Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 126 Trichosanthes Flower

The maid bowed and said, "The Grand Tutor has entered the palace and should not be returning to Duming Garden for the next few days."

"Not returning to Duming Garden?" Jiang Mian frowned. "Why? Was there any indication that you would be entering the palace for some purpose?"

"This servant only knows that the Emperor ordered the Grand Tutor to enter the palace to teach the Second Prince."

"The Second Prince? Is he the one who's been recuperating in Huangchuan?"

The maid lowered her head and remained silent.

Jiang Wan recalled that the Second Prince Ning Chang was frail and sickly, and had been recuperating in Huangchuan. Although he would occasionally visit the Emperor, the Emperor was considerate of him and never let him worry or overwork.

In his previous life, he remained in Huangchuan until Ning Zhi ascended the throne.

Why did the Emperor suddenly bring him to the palace in this life and even have Duan Zhi'an teach him?

As the Grand Tutor, Duan Zhi'an always only taught the Crown Prince.

Could it be that because the Third Prince was convicted, the Emperor deliberately brought up the Second Prince to balance the Crown Prince's power?

Jiang Mian clenched her fists. If she could think of this, then the court officials could naturally think of it as well.

It seems that Ning Zhi was also preoccupied with trivial matters in the court.

She dragged her feet as she walked back.

No wonder Xiao Hengzhi released her so easily; he must have known all along that Duan Zhi'an was not in the city.

But now that she's out, she won't go back so easily.

Jiang Mian turned and went to the Prince's residence.

When the servants of the manor saw her coming, they hurriedly came to greet her, saying, "This servant greets Miss Jiang the Second."

Jiang Mian nodded: "I came uninvited today because I wanted to have a word with the Crown Princess. Please let me know."

"Miss Jiang, your timing is unfortunate. The young master has taken his wife back to the Marquis's residence today. If you have nothing else to do, please stay here for a while. The young master said he will be back before dark."

Jiang Wan took a deep breath. She had finally managed to go out, but none of the people she was looking for were there.

"Alright, I have nothing else to do today, so I'll take my leave."

“Miss Jiang, you’re too kind. You and the Prince grew up together, and you and the Princess are like sisters, as everyone in the household knows. Besides, the Princess has instructed that no matter when you come, the household must take good care of you, so there’s no question of you being a bother.”

"You've got a sweet tongue."

Jiang Mian smiled and sat down in the side hall to wait.

After finishing a bowl of hot tea, she got up and strolled around casually.

Suddenly, I smelled a bitter aroma.

Following the scent, we walked to a small room behind the side hall.

Pushing open the door, one sees a simply furnished room with several potted plants of unknown species by the window, in full bloom, filling the room with fragrance.

Upon closer inspection, it tasted exactly like the bitterness she experienced when tasting sweets.

She stepped forward slowly, examined it carefully, but still couldn't identify the species. She thought she would discuss it with Wen Qian when she returned.

At this moment, the Pingnan Marquis's residence was brightly lit, and the halls were filled with laughter and chatter.

Wen Qian stood in the hall with Li Zhijing, her face slightly shy and her head lowered.

After bowing to his elders, Li Zhijing said in a deep voice, "Father, Mother, the Crown Princess is two months pregnant. I have come to report the good news."

A smile appeared on the Marquis of Pingnan's face, and he said in a gentle tone, "Good, good! It is a great joy to have another grandson in my manor."

Lady Hou smiled and said, "Qianqian, from now on, just focus on your pregnancy and don't worry too much. The baby is the most important thing."

Upon hearing this, Wen Qian's eyes filled with emotion, and she quickly curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Father and Mother. Wen Qian will certainly follow your teachings."

Although Aunt Fu did not speak, she smiled and nodded in agreement.

Marquis Pingnan stroked his beard and said, "Don't kneel anymore, quickly help the Crown Princess up."

The atmosphere in the hall was warm and friendly, with everyone chatting and laughing. Even their attitude towards Wen Qian was much gentler than usual.

During dinner, Lady Hou specially ordered several light and nourishing dishes, showing her deep care and concern.

Seeing the no longer critical expressions on everyone's faces, Wen Qian felt a surge of joy.

She stroked her slightly protruding belly, thinking that life would surely be even more wonderful after the baby was born.

After the meal, Marquis Pingnan pulled Li Zhijing aside to reminisce. Hearing that Qian was feeling very tired during her pregnancy, she got up early and returned to the Prince's residence in her sedan chair.

Upon returning home, I heard from the servants that Jiang Wan had arrived, presumably to inquire about the matter I had asked her to help with last time.

Wen Qian quickly went to the side hall to say hello.

"Sister Wan, why did you come alone?"

Jiang Wan stood up and said, "His Highness was in a good mood today and allowed me to come out alone. I heard that you and Zhijing had returned to the Marquis's residence, so I waited here."

She glanced behind Wen Qian, but there was no one there. She then asked, "Where's Zhi Jing? Why didn't he come back with you?"

"My father asked him to stay and talk, so I came back first."

Jiang Wan nodded.

Wen Qian then said, "Did you come here to ask about what happened last time? To my shame, I still have no clue. I was thinking of asking someone to look for it outside the city another day."

Jiang Wan took her hand and turned to her, saying, "I'm sorry to trouble you with this matter. I do have a clue now and was thinking of asking you about it."

"What is it?"

"Just now I smelled a fragrance in this room. Do you know what kind of flower it is?"

Wen Qian walked closer and took a look, then smiled and said, "This is a Trichosanthes kirilowii flower."

As she spoke, she gently stroked the white threads on the petals and said, "These threads on the petals can be used to make fragrant oil. If you like them, Sister Man, I can give you some."

Jiang Wan shook her head: "I was smelling the fragrance of this flower, which is exactly the same as the bitterness in my mouth, and I was wondering if there was a connection."

Wen Qian wondered, "This flower has a pleasant fragrance. Could it be that Sister Man's illness has caused her to perceive the fragrance as bitter?"

Jiang Mian pondered for a moment and shook her head: "Everything else smells normal, but this flower smells bitter to me. So I'm wondering if the medicine I took contains this."

Wen Qian was taken aback, then fetched a medical book and flipped through it, muttering, "...The fruit and roots of the Trichosanthes kirilowii flower can be used medicinally, and they taste bitter. The roots, when used medicinally, are called Tianhuafen and can be used to induce labor. The fruit is poisonous and must be rinsed with water..."

Jiang Mian shook her head, interrupting her: "The prince knows I am not pregnant, so he would never use smallpox powder; it must be fruit..."

"Your Majesty?!"

Wen Qian's eyes widened suddenly, and before she could finish speaking, she asked in astonishment, "So... it was the Prince who drugged you?!"