm holding the book was faintly sweating. Actually, she was very nervous—after all, it was her first time doing something like this, and it was truly a bit difficult for her.

Yu Shu had been instructed in advance not to deliberately stop her. He hesitated on his face for a moment, then said, “Mistress, please hurry, or I won’t be able to explain this later.”

“All right, don’t worry, I’ll be out quickly.” Jiang Huaiyue nodded, passing between the two and entering the courtyard.

After she went in, Yu Qing said, “Do you think the spot I just placed the talisman is too well hidden? What if Mistress can’t find it?”

He scratched his head, wanting to see if she could find the talisman he had hidden.

Yu Shu glanced coldly at him and said, “If Mistress can’t find it, then you’ll have to accept the punishment.”

They had been fussing around the study all morning, and only now was he thinking about whether she could find it—really, what could be said to him?

Hearing this, Yu Qing immediately lost heart and prayed that Mistress could find it. He had only just left the secret guard camp and didn’t want to go back again.

Inside the study, after Jiang Huaiyue entered, she closed the door behind her. She casually put down the book and carefully began searching through the study.

She thought that since Jiang Jingchen valued this item so much, it must be very important. Pei Ji, being so cautious, should have hidden it deeply.

After searching for a long time without seeing even a trace of the talisman, she finally came to Pei Ji’s desk. Looking at the completely visible contents on it, she sighed deeply.

Muttering to herself, “Where on earth is it hidden?”

Up on the roof, Fu Yao watched. Seeing Jiang Huaiyue still hadn’t found it, she felt anxious for her.

Secretly, she thought, Yu Qing really was something else—he stubbornly hid it so deeply, even though Mistress wasn’t very clever.

She was thinking about how to remind her when she saw someone below accidentally knock the paperweight off the prince’s desk.

Jiang Huaiyue saw the object fall to the ground and quickly bent down to pick it up. She inadvertently glanced under the desk and found something unusual.

Tapping with her finger, she discovered it was hollow inside—could it be a secret compartment?

She searched around for a while, then found a protrusion. Immediately she heard a click, and a compartment under the desk popped open.

Jiang Huaiyue reached in and pulled out a small box. Opening it and looking inside, there was no doubt—this was definitely the talisman.

Outside the study, in the loft at the highest point of the Prince Regent’s mansion—

Pei Ji stared coldly toward the study. Next to him, He Lan raised an eyebrow: “If you really kill her, how will you explain it?”

After all, she was the Mistress. If she died so mysteriously, those court officials would surely accuse him again.

“She’s unwell. If she suddenly died of an illness, what does it have to do with the prince?” Pei Ji’s thin lips curved coldly.

“I’m saying, this Yunhe Mistress is so beautiful—don’t you have any thoughts at all?” He Lan glanced sideways at him, joking.

“A pretty face is just a pretty face. Besides, she’s the daughter of an enemy.” No matter how hungry he was, he wouldn’t have feelings for her.

He Lan shook his head regretfully: “What a pity—a fine beauty like that, and you’re such a clueless man. Truly tragic.”

As they spoke, the study door opened again. Jiang Huaiyue looked around and came out as if nothing had happened.

Pei Ji narrowed his eyes. The hidden guards nearby looked at him, waiting for his command to shoot.

He Lan covered his eyes with a fan, unwilling to watch such a cruel scene.

Pei Ji sneered coldly. “Just as expected of the Jiang family.”

He raised his hand to give the order but then saw Fu Yao’s gesture across from him, and slowly lowered his hand.

After a moment, Mo Ying came forward: “Prince, Fu Yao said Mistress didn’t take the talisman.”

He Lan perked up, “Didn’t take it? Then what was she doing inside?”