Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Yangyang Among Water Lilies, Reflections Amid Reeds
After meals, Cui Yun left the mansion.
He usually eats at the Ministry of Justice. Shen Hua realized belatedly that Cui Yun’s return this time was just to apply medicine for her.
The kitchen maid’s disgruntled mood transformed into an indescribable pleasure. Her lips couldn’t help but curl upwards, and seeing no one around, Shen Hua, like a thief, used her fingers to flatten the curve again.
Three days later, when her sprain was almost healed.
At that time, Ying Er saw Cui Yun again.
He was travel-weary, presenting an item, yet still maintained utmost respect. As he entered, a faint fragrance wafted through the room, like plum blossoms amidst the winter snow.
"My lord, this is the incense Miss Shen used in her early years. I divided it in half, just now Ji Qing took the other half to Ni Kang for identification."
Cui Yun nodded, accepting it. His slender fingertips touched a bit of milky white fine powder.
Ying Er quickly added, "There’s another matter."
"Heir Xie is in Fengzhou City, also investigating the incense."
Cui Yun narrowed his eyes.
In recent days, Xie Xun hadn’t provoked Shen Hua; it turns out he had left Shengjing.
He looked indifferently at Ying Er.
Ying Er hurriedly said, "He is also personally investigating the case of Miss Shen’s mother and brother falling off the cliff. It seems there might also be something fishy."
Cui Yun unconsciously furrowed his brows.
After a while, he gave a faint nasal ’hmm’.
And Ji Qing had also delivered the fragrant powder to Ni Kang.
Ni Kang put aside his work, washed his hands, and then used a cotton cloth to absorb the moisture.
He then carefully smelled the fragrant powder and even tasted a bit.
The fragrance was indeed delightful.
But it was also equally unremarkable.
Yet he always felt he had overlooked something, thus paced back and forth within the room.
He didn’t know how long he had walked when he suddenly stopped.
He remembered.
Yicui once showed him a prescription, in it was an herb that conflicted with one of the scents in this fragrant powder.
Though not fatal.
If taken for a prolonged period, normal people would have their pulse disordered and longevity harmed, not to mention Shen Hua, who was already frail.
This was the true reason behind her frequent minor and major illnesses.
Even the best tonics couldn’t replenish the deficits of the body.
————
A few days later, the streets were bustling.
A carriage stopped in front of the Marquis Yangling Mansion. The Maid pulled back the carriage curtain, as Xie Yinong carefully peeked out.
She was holding a food box.
The girl stepped off the carriage somewhat nervously.
"I came uninvited, would Miss Shen..."
Just as the Maid was about to comfort her. Shen Hua, preparing to leave the house, stepped out swiftly.
The Maid quickly bowed, "Miss Shen."
Caught by surprise by Xie Yinong’s arrival, Shen Hua quickly hopped down the steps, "Lady Xie, are you looking for me?"
Xie Yinong was nervous, but seeing the smiling and undisturbed Shen Hua, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. She reached forward with the food box.
"Just call me Yining."
"My aunt had someone bring some local foods from home, rare in Shengjing, I’m following brother to the spring hunt tomorrow, thought to let you have a taste before I go."
Worried that Shen Hua might refuse, her voice grew fainter.
Fortunately, in the next instant, the weight in her hands disappeared.
Shen Hua held the food box, her eyes shining like the stars. Her youthful face smiled at her, appearing both innocent and delicate.
Xie Yinong, as if spellbound, couldn’t resist raising her hand to touch Shen Hua’s head.
Shen Hua looked puzzled.
Xie Yinong stepped back one step, looking at Shen Hua who was a year younger than her.
"Sorry, sorry... I’m sorry."
Shen Hua saw her reaction.
As Xie Yinong’s complexion grew paler, the girl felt triumphant.
"Did you also notice my hair is well maintained and smooth?"
Xie Yinong: ?
Shen Hua was also generous: "Crush the hibiscus leaves and brew them with warm water, this water can be used to wash hair, leaving the hair fragrant."
"When combing your hair, dip a wooden comb in a little ointment. The ointment is made of chrysanthemums, mint, angelica... I can’t remember clearly, about eight types of herbs in total. If you’re interested, I’ll give you the recipe later."
Shen Hua glanced at the sky.
"I’m going to First-tier Sky Restaurant, are you coming?"
At the restaurant, they still entered the elegant private rooms.
Shen Hua ordered a few signature dishes. Under the watchful gaze of Yingwu, she ordered three chickens just for her. The usually expressionless Shadow Guard happily waited at the small table behind the screen.
Separated by a screen from Yingwu, Xie Yinong also breathed a sigh of relief.
"Haven’t seen you for a few days, Miss Shen seems to look much better now."
Shen Hua loved hearing this.
Recently, when Ni Kang came to examine her, he changed the previously miserable prescriptions and refreshed them with two different dietary recipes for morning and evening.
Knowing the cause, the treatment was surely targeted.
After taking a few doses of medicine. Shen Hua clearly felt her appetite and complexion improve vastly; everything was progressing for the better.
She thought.
Ni Kang... finally showed the demeanor of a miracle doctor.
The girl leaned her chin, studying Xie Yinong closely.
"Is Lady Xie troubled by something?"
"How did you know?"
Shen Hua: "It’s written all over your face."
Knowing that Xie Yinong was timid, she then asked, "Is it about the spring hunt?"
Xie Yinong shook her head.
Her brows furrowed tightly.
"My family intends to look for a bride for my brother. From what Mama says, she wishes my brother could get married this year."
"That’s good news."
Xie Yinong shook her head again.
Maybe because this burden had been on her mind for too long, or maybe because she felt no need to be guarded around Shen Hua, she whispered her concerns.
"But my brother has someone he fancies."
Shen Hua’s hand peeling fruit trembled. Feeling guilty, she leaned her body towards the window.
It better not be her!
"I once heard the Heir of Prince Gong mention it, and I didn’t believe it. But now, I do."
"He’s been away from the house for many days and hasn’t returned till now. It must be that he has gone to see her and probably won’t return until tonight."
Luckily, it wasn’t her.
Shen Hua took a sip of tea to calm her shock.
"If that’s the case, since your brother’s marriage is already taking shape, everyone is happy, and your Mama doesn’t need to worry about finding a match, what’s still worrying Lady Xie?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Yinong grew even more anxious.
"But the brother I admire the most is fickle-hearted; the girls he likes are more than one."
Shen Hua: !!!
She hadn’t thought, Heir Xie would be such a person.
Gossip delighted her.
She moved closer to Xie Yinong.
"Tell me about it, you might be mistaken."
"One night, I brought silver ear soup made by the kitchen maid to my brother’s study. Perhaps he was exhausted, he fell asleep at his desk. I didn’t disturb him when I arrived."
The night was cold, and Xie Yinong covered him with an outer robe.
"I heard my brother murmur the names of several girls in his dream."
She thought back for a moment.
"The word was ’Sese’ ."
Shen Hua had a moment of realization: "What a coincidence, my brother once had a beloved girl named Sese."
Xie Yinong looked distressed.
"But right after calling Sese, he turned his head and shouted another name."
"I remember it clearly, that name comes from a poem I like very much. ’Yangyang floats over lotus, clear and reflecting the reeds’."
The smile at the corner of Shen Hua’s mouth slowly disappeared. The girl’s fingertips trembled, torn by reason.
Then, she heard Xie Yinong say.
"It’s Yangyang."