Chapter 28 (2/2)

Han Zichuan was neatly attired as a crown prince, a string of pearls hanging from the top of his headpiece. His court dress was embroidered with five dragons, his waist belt ornamented with fine jade, his comportment filled with the air of an aristocrat. It made him even more handsome, if not for the disappointment gracing his face. He seemed to be searching for something.

“Your highness, why did you suddenly run so quickly?” a court lady emerged from the bushes, wiping away her sweat. “The ministers are still waiting for you on the other side.”

His sigh was especially melodious, making him all the more striking.

“Maybe I heard wrong. How could that person be in the palace?” There was a gloomy look in his eyes as he turned. “Let’s go.”

That was a close call…

I watched his retreating form, my hands shaking so much I couldn’t even stand.

“Luckily, we weren’t discovered. Though it’s a small matter if you die, I’d still be tied to a plank and beaten.” the young eunuch’s face was ghastly pale as he helped me up.

—All reproductions of this work not on volaretranslations are stolen copies.

This not-boy not-girl sure knew how to say unpleasant things.

He gave me the cold shoulder for the whole trip as he led me to the wing of a residence. From a very far distance, I could already smell the dense, thick scent of medicine.

The door to the house was softly pushed open, and a wave of heat emerged.

Two rows of pots were currently roasting over fires, tended to by fourteen servants squatting on the ground, fanning the flames.

It was a grand sight…

The lighting was a bit dim indoors, with only a single stream of suns.h.i.+ne coming through the windows. There was a person overseeing the group while reading a volume in his hands. Occasionally, he’d fan himself, seeming leisurely and carefree.

The young eunuch pushed me forward and gave me a Look.

Instead, I stood stunned, surveying the person before me. His finger was slender and attractive, as well as a little familiar.

“Lord Nong, your servant has brought over the medicine you requested,” the eunuch said, pinching the side of my waist.

“Ow,” I blurted. But realizing this wasn’t the time, I hurriedly shut my mouth, eyes blinking.

He turned around, raising his eyebrows as if he wanted to ascertain something from my face. His tone was light as he spoke. “Put the ingredients into the fifteenth pot and heat it over a slow fire.”

“Yes, sire.”

I backed out with my body bent over.

But as soon as I turned around, I was gritting my teeth. How unlucky…I ran into all the people I didn’t want to see.

This hateful Nongyu, why did he do things so complicatedly…it was just boiling some medicine, so why did it have to be pot number 15? I dumped everything inside, splas.h.i.+ng myself slightly with water.

Huh…

The flavor tasted a little different.

Maybe they added things in.

I used a sleeve to wipe away the water on my face and sniffed it, before I smiled.

This was pretty smart. Boiling Tian Shan Snow Lotus only fortified the body, but adding in extracts from the Dew of One Hundred Blossoms Pill gave it an extra effect of dispelling poisons.

Looks like…

He knew a few tricks of the trade.

Squatting on the ground, I felt a bit bored as I waved my fan back and forth, watching the fire.

I looked both ways before leaning closer to the fire to warm my clothing. The lotus I’d stuffed inside before had been cold and wet, enough to soak my inner robes and make me uncomfortable.

I pinched the front of my clothes and shook it out a few times.

Then my hand leisurely snaked into and felt around for a bit before my expression changed. My hand slipped out…I didn’t know when, but the lotus inside my robes had lost all its petals, which had scattered over my hands.

What a pity…

And I’d wanted to bring it to yifu.

“What are you doing? Pay more attention.” the person next to me gave a shove.

“Yes,” I sucked in a breath and hastily hid the remains in my robes. There was a cold sensation behind my back, as if someone was staring my way. The fire was blazing hot, and I grew thoughtful as I fanned it back and forth, trying to steal a peek.

Strange.

Everyone was minding their own business…

Could it be that I was hallucinating?

“All right, it’s about time. Leave the rest to me to finish.” A clear, refres.h.i.+ng voice rose about the heat in the room, making everyone who heard it feel extremely comfortable.

Nongyu lowered his book with a smile, and waved his hand. The servants all lowered their heads and started trailing out. I copied them.

Before I reached the door, though…

A pair of boots appeared below my eyes, and its owner noiselessly blocked the exit.

“You…”

Nongyu leaned in, eyes curved into a smile as he spoke softly.

“…stay here.”

-o-All reproductions of this work not on volaretranslations are stolen copies.

[1] Gong gong (公公) －t.i.tle used by eunuchs to refer to themselves in third person.