Su WanYing stormed out of the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion, grinding her teeth in fury. Ever since she had been brought back and raised in the Minister of Personnel’s residence, no one had dared mention her status as a collateral branch daughter again. That sickly wretch Ye Yun, that little slut, actually spoke to her like that and told her to get lost! How detestable!
The maid accompanying Su WanYing could clearly see how enraged her mistress was. She soothingly said, “Miss, that Ye Yun only managed to secure a marriage contract with His Highness the Crown Prince because of her background. Now that she’s broken off the engagement with the Crown Prince, this is your opportunity. As long as you successfully become the Crown Princess, no matter how noble Ye Yun’s origins are, she’ll still be trampled under your feet.”
“If Ye Yun hadn’t suddenly appeared back then, I would have achieved my wish long ago.” The more Su WanYing thought about it, the angrier she became.
“Please calm yourself, Miss. What’s most important now is the Flower Banquet Her Majesty the Empress is hosting in the imperial garden the day after tomorrow. All the noble young ladies of the Imperial Capital are invited. As long as you outshine all others and take the top spot, you will undoubtedly become the top candidate for Crown Princess.”
“You’re right. There must be no mistakes in this matter.” Su WanYing tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Ye Yun, just you wait and see.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion.
“I am the manager of Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion, my surname is Xu. I apologize for not welcoming you properly, Miss Ye. I didn’t know you were coming.”
Ye Yun had been waiting here, but instead of the young assistant who went to find her medicines, the pavilion’s manager had come. “It’s fine, Manager Xu. Is there a problem with the medicines I requested?”
She pondered to herself – theoretically, there shouldn’t be much difference between the medicinal herbs in this world and her original world. Although she hadn’t specifically studied them yet, her preliminary understanding suggested they were the same.
Manager Xu greeted her with a smiling face. “You jest, Miss Ye. Of course there’s no problem with the medicines you requested. However, among the five medicinal herbs you need, they are all extremely precious. Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Ye – what I mean to say is that our Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion can only provide two of those five herbs. Miss Ye, please follow me.”
Ye Yun hadn’t expected to find all the medicines here in one go anyway. That the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion could provide two already satisfied her quite well. Following Manager Xu, she went up to a private room on the second floor. The young assistant who had gone to find her medicines earlier came forward carrying two exquisite brocade boxes, carefully placing them on the table.
She opened the two boxes – they contained the Millennial Cinnamon Mushroom and Centennial Wild Ginseng. Examining them closely, she found both medicinal herbs were well-preserved with almost no flaws. They had reached the required age and had rich medicinal properties – exactly what she wanted.
“As you instructed, Miss Ye, they are of the finest quality.” Manager Xu stood respectfully to the side and tentatively asked, “If I may ask, what does Miss Ye plan to do with such top-grade rare medicinal herbs?”
“I have my own uses for them.” Ye Yun said calmly. “I’ll take the medicines with me. Send someone to the Duke’s Residence – someone will settle the account with you.”
“You’re too kind, Miss Ye. The Elixirist from the Protectorate Duke’s Residence has an account with our Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion. You may take the medicines, and we’ll charge them to that account.”
“Very well.” Ye Yun acknowledged, then signaled Lingzhi to take the medicines. “Manager Xu, regarding the other three medicines I need that your pavilion doesn’t have – do you know where I might find them?”
Manager Xu wore an apologetic expression. “Miss Ye, please forgive me. The medicinal ingredients you seek are far too rare. For my Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion to procure two of them was already difficult. If you were to seek them elsewhere, I’m afraid you might return empty-handed, so…”
“It’s alright, I was just inquiring. If you happen to come across them in the future, Manager Xu, please send someone to notify me immediately. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course. Actually… regarding one of the ingredients, I do have some information.”
“What is it?”
“Snow Spirit Grass.”
Ye Yun’s heart leaped with joy upon hearing this. “Where is it?”
“I’m not entirely certain, but I’ve heard that Her Majesty the Empress possesses one plant.”
The Empress? This was truly unexpected. Ye Yun glanced at Manager Xu. “Thank you.”
“You’re too kind, Miss Ye.” Seeing Ye Yun rise to leave, Manager Xu added, “Allow me to see you out.”
After leaving the Ten Thousand Medicines Pavilion and settling into the carriage, Ye Yun contemplated the situation. The Snow Spirit Grass was in the Empress’s possession. If she wanted to obtain it now, she would need to devise a plan.
Lingzhi, holding the two brocade boxes, observed her young mistress’s thoughtful expression and couldn’t contain her curiosity. “Young Mistress, what do you plan to do with these medicinal ingredients?”
Ye Yun snapped out of her reverie and chuckled softly. “You’ll find out in due time.”
“That manager mentioned earlier that one of the ingredients you want might be with Her Majesty the Empress. Young Mistress, you’re not thinking of asking the Empress for it, are you…?”
“What are you worried about? Don’t fret.”
“Oh.” Lingzhi nodded.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Protectorate Duke’s Residence. Ye Yun went straight to her own courtyard. Having been out for half a day, she was thoroughly exhausted.
Lingzhi brought a cup of warm water and the prepared medicine to Ye Yun. “Young Mistress, it’s time for your medication.”
Ye Yun grabbed the elixirs, swallowed them in one gulp, and took a sip of water to moisten her throat. Just as she was about to lie down, a maid approached from outside. “Young Mistress.”
“What is it?”
The maid presented an invitation in her hands. “Young Mistress, this is an invitation to the Hundred Flowers Banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Empress in the Imperial Garden. You are among the invited.”
The Hundred Flowers Banquet was held every warm spring when the imperial garden was in full bloom. The Empress would invite noble young ladies from the Imperial Capital to admire the flowers and attend the feast. Though called a flower-viewing banquet, it was essentially an occasion for the young ladies to compete and showcase their talents, all vying for the prize offered by the Empress. The one who won the top honor would naturally earn the title of the Imperial Capital’s Premier Noble Lady. Now that her engagement with Mo Heng had been dissolved, the position of Crown Princess was vacant. This was undoubtedly an opportunity—whoever caught the Empress’s favor could ascend to the position of Crown Princess.
Moreover, the imperial consorts would accompany the Empress, and aside from the Crown Prince, the other princes had also reached marriageable age. Those eager to forge connections with the royal family would surely scramble to seize this chance.
“Young Mistress, the Master and Madam have said that if you don’t wish to attend, you need not go. There’s no need to force yourself,” the maid added respectfully from the side.
Ye Yun smiled faintly and said, “Leave the invitation and you may withdraw.” The dissolution of her engagement with Mo Heng appeared to outsiders as a peaceful resolution mediated by the Empress Dowager. The Empress had sent her this invitation precisely to dispel all suspicions. If she attended, it would be of no consequence; if she didn’t, any further speculation would inevitably fall upon her. After all, the dancer who had been involved with Mo Heng had already been executed. Matters concerning the imperial family’s dignity could not be openly exposed—she could request the termination of the engagement, but she could not publicly shame the royal house.
“Miss, by accepting this invitation, do you intend to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet?” Lingzhi asked in confusion.
“Of course. If I don’t go, it would seem as though I’m afraid. Besides, the Snow Spirit Grass I need might be in the Empress’s possession. This is a perfect opportunity to investigate,” Ye Yun replied with a radiant smile.