Chapter 36: Prescribing the Right Remedy

It was the first time Lady Li had visited the Prince’s manor in the year since her daughter’s marriage. Yin Jiaojiao lay back down in bed, feigning frailty, and offered a slight nod as she saw her enter. "Mother, I am physically inconvenienced and unable to rise to greet you. Please forgive me."

Before she could finish, Lady Li exclaimed loudly, "Jiaojiao, my child, you have suffered so much!"

"Your father and I only just heard the news yesterday, and we were terrified. Under the very feet of the Emperor, and within the Prince of Qin’s own manor—to think such a thing could happen right before the eyes of two princes!" Lady Li said with indignant bitterness. "It has left you hovering between life and death. What did the physician say?"

With Yin Chaozong and Xiao Yuanchi both absent, the fact that Lady Li felt compelled to put on such a display of doting concern made Yin Jiaojiao feel quite uneasy. She smiled faintly and replied, "The physician said it is nothing grave. Please, do not worry, Mother, Father."

"Big Sister, is it truly nothing? I heard that before the assassination, you had another falling out with that County Princess, and were cast aside by the Prince." Yin’s Third Miss was not as skilled at acting as Lady Li. Seeing no one around who required a facade, she sat down uninvited. She glanced at Qiu Ming and asked, "What about Xia Lan, the maid you always keep by your side?"

Yin Jiaojiao remained composed. "If you and Mother have heard about my conflict with the County Princess, how is it you do not know about Xia Lan?"

Lady Li looked startled. "Could it be that the maid who betrayed you was Xia Lan?"

"Precisely."

"How is that possible?" The Third Miss frowned. "She has been with you since childhood. Back when you and the Prince went boating on Qujiang Lake, your boat collided with a fishing vessel, and Father was furious. Xia Lan took the blame for everything and was almost beaten to death by Father. How could she possibly betray you?"

Back then, she had invited Xiao Yuanchi to go boating. Not long into their trip, they had accidentally struck a local fisherman’s boat. The vessel capsized, and an old fisherman and his grandson fell into the water. Fortunately, Xiao Yuanchi reacted quickly and saved them, but the excursion could not continue. Somehow, the incident reached the ears of Yin Chaozong immediately.

The rumors painted a different picture: a high official’s daughter bullying the common folk, arrogantly boasting that her father was the Prime Minister. This version of events had enraged Yin Chaozong. Had her grandmother not still been alive, not only would Xia Lan have been beaten to death, but Yin Jiaojiao herself would likely have been crippled.

The bond formed through shared suffering was profound, which was why Yin Jiaojiao had trusted Xia Lan above all others.

Yin Jiaojiao shook off the memory. "Indeed. I, too, am puzzled. Why would she?"

"Could there be a misunderstanding? Is there any room for reconciliation?" Lady Li sighed. "Life in the Prince’s manor is not easy, and now that the County Princess has moved in, it looks to become even more difficult. If you lose another arm of support, how will you manage?"

Yin Jiaojiao sighed along with her. "But the County Princess’s personal maid was indeed colluding with Xia Lan. The Prince’s own men confirmed it. How could there be a mistake?"

"The Prince’s men... are they trustworthy?" Lady Li asked. "You know well enough whose side he takes between you and the County Princess. Could it be that she deliberately staged a bitter ruse to force you to sever your own limb?"

"Mother’s words have merit," Yin Jiaojiao mused. "But Xia Lan has already been seized by the Prince and her whereabouts are unknown. I cannot see her."

"That is simple. She is, after all, from the Prime Minister’s estate, and you are her mistress. If you ask the Prince for her, he will surely give you some face. In my opinion, this matter bears further investigation."

Seeing Lady Li and her daughter showing such concern for a small maid, alarm bells rang in Yin Jiaojiao’s mind. Xiao Yuanchi had said Xia Lan was not simple and was not one of Gu Xuezhi’s people. Could it be... that she was one of Lady Li’s? Yet, the Xia family had served the Yin household for three generations; how could Lady Li easily command her?

Yin Jiaojiao smiled. "Mother is right. When I see the Prince, I will speak with him."

"That is the way," Lady Li said, patting her hand. "Think things through; do not be impulsive. You had a deficiency of health while at home, and now you have suffered a sword wound. It is right to cherish the Prince, but for the sake of your future, preserving your own health is vital. Have you been taking the Four-Spirit Golden Pills that the family sends every month?"

Yin Jiaojiao felt a chill. "I have."

"If you have been taking them, why do you look so haggard?"

The Third Miss chuckled. "Mother, Big Sister just took a sword wound. It would be stranger if she didn’t look haggard."

"That is not the point. A sword wound is an external injury. If those pills were working well, your complexion should be more radiant."

Lady Li scrutinized her, looking very closely.

Yin Jiaojiao smiled. "Mother, rest assured, I take the medicine on time and have never once forgotten. If I did, Xia Lan would remind me. My old ailment has improved much; I only look poorly now because of the recent injury."

"That is good." Lady Li paused. "Jiaojiao, when you were home, you lived in Grandmother’s courtyard. She loved and protected you, so I felt at ease and did not pay you much mind. Since your marriage, and with Grandmother’s passing, I have often thought of the past and felt I owed you much. It was truly wrong of me. Jiaojiao, do you blame me?"

"What are you saying, Mother? As the mistress of the house, you have helped Father manage all affairs with great care and precision. Everyone in the capital praises you. I have only respect for you, no complaints."

Lady Li looked gratified, her eyes glistening.

"That is good. In the future, if you are unhappy in the Prince’s manor, do not rush to harbor resentment against him; it is not worth it. Better to call for your family and sisters to talk and seek advice. Shuyu is older now and can help you weigh things. You sisters should visit each other more often and support one another. That would be lovely."

Hearing this, Yin Jiaojiao looked toward the Third Miss.

The Third Miss rose and walked to the bedside, wearing a gentle smile. "Big Sister, our past conflicts were all due to us being young and foolish. Now that we are older, we understand. You and I are family, our blood thicker than water; we are bound by ties that cannot be broken. There is no relationship closer than this."

Yin Jiaojiao looked at the mother and daughter, sensing something in the air. She forced a smile. "You really have grown up. Sister, your words are increasingly insightful."

"As long as you understand, that is enough. With your sister here to plan for you, you will surely win back the Prince’s heart."

A flash of shyness crossed the Third Miss’s eyes. She thought she was hiding it well, but she was still too young, and Yin Jiaojiao saw it all clearly.

"It sounds as though you already have a plan, Sister?"

The Third Miss smiled. "A plan? Naturally, there is one. One simply needs to prescribe the right medicine for the right symptom."

"Prescribe the right medicine?"

The voice did not come from Yin Jiaojiao, but from a clear, resonant male tone.

Everyone in the room was startled and turned toward the outer chamber. A servant lifted the curtain, and Xiao Yuanchi stepped in, unfastening his heavy cloak.

"Jiaojiao’s illness is currently being treated with the right medicine, Mother-in-law. Do not worry."

He stood still and fixed his gaze on Lady Li.

Lady Li rose in a hurry, but the Third Miss had already jumped up, offering a bow to Xiao Yuanchi. It was not entirely proper, rather playful, but in the flicker of a moment, the young girl tilted her eyes, casting a flirtatious glance that was executed with practiced precision.

"Your Highness, when did you return? There was no announcement outside; you quite startled Mother and Big Sister."

The actual Princess had not spoken, nor had the actual mother-in-law, yet the sister-in-law had spoken first. It was presumptuous by any measure, but Lady Li merely frowned slightly without stopping her.

Xiao Yuanchi smiled faintly. "And who is this?"

The Third Miss was stunned. "Your Highness, do you not remember me?"

"I do not," the Prince replied bluntly. "Which of Jiaojiao’s sisters are you?"