“Madam Mu, what are you doing again?”
Wanqing’s plea made Hongyan think about her previous actions, and for a moment, she couldn’t quite figure her out. Seeing Liu Shi approach, Hongyan frowned, pulled back her sleeve, crossed her arms, and coldly asked Liu Shi.
“Young lady, it was my poor judgment not to recognize you as someone from the Ji Manor. It was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. The money and arrangements she asked for—I’ll have someone prepare them immediately.”
Remembering that this girl was sent by Leng Mingye to protect Wanqing, Liu Shi, though seething with hatred for the latter—wondering what kind of luck this girl had to earn the attention of that scourge—still put on an ingratiating smile and spoke to Hongyan.
“Best make it quick. Miss, let’s go back. You can handle the rest. I have other matters to attend to.”
Seeing Liu Shi’s sudden change in attitude, Hongyan gave her a cold glance, then turned to Wanqing and the others. When they reached Wanqing’s courtyard, she watched as Chunhong went inside to pack, frowned, and turned to leave.
“Chunhong, just take the valuables. Leave the rest.”
Wanqing didn’t stop Hongyan, assuming she was just going back to report to Leng Mingye. Left alone with her maid, she frowned as she saw Chunhong packing a large bundle of things.
“Miss, we’ve used these things for so long. Are we really leaving them all behind?”
Chunhong looked at the bundle of half-worn clothes with reluctance.
“What’s the point of keeping them? If we’re moving to a better place, why would we still wear these? It’d be ridiculous. Stop packing these. Just take the valuables from the courtyard.”
Seeing Chunhong’s reluctance, Wanqing chuckled helplessly. She stood up, grabbed the pile of clothes—even the bedding—and tossed them aside with disdain.
“Alright, Miss. Then this is all we’re taking.”
Though still reluctant, Chunhong packed the clothes and jewelry they had bought that morning. Then, she pulled out a rusted iron box from under Wanqing’s bed and presented it to her.
“Why are you taking this old box? Honestly.”
Wanqing frowned as she saw Chunhong’s clean clothes now covered in dust, clutching the rusted box like a treasure. She felt a wave of exasperation and scolded her lightly.
“Miss, this is something Grandma Liu entrusted to me before she passed. She told me to keep it safe for you until—”
Seeing Wanqing’s displeasure, Chunhong hesitated but instinctively stepped back as Wanqing reached for the box.
“What could possibly be in such an old box? Nothing valuable, surely.”
Chunhong’s words made Wanqing frown further. So, they had secrets she wasn’t privy to? That only made her more determined to see what was inside.
“No, Miss! Grandma Liu said I could only give it to you when you were strong enough to protect yourself. You can’t see it yet—”
Chunhong clutched the box tighter as Wanqing tried to snatch it.
“What nonsense! Can’t I protect myself now? I’ll have you know, anyone who crosses me will regret it. Hand it over! What’s so precious that you and Grandma Liu kept it from me?”
Frustrated, Wanqing glared at her, then forcibly took the box and placed it on the table to examine it.
Seeing it was locked with a simple latch, Wanqing hesitated but then took a silver hairpin and inserted it into the keyhole, pressing her ear close as she twisted it slowly.
“You—I have the key.”
With a sigh, Chunhong pulled a small cloth bag from her pocket and handed over a key. But before she could pass it, Wanqing had already clicked the lock open with a snap. Chunhong pouted but watched curiously as Wanqing lifted the lid.
“A hairpin? What’s so special about this? Why would Grandma Liu leave me a hairpin?”
Inside was an exquisite phoenix-head hairpin. Wanqing picked it up, studying it closely but finding nothing unusual. She looked up at Chunhong in confusion.
“I don’t know either. Grandma Liu said you should take what’s inside to the master. She said he’d understand when he saw it.”
Chunhong was just as clueless, repeating Grandma Liu’s last words to her.
“Besides the hairpin, there’s only this wrapping paper. Let’s just keep it for now. I’ll figure it out later.”
Seeing that Chunhong had no answers, Wanqing’s curiosity about Grandma Liu’s intentions only grew.
Thinking of her late mother’s courtyard, she was eager to see the place where her mother had lived—why Liu Shi had such strong objections to it, and why her father forbade anyone, even her, from entering.
“Fine, then we won’t take the box.”
Chunhong carefully wrapped the hairpin and the paper together and tucked them away.
“Let’s go to my mother’s old courtyard. As much as I’ll miss this place, Grandma Liu always hoped we’d move back there.”
Once Chunhong finished packing, Wanqing led the way to the Bamboo Fragrance Courtyard, where her mother had once lived.
“Second Miss…”
Upon their arrival, Xiangmei bowed slightly and gestured for the other maids to leave.
“Miss, this courtyard is so elegant! The surroundings are beautiful, and even in this heat, it feels like autumn inside—so refreshing!”
Chunhong stood beside Wanqing in the courtyard, marveling at the scenery. Colorful flowers and greenery lined the stone paths, and the air carried a soothing fragrance.
“Of course. Every plant here is extraordinary. Let’s go inside.”
As Chunhong admired the surroundings, Wanqing also took in her mother’s former home.
Though it was past noon and the heat was stifling, stepping into this courtyard felt like entering a paradise—cool, serene, and filled with vibrant flowers and herbs that cleared the mind.
Upon closer inspection, Wanqing realized many of the plants were medicinal herbs.
Seeing them, she felt a surge of relief. With these herbs, concocting remedies would be effortless. Smiling at Chunhong’s awe, she led her inside.
“Miss, the house is huge and luxurious! Look at the glazed tiles—oh! What’s that smell? Miss, I feel… dizzy…”
The main hall stood at the center of the courtyard. As Wanqing pushed open the door, Chunhong gasped at the lavish furnishings inside, marveling like a country girl in a grand estate. But then, she suddenly swayed, clutching her head before collapsing.
“Chunhong! Damn it—who set this up? Who put these flowers here?”
Wanqing had also caught the sudden scent and quickly covered her nose with a handkerchief.
Seeing Chunhong slump to the floor, she scanned the room and spotted a pot of vibrant red, fuzzy flowers by the slightly open window.
She recognized them—silk tree flowers. Though fragrant and calming, their concentrated scent could induce instant drowsiness.
After removing the pot and opening the windows to air out the room, Wanqing finally lowered her handkerchief and took out silver needles to treat Chunhong.
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