Chapter Seven

“Zhang Meng, you’re back! You’ve caused trouble this time! After eating your food, Young Master Ji felt dizzy and nauseous, vomiting terribly. Miss Zhong Ling is very angry and wants to punish you!”

Zhang Meng was startled. “How could this be?”

Jin Yue said, “It’s already happened. Miss Zhong Ling and the others are in the backyard. You should go see them quickly.”

Zhang Meng hurriedly put down her sword and followed Jin Yue to the backyard.

It was already very dark. Lanterns were lit in the backyard, the dim firelight illuminating the courtyard. The night breeze blew, causing the flames to flicker, as if they would extinguish at any moment.

Zhang Meng felt her heart fluttering like the wavering firelight, becoming restless.

Zhong Huo stood solemnly to the side, next to an elegant middle-aged woman.

A handsome young man sat by the stone table, his brows slightly furrowed, covering his mouth with his hand as he retched incessantly.

Jin Yue poked Zhang Meng and whispered, “The one standing beside the master is Miss Zhong Ling. The one sitting at the stone table is Young Master Ji. You should go apologize first.”

Zhang Meng quickly walked over. Seeing her, Zhong Huo pulled Zhang Meng to her side.

“Zhang Meng, what did you do? What mushrooms did you feed Young Master Ji?” Zhang Meng quietly replied, “Just the usual ones. I’ve made them for you before and you were fine.” Since Zhang Meng appeared, Zhong Ling’s brows had remained knitted. She spoke in an unpleasant tone, “She must have accidentally mixed in poisonous mushrooms. Huo, how could you trustingly let such a careless person cook?”

Zhang Meng lowered her head guiltily. “I’m sorry. Is Young Master Ji alright? Has a doctor been called?” Ji Ming weakly raised his head, his lips pale, his jade-like face covered in fine sweat. He waved his hand at Zhang Meng. “Constable Zhang need not worry. Ji Ming is not seriously harmed.”

Zhong Huo said to Zhang Meng, “Someone has already been sent to find a doctor. They should arrive shortly.” After the doctor came to examine Ji Ming, it was confirmed that he had mistakenly eaten poisonous mushrooms, causing the vomiting and dizziness. Luckily, the mushrooms were not highly toxic and Ji Ming hadn’t eaten much, so he was not in serious danger.

The doctor wrote a prescription for Ji Ming. Zhang Meng took the prescription, preparing to get the medicine, but Zhong Ling stopped her.

“If we let you get the medicine, Young Master Ji will pass on to the next life.” She said coldly, pointing to Jin Yue who was standing to the side, “You go get the medicine.” Jin Yue took the prescription from Zhang Meng’s hand and left.

Zhang Meng gave Ji Ming a guilty look. Turning back to Zhong Huo, she said, “It’s this subordinate’s fault that Young Master Ji was poisoned. I feel deep remorse. Please punish me, Master.” Zhong Huo said, “It wasn’t intentional on your part…”

“Huo.” Zhong Ling interrupted her. “Someone so careless naturally deserves punishment. Today she mixed poisonous mushrooms into the food. Tomorrow she could poison the entire constabulary.” Zhang Meng said, “Please punish this subordinate, Master.”

In the end, Zhong Huo docked half a year’s wages from Zhang Meng and forbade her from setting foot in the kitchen.

Zhong Ling was unsatisfied, but Zhong Huo managed the constabulary. There was nothing more she could say.

Zhang Meng had long accepted the reality of having negative net worth. So she had no objections to having half a year’s wages deducted. She even secretly rejoiced at being banned from the kitchen by Zhong Huo. After all, she would no longer have to rise early and retire late to work in the kitchen.

Early the next morning, although Zhang Meng did not cook, she still got up early to tend to the flowers and plants at the constabulary.

She thought about how much Ji Ming had suffered because of her yesterday. Feeling guilty, she personally cut several bunches of flowers in vibrant bloom and arranged them nicely in a vase.

Passing by Ji Ming’s courtyard, she saw the window of his room open from inside.

Ji Ming wore a moon-white robe, his cascade-like long hair not yet tied up. His jade-like skin contrasted with his jet-black hair, as if a figure had stepped out of an ink painting.

“Young Master Ji.”

Ji Ming saw Zhang Meng and nodded to her.

Zhang Meng carried the vase of flowers and walked to Ji Ming’s window.

“I’m truly sorry about yesterday. Today I specially picked some flowers as an apology. I hope you can accept them.” Ji Ming still looked somewhat pale, but his energy was much better than the day before. He reached out to take the vase. “Constable Zhang is considerate.” Ji Ming’s slender fingers lightly brushed the flower petals. “The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.” Zhang Meng said, “I’m glad Young Master Ji likes them.”

As Zhang Meng was about to head out on patrol with her sword, she saw Zhong Huo and Zhong Ling seemingly arguing about something in the courtyard. She could vaguely hear words like “marriage” and “delay”.

Unlike Jin Yue, Zhang Meng was not one to gossip. So she paid them no heed, only giving them a casual glance before preparing to leave.

“Zhang Meng.”

Just as Zhang Meng stepped out of the main gate, Zhong Huo called out to her from behind.

“Master?” Zhang Meng halted her steps.

Zhong Huo quickly walked up to her. “Come with me to inspect the people’s conditions.”

Zhong Huo had an unpleasant look on her face, as if shrouded in dark clouds, at risk of thundering and flashing lightning at any moment.

Zhang Meng said, “Yes.”

From behind came Zhong Ling’s anger-suppressing voice, “Huo, come back! Don’t think you can avoid this…” Zhong Huo directly grabbed Zhang Meng’s arm and swiftly walked out of the constabulary.

Only after they were a good distance from the constabulary did Zhong Huo release Zhang Meng’s hand.

“Master, it doesn’t seem right to just abandon Miss Zhong Ling and leave like this,” Zhang Meng said.

Zhong Huo glared at her. “It’s none of your business.”

“Oh.”

The sun was scorching. Zhong Huo walked ahead in her white clothes. Looking at her, Zhang Meng found it a bit dazzling.

The common folk would greet Zhong Huo from time to time. Zhong Huo seemed to have completely shed her earlier anger, constantly responding to the people’s greetings with a smile.

Before long, Zhang Meng saw Xu Lu Cha in his green robes.

Xu Lu Cha had skin like ice and bones like jade. His beautiful eyes shimmered, his smile refined and otherworldly. The small mole at the corner of his eye added a hint of mischief and charm.

He walked up to Zhong Huo and bowed with bent knee. “Master.”

Zhong Huo nodded with a smile.

Xu Lu Cha and Zhong Huo began exchanging pleasantries. Zhang Meng found their wordy chatter boring.

Zi Yi stood properly behind Xu Lu Cha the whole time. Zhang Meng smiled and waved at him.

Zi Yi blushed and lowered his head.

By the time Xu Lu Cha invited Zhong Huo to Yingyue Teahouse for tea and flower appreciation, Zhang Meng had already mentally prepared the dishes she would order later.

The face-conscious Zhong Huo was treating them again. Zhang Meng was more than happy to hear it.

Zhong Huo accepted Xu Lu Cha’s invitation and the two headed towards Yingyue Teahouse.

Zhang Meng and Zi Yi followed behind.

“This time, let’s order other dishes. Yingyue Teahouse has new menu items that are supposedly very delicious. Let’s try them later,” Zhang Meng said in a low voice, leaning close to Zi Yi.

Zi Yi replied, “Zi Yi and the young master have tried them. We didn’t find them particularly special. Zi Yi thinks the previous dishes are still better.” Just as Zhang Meng was about to respond, Zhong Huo, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned around. Zhang Meng quickly stood properly.

Zhong Huo glanced at Zi Yi and said with a smile, “I heard that Young Master Zi Yi has remarkable chess skills. I would very much like to see for myself.”

Yingyue Teahouse.

Zhang Meng and Xu Lu Cha stared at each other.

Zi Yi had been called away by Zhong Huo to play chess. They played for nearly half an hour.

Xu Lu Cha originally sat beside them, watching them play, constantly trying to attract Zhong Huo’s attention.

But Zhong Huo’s attention was not on him at all. After he interrupted a few times, Zhong Huo looked at Xu Lu Cha with an apologetic expression. “Young Master Xu, when I play chess, I don’t like people beside me. Could you…”

Xu Lu Cha was furious inside, but outwardly put on an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Master. It’s all Lu Cha’s fault for not understanding.”

So Xu Lu Cha had no choice but to leave the private room and come over to Zhang Meng’s side.

Zhang Meng waved at him. “Young Master Xu.”

Xu Lu Cha smiled shyly and sat across the table from her.

“I didn’t expect the master to be so fond of chess,” Xu Lu Cha said.

“I also didn’t expect that she rarely plays chess at the constabulary,” Zhang Meng replied.

Zhang Meng took out a sachet from her sleeve and handed it to him. “I’m sorry, Young Master Xu. The master doesn’t want it. I originally wanted to return it to you earlier, but I didn’t see you these past two days, so…”

Xu Lu Cha tightly clasped his hands for a moment, but quickly relaxed. He took the sachet, a sorrowful expression appearing on his face.

“How could someone as divine as the master ever take notice of Lu Cha? It’s just Lu Cha’s one-sided wishful thinking.” After saying that, his eyes reddened and glistening tears trickled down.

Zhang Meng was startled. She spoke helplessly, “Young Master Xu, how can you cry just from saying that? Don’t cry.”

Xu Lu Cha held a silk handkerchief, wiping his tears. “But what is Lu Cha to do with his wholehearted feelings for the master?” As long as he cried, no woman could resist. The person in front of him would definitely help him, as long as she was a woman.

Xu Lu Cha looked at Zhang Meng with teary eyes, his long and dark lashes adorned with a few teardrops, his distinct black and white eyes full of hope. “Constable Zhang, are you willing to help Lu Cha?” As long as she helped him create opportunities to be alone with Zhong Huo, he would definitely be able to win Zhong Huo’s heart. As long as Zhong Huo loved him, what did the Empress’ arranged marriage matter?

“I’m sorry, Young Master Xu, I can’t help,” Zhang Meng replied with difficulty.

Xu Lu Cha paused, his hands slowly clenching on his knees. He sobbed, “It’s Lu Cha troubling Constable Zhang.”

Glistening teardrops fell one by one.

Zhang Meng said, “If it were anything else, I would certainly do my best to help you. But I never meddle in matters of romance between men and women. Please forgive my inability.”

Xu Lu Cha wanted to say more, but Zhang Meng placed the menu in front of him. “Do you want to eat anything?”

Xu Lu Cha’s face stiffened. After a while, he replied dryly, “No need.”

“Don’t be polite. Order whatever you like.”

Xu Lu Cha said, “No need.”

Xu Lu Cha wiped his tears, about to speak, but Zhang Meng took back the menu. “Then I’ll order first. Let me know when you decide what you want to eat.”

Xu Lu Cha gripped his handkerchief and stood up. “Lu Cha will take his leave for a moment.”

Zhang Meng nodded, and Xu Lu Cha left.

Zhang Meng ordered many desserts and snacks. If she couldn’t finish them, she could pack them to go.

The waiter quickly brought up the dishes, a full table of them. Zhang Meng ate with great gusto, not paying much attention even when Xu Lu Cha returned.

Before long, Zhong Huo and Zi Yi came out from the private room.

Zi Yi silently walked behind Xu Lu Cha. Zhong Huo glanced at Zhang Meng who was enjoying her meal, then at Xu Lu Cha who was being neglected to the side. Her expression was a bit subtle.

“Young Master, are you alright?” Zi Yi asked uneasily.

Xu Lu Cha had a gloomy face. “What could be wrong? Zi Yi, let me tell you, if not for Zhong Huo, I wouldn’t even spare a glance at someone like her! Not a single glance!” She actually didn’t even look at him once! Only caring about eating, only knowing to eat! Sooner or later she’ll choke to death!

Zi Yi: “…”

Xu Lu Cha heavily slapped the table, his beautiful eyes full of humiliated anger. “Someone like her is really…despicable to the extreme! She deserves to never marry a husband in this life! Zi Yi, let me tell you, someone like her absolutely, absolutely will never marry a husband!”

Zi Yi: “…Young Master, are you alright?”

Xu Lu Cha fiercely kicked the table leg. “What could be wrong? I’m very well!”

Zi Yi: “…Yes, Young Master.”

Xu Lu Cha took a deep breath, barely suppressing his anger. “How was playing chess with the master? Was it enjoyable?”

Zi Yi: “The master’s mind was not on the chess game. She would occasionally look outside from time to time, and also deliberately mentioned Constable Zhang to me. Zi Yi doesn’t understand what she’s thinking.”

Xu Lu Cha picked up his teacup and sneered, “Zi Yi, it seems the two of us have both been used as chess pieces by her.” He really wanted to know, what ability did that Zhang Meng have for Zhong Huo to act this way.

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