Chapter 86: Status of the storehouse (1/2)
The Han Family storehouse was located behind the main courtyard of Han Congan, Hundred Grass Courtyard. It was a secret underground warehouse whose entrance was protected by not servants, but guards who all knew martial arts. Even though Han Congan had been imprisoned, these guards still kept watch, waiting for the next head of house to appear.
The storehouse was a forbidden area where not just anyone one could enter as they please. The little pageboy stopped far away and said, “Esteemed wangfei, go on ahead. This one will wait here for you.”
Han Yunxi walked over and was immediately accosted by a guard. “Who are you? You dare to approach the storehouse without authorization?”
“First wife’s daughter, Han Yunxi,” Han Yunxi replied coldly.
The guard looked at her intently before recognizing her features. Still, he remained unmoved. “Since it’s eldest young Miss, you should know the regulations.”
Han Yunxi calmly took out the storehouse key. “Seeing the storehouse key is equivalent to seeing the head of house, you all should understand this as well.”
In response, the guard was greatly alarmed. The remaining guards drew closer for a look and verified that it was indeed the storehouse key. Actually, seeing the key was like seeing its master. As subordinates, they had no right to ask where Han Yunxi got the key, but could only respectfully let her pass. Han Yunxi boldly walked in. Ever since childhood, she’d heard that the Han Family storehouse was huge, but she didn’t realize the extent of its size until she went inside.
The left side of the storehouse was for money, filled with gold and silver sycee[1]. They were the Han Family’s financial reserves and only to be used as a last resort. The right side was the medicine warehouse. Han Yunxi had just reached the door when the smell of medicinal ingredients assailed her nostrils. Such a familiar scent made her feel very comfortable.
The medicine warehouse was like a small-scale library, filled with tall racks of medicine with classification labels on the sides. Each drawer in the name had the name of various ingredient names, divided into distinct and detailed categories so it was convenient to find them. Very quickly, Han Yunxi found the section for poisons. The Han Family didn’t specialize in poisons, but medicine, so these weren’t true poisons. Rather, they were poisonous plants that could be used for medicinal purposes.
She wouldn’t known if she hadn’t looked, but the Han Family’s secret stores of ingredients shocked Han Yunxi with their scope. It was much more high-end than she had ever imagined. A pity that she looked through all the drawers and corners and only found the seven common snake poisons. From the beginning to the end, there was no sign of the other three, rarer poisons.
Looks like those three snake poisons didn’t come from the Han Family after all. Another lead had come up for naught.
Han Yunxi closed the final drawer with a sigh, before spotting a writing desk out of the corner of her eye. On top of it was a book, its pages opened to the halfway point. Han Yunxi walked over and flipped to the cover, only to see the four words:《Han Family Medical Canon》. So this was here too!
She paused before hiding the book within her sleeve, a crafty smile on her lips as she muttered to herself. “It’s too early to give this to Yi’er, so I’ll keep it on his behalf for now!”
The entire way out of the storehouse, Han Yunxi kept her head bowed, deep in thought. She could eliminate the Han Family from the list of suspects, so now all she could do was to check on Mu Qingwu’s progress with the investigation. She really hoped she could see Gu Beiyue soon. With his connections, she wouldn’t have to work so hard to track things down.
Not long after she left the storehouse, the little pageboy caught up. “Esteemed wangfei, are you returning home? This one will escort you out.”
Han Yunxi stared at him before asking, “What’s your name?”
“To reply esteemed wangfei, this one’s name is Wang Xiaosi[2] and I watch over the gates. I know everyone that comes in and out of the house,” Wang Xiaosi hastened to reply.
Han Yunxi was just looking for someone to use, but didn’t expect such a good volunteer to show up.
She said in a low voice, “Give more care to Seventh Madame’s quarters, understood?” So speaking, she tossed over a silver sycee. “Have a drink with a few of your brothers. This wangfei still knows the way to the Han estate!”
Wang Xiaosi was smart. He accepted the silver sycee, pleasantly surprised as he expressed his gratitude. “Many thanks for esteemed wangfei’s favor. This humble one is willing to serve esteemed wangfei like a dog or a horse.”
Han Yunxi had already walked far away while Wang Xiaosi stood in place, immersed in joy. He’d guarded the door for so many years but finally found his chance for promotion today. Why wouldn’t he be happy? Leaving aside the high status of Qin Wangfei, even the storehouse key in her hand was proof that she’d call the shots and choose the head of house in the future? When it came to estate disputes, unimportant figures like himself had to choose their positions carefully. As long as he followed Qin Wangfei, he’d definitely end up on the right side. If that was the case, of course he had to get his fellow brothers to help out Seventh Madame. Thinking up to here, Wang Xiaosi cheerfully pocketed the silver and hurried off.
At the same time, Madame Li walked out from the flowering shrubs nearby to look between the storehouse door and Wang Xiaosi’s retreating back. A scornful smile rose to her lips…
—
The competition within the Han house was fierce, but Han Yunxi and Mu Liuyue’s bet was even more urgent. They only had one month’s time and nearly 10 days had already passed. When Han Yunxi returned home, she waited two more days in hopes that Gu Beiyue could see her. But tragedy befell her.
“Esteemed wangfei, the steward of the Gu house said Imperial Physician Gu’s been confined to the palace for a month. As for the details, I couldn’t find out,” a young servant boy reported.
“What?” Han Yunxi was stunned.
The servant boy thought she hadn’t heard clearly and repeated, “The steward of the Gu house said Imperial Physician Gu’s been confined to the palace for a month. I asked him why but he said he didn’t know.”
Han Yunxi’s face had long turned white. If Imperial Physician Gu couldn’t leave the palace for a month, then Emperor Tianhui’s illness must have worsened! A house steward wouldn’t necessarily know such things; even if he did, he wouldn’t dare to say it out loud.
“This is bad!” Han Yunxi muttered to herself. She paused briefly before going out to General Mu’s estate.
—
“Esteemed wangfei, this official was just about to come make his report, I didn’t expect you to come,” Mu Qingwu was surprised though he inwardly rejoiced. Fortunately, Liuyue was out with a friend or else she’d make another fuss with Qin Wangfei here.