Jia Xiangwei’s eyes were lined with faint red veins, dark circles shadowing beneath them as if she hadn’t rested well for a long time. Her figure had also grown noticeably thinner.
Perhaps not expecting to encounter another guest so early, she paused briefly, then smiled. “You’re here quite early, miss.” Her gaze, however, did not shift away.
Jia Xiangwei’s stare was like a wheat stalk reaching out from the past, pricking Gu Ning’s heart again and again. Though disguised, Gu Ning could clearly hear her own heartbeat, growing as distinct as the rain outside.
“Madam… why are you looking at me like that?” Gu Ning’s smile was uneasy.
“Oh, my apologies,” Jia Xiangwei finally snapped back to reality, offering an embarrassed smile as she averted her eyes. “It’s just… you seem especially familiar to me.”
Particularly those eyes—they were exactly like Gu Ning’s from three years ago.
“Madam Shen, this is Doctor Gu,” Manager Jiang quickly introduced them with a smile. “Doctor Gu, Madam Shen is the one the Fifth Young Miss mentioned.”
With that, he led them into the rear courtyard’s side room.
The steady patter of rain fell upon the eaves, and a few peach blossom petals had drifted onto the windowsill. The scents of flowers, dampness, and earth filled the air around the window, making even the lingering medicinal aroma inside the room seem to fade.
“I heard Doctor Gu is searching for Moon-silk Flowers?” Jia Xiangwei spoke first, raising her hand slightly. The maid beside her promptly handed her a small box.
Jia Xiangwei slowly opened it, revealing a multi-petaled flower resting quietly within a dark blue velvet-lined sandalwood case.
The petals were snow-white, nearly translucent, with a faint moon-like glow reflecting from their bases. The stamens were a soft goose-yellow, dotted with specks of deep blue at their tips. Layer upon layer of petals cradled the center, like moonlight spilling over, silk gauze piled and folded, interweaving in a shimmering display.
“I hope Doctor Gu can help me with one matter,” Jia Xiangwei said, passing the sandalwood box over. “As a gesture of sincerity, you may first verify if this is what you seek.”
Gu Ning carefully accepted it, a delicate fragrance greeting her—like the scent of newly sprouted greenery after melting snow.
“Yes, this is it,” she examined it closely for a long while before reluctantly closing the box. “What does Madam Shen need me to do?”
“Return to the manor with me and help me treat someone.”
“May I ask, Madam…” Gu Ning hesitated for a moment, “who is it?”
“My son, Shen Jinyan.”
Outside the window, the rain grew heavier, peach blossoms scattering across the courtyard. A faint, bitter fragrance lingered in the air—this summer’s peach harvest would likely be much smaller.
“…Doctor Gu?” Jia Xiangwei had spoken at length, but seeing Gu Ning standing frozen in place, she reached out to wave a hand before her eyes. “What’s wrong?”
Gu Ning snapped back to attention, quickly forcing a smile. “I was just… thinking about treatment methods.”
In truth, her ears still buzzed, her consciousness feeling separated from the outside world by a veil. Jia Xiangwei had said Shen Jinyan suffered from hysteria… precisely after her “death.”
She had been “dead” for three years, and he had been mad for three years.
Gu Ning couldn’t quite describe what she felt now—only that her heart ached with a sour, bitter, swollen sensation, as if she had swallowed a mouthful of aged peach blossom wine. The wine’s fragrance remained, yet as memories of the past surfaced, the wine had ultimately soured with time.
“I know his condition is rather complicated. Emotional wounds require emotional remedies—I shouldn’t force him to move on,” Jia Xiangwei sighed. “But… I truly have no other options left.”
With her husband in trouble and the general’s estate surrounded by wolves, if Shen Jinyan could not step up to shoulder the responsibility, the estate would surely fall into ruin within half a year.
In truth, Gu Ning had heard some discussions about the situation at the front. General Shen Xun had gone missing during the battle at Taoling Pass. With the military situation critical, it was only thanks to Deputy General Cui Mingde’s desperate efforts that Yutao City was barely held.
She hadn’t expected Jia Xiangwei to be so deeply worried…
“Doctor Gu,” Jia Xiangwei took her hand, her words sincere, “tell me the truth—can my son’s hysteria be cured?”
A warm touch spread from her hand, and Gu Ning was momentarily taken aback.
Jia Xiangwei’s hands had always been warm, like a small stove. Whenever she held her hand, Gu Ning couldn’t help but think of her own mother. If she hadn’t been switched at birth, would she have grown up with such hands holding hers?
“I’ve asked many doctors,” Jia Xiangwei sighed deeply, “either they say his illness is too severe, or they say it’s been delayed too long. If it can’t be cured, just tell me directly, and I’ll find another way.”
“It can be cured, but…” Gu Ning hesitated for a long time, “but I must discuss it with my senior brother.”
Her senior brother was in such a state that he couldn’t be left unattended. If she were to treat Shen Jinyan, she would have to bring her senior brother along.
But her senior brother had opposed her using that method to obtain the Purple-Sight Grass in the first place. If he found out about this… he would likely be angry again. Unfortunately, his illness couldn’t tolerate anger, but the Moon-silk Flower…
Gu Ning twisted the handkerchief in her hands.
“Discuss it, by all means, discuss it!”
Jia Xiangwei, however, was overjoyed. Heaven knew how long she had searched before finding someone who clearly said it could be cured. She couldn’t help but pat the back of Gu Ning’s hand: “Doctor Gu, just tell me what you need. If you can cure him, forget just one Moon-silk Flower—even if you wanted to empty the entire estate, I wouldn’t say a word!”
The two left Jiang’s Medicine Shop together, and Jia Xiangwei even escorted Gu Ning all the way to Ningchun Hall.
Before parting, Jia Xiangwei gently tugged on Gu Ning’s sleeve and lowered her voice: “Doctor Gu, be careful yourself. Someone has been following you just now, and more than one person at that.”
Gu Ning was slightly startled and thanked her earnestly.
As she walked back, she carefully considered whom she might have offended recently. However, the list was so long that she could hardly narrow it down…
Gu Ning rubbed her head, which felt somewhat swollen and painful.
“A-Ning, you’re back?”
Crossing the threshold into the backyard, Chi Yan was already awake. He sat on the bed with a robe draped over his shoulders, holding a medicine bowl. His dark hair was loose, his thin crimson lips pressed tightly together, and his expression seemed somewhat displeased.
“Senior Brother? You’re awake!” Gu Ning felt a surge of joy and hurried over, but as she drew closer, her steps faltered. “Senior Brother, you… why are you unhappy?”
The medicine was the same prescription as last time, so it shouldn’t have caused any emotional fluctuations in her senior brother.
“You went to see Shen Jinyan’s mother.”
It was a statement, not a question.
And it seemed to carry a hint of disappointment.
Gu Ning felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her heart: “Senior Brother, you… had someone follow me?”
“No, no!” A Qi, carrying a basin of water, had just entered the room when he heard this and hurriedly explained, “It was Uncle Wu! Uncle Wu went out for a stroll again today and happened to see you and Madam Shen standing together…”
Gu Ning stood there, looking at Chi Yan, and said nothing.
Chi Yan sighed and put down the porcelain bowl in his hand. “I know you want to find medicine for me. But the Zhenyuan General’s Mansion is now in turmoil, with the peace faction in the court watching closely… A Ning, there are other ways to find the Moon-silk Flower. I don’t want you to get involved with him again.”
“What other options do I have, Senior Brother? Do you want me to marry that Jiang Shijin?”
Gu Ning’s head felt heavy and dizzy, and the words slipped out uncontrollably.
Realizing her tone was a bit off, she bit her lip. “Sorry. Senior Brother, rest well. I have things to attend to, so I won’t keep you company.”
With that, she pushed the door open and left.
“Young Master, why must you do this?” A Qi couldn’t help but speak up. “Miss has been taking care of you all night and went out at dawn to find that Moon-silk Flower. Even if you…”
Even if you’re unwilling, you shouldn’t say it right away.
How hurtful.
A Qi put down the water basin, sighed, and also left.
The room fell into dim silence.
Chi Yan sighed, took out a handkerchief, and wiped his lips. As the bright red lipstick faded, his lips had already turned a purplish-red color. Looking at the faint red stain, Chi Yan smiled bitterly, then took out a new box of lipstick and carefully applied it, completely covering the previously visible dark purple.
“Ying Yi.”
With a wave of his hand, a dark shadow instantly flashed across the room and knelt on one knee before his bed.
“Master.”
Chi Yan lifted his gaze calmly. “We can take action tonight.”