Feng Qingsui reluctantly handed two branches to Ji Changqing.
“Second Master might not be used to the scent, so let’s try two branches first.”
Ji Changqing looked at the two branches, which clearly had fewer flowers than the others, gaining a new understanding of this little swindler’s stinginess.
“Alright, I’ll try them first. If I get used to the scent, I’ll ask sister-in-law for more.”
Feng Qingsui: “…”
Is this the character of a kingdom’s prime minister?
The Xi Kingdom is doomed.
She carried the flowering branches back to Polang Pavilion, rummaged through the cabinet for a celadon vase, filled it halfway with water, arranged the branches one by one, and placed it in her room.
A delicate fragrance filled the entire chamber.
She closed her eyes and sat down, reaching out to touch one of the branches, as if transported back to the shared dormitory of the Charity Orphanage.
“Sui Sui, do you want to eat fried glutinous rice cakes?”
“Yes.”
“Once I finish embroidering this handkerchief and exchange it for money, I can buy the rice cakes.”
“Great!”
In the harsh winter months, nothing brought more joy than eating a crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside, fragrant, sweet, and hot fried glutinous rice cake.
Her sister embroidered from morning till night, just to buy her a few more rice cakes.
She was naive and unaware until she felt the rough cracks on the back of her sister’s hands, realizing how difficult it was to embroider in the bitter cold.
She didn’t want the rice cakes anymore.
“It’s fine, hands just crack in winter. They’ll heal by spring.”
Her sister comforted her.
“If you don’t believe me, feel the others’ hands.”
She did. The others’ hands also had cracks, but not as rough as her sister’s, and without the scent of blood.
Her sister was just telling lies with her eyes open, fooling her, the little blind girl.
“Sister, when I grow up, I’ll make the best hand cream in the world, so your hands won’t crack all winter.”
That New Year, she made a grand vow.
Her sister smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll wait.”
Feng Qingsui sat quietly, tears unknowingly streaming down her face.
Now she could make the best hand cream in the world, but the best sister in the world would never get to use it.
The tears gradually dried.
She opened her eyes and took out the string puppet from her sleeve.
This puppet was molded and fired by her own hands, sent to Xiao Yu—unique in all the world.
That was why she recognized it at a glance when Xun Shan’s grandson was playing with it.
Now the executioner was dead, but the mastermind behind it remained unknown.
She stood up and placed the puppet in the box containing the scroll.
“It’s alright.”
“I have a lifetime.”
Early the next morning, she went to report to Madam Qi: “Mother, I found a case in my master’s notes that matches Young Master Xuan’s condition. I plan to visit the Princess’s Mansion.”
Madam Qi was slightly surprised. “Someone has had his illness before?”
Feng Qingsui nodded.
Madam Qi hesitated for a moment before replying, “Then go ahead. Be cautious, and don’t make rash promises.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I never make guarantees.”
Feng Qingsui smiled.
Then she went out with Wuhua.
Ji Xuan had collapsed and convulsed for another two quarters of an hour last night. When Princess Shouyang heard the news in the morning, she lost her appetite for breakfast.
Upon hearing the servant’s report, her worried face showed a hint of surprise.
“Was what she said last time not just polite talk?”
Ji Peiyuan perked up.
He assumed Feng Qingsui had come to her senses over the past two days and was here to curry favor again.
It seemed fortune or misfortune could not be avoided—this woman deserved this calamity.
“Let’s hear what she has to say,” Ji Peiyuan said with a smile. “Masters exist among the common folk. Perhaps she has an extraordinary remedy.”
Princess Shouyang then had Feng Qingsui summoned.
After paying her respects, Feng Qingsui said, “Your Highness, over the past two days, I have been reviewing my notes and came across a case that matches Young Master Xuan’s condition with ninety-nine percent certainty. I came specifically to inform you.”
Princess Shouyang eagerly asked, “What illness?”
“Intestinal leakage.”
Princess Shouyang was taken aback.
“I have never heard of this illness…”
Ji Peiyuan sneered, “Although I am not well-versed in medical skill, I have read a few medical books. I have only heard of wolf leakage, rat leakage, bee leakage, centipede leakage, and hemorrhoid leakage… but never intestinal leakage.”
“Are you perhaps fabricating an illness to deceive us?”
Feng Qingsui replied, “This illness was named by my mentor and is not recorded in medical books, so it is natural that the Consort has not encountered it.”
Ji Peiyuan retorted, “Intestinal leakage likely relates to the intestines. Our Xuan’er suffers from myoclonus, not intestinal spasms. Your explanation is completely off the mark.”
Princess Shouyang also found it absurd. Seeing Feng Qingsui’s calm expression, she grew increasingly irritated.
“I did not sit here early in the morning to listen to your nonsense. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, do not blame me for being impolite.”
Ji Peiyuan secretly smiled to himself.
He could almost envision Feng Qingsui being dragged away for punishment.
However, Feng Qingsui bowed to Princess Shouyang and said:
“Young Master Xuan’s illness is, in truth, unrelated to me. I was moved by Your Highness’s deep maternal love and thus devoted myself day and night to reviewing my notes.”
“I did not expect Your Highness to lack the patience to hear my explanation of the illness. I suppose even if I spoke, Your Highness would not believe me.”
“In that case, I should take my leave now to avoid wasting Your Highness’s time.”
Ji Peiyuan: “…”
Princess Shouyang: “…”
After a moment of silence, seeing that Feng Qingsui was indeed about to leave, Princess Shouyang hurriedly called out, “Wait.”
Feng Qingsui turned around.
Princess Shouyang said sternly, “I was merely anxious about Xuan’er’s illness and lost my composure. Please sit down, have a cup of tea, and explain slowly.”
Immediately, a servant went to the tea room to prepare tea.
Feng Qingsui chose a chair and sat down, speaking unhurriedly:
“Your Highness and the Consort must be aware that some people can eat anything, while others develop rashes or even die from consuming specific foods. Young Master Xuan’s intestinal leakage is precisely caused by eating the wrong things.”
“Please recall whether Young Master Xuan has frequently suffered from abdominal pain and diarrhea over the years, with no relief from medication?”
Princess Shouyang immediately nodded. “Exactly.”
Ji Peiyuan curled his lip. “The imperial physicians have long said this is because Xuan’er was born prematurely, with inherent weakness and a delicate digestive system.”
Feng Qingsui shook her head.
“That is not the case.”
“Young Master Xuan is intolerant to foods made from wheat flour, such as noodles, pastries, and sauces, which is why he suffers so.”
Ji Peiyuan’s expression froze.
Then he laughed incredulously.
“You mean to say Xuan’er cannot eat anything made from wheat flour?
That is utterly absurd. Our ancestors have grown up eating wheat-based foods. To claim that wheat flour makes people sick is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life.”
Feng Qingsui calmly replied, “Before pumpkins were introduced to the Xi Kingdom, its people did not believe such a thing existed either.”
Ji Peiyuan: “…”
He snorted coldly. “Even if what you say is true and Xuan’er’s intestinal discomfort is due to eating wheat-based foods, what does that have to do with his tremors and spasms?”
“The Consort has asked the key question.”
Feng Qingsui smiled.
“Eating foods one is intolerant to over a long period can damage the intestines, allowing substances that shouldn’t enter the bloodstream to slip through, which then triggers inflammation throughout the body.”
“Inflammation in the intestines causes abdominal pain and diarrhea, inflammation in the joints leads to stiffness and deformity, and inflammation in the brain results in neurological disorders.”
“That is why Young Master Xuan suffers from constant fatigue, weak intestines, and uncontrollable muscles.”
Princess Shouyang’s eyes lit up brightly.