“Good, you’ve always been such a thoughtful child.” Yuan Yuhe patted her hand affectionately. “I’m relieved to see you’re not seriously harmed. I’ve sent some tonics to the kitchen to be prepared for you. Make sure to nourish yourself well.”
“Thank you for your concern, Guogong Furen. I appreciate your care.”
“You must have heard about my niece’s arrival. You’re the same age and should get along well. Visit Dongfu more often.”
“I will. I’ve played with Yuanjia Biao Jie before, and she was very kind to me.”
“That’s good to hear. Since you just woke up and haven’t had breakfast yet, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Let me see you out,” Shi Jianli said immediately.
Yuan Yuhe shook her head with a smile. “What kind of host makes an injured person see off guests? You’re too polite, child. There’s no need.”
Shi Jianli turned to Xianyue. “Xianyue, please see Guogong Furen out for me.”
“Yes, miss. This way please, Guogong Furen.”
After Yuan Yuhe left, Shi Jianli looked at Qiao Ruoying, who was watching her with concern, and went to sit beside her. “Have you had breakfast yet, aunt?”
“Yes, I have. Are you really feeling better?” Qiao Ruoying examined the redness on her forehead.
“Truly, I feel much better after a good night’s sleep.”
Qiao Ruoying beckoned to Lanxing. “Bring the ointment.”
“Yes.”
When the ointment was brought, Qiao Ruoying applied it again. Noticing the dependence in her eyes beneath her occasionally fluttering lashes, she gently pinched her cheek.
“If only Pear were my daughter,” she suddenly sighed.
That way, she could have chosen a husband from a prominent and powerful family for her, ensuring Pear would live more comfortably.
Understanding her thoughts, Shi Jianli smiled and asked, “Don’t you treat me as your daughter, aunt?”
“You mischievous girl, teasing your aunt now.” Qiao Ruoying playfully poked her forehead.
Shi Jianli nestled into her embrace. “Aunt is so good to me.”
“Why hold so tight? I haven’t finished applying the ointment yet.” Qiao Ruoying laughed, lifting her chin to make her face upward.
After her niece finished breakfast and they chatted for a while longer, Qiao Ruoying finally left.
Shi Jianli sat in the courtyard, basking in the spring sunlight, and took out the “Golden Stone Book” from last night to finish reading.
When school ended, Ming Yuelin rushed into the courtyard and crouched beside her. “Pear Sister! How are you feeling today? Still dizzy? Still nauseous? Does your forehead hurt?”
“I’m fine,” Shi Jianli replied, then looked at Yuan Wan who had followed behind her. “Miss Yuan.”
Yuan Wan examined her and smiled. “After two years apart, Miss Shi’s grace and bearing have become even more remarkable. I can’t help but pause a moment longer to admire you.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Miss Yuan. You too are as elegant as an orchid.”
Yuan Wan sat beside her, resting her chin in her hands as she looked at her. “No need for such formality, Pear Sister. I’ll call you as I used to.”
“Alright, Wan Sister.” Shi Jianli’s lips curved slightly.
“Yesterday when I arrived, Second Cousin told me about your injury. I wanted to visit you last night, but it was too late, so I came today instead.” Yuan Wan lightly tapped her forehead. “This is the first time I’ve heard of someone getting hit by a fish.”
“Wan Sister, you’re teasing me too. I noticed yesterday that the physician was trying hard not to laugh while examining me.” Shi Jianli sighed helplessly, then pulled up Ming Yuelin who was still crouching beside her. “Go sit properly. Your legs will go numb if you keep crouching.”
“Alright.”
Lanxing and Xianyue brought tea and pastries over and set them down.
“It’s been a long time since I last visited the capital. I’ll have my cousin take me out to see the sights this afternoon. Don’t be jealous, Pear Sister, if she can’t play with you.”
“Not at all, please take her away and let her burn off some energy.” Shi Jianli picked up a piece of pastry.
“Oh, you, Pear Sister! You think I’m too noisy.” Ming Yuelin puffed out her cheeks and poked Shi Jianli’s waist.
Shi Jianli caught her finger. “That tickles.”
Ming Yuelin became even more playful and poked her twice more. “We’ll bring back some treats for you.”
“Alright.”
After chatting for a while, Ming Yuelin and Yuan Wan left.
Shi Jianli had lunch and then went to take a nap. After waking, she flipped through medical books for beauty secrets, planning to develop a new formula for face powder.
Hua Si Meng and Qunyu Pavilion were her main sources of income, so she paid particular attention to them.
Around mid-afternoon, Xianyue knocked on the door: “Miss, the Third Young Master and the Heir are here.”
Shi Jianli set down the medicinal herbs she was holding, washed her hands, and went out. The first person she saw was Ming Zhaohuan standing in the garden with his hands behind his back.
He was dressed in a striking wide-shouldered martial outfit with gold and jade accents, a gold-inlaid jade belt cinching his waist, and gold leather arm guards securing his sleeves. He looked less gentle and more imposing. In the warm spring sunlight, even the spring scenery seemed less radiant than he was.
Shi Jianli’s gaze lingered for a moment before shifting to the handsome young man in a tea-colored robe sitting on a stone stool. “Cousin.”
Ming Zhouhe nodded, tapping a small hammer against a walnut. A series of cracking sounds followed.
“Heir…” Her eyes shifted back, she paused, then corrected herself: “Why has Eldest Cousin come too? Thank you for the tonics you sent yesterday.”
“Just came to see you.” Ming Zhaohuan’s gaze fell on her forehead. Seeing it wasn’t as frightening as yesterday, he felt slightly relieved. “It was because of Second Sister’s carelessness that you were injured. I witnessed it and, as your elder cousin, it’s only right to check on you since I know about it. How are you feeling today?”
Shi Jianli gave the same reply for the third time that day: “Much better. No dizziness, my forehead doesn’t hurt, and I don’t feel nauseous anymore.”
“That’s good. In that case, I’ll take my leave.” Ming Zhaohuan nodded and pointed to a package of pastries on the table. “Third Brother mentioned you like mint cakes, so I had someone buy some. Try them.”
“Thank you, Eldest Cousin.”
Watching him leave the courtyard, Shi Jianli sat down beside Ming Zhouhe, who was shelling walnuts. “Cousin, where did you get these walnuts?”
“I had Xuan Yuan buy them. You injured your head—they’re good for your brain.” Ming Zhouhe smiled and pushed a few shelled walnuts toward her.
Shi Jianli helplessly curved her eyes. “Who told you that?”
“The ‘Compendium of Materia Medica’ says walnut kernels ‘tonify the kidneys, benefit the brain, and enhance wisdom.’ You had a concussion—eating these might help?” He lowered his head and tapped the shells with the walnut hammer. “Even if they don’t help, it won’t hurt to eat them. Consider them a snack.”
“I was already smart to begin with, and getting hit on the head by a fish won’t make me stupid.” Despite her words, Shi Jianli quickly took them and ate them.
“Yes, yes, you’re the smartest.” Ming Zhouhe coaxed her. “I asked Eldest Brother to help me find an opportunity to train in the military camp. I’ll be leaving in a couple of days and will return on rest days.”
“I thought you’d follow in Uncle’s footsteps and take the civil service route, especially since you’ve already passed the Xiucai exam.” Shi Jianli was somewhat surprised.
“The bit of learning I’ve acquired is just enough to pass the Xiucai examination. To advance further in scholarly pursuits would be beyond my capacity. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to pursue the military path. The Duke’s Manor has always been distinguished through military achievements for generations—my uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather all followed the martial way. I have that foundation to build upon.”
Ming Zhouhe looked at her, half in jest and half with ambitious determination, saying, “When your cousin becomes the Zhongjun Da Yuanshuai someday, I guarantee your back will stay straight for the rest of your life.”
“Then I’ll be counting on you to watch over me, cousin,” Shi Jianli replied with a laugh. “Since you’re going for training, what about Second Cousin?”
“Naturally, he won’t be idle either. He’s coming with me. Except for our fourth brother who’s chosen the civil path, all of us around my age will be thrown into the army for training.”
Shi Jianli understood.
“Why aren’t you calling Eldest Brother ‘Heir’ anymore?” Ming Zhouhe set down the walnut in his hand and unwrapped the package of mint cakes, feigning confusion.