Apothecary Song and the staff of the herbal shop escorted the Young Mistress out.
Song stood still, watching her carriage vanish into the distance, remaining rooted to the spot for a long while, lost in thought.
Those standing nearby noticed his daze. One of them asked bluntly, “Manager Song, what’s the matter with you?”
Song returned to himself and said firmly, “Nothing.”
Another apothecary, curious, asked, “Manager Song, when you accompanied the Young Mistress to the preparation room, what medicine did she use those herbs for?”
Song fixed his gaze on the questioner, his voice carrying a warning. “You only need to know this: follow the Young Mistress, focus on your own duties, and do your work well. Ask no unnecessary questions, and good fortune will come your way.”
He leaned in slightly, his tone even more grave. “But if you slip up or break the rules, consider carefully the consequences.”
“We are all old retainers who came with Madam from the Shen family. Since Madam has passed, we naturally follow the Young Mistress. Let us not disappoint her!”
The staff responded in unison: “Yes!”
Back at the Chancellor’s residence, in Lanyue Pavilion:
After a long day, Su Hua returned to her quarters as dusk settled over the sky.
Yun Shuang followed closely, now in familiar surroundings, and asked softly, “Miss, the medicine you prepared at Jisheng Herbal Shop… and what you said in front of Master Song—are you sure it’s all right?”
Su Hua smiled lightly. “Distrust not the person you employ. Employ, but do not distrust.”
Yun Shuang nodded thoughtfully, then asked again, “Miss, that medicine… it really has that effect? Are you planning to give it to Aunt Liu?”
“Exactly,” Su Hua replied.
Yun Shuang, serving tea with interest, asked, “Miss, besides your medical skills, did the immortal teach you other… things as well?”
Su Hua smiled faintly. “Exactly. With me around, no one will ever dare bully you again.”
Yun Shuang responded earnestly, “I will always serve by your side and protect you, Miss.”
“Good,” Su Hua answered seriously.
Then Yun Shuang asked, “Miss, should I go fetch Aunt Liu?”
“She knows I’m back. She’ll come to see me herself.”
“Mm,” Yun Shuang acknowledged, then noticed, “Eh, where’s Mamu Xia? Miss, you only nibbled at lunch in Jisheng Herbal Shop. I should fetch your evening meal first. You can rest a bit while I go.”
Just as Yun Shuang turned to leave, Mamu Xia appeared, carrying a food box. She placed it on the dining table, then pulled out a stack of silver notes from her sleeve and presented them to Su Hua.
“Miss, the account manager said this was Madam’s instruction, brought for you.”
Su Hua didn’t take it, merely saying, “Mamu, just keep it.”
Mamu Xia hesitated. “Miss, two hundred thousand taels isn’t a small sum. I—”
“Only two hundred thousand taels. This is just a fraction that Zhu Shi spat out. It’s nothing. Don’t worry too much.”
“Yes, Miss,” Mamu Xia complied, storing it in Su Hua’s private treasury.
Mamu Xia then said, “Miss, I just went to fetch your evening meal, and Aunt Liu has also arrived. She’s waiting at the gate.”
“Bring her in,” Su Hua said.
Yun Shuang immediately went out to guide Aunt Liu inside.
Aunt Liu looked at Su Hua, recalling the items she had dug up from the osmanthus flower beds as instructed. Su Hua’s presence now seemed even more unfathomable.
“Miss Hua,” Aunt Liu said, bowing respectfully. “You truly have foresight. Indeed, I found the items in the flower beds.”
“You understand what they are, I assume?” Su Hua asked.
“Musk!” Aunt Liu’s expression darkened, her eyes full of resentment. “It was that old woman Zhu Shi who did this. Musk harms a woman’s body, which caused me to miscarry twice. I don’t even know what condition my body is in now.”
Kneeling before Su Hua, she said, “Miss Hua, you said you could restore the Chancellor’s favor toward me, and help me conceive again, ensuring a smooth pregnancy. Please guide me. I will never forget your kindness, obey your orders alone, and harbor no second thoughts.”
Su Hua glanced at Yun Shuang.
Yun Shuang immediately handed a white porcelain jar to Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu took it in her hands. Though sealed, a faint, pleasant medicinal aroma drifted from it. “Miss Hua, what is this?”
Su Hua spoke lightly, “When my father stayed in your quarters, I added a small spoonful of this into your usual incense. I guarantee that afterward, he will not be able to forget you.”
Aunt Liu blurted out, “Miss Hua, this… is an aphrodisiac?”
Su Hua smiled lightly. “Afraid, Aunt Liu?”
Aunt Liu hesitated. “No… if used frequently, will it harm the body? Will there be traces left behind?”
Su Hua: “Rest assured, it’s harmless. As long as you keep quiet, no one will suspect. Of course, if you don’t believe me—”
“I believe!” Aunt Liu quickly said. “I chose to follow you to secure my own path. Having made my choice, I will not distrust you.”
Satisfied, she added, “This will secure the Chancellor’s affection, but what about… conception?”
Su Hua: “One bite at a time, one step at a time.”
Aunt Liu bowed again. “I was hasty. I shall not disturb you further, Miss Hua. I take my leave.”
“Go,” Su Hua said.
As Aunt Liu turned to leave, she remembered something and turned back. “Miss Hua, this morning outside Fuxi Hall, because of you, Su Rui was punished by the Chancellor. I heard she cursed quite badly behind your back.”
“Yang and the others follow Zhu Shi. They’re probably looking for any chance to cause you trouble. I also heard that you made Zhu Shi cough up two hundred thousand taels at once. Zhu Shi is furious. Miss Hua, you must remain vigilant against their schemes.”
Su Hua regarded Aunt Liu. This woman had a good heart, which was why she had been brought into Su Hua’s service and assisted her. Aunt Liu was rare among the women of the rear residence, never having caused trouble for the original mistress.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Aunt Liu.”
Seeing Su Hua remain calm, clearly not concerned about those others and already having a plan, Aunt Liu said nothing further. She bowed once more and left Lanyue Pavilion.
Once Aunt Liu departed, Mamu Xia and Yun Shuang exchanged a glance. Su Hua noticed their thoughts and spoke before they could:
“Set the table.”