Chapter 50: The Sachet

Shen Quanyi's words felt like a cold blade piercing Yang Siqiu's heart. Being still so young and entering a place like this, aside from catching a distant glimpse of him in the Green Pavilion courtyard when Li Qianlai visited Shen Quanyi, she had nothing else.

In her days of isolation and loneliness, she would always think to herself silently: Could this really be how I live out the rest of my life?

The words she had just heard chilled her heart somewhat. Even with someone as favored as Shen Quanyi feeling hollow inside, she herself had even less qualification to hope.

The expression on her face gradually darkened, filled entirely with sorrow. Glancing at her, Shen Quanyi changed the subject, "I've noticed these past few days that Elder Sister's face looks fair and clear, and the scar on your forehead has faded quite a bit."

At the mention of this, Yang Siqiu immediately perked up. She raised a hand to gently touch the scar on her forehead; previously quite hideous to behold, it now felt much smoother to the touch.

Filled with joy, she reached out her arms and embraced Shen Quanyi, her tone overflowing with gratitude, "I truly must thank you, Younger Sister. The medicine you gave me that day is simply a miraculous cure. If not for you, I would have had to bear this terrifying scar for the rest of my life."

Shen Quanyi clasped Yang Siqiu's hands in return. "Coming here all alone, I have no family. Meeting Elder Sister felt like reuniting with an old friend, and in my heart, I have long regarded you as my own kin."

Hearing these words, Yang Siqiu was deeply moved and hugged Shen Quanyi, wiping away her tears.

After a while, braving the cold wind, the two of them returned to the courtyard. Once Shen Quanyi had changed her clothes, she still felt a stifling soreness in her nose, and her voice remained hoarse when she spoke.

Qiuyue said with distress, "Mistress has caught a chill from the dampness and then faced the cold wind. I hope you won't fall ill."

Lifting her weary eyelids and seeing that Mrs. Liu was nowhere to be seen in the room, Shen Quanyi could not help asking, "Where has the Nanny gone?"

Qiuyue, just about to pick up the basin and head out, turned around and replied, "The Nanny said she was going to prepare a soothing scent for you."

Hearing this, Shen Quanyi felt somewhat more at ease. Resting her chin in one hand, she slowly turned around, her apricot-shaped eyes shining bright as stars while the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Very well, go and ask if the Nanny has finished preparing it."

"Alright, this servant will go fetch some water first." Qiuyue nodded, a look of pure innocence on her face.

Shen Quanyi wanted to say something, but ultimately kept the words to herself. Watching Qiuyue's retreating figure, she still felt it was best if fewer people knew about this matter.

After washing up with hot water, Shen Quanyi changed into comfortable indoor robes and half-reclined on the couch. To prevent any illness, Qiuyue had brewed a strong bowl of ginger soup and insisted that Shen Quanyi drink it all down.

After finishing it, Shen Quanyi smacked her lips in lingering bitterness, picked several candied dates from a jade dish, and shoved them into her mouth. It took her a long time to soothe the astringency away, her pretty little face puckering in a frown for quite a while, which drew several giggles from Qiuyue.

Though intentionally reprimanded by Shen Quanyi with a playful scowl, Qiuyue remained all smiles as she added several charcoal braziers to the room, warming the inner chamber until it was cozy. Shen Quanyi leaned against the daybed, her bare white feet resting atop the bolster behind her.

Hushang knelt beside the couch, gently kneading Shen Quanyi's lower legs. Having knelt for quite a while, her legs were terribly stiff.

Hushang lowered her head and spoke in a deep tone, "The Consort Dowager has been making things difficult for Mistress these past few days."

Turning over carelessly, Shen Quanyi said casually, "What could it possibly be? I can endure it."

Seeing the sorrowful look on Hushang's face as she spoke, Shen Quanyi suddenly straightened up, reached out, and gently lifted Hushang's chin, saying, "Do not put on that miserable expression; it ruins my mood."

"Who can blame me for having a lowly status? But no one can say for sure what the future holds."

With that, Shen Quanyi released her grip, but looking at Hushang's face once more, she raised her hand again to pinch Hushang's cheek, instantly leaving a flush upon the fair skin.

Hushang smiled broadly as she rubbed Shen Quanyi's hand, solicitously asking if she had hurt her fingers, "This servant's skin is thick and rough, I'm not afraid of pain—just make sure you didn't hurt your hands."

Drawing back her hand, Shen Quanyi took the teacup handed to her by Hushang, took a small sip, and handed it back.

"Alright, the Nanny will be coming in shortly. You go outside first."

Hushang let out a reluctant "Oh," which made the corners of Shen Quanyi's mouth twitch. She raised a foot and gave the girl a light kick. "Enough with the act. You already guessed some things without me needing to say them. Putting on a pitiful display for me now is too late."

Hushang had no choice but to drop the expression from her face and beam as she walked out. Just as she lifted the door curtain, someone was approaching from the opposite direction—it was indeed Mrs. Liu. Hushang smiled and offered a greeting, but Mrs. Liu waved her hands repeatedly; back at the estate, who would ever dare accept a courtesy from Hushang?

Even though they had now entered the manor, the ingrained habits remained, and the sight of Hushang still made Mrs. Liu somewhat apprehensive.

Entering the inner chamber, Mrs. Liu saw Shen Quanyi dressed in casual indoor attire, her soft, dark hair draped over her shoulders. Sitting by the couch with a copy of Buddhist scriptures in her hands, the room was exceptionally quiet. Shen Quanyi's delicate, white fingers turned the pages, making a soft rustling sound.

Mrs. Liu tightly clutched the object hidden inside her sleeve, took a few steps forward, and knelt beside the couch.

"I knew Nanny would succeed."

Shen Quanyi put down the scriptures, picked up the teacup resting on the small side table, took a few slow sips, and smiled slightly at Mrs. Liu.

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Mrs. Liu presented the item she had been holding in her bosom. Being meticulous, Mrs. Liu had wrapped the spices in brocade cloth; upon catching a scent, one would only perceive a clean, elegant aroma of peppermint. Shen Quanyi frowned slightly.

Mrs. Liu immediately leaned forward, bending close to Shen Quanyi's ear to whisper, "This medicine will cause no harm. This servant added a heavy scent of peppermint to mask its true odor. If animals smell too much of it, they will lose consciousness and exhibit symptoms of frenzy."

Taking the brocade wrap, Shen Quanyi turned her head and cast a meaningful gaze at Mrs. Liu. Understanding the implication, Mrs. Liu immediately bowed low and knelt. "This servant swears on her life that every word is true; otherwise, may this servant be condemned to live as a lowly slave for generation after generation."

Sighing softly, Shen Quanyi reached out and helped Mrs. Liu to her feet. "Oh, my, I didn't say a thing. Nanny is simply overthinking. I know the principle of 'doubt not those you employ, employ not those you doubt'; there is no need for such displays in the future."

Mrs. Liu tightly clenched her hands and raised her eyes slightly. Even as Shen Quanyi sat upright and proper by the couch with a gentle smile, her lard-like skin appeared even more lustrous and jade-like under the candlelight.

"My crude needlework truly isn't fit to be seen. Having practiced for many days recently, though I managed to embroider those green bamboos, it still looks like an ordinary piece of work. I only hope His Highness the Crown Prince will not disdain my craftsmanship."

As she spoke, Shen Quanyi brushed her forehead with a slightly troubled expression, then looked back up at Mrs. Liu, curving her bright red lips into a smile. "Let the outer face of the embroidery be my green bamboos, but I must ask Nanny to undertake the stitching of the sachet itself."

"Such fine spices are a perfect match, after all, since they are both things that refresh the mind and clear the senses."

Mrs. Liu instantly understood Shen Quanyi's meaning, though lingering doubts remained, she knew better than to ask too many questions. Compassing her thoughts, she smiled as well. "This servant will certainly not fail Mistress's trust."