Xiao Jingduo noticed something unusual about the teacup. He turned back and glanced at Furong, who had completely collapsed on the ground by now. She timidly called out “Young Master” with misty eyes, a pitiful sight.
However, Xiao Jingduo instructed Qiuju without hesitation: “Lock her in the side room and watch her carefully. I’ll prepare some medicine for her later, which will make things easier for you.”
Furong became even more terrified, wondering what he meant by making things easier for Qiuju and what kind of medicine he was going to give her.
This question remained unanswered until Furong fell unconscious.
After dealing with Furong, Qiuju came to the study to find Xiao Jingduo: “Young Master, I’ve done as you said. It’s all my fault for being too trusting. I’ll burn this ill-omened tea set right away.”
“Wait, there’s no hurry,” Xiao Jingduo stopped Qiuju and said, “Don’t rush to do that. I have something else for you to do.”
After Xiao Jingduo finished speaking, Qiuju seemed a bit dazed. Xiao Jingduo asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, it’s just that Young Master seems different from before.”
“Three years have passed, of course I’m different,” Xiao Jingduo chuckled.
Qiuju shook her head and said, “It’s not about appearance or height, it’s something I can’t quite describe. I remember when Young Master left the mansion three years ago, he was sharp and cold, never smiling. Now he’s much more reserved, not as distant as before, but speaks with natural authority and is more imposing.”
Xiao Jingduo merely smiled at this. Three years ago, he had just lost his mother and suffered persecution from Wu Junru, Xiao Ying, and others, so naturally he was full of hatred, sharp like a hedgehog. But during these three years at Qingyuan Temple, he spent day and night with books and Buddhist scriptures, interacting with gentle and polite enlightened monks, scholars, and literati. Influenced by this environment, his temperament had mellowed, no longer bristling with sharp edges. However, his experiences as a youth meant he could never become a good-tempered person.
“This is very good,” Qiuju said tearfully. “Young Master is outwardly gentle but inwardly strong, neither coldly distant nor easily bullied. How wonderful.”
“Alright, don’t cry,” Xiao Jingduo said. Because of Zhao Xiulan, he was particularly afraid of women’s tears. Now with Qiuju on the verge of crying, Xiao Jingduo’s brow began to ache, and he could only offer dry comfort.
“Yes, I won’t cry. I still haven’t done what Young Master asked me to do. If I’m going to cry, I’ll do it after I come back,” Qiuju said earnestly, wiping away her tears.
Xiao Jingduo nodded stiffly: “Good.”
After Qiuju left, Qingze Court returned to peace. Xiao Jingduo still had the epidemic from earlier in the day on his mind. He took out medical books from his luggage and began to read through them one by one.
What was this strange disease, and how should it be treated?
His maternal grandfather’s medical books recorded many folk remedies. As Xiao Jingduo was concentrating on reading, he suddenly heard a faint creaking sound, followed by Cheng Huizhen’s voice.
“Elder Cousin, are you here?”
Xiao Jingduo felt an immediate headache. What did Cheng Huizhen want? Why did she have to cling to him all the time?
Cheng Huizhen approached Xiao Jingduo with a warm smile, speaking to him affectionately: “Cousin, where did you go today? Why did you come back so late? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
Xiao Jingduo moved to the side, distancing himself from Cheng Huizhen: “That’s my business. Why are you asking about this?”
“I’m just concerned about you, Cousin. I didn’t mean to pry into your schedule,” Cheng Huizhen quickly explained. In her previous life, she had heard that Xiao Jingduo was very wary of people inquiring about his movements. At that time, Xiao Jingduo had already entered the court as an official and held power. Cheng Huizhen had marveled at how cautious Xiao Jingduo was, no wonder he was promoted so quickly. She didn’t expect that even in his youth, he already had these habits.
Afraid that Xiao Jingduo might misunderstand, Cheng Huizhen quickly cleared herself, then stole a glance at Xiao Jingduo’s expression. Fortunately, Xiao Jingduo’s face remained normal, not seeming angry. Cheng Huizhen felt relieved and continued speaking in an affectionate tone: “Elder Cousin, there’s a strange disease raging in Chang’an these days. I made you a sachet. As long as you wear it, you won’t catch the disease.”
Xiao Jingduo was skeptical. Even the many renowned doctors at the Imperial Medical Office were at a loss about this epidemic. He himself hadn’t even figured out what disease it was. How could Cheng Huizhen dare to make such claims?
But Cheng Huizhen had already handed him the sachet. Out of courtesy, Xiao Jingduo had to reach out and take it. His nose twitched, and suddenly his heart skipped a beat.
Why was this fragrance so familiar? Xiao Jingduo discreetly glanced at his grandfather’s medical book. Wasn’t this the very recipe he had just been looking at? How did Cheng Huizhen know about it, and why was the timing so coincidental?
A dark glint flashed in Xiao Jingduo’s eyes. He casually asked Cheng Huizhen, “What’s in this sachet? I’ve never smelled this scent before.”
Cheng Huizhen was very proud of this: “The sachet contains medicinal herbs specifically to counter this strange disease. As long as you wear it, you’re guaranteed not to fall ill.”
“Oh? Such miraculous effects.” Xiao Jingduo played with the sachet in his hand, asking as if unintentionally, “Where did this recipe come from?”
Cheng Huizhen hesitated. In her previous life, there had also been an outbreak of the ghost soldier plague. At that time, Chang’an was in panic, and she had trembled with fear hiding in the mansion. A month later, the court issued a prescription that not only cured the plague in the city but also drove away the ghost soldiers. Seeing its effectiveness, people naturally rushed to copy it, and the Dingyong Marquis’s mansion was no exception. Xiao Su had prepared several sachets according to the court’s method and forcibly gave them to Cheng Huizhen, which was how she remembered that miraculous recipe. After her rebirth, when the plague from her previous life occurred again, Cheng Huizhen naturally prepared in advance, knowing the cure. She vaguely remembered the main ingredients of the prescription and made several medicinal sachets to prevent illness and save lives, distributing them to those close to her. Cheng Huizhen had specifically kept one to present to Xiao Jingduo to gain his favor. Now that Xiao Jingduo was indeed attracted by her recipe, Cheng Huizhen felt both proud and a bit embarrassed.
This prescription wasn’t her own invention, but since she was able to be reborn, surely it was heaven’s will. So borrowing some things shouldn’t bother the original provider of the prescription in her past life.
So Cheng Huizhen said without blinking, “I came up with this myself.”
Xiao Jingduo raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Instead, he asked, “Where did you see this?”
“I don’t remember, perhaps in some book.” Cheng Huizhen pretended to rub her forehead. “I can’t recall.”
Cheng Huizhen truly couldn’t remember. In her past life, this prescription was highly praised, but the person who provided it never came forward. Since it was unclaimed, Cheng Huizhen felt free to use it.
Xiao Jingduo nodded and said no more. He put away the sachet and began to dismiss his guest: “It’s getting late. Men and women should keep their distance. Cousin, you should head back now.”
Cheng Huizhen reluctantly stood up. She still had so much to say and really didn’t want to leave like this. But since Xiao Jingduo had said so, what could she do? Cheng Huizhen felt dejected. Three years had passed, why was her cousin still so cold? Then she consoled herself that his accepting her sachet today was already great progress. Water drips through stone; Xiao Jingduo would surely gradually accept and like her.
Cheng Huizhen left, looking back repeatedly. After the courtyard fell silent, Xiao Jingduo took out the sachet and carefully poured out the herbs inside.
Xiao Jingduo examined them closely under the lamp. Veratrum, rhododendron, moutan bark, atractylodes… It was correct. Although there were some minor differences, the main components were identical to the prescription he had just been studying. However, the proportions were completely wrong, as if mixed by someone who knew nothing about pharmacology. Xiao Jingduo put down the herbs, feeling an indescribable strangeness. He didn’t believe at all that Cheng Huizhen had come up with this prescription herself, as she clearly knew nothing about pharmacology. How could she possibly concoct medicine? If it wasn’t her, then how did Cheng Huizhen dare to present a sachet and confidently claim it was a recipe to counter the plague?
Xiao Jingduo felt increasingly uneasy as he thought about it. He decided to open the medical book left by his maternal grandfather and carefully study the prescription called “Red Heat Powder”. He had been considering whether Red Heat Powder could cure the old man Xu’s plague, and after Cheng Huizhen’s interruption, Xiao Jingduo became even more curious about it, studying it more meticulously.
In the past, when Xiao Jingduo got hold of medical books, although he could copy prescriptions and dispense medicines, it was merely mechanical imitation. In fact, he didn’t understand these prescriptions at all. But now, having learned medical principles from Master Mingjue, when he looked at his grandfather’s medical book again, it suddenly became clear. Not only could he understand the mechanisms of various prescriptions, but he could even adjust proportions and add or remove auxiliary medicines as appropriate. This was truly a leap in progress, completely different from three years ago.
Xiao Jingduo studied until midnight before sleeping. The next day, Qiuju was startled when she saw Xiao Jingduo: “Young Master, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
Xiao Jingduo had slept too late, and now his eyes were bloodshot. He rubbed his brow and said energetically, “I need to go out again today. You take care and watch Furong carefully. Follow my instructions from yesterday, just give her a bowl of medicine regularly.”
Qiuju nodded blankly. She was about to say something more when they heard a knock at the courtyard gate, and a servant called out, “Servant here to deliver meals. Is the Young Master up?”
“It’s someone from the main kitchen delivering food,” Qiuju hurried to open the door. “We’re up early, sister. Please come in.”
The maid delivering food carried a food box, respectfully bowed to Xiao Jingduo, and then followed Qiuju inside. Qiuju eagerly led the maid in, smiling and asking, “Usually I go to the kitchen to fetch food. Why did you come personally to deliver it today, sister?”
The maid’s smile remained unchanged as she said, “In the past, it was just you and Furong, so it was fine to be a bit casual. But now that the Young Master has returned, of course we can’t be negligent. By the way, where’s Furong today?”
Qiuju panicked for a moment but quickly steadied herself, saying, “She went out to fetch water. If you’re looking for her, sister, I can call her back right away.”
“No need,” the food-delivering maid quickly stopped her. She glanced at the set of sky-blue tea ware on the table in the main room, a hint of a smile flashing across her lips. “I was just asking casually, no need for you to specially go look for her. Since the food has been delivered, I’ll take my leave now.”
The food-delivering maid walked out of the room and saw Xiao Jingduo standing in the corridor. She eagerly greeted him: “This servant pays respects to Young Master. Is Young Master well?”
Xiao Jingduo nodded, a faint smile on his lips. Seeing Xiao Jingduo’s favorable attitude towards her, the maid felt even more delighted. She walked out of Qingze Court with light steps, carefully closing the courtyard gate before leaving.
The smile on Xiao Jingduo’s lips deepened. Qiuju walked to Xiao Jingduo’s side and asked in confusion: “Young Master, I did as you instructed, and she indeed didn’t suspect anything. But I still don’t quite understand. If that set of sky-blue tea ware is contaminated with smallpox, why are we keeping it, and even placing an identical set outside?”
“The tea set wasn’t changed, and no servants were affected yesterday. What do you think this indicates?”
“Ah?” Qiuju’s mouth gaped open. “What does it indicate?”
Xiao Jingduo rubbed his brow, wondering why he was so foolish as to expect understanding from Qiuju. He had to explain more clearly: “If we had discovered something in the teacups, we certainly wouldn’t continue using them. But now we’ve replaced them with another identical set. In Wu Junru’s eyes, she’ll only think it’s the same set. Given her arrogant nature, she’ll surely believe I haven’t discovered her plot and have drunk the tea infected with smallpox.”
Xiao Jingduo smiled, speaking somewhat sarcastically: “Just wait. This maid will soon report to Wu Junru. I expect it won’t be long before Wu Junru seals off Qingze courtyard, wholeheartedly waiting for me to fall ill.”
Qiuju seemed to half-understand: “Young Master, what should we do with the tea set contaminated with smallpox? It’s very inauspicious. Do we really need to keep it?”
“Of course we do,” Xiao Jingduo smiled, speaking ambiguously. “I want to keep it to give Wu Junru a grand gift.”
Qiuju nodded. She had no objections; she would follow whatever the Young Master said. After handling the affairs of the marquis’s mansion, Xiao Jingduo prepared to leave for his important business outside the city. Before leaving, he instructed Qiuju: “I’ll be out for the next few days. Watch Furong carefully, don’t let her run out, and don’t let anyone else in. We’ll deal with everything when I return.”
“Understood.”
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