Jiang Si leaned against the carriage wall, asking with feigned nonchalance, “What do you think of my relationship with the Princess Consort of Prince Qi?”
Aman replied straightforwardly, “Not good.”
Her mistress was kind-hearted and treated those she liked well, like Aunt Dou. But she had never shown a pleasant face to the Princess Consort of Prince Qi.
“Hmm, I think the relationship is poor too. Yet the Princess Consort of Prince Qi invited me to offer incense together—”
Aman covered her mouth and exclaimed softly, “Mistress, the Princess Consort must have ulterior motives. She’s surely plotting something nefarious!”
Jiang Si nodded slightly, “That’s what I think too.”
Aman blinked, confused, “Mistress, then why did you agree to go with her?”
Jiang Si smiled, “If I didn’t agree, how would we know what evil she’s planning?”
Hearing this, Aman excitedly said, “You’re right, Mistress! Let’s see what trick she tries to pull, then we’ll pay her back!”
“That’s my thinking too, so you need to be prepared. Don’t panic if anything unexpected happens.”
Aman nodded repeatedly, “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t lose my composure.”
Having been with her mistress for so long, what storms hadn’t she weathered?
Jiang Si thought for a moment, then cautioned, “Especially focus on protecting yourself. Remember, I’m well-prepared and won’t fall for her schemes.”
Aman nodded, somewhat understanding, “I understand, Mistress.”
Seeing Aman’s expression, Jiang Si sighed inwardly.
In her previous life, it was Aman who accompanied her to her death. Because of this, even though Aman wasn’t the cleverest or most sensible maid, sometimes being rash and unrefined, to Jiang Si she was still the best servant.
When a maid is willing to protect you with her life, all her shortcomings cease to be flaws.
She was content to let Aman maintain this innocent and straightforward nature.
After a moment of silence, Aman couldn’t help but ask, “Mistress, what evil do you think the Princess Consort of Prince Qi will do?”
Jiang Si laughed lightly, “Who knows? We’ll find out when it happens. Let’s just wait and see.”
Aman nodded and started peering out the carriage window again, this time watching the carriage ahead.
That was the carriage of Prince Qi’s household, carrying the Princess Consort and her maid.
Aman tilted her head in thought: No matter what, if Princess Consort tried to harm her mistress, she’d strike first and eliminate the threat. Even if it cost her own life afterward, she couldn’t let anyone hurt her mistress.
The little maid inadvertently glanced at their coachman and quickly lowered the window curtain. She said to Jiang Si, “Mistress, today’s coachman isn’t Old Qin!”
She knew Old Qin’s skills well and found him very reliable. Seeing a different coachman made her a bit anxious.
Jiang Si replied calmly, “It’s fine. Old Qin needs to rest occasionally too.”
Old Qin was too conscientious and responsible. With him around, how could that foolish Princess Consort of Prince Qi make her move?
Aman pouted, muttering softly, “Mistress rarely goes out. Old Qin rests every day anyway.”
Despite saying this, the little maid didn’t dwell on it further. In her view, since it was her mistress’s decision, there must be a reason. If she couldn’t understand it now, it was just because she wasn’t clever enough.
Before long, the carriage left the city. After traveling for some time, it finally stopped as the sun climbed higher in the sky.
“Mistress, we’ve arrived at Baiyun Temple,” Aman jumped down first, extending her hand to help Jiang Si alight.
Jiang Si raised her eyes to look at the temple gate.
Since her rebirth, this was her second visit to Baiyun Temple.
The last time she came with her elder sister, the journey was full of thrills and dangers. This time would likely be no less exciting…
Jiang Si composed herself and approached the Princess Consort of Prince Qi, who had also descended from her carriage.
“Seventh Sister-in-law, shall we go in?”
A guest-receiving monk was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing the two approaches, he clasped his hands and bowed, “Please enter, benefactors.”
As Jiang Si walked in, she noticed there were no other worshippers in the temple.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi explained with a smile, “I made arrangements in advance to avoid disturbing Seventh Sister-in-law.”
Jiang Si responded coolly, “Fourth Sister-in-law is too considerate. It wasn’t necessary. There’s no need for such a fuss when praying for Her Majesty. It’s rather improper to have the temple turn away other worshippers for our sake.”
Barring other visitors was clearly to facilitate harming her, and now the Princess Consort expected gratitude. She was being too calculating and thick-skinned.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi smiled awkwardly, “I thought Seventh Sister-in-law preferred tranquility. Next time we come to offer incense and fulfill vows, we won’t do this.”
Jiang Si gave her an ambiguous smile, her eyes shimmering, “Fourth Sister-in-law plans to come with me again in the future?”
Meeting that pair of dark, lustrous eyes, a chill ran through the Princess Consort’s heart.
After today, if the plan went smoothly, the Princess Consort of Prince Yan would be a dead woman. Of course, she wouldn’t be coming here again with a corpse.
Thinking about Jiang Si’s question made her feel uneasy.
“Fourth Sister-in-law?” Jiang Si looked innocent, seemingly insistent on an answer.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi forced a smile, suppressing her discomfort, “Of course we’ll come together.”
In her heart, she spat several times: May the Bodhisattva not take her words seriously…
Seeing the Princess Consort’s discomfort, Jiang Si felt more at ease. She followed the monk towards the main hall to offer incense.
Entering the solemn and pure great hall, they approached the Buddha statue. Jiang Si slowly knelt on the prayer mat, sincerely offering her prayers.
She wasn’t praying for the Worthy Consort, but for Yu Jin who was away.
She prayed for his safe and early return, successfully bringing back her brother’s remains, allowing her brother’s soul to return home, like leaves returning to their roots.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi was equally devout, though her wishes had nothing to do with the Worthy Consort. She silently prayed, “Buddha, bless the Prince to fulfill his ambitions, bless our marriage with deep love, to grow old together…”
As for harming Jiang Si, the Princess Consort dared not mention it before Buddha.
After all, harming others was wrong, and she knew Buddha wouldn’t help with such things.
After offering incense, following the unspoken rule, it was time to donate.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi glanced at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si asked in surprise, “We’re supposed to donate, right?”
The Princess Consort was instantly embarrassed but nodded.
Was it necessary to ask about such an obvious matter?
She had glanced at Jiang Si earlier because she was hesitant, unsure how much Jiang Si would donate.
It would be fine if they donated similar amounts, or even if Jiang Si donated a bit more. She feared a vast difference in amounts would make her look bad.
Thinking this, the Princess Consort felt she should donate first.
If she donated first, as long as Jiang Si understood etiquette, she wouldn’t donate an amount far exceeding hers. Even if Jiang Si did so, others would criticize the Princess Consort of Prince Yan for being inconsiderate.
Just as the Princess Consort had this thought, she heard Jiang Si sigh in relief, “I thought things might be different from before. Aman—”
Aman immediately responded crisply, taking out a stack of bank notes, “Master, this is our Princess Consort’s donation.”
The notes were from the largest money house in the capital, a thick stack all in ten-tael denominations, totaling at least a thousand taels.
The Princess Consort of Prince Qi stared at the stack of notes in the little maid’s hand, her vision darkening.