Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Grasp Firmly

Sheng Zhi Wan stepped into the courtyard just as An Zhi returned, leading the old nanny.

Having received some silver, the nanny eagerly bowed and greeted her, “Has the Princess finished? Please walk slowly, Princess.”

Sheng Zhi Wan gave a gentle smile, “Nanny, although Huan Zhu indeed displeased me, after all, she has been by my side for many years. From now on, I still rely on you to look after her.”

She paused, her voice calm yet meaningful, “At least as the Heir Apparent’s concubine, her hands and skin must be presentable. Wouldn’t you agree?”

The nanny’s expression shifted subtly, nodding meekly, “Yes… yes.”

Sheng Zhi Wan turned to An Zhi, “This courtyard needs some repairs and additional items. Give the nanny some silver.”

Though reluctant, An Zhi obeyed her Princess’s instructions.

Upon receiving the silver, the nanny’s face lit up joyfully, “Thank you for your benevolence, Heir Consort!” She had thought her fate sealed when assigned to Fragrance Gathering Garden, yet now, hope sparked again. Perhaps Huan Zhu would indeed rise in status…

Smiling, the nanny hurried back inside.

Every word Sheng Zhi Wan spoke reached Huan Zhu’s ears without omission. She lowered her eyes and sneered quietly. [Sheng Zhi Wan merely wants to use me because she can’t handle Meng Yang herself.]

What kindness? Clearly, Sheng Zhi Wan was incapable of facing Meng Yang alone. But that didn’t matter. Given the opportunity to climb higher, Huan Zhu would seize it tightly.

…

In the next three days, Qi Shu Xian indeed sought doctors everywhere, from imperial physicians to common street healers, dozens of them. Yet none discovered the issue with his arm.

“The Heir Apparent’s left arm is fine besides superficial wounds. If you feel your Qi circulation obstructed, perhaps it’s your heart causing the issue,” one old doctor stated.

“Could the Heir Apparent try circulating your Qi again for this old man?” another echoed the same diagnosis.

Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened upon hearing this repeatedly. Remembering Sheng Zhi Wan’s warning, he dared not test it again.

Only he knew how truly injured his arm was.

Yet, if all these doctors couldn’t see it, how had Sheng Zhi Wan managed it?

Frustrated, Qi Shu Xian dismissed the last doctor and headed straight to Pinglan Residence.

As an emerging military commander, losing use of his arm was the same as destroying his future.

Sheng Zhi Wan truly was ruthless!

Arriving outside Pinglan Residence, Qi Shu Xian found the gate tightly closed. With his martial skills, climbing the wall would be simple, but he refused such disgraceful behavior.

He angrily kicked open the courtyard door.

The servants inside jumped in fright, yet seeing it was Qi Shu Xian, no one greeted him. Instead, each returned quietly to their duties.

His brow furrowed slightly but he ignored it, asking one maid, “Where is your Master?”

The maid hesitated before replying, “Princess went to Fragrance Gathering Garden.”

Fragrance Gathering Garden? Qi Shu Xian frowned, recalling it was Huan Zhu’s residence. Disgust rose within him, but for the sake of his arm, he headed there without delay.

At Fragrance Gathering Garden, Sheng Zhi Wan watched Huan Zhu practice her technique.

“It’s acceptable,” she remarked softly.

Just then, Ting Lan entered hurriedly, “Princess, the Heir Apparent did go to our courtyard.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes flashed lightly as she stood up, instructing Huan Zhu, “He’ll soon come here. Whether you can keep him and win his favor afterward will depend entirely on your skills.”

“Rest assured, I won’t disappoint Princess,” Huan Zhu replied, lowering her eyes to admire her newly perfected, delicate skin. Confidence surged through her veins, so strongly she addressed herself informally before Sheng Zhi Wan.

Sheng Zhi Wan noticed but didn’t care.

Confidence was good. She hoped Huan Zhu would always carry such assurance.

Just after Sheng Zhi Wan departed, Qi Shu Xian arrived. Huan Zhu listened as his familiar footsteps approached, then quickly picked up a copper basin filled with water and stepped outside.

“Ah!”

“Crash—”

The basin fell loudly. Qi Shu Xian angrily shoved away the figure who had collided with him.

Seeing his soaked clothes worsened his already grim expression. He glared coldly at the person sprawled on the ground.

Huan Zhu raised her face in feigned panic, “Heir… Heir Apparent?”

Her expression was shocked, vulnerable, and a droplet slid down her neck from her wet hair.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze darkened momentarily before recognition brought immediate disgust, “Where is Sheng Zhi Wan?”

“Princess just left,” Huan Zhu replied meekly, dropping her gaze like a frightened rabbit.

Qi Shu Xian turned without sparing her another glance.

“Heir Apparent,” she boldly called out, “if you seek Princess’s help for your left arm, I can assist you.”

Qi Shu Xian abruptly halted.

Huan Zhu clenched her fingers tightly, knowing she’d succeeded.

Slowly, he turned, scrutinizing her carefully, “Is that true?”

“Yes. I wouldn’t dare deceive you,” Huan Zhu murmured gently. “I’ve accompanied the Princess for many years. She learned pressure techniques and acupuncture points to assist the Empress Dowager. Naturally, I absorbed much of this knowledge.”

“If the Heir Apparent doesn’t trust me, I can demonstrate.”