The sweltering July quickly passed. As the sweet osmanthus began to bloom, the streets grew more crowded.
The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and even the poorest households took the moon worship seriously, necessitating the purchase of various items.
On this day, Jiang Yi went out to buy lanterns for Yan Yan.
It was customary for children to play under the moonlight with handheld lanterns during the festival.
After carefully selecting a carp lantern and a jade rabbit lantern at the shop, which she handed to her maid to carry, Jiang Yi left the store and entered a shop selling precious curios.
Her father’s birthday was approaching, and she intended to choose a valuable item as a gift for him.
Jiang Yi entered Zhen Bao Ge, a somewhat renowned treasure shop in the capital.
Located on the bustling West Street, Zhen Bao Ge, though not the largest curio shop in the capital, was known for its exquisite items.
Upon entering, a shop assistant immediately approached to serve her.
After browsing the ground floor hall, Jiang Yi asked the assistant, “Do you have any high-quality jade pendants?”
The assistant’s face lit up with a smile as he replied, “Madam, please come upstairs.”
Jiang Yi nodded and ascended the stairs with her maid.
At the top of the stairs stood a female shop assistant, who led the way while saying with a smile, “Madam, if you wish to see our finest items, please follow me inside.”
Jiang Yi followed the female assistant into an elegant room.
The room was tastefully decorated with a row of screens dividing the space. Against the wall, a high table held a tri-colored duck-billed incense burner, which was gently releasing a fragrant mist.
Jiang Yi frowned slightly.
Her sense of smell was naturally more sensitive than most people’s, though not as acute as her younger sister’s.
As a result, she didn’t typically use fragrances in her daily life.
Jiang Yi was not one to make a fuss, so despite her discomfort with the room’s heavy fragrance, she said nothing and began selecting jade pieces under the female shopkeeper’s recommendations.
“May I ask who Madam is buying for?” the shopkeeper inquired.
“I’m choosing a birthday gift for my father.”
The shopkeeper brought over a tray lined with red velvet, displaying several jade pieces.
“Madam, please take a look. This double fish jade pendant is exquisitely crafted from the finest mutton-fat white jade, perfect for a gentleman to wear…”
Jiang Yi picked up the pendant and examined it carefully, nodding slightly.
The shopkeeper then presented another piece: “We also have this white jade deer belt hook, which carries an auspicious meaning. Would Madam like to consider it?”
Jiang Yi carefully examined the items, time slipping away unnoticed, like the continuous stream of fragrant mist from the duck-billed burner.
Suddenly feeling drowsy, she rubbed her brow and called out to her maid.
There was no response.
Jiang Yi glanced at her maid and was startled to find the young girl leaning against the wall with her eyes closed, having fallen asleep at some point.
Alarmed, she tried to stand up, but waves of dizziness washed over her. Her eyes closed, and she finally succumbed to sleep.
The female shopkeeper wiped her sweaty palms on her clothes and nervously called out to the screen, “Your… Your Highness, they’ve fallen asleep…”
Two figures emerged from behind the screen embroidered with flowers of the four seasons. The one in front was none other than the Crown Prince, followed by a beardless, pale-faced eunuch.
The shopkeeper didn’t dare raise her head and hastily curtsied to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince glanced at the beautiful woman sleeping on the table and waved his hand. “Leave us.”
The shopkeeper complied and quickly retreated. Once in the outer corridor, she sighed softly.
What a sinful act—
But she had no choice. Under the pressure of power, she had to compromise and do this unconscionable deed…
Inside the room, the fragrance still lingered. The Crown Prince approached Jiang Yi and grasped her snow-white chin, examining her for a moment before nodding with satisfaction. “She truly is a rare beauty, well worth the wait.”
The soft, smooth feel of her skin made the Crown Prince even more eager. He ordered the eunuch, “Carry her behind the screen for me.”
Behind the screen was a low couch, conveniently placed for the occasion.
The eunuch complied and moved to lift Jiang Yi.
“Hurry up—” the Crown Prince urged impatiently.
Neither of them noticed a figure suddenly appearing upside down at the open window.
The person glanced inside, immediately leaped through the window, and landed silently. He approached the two men from behind and swiftly knocked out both the Crown Prince and the eunuch with two precise chops.
Carrying one in each hand, he tossed them onto the low couch behind the screen, then hurriedly administered a pill to Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi slowly regained consciousness, her eyes widening in shock at the sight before her.
The man quickly whispered, “Madam, please don’t cry out. I’m one of Prince Yan’s men.”
Jiang Yi swallowed her scream and asked in a trembling voice, “What’s happening?”
The man pointed behind the screen and said softly, “Take a look, but please remain silent.”
Jiang Yi, filled with doubt and fear, clutched her handkerchief tightly and peered behind the screen.