Proud Feather

Chapter 29 Pleading

Tian Huier didn't expect Jiang Shijun to be so direct and ask the most important question right away.

She trembled her lips and forced a smile: "Sir, you're joking. How could I have done it on purpose? I just heard someone mention it and was curious, so..."

"Hear someone mention it?" Jiang Shijun laughed. "Miss Tian Er was raised in seclusion, who would have mentioned her?"

"Jinghui is well-known, and many people know him. I heard... from the maid at home."

Jiang Shijun immediately continued, "So, Miss Tian Er already knew about Jinghui before she invited the princess to the Dahuai Temple, right?"

Tian Huier bit her lip: "...Yes."

"So, letting the princess meet Jinghui was something you had arranged in advance, right?"

"No, we haven't thought about it." For some reason, this question made Tian Huier a little nervous.

"Never thought about it?" Jiang Shijun was surprised. "That's strange. A princess is a precious lady. She has to be very careful about what she eats, drinks, and sees outside the palace. How could Miss Tian Er not have considered this at all? Has it been like this before?"

"Of course not." Tian Huier blurted out, "I have always been loyal to the princess and never dared to neglect her in the slightest."

"Then let me ask again," Jiang Shijun smiled, "When Miss Tian Er invited the princess, she had already decided to go find Jinghui, right?"

"I..." Tian Huier had to answer, "I just thought that the princess was in a bad mood and might want to ask for a fortune. I didn't mean to meet Jinghui in person."

Jiang Shijun nodded and continued, "Your housekeeper, Tian Fu, claimed that the invitation to the princess was discussed in advance by Old Madam Tian and Miss Tian, is that correct?"

Tian Huier said, "That's what happened. I was worried about the princess, so I told her about the invitation. My grandmother and sister agreed..."

Jiang Shijun made an assertion: "So, inviting the princess to the Dahuai Temple was planned by your family."

"We are just discussing..."

There's no difference in meaning between the words "discuss" and "plan," so Jiang Shijun simply skipped over the question and continued, "Since Old Madam Tian knew the whole story, why didn't she explain it to the ladies accompanying her when she was burning incense? Madam Cao, Madam Yan, did you hear Old Madam Tian's explanation?"

The two ladies who were waiting on the side quickly replied: "I didn't hear it, or maybe I didn't pay attention."

"Yes, I just remember the old lady saying that the person who came out from Jinghui was indeed a princess."

Having asked this question, Jiang Shijun stopped, with a playful expression on his face, and looked at Tian Huier with a smile.

He said nothing, but his expression and eyes seemed to say it all.

Tian Hui'er's scalp tingled, knowing something was amiss. She'd thought it would be the same as before, that all she had to do was appease the princess, but she hadn't expected an aide to show up and leave her speechless with just a few words.

She regretted it now. If she had known this would happen, she would have never come. Even if the princess sent someone to arrest him, she could have made a big deal out of it, gotten Concubine Shu and the Second Prince to intervene, and then smoothed things over. Unlike now, answering was wrong, and not answering was even more wrong!
"Princess!" Tian Huier acted decisively and rushed to Chu Ling. "That's not the case! My grandmother was originally a country woman. She didn't understand all those twists and turns, and she didn't react for a moment... We absolutely didn't mean to disrespect you. You know, I have always been loyal to you and never said a word..."

She remembered something and lifted her sleeves. "Princess, do you remember this scar? When you were a kid, you were riding a horse, and the horse was aggressive and threw you off. I was so reckless that I used my own body as a cushion for your bump, and you said..."

"I say, you are so loyal, from now on your business will be my business." Chu Ling took over the conversation.

Tian Huier was ecstatic: "Yes, yes, yes, Princess, look, I'm so loyal, how could I possibly harm you..."

Chu Ling smiled and offered her hand. "Princess?" Tian Huier looked at her expectantly.

"Look at you, you're about to cry. Just talk it over nicely!"

Tian Huier was overjoyed: "Princess, do you believe me?"

Chu Ling said slowly, "We've been friends for so many years, I can't just assume your family is harming me based on speculation. How about this, have your grandmother come over and explain things to Lord Gao, and then this matter will be over."

"This..." Tian Huier didn't know how to respond.

Who did the Tian family rely on for their status? Naturally, it was Old Master Tian and Old Lady Tian. They were the parents of Concubine Tian Shu, and the blood elders of the Second Prince. If Old Lady Tian really came to the government office for this matter, it would undoubtedly be a slap in the face of the Tian family and also of the Second Prince.

The Second Prince's grandmother, summoned by the Dali Temple whenever they wanted, was even worse than an ordinary noble lady! Was the Second Prince's reputation so worthless?

Tian Huier knew this, so she couldn't and didn't dare to agree.

"Princess, Grandmother is really not feeling well. She hasn't been feeling well lately..."

"Didn't Tian Fu say that the old lady should go to burn incense every two or three days? Why is it that we can go to the Dahuai Temple but not the Dali Temple?"

Tian Huier said hurriedly: "No, it's just that grandma has been a little unhappy these days. How about, Princess, come to our house..."

Before Chu Ling could reply, Jiang Shijun had already spoken: "Second Miss Tian, the princess is here to investigate the case. Does your wife still need the princess to go and make peace with her?"

Tian Hui'er was speechless and could only plead, "Princess, please believe me, Grandmother is really not feeling well. Can you wait a few more days? After all, she's almost seventy years old... Please!"

Look at this tearful expression, listen to this anxious tone, it really makes anyone who hears it sad and anyone who sees it cry. Who wouldn't say that Miss Tian Er is pitiful?
Chu Ling still smiled: "Okay, okay, don't cry first, I'm not trying to embarrass you on purpose. If you have any difficulties, we can discuss it."

She lifted Tian Hui'er up and pointed at the tea in front of her: "Drink some water first! Your lips are dry."

Seeing her friendly attitude and soothing words, Tian Huier felt relieved: "Thank you, Princess."

Chu Ling watched her finish her drink with a smile, staring at her without saying a word, which made Tian Huier feel nervous.

"Princess..." She held the teacup, feeling anxious.

It was strange. She had always been respectful to the princess, but never took her seriously. But today, she was terrified. Her cries had clearly worked, and the princess had finally relented.

"Is it delicious?" Chu Ling suddenly asked.

"It's...delicious." Tian Huier replied tremblingly.

Chu Ling smiled brightly: "It tastes good, this poison is indeed sweet."

As soon as she said this, Tian Huier almost knocked over the teacup in her hand and looked at her in shock: "Princess!"

The smile on Chu Ling's face suddenly disappeared. She leaned back, her smile mean and cold: "You poisoned this princess, now you have to taste the same thing! You don't want to come, right? Then you can go back too!"

(End of this chapter)