Chapter 442 - 442: Accident

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“I told you to get out, are you deaf?” The princess was no fool, very sharp-minded. She knew that if she agreed to the palace maid’s proposal, she would be handing over leverage that could be used to coerce her into doing things against her will. She wasn’t interested in trading her comfortable life as a princess for being a puppet controlled by others.

The palace maid clenched her fists, “Princess…”

Before she could finish, a whip flew out from behind the bed curtains, accompanied by the princess’s loud command, “Guards, there’s an assassin.”

The palace maid couldn’t help but doubt herself. She thought that it would be easy to control the princess. After all, the princess had an obsession for Tang Jinghong. As long as she made use of this, she wasn’t afraid that the princess wouldn’t listen to her. In the end, the princess didn’t play by the rules at all…

Regardless of her plans, time was up. The sound of guards’ footsteps grew louder.

In a swift move, the palace maid leaped out the window, only to be met with a barrage of arrows. Despite her attempt to escape, she was ultimately shot and captured.

On the way to the dungeon, the palace maid couldn’t help but regret her decision to approach the princess.

She thought any random person would have been a better choice and wouldn’t have led to this predicament.

Was there any medicine for regret?

Under interrogation, she couldn’t withstand the pressure and revealed her identity. She was the messenger for Master Yun, a fact that surprised everyone, as she had been disguised as an ordinary palace maid all this time.

Her plan was to groom the princess to serve Master Yun’s interests, but clearly, she underestimated the princess. Her plan backfired, and she ended up getting caught.

The princess, through this accidental capture of a crucial figure, received great rewards from the emperor.

However, the princess’s heart still longed for Tang Jinghong, only to find out upon leaving the palace that he and Chu Qingzhi had already returned to their village.

At the city gate, Ning Yuting, dressed elegantly, waited with his horse.

Seeing Chu Qingzhi and the others, he waved, “Let’s go together.”

Chu Xujin smiled and waved back, “Where are you headed?”

Ning Yuting mounted his horse and joined them, “To attend my brother-in-law’s wedding banquet.”

Everyone smiled knowingly. Attending the banquet was just an excuse, his real intent was to see their second sister.

On their way, they encountered two familiar faces, Si Yuheng and Lin Wanning.

Si Yuheng, having just buried his grandfather yesterday, waited for Chu Qingzhi and the others upon hearing they were heading to Shuiyun County.

Lin Wanning, heeding Chu Qingzhi’s advice, latched onto Si Yuheng.

Si Yuheng had a sense of responsibility. He was the one who brought Lin Wanning out. He did not intend to ditch her halfway, so he allowed her to follow him. It was just one more pair of chopsticks at home, no big deal.

The innocent young man did not think about his relationship with Lin Wanning in a romantic sense at all.

With the addition of these three, their party grew significantly larger as they hurried towards Shuiyun County.

In Chu Family Village, under the golden sunlight, the ripe rice in the fields looked like blankets of yellow, swaying with the breeze and creating waves of gold.

The rice, affected by drought, had many empty husks, but considering other places had no harvest at all, the villagers felt content.

Most of the villagers, wearing straw hats, were busy harvesting rice, sweating profusely in the bustling scene of harvest.

Jiang Zhaoyong and Xu Jizhou arrived together at the edge of the rice field…

One in a black robe with sharp, star-like eyes, and the other in a white robe holding a folding fan, exuding the aura of a scholar.

Chu Qingning had nothing urgent at the moment and was helping in the fields.

Wearing a straw hat and old clothes, she skillfully used the sickle to harvest the rice. Her movements were swift and efficient.

Upon seeing her, Jiang Zhaoyong immediately jumped into the field and took the sickle from her hand, “You go rest, I’ll do the cutting.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chu Qingning resisted, “This is my family’s work. Why should you do it? Give me back the sickle.” She reached out to grab it.

Jiang Zhaoyong dodged her hand, whispering, “If you don’t listen to me, I’ll propose to you in front of your family right here right now.”

Chu Qingning more or less understood Jiang Zhaoyong’s feelings now. He would come to her house whenever he was free. Even a fool would understand, but she still had some concerns…

With no other option, Chu Qingning returned to the ridge, feeling embarrassed to rest while her family worked hard in the fields. “Dad, I’m going home to help mom cook.”

Today, her fifth sister was returning home, and her mother had been busy since morning. Her second sister, who usually worked at the shop, stayed home to help. She was also supposed to help but was asked by Li Qingyu to come in the afternoon. She came to the fields to help with the rice harvesting, but now Jiang Zhaoyong had taken over her work.

Chu Rong, with his honest face, looked forward with anticipation, “Ask your mother to cook a few more dishes. Qingzhi usually brings friends home, and it would be embarrassing if we run short of food.”

Chu Qingning nodded with a smile, “I know.” She then headed home.

Xu Jizhou, feeling ignored by Chu Qingning, quickly blocked her path, “Qingning, didn’t you see me?”

I’m sorry, I really didn’t see him. I only have eyes for Jiang Zhaoyong, but I can’t say this. It’s too hurtful, she thought to herself, then said, “Young Master Xu, what’s the matter?”

Xu Jizhou gestured to his chest with his folding fan, “I still feel some pain here.”

“That’s not a big issue; just rest more.”

Xu Jizhou thought to himself, using this excuse to talk to Qingning was his only option. He couldn’t do something like Jiang Zhaoyong, cutting rice in the fields. “Qingning, could you check again, please?”

Chu Qingning took a deep breath helplessly. “Then show your wrist. I’ll take your pulse.”

She had been diligently learning medical skills and was now quite adept at taking pulses.

In order to learn how to take a pulse, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang brought her to take the pulse of the entire village. With a certain amount of experience, practice made perfect, and she mastered it.

Xu Jizhou quickly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a slightly thin wrist, and presented it to Chu Qingning.

She meticulously took his pulse. “You’re fine. The pain in your chest is due to the bruises from falling down the stairs. It will heal over time.”

Before Xu Jizhou could respond, Jiang Zhaoyong called out, “Qingning, I’m thirsty.”

Chu Qingning replied, “I’ll go get you some water right away.”

Xu Jizhou’s face darkened as he glared at Jiang Zhao Yong, convinced he was doing it on purpose to prevent him from getting closer to Qingning.

Jiang Zhaoyong smirked at Xu Jizhou. He didn’t stop Xu Jizhou from following them to the field just to irritate him and make him give up on Qingning.

Xu Jizhou snorted. He would not give up. He turned around and said, “Qingning, everyone should be thirsty. I’ll go back with you to get water..”