Once the food was delivered to Study, Changqing took the food box, walked to the door, and knocked.
The King of Jin’s cold voice came from inside, “What is it?”
“Your subordinate brought the meal from Chufang (Kitchen), Your Highness, would you like to eat something?”
“This King is not hungry.”
The man’s voice was a little hoarse.
Changqing pondered and continued, “If Your Highness starves himself by not eating, the Princess Consort will surely feel distressed.”
Study was quiet for a moment, with no response.
Changqing furrowed his brow again, his mind, which usually only knew how to chop, chopped, and chopped, turned and turned, and suddenly, a thought flashed in his mind.
He tentatively began, “Your subordinate brought a dish of Golden Minced Jade Perch, a dish of Lotus Pod Jade Dew…”
He rattled off several dish names, ending with a plate of pastries.
After a long wait, the King of Jin’s voice finally came from Study, “Come in.”
Changqing pushed the door open and entered, seeing the King of Jin sitting behind the desk.
The desk was slightly cluttered, and the man, dressed in dark robes, blended into the background behind the desk.
His handsome brows and eyes were now somewhat gloomy and stern.
Changqing dared not annoy his master further, and enduring the frightening gaze, he quickly arranged the meal.
Then, bowing to the King of Jin, he exited Study, “Your subordinate takes his leave.”
After an unknown period, the King of Jin’s indifferent voice finally came from Study, “Someone.”
Changqing flashed in, “Master, your subordinate is here.”
“What is she doing now?”
Although “she” was not mentioned, Changqing seemed to have a sudden realization, instantly thinking of A Rao in Chufang (Kitchen).
Recalling what the little assistant cook said, Changqing relayed the words verbatim.
The man on the seat frowned slightly upon hearing this, “Sick?”
As soon as he spoke, the King of Jin realized that he was paying a bit too much attention to A Rao.
He said in a deep, impatient tone, “If she’s sick, just go treat her.
The Prince’s Estate is not a place that mistreats sick people and makes them work.”
Changqing estimated the meaning, nodded, and accepted the order, “Your subordinate understands.”
“Take all these away.
This King is going horse riding in the imperial suburbs and won’t be back until who knows when tonight.
If this King returns late, you yourself light the mosquito repellent incense sent from the Main Courtyard.”
Changqing was surprised, “Can your subordinate not accompany Your Highness?”
The King of Jin walked out from behind the desk, “No need.
This King wants to ride freely alone, no need for anyone to follow.”
Changqing could only kneel halfway and accept the order.
In the past, he always accompanied the Prince when he went out, and now, even if he wasn’t needed, the hidden guards would protect their master well, so he didn’t need to worry.
After the King of Jin left, Changqing, following his master’s instructions, once again came to Chufang (Kitchen).
This time, he did not refuse the little assistant cook’s lead and arrived at the residence where A Rao lived.
That residence was shared by several servants; although the environment was crowded, each servant had a separate room, which was much better than a dozen servants sleeping in a large communal room outside.
A Rao’s room was at the very back of the courtyard, and because it didn’t get much light, the window looked a bit eerie.
“A Rao, someone from Front Yard came to see you.”
The little assistant cook saw that the guard brother who followed him had no intention of speaking, so he scratched his head and just shouted.
After a while, the last door creaked open, and A Rao, dressed in a green servant’s uniform and looking a bit sickly, walked out of the room.
Upon seeing Changqing, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, “Brother Changqing, why are you here?”
The little assistant cook had already consciously retreated, so Changqing spoke openly and frankly, saying indifferently, “The Prince ordered me to come.
He told me to call the House Doctor for you to treat your illness, and not to delay.”
A Rao was a little surprised, then lowered her head and smiled faintly, “This is just a minor illness, it doesn’t matter.
I’ll be fine in a few days, no need to call the House Doctor.”
Changqing frowned.
Seeing A Rao’s brows slightly furrowed with a hint of difficulty, he asked, “How did you get sick?”
Scanning the surrounding environment, Changqing couldn’t help but purse his lips.
Although he didn’t understand why the Prince had driven A'rao out of Study, the reason certainly wasn’t that he had grown tired of A'rao; it must have been for some other reason.
Chufang (Kitchen) was always a leisurely place, with plenty of perks.
Sending A'rao there was not a torment, but rather a kind of leisure.
The more junior servants were usually more astute, and when A'rao was unexpectedly moved from Study to Chufang (Kitchen), even those who didn't know the full story would instinctively treat A'rao with a certain degree of consideration.
Moreover, A Rao had previously been a concubine who served the Prince.
But now, Changqing took a glance, and A Rao didn’t seem as comfortable as he had imagined.
Now, she had only been here for a few days and was already sick, looking increasingly thin.
Upon hearing Changqing’s question, A Rao’s body stiffened slightly, then she lowered her head and whispered, “I suppose it’s because I wasn’t careful at night and didn’t cover myself properly.
It’s nothing serious.
I am very grateful for His Highness’s concern for his subordinates, and I ask Brother Changqing to convey my thanks on my behalf.”
Changqing was most skilled at observing expressions when accompanying the King of Jin in interrogating criminals, finding clues from subtle expressions.
Seeing A Rao’s slightly unnatural expression, Changqing had a few guesses in his mind.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Changqing put down the money, and just as he turned to leave, he heard the young girl behind him suddenly call out to him.
Then she pattered into the room, and soon after, she ran out again.
Because she had run a few steps, her slightly pale face showed a touch of flush.
She caught her breath and held out the item in her hand—a blue sachet.
“This is a mosquito repellent sachet I made.
I’ve tried it, and it works quite well.
Please, Brother Changqing, hang this sachet over the Prince’s bed.
Perhaps it can ward off some mosquitoes.”
Changqing took a quick look, checked it for any abnormalities, and then put the sachet away, though his tone was a bit strange, “If you’re sick, don’t make any more sachets.
If this sachet truly works, I will certainly speak well of you to the Prince.”
A Rao waved her hands repeatedly and shook her head, saying, “This is my duty as a servant; I wouldn’t dare trouble Brother Changqing.
It’s just that the stitching is crude and not presentable, so Brother Changqing, please don’t tell the Prince.
If it works, Brother Changqing can come here to find me and get more.
Anyway, I’m idle, so I might as well find something to do.”
Since Changqing first met A Rao, his impression of her had always been quiet and diligent, serving the Prince wholeheartedly.
Even the usually somewhat picky Prince had grown accustomed to A Rao’s service, and he had been distracted repeatedly these past few days.
Regarding A Rao’s behavior of still caring for the Prince after leaving Study, Changqing only felt that A Rao was a thoughtful and meticulous person.
Seeing her slightly flushed face when she spoke, Changqing was silent for a moment, but still decided to cater to the young girl’s feelings, figuring that if the Prince found out, he could just explain A Rao’s intentions then.
Watching Changqing stride away, A Rao stood in place, gazing after him, and only much later did she return to her room.
Soon, the lamps were lit, and night fell.
The summer night was very bright, with twinkling stars beneath the dark blue curtain.
The King of Jin returned to the Prince’s Estate under the cover of night, Changqing had already lit the mosquito repellent incense, and served his master into bed.
At first, the King of Jin could still hear the buzzing of mosquitoes, but after an unknown period, his ears suddenly became quiet.
The man, who had been furrowing his brow, slowly calmed down and gradually drifted into sleep.
