Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Hold Tight

Sheng Zhi Wan walked into the courtyard just as An Zhi brought the Nanny back. Having taken her share of benefits, the Nanny nodded and bowed with a smile as she said, “Princess, are you finished? Princess, please take care on your way.”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled. “Nanny, although Huan Zhu did do things that displeased me, she has still stayed by my side for many years. In the future, I will be relying on you to look after her.” Sheng Zhi Wan’s smile did not change as she added, “At the very least, as the Heir Apparent’s concubine, her hands and skin cannot look unpresentable. Right, Nanny?”

“Y-Yes… yes.” The Nanny’s face changed as she answered.

Sheng Zhi Wan looked to An Zhi and said, “This courtyard also needs repairs. We also need to add a few things. Give the Nanny some silver.”

An Zhi did not want to, but since it was the Princess’s order, An Zhi still did it.

The Nanny took the silver and immediately beamed. “Thank you for the Heir’s Wife’s mercy!” She had thought that being assigned to Ning Xiang Garden meant she would never turn her life around, but who would have guessed? If that was the case, then maybe Concubine Huan Zhu really could rise in the future. Thinking that, the Nanny hurried inside with a bright smile.

Every word Sheng Zhi Wan said reached Huan Zhu’s ears. Huan Zhu lowered her eyes and gave two cold laughs. [So Sheng Zhi Wan wanted to use her.] What mercy? In the end, Sheng Zhi Wan simply could not defeat Meng Yang, so Sheng Zhi Wan came to make use of her instead. That was fine. Since there was a chance to climb higher, Huan Zhu would grip it tight.

*

Over the next three days, Qi Shu Xian truly searched everywhere for physicians. From imperial physicians to street physicians, he saw dozens in a row, yet not a single one could see what was wrong with his arm.

One physician gave the same answer as all the others. “Heir Apparent’s left arm has only an external wound. The tendons and bones are not damaged. If Heir Apparent feels that your Qi circulation is not smooth, it may be because of what you have been thinking.” The physician then asked, “Could Heir Apparent circulate Qi once more so I can take a look?”

Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened. He remembered Sheng Zhi Wan’s words, and in the last three days he had already tried twice more, so he did not dare try again. Whether it was truly damaged, Qi Shu Xian knew best.

But if so many physicians could not see it, then how had Sheng Zhi Wan done it?

After Qi Shu Xian sent the physician out with a grim face, Qi Shu Xian could not sit still any longer and went to find Sheng Zhi Wan. Qi Shu Xian had just started to stand out as a military officer, and if one arm was ruined, it was no different from cutting off his entire career.

Sheng Zhi Wan was truly ruthless.

Qi Shu Xian arrived outside Ping Lan Residence and saw the courtyard shut tight. With his martial arts, Qi Shu Xian could have easily climbed over the wall, but he disdained doing something so disgraceful. Instead, Qi Shu Xian kicked the courtyard gate open.

Everyone inside Ping Lan Residence was badly startled. After they saw who it was, no one came forward as usual to greet him. They simply went back to their own work.

Qi Shu Xian’s brows tightened, but Qi Shu Xian did not care about such a small thing. Qi Shu Xian swept his gaze around and did not see Sheng Zhi Wan.

Qi Shu Xian casually looked at a maid and asked, “Where is your mistress?”

The maid paused before answering, “Princess went to Ning Xiang Garden.”

“Ning Xiang Garden?” Qi Shu Xian frowned for a moment before remembering that it seemed to be Huan Zhu’s place. Just thinking of Huan Zhu made disgust rise in Qi Shu Xian’s chest, but for the sake of his arm, Qi Shu Xian still turned and headed there.

In Ning Xiang Garden, Sheng Zhi Wan had Huan Zhu try the technique on Sheng Zhi Wan once. Sheng Zhi Wan gave a short evaluation, “All right. You barely passed.”

Just then, Ting Lan hurried in. “Princess, Heir Apparent really did go to our residence.”

Sheng Zhi Wan’s eyes flickered. Sheng Zhi Wan stood and said to Huan Zhu, “He will come here later. Whether you can keep him, and after keeping him whether you can get him… will depend on your methods.”

Huan Zhu lowered her eyes and looked at her own skin, pale and smooth as jade, and a confidence she had never felt before rose in her heart. That confidence was so strong that Huan Zhu even called herself “I” in front of Sheng Zhi Wan, as if she no longer needed to humble herself. “Don’t worry. I definitely won’t disappoint you, Princess!”

Sheng Zhi Wan naturally heard the change, but Sheng Zhi Wan did not care at all. [Good. Confidence was good… and she hoped Huan Zhu could stay that confident.]

As soon as Sheng Zhi Wan left, Qi Shu Xian arrived.

Huan Zhu listened as those familiar footsteps came closer and closer. Keeping her head down, Huan Zhu carried a copper basin filled with water and walked out.

“Ah!”

Clang!

The copper basin crashed to the ground. Angry, Qi Shu Xian kicked away the figure that had bumped into him. Qi Shu Xian looked at his soaked clothes, and his already gloomy face grew even darker. Qi Shu Xian coldly looked at the person on the ground.

Huan Zhu lifted a small face in panic. “Y-Your Highness, Heir Apparent?” Huan Zhu looked as if she had been frightened silly, mouth slightly open as she stared up in shock. In that instant, water droplets slid from her drenched hair into her neck and then trickled downward.

Qi Shu Xian’s gaze darkened, but once Qi Shu Xian saw who it was, only disgust remained. “Where was Sheng Zhi Wan?”

“Princess just left.” Huan Zhu lowered her head like a frightened rabbit.

Qi Shu Xian did not even look at Huan Zhu as Qi Shu Xian turned away.

“Heir Apparent,” Huan Zhu called after him, “if Heir Apparent wants Princess to treat your left arm, this concubine can also do it.”

Qi Shu Xian froze.

Huan Zhu clenched her fingers tight. She knew she had succeeded.

Qi Shu Xian turned back and narrowed his eyes as Qi Shu Xian looked her up and down. “You meant that?”

“Yes.” Huan Zhu did not dare hide anything. “This concubine followed Princess for many years. This concubine knew that Princess learned many acupoints and acupressure techniques in order to help the Empress Dowager with pressing and unblocking. After watching for a long time, this concubine also learned quite a bit.” Huan Zhu lifted her eyes. “If Heir Apparent does not believe it, Heir Apparent can let this concubine try.”