Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 143 Urgent Report Returns Home

Duan Zhian didn't expect Wen Qian to come looking for him.

So when he heard a sweet, coquettish "Grand Tutor" from outside, he was somewhat surprised.

Wen Qian was also somewhat at a loss.

Others were unaware of her relationship with the Grand Tutor, and it was unclear whether it would be appropriate for her to directly address him as "uncle."

After weighing the options, she respectfully addressed him as "Grand Tutor".

She felt she had acted appropriately, unaware that those around her were even more curious—

When has a woman ever appeared in the life of a dignified Grand Tutor?

He was even personally invited into the sedan chair.

Wen Qian sat in the sedan chair, and soon a servant brought her a hand warmer.

The sedan chair wasn't big, but it was warm enough. However, Duan Zhi'an was still worried that she would catch a cold, so he brought her a cloak to wrap herself in.

"Uncle, I'm not cold anymore." Wen Qian looked at the thick cloak on her body with a bit of helplessness.

"You still need to wrap yourself up. It looks like it's going to be windy today, so you absolutely mustn't catch a cold. Your stomach..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence.

Wen Qian sighed, "Since there's no baby in my womb, it's not a big deal if I catch a cold..."

"How could it be alright?"

As he spoke, he tightened the cloak around her neck.

Wen Qian softly said, "Yes, thank you, Uncle," her fingers tightening slightly.

"You came here suddenly because you have something to say?"

Duan Zhi'an sat down and asked while making tea.

Wen Qian replied, "There's nothing to say, it's just... I feel a bit cold, and I thought it would be warmer here with my uncle."

She didn't want to mention Xiao Hengzhi, so she just brushed it off.

Duan Zhian had a rough idea, but he didn't press the matter further. He didn't care whether Xiao Hengzhi came or what he was doing there.

Because he has something more important to do right now.

The aroma of tea wafts through the air, and steam rises gently.

He pushed the teacup in front of Wen Qian and said gently, "Have some to warm yourself up."

Wen Qian nodded, lowered her head, and picked up the teacup. Just as she was about to drink, she caught a strange smell.

It has a slightly bitter taste, as if I've smelled it somewhere before.

She pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered...

This looks like... smallpox!

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she stared at the tea leaves floating in the tea.

Not long ago, I was looking through medical books because of my childbirth and happened to see a record of this medicine - Trichosanthes kirilowii root, which is made from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii flower and is used to... induce labor.

It's just for making tea, why would you need this?

She looked up at the man in front of her.

He remained seated there, his expression calm and composed, even showing a hint of concern, revealing no sign of anything amiss.

Wen Qian pursed her lips, pondering in her heart.

Could it be that my uncle was framed?

He wielded immense power in the court, inevitably making him a thorn in the side of some.

If this tea were given to a pregnant concubine, he would inevitably be accused of harming the imperial heir.

Duan Zhi'an stared at her for a long time without moving, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Wen Qian put down her cup and said solemnly, "Uncle, something's wrong with this tea. I recently looked through some medical books, and there's a medicine used to induce labor called 'trichosanthes root.' It seems like there's something like that in the tea..."

Duan Zhian's expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, he heard her say something else.

"I'm worried that someone in the palace might be trying to frame my uncle..."

She frowned, looking at him with worry in her eyes.

Duan Zhian remained silent for a long while, then lowered his eyes and slowly said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

He reached out and took the teacup from her hand, giving her an ambiguous smile.

"I'll get you a fresh cup of hot water."

"Okay, thank you, Uncle."

Duan Zhian turned around and sighed softly.

......

Perhaps because of the urgent report, the return journey was very fast, and they did not even stop when passing through Yunchuan. It can be said that they traveled day and night.

Jiang Mian was unaware of what had happened that required the emperor's personal return to the capital to handle it.

In previous years when Ning Zhi was in power, there were urgent reports, which were handled jointly by the four ministries and the general.

Only once, when the general stationed in the north joined forces with local rebels, causing instability on all sides and fearing for the capital, did Ning Zhi rush back to quell the situation.

Could this also be a rebellion?

But she couldn't remember causing any trouble at this time in her past life...

Lost in thought, I drifted off to sleep.

When she woke up again, it was already sunset.

"Jiang Mian..."

"Wake up..."

Jiang Wan opened her eyes groggily and realized that she had unknowingly ended up lying on Xiao Hengzhi's lap.

She quickly sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Xiao Hengzhi took off her cloak and said, "We've arrived, put it on."

"arrive?"

She lifted the sedan curtain and, sure enough, they had arrived at the Prince's residence.

After getting off the sedan chair, the surroundings were empty, with only the cold wind blowing. It seemed that the procession and the other sedan chairs had all gone home.

"Does Your Highness know what happened? This is the first time you've rushed back in such a hurry."

Xiao Hengzhi shook his head: "Perhaps one of the concubines has given birth to the imperial heir. Go inside quickly, don't catch a cold from the wind."

He didn't know what had happened, but nothing could compare to Jiang Mian saying she would spend his birthday with him.

It snowed all night.

The next morning, a thick layer of snow had accumulated.

As soon as Jiang Mian stepped out of the room, she saw Xiao Hengzhi hurrying out.

When she arrived, she only saw his back as he left the mansion.

"Rong'er, where is the Prince going so early in the morning?"

"It was an imperial decree from the palace summoning the prince to the palace."

"Early in the morning?"

Rong'er nodded.

Jiang Mian was puzzled, and her intuition told her that it was related to the urgent report from the palace.

But she wasn't thinking about those things right now.

While Xiao Hengzhi was away, she still had some things to do.

Jiang returned to the room and took out the map again.

She recalled the words of the hermit Jichen—

"That place is ruthless and murderous; we must not go there rashly..."

However, if you want to know the way to completely cure the spring bitterness, you must go there in person.

"Rong'er!" Jiang Mian called out.

"What are your orders, Miss Jiang?"

"Come closer." Jiang Wan beckoned to her mysteriously.

"What's wrong?" Rong'er leaned closer.

"Go and pack me a few bags of chili powder."

"Huh?" Rong'er asked, puzzled. "What does Miss Jiang want to do?"

"Don't ask, just prepare. Don't let anyone else know, and don't tell the nanny either."

“But…” Rong’er hesitated.

"But what? Don't worry, I promise it won't affect you in any way."

Rong'er reluctantly went to prepare things for her.

Jiang Mian, carrying several packets of chili powder, was still wondering how to get past the guards as she walked to the gate.

Surprisingly, after that incident, Xiao Hengzhi really didn't ask anyone to stop her anymore.

So Jiang Mian just walked straight out.

This time she was just scouting, but to be on the safe side, she found a clothing shop, tied up her long hair, put on a veil, and chose a men's outfit to conceal her female figure.

The last time I dressed as a man was to sneak into Zuiyin Tower, but I was recognized at a glance.

So this time she even deliberately darkened her makeup.

But he was always hesitant and awkward, feeling uncomfortable in every way.

Until an old lady accidentally bumped into her, looked up and said, "Sorry, young man."

She then gained some confidence and straightened her back.