Chapter 2

Chapter 2

However, soon after, as I was changing my clothes again, a hidden guard knelt before me and reported the results of the investigation in a low voice.

Duke Zhao’s son really did have four childhood sweethearts, and he had promised to marry each of them.

In Young Master Zhao’s room, they had found a small casket containing various heart-shaped jade stones. Every woman he frequently associated with possessed one of those heart-shaped jades.

I recalled that one year for my birthday, Young Master Zhao had also given me a heart-shaped jade. He claimed he had polished it himself and that while the gift was modest, the sentiment was profound, urging me to wear it often.

Fortunately, I found it ugly and took it off after wearing it for only a moment.

Otherwise, I would have become just another trophy for him to boast about.

The scoundrel went too far!

I said calmly, “Find a way to invite those four young ladies to the banquet. Make sure they bring the heart-shaped jades Young Master Zhao gave them.”

It didn’t take long.

The young ladies arrived one after another, each beautiful in her own way. They wore the jade stones on their persons-some as fan tassels, some hanging from their waists, and others around their necks.

I invited them to be seated. Looking at the heart-shaped jade at one girl’s waist with a smile, I asked, “A heart-shaped jade is quite rare. Where did it come from?”

A sweet smile appeared on the girl’s face as she said softly, “It was a gift from a close friend.”

Her gaze involuntarily fell upon Young Master Zhao.

By now, Young Master Zhao was scared witless. His face was tense, his mind was wandering, and he looked as if he were about to faint.

I smiled and said, “Oh? Young Master Zhao also has a heart-shaped jade at his waist. Could it be…”

The girl smiled and said, “Indeed, it was a gift from Brother Zimo. He made it with his own hands; it is one of a kind in the world.”

She stood up to greet Zhao Zimo.

The smiles on the faces of the other three girls vanished. One of them stood up abruptly, ripped the heart-shaped jade from her neck, and questioned him coldly.

“Zhao Zimo, you gave this to me and said you made it yourself, that it was the only one in the world. Only today do I realize that your heart can be split into so many pieces to be used separately. What a ridiculous joke! I’m returning this to its original owner. We are finished.”

The girl smashed the jade onto the ground with force.

The shattered jade flew into Zhao Zimo’s face, and he hurriedly raised his sleeve to block it.

The other girls also threw their jades to the ground, spat at Zhao Zimo in disgust, and demanded to know what was going on.

Zhao Zimo panicked.

He dropped to his knees and scrambled to explain.

“Your Highness, I can explain. I… I just enjoy making these things and giving them away casually. I had no ill intentions. Please, Princess, see the truth!”

Hongxiao was cursing him viciously in her heart.

-[You damn scumbag! You clearly targeted them because they’re pretty and tried to groom them, waiting to see if you could take them into your household later. If you couldn’t take one as a concubine, you’d just say you couldn’t defy your parents’ orders. If you could, then it’s your gain. Even if they married someone else, you wanted them to always have a place for you in their hearts. A total, absolute scumbag! And you call making handicrafts a hobby? That hobby is a bit perverted! Princess, get him!]

I: “…”

I waved my hand and said indifferently, “Please explain this matter to Duke Zhao, Young Master Zhao.”

The guards on either side immediately hauled Zhao Zimo up and dragged him out.

I rewarded each of the four girls with a pearl hairpin and had someone lead them around the garden. Once they had calmed down, I sent them home and had someone explain the day’s events to their parents so they wouldn’t blame the girls.

The guards returned to report that their parents were very reasonable; they didn’t blame the girls and instead expressed their gratitude for the Princess’s kindness.

As for Zhao Zimo, his fate was not so kind.

Upon returning to his estate, he was immediately given a beating by Duke Zhao and placed under house arrest. Once his wounds healed, he was to be sent to the army for training.

I heard that now, let alone beautiful maids, not even a female mosquito could enter Zhao Zimo’s room.

What a pity!

Too late.

The guests at today’s Hundred Flowers Banquet were all noble sons and daughters. Zhao Zimo’s reputation among these noble ladies is completely ruined. In the future, he’ll likely only be able to find a wife from a lowly family.

He destroyed himself.

Serves him right!

After handling this matter, I felt refreshed.

Hongxiao was filled with immense admiration for me.

-[As expected of the Princess, finding out about Zhao Zimo so quickly. Then the Princess must also know that Young Master Wang is a sleeve-cutter, right? I guess I don’t need to remind her. I’m really just a meddling busybody-earning a maid’s salary but worrying about the Princess’s affairs. I should focus on what the Imperial Kitchen made for the maids today instead.]

The hand I used to hold my tea paused. I tried very hard to restrain myself from glancing at Young Master Wang.

Let me think…

The son of Censor Wang? Isn’t he the one Princess Yunyang likes?

So he has the ‘passion of the cut sleeve’?

Oh no. Yunyang and I are close friends. How should I tactfully remind her that the person she likes doesn’t like women, but men…