Spring Banquet

// Seeking someone’s help

Huaiyu was taken aback. She looked up and saw a young lady dressed in luxurious robes with precious gems and jade ornaments, smiling at her gently. “Fourth sister, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take this medicine to His Highess.”

What? Huaiyu stood up, looking at her in confusion. “It seems like I brewed this medicine.”

“Yes.” The young lady in front of her smiled tenderly. “So I appreciate your hard work.”

After saying that, she turned around and walked away with the medicine.

Huaiyu was somewhat stunned, thinking to herself, for so many years, the entire court has been scolding me for being shameless and without principles. I really thought I was the most shameless person in the world. But what’s this? Someone is even more shameless than me?

Watching the figure of the young lady, Huaiyu clapped her hands and followed her.

The young lady walked into the Eastern Courtyard with the tray in her hands, her steps light and elegant. She arrived at the door of Jiang Xuanjin’s guest room, raised her hand to tidy her hair, and let a maid go forward to knock on the door.

“What’s the matter?” Cheng Xu opened the door and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

The person outside the door kneeled down and saluted, “I am Xuanji, here to serve the medicine.”

This was the well-behaved Bai Xuanji mentioned by Madam Bai? Huaiyu listened from behind and suddenly understood.

Earlier, Madam Bai had been nagging about letting the Second Miss Bai make an appearance in front of Prince Ziyang. There seemed to be no chance, but this Second Miss Bai was quite clever, even knowing to take her medicine and show her concern.

Quite interesting.

Cheng Xu frowned at Bai Xuanji, bowed and said, “Wait a moment,” then went into the room to report.

Bai Xuanji stood quietly, standing there for a while without any hurry. When she turned her head and saw Huaiyu standing at the courtyard gate, she smiled and said, “Fourth sister, you’re here?”

Huaiyu walked over and admired her composed posture. After all, she had just snatched her medicine. To see her remain calm and composed without a hint of embarrassment, she truly lived up to being the daughter of the Bai family.

“Second sister, are you planning to…” Huaiyu glanced at the bowl of medicine on the tray and smiled. “Make an appearance?”

Bai Xuanji nodded, “It’s mother’s order. I have no choice but to comply. I hope fourth sister won’t mind.”

“If you put it that way, wouldn’t I seem petty if I blamed you?” Huaiyu imitated her and tidied her hair, blinked, and said, “I wish you success, Second sister.”

After speaking, she walked straight into the guest room.

Bai Xuanji watched her actions, stunned for a moment before shouting, “What are you doing?”

Huaiyu ignored her and walked straight into the room.

Jiang Xuanjin was already lying down, his eyes tightly closed, and his face still pale. Cheng Xu stood by the bedside, looking somewhat at a loss.

“Fourth Miss,” Cheng Xu said as she entered, “His Highness’s condition seems to be worsening. It would be better to return to the medicine hall.”

Glancing at the person on the bed, Huaiyu said, “If we make him sit in a carriage for half an hour now, his condition might worsen further. If you’re truly worried about him, I have an idea.”

“What is it?”

“I accidentally overheard that the Lu Mansion next door has received a box of miraculous pills from Nanyan. It is said that they can cure all kinds of ailments and regulate the body’s functions.” Huaiyu turned to look at him. “Although the medicine is precious, Prince Ziyang is even more valuable. The master of the Lu Mansion is reasonable and understanding. If you go and request it, he will surely give you one.”

With that miraculous medicine, Jiang Xuanjin’s illness would surely be cured quickly.

Cheng Xu’s eyes brightened, but immediately dimmed again.

“The Lu Mansion next door?” He bitterly smiled. “If someone else were to ask, the master of the Lu Mansion might really give it. But our master… it’s probably difficult.”

Lu Jingxing, the shopkeeper of Canghai Yizhu Ge, was a close friend of the late Princess Danyang. Since their master had personally escorted Princess Danyang to her final resting place, Lu Jingxing held a grudge against him. How could he save him with the miraculous medicine?

“What’s so difficult about it?” Huaiyu walked to the desk on the other side, picked up a hairbrush, licked the tip of the brush, and took out a sheet of letter paper to doodle casually. “You just go, take this with you, and say that it’s a request from Miss Bai to help her.”

Puzzled, Cheng Xu received the letter paper and looked at it. His face became a tangle of wrinkles.

He had thought she was writing some kind and polite words, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a random drawing. This messy ink, who knows what it is. If he were to show it to Lu Jingxing, would he really not be kicked out?

However, the Lu Mansion was adjacent to the Bai Mansion, just a short walk away. Cheng Xu thought that he might as well give it a try.

So he clasped his hands and said, “Please take care of our master for a moment, Fourth Miss.”

“No problem.” Huaiyu nodded with a beaming smile.

When Cheng Xu went out, Bai Xuanji was still standing outside, her beautiful face filled with confusion. Seeing him coming out alone, she looked at him with a puzzled expression and glanced behind him.

“Put the medicine aside for now. His Majesty can’t drink it temporarily.” Cheng Xu bowed to her. “Miss, please leave for now.”

Bai Xuanji widened her eyes slightly and pointed towards the room. “But what about Zhuji…”

“Fourth Miss has two guards taking care of His Majesty inside. If Miss has no other matters, there is no need to disturb them.” Cheng Xu finished speaking, bowed again, and then held the letter paper as he walked away.

Bai Xuanji stared blankly at his departing figure, her face filled with disbelief.

“Miss,” the maid Xiyun took the tray from her hand and frowned. “What should we do? We can’t even see His Highness’s face.”

Bai Xuanji also didn’t know what to do. She had expected to at least see him once, but His Highness refused to take the medicine. Her plans had all fallen through.

Thinking of the silly smile from Bai Zhuji just now, Bai Xuanji finally furrowed her brows.

Cheng Xu nervously went to the Lu Mansion with the letter in his hand and presented his name card.

Lu Jingxing was the foremost merchant in the capital, and his mansion was even more magnificent and luxurious than the official residences. However, today, the usually bustling entrance of the Lu Mansion was unusually quiet. The golden-red plaque of the Lu Mansion was adorned with a circle of white silk, hanging on both sides with flower knots.

Cheng Xu was surprised by this sight and asked the gatekeeper, “Has someone passed away in the mansion?”

The gatekeeper took the name card and sighed, “No.”

If there was no death, why did it look like a mourning atmosphere? Cheng Xu was puzzled and pondered for a moment, feeling a sense of unease.

Could it be… they were mourning for Princess Danyang?

Oh no, Lu Jingxing’s obsession with Princess Danyang must be deep. If that’s the case, he would be even less likely to give up the spirit medicine.

Cheng Xu pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and decided to hand over the letter given by Miss Bai. “Please deliver this to your master as well.”

The gatekeeper accepted it and instructed someone to bring it inside. Cheng Xu almost felt hopeless, thinking that he would wait for half an hour. If Lu Jingxing didn’t give a reply within that time, he would have to find a way to make the carriage move smoothly.

However, before half an incense stick’s worth of time had passed since the letter was delivered, someone came out from the mansion.

In disarray footsteps and uneven breaths, Lu Jingxing strode over with a white jade crown slightly tilted on his head, and his gem-embellished belt loosely fastened. His complexion was haggard and pale, but his phoenix-like eyes still held a glimmer, faintly reminiscent of the charm of a debonair young gentleman.

Cheng Xu stared at him in astonishment, only to see him approach in a few steps and inquire with a burning gaze, “Where is Fourth Miss Bai?”