Chapter 505 - 18: The Cannon Fodder Vase in the Scheming Novel (Part 18)

Before Jiang Lai could speak, Little He directly interjected.

"You’ve only eaten a few bites and say you can’t eat anymore? Didn’t you say they were all good dishes? What happened? When we finally give you the good stuff, you start complaining?"

Aunt Zhao strained her neck trying to swallow the sticky, mushy piece of pork skin in her mouth, her old face flushed as she continued to argue.

"I’m an old servant who can’t handle such delicacies. Prince Consort, what exactly do you mean? I’ve watched you grow up and now followed you here. Isn’t this just trying to take my life?"

Seeing her tears and snot flowing together, Jiang Lai tapped the plate in front of him, smiling without real joy.

"Aunt Zhao, if it weren’t for the thoughts of you raising me, would you still be sitting here eating your own cooked dishes?"

Aunt Zhao was startled, her legs became like noodles and she dropped to the ground with a thud, kneeling.

"Prince Consort, what grave mistake have I committed to deserve a death sentence?"

A stubborn duck’s mouth.

Jiang Lai leisurely slapped a contract of servitude onto the table.

"Isn’t this your son’s?"

Aunt Zhao didn’t know many words, but she recognized the contract and her son’s name.

She suddenly raised her head, visibly panicked.

"Prince Consort... Prince Consort, please direct all matters towards me, it has nothing to do with my son!"

"I understand, I’m not an unreasonable master. It’s just that your son is working in my household now, and you dare to betray your master. You’re the one pushing your son into a pit, what does it have to do with me?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao’s eyes darted around frantically before she finally relented.

Jiang Lai’s words surely meant he knew everything, and any further stubbornness would only worsen the situation.

"This servant deserves death, my death is insignificant! Prince Consort, please spare my son, even if you cut off my head I wouldn’t dare claim injustice."

Little He glared and said.

"Why would you claim injustice? Whose servant are you? The Jiang Family feeds you, your husband, your son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, three generations living off our lady, and you have the audacity to turn against us! You truly deserve to die!"

In Little He’s eyes, there’s no crime more severe than betraying one’s master.

Aunt Zhao dared not lift her head after being scolded, for she had indeed accepted other people’s silver, and per instructions, deliberately prepared greasy meats and sweets for Jiang Lai at every meal.

"Prince Consort, please spare me, I’ll do whatever you ask, just spare my life!"

Seeing Aunt Zhao about to cry out loud, Jiang Lai put his finger to his lips.

"Shh, it’s late, don’t disturb others resting."

As Jiang Lai spoke, she yawned.

"From now on, continue preparing meals as she instructed."

"This servant dares not, I truly..."

"Shut up, do as you’re told, your son and grandson’s lives are in my hands, obediently listen and I’ll leave them a way out."

This time Aunt Zhao completely dared not make a sound.

"Aside from preparing my meals, aren’t you preparing meals for others too? Follow my orders, put in the things you add daily to my meals into that person’s meals, did you hear?"

Aunt Zhao now complied with everything, nodding repeatedly, afraid Jiang Lai might change his mind and drag her out to kill her in anger.

Realizing late, a cold sweat broke out suddenly.

It turns out, the Prince Consort knew she was drugging her meals every day.

Initially thinking she could cover it up, little did she expect Jiang Lai knew everything...

This left Aunt Zhao completely obedient, her previous schemes entirely crushed, only daring to follow Jiang Lai’s instructions.

Early the next morning, after Zhao Ziyuan rose, she jogged leisurely in the courtyard. With evergreen trees surrounding it, walking felt like a tranquil stroll through the woods.

After jogging, the maid had already prepared the hot water. This kind of wooden tub bath Zhao Ziyuan had become increasingly accustomed to, soaking a bit each morning there to dispel dampness, which made her body healthier.

Half an hour after the bath, breakfast began.

Her breakfast was always meticulously planned, according to her requirements, protein with vegetables, using whole grains as the staple.

Today was no different, boiled beef and porridge.

In these ancient times where beef was rarely consumed, Zhao Ziyuan still insisted on eating some each day, as it was high-quality protein to fill her up while also providing ample nutrition, furthermore allowing her to maintain a balanced figure.

"Miss, today’s fruits are... a bit less fresh."

Seeing the maid bring over grapes, Zhao Ziyuan frowned.

"Why only these?"

The scattered grapes on the plate had blackened tips, dull color, and wrinkled skin — evidently the defective leftovers from the grape cluster, all brought and served to her.

Upon seeing Zhao Ziyuan’s clear displeasure, the maid quickly explained.

"The cook said it’s the only thing left."

"Aren’t these procured daily? How is it just these? Where are the fresh ones?"

Zhao Ziyuan was not satisfied.

The fruits procured daily were all carefully selected fresh ones sent here, the remainder distributed to the chaotic women in the rear courtyard.

Today’s state seemed as if leftovers were given to her!

The maid dared not speak, it was obvious to anyone these were just picked-over leftovers.

Zhao Ziyuan pushed the plate aside.

"Take it away, throw it out."

Throwing it away is such a waste, they’re just not as fresh, not inedible.

The maid muttered inwardly but still took the dish away, although whether she tossed it was another matter.

Not eating fresh fruit all day made Zhao Ziyuan increasingly unhappy.

She didn’t necessarily need the fruits, she merely wanted to know where things meant for her were now consumed.

However, she had little say in courtyard affairs, and to outsiders she was still just a female physician, so she could only talk to Chu Yunxuan.

Merely for a portion of fruit, hearing Zhao Ziyuan speak about it made Chu Yunxuan furrow his brow.

"It’s just a plate of grapes, you can buy more if you want to eat them."

"Just a plate of grapes? Where did the fresh ones go? Isn’t this enough to indicate a problem?"

Chu Yunxuan was already troubled by court matters, incessant questioning made him aggravated.

"What do you want then? Who do you think is responsible? Should I manage a plate of grapes from the rear courtyard?"

Just a plate of grapes, is it worth such fuss?

Zhao Ziyuan stared at him, her already dark eyes now appearing colder.

"Chu Yunxuan, you don’t care about me anymore."

"Just because you didn’t eat fresh grapes this morning?"

Chu Yunxuan felt it was unreasonable.

He had so many national affairs to handle, yet here he was discussing a plate of grapes.

He was no longer the fragile, sensitive Prince abandoned in the Cold Palace, he had no time to ponder a woman’s thoughts.