Aqiao struggled to support Governess Ji, asking repeatedly, “Governess Ji, are you alright?”
With an ashen face and purple lips, Governess Ji’s eyelids trembled. Only one thought occupied her mind: The Princess Consort was acting strangely, and so were her two senior maids.
The Princess Consort wanted to secretly go south, even deliberately deceiving the Empress in the palace. Did it matter if an old woman like her, with one foot already in the grave, was alright?
“Princess Consort, surely you must be joking?” Governess Ji felt she could still make one last attempt.
Jiang Si smiled, “How could that be? Aqiao and Aman have already packed their luggage.”
Governess Ji’s eyes rolled back, and she seemed on the verge of fainting again.
Aqiao supported Governess Ji with one hand while patting her back with the other, “Governess Ji, don’t get excited. Listen to what the mistress has to say.”
Governess Ji pulled away from Aqiao and asked with an expression that suggested she wanted to stab her to death with a needle, “Aqiao, have you packed your luggage?”
Aqiao nodded sheepishly.
Governess Ji held her forehead, barely managing not to faint, “Aqiao, how can you go along with Princess Consort’s reckless behavior?”
Before Aqiao could respond, Jiang Si’s face had already turned cold, “Enough.”
The chilly tone made Governess Ji freeze, and she couldn’t help but shudder. How could she have forgotten that this Princess Consort had never been easy-tempered?
Jiang Si’s smile vanished as she spoke slowly with a stern face, “Governess Ji, I called you here merely to inform you, not to seek your opinion.”
Since when did others have the right to meddle in the affairs of the Prince’s mansion?
Although Governess Ji feared Jiang Si’s authority, she steeled herself and said, “Even if the Princess Consort despises this old servant, blames this old servant, or even sends this old servant to scrub toilets, this old servant must still speak. Has the Princess Consort considered the consequences if this is discovered?”
Jiang Si didn’t lose her temper at Governess Ji’s persistence. It was precisely because she knew the old governess had the Prince’s mansion’s best interests at heart that she told her the truth.
Aqiao and Aman weren’t skilled at managing household affairs, making Governess Ji the best choice.
“I’ve already obtained the Empress’s consent. There’s no need to see anyone before the Prince returns. Don’t panic, Governess. As long as there’s no chaos in the Prince’s mansion, no one will discover anything.”
“But—”
Jiang Si spoke with an air of indifference, “This is how things are now. If you’re willing to help Aqiao and the others, I’d be grateful. If not, just pretend you don’t know about this. Aqiao, see the governess out.”
“Princess Consort, Princess Consort—” Governess Ji was escorted out by Aqiao, half-supported and half-pulled. Standing outside the door, she paced anxiously before finally stomping her foot and leaving.
This wouldn’t do. She had to find reinforcements!
Jiang Si watched Governess Ji rush away through the window, sighing softly before heading to the side room.
At this time, Ahuan wasn’t asleep but was staring at the colorful balls hanging above.
Jiang Si suppressed the bitterness in her heart and picked up a rattle lying nearby, shaking it gently.
As the clacking sound arose, Ahuan quickly found its source and smiled at her mother.
Jiang Si held the tiny person in her arms, nearly shedding tears.
Her Ahuan was still so small, yet she had to leave her behind for a long journey, not knowing when she would return.
No, she must return in time to spend the New Year with Ahuan.
Jiang Si made a firm resolution.
“Lotus can be picked in the south of the Yangtze, how lush are the lotus leaves, fish play among the lotus leaves…”
The soft song arose, causing Ahuan to curiously stare at her mother’s face without stopping.
The lullaby was repeated in a low, gentle voice countless times until the little one finally fell asleep.
Jiang Si gently pressed her cheek against her daughter’s soft little face, then handed her to the wet nurse before silently walking out.
The courtyard scenery was desolate, with a chilly wind blowing. Only the wintersweet in the corner was quietly blooming, sending its subtle fragrance.
Snowflakes had begun to fall from the sky at some point, like needles and cotton, fluttering down.
It was snowing.
Aqiao secretly glanced at Jiang Si, her eyes quietly reddening.
She had never been a mother, but she knew her mistress must be feeling extremely distressed, just as she had been when forced to separate from her mother at a young age.
So many years had passed, and her mother’s face had long since blurred, but that pain remained deep in her memory, never fading.
As cold tears flowed down, Aqiao hurriedly wiped them away and said softly, “Mistress—”
Jiang Si hadn’t shed tears, and her expression showed no significant change. Only her voice grew colder, “During the days I’m away from the mansion, the most important thing for you two is to take good care of Ahuan. Even if my absence from the mansion is exposed, protecting Ahuan is more important than anything else. Do you understand?”
Aqiao nodded vigorously.
Aman even patted her chest, saying, “Rest assured, Mistress. With this servant here, no one will dare touch a hair on the young miss’s head.”
Jiang Si returned to her room, removed her hairpins and other ornaments, redid her hair, and changed into ordinary maid’s attire before following Elder Hua out.
Elder Hua still wore a hat to conceal his eyebrows and eyes, drawing curious glances from passing maids.
Aman’s eyes flashed angrily, “You little hussy, have you no manners? How dare you stare at the guest invited by the Princess Consort? I’ll gouge out your eyes if I catch you doing it again!”
The scolded maid hurriedly lowered her head and walked away quickly.
A green-curtained carriage was waiting just outside the side gate, with Old Qin as the driver.
Long Dan stood not far from the carriage. When he saw Jiang Si, disguised as a maid, come out, he nearly cried.
He had thought that staying in the Prince’s mansion to protect the Princess Consort would be an easy job, occasionally getting to see his fiancée. He never imagined that—
Unable to continue his thoughts, Long Dan wiped his face and resigned himself to his fate as he went to meet them.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Jiang Si extended her hand to help Elder Hua into the carriage.
Aqiao’s eyes reddened even more as she said softly, “Please be careful.”
Jiang Si paused briefly, nodding almost imperceptibly.
Aqiao and Aman stood in place, watching wistfully as the carriage slowly moved away, gradually disappearing into the distance.
Aman couldn’t help but take a couple of steps forward in pursuit, but Aqiao held her back, “Aman, don’t let others notice.”
“I know,” Aman sighed dejectedly, raising her hand to rub her eyes. “I just never thought the mistress would leave us behind. Aqiao, who will comb her hair, cook for her, wash her clothes…”
Aqiao’s voice choked up, “Stop talking about it.”
Aman spoke as if she could do all those tasks. If only she had insisted on going along.
As the two maids were feeling melancholy, a black and yellow figure shot out like an arrow from a bow.
They were stunned for a moment before realizing what had happened.
“Aqiao, it looks like Erniu has chased after them. What should we do?”
Watching Erniu catch up to the carriage and jump on, Aqiao became calm, “We can’t outrun Erniu anyway. Let it be.”
“That’s true.” Aman returned to Yuhe Courtyard with Aqiao, her heart filled with envy and jealousy towards Erniu.
Not long after, a young maid came in to report that Governess Ji was requesting an audience with the Princess Consort.
Governess Ji, having regrouped, frowned upon seeing Aqiao and Aman. With a stern face, she said, “Is the Princess Consort still resting? Please inform her that I have already sent someone to notify the Chief Steward. I hope the Princess Consort will reconsider her actions.”
Aman shook her head, “There’s no chance to reconsider. The Princess Consort has already left.”