Chapter Thirty-Three The Bath

Doctor Luo’s face showed a hint of regret. Having obtained what she desired, Su Liluo grew somewhat anxious, unwilling to linger in idle conversation any longer. She offered an apologetic nod. “Shopkeeper, Doctor Luo, forgive me, but pressing matters await me at home. I shall take my leave now. Should anything arise, I’ll return another day.”

With that, Su Liluo picked up the medicine packet, waved farewell, and walked briskly out of the pharmacy. Doctor Luo wanted to call her back for a few more words, but when he looked up, she had already vanished into the distance.

Upstairs, the man hidden in the shadows watched the sly, fox-like smile at the corner of Su Liluo’s lips and was certain she had held something back. A smile touched his face as well—she was indeed clever. After a moment, his expression stiffened and his emotions settled back into calm.

Su Liluo retraced her steps safely back to her courtyard. The windows and doors were tightly shut. As she opened the door, she found Liu Zhu and Liu Ying standing in fright. Upon seeing Su Liluo, the scream forming on their lips was hastily swallowed.

Liu Zhu’s heart finally settled upon seeing her mistress return to the estate. She chattered anxiously, “Miss, where did you go this time after leaving the residence? Let’s change clothes quickly, lest someone comes and our secret is revealed.”

With the help of Liu Zhu and Liu Ying, Su Liluo changed into a plain, moon-white everyday dress. She wore no ornaments in her hair, only a wooden hairpin holding her tresses up, with strands the color of raven’s wing falling down her back.

Su Liluo lounged lazily upon the couch, the medicine packet she’d brought home resting on the small table. She opened it; each herb was wrapped carefully in yellow paper. Taking several banknotes from her bosom, she considered them for a moment, saying, “Liu Zhu, bring me a box.”

In no time, Liu Zhu returned with a small wooden box inlaid with floral designs and secured with a tiny bronze lock. Su Liluo placed the banknotes inside, fastened the lock, then had Liu Zhu tie the key with a red cord and hang it around her neck.

Liu Zhu wanted to ask something, but one calm glance from Su Liluo, those eyes deep as ink, quelled her curiosity. She shut her mouth, pretending she had seen nothing at all.

Seeing her two maids so tactful, Su Liluo smiled gently, “As for today’s events, you are to act as though you saw nothing. Do you understand?”

“We understand, miss,” Liu Zhu and Liu Ying answered respectfully.

Only then did Su Liluo relax, reclining against a large pillow embroidered with plum blossoms. With her weight against it, she felt supremely comfortable.

With a medical book in hand, Su Liluo flipped through its pages absentmindedly, her gaze growing distant. She hadn’t expected those few prescriptions to be so valuable. If so, the medical text in her hands must be worth a fortune.

Her eyes lit up as though she had discovered a treasure; her interest in the medical book was now anything but casual. Still, selling prescriptions could not be a lasting means of livelihood. Now that she had some silver, it would be wiser to purchase herbs and craft medicinal pills. Once this decision was made, she could no longer remain idle. She dismissed her two maids and devoted herself wholeheartedly to studying the formulas.

While Su Liluo immersed herself in research, the pharmacy was equally busy. Doctor Luo, clutching the prescriptions acquired from Su Liluo, studied them carefully. When patients arrived seeking treatment, he followed the recipes exactly, preparing decoctions accordingly. To verify their effectiveness, the pharmacy brewed the medicine on the spot, ensuring the patients drank it before leaving.

“How do you feel? Does your throat still itch or do you still want to cough?” The patient before him suffered from a cold. The prescription detailed herbs differing from Doctor Luo’s usual choices, and they were less expensive as well. He had decided to give it a try and was now checking on the patient’s condition.

“Doctor Luo, you truly are a fine physician. After taking your medicine, my throat stopped itching and I no longer cough. Should I continue with a few more doses?” The man’s illness had lingered for days; his complexion was sallow, lips parched, and though he had taken several medicines, none had cured him. Having caught another chill the previous night by dressing too lightly, his condition had worsened. He had come to the pharmacy today, and after just one dose, felt much improved.

Doctor Luo stroked his beard and smiled with narrowed eyes, “A few more doses will do no harm. Only then will you be fully cured.”

The next patient received a pulse diagnosis, and Doctor Luo again prepared medicine according to the new prescription. After one dose, the patient’s condition improved significantly. Doctor Luo was greatly impressed and reported his findings to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper clapped in delight. “This was a profitable transaction. Doctor Luo, you focus on diagnosing in the main hall today; let the attendants handle the rest.”

Doctor Luo did not delay. “There are still many patients waiting, shopkeeper. I’ll return to the main hall.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Luo.” As Doctor Luo’s figure disappeared toward the hall, the shopkeeper took a medicine packet and sent a servant out. The servant entered the Prince Yi’s residence and was not seen again for half an hour. He was so unremarkable in appearance that no one noticed anything unusual about him.

Yun Yan Yi unwrapped the medicine packet. Inside were indeed herbs for treating colds, but beneath the herbs lay a piece of yellow paper with several words written on it—that was the true message.

After reading the shopkeeper’s message in silence, Yun Yan Yi’s eyes glimmered with curiosity. Where had Su Liluo obtained such excellent prescriptions? Judging from her earlier hesitation, could it be she possessed even better ones?

Yun Yan Yi idly turned the jade thumb ring on his finger, lost in thought. Such an opportunity could not be missed. It seemed he would have to find a way to acquire the formulas from Su Liluo if he wished to expand and elevate the pharmacy.

At the thought of soon meeting Su Liluo again, a smile tugged unconsciously at his lips. He realized he was happy at the prospect of seeing her, then grew annoyed with himself. Such uncontrollable emotions vexed him.

He quickly schooled his expression into cold detachment. Only once his heart and mind had returned to normal did he let out a breath. His behavior just now had been truly odd.

Night fell, and lanterns glowed in the Prime Minister’s manor. After supper, Su Liluo, accompanied by Liu Zhu and Liu Ying, took a walk around the garden. At dusk, the servants prepared hot water, and Su Liluo remained alone in her room. She removed her clothing, draping it over a screen; her skin was as smooth as jade and, though her face was pale, her figure was a sight to behold.

She poured hot water over herself with delicate hands; rose petals floated atop the bath, with fragrant soaps set nearby. Su Liluo closed her eyes and savored this rare moment of peace.

Dressed in black, Yun Yan Yi was already well acquainted with the layout of Su Liluo’s residence. Seeing the lights aglow but hearing no conversation within, and the two maids outside, he crept quietly beneath the window. Faintly, he heard the sound of water. His heart skipped—a bath, perhaps?

Su Liluo hummed softly, in a rare good mood. The water was no longer as hot as before. From a nearby bucket of steaming water, she scooped up a ladleful.

Yun Yan Yi lingered for a while, sensing the excitement within the room only grew, with no sign of stopping. He grew anxious—his current position was too easily discovered. Narrowing his eyes, he gave the window a gentle push, surprise flashing across his face as he found it was unlocked.

With a light push and a swift leap, he vanished from the window in an instant.