CHAPTER 442: CHAPTER 442: FAILURE

Peony Garden.

Princess Nanzhang leaned against the large pillow.

Her eyes were tightly shut, yet it was still apparent that she was seething with anger.

The maidservant attending her was so afraid that she didn’t dare to make a sound.

A young maid entered from outside, saying, "Your Highness, the Imperial Physician has arrived."

"Let him in," said Princess Nanzhang.

She opened her eyes, a chilling glint flashing within them.

The Imperial Physician entered the room carrying his medicine box, while Mrs. Zhao turned toward the dressing table.

As the Imperial Physician approached, Mrs. Zhao handed over the ointment she had retrieved to the physician, saying, "Please, Doctor Chen, examine this for us."

Doctor Chen received the ointment.

As he opened it.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted to his nose.

The physician raised an eyebrow slightly.

This ointment is exactly the same as the ointment used by the eldest lady of Yongcheng Bo Mansion.

Except the ointment used by the lady from Yongcheng Bo Mansion was poisoned, but this one isn’t.

After the poisoning of the eldest lady Chen Jiao, several Imperial Physicians were called to the mansion, and Doctor Chen was among them.

After returning to the Imperial Hospital, the physicians discussed this ointment and all agreed that it was far superior to Bihun Ointment.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, this ointment contains no poison," said Doctor Li as he closed the ointment.

Princess Nanzhang felt a bit relieved.

In truth, she hadn’t been too worried.

With things developing as they had, even she, however oblivious, knew how the eldest lady of Yongcheng Bo Mansion fell into the trap.

Lady Chi and the Heir’s wife combined efforts to dig a pitfall for her. She did not fall into it, but the Old Madam was deceived.

Avoiding a calamity should have been a joyful occasion.

But the lady of Yongcheng Bo Mansion was poisoned, and this matter was brought to light once again.

Now, rumors are swirling within the Prince Mansion about Princess Nanzhang and the Old Madam stealing Lady Chi’s ointment, leaving her in no mood to be happy.

Not only did they take food from her mouth, but they also involved her.

The thought of it made Princess Nanzhang tremble with rage.

After checking the ointment, Doctor Li also took Princess Nanzhang’s pulse and prescribed some calming medicine before taking his leave.

Once Doctor Li had gone, Mrs. Zhao looked at Princess Nanzhang and said, "Your Highness, the Old Madam’s situation..."

Even though the Old Madam’s actions were despicable.

Now, we’re all tied together.

Not helping the Old Madam get through this would inevitably implicate us.

No!

We’ve already been implicated!

Princess Nanzhang understood that Mrs. Zhao was considering her future, but she didn’t see it that way. With a cold laugh, she said, "I, a proper Princess, have been reduced to a concubine; my face already lost, why fear losing it again?!"

"With the Old Madam taking the brunt, what do I have to fear?!"

As long as she’s not poisoned.

Whether the eldest lady of Yongcheng Bo Mansion lives or dies, what is it to her?

Princess Nanzhang wouldn’t be involved in this matter, or rather, she couldn’t be.

The hole is too big; it can’t be patched over.

...

Wutong Garden.

This is where the Old Prince resides in the outer courtyard.

Located right next to his study in the outer courtyard.

Once he fell ill, many would naturally come to visit, so living in the outer courtyard was more convenient.

From a distance, Su Jin saw an elderly lady taking careful steps into Wutong Garden, supported by a maid.

"Who is that?" Su Jin asked curiously.

"That’s Aunt Ding," Xie Jingchen replied.

"The biological mother of my second uncle."

Su Jin always knew that the biological mother of the second lord was still living, but she had never met her.

Aunt Ding hadn’t attended either of the two family banquets.

Upon entering the house, Su Jin saw Aunt Ding sitting by the Old Prince’s bedside, feeding him medicine.

Judging by Aunt Ding’s complexion, her health seemed a bit better than the Old Madam’s.

Although her face was lined with numerous wrinkles, it was still apparent that she had been of exceptional beauty in her youth.

Now, besides the Old Madam, Aunt Ding was the only one by the Old Prince’s side.

Looking at Aunt Ding, Su Jin was quite puzzled.

Su Jin had observed the Old Madam’s demeanor for quite some time, astonished that she permitted Aunt Ding to live, let alone give birth to the second lord for the Old Prince.

Wasn’t the Old Madam renowned for her pretenses of benevolence?

When the Old Prince went to war, why hadn’t the Old Madam taken action against Aunt Ding?

With just a look at Aunt Ding’s eyes, Su Jin knew she was not one to be trifled with.

The question that had lingered in Su Jin’s mind for so long seemed clearer now that she saw Aunt Ding.

She had always been curious about who had sent the small note that led her to find Mrs. Li trapped in the well to rescue her.

Surely, this couldn’t have been orchestrated by the Old Madam or Princess Nanzhang, nor by the third chamber aligned with the Old Madam.

The only ones left were the second chamber.

It couldn’t be any maid or servant girl at odds with the Old Madam, seeking to use her to disgrace the Old Madam, could it?

If a maid truly had such shrewdness, she wouldn’t have come into conflict with the Old Madam.

However, the second Madame once helped her. Though her assistance wasn’t overt, in a situation where everyone else targeted her and only one person spoke up for her, that goodwill surged.

Yet, Xie Jinhuan always played second fiddle to Xie Jinyu, and after extending an olive branch twice, which wasn’t taken up, Su Jin gave up.

Now, upon seeing Aunt Ding, Su Jin guessed that perhaps the note was related to Aunt Ding.

As an auntie, cordial relations with the principal wife were implausible.

Perhaps Aunt Ding was using her to teach the Old Madam a lesson?

Su Jin was lost in thought, while Aunt Ding complimented her and Xie Jingchen as a perfect match.

The Old Prince chuckled, "With the weather so hot, why have you come?"

After the inquiry, he chided Xie Jingchen, "And you didn’t think to stop her?"

Xie Jingchen, "..."

His heart felt weary.

Accompanying her here, yet still being scolded.

Xie Jingchen cast Su Jin a sidelong glance.

Su Jin looked innocent.

Nothing could be done.

That’s just how likable she was.

Aunt Ding laughed, "The heir’s wife is so filial, the young master surely couldn’t deter her."

Initially, Su Jin planned to take the opportunity to feel the Old Prince’s pulse, but with Aunt Ding present, it was impossible.

After Xie Jingchen and Su Jin sat down, a maid brought tea.

Su Jin sipped her tea, waiting for her perfect plan to unfold.

Yet, after waiting for some time, no Hidden Guard appeared, making Su Jin restless.

Why was the task being handled so unreliably?

After waiting some more, the Hidden Guard finally entered.

Then nothing happened.

Su Jin glanced several times at the Hidden Guard.

The Hidden Guard looked helpless.

Xie Jingchen sensed something amiss and decided to take leave with the Old Prince.

Once outside, Su Jin looked at the Hidden Guard and asked, "Where is the Jade Pendant?"

"The Jade Pendant is with the Prince," the Hidden Guard said with a twitch of his lips.

Su Jin, "..."

She frowned deeply.

How did it end up with the Prince?

Su Jin originally planned to visit the Old Prince, hoping for good luck that the Prince might also be present.

Instruct the Hidden Guard to falsely claim that someone at the door delivered a Jade Pendant for Xie Jingchen, ensuring the Prince saw it.

If not, she and Xie Jingchen could stroll with the Jade Pendant into the Prince’s study, and he would also see it.

The plan was flawless.

But!

Why did the Jade Pendant end up with the Prince before it even reached Xie Jingchen?

The plan, only just begun, had it now ended?

"What happened?" asked Xie Jingchen, frowning.

"..."

The Hidden Guard’s mouth twitched.

Can he say that the Prince had forbidden him to inform them?

His heart heavy.

He couldn’t say that the Prince wouldn’t let him tell them.

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