Chapter 34: I’m Not Compatible with Temples

After finishing the medicine, she played with A Yuan for a while.

Pei Ji still hadn’t spoken. Jiang Huaiyue guessed it was because he was afraid she might take the chance to harm A Yuan, so he was uneasy.

The sun hung high, and the weather gradually grew hotter.

After coaxing A Yuan to sleep, Jiang Huaiyue left the courtyard with Pei Ji.

Once outside, Pei Ji’s thin lips parted slightly: “What did you give A Yuan to eat?”

Jiang Huaiyue was taken aback for a moment, then pulled out another from her pouch and handed it to him. “This is made from hawthorn. I made it myself. Try it?”

Better to let him taste one—if something happened to A Yuan, he wouldn’t blame her.

Pei Ji lowered his gaze. In her pale palm lay a small candy, and he took it almost instinctively, clutching it tightly.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.” Seeing he had taken it, Jiang Huaiyue withdrew her hand, said goodbye, and jogged away.

Her figure disappeared, but the candy in his palm seemed to still hold the warmth of the girl’s hand.

That night, after finishing official duties, Pei Ji looked up and saw the candy placed beside his desk. He picked it up and opened it.

After a while, he brought it to his lips and tasted it. The sour-sweet flavor blossomed on his tongue, carrying a faint sweet fragrance—that was her scent.

Suddenly, her face appeared in his mind. His eyes glanced at the painting scroll taken from her bedchamber, his expression turning colder. A sudden surge of anger rose in his heart.

Unaware of this, Jiang Huaiyue finished washing up beautifully and went to bed.

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Several days had passed since the matter of those family members having their tongues cut out, but the issue ended up unresolved.

This was because those family members refused to say what exactly they had said to offend the Crown Prince.

The officials put down their grievances, and even if Jiang Jingchen wanted to make trouble for him, it was useless.

However, to appease the public, Jiang Jingchen still deductively docked his salary for six months and made him stay home for ten days to reflect.

Half a month had already been delayed, and because Pei Ji hadn’t attended court or left the mansion, Jiang Huaiyue never found a suitable chance to leave.

But she thought that after Wanwan heard about Pei Ji being punished, she would understand why there had been no news.

During these days, she almost visited A Yuan daily and played with her. She also saw Pei Ji more often, but Jiang Huaiyue noticed something strange.

Pei Ji’s gaze always seemed to fall on her, and whenever they were in the same space, she felt uncomfortable, as if being watched.

One day, after dinner, Jiang Huaiyue held a rice ball and walked in the mansion’s garden to aid digestion. She saw the servants hurrying about and asked Qiuchan to inquire.

“Princess, I asked. They said the prince plans to stay at Fayun Temple for a few days.”

“Fayun Temple?” Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes lit up. Pei Ji was leaving the mansion. That meant her chance had come.

Thinking this, she lost interest in her walk and immediately said, “Qiuchan, pack up.”

“But Princess, weren’t you going to aid digestion?” Qiuchan was puzzled—they had just come out, why pack up now?

“By the time I finish packing, digestion will be done.” Jiang Huaiyue replied as she busied herself.

Seeing this, Qiuchan quickly hurried behind her.

Jiang Huaiyue reached the courtyard, put the rice ball down, and began gathering her things.

Actually, she didn’t have much stuff. After all, she hadn’t lived in the prince’s mansion very long—just some clothes and so on.

“Miss, why are you packing your things?” Qiuchan watched as her mistress hurriedly opened the wardrobe and pulled all the clothes out, asking.

Jiang Huaiyue shushed her with a finger, then closed the door behind her. Her expression turned serious as she spoke, “Qiuchan, are you willing to leave with me?”

Qiuchan was her personal maid. If Jiang Huaiyue left and left her behind alone, life would surely be difficult for her. So the best plan was to take her along.

“Miss, do you mean to run away?” Qiuchan glanced around, lowering her voice, eyes filled with disbelief.

She had been wondering why her mistress had been acting strange lately. So it turns out she was planning to leave the manor.

“Yes. My marriage to Pei Ji has always been in name only, and he’s so dangerous. Leaving is the best choice for us.”

Qiuchan hesitated, “But Miss, you’re poisoned with a venomous curse. If you leave, your health…”

The doctor last time said that to cure the curse on Miss, they still needed the mother venom from His Majesty’s possession. They haven’t gotten it yet—how could she just leave?

“My body is fine. Outside the capital, there must be a way to cure the curse. I just want to know if you’re willing to go with me.” Jiang Huaiyue stared at her.

Qiuchan suddenly teared up, her voice choked, “I’ve followed you since I was a child. Wherever you go, I go.”

“Good. Once Pei Ji leaves the manor, we will leave together. From then on, we’ll go wherever we please and never come back.”

Jiang Huaiyue patted her shoulder, her eyes curved with a smile.

Qiuchan cried tears of joy and immediately said, “Miss, you rest, Qiuchan will pack.”

She ran over and folded the clothes Jiang Huaiyue had taken out one by one, feeling extremely happy.

Her mistress hadn’t abandoned her even at a time like this—she was too kind. She vowed to serve her well from now on.

Jiang Huaiyue shook her head and smiled wryly, “No rush, take your time.”

Just as the two were speaking, Fuyao’s voice came from outside: “Miss, Mo Ying is here.”

Hearing her voice, Qiuchan immediately panicked while packing. Jiang Huaiyue calmly lowered her voice, “Don’t be afraid, quickly put everything away.”

Together, she and Qiuchan restored the room to its original state, then calmly went to open the door.

Opening the door, seeing Mo Ying and Fuyao outside, Jiang Huaiyue’s expression was calm. “Is there something?”

Mo Ying bowed with a serious voice, “Miss, the prince sent me to tell you to pack your things and go to Fayuansi Temple together tomorrow.”

Jiang Huaiyue: “……”

What’s going on? Since when was her relationship with Pei Ji good enough to go to a temple together?

“Do I have to go too?” she pointed at herself, incredulous.

No way—she had just planned to run away, and now this was falling apart halfway through.

“Yes,” Mo Ying nodded.

He really didn’t understand why the prince insisted on bringing her along, but it must be part of his plan.

Hearing the orders, Jiang Huaiyue felt like the sky was falling.

She twisted the corner of her mouth and said, “Um, please tell the prince that I have been at odds with temples since childhood. It’s better if I don’t go.”

What a joke—Pei Ji was finally leaving. If she didn’t go this time, who knew when she’d get another chance?

“I only relay the prince’s orders. If you have questions, you can ask him yourself. I take my leave now.”

Mo Ying was resolute and unyielding, delivered the message, then turned and left.