He sent something for her?

Luo Sheng was slightly stunned.

Although she had received many gifts from Prince Kaiyang, mostly centered around chrysanthemums, and most of them had been brought when he came to drink wine, Prince Kaiyang had only returned to his manor a short while ago today—what could he be sending?

Just as she was wondering, Hong Dou handed over a small box: “Shi San Huo brought it back. It’s just this little box—who knows what’s inside.”

Luo Sheng took the palm-sized small box, also becoming somewhat curious.

Hong Dou watched eagerly and repeated: “Who knows what’s inside?”

Luo Sheng simply satisfied the little maid’s curiosity and opened the small box directly.

In her view, a man who sent her chrysanthemums every autumn couldn’t possibly send something inconvenient for others to see.

Quietly lying in the small box was an exquisite enameled round porcelain container.

Hong Dou recognized it at a glance: “Oh, it’s Cloud Frost Ointment.”

Luo Sheng also recognized it.

Cloud Frost Ointment was an imperial item, occasionally bestowed upon princes and ministers. Prince Zhennan’s manor used to receive some every year. It had miraculous effects for promoting blood circulation, reducing swelling, and eliminating scars.

“Why is Prince Kaiyang sending you Cloud Frost Ointment?” Hong Dou muttered, then suddenly realized, “Miss, are you injured somewhere?”

Luo Sheng’s expression turned serious: “No.”

If one counted the bruises left on her wrist from Wei Qiang grabbing it as an injury, it would be far too exaggerated.

“Why would Prince Kaiyang send you something you don’t need? How strange.” Hong Dou was completely puzzled.

“Alright, go out and play. Weren’t you kicking shuttlecocks with Kou’er?”

Hong Dou obediently withdrew from the kitchen to gossip with Kou’er: “Prince Kaiyang sent our miss a box of Cloud Frost Ointment.”

Kou’er was unimpressed: “What’s so special about that? Prince Kaiyang once sent Miss kitchen knives and chrysanthemums too.”

Cloud Frost Ointment was something all girls treasured—truly speaking, it was much more normal than the gifts he’d sent before.

“But Miss isn’t injured. Why would Prince Kaiyang send Cloud Frost Ointment?”

Kou’er pondered for a moment and shook her head: “That’s true. Although Cloud Frost Ointment is precious, it’s an inauspicious omen. Looks like Prince Kaiyang still doesn’t quite get it.”

Inside the kitchen, Xiu Yue was full of concern: “Miss, are you injured?”

Luo Sheng simply rolled up her sleeve to expose her wrist and smiled: “There’s nothing wrong at all.”

Xiu Yue glanced at that box of Cloud Frost Ointment, hesitating to speak.

“Don’t talk about such unrealistic matters. I’ve drunk too much wine—I’m going to rest in my room for a bit.” Luo Sheng turned and left the kitchen.

Xiu Yue walked to the kitchen doorway, watching that solitary figure and sighing.

Luo Sheng entered her room and sat woodenly for a moment, then opened the enameled porcelain container and applied the cool, snow-white medicinal ointment bit by bit to her wrist.

Her wrist had long since stopped hurting, but the thoughtfulness that had been delivered into her hands—she didn’t want to let it down.

After applying the ointment, Luo Sheng lay down on the bed, turned over once, then turned over again. She didn’t know how much time passed before she fell asleep.

When she woke again, night had already drawn its curtain outside the window.

“Miss, you’re awake.” Kou’er’s voice sounded.

Immediately after, a cup of honey water was placed in Luo Sheng’s hands.

Luo Sheng took two sips of honey water to moisten her throat and asked Kou’er, “Is it time to open?”

Kou’er said with a smile, “The main hall is almost full.”

Luo Sheng finished the honey water, took the outer robe Kou’er handed her, put it on, and walked outside.

Lifting the cotton-padded blue door curtain, the warm atmosphere of the main hall rushed toward her face.

Luo Sheng instinctively glanced at the seat by the window but didn’t see that familiar figure.

Had he drunk too much and missed dinner?

As this thought flashed through her mind, Luo Sheng instructed, “Kou’er, accompany me back to the manor.”

Kou’er responded and shot a triumphant glance at Hong Dou.

Hong Dou was busy serving dishes and couldn’t be bothered with that provocative little wretch.

The night was cool as water, and the cold, clear moonlight scattered on the bluestone road, condensing into white frost.

It was almost time for the wine shop to close.

When the cold wind blew, Luo Sheng drew her plain-colored cloak tighter around herself and ran head-on into a woman.

Luo Sheng recognized this as the female proprietor of the rouge and powder shop diagonally across from the wine shop. She had heard Kou’er mention her surname was Han.

That rouge and powder shop had long become a favorite haunt for Kou’er, Hong Dou, and even the female proprietor when they had nothing to do. No matter how refined the food, clothing, and necessities at the Grand Marshal’s manor were, women’s enthusiasm for going out shopping couldn’t be stopped.

Proprietor Han, seeing Luo Sheng, hastily made a respectful bow.

Luo Sheng nodded in response and brushed past her.

The female proprietor had long been familiar with Proprietor Han from the rouge and powder shop. Seeing her enter, she approached with enthusiasm: “Proprietor Han, coming to drink wine? Come in quickly—there’s still a seat inside.”

Proprietor Han looked around, appearing somewhat uneasy.

The female proprietor consoled her in a low voice: “It’s fine. The noble patrons who regularly come to drink wine all have good temperaments.”

Proprietor Han nodded and was led by the female proprietor to sit at a table.

Hong Dou came over and asked, “What would Proprietor Han like to eat?”

Proprietor Han hesitated for a moment and said, “Just bring a bowl of plain noodles. I’ve always heard you say the wine shop’s food is delicious—I’d like to try it.”

Hong Dou wanted to say something, but the female proprietor quickly shot her a look.

The wine shop’s plain noodles weren’t cheap, let alone anything else. The proprietor of a rouge and powder shop couldn’t compare with those noble patrons.

Before long, a steaming bowl of plain noodles was brought over.

Proprietor Han pressed her lips together and began eating in small bites.

The female proprietor asked with some pride, “How is it? Sister didn’t deceive you, did she?”

Proprietor Han nodded.

A sense of superiority arose spontaneously in the female proprietor as she sighed with drawn-out tones: “Who could have imagined—back then, I too was the proprietor of a rouge and powder shop, but who would have thought I’d have today…”

Every day she could eat the wine and dishes that noble patrons couldn’t bear to eat more than once or twice a month.

“More customers have arrived. Proprietor Han, please continue eating.” The female proprietor regretfully stopped her boasting and walked toward the counter.

Luo Sheng returned to Xianyun Courtyard, bathed and changed clothes to wash away the inauspicious air from going to the prison during the day, and let her damp, loose hair hang down for Kou’er to dry.

In the dressing mirror, the reflected young woman was deep in thought.

The two major crimes Emperor Yong’an had determined for Prince Pingnan’s manor were, first, using witchcraft to curse the emperor, and second, falsely accusing Prince Zhennan’s manor of treason.

Today, the people of Prince Pingnan’s manor had already received their deserved punishment, yet no news of rehabilitating Prince Zhennan’s manor had emerged.

Thinking of that heartless emperor, Luo Sheng only wanted to sneer coldly.

Since Prince Pingnan’s manor had been convicted for falsely accusing Prince Zhennan’s manor, it was equivalent to informing all under heaven that Prince Zhennan’s manor had been wronged.

Clearing the names of those who had suffered injustice and restoring their reputation and status should naturally follow as a matter of course.

Emperor Yong’an had made no move for so long—it seemed he intended to play dumb and muddle through.

Prince Zhennan’s manor had already collapsed thirteen years ago. Those close to Prince Zhennan’s manor had either died or gone into hiding. Now there was no one in the court to speak for Prince Zhennan’s manor.

Thinking of this, Luo Sheng suddenly thought of one person—Grand Marshal Luo.

Grand Marshal Luo had protected Bao’er. Regardless of his reasons, his heart must surely be close to Prince Zhennan’s manor, but his status as Commander of the Jinlin Guard made it even more impossible for him to speak first.

Luo Sheng pressed her lips together tightly, her expression cold.

Relying on others was not as good as relying on oneself—it would be better for her to do it herself.

In the brightly lit room, Luo Sheng called softly, “Kou’er.”

“What are your orders, Miss?” Kou’er’s hands, which had been arranging her hair, paused.