Chapter 60

Chapter 60

She unfolded the note An Zeyou had given her, pinched it between her fingers, and burned it in the candle flame.

It read: "Absolutely do not tell Prince Yu."

Before going to Prince Yu's residence, An Zeyou had prepared many notes to handle different situations. What he feared most was that Jiang Mo would tell Chen Yingchou the truth.

Before he had developed feelings, he couldn't tell how Chen Yingchou felt about Jiang Mo. But now, he saw it clearly—Chen Yingchou had fallen in love with Jiang Mo.

Having spent ten years with Chen Yingchou, he knew his character too well. If Jiang Mo spoke up, Chen Yingchou would overcome any obstacle to keep her by his side.

Then he would never be able to take Jiang Mo away, and in this lifetime, there would be no possibility for him and Jiang Mo.

His worry was unfounded. Jiang Mo had already made up her mind. She wanted to protect herself and her child, to leave this place. Her child was solely hers, not the child of her and anyone else.

She didn't seek riches or status for the child, only hoped the child could grow up safe, healthy, and happy.

"Your Highness, Miss Lin and Miss Su are next door. Are you sure you won't go over? Perhaps you could tell them the truth—they might be able to help." Lanqiu really didn't want Jiang Mo to leave. In her eyes, Miss Lin and Miss Su had befriended Jiang Mo not because of her status but because of her temperament and character, especially Miss Su, who had bluntly said she didn't like the former Wei Yalan.

"Miss Su is the legitimate daughter of the Left Censor-in-Chief Sir Su, and the Empress's beloved niece. She might be able to help you."

Jiang Mo shook her head. "Lanqiu, do you know what crime I've committed? The crime of deceiving the emperor—how could I possibly survive? If I told them, what would you have them do? Inform on me or conceal it? If they helped conceal it, they would also be guilty of deceiving the emperor. I cannot harm them."

"Besides, Prince Yu will not keep this child. I have deceived him to this extent; he will never forgive me. Fortunately, I only have two months left before I leave, and my figure won't show. With you and Wangxia helping to cover for me, no one else will discover I'm pregnant."

Lanqiu's eyes reddened. "Does Your Highness really have to leave? Is there truly no other way? I can see that the Prince is sincere toward you. Perhaps we could confess the truth to him. The Prince is a gentleman—surely he wouldn't abandon his own flesh and blood."

Jiang Mo recalled what Chen Yingchou had said that afternoon, and a dull pain struck her heart. "Lanqiu, you're wrong. Prince Yu will not want this child."

She pulled Lanqiu closer. Lanqiu knelt on one knee by the soft couch, tears in her eyes, looking up at her. "Your Highness, I cannot bear to see you leave."

Jiang Mo tenderly wiped away her tears. "Silly girl, after I leave, you will still be you. Live as you did before. If Wei Yalan treats you badly, consult with Xingchun and ask her to help you return to Kunning Palace."

Lanqiu said nothing, only bowed her head and let the tears flow.

Jiang Mo leaned sideways, holding her shoulders and gently patting her back. "It's alright. Everything will pass."

Near midnight, Jiang Mo left the Fallen Cloud Tower, faintly hearing the laughter of Lin Mei and Su Jiying from the next room.

She hadn't disturbed them at that time, never imagining that it would be the last time she would hear Lin Mei laugh.

After the fifth day of the second lunar month, Prince Yu rarely returned to the residence. Whenever he did, he carried a strong medicinal smell, and the silk band over his eyes had been replaced with thick black cloth.

He still valued her as his primary consort. Whenever he came home, he would visit her, order the kitchen to make a large table of Wei Yalan's favorite dishes, dine with her, ask about her condition, and instruct Xingchun and the others to take good care of her.

The smell of medicine on Prince Yu grew stronger each time, and his frame grew thinner. Jiang Mo wanted to ask—wasn't he handling military affairs at the camp? How did he look as if he'd been stewing in a pot of medicine?

But she didn't ask. She thought that if Prince Yu wanted to tell her, he would have done so long ago. If he hadn't, it meant he didn't want her to know, and she should have the good sense not to pry.

Half a month passed, and Prince Yu's visits to the residence became less frequent. Jiang Mo thought it would be fine to just let things go on like this until the third day of the fourth lunar month.

Moreover, after Duke Qingguo returned to the capital, he no longer pressed her to find the roster. Perhaps the visit from the Rong Kingdom was keeping him busy, leaving no time for other matters.

Not only that, but Xiang Tong, the maidservant sent by Duke Qingguo, fell gravely ill. Xingchun and the others cared for her attentively in turns, and Jiang Mo spared no expense buying medicine or providing food and clothing.

After Xiang Tong recovered, she approached Jiang Mo herself, saying she liked Dawn Dusk Courtyard and the people there, but her mother still worked in the Duke's residence, so she had to obey Duke Qingguo. She begged for Jiang Mo's forgiveness.

Jiang Mo understood. Duke Qingguo would never involve someone without vulnerabilities in such a sensitive matter. Everyone he chose had weaknesses—Hui Qing's weakness was her younger sister, Hong Yu's and Xiang Tong's were their mothers.

Wasn't it the same for her?

"I understand your predicament. Report whatever you have to."

Over the past half month, Prince Yu had rarely been at the residence, and the doors and windows of the main courtyard study were bolted shut. Although Prince Yu hadn't ordered it, Jiang Mo could use this as an excuse not to search for the roster.

"Prince Yu is often away from home, so I have no reason to go to the main courtyard. The study doors and windows are locked, and I, a weak woman, cannot enter. You can report all of this—don't let it weigh on you."

Xiang Tong fell to her knees with a thud.

This scene was all too familiar. It reminded Jiang Mo of the day Hui Qing had knelt before her, begging for help.

Jiang Mo said, "There's no need for this. We bear no ill will. Whatever I can help with, I will—consider it a kindness. But..."

Jiang Mo sighed to herself. It wouldn't be easy to find another opportunity like the Lantern Festival.

"From the moment I was chosen to serve you during your bath on the night before your wedding, I knew my fate. I don't beg for my life, only that Your Highness might save my mother."

This girl was sensible. But alas, Jiang Mo could barely save herself, let alone anyone else.

"Xiang Tong, you're asking the wrong person. You should beg Duke Qingguo and Lady Guogong. You and I are the same—I can't even save my own family. How can I save yours?"

Jiang Mo looked at Xiang Tong with pity. She was just an innocent person who had done nothing wrong. "Alright, I'm not one to ignore someone in need. If the opportunity truly arises, I will make plans for you. Get up."

She could only offer Xiang Tong this comfort. Knowing she was going to die but not when, with loved ones left behind, living day after day in fear and guilt—without some hope, it would be too cruel.

Xiang Tong knocked her head on the floor three times—thud, thud, thud. "Your Highness's kindness is etched in my heart. If I cannot repay it in this life, I will in the next life."

When Xiang Tong lifted her head, there was a red mark on her forehead, and her face was streaked with tears.

Jiang Mo helped her up and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Stay well in Dawn Dusk Courtyard. Don't cry anymore. You look prettier when you smile."

Xiang Tong must have had a difficult time in the Duke's residence. Now Jiang Mo had given her a false hope, hoping only that in the remaining days of her life, she could find some happiness in the courtyard.

"Go about your duties."

Xiang Tong stepped back, bowed deeply to Jiang Mo, wiped her tears, and put on a smile. "I will do as you command."

Today was the twentieth day of the second lunar month. Duke Qingguo had promised her, before leaving for Lianghuai, that she could meet her family today.

Jiang Mo checked the time, sat before the bronze mirror, and began to apply her makeup. Last time she saw her father, he said she looked thin. Over the past half month, her pregnancy had caused severe nausea; she had lost weight and her complexion was poor. Since she couldn't change her figure, she applied more blush to make her face look rosier.

The previous two times, she had gone secretly, making her father wait. This time, she would leave the residence openly and wait for him in advance.

For half a month, she had often gone out to amuse herself, visiting Fallen Cloud Tower most frequently. The guards that Prince Yu had sent never entered the private rooms, so it didn't matter if they followed.

Jiang Mo pushed open the door of the private room, her heart full of joy and anticipation. But when she saw the person waiting for her, the smile froze on her lips.

"You've been living quite freely and happily lately."

Before the speaker finished speaking, Lanqiu, standing behind her, was knocked unconscious and thrown aside.

The voice came from behind a screen; Jiang Mo couldn't see the person, but she recognized it as Duke Qingguo's.

The screen was pulled open. In the center of the room was a large armchair, and Duke Qingguo sat in it, staring at her coldly.

"Do you think that after Zhou Jieping's matter, you've rendered meritorious service, and everything is fine?"

Jiang Mo's eyes fell on the four black-clad men standing behind Wei Chun—strong, expressionless, radiating murderous intent. Either assassins or death soldiers. Was Duke Qingguo about to have her killed?

"What does Your Grace mean? Jiang Mo doesn't understand."

"Don't play dumb." Duke Qingguo rose and walked up to Jiang Mo. "On the twenty-seventh of the eleventh lunar month last year, when you returned to your family home, I ordered you to copy Prince Yu's roster and give it to me within three months. Today is the twentieth of the second month. Only seven days remain until the three-month deadline. How far along are you? Have you found the roster?"

Jiang Mo lowered her head. "Your Grace also knows that Prince Yu has not been at the mansion recently. I have no excuse to go to the main courtyard."

Wei Chun sneered. "You're quick to find excuses."

"Your Grace, please hear me. I intended to search the study when Prince Yu was away, but its doors and windows were locked. I couldn't get in." She spoke the truth; it was not that she deliberately avoided the search, but that she truly couldn't.

Wei Chun's brow furrowed. "I know this."

Jiang Mo knew he knew—wasn't this what she had ordered Xiang Tong to report?

"Though these are facts, you've been slacking off and haven't made any effort. I suspect you haven't even thought of a way to find the roster." Duke Qingguo's expression was stern. "How Prince Yu treats you is known throughout the capital. If you just spoke up, how could you not get into the study?"

Jiang Mo said, "Prince Yu has another in his heart. It's not like the rumors say, that we're madly in love."

Wei Chun smirked. He clearly saw who Prince Yu truly cared for. Knowing the prince's personality, if he truly had a beloved, he would petition the Emperor to take a Secondary Consort; he would never hide or conceal it. "You, you..."

The words "You are wrong" could not leave Wei Chun's lips.

Jiang Mo continued, "Prince Yu merely respects his principal wife—anyone could fill that role. If he caught me looking for the roster, I'd be scared for my life."

"Scared for your life?" Wei Chun laughed in anger. Chen Yingchou was not only loyal and sentimental but also took after his romantic father. Out of love for her, he not only forgave his offense but also entrusted him with the crucial task of signing a treaty. This Prince Yu would rather die himself than harm Jiang Mo in the slightest.

"If you don't think of a way to copy the roster and give it to me, I'll first send your simple-minded brother to meet the King of Hell tomorrow!"

Wei Chun's tone was harsh. The four black-clad men's eyes were like blades. Jiang Mo hastily knelt. "Your Grace, please calm your anger. Seven days is too short. I beg Your Grace to grant a few more days."

Wei Chun was growing impatient. As long as Jiang Mo was willing to speak, it would not take many days. Where in Prince Yu's mansion could she not go?

"I will grant you at most three more days. Hand over the copied roster to me in ten days."