The next day, Su Li arrived at the Jing Royal Estate with Si Qin and Zhi Shu.
The butler was incredibly excited to see her.
This was the Princess Consort's second visit to the estate; the first time, she had been carried in by the Prince while unconscious. This was the first time the Princess Consort had come on her own initiative.
"Princess Consort, you've arrived? The Prince instructed that you would be coming today, and this old servant has long prepared tea and refreshments. Please, Princess Consort."
"Princess Consort, please go slowly, watch your step."
Su Li smiled faintly as she entered the estate under the butler's guidance.
Along the way, the estate's servants bowed one after another.
"Greetings, Princess Consort!"
"May the Princess Consort be well."
Unbeknownst to her, it seemed Jun Mo's people had already changed their address for her to "Princess Consort." Su Li didn't correct them, letting them be.
The Jing Royal Estate today, perhaps because it was springtime, seemed to have more exotic flowers and rare plants than the last time she saw it.
"These flowers are blooming beautifully. It's clear that the estate's staff manage the residence very well," Su Li said with a smile.
The butler chuckled, "Indeed. When the Princess Consort marries in, this estate will surely be even better."
In the past, let alone flowers, there wasn't even much grass here, mostly various precious trees.
Didn't he hear that the Princess Consort was coming? He had instructed people early that morning to place many flowers along the path.
Glancing at the flowers the Princess Consort had just praised, the butler secretly noted down that the Princess Consort liked orchids.
"Would the Princess Consort like to stroll through the courtyards, or...?"
Su Li said, "I'll go to the study to wait for him."
Then, she apologized, "I'm sorry, the study is generally off-limits to others, I should perhaps..."
The butler interrupted Su Li, "Princess Consort, you're overthinking it. The Prince has said that in this estate, the Princess Consort can go wherever she pleases. Princess Consort, the study is this way, please!"
Su Li's heart warmed slightly. Si Qin and Zhi Shu, behind her, exchanged a smile and followed Su Li towards the study.
Arriving at the study, the butler opened the door and said, "Please enter, Princess Consort."
Su Li stepped inside and immediately saw the landscape painting hanging prominently in the center.
Su Li paused, then asked the butler, "Butler, what is this?"
The butler chuckled, "This was brought back by the Prince last year when he attended a palace banquet. As soon as he brought it back, he personally had it mounted and hung here."
Su Li turned back, confirming repeatedly that it was indeed the landscape painting she had created during her painting contest with Princess Wanyan Xue of Northern Flame. She hadn't expected it to be in his study.
Just then, servants streamed in, carrying fruits, candied preserves, and exquisite pastries.
They completely filled the low tables in the study.
Su Li distinctly felt the enthusiasm of the estate's staff and chuckled, "Butler, I've already had breakfast before coming. How can I eat all this?"
The butler chuckled, "The Prince hasn't returned yet; these are for you to pass the time. This old servant will go check on the kitchen first. The Prince has already informed me of the dishes the Princess Consort prefers. Please make yourself comfortable, Princess Consort, this old servant will be back shortly."
Su Li nodded. "Butler, please go attend to your duties."
After the butler left, Si Qin chuckled, "Miss, you can tell from the attitude of the estate's servants that His Highness is truly good to you!"
Zhi Shu looked at the various fruits and pastries on the table and said, "Indeed. Look, they're all refreshments Miss loves. His Highness is so thoughtful."
Su Li smiled. "If you want to eat, just take some."
Zhi Shu shook her head. "This is His Highness's heartfelt gesture to Miss; how could this servant dare to eat it?"
Although she liked to eat and it would be fine in her own residence, she couldn't disgrace Miss in the Prince's estate. She knew this much propriety.
Su Li heard voices outside the window and slowly walked over, standing by the window to look out.
She saw two young maids outside, whispering and giggling.
"Just now, when I went in to deliver fruit, I secretly peeked at our Princess Consort. She's truly beautiful; I think even celestial fairies wouldn't compare."
"Of course! Our Princess Consort is the foremost beauty of Tianqi. Just now, I caught a glimpse of her from a distance by the road; the Princess Consort was smiling sweetly, so approachable. Her skin was so radiant, looking as delectable as a crystal bun."
"Susu, why do you only ever think about food? But you're right, the Princess Consort truly deserves the title of 'foremost beauty.' No wonder our Prince fell for her."
"I truly hope the Princess Consort marries in soon. Just seeing the Princess Consort one extra time each day makes me eat an extra bowl of rice."
Su Li chuckled inwardly. This maid named Susu would probably get along well with Zhi Shu.
Just then, a sound came from outside the door, followed by footsteps approaching from a distance.
Soon, Jun Mo was seen walking side-by-side with Marquis Wuyang, with Ji Huaizhou trailing slightly behind. The three entered together.
"Li'er, you're here?" Jun Mo said with a smile.
Marquis Wuyang chuckled, "Princess Changning is here too?"
Su Li curtsied. "Marquis Wuyang."
She wasn't strictly required to bow, but Marquis Wuyang was an elder, so Su Li still performed a customary bow.
"No need for such courtesy, Princess," Marquis Wuyang said with a smile.
Ji Huaizhou cupped his hands. "Princess."
Su Li smiled and nodded. "Young Master Ji San."
Jun Mo said, "Marquis, please have a seat."
The group took their seats, and the maids brought in tea.
Jun Mo began, "Marquis, actually, the one who wished to see you today is the Princess, I am merely delivering the message."
Marquis Wuyang looked at Su Li with confusion.
Su Li rose, looking at him, and said, "Marquis Wuyang, during your birthday celebration last time, I noticed your complexion seemed somewhat unwell, so I thought of examining you."
Ji Huaizhou rose in surprise, scrutinizing his father's face from left to right, making Marquis Wuyang's veins bulge.
Ji Huaizhou said, "I don't see anything." His father ate five bowls of rice per meal, his complexion was rosy and bright, and he hit people hard and accurately – where was the 'unwell' part?
Marquis Wuyang also asked in surprise, "Princess, could you be mistaken? This Marquis feels perfectly fine."
Su Li said, "May I, Li'er, take your pulse?"
Marquis Wuyang readily extended his hand, saying, "I trouble the Princess."
Su Li stepped forward and began to take his pulse. She concentrated for a long moment; there wasn't a sound in the room, and several pairs of eyes were fixed on Su Li.
Su Li frowned. Strange, she thought. Marquis Wuyang's body was indeed perfectly healthy.
Seeing her frown, Ji Huaizhou nervously asked, "Princess, is my father... terminally ill?"
No sooner had he spoken than a hand slapped the back of his head.
"You brat, just curse your old man, why don't you!"
Ji Huaizhou's head was knocked to the side. Rubbing it, he grumbled, "If it makes a Divine Doctor frown, it definitely can't be simple. I'm just worried, aren't I?"
Hearing him say this, Marquis Wuyang also looked at Su Li and asked, "Girl, what's wrong with me?"
Su Li chuckled, "Marquis Wuyang, you're not..."
Just as she was about to say he was fine, a sudden flash of insight struck her.
Marquis Wuyang's body was very healthy, yet in her previous life, he had died so quickly. This indicated that there was indeed something suspicious going on.
Who would conspire against Marquis Wuyang?
Other than Jun Hui, she couldn't think of anyone else.
Marquis Wuyang held command of thirty thousand City Guard Army soldiers. Although the number wasn't large, their advantage lay in the fact that the City Guard Army was stationed right within the Imperial City.
And Jun Hui's methods of harming people, no one knew them better than her!
Wuxi!
This poison was colorless and odorless. As long as it adhered to clothing and was in daily contact, the person would suddenly die within a month!
Thinking of this, Su Li took out a disposable medicine bottle from her waist.
She opened the cap, raised her hand, and extended it towards Marquis Wuyang.
Marquis Wuyang paused, asking, "What is this?"
Su Li said, "Marquis, don't worry. Li'er is merely verifying a suspicion. It will only take a quarter of an hour."
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