Chapter 96: A promise, ten days later (2/2)

After blocking Han Yuqi’s mouth, Han Yunxi touched little Yi’er’s head and spoke. “Yi’er, study your medical books well. Don’t be like those with neither learning nor skill and just compete for power and profit all day. We want to be the bigger man, which means we need moral quality first. Only then can we have medical ethics, understand?”

This time, little Yi’er didn’t refer to his mother, but directly nodded his head and replied, “Understood!”

Han Yunxi rejoiced before instructing Seventh Madame, “Seventh Madame, if there’s anything, don’t keep it in your heart but tell little Chen Xiang. Seeing her is the same as seeing me.”

These words, rather than spoken for Seventh Madame’s sake, was spoken more for Lady Xu to hear. She was going to keep leaving Chen Xiang at the Han house. After taking care of everything, Han Yunxi was in a much better mood. She turned back for one last glance at the little wooden house before departing.

She mused that she should get some spring tea for testing. She should find a way to investigate Madame Li’s quarters personally; perhaps she’ll find other unexpected discoveries. Of course, the sooner she did this, the better. Once Third Madame grew alert, she wouldn’t be able to find a thing.

In the middle of winter, spring tea really was a rare commodity. But no matter how rare it was, if Third Madame could get it, then Han Yunxi definitely could as well. The first thing she did upon returning to the Duke of Qin’s household was to give a giant bunch of silver to Steward Xia and tell him to use the quickest speed to get her some spring tea and well-preserved summer tea. Previously, she’d experimented with all varieties of autumn tea, but neglected spring and summer tea. This time, Third Madame had inspired her to look into other avenues.

When Han Yunxi left, Murong Wanru emerged from her hiding place and gave a cold look towards Steward Xia. After Han Yunxi saved the crown prince and attended the empress dowager’s banquet, Grand Concubine Yi had been ill at ease. These days, she hadn’t found trouble for Han Yunxi at all, but repeated exhorted Murong Wanru to keep a close eye on her. If there were any clues on her doings, she was to report it immediately. Naturally, Murong Wanru kept watch, but to her surprise, Han Yunxi had no liaisons with the imperial court. Instead, she’d involved herself with the Han estate instead.

According to scouts she’d sent out, Han Yunxi had gained the storehouse key representing the Han head of house and even beat up the eldest young master. A married daughter was actually meddling in her old home’s affairs while holding power equal to the head of house? If this was spread, Han Yunxi would become the the talk of the town. Murong Wanru didn’t tell Grand Concubine Yi immediately. She would wait until the Han family made an even bigger fuss! From her understanding, it wasn’t easy to provoke the Han Family’s Lady Xu. Of course, if Lady Xu couldn’t make a big enough scene, she wouldn’t mind helping her out on the sly.

“Steward Xia, what did my sister-in-law tell you to do? It seemed to be urgent?” Murong Wanru asked with a smile.

“Esteemed wangfei told this one to buy some tea. Perhaps the kitchens haven’t been sending her enough,” Steward Xia said, quickly flashing the money that Han Yunxi had left him.

“Heheh, she knows to drink tea too?” Murong Wanru laughed in disdain, glimpsing the shiny silver in Steward Xia’s hands. It was enough to make her eyes turn red.

She’d counted all the money and jewels from the emperor’s reward and knew it was enough to feed Han Yunxi for the rest of her life! On the other hand, she had to rely on the monthly stipend to live her days. Although it was a fair amount, it wasn’t enough for her to spend freely or squander, so she’d always be in straitened circumstances by the end of the month.

Just by comparing them, she felt stifled!

Because of that, Murong Wanru rudely took half the silver from Steward Xia’s hands and gave a cold snort before walking away. Of course, Steward Xia didn’t dare to complain, but his heart was filled with resentment. In the past, a portion of the bonuses bestowed to the servants by Grand Concubine Yi had been pilfered by Miss Murong as well.

Leaving aside the talk of generous rewards, many of the servants’ hearts had been leaning towards esteemed wangfei recently. Esteemed wangfei was kindhearted and never troubled anyone. Many could cast aside Murong Wanru just in light of this single fact. If not for the fact that Grand Concubine Yi doted on Murong Wanru, few would fear this so-called foster daughter.

Just then, Steward Xia spoke on esteemed wangfei’s behalf, but only mentioned that he was buying tea leaves. He never told her how much he was buying or that he was looking specifically for spring tea. Though he didn’t know why esteemed wangfei wanted so much tea leaves, he understood it was better if Miss Murong had no idea.

Thankfully, esteemed wangfei had given him sufficient silver so he had enough to use even after half was taken away.

—

Now that her mood was restored, Han Yunxi returned to Leisurely Cloud Pavilion and prepared to clean the place up, especially the study. But as soon as she stepped inside the courtyard, she saw a compassionate looking forty-year-old mama dressed in plain, simple clothes walk out with a pile of trash in her nimble hands.

Han Yunxi was stunned. Who was this?

“This old servant Zhao mama greets esteemed wangfei. This servant was sent by his highness; his highness said for this servant and Chen Xiang to serve wangfei together.” Zhao mama hurriedly paid her respects as she introduced herself, not forgetting to steal a peek at Han Yunxi.

Only then did Han Yunxi understand the situation. She sized Zhao mama up from head to toe, inexplicably biting her lip. “Ohhhh…”

This ‘ohhh’ was drawn out so long that it sounded profound and significant. The uneasy Zhao mama looked at herself, then at the trash in her hands, before hastening to explain. “Esteemed wangfei, these are what his highness told your servant to clean up.”

-o-

[1] startling the snake in the grass (打草惊蛇) – dacao jing she, literally, to hit the grass and surprise the snake, or to act rashly and alert the enemy.