Huaiyu was taken aback and looked up to see a young lady adorned in fine silks and jewels smiling gently at her. “Fourth Sister, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take this medicine to the Jun now.”
What? Li Huaiyu stood up, puzzled as she looked at her. “That seems to be the medicine I prepared.”
“Yes,” the young lady replied with a soft smile, “so thank you for your hard work.”
With that, she turned and walked out, carrying the medicine.
Huaiyu was somewhat stunned, thinking to herself that for all these years, the officials and soldiers had scolded her for being shameless, and she had truly believed she was the most shameless person in the world. Yet here was someone even more shameless than her!
Watching the young lady’s retreating figure, Huaiyu clapped her hands and quickly followed her.
The young lady gracefully entered the eastern courtyard, her steps light and elegant. Upon reaching the door of Jiang Xuanjin’s guest room, she adjusted her hair and signaled for her maid to knock.
“What is it?” Cheng Xu opened the door, looking at her with confusion.
The person outside knelt and bowed. “I am Bai Xuanji, here to serve the medicine.”
So this was the Bai Xuanji that Bai Mengshi had mentioned, the one who understood the rules so well? Li Huaiyu realized this as she listened from behind.
Earlier, Bai Mengshi had been nagging about wanting her second daughter to make an appearance before Ziyang Jun, and although there hadn’t been much opportunity, this second daughter was clever enough to seize the chance and offer her own medicine.
Interesting.
Cheng Xu frowned as he looked at Bai Xuanji and said, “Please wait a moment,” before stepping inside to report.
Bai Xuanji stood quietly, unhurried. After a while, she turned and saw Huaiyu standing at the entrance of the courtyard, smiling. “Fourth Sister, you’ve come?”
Li Huaiyu stepped forward, admiring her calm demeanor. After all, she had just taken her medicine; it was impressive that she could remain so composed. Truly, she was a daughter of the Bai family.
“Is Second Sister planning to…” glancing at the bowl of medicine on the tray, Huaiyu smiled, “make an appearance?”
Bai Xuanji nodded. “It’s my mother’s order; I have no choice but to comply. I hope Fourth Sister won’t take offense.”
“Since you’ve said that, if I were to take offense, wouldn’t that make me seem small-minded?” Huaiyu mimicked her gesture of adjusting her hair and winked. “I wish Second Sister all the best!”
With that, she stepped into the guest room.
Bai Xuanji was momentarily stunned and called out, “What are you doing?”
Ignoring her, Huaiyu walked straight into the room.
Jiang Xuanjin was already lying down, his eyes tightly closed, his complexion still pale. Cheng Xu stood by the bed, looking somewhat at a loss.
“Fourth Miss,” Cheng Xu said upon seeing her enter, “the master’s condition seems to be worsening. It would be better to return to the pharmacy.”
Glancing at the person on the bed, Huaiyu said, “If we let him sit in a carriage for another half an hour, his condition will likely worsen even more. If you’re truly worried about him, I have an idea.”
“What is it?”
“I happened to hear that the Lu residence next door has a box of spiritual pills from Nanyan, said to cure all ailments and stabilize the six organs.” Huaiyu turned to him. “Although that medicine is precious, Ziyang Jun is even more valuable. The master of the Lu residence is reasonable; if you ask him, he will surely give you one.”
With that spiritual medicine, Jiang Xuanjin’s illness would surely recover quickly.
Cheng Xu’s eyes lit up, but then they dimmed again.
“The Lu residence next door?” He smiled bitterly. “If it were someone else asking, that Master Lu might indeed give it. But for our master… it might be difficult.”
Lu Jingxing, the owner of Canghai Yizhu Pavilion, was a close friend of the late Princess Danyang. Their master personally sent the princess to her final rest, and Lu Jingxing would likely resent him rather than offer help.
“What’s so difficult about it?” Huaiyu turned and walked to the desk on the other side, took a brush, licked the tip, and pulled out a piece of stationery to doodle. “Just take this and say it’s a favor from Bai Si.”
Cheng Xu took the note with confusion and frowned.
He had expected her to write something polite, but instead, it was a chaotic drawing. The haphazard strokes made it unclear what it was. Wouldn’t he be thrown out for showing this to Lu Jingxing?
However, since the Lu residence was next to the Bai residence, it would only take a few incense sticks’ worth of time. Cheng Xu thought it was worth a try.
So, he cupped his hands and said, “Please take care of the master for a moment.”
“Of course,” Huaiyu replied with a smile and a nod.
As Cheng Xu left, Bai Xuanji was still standing outside, her pretty face filled with confusion. When she saw him come out alone, she looked back at him in puzzlement.
“Leave the medicine here; the Jun cannot drink it for now.” Cheng Xu cupped his hands toward her. “Miss, please return for now.”
Bai Xuanji widened her eyes slightly, pointing toward the guest room. “But what about Zhujing…”
“Fourth Miss is inside with two guards looking after the Jun. If you have no other urgent matters, there’s no need to disturb them.” After saying this, Cheng Xu bowed again and walked out, clutching the note.
Bai Xuanji stared at his retreating figure, her face filled with disbelief.
“Miss,” her maid Xiyun took the tray from her hands, frowning. “What should we do? We can’t even see the Jun.”
Bai Xuanji didn’t know what to do either. She had thought she would at least get to see him, but now he wouldn’t even take the medicine. All her hopes had fallen flat.
Remembering Bai Zhujing’s silly smile from earlier, Bai Xuanji finally furrowed her brow.
Cheng Xu, holding the note, nervously went to the Lu residence to deliver the name card.
The Lu residence was the largest merchant house in the capital, situated among many official residences, grander and more luxurious than the government buildings. However, today, the usually bustling Lu residence was eerily quiet. The golden-red plaque of the Lu residence was draped with a circle of white silk, hanging down on both sides, tied with floral knots.
Cheng Xu was taken aback and turned to the doorman. “Has someone in the residence passed away?”
After delivering the name card, the doorman sighed. “No.”
If there was no death, why would it look like they were in mourning? Cheng Xu was puzzled and thought for a moment, feeling a tightening in his chest.
Could it be… they were mourning Princess Danyang?
Oh no, Lu Jingxing’s obsession with Danyang was indeed deep. In that case, he would be even less likely to part with the spiritual medicine.
Cheng Xu pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and handed the note from Bai Si to the doorman. “Please also pass this along to your master.”
The doorman accepted it and nodded, sending someone to deliver it inside. Cheng Xu, nearly in despair, thought he would wait half an hour. If Lu Jingxing hadn’t responded at that time, he would have to find a way to make the carriage ride smoother.
However, less than half an incense stick later, someone from the residence came out.
The footsteps were hurried, and the breathing was uneven. Lu Jingxing strode over, his black hair tied up with a white jade crown slightly askew, his jeweled belt loose, his face pale and haggard. Only his phoenix eyes still held a glimmer of light, faintly reminiscent of a young master’s charm.
Cheng Xu stared at him in shock as he approached, his gaze intense as he asked:
“Where is Bai Si?”