Chapter 25: Bringing Her Back to the Prince's Mansion

Stepping out of the palace gates, Zhao Jiao looked back and unexpectedly caught sight of Yin Kou, who was peering out from the gate in anticipation.

"Your Highness, may I ask a favor of you?"

"Her?" Yin Sumuo followed Zhao Jiao's gaze.

"Yes!"

Yin Sumuo nodded. "I will do my best, though she may have to suffer a little."

"Just ensure she leaves the palace alive!"

Zhao Jiao turned slowly. After the scene she caused today, the Empress Dowager, the Grand Princess, and even the Empress and the Noble Consort would certainly investigate. Yin Kou was one of the few people she had interacted with in the palace; being summoned for questioning was inevitable. The palace had countless grueling ways to break a person. As for the life of a mere palace maid... which of those high-and-mighty nobles would care?

Yin Sumuo remained silent, giving Lingdang a look. Lingdang nodded in immediate understanding.

"If she leaves the palace alive, you will owe me a favor!"

"You are asking for repayment before she has even left the palace, Your Highness?"

"You owe me more than one favor already. Enough, the carriage is here. Get in."

"Is Your Highness truly going to take me back to the manor?" Zhao Jiao looked at the Prince Su manor carriage with a smile.

Yin Sumuo climbed into the carriage first and reached out a hand toward Zhao Jiao. "Are you not afraid of the draft now?"

Zhao Jiao’s eyes crinkled with mirth as she placed her hand on Yin Sumuo’s wrist and climbed in. Lingdang watched the scene with a look of astonishment.

As the carriage turned, Zhao Jiao could not help but open the window to gaze at the towering imperial palace as it receded into the distance. Yin Sumuo, however, had eyes only for her.

Back in the palace, the banquet continued. The Empress Dowager, feeling unwell, left early, accompanied by the Grand Princess. Yin Changli also quietly rose and departed.

Feng Yu'er was still kneeling outside the hall, her eyes brimming with tears as she gazed longingly at Yin Changli.

"Your Highness..."

Yin Changli paused in his stride but did not look at her. "My aunt has always doted on you; she will not let you kneel for too long. I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

"Your Highness!"

Watching Yin Changli’s retreating figure, Feng Yu'er finally burst into tears. Yet, the man she loved did not look back even once. Why? Why would he not even glance at her? Today was merely an accident; their marriage would not be affected by it. It wouldn't. She would go and beg her mother shortly; did her mother not also wish for her to marry Prince Li? She would surely get her wish.

In the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, Yin Ling sat beside the Empress Dowager, leaning her head on her shoulder like a young girl acting spoiled with her mother.

"Mother, do not be angry. That girl has no filter, but I will take her back and teach her a lesson."

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, twirling her prayer beads. "In the end, she only looks somewhat similar; she is not even one ten-thousandth the girl Zhaoe was. Let the marriage with Changli be called off."

Yin Ling sat upright instantly, picked up a feather fan from the low table, and rose slowly. "Very well. She is indeed beyond help. It is a pity..."

"I told you long ago that she was not suitable!" The Empress Dowager’s brow relaxed as she took a slow sip of tea.

Yin Ling smiled and turned, taking a few steps. "She is not suitable, then who does Mother think is?"

"The Luo girl, Ying'er, is quite good. She is proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting; she is well-read, sensible, and intelligent. What do you think?"

"Luo Ying'er? Will the Emperor agree?" Yin Ling asked nonchalantly, her smile unchanging. Even the Empress Dowager could not fathom her thoughts.

"Your brother has always listened to you. If you go and speak to him, it will surely be done."

Yin Ling laughed audaciously upon hearing this. "...Very well. Let her come to the Grand Princess's manor tomorrow. If she truly is intelligent, I do not mind putting in a good word for her. However... is Mother certain you can control the Luo family? Do not end up shooting yourself in the foot. Mother, you are getting on in years; it is time to enjoy some peace. The hour is late, I shall take my leave."

She turned and sauntered away.

"Is she admonishing me?" After Yin Ling left, the Empress Dowager sat in a daze for a long time.

By the time Zhao Jiao realized the carriage was heading in the wrong direction, they were already near the gates of Prince Su's manor. She decided to say nothing. She felt dizzy and lightheaded. This body... it was truly too weak.

"Zhao Jiao, wake up!"

The carriage came to a halt, and the curtain was lifted. By the light, Yin Sumuo noticed that Zhao Jiao’s complexion was wrong—her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were half-closed.

"Mm... don't shake me, I'm dizzy."

"What is wrong with you?" Yin Sumuo moved closer and reached out to touch her forehead. The scorching heat radiating from her skin made his expression change. Without hesitation, he scooped her up.

"What... what are you doing?" Zhao Jiao was half-conscious, half-delirious. She knew she was likely suffering from a chill.

"Saving your life! Don't move."

Yin Sumuo carried her off the carriage. The gatekeeper watched, stunned for a long moment. "Go and summon Uncle Ji."

After giving the order, Yin Sumuo carried her directly toward his private quarters. Lingdang followed silently, secretly amazed.

"Lingdang, go and urge him again." As Yin Sumuo entered the room carrying the burning-hot Zhao Jiao, he issued another command. Lingdang, who was about to enter, retracted her foot. "Yes!" She had never seen her master so worried about anyone.

Yin Sumuo gently laid her on the bed and pulled the quilt up to wrap her tightly. "Someone, bring another brazier! Stoke the fire higher!"

The servants, unaware of what had happened, hurried to fulfill their master's urgent commands.

"Your Highness... I think... it is a chill... sorry for the trouble..." Zhao Jiao muttered deliriously, sneezing as she spoke.

Just as a servant brought in a brazier, Yin Sumuo, thinking she was cold, had them place it closer. The fire burned brightly, leaping with flames. Zhao Jiao glanced at it inadvertently, and that flame was like a key, unlocking all the emotions she had kept buried inside. She fell into a trance.

"Fire... it hurts... it's so hot... so hot..."

Zhao Jiao’s body trembled violently, her lips and teeth chattering. She lay limply on the bed, her eyes fixed on the brazier, filled with panic, despair, infinite sorrow, and grievances, along with flickers of resentment. She knew clearly that she was remembering that fire, but her body’s reaction was beyond her control—it was a visceral, instinctive response. She could only bite her lip with all her might, terrified... terrified of saying something she shouldn't.

Seeing this, Yin Sumuo’s expression darkened. He quickly gripped her jaw. "Let go! You will hurt yourself!"

Zhao Jiao was too weak to resist. The moment her mouth was forced open, she instinctively bit down again, but this time, it didn't seem to hurt as much. Yin Sumuo frowned, glancing silently at his hand, which she had bitten.

"Your Highness..." Lingdang entered and cried out in alarm at the sight.

"It's fine. Where is Uncle Ji?"

"He's here, he's here! I heard there was a patient, so I went to fetch the medicine kit, which delayed me... A patient... Your Highness?" A middle-aged man carrying a medicine kit hurried into the room, stopping short when he saw the scene. It was a female patient! And she didn't look well! She even dared to bite the Prince!

"She is injured and currently running a fever. Uncle Ji, examine her quickly."

"Yes!" Uncle Ji set down his kit and stepped forward. "Wan-niang, come and help. Your Highness, please move your hand away; it’s bleeding."

"Wan-niang, give me the handkerchief. I will do it."

"Yes!" The woman called Wan-niang was beautiful, possessing a graceful, dignified air uncommon in ordinary women. She respectfully handed the handkerchief to Yin Sumuo and retreated to the side, observing Zhao Jiao. This was the first time the Prince had brought a woman other than herself to the manor. Furthermore, the Prince, who was always obsessed with cleanliness, had allowed her to lie on his bed without even removing her shoes. Who... was this woman?